or any extracts from it, it may, by the blessing of God, prove useful to some; it will at least serve as another evidence, that the conversion and holy life of a soldier are not impossible, notwithstanding the prevailing iniquity of almost all around him, and the innumerable temptations and snares by which his way is beset. STEPHEN ROBERTS, son of Richard and Elizabeth Roberts, was born in the year 1793, at Wickbury, near Fordinbridge, Hampshire, where he followed the labouring line, until his twenty-fourth year. His parents gave him no education, for he did not know the alphabet before his conversion. Being brought up in perfect ignorance of the ways of God, he neglected his own soul, and openly walked according to the course of this world, walking in the paths of vice with impunity, loving the creature, and neglecting the Creator, God blessed for evermore. He enlisted, into the 38th Regiment, on the 5th June, 1817, at Gloucester; and in the year 1818, he arrived at the Cape of Good Hope: where he gave himself up to all kinds of wickedness, and became a complete votary of the world, the flesh, and the devil; being truly without Christ, and without God in the world. The prominent features of his character at this time were swearing and drunkenness; these were his besetting sins. The oaths which issued from his profane lips were dreadful and shocking to those not accustomed to such expressions. To every assertion he uttered, whether it were truth or falsehood, he generally affix. ed the sacred name of God, to confirm it. His mind being darkened, his heart hardened, and his soul alienated; instead of serving and obeying God, and paying the highest reverence to his sacred name, it was his constant practice and pleasure, to blaspheme it, and use it with levity. This evil result of his dissipated life, was never more visible than when irritated, for he was very passionate; then a whole train of the most obscene, diabolical imprecations, would flow from his mouth, which originally was intended to be an instrument to praise God. The violation of the third commandment was nothing to him. Drunkenness was the other characteristic mark of his wicked life. It is said that he has been three and four days successively, and that frequently, in this horrid state. I have heard himself say, that once when in this state of inebriety, he committed a most heinous sin, a sin which he never after his conversion spoke of, but with shame :--he permitted himself to be laid out as a corpse, stretched on a cot, and carried round the barracks, by his П. dissipated associates, while they played the dead march. In this abandoned state he lived until his twenty-ninth year, without a desire of reforming, but sometimes under great convictions: for he often said that in his sober moments, awful reflections would agitate and terrify his soul; and that when any person died, he would pass sentence on him in his own mind, saying, " that person had lived a pious life, his spirit would now have been happy in heaven." These convictions, though often drowned by sin, ended in his conversion, for when the appointed time of the Lord was come, he convinced him of his danger, "to the praise of the glory of his grace." If that To appearance, he was one of the last persons, whose heart we could have expected would be changed; but that which is impossible with man, is possible with God. Such is his divine will and mercy, he often passes by those who are apparently not far from the kingdom of heaven, and chooses some of the lowest and most debased, and makes them signal monuments of his free, unmerited grace, and of the sanctifying power of his Spirit. Such was the display of his spontaneous love towards the subject of this narrative, for there was nothing in him, which could possibly merit the divine favour, but the reverse. It must solely be ascribed "to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein he hath made him accepted in the Beloved." He arrived in Bengal in 1822, and proceeded to Berhampore, where a religious society was formed; and by the frequent solicitations of a pious soldier named Enoch Coleman, of the same company, (who afterwards became his comrade,) prevailed on him to attend the chapel: and it was not in vain. Then for the first time in his life, he bent the knee at the footstool of mercy, where the sunshine of grace beamed on his soul, and the rays of divine love softened his impenitent heart, dispelled the darkness of his mind,a nd removed the enmity of his soul. The Spirit of God operated effectually to the regeneration of his heart, and filled him with most bitter sorrow for his complicated guilt, the remembrance of which was grievous and a burden intolerable for Enoch Coleman, was a most pious humble and exemplary Christian; he was drowned in 1826, when the regiment was proceeding to Cawnpore. : him to bear. Now the breath of prayer incessautly ascended from his weary and heavy-laden soul, for his convictions were great and many and often has he been amazed at the infinite mercy, and longforbearing patience of God, exercised towards him, in not plunging him into the horrors of the nethermost pit of perdition. He began to see the evil of sin, and to feel a true sense of the depravity of his fallen nature; and daily without intermission, he would with fervency invoke the God of mercy, to pity and forgive a rebel sinner, through the invaluable atonement of the Saviour. His language was that of a man who saw himself condemned, and he continued for a length of time, under awful apprehensions of the wrath of heaven being ready to be poured out upon him. Thus he continued burdened, until through the preaching of the word, he was drawn by a living faith to lay hold of Jesus, the sinner's hope, and received consolation in believing for being justified by faith, be found peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. He applied to that fountain which is open for sin and uncleanness, and to that precions blood which satisfies justice, reconciles man to God, expiates human guilt, and cleanseth from all sin. He felt the love of God, and his goodness in giving Christ to die for him; he experienced that love wherewith Christ loved him, and saw the willingness of God, to save returning sinners. Now he could say of a truth, "It is a faithful saying, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners," of whom he felt himself, the chief. The language of his heart was, "I the chief of sinners am, But Jesus died for me." He in a short time became a member of the society, and continued an exemplary ornament to the same; adorning the Gospel and religion of Christ, by walking worthy of the vocation wherewith he was called; for the power of divine grace was evidently manifested, and illustriously display. ed in the whole of his walk and conversation. Sincerity from the commencement of his Christian career, unto the end, shone with a resplendent lustre; it might have been truly said of him, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!" All his actions were sincere and disinterested, springing from the pure fountain of a Saviour's love. For the period of eleven years, in the sincerity of his heart, he served God, and apparently never deviated from the standard of rectitude and virtue. As soon as he began to serve God, he stood in the midst of the public barrack, and solemnly told his former associates, that he would have no more to do with them; this vow, by grace he kept. Often was he solicited to accept promotion, but he always declin. ed, on account of its having frequently proved a snare unto others. The love of his Lord and Master constrained him to maintain an aversion to liquors. Often have his comrades endeavoured to make him break his word, by urging him to drink. but in vain; he would say, "I have said no, and I cannot violate my word." His humility was great; he endeavoured to copy the example of his Saviour, who said, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." At all times he possessed a deep sense of his guilt, and low thoughts of himself; he was abased in his own eyes, and always called himself an unprofitable servant, and the chief of sinners. His prayers at all times were marked by a strain of the deepest humility, and reliance on the merits of Christ for acceptance. His persevering spirit of piety, was great and genuine. He continually pressed for ward. He never fell into open sin, and dreaded the least deviation from the path of duty. During the expedition against Burmah in 1824 and 25, where many and great were the trials and sufferings he was called to endure, he like a good soldier of the cross, conquered them all. While many around him drew back, he continued firm and loyal, in season and out of season. He always reverenced the ordinances of God, and punctually attended them: bis delight in prayer was very great; he every day enjoyed the means of grace, and in the hottest season of the year he would go to chapel, two and three times a day, for secret devotion, notwithstanding its great distance from the barracks*. Prayer was his delight every means of grace was a Bethel to his soul, and he experienced with the poet that "Prayer ardent opens Heaven, lets down a stream Of glory on the consecrated hour Of man in audience with the Deity." Reading the Scriptures was his constant employ and delight. Like Job, he valued them more than his necessary food and like David, he appreciated them above fine gold, and they were sweeter than honey or the honey-comb to his believing soul. It was his constant aim to pay an unfeigned and uniform obedience to all the commands of God, his heavenly Father, knowing that Christ left an example, that he should follow his steps. His other books were few; and next to the Bible, Dr. Doddridge's "Rise and Progress of Religion," was his favourite. Frequently he would read it with great delight, and endeavour to experience its con tents. His repentance was also great and genuine: all the essential ingredients of Gospel He had an impediment in his speech: in conversation and reading it was very perceptible; but singular to say, that in Prayer, it could not be observed. repentance, were seen in him. Daily he bewailed his infirmities, the wanderings of his heart, and the evil propensities of his nature. In his approaches to the throne of grace, ardent were the breathings of his soul after an union with Christ. His constant wish was to serve God better, and love Jesus more, and that he might receive more grace to praise the Lord, more love to commune with God. His daily prayer was, "O for a heart to praise my God, A heart from guilt set free, A heart that's sprinkled with that blood His faith, hope, and charity, were of a purely Christian kind. His faith at times was exceedingly great, though often his hope was weak: still he retained that hope which maketh not ashamed, and that faith which purified his beart from the love of sin. His charity was unlimited: he loved and respected all, especially the household of faith. He was likewise very liberal; he contributed to the Bible Society, and always gave his mite to every Christian purpose. He often remitted a few pounds to his aged parents in Eugland. His warnings to others against sin, were impressive and solemn, for he had tasted of the bitterness of the cup of guilt. At all times he was anxious to inform others, of what the Lord had done for his soul, and what he was waiting to do for them, if they would but seek him. He always reproved sin with boldness; and when any of his Christian brethren neglected their duty, with humility he would tell them the sad consequences of it, always exhorting them to persevere, and to beware of falling away, knowing that "Life is the hour that God has given To 'scape from hell, and fly to heaven." His conversation also was very spiritual and consoling. He was in many respects a burning and a shining light in religion. Thus lived this humble servant of the Lord in the army, where there are so ma ny trials, temptations, and difficulties to encounter; but be found the truth of the Saviour's promise verified to his soul, my grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness." Soldiers often say that they cannot serve God, because they are surrounded with so many trials and temptations; but he not only served God in spirit and in truth, but endeavoured and was enabled in sincerity to fulfil that Scripture, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." We are come to the last part of his life. He always enjoyed good health, and he appreciated it, as a great blessing, with his usual spirit of thankfulness. On Wed nesday, the 3rd July, 1833, he felt a little unwell, but could not account for it. He still attended his usual duties, and that evening he read the 11th and 12th chapters of the Gospel of St. Mark, and went to prayer with a member of the Society. It was a solemn and consoling occasion. After prayer, he spoke freely and long upon the love of Jesus, and the bright prospect of the eternal world. At night he opened the public services with a solemn prayer, in a low and mournful manner. On being asked, what ailed him, he did not complain; but said he should be better in the morning. That night however, about 12 o'clock, he was seized with the Cholera, and was ta ken to the hospital, where every possible attention was paid him. I visited him about 9 o'clock next morning, and when he saw me, with his usual smile, he said, "My poor tabernacle is going." I replied, "Fear not, soon your race will be finished; and a crown of glory awaits you." He pressed my hand, as a token of the truth of what I asserted, for he could not speak at that moment, through the excessive pain of the disease. He lingered for a few hours, calling on his Saviour, at intervals, and saying, "I feel very easy; soon all my trials will be over." About 12 o'clock, A. M. on Thursday, in the fortieth year of his age, his happy spirit, in the steadfast assurance of faith in Christ, and with a hope full of immortality, took its flight to that rest which remains for the people of God. Thus lived and died Stephen Roberts, one of the brightest ornaments of religion in the regiment to which he belonged. His remains were committed to the dust in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life. Few were allowed to attend, on account of the disease being contagious, and the intense heat of summer. A tomb has been erected over him, in Ghazeepore burying place, by the Christian society, as a mark of their esteem and respect. The many virtues, which adorned his character, and which to every one's eyes but his own shone like so many sparkling gems, were of a purely Christian kind. His religion was that of the New Testament. Being justified by faith, he had peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ," whereby he received the spirit of adoption, and was enabled to cry, Abba Father: and all his acceptance with God, was through the meritorious passion of Christ, his only Hope, Saviour, and Redeemer. "'Tis finished. 'tis done; the sprit is fled, And gladly receiving a kingdom above. And more than victorious o'er sin, death and hell." REVIEW. The Life of the Rev. T. T. THOMASON, M. A., late Chaplain to the Hon'ble East India Company. By the Rev. J. SARGENT, M. A. Rector of Lavington. Sold by Thacker and Co. Calcutta, Price 9 Rupees. We have perused this volume with feelings of no common interest, or pleasure; and are free to acknowledge that it has excited in us emotions which we would wish long to cherish; emotions of deep humility, sincere gratitude to the author, and veneration for the man whose life exhibits a pattern of such unfeigned piety, and unostentatious goodness. To say that it is an interesting book, highly so, would be commendation far beneath its merits. To us it appears, both for matter and manner, by no means unworthy of the author of the Life of Martyn; which by general consent is placed in the very first class of Christian Biography. It would not be difficult to mention volumes of the memoirs of good men from which some scores, if not some hundreds of pages, might be expunged; not only without detriment, but greatly to the advantage of the works from which they were erased. We have always viewed the Life of Mr. Scott, in this light. It is a valuable piece of biography, but possesses that most intolerable of all evils, either in writing or speaking, dulness. In the charming little work, which may be considered an autobiography, Mr. Scott's Force of Truth, there is an energy and a nervous brevity which makes its way at once to the heart; but in his Memoirs by his son, you seem to have the same wine so much diluted that it has lost all its spirit and flavour, it is become vapid and stale. What a contrast it forms to the admirable lives written by good old Isaac Walton ! Quaint as they are, who has ever read them without feeling their captivation : and we may add, what a contrast to the volume now under review; in which it would be difficult to point out a page that might have been omitted without injury to the work. The character of the man is drawn to the life, and is at full length, but the picture is not after the manner of the Dutch school, where all possible, and all imaginable things, are crowded into one scene: but it is simple and beautiful, commanding the admiration of the heart by the justness of its proportions and the unity of its design. The spirit in which the work is written is upon the whole truly catholic; and in an age when writing books is unhappily degenerated so much into a mere trade, we feel grateful to the author for this second volume, calculated so admirably to promote the interests of piety and enlarged Christian benevolence. We think it next to impossible for any person to rise from the perusal of this volume without, under the blessing of Almighty God, being made a better man by it-more humble, benevolent and diligent in the ways of holiness : So much for the manner in which the work is written; we shall now venture a few remarks on the matter of which it is composed. Even amongst men of real worth there are some who can be viewed to advantage only at a distance; others, who to be duly appreciated must be seen near at hand. The former have qualities of a commanding character, and seem to be made to move in a wide sphere: but these qualities are often attended by imperfections which are glaringly offensive in proportion as the men become well known; they are objects much more of admiration, than esteem or regard. The latter are little known, so as to be appreciated, beyond their neighbourhood, or the circle of their friends and associates. They shun notoriety, and sometimes in their love of retirement shrink even from duty but to those with whom they are familiar, they are the objects of veneration and love; their course may be traced, like the poet's noiseless brook, by the verdure on its banks and the living green which almost conceals whilst it betrays its waters. To this class belonged the excellent subject of this Memoir; the qualities of his mind and character were less commanding than amiable and attractive. He had not the enterprise of Martyn; he had not the calm collected energy, the native grandeur of mind of David Brown; he had not the poetical fancy of Heber but he had, what gave him uncommon control over the hearts of all who knew him, a child-like simplicity, both of mind and manner; a frankness and an uncompromising integrity; a fervour of enlightened piety, combined with attainments of the highest class, and talents of the most useful, most practical, and most benevolent order. Mr. Newton once said, (we quote from memory,) "I measure ministers by square measure. If a man tell me the length of a table, I have but an imperfect conception of it; I must know its other dimensions: it is in this manner I judge of ministers. It is not enough to tell me a man is a good preacher; I want to know what he is out of the pulpit, as well as in." Few men would have borne this kind of measurement better than the subject of these Memoirs his public ministrations were of the most respectable character; less distinguished by imagination than by judgment, less marked by ingenuity than propriety and truth; more calculated to secure and repay fixed attention, than to excite applause. They were lucid, forcible statements of divine truth, owing little to embellishment either of style or manner; and yet there was about them what will never fail to find its way to, and meet with, a response from the human heart ;nature improved, not spoiled, by cultivation; so that the most fastidious had nothing to condemn, whilst the candid and the pious were always instructed and improved. Into the higher order of eloquence he never rose; perhaps because he conceived it a style not suited to the pulpit, more ornamental than useful, more pleasing than profitable or more probably, because it was not in character with the |