Our beloved friend possessed a well informed mind; was a man of good understanding, sound judgment, quick discernment, and genuine piety. He took an active part in making various alterations and improvements in our sanctuary, that the congregation might be made comfortable, the attention of the public attracted, the society encouraged, and its best interests promoted.

Our friend ardently loved the means of grace. He delighted in the social and public worship of Almighty God, and in waiting upon the Lord he was generally much blessed. He frequently said in his class, and at the fellowship meeting, "Lord, it is good to be here." Often have I seen him in his pew, while sitting attentively under the word, softened, melted, and subdued by the powerful, spiritual presence of his Divine Master; and how repeatedly have I seen him in the social means humbled as a little child, comforted with the consolations of the Spirit, and in holy ecstacy, rejoicing with unspeakable joy! It was on such occasions that he mounted up as on eagle's wings, lost sight of the world and earthly objects, while, with eyes suffused with tears and a heart filled with heavenly love, he has exclaimed, "I know in whom I have believed." Thus finding the means so profitable, he was diligent in attending upon them; unless from home or indisposed, he was seen regularly in his pew on the Lord's day; at the seven o'clock Sabbath morning prayer meeting, the week night preaching, and in other means during the week, he generally mixed with the people of God in prayer and praise. His religious feelings were in accordance with the royal psalmist when he said, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

He was on many occasions a liberal supporter of the cause of Christ, especially in the time of emergency, when extra aid was necessary. At such times he was frequently found to be a friend indeed, not forgetting the Divine injunction," Freely ye have received, freely give."

In many instances he was kind to the poor, as all who possess the ability ought to be, knowing, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given will he pay him again." He was honourable in all his business transactions, conscientious in all his dealings, in his conversation piously cheerful, and in his general deportment he walked as becometh the Gospel of Christ, giving evidence that he considered himself "a stranger and pilgrim" in this vale of tears, and seeking "a country, a city out of sight, whose maker and builder is God." A captious individual might, indeed, ask, Had he no failings? Doubtless he had; and let him that is without fault cast the first stone. But whatever his failings, his faults, his sins, he frequently acknowledged them to God with a penitent heart, and through Christ he found himself abundantly forgiven, accepted, and saved.

Some months ago our brother was seriously attacked with a disease of the heart, which for a few days threatened his life; but by timely and skilful medical aid, in connection with great care and attention on the part of those who watched over him, he was restored to a tolerable degree of health; still, however, he was left comparatively feeble, and his most intimate friends perceived that nature had received a shock,

the results of which could not be effectually removed. His health afterwards was more uncertain, his strength reduced, and almost daily he became much weaker, so that his earthly existence was rendered exceedingly precarious.

A few weeks ago, he visited Hanley, that he might spend a little time with Mrs. Brownfield, his affectionate daughter. During his stay he was seized with an attack, probably somewhat similar to the one we have just mentioned. Medical aid was obtained, and every means employed by affectionate relatives and the skill of the physician for his recovery, but all in vain. During the affliction of our brother, he was visited by one of our own ministers, the Rev. Thomas Griffiths, who some years ago laboured in this circuit, and who had long known and esteemed our beloved friend. In a communication to me he gives the following account of our brother during the few last days of his afflic tion, which terminated in his dissolution: "I visited Mr. Etches frequently during his last illness, and am quite satisfied that his end was peace. The first few days he seemed restless, and somewhat excited, arising from difficulty in breathing, and a degree of darkness which for a season pervaded his mind. He frequently expressed his desire for a stronger assurance of the Divine favour and a more direct witness of the Spirit, and was anxious for constant believing prayer. One morning, while engaged with him in devout and fervent supplication, our brother was much relieved, and said, Praise the Lord. I feel comforted. I can, I do believe.

"I the chief of sinners am,' &c."

The following night he said, "O what a delightful change do I feel! I have been labouring under a cloud, and struggling against the unbelief of my heart, but it is all gone. Praise the Lord for his goodness. Though darkness may continue for a night, light and joy come in the morning." The change was obvious to all who were about him. He was resigned, pleasant, and grateful for the smallest assistance that was rendered him. On the afternoon of his departure he told his weeping family, while they were anxiously watching over him, that "all was right; he was quite happy;" and shortly after he fell asleep in Jesus.

His death was improved, in an impressive sermon preached by the Rev. T. Waterhouse, to an overflowing and attentive congregation, September 29th, 1850.

Reader, prepare to meet thy God!

T. W.

A few months ago our worthy friend, being in London, came to worship with us at Brunswick chapel. We remember his cheerful, happy, spiritual aspect. In the evening he attended the lovefeast after preaching; and with unaffected simplicity declared his Christian experience, testifying to God's goodness through his whole life, and expressing himself as then happy in the enjoyment of the Divine favour. Little did we think that that day would be the last time we should see our friend on earth. But he has entered into rest. May we be prepared to meet him in heaven.-EDITOR.

DISCOURSES, ESSAYS, &c.

THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION ON THE INTELLECT.

A LECTURE DELIVERED AT THE LONGTON ATHENEUM.

BY THE REV. P. J. WRIGHT.

MAN is vastly superior to all the living creatures that exist in our world, but he is not equal to angels. The mind of man dwells in a fleshly tabernacle, angels are not clothed with corporeal garments. Angels excel man in mental and moral strength, and they are continuously the subjects of religious influence. Man is formed for religion, and it is his privilege to emulate angels in intellectual power and spiritual excellence. In order that he may enjoy this privilege, Divine Providence, by various means, causes religious influence to stimulate his intellect. There are diverse kinds of religious influence in the world. It is not every kind that will so act on the soul of man as to invest it with dignity and happiness. Some kinds of religious influence debase and enfeeble the intellect. Other kinds improve it in only a slight degree, and fill it with painful anxieties. The Christian religion alone is adapted to ennoble, adorn, and enrich the human intellect, in the genial manner and to the large extent designed by Jehovah. The influence of this religion on the intellect is like the influence of nature on a cultivated landscape. Just as the dews, the showers, and the sunlight cover the fields with beauty and fruitfulness, so the doctrines, facts, and secret operations of religion invest the intellect with all that is lovely and of good report in the estimation of mankind. Accordant with the view thus set forth Richard Watson remarks, "Piety is manhood. Religion, though not the offspring, is the great instructress of reason. She alone has the power to turn the mind, hitherto wandering over the scene of external objects, inwardly upon itself; to contemplate its wants, its powers, and its destiny; to open a new world to thought; to supply from heaven and from God the subjects of meditation, and thus to expand and mature the intellectual of man." To the same effect are the words of an eloquent clergyman: "We will not yield the culture of the understanding to earthly husbandmen. There are heavenly ministers, who water it with a choicer dew, and pour on it the beams of a more brilliant sun, and prune its branches with a kinder and more skilful hand. We will not give up reason, to stand always as a priestess at the altars of human philosophy. She hath a more majestic temple to tread, and more beauteous robes wherein to walk, and incense rarer and more fragrant to burn in golden censers. She does well when exploring boldly God's visible works. She does better when she meekly submits to spiritual teaching, and sits as a child at the Saviour's feet, for then shall she experience the truth, that the entrance of God's words giveth light and understanding."

Religion is impulsive to the intellect. There are forces which act upon material substances, and there are forces which act upon mind. The winds of heaven uplift the waves of ocean, impel huge ships towards their destination, purify the atmosphere, and carry the clouds over the face of the earth to water it with fructifying rains.

The warm rays of the sun stimulate vegetation, make the grass grow and the trees bud, tinge the flowers with beautiful colours, and clothe the corn with gold. Truth exerts a similar power on the human mind. Any kind of truth, historic, philosophic, or scientific, will exert such power. Religious truth, especially, will do so, and in this respect surpasses all other truth. It ranks pre-eminent in power to rouse the intellect from lethargy and incite to mental improvement. Is the reason of this inquired for? Not to mention any additional reason, the inherent energy of true religion is quite sufficient to account for the delightful result. Illustrations of the stimulating force of religion may be easily furnished, and they are found in two classes of subjects-individuals of feeble capacity, and persons ignorant through inattention, or the influence of unfavourable circumstances. Respecting the first class little need be said, for the details of such cases have scarcely any effect beyond the gratification of curiosity and love of the marvellous. Henry Melville states: "The instances are of no rare occurrence, in which a mental weakness, bordering almost on imbecility, has been succeeded by no inconsiderable soundness and strength of understanding. The case has come within my own knowledge, of an individual who, before conversion, was accounted, to say the least, of very limited capacities, but who after conversion displayed such power of comprehending difficult truths, and such facility of stating them to others, that men of staunch and well informed minds sought intercourse as a privilege." An individual resides not far from Nottingham, with whom I am personally acquainted, who, had he not been brought under the influence of religion, would have moved among society as an eccentric cipher. Religion has so roused and enlightened his mind, that by public exhortation on theological topics, the distribution of books, and the exercise of the gift of prayer, he is exceedingly useful to his fellow creatures. Respecting the second class more may be stated. It has been no uncommon circumstance for persons of mature years, and even very aged persons, encompassed with infirmities and of failing sight, who had lived in utter ignorance of the very elements of knowledge, when renewed in heart by the grace of God, to sit down, and, impelled by irrepressible thirst for information, patiently learn the letters of the alphabet, and subsequently enrich their minds with stores of wisdom. I have often seen young men, who, before they became religious, were thoughtless despisers of books, and brutish in their habits, very soon after they had given their hearts to God, manifesting thoughtfulness, eagerly perusing books written by men of strong intellects, and rapidly securing acquaintance with the noblest ideas that occupy the human understanding. The records of missionary labours abound with facts of this description. John Williams tells us concerning a chief and his friends who came from Rurutu to Raiatea. " When they were conducted to public worship on the Sabbath, they beheld with astonishment the assembled multitude, heard them sing the praises of the one living and true God, and listened with the deepest interest to the message of mercy. At once they were convinced of the superiority of the Christian religion, and concluded that God had graciously conducted them there, for the purpose of making them acquainted with its inestimable blessings. Having placed themselves under our instruction, we gave them in charge to our deacons, and supplied them with elementary books. Auura was exceed.

ingly diligent in learning and made rapid progress. In a short time, he completely mastered the spelling book, could repeat the greater part of our catechism, and read in the Gospel of Matthew. They were with us only a little more than three months, and before they left, he and several others could read, spell, and write correctly, although they were previously ignorant of the formation of a letter or a figure." He states also respecting a class of "thirty old women, some lame, others blind, and all tottering on the brink of the grave," which had been formed in another island: " One or two of them could read, having learned after they were upwards of sixty years of age, and all of them could repeat a catechism which contained the leading principles of Christianity." He furthermore states, that in connection with the introduction of Christianity a new era commenced with the natives," not only in their moral history, but also in their intellectual. The process of instruction under which they were brought, the new wants and desires created by the supply of knowledge, the excitement produced by a series of discoveries, many of which were so wonderful and sublime that they could not fail both to quicken and enlarge their faculties, and above all, the elevating power of vital religion, made them mentally, as well as spiritually, new creatures in Christ Jesus." The influence of religion on the minds of the Hottentots of Africa, who had sunk nearly to a level with the brutes that perish, has been astonishing and delightsome in a high degree. Full ten years did the brave and benevolent Moffatt labour amongst them, in word and doctrine, without stimulating their torpid faculties, or changing their vile habits, or even securing their serious attention. They continued stupidly ignorant, disgustingly filthy, and fiercely brutal in their conduct. At length the truth enlightened their understanding and moved their conscience; they were brought out of darkness into marvellous light, and made the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. In that hour a mighty impulse was given to their intellect. They awoke from the dream of ignorance, and arose from the foul bed of sensual indulgence. The beings who had sunk so low among human kind as to lose all ideas of God, and the soul, and immortality; as to become not very unlike the grinning and chattering apes of the country in which they dwelt, discovered and felt their deep degradation, perceived the dignity of which they were capable, set themselves to acquire the elements of knowledge and the comforts of civilization, soon realized encouraging attainments, and are still advancing in the path of mental improvement. These facts, with many others of a similar description, clearly demonstrate that the influence of religion invests its subjects with the characteristics of thinking, inquiring, and progressive beings.

Religion purifies the intellect. This fact has been strangely overlooked in efforts to instruct and develop the human understanding. It is, nevertheless, of high importance, both as it respects the individual and those with whom he has to associate. Cleanliness is essential to physical health and to agreeableness in social intercourse. Purity of mind is essential to mental health and to a benign effect on the intellectual faculties of others. Nothing admits of more easy illustration. Without adverting to the frivolous and polluting writings and conversation of thousands, whose minds are not under religious influence, the foul blots which appear on the pages of some of the authors who are famous in English literature, fully prove the correctness of our state