in the habit of preparing two discourses every week, besides spending a great part of it in the study of the Bible, and in the investigation of the more difficult and important subjects in theology. His constitution being delicate, he was obliged to be constantly watchful, and to practise the greatest self-denial, in order to continue his exertions. He commonly spent thirteen hours each day in his study, and that not in perusing and treasuring up the recorded thoughts of others, but in the much more exhausting employment of independent investigation. It may appear strange to the reader when we say that Mr Edwards was not in the habit of visiting his people in their own houses, except in cases of sickness or affliction. He did not, however, neglect this practice because he looked upon it as unimportant, but because he considered himself incapable of entering into free conversation, and bringing it to bear on sacred subjects. But he was not, on that account, the less diligent, for he used to preach frequently in particular neighbourhoods, and was wont to call the young people and children to his house, where he used to pray with them, and give them instruction suited to their years, and likewise catechised the young in public every Sabbath. In addition to this, in his study, he spent not a little of his time in conversing with persons under religious impressions, many of whom sought his advice.

ness.

The

On the 28th of July 1727, Mr Edwards was married to Miss Sarah Pierrepont, whose remarkable piety had early attracted his attention. "Few persons," says Mr Dwight, "no older than she was, at the time of her marriage, have made equal progress in holiness, and rare, very rare, is the instance in which such a connection results in a purer or more uninterrupted happiness." At the time when Mr Edwards was ordained, the people began to show an increasing attention to religion, which continued for about two years, and was unhappily followed by several years of inattention and indifference. The health of Mr Edwards, too, in consequence of incessant application, began to fail him, insomuch that he was obliged to relinquish his ministerial duties for several months, and withdraw from the scene of his labours, to recruit his health by travelling. Early in 1732, the state of religion among his people began gradually and perceptibly to improve, and a check was given to the prevalence of disorder and licentiousThe young especially showed a very unusual disposition to yield to advice, and many began to manifest a personal interest in their eternal welfare. solemnity of mind which now began to pervade the Church, and which was evidently on the increase, exerted a very salutary influence on Mr Edwards' ministrations. Encouraged, as he undoubtedly was, by the success of his prayers and exertions, which was daily manifesting itself, the discourses which he now began to deliver are unsurpassed in spirituality and power. Mr Edwards' success, however, was too great for Satan to look quietly on; and, no doubt with the view of attracting the attention of the people from the concerns of their souls, he stirred up in their neighbourhood, a violent. controversy on the subject of Arminianism. But even this, instead of producing any unfavourable effects among Mr Edwards' people, was graciously and powerfully overruled for the promotion of private godliness. Mr Edwards knew well that the points which the Arminians insisted on, were not of little moment, and, accordingly, he preached a series of sermons on the various topics at issue, and, among others, his well known discourses on the great and all-important doctrine of justification by faith alone. The event proved that he had judged wisely, in not keeping silence, for his exposure of the errors of Arminianism was attended with a signal blessing from above on the people of his charge.

"The year 1735 opened on Northampton, in a most auspicious manner. A deep and solemn interest in the

great truths of religion, had become universal in all parts of the town, and among all classes of people. This was the only subject of conversation in every company, and almost the only business of the people appeared to be to secure their salvation. So extensive was the influence of the Spirit of God, that there was scarcely an individual in the town, either old or young, who was left unconcerned about the great things of the eternal world. This was true of the gayest, of the most licentious, and of the most hostile to religion. And in the midst of this universal attention, the work of conversion was carried on in the most astonishing manner. Every day witnessed its triumphs, and so great was the alteration in the appearance of the town, that in the spring and summer following it appeared to be full of the presence of God. There was scarcely a house which did not furnish the tokens of his presence, and scarcely a family which did not present the trophies of his grace. The town,' says Mr Edwards, was never so full of love, nor so full of joy, nor yet so full of distress, as it was then.' Whenever he met the people in the sanctuary, he not only saw the house crowded, but every hearer earnest to receive the truth of God, and often the whole assembly dissolved in tears; some weeping for sorrow, others for joy, and others from compassion. In the months of March and April, when the work of God was carried on with the greatest power, he supposes the number, apparently of genuine conversions, to have been at least four a day, or nearly thirty a week, take one week with another, for five or six weeks together.

"During the winter and spring, many persons from the neighbouring towns came to Northampton to attend the stated lectures of Mr Edwards; many others on business or on visits; and many others from a distance, having heard contradictory reports of the state of things, came to see and examine for themselves. Of these, great numbers had their consciences awakened, were savingly wrought upon, and went home rejoicing in the forgiving love of God. This appeared to be the means of spreading the same influence in the adjacent towns, and in places more remote, so that no less than ten towns in the same county, and seventeen in the adjoining colony of Connecticut, within a short time were favoured with revivals of religion." Thus he was winning souls to Christ;

"Yet all his trophies, all his spoils,

He hung upon the cross."

This was perhaps one of the most remarkable revivals that had taken place since the days of the apostles, and that chiefly on account of its universality, being confined to no particular class, nor age, nor description. Nearly one hundred persons in Mr Edwards' congrega tion became, at that time, according to his own opinion, the subjects of the renewing grace of God, and he was not a man to come to a rash and hasty conclusion on such a subject. It was a peculiarly favourable dispensation of Providence, that amid the multiplied cares and labours of this period, the health of Mr Edwards was graciously preserved. His whole time was occupied ; all the powers of his mind were laboriously employed, and all the feelings of his heart kept in a state of intense excitement. Mr Edwards, besides, was enabled, the more unreservedly, to devote his time and attention to the spiritual interests of his people, as Mrs Edwards relieved him from all attention to secular concerns, and he could, with confidence, commit every thing of this nature to her management. It was to Mr Edwards an unspeakable privilege, surrounded, as he was by a young and growing family, that when his duties to his people, especially in such circumstances, necessarily occupied his whole attention, he could safely rely on the wisdom and piety, the love and faithfulness of their mother in attending to their education. In the latter part of May 1735, the number of converts began gra

dually to decline, and that from various causes. One great cause undoubtedly was, as Mr Dwight remarks, that the physical excitement had been greater than the human constitution can for a long period endure. Another reason of this declension may be found in the fact, that those who had so long witnessed this remarkable work of God without renouncing their sins, had at length become hardened and hopeless in their impenitence. Another cause, and that more powerful in its influence than the others, was, that the attention of the people was called away by an unhappy controversy which began to agitate that part of the country.

We now return to what more immediately concerns the soul of Mr Edwards himself-his own progress Zionward. Since he had settled at Northampton, he had made considerable advances in the life of faith, and was not unfrequently favoured with transporting views of divine things. "Since I came to Northampton," says he, "I have often had sweet complacency in God, in views of his glorious perfections, and of the excellency of Jesus Christ. God has appeared to me a glorious and lovely Being, chiefly on account of his holiness. The holiness of God has always appeared to me the most lovely of all his attributes.' "I have loved the doctrines of the Gospel; they have been to my soul as green pastures. The way of salvation by Christ has appeared, in a general view, glorious and excellent, most pleasing and most beautiful. It has often seemed to me that it would, in a great measure, spoil heaven to receive it in any other way." What pure and exalted conceptions do these few words show forth! And no less beautiful is the following passage, as exemplifying the humility of this man of God:

"It has often appeared to me delightful to be united to Christ; to have him for my head, and to be a member of his body; also to have Christ for my teacher and prophet. I very often think with sweetness, and longings, and pantings of soul, of being a little child, taking hold of Christ, to be led by him through the wilderness of this world. That text, Mat. xviii. 3, has often been sweet to me, Except ye be converted, and become as little children,' &c. I love to think of coming to Christ, to receive salvation of him, poor in spirit, and quite empty of self, humbly exalting him alone; cut off entirely from my own root, in order to grow into, and out of, Christ; to have God in Christ to be all in all; and to live by faith on the Son of God, a life of humble, unfeigned confidence in him."

Mr Edwards' hopes and prayers were not confined merely to his people and himself. His was that generous, that extended philanthropy, of which his divine Master was such a lovely example; it comprehended within its range the whole family of Adam. If ever man took an interest in the spiritual welfare of his fellow-men; if ever man took a deep and intense interest in the advancement of the Messiah's kingdom on earth, it was the subject of our memoir. From his early years, when yet but a child, he greedily scanned the pages of every newspaper within his reach, seeking for what?-for accounts of the progress of religion.

"My heart," says he, "has been much on the advancement of Christ's kingdom in the world. The histories of the past advancement of Christ's kingdom have been sweet to me. When I have read histories of past ages, the pleasantest thing, in all my reading, has been to read of the kingdom of Christ being promoted. And when I have expected, in my reading, to come to any such thing, I have rejoiced in the prospect, all the way as I read. And my mind has been much entertained and delighted with the Scripture promises and prophecies which relate to the future glorious advancement of Christ's kingdom upon earth."

In consequence of the high reputation which Mr Edwards had attained as a powerful and successful preacher, he received frequent invitations from different

churches, to come and labour amongst them for a short
period. Accordingly, with the consent of his people,
and his own pulpit being supplied in the meantime, he
frequently went on those missionary tours, carrying the
Sword of the Spirit in his hand, that sword with
which he had so often routed the armies of the aliens.
"It was a two-edged blade,

Of heavenly temper keen;
And double were the wounds it made,
Where'er it glanced between."

An ample reward was afforded him by the general revivals of religion which attended his labours. While Mr Edwards was thus forwarding the interests of his Master's kingdom abroad, his exertions among his own people began again to be attended with extraordinary success. In the spring of 1740 it became evident that the Spirit of God was working among the people, especially among the young; and in particular individuals there appeared satisfactory evidence of an entire change of character. This state of things continued through the summer and autumn. In October of that year, the celebrated Mr Whitefield came on a visit to Mr Edwards, at Northampton. There he preached five sermons, which were followed by an awakening among professors of religion, and soon after by a deep concern among the young. Mr Edwards took this opportunity to converse with Mr Whitefield on the subject of impulses, on which he thought that gentleman laid too much stress. likewise conversed with Mr Whitefield about his practice of judging other persons to be unconverted, and expressed his own decided disapprobation of the prac tice. The whole interview was warm and affectionate. Yet Mr Edwards was inclined to think that Mr Whitefield regarded him somewhat less as an intimate and confidential friend, than he would have done had he not opposed him on these two favourite points.

He

The effects of Mr Edwards' labours were not confined to his own country, much less to his own congregation, but extended even to this remote island. Several of Mr Edwards' writings were republished in Scotland, and produced great and salutary effects, as the heartstirring scenes which were presented at Cambuslang, and upwards of thirty towns and villages, amply testified. The publication of Mr Edwards' works in Scotland gave rise to a correspondence betwixt him and several of the most distinguished ornaments of the Scottish Church. Among these may be mentioned the illustrious names of Maclaurin and Erskine, and the pious and devoted M'Culloch of Cambuslang. October 1744, a number of able clergymen in Scotland, among whom were Mr Edwards' correspondents, thinking that the state of the Church, and of the world, called loudly for united, extraordinary prayer to God, proposed that Christians universally should set apart a portion of time each week, namely, on Saturday evening and Sabbath morning, to be spent in prayer, for this purpose. This plan was communicated to Mr Edwards, who welcomed the proposal, and did everything in his power to promote its general acceptance by the American Churches.

In

In 1747 David Brainerd, whoin Mr Edwards had previously met on one of his missionary tours, and whose life he afterwards wrote, came to New England, and resided at his house. Mr Brainerd was at that time thought to be labouring under a confirmed consumption. From his company, Mr Edwards and his family derived much pleasure and benefit. The health of the devoted missionary, however, continued gradually to decline, and it soon became obvious that he could not long survive.

"On the morning of Lord's day, October 4," says Mr Edwards, "as my daughter Jerusha, who chiefly attended him, came into the room, he looked on her very pleasantly, and said, ‘Dear Jerusha, are you will. ing to part with me?-I am quite willing to part with you; I am willing to part with all my friends; though

But it was not so. There is no doubt that many | deceived others, and were themselves deceived, but yet it cannot be denied that a glorious work of grace was carried on there.

"Many may be ready," says Mr Edwards," from things that are lately come to pass, to determine, that all Northampton religion has come to nothing; and that all the famed awakenings, and revivals of religion in that place, prove to be nothing but strange tides of a melancholy and whimsical humour. But they would draw no such conclusion, if they exactly knew the true state of the case, and would judge of it with full calmness and impartiality of mind."

They were not the true converts, who commenced and carried on this opposition to Mr Edwards, but, as we have mentioned before, those who, through the lax system of admission, had gained entrance into the church. And besides this, it ought to be remembered that the opinions Mr Edwards was opposing were intimately associated with the memory of his predecessor, Mr Stoddard, for whom the people had such a veneration "that many looked upon him almost as a sort of deity." He had maintained with great zeal the doctrine which Mr Edwards now renounced, and had regarded the strict system of communion as exceedingly pernicious. But notwithstanding all this, Mr Edwards' flock were not all opposed to him, and he had reason to suppose, that many more would have come forward and supported him if they durst. But so violent were his enemies at that time, that to speak favourably of him exposed the individual to the immediate persecution of his neighbours.

Melancholy as these events undoubtedly were, they were over-ruled by a gracious God for his own glory. The discussion of the question regarding communion was followed by the most salutary effects on both sides of the Atlantic. The church at Northampton was, as it were, a city set on a hill, and the renowned piety of its inhabitants, and the strenuous exertions of Mr Edwards, only showed the more clearly the effects that might be expected to result from the lax system of admission to the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. "Probably," says Mr Dwight, "no one event of apparently malignant aspect ever did so much towards reforming the churches of New England." But there were other ends to be accomplished, and those of paramount importance. There were many difficulties connected with theology, that required to be thoroughly examined and clearly illustrated, and the very events which we lament, afforded Mr Edwards time and opportunity for investigating these great truths, and were thus the means of enabling him to prepare for publication some of the most valuable works of which the Church can boast. Mr Edwards knew well that all these sufferings were appointed by God, "and he received the chastisement of his heavenly Father with such exemplary submission that it would seem to have been sent only to reveal more fully the excellence of his character."

THE SHEEP.

BY THE REV. DAVID MITCHELL. SHEEP are found in many varieties: the chief of these may be reckoned the common sheep, the Guinea sheep, the Cretan sheep, the African sheep, the many-horned sheep, and the broad-tailed sheep. Our native land is at present famous among the nations of Europe for its breed of sheep, but the Merino, or Spanish, excel ours in the fineness of the fleece. In the island of Madagascar, on the east of Africa, sheep are said to be found with tails several pounds in weight. In Syria and Tartary the tails of the sheep are much larger. The tail is estimated to weigh one fourth part of the weight of the whole body. Russel reckons the weight of a Syrian sheep to be about sixty or seventy English

pounds, of which the tail weighs about fifteen pounds. The tail is a kind of substance between fat and marrow, and is considered a great delicacy. It is sometimes used instead of butter, and frequently eaten along with the lean of the animal. Sheep of this description were supposed to be used in sacrifice to Jehovah, under the law of Moses. The Jews were commanded to cut off the whole rump or tail of the animal used in sacrifice, and to burn it wholly unto the Lord. This command might seem strange to us, who consider the tail a very insignificant part of the animal, but when we bear in mind that the rump of an oriental sheep is a most valuable portion, we are led to perceive the real import of the instructions given to the Hebrews. he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace-offering, an offering made by fire, unto the Lord; the fat thereof, and the whole rump, it shall he take off hard by the backbone......and the priest shall burn it upon the altar; it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the Lord.”—(Lev. iii. 9–11.)

"And

When under the immediate dominion of man, sheep are harmless, timid, and gentle animals. They submit to the most painful restraints with quietness and docility. They silently part with their fleece, and mutely endure the stroke of death. Sheep, however, when left to roam at large on the mountains, or in a wild state, as some have described them, are not the soft and timid creatures which they appear when under the direct superintendence of the human race, though Buffon, the natural historian, would have them to be so. When left to go at large without restraint, they prepare for their defence, and protect themselves with boldness When they expect a general attack they go systematically to work, and act in concert, They form themselves into a compact body, the ewes and lambs occupy the centre, while the rams form a regular front in each direction, where they wait the coming of their enemies, and immediately they dart forth against them with great fury and impetuosity. The rams stand forth undauntedly, and occupy the post of danger. A single one has been bold enough to attack an enraged bull, and gain the victory. This description of the strength and courage of the ram will enable us to perceive the force of the language used by the prophet Daniel, when he describes the vision which he saw on the banks of the river Ulai, representing the powerful union of the kingdoms of Media and Persia, under the figure of a ram with two horns. "Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw,

and behold there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward and northward, and southward, so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand but he did according to his will, and became great." (Dan. viii. 3, 4.)

;

The lamb is proverbial for its simplicity and innocence. Free from that selfish cunning which some animals possess, they enjoy life in the most artless manner. They frisk about in their playful gambols by their mother's side, and skip to and fro with great delight. "What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs ?"-(Psalm cxiv. 5, 6.)

Sheep, when under the direct superintendence of man, exhibit but little sagacity in their character. When they once lose sight of their companions, they in general go still farther and farther out of the way. They manifest such a stupid insensibility in this respect, that they have been alluded to in the Word of God as an emblem of sinful man, who, in the depths of his depraved and perverted understanding, wanders in his bewilderment at a distance from Him who is the source and fountain of wisdom and strength; "For ye were as

sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls."-(1 Peter ii. 25.) The rearing of sheep was considered a very important occupation amongst the Hebrews, and they watched over their flocks with great zeal and activity. They were careful to search out good pasture, and also to provide water, which was sometimes very scarce. The anxiety of the shepherd for the prosperity of his flock was so intense, that it was proverbial in Israel. When David describes the exuberance of his Maker's bounty, and his incessant care, he addresses God by the term shepherd, as implying all that was necessary for his protection and support. "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."-(Psalm xxiii. 1, 2.) The care and fidelity of the good shepherd has been selected by God himself, as affording one of the best similitudes which nature can bestow of that watchful tenderness which Christ exerciseth toward his Church in his mediatorial capacity. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."—(Isaiah xl. 11.) This care and anxiety on the part of the shepherd exposed him to great fatigue and privation. He frequently suffered from the inclemency of the weather, from the chilling frost by night, and from the rays of a scorching sun by day; sleep departed from his eyes, and slumber from his eye-lids. Nor was this all-he was not only forced to endure fatigue, and submit to much privation, but he was also exposed to personal danger upon many occasions. When the sheep went astray they frequently wandered into places where they exposed themselves and the shepherd to great danger before they could be relieved. It is recorded of the shepherds on the Alps that they sometimes engage in the most perilous undertakings, in order to rescue their strayed sheep from danger. When a sheep gets bewildered and loses sight of the rest, it not unfrequently wanders into a cavity or cleft of a rock, from which it cannot make its escape, and the shepherd has sometimes to rescue it by leaning over the precipice and reaching down his crook or rod, to which the animal clings, and by this method is relieved from its dangerous situation. The shepherds in Palestine were exposed to personal danger from another source than that which we have just now described. They were frequently subjected to the attacks of wild beasts, which came to devour the sheep. The lion, the bear, and the wolf, were noted enemies of the flock, and these the faithful shepherd had to encounter. David more than once risked his life while he fed his father's sheep. And when Jesus describes his infinite compassion to the children of men, and his willingness to give his life a ransom for many, he compares himself to the good shepherd, "I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."-(John x. 11.) Sheep formerly constituted a great portion of the wealth of the people of the East. They formed a very considerable proportion of the substance of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were shepherd princes, and much revered and respected among the nations where they sojourned. The heads of the tribes of Israel also paid much attention to this part of their substance: "And Mesha, king of Moab, was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool."-(2 Kings iii. 4.) We learn from the testimony of the most respectable travellers and sojourners in the East, that there are many shepherds occupying a position at the present day similar to that of the pastoral chiefs of antiquity, who went from place to place to feed their flocks. Russel describes the Syrian shepherds as wealthy, powerful, independent, and surrounded by a vast retinue of attendants. Chardin met a Turcoman shepherd in the neighbourhood of Parthia,

in all the dignity and splendour of a powerful prince. This pastoral chief had more than ten led horses in his train, all gorgeously caparisoned with gold and silver. His wives followed in about an hour after, carried on camels, along with his principal attendants on camels, horses, and asses, while his flocks covered the country for about ten leagues around. These pastoral chiefs live in tents, as in the days of old. The Turcoman shepherds live in tents, covered with white linen. The Turks cover theirs with red or green. The Arabs, the descendants of Kedar, the son of Ishmael, cover theirs with black hair-cloth, as they did several thousand years ago. “I am black but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon."-(Song of Solomon, i. 5.)

The sheep were washed in the running stream, and the impurities taken away from the wool. Great care was observed in cleaning the fleece, and in removing from it every speck and stain. There appears, however, to be only one reference to the washing of sheep in Scripture, and that is in the Song of Solomon, chap. iv. 2,-" Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them." This passage has been explained by some as alluding to believers generally, as descriptive of the Church in a prosperous state, producing the peaceable fruits of righteousness, and abounding in the good work of the Lord. Others have applied it to ministers of the Gospel, endowed with the graces of the spirit, unfolding the excellence of divine truth, bringing sheep to the fold of Jesus, and exhibiting in their character the power and efficacy of the doctrines which they teach. Contemplating it either way, it demonstrates the powerful effects of the Gospel upon the Christian, producing purity, uniformity, and fruitfulness, in every good word and work. The time of sheep-shearing was an important season amongst the Jews. It seems to have been, according to the most authentic computation, in the month of March, that the Hebrews performed this work. At a very early period the wool was plucked off the animal with the hand. Several of the Latin historians refer to this barbarous practice. The Jews appear, however, to have shorn their sheep with an iron instrument. This was a time of great festivity; even those who were niggardly and parsimonious considered it necessary to open their hand liberally to their servants upon this occasion. Churlish Nabal, at the shearing of his sheep, "held a feast in his house like the feast of a king."

Solo

Among the Jews, sheep were reckoned very valuable, as they are among us at the present day. Their wool was manufactured into clothing, and their skin used for various purposes. Their flesh was an important article of diet, and their horns were formed into instruments of music. They were used in sacrifice, and numerous were the victims which bled on the altar of Jehovah. mon offered" an hundred and twenty thousand sheep" at the dedication of the temple. These offerings derived all their importance and value from Jesus Christ, who is typically described as a lamb. So very appropriate is this designation to Christ, that it is applied to him at almost every stage of his mediatorial work. He is described as the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." When Jesus approached the Baptist, by Jordan, John pointed him out as "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." The prophet Isaiah, in relating the sufferings of Christ, says, brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." When the faithful witnesses for the truth are described, those who have passed through the furnace and been refined as by fire, they are said “to have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." When the holy city, the new Jerusalem, is delineated, John saith, "the glory of God did lighten it, and the

"he is