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her little strength in toiling for them, instead of trying to make the evening of her days comfortable, they will, after all, let her go to the parish, without adding the most trifling allowance to the pittance she receives from that severe guardian. When I call the parish a severe guardian, I intend no reproach to it. It is necessary and right that it should exercise a strict economy in the relief it dispenses to the poor. But I do mean a sharp rebuke to those covetous and unnatural children, who suffer their infirm parents to be beholden to the parish for that support which it is their own bounden duty to supply. It was to this kind of wickedness that St. Paul alluded, when he affirmed, that "if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." 1 Tim. v. 8. A proper childlike affection would lead to very different conduct. It would make a son, or daughter, try in every way to repay some part of the debt to those friends, who did every thing for them, without looking for any repayment."-Pp. 42, 43.

The sixth Sermon is entitled, The Child prepared for going into Service. Did our limits allow, we should gladly insert the whole, but we can only find room for the following passages.

But there are two kinds of dishonesty, less glaringly bad, against which I must strongly caution you.

One is, unthriftiness. Many servants will not actually rob their master, yet will waste his property. They never care in what way the food and fuel go, or how much glass and china is broken, since they have not to pay for it. Instead of making them go as far, and last as long, as they can, they seem to take pleasure in making away with them as fast as possible. Now this, however common and little thought of, is a serious fault in God's eyes. The crime of the steward, whom our Lord pronounces unjust, was not, that he had stolen, but that he wasted his master's goods. Luke, xvi. 1, &c. Be persuaded that no servant is really honest, who is not as careful and saving of his master's substance, as if it were his own. And remember, moreover, that your time belongs to those you serve, and therefore wasting it in idleness and gossipping is a sort of dishonesty of which a religious servant will not be guilty.

The other fault, nearly approaching to dishonesty, of which you must beware, is that of knowing your employers to be cheated by their tradespeople, or by your fellowservants, and concealing it. I am aware that it is common for servants to excuse themselves from telling, by pretending that JANUARY 1823.

it is no business of theirs, and that they do not like to make mischief. But, indeed, it is your business to watch over the interests of those whose bread you eat. You may as well suffer a thief to break in, and say it was not your duty to call out and give the alarm, as see your master wronged by one of his own family, and keep it to yourself. It is a bad principle that makes people so tender to those who do the wrong, and so unfeeling to those who suffer it. Besides which, there is great reason to fear, that such as begin by winking at the dishonesty of their companions, will be at length induced to go hand in hand with them.-Pp. 79, 80.

Young people, when they go out to place, are apt to grow fine and dainty. The sudden change to good living, from the poor fare they had been used to in the cottages of their parents, is likely to make them think too much about the pleasures of the table. It would be well, if, instead of being so choice about their eating and drinking, they would sometimes reflect, when seated at their own plentiful meals, on the scanty fare with which their poor fathers and mothers are obliged to put up; for, sition to gluttony. But a principal danger surely, this reflection would check a dispoof getting into what are called good families is, acquiring a fondness for dress. This is a very dangerous taste, and has been the ruin of many a poor girl, who once was modest, humble, and contented with her station. She falls in love with finery-apes her betters-cannot bear to be seen more plainly dressed than her fellow-Servants -runs into extravagance to gratify her vanity-and, perhaps, becomes the prey of some bad rich man, who tempts her with the promise of giving her plenty of money to buy smart clothes. O that these poor silly creatures knew, how much more respectable they appear in garments which have nothing to set them off but propriety and

neatness, than when dizened out in feathers and flounces and ribands! Instead of being admired for their tawdry finery, they are only pitied by their betters, and are the laughing-stock of their equals and neighbours.-Pp. 82, 83.

We are aware that some may conceive we are paying too much attention to a work of small extent and price*. We trust, however, the generality of our readers will feel, that the extracts we have inserted contain important lessons, and that the perusal of these extracts will render them anxious to procure and circulate the volume in which they are contained.

F

* Eighteen pence.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

PRAYER FOR THE GENERAL OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

It will be interesting to our friends to hear that we have received information, upon which we can rely, that this subject has engaged the attention of many of the clergy in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and has also been highly approved of and adopted by other denominations of Christians.

Resolutions recommending special prayer for the gracious effusion of the Spirit, have passed at many of the public meetings of the religious societies. In several large towns and cities, courses of lectures have been preached by different clergymen, in rotation, upon the deity, personality, and offices of the Holy Ghost. In one of the midland counties the following topics have been preached upon, viz.

The existence, deity, and personality of the Holy Ghost.

The agency of the Holy Spirit, as exerted through the instrumentality of the written word.

The work of the Holy Spirit, in reference to the unconverted.

The work and offices of the Holy Spirit, as they respect believers.

The characteristic and distinguishing marks of the sanctifying operations of the Holy Spirit.

A general view of the Scripture doctrine of the Holy Spirit, especially in reference to the latter period of the church.

The importance of a practical regard to 'his ministration, in connexion with the present state of the church and the world.

The duty and benefits of special prayer for the general outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In a populous city, in another county, 'a still more extensive course on the following subjects has commenced, viz.

An introductory discourse on the general importance of a larger effusion of the Holy Spirit, and the encouragements to expect this blessing.

The deity and personality of the Holy

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The Holy Spirit the helper in prayer.-
Romans, viii. 26.

the Sanctifier.

the Comforter.

the Spirit of adoption.
the Spirit of promise.
author of ministerial gifts,

and edifier of the churches.
On the fruits of the Spirit.
The earnest of the Spirit.

The believer the temple of the Holy
Ghost.

The sin and danger of grieving the Spirit. Emblems of the Spirit; the Dove, Fire, Wind, Water, Air.

The blessed effects of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, and the duty of special prayer for that blessing.

On the reasonableness of humiliation before God for past sin in grieving the Spirit, and on the necessity of application to God through Christ for pardon, and for a more abundant outpouring of his gracious influences, attended by a correspondent walk and conversation,

In small towns and villages, where these united exertions could not be conveniently made, several of the clergy have called the attention of their different flocks to this subject, by a more frequent reference to the offices of the Holy Spirit.

Ministers of other denominations have also been very earnest in pressing this subject upon their congregations. Stated times have been set apart for prayer for this grace, and courses of sermons upon the work of the Holy Spirit have been preached. The importance of prayer for this gracious effusion has also been felt by many devout Christians on the Continent. Several of their religious publications have inserted papers upon the subject, and prayer meetings, have been established in different places. Among other cities, we record with peculiar pleasure and thankfulness that at PARIS a meeting on the first Monday of the month has been commenced, for prayer for the effusion of the grace of the Holy Spirit.

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compassion for Jews and Heathens, have been manifested. Missionaries also have been particularly encouraged by hearing of this spirit of prayer, and have gone forth to their work with fresh ardour.

It is hoped that this gratifying intelligence may, by the divine blessing, excite heads of families and pious individuals to more earnest prayer for the gracious influences of the Comforter; and that the clergy may be led with increasing zeal to attempt to interest their charges in this important subject.

The commencement of a new year is a most appropriate season for engaging with redoubled earnestness in this sacred work. When we contemplate the numbers constantly passing into an eternal world; that ere another year closes, twenty millions at least of our fellow-sinners will have passed hence; that, however extensive the out

ward means used for their conversion may be, unless they have the Spirit of God, they cannot see his kingdom; when we bear in mind also, that our heavenly Father has connected the gift of the Holy Spirit with prayer for this blessing, and has promised to hear our petitions by the most tender similes: whosoever seriously reflects upon these truths will feel deeply humbled, that he has devoted so small a portion of his time to direct application to a throne of grace. He will commence the year with these solemn inquiries: WHAT HAVE I HITHERTO DONE TO PROMOTE PRAYER FOR THE COMFORTER? AND WHAT CAN I DO MORE THAN I HAVE ALREADY ATTEMPTED?

O that these inquiries might be general! that in this new year the Church of Christ would say with the Patriarch, I WILL NOT LET THEE GO EXCEPT THOU BLESS ME!

MORAVIAN MISSIONS.

URGENT DISTRESS AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

We have been requested to give an early insertion to the following intelligence, in the earnest hope, that some of our friends may come forward and contribute to the assistance of the United Brethren at their present distressing crisis; and we cannot for one moment hesitate in complying with the request.

The prosperity, both spiritual and temporal, of the mission of the United Brethren at the Cape of Good Hope, has engaged the particular attention and affections of many friends to the propagation of the Gospel among the heathen, ever since its renovation, in 1792, and more especially since that colony has been united to the British empire. The change wrought in the manners and habits of the Hottentots, and the great improvement made in their external state, being one of the effects of their conversion to Christianity, has likewise attracted the notice and approbation of the Colonial Government, and of all intelligent travellers who have visited Gnadenthal, Groenekloof, and Enon, the three settlements of the Brethren now existing in that country. From numerous benefactors liberal contributions have been received towards the support of the mission; and the help afforded after the destruction of Enon by the Caffres in 1819, calls for the sincerest and most cordial gratitude.

These considerations encourage us to lay before our friends the present state of that mission, now severely suffering by the late dreadful hurricane and floods, and likewise by famine, occasioned by successive failures of the crops. The following extracts of letters from the Rev. H. P.

Hallbeck, who has the superintendence of the mission, give more detailed accounts of these calamities.

Groenekloof, July 22, 1822.-" The external distress is here, as every where throughout the colony, very great, yet not so overwhelming as at Gnadenthal and its neighbourhood. The heavy rains which have fallen in these days, have done much damage to our buildings and gardens. Never did I see the Hottentots' gardens in such good order, as when I arrived here the day before yesterday; but this morning great part of them is turned into a waste, being either imbedded in sand, or entirely carried away by the torrents."

POSTSCRIPT.

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Groenekloof, July 25, 1822. "My letter of the 22d, to which I subjoin this postscript, gives you some account of the damage done by the rains and floods here at Groenekloof. Little did I think, when I was writing that letter, that, before I could send it away, my feelings would be so much altered, and that it would become my duty to tell so melancholy a tale as I now must do. Alas! my dear friend, not only the gardens are almost totally ruined, our large pond filled and turned into a sand hillock, several Hottentot cottages thrown down and their gardens swept away, but the north-west gable-end of our beautiful church is changed into a heap of ruins. It was in the night between the 23d and 24th, that this dreadful misfortune took place, without any one of us perceiving it till yesterday morning, when we made the fatal discovery. The wind had not been remarkably high. Our consternation and distress you may more easily imagine, than I can possibly describe. Indeed, we are so overwhelmed with care and trouble on all

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sides, that as yet we have not been able to think deliberately on the proper measures to be adopted in this great emergency. Many thousand dollars (many hundred pounds sterling) will be required to repair the loss sustained, and no time must be lost, in order that we may save the other walls and the roof. But we live now at a time, when provisions can hardly be had for money, and the expense and trouble of providing for a number of labourers will be very great. God only knows, how we shall find our way through the surrounding darkness. But after all, there is only one way for us open, which is, not to cast away our confidence, but to keep close to Him who alone is able to heal the wounds His band inflicts. None of the inhabitants remember such a rainy season as has been experienced in this part of the country this year. It is quite like the rainy monsoon of the East Indies.-I am convinced you have now heard quite enough to make you sympathize in our grief, and to feel yourself stirred up to lend every assistance in your power, and I shall therefore not enter farther into detail. I am indeed not able to do it, for my mind is too much distracted. Among the Hottentots, who are now busy in clearing away the rubbish, no other word is heard, but the repeated ejaculation, 'Alas! our church, our beautiful church!' Like them, my mind is quite harassed by the scene of desolation before my eyes. Farewell. You shall hear from me again, as soon as I arrive at Gnadenthal."

The Rev. C. I. Latrobe adds to this account-"The loss sustained by the damage done to the church is so great, that the expense, added to that of restoring the gardens and the reservoir, which must be immediately done, will bring on us a burden not to be supported, but by the kind assistance of our Brethren and friends, to whose liberality we recommend this case of distress."

The accounts from Gnadenthal are still more distressing.

Extract of a Letter from Brother H. P. Hallbeck, dated Gnadenthal, August 26, 1822.

"I can easily imagine, that after having received such painful tidings from Groenekloof, your sympathizing heart will be anxious to learn how Gnadenthal has fared. The severe weather which made such havoc at Groenekloof and the surrounding country, has been no less detrimental to Gnadenthal and its neighbourhood; and having got this intelligence on the road, I was prepared for the worst. By the mercy of God, however, none of the missionaries' buildings had fallen, though some damage had been done to the thatch. But our poor Hottentots have suffered most severely;

forty-eight houses have been very materially injured, and rendered uninhabitable for some time, and of this number upwards of twenty lie quite in ruins. Besides the loss sustained by the falling of houses, our poor Hottentots have also lost a great many head of cattle by wet and cold. I have just this morning made a list of all the oxen which remain, and by this means discovered, that of four hundred head, which they possessed on the 26th of May, one half are either consumed in consequence of the dreadful famine, or have perished by the severity of the weather, in the short space of three months. In brief, we are ruined outright, and all the fond hopes of progressive improvement, which once cheered the spirit of us missionaries, are entirely blighted, unless God disposes the hearts of benevolent friends to come to our assistance.-But why do I torment myself with looking into dark futurity? Is not the misery of the present moment more than enough for my feeble strength? Often have I used that expression, emaciated with hunger, but never did I feel the force of the phrase so powerfully as in these days, when my door is incessantly besieged by women and children, who present to my eyes the frightful reality of what was hitherto only a faint picture in my imagination. Indeed, I wonder that after all the distress of mind which we have experienced, some of us have not long ago been laid up with sickness, and rendered unfit for futher exertions. It is alone by divine assistance, and by various proofs of God's kind providence, that I and my fellow-labourers here are thus far preserved in health, and have not wholly sunk into despondency. Thus we received very lately a very seasonable and unexpected present of two hundred and fifty rix-dollars from the directors of our missions, by which we shall be enabled to prepare a meal three times a week, for all the poor women and childreu without exception, for the space of four weeks. Upwards of two hundred are partakers of this charity; we, however, always set them to do some work for their own and the public good, before they are fed: for instance, to clean the watercourse, enlarge the burial-ground, clear the channel of the Bavian's Revier, in order to prevent inundations, &c. What we are to do, when the above sum is exhausted, I do not know; but it appears to me, as if we should be obliged to continue this distribution for a couple of months longer, from whatever quarter the means may be obtained. The wretched sufferers may indeed protract their existence for a few days by eating grass, as they do at present; but unless they get a meal of warm and nourishing food now and then, they cannot live long in that way. And rather than suffer them to

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Extract of a private Letter from Brother

Hallbeck, dated August 28, 1822.

"I had hardly sealed and despatched the letter to your father, when the doleful lamentations of the wretched and emaciated sufferers at my door again began to shake my confidence, knowing that our means are so very insufficient to meet the exigency of our situation. But all at once a Hottentot made his appearance, and handed over a letter, which he had received in Caledon." (The letter follows, stating, that as a surplus of 80 rix-dollars remained out of the fund appropriated by Government for the supply of grain to the poor of this district, the landdrost had determined to send it to Gradenthal, to buy rice for distribution among the poorest in that settlement.) "With what feelings of gratitude and astonishment I first read these lines you may easily imagine. I hardly remember ever to have experienced a more remarkable interposition of God's kind providence in my whole life. Certain it is, that as far as regards my own feelings, no encouragement could have arrived more opportunely. My despondency was gone, tears of gratitude to our Saviour filled my eyes, and I promised myself anew not to suffer myself to be overcome by the suggestions of distrust and despondency; for I saw, as it were, with open eyes, that the

BISHOP OF

THOSE who are interested in the promotion of Christianity in our eastern possessions will hear with unfeigned regret the death of the Right Rev. Thomas Fanshaw Middleton, D.D. Lord Bishop of Calcutta. His lordship had for some time expressed himself much oppressed by the fatigues and anxieties of his extensive diocese, and intimated his fears that he should never sur vive the fifteen years which were to elapse before his return. His friends, however, were not apprehensive of his being at all seriously unwell; but a few days before his death, returning with Mrs. Middleton from an airing in the country a short time before sunset, on the carriage turning a corner, the sun shone full upon him, and he immediately intimated his fears, that he had received a stroke of the sun which would prove fatal. Notwithstanding this apprehen

Lord will never leave nor forsake us.' A couple of Hottentot women are just busy preparing the dinner, in nine huge pots, while upwards of 200 women and children, in joyful anticipation of the promised meal, are busy cleaning the watercourses, planting hedges, making new ditches, &c. and I am just hastening to arrange the company and distribute the dinner. You must therefore excuse my breaking off rather abruptly. I cannot possibly deny myself the satisfaction of being present on this joyful occasion, which reminds me of the scenes when our Saviour fed his hungry hearers in a miraculous manner. Never, in all my life, have I felt more honoured than when carrying round the sooty pots, and wielding the large wooden ladle."

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The extreme distress above detailed has induced the Committee of "The London Association in Aid of the Missions" to open a separate fund for the relief of the Hottentot congregations, and the repair of the damages sustained by storms and floods. Contributions to "the Fund for the Disasters of the Cape are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, J. G. Lockett, Esq. 1, Upper Conway Street, Fitzroy Square; Mr. H. Christian, 10, Strand; Messrs. Hatchard and Son, 187, Piccadilly; Messrs. Morland and Co. 50, Pall Mall; Sir P. Pole and Co. 1, Bartholomew Lane, London. Also by Messrs. Ricketts and Co. Bristol; Glencross and Co. Plymouth; Sparkes and Co. Exeter; Wigney and Co. Brighton; Mills and Co. Colchester; Gurneys, Norwich, &c.; Mansfield and Co. Leicester: Atwoods and Co. Birmingham; Jones and Co. Manchester; Ramsays and Co. Edinburgh; and Latouche and Co. Dublin. Clothing, old or new, which is always most acceptable, will be gladly taken charge of by Mr. H. C. Christian, No. 10, Strand.

CALCUTTA.

sion, he continued his labours for several hours on the succeeding day; but the day after his complaint assumed a fatal aspect, and he died in the evening of July 8, 1822.

His lordship was distinguished by considerable literary attainments. His work on the Greek Article is highly valuable, and demonstrates the futility of the Socinian insinuation, that a critical examination of the Greek Testament would prove favourable to their sentiments; whereas his lordship satisfactorily demonstrates the very reverse. But the great work which will confer lasting honour on the Bishop's memory, as long as the present order of things exists, is the planning and founding Bishop's College at Calcutta, for the education of missionaries and native teachers- a work proceeding rapidly and vigorously under his auspices, and which we have every reason to conclude

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