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JESSE KEEKCER, Editor.
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From the Religious Herald .
IR EDESTIRATIO Pi.
Mr. Editor, —
“SOMETHING STRANGE!” proclai
med the Washington Telegraph. “A re
ligious writer in the Religious Herald, (we
are told in the Telegraph,) undertakes to
prove Christianity from Horner, and we
always thought that the Christian religion
was introduced to destroy mythology.”
‘‘THOU BR INGEST STRANGE
THINGS t gttr cars,” said some other
gentlsunOT, s)t;ho “Riouirlit St.T.yyl a “bab
when! he began speaking. Now, ]
what does this writer in the Herald say t
Why, that even Homer talks of fate and
not of fortune; and. the doughty cham
pion of pure and unde fled- religion; the
Editor of the Telegraph, is afraid that the
Herald is going to introduce the old iieathcn
mythology, and become <i setter forth of
strange gods! Rut he need not be alarm
ed, for Vie Apostle of us Gcittiiesvcr >'ftt
Athens—*‘Cerftttn also, of f pot’ poets
; have said— —‘LFor.ve are all hi* JWrpi'ing.”
yjieti the said—w ill hear
tj*c againF^H^ijMilnjoy.. ] ,Aer.s a‘ \ hens,
IKSlemnnc'd
of the mutter; out s me
Ban horns” morlerd! lint, Mr. I! -raid, -
‘ ‘ ■ hold myscif responsible f
Htio/i, if that will be any sa;i- A;'!: n re
Bind give the Telegraph a ch ar sky .
max’ make all his conummica*-
under (he best pi ssihlc atTvanjiago. At rti.
same time, I will thank you to enter the
following errata; No. 2, for as the man
so, read, as the man is so —for example ,
read cxamplar —for liberal, read literati
—for inseparable, read insuperable —fi>r
besides the family of their Maher —read
beside the frailty of their nature —for the
fart shews, read the poet shews.
Errata, No. 3 for the most mean, find
the most august —read the most mean, the
most august. I conclude you hnvu no
accented letters in your font, as you did not
put them, as marked iri the French note —
for look around vs, read look around—for
glowing sun-flower, read glaring sun-flow
er—for this is my power, read this is in
my power—fori cannot tell which colours,
read I can tell which colours.
llotv long shall religion resign hnr pre
cedence, rather than own the wholesome
though humbling truth—that the human
mind has its bounds? How long shall the
children of this world be, it-iser than the
children of light; pause at their limits of
speculation, and apply to practice? Hear
the language of one in the communion of
the church of Rome, enough to make a
Protestant blush. “One half of the phi
losophers being surprised at their meeting
with nothing but profound darkness, wher
ever they attempt!'* penetrate further than
the testimony of their senses, indecently re
vile the condition of man, and condemn
him to art universal ignorance. But Scrip
ture and experience on the contrary, en
courage us to make researches, by inform
ing us that God has subjected to us what
ever is upon the earth, and that ho crowns
The operations of our hands with m.ver-fail
ino rewards. The other half of the philo
sophers taking too great a complacency in
the powers:.and faculties granted to us, give
man to understand, that his capacity ex
tends to every thing. Hut Scripture and
experience inform them, that men are pin- j
ceil upon earth, not indeed to know the j
grounds of God’s works, but to improve !
them by their skill and industry; that man
is not born a philosopher) but a husband- I
man; and that his wisdom consists in ina- I
king virtue and labor go hand in hand.— j
The best we can do, is to regulate our stu
dies according to our destination. Now,
it is demonstrably true, that God, who has
given man a ‘measure of understanding |
proportioned to his wants and his end, has !
proposed to make him not a creator, hut a
husbandman. .Such is our condition; in
this we may make ourselves eminent, but
ought never to go out of it. The title, it
is true, suits neither the metaphysician,
who is generally .travelling in his possible
worlds, nor the systematic philosopher,
whose mind is forever taken up with some
imaginary edifice. *t’hese men are no hus
bandmen, as they’ are not ol this world. —
But our truly learned, and all those solid
geniuses, whose labor produces some good
upon earth, properly speaking, are so ma
ny husbandmen. This is a title equally
suitable to the industrious trader, the inlcu
dnnt of the navy, the overseer of com
merce, and the learned academic. The
geometrician, it is true, never ploughs a
and Baptist sceljA*
field, l.iit he fixes the limits ofit. The bo
ts nist never immiles a spade, but he enrich
es the garden. The geographer trans
ports neither leather nor corn ; but lie fa
cilitates navigation and trade. Lot us re
duce all arts and sciences to the same point.
The thing is easy to he done. To this
point it is, that experience, common sense,
conscience’, and the Holy Scriptures refer j
us; and from this point, all our systems of]
physics Mc.iii io have laboured to swerve,’
l>v raising us so high as to put us out oi i
our sphere, nnd by* busying us about what
wo can neither understand, nor make any
use of. Philosophy will then become am
iable, accessible to every one, satisfactory
and profitable in pioportion as philoso
phers, taking the extent of the human un
(!■■: standing tor their rule, will renounce all
learned pugeuntr , empty speculations,and
pioteiidcd profundities, and above all, the
illusory maxim of never admitting any
tiling hut what we evidently conceive, in
variably to stick to facts, or the knowledge
of them, the evidence of outward objects,
of usages and relations: for not only in re
ligion, hut also in natural philosophy, we
ought to be content with the certainty of
experience aniUtlte simplicity of revela
tion.’ 1 * **
Scripture pradchfi-uition professedly lends
to practice: it teachets me to believe tlmt
my days nre numbered and determined:
the number of my months is with God,
who hath appointed man’s bounds that he
cannot pass: it teaches me also, “bloody
and deceitful men shall not live,ant nail
their days: but~tWt -their breath shall go
away before their time.” Docs Scripture
require me to hnrrrsowizG these? Rather
let me listen to him who said, “what man
is he who dosTreth li/e, and loveth many
days, that he may see good?” Depart
from evil, and do good : seek peace, and
pursue it. This use it makes also, of those
branches of predestination which concern
‘the next world. “To whom sware he that
they should not enter into his rest, hut to
them that believed not? Let us therefore,
labor to enter into that res!, lest any man
<5Ol Tor the ncia —xarnplo r-C unbelief.—
A promise being left us of entering'into his
rest, let us therefore fear lest any of us
come short of it.” Thus when St. Paul
had been through half of his subject; when
he had brought it to this conclusion: “Os
him, and through him, and to him, arc all
things;” he adds, “1 beseech you, there
fore, brethren, by the mercies of God,that
you present your bodies a living ,sacrifice,
holy, acceptable) unto God, which is your
reasonable service; and be no) c<informed
to this world, but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that y'e may prove
what is that good, and acceptable, and per
fect will of God.”
The uses of this view of Predestination,
arc obvious. It magnifies God, and does
not build a system of divinity on the denial
of his natural perfections, under pretence
of glorifying his moral ones: nor does it,
on die other hand, destroy his moral, to
exalt his natural perfection It acknow
ledges bis mind replete with science, hid
heirt with love. If any ‘of his attributes
seem to’ jar, we believe still that they are
in perfect harmony, and ascribe the appa
rent discord to our defect- As to man,
wo follow the same method, abashing, but
not annihilating those mental powers which
God has fearfully and wonderfully made.
We release him from gazing, and set him
to work. We say to him—“ Seeing there
fore, some must enter into rest, and they
to whom it was first preached, entered not
in, because of unbelief; again heftirriiteth a
certain day, saying in David, to-day, filler
so long a time ; as it is said to-day, if ye
will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
Were we in the midst of a primitive Chris
tian church, we shoujd say, “How shall we
escape if we neglect so great/ salvation?
We would stir up all, witb6ut exception,
“so give all diligence to malic their calling
and election sure:” with St. Paul, we would
say—“it is a fearful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God.” >\fj •
We shall more fully explain the uses of
Predestination, by observing some ol its
abuses ; for that it is abused, I think no
ouo can doubt. Alas! what conscientious
minister of Jesus Christ, looking round the
church, cun question this! “Lor these
tilings I weep, mine eye runneth down.”
Predestination is inexplicable, because it
is inconceivable. It is a mystery ol faith,
; confirmed by right reason, but incompre
! hensible to both, and though we are not able
I to explain it, it is pretty evident, that many
explications do actually contbund it. Bo a
i child incapable of holding a bow, may bo
| very sure that many expert archers miss
| (he mark. The first article of religion,
! natural nnd revealed, is, the being of a
j God. I low mortifying the reflection, that,
j oflliis first.article, we know almost nothing!
I Vet from this, as from the fountain head,
1 glow all our after thoughts in religion, and
jit appears to me a very sound maxim, —
j Tlmt our ideas of tbo God we adore, will
! give the hint to all our religion ; they will
I crystalizc if clear, and discolour if defiled,
j all our whole repgious system, which will
*Abbe Pluche’s History of the Heavens,
’ vol. ii. book 3.
WAsni^forv,’■(.) ttess>ay* October si,
be more or less polluted, more or less gross, f
as our ideas of God are more or less pure.
It is therefore of the last importance, that
if v,e cannot swell our little rill of divine
knowledge, into a riVer, we should at least
use all possible precautions against pollut
ing that little which our frugal benefactor
allows for present use. O God of love!
Shew us the “pure liver of the water of
life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the
throne oi God nnd the Lamb: Head u.s
beside these still waters,” and give us to
drink of them. The doc'ces are often so
explained, as to injure the perfections of
God. Hence one class of abuses. We
have the fullest proof of the being and har
mony of the divine perfections, and v.e
may and ought to reject that explication
which disagrees therewith. We are some
times amused with a curious account of the
Covenant of grace, in favor of the elect,
nnd God the Father, is represented as en
quiring of the Son and Spirit what must be
done? A consultation is held, about har
monizing the divine attributes; the issue is,
the Father proposes, the Son-accepts, and
the Holy Spirit accedes to a treaty of peace.
Whether all this agrees with the unity of
the Divine essence, or the perfections of
the Supreme wisdom : whether on the con
trary, it does not becloud, rather than dis
play the Divine glories, let any one judge.
If all this be collected from the word coun
sel, it is certainly mistaking the vvord.f
If it bn founded on such a passage as
that in Genesis : ‘Let us make man in our
own image,’ it is a mistake of the idiom.—
If commentators say they speak figurative
ly, wo reply, that such figures of speech
should be introduycd)f*wVtf?
sterling, liberal lan t flest the Wtrmink
ing people should faktAfiction'for truth.
Be it remembered, we arc not objecting to
the thing, but to the way of accounting for
it. Calvin and Beza, who both believed
the decrees, differed in their opinions about
the arrangement of them, lleza was for
the supralapsarian scheme ; that is, that
God elected some to happiness, and ordain
cd others to misery, considered “in the
pure rrnss of crenturoshin.” Galvin took
the sublapsarian way, that is, that tile de
crees of God passed in the Divine mind,
under the consideration of men “ns sin
ners.’! If by God’s considering men in
“the pure mass,” be meant his viewing hu
man spirits abstractly, to the utter exclusion
of vice and virtue : if in ibis abstract view,
he determined the covenant of grace, be
hold tbo covenant of grace is a system of
Outo!c\gy. And ifhumun spirits consider
ed abstractedly, -were reprobated, then we
cannot see how to meet the-charge that
God is the author of vice and misery !
•Such an abstract view of the decrees, is
attempted to be accounted for by the sove
reignty of God ; but we deny that a wise
and holy God exercises any such sove
reignty, and we are confident, that he can
no more do an unjust or impartial action,
than meet with anycontroul: as just as
independent, he does not punish without a
cause. God, it seems, is determined on
the extreme punishment of so many mil
lions of human spirits : it is true, as a sove
reign, he could punish them without their
deserving it; but to make that just which
before was uncontroulable, these Spirits
shall he forced to sin, and then forcejkttO
sutler! O inexorable hardness of fate!’
No pleas, no cries, no prayers, no tears,
no regrets, can move the judge’s heart.
Merciful God, what an idea ol thy domini
on 1 Our mistakes oh this subject, arise
from a supposition of our capability of
comprehending, the operations of the infi
nite mind, and we mak.e no scruple—we,
who cannot arrange our own operations;
we’ make no scruple of arraigning the
(hough's-of God : but sanc
tion I ram'St, Paul’s ‘rcnSCfnirkgAstmcerning
Esau, a'nd whoever rtf tends .to
the easily perceive that-be
does not so-much intend to explain, as to
assert the decrees,’ His reflection on the
whole, is—O the abyss ! How unsearch
able his judgments ! his ways past finding
out!” ,
Sometimes the “will of God” is assigned
ns a ground oflhe decrees. Avery sound
way of speaking, if rightly understood:
but alas, how seldom taken in its Scripture
sense ! The will of God ought never to be
considered abstractedly, but always in
connexion with the eminence of his other
1 “The secret or counsel of the Lord, is with
them that fear Him, and he will shew them
his covenant.” Ps. xxv. 14. “Secret and
Covenant are synonymous. “Nequo enini
aliud est fesdus Dei quam secretum vcl con
silium ;” says Calvin upon the place; and
adds—“ Hie locus nos modestiam et humilia
tem invitat, ne perrumpere tentemus ad niys
teria quorum notitiam singulare esse Dei do
num pronunciat David.” This word is used
for a company of invisible angels—l Kings,
xxii. 10. For a private meeting of good men—
Ps. cxi. 1. For a conspiracy of the wicked,
Gen. xlix: 6. For the impenetrable secrecies
of the human heart. Ps. lxiv. 2, 0. The se
venty render the word by Hamer’s term for
Jove’s decree. (I beg the Washington Tele
graph’s pardon fur mentioning Homer again.)
On the whole, it seems to mean the secret
purposes of God ; impenetrable to us, but as
revealed in his word, 1 Cor. ii. 10, 11, 13.
Bee Gen. xi. 7. 13, 21, et passim.
j perfect;; res But we must not stop, and
we ho; | t<>conclude in the neu or billow
ing number. j
RS RILEY ON Ba/tISM
The following extract (f m the preface
I to Ripley's Examination ol Stuart on Bap
tism. •• fits a sentiufcjrt, and breathes a
spirit which must ctWnend it to the heart
of evy.yi friend to Hie cause of God.
‘ MaCj- -. isons arc unwilling to listen to
a disciy • u concerning baptism.’ Besides
other rt; ns, ihey profess to consider it a
dispute i “Uta mere mode or form. Ido
not regmdit in this light. If I did, I should
think boy time and labor very poorly be
stowed. The controversy respecting bap
tism, in fil its parts, is more important
than m; v imagine. The alterations
which/mcn have made in respect to this
ordinal have had a very unhappy influ
ence fee Ao cause of Christ. If is, there
a Ivo.-thy service to attempt the remo
of sh se alterations and the restoring of j
its primitive simplicity to one of the insti
tutes of ur Lord. The union of real
Christians in ifeling and action is deeply
involved in right views of this sULject.—-
Roman Catholic errors could be moresuc
cessful'y combatted,.ifthe unscriptural prac
tices in r -poet to’ baptism, which prevail
in mat*) Protestant communities should
beaban Lucd. For it is well known, that
Papists have parried the force of arguments
which Protestants have brought against
their errors, by inquiring. VV hat authori
ty hav: you for iqjjuit baptism? When I
see the attachment of many to infant bup-
kind of defence by which they
. I am not- at all surprised at the
pcrtihafioCls adherence of Roman Catholics
to prac ices which depend on the authority
The renouncing of unscrip
tural practices, and the maintaining of on
ly those practices which the scripture sanc
tions respecting baptism, on the part of
those who are engaged in Christian mis
sions, would also prevent future genera
tions of the unevangelized parts of the earth
Gary afflicted with those numerous
... ■-r - • e,—...0a0i-Lcs which have
flowed, either directly or indirectly, from
errors on this subject.
The'following (act is enough to show
that the heathen nations which are now
visited by Christian missionaries, are ex
posed to the evils which have resulted from
errors respecting baptism; and that the
light, which controversy has elicited oil
this subject, may for a long time be with
held from the nations that shall become ac
quainted with the gospel. At tier Ameri
can Mission press in Bombay, there was
reprinted in 1832, with notes and an ap
pendix, “ A Sermon on the Baptizing of
Infants]” by Stephen Mnivhn!!, B. D. of
tbs Westminster Assembly of Divines
preached nearly two hundred years ago,
“in the Abbey-Church at Westminster, at
the morning lecture appointed by the Hon
orable Mouse of Commons.” And in the
Oriental Christian Spectator, a.pcriodical
issued from tin* same press, there is a con
troversy on this part of Christian duty.
Let Christians recede from what the Bi
ble does not authorize, and the happy re
sults above named, might be hoped for.—
in tl]Lv,day ofjChristian enterprizc, when
Jhe r servants df Christ are carrying the
gospel to all nations, how mournful is tho
reflection, that together with the gospel, ina
ny are earning and sowing the seeds of
future discord. Christ indeed is preached,
. clearly for the most part, and successfully ;
and therein we must all heartily rejoice.—
But Ivnv much better were it, if that joy
wore anmingled. Tho instructors of young
. (ministers and of missionaries ought to bear
•ftps in mind; and they ought to beware,
, lest they encourage the spread, among hea
th**! fiitti'-ns, of practices which have.net
the Saviour’s sanction ; but which, like cer
tain other ancient traditions, make void the
word of God.”
The Folio wing letter is rich in information
relative to the English church at Muulmciii.
MIL SIMONE TO Dll- I3OLLES.
Mauumein, Jan. 14, l‘-34.
Rco■ and dear Sir. —My journals for
tho past G months, 1 have just written otF,
and it will go with this by the uext oppor
tunity. As my engagements have been
similar to thiso mentioned in my last com
munication, 1 have ommitted several things,
which were noticed in that, and only writ
ten down the most important facts. These
have been somew hat encouraging.
My lionrs for studying the. Biirman lan
guage, are tin* same as mentioned before —
In the morning from 9to 12, in the after
noon Isom 1 to 4.
English Church at Mavlmcin
The statistic account, written by the
clerkme church, presents the state ol
the chirch, from June 30 to Dec. 81.—
There Aavo been baptized during this time
18, anJtwo received by letter, who were
baptiz'd by bro. Mason at Tavoy. Os
these, ID are Europeans, and the rest Indo
Briton* They have hitherto adorned their
profession, with the exception oftwo, who
have Icon suspended for drunkenness. All
the members seem now to be in a healthy I
state, nnd their deportment, so far ns 1 have
an opportunity of knowing it, is consistent
with the Christian profession. Formerly
cases of discipline were frequent; but now
we seldom have any call for it, The be
setting sin which occasioned the former
discipline, is in a great measure prevented,
by a resolution passed by the church, ear
ly in the year—that every member should
abstain from drinking ardent spirits.
The older Members.
As the older members hnve enjoyed the
advantages of religious instruction for some
time, from different members of the miss
ion who have labored among them, the
Board will he gratified by having a few
particulars, reepecting them. Ithas given
mo pleasure, to observe the interest taken
by them, in the welfare of their neighbors.
Some have been the means of leading a few
to the knowledge of the the truth. Their
places of residence, are scattered in differ
ent parts of the cantonment, and they have
frequent opportunities of doing good, and 1
trust none more important than that of‘let
ting their light shine, that others seeing
their good works may glorify their Father
who is in heaven.’ There is also an in
creasing desire for knowledge. They havt 7
a church library, containing about 180 vol
umes, made up, at different times by dona
tions from the missionary brethren, anyktho
supplies sent here from our friends in Amer
ica. The “Calcutta Christian Observer,”
and the “Christian Watchman,” are regu
ly received, nnd sent to to the members in
alphabetical order, by the librarian. Be
sides these some have the ability to pur
chase a few books, sieze every opportuni
ty, eagerly to add to their own private li
braries any useful religious book. When
ever the vessels arrive, with supplies from
America, there is a general inquiry; “Have
you received any books?”
They have been doing something for the
the heathen, and other benevolent objects.
A missionary Society has been organized
since the first of August. Something sim
ilar to this was commenced when b'ro. Kin
caid was,.here, but from was
not continued. A collection is taken at
the Monthly Concert, for the heathens, and
at the one for Sunday schools, also once a
month for lights, and incidental expenses.
The following will give some idea of their
readiness to do according to their ability.
It is for the year.
Amount of subscription a 14 Rupees pr. month,
paid to brother Jtidson, makes - - 70
Taken at Monthly Concert, &c.
in hands of Treasurer - - - 42,101
Taken at Mon. Con. for S. School, - -61 ]
Collection for lights, &c. - - - 100 ;
Subscrip, for fence round chapel, - - 56 j
Makes, 331,10
Inquiry Meeting.
The inquiry meeting, Ims been regular
ly attended by a few persons ever since its
commencement. Some, who were slight
ly impressed with their lost condition, at
tod mil v a few limes, and finding that noth
ing short of giving themselves up wholly
to God, imploring his forgiveness through
the Saviour, would do they left off coming.
Others, more deeply allccted, have contin
ued, and, after giving satisfactory evidence
of their interest in the Lord Jesus ( brist,
lmve been baptized; six more, two Euro
pean soldiers, and fourlndo British females
wives of some of the soldiers, nre expected j
to he baptized in Feb. on the day of our
next communion. A few others are inqui
ring after the truth.
When there are no inquirers at this meet
ing, as all the young converts attend it, 1
have usually cnlled upon some of them to
pray, and have addressed them on subjects,
adapted to the timid and inexperienced
)oung Christian. The females do o! at
'tend this meeting, but one of a similar kind
at iny house, with Mrs. S. at eleven o’clock
in tho forenoon. At one time, during a
little excitement, from 16 to 20 came, must
ly Indo Britons. The average attendance
is from G to 12.
Prayer meetings are held regularly by
the members at the chapel, and occasion
ally ut private houses. Family worship,
is also observed by those who have families.
Singing has been taught them for a few
months, by bro. Hancock.
One of the members ofpromising f rAnts,
’ is looking forward to nuopportunity, which
he hopes to have of improving h.s mind,
with a view of doing good in sonic part of
his Master’s vineyard. By tho assistance
of his friends he has obtained a -uin suffi
cient to bnv his discharge. W hen it is
obtained, he contemplates visiting his
friends in Ireland, who are On;holies, nnd
if nothing prevents, to proceed afterwards
to tho United States.
Sunday Schools.
By r the last accounts, you received a list
ofthe teachers and scholars in the Sunday
School. There has been but little variation,
in the number of attendants since. Ihe
school is opened by the children’s reading
a chapter, on which a few questions being
asked, they sing, and a prayer is made. —
For half on hour, they are in their respec
tive classes with their teachers. Then be
‘ in“ eal'sd together, those who can read.
Vttl. 9, IVo. 49.
stand up alternately and repeat a verse se
lected by theme-elves, from, the Bible against
some slu common to children, or something
which it iccommends to children. The
exercise is closed witn a few remarks end
singing.
Every Tuesday aftorneon, from 2 to 4,
they cotne to my house, i Thts-nverage at
tendance is from 30 to 30. At this time Mrs.
S. teaches them singing, geography, and
religion. In inculcating the great truths
concerning God and their souls, the Bibl*
and the child’s book on the soul, by Mr.
Gallaudet, are used. They can sing sev
eral hymns in the Juvenile Lyre adapted
to Sunday schools. These they have com
mitted to memory, nnd at home are accus
tomed to assemble in little groups, and sing
the praises of God, in the hearing ol many
who seldom utter tbs name of God but in
oaths and blasphemy. One principle ob
ject of this meeting, is to assist the children
in exercising their powers of mind. To
eflect this, tho Child’s Book on the Soul
has been very useful. The first volume ic
familiar to them. They are beginning to
understand a little of Gcoraphy. This is
a study, which children in their situa
htive seldom had an opportunity of leara
ins- ■ -
S. S. Quarterly Examination.
A public examination has been held, ev
ery quarter, in the chapel, in tho presence
of the parents of flic children, and their
friends- QuestifjuTbnthe following point*
were promptly answered at tho last exam
ination. W hat docsthfTtiblu say of pride,
anger, liars, stealing, drunkards, adulter
ers, bad company, crifelty, laziness, obedi
ence to parents, disobedience to parent*,—
the character of Joseph; Timothy—all per
sons who go to the good place t —What be
comes of the J*ad people 7 How ean any
body be saved ] And also oq the Ist vol.
of the Ch'flcTs Book on the Soul. Hymns
sung by the children were, “How sweet is
the day.”—“Gently Lord, O Gently lead
us.”—‘Sufier little children to come unto
me.”—and part of “Heber’s Missionary
Hymn.”
Salfnih School Library.
The Library has been supplied with the
books sent out to the mission, by the Amer
ican Sabbath School Union. These have
been given out to the children, by tha
Librarian every fortnight. As there is a
deficiency of such kind of books, in India,
there is no doubt but the books have beon
read by the parents as well as the children.
A tract, or one of tho Youth’s Companion,
has been given once a month, to each child,
with a request that it should not only be
carefully read, but preserved, until there is
enough to make a book. Questions nre
occasionally asked on the contents of the
tracts, and sometimes they are requested
to bring them, that we may see how many
is kept. It is impossible to say, how long
little books put together by the children
themselves may be retained, und the good
they may bo tho means of doing. First
impressions seldom become entirely erased.
Subbath School Monthly Concert.
At the Monthly Concert for Sunday
schools,’ a few children attend with their
parents and teachers. Anecdotes, about
good children in Sabbath schools arc relat
ed. At the close a collection is taken, and
the children and teachers give their money
to buy some books. Owing to the prevail
ing habit of dram drinking, and of course
!of drunkenness, among the soldiers, the
temptation before the children, to drink and
become drunkards is grout. To meet this,
the evils of drunkenness as destructive to
soul and body, have frequently been re
peated to them. A Temporanoe Society
was mentioned to them ; and when it wa
explained to them, nnd they were told that
children in America did so, and they bear'd
me read a letter, which I received from a
little boy there, who said he belonged to a
temperance society, they ail immediately
said they too w ould leave off taking ardent
spirits, when their parents nnd friends of
fered it to them. Every Sunday this is
tested by their standing up, and with tha
sign of holding up the right hand, show
that they have not tasted any spirits.—
Whan they have been tempted by any of
the tiplers, they aro encouraged to mention
it, and to say how they escaped the poison.
Most of them know how drunkards ara
made. A little boy, of himself, in ths
last examination, stammered out something
like* the following, “Drunkard, Sir, drink
first n little, and then he wants to drink a
little more, and then he takes his dram—
then drinks a bottle, and gets drunk, Sir.”
Deportment of the Children.
Much might be said of the sneouragmg
i deportment of the children. The iastruc*
i tion they have received, I trust is not in
I vain. Their knowledge of tha word, it is
hoped, will be a shield to thorn in the hour
of temptation. They have frequently been
told, that it is not enough to know the
word of God, but they must do what the
word tells them, “Give their hearts to God,
while children.” A few of thorn hav
j shown some signs of seriousness, and say
; they feel them* Ives sinners, nnd are pray.
■ j ing to God to forgive them, and give them
,Ia w heart—a heart t leva the Lerd