Besides these observations, which belong to the muscular organ as such, we may notice some advantages of structure which are more conspicuous in muscles of a certain class or description than others. Thus : i. The variety, quickness, and precision, of which the muscular motion is capable, are seen, I think, in no part so remarkably as in the tongue. It is worth any man's while to watch the agility of his tongue; the wonderful promptitude with which it executes changes of position, and the perfect exactness. Each syllable of articulated sound requires, for its utterance, a specific action of the tongue, and of the parts adjacent to it. The disposition and configuration of the mouth, appertaining to every letter and word, is not only peculiar, but, if nicely and accurately attended to, perceptible to the sight; insomuch that curious persons have availed themselves of this circumstance to teach the deaf to speak, and to understand what is said by others. In the same person, and after his habit of speaking is formed, one, and only one, position of the parts will produce a given articulate sound correctly. How instantaneously are these positions assumed and dismissed; how numerous are the permutations, how various, yet how infallible! Arbitrary and antic variety is not the thing we admire, but variety obeying a rule, conducing to an effect, and commensurate with exigencies infinitely diversified. I believe also, that the anatomy of the tongue corresponds with these observations upon its activity. The muscles of the tongue are so numerous, and so implicated with one another, that they cannot be traced by the nicest dissection; nevertheless, (which is a great perfection of the organ,) neither the number, nor the complexity, nor what might seem to be the entanglement of its fibres, in any wise impede its motion, or render the determination or success of its efforts uncertain. (To be continued.) The Grace of God Manifested. THE following narration was communicated to the Editors by a respected friend, who observes concerning the subject of it, that the "Young woman was illiterate, being capable of reading and writing but poorly." Though this was doubtless the case, yet she speaks the language of genuine experience in the things of God; and we doubt not but her account of the gracious work of God upon her heart, will be read by all experimental Christians with interest and profit. Under this expectation we present it to the readers of our Magazine, praying that God may raise up many such examples of faith and patience, as witnesses of His power to save to the uttermost. The evidence of genuine experience, and ardour of devotion discoverable in this unvarnished narration of the dealings of God with her, will, we doubt not, more than compensate for any literary defects which the critic may discern. THE EXPERIENCE AND DEATH OF MISS MARGARET ANDERSON. MARGARET ANDERSON was the daughter of Mr. THOMAS ANDERSON, who originally came from Ireland. He finally settled in the upper end of Washington county, Virginia; where he ended his days. He lived to be old without religion. The following is transcribed from her diary. I was born in Bath county in Virginia, May 19, 1789. My parents were both brought up in the church of England; and like most others, being taught to deny the power of godliness, they neglected the form also. However, they frequently read the scriptures to their children, and taught them the Lord's prayer; an advantage all children do not possess. When I was about four years of age, the Lord revealed himself to me, in such a manner, that my soul was filled with most ardent desires to behold him. I believed he sent his angels to protect me, and that I walked constantly in his presence, which filled my soul with delight. One day I asked my mother, if ever I should see God? She told me that if I would be a good child, I should see him coming in the clouds, and his face would outshine the brightness of the sun. This was transporting to me. I looked for the promise to be fulfilled immediately: wherefore I spent much of my time in watching, expecting every moment to see him make his appearance through the parted sky. One night, being very weary with expectation, I lay down in heaviness, and soon sunk into a deep sleep: when I dreamed that I saw the Lord coming through the window; he came, as I thought, to the bedside where I slept with my two sisters, (one of them younger, the other older than myself,) and took me up in his arms and blessed me, and my sisters also. I awoke in a transport of joy. My anxiety was now at an end: I thought that while I lived he would protect me; and when I died, he would take me home to rest with himself. This When I was about five years of age, the corruption of my nature began to discover itself, in various instances, insomuch that I was often afraid that the Lord was angry with me. appeared more terrible than death: especially when any one told me, that what I had done was sinful, it went like a dagger through my heart, and made me to tremble. But these impres sions would soon vanish like the early dew, and leave my heart as much prone to sin and folly as it was before. Notwithstanding my repeated promises of reformation, my fondness for play and diversions daily increased, until the ninth year of my age. My desire for play was such as caused me not only to spend all my leisure hours in pursuit of vanity, but also to break the sabbath. Nor did any person ever tell me that this was a violation of God's holy law, which saith that we shall keep the sabbath day holy. However, be it remembered, to the glory of God, that with regard to profane swearing, or even naming our Maker in common discourse, my mother guarded her children against it with the greatest care. I was taught to look upon swearing, as one of the basest of crimes. To these pious instructions I chiefly owed that solemnity of soul, which I always felt, when I remembered that I was in the presence of God. I never remember to have called his holy name, in the most serious matters, without a secret awe. In common discourse, I looked upon it as the greatest impiety, to use the name of my blessed Maker; and I was afraid to lie down to sleep without repeating the prayers I had learned, lest some evil should befal me while I slept. When I was about ten years of age, my convictions increased much. I was often convinced that the way I was in was the way to everlasting ruin. I trembled when I thought of death and judgment; for I knew that I deserved the wrath of God, and I had no idea of faith and repentance, for I had never heard religion in the true sense of the word so much as named. I felt my disease, but knew not the remedy: which wrought in my heart many painful sensations, and made me wish that I had never been born. I felt no power to forsake my sins, neither did I know in what manner to turn to God. I seemed to be without restraint, putting no reins upon my passions; but pride, anger, and revenge reigned in my heart, and influenced all my actions. At this time I could not think of God, but with a guilty dread. I would sometimes weep in secret places for my sins, and make many promises to forsake them. I had never seen any person kneel in prayer, but I had heard that some did it; and I was resolved to do it myself, thinking that I could not so easily slide into folly, if I would make it a constant practice to pray on my knees. But I alternately prayed and sinned, until the twelfth year of my age. About this time I grew more serious, and spent most of my leisure hours in reading the scriptures. I was very strict in observing times of prayer, and was fearful of violating the Lord's day. And as I did not believe that any of the family regarded these duties, except myself, I thought I was more righteous than any of my friends. By these means, my conscience was lulled asleep. My wounds were healed outwardly, while the poison rankled within; and so deceived was I that I thought I had religion enough. How plain a proof that I was a stranger to the work of regeneration. But I was not suffered to remain easy, for any length of time, under this delusion; for the Spirit of God, who was unwilling that I should perish, convinced me that I could do nothing to merit salvation: that I was yet in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity. This discovery made my heart to tremble, and I would often cry out in the anguish of my soul, Oh! that I might know my sins forgiven! Oh! that I could hear some person say that there was mercy for me. And now the light began to dawn upon my benighted soul, and I saw clearly, that I must be born again or perish everlastingly. My parents were much opposed to the Methodists, and from what I heard of them, I thought they justly deserved the reproaches that the world cast upon them. But this prejudice was all removed when I heard them preach. I believed them to be the people of God. They shewed to me the necessity of regeneration, and I now saw, that except I should be born again, I should never see the kingdom of God. About this time my oldest sister was awakened by hearing the Methodists preach; and soon after she found peace with God. She joined their church. I betook myself to prayer more earnestly than ever. With weeping and mourning I cried unto the Lord day and night: and 1 now began to see many things sinful, which before I had esteemed as innocent amusements; such as dancing, singing vain songs, and reading such books as neither tended to piety or excited to virtue. All these I determined to forsake. Although I had the resolution to forsake my sins, yet I was ashamed to own it: but would complain of indisposition of body: which not only wounded my conscience, but prevented the grace of God from working in my heart, as it otherwise would have done. Yet I continued crying for mercy; but I thought that my prayers were never heard. For While I was in this extremity, suddenly a light broke in upon my soul, which made my heart to leap for joy. I felt my burden removed, and nothing remained but love and peace. a while I rejoiced with joy unspeakable. Soon after, I began to reason with my heart, what these things might be which I felt? The enemy suggested immediately, that it was only a de lusion. I remembered that my sister, and a black woman in the family, had professed to be converted, and to know their sins forgiven. I had never before heard them speak of such raptures. I therefore concluded that these were some of the wiles of the devil, and that I should do well to resist them. I have since thought, that had I opened my heart to some experienced Christian I might have done well; but I was afraid, and so hid my Lord's gift in the earth. Hereby I forfeited the blessing, lost my peace, and became more wretched than before. I was now like unto one wandering alone in the dark; I had no person to guide or instruct me; for I had never made known to any person the exercise of my mind. Although at this time the anguish of spirit which I felt was indescribable, yet I soon grew hardened in unbelief, lost most of my good impressions, and became more careless than before. (To be Continued.) Miscellaneous. THE DOCTRINE OF FUTURE PUNISHMENT CONSIDERED.* FROM the nature of Man. 'What a piece of workmanship is man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculties! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a God!' I have already considered man with reference to the divine law. I shall now contemplate him in another point of light, as an intelligent and sentient being, possessing certain faculties which were planted in him by the hand of his Maker. Of the existence and operations of these faculties he is perfectly conscious; and their existence and operations are at war with the doctrine that opposes future and endless punishment. In taking this view of his faculties, I do not purpose noticing every one, of which the human mind is possessed: nor do wish to run into metaphysical subtleties, or over nice distinctions, in treating on those which are mentioned. The sentiments and expressions shall be such as are familiar to every one who has been in the habit of reflecting, or is in the least degree acquainted with the works of those Authors who have written on these subjects. I shall refer the reader to their writings. Whoever has come to the years of understanding and reflection, and has paid attention to the operations of his own mind, must have perceived in the conduct, both of himself and others, certain things to be right and others to be wrong. It is not supposed, however, that circumstanced as man is in this life, Through mistake this was said to be concluded in the last Number. |