with this respirable part of the air, during which process the metallic body assumes an earthy character, and becomes increased in weight; while the weight of the air, in which the experiment has been conducted, becomes diminished exactly to the amount in which that of the metal has been increased; and, at the same time, the residuary portion of the air which has been employed in the experiment equals only about four-fifths of the original volume, and is now incapable of supporting either life or flame. But, by processes well known to chemists, the metallic substance may be made to yield a quantity of air equalling that which has been lost during the experiment, the metal at the same time returning to its original state and weight; while the air, thus separated, if added to the residual portion, not only restores the volume and weight of the original quantity, but also its power of supporting life and flame.

If, instead of a metal, certain inflammable substances be employed, similar changes are effected on the air, and the inflammable substance, together with an increase of weight and other alterations, acquires acid properties; and hence that respirable portion of the air has, from a Greek derivation, been called oxygen, as being the effective cause of the acidification of those inflammable bodies. It has moreover been ascertained that during combustion a piece of pure charcoal, weighing twenty-eight grains, combines with as much oxygen gas as would weigh seventy-two grains; and, as the volume of the gas employed remains the same at the end of the experiment that it was at the beginning, provided it be brought to the same degree of temperature and atmospherical pressure, it appears that the carbon is as it were held in solution by the gas; and as this chemical compound of carbon and oxygen possesses acid properties, it is called carbonic acid gas.

A volume of this gas, then, which weighs one hundred grains, consists of twenty-eight grains of carbon chemically combined with seventy-two grains of oxygen; and it has certain properties by which, without the labour of actual analysis, it may be recognised from any other gas; among the more important of which is the readiness with which it communicates a wheyish appearance to lime-water, when made to pass, through that liquid. Making use of this character as a test, any individual may easily satisfy himself that during the process of respiration a quantity of carbonic acid gas passes from his lungs; for if, after having inhaled a portion of atmospherical air uncontaminated with any mixture of it, he breathe slowly through a narrow tube, the further extremity of which is immersed beneath the surface of a portion of lime-water, he will observe that as the bubbles of air arise through the lime-water, that liquid becomes opaque; and the opacity thus communicated to the water can be shown to be the result of a compound formed by the union of the carbonic acid, which has evidently been given out from the lungs with the lime previously held in solution in the lime-water.

Let it now be kept in mind that a hundred cubic inches of carbonic acid gas, under ordinary circumstances, weigh a little more than forty-six grains; and that a quantity of the same gas weighing a hundred grains contains twentyeight grains of carbon; and the following statement will be easily intelligible. It appears, from experiments which have been made for the purpose, that during the process of respiration in an individual of ordinary size and health, about twenty-seven cubic inches and a half of carbonic acid gas are given off from the lungs in the course of one minute, which at the end of twenty-four hours would amount to 39,600 cubic inches, or in round numbers, 40,000; and as 100 cubic inches weigh 46 grains, 40,000 would weigh 18,532 grains. Then, since a quantity of carbonic acid gas weighing one hundred grains contains twenty-eight grains of carbon, a quantity weighing 18,532 grains would contain 5190 grains, or nearly eleven ounces, at 480 grains to an ounce; so that a quantity of carbon equalling two-thirds of a pound in weight, is daily discharged from the blood by means of the simple process of respiration.

In an illustration of the general question of the adaptation of external nature

1

to the physical condition of man, it is clearly immaterial whether, during the process of respiration, the carbonic acid is supposed to be produced by the union of the carbon of the animal system with the oxygen of the air respired, or whether, as is possible, the carbonic acid, having been previously formed in the body at large, is given off in the form of carbonic acid gas from the lungs, while the oxygen gas of the atmosphere is absorbed by those organs. The main point to be considered is the fact of the removal of that quantity of carbon, which could not be retained with safety to the life of the individual; and when we consider that the entire quantity of the carbon, thus discharged, is collected from every the most interior and remote part of the body, how worthy of admiration is the economy of nature in producing the intended effect! The air is the medium through which the carbon is to be discharged; and yet the constitution of the body is such that the air could scarcely be introduced into any of its internal parts without occasioning the most serious consequences, if not death itself: but by means of the circulation of the blood, that beautiful contrivance intended primarily for sustaining the nourishment and warmth and life of every part, the noxious principle is conveyed to the lungs, where it is of necessity brought, if not actually, yet virtually, into contact with the air, and thus it is effectually removed from the system.

DR. KIDD.

BONDAGE OF THE ESTABLISHED CLERGY. RECENTLY we laid before our readers a statement of the case of the Rev. James Shore, formerly a clergyman of the Establishment, officiating as a curate in the diocese of Exeter, but who, in consequence of being removed from his curacy, became minister of a chapel, registered as a dissenting place of worship, and took the oaths as a dissenting minister, in order that he might preach the Gospel of Christ, without being, as he supposed, legally subject to the control of the Bishop. It will also be remembered by our readers, that the Bishop of Exeter has prohibited Mr. Shore from officiating as a minister, and has taken legal proceedings against him, for disobeying the prohibition; and that he expects to be sent to prison for disobedience to the Bishop. The opinion of a very eminent lawyer, practising in the Ecclesiastical courts has been taken on the possibility of a clergyman of the Establishment getting free from legal obligation to submit to the jurisdiction of the Bishop, and become free to act as a dissenting minister, or as a layman. The following is

SIR JOHN DOBSON'S OPINION ON MR. SHORE'S CASE.

1. I am of opinion that a priest in holy orders of the Church of England, although styling himself a seceder from that church, and being in fact a voluntary seceder therefrom, may be committed to prison for contempt of court, in preaching as a Dissenting minister, contrary to the lawful monition of the court.

2. It is quite obvious, that neither deposition from holy orders, degradation, or excommunication, can confer on a clergyman a legal right to officiate or preach as a Dissenting minister.

3. I think that if the Bishop were to degrade and depose a clergyman from holy orders, he might be liable to the penalties imposed by the Statute 41 Geo. III. c. lxiii., if he attempted to sit in the Commons House of Parliament.

4. I am of opinion that excommunication would not entirely release a clergyman from his priestly character, so as to give him the status of a layman. Doctors' Commons, August 24th, 1848.

If such be the law, relative to clergymen of the Establishment, they are in a most cruel state of bondage. Into such a state no one ought ever to enter. No parent should think of advising, or sanctioning his child. to become a minister of the Establishment. To become such is to consent to give up the right of

future private judgment, and of obeying the dictates of conscience. Surely, all the ministers and members of the Establishment ought to petition the legislature to alter the law, and to emancipate the clergy from the bondage in which they are now held. Mr. Shore is not as yet sent to prison, but it is not known how soon he may be incarcerated.

BIOGRAPHY.

MISS MARTHA CLEGG, OF TODMORDEN.

THE subject of the following brief notice was born at Todmorden, December 15th, 1803. About eighteen years before her death she was powerfully awakened to a sense of her need of salvation. She earnestly sought and, by grace, obtained assurance of her acceptance with God, through the atonement of Christ.

From near the time of her conversion she had to endure much affliction. She laboured under a complication of diseases. The immediate cause of her death was consumption, but this was preceded by debility, a violent pain in the head, and that terrible disease a cancer in the tongue. This distressed her sometimes greatly. She said—“I have much to say often, and it distresses me greatly that on account of this cancer in my tongue, with my mouth I am not able to glorify God. He has done much for me and I would glorify Him, but his will be done." It was with great difficulty and pain that she was able to eat or swallow any thing. The food coming in contact with the cancer occasioned exquisite pain. Often, however, have I seen her engaged with God when destitute of the power of utterance.

Her evidence of her acceptance with God was quite satisfactory. She could say "All is well." She had, however, like most dying christians, one severe struggle. Satan attacked her most severely one night, and endeavoured to rob her of her peace and confidence. He worked upon her fears; and, in her weak state, the trial was great indeed. But she could not think her Saviour would leave her, or allow her to sink. Her language was

"Credence to his word I give,

My Saviour in distresses past,
Will not now his servant leave,
But bring me through at last."

She came out of the trial unhurt, and like gold seven times purified. The faithful christian is always better for such trials. So it was with our sister. The adversary of her soul had endeavoured to persuade her that she was deceiving herself, but she had experienced too much of God's love and supporting grace to give heed to such unfounded suggestions. Besides, she knew the character of Satan as a liar from the beginning, had carefully read the scriptures, and now was able to say, "Get thee behind me, Satan."

"Not

Her submission to the Divine will was constant. This will appear by presenting a few of her remarks which have been preserved. How delightful and encouraging is conversation with the dying christian. Often more eloquent and convincing than the most powerful sermon; Religion is then seen to advantage. In the case of our sister this was emphatically the case. my will but God's be done," was her language, when suffering exquisite pain. Doubtless it was from a sense of the Divine presence and that resignation which true religion provides, that she was enabled to say, "God's presence more than compensates for all I endure, and I keep looking for patience and resignation." Nor was this mere stoical resignation and indifference; for, she also said "If it be his will, I should like Him to remove this pain in my

head." She, however, added, "By faith and patience heaven will be mine." Still her hope was not in her sufferings, severe as they were. "There is," said she, “no merit in suffering, God is honoured by it. All merit is in Christ. His glory is the first thing I would have in view."

Being convinced of the importance of watching over herself and of guarding her thoughts, she said, "I feel a jealousy over my thoughts, especially when self would creep in. I have prayed God to destroy every particle of self. I feel now stripped at his feet. If God has not mercy upon me I must perish. Such is my feeling. It does me good when self sinks and God is exalted."

She had some special manifestations from God. She was never without his presence, but she had some remarkable heavenly visits; one in particular, which she related to me. She said, "I was so filled with the presence of God, I could not speak but made motions with my hand. God did indeed bless me. I had a sorrowful night before me, but oh it was pleasant! Where He is, is heaven." On one occasion, such was the joy, peace, and satisfaction she experienced, that, though suffering great bodily pain and weakness, she could not resist the impulse to go to the class meeting, and bear her testimony to the abounding grace of God towards her. Her testimony was listened to with profound attention and thankfulness; and we glorified the grace of God which had done so much for her.

On another occasion, she said, "The weary wheels of life drag heavily, but glory beams through the skies. It has been a night of suffering, but it will soon be over, when I shall shout his love and praise him evermore. I am willing to suffer if I can do any good. God has a right to me and I would not rob him of any thing. If I can glorify him by suffering, I am willing to do so. It is eighteen years since God broke off my fetters. His hand was made bare in my behalf, and has been often since, I have often been brought to the verge of the grave, and he has raised me up. I never was so low as I am now. But it is well with me. I never before saw so clearly the meaning of those lines

'The opening heavens around me shine
With beams of sacred bliss.'

I have indeed had visions of heaven. I shall see him as he is. I will bless the Lord, at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord, the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.' I wish to spend my little strength to his glory." After a violent fit of coughing, she said, "Another struggle is over. It will be all over soon. When I first joined the church, I begged my way into class. I had no invitation. I am not now able to attend the means of grace, or I could tell the members of the goodness of God towards me. I find it no small blessing now, when I am prevented from reading, or of hearing anything read, on account of the pain in my head, to have stored my mind with scripture truth, and the promises especially, which are a great help and comfort to me. The hymns also come fresh to my remembrance, and are a great blessing to me." On another occasion, when visiting her, she observed, that there was only one thing she was led to desire. On inquiring what that was, she replied, "It was not pardon, for she had that; nor the witness of the spirit, for she possessed that too; nor yet a hope of heaven, for she had a good hope through grace. It was, that she might wake up after the likeness of Christ. That the Saviour would speak to her and say, thou art all fair, my love." I told her it was her privilege; she said, she believed it, and was expecting the blessing. I pointed her to the promise. She said, "It is enough. God will fulfil his own word. I know not what I may yet suffer. I leave it in my Father's hand. I would not dictate about my pain. A Father's hand prepares the cup, and shall I not drink it? What he wills is best. I cannot see why he does it, but infinite wisdom cannot err, and infinite love cannot be unkind." On another occa

sion, she observed, "I am got almost to the top of Jacob's ladder. It is all light beyond. I shall soon be where the weary are at rest. My soul feels too big for the body, as if it would burst the clay tenement and soar away, to mingle with the blaze of day." She endeavoured to avoid murmuring and impatience. This she knew she could not do without the help of God. Hence her cry was, "Lord, give me patience."

Her sufferings were very great; the least noise distracted her, and a considerable portion of her tongue was eaten away with the cancer. When drawing near her end, her pain, which all along had been great, was now excessive. It was distressing to see her, but the Lord, with "Lamb-like patience armed her breast." For two hours her prayer was for patience. Having been nearly in the same state for a long time, it is probable she scarcely expected her release so soon. However, on the morning of Thursday, the 9th of March, 1848, her spirit took its flight to the regions of felicity, -aged forty-five years. Little more needs to be added. When I visited her I went not so much to teach as to learn-to learn to live, to suffer, and to die. I always came away greatly benefited, and shall always feel thankful for what I was enabled to witness of the grace of God in her. She lived and died a Christian. This is saying the utmost that can be said. To be an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile, is a high attainment. To that our sister aimed and attained. "I have known her," says one in whose house she was a frequent guest, and who had abundant opportunities of knowing her, "for the last twelve years, and have never seen anything inconsistent with her profession. Her temper before her conversion was irritable; but by grace it was subdued. Her feelings were acute, which caused her to suffer much. Her faithfulness towards her friends was great, and in a spirit of kindness she would reprove any whom she conceived to require it." She was trustworthy and highly esteemed by all who knew her. Though her affliction was so protracted, and herself and widowed mother were in reduced circumstances, yet they wanted for nothing. Every assistance was cheerfully rendered by her numerous friends. She used often to say that religion had been to her a great temporal blessing; that "Godliness is profitable unto all things." Her name has left a sweet savour, and she is embalmed in the memory of the church at Todmorden. The memory of the just is blessed. Let us live as she lived, and then we may expect a similar end. Her death was improved Sunday, March 19, 1848, by the writer, to a large and deeply attentive audience. BENJAMIN GLAZEBROOK.

MISS ELIZA JOHNSON, OF LEICESTER.

ELIZA JOHNSON was born at Leicester, in the year 1819. At an early age she was sent by her parents to a Sabbath school connected with Soar-lane Chapel. Shortly afterwards, in consequence of the family removing to another part of the town, she was taken to the General Baptist Sunday School, Doverstreet. Here she received her first religious impressions, under an address, delivered by one of the superintendents, on the nature and necessity of prayer. Her young heart melted under the word; she wept, and resolved on giving herself to prayer, and on leading a new life. But, alas! these serious impressions and resolutions were short-lived; like the morning cloud and the early dew, they soon passed away.

She injudiciously formed acquaintance with girls who disregarded the blessed Sabbath, who, instead of going to the house of God on Sabbath evenings, took their walks into the fields, and went to other places, where Sabbathbreakers resort. In this course she went on until she witnessed the following solemn circumstance. During the baptism by immersion of several candidates for admission into the Dover-street Society, a friend of one of them suddenly fell down dead by the water-side. This awful event was deeply