Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub
[blocks in formation]

several acts of local tyrrany were brought before the meeting, the consequences of which were averted by the interposition of this society. This local despotism arose chiefly from country magistrates, several of whom were church ministers, and was exercised over those who were thought to be defenceless, and unable to resist op. pression. An appeal to the Society, however, soon convinced them of their mistake, and caused illegal authority quickly to retrace its steps, and relinquish with disgrace the rights of conscience on which it had laid its sacrilegious hands. No instance was adduced in which the oppressor presumed to persevere, when it was found that this society had thrown its shield of protection over the head of the oppressed. Several instances, however, of a contrary nature were stated to the meeting, in which both church ministers and magistrates had acted with a degree of liberality that did honour to their understandings and their hearts, a liberality that was consonant with the spirit of the age in which we live. We cannot, however, but infer from some of the preceding facts, that the spirit of bigotry, intolerance, and persecution, though paralyzed, is not yet dead. It still walks in remote districts of the empire, and, though held in chains by the laws, only wants a fair opportunity to appear in its ancient and never to be forgotten terrific form. From the facts thus elicited we cannot but infer that this is a valuable society to the religious community, and highly deserving of the support which it solicits. To place any congregation under its protection, a contribution of two pounds is expected from each in England, and one pound from each in Wales. Letters post paid, addressed either to Thomas Hayter, Esq., the treasurer, or to John Wilks, or Thomas Pellatt, Esqs., the secretaries, at Barton's Coffee-house, Cornhill, will meet with due attention. Of the various resolutions passed at this anniversary, we have not room to enter into any detail. In substance, and in their objects, they bear a strong resemblance to those of which we gave an epitome in our number for June, 1828, col. 581, varying in local particulars as circumstances have dictated.

It is almost needless to say, that the anniversaries of many other benevolent institutions have been held in London during the preceding month, and some few yet remain to be held. Of those that are past, several were equally interesting to such as we have mentioned; but to give even an epitome of above a hundred

574

would be more than our pages can bear. Those which we have noticed may be considered as fair specimens of others which necessity has compelled us to pass over in silence, and from them the reader may estimate the spirit of benevolence which prevails in the British metropolis, and in other parts throughout the religious communities of the country at large.

These are among the numerous triumphs of Christianity. Wherever the standard of the cross is unfurled, an atmosphere of benevolence is immediately diffused around the hallowed banner, and those who inhale its sacred spirit, begin to breathe peace on earth and good will to all mankind. At present, prosperity attends the glorious cause, and whenever its holy influence shall be circumfused round the globe, men will learn to live like brethren, and instead of wasting and destroying each other, the nations of the earth, beating their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning-hooks, will cultivate the arts of peace, and be disgraced with the carnage and devastations of war no more.

GLEANINGS.

Missionary Intelligence.

From a letter dated Huahine, South Seas, so late as November 23d, 1828, we learn, that in this group, and also in the Sandwich Islands, the preaching of the gospel continues to be attended with nearly uninterrupted success. We say nearly, because attempts have been made to arrest its progress, though by means totally dissimilar.

In Tahiti, some visionaries, dissatisfied with the purity of its precepts, have endeavoured to invent a more accommodating system; and, to countenance their authority, have pretended to foretell future events, to work miraculous cures, and, in one instance, to raise a dead man to life. On other occasions they have, in their prayers, petitioned the Almighty to shower upon them an abundance of gold and silver, and large quantities of cloth, It is scarcely necessary to add, that in all these efforts they have been totally unsuccessful.

In the Sandwich Islands, four Roman Catholic priests, sent thither by the government of France some considerable time since, have used their utmost exertions to proselyte the natives to the mummeries of the infallible church, but thus far they have laboured in vain. The natives, blessed with common sense, have not failed to remark, that the ceremonies attempted to be introduced, bear a strong resemblance to their former heathen customs, and that to embrace their system would be to turn idolaters again. Lately a portion of St Paul's epistles has been completed in the Rurutean dialect; also a little hymn book in the same; and the Gospel of St. John is ready for the press.

As the Harvey group contains more inhabitants than the Georgian and Society islands put together, some native teachers are receiving instructions, to repair thither, that they also may have an opportunity of receiving the word of life.

The letter communicating the above branches of missionary information, has on the whole a very pleasing aspect.

Civil and Religious Liberty.-A basket-maker, residing in Hull, having placed some Protestant tracts in his window, a Roman Catholic spirit-merchant sent a note to him, to tell him, that if he did not remove them, he would never buy another basket of him. putting under it, in large letters," Is this CIVIL The basket-maker placed the note in his window,

or religious liberty?" A crowd was soon collected. and a more happy expedient for attracting custoin could not have been devised.

[blocks in formation]

Cape of Good Hope.-From this colony the intelligence lately received is by no means favourable. The regulations recently introduced, have operated among multitudes of the Hottentots much to the disadvantage of morality. Liberated from their former restraints, drunkenness and licentiousness prevail to an alarming degree, particularly in Graham's Town. It appears that this degraded branch of the human family are ill qualified to enjoy the boon with which they have been favoured. In the vices to which they are addicted, many of the Europeans also participate, so that the cause of religion is making but little progress.

New Zealand.-By the arrival of the Elizabeth, the melancholy news is confirmed of the total loss of the schooner Herald, belonging to the Church Missionary Society; and of the schooner Enterprize, the property of Messrs. Raine and Brown. Those vessels were lost in entering Hokianga. The passengers and crew of the Herald were all saved, though the natives reduced them to a state of nudity, and barely granted them life; but, sorrowful to relate, all on board the Enterprize met a watery grave, and most of the bodies were washed upon the beach; so that we are able to contradict a report formerly circulated, that our unfortunate countrymen were destroyed by savages. The Enterprize had a full cargo on board for Raine and Brown's establishment, together with stores to the value of £150, for the Wesleyan Missionaries, the whole of which was lost in common with the hapless mariners. Some of the letters that were forwarded fell into the possession of the natives, by whom they had been opened for the purpose of being converted into cartridge-paper, but some of them were subsequently purchased from the barbarians, amongst whom there seems to exist, at this moment, a pretty general cessation from war, from which the New Zealanders are scarcely ever exempt. The chief officer of the Herald, which belonged to the Church Missionary Society, has arrived in the Alfred.-Sydney Gaz July 7, 1828.

Synod of Scotland. We copy the following article from the Elgin Courier of the 15th ult. a paper conducted with much spirit and ability, by Mr. J. Grant, without being the slave of any political faction. It contains many valuable original articles, particularly of occurrences in the North. We understand that a periodical, to be called the" Elgin Literary Magazine," is just about to be started, under the superintendence of the same editor; it may therefore be expected to merit support, and give satisfaction.

"The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland, at a meeting lately held in Glasgow, unanimously adopted a series of resolutions, which are to be printed and published immediately, for the purpose of shewing to the world their sentiments respecting the recent concessions to the Roman Catholics, and appointed a day of fasting and humiliation to be observed throughout the churches under their inspection, on account of the guilt contracted by this step of national apostacy."

Ephesus-A more thorough change can scarcely be conceived than that which has actually occurred at Ephesus. Once the seat of active commerce, the very sea has shrunk from its solitary shores; its streets, once populous with the devotees of Diana, are now ploughed over by the Ottoman serf, or browsed by the sheep of the peasant. It was early the stronghold of Christianity, and stands at the head of the apostolic churches of Asia. It was there that, as St. Paul says, "the word of God grew mighty and prevailed.' Not a single Christian now dwells within it! Its mouldering arches, and dilapidated walls, merely whisper the tale of its glory; and it requires the acumen of the geographer, and the active scrutiny of the exploring traveller, to form a probable conjecture as to the very site of the "First Wonder of the World."-Letters from the Egean.

One Hundred Years Ago-This little anecdote, copied from a paper published in London in 1723. will illustrate the difference between the present times and a century past :-"Tuesday, Jan. 1, 1723. On Sunday, a woman was seized near London Wall, for wearing a gown faced with calico; and being carried before a magistrate, and refusing to pay the penalty inflicted by the statute, she was committed to the Compter."-The importation of cotton wool last year exceeded 29,000,000 of pounds. What would the good lady say to the magistrate, if she could return, and see the cotton articles now in use? What was Manchester in those days?

Slave Ship-There is now on the Thames an American built ship of 133 tons burden, employed in the illicit slave-trade, which has been sent home, as a prize slave-vessel, from Sierra Leone. The space allotted for the miserable wretches measures two feet six inches in breadth, and extends from stem to stern:

576

the captives must have been laid in a reclining position, as there is not space for them to sit upright; and there is no inlet for air except at the end of the platform. In this receptacle 250 slaves were placed, or rather stowed in bulk, and were landed at Sierra Leone in a state of complete nakedness.

The Balm of Mecca.-Szafra and Beder are the only places in the Hedjaz where the balsam of Mekka, or Balesau, can be procured in a pure state. The tree from which it is collected grows in the neighbouring mountains, but principally upon Dejebel Sobh, and is called by the Arabs" Beshem." It is from ten to fifteen feet high, with a smooth trunk, and thin bark. In the middle of summer small incisions are made in the bark; and the juice, which immediately issues, is taken off with the thumb-nail, and put into a vessel; it has a strong turpentine smell, and its taste is bitter. The people of Szafra usually adulterate it with sesasum oil and tar.- Burckhardt's Travels.

The Black Tartarian Cherry.-This cherry is generally considered to have been brought into this country by the late Mr. John Frazer, from Russia. In the account given of it in the "Pomona Londinensis," it is stated to have been introduced from Circassia, by Mr. Hugh Ronalds, of Brentford, in 1794. We have also heard it said, that it originated in Spain, whence it was transmitted to Russian gardens, and through them into England. It is a cherry of great excellence, bearing well as a standard, but doing best on an east or west wall, on which its branches are usually loaded with a profusion of rich and handsome fruit. It has received in our gardens a variety of

names.

Literary Notices.

Just Published.

The Fulfilling of the Scriptures; or, the Bible the Word of God; in seven lectures. By Robt. Weaver. Memoirs of the Life and Character of Mrs. Susannah Pearson. By George Pearson.

Serious Essays on the Truths of the Glorious Gospel. By John Ryland, D.D.

A New Edition of Kent's Original Gospel Hymns. The Christian's Golden Treasure and Companion. By John Dobell.

A Brief Sketch of the Life of Mr. John Wilkinson, minister of South-street Chapel, Devonport.

Rural Felicity, or Happy Peasantry, a series of Poems. By R. Tobitt.

Life of Archbishop Cranmer. By J. A. Sargent. Memoir of Mrs. Judson. By James D. Knowles. The Reference Testament. By Hervey Wilbar, A.M. Sketches and Anecdotes of Dogs. By Capt. Brown. The Practice of Cookery. By Mrs. Dalgairns. An Introduction to Heraldry. By Hugh Clark. Tales of Field and Flood. By John Malcolm. The Christian's Defence against Infidelity; with an Introductory Essay. By Dr. Chalmers.

Stories from the History of Scotland. By the Rev. A. Stewart.

Revival of Religion in New England, by Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Introductory Essay, by John Pye Smith.

Vallery; or, the Citadel of the Lake: a Poem. By Charles Doyne Sillery. 2 vols.

Olney Hymns, Introductory Essay, by J. Montgo mery, Esq.

Moral Freedom and Divine Benevolence. By the Rev. James Jones.

On the Rise and Progress of particular Mortal Diseases. By Edward Blackmore, M.D. one of the physicians to the Plymouth Public Dispensary. Anti-Slavery Reporter, No. 48, for May 1829.

In the Press.

A Second Volume of Discourses on various Subjects, relative to the Being and Attributes of God, and his Works in Creation, Providence, and Grace. By Adam Clarke, LL.D.

Preparing for Publication.

By Mr. William Hosking, "A Popular System of Architecture," to be illustrated with engravings, and exemplified by reference to well-known structures.

Portraits of the most Celebrated Beauties of all Nations, is announced for publication by Messrs. Longman and Co. under the superintendence of Mr. Alaric Watts.

Gideon, and other Poems. By the Author of " My Early Years for those in Early Life."

The Author of "The Opening of the Sixth Seal," is about to publish a brief Essay suggesting a more easy and practical Mode of acquiring general Knowledge.

The complete Works of Tobias Crisp, D.D, With Notes and Life of the Author, by Dr. Gill.

LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY H. FISHER, SON, AND CO.

[graphic][merged small]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

MEMOIR OF THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D' PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.

With a Portrait.)

Ir the importance of an ecclesiastical establishment is to be estimated by the talents and usefulness of its ministers, the church of Scotland will not shrink in a comparison with the most splendidly adorned and richly endowed of its neighbours. Though destitute of political power, undignified by an hierarchy, and deficient in those excitements to ambition which distinguish other religious institutions that are connected with the state, this communion may claim the praise of having sent forth in regular succession, a body of teachers thoroughly fitted by education, and qualified by virtue, for the discharge of the pastoral office, whether as instructors of the people at large, or as professors of sacred literature in the universities.

The names of Blair, Robertson, Campbell, Reid, and Gerard, are venerated wherever religion is esteemed, and learning is cultivated. These luminaries, after fulfilling honourably their respective courses, and leaving imperishable memorials of their sterling excellence, for the benefit of future generations, are all gone to their reward in a higher region, but their places in the sphere below have been abundantly supplied by kindred spirits, equal to them in genius, piety, and diligence.

Among these existing lights of the religious world, Professor Chalmers of Edinburgh shines as a star of the first magnitude, to whom may be applied the language of our great epic poet, that he

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[ocr errors]

[1829.

dinary vigour of intellect. Though destined for the ministerial office, he rather preferred the lectures of Professor Robison, who filled the mathematical chair, to those of Dr. Hunter, who presided over the divinity class. Mr. Chalmers, however, did not neglect the peculiar studies more immediately requisite to qualify him for the important and varied duties of the pastoral care. In due course he was licensed as a probationary preacher, according to the Presbyterian constitution, which gives the chair of instruction, or, in Scripture phrase, the key of knowledge, to candidates for the sacred function, before they are allowed to administer the sacraments of the church. After serving a short time as an assistant, he obtained a presentation to the living of Kilmany, over which cure he was regularly ordained by the Presbytery of Cupar, in 1802. This is a considerable port town on the northern shore of the Frith of Forth; which, from its situation, afforded ample scope for ministerial diligence. Mr. Chalmers spent some years here, without attracting any particular notice beyond the bounds of his parish, or producing any visible reformation in it upon the principles and manners of the people. His studies in fact were more directed to political economy than to practical theology; as his first literary performance evinced. This was an octavo volume, which appeared in 1808, under the title of "An Inquiry into the Extent and Stability of the National Resources." The period which Mr. Chalmers chose to come before the world as a literary character, was remarkably gloomy, and the present work was not calculated to remove the prevailing despondency. In the spring of the ensuing year, the author, however, suddenly started into popularity as an able speaker, by a most luminous and impressive address delivered in the general assembly at Edinburgh.

The occasion was this: an act of parliament had lately passed for the augmentation of the livings in Scotland; but, necessary and humane as the measure itself was, it was rendered vexatious instead of beneficial to the parochial clergy, who were the

2 P

« ForrigeFortsæt »