is emphatically said by his biographer, that "he never neglected any opportunity of speaking of and for Christ." As a minister, we do not mean to sketch his character particularly. All ministers of Christ are expected to be eminently useful Christians. Our object has hitherto been to set before our readers examples in ordinary life of those who endeavoured to "let their light so shine before men, that others, seeing their good works, might glorify their Father who is in heaven." Dr. Townley has been introduced here chiefly on account of the early scepticism which marked his character, and the means by which his conversion was wrought and evidenced. The example of so great a change is often as effective in awakening the interest of the sceptical, as a laboured argument to prove the logical truth of Christianity. In his own day, his example was an argument that engaged the attention of many. He was a man of good family, mingling in the best society; he was a lawyer, and much among his professional brethren; he was rich, and had the usual array of observers and followers. Hence, when he became a decided Christian, the effect was great. "Lawyers in Doctors' Commons and boatmen in Ramsgate,―gentry in the county of Kent and fishermen in Pegwell Bay, -Christians and Infidels,-old college companions and office-clerks, members of his club and domestics in the family, asked, 'Is Charles Townley mad?"" The example was a kind of evidence for the truth which they could not avoid considering, and not a few were induced to follow. Reader! do you believe the gospel? Then reflect it. Show your faith in a life of faith and earnest anxiety for others. Dr. Townley left Limerick in 1842, and afterwards resided chiefly in London. He had no special charge, but was always occupied in useful labour. At Boulogne he endeavoured to sow good seed by conversations, and by tracts in the French language, prepared by himself. He was occupied in an Irish translation when he was called away by death, on June 17, 1856. In his will were found these words: "I desire * * * that an improvement be made of my death from the words, 'This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."" His last message was the echo of his own experience. In death he was preaching Christ; and his appropriate monument is a memoir of “The Sceptic Saved and Saving Others." Has the reader been saved? Then labour to save. Dr. Townley began first with his friends, then with his countrymen, then with the inhabitants of Ireland and of France. "He never neglected any opportunity of speaking of and for Christ." Had every professing Christian, every real Christian, such zeal, how many might be saved! God rewards the faithful labourer who, having found Christ, is ever recommending him to others. 66 Return, return, From all thy crooked ways! Jesus will save the lost, The fallen he can raise. Look to him who beckons thee "Return, return, To thy long-suffering Lord! He can soothe the deepest sorrow, Seek his offered gifts to-day." SPITTA. CHAPTER XII. JOHN KITTO, D.D., F.S.A., THE DEAF TRAVELLER. "The brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel."-2 COR. viii. 18, 19. "An inward prompting * * * grew daily upon me, that by labour and intent study, which I take to be my portion in this life, joined to the strong propensity of nature, I might perhaps have something so written to after times as they should not willingly let it die. These thoughts at once possessed me, and these other, that if I were certain to write as men buy leases, for three lives and downwards, there ought no regard be sooner had than to God's glory, by the honour and instruction of my country."—MILTON. THE "pursuit of knowledge under difficulties" has been the experience of some of the most gifted minds that have adorned both letters and mechanics, and contributed to the proud and beneficent position which our country holds amongst the nations of the world. Instances are ever occurring to show that, notwithstanding the advantages of learning, which are more generally enjoyed now than ever, it is not always from the privileged class, the highest in professional ability, that the most useful services to society are obtained. The humblest have effected some of the most radical reforms, and aided the extension of the arts and learning into spheres where the more cultivated failed to enter. Canal navigation owed more to Brindley, who could scarcely write his own name, than to the skilled engineers of his time. Railways are more indebted to George Stephenson, who could not read until his eighteenth year, and was a working man, than to all the institutions of civil engineers. Manufacture owed more to Hargreave, Smeaton, Arkwright, and Watt, than to those from whom such improvements were more likely to issue. In like manner, the natural history of the Bible, and its elucidation by Oriental manners and customs, is more indebted to John Kitto, the deaf pauper boy of Plymouth, than to the great host of commentators whose works have filled the shelves of clerical libraries during eighteen centuries. The memoirs of this extraordinary man reveal a story of deepest interest, and merit the attention of all youthful readers. They relate the history of trials and struggles, of adventures and labours, of Christian life and usefulness, that will teach the most unfortunate never to despair, and rebuke the privileged for their paltry services to God in the world. It is one of many instances afforded, that a talent well laid out, amidst many difficulties and discouragements, will never fail to yield its increase; and that a life dedicated to the Lord will find a sphere for its exercise large enough to employ its powers, and a blessing according to the "work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope." JOHN KITTO was born at Plymouth, December 4, 1804. His parentage was humble, and his father a dissipated mason. Before he had reached his fourth year he was transferred to the garret of his grandmother, as his father could not support him. This aged relative soon conceived an ardent fondness for her grandchild; and from her he received that family training which was so sadly neglected at home. In his early years he evinced a liking for solitary walks; and would often wander about the shore, to the great discomfort of his venerable guardian. To divert his attention, she began telling him exciting stories, which, fostered by a neighbouring shoemaker, created that appetite for knowledge which afterwards distinguished him. Discovering that tales could be found in books, and books for a penny, the youth was as fond of getting a little story from the book-stall as most are of sweetmeats. When he could master the art, reading was his delight. He soon exhausted his grandmother's library, which consisted of those rare works for moulding the mind of youth, the Family Bible, the Pilgrim's Progress, Robinson Crusoe and Gulliver's Travels. The stock of literature in the neighbourhood was as greedily devoured; and before Kitto had reached his twelfth year, he had perused most of the books within his reach. This habit compensated for the small amount of school education which he received. These days of comparative liberty soon passed. His grandmother became a paralytic, and, along with her little charge, had to be removed to the wretched dwelling of her son-in-law, whose intemperance had rendered him unfit to provide much for her comfort in old age. John had now to go to work as assistant, or hodman, to his father. This occurred in 1814. In 1817 the event which gave a character to his future life occurred. He was carrying a load of slates, and was about to step upon the roof of a house, when he fell thirty-five feet to the ground. He was taken up unconscious, and continued so during a fortnight. His first sensation on recovery was most agonizing. People seemed to talk, but he could not hear; they wrote, and did not speak to him, which increased his anxious suspense; and, to complete his sufferings, these letters were put before him-"You are deaf.” The sense of hearing was never regained; and its loss was very heavy to the son of a drunken mason. He could do little for his bread. His first employment was gathering bits of ropes and iron in the mire of the harbour at low tide; but his gains were only fourpence a-week. Changing this for drawing rude pictures, his average earnings were twopence-halfpenny a-week, and eightpence at a fair. Improv |