TO ELIZABETH C. W

Sick and in a dark room.

Casterton Hall, Westmoreland,}

June 1st, 1828.

"Friday, June 13th.-Set out from Kirkby Lonsdale, to attend, at the desire of the officers of the Church Missionary Society, sundry meetings of auxiliary societies in various places. The plan was arranged previous to my leaving London. I consented to it, not merely because I desired to be doing good, but because I feel that riding is calculated to restore my health: and addressing a public meeting each day or two, a few minutes, can do me no harm. I bless God for these privileges.

"Sunday, June 15th, was spent in the city of York, where one of the Secretaries of the Church Missionary Society, and another clergyman from the neighbourhood of London, preached for the promotion of the objects of the Society. Ninety pounds collected at four Churches.

"York has twenty-three Churches, besides the Minster. The Minster has an imposing appearance, which belongs to none of the other buildings I have yet seen. The whole

of the interior, almost, being beheld at one view, causes an overwhelming effect. 'Tis simple grandeur.

"The Churches are extremely antique in their appearance. Two hundred years is considered a very modern date-several are five or six hundred years old. They are so many immense mouldering sepulchres. So many associations of past times are united with them. Monuments of great age, with here and there an effigy in stone, tell of the lords, knights, &c., known in days long since departed. "I saw the exterior of the cabinet which was Charles

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First's private study during his troubles. It is attached to the remains of the palace of that day. Ruins of the days of Constantine are here. The tower, which they still call Constantine's mint: St. Helen's Church, and St. Helen's square: Roman walls: Roman brick, &c. A mound is near the city, which is in memory of the Emperor Severus. Coffins of stone; urns containing ashes of the dead; altars, and other Roman remains, are frequently discovered. A stone wall in good preservation surrounds the city still; the old gates of stone still stand, as originally erected, or rebuilt. 'Tis a city of most interesting recollections. Rome, and Britain; the Saxon, Dane, and Scot; Cromwell and Charles-all the past, for two thousand years, have here a monument. What a lesson concerning the vanity of earth. The tomb of men of mighty name-the tomb of empires! Christ's Kingdom flourishes for ever. privilege to be an humble servant of such an empire as that of Jesus!

What a

"Clifford's tower, built by William Rufus, still remains: ancient indeed in appearance, and remarkable for the death of several hundred Jews: who being oppressed, and closely besieged in that tower, put each other to death, till the last man slew himself. The proof of Popish days being barbarous, certainly is striking. Those of our ancestors who besieged the Jews were Roman Catholics. May our activity for the good of the Jews, prove that we have read that Bible which Protestantism circulates.

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Monday, 16th June.—I have the comfort of sojourning in the family of a gentleman and lady, much engaged in promoting the cause of the Church Missionary Society. The lady is president of one of the associations. This morning, the gentlemen's Committee, together with a few ladies, breakfasted in one of the large rooms of this mansion: and again, at twelve o'clock, a meeting was held in another room, consisting of the ladies who are collectors. This assem

blage reminded me much of a Bible-class meeting. In the afternoon went to Todcaster, distant nine miles, in a postchaise, with the Secretary of the Church Missionary Society. After taking tea at the Vicarage, attended the meeting of the Todcaster Association. The meeting was made more delightful by the presence of a school, consisting of a large assemblage of young persons. This school of young ladies is in the habit of annually devoting a considerable sum for the purposes of this society. Indeed is it gladdening to see the young engaging in such a work.

"After the meeting, had a pleasant ride to York, during which enjoyed some profitable converse with Christian brethren. Our theme was, in part, the religious instruction of youth and oh, that all felt that theme.

"Tuesday, 17th June.-Attended, with the Secretary, a fine school of sixty boys, which, in seven years past, has sent fifty pounds to the society. I cannot but hail such efforts with delight. May God graciously bless all the rising generation. I beseech him to put it into the souls of his people to attend more to the evangelizing of the young. They must be attended to more, to attain the conversion of the world. This is the mighty theme.

"Tuesday, 17th June. Church Missionary Association at York held a meeting at eleven o'clock-the patriarch of the place, the aged Mr. G., presiding. In York, are ten or twelve active clergymen-a large proportion. A second meeting was held in the evening. The collections, on Sunday and to-day, one hundred and sixty-four pounds. Parted with my very warm-hearted and truly affectionate friends here with gratitude. I am truly thankful both to God and to them. During my visit, I learned that Dr. Pilmore, my predecessor, left York for America, when he last removed from England. A person with whom he dined on the day of his leaving, called on me. He knew him well. A man who knew his parents also, came to see me.

The Rector of the parish where Dr. P. was born, is to search the Register, and send me the account of his bap tism. I find his occupation, when young, was that of farming, on the place of a Mr. Ellerby.

"In the morning of Wednesday, 18th June, started in a post-chaise, along with the Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, and enjoyed a pleasant ride to Ripon, twenty-six miles. There went to the house of Rev. Mr. Kelrington, who has erected in Ripon, a large beautiful church. The only church beside this, was built centuries ago; is called a minster, and indeed has all the appearance of a cathedral: a massy ancient pile, like the old churches generally, of gray stone. The organization of a new Church Missionary Society, auxiliary to the Parent Society here, took place. Several faithful ministers took part in the exercises. I find more and more reason to be thankful for the vast improvement taking place in the Church of England. Spiritual, praying, devoted men, are found every where. All speak of the change, but yet many, vastly too many, are dead weights on the Church. True men form but a minority. The Lord increase their number.

"At Mr. K.'s is the widow Pooley, late Miss Unwin, daughter of Cowper's Mary. She has advanced to more than eighty years: is spending her days beneath Mr. K.'s roof, and communicates some information concerning the poet Cowper.

"Morning of Thursday, 19th, we mounted a coach and rode to Harrowgate, the famous watering place: passed a sulphur-spring-breakfasted with a pleasing clergymanthen took a chaise and started across the moors to towns in other parts of Yorkshire. Sixteen miles from Harrowgate is Bolton Abbey. The river winding through the valethe ruins the lovely carpet of verdure, the woods and hilly banks, with a beautiful cascade, &c., cause the visit

to the Abbey to interest in a high degree. I passed, when going to York last Friday, the ruins of Kirksdale, an Abbey exceedingly beautiful as a ruin. "Tis in a rich vale, covered either with ivy or overshadowing trees; and as the declining sun threw its rays over it, it was highly picturesque. Five miles from Bolton, we found Skipton, at which an association was formed. From S., we travelled that evening to Keighly, in company with the excellent clergyman of K., with whom, and his amiable wife, I passed the time most agreeably, until Monday, June 23d.

"June 23d.-Having experienced the gracious hand of the Lord to very great extent of blessing, in body and in soul, at Keighly, it is both duty and delight to praise him. I feel much as Cowper felt, when released from disease for my strength seems returning to me, and my mind experiences relief in consequence. True,

"Sickness and death may both agree,

To bring me Lord at last to thee;'

"Still, the feelings of a husband and parent find gratification in return of health; as it gives a promise that my children may not be so soon orphans, nor my wife a mourner. The good Lord reigneth.

"My Christian friend at K. was every thing I could desire for courteous hospitality-the rural character of his residence extremely healthful. The situation of the house, on a high hill, surrounded with shrubbery, a garden and fields, with vales and hills spreading a fine landscape around, is truly pleasant. Left K. with my kind host and his partner, Monday 23d, and proceeded over the moors to Halifax, another place remarkable for manufactures. There staid with a family living in the midst of a beauti ful garden and field adjoining the place. H. is not a compact place, but scattered o'er considerable surface. One of the hills near, along with my Gaius at H., I ascended.