Righteousness displayed His beams Divine,' and caused His glories to shine upon my heart."

In the year 1836, Mr. Severs was intrusted with the charge of a class. He had just views of the importance of this office; and of the wisdom, experience, charity, and fidelity which its efficient discharge requires. Such were his convictions in this respect, and such his lowly views of himself, that he would have positively declined the charge had he not been pressed by the sense of responsibility to employ even one talent in the service of his Lord. In reference to June 9th, 1836, he writes: "This evening I went, for the first time, to the class of which I am appointed Leader. We held a prayer-meeting. At the commencement I told them that it was with fear and trembling that I entered on such an office; being deeply conscious of my own weakness and inability,-of my vileness, and my need of all the advice proper to keep me in the narrow path. The principal reason, I observed, for my not resolutely refusing the engagement was, that in the beginning of the year, and time after time since, I had solemnly engaged to do all that the Lord would have me do. I had, likewise, asked Him to make me what He would have me be, and to place me where He pleased: so that, when I was informed that I was appointed to the office, in order to be consistent, I could only say, 'Thy will be done.' I added, My esteemed friend, your late Leader, was older than myself; had been much longer in the field; and consequently had more experience, and was better qualified to advise. He did his best. I feel desirous to do the same, encouraged by the saying of an admirable poet :

Who does the best his circumstance allows,

Does well, acts nobly-angels can no more.

I am, above all, encouraged by the promise of the Almighty, who has said, Fear not, I am with thee; and again, I am with you alway, even unto the end.""

In May, 1837, Mr. Severs exchanged single for married life. This important step had been made the subject of much prayer and serious thought; and, as he acknowledged the Lord therein, and took counsel from Him, he was preserved from missing his providential way. The union proved highly suitable, and, in regard to both parties, productive of domestic happiness.

This excellent man heartily engaged in the celebration of the Centenary of Methodism, in 1839. He regarded Wesleyan Methodism as an extraordinary work of God. Personally thankful for its blessings, he looked upon that system as destined in future ages still more extensively to bless the world. The accomplishment of its first Centenary cycle was, accordingly, an occasion of hallowed, grateful joy. At the public meeting held in Ripon, he recorded his growing admiration of the Methodist economy, and his steadfast purpose to adhere thereto till he entered upon his reward. But, although he was firmly attached to the church of his parents,-the church in which he himself had been also called to a saving know

ledge of God, the lustre of his piety was not dimmed by narrow sectarianism. He was a lover of goodness, and of all good men. In this respect he was a thorough Wesleyan, delighting in the image of God wherever, or in whomsoever, it was seen. He cultivated a friendly acquaintance with various Ministers in the city, and willingly responded to their invitations to occupy their pulpits. There is every reason to believe that he was held in high esteem by them, as well as by their flocks.

In the spring of the year 1843, Ripon was visited with a gracious outpouring of the Holy Ghost, which issued in a considerable accession of members to the Society. This blessed visitation occurred in connexion with a series of special services. Mr. Severs rejoiced greatly in this manifestation of the Divine goodness, and of the Spirit's power. The following is his record:

"May 3d.-Last week we had a most blessed revival. From forty to sixty were converted. Some of the most unlikely persons were made willing to submit. We are continuing the services this week, and more or less good is accomplished daily. Some have obtained a clean heart; and the greater part of the people of God have been quickened and blessed. My soul has been frequently watered from on high."

The cause of Christian Missions was eminently dear to our deceased friend. He valued highly our own noble Missionary Society; and in various ways, in addition to his pecuniary contributions, he strove to promote its prosperity. During several of his last years he sustained the office of Secretary to the Circuit Branch-Society. The labour of collecting small sums from door to door, he esteemed a pleasant and honourable employ. The following passage, written after his return from a country meeting, at which he had been called to preside, will show his views of duty in this department of God's work, and his "calmly-fervent zeal: "

"One of the Puritan writers represents the Almighty as giving a command to one angel to go and sweep the streets of a certain city; and to another, to go and comfort the mind of a poor disconsolate widow, who had recently lost the staff of her life. The former flew as rapidly, as cheerfully, and as delightfully, to the performance of what (to us) would seem a drudgery, as the other did, to attend to a more pleasing and interesting task. God's will is their law; and the language of every angel and archangel, of every cherub and seraph, of each of the principalities and powers above, in substance is, I delight to do Thy will, O God.' And if our hearts are right in the sight of God,—if we have a proper conception of the value of souls immortal,—we shall be willing either to take the chair at a Missionary Meeting, to take the box and collect from pew to pew, or to go with the Collector's book from door to door. We shall be ready to do anything and everything, to go anywhere and everywhere, to carry out the purposes of Heaven."

The religious life of Mr. Severs was marked by a constant jealousy over himself, as well as by strong perceptions of the necessity of

entire devotion to God; earnest desires after it; delightful fellowship with God; and humble, cheerful spirituality. The following extracts make these traits apparent :—

"Oct. 5th, 1835.-Often, when I pour out my soul in my closet, the Lord draws near in mercy; and I ascend the ladder Jacob saw. May my exalted Saviour bless me with an increase of every blessing I need, and prepare me for every event!"

"Oct. 29th.-My God, be Thou my strength! Give me heavenly wisdom! Support me under all these evils which afflict my soul ! I see it will be a mercy indeed, if I at last weather the storm. Well may it be said, "The righteous are scarcely saved.' Of late I have not made much progress in Divine things.

The world, the flesh, and Satan, will entangle me, unless I withstand them by lively faith and fervent prayer. To whom shall I go for grace and wisdom, but to the Fountain of all good? Lord, have mercy upon me, and speak deliverance to Thy servant, who puts his trust in Thee."

"Dec. 15th.—I have just come down from my closet, where I have had a foretaste of my future inheritance. O Thou blessed and adorable Redeemer!

Hasten the joyful day,

Which shall my sins consume,

When old things shall be past away,

And all things new become.""

"March 6th, 1836.-When I think upon what the Almighty has done for me, and that there are such realities before me as death, judgment, and eternity; I see I ought to be more active and diligent -more zealous for the promotion of the Divine glory. O Lord my God, make me what Thou wouldst have me, and impart to my soul the graces I need! I would be Thine: save me!"

"Oct. 22d, 1837.-On looking over my list, I perceive that I have preached thirty-six times this half-year. But what good has been effected? I am afraid I too often desire the praise of men more than the praise of God and the salvation of the hearers. The Lord graciously preserve me, and enable to act and think and speak for Him!"

"Feb. 2d, 1838.-This morning, while engaged in prayer before I left my room, I enjoyed sweet intercourse with God. And while reflecting on the numerous and unspeakable benefits my bountiful Benefactor has bestowed upon me, I was almost lost in wonder, love, and praise.' How amazing that such a Being should so condescend to bless such a worm! And yet

'He calls a worm His friend;
He calls Himself my God.'

What can I do in return? I was led to ask that question this morning, and I longed to become a seraph in heaven, that I might burn and blaze to His glory, and unceasingly admire, praise, and adore Him. I have a well-grounded hope that I shall at last enjoy such felicity. 'O to grace how great a debtor!" "

"Feb. 5th. My soul continues to prosper: I have an increasing pleasure and delight in the service of my God. My enjoyments since the year commenced have been numerous. I find the nearer I live to God, and the more I do for Him, the more He does for me. O what raptures shall the happy souls of the redeemed experience, when admitted into the Canaan above! Thither may I be brought through Jesus Christ my Redeemer!"

"Jan. 27th, 1844.-What a danger there is of becoming too worldly, and of losing the life and power of religion! My prayer is, that, while diligent in business,' I may also be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.""

It has been previously remarked that Mr. Severs was from his youth tried by a feeble constitution, and that he suffered various afflictions. It cannot be doubted that these were rendered more frequent and severe by his studious habits, as well as by earnest efforts to promote the spiritual welfare of his fellow-men. In his afflictions, however, he was enabled to stay himself on the wisdom and goodness of his heavenly Father, and in patience to possess his soul. A chief source of his regret was, that he was required to suspend his delightful toils in the vineyard of his Lord.

On June 19th, 1841, he writes: "My health has greatly improved. My God and Saviour has dealt most graciously with me; and I feel resolved, if spared a little longer, to spend and to be spent in His service. My stay on earth will probably be short: may I become more and more prepared for my change! riper, wiser, and better, through Jesus, my ever-blessed and exalted Saviour and Redeemer."

This presentiment of his approaching end, which he frequently recorded both before and after the date just given, was greatly confirmed by the evident and alarming decay of his physical energies in the winter of 1844, and during the following spring. Henceforth, although he generally rallied during the summer season, he suffered relapse in the winter, and with steadily-increasing force, till the time of his decease. Yet, thus enfeebled, he did not decline from such efforts to be useful as it was practicable for him to undertake. Often, till within his last few months, he put forth all his power in his beloved employment,-that, namely, of publicly beseeching sinners to be reconciled to God. The last time he occupied the pulpit was February 20th, 1848. His subject was the beneficence of God. It was a theme on which he latterly delighted to meditate. He took cold on coming out of chapel, and was never well enough to preach again. During the whole of March he was confined to his room, and for several days to his bed. He gained a little strength in the succeeding months of April and May, so as to be able partially to attend to business, to take air and exercise, and to go to the house of God; but the decree had gone forth. His soul was, meanwhile, preserved in great peace, and he was enabled from the heart to say, "My Father does all things well." On June 2d, the phaeton in which Mr. Severs was driving his family was accidentally overturned, and they were all thrown out. It was supposed at the time that all had

been mercifully preserved from injury; but it afterwards proved that his delicate system had received a shock which could not be sustained. His sufferings returned with aggravated force. He was sometimes constrained to cry out, "Lord, I am oppressed: undertake Thou for me!" The prospect of removal from a rising family which appeared to need his superintending care, painfully called forth the feelings of the husband and the father; but he gave himself to prayer, and stayed his soul on the wisdom and goodness of God. His faith enabled him to surmount each trial, and to welcome his Creator's will. Often, while his sorrowing friends engaged with him in prayer, a powerful influence from on high pervaded the room, and filled them all with unspeakable consolation, in the assurance of a reunion in that land where "the inhabitants shall not say, I am sick," but "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." His now exhausted energies gave way, and he peacefully entered into his rest on Wednesday, June 28th, 1848, in the thirty-eighth year of his age.

DIVINITY.

CHRISTIANITY A RELIGION FOR THE WORLD.

It appears in a high degree suitable to this occasion to ponder the inquiry, "Who is a citizen of the world?"" Of all the busy, brilliant throng now collected on the banks of the Thames, who may claim this eminent style and character?

They who study providential indications will scarcely fail to trace, in the progress of art and the triumphs of invention, a final cause, which we cannot hesitate to call a glorious tendency. The materials of a high civilisation are distributed over various regions of the globe. Among the scattered tribes of its population, therefore, it is clear that there must be a division of labour, in order to the beautiful and general result. To borrow the remark of a transatlantic writer on Political Economy,†-" God intended that all men should live together in friendship and harmony. By multiplying indefinitely their wants, and creating only in particular localities the objects by which those wants can be supplied, He intended to make them all necessary to each other; and thus to render it no less the interest than the duty of every one to live in amity with all the rest." In this most important respect, notwithstanding clouds that lour on some portions of our horizon, the world's prospect brightens. Signs of increasing public concord are not wanting. It has been accordingly remarked, with equal truth and felicity of expression, by one whose love of all valuable advancement adds a yet brighter ray to the lustre of highest rank, that "nobody who has paid any + Dr. Wayland.

*The occasion, namely, of "The Great Exhibition."

His Royal Highness the Prince Consort.