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Church, yet he neither despised nor undervalued the characters and labours of good men out of the Church: and, as a proof of this, he was upon the most cordial terms with many of them, some of whom he was in the habit of visiting, and for whose talents, learning, and piety, he had the greatest

esteem.

As Mr. G. was not accustomed to take any thing upon trust, and desired to be a Minister nourished up in faith and good doctrine, he was very desirous of ascertaining what is truth. Having, read the Bible with his own eyes, and seeing also that the Articles and Homilies of that Church of which he was a Minister, were established on the doctrines of the apostles and prophets-though he called no man master-his sentiments were, of course, what are denominated Calvinistic, and his preaching so likewise. The chief features of all his public discourses were, Repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ-the need of the Holy Spirit's influence on the heart, in order to induce that faith and repentance; and the necessity of purity, both in the heart and in the life, as an evidence of their reality: and he never failed to set forth the everlasting covenant love of Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as the source from whence all these blessings freely and undeservedly Rowed; he enforced also these truths as the most powerful motives to holiness, and by these means he turned many to righteousness; for he opened his mouth boldly to make known the mysteries of the Gospel.

his views on all subjects were most decided. He acquired knowledge from experience, and the conclusions which he formed both of men and things were generally right.

In his appearance, he was somewhat eccentric remarkably careless of his dress, yet a keen observer of the appearance of others. His habits were very retired, and bordered upon indolence; still he only wanted to know his duty, in order to the performance of it. His temper was very sweet. Communicative to his friends, and respectfully silent before strangers-while he was accessible to all, he was esteemed by all, and beloved most by those who knew him best.

He possessed a most benevolent and honourable mind. He was never known to do a mean thing, nor a noble one in a mean way. He hated parade, and was, in every respect, a plain and honest man. His mind was particularly independent s he carefully retired from many persons of affluence, who were disposed to do him good, and would often purposely go out of their way, in order to avoid showing them incivility on the one hand, or appearing to act with servility on the other.

As a friend, also, he was an invaluable treasure to all those who had the happiness of standing in that relative character to him. To his friend, his heart-his house-his purse, were open. The more furiously the storms of adversity beat upon his friend, the more affectionately he pressed him to his bosom. One act of his friendship may be well recorded, as an evidence of the strength of his affection, and of the largeness of his heart. A friend whom he much valued, being unexpectedly and suddenly brought into pecuniary difficulties, though his own income was so small as never to exceed 200l. a year, yet, lest his 'friend's mind should be disturbed at existing or future difficulties, he wrote, with a pencil, the following

note:

Though Mr: G. was Calvinistic in his doctrinal preaching, he was Apostolic in his practical preaching; and, as has been before observed, most strenuously enforced evangelical obedience upon evangelical principles. His sermons, however, were always well studied and connected. During the first seven years of his ministry he wrote them throughout, carried them with him to the pulpit, but delivered them chiefly memoriter. When he discontinued the use of written sermons, at the age of thirty years, he prepared considerable notes, which he frequently took with him in his Bible. He made it a point of conscience to devote almost the whole of his time to preparation for the pulpit; and considered it presumptuous for a man to offer to God that which cost him no-tender. He consulted not only what was thing.

As a MAN, Mr. G. was most amiable. He had very humble views of himself, and possessed such an uncommon degree of diffidence, as never to enter into an argument with any of his brethren with whom he associated, if their sentiments were on any points opposed to his, though

"My dear Friend,

"You will much oblige me, by accepting 60l. a year from me, till things turn out better. Yours, truly,

"W. A. G."

As a CHRISTIAN, he was truly ex cellent. He had a conscience peculiarly

lawful, but likewise what was expedient. He was much in retirement; his Bible was his constant companion; and, more than almost any man, he was a Man of one Book. He was afraid of every thing that he esteemed a sin. He would have no acquaintance with any one who held the truth in unrighteousness.

He was

seized with a trembling, if he met such a character; with one of this description he wou d have no connexion; and no consideration whatever could induce him to

show towards such even the external marks of courtesy. Christ was his friend, -he valued none but the friends of Christ;

and he desired so to walk, as the world might see, that for him to live was Christ, and to die, eternal gain. Some faults he might have, but they were such as his

friends could scarcely see, or his foes remember.

After reading this character of their author, we are satisfied that the Sermons will be perused with pleasure and profit by all who value the truths which adorn the Bible, the Church of England, and the memory of Alphonsus Gunn,

MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT,

AND

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

THE BRISTOL CHURCH OF ENGLAND,

TRACT SOCIETY.

THE object of this Society is to circulate, in a cheap form, among the poor members of the Church of England, her Homilies, the Lives of their Reformers and Martyrs, Extracts from her Writings, and from the Publications of her Bishops; with such short Pieces illustrative of the primitive History, Constitution and Discipline of the Church, as the Committee may approve.

The furtherance of this object promises to form an important means of strengthening the attachment of the lower classes to the communion of the Established Church, and of dissipating the ignorance too generally prevailing among them of its history, of that of its reformers, and of the doctrines in defence of which they endured the most bitter persecutions.

Tracts of this description will make them acquainted with all that has been done for them, in winning and establishing that inheritance of pure religion which they enjoy. "The names of Wickliffe and Tindal, Latimer and Ridley, ought not to be less popular in England than those of Blake and Marlborough, and our own great Nelson. They are the heroes of our religion, and we owe as much of our intellectual pre-eminence, as much of our peculiar happiness, to the constitution of our Church, as of our Government."

The object in question is one which involves no controversial points, no party questions. It is one in which all friends of the Establishment may unite: and its beneficial influence in promoting an attachment to her constitution, and diffusing a spirit of piety amongst her members, is incalculable.

The concerns of the Society are ma naged by a committee of clergy and laity, which meets at the Society's rooms, at Messrs. Tripp and Dyer's, Small Street, Bristol, the first Monday in every month, at half past 11 o'clock in the forenoon.

The plans of the Society are supported by donations and subscriptions, and every subscriber of 10s. 6d. is considered a mem, ber of the Society,

Subscribers are entitled to purchase any number of the Society's Tracts at the reduced prices affixed by the Committee to each Tract, for ready money, provided they do not take less than 25 of one number, or 100 sorted.

All Church of England charity-schools, and public charities, together with Tract Societies of similar constitution and principles, are supplied at cost prices.

It is in the discretion of the Comittee to make donations of the Society's racts for the purpose of distribution.

All orders for purchases at the duced prices by subscribers and public charities are to be sent, post paid, to Mr. Richardson, Bookseller, No. 6, Clare Street, Bristol, the depositary of the Society.

The Tracts of the Society are also sold by W. Major, Printer to the Society, St. John's Steps; W. Bulgin, Bookseller, Corn Street; J. Binns, Bookseller, Bath ;-and by the following Booksellers in London: J. Hatchard, 190, Piccadilly; Messrs. Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, 7, Paternoster Row; and Walker, in the Strand.

Subscriptions and donations are received by J. S. Harford, Jun, Esq. Treasurer; and by the Rev. J. T, Sangar, Secretary; at the Banking-house of Messrs. Harfords, Davis, and Co, and at the Deposi tory in Bristol,

BAPTIST MISSION.

Extract of a Letter from Dr. Carey. I WAS informed by the late T. Parr, Esq. who was President in the island of Samatra, that he had the most decisive proofs of the natives of that island being cannibals; but about a fortnight ago, a gentleman of undoubted veracity gave me such an account of them as exceeded all that ever I heard of cannibals. This gentleman, captain of a ship in the Eastern trade, was at Serampore, about a fortnight ago, with a little boy. As we were toge ther, he said to me, "Can you imagine how I came by this boy?" I said, "No." Said he, "I was on the coast of Samatra, when having occasion to go ashore, my attention was arrested by three little boys whom I saw. I asked a Malay, who they were? He without any hesitation replied, that they had been stolen from a neighbouring island, and would be sold for food to the Battas (a nation inhabiting part of Samatra) as soon as they were fattened. I asked their price, and was told 150 dollars. Without thinking of the price (said he), I went on board, and brought the money, with which I bought them, and carried them on board 'the ship." I believe, it is not supposed that cannibals exist who devour any besides enemies taken in war. Surely the enemies of Missions will not dispute the propriety of sending the Gospel thither,

From the Appendix to the Fifth Annual Re part of the Committee of the London Female Penitentiary.

A BRIEF MEMOIR OF ISABELLA M. WHO DIED THE 26TH OF APRIL 1812. THIS young woman was the daughter of parents in the humble walks of life, and she appears to bave been lamentably negles by them, never having been sent to anyhool, or taught even to read.

When she was about ten years of age, she let her mother; and her father being at sea, she was left to run about the streets, until a lady, from compassion, took her, and kept her twelve months. After this she went to service, but was seduced at the early age of fourteen, and afterwards entered into a state of iniquity; in which she remained, until-a lady, seeing her dangerous and miserable state, obtained for her a reception into the Penitentiary. She acknowledged, that, while living in sin, she sometimes felt convictions of conscience; but soon stifled them. Being roused, however, by her sufferings, to some sense of her danger, she gladly sought refuge in the Penitentiary, where she was taught to read, and where she received the best moral and religious instructions. For CHRIST. GUARD. VOL. IV.

son.

some time, no permanent religious impressions were made upon her mind, until she heard a sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. W. from the parable of the prodigal She now became deeply sensible of her departure from God; but from the natural timidity of her disposition, she was prevented from disclosing the state of her mind. She often wept bitterly; but at length her mind gradually became calm, and she obtained a heart-cheering, though humble, hope that God would pardon her sins, for the sake of Jesus Christ. She was particularly useful in the employments which were appointed her, and her example was exemplary for industry, humility, and affection towards her companions, and as she had no friends who, could provide for her, she was permitted to remain in the house rather beyond the usual time. During the last twelve months she was evidently declining in health; and the state of her mind at this time may be seen by the following short extracts made from her papers, written before she was, confined to her bed. In what frame of mind should I rise in the morning? I should consider for what purpose the Lord has spared me, and thankfully reflect on his mercy. I should rise with an humble, grateful heart; and with a sincere desire to serve God, and to do good to my sisters through the day. Sin has a tendency to darken the mind; it makes us believe that good is evil, and evil good. Oh what a dreadful thing is sin! How may I know whether I earnestly desire to be holy in the sight of God? If I do, religion will be my chief enjoyment; I shall be anxious to do good to others, and to bear with their tempers. I hope God will enable me to hate sin more and more every day; and I will pray to God to keep me in the path of holiness and peace, that I may obtain present and everlasting happiness."

In the beginning of February she grew much worse, but continued in a very calm state of mind. Upon being asked if she expected to recover? she replied, she did not desire to know the will of God respecting her, but to give herself up entirely to his disposal; if he spared her life, she hoped he would enable her to live to his glory, and testify te poor sinners what he had done for her soul; but if he pleased to take her, she was willing to die. The sub-matron, under whose care she was placed, having been told of the uninformed state in which she came into the Institution, was agreeably surprised to observe the progress she had made in religious knowledge; and that she could now both read and write, and express her sentiments with tolerable propriety upon the leading truths and duties of the Bible: Na

and could also give a satisfactory account of her hope for eternity, She expressed great concern for the eternal happiness of her father, and endeavoured, at every interview he had with her, to impress upon. his mind the great importance of a preparation for death. At one of those visits, she said, "I am not afraid to die: Jesus Christ died for sinners, and I put my trust in him."

She expressed much gratitude for the benefits she had received in the Institution, and particularly for the compassion manifested by the ladies' committee, in keeping her in the house beyond the usual time; saying to Mrs. Stibbs, on one occasion, "What short-sighted creatures we are, Madam! once I wished to leave the house, to instruct my dear father in the ways of religion; but what should I have done now, if God had granted my desire? I now see the wisdom and goodness of God, in what he has appointed respecting me, seeing that I was so soon to be laid upon a sick and dying bed." She entreated the women in the house to make themselves useful to each other in their highest concerns, and to prize and im prove the privileges they enjoyed; saying, they would better know the value of them on a sick and dying bed.

A friend to the Institution, being desirous of satisfying himself as to the reality of her religion, visited her a few weeks before her death, for that purpose. He asked her various questions, to which she returned answers, which, in his opinion, clearly showed that she not only had an acquaintance with the main truths of Christianity, but a strong feeling likewise of their immense importance. It was particularly his wish to ascertain whether or not there were satisfactory grounds for the conclusion, that she had truly repented, and with this specific view he made several inquiries: which, at length, induced her to apprehend that he entertained some suspicion of her sincerity; upon which, she earnestly and solemnly addressed him, saying, "O Sir, I am so far from endeavouring to impose upon others, that I tremble lest I should deceive myself."

As she grew weaker in body, and evidently approaching nearer the grave, her tranquillity increased, her hopes became more and more confirmed; and the promises of Jesus Christ, and the salvation he purchased, were daily more precious to her. She delighted much in having some one with her who could read the Scriptures, and pray with her; and her conversation on those occasions was particularly instructive: yet she loved solitude and silent meditation, and several imes expressed a wish that she might die

in the night, and alone. Being in great pain, she said, "If I die, and had my deserts, I should be in everlasting misery; but the mercy of God hath spared me, and I can bear patiently what I now suffer, having a blesset hope of a glorious rest hereafter." One of the women having read to her the 23d Psalm, she said, "When I take a review of my past life, surely may say, Goodness and mercy have followed me all my days! From how many dangers did God mercifully preserve me, when I was madly rebelling against him! What but mercy was it that brought me into this house, where I have been taught the way to happiness and heaven; and I hope, when time shall be no more, I shall sing the praises of my Redeemer." At another time she expressed a grateful sense of the Lord's goodness to her in giving hér patience under her afflictions; and in this grace she was exemplary. She observed, "I have many sufferings both in body and mind; but what shall I enjoy when I go to dwell with Christ, for ever to behold his glory!" She would frequently repeat passages of Scripture, and verses of Hymns, She became much worse on Saturday. On the 25th of April her change was evidently at hand, and she was too low to say much: but being asked respecting the state of her mind, she said, "I am quite happy." She expired on the following day, aged twenty years.

THIRTEENTH REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE RELIGIOUS TRACT $0CIETY, MAY 14, 1812.

THE Committee will now have the pleasure of presenting to the members and friends of the Religious Tract Society, the thirteenth annual Report of its proceed. ings. They esteem it a peculiar privilege, in these eventful times, that they can turn from every scene of distress and tumult, and lay aside every feeling of uneasiness and apprehension, to meet such an assembly in peace, in the heart of the Bri tish metropolis: a privilege they value the mor. highly, as they have only tidings of prosperity to communicate, and are per suaded that the gratitude they feel, and the satisfaction they enjoy, will be shared by every individual they address.

According to the method observed in former Reports, the Committee will first notice the Tracts which have been added to the Society's publications during the last year. They must be allowed to remark, at the same time, that the necessity for making these additions must, of course, gradually diminish. The most important subjects on which a Tract can properly be employed, are already occupied by the

It

former publications of the Society. must be evident to distributors of tracts, that those in which they may have ceased tó feel a very lively interest themselves, are probably quite new to the persons for whom they are designed, and are as much calculated for usefulness as when first communicated to the world. The objects which the Society must have in view, in augmenting its stock, and consequently creating a larger necessity for annual subscriptions to supply the requisite addition to its capital, are, to afford greater variety for the selection of judicious distributors, and to accommodate those individuals to whom the earlier Tracts are familiar. A Tract, intitled True Prophecies, No. 120, has been furnished by a member of the Committee. The Society is indebted to the Rev. W. Thistlethwaite, of Bolton, M. A. for an instructive tale, founded on facts, intitled The History of Mary Watson and Jenny Mortimer, two Sunday School Children, No. 121. A Tract, intitled The Parable of the Prodigal Son, illustrated, No. 122, has been adopted from Henry's Commentary on that interesting part of Scripture."

Some additions have also been made to the foreign publications of the Society. The valuable Tract, intitled The Dairyman's Daughter, No. 118, has been published in French. The Life of William Kelly, No. 108, has also been translated into that language, and is now in the press. The Abridgment of Leslie's Short Method with the Deists, No. 109, has been translated into French, but has not yet been printed. This measure was adopted at the instance of a Right Honour able Friend of the Society, notwithstanding the previous translation of the same Tract into the Russian language; as French is much more in use, as a written language, among the higher classes of Russians, than even their native tongue. This translation may be expected to prove serviceable in every part of the continent into which it can be introduced.

The new series of Tracts, designed principally for hawkers, has been enriched with the addition of The Dairyman's Daughter, which is printed in five Tracts, under separate titles, to adapt it the better for that mode of circulation. The Negro Servant, by the same author, has also been printed for the hawkers, in three Tracts, under separate titles. Tracts, intitled The Christian Drummer, The Balloon, and The Last Week of the World, by a member of the Committee, have been added to this series. A Tract, intitled The Comet, prepared by another member of the Committee, in order to take advan tage of the general attention excited last

year by the appearance of a beautiful lu minary of that kind, has also been added to the same series, together with The Happy Man, or the Life of William Kelly; and A Dialogue between Farmer Trueman and his Son, founded on Dr. Buchanan's Account of the Cannibals in India; and two new Carols. Other Tracts, relating to the shocking murders perpetrated last winter in the metropolis, were published for temporary circulation, but have not been adopted into the series.Occasional efforts to do good in this manner have been frequently made by former Committees, and appear by no means un worthy to be sanctioned by the Society, Repeated applications have been made to the Committee, and their predecessors in office, to print Tracts in the form of shopbills, hand-bills, and posting-bills, for the same important purpose; but with these, on mature consideration, it has been judg ed inexpedient to comply. The demand for the Hawker's Tracts is of such a na ture, as to require frequent additions to this series. Entertaining narratives, found. ed in fact, if rendered subservient to the purpose of engaging the attention, and impressing the minds of the lower classes with moral and religious truth, are deemed peculiarly suitable; and communications of this nature will, at all times, be a service to the Society.

It has been found advisable to print many of the Tracts of each series in a form calculated to render them acceptable as presents for the reward of good behaviour in Sunday schools: various ad ditions to this assortment have been made during the last year, and are duly distinguished in the Society's catalogue,

In consequence of the extraordinary popularity of the Tract, intitled The Dairyman's Daughter, of which 80,000 copies have been sold by this Society in about twelve months (exclusive of the circulation it has obtained in its new form as five Sunday-school Tracts, and through other channels), an edition of the French translation of it has been printed in a superior manner, and done up in boards, for the use of schools. The friends of the Society might employ their influence very beneficially, in procuring the introduction of this book into seminaries where the French language is cultivated. The translation is executed by a native of France, who is considered one of the best French scholars in this country. The opportu nity of procuring translations of the Tracts from a person so capable of rendering them respectable in the eyes of the superior classes in foreign countries, is one among the many advantages which have been bestowed upon the Society.

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