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of this sudden change of mind. all, indeed, is vanity!"

Oh! vanity of vanities!

When young Lavater entered upon his academical course, his talents soon began to shine forth so brilliantly, as to attract the notice of the most learned characters who were at that time professors in the college at Zurich, some of whom endeavoured to encourage and direct his rising genius. During the three years of his studying divinity, he was most deeply impressed with a sense of the infinite importance of well-employed or mis-spent time; and had such views of the awefulness of sin and holiness of God, that he oftentimes humbled himself in the dust. He made it a point of conscience daily to examine himself, watching over all his thoughts, words, and actions, and most sincerely bewailing, not only every improper action which he had done, but even every impure motive which might have influenced his conduct. At the same time, Christ, in his person, and all his endearing characters and offices, was rendered exceedingly precious to his soul. To him he approached, "weary and heavy laden," seeking rest for his immortal soul, and entirely devoting himself to his blessed service.

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In 1762, Mr. Lavater, after having finished his Theological studies, entered into holy orders, to the great satisfaction of his professors; but under very humble views of his own attainments. Soon after his ordination, he thus addressed one of his dearest friends: "You have preached this day; and, I trust, with much success. let us consider the infinite importance of addressing immortal beings in the name of God! May the principle of St. Paul never fail to be yours: We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves, your servants, for Christ's sake."

Mr. Lavater was only twenty-two years old when he performed an action which cannot but highly interest every impartial reader in his favour: There lived in the city of Zurich, and even a member of its senate, a most wretched character, who, during the time he had been prefect over a district of the canton, had committed innumerable acts of the grossest injustice; yea, such abominable crimes, that all the country people loudly reproached and cursed him; but no one dared to call him to public account, he being related to several gentlemen who were members

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members of the Zurich government, and son-in-law to the principal magistrate of the city. Mr. Lavater, after having often heard of, and duly examined into, the atrocities of the prefect, committed even against helpless widows and orphans, could at last no longer refrain himself: his tender feeling heart was glowing with the noblest sentiments of justice and humanity, and felt an irresistible desire to plead the cause of the poor and oppressed. He was fully aware that his stepping forward in this cause would expose him to the frowns of the great and mighty, and occasion much uneasiness and anxiety even to his nearest and dearest relations; but he was determined to obey God rather than man. Having prepared himself by earnest prayer, and consulted an intimate friend, he first addressed a letter to the prefect; in which he strongly reproached him for his detestable actions; and freely declared his full intention to bring him to public justice, should he not restore his spoils within the term of two months. This time having elapsed, and the warn ing proving in vain, Mr. Lavater proceeded to print a most solemn indictment against him; which he caused to be delivered to every member of the Zurich government. At first he kept his name a secret; but when called upon, he came forward in the most open manner, nobly avowed, and fully proved the points of his indietment before the whole assembly of the senate; and had the unspeakable satisfaction to see the wicked prefect, who, conscious of his guilt, had saved himself by flight, solemnly condemned by law, his unjust property confiscated, and restoration made to the triumphant cause of oppressed poverty and innocence.

In the spring of 1763, Mr. Lavater set out on a literary tour to some of the principal places in Germany; from which journey he acknowledges himself to have derived the most extensive benefits: "I received advantages," said he," from my journey, of which I had not the least conception. My mind is continually enlarging, and my heart forcibly drawn after that which is good: so greatly I profit by the conversation and example of learned, great, and good men."

In 766 Mr. Lavater married an excellent and amiable lady, with whom he lived thirty-four years in the most exemplary and happy manner; and by whom he had

eight children, three of whom, a son and two daughters, survived him. The first public office which was entrusted to Mr. Lavater's care, was that of chaplain to the orphanhouse in Zurich; upon which he entered in 1769. Here he found a very large sphere of usefulness. His sermons were much admired, and numerously attended; for he displayed in them great force of natural eloquence, accom panied with that divine unction of the Spirit of God which

How Mr. Lavater felt on the solemn day on which he was united to his amiable bride, he shall inform us in his own words: "I awoke very early, in the most serene and cheerful frame of mind. The sun had just risen; the resplendent glories of which both delighted my eyes and filled my soul with inexpressible delight. After having prayed and sung one of the beautiful hymns of the late excellent Mr. Gellert, I went to the apartment of the dear object of my love, who cheerfully came forth to meet me, and wished me a thousand blessings. We could not but adore and praise God, out of the abundance of our hearts. Two considerations very forcibly struck my mind: first, That of the glory which might result to the providence of God from our union; and, secondly, That of the immortality of our offspring. I then retired to my own room, and wrote the following prayer: "Father of infinite goodness, who art in heaven, and seest in secret, blessed Author of our union, and Rewarder of them that diligently seek thee,— behold us in our new connexion, commencing in thy name. Being now assembled in thy presence, we bless thee with the most joyful feelings of our hearts, for having united us by the sacred bonds of marriage. Lo! we prostrate ourselves, and adore thee in the most rapturous strains of unfeigned love and gratitude! Yes; thou lovest us, most gracious Father; and we are sensible of this thy love! Oh that we may never lose sight of the gracious purposes for which thy wise providence has united us! Oh that we may have continually res newed a sense of thy presence with us! We will, with heart and mind, rejoice in thee; and gladly serve thee with constant faithfulness and unremitting zeal. Let nothing allure us from thee; but keep us most closely united in thee! Be thou our supreme good! let thy word be our food, and virtue our delight! Preserve us from the deceitfulness of sin! Let us be watchful over ourselves, constant in our dèvotions, fervent in prayer, moderate in our enjoyments, sincere and upright in our dealings, faithful and affectionate towards each other! Let thy fear accompany us, O thou omnipresent and gracious Lover of mankind! Bless us, we humbly beseech thee, with good and healthy children and may we be enabled, by thy grace, to bring them up for the praise and glory of thy holy name! Lord, thou knowest the sincerity of our resolutions; let our sweetest reward be the answering of these our prayers! May our whole life be consecrated to thy service, and entirely devoted to the cause of virtue and religion! Let us never forget these our resolutions, not even for a moment! 0 how sweet to call thee our Father; Let us remain thy obedient children, unto the very end of our days! Be our God and our guide that we may remain faithful unto death! Amen."

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convinces the understanding, and wins the affections of the heart.

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He used to write his discourses; and, by constant practice, obtained such a facility of committing them to memory, that he wanted but a few minutes for this purpose: yet he never confined himself strictly to his notes; but was very successful in making alterations in the pulpit, suitable to time and circumstances. A chief part of his attention was devoted to the large flock of orphan-children, to whom he shewed the most tender regard and affectionate care. He possessed a talent of conversing with children in an eminent degree, condescending to their very lowest capacities, and knowing how to keep alive their attention, to occupy their understanding and to make a deep impression upon their tender hearts. But still a larger field of useful activity was opened to him, when he was chosen, in 1778, to be deacon, or as sistant minister, at the large parish of St. Peter, in Zurich, which contained about five thousand people. But few ministers can be found, who more constantly and conscientiously officiated, except a few weeks in summer, when the delicate state of his health rendered it necessary for him to take a little excursion into the country. To the instruction of young people and the visitation of the sick, he devoted a considerable portion of his time, Under these circumstances, it is difficult to conceive how it was possible for him to keep up the most extensive correspondence, and to compose so many literary and religious works, by which he obtained celebrity, even in foreign parts: but it must be observed, that his time was exceedingly precious to him; so that he was continually employed, wishing to redeem the very smallest particle, and not to lose a single moment. Even when at table, some books or papers used to lie near him; and when taking a walk, which was his constant practice every day, he was always seen reading or writing. In his short excursions to the country, and even when he went to see some friends in town, his pockets were full of papers; and he used to sit down at the very first table, and continue his writing. He had, however, the happy talent to suffer himself continually to be interrupted, and to keep up the most cheerful conversation; and yet, at the first leisure moment, he could take up his subject, like one

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who had not experienced the least interruption. In summer, strangers crowded to see him from every quarter. Though there was a considerable number whose only object was to gaze at him; yet, on the other hand, many visitors afforded him no less pleasure than real instruction. Never, therefore, did he suffer his patience to be exhausted; nor did he ever cease to treat strangers of every rank and description in the most polite and respectful manner. Scarcely any one ever saw him in an ill humour, even when he happened to be deeply depressed; he had such a command over himself, that suppressing his grief, he could most cheerfully receive and usefully entertain visiting friends or foreigners.

At the end of 1786, he was unanimously chosen to the -rectory of St. Peter's Parish, in Zurich.

Mr. Lavater was exceedingly grieved at the vain ob jections of late years so commonly made against the inspiration of the Scriptures; and especially against the person, the character, and the work of our blessed Lord. Some of the modern anti-christian writers took great pains to draw him over to their party; but their united endeavours proved in vain; he stood firm like a rock; neither flattering promises, nor frowning threatenings could move him; and all his sermons, letters, and writings may serve as indisputable proofs, that, to the last, he continued to avow, in the most open and positive manner, his unshaken belief in Christ, and his most sincere and fervent attachment to the system of the Bible. In a letter, dated Nov. 24, 1794, he thus declares some of his religious principles to a friend, in contradiction to a report, that he had adopted the modern rational system of divinity: "I assure you, in the most solemn manner, that I entertain, to this very moment, the fullest conviction that the Bible contains a true record of the revelations of God. More especially, I believe in the supreme divinity of Jesus of Nazareth. Him I regard daily with renewed satisfaction and joy, as the immediate object of our religious worship: Him I revere as the utmost per fection which human nature can exhibit, and as the express image of the Godhead. I believe, with increasing intuitive knowledge, that no man can come unto the Father, but by and through him. I believe, that, through his person and mediation only, the human race can be

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