effect upon his mind. Having finished the worship prescribed, he had now left the Holy City, and bent his course homeward.

The

The impressions which the exercises of religion had made on his heart, he strove to retain, and to make them deeper. temple was behind him; but he still recollected the service thereof. The sensations produced by devotion were sweet and pleasant. That he might cherish them, he was engaged in an employment characteristic of an honest professor of religion. He read Esaias the prophet. The word of God was the companion of his journey, the solace of his cares, the delight of his heart. By this word he sought to have his mind enlightened, and his affections purified. He did not think it enough to use the word when engaged in public worship, or on any public occasion. He esteemed it too highly thus to act. His Bible, you perceive, was with him in his chariot, and he sought to improve the opportunity afforded, for his benefit. If all our journies were thus improved, the happiest effects might be expected. If all who profess themselves to be

Christians thought as highly of their bibles

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as this eunuch did, how different would be their lives! It is enough to make an angel weep to see the neglect with which this precious volume is treated by so many who avow their belief of it! They despise their own mercies; for this volume is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness. God blesses those who honour it; for in honouring it, he is honoured, inasmuch as it is his word. This the eunuch found to be the fact in his own case; for while he was reading, God was preparing the way for his salvation.

Then, says the sacred historian, v. 29, 35, the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest: and he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away; and

who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself or some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

At the time when Philip saw the eunuch, the Spirit of God in that way which he was accustomed to use, directed the evangelist to approach the traveller. Had he not received the command of the Spirit, he might either have hesitated, on the score of propriety, or been apprehensive of evil consequences, through fear. Now, however, as the path is distinctly marked out for him, he walks in it without shrinking. He perceives the design of his journey-the reason why he was directed to this corner of Judea. No doubt he felt his heart enlarge with the blessed hope of making this stranger of distinction, as he appeared to be, a partaker of the faith of the Gospel.

This hope, next to the actual experience of God's grace, in the heart, is the strongest stimulus for ministerial exertion, and the

highest reward for every care, and sigh, and fatigue. Under its influence what have not the preachers of the Gospel sustained! They have not counted their lives dear, so that they only could make known the mercy of God to perishing sinners. What a contrast between them and the men who abuse them or speak evil of them! The latter display no self-denial, nor feel the interests of others as of sufficient moment to forego their own. How many-Ah, too many, even among those who profess respect for religion, are there who let no opportunity escape to denounce the motives, to underrate the labours, and misrepresent the actions of an honest, conscientious minister; and that at the very time when he is praying for them and exerting himself for their eternal interests.

Of all persons, he who in a country like this, where there is no establishment, and where the clergy, as a body, have individually hardly a support comparable to the upper servants in affluent families, strives to hold up the ministers of reconciliation to public or private obloquy or ridicule, is to be pitied for his weakness, if his conduct be the result of a defect of understanding; or to be

dismissed from the fellowship of high born and honourable spirits, if it spring from perverseness of feeling. Blessed be God, who hath established the ministry of reconciliation, that he is pleased himself to honour them, by making them successful; or otherwise granting them special tokens of his favour. They are his servants, and labour for him. This gives them boldness, and makes them unwearied. They are his servants to win souls for him. This makes them earnestly desirous of success, and gives them the highest satisfaction.

Under the influence of such motives, with views so noble and generous, as it respected the stranger, and so devoted and loyal, as it respected God, Philip ran to him, and hearing him read the prophecy of Isaiah, he asked, Understandest thou what thou readest? To which he answered," How can I,

except some man should guide me?" There appears to have been as little surprize on the part of the eunuch as there was of embarrassment on the part of Philip. Indeed the eunuch's mind was so intent upon the matters of which he read; he felt himself so deeply interested in them, and at the