phant-the secret inquirers become open and bold confessors. The powers which, for a while, held back these men, are still operating, and against them we have all need to be upon our guard. By a variety of influences many are held back from an open following of the Lord. It cannot be too strongly insisted on-it cannot be too clearly recognised, that the natural issue of religious life in the soul, is the appropriate manifestation and avowal of that life before the world; our love to Christ can no more be hidden than Christ's love to us. Yet, with all that may be said against secret discipleship, how many are there who entertain the hope that they are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ; who shrink from making any avowal of the fact; from declaring themselves on His side; from enrolling themselves among His followers! They flatter themselves with the idea, and it is a very mistaken and mischievous one, that it is enough if they are right in heart, though there be no outward intelligible acknowledgment of Christ. No doubt the great thing is to believe with the heart, but that is not the only thing-there is to be also confession with the mouth. Confession without faith is worse than use less; faith without confession is not enough. In God's Word these things are found in fellowship, and what God has joined together we may not either in theory or practice put asunder. The confession of Christ before men is never referred to as an optional thing. There is the time of secret search, as well as of open acknowledgment. There is, with most, a time of secrecy and silence— a going to Jesus by night. But though, at first, we may go to Jesus by night, having found what we secretly sought for, we must not shrink from open acknowledgmentacknowledgment in the light of day -acknowledgment in the Council and at the Cross-acknowledgment, if need be, in the presence of a mocking, incredulous, persecuting world. How full, both of encouragement and warning, are the words of our Divine Redeemer, and there was never greater need for men to lay them to heart:- "Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." May there be given to each one of us grace to witness a good confession! Faithful in Little. A BRIEF MEMOIR OF MR. J. HARRISON, LATE OF THE BAPTIST COLLEGE, RAWDON. THE patriarch's lament was, "My purposes are broken off;" and in how many cases does this occur, especially with those who, having the most earnest desires for usefulness, and the engaging prospect before them, are early removed by death. Such was the experience of the subject of this brief sketch; but, by Divine grace, he was enabled to bow, not despairingly but submissively, to the arrangements of that wisdom which broke up all his plans of future labour for Christ, and to say unfalteringly, "Not my will, but Thine be done." Johnson Harrison, the son of humble but pious parents, was born in the village of Earby, near Skipton, April 27th, 1848. His father was well known in the neighbourhood of Earby, as an earnest local preacher among the Free-Church Methodists. His mother was a Batist; so, from his earliest years, religious truths and duty were pressed upon his attention, and, under God's blessing, the seed sown speedily bore fruit. In 1861 his father died, and the Methodist interest, raised and supported by him in the village, totally declined. Johnson. then became a scholar at the Baptist Sunday-school, which institution he faithfully loved and served to the last. To some youths, who made a profession of religion at the same time as himself (March 17, 1867), he said that he had been deeply impressed by a dream, reflecting upon which was one means whereby he was induced to decide for Christ. Concerning his conversion, he writes: "I was powerfully wrought upon by what I thought then, and still think to be, the Holy Spirit. I was convinced of my lost and ruined condition, and was led by the conversation of kind friends and the Spirit of God, to trust, I hope rightly, in Christ. Ever since then my heart has been changed-changed from loving to hating what is sinful, and from hating to loving whatever is right and good, and ever since my desire has been to honour my Divine Master." When about twenty years of age, he began to exercise his gifts as a preacher, and supplied, with acceptance, the pulpits at Earby, Salterforth, Cononley, Colne, &c. In the year 1870, by the urgent advice of friends, and with the sanction of the Church at Earby, he made application for admission to Rawdon College. It was well known that his previous advantages of education had been few; but such was his determination, patience, and perseverance, that his pastor and friends were confident that, if life and health were granted him, he would, in time, make up for past deficiencies- a hope which was largely realised during the little while he was permitted to remain at college. His entrance to the institution was through a strait gate. He was entirely unknown to the Committee of Examiners, and many of the gentlemen feared that his probation would end in failure. Possessing an aptitude for logic, he pleaded his own case before them with some warmth; and this, with his excellent recommendations, opened before him the door he was so anxious to enter. 66 During the year and a half he studied at Rawdon, his application was most assiduous, and his success marvellous. He seemed to possess a strong and wiry constitution; but, no doubt, the severe discipline he subjected himself to both before and after entering college, helped to wing the arrows" of that insidious agent of death-consumption. After his first annual examination, many gentlemen complimented him on the difficulties he had overcome, stating that his progress had surprised them. His tutors and fellowstudents also spoke of him as exceptionally diligent; never satisfied till his mastery of a subject was complete, and as having a singular aptitude for the mathematical sciences. He was naturally serious, possessed great nobility of mind, straightforwardness of character, scorned the mean and selfish, and was desirous of being "acceptable to God and approved of men." For his own guidance he drew up the following rules. They bear no date : "For the future direction of my life, I resolve "1. Never to lose one minute of time, but to improve it to the best possible advantage. "2. Never to neglect an opportunity of gaining useful information through fear of manifesting igno rance. "3. That I give up no principle held by me until I am thoroughly convinced of its erroneousness, and that I receive no contrary principle without good proof of its truthful ness. "4. Never engage in excessive trifling or frivolity. "5. Never say anything behind another's back that I dare not say before his face. "6. Never do anything which, if I had seen it done by another, would make me think less of him. "7. Never to do anything which I should fear to do in face of death, and on which I could not ask God's blessing. "8. That every morning I rise exactly at five o'clock, and go to bed at ten. "9. That I endeavour to be punctual in every engagement. "10. That I engage in secret prayer at least three times a-day. 11. That I read a chapter every night before going to bed. "12. That I take a weekly review of my conduct, and that it be done on the Sabbath evening. In February, 1871, he commenced writing a diary, the origin of which is thus stated: "Feb. 8th, Wednesday evening.Whilst seated in my chair this evening, my mind was led to look back at the many very precious opportunities which have been wasted since coming to college, and that has made me resolve to keep this diary, in which I intend to write, each evening, my course of conduct and study for the next day, and each evening review the day's experience, and comment on it, in the hope that it will lead me to a life of greater holiness, as well as to perform a greater amount of study; which, I hope, will, one day, redound to the honour of God and the well-being of my fellow-men. Before writing a word in this book, I have offered up a prayer to God, that He would bless this means to the desired end, and I humbly hope He will." In this diary we find his work arranged for nearly every hour in the succeeding day, from six o'clock in the morning till eleven at night, never omitting mention of times for reading, and devotions, night and morning. A few extracts may interest the reader. "Feb. 9th.-Instead of studying Butler to-night, after supper we had a short prayer-meeting in G-'s -'s study, which I enjoyed very much. "14th.-Had some conversation with Mr. R on the Atonement. Just as the sun was setting, I read a psalm, and enjoyed some very sweet intercourse with my Heavenly Father; so much so, that it made tears run down my cheeks. "15th.-Have had an hour's conversation with Mr. Don Imputed Righteousness. 66 18th. I had my usual devotions, which I enjoyed much. I find there is nothing like prayer for keeping one spiritually-minded. "25th, Saturday.-Though we had no sermon-class this morning, I only got three propositions in Euclid up, and to-night have only looked up those of the morning better, and reviewed some past work. My spiritual life to-day has been pretty good, and I hope it will grow better every day. I wish I could get to love my Saviour more, and had greater privileges of honouring Him. I have resolved to-night to work for the matriculation examination. Reading the Life of Dr. Godwin,' has led me to it. "28th.-I was much strengthened by hearing on Sunday Dr. Green's sermon on John xvi. 23. He touched on the life of Dr. Godwin. The life of that great man reminded me that I could make my life sublime. "March 1st.-Mr. D- and I have had a long talk to-night about doctrines, and the like, and about discussing principles in our youth. "2nd. I have studied very hard. Have learned my first lesson in French this evening, and now I shall pursue the study whenever I may have time. This day I have enjoyed religion. O may every day prove in truth 'a day's march nearer home'! For to-morrow I resolve to rise at six, study algebra till breakfast, till nine French, till ten Greek, till eleven Latin, till twelve Euclid and algebra. After dinner write home to my mother; from five to six Euclid, to seven algebra, to eight Greek, to nine French. After supper anything that interests, then diary, and my devotions. "4th, Saturday.-Felt melancholy, as I often do on Fridays and Saturdays, having no preaching on Sunday. For the morrow I only make two resolutions-to rise at six, and study a sermon from Who is a God like unto Thee?' &c. "8th.-I have been grieved at myself this day on account of the blunders I made in the Euclid examination. I got puzzled, and only did two propositions, when I ought to have done four. This failure has made me miserable all day. I have always been well-up in Euclid from the commencement, and at the first examination had the first numbers, and at Christmas did all the propositions, so am grieved to have done so badly to-day. "9th. Since supper have had a long conversation with Mr. D, on the Punishment of Sin. It started from him asking me the questionIs God the author of evil?'-meaning pain. The "16th.-Since dinner have done nothing, having attended Dr. Underhill's lecture, which was very interesting and instructive, on History and Condition of Christian Missions.' Since the lecture, D-entering the Ministry.' and G——, and R and I, have been discussing white ties and grant His blessing with them! God grant, too, I may work harder and live better! gowns. "18th. In the evening talked with Ron the inspiration of Scripture. I will make no resolutions for to-morrow, as I think Sabbath-days ought to be free; at least on those days we ought not to confine ourselves to study, though I hope to do something. "22nd. I enjoyed the afternoon in walking out, and reading the 'Life of Dr. Carey.' "April 11th.-On Sunday went to Bradford; heard Mr. Chown preach from Job xiii. 15. Yesterday had a good day sermonising. Finished that on the Vine, and wrote another on Neglecting Salvation. Have written the latter over again to-day. Hope to write the other to-morrow. Spiritual experience pretty good. "17th, Sunday.-Cullingworth. Had a very good day, but rather poor congregations. Was very kindly treated by the good people at Cullingworth. In "April 25th, Tuesday.-On Sunday heard the Hon. Baptist Noel, at Leeds, in the morning. the evening heard the Rev. Arthur Mursell, at Bradford. In the morning saw a good man, and in the evening heard a fine specimen of pulpit oratory. Hope I may grow better, as I have a great deal to mourn over yet. 28th.-Enjoyed writing a sermon on The Christian's victory over the World.' "May 8th.-Heard Mr. Parker in the morning. Preached at Radley in the evening, and, as I went, distributed about sixty tracts. God "13th.-Mr. Chown gave us an address yesterday on Mistakes on "June 10th.-Complains of illness through hard work; much depressed. Read a sermon in the desk from Rom. viii. 32." Having returned to Rawdon after his vacation, he says, Sept. 9th: "I hope and pray God that He will make me very useful." On the 21st he complains of not being well in any respect. Under this date, he says: "On Sunday there was a very singular occurrence. As I sat in Mr. Gray's study, reading Buchanan on the Doctrine of Justification,' I felt a tickling in the throat, and on coughing, some blood came into my mouth. I thought it was a bloodvessel had burst in the throat; but it gave up bleeding in about twenty minutes. Afterwards I became quite sick. Several students got me to bed, and the doctor was sent for. I got up a little blood to-day, but feel better. Spiritually, also, I am much better. Read the 27th Psalm, which I fully enjoyed, and afterwards had some sweet communion with God. "24th. This evening I went to Rawdon to hear Mr. Dowson, President of Bury College, preach. Enjoyed the sermon very much. "October 2nd.-Mr. Medley's wife has been very ill for several days, and I have received news only a short time since that she is dead. This event has made me, and all the students, feel very sorry. All dearly love Mr. Medley. "November 5th.-This evening I have been thinking seriously about reforming the mould of my life, which of late has, in many respects, been very bad :— "1. In conversation, always endeavour to be sensible and pleasing. "2. In manners, always endeavour |