deeply affected by these exhibitions | endure the persecution of their felof slavery, continues to be as incon- low-subjects and Christian brethren; sistent as ever, as it regards the ac--that slavery must and shall cease for customed use of its produce. Allow ever in the dependencies of Great me, therefore, to address some re- Britain, and that with the least posmarks on the subject to the ministers sible delay. and followers of Christ, more especially in the Baptist connexion; and by their insertion in the Magazine for the ensuing month an additional favour will be conferred on

A Member of the Anti-Slavery Society.

Christian Brothers and Friends,

duty, qualify them for the important office as lecturers. Nor is it known by the friends of the Anti-Slavery cause, or the ministers of religion, how great is the ignorance of the

I beg leave, therefore, earnestly to suggest for the consideration of the ministers of Christ, how exceedingly desirable it is to have a lecture or lectures in their respective places of worship, for the information of their hearers and the public generally, as the best possible preparative to the Much has recently been done by successful getting up of petitions on the Anti-Slavery and Agency Socie- the subject. Should it not suit their ties to secure the return of such covenience to speak on the subject members to Parliament as shall be themselves, the Anti-Slavery and willing to do what they can to pro- Agency Societies will feel much mote the immediate abolition of pleasure in appointing gentleslavery; and, with the Divine bless- men for the purpose, whose intiing, I trust it will not prove unavail-mate acquaintance with this deeping. The time is now arrived when ly-affecting subject, and devotedevery possible effort that can be made ness to their object as a religious by the friends of humanity, justice, and religion, to remove this crimson stain, this direful curse from our country and colonies-should be immediately and perseveringly employed for the encouragement of the gentle-public generally on the subject of the men who have been pledged to the accomplishment of this great object of philanthropy and religion in the House of Commons, and to stimulate and sanction the government in bringing the subject before Parliament. Allow me, then, to say, it is considered by the Anti-Slavery So-lowed to press on your consideration eiety of great moment that petitions should be presented to Parliament from every city, town, and considerable village or district, in the United Kingdom as soon as possible after the assembling of its members, that by one combined and universal expression of feeling and sentiment throughout the British empire, like Permit me, also, to urge on every that on the subject of reform, it may individual the duty of abstaining be seen and felt by the king and his from the use of West India produce, ministers that the nation is unani-particularly sugar, so long as the mous, and determined, in the strength culture of it is the price of their of God, no longer to remain satisfied brother's blood, and the procuring or at ease under the oppression, or cause of nearly all his misery. In

slave trade and slavery; and that it is most important to its speedy annihilation that they should promote the diffusion of knowledge without delay by lectures, and the distribution of the publications of the Anti-Slavery Society. This subject I may be al

from my personal knowledge of its great importance to the success of our cause; and I earnestly hope it will receive your sanction and recommendation at this most urgent and awful crisis of colonial slavery, and persecution of Christian missionaries and pious negroes.

the saints in glory everlasting. In
the love of the Gospel,
Believe me, yours affectionately,
THE NEGROES' Friend.

REFLECtions for the New Year.

"Largeness of heart even as the sand by the sea shore."

this respect we have been most in- | redeemed us, and to the Holy Spirit consistent as Christians, who are who hath sanctified us, and will make commanded to abstain from the us meet, we trust, to be partakers with appearance of evil; for whilst we profess to abhor slavery, by the consumption of its produce we give the planter a bounty for its production, and afford him the means of its perpetuation. Would to God that the holy consistency and decision of the apostle Paul had been uniformly manifested on this subject as it was by him in reference to meat-that he would eat no more whilst the world stood, if it made his brother to offendand then slavery, with all its cruelties and crimes, would long since have ceased. And the principal reasons why it has not amongst sincere Christians, arises, I believe, from the prevailing ignorance of the nature and evils of slavery, and the almost total absence till lately, of public and private prayer to God for his effectual blessing to succeed the efforts made for the total and immediate abolition of so great an evil throughout the British colonies and depen-you have not asked largely for spidencies.

My heart's desire and prayer to God, therefore, is, should we be spared to see another year, we may commence and continue it under a deep sense of our wickedness as a nation, of the misery and crime that have been inflicted by our means, although, perhaps, ignorantly, by many persons, on more than 800,000 of our unoffending African brethren; and that we may individually ask ourselves, under a deep consciousness of our indifference, lukewarmness, and sinfulness, "Lord, what wouldst thou haye me to do 9" and never cease our efforts or our prayers until slavery is abolished, and the blessings of civil and religious liberty are fully and freely enjoyed by every British subject in the colonies of our sinful, but highly-favoured country. And then we will unite together in ascribing all the praise and glory to God who hath loved us, to Christ who hath

"Ask what I shall give thee." READER, hast thou ever asked for a large heart-a large heart to feel for the miseries of a perishing world -a large heart to feel abounding love to the Redeemer a large heart to be full of holy useful projects for doing good? if not, you have forborne to ask what would make " your light shine in the world," and bring a large revenue of glory to the Lord. Well, be it so, that hitherto

ritual blessings-yet now beginwith this new year begin a new course of duties and engagements in the Redeemer's service. There is every thing in him, and his blessed promises-every thing in your own helplessness and lukewarmnessevery thing in the condition of those by whom you are surrounded, to call forth your prayers for this blessing-would you be holy and consistent as a Christian-would you become a blessing to others—would you do good in the world—would you desire to see the kingdom of the Saviour come with almighty power around-would you see pentecostal seasons to bless the world and to gladden the church, then ask largely

pray that you may possess "largeness of heart," and feel deeply in every thing calculated to promote the best interests of your own soul, and the glory of that dear Saviour you have professed to serve.—Think

86

for a little on the blessed example of | lieve it, dear reader, even if you are not possessed so largely in outward things, yet that " your peace shall flow as a river," and the Divine glory through you be promoted, and "your soul shall be as a watered garden," and great shall be your reward in heaven, for they "that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to right.

ever." Then as the best new year's blessing you can have, ask for "largeness of heart," "ask and you receive."

shall

one greater than Solomon," who had "the spirit without measure," whose "zeal consumed him," and who gave himself for you:-yes, think of the Redeemer how he " finished the work that was given him to do"-whose meat and drink it was to do his heavenly Father's will," and who was straitened till that will was accomplished; till he was bap-eousness as the stars for ever and tized in sufferings for our salvation. Reader, remember this was largeness of heart. You are called upon to "consider Christ Jesus the great High Priest of your profession." Well, then, consider him in his sufferings for your sake-consider him in his example for your imitation, consider him as your Lord, your King, to maintain a right in your services, your love, your obedience; and then, reader, then his love will constrain you to devote your powers to himto yield yourself a living sacrifice," and to give up yourself, body, soul, and spirit," unreservedly to him as a reasonable service."

he

F. W.

THE OBLIGATION RESTING ON
MEMBERS OF CHURCHES TO AT-
TEND PRAYER AND CHURCH-

MEETINGS.

THE following, though a common circumstance, is one that calls for serious consideration; inasmuch as it is more intimately connected with the dormant state of religion in our churches than many are apt to imagine.

As the pastor of a christian church was recently visiting his flock to inquire of their welfare, and to promote their spiritual comfort by his counsel and his prayers, he met with Henry-a member of his church. After the usual friendly inquiries, he observed-" Well, Henry, you were not with us at the church-meeting last evening, how was that?" Henry answered, "Why, sir, I had a little job which I wished to finish, so I stopped at home."

In considering Christ Jesus, you will feel and lament your own coldness and indifference, and that will lead you to cry mightily to him for the fulfilment of his gracious word, and what is it? what did God say to Solomon? "Ask what I shall give thee; well, then, be encouraged, the same to you-yes, to you, says and not only says it, but will do it. Do you ask how it was Solomon had a large heart-it was because he asked it of God-yes, reader he asked for wisdom and knowledge in preference to wealth, or honour, or dignity. Oh! follow his example, seek first for spiritual blessings- As Henry was going to his emseek first the glory of God, and then ployment the pastor had not then you have the Saviour's promise that an opportunity of saying much to all other things shall be added unto him on the subject; but as he puryou." Solomon found it true; he left sued his walk he reflected on the all worldly things with the Lord, and circumstance, and said to himself, was he destitute? Ah! no, read the so then, a little job is, in the estima history of his greatness, his splendour, tion of this professor, of more imhis servants, his honours and be-portance than a church-meeting!

wound your pastor's heart, you do an injury to your fellow members, you wrong your own souls, and quench the Holy Spirit who kindles the fire of devotion on the altar of the Christian's heart.

He felt grieved, that a Christian | social and devotional exercises?— should make such a sorry excuse which profits the most from the serfor absenting himself from, what vices of the Lord's-day?—which every disciple of Christ ought to manifests most fully the Divine imconsider, an important duty and an press of the Holy Spirit's sealing, invaluable privilege. Not that he and the sweet odour of his anointthought Henry the only person, or ing?-which enjoys most of the but one amongst very few, who are love of God shed abroad in his guilty of such conduct. He felt heart?-which promotes the Divine persuaded that every pastor has glory most, and is most useful in many in his church, who act from the church and the world ?—and similar motives, and adopt the same which feels the purest and most short sighted policy. How often elevated pleasure in the anticipation are excuses made on account of ab- of eternity? O! ye who neglect sence from church and prayer- church and prayer-meetings! you meetings, which a man of business would be ashamed to make for not executing an order, and are these meetings of less importance than business? Did the Lord thus judge, when he said, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but Ministers and people often exfor that meat which endureth unto press surprise and regret, that coneverlasting life-whosoever he be versions are so few, and that vital of you that forsaketh not all that he religion is at so low an ebb in the hath, he cannot be my disciple." churches. Our surprise will cease In these words, he evidently teaches and our sorrow will be augmented, us that there must be great self- when we consider how few there denial and giving up, so much, at are in any church who attend least, of temporal things and em- prayer-meetings with regularity, ployments, as are inimical to our perseverance, and holy importunity. growth in grace and the promotion It is admitted, that there are circumof his glory. We are to "seek stances connected with a large fafirst the kingdom of God, and his mily, young children, afflictions, and righteousness;" and if this be done," works of necessity," which justify we shall not hesitate to sacrifice the the absence of those who are immepleasures of sense, the profits of diately concerned. But it is too nobusiness, and all other temporal in- torious to be denied, that the great terests that oppose the claims of majority of those who neglect our divine master and prevent our prayer-meetings have no just cause frequent communion with God in for absence. the institutions and services of the Christian church.

How can the church prosper, whilst such a multitude of its memThe beneficial influence which bers neglect the most efficacious these meetings have on the Chris- means for promoting growth in tian's experience and prospects, grace, and increase of its numbers ? show the importance of his habitu-"We have not because we ask not. ally attending to them. Let any Let us draw nigh to God, and he one judge, which is the most con- will draw nigh to us. Then shall sistent disciple of Christ, he who ye call upon me, and ye shall go conscientiously and regularly attends and pray unto me, and I will hearkprayer and church-meetings, or he en unto you. And ye shall seek who is frequently absent from these me, and find me, when ye shall

themselves be more separate from Before we experience the out-pour- the world and spend more time, ing of the Spirit, which is necessary with more heart in pleading with to a revival of religion and the con- God, saying, "We will not let thee version of the thoughtless, worldly, go except thou bless us." and infidel multitudes around us, the members of our churches Loughton.

JUVENILIA