In the Rectory at Olney, England, is a room called "Newton's Study." There, for sixteen years the devoted pastor and preacher of the gospel, John Newton, spent much of his time in prayer, conversations with those seeking counsel, and in preparations for his ministry of the Word. The checkered history of his early life-the miserable condition and degradation in which he groveled, until Divine grace rescued him in bringing him back to God-made him an able and sympathetic adviser to souls in various conditions and need.* *John Newton's early life and conversion has bee) published under the title of "from bondage to liberty by the same publishers-25 cents postpaid.*

In this unpretentious room, the-eye is immediately attracted to the following texts which Newton caused to be painted in clear black characters above the mantel-piece of the small fire-place, surrounded by a broad border of black, like a frame:

Since Thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honorable. Isaiah 43:4th.

But Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bond-man in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee. Deuter’y 15:15th.

Bringing thus to mind the Divine grace of the present with the remembrance of his past condition. It was in this room that the poet Wm. Cowper, so often depressed and assailed by the adversary, found in Newton a faithful and sympathizing brother and their acquaintance ripened into an intimate friendship. Here also Newton wrote the letters of "Omicron, "Cardiphonia," "Vigil," and the "Olney Hymns" in which God's wondrous grace to meet man's ruin are beautifully and often graphically portrayed.* *"Omicron" is the small o in the Greek alphabet; "Omega" being the great O and final letter.*

The following letter which he wrote to the Rev. Thos. Scott who occupied the Olney Rectory after Newton removed to London, brings to our view the spirit and humility that characterized Newton in his ministry:

"Methinks I see you sitting in my old corner in the study. I will warn you of one thing:That room (do not start) used to be haunted. I cannot say I ever saw or heard anything with my bodily organs, but I have been sure there were evil spirits in it, and very near me- a spirit of folly, a spirit of indolence, a spirit of unbelief, and many others-indeed, their name is "legion." But why should I say they are in your study when they followed me to London, and still pester me here?"

Twelve years after he left Olney, sitting in the same room as a visitor, Newton wrote to a correspondent in London:"The texts over the fireplace are looking me in the face while I write. A thousand thoughts crowd upon me. What I have seen, what I have known of the Lord's goodness, and my own evil heart-what sorrows and what comforts in this house! All is now past! The remembrance only remains as of a dream when we awake. Ere long we shall have done with changes."* *Newton occupied Olney Vicarage from 1764 to 1779, then in London until his death in 1807.*

Let us value the lowly spirit which the above words express. It is the outcome of a secret walk with God. What a contrast to the self-important, self-confident man with external knowledge, whose conscience and heart have little spiritually digested the truth they profess.