duced and perpetuated by an habitual communion with God.That fear of the Lord, which is a constant wall of defence to those who are surrounded by it, no longer defends Sophronia; hence, from a desire to please man more than God, she is hurried into inconsistencies no less apparent than her namesake of old, who, to preserve her chastity, was guilty of suicide; for, to avoid the odium of being singularly good, she murders the peace of her own soul.

O! how are these improprieties lamented by her godly friends! How much more satisfactory could they behold in her, instead of that outward adorning, of which, though she once despised it, she is becoming passionately fond, we could behold that meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price; that humility which shrinks from public notice and applause; that faith in Christ and love to God, which disdains dependence on worldly pomp and human grandeur, for enjoyment; and that constant spirit of prayer and watchfulness, which keeps up an uninterrupted communion with God:-Then should Sophronia be exhibited as an example for the imitation of all her sex.

For the Methodist Magazine.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FEMALE IMPROVEMENT.

MY DEAR S.

In a Letter from Miss S. to Miss S.

OUR late conversation upon the beauty of language, gave me many pleasing and delightful emotions after we parted, and caused me to reflect upon him who is the source of all beauty and perfection; and I was led to admire that creative wisdom which has so wonderfully fashioned our minds, as to be capable of relishing whatever is beautiful, grand, and sublime, either in the intellectual, moral, or physical world: and if we cultivate them as is our privilege, we shall ever find within ourselves a sufficient enjoyment, without the painful necessity of searching abroad for happiness, among those evanescent things in which it does not exist.

By the assistance of true devotion we may render every study subservient to God's glory, and make it the means of bringing us nearer the fountain of eternal light: for every acquisition of knowledge and virtue, may serve as an avenue

*Sophronia, in Greek Loewa, was an ancient Christian matron, who, to avoid the seducing arts of the emperor Decius, put herself to death. This anecdote is related by the ecclesiastical historian, Eusebius.

through which light is reflected upon us from that holy place, where myriads of disembodied spirits, clothed with immortality, bow in reverence before the august throne. It should be our constant aim to promote the happiness of our fellow creatures; and to do this, we should improve our understanding, and fix a just restraint upon the imagination, which too often exceeds its proper bounds, plants thorns in the pillows of youth, and lays a foundation for unhappiness through future life. Ours is an age on which the God of heaven has propitiously smiled. No longer is the female world embarrassed by unequal rights. We now, thank God, have the same privileges for intellectual improvement with the other sex. No longer do the fetters of ignorance bind our mental powers; but almost all classes have now the means to cultivate their minds in some degree, at least so as to be able to take some active part in the social and relative duties of life, as rational, thinking beings; and thereby prove that they were designed, by infinite wisdom, to contribute to the improvement as well as ornament of society. External charms are pre-possessing; but when they are made a substitute for the excellencies of a refined understanding, they soon fade; for how can the attractive graces long centre and harmonize in a form devoid of thought and reflection?

"Mind, mind alone, (bear witness earth and heaven)

The living fountain in itself contains

Of beauteous and sublime, here hand in hand
Sit paramount the graces!"

O! how lamentable it is, my friend, that this inestimable gem, the soul, is so neglected, when all that is valuable is contained in it, even life and immortality! I am utterly astonished when I see the professor of religion insensible to intellectual charms. Surely I am ready to conclude that she has never tasted the sublime enjoyment of a spiritual elevation, nor felt the worth of solitude and retirement. Would to heaven that our sex were more wise! If we only knew how to make a just estimate of our time and talents, bestowed upon us by our Creator, we should use these precious gifts to extend our influence in society, by such a line of conduct as should do justice to ourselves and others.

I am glad, my dear S. that your mind has taken a different turn from many of your age. A taste for moral improvement discovers itself in your remarks; and I trust it will gain that ascendency over your mind, as constantly to draw your attention from the trifling spirit which reigns among many who profess the name of Christ; all you lack is the spirit of devotion. The world has not yet lost all its charms, and you are partially

enslaved by the fear of man: if this snare were broken, you would launch forth into that sea of gospel liberty which alone can give you that peace which passes all understanding. S. New-York, Nav. 15, 1820.

Religious and Missionary Intelligence.

ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF GOD IN NEW-HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT.

To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine.

DEAR BRETHREN,

Sandwich, N. Hampshire, Dec. 20, 1820..

THE following account of the progress of the work of God in this district, you are at liberty to publish in the Magazine, if you think proper.

New-Hampshire district has witnessed this year, some refreshings from the presence of the Lord, and especially Landaff circuit. Our Camp-meeting in September last was a means of the most glorious revival we have ever witnessed in this vicinity. It commenced on Thursday, and closed on Tuesday following. The weather was peculiarly favourable, as we had no rain, except on the last morning of the meeting.

As there had been some concern for religion manifested in a few families in the neighbourhood, previous to the Camp-meeting, they, at an early period of the meeting, evinced their desire for salvation, by requesting an interest in the prayers of God's people. Others soon joined them; and thanks be to God, they were soon enabled to bear testimony to the power of Christ to pardon their sins.

The gracious work, so happily begun, progressed; and each day and night presented additional witnesses for Jesus. Opposition, if any existed in the heart, dared not to shew itself. openly; for the work became so general, that those who did not immediately engage in it, were awed into solemnity and reverence, while they silently gazed, and beheld the manifest tokens of God's power and grace. Some, indeed, who came apparently to divert themselves, were convinced of their error, and, bowing under the power of conviction, surrendered themselves willing captives to the Lord Jesus. "He had compassion on them, and healed them.”

It was, indeed, a pleasing sight, to behold the aged and the youth, under a sense of their condemned state, press into the circle, and beg an interest in the intercessions of those who

were engaged in prayer. The conduct of one gentleman seems to deserve particular notice. Seeing his sister on her knees in prayer, he came abruptly upon her, took her by the arm, and instantly led her away. A preacher seeing her situation, and feeling great solicitude for her fate, endeavoured to dissuade the man from so rash a measure. This so exasperated the unhappy man, that he raised his hand to strike the preacher, but was prevented. God, however, soon "shewed unto him a more excellent way." Smitten with guilt for his conduct, he presented himself as a subject for prayer. He now kneeled with his sister, and raising his eyes towards that God whom he had insulted, begged that the sinner might live. He did not pray in vain. God shewed that he was merciful, and the penitent sinner left the circle rejoicing in God bis Saviour. He is now a promising member of the church.

Another singular instance of Divine power and goodness was manifested towards an aged officer of the revolution. He who had long braved the rage of war, and dared the thunder of the cannon, now listened to the trump of salvation, and bowed the knee to the Prince of Peace.

On Monday the work was glorious indeed. The Lord "bowed the heavens and came down!" In the evening the scene was well calculated to impress the mind with awful delight.That I might enjoy the full benefit of it, I retired to a neighbouring hill, from whence I could see the encampment, and distinctly hear the groans of the awakened sinner, as well as the song of triumph from the tongue of the happy believer.From Monday morning to Tuesday, thirty-four professed to find peace with God. What number were converted during the whole meeting, I cannot exactly say; but it is thought that there were nearly one hundred. At any rate, that number joined the church before we left the ground.

Perhaps you who are accustomed to the great things of which we hear from the south, may not think the above any way extraordinary; but we who live in this north latitude, think it is marvelous in our eyes, and highly worthy of a thankful remembrance; and we doubt not but you will unite with us in ascribing all the glory to "God and the Lamb." This gracious work is still going on, and on that circuit one hundred adults have been baptized in one month.

Several other circuits within the bounds of this district, have been highly favoured of God: so that we feel greatly encouraged to persevere in our work, trusting in God for success.Camp-meetings especially, for the year past, in this section of the country, have been greatly blessed of God.

I am, with due esteem, your's.

JACOB SANBORN.

STATE OF RELIGION IN ASIA.

An extract from "The Report of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society of 1819."

(Continued from page 77.)

3. BOMBAY.-The accounts from our excellent and laborious missionary, Mr. Horner, are very satisfactory. His acquirements in the native tongues are highly creditable to him, and have, we trust, laid the foundation of extensive usefulness.From his accurate knowledge of the Mahratta and Hindostanee, the missionary who has been sent to his assistance will be able the sooner to qualify himself for intercourse with the natives, and the superintendence of the schools. The following recent communications from Mr. Horner will best show the state of the mission.

Extract of a letter from Mr. J. Horner, dated Bombay, Feb. 15, 1819.

"In addition to my two Mahratta schools, mentioned in a former letter, I opened another the middle of last month in a central part of the native town, near one of the principal temples in the island. In the three schools I have about one hundred and forty boys. The general method of my school instructions is this after the children have learned to form and join the letters by writing with a stile, or cane, upon a flat board, sprinkled lightly with sand, I give them a small book of sixteen pages, containing short lessons proper for children, such as are in the English primers and spelling-books: when this is gone through, it is followed by a larger one; the lessons in this latter are more decidedly Christian, treating generally in a plain manner of Christian doctrines and morals, interspersed with forms of prayer, scripture histories, &c. &c. others, who are farther advanced in their learning, read a small tract called, in Mahratta, Swurgyupunth, or, The Heavenly Road; and a few read the gospel of Matthew. It will be no depreciation of them to say, that the school-books above mentioned were composed and printed by the American missionaries here; they are certainly very well adapted to the design of conveying useful and religious instruction to ignorant, uninformed heathen children. In visiting the schools, after exmaining the scholars respecting their regular daily lessons, I make several of them stand up, one at a time, and repeat aloud alternately a hymn, or portion of scripture, or the commandments; asking them such questions, and giving such explanations as the subject may require.Those who write on paper, copy out select portions of scripture, as well to impress them on their minds, as to improve their hand; and by giving small rewards, such as a new school