upon religion, through him, that day. He resolved, however, to attempt the service. He introduced it by singing a psalm, during which time his agitations were increased to the highest degree. When the moment for prayer commenced, he arose, as one in the most perilous and painful situation, and with arms extended to heaven, began with this outcry, Lord have mercy upon me! Upon the utterance of this petition, he was heard; the thick cloud instantly broke away, and an unspeakably joyful light shone in upon his soul, so that his spirit seemed to be caught up to the heavens, and he felt as though he saw God, as Moses did on the Mount, face to face, and was carried forth to him, with an enlargement greater than he had ever before experienced, and on every page of the scriptures saw his divinity inscribed in brightest colors. The result was a deep solemnity on the face of the whole congregation, and the house at the end of the prayer was a Bochim. He gave them the subject of his evening meditations, which was brought to his full remembrance, with an overflowing abundance of other weighty and solemn matter. The Lord blessed the discourse, so that it proved the happy means of the conversion of about thirty persons. This day he spoke of, ever afterwards, as his harvest day. WILLIAM M. TENNENT."

Remarkable healing of Mrs. Mercy Wheeler.-A remarkable instance of healing in the case of Mrs. Wheeler, of Plainfield, Con., which took place in 1743, has been published several times. For sixteen years previous, she was not able to lift a foot or take a step. The account of her case was drawn up by Rev. Benjamin Lord, A. M.

"And no sooner was he [Mr. Lord] gone from her, but it turned in her mind-The Lecture is ended, and the service all over, and I am not healed; what is become of my faith now? Won't it be with me as it used to be? Whereupon a cloud of great darkness came over her, for a minute or two; in which time she was led again into herself, to see what a poor unworthy creature she was, and had some such thoughts of the wisdom and goodness of God's will, that she felt a disposition to be as God would have her be. Then those words were repeated to her-If thou wilt believe, thou shalt see the glory of God. By which her darkness was carried off, and under the influence of this word now, she seemed (as she expressed it) to be wholly taken out of herself, into the hands of God, and enabled to believe that he could and would heal her. Immediately upon which, she felt a strange irresistible motion and shaking, which began first with her hands, and quickly spreading over her whole frame; in which time she felt a kind of weight upon her; a sort of racking of her frame; every joint, as it were, working; and as if she was with hands squeezed together in her weak places. As this trembling went off, her pains went with it, and she felt strong, especially in the seat of life, where she had been most remarkably weak; and from thence strength diffused itself all over her animal frame, into her hips, knees,

ancles, &c. She felt strong and well, as if she had no disease upon her, and was under no difficulty. And as she had this sensation of new strength and freedom, she felt as if she was a raising up, and must rise; and immediately rose up and walked away among the people, with evident sprightliness and vigor, to the astonishment of herself and those about her. She went this time near 16 feet, crying out, Bless the Lord Jesus, who has healed me! But was soon damped with this thought, that she was only in a phrenzy, and not healed; and the more so, when Mr. Lord (surprised at seeing her walk thus, whom he had just before left impotent and overcome too, so that she could hardly talk) did observe to her that she was in a phrenzy, and accordingly took hold of her and led her to the bed, and bid her sit down; yea, even thrust her down. But she could not be confined there; feeling yet strong and at liberty, she quickly rose up again, with those words in her mind, I have loved thee with everlasting love, and with the high praises of God in her mouth. Her soul being filled with such admiration and love, as she declared was inexpressible. Now she walked several times across the room with strength and steadiness; which even constrained the people to think and say, verily, this is the power of God! And they wondered, and praised the same. And it was about six o'clock in the afternoon, when the thing was done, at which they all marvelled, and having united in a prayer, and in praise, on this remarkable occasion, they were dismissed to their several homes, still wondering and rejoicing at what their eyes had beheld, and their ears had heard that day."-See Con. Hist. Coll.

Zerah Colburn.-In 1812, the attention of the philosophical world was attracted by one of the most singular phenomenon in the history of the human mind which has appeared in modern times. It was the case of Zerah Colburn, a child under eight years of age, who, without any previous knowledge of the rules of Arithmetic, or even of the use and power of the Arabic numerals, and without giving any particular attention to the subject, possessed the faculty of solving a great variety of arithmetical questions by the mere operations of the mind, and without the assistance of any visible symbol or contrivance.

Zerah Colburn was born in Cabot, in Vermont, Sept. 1, 1804. According to a memoir, written by himself, in 1833, he was the sixth child of his parents, and was by them, in his earlier years, considered as the most backward of any of their children.

"Sometime in the beginning of August, 1810, when about one month under six years of age, being at home, while his father was employed at a joiner's work-bench, Zerah was on the floor, playing in the chips; suddenly he began to say to himself, 5 times 7 are 35 -6 times 8 are 48, &c. His father's attention being arrested by hearing this, so unexpected in a child so young, and who had hitherto possessed no advantages, except perhaps six weeks' attendance at the district school, that summer, he left his work, and turning to him be

gan to examine him through the multiplication table; he thought it possible that Zerah had learnt this from the other boys, but finding him perfect in the table, his attention was more deeply fixed; and he asked the product of 13× 97 to which 1261 was instantly given in answer. He now concluded that something unusual had actually taken place; indeed he has often said he should not have been more surprised, if some one had risen up out of the earth and stood erect before him.

It was not long before a neighbor rode up, and calling in, was informed of the singular occurrence. He, too, desired to be a witness of the fact, and soon it became generally known through the town. Though many were inclined to doubt the correctness of the reports they heard, a personal examination attested their truth. Thus the story originated, which within the short space of a year, found its way, not only through the United States, but also reached Europe, and foreign Journals of literature, both in England and France, expressed their surprise at the uncommon incident.

Very soon after the first discovery of his remarkable powers, many gentlemen at that time possessing influence and public confidence throughout the State, being made acquainted with the circumstances, were desirous of having such a course adopted as might most directly lead to a full development of his talent, and its application to purposes of general utility. Accordingly Mr. Colburn carried his son to Danville, to be present during the session of the Court. His child was very generally seen and questioned by the Judges, members of the bar, and others. The Legislature of Vermont being about to convene at Montpelier, they were advised to visit that place, which they did in October. Here large numbers had an opportunity of witnessing his calculating powers, and the conclusion was general that such a thing had never been known before. Many questions which were out of the common limits of Arithmetic, were proposed with a view to puzzle him, but he answered them correctly; as for instance-which is the most, twice twenty-five, or twice five and twenty (2 × 25 or 2x5+20)? Ans. twice twenty-five. Which is the most, six dozen dozen, or half a dozen dozen (6 × 12 × 12 or 6 × 12)? Ans. 6 dozen dozen. It is a fact too that somebody asked how many black beans would make five white ones? Ans. 5, if you skin them. Thus it appeared that not only could he compute and combine numbers readily, but also he possessed a quickness of thought somewhat uncommon among children, in other things."

Mr. Colburn visited various parts of the United States with his son for the purpose of exhibiting his extraordinary power of calculation. Having resolved on a voyage to Europe, they arrived in London in May, 1812, where they continued about two years. Here Zerah attracted considerable attention, and was visited by many of the nobility and the most distinguished persons in the kingdom. After leaving London, Mr. Colburn and his son visited Ireland, Scotland, and finally passed over to Paris, where Zerah

was for a time a pupil in the Lyceum Napoleon. He returned to London in 1816, and from thence to Birmingham. At this period, being impoverished in their circumstances, the Earl of Bristol became the patron of Zerah and placed him at the Westminster school. His father becoming dissatisfied with some things relative to the school, Zerah was taken from it in 1819. În order to support himself he was for a while an actor on the stage, and afterwards opened a small school. Mr. Colburn, harassed by the many disappointments and privations of himself and son, fell a victim to his troubles, and died in February, 1823. Zerah now returned to this country and removed to Burlington, Vermont. Soon after his return his attention was drawn to the subject of religion, and having experienced a change in his feelings, he joined the Congregational Church. Being dissatisfied with some of the doctrines of that church, he united himself with the Methodist Society in Cabot, Vermont, in 1825. He soon became a devoted preacher in that denomination, and continued in that office till his death, which took place a few years since.

The following is a list of questions answered by Zerah Colburn; they are extracted from his memoirs, and are also to be found in other publications:

In Boston, on his first visit, in the fall of 1810. The number of seconds in 2000 years was required.

730,000 days.

17,520,000 hours.

1,051,200,000 minutes.

63,072,000,000 seconds-Answer.

Allowing that a clock strikes 156 times in 1 day, how many times will it strike in 2000 years? 113,880,000 times.

What is the product of 12,225 multiplied by 1,223? 14,951,175. What is the square of 1,449? 2,099,601.

Supposing I have a corn field, in which are 7 acres, having 17 rows to each acre; 64 hills to each row; 8 ears on a hill, and 150 kernels on an ear; how many kernels on the corn field? 9,139,200.

In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, June, 1811.

Admitting the distance between Concord and Boston to be 65 miles, how many steps must I take in going this distance, allowing that I go three feet at a step? The answer, 114,400, was given in ten seconds.

How many days and hours since the Christian Era commenced, 1811 years? Answered in twenty seconds.

661,015 days.

15,864,360 hours.

How many seconds in eleven years? Answer in four seconds; 346,896,000.

What sum multiplied by itself will produce 998,001? In less than four seconds, 999.

How many hours in 38 years, 2 months, and 7 days? In six seconds; 334,488.

When at London "at a meeting of his friends which was held for the purpose of concerting the best method of promoting the interest of the child by an education suited to his turn of mind, he undertook and succeeded in raising the number 8 to the sixteenth power, and gave the answer correctly in the last result, viz. 281,474,976,710,656. He was then tried as to other numbers, consisting of one figure, all of which he raised as high as the tenth power, with so much facility and dispatch that the person appointed to take down the results was obliged to enjoin him not to be too rapid. With respect to numbers consisting of two figures, he would raise some of them to the sixth, seventh and eighth power, but not always with equal facility; for the larger the products became, the more difficult he found it to proceed. He was asked the square root of 106,929, and before the number could be written down he immediately answered 327. He was then requested to name the cube root of 268,336,125, and with equal facility and promptness he replied 645.

Various other questions of a similar nature respecting the roots and powers of very high numbers, were proposed by several of the gentlemen present, to all of which satisfactory answers were given. One of the party requested him to name the factors which produced the number 247,483, which he did by mentioning 941 and 263, which indeed are the only two factors that will produce it. Another of them proposed 171,395, and he named the following factors as the only ones, viz: 5 × 34279, 7×24485, 59 × 2905, 83 × 2065, 35 x 4897, 295 × 581, 413x415. He was then asked to give the factors of 36,083, but he immediately replied that it had none; which in fact was the case, as 36,083 is a prime number." [Extract from a Prospectus printed in London, 1813.]

"It had been asserted and maintained by the French mathematicians that 4294967297 (=23a+1) was a prime number; but the celebrated Euler detected the error by discovering that it was equal to 641 × 6,700,417. The same number was proposed to this child, who found out the factors by the mere operation of his mind." Ibid. On another occasion, he was requested to give the square of 999,999; he said he could not do this, but he accomplished it by multiplying 37037 by itself, and that product twice by 27. Ans. 999,998,000,001. He then said he could multiply that by 49 which he did: Ans. 48,999,902,000,049. He again undertook to multiply this number by 49: Ans. 2,400,995,198,002,401. And lastly he multiplied this great sum by 25, giving as the final product, 60,024,879,950,060,025. Various efforts were made by the friends of the boy to elicit a disclosure of the methods by which he performed his calculations, but for nearly three years he was unable to satisfy their inquiries. There was, through practice, an increase in his power of computation; when first beginning, he went no farther in multiplying than three places of figures;