Juvenile Department.

PHILOSOPHICAL

REFLECTIONS.

No. XXVI.-TIN.

Rude and chaotic as the soil may seem
Tincurious or untutor'd minds;

Useless and vain as mountains seem to rise;

Yet Science shows, nor hills, nor vales, in vain

christianity itself amongst us. Happy merchandize, if for the metallic ore we received in return the richer and sublimer ore of divine truth from the exhaustless mines of the scriptures of truth! Learned references in support of such an opinion would be un

By God are meant, but teem with treasure vast: availing to many of our juvenile

Potent and wise in all that he has made,
And in the varied distribution kind:
To ev'ry clime its characteristic good.
Exhaustless mineral stores to this fair isle,
Kindly o'errul'd to work its greutest bliss.

THIS metal has been very long known, as is evident from the mention of it by Moses in the book of Numbers, and by Homer in his Iliad.

readers, but they can turn with facility to page 332 of this Magazine for last year, where the Rev. J. Ivimey glances at this subject in the sketch of his missionary sermon.

Few metals that are so common are so little understood. Tin utensils, as they are called, meet us in every direction; yet Like those we have already we occasionally discourse with noticed, it is found in various individuals, with momentary surparts of the world, in Asia, S. prise, who are not even aware America, and Europe, particu- that the principal substance of larly the latter. The counties of which such utensils are made is Cornwall and Devon in our own iron, the tin serving but as a cofavoured isle have long been dis- vering to the stronger metal. tinguished for their abounding in What are called plates of tin are it. Every lover of his country plates of iron coated with tin. has abundant cause for gratitude The iron is first formed into thin that its bowels should be so richly plates; the plates are then thostored with mineral treasure, not roughly scoured with sand, and merely as a matter of conveni-plunged for twenty-four hours in ence, but as affording so power-a mixture of water and sulphuric ful an inducement to commercial | acid, or of water and bran; and intercourse with other nations. they are afterwards dried, rubbed Many are of opinion that our with grease to prevent rust, and metallic riches, and our stores of immersed in melted tin, which this metal in particular, have not only completely covers the been the occasion of many me-plate but penetrates the whole morable visits, which, although substance. many of them have been followed The principal characteristics of by hostile and lamentable conse- this metal are, that it is white, quences, have nevertheless con- has little elasticity, and is the tributed to the diffusion of lightest of metals. It is not very knowledge and promotion of ci- ductile, but so malleable that it vilization; in short, that our pos- may be beaten thinner than pasession of this metal indirect-per; yet such is its tenacity, that ly led to the introduction of a wire of 1-10th of an inch will

most any colour may be given by the assistance of other metallic oxides.

support a weight of 49 lbs. and a half. It is moreover distinguished by its smell when rubbed, and for its snapping noise when sud- Another remarkable property denly bent. The characteristic of metals is, that with various peculiarities of the metals, not- compounds they form important withstanding their general fea- salts. The most remarkable salts tures of resemblance, are very of tin are the muriate, the nitrointeresting; since, while they muriate, and they muriate, and the sulphurate. show the wisdom of the Al- Combinations of tin with chlorine mighty, who cannot have distin- and sulphur are also noticed by guished them by needless pro- chemists. The union of 100 parts perties, they also serve to teach of tin with 55 of sulphur has been us humility, seeing they possess called mosaic gold, and is used so many qualities, of whose use to give a fine colour to bronze. we know nothing. "I suspect," says Mr. Parke, There are two kinds of tin;-"that the change produced in block tin and grain tin, of which the latter is the more pure, but the former is the great article of commerce, and is so called from its being made into blocks of 320lbs. weight. It is taken to the Assayer's office, duly stamped with the arms of the Duke of Cornwall, and is then saleable hence arises a fruitful source of revenue to that duchy.

tin by this process gave rise to the idea of the transmutation of metals. If the alchemists were acquainted with this compound substance, no wonder that they should indulge the hope of being able to form gold."

The uses of tin are very important and various. We have already glanced at its utility as a covering for sheets of iron in the But we proceed to notice its manufacture of neat, portable, oxides. We have already had and convenient utensils for dooccasion to remark, that the rust-mestic purposes. It is of iming of metals, ordinarily viewed mense consequence to dyers. It with indifference or regret, is a is used to form their boilers, to subject worthy of profound atten- give brightness to red and scartion and grateful notice, inas-let colours, and to precipitate much as it is among the infinitely the gross matter of other dyes. wise arrangements of the Great This metal is also used in the Creator not yet half understood composition of various subby man. Each metal has its dis- stances, as bell-metal, bronze, tinct rusts or oxides: these and brass for cannon. The anoxides are formed in peculiar and cients used it in their copper prescribed circumstances, and, coins. in proportion as they are understood, they are found to subserve important purposes. Only two oxides of this metal have been as yet discovered, the yellow and the white the former is employed in polishing fine steel wares and the superior kinds of glass; the latter is used in the manufacture of an enamel, to which al

To how many other uses it is applicable is only known to Him who formed it and gave it its distinguishing properties. May this brief review of them assist the youthful reader in forming the invaluable habit of beholding and adoring the Creator in all his works.

N. N.

Obituary and Recent Deaths.

MR. DAVID HUDSON.

ostentation. He strictly followed the direction of his Lord and MasON Saturday the 24th day of ter, his left hand not knowing what March, 1821, died Mr. David Hud-his right hand did. His attention son, of Snow's-fields, one of the deacons of the Baptist church in Carter-lane, under the care of our much esteemed and revered brother Dr. Rippon.

to the poor and the sick was greater than was known to his family and friends while he lived. There were several, who must not be named until the day of judgment, that were Forty years ago he lived without without doubt waiting, on his reGod in the world, at which time it moval hence, to receive him into pleased Him who rules all human everlasting habitations, whose bowaffairs, that he should pass by the els he oft refreshed while they were meeting-house in Carter-lane at the here, and who in their turn have weltime when the church was celebrat-comed him into their society. His ing the praises of God in singing; mind was generally calm and even ; on bearing which he entered, his religion with him was a regular and attention was arrested, and some daily concern; and in this placid impressions were made upon his and heavenly state of mind he passmind from what he saw and heard, ed his days, till he quietly sunk that continued with him ever after-down with a general debility and wards. The ministry of Dr. Rippon was made effectual to an entire change of views relative to the perfections and government of God, and especially the work of redemption by the Saviour of men: and this was not a mere change of sentiments, but a real transformation of the heart, which formed him a new character after the model of the New Testament,-a character which he ever afterwards continued to sustain with comfort to himself, and credit to his religious profession and friends. He soon afterwards was

baptized, and made public profes

sion of the name of Jesus Christ, and was a peaceful and useful member all his days, affectionate to his pastor, constant in bis place, and immoveable in his religious sentiments; and at a time (nearly thirty years ago,) when an Antinomian blight passed over our churches, and withered some that were older than he, his leaf remained green, and he ceased not to yield fruit. Such a person could not but engage the attention of his pastor and brethren. About twenty years ago he was chosen to be a deacon, which office he filled with high reputation till he died. No man was at a greater distance from

VOL. XIV.

decay of constitution. But in the
midst of the wreck of animal nature,
his mind, his immortal part, possess-
ed elevated confidence in God his
Saviour. He attained his threescore
years and ten, and then affection-
ately took his leave of his family,
leaving behind, to follow his steps, a
pious and affectionate widow,
sous, and a daughter.
die the death of the righteous, and
let my last end be like his."

two

"Let me

MR. ROBERT HARRIS.

MR. Robert Harris was born in Free-school-street, in 1760, His Horsely down, Southwark. mother was niece to the Rev. Dr. Pemberton; but it fell to his lot in very early life to be taken under the guardian care of a pious grandfather, Mr. Robert Harris, who was many years a member and deacon of the church meeting in Backstreet, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Pitts. This pious gentleman placed his two grandsons under the care of the Rev. Mr. Brown of Battersea, whence, after receiving a respectable education, he was ap prenticed to Mr. Timothy Curtis in

C

The following summer he spent some weeks at Gravesend, and the change of air proved advantageous; but a relapse soon took place. He

66

Wapping, who attended at the Rev. Noah Hill's chapel in Old Gravellane. His first religious impressions were made under a sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Medley of Liver-felt a considerable degree of resignapool; but he did not associate with tion to his Lord's will, and would any church till a few years afterward, often check his wife when disposed when he became acquainted with a to murmur at the dispensations of godly woman, who was a member of Providence, by saying, My dear, the church in Little Prescot-street, God was pleased to deprive us of then under the care of the Rev. Mr. spiritual comforts by our removing Booth. He joined that church; but to Wapping; let us fear offending some unpleasant circumstances in him, lest he withhold our temporal his family and business afterwards comforts also." Finding his strength led to his separation. After this he decrease, and wishing to enjoy more attended the Mulberry Gardens of his religious privileges, he, in the Chapel chiefly, till, becoming ac- autumn of 1820, removed back to quainted with one or two Itinerant Everard's-place, Church-lane. About Preachers, he felt a concern for the Christmas his recovery appeared promoting of the gospel in villages hopeless. From this time, however, near the metropolis. He was one of God was evidently fitting him for the first persons who encouraged eternity, and his maturing for glory and accompanied those preachers to became visible to those around him. Ilford; and, under God, the Baptist He often said to his wife, My Church in that village owes its ori- dear, I am going to leave you; but gin principally to his pious exertions. I hope we shall meet, never more to In consequence of some changes in part. Put your trust in the Lord: his domestic concerns, it became he will not forsake you." advisable for him to relinquish these itinerating labours; but he did this with serious regret, because of the importance of the work, and the pleasure he had often felt in attending to it.

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He had an anxious concern for the welfare of his children, for each of whom he often prayed with great fervency that the Lord would be pleased to make them possessors of saving grace, and pillars in the house He soon after became a member of of God. The calamity of shipwreck the Baptist Church in Little Alie- unexpectedly brought his eldest son street, under the care of the Rev. W. to see him; which afforded him an Shenston,which relation he sustained opportunity of giving him those adwith honour to himself, and advan-monitions and instructions which it is tage to others, till he exchanged hoped the Lord will sanctify to his worlds. mind when he is on the mighty

in the night, when you are all asleep." I expressed my expectation that his stay was short, though I hoped the contrary. He replied, "No, brother, I am going fast; I have done with this world: may the Lord fit me for a better!"

He constantly attended the sab-waters. bath-morning prayer-meetings at Some weeks before his death, he Pell-street Chapel, and the prayer- said one day to the writer, "Bromeetings at the place to which he |ther, do not be alarmed; I shall not belonged, till prevented by distance | be long here; I think I shall go off or affliction. He was fond of encouraging young persons in the paths of piety and truth. For a long season he enjoyed a good share of bodily health, but it pleased God at last to visit him with a long and painful affliction. Towards the close of 1817, having recently removed into a very damp house in Wapping, nearing very wet, he staid within doors, the London Docks, he caught a severe cold and fever; and he never afterwards recovered his strength. In the following summer be removed to the neighbourhood of Burr-street.

|

On the day before his death, it be

and settled all his accounts, and the ac· counts of THE Friend to the AGED SOCIETY, with the greatest exactness; and after supper even settled his private book, so that not one farthing