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thusiasm, unappalled by its terrors. But this singular superiority of mind over body may be more properly denominated

courage.

"Patience is a distinct quality. Many motives impel men to rise superior to the fear of corporeal suffering; among the most powerful are vanity and the love of fame: but the patience I am recommending has neither of these for its stimulus. It is meek and retired; it is not the gorgeous robe in which we are arrayed on gala days, but the plain russet garb of neither changes in fashion nor in form. our every-day habiliment; it fadeth not, Patience is exhibited in sustaining with firmness the lingering calamities of life. Round the newly-afflicted mourner, the herd of friends assemble, each eager to express his sympatqy, and each ready with the tear and the sigh-but the no

She does indeed pointedly condemn "the Opera" as most pernicious from the indecency of the dresses, and the dissolute character of the dancing, and in every point of view most unsuitable to the youthful mind, wholly unproductive of moral good, and in every respect incongruous with the character of a modest and christian female. We are glad also to find her entering her protest against "that immodest though fashionable dance, the Waltz," of which she justly says, that "the introduction of so licentious a dance amongst English women is a national disgrace." The Masquerade also very properly comes in for a lash. Cards, too, "that happy invention, adapted equally to every capacity, which removes the invidi-velty past, the crowd retire. Days, weeks, ous distinction of nature, bestows on fools pre-eminence of genius, or reduces wit and wisdom to the level of folly"-are considered as an unpardonable waste of time. Yet of the Theatre she hesitates to speak decidedly-she cannot conscientiously venture to recommend it publicly! We fully agree with her in her condemnation of the reading of Novels and Romances, and think her quite right in her censure of Richardson's productions-but we are of opinion, for reasons which we shall not adduce, that she should have withheld the names of those loose poets, whose works "should never meet the eye of a chaste female!"

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confess that we were struck with the justness of the sentiment and the felicity with which it is expressed.

"The unavoidable evils of life are many, but they are perpetually increased and aggravated by the impatience with which mankind submit to the lot assigned them by unerring wisdom. To say nothing of the impiety of such conduct, it is in itself weak, since the burthen, which by ready acquiescence might be cheerfully borne, becomes insupportable by complaint and impatience.

and months roll on; the calamity continues, but the lovers and kinsmen stand afar off. What then remains? God, and the patience wherein they possess their souls! By the couch of the afflicted this lowly but heaven-born virtue takes her stand, nor quits it but with life. With nothing to attract the applause or the admiration of an unthinking world, her value is beyond price. The tear which falls unseen, the sign which is breathed unheard, her unwearied support checks or ameliorates, and her smile bids the mourners look with the eye of faith to him who tells their wanderings, puts their tears into his bottle, and notes all these things in his book.".

Christian Triumph: a Sermon occa-
sioned by the decease of the Rev.
James Wraith: delivered in the
Meeting-house of the Independent
denomination, at Hampstead, on
Sabbath evening, 15th May, 1815.
By the Rev. J. SNELGAR. London.
Baynes, and Williams.

MR. WRAITH, whose death gave oc-
casion to the preaching of this dis-
course was well known in the north
of England, and we believe very de-
servedly esteemed as a servant of
Jesus Christ. He was born at Elland,
in the West Riding of Yorkshire,
May 28th, 1734. O. S. About the age

of fifteen he seems to have been “That human nature is capable of sus-brought to the knowledge of the taining bodily pain to a far greater extent truth; at twenty, he began to exhort than is often allowed, we receive demon-in private meetings, and having been strative proof in the undaunted fortitude made useful to several in this way, exhibited by savage nations under the most nost he was gradually encouraged to try excruciating tortures, even amounting to his gifts more publicly. He therefore apparent insensibility of the pangs inflicted on them by their persecutors. became a village preacher, in which Others have expired on the rack, martyrs good work he persevered for fifteen to the cause of religious or political en-years. In 1772, he accepted the in

VOL. I.

2 X

vitation of a destitute church at Bolton in Lancashire to become their pastor, and laboured among them ten years, preaching the gospel with much success-and in this station he was succeeded by the venerable Simpson, now of Hoxton Academy. From Bolton Mr. Wraith removed to Wolverhampton, where he continued ten years more, an useful labourer in his Lord's vineyard. After this he settled at Hampstead, where he finished his course.

"One and twenty years of his valuable life expired, and his last days were spent, in this populous village. It is almost superfluous for me to say more; because which of you is ignorant how unblameably he behaved himself? He was esteemed by persons of every religious denomination; the world had no evil thing to say of him; and all concurred in the testi

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CIRCULAR LETTER

TO THE BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX;
From the Association, held at Earls Colne, May 30 and 31, 1815.
Beloved Brethren,

To devise the readiest means to spread
the gospel of our Lord and Saviour through
the villages of Essex, and at the same
time to be fellow-helpers of each other's
faith and joy, we are again assembled in
our annual Association. The welfare of
the churches and the glory of God lie
near our hearts. We have rejoiced with
you in your joys, and have sympathized
with you in your sorrows; and "God
himself is our witness, how greatly we
long after you in the bowels of Jesus
Christ." While some are glorying in their
wisdom, and others are glorying in their
riches, and others (awful to tell!) are
glorying in their sins; it is ours to say and
feel with an apostle,- "What is our
hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing, are
not even ye in the presence of our Lord
Jesus Christ at his coming, for ye are our
glory and joy."

yet we have every reason to believe that it was observed through that period. The very word "sanctified," as applied to the seventh day, is expressive of its being set apart by divine appointment for sacred purposes. The division of time into weeks of seven days each, and of which we have certain evidence at the time of the flood, is a presumptive proof of the same fact, and especially the manner in which the sabbath is mentioned previously to the giving of the law. It was about a month before the delivery of the ten commandments from Sinai, that the manna fell upon the Israelites; and that the sabbath was then regarded is evident from this, that the manna was to fall in double quantities on the sixth day, while there was to be none on the seventh; and the reason assigned, for it is, "To-morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord-in it there shall be none." Nor is this introduced as if it was a new thing, but as an institution long established and regularly observed; and this is still further confirmed, by the very construction of the Fourth Commandment. Different from the rest, it begins with the word That God has appointed a sabbath, and "REMEMBER," to signify no doubt that that when he did so, he intended that THE it was not a new appointment, but one WHOLE of it, and not a part merely, should that had been previously known and ad be regarded, is ope of the most obvious mitted. And that it might not be condeductions from reason and the Bible,sidered in any after age as a mere cereIt began with the creation." In six days monial observance, or confined only to the the Lord made heaven and earth, and Jews, it is wisely incorporated with the rested the seventh day, wherefore the moral law, and thus made a standing inLord blessed the seventh day and sancti-stitution to the very end of the world. fed it." And though little or no notice is So that nothing can be said in vindication maken of it during the patriarchal age, I of any of the Ten Commands, which will

It is at such a season, and under such impressions, we call your attention in our Circular Letter to the sanctification of the Sabbath-day, and to the unlawful, but too prevailing custom of neglecting the worship of God ON THE MORNING OF IT.

not apply with equal force to the keeping | so devout, it will be absolutely impossible of the Sabbath-day.

for him to attend to it. Either personal or relative affiiction will sometimes excuse an omission, which in the very nature of things is unavoidable. But what they will think on a death bed, who neglect morning worship in the house of God, merely from a habit of laziness in rising,—a want of inclination to religious duty,—or the unjustifiable, but too frequent custom of staying at home to dress a dinner,—or any such paltry pretences, we leave to the suggestions of that moment, when they are to deliver in their account to Him that made them.

Nor can the sanctions be stronger than those which bind us to the observation of it. It is the positive command of God. Its neglect was to be punished with the greatest severity. It has been honoured above every other day by the divine favour. It was on the Christian Sabbath that Christ rose from the dead. It was on this day the Revelations were given to John. It was on this day the Spirit descended on the apostles, to plant and establish the first gospel church in the .world. It is on this day that God pays the most endearing visits to his people. Impressed, however, with the imperAnd," to such as keep my Sabbaths, and tance of the subject ourselves, we ear choose the things that please me," saithnestly hope that the reflections we have the Lord, "will I give a name and a place in my house, better than of sons and daughters."

yet to offer will not be unavailing, where the consciences of our readers are not rendered insensible by habit, and are not so seared by the Devil as to lose the power of feeling.

classes;-such as have to do with yourselves as individuals;-such as connect themselves with your families, the church, or the world; and such as have respect to God and eternity.

Nor is it any argument against its observation, that the day we keep is not the seventh, but the first. We follow the The arguments we shall urge on this uniform example of the apostles them-head, may be distributed into three selves. We bear in mind by this means the resurrection of our Redeemer from the grave, and joyfully anticipate our ówn; and while, from the very formation of the earth itself, it is an absolute impossibility that the same day can be observed in every part of the world at the same time, we think it sufficient if, imbibing the spirit of the law, we keep one day in the seven, without regarding whether it be called the seventh day or the first.

In keeping the Sabbath, however, it is undoubtedly indispensable that the whole, and not a part of it only, should be observed. As no man can be considered a keeper of any law, who merely regards half of it, and leaves the other half neglected; as no debtor can be considered equitable in his dealings, who merely pays half his debts, and takes no notice of the other half; so neither can he be considered a keeper of the Sabbath, who either disregards the worship which that day has required, or divides it between God and the world.

If this be true, in what a responsible situation are they, who, either without any excuse at all, or with such as they would blush to mention before God, wilfully trifle with the morning of the day, and satisfy themselves with appearing on one part of it merely, and that confessedly the worst, for the purpose of divine worship. How such persons intend to answer for it before the bar of God, we know not. To say the least, it is an affecting proof of a leanness of soul; and that it is eminently displeasing to God, requires we think but little proof, after the observations that have been already made.

That there may be in some situations providential hindrances in the way of this duty, we do not attempt to deny. There are cases in which, let a person be ever

With respect to yourselves personally considered, it should never be forgotten, that the Morning of the Sabbath is the best time for hearing. Refreshed with the rest of the night, the mind is then prepared under a divine blessing to receive the seed of the word. Each one may then approach the sanctuary and say, what indeed cannot always be said in an afternoon, "I will HEAR what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his saints." Nor is this all, but it has a happy tendency to shake off the sloth which alas too often attends us in religion, and to give a savour to the whole day, which is not lost probably during the week that follows. It is observed of that great man, Jndge Hale, that he always rated his comforts and his successes through the week by the manner in which he spent the Sabbath. And little has that man or woman to expect frem religion, whose bed or whose dinner is of more importance than to listen to him who is speaking from Heaven, and to engage in the solemnity of his service and worship. It is to the same slothful principle which leads to the neglect of divine worship on the morning of a Lord's day, that we may trace a large portion of that deadness of soul, and of those unhappy fallings away of professors of religion, which are not more hurtful to themselves than they are distressing to the church of God. And as almost all great errors in doctrine may be found to begin with a nibbling at the made of the divine existence, so almost every awful fall may be found to begin more or less with a neglect of divine worship.

[To be concluded in our next.]

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348

Religious and Literary Entelligence.

CITY OF LONDON AUXILIARY | human patronage to that which was the

BIBLE SOCIETY.

THE Third Annual Meeting of this Society took place at the Mansion-house on Thursday last, Oct. 26. The Egyptian Hall was crowded at an early hour, principally by Ladies. As soon as the Lord Mayor had taken the chair, the Report of the Committee, as to the proceedings and progress of the Society for the last year, was read, and it contained a most gratifying representation.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER addressed the Meeting; and after congratulating the friends of liberality upon the eminent success of the principle which they were assembled to celebrate, observed that this Institution commenced during the prevalence of war, the thunder of which having now ceased, would, he hoped, afford more room for the small still voice of the gospel precept. To propagate that precept was the object of the Institution; and it was peculiarly consoling to reflect, that they were on this occasion met, not to contend against the opponents of such an Institution, but to celebrate its triumphs, which had exceeded, perhaps, the most sanguine anticipation; for through the medium of this Society, the knowledge of religion and the benefits of morality had been advanced, while the reign of ignorance and vice had been proportionably diminished. Hence all the advocates of real knowledge and virtue had reason to exult, After expatiating upon these points and illustrating the important consequences upon which the Society had to calculate, from the pure motives and zeal ous industry of its principal members, the Right Honourable Gentleman concluded with proposing a Resolution, expressive of the obligation conferred by the Lord Mayor's alacrity to second the views of the Institution.

A French Clergyman (Dr. SOLVYNS, as we understood) seconded the motion, and bore testimony to the good effects of the Institution, which were particularly exemplified in his own country, where several similar Societies were now established, all emanating from that fountain of benevolence and wisdom, of which this great nation had so much reason to be proud. For amidst all its glories, England had not to boast such genuine merit as that which belonged to the origination of a Society encouraging the promulgation of the Bible-extending the knowledge of that sacred book, which recommended peace and harmony to all mankind, without distinction of sect or country..

Dr. WINTER Said, that while he felt it would be absurd to talk of the grant of

transcript of divine intelligence, every considerate man must be aware that the patronage of this Society was quite of a different nature. For the object of this Society was to make the word of God known, and wherever it was, it could require no patronage. Its own intrinsic merit would ensure its success, and thus the blessed end of that Society would be accomplished-all classes of people benefited-and all sects of Christians gratified. All sects of Christians were indeed equally interested in promoting the views of this Society, and he was most happy to witness that such was the general feeling. The existence of that feeling was indeed to his heart the highest source of satisfaction, and it was amongst the best effects of this Institution that it served to bring all Christians together--to blend them in one mass in favour of an object equally interesting to all those who worshipped God, and felt a disposition to serve mankind.

The motion was unanimously agreed to, and the LORD MAYOR returned thanks. The knowledge of the Bible was, he felt, calculated to render men good citizens, good subjects, good friends, and good Christians, while it held out to the poor this additional consolation, that if they followed its precepts they might look with confidence to that state where all inequalities would cease- where virtue alone would serve to secure the reward of pure unmixed felicity. From these considerations he felt that he was promoting the first duties of his magisterial office, in promoting the knowledge of the Bible, because such knowledge was best calculated to promote the interests of morality.

The Rev. G. CLAYTON, in proposing the appointment of successors to the President and Vice-Presidents of the Institution, took occasion to observe upon the benefits resulting to the poor from the active exertions of those by whom it had been heretofore conducted. Through those exertions, the temporal necessities of the poor had been brought to light, and many other Institutions were established, which served to clothe the naked, to heal the sick, and to give bread to the hungry. Thus the poor were materially benefited by an institution which some affected to consider as a trespass upon their means by the subscription which it required. But what was the amount of that subscription? Why, merely one penny a week, which by procuring a poor man a Bible, not only afforded him the means of most essential instruction for himself and family, but prompted him to consider

the advantages he might obtain in ther respects, through a trifling deduction fam his usual expenses. Thus the poor wer as he knew from various instances, introduced through this institution to a system of saving and economy-thus their temporal interests were promoted, while the means of their salvation were so eminently consulted. But the diminution of crime since the establishment of this Institution was peculiarly remarkable, and might be fairly classed among the circumstances which bore testimony to its merit,

rious interesting details respecting the literary establishments of Russia, which are incessantly labouring to propagate the cultivation of letters throughout that vast empire.

The great Association formed in that country for the diffusion of the Bible excies at present the general attention. It has recently received a letter from the Prince of the Burates, a people upon the frontier of China, in which he warmly requests Bibles written in the language of his people Mr. Pinkerton is at present employed in printing Bibles for Moldavia and Wallacha, where there are a million and an half of Christians who are without them. A great depot of Bibles has been opened at Moscov, and two Societies connected with it inve been formed at Astracan and Orenburg.

MEETING OF THE BAPTIST
MISSIONARY SOCIETY,

After some remarks from other Gentlemen, Alderman Woop, the Lord Mayor elect, entered the Hall, and was received with warm applause. The worthy Alderman addressed the meeting, and declared that as the object of this Institution was to distribute the Bible among the poorer classes, without distinction of sect or country, it had his warmest approbation. The managers might therefore rely upon his most cordial support in that office to which he was about to succeed. He had, indeed, on various occasions heretofore endeavoured to forward the ends of this Society, and with that view had not long since presided at a meeting in Grub-street, and he should never think it unbecoming the dignity of the civic chair to attend again there or elsewhere, in promotion of such a meritorious object. After apolo-to assemble on the preceding day, and gizing for the necessity of absenting himself, in order to attend to his magisterial duties elsewhere, the worthy Alderman withdrew amidst the plaudits of the assembly.

Mr. G. BARCLAY impressed upon the meeting the necessity of promoting religious instruction at present, in order to guard the country against that vice and folly and philosophy of the Continent, from which our insulated situation had preserved us through the late war; but to which, through peace, we were but too likely to be exposed. Against such a baneful torrent, religion would be our best protection; and therefore the object of this Institut o claimed the utmost support of Englishmen.

THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held at Northampton, on Wednesday, October 10th, when the important business of electing a Secretary to the Mission in the room of the highly lamented Fuller, as well as other concerns of the Mission, was taken into consideration. The ministers and friends of the institution began

a variety of concurring circumstances, among which may be mentioned the fineness of the weather, contributed to render the assemblage particularly numerous. The services commenced on Tuesday evening at half-past six o'clock, when Mr. Page, of Bristol, engaged in prayer, and preached from Matth. xii. 20. On the following morning the Ministers assembled for the purpose of prayer at an early hour, and continued in that exercise for two hours. They then separated for breakfast, and met again at half-past ten for public worship. Mr. Morgan, of Birmingham, prayed, and Mr. Roberts, of Bristol, deivered a discourse from Mark xvi. 15. It was expected that Mr. Hall, of Leicester, would have followed him with a Mr. C. S. DUDLEY warmly recommend- second discourse; but owing to some uned the multiplication of Female Bible explained circumstance the task devolved on Mr. Kinghorn, of Norwich, who adSocieties, and quoted several instances in which such societies had rendered im-dressed the congregation from Isa. lv. 8. portant services, especially in Surry, particularly dwelling upon the merit of a Society under the patronage of Mrs. P. Grenfell.

Several other Gentlemen delivered their sentiments, among whom we recognized Messrs. Aidermen Heygate and Brydges, Mr. Poynder, and the Rev. Mr. Wilson: and thanks being voted to the Lord Mayor, for his conduct in the chair, the meeting broke up about four o'clock.

PETERSBURGH BIBLE SOCIETY. BRESLAW, Sept. 22. - Private letters from St. Petersburgh furnish us with va

Mr. Hinton of Oxford concluded the service with prayer.

At four in the afternoon the Committee and Subscribers met for the purpose of appointing a Secretary to the Mission, when Dr. Ryland was nominated and unanimously chosen to that office. A gentleman from London now proposed Mr. C. Anderson, of Edinburgh, as joint Secretary with Dr. R. and the proposition was most respectably seconded: but before the Committee came to any decision, Mr. Hall, of Leicester, addressed the meeting at considerable length, urging some reasons against the proposition,

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