tion shall be cut off. The era is rapidly approaching, when Zion shall arise from the dust, and lay aside her mourning, and put on her beautiful garments, and sit as a queen, and see no sorrow. The Branch of the Lord shall yet be beautiful and glorious, and this world, so long the habitation of cruelty, the principality of Satan, the abode of every unclean and every hateful spirit, the very suburb and counterpart of hell, shall realize scenes, which heaven itself shall contemplate with complacency.

We insert these extracts the more at length, in order to show that though our author thus overlooked in his lecture on the Duty of Believers, our great religious Societies, he is yet alive to the value and the importance of missionary exertions.

The Eighth Lecture on Heaven is most consoling and interesting, but we can only find room for the following extract.

Though in heaven the joy of all will be full, yet there will likely be degrees of glory. For, first, there are degrees of misery in hell. Some shall receive greater damnation; be accounted worthy of sorer punishment than others. That servant who knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. By analogy, then, we may conclude that, in heaven, some will be more honoured than others.

Again, there are degrees of glory in the church below; some saints excelling others in virtue: therefore we infer, that, in the church above, (the same in character, and one kingdom with this,) there will obtain a similar diversity of degrees. In the ark, the type of heaven, there were several compartments, and so our Saviour affirmed, "In my Father's house are many mansions." Once more; there are different ranks and orders among the holy angels, cherubim, seraphim, thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. we read of one, whose peculiar privilege it is to stand in God's immediate presence. A correspondent gradation shall doubtless subsist among those, who "shall be as the angels." Some shall sit on Emmanuel's right hand; others on his left. The elders shall occupy seats round about the throne; while others of the redeemed, marshalled in widening circles behind these, orb within orb,' shall render to their king their willing homage. Every

And

individual shall have his proper place and province; none interfering with another. In the universal choir, each maintains his allotted part: while the whole economy of that happy commonwealth, is conducted with the utmost harmony and order. "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace."

Finally; it seems altogether consistent with the divine justice and the fitness of things, that those who have been distin. guished by zeal, service, experience, suffering, and faithfulness in the cause of God on earth, shall be raised to stations of distinguished honour and respect in heaven. Accordingly; we read, that "he shall reward every one according to his works;" that in proportion to their diligence in improving the trusts committed to them here, some shall be rulers over few, and some over many things. All indeed shall enter into the joy of their Lord; all shall participate in his pleasures; but while they that were wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, those that turned many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars, for ever and ever. And even among these, one star shall differ from another star in glory. An apostle shall wear a brighter crown than a common minister; a martyr than an ordinary Christian. The aged saint, too, who bore the burden and heat of the day, shall probably be accounted worthy of more honour, than the child, who died in infancy. The cups of all will be full, but some shall be more capacious than others. Their previous stages of sanctity, though not the procuring cause, shall yet be the measure, of their future felicity.

Rest not satisfied, then, Christian! with low attainments in grace and knowledge. You have no grace whatever, if you do not desire more. He loves not Christ at all, who labours not after a perfect conformity to him. If the living water be in the heart, it will be ever rising toward its fountain. Evince, then, your conversion, by coveting earnestly the best gifts, by spiritual-mindedness." Set your affections on things above" "Desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness. for they shall be filled." Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. So shall an entrance be ministered unto you abun dantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

JANUARY 1838.

THIS valuable institution is silently yet steadily carrying on its benevolent operations; many overlook its services, yet the more they are examined the more beneficial they appear. We have just received its twenty-fifth report, to which an eloquent sermon by the Rev. Hugh Stowell is prefixed. The following statements will we doubt not prove generally interesting.

When the question, Have you prayers on board your ship? was put to a captain whose vessel was then in the lower Pool, he replied, Yes, every evening, weather permitting. He said that formerly he had great difficulties in this respect, but he had overcome them; that some of his men formerly did not like the Homilies, and the reason was, 'because of the plain language, which touched them to the quick;' but now, he added, the men are regular in assembling together for prayers and reading; and they frequently wait for me in the cabin, when I am not there in time. Not an oath is heard on board the ship. When the Society's agent went on board a ship, the mate remarked, that he had lost both his Testament and Prayer-book in a storm at sea; that he was one of three sailors who were washed over-board, two of whom were drowned. In speaking of his own marvellous escape from a watery grave, he said, "When I arose on the surface of the waters, and had recovered my senses, I was on the top of a high mountain-wave, and saw my ship many yards distant from me, in the vale of the sea; but, by the kind hand of Divine Providence, who ruleth even the waves of the troubled ocean, as the ship rose by the continued swelling of the sea, and sunk again, the next surge that broke over her, and again swept her decks, conveyed me to the vessel, casting me into her rigging; by which good providence my life was spared, to tell of the wonders of the grace of God, and to shew forth His praise.' He was truly grateful for the visit paid to his ship, and for a fresh supply of books.

The friends of true religion will rejoice to hear that the leading truths of Christianity-the principles of Protestantism-are finding their way into France, through the circulation by this Society of the Formularies of the Church of England. The harbour of Ramsgate is frequented by French fishing-vessels, and your agent has been actively employed amongst the crews of those vessels, as well as those of other foreign nations. The progressive success he has been favoured with illustrates the remark, that an acquaintance with this Society's operations produces a sense of its value, and a desire also for the possession of the Sacred Scriptures. He writes at first thus: Hitherto I have been very unsuccessful among the French fishing-vessels: they will not buy a Testament of me at any price: the First Homily (' on the Reading and Knowledge of Holy Scripture') might be beneficial to them.' Afterwards he says: 'I find your Society a great assistance to the Naval and Military Bible Society, as, a few days after giving a Selection of Homilies, I have been sought out and asked for a Bible or Testament. The French books are well received. When I gave one to the captain of a Calais boat, his crew (fourteen men) surrounded him, and asked what it was about. When he replied that it was about the church, and the Lord Jesus Christ,' they all begged for one. Though I could not, of course, give to each, I was much pleased with the request.''As you did not expect great willingness on the part of the French to receive the Homilies, I will relate to you their observations on my giving them. On offering a selection to the crew of a vessel, one of the men asked, with some contempt in his manner, Are they for the Catholics?' I answered, 'They are for all men:' on which the rest of the crew (eleven men) unanimously exclaimed, 'Very good, very good; for all men.' This has occurred twice.' I find the Frenchmen evince great anxiety to possess the blue book,' as they call that which

contains part of the Liturgy. When, on their asking me for books, I give them tracts, they receive them thankfully, but expres a wish for theblue book.' For the last four months I have been endeavouring to sell them Testaments, but without success: finding, however, that they are fond of reading I have lately renewed my offer of the book. Yesterday I attempted to sell one at six-pence (half the reduced price); I was offered three-pence: I could not sell it at that priee. The Frenchman said, 'Give me a blue book too, and I will give you the six-pence.' A little boy offered me two sous for the blue book: I said, I had no more. Two or three boys felt my pockets, before they were satisfied.'

Yesterday three boys came to my house, and asked for the Homilies, and Tracts: they said they wanted them for their mothers and sisters in France: one said his father had read him one, which I had given him, and there was a very good prayer in it. The Tract Society has granted me some French Tracts, which I give with the Homilies. The Secretary here tells me they have had difficulty in getting the French to receive tracts: from their anxiety to obtain them now, I suppose the Homilies have prepared their minds to receive them. I think I had a proof of this to-day: I distributed ninety tracts amongst the crews of four boats which I had previously supplied with Homilies: they were received with great eagerness. Another boat, which had lately come into the harbour, and which had not yet received the Homilies, would accept nothing from me.' 'A captain of a vessel trading to France asked me for some tracts, saying that he had a French wife, whose priests were continually attempting to convert him. I gave him some Homilies; and the next day he said, 'They were the very things he wanted; they would strengthen him; and the priests should read them.' I replied, They would throw them into the fire.' 'No, no,' said he; they are books too good for that.' terday I was accosted by a French boy, who asked me for the little books, as they call the Homilies. I inquired what he did with them? he answered,At Boulogne every

Yes

body (tout le monde) ask me for them.' The French boats visit us every week, and ask for books every voyage, for their friends and families. I have no more to give them, and only wish it was in my power to buy up all your stock. When I give them the 'blue book,' they often say, 'Quel beau livre!''

The Report then speaks with reference to Ireland.

The situation of our sister island, to which the attention of the Prayerbook and Homily Society has been so constantly directed, daily becomes more painfully interesting. The sufferings of a country so closely connected with our own, cannot but claim our sympathies, and call forth our energies. Protestant Ireland claims our support, because she bravely resists the attacks of her enemies, who press upon, and hem her in on all sides. She demands our aid, because her cause is our cause; she is placed in the forefront of the battle waged against all that is venerable, all that is enlightened, all that is holy. The tide of infidelity, popery, and anarchy, sets in strongly upon that interesting country. Ireland is the break-water that resists the flood-tide of aggression: if she be swept away by the storm that beats upon her, the wave breaks next on the shores of England. Ireland stands foremost in the conflict; and desperate is the assault that is made upon her: should she be overwhelmed and crushed-for driven from her post she cannot be -the storm of battle pours its fury upon England's institutions. Selfinterest, then, as well as the feeling of sympathy, calls us to her rescue. The magnitude of the wants of Ireland will be at once perceived by a reference to a very few of the applications which have been received during the past year, and to none of which has your Committee dared, had they felt so disposed, to turn a deaf ear.

A clergyman writes: "I am very anxious to furnish my poor parishioners with Prayer-books. Of such sort are many here; quite unable to lay out the smallest sum on any thing beyond the plainest necessaries of life. The great interest and generosity manifested by the English nation towards the Irish branch of the Established Church, both

clergy and laity, encourages me to hope from your Society a grant of Prayer-books, as ample as your rules will admit. You may depend upon my assurance that they shall

re

be given only where payment cannot be made. And if to this mote region you extend this liberality, you will greatly advance the best interests of your church.'

WE have only recently been favoured with the Twenty-ninth Report of this Institution, which intimates that during the past year, a decided advancement has been made towards the great object of promoting Christianity among the Jews. The contributions have amounted to £14,530. The copies of the Old and New Testaments together with Pentateuchs, Psalters, &c. which have been issued from the depository amount to 13,249. Many of these have been sold among the Jews by different agents of the Society, and the complaint from almost every quarter is, that sufficient copies have not been forwarded to meet the existing demand. The following extracts are deserving of serious attention:

Of the effects produced on the Jews, Mr. Bergfeldt writes as follows:

The real results are of course only known to Him who beholds the secrets of the heart, but I am confident that I have not laboured in vain. Many hundreds heard the gospel way of salvation stated to them, and not a few for the first time in their lives. Some seemed amazed and struck by it, others gladly consented to it, and on the whole there was a readiness to receive, and in some cases an eagerness to obtain, the New Testament, such as I have never witnessed before. And even the enmity against the gospel and its ministers which now and then manifest itself, is still such as clearly to demonstrate that they are not able to overturn his arguments. How often have they confessed to me If we go by the scriptures alone, then you are right; but if we take the Talmudical writings in connexion with them, then we are right.' But even these fortifications begin to totter seriously. According to them the ultimate date of the coming of the Messiah is expired within three years; and many eyes and hearts are now directed towards

that last period. If then their hopes and expectations should not be realized, they confess that they shall be obliged to give up their hope. Yea, their hope and trust in men and human writings they shall indeed be obliged to give up, but not their hope in the real and true Messiah-the Lord our Righteousness.'

A regular Hebrew, service commenced in February last, at the Jewish chapel, Bethnal Green, and also at St. Saviour's chapel, Liverpool; the appearances on these occasions are of a very encouraging character. Several Jews have also been baptized at London, Liverpool, &c.

The communications from the Foreign missionaries are highly interesting, and evince a very considerable increase of attention among the Jews, though at the same time, the Rabbis, &c. are using every means in their power to prevent their people from reading the New Testament, Tracts, &c. There appear some difficulties in the way of the erection of a church at Jerusalem, but which it is expected will before long be obviated.

The opening of a Mission House in the city of London, appears deserving of especial attention.

The house was opened in August, and was arranged that Mr. A. Saul, a converted Israelite, who has been for years a consistent Christian, and has filled the office of clerk at the chapel, and who has been appointed by your Committee as a Tract distributor in London, should take charge of the depôt of Books and Tracts, and be in attendance every day, to distribute Tracts, and converse with or read the scriptures to those Jews who might call, and that your missionaries, the Rev. M. S. Alexander, and the Rev. J. C. Reichardt, should from time to time as their other engagements with the Society would permit them, visit the house to direct the proceedings

there, and enter more fully into conversation with such Jews, as might be disposed to inquire into the nature and evidences of Christianity. In entering upon this work, it was hoped, that under the blessing of God, it might prove a great benefit to many of the house of Israel, and that the convenient situation in the heart of the Jews, might be the means of bringing a larger number of them in contact with your agents; and your Committee rejoice to be able to say from the experience they have had, that their hopes have been fully realized. A large number of tracts in Hebrew, German, and English, and some Scriptures, have been circulated from the depôt, in the immediate neighbourhood, and among the Jews at a remoter distance. The Old Paths' in particular have been in great demand, and of them 10,000 copies of single numbers have been disposed of. The distribution of tracts, and the Hebrew books put in the windows, were a sufficient means to call the attention of the Jews to the house in New Street, and from the time it was opened, hardly a day has elapsed without some member of the house of Israel calling for tracts or for conversation on religious subjects. Sometimes many came at once, and would listen for hours when the doctrines of Christianity were explained, or evidences from Seripture adduced to prove that the Messiah is come, and that Jesus of Nazareth is the true Messiah. The result of all this has been, that to many the gospel has been preached, who had never heard it before; that the prejudices of some have been removed or checked, as in others their infidel notions; that baptized Jews who had for some time been lost, again came forth and were comforted and strengthened; and that some Israelites were led to feel convinced of the truth of Christianity, and to apply for further instruction and baptism. Among the latter was a young man, who was received into the Operative Jewish Converts' Institution, and not only confessed the Lord Jesus in baptism, but died triumphantly and happy in the Christian faith.'

The following account of a departed Jew will be found interesting:

Edward Davies, an only child, was born of Jewish parents, in Hamburgh, about the year 1817, and chiefly brought up in that city. He was apprenticed to a trade, but an unsettled disposition induced him to leave it, and after his father's death he became still more unsteady, so that his mother and relatives, some of whom are very respectable, entertained serious apprehensions about him. He was by them considered a wild, unreflecting youth, and, because he would not take advice, was left to himself. In the midst of all this the good providence of God directed his steps to the Society's Missionaries in Hamburgh, and by them the first good seed was sown in his heart. Afterwards, he came over to England, and having wandered about the country for some time, seeking a livelihood by trading, he recalled to bis mind the truths he had heard in Hamburgh, and applied for further Christian instruction and admission into the Operative Jewish Converts' Institution in London, fully determined from henceforth no longer to resist the admonitions of his conscience, but to become altogether a different character. His admission into the Institution took place in September, 1836, and, from his whole conduct, it soon became evident that he was sincere in his intentions, and that the grace of God was doing its work in his heart. He studied his Bible with all diligence and attention, learned his catechism, with some hundred scriptural texts, carefully by heart, and was very regular in his attendance at the family prayer, and divine service, at the Jews' Chapel. The regular use of the means of grace, and the teaching of the Holy Spirit accompanying it, soon produced its natural effects on his whole life. He became gentle in his manners, affectionate in his intercourse with his brethren, devoted and cheerful in the discharge of his duties, and fervent in his prayers. When the regular course of instruction was finished, he expressed much anxiety to be baptized, and he was accordingly admitted into the Christian Church, at the Episcopal Jews' Chapel, on Christmas-day evening, by the Rev. J. B. Cartwright, in the presence of a large congregation,