encomium is incompetent: it is needless to praise. Yet we may learn; learn the blessedness of being guided to a right choice; learn the duty of addressing ourselves with heroic firmness to promote noble ends; and, finally, learn from one example more that decision of character based upon truth, and guided by "the True Light," is the surest path to glory even here.

The grand study in this man's life, and what renders his character sublime, is his unwavering devotion to one sovereign idea. Country, family, friends, and all that is merely earth-born, must take their place in his mind far below that idea. Carey became great, just because his eye was "single." There was no overstrung intensity in his case, but just the calm purpose of a soul which felt that God had given it a work to do, and with him scorn, opposition, suffering, hatred, all became means to an end, for they threw him more upon his God. Hope deferred or blighted, the climate with its fever, and the people with their callousness even unto death, tried, but did not repress, William Carey; and now that his example has been bequeathed as a legacy to the Churches, they will prosper just in proportion as they imitate his energy of purpose and his unswerving decision.

VIII-CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN.

1766-1815.

Analogies-Good influences-Claudius Buchanan-Early impressions-Early studies-Employments-Romance-Folly-Sin

Adventure-Resolution-Pride-Perils-Day-dreams- Deception persisted in Changes dawning -"Behold, he prays"John Newton-Confessions-Renovation-Cambridge, and its snares-India-Self-sacrifice-Trials-Labors-His liberalityOffers prizes to the British universities-Encouraging symptoms -Sickness-Visits Malabar and the Syrian Churches-Juggernath Disputes-Leaves India-His labors in England - His death-His master aim-The law of annexation.

US

E see all nature lying dormant and apparently dead in winter, till the breath of spring re

turns, and bids it once more make ready to display the beauties of summer.

We see many a precious truth lying long concealed, or unnoticed, as if it were actually interred, till some crisis in the world's history occurs which fastens attention on that neglected maxim, or that unheeded element of power. It then becomes the watchword perhaps of thousands; nation may vie with nation in giving it free course. It was thus with the truth which overthrew slavery, and banded the nations of Europe against it, at least for a time.

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We see many a man living in obscurity unnoticed and unknown, and perhaps not deserving to be noticed, on account of his sins and his folly, till some emergency arises which draws forth the powers which were latent or choked before, and sends the neglected one forward on some career which is bright with blessings to thousands. The history of the world is stored with the names of men who have been thus aroused, thus transformed into public benefactors, and not merely rescued from obscurity, but signalized by such immortality as mortal man can bestow.

In illustrating the wholesome influences of decision alike in an individual and the world at large, we are now to fix attention upon one who ranks among the world's best benefactors, and who was honored at least to renovate and largely extend, what will continue to grow till time shall be no more. Having once taken up his ground, or chosen his path for life, this man pursued it with the energy of his whole mind. He enlisted the influential; and taught hundreds, nay, thousands to sympathize with him in his aims. He roused not a few alike in Europe and America to promote the work which is now deemed the chief end of the Church on

earth, though many millions still give, as a yet larger number then gave, no heed to the enter prises now referred to. The history of CLAUDIUS

BUCHANAN affords a fine illustration of the effects of decision at once upon the individual character, and in its results on the wide arena of the world, -calm, intrepid decision, without aught that was either boisterous, or fitted to overmaster.

He was born at Cambuslang, near Glasgow, on the 12th of March, 1766; and some members of the family had first learned to live according to the truth of God during the remarkable Revival of religion at that place, under the preaching of George Whitfield and others. Where truth was so powerful as it then was, we may well believe that young Buchanan would be carefully trained,-and he was so. Even in his early years he sometimes felt the sharp pungency of truth in his conscience; but he never became so decided as to give the heart to God.— A man may have intense decision and an iron will for evil, while be continues a cowardly time-server for good.

At the age of six or seven he was sent to a school at Inverary. About seven years thereafter, when he was only fourteen years of age, he became tutor

to two youths, and continued in that office for about two years. His religious impressions from time to time revived; but for years he continued undecided as to the concerns of eternity, trying to accomplish what is impossible, that is, to be the friend at once of the world and of God. He now began to study at the University of Glasgow,-and for several years Buchanan was alternately a student and a tutor. He resided for some time in the island of Islay. A course of life so full of change gave little token as yet of that energy which lay folded up in that mind, so persistent, yet so calm. It lay fallow for a rich harvest.

If the next incidents of his life betoken decision, it is decision in evil ways. Young Buchanan had read the "Life of Oliver Goldsmith," and learned that he had made the tour of Europe with few resources but such as his flute and his musical powers could command. To read of such a thing was to admire it, and to admire, in the present instance, was the first step to imitation. Buchanan accordingly formed the romantic resolution that he also would make the tour of Europe, supported mainly by what the music of his violin might extort or entice from his listeners. Though edu