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THE NEGRO'S VIGIL.

ON THE EVE OF THE FIRST OF AUGUST, 1834.

"They that watch for the morning:-they that watch for the morning."-Psalm cxxx. 6.

HIE on the mountain afar,

All in the cool of the even ;

Led by yon beautiful star,

First of the daughters of heaven :

Sweet to the slave is the season of rest,

Something far sweeter he looks for to-night;

His heart lies awake in the depth of his breast,

And listens till God shall say, "Let there be light!"

Climb we the mountain, and stand

High in mid-air, to inhale,

Fresh from our old father-land,

Balm in the ocean-borne gale:

Darkness yet covers the face of the deep;

Spirit of freedom! go forth in thy might,

To break up our bondage like infancy's sleep,

The moment when God shall say, "Let there be light!"

Gaze we, meanwhile, from this peak,

Praying in thought while we gaze;

Watch for the morning's first streak,
Prayer then be turn'd into praise :

Shout to the valleys, "Behold ye the morn,
Long, long desired, but denied to our sight;"
Lo, myriads of slaves into men are new-born;
The word was omnipotent, "Let there be light!"

LONDON:-Printed by J. Nichols, 46, Hoxton Square.

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Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine,

FOR JUNE, 1835.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. TITUS CLOSE:

BY THE REV. JAMES HEATON.

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TITUS CLOSE was born at Hanley, in the Potteries, June 10th, 1795. Some account of his early life has been written by himself, in which he says, "The being born of religious parents is a great privilege; and those who have been favoured with it have abundant reason to bless the Giver of all good. With such parents I was blessed. For years their prayers ascended to the throne of grace for me; and at length, in some degree, they are answered. From their instructions I learned that I was a sinner; and that unless I obtained salvation by faith in the blood of the Redeemer, I must eternally perish. My dear mother was continually giving religious instruction to each of her children; and my beloved father, by his close walk with God, set us an example how to fulfil those precepts which they unitedly laid down for the rule of our conduct; and thus, early in life, religious impressions were made upon my mind. When about four years of age, I was so deeply convinced, and so powerfully affected with a sense of danger, that often at night I was afraid to close my eyes, lest I should open them in hell. I was taken frequently to the Independent chapel; and there I heard many impressive sermons which truly caused me to tremble, and made me resolve to turn to God. The reading of Janeway's Token for Children,' containing accounts of some who lived well and died happy, also deeply affected me, and prompted me to pray that my last end might be like theirs.

"Such impressions continued until I was removed from my parents to a distant boarding-school. Here I began a career of vice, particularly the practice of lying and swearing. The evil communications of my school-fellows corrupted the good manners I had brought from home; and they, perhaps, copied theirs from the example of their schoolteacher, a Clergyman, who profanely dishonoured his holy orders.'

"Being distant from my parents, my religious impressions wore gradually away; and before the end of twelve months, they were nearly all gone. At times the remembrance of my sins, and the reproaches of my conscience, came painfully upon me; but I resisted them, by joining my companions to commit iniquity, and ridicule religion. To this evil practice the example of our head Tutor much contributed. Frequently did we see the reverend gentleman intoxicated; and often did we hear him blaspheme the sacred name of Him whose Gospel he professed to preach.

During the vacations, which I spent at home, I had to endure the VOL. XIV, Third Series. JUNE, 1835

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usual reproofs of my parents; but I was now arrived at that period when youth generally feels a spirit of independence, and desires to break off the yoke of paternal government. Their reproofs had therefore but little effect; and my proud, ungrateful heart was hardened against their good advice, so kindly and earnestly given. The remembrance of this has caused me to shed many a tear, and to weep bitterly before that merciful Being who only can forgive my transgressions, through the atoning sacrifice of his crucified Son."

A virtuous and religious education, which trains up "child in the way that he should go," to be happy in himself, beneficial to the world, and useful to the church, is the order of heaven, to secure an honourable age, and a glorious eternity. But the principles of piety and righteousness sown in the heart of Titus Close by his religious parents, who watered their labours with tears, and sought the gracious increase from God by fervent prayers, were eaten up and trodden down within the pale of a vicious boarding-school. His mournful experience, testified as by his own voice from the grave, sounds a warning to religious parents; and bids them beware lest they trust their offspring to the care of Tutors who fear not God, but are examples of evil, and speak the language of fiends. Next to the Christian church, in sacred importance, and eternal consequence, are the schools for youth, where useful knowledge and vital piety are planted and cultivated. Such institutions are not only training youthful immortals for heaven, but preparing labourers for the service of Christ, who shall remove the thorns and briers, and sow the earth with righteousness and truth. But where the servants of the wicked one have the tuition of youth, their knowledge will be mingled with the poison of sin, though presented in a golden. cup. According to his own account, Master Close soon commenced the career of a son who had learned to despise the counsel of his parents. He says, When the time appointed for my education was expired, at the request of my eldest brother, I went to Boston, in Lincolnshire. He intended me to be a companion and assistant to him in his business of china and glass merchant; and, after awhile, to have a share in the business. But business I utterly disliked: perhaps I was occasionally useful. I did not consider myself as under any obligation to remain there, because my father could at that time provide for his children without their attending to business, though he wished them all to be usefully employed. But subsequently unexpected and heavy losses deprived him of that ability. At Boston, a place of gaiety, a new scene presented itself; and my naturally volatile disposition presumed on having sufficient funds. for gratification. At first the farewell advice of my dear parents, rendered more impressive by my removal from them into a strange place, caused me to resolve on leading a new life, at least a moral one; but as chaff flies before the wind, so went my resolutions in the hour of temptation. Mixing with dissipated characters of my own age, I contrived to laugh conscience out of countenance, returned to my former sins, and

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