"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

His friend can never forget that hallowed period when he came and showed him all that had taken place; when he asked his pardon for having so strenuously and obstinately opposed and contradicted the plain and faithful testimony of scripture which had been set before him in relation to the subject of dispute; and when, instead of being the proud dogmatist and sceptical disputant, he had assumed the meekness, docility, and modesty of a little child. His weapons of hostility were laid aside, and he received "the kingdom of God as a little child," Luke xviii. 17. Instead of boasting of his virtue and morality, and attempting to justify his breaches of the divine law, he loathed and abhorred himself, and, like the patriarch Job, repented as in dust and ashes, Job xlii. 6.

The writer well remembers, that, prior to his conversion, he was accustomed to charge his relatives and friends with much of the guilt and sin of a personal character which he had contracted in his native land. "If," said he, "I have violated the sabbath by frequenting places of amusement, and neglecting the worship of God, my parents are the aggressors, for they took me there, and I was not solicited to attend church. If I never read the Bible, that book was not put into my hands, and of course I was ignorant of the value of its contents. These sins, therefore, are fairly chargeable upon my natural guardians, and not upon myself." Nor could he be convinced, by reasons derived from the sacred volume, of his personal responsibility, till the time when he became capable of comprehending the moral distinctions, and of understanding the position he occupied in relation to his Creator and Judge. When, however, his heart had been opened, and when he saw himself in the light of divine truth, when he had been brought to a right mind, he no longer attempted to palliate and excuse his transgressions by casting the blame upon others. Like the heart-broken and penitential psalmist, he acknowledged his personal guilt and iniquity, and implored mercy and forgiveness. His conscience was especially pained at the recollection of his misspent sabbaths in his own country.

Having received the truth in the love thereof, and having cordially embraced the first and fundamental principles of religion, he became desirous of rendering unreserved obedience to the will of his Lord and Master, by connecting himself with a christian church. He became a member of a Protestant society in the city of Edinburgh, and not only attended regularly the ministry of the gospel, but also joined with the mem

THE ENGLISH MONTHLY TRACT SOCIETY, 27 RED LION SQUARE, LONDON.

bers of that christian community in partaking of the symbols of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. He grew in grace, and in the knowledge and love of his Saviour. His progress in divine things was manifest to all around him. More especially was he hailed by his christian brethren in the medical profession, who regarded him as a trophy of divine grace, and welcomed, with more than ordinary interest and delight, his attendance at their little prayer-meeting above mentioned.

But his principles were to be tested. As John Bunyan has beautifully and graphically set forth, the pilgrims to Mount Zion have to ascend the hill Difficulty, and also to encounter the lions on either side. As soon as Mr. Zuckerbecker had become acquainted with the worth of his soul, and with the value and importance of the Bible, he realized his obligations and responsibilities in reference to his relatives, friends, and associates. He became aware that Christians are the salt of the earth, and are designed by Jehovah to become instrumental in preserving it from putrefaction and destruction; that they are the lights of the world, and should shine upon the gross darkness around them. In accordance with these views and sentiments, he set himself in earnest to do good. And since genuine charity first begins at home, he wrote a letter to his father, and informed him of the change that had taken place in his principles and character, and expressed a sincere desire that his sisters would read that book from which he himself had derived so much benefit. This letter provoked the indignation of the father. He ridiculed his new notions as enthusiastic and fanatical, and compared them to a whim which, some years before, had entered the heads of some Prussian students at one of the universities, but which had speedily subsided and died away. He added, moreover, that it was his belief that the whim which had taken possession of the mind of his son would prove as evanescent. The parent, however, was mistaken. The good seed which had been sown in the son's heart "fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit." It was the seed divine, which the heavenly Husbandman had scattered upon prepared soil; and having been watered, quickened, and nurtured by divine and hallowed influences, it was impossible that it should fail of producing fruit. When the father discovered that his prediction had failed, and that his son's notions were unchanged, he resorted to other expedients. Ridicule and scorn were superseded by cruel threats and persecution. In one of his subsequent letters he affirmed that he would entirely disinherit him, and cut him off from paternal favour and affection.

This was a sore trial; nevertheless the young Christian was enabled, through divine grace, to bear it. He knew what his Lord and Master had said upon this subject: "The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father," Luke xii. 53. "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," Matt. v. 10. "Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting," Luke xviii. 29, 30. Fortified and upheld by the divine promises, he continued steadfast and immoveable in the faith and hope of the ever-blessed gospel.

But not only was he desirous of doing good to his relatives; his fellow-pupils, several of whom were vicious and profane, were admonished and reproved by him; and although, in the first instance, he met with nothing but banter and ridicule, the writer believes that eventually his upright, holy, and conscientious demeanour was blessed to the good of some of them, and that they reaped the benefit of his christian counsels and admonitions. But his religious charity was not confined to his kindred, and to those who were studying medicine with him under the roof of a professional gentleman in the city: he took an interest in the great and noble institutions of our day; and, in so far as it was compatible with the time and attention demanded of him by his own profession, co-operated with his fellow-Christians in their endeavours to promote the moral and spiritual amelioration of their fellow-men and the honour and glory of God.

In the autumn of 1818, he obtained his degree as Doctor of Medicine from the University of Edinburgh, and was highly complimented by the professors on his proficiency and skill in medical knowledge. It may here be observed, that, when he became a Christian, he did not become slothful and negligent in his secular pursuits. He was more than ever industrious, active, and persevering in the acquisition of a thorough knowledge of his profession. He learned the happy art of combining piety with worldly duties and engagements. He assigned to each of them that time and attention which their relative importance claimed; and was not only diligent in business, but also "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

After having graduated, he removed the same year to London, in order that he might have an opportunity of gaining further information with respect to the practice of medicine in the extensive hospitals of that city. Whilst sojourning there

he was introduced to several christian friends, who cherished a high regard for his character and conduct. The late Mr. Butterworth, M.P., the Rev. Dr. Steinkopff, and Mr. Peter Bedford, a member of the Society of Friends, took a lively interest in his spiritual as well as temporal welfare. During his residence in town, the writer received two or three letters from him, all of which displayed his steadfastness and devotion as a Christian, as well as his industry and diligence as a man ardently devoted to his profession.

But the time arrived for his return to his native land; and whilst his numerous christian friends felt much in prospect of separation from so lovely and excellent a young man, they consoled themselves with the anticipation of a wide and extended sphere of usefulness, which was just opening before him, and believed that his Master had a great work for him to accomplish in that benighted and infidel country. They conceived that his talents and accomplishments pointed him out as one whom the providence and grace of God had raised up for missionary enterprise and exertion, in combination with the discharge of his professional duties. How short-sighted and erring are frail mortals in their calculations, as we shall presently see. In 1819, Dr. Zuckerbecker returned to Russia. Soon after his return he went to Moscow, for the purpose of getting an insight into the Russian method of treating disease. He had not resided many months in that city, however, before he was seized with a fatal illness, and, on his expressing a desire to be conveyed to Riga that he might see his relatives, his request was complied with. He was unable to travel by the usual modes of conveyance, and was carried upon a litter. The journey, nevertheless, as might have been anticipated, proved too much for him, and he died by the way. In consequence of the circumstances connected with his illness and disease, no information could be obtained relative to the state of his mind in prospect of dissolution. There is every reason to believe, judging from his previous history, and from the decision of his christian character and profession, that his latter end was peace, and that although threatened by his earthly parent with the deprivation of an earthly inheritance, his heavenly Father conferred upon him a far better portion, an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for all those that are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation.

From this brief memoir of an interesting youth, we learn that there may be loveliness of character, and morality of deportment, without religion; that there may be the knowledge of

art, science, and literature, without self-knowledge and the knowledge of God. Before we can possess that knowledge which is infinitely momentous and valuable, we must be made acquainted with ourselves as guilty, helpless, hell-deserving sinners; with the Lord Jesus Christ as our only refuge from the wrath to come; with Jehovah as the justifier of all those that believe in the righteousness and mediation of his dear Son; and with the Holy Ghost as the regenerator and sanctifier of our spirits. Our language must be that of the poor publican, "God be merciful to me, a sinner!" It is absolutely essential to our pardon, peace, and acceptance with the Most High, that we should repudiate our own righteousness, sacrifice our pride, and with all lowliness and humility submit to the righteous and equitable terms which have been presented to us in the everblessed gospel. If we would obtain eternal life and salvation we must draw nigh to God, and present our petitions in the penitent and contrite spirit of the publican, and not in the proud and self-righteous spirit of the vaunting Pharisee.

Finally, we discover the worth of the sacred volume, and the importance of commending it to the earnest and prayerful attention of youth. There is every reason to believe that the first step to this young man's conversion was the recommendation of the pious lady above referred to. She requested him to peruse the word of God daily and prayerfully; and ultimately the reading of that word was overruled by the Holy Spirit for his everlasting benefit. Let those who are instructors and guardians of youth be encouraged to imitate the example of this lady, and also that of the pious Prince Galitzin. Let them cast the bread seed divine upon the waters, not knowing but that it may be found after many days. It sometimes is like seed buried deeply in the soil, which lies dormant for a season, but which revives and germinates on being watered and nourished by the genial and quickening influences of the atmosphere and sun. When the dews of divine energy distil, and the rains descend, and the quickening rays of the glorious Sun of righteousness are emitted, then "spring up, first the blade, then the ear, and after that the full corn in the ear." Wherefore, "in the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good," Eccles. xi. 6.

J. F. SHAW, BOOKSELLER, SOUTHAMPTON ROW, AND
PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON;

AND W.INNES, BOOKSELLER, SOUTH HANOVER STREET, EDINBURGH.

London: J. and W. Rider, Printers, 14, Bartholomew Close.