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powerful, is that sword of the Spirit, the word of God, when wielded by his unerring hand! It is hoped that the above fact may induce others to go and do likewise; and may they meet with equal, nay more abundant · success.. I am, dear Sir, yours, &c. W. B.

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NOBLE CONDUCT OF AN AMERICAN CAPTAIN.

An American Privateer having, a few weeks since, captured, in the Irish Channel, a sloop from Cardigan, laden with coal, the Captain of the Privateer entered the cabin to survey his prize. Observing there a small box, with an aperture in the lid, similar to a Poor's Box, and an inscription on it, "Missionary Box," he inquired what it was. The Welshman, apprehending the destruction of his vessel and property (according to the recent practice of the Americans to burn their prizes), replied with a sigh-" Ah! it's all over now!" You must know, that I and my poor fellows have been accustomed to drop a penny a piece into that box every Sunday Morning, to help to send out Missionaries for the preaching of the Gospel." -"Indeed!" said the American.. "That is a good thing-a good thing, indeed!" After a short pause, he put out his hand to the Master of the Sloop-" I will not touch a hair of your heads, nor injure your vessel”—and immediately departed, leaving the astonished and grateful Welshman to pursue his course unmolested

JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

AN ACCOUNT OF A SUNDAY
SCHOLAR.

The following account of a Sunday
scholar, communicated by her
teacher to the Editor of a Maga-
zine, little known in this country,
has been extracted from that pu-
blication:-

AFTER an absence of some weeks from a retired home, 1 immediately inquired, on my return, after my little flock, a small Sunday School, of which I had the care. I was grieved to hear that one of them was dangerously ill. I had never perceived in

her any thing like a serious concern for her soul, and was anxious to visit her, in the hope that, through the divine blessing, those exhortations which had been neg lected in the time of health, might be listened to on a bed of sickness. It was the first time I had visited any sick person with a desire to administer to spiritual maladies, and, deeply feeling my incompetence to instruct her aright, I endeavoured to look to the great Physician for wisdom and direction. As I walked to her cottage I was employed in considering the infinite value of

an immortal soul, and in what manner I should address the poor sufferer. I had not proceeded far towards her dwelling, before I met the mother of the invalid, who told me she was coming, at her daughter's earnest request, to beg I would go and read to her. This I looked upon as a token for good. On inquiring how long she had been ill, I was told she had kept her bed for more than a month, during which time the only nourishment she had taken was liquid; but that, during her whole illness, she had shown great patience, and her mind had been wholly occupied by the concerns of her soul; that her constant petition to all around her was, that they would read or pray by her. On approaching the neat bed on which she lay, I was shocked to see the alteration which had taken place in her countenance: her face had been formerly animated and pleasing, if not handsome-it was now wan and shrivelled; certainly a stranger would have supposed that it had for seventy years borne the cares of life-not a trace of what it had been, remained; such ravages had disease made in so short a time! I could scarcely believe it was the same face I had last seen, in the bloom of youth and beauty. A transient flush of pleasure illumined her haggard countenance when she saw me, and she eagerly begged that I would kiss her. Her situation, and the regard she shewed me, affected me so much that I could scarcely speak. "Pray don't cry," she exclaimed ; "if you do, I shall cry too." I then read to her, as I was desired. She listened with great attention, sometimes saying, O, how beautiful! is it not, mother?" She then begged I would read a

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prayer with her: I did so; and she appeared to join very fervently in the petitions. She told her mother to kneel down, and could not bear to see any one about her indifferentor careless whilst I read to her. to her. The Clergyman of the parish was from home, and there was no serious person I could get to accompany me. I endeavoured to explain to her the 3d chapter of St. John, and to show her the all-sufficiency of Christ to save to the uttermost all who come to God by him. She said she wished she could go to church but she was not able. On my reminding her that Jesus Christ was present in her sick chamber as well as in the church, and exhortmg her to pray to him, she told me she did so. On reading part of the 31d of Isaiah, I asked her who was spoken of in the 2d verse, "A man shall be a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the storm?" She readily replied, "Christ Jesus,

who died for our sins." She was unwilling to part with me, and begged I would come again. The next day I found her worse: she was asleep when I entered her chamber, and her appearance was then still more distressing than when awake; the white of her eyes was visible through her shrunk eyelids; and her parched lips, quite black with fever, served only as a contrast to her white and prominent teeth, whichgave the most ghastly appearance to her countenance: she was a mere skeleton; indeed, her bones had actually, in some places, forced themselves through the skin. I was unwilling to have her disturbed; but her mother told me she would be quite uneasy if she heard I had been there without her knowing it. As soon as she awoke she begg

ed, as before, that I would read to her," My dear," I replied, "I fear you are too heavy to listen."-" O, no!" she answered, "it will do me good. When I had read a few minutes she closed her eyes, but said, Go on; I cannot keep my eyes open, but I can hear though they are shut." But nature was exhausted-the spirit indeed was willing, but the flesh was weak. From this time I scarcely think she had the perfect use of her senses, though at intervals of wakefulness she continued to manifest the same desire for religious instruction. I was prevented from visiting her for a few days by a slight indisposition: when next I went she was asleep; but I cannot describe my sensations on hearing that she had repeatedly inquired for me, and said, I had forsaken her. Never did I feel so forcibly that solemn injunction, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might." I had slept upon my post-betrayed my trust-refused to watch with my Lord one hour-I suffered a few trifling obstacles to keep me from the death-bed of an immortal creature committed to my care! The season of usefulness was over. In vain I desired her mother, if she should again ask for me, immediately to let me know. A constant stupor reigned over her. May the recollection of this neglect never be obliterated from my memory! Never may I be guilty of the like again! But, to return. When next I saw her, her bodily sufferings were very great. I reminded her of her Redeemer's sufferings, and exhorted her to pray to him for patience. She said, "I do" and added, she was willing to live or die as her heavenly Father pleased. Through the whole of her illness I believe she never uttered a repining word; but if she

ever mentioned her sufferings, sle always added, "I must be patient." The last time I saw her she scarcely knew me, and could but just speak; when, on taking leave of her, I expressed my hope that God would be with her, and support her through the dark valley of the shadow of death, she exclaimed, with an ardour and emphasis I can never forget, "And God bless you." They were the last words I heard her speak. The next morning, about one o'clock, her immortal spirit quitted its frail and suffering tenement, I trust, to be joined to the host of those who are crying, Glory to the Lamb who was slain to take away the sin of the world-he breaketh not the bruised reed, neither doth he quench the smoking flax. The desire she manifested for religious instruction--the delight withwhich she listened to the word of God— her resignation-and the spirit of prayer she shewed throughout her illness, sprang not up out of the dust, they must have been implanted by the Spirit of God; and none ever perished at the Saviour's feet. For his sake, I trust, her iniquities were pardoned, and that she was accepted in the Beloved.

Her death proved a great encouragement to me to go on with my work. And are there any young persons who would gladly engage in the instruction of the poor, but fear they are incompetent to the charge? May they, by this little memoir, be encouraged to go forward, trusting in the Lord. For some time the writer of these few lines was prevented, from the consideration of her youth and inexperience, from making the attempt: even after having engaged in it, she was sometimes ready to relinquish it from the proofs she had or her inability to carry it on ́as it ought to be; yet it may please

the Lord, in whose hands are the hearts of all men, to bless some word she may have spoken in great weakness, even when she is laid in the silent grave; and let not those who have hitherto laboured, apparently in vain, despond. The bread cast on the waters may be seen again after many days. The efficacy is not in the means made use of, but

It is

in the blessing of the Almighty upon them; and even should our labours be of little use, yet if they proceed from love to God, they shall not lose their reward. written for our encouragement"She hath done what she could; yea, not a cup of cold water, given to a disciple in the name of a disciple, shall lose its reward."

REVIEW.

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The History of the Propagation of Christianity among the Heathen since the Reformation By the Rev. WILLIAM BROWN, M. D. 2 vols. 8vo. p. p. 1287. Price L.1: 5s. Brown, Edinburgh; Longman, &c. London. “THE propagation of christianity in the world," says Dr. Brown, "is the most important subject which can engage the attention of a historian. The rise, the progress, and the downfall of empires; the discovery of unknown countries; the lives of philosophers, of senators, of princes; the improvements of the arts and sciences, may furnish useful and interesting materials for history; but nothing is so momentous as the diffusion of the gospel in the world, which at once brings glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will towards men."-Preface p. v. In the justiceof these remarks we fully acquiesce, and are happy to announce the publication of this very valuable and interesting work on that subject. We are acquainted with no connected account of the progress of the gospel among heathen nations, in the English language, except "Millar's history of the propagation of Christianity,"

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which only comes down to the beginning of last century, and is defective in various other reSpects. Dr. Brown has, therefore, supplied a very important desideratum ; and from the manner in which he has acquitted himself, we form a high opinion of his piety, his candour, his zeal, and his application. We congratulate the country on another accession to the number of its Christian historians; and we congratulate the author of the work before us, in having given such a proof that he is worthy to be a descendant of JOHN BROWN of HADDINGTON.

While we are gratified in being able to announce this history of Missions in our pages, we must at the same time express our regret, that, from the limits assigned to our Review department, we cannot afford such an account of it as its own merits, and the importance of the subject, demand. To execute an analysis of nearly thirteen hundred pages would be impracticable, unless we reduced it to a mere synopsis of contents, or extended it through half-a-dozen successive Numbers, which, we are afraid, would exhaust the patience of both readers and re

viewer. Our disappointment, however, is the less, as we have reason to believe that many of the interesting details in these volumes are tolerably familiar to many of our readers; although we do not think that there is one of them who would not be pleased, instructed, and corrected, by a careful perusal of the history. To such as have leisure and opportunity to examine it for themselves, we most cordially recommend it, assuring them that they will be amply repaid for their labour. For the benefit of those who may not enjoy these advantages, we shall now attempt a brief view of the extensive field which it occupies, and shall then lay before them some reflections that have occurred to us from the facts which are stated.

In

Commencing with the Reformation, Dr. Brown notices, in the three first chapters, some feeble attempts which were made for the propagation of the gospel by the Swiss, by the Swedes in Lapland, and by the Dutch in the is lands of Ceylon, Java, Amboyna, and Formosa. He then passes, in the fourth chapter, to the exertions of the Anglo-Americans in Massachusets Colony, Martha's Vineyard, New Ply mouth Colony, New Stockbridge, New Jersey, and Oneida. this part of the work, we have a most interesting detail of the labours of Eliot, the Mayhews, Sergeant, Brainerd, and Kirkland. Of Eliot it is enough to say, ‹ he has long been known by the honourable, yet well-earn ed title of THE APOSTLE OF THE INDIANS.' The life of David Brainerd is in every body's hands, his praise is in all the churches; and while Missionaries continue to be sent out from Britain, his character, and conduct, and self

denial, will be held up to view as worthy of their highest admiration.

In chapter fifth, Dr. B. treats of the efforts of the Danes in the East Indies and Greenland. In Greenland, notwithstanding the perseverance and sufferings of Mr. Egede, they were unsuccessful; but their Missions in the East were blessed with a high degree of respectability and success. The Mission at Tranquebar, begun by Ziegenbalg in1706, and carried on by Grundler, Schultze, Swartz, Gericke, Kolhoff, and others, to the present time, has been eminently honoured of the Lord. Ziegenbalg was truly a man of apostolic fervour, holiness, and devotedness to Christ. The account given of the manner in which he occupied his timein learning the native languages

translating the Scripturesteaching the Hindoos private and family religion-shews how indefatigably he laboured, in the service of his Master; and ought to put many to the blush, who profess to have devoted themselves to the service of the Sanctuary. Though we have little room for quotation, we must extract Dr. Brown's character of this invaluable Missionary :

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