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A NEW START WITH THE NEW YEAR.

(From the Stirling Tracts.)

"Men of Israel, help!" (Acts xxi. 28).

LET us look back on the past, and ask, what have I done to improve the church-to benefit the world-to honour Jesus-to dethrone Satan-to bring sinners to repentance! Can we look at what we have done without shame? without crying aloud for pardon? But what have we left undone? What says the closet, the Bible, the house of prayer, our own consciences? How much time we have squandered! How many opportunities of doing good we have lost! How much money we have wasted! How much more time might have been spent in prayer! How many more tracts we might have circulated! How many more direct efforts to bring sinners to Jesus we might have made! How much money spent upon ourselves might have been spent for the Lord! The past is gone, and gone for ever. We never can buy back the time we have wasted, the opportunities we have lost. But we have the present-we may have a portion of the future-then let us start afresh, and start afresh this day.

Let us look around, and ask, What is there to do? To do! What is there not to do? There are drunkards to reclaim, Sabbath-breakers to admonish, and backsliders to restore. There are children to teach, places of worship to fill, tracts to distribute, and sinners to save. To do! Ask not what is there to do, but what am I able to do? what am I willing to do? There is work enough for all, work suitable to every one. All that is wanting is clear heads, warm hearts, and willing hands. A people that have a mind to work, to work for God, to go to work right heartily, to go to work immediately, and never quit the labour until the Master calls them home. Brother, what are you doing for Christ? Sister, what are you doing to bring souls to Jesus? What can you do that you have not? what will you do? This may be your last year: it will be the last year to thousands. "The night cometh when no man can work." Jesus cometh, and he will reward every one of us according to our works. How much there is to do, and how few appear willing to do it! Self is consulted, carnal customs are followed, ease is sought, the flesh is gratified; and while this is the case, souls perish, God is dishonoured, Jesus is disobeyed, and Satan triumphs.

Let us look up, and ask our good and gracious God to pardon the past, and give us grace for the future. Grace will conquer nature. It will enable us to rise above self, to crucify the flesh, to put off the old man, to overcome the love of ease, to master every bad habit, and to go to work heartily, and at once, for God and souls. What nature cannot do, grace can. What we

will be accomWe have not,

are afraid to attempt with the grace we have, plished with ease by the grace we may obtain. because we ask not, or because we ask amiss. Let our motive be love to Christ and immortal souls; let our rule be the written word; let our object be the glory of God in the salvation of man, and the Lord will give us more grace, and crown us with his blessing. We can only work comfortably and acceptably for God with what we receive from God, let us therefore seek grace whereby we may serve him acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.

Let us look forward and ask, what shall I do? How shall I walk? How shall I work? How shall I wish I had walked and worked when Jesus comes, or when death calls me home? Beloved, we must die, and we must die soon. We must give an account of ourselves to God, an account of the use to which we have put the talents he has given us, the time he has alloted us below. The eye of our Master is upon us. At this moment he is observing what impression these thoughts make upon us. He watches to see if we repent of the past—if we look up to seek grace for the futurc-if we determine in his strength to make a new start or if we lay aside this paper, forget what manner of persons we are, and go on in our old course. God expects fruit. He looks for results. He calls us to action-immediate actionbold, energetic action. Shall he look in vain. Shall he look in vain. Shall this year be allowed to glide away like the past? Shall we consult our own ease, our worldly reputation, our carnal pleasures, our sensual gratification, in preference to his glory! Did we bring any souls to Christ last year? Shall we bring any to him this year? Can we be satisfied without it? Can we live, and not travail in birth for souls? Can we live a day, and not make some effort to snatch sinners from the flames? Is hell a reality? Are impenitent sinners all around us going there? Is it possible to stop them? Can Jesus save them? Is it probable that God will bless the tract prayerfully given, or the kind word spoken to them? It is; and can we be so cruel, so unkind, as to let them go to hell without warning, and as of old, "perish for ever, without any regarding it?" Brothers, sisters in Jesus, awake! arise! Let us, one and all, think, purpose, pray, determine, solemnly, seriously, deliberately, instantly, to make a new start this New Year.

SINNER! unconverted sinner, I beseech you to pause in your career, stop in your course! The way in which you are leads to hell. It is the direct road. If you persevere, you may be in hell before the year ends. Hark! Jesus calls you, he says, "Come unto me." He promises, "I will give you rest." Go, then, to Jesus; go at once. On your knees confess your sins before him, plead with him to save you, and save you

at once.

Ask for the Holy Spirit to sanctify you, to make you

a new creature.

Pray in right earnest. Pray until Pray until you realize that your sins are pardoned, that you have peace with God, that you are saved with an everlasting salvation. Nothing is so dreadful as sin, therefore get it pardoned. Eternity is most solemn, therefore seek preparation for it, and so make a new start with the New Year.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF SAMSON MASON.

The subject of the present Memoir was born December 23d, 1821, at Splat, in the parish of Tresmeer, in the County of Cornwall; but when he was about a year and a half old his parents removed to Trewint Farm, in the parish of Poundstock. When about the age of seven years, he was sent to the National School, it being the only school in the neighbourhood at the time. His step-father observes, "As a scholar, he was quiet and docile, very apt in learning, and much esteemed and beloved by his teachers and friends."

pre

When he was about fifteen years of age, the family removed from Trewint to Elscott, near Marhamchurch, in the Holsworthy Circuit. Here again he attended the National School for a short time, and the Master appeared to feel a peculiar interest in Samson, on account of his exemplary moral character, sweet temper, and progress in learning. About this time a school was commenced at the Bible Christian Chapel; he entered it as a scholar, and soon after became a teacher; and no doubt this was the turning point in his history. On a scrap of paper bearing his hand-writing, in pencil mark, without date, but no doubt written while he was labouring in the Rackenford Circuit, Br. Mason observes, "From a child I felt more or less about my soul. When very young, my father died. At that time I felt determined to give up my heart to God, and pare for death. When out in the fields, I have often got behind the furze bushes to pray to Almighty God, and believe that had any pious person at that time taken me by the hand, I should have cast in my lot with the people of God; but none of my friends knew the Lord. One of our servant men was very wicked, and used every effort to remove my serious impressions, so that at length they wore off, and for a time I grew very wicked. Many times I have been engaged in playing cards and drinking, whole nights, when my dear mother thought I was at home in bed; and instead of attending the night-school as I ought, I was in the company of my associates in sin and folly. Being my mother's favourite she would never hear a word against me; nevertheless, one night when I should have been at school, I was wrestling by moonlight, in company with others; and while thus engaged a member of Society, returning from the protracted meeting, spoke to us, and asked why we young men did not go down to the meeting? I said, "Why; what is doing there ?" He replied, "Go down and see.” I asked my companions if they would go? They consented, and off we ran as fast as we could. When we came to the chapel it was full of people, and the preacher

had his coat off. Some were crying for mercy, and others were praying for them. I soon felt ashamed of my companions, and left them. When I returned home I found my brother and sister home from school, so I was questioned as to whither I had been till so late. I said I had been to chapel; that there was a revival there; and I thought I should go again. The next evening my sister accompanied me, and was made happy before she returned home. I was talked to by one and another, mildly and harshly; but I did not yield. Returning home with my happy sister, I told her I hoped she would be faithful, and never bring a disgrace upon the cause. On reaching home, rather late, mother did not appear pleased; but I said, 'Mother, don't say a word; sister is converted:' and so the matter ended. Next day mother came to me in the garden and made some inquiries respecting the meeting. I persuaded her to go in the evening, and at length she consented; but the prayer-meeting after the preaching appeared to her all confusion, and she left. I talked to her, and said, Mother, you know we are not right! Let us go back again.' She did so, and from that time became a praying character. All this time I was unhappy because I wanted religion in my own way, without going to the penitents' pew. However, I attended the class-meeting, and after attending many times, God spoke peace to my soul, and enabled me to rejoice. During this revival (1839) eight of our family were hopefully converted to God. One has died happy in the Lord, and six are still holding on their way."

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About twelve months after his conversion Br. Mason became a local preacher, and laboured with general acceptance through the Circuit. On this subject he remarks, "I believe God blest my labours, for while engaged in the work, I have at times heard the cries of the penitent, and seen the big tear flow." His friends observe, that his aim was the glory of God, and the conversion of sinners. While on the farm labouring with the men, he endeavoured to impress eternal things on their minds-strove to win their souls to Christ, and to make them promise to attend the class-meeting. He filled the important office of a class-leader previous to his engaging wholly in the ministry; the members were much attached to him, and they sustained a loss at his removal.

It appears from a memorandum of his, that he left home to supply the place of Br. Paul Robins, in the Shebbear circuit, on his quitting England a Missionary to America. On this subject he remarks, "When I was called on to travel, or to fill up the place of dear Mr. Robins, who was about to go as a Missionary to America, my feelings were such that I cannot describe them. However I consented, though some of my friends were very unwilling of it."

Br. Mason laboured in the Shebbear Circuit about five months, and at the Conference of 1846, he was appointed to the Kilkhampton Circuit, in which station, in connection with his colleague, he laboured successfully. On asking him when he lay on the bed of death, if he realized any success on that station, he replied, "O yes! scores of souls were converted that year."

At the Conference of 1847, he was appointed to the Monmouth Mission. I had not seen him for some years, but while on my way to the Forest of Dean, I recognized him among the passengers on board

the Steam Packet from Bristol to Chepstow. He had forgotten me; but when I made myself known to him, he appeared delighted. During that year I had several opportunities of being in his company. I was pleased with his exemplary piety; his disinterestedness in promoting the good cause; and his constant activity, and his readiness to assist his pastor, especially at the Missionary meetings which I attended. He took the responsibility and trouble off his hands, by taking charge of the amount collected, and getting the copper changed for silver, and the silver for gold. Young men may considerably contribute to the comfort of their Pastors in this way.

After this he laboured in the Brentor and Tawstock circuits; and at the Conference of 1850, he was appointed to the Chard station. During that year he had a severe illness of two or three months' continuance, from which affliction it appears he never fully recovered. From thence he was removed to the Rackenford station, where he remained two years. And at the Conference 1853, he was stationed at Tenterden, which proved to be his last station. On entering this station his appearance was sufficient to excite sympathy. He was evidently suffering from great debility, and no doubt the abscess that terminated fatally was then forming internally; and I was fearful this station would be too hard for him. Many times when he has reached his appointments, the friends have informed me, that from his appearance the bed was far more suitable for him than the pulpit: nevertheless he did not complain, but was quite willing to take his share of the work in the Circuit. I found him a willing and an agreeable colleague.

Br. J. Hinks, with whom he laboured two years in the Rackenford station bears his unqualified testimony to the fact that Br. Mason was truly pious and devoted; that he felt deeply interested in the welfare and prosperity of the connexion; and that he was very anxious to be acquainted with all the rules and regulations of the connexion.

Br. W. Gilbert who came out to travel from the same circuit, observes; With regard to Br. Mason, although we were from the same Circuit, I know but little of his early history. The first time I saw him was at Holsworthy, in the latter part of the year 1842; a few months after I had joined the Bible Christian society in that town. Br. Mason came there to take an appointment, but whether it was his own or not I cannot say. I had no conversation with him at that time, and have no recollection of seeing him again until I met him at Marhamchurch chapel, one Sabbath evening, in the year 1844. I had to return to Holsworthy after the service, and he accompanied me for two or three miles, when for the first time we had some conversation. We opened our minds freely to each other, on our christian experience, and also on our being engaged in the work of preaching the gospel. I was much pleased with the christian and brotherly spirit displayed by him towards me, and also with the statements he made respecting his coversion to God, and his call to the ministry. It was about this time he became impressed as to his duty of devoting himself wholly to the work of the ministry, and I could perceive from the manner in which he described his feelings on the subject, that he was passing through some mental conflicts. He was evidently