THE first Anniversary of the Bedfordshire Missionary Society will be held at LUTON (See P. 119), on Wednesday, April 3, when the Rev. Robert Hall, the Rev. Thomas Morell, and the Rev. F. A. Cox, are expected to preach. THE HERTS UNION will be held at St. Alban's, April 4, Rev. R Hall to preach; and the BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION at Bedford, May 8. Be faithful, O my soul! declare the truth; In words, bast thou not driven the world away; [world!" Like this poor idiot, cry'd, “ Off! Off! vain But, him unlike, hast been too proud to pray? "Off! Off! vain world!" Yes, these are easy words; Eglide: Swiftly they pass the lips, and smoothly But oh! how hard to banish from the heart The world, with all its vanity and pride! Off! Off! vain world! with all thy foolish [smile; Thy fear and hate, and thy seductive Lest thy enslaving bands wreath round my heart, [toil. shame ; And leave no power to flee, or break the Off! Off! vain world! this idiot's simple cry, My soul, adopt, and make it truly thine; Then, when the world flies from my dying [mine. eye, Shall Joseph's hope, and Joseph's God, be And when that day shall come, when this vain world Shall be consum'd by the devouring flame, "Twill then be seen how many idiots were, Who never bore on earth the idiot's name. Bradford. CARBON. Kalendar. APRIL 2. Moon passes Mars & Regulus. 6. Full Moon 42 past noon, but S. of the Earth's shadow. Passes Spica Virginis before midnight. 7. Easter Sunday: so called 10.Moon passes Antares,inScorpio 13. Moon passes Herschel, and the constellation Sagittarius. 18. Moon passes Venus. 19. Moon passes Mercury. 21. New Moon IV. 17 afternoon, but too far N. for the Earth to be in her shadow. Saturn. Passes 22. Moon passes Jupiter. 23. Moon passes the Pleiades. 26. Moon passes Castor & Pollux. 29. Moon passes Regulus VȚIE. night. Irish Chronicle. From Mr. R. White to the Secretary, From Mr. Bruman to the Secretary, dated, Jan. 23, 1822. Rev. Sir, miraculously delivered by an interposition of providence from the cruel designs of my enemies. It was as follows. At a wake (where the worst of characters were assembled to spend the night in all sorts of sinful merriment) I ventured to expound the word of life, and met with no opposition for about the space of three hours. After speaking so long, I became very thirsty and calling for drink, which I procured in about half an hour from the time I Since the 20th ult. I have been called for it, I gave it to a female, who Kelmartique, Jan. 19, 1822. Rev. Sir, Since my last Journal I have travelled through this country, reading and explaining the word of God in every place where I had an opportunity; and, blessed be the Lord, it is highly gratifying to see the influence it has on the minds of those who read it: About four days ago M. Murphy was coming from Sexford, and was taken in by Ribbon-men, who thought to make him swear to be loyal to their doings. He asked them whether any of them read the scriptures. They answered, "that they knew nothing about it, nor was it their object." Well, said he, "it is not so with me; and the word of St. Peter tells us to fear God and honour the King; and for that` reason, if I were to die on the spot, I never will swear a rebellious oath against my King or government." This serves to show, that it is not one. benefit alone which arises from the reading of the scriptures: it makes men loyal to their King and country. A few days ago I met a man with whom I had several times conversed respecting his everlasting welfare, and "He' Confession, but my opinion is asked Concerning some passage in scripture; and I am ashamed to say that I know nothing aboutit." "I then," said the man to me, "began to explain the benefit of reading the scriptures, and did not part with the priest until he gave his hand and word that he would make it his daily study to read them, and that he would never forbid any person to do so." He also invited me to come in the evening and morning to the place where he would be. This is so great a happiness to those whose understanding the Lord has been pleased to open, that they will feel it their duty to make it known to others. Mountain River, Jan. 19, 1822. In my last, matters bore an awful aspect in my part of the country; but that God who ruleth the raging of the sea has so brought order out of confusion, that all that took place is for the further. ance of the gospel. Many whose minds were raised, and who were in hopes of anarchy and confusion, are brought to see their hopes frustrated; partly by the exertions of spirited gentlemen, and partly by the mild spirit of the gospel; by which the readers and hearers shewed they were actuated, for be assured there is not an individual to my knowledge that reads or attentively hears in whom there is not a change in some degree, at least so far as not to thirst for their fellow creatures' blood. The lad I mentioned in my former journals, who learned to repeat by heart the gospel by Luke,-who came to inquire after the dying man's health, concerning whom I observed that east or west, north or south, there is not a single Protestant near him, and to whom I gave my Irish Bible, of which he made good use,-reads to all as far as he can extend his labours. Many are crying out that they were murdered by the priests, who kept them in darkness: but he has been the means of fully convincing and Converting his brother-in-law, sister, and nephew, so that when put to the trial and threatened, the three openly declared, if they were torn limb from limb they would never kneel to a priest, whilst others that would not fear cried out to him not to shame his father's bones in the ground. I had a long conversation with him, and he has more fully convinced me of what was my previous belief, that they only will be saved whose names are written in the book of life. Whether in a state of ignorance or open wickedness, they have convictions betimes that the reprobate have not. He told me that three years before he had seen the scriptures, he frequently had the greatest desire to see some person that would speak on religious subjects, but that, if any did so, they only left him in torment, telling him that if he confessed and did penance he would go to heaven; and though knowing nothing to the contrary he had no peace of mind until he got the gospel, after first read. ing it he declares his heart was so enlarged and his understanding so enlightened, that he clearly understood the plan of salvation, and now endeavours to show the same to his neighhours. WM. MOOBE. From Mr. Mullorky to the Secretary. Ardnance, Jan. 19. 1822. Rev. Sir, this month, particularly during the Christmas vacation, my house has been generally crowded with some of our teachers, and other persons who resorted thither for the purpose of searching the scriptures. Among the rest was Henry O'Brien, who was a year and half ago the most bigoted Roman Catholic that ever I conversed with. But continual expostulation, and the reading of the scriptures in his hearing, at length proved a blessing to him. He has renounced popery, and builds his hope upon the rock of ages. The priest of the parish where he now teaches a Baptist school, has sent him repeated warnings, that if he did not come and confess to him, he would reduce his school. O'Brien replied, that he did not belong to him; that he was from the parish of Balina. This answer not satisfying the priest, he sent further threatenings. At length O'Brien told the messenger, that the New Testament contains all that is necessary to salvation; and that it does not sanction one sinner to absolve another, which is the prerogative of the Deity only. This poor man carries the Testament with him, and, by reading it morning and evening attentively to the people where he lodges, endea vours to direct their attention to the only refuge of poor perishing sinners. From the commencement of . Extract of a Letter from S. D. dated Thurles, County of Tipperary. IT must be of no small importance for all Christians to ascertain and bear in mind for practical purposes, THE MEANS WHEREBY THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS ORIGINALLY PROPAGATED BY HIMSELF, that we may, as his devoted servants, perform our Master's pleasure, and experience his holy approbation, and the approving testimony of our own consciences in his sight, and at his appearing. And what was the method employed by the Lord Jesus Christ, and which he enjoined upon his chosen apostles? Was it persecution? Surely not. It was, not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts !" Zeh.ir. 6. Upon the agency | of the Holy Spirit all success was made to depend. The reason why our Lord's personal ministry was so unproductive, was, not because he did not preach the truths concerning himself with sufficient clearness, or because he was deficient in personal exertion for the spiritual good of the people amongst whom he dwelt; but the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified." John vii. 39. The apostles felt and acknowledged, that they were not sufficient of themselves, but that their sufficiency was of God. 2 Cor. iii. 5. They indeed exerted themselves as earnestly as though all the success depended upon themselves: but they depended as simply and entirely upon the Lord, as though no means whatever were used by them; nor did they depend upon him in vain. And when our Lord gave the com mission to his apostles after his resur rection, did he recede from his pre. vious instructions? No. He directed them to go into every part of the world where they could obtain access, and relate the simple tale of his life, death, and resurrection, for the re mission of sins, and the justification of all that come unto God by him. This was all they had to do, whether men would hear or forbear, And surely if any means were calculated to confound the wisdom of this world, it was these. To appoint twelve poor, simple, untutored men, without any temporal authority, to evangelize the world, through the mere publication of his despised history and doctrine, men that only a few days before had de serted him : and this notwithstanding all the disesteem in which they were themselves held by the spiritual and temporal authorities, as the contempti ble followers of a despised Galilean, who had terminated his life ignomini. ously on a gibbet. What rational hope could there be in the minds of any merely worldly-wise men of the success of such men, under such most unpropitious circumstances, in opposi tion to the most rooted religious pre judices of all people wherever they should come, and with the assured certainty of a perpetual exposedness to poverty, insult, prisons, stripes, tortures, and death? But Christ would effectually convince the apostles, and all the world, that it was by no might of theirs that the gospel should be propagated, but that they were to depend altogether upon himself, and look to him for assistance, and give him the glory that was due to his name. "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street," was the prophetical testimony And this was all the apostles ever concerning the Messiah. Accordingly did. But they were not afraid to go the Lord Jesus Christ assumed no forward, for they were sensibly endued worldly authority; and when the peo- with "power from on high:" and they ple would have taken him by force, also experienced the gracious fulfilment and appointed him their king, he hid of their Lord's promise," Lo, I himself from them. Neither would he am with you always!" God " gave allow his servants to defend him testimony to the word of his grace," against those of the High Priest. He which they faithfully administered also said to Pilate, "My kingdom is and thus their fellow-sinners were not of this world," &c. He incessantly converted, and numerous societies laboured to engage the serious atten- were formed of professed Christians, tion of his hearers to the gospel; and until in a very few years the gospe he enjoined a similar temper and con- was published successfully throughout duct upon the apostles, earnestly di- the then known world, and one apostle recting them to decline the titles, dis- could testify, "From Jerusalem round tinctions, authority, and emoluments, about unto Illyricum, (a distance equal that were so evidently the principal to the whole extent of Europe from objects of the professedly religious North to South,) I have fully preached teachers of that day. Matt. xxiij. 5-12. | the gospel of Christ," And before the 1 lose of the third century, Paganism fell like lightning from the seat of empire, and Christianity (nominally at least) was substituted in its place, and the heaven departed as a scroll," &c. Rev. vi. 14. Thus it has been, and thus it will be to the end of time, with every real church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not by might, &c. and if we are unmindful of this most essential truth, or if we merely acknowledge it in terms, and deny it in our practice, depending (however secretly) upon our own or other's wisdom, strength, eloquence, or influence, we may indeed appear before men to succeed, but our success will not-cannot be gracious, extensive, or permanent. Our sole dependence must be upon the Holy Ghost, whose office it is to take of the things of Christ, and make him known to the world, John xvi. 7-14. It is not for us to use means in serving Christ that are not his; but it is our duty and interest humbly, earnestly, and unceasingly, to implore his heavenly aid and blessing. Neither should we be discouraged if all is not accomplished by us that our hearts desire; for "the wind bloweth where it listeth." We are, therefore, to be principally concerned to be found diligent in the serious use of the Lord's appointed means, taking particular care, at the same time, that we have a Thus saith the Lord' for all we preach or do, and that our spirit is agreeable to his own; and then, though our success may not be so apparent before our fellow-creatures, we shall be approved before God, and before the world also at the judgment; perhaps beyond those who have been most commended in this world. Christ encouraged himself under such circumstances with this consideration, (and it is recorded for our consolation,) "Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength," Isai, xlix. 5. God has in all ages been jealous of his honour, as is proved by the history of the people of Israel. It was not by their own might they were delivered from Egypt, or at the Red Sea, or from Babylon. See Jud. xiii. 1 Sam. vii. 2 Chron. xx. and Isai. xxxvii. And when they shall return to the land of | their fathers, it will doubtless be the same. It is the same also with every Christian. The Holy Ghost is the source of all spiritual illuminations, John xvi. 8-11. James i. 18; he is the author of the divine life, 2 Eph. i. 8-13, John i. 12, iii. 5; the source of sanctifying grace, Acts xv. 9, 1 Cor, vi. 11, 2 Cor. iii. 18; and of all strength for the spiritual conflict, Isai. lix. 19, Rom. xvi. 20; the inditer of all effectual prayer, Rom. viii. 26; and the author of our perseverance to glory, Jer. xxxii. 40, Ezek. xxxvi. 25—27, Phil. i. 6, 1 Pet. i. 5. And all this is "that no flesh may glory in his presence," 1 Cor. i. 29, but that all may be "to the praise of the glory of his grace." Eph. i. 6. Designation of the Rev. John M'Kaag, a native of the Highlands of Scotland, to the work of a Missionary to the native Irish. THIS truly interesting and solemn service took place at Byrom-street Chapel, Liverpool, on Thursday evening, March 14. The service was commenced by the Rev. P. S. Charrier. The Secretary, Mr. Ivimey, (who is supplying that congregation while the Rev. Moses Fisher the pastor is visiting the Schools in Connaught) delivered an introductory discourse, on the need of preachers for the Aborigines of Ireland, and the propriety of a person to whom the Gaelic language is vernacular being set apart for that peculiar work. The Rev. Mr. Lister offered up the ordination prayer, the other ministers joining in laying on hands. The Rev. Dr. Steadman, Tutor of Bradford Academy, where Mr. M'Kaag has spent nearly four years, gave a solemn charge from Mark xi. 22, "Have faith in God." The Rev. Dr. Raffles concluded in prayer. The Rev. Mr. Phillips gave out appropriate hymns. The congregation was numerous, and apparently much affected with the consideration, that this was the first native of the Highlands into whose heart God had put the desire, and to whom he had given the opportunity, to visit those who may be called their brethren; as they and the natives of Ireland were doubtless originally the same people. In the last Number of the Irish Chronicle the Subscription from James Ashwin, Esq. Bourton, by Rev. T. Coles, was by mistake printed 10s. ed. instead of £5. |