"9th. Giving me, in this country, a number of attached ' and steady friends.

"10th. Providentially aiding me in the discharge of my 'pecuniary and other obligations-in many instances-especially in this one (Ferbin Specie, &c.)

"11th. The growth of certain moral qualities in my mind, 'which I cannot name, I fear, without danger of self-flattery; ' but which I gratefully and humbly attribute to the great goodness of my Heavenly Father-and without which I 'know I can never see His face. 'Blessed are the pure in 'heart, for they shall see God.' Lord, I pray for this purity."

He who knows not the natural effect of humility, may wonder that a man of high religious attainments should discern in his heart and life, so much cause for regret and so little for self-complacency. But to see distinctly, the eye must be clear and the object in the light. He whose intellectual vision is undimmed by sense, who looks upon his character in the light of the Divine Law, will need no one to interpret to him the language of Job, commended of God for his integrity-"I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye seeth Thee; wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes;" or the penitent confession of Paul, chief among Apostles, and exalted to revelations unutterable, of heavenly glory, that he was "less than the least of all saints." The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: in the retirement of his own mind, the Christian detects his foes, fights his battles, and achieves his victories. At every avenue of temptation he sets a watch, fortifies himself when weak, rouses his slumbering conscience, restrains his vagrant imagination, chains his wrathful passions, confirms his reason, summons fortitude to endurance, and resolution to expel from his soul the enemies of his peace, and establish therein the eternal empire of truth and righteousness. The world knows him not.

Such a man will not measure himself by human opinion,

but by a perfect standard of duty. The brightest parts of his character will appear to him' darkness in contrast with the Divine, and those actions which mankind admire, be deemed unworthy of the approbation of God. Others may observe in him dispositions which he notes as deficient, and fail to discern those which it is his great object to repress. The faults to which others may think him least liable, it may have cost him the most pains to correct; and the virtues which were most alien to his nature, have become, by culture, the ornaments of his person.

It is a striking fact, that in the judgment of his friends, Mr. Ashmun was distinguished for the virtues opposite to the faults, set down in his private Journal, as those, which he was most inclined and accustomed to commit. He speaks of himself as "fickle and ever varying in his temperament;" as "deficient in independent fortitude;" as "precipitate" in action; as addicted to "censoriousness;" whereas, the writer can testify from an intimate acquaintance with him, during, perhaps, the most trying period of his life, that fortitude and meekness, humility and charity, pervaded with their blended influences his entire character, and elevated him tranquilly and triumphantly above all the discomposing vicissitudes of life.

"As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,

Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,
Eternal sun-shine settles on its head."

CHAPTER XV.

FEW men give stronger proofs of disinterestedness, than the managers of our large charitable Institutions. Their office is without emolument; the reputation they may acquire, wants the individuality that tempts ambition; and the time and thought devoted by them to their object, is seldom known and more rarely appreciated by the public.

The Managers of the American Colonization Society, engaged in a work difficult, remote, to which hindrances and discouragements were incident in its early stages, and the greatest benefits of which, will be seen only by posterity.— They have devoted to it a liberal share of time and attention. They have made to it large sacrifices of convenience and interest. They have prosecuted it, earnestly, perseveringly, resolutely, and with success. The effects of their labours shall survive them-a nation will be their monument.

The commencement of the year 1826, found Mr. Ashmun at the head of a prosperous Colony, which the Managers of the Society, encouraged by his statements, were prepared,

vigorously to sustain and enlarge. This Colony, and he who was its defender and guide, had become, extensively, objects of interest and affection, to the people of the U. States.

On the 23d of January, 1826, Mr. Ashmun wrote to the Board "Our town begins to assume the appearance of a 'beautiful little commercial West India seaport; and certain'ly has one of the most delightful situations on the face of 'the globe. In beauty, and grandeur of prospect, no station 'can be taken on the Potomac half so charming, or half so 'commanding. It would, I am confident, prove to the mem'bers of your Board, an ample remuneration for much of 'their disinterested labours for Africa-to make a single visit 'to their Colony, and see a well-organized, improving, and 'Christian society, founded by their hands, deservedly taking rank among the most virtuous and happy commu'nities."*

*

Having expressed his purpose soon to return to the United States, he adds:-"Am I wrong in my expectations that the friends of the Colony will make one strenuous and united effort to obtain this winter for it, (the Colony) the patronage of Congress? The Board have done well; they have, I think, redeemed every pledge and fulfilled every hope held out by the Society to the world. But they can do little or nothing more in this country. The concern is becoming too extensive for the funds of any private Society to sustain. You have, as will be seen from the letter, a line of one hundred miles to protectestablishments forming on every part of it to maintain and cherish-harbours to fortify-a coasting and inland trade to regulate-military expeditions to provide for--schools, hospitals, and benevolent institutions of various descriptions to endow, and in one word, you have from this time, a little empire to create and advance to maturity. To throw emigrants into the Colony, while the very frame of it is left without support, is a thing easily done-but it will subvert it. A shelter must first be provided, and well sustained. This work is first in order, the introduction of Colonists is next. That provision neglected-I say it with great assurance, the coloured people of the U. States are better in that country."

The Colonization Society sustained, as several of our charitable institutions are, may do much; and in the writer's opinion, the Colony, without aid from Government, will grow and prosper. Still he believes with Mr. Ashmun, that immediate, earnest, and persevering applications for assistance, to the States and Congress, are required on grounds of humanity, policy, and duty.