namely, a miserable death in a foreign land. Nor was I the only one whose thoughts foreboded evil: some would absolutely have given up all further exertion, had it not been for the encouraging view we soon obtained of some cottages, peeping as it were through the snow, at the distance of about a mile from us; there was one which stood more detached than the others, it was nearest to me, and thither I directed my course, and in half an hour's time was once more in safety beneath the roof of a family's dwelling: it consisted of two distinct parts; the one for the residence of the household, the other for housing and thrashing grain. It was the latter I entered, where the owner was beating out some corn, By this time nature was so far exhausted, that the instant exertion for life ceased to be necessary, that instant I sunk under my fatigue and cold, and fell on the straw the poor man was thrashing. Astonished at the pearance of a stranger, and more so at my conduct, I remember he laid by his flail, and came and viewed me for some seconds, with evident pity and surprise. He spoke, but I understood not what he said; nor could I make him sensible of much which I wished to communicate; but judging, from my ice-clad state, that I must be extremely cold, he made signs for me to go to a fire; this, however, I refrained from for the present, having witnessed the fatal effects of such a step in others. ap Before I quitted the island, I had tied a little bundle (all my then worldly wealth) on my shoulders, containing a shirt, a pair of stockings, and a pair of woollen trousers. This bundle I had again and again endeavoured to disengage myself of, while toiling in the water, but the cold had so benumbed my hands, as to prevent me accomplishing my desire: vexed as I had been, and angry at my little load, I now found it a great mercy that I had not succeeded in throwing it away: its contents, being still dry, proved an invaluable treasure. At length I made the farmer sensible I wanted it untied, and my icy clothes stripped off.These kind offices he soon performed, and in ten minutes' time, partly from my own bundle, and partly from the poor farmer's wardrobe, I was dry and warm clad, the good Samaritan having previously run in and fetched a glass of gin, which I drank, and found my strength and spirits quickly revived. By this time the rest of the family were informed of their visitor, and two elderly matrons came and gazed on me for some minutes without speaking; perhaps they had sons, who had left them, and, as they seemed to think, might be as forlorn in some distant land as I appeared to be in theirs; there certainly was much parental kindness, and a sort of grief, in their countenance. These kind women took me from the thrashing-floor into their sitting-room, brought me a little more gin, and then hastened to get ready some dried beef and coffee, all of which I partook of with the family. It was nine o'clock when I arrived at this friendly asylum, so that it ap peared I had been nearly two hours in the water, and being the only person who sought refuge here, I partook of the undivided kindness and attention of all the family, with whom I remained till three in the afternoon; when finding the whole of my companions had proceeded, either in carts or on foot, to C, I felt anxious to follow; but my kind host would not abate his attention until, having accompanied me the whole of the road, he saw me housed, and in the midst of my shipmates; this done, he journeyed homeward, through the snow and storm of a sad night, apparently much delighted with having had an opportunity of ad -- being enabled to say, "He was a stranger, and I took him in." Peace be unto him, and unto all his household! May the God and Father of all mercies smoothen down their declining path with many consolations, and in their last and closing trial may they hear the Redeemer's voice proclaim, “Come ye blessed children of my Father," &c. the poor tear of gratitude which now falls on my paper may never be known to you, but your reward of grace shall not fail! ministering to one in distress of remembering and applying any of its contents to my heart, but to dress up a ludicrous account of some late occurrences in its pecu. liar language and solemn phraseology! and, O how vain was I at the approbation these wretched epistles met with from fools who made a mock at sin! With what delight did I hear them say I had thrown in my verily verilys, and my lo and beholds, to much advantage! Nor did all or any of the events connected with this shipwreck in the smallest degree awaken my mind to serious convictions; indeed, it seemed to have pleased the Almighty to give me up for a season to follow the devices and desires of my blind and rebel heart, and thus to allow Sa tan to fill me with my own ways, Throughout all the perils and mercies I had passed, I neither once implored the divine assistance, nor once returned thanks for his favours! No sooner had I joined my companions at C, than I forgot the difficulties I had undergone; drunkenness, oaths, and profane songs, were in our assembly; but none of us regarded the works of the Lord, or considered the operations of his hands; none inquired, Where is the Lord, my deliverer, my redeemer ? The next morning presented a melancholy sight, similar to what had appeared the day after our first journey; i. e. several, who apparently had sustained no harm by their exposure to the weather, were no sooner under cover, than dreadful inflammation began to seize their hands and feet, the whole limb becoming one entire blister, attended for many days with all the agony of a severe burn or scald. Several had been left in this state at the island, but a far greater number were added to the list after our second journey. I, however, escaped on both occasions entirely unhurt, and on both occasions I continued entirely un When my kind benefactor had left me, I sat down as unmindful of God and his providences as though the world existed independent of him. Nay, in no one part of that day had he been in any of my thoughts. When, Mr. Editor, a young man has "lived without God and without Christ" on the shore, there is but little probability of a moral reformation at sea. In my own case I know, that, from the time I first embarked, up to the period of which I am now treating, I had gradually advanced in contempt of the Almighty, and in the love and practice of sin; for a short time I felt some scruples of conscience at the horrid and prevalent vice of swearing, but a few months entirely effaced them, and I not only joined the blasphemer without compunction, but actually considered it as the mark of a high spirit, a sort of necessary accomplishment. In addition to all this, I shortly became acquainted with some of the most vile and infamous writings that ever appeared in this kingdom; the circumstance of their being prohibited only served to enhance their value; I read them again and again, and for hours to gether employed myself in making extracts from them: but I have not the smallest recollection of ever seeing a Bible while belonging to this ship, though I once endea youred to call to mind that sacred volume; not, Sir, with the view of mindful of the goodness of the Lord, demonstrating, by my conduct, that "madness is in the heart of man," and that neither mercies nor judgments are of them selves sufficient to humble, or even to check him, in his sinful course. Yours, ALIQUIS. To the Editor of the Christian SIR, is of LATELY observing in your va luable publication some remarks on the preaching of that amiable man, the late Rev. C. Stephenson, Vicar of Olney, whose memory still dear to many in this parish, I recollected that, a few years before he left us, he published a small tract, which contains the substance of what he taught amongst us about twenty-five years, a copy which he gave to me: the same, Sir, I have sent for your inspection, humbly requesting, should it meet your approbation, you will take an early opportunity of inserting it, or such part of it as you may think best, in your excellent work; and you will oblige, Sir, one of your well-wishers and constant readers, hath believed our report ?" How few, how very few, comparatively, of you are real Christians! Many of you have not even the appearance of Christianity; and others, which is, if possible, a more dangerous state, have, I fear, as yet only the appearance. Some of you bid open defiance to God, by constant profanation of his sabbath, his name, and all his laws. Let me exhort such to consider, that they are not only ruining their own souls, but, by their example and influence, they are weakening the interests of social order, good government, true morality, and pure religion. They are accessories to the destruction of their neighbours who perish through ignorance and infidelity. (Job, xxi. 14, 15; 1 Cor. xv. 33; Prov. xiii. 20.) With the most friendly regard for their best interest, let me exhort such to examine how far they, by a neglect of the house of God, are fulfilling the awful saying of Jesus Christ recorded by St. John, iii. 19, 20: "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither comJE S. eth to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." Let me beg them seriously to read the Saviour's command to his Apostles and suc Rowley-Regis, Staffordshire, A PLAIN AFFECTIONATE ADDRESS ceeding Ministers, Mark, xvi. 15, TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE NEIGHBOURS, I HAVE now resided among you near twenty years. I trust my ministry has not been altogether in vain; that some of you are witnesses of the saving efficacy of the Gospel I have preached unto you, and that others are praising God for it in heaven. Yet, alas! with regard to many of my dear people, I have lamentable cause to take up the words of the Prophet-" Who 16: "Go and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned." His promise, Matthew, xxviii. 20: “Lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." His declaration, Luke, x. 16: "He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth Him that sent me:" and then say, is not a neglect or forsaking of the ministry of the Gospel, a neglect or forsaking of God himself? And is it not most reasonable, that God should forsake those who forsake him?Consider the consequence: and may that gracious Being from whom cometh every good and perfect gift grant you true repentance! Others of you sit before God in his house, as his people, while your hearts are devoted to the world, to covetousness, or to some secret sin. Be assured, my poor fellowmortals, your sin will find you out. Happy it will be for you if it is before a dying hour, or a day of judgment: I have warned most of you in public, and many of you in private; yet, though your consciences could not but approve my faithfulness, and witnessed my only having your good in view, your hearts remain unchanged, your lives unreformed. What must I do? Must I give you up as for ever lost? "Knowing the terrors of the Lord," must I cease my endea vours to persuade you? Knowing the mercies of my God, must I cease to "beseech you to present yourselves a living sacrifice unto him as your most reasonable service ?"-No; God forbid! By his grace, so long as I continue your Minister, whether you hear, or whether you forbear, I will be instant to stir you up to seek after the things which belong unto your eternal peace:" that, if you finally perish, I may be clear from your blood. (Ezek. xxxiii. 9.) Hoping to pluck some of you as " brands from the burning," looking to God for his blessing, I will now lay before you several of the most important truths I have preached, and to each subjoin an application for you to make to your own breasts. And, O remember, my dear brethren, that God knows your hearts, and will not be mocked, that" as you sow, so you shall also reap." Your everlasting state in heaven or hell depends upon your serious reception or trifling neglect of the truths which I have constantly made known, and now declare unto you. First, that by nature we are all sinners (Rom. iii. 10, and nine following verses), under the wrath and condemnation of an holy God, without any power to help ourselves from suffering the just vengeance of eternal fire. Reader, ask thyself, Am I really convinced of this humbling truth, and crying out day by day with the publican, "God be merciful to me a sinner !” Secondly, Jesus Christ came into the world to seek and save the lost; satisfying the divine justice, making the law honourable by his infinitely meritorious life and death, he hath opened the kingdom of heaven to all true believers, and become the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him. (Heb. v. 9.) Here ask yourself, Have I as a lost sinner, fled for refuge to Jesus Christ, as a Saviour? (Heb. vi. 18.) Do I thankfully depend on the merit of his sufferings as my only title to heaven? (1 Cor. iii.11.) And, am I living in obedience to his will? (John, xv. 14.) Thirdly, that the will of God is our sanctification; that we should go forward, "perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord." Now inquire, Am I crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts? (Gal. v. 24; vi. 13.) Am I growing in grace (2 Pet. iii. 28), in the use of all appointed means, reading my Bible, self-examination; diligent, private, family, and public prayer, regular attendance on the house of God (Heb. x. 25), and his table? Fourthly, that a sincere desire of glorifying God will make men very attentive to all the duties they owe their fellow-creatures. Do I do unto all men as I would they should do unto me? Do I behave myself lowly and reverently to all my betters, kindly and tenderly to my equals and inferiors? (Col. iii. and iv.) Fifthly, that Christianity teaches its professors to do all the good Eighthly, "that we must all ap pear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive for the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Cor. v. 10.) Am I living "soberly, righteously, and godly (Tit. ii. 12, 13), looking for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ?” (Heb. ix. 27, 28.) they possibly can to all mankind- tion to God's determined plan of even to their enemies. Put the salvation. following questions to your consciences Am I using my time, my strength to labour, my money, my influence, and whatever abilities I have, for the good of my family, my Christian brethren, my poor ignorant neighbours, and of the enemies to me, to God, and his church? remembering that all I have is from God (1 Cor. vi. 20), and that I am base and vile indeed, if I seek not to employ all for him; yet, that when I have returned him all, I must confess I am an unprofitable servant, and must be saved by divine grace alone? (Eph. ii. 8, 9, 10.) Sixthly, that the main spring, the governing principle of a real Christian's conduct, is faith in the whole revealed will of God, contained in the Bible: the promises, the threatenings, the doctrines, the precepts, the examples, the warnings, the directions for his certain good in this present life, and his infinitely greater good in the life to come. Do I fully believe, and gladly receive, all Scripture as given by inspiration of God? and there fore profitable for every means by which I may live happily, die comfortably, and triumph eternally in the friendship of my Saviour and my God? Seventhly, that the Bible directs all its sincere readers and hearers to seek the aid, the teaching of the Holy Spirit, to enable them to understand and apply its sacred truths. Have I with all serious diligence, at home and at church, faithfully sought the influence of that divine Instructor? If I have not, I have fancied myself WISE enough, therefore I deserve to perish in the greatness of my folly, for supposing myself capable of comprehending the mysteries of INFINITE WISDOM, or of reconciling and rendering myself agreeable to INFINITE HOLINESS by a method of my own devising, in proud opposi Ninthly, that God has mercifully commanded one day in seven to be especially appropriated to his own service, not only for his own glory, but for our present and everlasting benefit, that we may consider it "as a sign of his favour towards us;" enjoy, by sweet anticipation, something of the rest which awaits true believers in heaven, and obtain a greater meetness for heaven, by obtaining an increase of knowledge and grace, in the experience and strength of which we may be enabled increasingly to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, through the other six days of the week, and to regulate our lives according to his will. Conscience, tell me faithfully, do I esteem the blessed sabbath as the holy and most honourable day of the Lord? Do I seek to enjoy in it a rest from sin, a foretaste of heaven, an increase of divine knowledge and grace, that I may live the remainder of the week more to the glory of God, and to the real good of my neighbour and myself? Tenthly, that all blessings for time and eternity may be obtained by the prayer of faith, in the name of Jesus Christ. Am I constrained by conscience to acknowledge, that I have been a stranger to prayer; and that I have been ignorant as to any real experience of the great truths I have just read for heard)? By the help of God I will begin to pray now; for, if I do not pray to-day, God may justly refuse to hear me to-morrow, and in righ |