No human beings ever lived
There by that silent shore-
No living voice it's echoes woke,
Saving the panther's roar;

Or, when the stalwart Indian

Met on the battle shock,

Utter'd the dread war-whoop, and threw
The deadly tomahawk!

Bright wild flowers grew abundantly,
Most curious fruits were there,
And many odorous plants diffused
A perfume rich and rare.

All wore a wild and savage look,
Far as the eye could scan,
And yet it seem'd as fitted well

For the abode of man.

The azure sky all cloudless beam'd
Benignantly o'er head,
While the departing orb of day
Tinged it with deepest red.

Then, from the shore, there might be seen
In the horizon rise,

A looming object, which look'd like
A dark speck in the skies.

Larger and larger grew the speck;
Nearer it's form uprear'd,
Until at length above the waves
A goodly ship appear'd.

Nearer and nearer came the craft,
Steering her easy way,
Until she safely anchored
Secure within the bay.

A little boat then left her side,
Fill'd with a hardy band;

The shore was speedy gain'd, and all
Leap'd out upon the strand.

They in a circle stood, and soon
The echoing wild wood rung,
As each with joyful heart and voice
A grateful anthem sung.
Why came they thus mysteriously
To such a savage shore?
Was it the hope of conquest, or
The hidden treasure's store?

No hope of teeming wealth had led
Them on the trackless wave-
No thought of empty fame had made
Them many dangers brave.

Far in an island of the sea

They left a pleasant home,
And o'er a stormy path they now
To foreign shores had come.

For, in the land from whence they came,
Grim persecution spread

Her gloomy shade around, and stalk'd
Abroad with bloody tread !

They might not worship God as they
Thought He should worshipp'd be ;
But they must worship Him as said
A tyrant's stern decree.

Then sail'd they out from England
Upon the heaving main;
Full many look'd upon the land
They ne'er would see again.
Among that goodly company
Was neither song nor mirth,

As they look'd with yearning hearts upon
The country of their birth.

But they knew the God they trusted
Was faithful, and would keep
His watch upon their progress,

While on the mighty deep.

And the thought it gave them courage,
Hope beam'd in every eye,

And the grieving heart beat lightly,
Unburthen'd by a sigh.

They left their homes, and sail'd away
Across the deep blue sea,
And now were safely landed-

From dire oppression free!

They rais'd a House to worship God
In their own simple form-
To worship Him in peace, nor fear
Dark persecution's storm.

They planted fields, built houses,

And from them sprang a race, Who, in the world's history, hold A high distinguish'd place!

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

A Sketch of Mission Labours.

I will endeavour, as I promised, to give you some idea of our operations, state, and prospects. The view will, in some respects, be necessarily incomplete, but you will form an idea, correct so far as it goes, of the position which I occupy, and the work I have to do or oversee. Preaching is conducted at M morning and evening of Lord's day; at L-, afternoon and

evening of ditto; B-, evening of ditto; E-, evening of ditto. On week days, service at L- and E. Wednesday, at

M

Prayer Meetings.-Sunday morning at seven. Afternoon, by teachers, at three. Evening, after sermon. Monday evening, at seven, in the following order; 1st, Monday, Foreign Missions. 2nd, The prosperity of our own church, and the success of its labours. 3rd, British Missions and our country. 4th, The young. There is a

female prayer-meeting on Tuesday evenings. Maternal Association meets, for prayer and other purposes, alternate Wednesdays.

Bible Classes (all distinct from the Sundayschools).-Sunday morning and afternoon; the first for males, the second for females, conducted by members. There were classes of teachers, and male and female adults; but these three were found to demand too much of my time and strength, so I have merged them into one general Bible-class, to which all are admitted who choose to attend. This class meets on Monday evenings, at eight o'clock. I also meet a preacher's class, on Wednesday evenings, at eight.

Sunday schools.-Twice every Lord's day, including department for infants. A separate service is held for the younger in the morning. Besides those at M- there is a school at L-, which is, I trust, like the others, looking up. Want of teachers is our great difficulty, as we admit only members.

Bible Circulation.-During the past year I have circulated perhaps 120 Bibles and Testaments here, and in the neighbourhood.

Tract Distribution.-This is carried on in about eight different villages and hamlets. The tracts are exchanged alternate weeks, and there are in circulation about 800 covers, two tracts at least on an average in each; making a total of about 1,600 tracts.

Periodicals, &c.-Some idea may be formed of what is accomplished in this department, if I give the number circulated during the last three months, which is a fair average (rather under that of the year), viz., 1,060, this includes publications of all sorts. Besides which, there have been, 1,560 new tracts, and thirty Scriptures.

Day and Infant Schools.-Twice every day, except Saturdays.

Subscriptions, for Missions, &c., of various

kinds.

Besides the above, there are, of course, deacons' meetings, church meetings, &c.-A society for mutual improvement has been started about two months, and includes seventy members or more, belonging to all classes, and consisting of Churchmen and Dissenters. Of course this is suspected by a certain party, who must have all or none. This may, as I said, give you some idea of our operations. But what is our state?

Our institutions never, since I have been here, were more flourishing, outwardly, as I could show by comparative statements. The numbers, especially, who attend the preaching is very considerable. But in other respects I have not so much to say. We have had removals, deaths, and cases of discipline, and but few accessions to our numbers. Labour has not been feared or avoided; and, for myself, I am apprehensive it will prove too much for me, although constitutionally powerful. I may say, that from October 6th, 1850, to January the 6th, 1851, I attended 139 meetings, or nearly eleven per week. This I have done for some time, but must now rather reduce that number. I believe there is more feeling in the church, that not a few are secretly-more or less so--anxious for their souls; but still we sigh over the few who come forth, and, scorning worldly considerations, declare themselves to be on the Lord's side. have had our share of the Papal agitation, and I expect shall have more. At B- but eight miles hence, the Romanists have a monastic establishment, which is, I believe, intended for

We

a large and important station. The numbers there, at present, are about thirty-four, but I hear they have a grant from the Society De Propaganda of £20,000. Eight miles on the other side Papists also prevail. The intermediate district is poor, ignorant, depraved, and priestridden to a large extent. The clergy are generally either fox-hunters and wordly men, or semiPapists-certainly the rivals of Rome in assumption. As an illustration, take the following quotation, from the annual printed address of one of these soi-disant successors of the apostles, located in an adjoining parish: "Remember, then, that you should not listen to any Dissenting teachers, whatever they may call themselves. I, however unworthy I may be of so high a privilege, am God's messenger to you; the pastor whom He has appointed to feed His sheep in this parish; and the Church, of which I am a minister, is the only true Church of Christ in this land. If once you leave that, you are no longer safe. Beware, then, of all false teachers, who may come to you, calling themselves ministers of Christ's Gospel," &c. And yet it would appear, from the reverend gentleman's own statistics, that in a population of 575, of fourteen baptisms in 1850, two were of "baseborn children;" and of three marriages in the same year, two "were anything but respectable," which is explained to mean that the parties had not been virtuous. Such are the visible effects of such teachers' labours !

Of our prospects, I need say little; they are full of hope, just in proportion as we have faith, But, I doubt not, three great works must be done; 1. Reformation principles must be anew and powerfully exhibited and enforced. 2. Various forms of error must be exploded. 3. As a means to these, as well as other aids, light and knowledge must be diligently disseminated. The Church must be kept awake and active; the unconverted must be aroused; and generally, there must be more prayer to God, and a more distinct recognition of the Holy Spirit.

The School and Clergy.

I have only to say, that the congregations and schools upon this station are very encouraging. The Lord has opened a wide and effectual door. In the seven services I take in the course of a week, I have the pleasure to address about one thousand souls. In each preaching station we have full congregations. Our three Sundayschools and two day-schools are also well attended. I wish I could say more as to the revival of religion, and the increase of conversions to God. Success is not at our command. Labour, faith, prayer, dependence upon the Holy Spirit, these are ours. We have much here to contend with, in a rich Tractarian band of Clergy, with Sisters of Mercy, all denouncing us, and most profuse in their benevolence to those who attend their schools, &c. For instance, the day-school here, built two years since, has provided for every child a dinner, twice a week. All the children in the National School one mile from here, have a dinner twice a week. All the children of the National School at W-, have a dinner every day, and clothed! And these schools are all in the vicinity of ours. To me it is astonishing that we have any children in our schools, yet we number three hundred and fifty! I am, however, fearing we must give up one school, as in our denomination we have no

Society to help poor schools. I have been, hitherto, wonderfully helped, but am now on the borders of bankruptcy. Where to look for help, or what steps to take to obtain funds, I cannot divine. To lay our case before Government is opposed to our principles; to take the money exacted by the magistrates we deem a bad doctrine; but to carry on schools as ours are, always dreading the return of the quarter, never able to meet it for want of a gratuity of some £15 a year for the two schools,-these are painful matters. Many letters I have written to no profit. But enough, you say, of one thing.

How Puseyism Works.

Puseyism runs rampant in the poor rural districts around me. The poor people are oppressed by the clergy and the lords of the soil. They cannot say that their souls are their own.

They seem to have a new plan just now, in this neighbourhood at least. They creep quietly into the houses of the poor, and say," Well, you are going to Chapel, it seems." "Yes, Sir," said a member of the little church at H-"Well," continued the clergyman, "if the Chapel is right, the Church must be wrong." "Are you prepared," said his reverence again," to say that the Church of England is wrong, eh? Answer me that, will you? And, beside, poor as you are, would it not be much better for you to come to Church? for you cannot expect Miss --to visit you, as she does, always with something in her hand for you and your sick daughter, if you persist in going to Chapel. But, if you give up your Dissent, you will see what will be done for you and your family."

Another Puseyite clergyman, on the St. A side, went to a poor widow's house, who was dangerously ill, and, indeed, died in a few days. "No wonder," said the great man," at all that you are in such a miserable state; you left the true church and went to the Dissenters, and now the Lord is chastising you for it."

The old woman attended the first service I held at St. A-, and continued steadfast to her end; and I am happy to say, died, being upwards of eighty years of age, triumphing in Christ.

Despite of all opposition from mistaken men, and all that the devil can do by the hands of wicked men, I fervently hope some good is doing.

Domiciliary Missions.

We have recently adopted the plan of holding meetings for prayer in the cottages, both in 0- and P ---and I rejoice to say that we have induced many persons to open their houses for that purpose. Under the Divine blessing, such meetings cannot but be productive of good to souls. Your agent has thus an opportunity to deliver a short address, or to explain a few verses of Scripture to many persons who have hitherto neglected the means of grace. Some have been thus led to attend the house of God. Indeed, my heart is often much encouraged, amid the difficulties which surround me, when I listen to the fervent and affectionate prayers of the brethren, poured forth on the behalf and in presence of the parents and children who dwell in these abodes, too many of whom, we have reason to believe, have been strangers to prayer at home. May we not reasonably anticipate that some families, at least, will be led to erect an altar to the Lord, and that some parents

may thus be constrained to say, with Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"? Another advantage of these meetings is that of bringing together neighbouring families, under the same roof, to engage together in the best of all exercises; thus tending to heal petty jealousies and differences that may exist among them. Other ends are secured by this plan, such as allowing an opportunity for mothers of families to join in the exercises of religion, whose circumstances keep them from the sanctuary. Such persons are thus brought under the sound of the Gospel; besides this, as the people here are much scattered, and as these meetings are held widely apart, they form so many district-meetings, or out-stations, in the different groups of houses. In illustration, it may be stated, that in P-- district alone, there are two meetings held, nearly three miles apart. We have nine houses in this district, and four in A-, already open to us. May the Spirit, in his power, succeed our efforts, then the ark of the Lord will be gladly received, and the people will obtain the blessing!

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. SUGGESTIONS FOR IRISH EVANGELIZATION. IN 1841, the census of Ireland presented a population of more than eight millions of human, immortal souls. Six of these millions were, in that year, subject to O'Connell and the priests of the Church of Rome. One of these dominant powers has passed away. O'Connell is dead, and his name is the shade of departed greatness. But the priests-are they dead? A new census has now been taken; and what the result has been is yet to be told. It has been affirmed, however, by some, that a million of people have migrated to other lands; and that 500,000 more than the usual mortality, have been the victims of famine and disease. If this dark representation be reality, it will not be safe for the ends of truth to estimate the Irish nation as in a condition to verify the original Divine benediction. We must reckon them as suffering diminution rather than "fruitfully multiplying;" and as subject to a special judgment rather than enjoying the common lot of the human family. This reversal of nature's laws must be traced to some cause. Misgovernment or domestic criminality must be found a violator of the great Creator's commandment. To the national polity or the religious economy must be ascribed the deadly woe which pervades the land; and either the philanthropist or the "royal priesthood" is required to interpose between the living and the dead.

Till sufficient authority attests any material reduction, we shall deal with Ireland as the home of eight millions of immortal and responsible fellow-subjects; whose habitations are at out-doors, and whose best interests are identified with our national welfare and the prosperity of the Church of God. For these multitudes it would be murderous selfishness to refuse to recognise a brother's relationship and obligation; and the recusant might anticipate the brand of offended displeasure under the government of a righteous God. The more reckless their wickedness and debased their moral character, so much the more dismal is their prospect for both worlds, and so much the

more intense is the responsibility of those who can and ought to care for their souls. The divers sections of the professing Church of Christ have, by associated efforts, attempted to bring the healing waters of life into a free course in that land. They have encountered obstructions and discouragements, and have been induced to adopt and pursue various expedients of benevolence. The Irish Evangelical Society has had its share of experiment and probation; and many of its self-denying agents have, through long courses of years, gone forth weeping, and bearing precious seed. Happily there have not been wanting instances to prove the truth of Scripture promises, to reward the devout labourer, and to preserve a seed to serve God in his Church; and the handful of corn in the land, though seemingly lost upon the top of the mountains, has shaken its fruit in distant regions. Many Irishmen, as the fruit of evangelical labour, have been gathered into the Church of Christ, and gone forth to the Colonies of England, and the States of America, where they walk in the ways of Zion. have such exiles forgotten the land of their birth, or ceased to exercise an influence for good upon their countrymen. It is stated on authority, that payments were made from emigrants in America, through the Post-office of one town in Ireland, to the amount of forty thousand pounds, to relatives whom they had left at home. Christian exiles have not failed to contribute their proportion in such kindred sympathies. Yet thus, in part, may be accounted for the continued feebleness of the small Protestant Nonconforming Churches, connected with the stations of the Irish Evangelical Society, especially in the rural and Papal districts of the country.

Nor

The reproductive energies of Christianity in all lands have been the sure source, under Divine influence, of its continuance and expansion in the world; and the development of this mutual law will prove the hope and honour of Irish Christians. The Church of God does not thrive by extraneous resources; but the natural means for the full evangelization of Ireland will be the vigorous, prayerful, and patient labour of local Churches, organized and animated by the principles and spirit of Divine truth, in central and populous towns. From them, and by their itinerancies, must the word of God sound out to the region of villages and hamlets. These considerations weigh with the Board of British Missions in making choice of such towns as Galway, Waterford, Limerick, Londonderry, Newry, and other like spheres of missionary enterprise; in seeking to invigorate as centres of zeal and liberality, Churches of New Testament order among the intelligent and more affluent of the people. If in Cork and Dublin, in Belfast and Sligo, Congregational Christianity were enabled to act as energetically and diffusively as it was in Antioch, in Thessalonica, and in Ephesus, other districts would soon be visited with the light of truth, and be blessed with the harvest of righteousness; and the agents of the Society would be free to occupy their special spheres as mission fields.

The season approaches when ministerial brethren from England and Scotland might become, for a brief season, messengers of their Churches to benighted and deluded myriads, who bow to the Roman priesthood in abject and ruinous submission, in Ireland. Would such

visits be more unappropriate than the pilgrimages on the Rhine, or than rambles in the valleys of Switzerland? Patriotism, Christian philanthropy, and Divine compassion inquire, "Which is the path of duty ?" The principal anxiety of the Board is now, the selection of an agency adapted to the work. The Society is free from debt; the stations are open for occupation; and it is confidently anticipated that, when the proper workmen are prepared to enter the field of labour, resources will be contributed by a liberal and generous Church. Let funds be now contributed to authorise a more direct and personal appeal to the men whom God has designed for this disinterested mission.

In several instances, support has been liberally afforded to the Society by local and congregational associations, both in England and Scotland. In some places, where no committee has been organized, generous and benevolent Christian friends have individually and assiduously exerted themselves to procure subscriptions and donations, to aid the evangelization of Ireland. To such friends in Cambridgeshire, Witham, Ipswich, and Gravesend ; in Falmouth, Exeter, and Bristol; in Bath, Sherborne, and Newport, Isle of Wight; in Liverpool, Manchester, Halifax, Scarborough, and Uppingham ; in Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow; and to the supporters of Clapton and Hackney, Hoxton, Kingsland, Barbican, and Kensington Associations, in London, the Society has been largely and frequently indebted for seasonable contributions. For these proofs of confidence the advocates of Irish Missions are most thankful. It is the earnest desire of the Committee, that such efficient co-operation may be gratefully cherished, and yet more abundantly enjoyed. They would plead with the supporters of existing auxiliaries, to invigorate and extend their efforts and influence; to do their first works and increase their labours of love.

Let the late eventful crisis in the history of Anglican Popery awaken to renewed solicitude-to pecuniary sacrifices and devout intercessions. But there are friends of missions who have avowed their willingness to organize themselves and the members of congregations to which they belong, for new and simultaneous subscriptions and contributions, to help the Society in its scheme of concentrated obligations-that the large towns may be efficiently occupied. To the ministers, deacons, and people, in the circles of Nonconformity in Lancashire and Yorkshire; to the watchful and benevolent philanthropists of manufacturing towns in the north, who are compelled to see much of Irish life; to the congregations of Dr. Raffles and Mr. Kelly; of Dr. Halley, Mr. R. Fletcher, and their Manchester brethren; of Messrs. James Parsons, Pridie, Henry Reynolds, Conder, and their fellowlabourers; to all who would resist the advances of Popery and the delusions of an idolatrous priesthood, the Committee makes this respectful appeal; and intreats that congregational resources may be thus consecrated to Ireland's weal. If subscription books be required, they will be cheerfully furnished; if further information be required, it will be supplied. The present is a time when the Irish Evangelical Society may receive a new impulse, and become an increased blessing to the people, in its special sphere of operations.

JAMES WM. MASSIE, Secretary.

THE FOUNTAIN OF PRAYER.

ABLE and pious men have remarked that prayer has its foundation in the belief of the existence of the Supreme Gud, and our dependence upon him; and that this belief is found deep in the nature of man, that it is part and parcel of our mental and moral being, a plant indigenous to the human heart, often quickened into life by the vicissitudes of our experience. Hence we find that Pagan nations, unto whom the Word of God never came, who had lost all oral traditions of the Fathers, who were utterly ignorant of the only wise and true God, and, indeed, left entirely to the teachings of nature and the promptings of their own hearts, rarely began any enterprise of importance and difficulty without first calling upon the God whom they served, especially in the earlier and more virtnous portions of their history. When Carthage sent her most renowned hero to invade Italy, the whole army united in supplication to God, praying him to open a way through the nations, to enrich the camp with abundant food, and to give courage and victory in the day of battle. Cyrus, the founder of the Persian monarchy and liberator of the ancient Church, on the eve of battle, and at its close, knelt with his army around the altar, and offered prayers and thanksgivings unto God; and when Pompey, the strength and ornament of the Roman Republic, was sick, and nigh unto death, as it was thought, the entire population of the districts through which bis litter slowly passed, on its way to Rome, gave themselves to prayer for his recovery. "For the Gentiles which have not the law do, by nature, the things contained in the law; these having not the law are a law unto themselves, which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts, the meanwhile, accusing, or else excusing, one another." It is quite true that the pride of victory, the security of power, the luxury of wealth, the submission of kingdoms, and the fascinations of pleasure, have in most cases speedily overlaid these excellent sentiments and VOL. VIII.

cashiered this holy habit, without, bowever, destroying either; for if we follow these men into the hour of adversity, into exile, or into suffering of any kind, we are sure to find the afflicted soul

pouring out itself in prayer to God. Nature triumphs over every rude assault and tempting allurement; remains essentially the same under storms of wrath and dispensations of mercy, and often asserts her loyalty to God and her aspirations after him in tones the most potent and melting, when all traces of his authority are supposed to be obliterated. Pagan authors, who have written on moral and religious subjects, urge the necessity and advantage of prayer, and some of them lay down pious and judicious rules for the exercise of it. Plato, one of the wisest and best of these sages, teaches," That we ought to pray that God would give us everything that will be of service to us, whether we ask for it or not; and that he will withhold everything that will be injurious to us, even if we do ask for it." Such sentiments do honour to human nature, and remind us that man was created in the image and after the likeness of God; and, at the last day, many who have lived without the pale of revelation will rise up and condemn many of those who have enjoyed the lively oracles of God, but who have not given heed to the word of their salvation. It must be added that the written word constantly appeals to this law within our hearts, warms it into vitality and exercise, directs every prayerful emotion of the soul unto the only wise and true God, through Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent; while, by the power of the Divine Spirit, emotions are generated in the soul more pure and lofty than any which are natural to man, even in his best estate.

OBLIGATIONS TO PRAYER.

own

Moreover, though revelation does not specify any of those objections which wicked and erroneous hearts urge against prayer, which are as old as the entrance of sin into this world, which hinder many who are nigh unto the kingdom of

R