But perhaps the most remarkable among these Christian labourers was Joshua Steele, a man of talents, learning, and philanthropy, who, at the age of EIGHTY, repaired to his estate in the West Indies, in order personally to ascertain the condition of the slaves, and to make upon his own property the experiment of gradually changing slavery into a milder condition, and from thence of raising the slaves to the rank of freemen. I I cannot now gratify the curiosity you feel, by entering into particulars of the good sense, the firmness, the Christian spirit, which he evinced in reducing his plans to practice. have excited in you a strong desire to become intimately acquainted with every circumstance relating to such a character; you will therefore exert your own diligence in reading and studying it in detail. I will only tell you that he died at the age of ninety-one, after having accomplished all he wished. When you, in youth, and health, and strength, feel inclined to magnify, and to sink under any little difficulty and exertion, think of Joshua Steele ! He who wishes to be a Christian, must not resign himself to a life of ease and luxury. D "The wise and active conquer difficulties I have numerous other Christian characters in store for you. The names of Neild, and many others of the present day, who are unweariedly treading in the steps of the illustrious Howard*, and successfully carrying into execution the plans first suggested by his humanity, are familiar to you: But from the interest which you expressed while reading some of the Reports of the Bible Society, I think we will first make acquaintance with those who are engaged in diffusing the light of the Gospel; the simple, pure, but all-powerful word of God, unmixed with the opinions of man. A perseverance in these enlightened labours of love, will, it may be hoped, in time, unite all, both at home and abroad, in the bonds of Christian fellowship and amity †. The love of our neighbour is the test of our love to God; and in no way can we so * Howard's State of Prisons.-Neil's Do.-Buxton's Do. + History of the British and Foreign Bible Society.Rev. J. Owen. effectually show this love, as by supplying our brother with Heavenly food. "He bids us glow with unremitting love, Now we are on this subject, let us hear the hymn you so much admired, composed by Bishop Heber, when he preached for the Church Missionary Society. "From Greenland's icy mountains, From many a palmy plain, They call us to deliver Their land from error's chain, * Let true Christians cultivate a Catholic spirit of universal goodwill, and of amicable fellowship towards all those, of whatever sect or denomination, who, differing from them in non-essentials, agree with them in the grand fundamentals of Religion. Let them countenance men of real piety wherever they are found.-Practical View of Christianity. Wilberforce. The most perfect state of Christianity will consist not so much in thinking alike, as in being taught to lie down in peace together.-Lectures on the Christian Religion. Matthew Allen. "What though the spicy breezes "Shall we, whose souls are lighted The joyful sound proclaim, Till each remotest nation Has learnt Messiah's name. Waft, waft, ye winds, His story; It spreads from pole to pole; In bliss returns to reign." I am also glad to find that you take an interest in the publications of the Peace Society*, whose Christian labours will lead * Herald of Peace; published quarterly. us to see the folly and the sin of giving way to hatred, strife, and vain glory; and the blessedness of forbearance, peace, and Charity, which is the bond of all virtues; the wisdom of taking the Gospel for our rule of conduct, and the necessity of governing our actions by its precepts, if we wish to be acknowledged as the followers of Christ. The Christian's "Warfare is within. There, unfatigued, * Before we can expect others to be convinced of the truth of Christianity, we, its professed followers, must exhibit in our own conduct its amiable temper, its mild spirit, and all the loveliness of its character; as I conceive the best evidence of its truth rests not so much on external evidence as on the simple, pure, disinterested spirit which it breathes; so also I conceive a practical display of this spirit, by all those who bear its name (and I rejoice that Bible and Peace Societies begin to display it,) would do more to convert infidels and heathens, than all that has been written on the external evidence; it would, I am certain, have the most wonderful effect on the world. The greatest foes to Christianity are its pretended friends!-Lectures on the Christian Religion. Matthew Allen. |