the neglected, and speak words of kindness to them, and teach them to read the precepts of the purest morality, and cause them to hear the lessons of heavenly wisdom. Thus, with every right feeling of the human heart greatly strengthened and refreshed by the consciousness of voluntary efforts to do good, they rereturn to the labors of the week, more happy in themselves, and more deserving of the confidence of others than ever. If the gratitude of the community has no civic crown to reward such services, there is One, who will hereafter bestow the meed of approbation, when he shall say, "Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of your Lord."

In employments of this beneficial character James B. Taylor took great delight; and the peculiar kindness of his disposition induced him to engage in teaching the people of color, of whom there are very considerable numbers in New-York, and who have been greatly neglected in all the efforts to do good which had preceded the establishment of Sabbath schools. "I am engaged," said he, in a letter to one of his sisters, dated April 5, 1818, "in a Sunday school-a pleasing task indeed! I have in my class eight, between the ages of 19 and 40. Some of them learn, during the week, to recite, on Sunday, one, two and three chapters in the Bible. We have in our school about seventy regular attendants, between 16 and 72 years of age. O how that race has been neglected! But I trust that the time has come for them to know more of their Creator. There have been many converts, and some, both teachers and scholars, have connected themselves with the church, who ascribe their convictions to the influence of Sunday schools. We expect

J. B. Taylor.

a great day at the anniversary. We shall probably meet in the Park, with all the children, about five thousand. These children, or most of them, were once, I may say, vagabonds, wandering about the streets, and committing the worst of crimes." Such were the first openings of a christian character, which afterwards rose to great eminence, and shone out with exceeding lustre. In the present day, opportunities of doing good are so brought home to every individual, that if any one is contented with the determination to go to heaven by himself, and let others alone, he probably needs no other evidence to prove that he is not a Christian at all.

In letters to his friends, James B. Taylor, by stating facts showing the great usefulness of Sabbath schools, and by earnest exhortations, urged them to set up similar institutions in their neighborhoods. In every way he endeavored, when a youth of only sixteen, to be the cause of good to others.

When young men are sent from the country to a large city, and become engaged in its business and pleasures, they generally are weaned from home; and its simple pleasures are regarded with contempt. This is one of the truest signs of corruption; and is an omen too sure, of the ruin which is soon to follow. If religion is not. the only, it is certainly the best preservative from evils of this kind. Under its influence, James B. Taylor maintained all the simplicity of his character, and retained all his love of home, his filial and fraternal affection, in full vigor. Under date of Nov. 15, 1818, he writes:

“It would give me great pleasure to receive a letter from my kind mother. I can never repay your good

ness to me in my younger days. But I hope that He who alone can give happiness, will reward you a hundred fold. I never can, and I never would erase from my memory the kind admonitions which I have received from your lips. I never can sufficiently thank the Lord that my parents have been so good to me. And it is impossible for me to express how much I love and esteem you. For this also I desire to be thankful. I esteem it a great blessing."

In many other letters addressed to his parents, similar sentiments are expressed in similar language. And the same strong natural affection was ever shown towards his brothers and sisters. But religion is the great subject of every letter; and the most intense desire that the whole family might become disciples of Jesus Christ, and partakers of his salvation, is manifested in every page.

In his correspondence, as carried on from year to year, there are clear indications of a growth of religious feeling, and increased consistency of religious character; giving promise that one so devoted in early life would be employed by the Head of the church in some remarkable way for the advancement of his cause.

He was now pleasantly situated as a merchant's clerk, with a kind-hearted, pious man, whom he greatly loved. His prospects were entirely favorable. But before the close of 1819, he determined to abandon his pursuits, renounce his hopes of becoming rich, and devote himself to the ministry of the Gospel. The providence of God was plainly in this whole affair.

A physician in New-York, in full practice, and with a rising reputation, had determined to "leave all," and

go with his family as a missionary to the East Indies. His departure from the city excited great interest. James was engaged in his ordinary business, when a young christian friend, on passing his door, called, and asked him to accompany him to the wharf, "to see Dr. Scudder off." The invitation was readily accepted. The scene and the effect produced may be told in his own words:

"New-York, May 24, 1819.

"This morning I witnessed a scene highly interesting to the heart of a Christian. It caused thanksgiving and praise to rise from my heart, and tears to flow from my eyes. I saw a missionary and his wife take their departure from this port for India, to declare among the heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ. How pleasing is it to see the Lord, from time to time, raising up one and another to make known his truth to the children of men, and sending them to those who have never heard the voice of mercy, have never been told of a Savior from sin, nor of a way of escape from the wrath to come. Let us rejoice in what he has done, is doing now, and has promised to do in time to come, for his church. On looking back thirty years, there were no Bible, no Missionary, no Tract Societies, nor Sabbath Schools. But now, we see them all, and hear of their happy results. We also see societies for the education of pious youth for the ministry, who, I trust, will prove a blessing to millions yet unborn. Christians, at this time, seem to be exerting themselves for the cause of Zion; and while one minister is going among foreign pagans, another is taking his station among the Indians.

" This, I think, is not 'a day of small things.' Yet much remains to be done. And all the followers of Christ ought to be more concerned and engaged for a 6 world which lieth in wickedness.' We must also be more careful about our own growth in grace, and advancement in the divine life. For it would be a poor charity to neglect our own salvation in securing that of others.

"The missionary who has just left us, was formerly a physician in this city. This circumstance will be of great advantage, for he will be able to administer to the diseases of the body as well as the mind. It may be said of him and his wife, that they have left all, and followed their Savior. They counted not the blessings of home, and friends, or even their own lives, dear unto themselves, that they might win Christ,' and win others to him.

"I had the pleasure of being introduced to Dr. and Mrs. Scudder. He appeared cheerful; Mrs. Scudder was bathed in tears, but yet rejoicing. They were surrounded by many acquaintances and friends; and we can with difficulty imagine their feelings when, just about to leave home, and country, and all the blessings of Christian society, they heard one and another say, 'my friend, my sister, farewell, for ever! Just as the steamboat was moving off, one of the Doctor's friends, who came too late to go on board, called out and bade him adieu, wishing him a pleasant passage. I shall never forget Dr. Scudder's looks, or his words. As he spoke, his eye kindled, and his cheek glowed with the ardor of christian benevolence. He waved his hand, and with a benignant smile on his countenance, said, 'Only give me your prayers, and that is all I ask.’