of seconding this motion devolved upon him; and while conscious of the deficiency of his talents to give strength to the cause, or exhibit the excellencies of the Institution, either by the power of eloquence or the force of reasoning, he might be allowed to express those feelings which influenced his mind on that occasion, by saying that he should, to the latest period of his life, consider it as one of the happiest circumstances that ever engaged his attention in being called upon this day to associate in this glorious cause. But that which yielded him additional satisfaction, was the order adopted in the proposal of the various motions. The attentive observer had undoubtedly noticed, through the whole, that the Churchman rises to move, and is immediately followed by the Dissenter. What did this intimate to the contemplative and pious mind? Whythat the joyful period was not far remote, when Ephraim should not envy Judah, and Judah should not vex Ephraim; but,' laying aside party differences and animosity, all should meet around one general standard, and unanimously proclaim "Our God is King in Zion." George James Gordon, Esq. having nominated the Treasurer and Secretaries, The Rev. J. K. Martyn rose to express in his own name, as well as in that of his worthy colleague, his deep sense of the honour conferred upon them by being appointed Secretaries to this noble institution. He could not help congratulating the friends of religion on the glorious occasion of the present very respectable meeting; and called upon them to revert, by way of contrast, to what took place in France within the memory of most present, when the infamous Dupont had the audacity to declare in the face of the National Assembly, and that with impunity, nay with almost universal applause, what the fool has only said in his heart, that there is no God." Could we remember the apprehensions not long since entertained, lest that flood of infidelity and atrocious wickedness should overspread our own land, and not rejoice, that, instead of witnessing such scenes, the men of Huntingdon had a glorious opportunity this day of rolling away from their town any reproach which might attach to it for having given birth to the Author of the Age of Reason ?--" I cannot but wish," he proceeded, "to bear my feeble testimony to the peculiar excellencies of this society. It honours the Bible as the Book of God, a Book fully adequate to accomplish its intended effect, and to make its own way without the addition of any human explanations. affords a ground on which Christians, however differing in many things of inCHRIST. GUARD. VOLIV. It ferior importance, may take their stand, view, and become, acquainted with each other. What distorted images do not men form of those who differ from them, when separated by modes of worship, and under the guidance of prejudice? I have heard, that when the British troops visited Portugal in the days of Queen Anne, the students of Salamanca, having always been accustomed to consider heretics as devils, came out expecting to see our soldiers armed with horns and hoofs. Something of the same kind takes place among the various denominations of Protestants -but bring them together, and they discover that they are men and brethrenthey unite as we do this day in the promotion of a truly great and glorious cause. May He who has caused the Holy Scriptures to be written for our 'learning, grant that we may so hear 'them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly 'digest them, that by patience and comfort ' of his Holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which he has given us in 'Jesus Christ his Son.'' J. Hammond, Esq. in a speech of considerable talent, described the influence of Christianity upon society at large, and argued from it, the importance of giving the widest possible circulation to the Holy Scriptures. He took a survey of the Christian Church throughout its successive periods, and concluded with proposing the thanks of the Meeting to the London Secretaries. He was seconded by Mr. William Brown, of Houghton, one of the Society of Friends, who spoke to the following effect: "It is with satisfaction I second this motion in the support of so good, so great, and so glorious a cause as that of endeavouring to spread salvation over the face of the whole earth, which The wind will waft where'er the billows roll, 'smile' before she is aware; nor is this all: W. B. then addressed the London Secretaries: "And you, my friends, who are more particularly engaged n this noble cause, permit me to addres you in the language of our Society: And you, my friends, who lately were and are The sweet endear'd companions of my life, Ah! may we long each other's blessings Sweeten each sorrow, intermix each joy, These transitory things, and, as we rise, High proceeds, Witness our minds repeatedly baptiz'd.' And in which I bid you all affectionately farewell." The Rev. John Owen, in a concluding speech, congratulated the Meeting on the ample and eloquent discussion which had taken place. He rejoiced particularly in the testimony to the merits of this Society, which had been quoted from the Life of the late venerable Bishop of London, written by the Rev. R. Hodgson, He had himself not only been in the employment of that distinguished prelare, but it would cheer the evening of his life to reflect that he had (unworthy as he was) stood high in his confidence. It was also his privilege to be equally distinguished by several of those prelates who were at once the ornament and support of this noble institution. He then adverted to the laurels with which (through the medium of this Society) he had been crowned, and which composed the only chaplet which he could bequeath to his children, when his own head pressed his dying pillow. He then observed, that neither his colleagues nor himself were hireling pleaders. They had not sold themselves to work iniquity. Their cause was the cause of God, and the magnitude of its success their ample reward. The thanks of the Meeting to Lord Viscount Hinchinbrook for his able and impartial conduct in the Chair were then moved by Torkington, Esq. seconded by Sir James Duberley, and carried unanimously. HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. We insert the following Letter from a Dignitary of the Church in Ireland, as it affords a convincing proof of the necessity of such an institution as the HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, for the purpose of diffusing religious knowledge in that much-neglected country. Mr. goes on as well as I could wish. He visits four villages in rotation; going out on Saturday evenings, and returning about one o'clock on Sunday; so that he is once a month at each. He examines the children of the schools in these places, and preaches in the evening and morning to the people. He is gladly entertained and well attended. I hear that upwards of two hundred grown people are his regular hearers, and that as many children receive the benefit of his instructions. His school in this town continues to be well attended; yet I consider that far from being the chief benefit we have from him. "This part of Ireland is even in a worse state than that about Mr. - indeed I sometimes think that our mountain, Croagh Patrick, called one of the purgatories upon earth, is the very nucleus of superstition. The number of pilgrims who go up that mountain and perform what are called by them stations, cannot be less than 20,000 annually. The great season is about the latter end of September. At that time, there are seen for several days, the great roads leading to it crowded: day and night they proceed with anxious looks and hasty steps. There is at this time a pattern, or sort of fair, held at its foot, chiefly for food and drink; at which, after the performance, the pilgrims indulge in every excess and debauchery. "There is a well in the neighbourhood, to go round which several times, either barefooted or on the knees, is part of the stations. In this well there are two trouts, which are called holy, held in the "highest veneration, and are literally con. sulted as oracles. In this way they are invoked; and if they appear, it is an omen of prosperity; if not, the consulter goes away disappointed. "Another such resort of the superstitious, is a place called Baal. The name must strike you. I spell it as it is spelled and pronounced with us. There are the ruins of what was undoubtedly a place of religious worship, manifestly very old; and I, for my part, have no doubt but that it was a place where Baal was worshipped; and that it, as many other places in Ireland, derives its name from that; and that the religion now practised there is the same, handed down without alteration to the present day. The names of some things change, but the thing itself is unchanged. Here, on what is called the Great Lady-day' in September, there is an immense assemblage; and here, as in the other place, the most abo minable immorality is indulged amidst their devotions. The place is resorted to by fiddlers, pipers, &c.; and drunkenness and lewdness prevail. It is a harvest of gain to the priest of that place, who raises contributions from the devotees. The meeting lasts about three days. What a scene does it exhibit to the Holy Lord God! and should not our spirit be stirred within us, and we be desirous to teach these poor deluded creatures the Gospel of Jésus ?" PLAN OF A SOCIETY FOR CLOTHING THE POOR AT REDUCED PRICES. MR. EDITOR, I BEG leave to inclose for your inspection, the plan of a Society of young Ladies, for selling Clothes, to the Poor at reduced Prices, and shall think myself happy, if the example should be followed in other towns; as it is not only beneficial to the poor, but peculiarly so to the young people who engage in it: first, by exercising benevolent affections, and a consideration for the wants of others; and secondly, practical improvement, in purchasing, cutting out, and making up things on a frugal and notable plan. The Society began June 1807; the first year's expenses were 9l. 5s. 5d.; and it has so rapidly increased, that in the year 1810 they amounted to 691. 5s. 4d.: in the last year 184 recommendations were given. A full recommendation is to lay out 3s., for which they receive 6s. value. This money received, with the subscriptions and donations, go to purchase for the following quarter. I beg leave to subscribe myself, with the greatest respect, A FRIEND TO THE POOR. THE object of this Society is to aid the industrious Poor, and to stimulate to ex ertion those who have hitherto been idle and improvident; to which labour of love they are encouraged, by the hope that increased habits of diligence among the poor, together with the comforts flowing from it, will materially improve the moral character of the rising generation. Another object of this Society is to promote diligence also among the children, by holding out encouragement to them, to save their little earnings in order to purchase some article of necessary clothing: for which end it is provided, that, when they have earned 1s. 6d. they may, by the kindness of a subscriber, purchase any articles worth 3s. and thereby learn the importance of employing their time to useful purposes, and the value of a friend to assist their laudable endeavours, The clothing being purchased at the first hand, and many articles being made up without any expense to the purchaser, it is expected that the benefit to the poor will amount to more than two thirds of the value of the articles which they purchase. The funds of the Society are at present low, and their quarterly subscription small but it is hoped, that when their plan shall be more generally known, the generosity of the public will not suffer it to be dropped for want of patronage and support. The Rules of this Society are as follow: 1. A Committee of five ladies is appointed to meet every quarter, in order to regulate the business, and to settle the 5. None will be permitted to purchase clothing without a note of recommendation from one of the subscribers, specifying their name and place of abode; they are also required to show to the subscriber who favours them with the recommend. ation, the articles they have purchased. 6. If any person who has purchased clothes of this Society, be found to sell, pawn, or otherwise dispose of them, he, or she, will not in future be permitted to purchase any more.. 7. Subscribers living in the country are entitled (if they please) to dispose of their part of the clothes in the place where they live, provided they remit the money for them to the Society. 8. The subscribers are requested to pay their subscriptions at the beginning of every quarter, to facilitate the purchase of the clothing by the Committee. 9. The clothes made by the subscribers in the town, must be returned according to the time specified by the direction sent with the work. 10. At the first committee-meeting in every year, the accounts will be examined, and a report be given to the subscribers, of the total sum received and expended in the past year, and of the number of persons benefited by purchasing apparel at the reduced prices. LECTURE TO THE JEWS.. (Concluded from p. 107.) August 6.-The erroneous and unworthy views of the Jews as to the intent of POETRY. HYMN. Ito my Father's courts would fly, With their false joys to mix. I fain would make my home; Where dwell the pure angelic train, Where the redeemed come. Oh! could I reach that happy shore, How would my soul expand, And, wrapt in wonder, view the scenes Of that celestial land! But let not thy aspiring mind Transport thee thus to rove I view myself, and quick the tear I plead my blest Redeemer's love, That made him leave his own bright throne, To dwell with dust like me. His hunger, thirst, and cold; I plead the thorny diadem; I plead the cursed tree; I plead the firm attesting word, To those bright realms, where nothing I plead his triumph o'er his foes; comes But purity and love. What claim hast thou to enter where The God in glory reigns, And by his own transcendant might His majesty maintains? No claim I plead-that privilege From his free grase must be ; His rising from the tomb; Where, by the great Eternal's side, ELEANOR. A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THE LATE REV. JOHN COWPER, OF BENNET COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. DRAWN UP BY HIS BROTHER, W. COWPER, ESQ. AUTHOR OF THE TASK. As As soon as it had pleased God, after a long and sharp season of conviction, to visit me with the consolations of his grace, it became one of my chief concerns, that my relations might be made partakers of the same mercy. In the first letter I wrote to my brother, I took occasion to declare what God had done for my soul; and am not conscious, that, from that period down to his last illness, I wilfully neglected an opportunity of engaging him, if it were possible, in conversation of a spiritual kind. When I left St. Alban's, and went to visit him at Cambridge, my heart being full of the subject, I poured it out before him without reserve; and in all my subsequent dealings with him, so far as I was enabled, took care to show that I had received, not merely a set of notions, but a real impression of the truths of the Gospel. At first, I found him ready CHRIST. GUARD. VOL. IV. enough to talk with me on these subjects: sometimes he would dispute, always without heat or animosity; and sometimes he would endeavour to reconcile the difference of our sentiments, by supposing, that at the bottom we were both of a mind, and meant the same thing. He was a man of a most candid and ingenuous spirit-his temper remarkably sweet-and, in his behaviour to me, he had always manifested an uncommon affection. His outward conduct, so far as it fell under my notice, or I could learn it by the report of others, was perfectly decent and unblameable. There was nothing vicious in any part of his practice; but being of a studious thoughtful turn, he placed his chief delight in the acquirement of learning, and made such acquisitions in it, that he had but few rivals in that of a classical kind. He was critically skilled in the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages; was beginning to make himself master of the Syriac, and perfectly understood the French and Italian, the latter of which he could speak fluently. These attainments, however, and many others in the liteY |