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God is not truly preached, the separation has a sufficient motive, and can be no schism; and herein every man is bound to judge for his own soul, or go to Rome for an infallible guide.

P. 33. More buildings can hardly be needed till those already erected are filled. Look into them, and see if there be any want of room; but certainly there is an awful want of people; and why?-let the alarmist tell. If however the free church at Birmingham pays the ministers as well as the free church at Bath, the same objection lies nearly as to the aristocratical schism shops.

It is really extraordinary, and a mark of uncommon ignorance of the subject, to deplore the generally prevalent calamities of the Calvinistic doctrines in the Methodist Societies.-P. 36. When the great body, who almost exclusively assume the name of Methodism, is avowedly Arminian; and if those who pass under the denomination of Evangelical or Calvinistical Divines, set the pulpit and desk at variance with each other, they must be very presumptuous inen, for they constantly appeal to and produce the Articles, the Homilies, and the Liturgy in support of the doctrine and practice which they inculcate ; and hitherto, the more deeply and seriously the matter hath been examined, the more their adherents have increased. This is a matter of fact, avowed by the alarmist himself. Among those who drew up our formularies was the noble Cranmer, the particular friend and correspondent of Calvin. He held the Articles and Liturgy in the very sense this alarmist deprecates: he and his noble associates went to the stake for them, and sealed the truth of them with their blood. From that day, for 100 years, no other doctrine was per

mitted to be taught. We appeal to history and the triumphant evidence, which hath been produced from all our early reformers till the days of Laud. His Grace, however, may rest safely in his cathedral, and none to make him afraid. May his government of the church be marked with the candour and generous sentiments of the best of his predecessors!

Letters from the Dead to the Living, or Thoughts on the Separate States of departed Spirits. By L. J. Abing

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"YOUNG minds," says this auther, are attracted by the novel and marvellous; writers have availed themselves of this passion, and the press has teemed with fictious narrative and Gothic romance, professedly to promote the cause of Virtue; but to say no worse, producing dissipated minds, vain speculations, mad and extravagant ideas. In a measure, to counteract this baneful influence, is the design of this work; in which, while the passion for novelty is gratified, the mind may be allured to the study of the most im portant truths, and the awful realities of an unseen existence."

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SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

By

The Young Christian's Guide. C. Buck, 12mo, 3s extra boards. The Utility of Academical Institutions to the Church of Christ. By B. Cracknell, A. M. 8vo, Is. 6d.

An Affectionate Reception of the Gospel: Two Sermons, by G. Clayton, Svo, 25.

Future Punishment of Endless Duration: a Sermon, at the Monthly Meeting, by R. Winter, Is.

A new and much improved edition of Richards's Hints for Conversation with the Sick Poor, &c. with Prayers, &c. 8vo, Is.

Cottage Library, Part IX and X,, sach 6d.

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RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

1

ON Thursday evening, Jan. 8, 1807, Mr. Robert Morrison, Mr. William Gordon, and Mr. Richard Lee (who had been students at Gosport) were publicly set apart to the office of Christian Missionaries, at the Scots Church, Swallow Street. The service was introduced by Mr. Townsend, with prayer, reading the Scriptures, and exhortation. Several questions were proposed to each by Mr. Burder; and a profession of the great doctrines which they are to teach the Heathen was made by them. After which, solemn prayer was offered to God on their behalf by Mr. Waugh, accompanied by imposition of hands. Mr. Nicol then delivered to the Missionaries a serious and affectionate charge, grounded on Acts xx. 17-27; and Mr. Buck concluded by prayer.

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These young men are intended to labour in the East. Mr. Gordon and Mr. Lee are to join Messrs. Cran and Desgranges, at Vizigapatam, in India. Mr, Morrison goes to China, with a particular view to the translation of the sacred Scriptures into the language of that empire, for which he has long been prepar ing, with the assistance of a native of China. They expect to sail immediately in the Remittance, an American vessel, to New York, and from thence to the places of their destination.

BRITISH NAVY.

It is with peculiar pleasure we insert the following Extract of a Letter from the pious Chaplain of a Man of War, to a Gentleman at Gosport, intimating the power and grace of God manifested towards our brave Seamen:

"Off Cadiz, Nov. 26, 1806.

"My dear friend,

"A fleet for England found us in the night, and is just going away. I have only time to tell you that the work of God seems to prosper.

Many are under convictions;-some, I trust, are converted. I preach every night; and am obliged to have a private meeting afterwards with those who wish to speak about their souls. But my own health is suffering much, nor shall I probably be able long to bear it. The ship is like a tabernacle; and really there is much external reformation. Capt. - raises no objection. I have near 100 hearers every night at six o'clock. How unworthy am I ! Pray for us."

AMERICA.

A Letter from Peter Kluge, Missionary among the Delawares, on the River Wabash, to G. H. Loskiel, at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1806.

Dear Brother,

"SINCE my last, our situation here has become more precarious than ever;

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and indeed we have been in such per plexity and distress, that we have never before experienced any thing like it.

"In February last, all the Indians in this district were summoned by their teachers, or lying prophets, to assem ble on the Woapikamikunk, to hear the foolish stories, fabricated by these emissaries of Satan, of pretended visions and revelations received from God. Among these teachers was a Shawano, an arch-impostor. He was considered as the principal among them, as he gave out that he was able to discover hidden mysteries. The De laware tribe received him with great cordiality; and resolved to hold a grand council, to root out all witchcraft and poison-mixing (which, according to their superstitious notions, existed among them) and by fire to extort confession from all such as he should accuse; and whoever would not confess, should be hewn in pieces and burnt. With a view to execute their horrid purpose, the young Indians got together, chose the most ferocious to be their leaders, deposed all the old chiefs, and guarded the whole Indian assembly, as if they were prisoners of war. The venerable old chief Tette-. pachsit was the first whom they accused of possessing poison, and of having destroyed many Indians by his art, When the poor old man would not confess, they fastened him with cords to two posts, and began to roast him at a slow fire. During the torture, he said that he kept poison in the house of our

our Indian brother Joshua. Nothing was more welcome to the Indians than this accusation; for they wished to deprive us of the assistance of this man, who was the only Christian Indian residing with us. They had frequently sent him invitations to attend their Heathenish festivities; but he would never accept them. His answer was, “You know that I am a believer of the true God: I therefore can have no fellowship with you in your wicked works. Do you as you please, but leave me to serve the living God!" This answer displeased them much; and on March 13th, they sent seven wild Indians, with painted faces, to our settlement, and took Joshua away by main force. They pretended that he only need tell Tettepachsit to his face that he had no poison in his house, and might then return home. Joshua was compelled to accompany them to the assembly.

"On the 15th, the following account was brought: That when Joshua was presented to the old chief, old Tettepachsit frankly confessed, that he had accused him merely to pacify the enraged multitude, and to escape from the torture; for that Joshua well knew that he possessed no poison, and much less had hid it in Joshua's house, Joshua was now pronounced not guilty; yet they would not permit him to return; but insisted on his remaining with them till the Shawano should arrive. This son of Belial arrived on the same day; and all the Indians were ordered to sit down in a large circle, when he would declare who had poison in his possession. The two old chiefs were both accused of poison-mixing, and with the untimely death of many Indians. When the Shawano was asked about Joshua, he indeed declared that he had no poison; but that he was possessed of an evil spirit, by which he was enabled to destroy other Indians. This verdict was what they wished for; they now seized all these poor innocent people, and watched them strictly, as if condemned criminals.

"We knew nothing of these horrible events until the evening of the 16th; when a message was brought, that the savages had burnt an old woman alive, called Caritas, who was baptized by the Brethren in former times; and also that our poor Joshua was kept a close prisoner. Words are not able to express our horror and grief on hearing this account!

"On the 17th, our distress and fear concerning the fate of our poor Joshua rose still higher. We were stunned

with horror, when on that day we saw ten of the most savage Indians, with faces painted black, arrive in our settlement, conducting poor old Tette, pachsit. Soon after, these murderous wretches kindled a large fire close to our place; and having given the aged chief a blow on the head with a warhatchet, they threw him alive into the flames, and diverted themselves with the miserable cries and convulsions of the poor dying man.

"After this horrid murder, the savages came boldly into our house, boasted of their atrocious decd, and demanded bread and tobacco; which we were obliged to give them. We took courage to ask them, What would be the fate of Joshua? They immediately began to accuse him, saying, That there was good reason for detaining him a prisoner, for they well knew that he understood the Black Art, and could destroy the Indians. We endeavoured to convince them of the untruth of these assertious; but all in vain. Our defence of him displeased them; and they left our place in a riotous manner.

"As soon as we were alone, we all burst into loud weeping; and, falling on our knees before our Lord and Saviour, we cried for help and strength, and for resignation to his divine will. We commended ourselves and our poor Joshua to his protection, and our souls into his hands, that if he thought fit to permiş our brother and ourselves to become a prey to the fury of the savages, lie would support us by his almighty grace, that we might praise him, and remain faithful to him, even in torments and death.

"Now, though we had been informed that the savages suspected us, and all teachers of the believing Indians; yet we felt constrained to go to their assembly, and try what we could yet do for the preservation of Joshua, or at least give him comfort and advice, should we even suffer for it. But as my wife and children could not be left alone in so dreadful a situation, Brother Luckenbach took courage to go alone.

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ror took from us all power of speech and reflection; and we could do nothing but utter cries of lamentation and

woe.

"Some days after, we were informed that Joshua had spoken a great deal at the place where he was murdered, in a language not understood by the Indians; which led us to suppose that he had directed his prayers to the Lord in the German language. We likewise heard that his murderers had thrown him into a very large fire, to which they continually added more fuel; but finding that, after having been two bours in the flames, his body was only scorched, they grew more enraged, and kept up a terrible fire all night; by which the body was burnt to ashes in the morning. On the following days more Indians were accused, and shared the same fate.

"We do not doubt, dear Brethren, but you will sympathize with our most distressing situation. We spend our days in terror, by which our strength is impaired; nor do we know which way to turn. My poor wife is much to be pitied, as her mind has received such a shock, that she has no rest day nor night; and I am greatly alarmed for the consequences. We have, however, resolved to remain here till we receive an answer from you respecting our future proceedings: in hopes of which we commend ourselves to your compassion and love, and to the prayers of all our Brethren, that in this dangerous situation the Lord our Saviour would comfort and strengthen us, and grant to us his peace, even in the midst of tribulation."

QUEBEC.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Dick, Missionary at Quebec, dated Aug. 11, 1806.

I then

"Very little new has occurred since I last wrote to Edinburgh. I saw a man this week from Elizabeth Town; he is one of those who requested me last year to write home an account of their situation, and their desire to have the gospel among them. He was in Quebec last year, after I had written on that subject to Scotland. made particular enquiry of him, if they had any Bibles among them, or other religious books. He told me they had Bibles in general, and also some other religious books; but did not pay much regard to them. I asked him how they spent the Sabbath. He said those who had any thing like religion about them, staid at home and read the Scriptures;

while the rest spent it in walking in the fields, or sitting in their house talking about the world. As he appeared to be a man who knew something about religion, I proposed to him, that he should speak to a few of them, of whom he thought well, that might meet together on the Lord's Day, and join in praise, prayer, and reading God's word; and as they might not be forward at first in speaking to one another from the Scriptures, gave him Bur

der's Village Sermons to read. I gave him also a number of religious tracts to distribute among the people,

"When I saw him the other day, he told me, that when he went up last year, and told them that application was made for a preacher, and there was reason to expect they would be supplied, they were very glad of this information; but when he spake to them about meeting together on the Sabbath, for religious worship among themselves, they did not care for doing any thing of that kind. A few of them, however, began; and continued thro' the winter to meet on the Sabbath-day; they sang, prayed, and read the Scriptures aud one of the sermons every day. From twenty to twenty-four persons generally attended; but some, who appeared to be very religious, would take no part in it! particularly one man, whom I saw in Montreal, and who appeared to be very desirous of some preachers being sent up the country among them; for he thought it was not regular to meet for public worship without a clergyman. The man whom I saw this week, told me that Mr. E. in Montreal, has some thought of going up a few weeks in the summer, to itinerate along the St. Lawrence; and will stop some time at Elizabeth Town. I told him I had some expectations of a young man being out this fall; and although I supposed he would be intend ed more particularly for the Gaelic settlements, yet I thought it likely that he would come to Elizabeth Town, part of the winter at least.

"It grieves me very much to think of the backwardness of young men to leave the place of their birth, and carry the glad tidings of salvation to those who are in darkness and slavery. Some of them write me, that they have no objections to go abroad; but as they find plenty of work at home, many not converted to God, they do not think of leaving Scotland at present. But certainly, when the Lord said to his dise ciples, "Go and teach all nations," he did not intend that they should go to a nation and continue with it till the

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In the year 1793, one of our members, being a pensioner in the army, was obliged to go to the island of Bermuda. Having a son, about eight years old, he took him with him. For several years there was a law in the island similar to what took place in Jamaica, prohibiting all worship, but that in the established church. The mind of our brother, however, appeared to be kept alive towards God. At length a gentleman of the island, coming over to England, heard the word of God, and with such effect, that on returning to his former situation he could not forbear communicating it to his neighbours: not however in the character of a minister, but merely as the head of a family; in which he read, prayed, and expounded the Scriptures, morning and evening, no man forbidding him; and as many of his neighbours as chose attended.

The effect was, several individuals in the island appeared to be the subjects of a divine change; amongst whom was the son of our own brother B--D. About a year and a half ago he obtain ed permission to return to England; and he and his son had both actually embarked, when in a few days he died. The young man is now walking with us in the fellowship of the gospel; but leaving behind him several persons who were like-minded with himself, they agreed to keep up a correspondence. The following is an extract from their first letter, written about last June or July. It is signed by five young mea:

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but he has lately left the island; and the meeting has dwindled away. Thus we are left destitute of the means; but it is the Lord who hath orde red it. We have been hitherto supported thro every trial; and though left in a dry land, we have no doubt but that the Lord will refresh us in his own time by the sending of his servants amongst us; and that meanwhile he will bless our perseverance in his ways.

They

"About a month after your departure, a number of young men seemed to be concerned about their salvation; and we rejoiced in it, being greatly in hopes that the Lord was about to enlarge his church amongst us. flocked round Mr. -'s house every evening, acknowledged to us the impropriety of their former conduct, and seemed desirous of knowing the Lord Jesus with all humility. But alas? they are gone back to their own ways! By this we learn, that the Lord's ways are not as ours, nor his thoughts as our thoughts. This was a lesson to us to search ourselves, lest we also should be found deceiving ourselves. It shewed us how humble and watchful we ought to be during our passage through the dark valley of affliction and temptation. Thus far, however, we are brought safe. God grant we may con

tinue so to the end!

"The blacks among us remain as heretofore, unconcerned about Christ, excepting one of the name of H. Fr. Perhaps you recollect her. She was a poor woman, confined to her bed by a sore leg, and destitute of necessaries to support her. Her acquaintances persuaded her to send for our dear friend, Mr. He talked to

her on the necessity of her soul being restored to health as well as her body; and, by the Lord's mercy, she was soon enabled to speak of the great things which he had done for her. She is now very poor and low in body: but all her faculties are alive for her Love, as she calls the Saviour. Jesus seems

to be her constant theme, and the staf which supports her. Old T. II after all his protestations to you and us, and all his talk against drunkenness, is carried away by it. Hence we learn, that when man trusts to his own sincerity and sincere endeavours, he will sooner or later find he has been deluded.

"The shelter which a self-righteous, self-sufficient religion affords to men,

* There are negroes in this island; but none are allowed to be imported. The consequence is, they are treated with much more humanity than in some of the West India Islands.

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