He took his departure. A day of fasting and prayer was observed by the church on his account. He returned, and all that Christian faithfulness and tenderness could devise was done to reclaim him. Indeed, at one time, he seemed a little softened. He went so far as to resume the worship of God in his family; he begged the prayers and forgiveness of his brethren; said he would resolve on a life of penitence and picty if he dared-but his own heart could not be trusted, and as for the Lord, he was ashamed to ask him for his pious mother and wife, tried to I recommended that he should write to soothe him with their sympathics, and the injured owners of the money he console him with their friendship and had squandered; to his injured family; prayers. But all seemed in vain. He and to the church. To this he conwas still unresigned, he could feel no-sented; but so far recollected his orthing but misery. thodoxy as to rebuke me for having He obtained a situation as mate, on omitted the most important direction, board of another vessel soon to sail. which was, that he should confess that Just before leaving port, a rumour he had sinned against God. He left reached the ears of his friends, that, me to go on board his vessel, leaving while waiting for a cargo, on his for- us with many fears that he would mer voyage, he had been engaged in plunge into the dark waves and be gambling, and had thus squandered a found no more. The dawn returned, large sum of money belonging to the and he appeared with the promised letowners of the vessel, which he had inters-but oh, how altered! He apcommand. When this rumour arrived,peared more like a ghost than a man. he was absent from his home, a few miles distant, expecting to sail the next morning. At the urgent request of his family, I undertook to visit him, as his pastor, and inform him of the injurious rumour. 1 saw him--it was a dark howling night, ten in the evening, when we met. He seemed apprehensive. Ilis wonted confidence forsook him. For the first time I saw the aspect of shame cross his features. His look was downcast, and horror-stricken. After assuring him that I had called as his steadfast friend, and endeavouring to compose his apprehensions, I inform-grace, after having so shamefully ed him that an injurious rumour had reached his friends and family, which I felt bound by the laws of friendship to mention. He hastily inquired, "what is it?" I told him. "And now," said I, "Capt. S., I hope you will repose so much confidence in me, as your friend, and the friend of your family, that you will state to me the cause truly." He was agitated beyond measure. Every limb shook. Every feature spoke agony, horror, desperation, He writhed and swung his arms; his breathing was convulsive; he seemed faint; his head fell upon his breast; his limbs refused to support him. At length, having recovered the power of utterance, he forced through his death-sand dollars from the West Indies, as pale lips, the declaration, "I am willing to tell you, and all the world, that it is true." His exclamations were fearful "I am undone for time and eternity. I am a reprobate, cast off by God and man." I proposed prayer, to which he assented. He asked, "what shall I do? I must sail in the morning."when, if Capt. S. abused him, and his cause and mercy. In this state of deep and painful suspense he remained, till his beloved and pious wife, who had long been decli ning, sunk into the arms of death. He soon after left his friends, and returned to the seas. The next information we had from Capt. S.- was, that he was master of a slave ship, even after our government had declared the slave trade piracy! In this nefarious business he continued for three or four years, and died on board his ship, coming from Africa with a cargo of slaves! Thus he gave up the ghost, "and where is he!" He left a mother and son; they obtained several thou the earnings of Capt. S. in the trade. The son has long since squandered the whole, and the mother, if alive, is in a state of settled derangement. How many hopeful professors are deceiving themselves. Time was, had died, not one would have doubted that he had derable distance, wishing me to stop.entered into rest. No man was ever, He approached me, with tears in his probably, more certain of holding out eyes, saying, "I feel it to be my duty to to the end. Any man would have fall- come and make my confession to you. en under the suspicion of his brethren|| I have said that I could not pray; but as soon as he. Reader, art thou a minis- I find that I can. I can pray in my ter, or a man of distinction in the church, family, and among my brethren. I feel be not high minded, but fear. Be not it a privilege, one of the greatest luxucensorious against the weak, be pitiful,ries of my life." He added, “Tell all Gbe courteous. Think what, possibly, thy who say they cannot pray, to try. O, end may be. Watch and pray. I know they can: thanks be to God, who hath opened my eyes and my heart.-It was nothing but unwilling Let the young convert beware. Would that this note of kind entreaty could reach the hundred thousand of ness." this interesting class, who have, the last year, begun to hope and pray in A STUMBLING BLOCK. C. our land. Think not that you can take if the light that is in you be darkness, one wrong step and retrace it. What dreadful hardness may seize upon you the moment you have taken it!" Remember Lot's wife." UNWILLINGNESS, THE REASON WHY SOME PERSONS CANNOT PRAY IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHERS. [Furnished by a Clergyman.] It has been my lot to labour in a part of the vineyard where God has poured out his Spirit in a remarkable manner. how great is that darkness! [Furnished by a Clergyman.] While conversing with Mr. about the salvation of his soul, after he had acknowledged that he was a sinner, that if he died in his present state of mind he must perish for ever, that salvation was offered him by God, through Christ, &c., he related what follows. "I once engaged in the employment of a professor of religion. He maintained family worship; but his conduct was As a preparation for a pro-such that I did not believe he had any tracted meeting, which it was proposed religion. After attending family worto hold among my people, a sermon ship a few times, I concluded I would was preached, on the duty of prayer. not hear him pray. I therefore absented It was, that church members ought to myself from family worship. I was pray in secret, in their families, and intaken sick, and went home. On resocial meetings. "Christians can prayflection, I thought I had not done right, in these places, and they ought to do it.' because it was no excuse for me, that A brother in the church soon called on he did not pray aright. I was much me, and said that he felt grieved. It affected with a view of my situation, was represented, he said, that all and resolved, that if I returned, I would Christians could pray; but he was con-attend family worship. I recovered, fident he could not. Should he attempt to pray in his family, he did not believe he "could command himself," and he did not think it his duty to try. Though he was solemnly conversed with, he still persisted in his opinion. returned, and attended worship a few times; but his conduct was such, that concluded again not to hear him pray. My seriousness left me, and has never returned." The narator acknowledged, and I suppose with truth, that he had since gone great lengths in sin. Soon the contemplated meeting took place. It was a time of the right hand How painful to see those, who are of the Most High. Christians were placed for lights in the world, to show awakened, and many sinners converted.men the pit that lies in their path, beAmong others, the man who could not come stumbling blocks, over which pray, had his mouth opened. Before sinners fall into that pit. How powerthe close of the meeting, he could prayful the example of a professor of reliin public, to the edification of his bre-gion! He either throws light or gross thren. Soon after, as I was passing his darkness on the sinner's path. Then, house, he called to me, from a consi-O Christian, "let your light shine." again made efforts to procure employ "TRUST IN THE LORD-AND THOU ment, but still without success. Never SHALT BE FED." theless his heart retained its composure. [Furnished by a Clergyman.] Meanwhile God was preparing relief, During the late prevalence of the cholera, in the city of New-York, thouin a way altogether unexpected. Ins sands of persons were thrown out of few days, a man called and informed employment by the suspension or inter-him that a relation, residing at the ruption of business. Much suffering fol-South, and possessing considerable prolowed this state of things; and al-perty, had written to inquire about Mr. R.- and instructed his correspond though public and private charity reent to ascertain if he were in want of lieved great numbers, yet, the most deserving being generally the last to soany thing. Struck with such intellilicit assistance, it often happened that gence, at such a time, he frankly dis the contributions of the benevolent closed all his necessities. These were were exhausted before persons like the immediately communicated to his relaindividual to whom I am about to retive, and speedily the requisite relief was returned, and he was at once defer, could make up their minds to livered from his embarrassment, and ask or to accept aid. his family furnished with the means of living, until such time as the reviving business of the city again enabled him of his own industry. to provide for their wants by the avails Mr. R.- is a labouring man, dependant on his daily efforts for the maintenance of his family. Soon after the pestilence commenced its ravages in the city, he found himself cut off from his usual means of livelihood. For several days he wandered about, seeking employment without success. Meanwhile, his circumstances became every day more and more pressing. The grocer, to whom he was indebted for articles of living for his family, needed his pay; and particularly, the rent of his dwelling (the payment of which, by the customs of the city, is generally enforced, even when other claims are suspended) was now due. In these circumstances, without the means of escaping to the country, as hundreds of others had done; surrounded by suffering, sickness, and death, and want staring him in the face, it is not strange if his spirits sunk. Again and again he attempted to procure work, but failed. At last he resolved that he would, with more than usual solemnity, go and spread his case before God. He set apart a time for special devotion. He abased himself before God, pleaded his promises, and resigned himself and all his affairs to the divine direction. Immediately his load of care was removed. He rejoiced in feeling that the will of God would be done. If he should be relieved, well;-if not, it would still be well, for the will of the Lord would be done. Under this calm resignation to the sovereign disposal of his Heavenly Father, and trust in his providenco, he POETRY. [From the London Home Miss. Magazine.] Thoughts on hearing the Motto of Mr. Raikes, the Founder of SundaySchools, "TRY." Try to save a soul from hell, VOL. V. Go,............PREACH the GOSPEL............ Mark xvi. 15. LETTER TO REV. ABSALOM PETERS FROM REV. H. READ, OF THE BOMBAY MISSION, DATED AHMEDNUGGUR, MAY 7TH, 1832. SURROUNDED as I am by the worshippers of the false prophet, by those who wear the "mark of the Beast," and the myriads of deluded beings who bow down to wood and stone, will you permit me humbly to lay down before you, dear Christian friends, for your consideration on the evening of the monthly concert, a subject which loudly calls for your united, humble and fervent prayers. Almost twenty years have now elapsed since the establishment of the American mission, at Bombay. During this period, other missions have been established here, and in other parts of the Mahratta country. Associations have been formed among Europeans in this part of India, for the promotion of the Gospel, and, both collectively and individually, the common enemy has been attacked. The New Testament, and portions of the Old Testament, have been faithfully translated, and carefully and extensively distributed, and thousands and tens of thousands of tracts and religious books, prepared and diffused among the people. During the same period, hundreds of schools have been kept in operation, and thousands of Hindoo children have here been taught the religion of Jesus Christ. Many obstacles have been surmounted, much rubbish removed, and much good seed been sown. And what has been the result? why, just what the evangelical Christian would expect, without the special influence of the Holy Spirit. Many are rationally convinced of the truth of the Christian religion, and of the falsity of Hindooism; but not been slain by the "sword of the Spirit," and thus compelled to forsake their idols, and acknowledge the true God; and seeing no emolument likely to accrue by abandoning their own religion, they too often throw off all religious restraint and become reckless infidels. A few individuals on this side of India have been emboldened by the Holy Ghost, to abandon whatever in caste and delusion they had, from the time they breathed the polluted atmosphere of heathenism, been accustomed to hold dear, and to embrace the truth as it is in Jesus. These are as scarce as precious stones among the countless sands on the seashore. The mighty fabric of idolatry stands. We are sure it is undermining; and, when we look through the eye of faith, and keep steadily fixed on the promises of God, we fancy we see it totter. But the superstitious Hindoo, whose vision is not aided by the Christian's telescope, can see no such thing. He regards us pretty much as the occupant of an impregnable fort would regard half a dozen visionary individuals who should attempt to scale the walls with a ladder, and reduce the fort with a bow He stands unalarmed, proudly bidding defiance to our puny efforts. He regards his country as the centre of the world, his priesthood of su perior sanctity, and of Heaven's appointment,—his religion as the most ancient and honourable. True, he regards the European as skilful in war, and wise in the art of government; but, in matters of religion, a fool. His love of caste, his attachment to the superstitious rites of his forefathers, and his contempt of other religions, is only exceeded by the depravity of his heart. and arrow. VOL. V. 14 While praying this evening, I entreat you, dear brethren, to cast your eyes over Hindoostan-yea, over Burmah, China, and the innumerable hordes of human beings who inhabit the vast regions to the north, and see the unbroken ocean of moral pollution which covers the land. Lying, deception, theft, avarice, hatred, envy, jealousy, and crimes without number or name, and of which modesty forbids so much as to speak, meet almost no rebuke in private example, or in public sentiment. Here is the trial of the missionary's faith. To live among, and to deal with a people who have no conscience, certainly, none enlightened by Christian principles; and to instruct, to spend and be spent for a people into whose hearts gratitude never enters, requires much faith, and patience, and forbearance, and humility, and all those Christian graces, which our friends at home suppose missionaries permanently to possess. But why not rather present a fairer picture, by diverting your minds to what has been done. This would indeed be a more pleasant theme for contemplation, and would call forth your praise and gratitude to God, for what he hath wrought. But, when the church of Christ come together, to pray for the outpouring of the Spirit, and for the conversion of the world, they need, I think, to keep steadily before them what remains to be done. Then, in view of the magnitude of the work, of the difficulties which thicken about it, and of their own insufficiency to accomplish it, they will fall humbly at the foot of the cross, and cry, Lord help us. I need say no more, to convince any one who believes the Spirit only can make alive, that nothing but this Spirit is now wanted, to breathe life into this vast valley of dry bones. Look, then, dear brethren, at that which "letteth and will let," till God take it out of the way, and join with us in imploring the influence of the Holy Spirit. For not till this mighty fabric of the enemy shall fall, may we be called to lay down our armour, and participate with each other, and with those who shall be delivered from the bondage of idolatry, in the songs of triumph, and the joys of our common Lord. POSTSCRIPT.-Death of Rev. Wm. Hervey. While my paper was yet before me, and I was addressing you in the above remarks, and calling on you to pray for us, I have been called to lay aside the sheet, to witness the death of another of our missionaries. Our beloved Brother HERVEY, in the suddenness of a moment, has passed from his labour to his rest. He has gone, we trust, from a world of sin to a state of glory. He was taken ill on the evening of the 12th inst. At seven o'clock we were so alarmed as to send for a physician. He immediately came, and declared the disease to be spasmodic cholera. At nine o'clock he seemed past all human skill. The hand of death was upon him. He fell asleep in Jesus, about four o'clock on Sabbath morning, 13th of May, 1832. He suffered much pain during these few hours, said, "it is an awful thing to die"-exhorted us to "live near to God," -said he had been "an unprofitable servant," &c. His mind seemed fixed on Jesus and the resurrection. He was nearly deprived of the use of his speech almost as soon as attacked; hence we could only now and then catch a word which he uttered in a low whisper. Will not the church of Christ now inquire, What mean these mysterious dealings of God with the Bombay mission? Will they not now fall at the feet of Jesus, and cry mightily to the Lord, that he will cease to contend with us? Though "clouds and darkness are round about him," still we know that "justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne." God forbid that the dealings of Providence, which to us appear mysterious, should slacken the hands of the missionaries, or discourage the hearts of our friends at home. Though he slay us all, and raise up more worthy labourers to fill our places,-though he suffer the present generation of his people to pass away before they hear of the triumphant overthrow of Hindooism, and raise up a generation of Christians who shall bestow their goods more liberally, and pray more fervently, we most assuredly know God will give the heathen to his Son for an inheritance, and these uttermost parts of the earth for a possession. No |