During the earlier part of Mr. Howell's ministry, he was often in very straitened circumstances, and through his great kindness to others, often unable to make his small means sufficient to supply his actual wants. On one occasion, he was relieved in a most providential manner. He had gone to bed on Satur. day, without a meal; on the Lord's day he preached and read prayers twice, and again retired, fasting and exhausted, to bed. In the morning he knew not what he should do; when a knock at the door announced a stranger, who spoke as follows, “Sir, you yesterday, fed my soul with the bread of life; I have heard you are not rich, will you allow me to have the privilege of contributing to your bodily comforts?" He then put a bank note into the hands of Mr. Howell, and left him to admire the goodness and kindness of the Lord. Whatever injury you may have done to others, give yourselves no rest, till as far as in you lies, you have made reparation. Wesley tells us of a man who though he had £200 a year, lived every week upon vegetables and water for some time, that he might pay the debts he had contracted before he was converted. A good man, in humble life, who lived some distance from the sanctuary, used to find great delight, in his Sabbath day's journies. At particular places, in going and returning, he used to stop and renew his strength; and these solitary spots were often blessed to him, by light and power from on high, while he engaged in meditation and prayer. It was an advice which he gave to his children, that when they read any of the promises of God, they should put up an ejaculation of this kind: "Lord, seal this gracious word on my heart, and let this be my privilege." Such was his own exercise with regard to the promises of peace and hope in death. When near death he said, "many a fatiguing journey have I taken, many an arduous struggle have I had; but the severest conflict is yet abiding me, my most momentous journey is yet to take; but the Lord is the glory of my strength, he will be my guide to death, and through it, and by him I shall be more than a conqueror.-Belfrage. MADAGASCAR. Notwithstanding the difficulties we have had to encounter with our Press in Madagascar, we printed an edition of 1500 of the Gospel of Luke in 1828; and in March 1830, we completed an edition of 3000 of the whole New Testament; and during its progress through the press, we printed, separately, editions of Mark, 700 copies; of John, 1000 copies; of Galations, with the Decalogue, 1000 copies; of Ephesians, 1000 copies of Genesis and Exodus, to the 20th chapter inclusive, 1000. After this we printed the Old Testament, to the First Book of Samuel, 750 copies, and 50 copies extra for separate distribution; and the Book of Psalms was finished to the 115th Psalm, 3000 copies. We put in circulation the whole of the complete portions of Scripture above named, and about 2000 copies of the New Testament. All these portions of the Holy Scriptures are very highly valued indeed by the native Christians; and the demand for them was so great, that the Rev. Mr. Freeman calculated that not more than one in twenty, who petitioned us for Testaments, was able to obtain a copy. The Testament is, however, to be found in almost every village in the interior, and at most of the military posts round the whole country. The great anxiety manifested by many hundreds of the natives towards Christianity in 1830, and subsequently, was, in a very great degree, the effect of the distribution of the Holy Scriptures.. They were surprised at its contents; a spirit of inquiry was aroused; many crowded round our houses daily, carrying their Testaments, with passages turned down, that they wished us to explain. The populace were then awakened to inquiry; and many learned to read from their personal friends, or from scholars, in order that they might read the Testament. Familyprayer was then commenced by the natives, and the Testament read by their own fire-side; Prayer-meetings were established, ten in the town, and others out of it; and the Testament was read in nearly a hundred schools, extending eighty miles round the capital, which is the Mission station. Many facts might be named, illustrating the sincere affection of the natives to the word of God. I will specify two: I went one day into an ostler's house, who was a poor man, and dwelt in a house very much inferior to his master's horsestable. I found neither chair nor table, nor any other furniture or property, except the earthen-pot for cooking rice, and the native plates. But I observed a strong wooden box, with a lock; and on inquiring what was in it, the ostler opened it, and shewed me his Testament; thus preserved, to keep it from the rats, and from being stolen by any unprincipled scholar: and this I afterwards found to be a very common case. The natives value it as their highest treasure. When the natives went to the wars, to a distance of perhaps 500 miles, in 1830, and subsequently, not less than fifty "Be lievers," as they were scornfully termed, carried their Testaments; and, by means of them, were enabled to keep up prayer and other meetings, by which many were brought to a knowledge of the truth; and many hundreds (perhaps thousands) were brought to a general knowledge of Christianity. The Brethren, as well as the natives of Madagascar, are auxious to obtain a new and smaller edition of the New Testament. It is desired to exchange a copy of the new edition for one of the old, with all who might wish to exchange; and then distribute the old edition amongst the scholars, teachers, and others, who will not want to carry them about. At present, all the scholars who have been in the schools previous to August, 1832, have been dismissed, on proof being given of their knowledge of reading and writing: they, with others previously dismissed, amount to ten or fifteen thousand, and are all anxious to possess themselves of any thing printed; as they are liable to be again taken into the schools, if they forget their learning; and many of them are sincerely anxious to obtain a knowledge of divine truth. About 6000 new scholars have been put into the school; and very many voluntary learners learn to read in their own houses, and at the Prayer-meeting of the native believers. PARTICULARS OF BISHOP DAVENANT. In bidding farewell to his old College servant, one John Rolfe, with his usual humility and piety he desired him to pray for him. Rolfe modestly replied that he rather needed his Lordship's prayers. "Yea, John, (said he) and I need thine too; being now to enter into a calling wherein I shall meet with many and great temptations." Being once summoned to attend the king at Newmarket, he refused to travel on the Lord's Day. On arriving a day later than required, he gave the simple cause. King James, much to his credit, gave him a cordial welcome, not only accepting his excuse, but also commending his conduct. His death is said to have been hastened at the age of 71, by his melancholy forebodings, as to the sad prospects of the nation. A FEW HINTS ON READING THE BIBLE. Read the Word under the influences of the Spirit: read it with self-application; read it as if you had never read it before. Hope, and expect to find new beauties in it, and fresh power attend it. After you have read a portion of it, ask yourself what graces are here enforced, what duties recommended, what sins condemned? Trusting in the Lord is mentioned in the book of Psalms fifty-four times. L. R. C. LETTER TO A YOUNG FRIEND ON CHRISTIAN WATCHFULNESS. "Watch unto prayer." "Ye shine as lights in the world." "So let our lips and lives express MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND,-It has given me great pleasure to witness your steady and persevering attendance upon the means of grace, and to know also that you have received a blessing to your soul, in thus seeking in God's appointed way. It is a great privilege, my young friend, to have been drawn to the Saviour at this period of your life. Oh! may the dedication of yourself to his service, never be forgotten by you; and as you grow in years, may your light shine to all around, and thus prove, by your holy conversation and godliness, that you were really sincere in the profession you have recently made of your attachment to the Lord Jesus, and devotedness to his service. I send you a very important though small treatise, entitled "The Christian's Directory," which I most particularly recommend you frequently to read; it is written by an old author, and is distinguished by that solemn and spiritual fervour which often is found in similar writings. The various particulars are well worth the careful perusal of all who wish to walk uprightly and closely with the Lord; it is impossible for our light to shine in our daily calling, unless we walk with God and seek fervently the Spirit of Christ. We shall meet with a great many things in the journey of life, that will ruffle our peace, and disturb our minds; and these things will tempt us to manifest our own spirits, and our tempers will be contrary to the Spirit of Christ, unless we live near the throne of grace, and exercise daily and hourly watchfulness over ourselves. And how painful will it be for the way of truth to be evil spoken of by your want of spirituality and watchfulness. You now, my young friend, have probably professed to be entirely devoted to the Lord, and you invited by that act the scrutiny of friends and enemies. You in effect said to all around, “I am a Christian; from henceforth you are to expect from me conduct consistent with that holy name. I am no more of the world, I am dead to its pleasures and vanities. I am on the Lord's side, and you may now expect me to exert every power and faculty in promoting his cause." Now these are the declarations your public profession has made to your family, the world, and the church of God; and let it be your daily concern to prove that it was the love of Christ moved you thus to devote yourself to him; let it be seen by your consistency in the family, your deadness to the world, and your diligent improvement of the talents committed to your charge, that you bring forth the fruits of holiness, that you mind heavenly things, and that it is your meat and drink to be a follower of the Redeemer, who went about doing good. In these active duties and holy fruits and tempers, may your life be spent; and may the union now formed with the church of Christ on earth, be permanent until death shall introduce you into the church triumphant, to meet with the redeemed, in ascribing all the glory of your salvation, "to him who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever." These, my Christian friend, are my desires for you; and I hope that your peace will abound; and that you will be favoured with an assurance of your interest in the Saviour's love. Do not be contented with what you have as yet felt; but be pressing on to know more and to feel more, and aim to have the Holy Spirit bearing witness with your spirit that you are born of God. This has been the favoured enjoyment of many, I wish it were of more; but it is only by watchfulness, and selfdenial, connected with fervent, persevering prayer, that this is to be obtained. A valuable blessing should be fervently sought; the more valuable in its nature, the more pains is it worth taking to aim to secure it; it is so we judge in earthly things, and surely it is so in spiritual things. We read that the two disciples when they wished the Saviour to abide with them, were in earnest; they constrained him, it is said, saying, "abide with us;" and they gained the blessing they desired. Let this be your conduct: pray that the Lord Jesus may be with your spirit ; pray that the Holy Spirit may dwell in you, as in his temple; pray that his holy influences may be so felt by you, that holiness may be all your desire; that sin, in every form of temptation, worldlymindedness, and indifference, may be the object of your hatred; and that you may seek to be holy even as your Father is holy, who has said, "be ye holy, for I am holy." Oh! my dear young friend, be concerned that your grace should be in constant exercise, so that God may be glorified. |