and gratitude could suggest. "How often have I and my family," says this worthy man, "been grieved that my earliest instructor, Martin Boos, whose whole soul is filled with love, should be so great a sufferer! I recollect how many of my tears he wiped away, when I lived in my boyhood at Unterthingau, where I was born; how unwearied he was day and night in consoling the sick and the afflicted; with what earnestness and affection he taught. and with what zeal he discharged his ministerial duties. I often call to mind the circumstance of his interring my father, and how he gave me his last shilling, and at the same time exhorted me to diligence in my studies."

Thus after the lapse of years Boos met with sympathy and comfort in the hour of trial, as the result of his pious labours and disinterested charity. We are here reminded of the Scripture expression: "Their works do follow them." The officer never forgot the shilling; for, whenever Boos appeared reluctant to accept his kind offices, he was sure to say, "You gave me your last shilling."

CHAPTER III.

Chaplain at Kempten-Canon at Grünenbach-ExpulsionCurate at Seeg-at Wiggensbach.

AFTER remaining about two years at Unterthingau, Boos was called to Kempten to be chaplain of the monastery, and, soon after, to Grünenbach, as canon. The devotion he manifested in the pulpit and the confessional, soon gained him the confidence of the people, who flocked in crowds to hear him. All who were in earnest about religion applied to him for consolation and instruction, being convinced that his great aim was to save himself and those that heard him. But his popularity quickly excited the jealousy of the other clergy, and especially of the dean. It awakened the envy of the senior clergy to see that Boos, the youngest and last elected, had the largest share of the general confidence and esteem. devoid were they of all honourable feeling, (to say nothing of Christian integrity,) that during his absence from his apartment they broke open his desk, ransacked his papers, and read his private correspondence. Thus furnished with the means of annoying him, they insulted

So

and ridiculed him at their meals, and did all in their power to embitter his life.

At last he was obliged to quit Grünenbach. He set out, not knowing which way to direct his steps. As he went along, he perceived a thatched cottage at a little distance from the highway. On entering it, he found it empty, and fell on his knees, and poured out his heart before God. Nor were his prayers (as no real prayer can be) in vain. He was conscious of an inward illumination. He beheld Christ as his Mediator and Saviour, as he had never done before. Comfort, peace, and joy, returned to his troubled heart, and he pursued his journey with cheerfulness.

On arriving at Seeg, he met with a kind reception from a venerable clergyman, named Feneburg. Here he was obliged to descend from the dignity of a canon, to be once more a mere curate. But ecclesiastical rank and outward honours were no objects of solicitude to him; his chief concern was the spiritual welfare of the church; and, for himself, a life of faith in Christ. His activity and faithfulness were greater than ever.

The prince abbot of Kempten, hearing of the treatment Boos had met with at Grünenbach, recalled him in 1795, and appointed him to the curacy of the neighbouring parish of Wiggensbach, with the prospect of soon obtaining a living. It was here that Boos became confirmed in the faith, or, to use St. Paul's language, "rooted and built up in Christ."

The reading of the Scriptures, and various religious works, formed his most delightful occupation. After the example of the Saviour, he passed whole nights in prayer and meditation. There was a retired spot in the church, which was always dear to his remembrance. "Behind the high altar at Wiggensbach," he frequently observed to his intimate friends, "I obtained my living faith, and all the gifts and graces which the Lord has granted me. There the Lord manifested to me his full and ever-availing righteousness. There I learned. to know his cross, his merits, and his grace." His preaching, combined with his pious and exemplary conduct, made an extraordinary impression, and led many to a knowledge of themselves, and of Jesus Christ. In a spiritual sense, "the blind received their sight, the lame walked, and the lepers were cleansed."

The following hints are a specimen of the advice Boos was wont to give to persons who were inquiring after the way of salvation.

"1. When, in your own eyes, you are wicked, blind, lame, leprous, troubled, and perplexed, then is the time for you, like the blind and leprous in the gospel, to seek refuge in faith alone. Like the thief on the cross, you must go, just as you are, with all your faults and sins, to ask forgiveness, and seek earnestly the righteousness he has wrought out for you; and then lay hold of it, even with tears, and joyfully make it your own. For if God has given you to know the misery of sin, it is

เ

in order that you may come to seek forgiveness from the Saviour. If he has made you 'poor in spirit,' it is that you may obtain, by faith, the kingdom of heaven, and all the riches which Jesus has merited for you by his sufferings. Come, then, whenever you are sensible of your poverty and sinfulness, and receive grace upon grace.' But when you have, by grace, believed-that is, when, through the righteousness of Jesus Christ, you have received the forgiveness of your sins by faith-then you must apply yourself to spiritual improvement, to a course of holy obedience, and the imitation of Jesus Christ. Not as if you could justify yourself by your good works; or as if, by these means, you could gain the forgiveness of your sins. No, you must perform all this out of love and gratitude, because God, for Christ's sake, has already forgiven you, and imparted to you the spirit and mind of Christ, and has freely given you eternal life, with the power to live holily, and to obey his command

ments.

"2. Therefore, after justification, do as many good works as you can; but build not your rest and peace of mind upon them; for our best works are very imperfect and impure, and the sight of their imperfection banishes inward peace. Therefore build, and trust alone on the work of the Redeemer; then your peace will be founded on an immovable rock. Yet, constrained by love and gratitude, you must be exceedingly diligent in all good works: but