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use he has ever made of it. The name of Christian once served his purposes, as that of Pietist, Huguenot, &c. afterwards did, and that of Methodist does now. The opprobrious epithet, its currency once established, and its value known, becomes the convenient substitute of argument, truth, and reason; and may be gratuitously applied, wherever it is designed to fix a stain, with a certainty of its accomplishing the end, and with equal ease and advantage to him who applies it with ease; for what is easier than to call a bad name, the meaning of which not one person in a thousand will ever think it necessary to ask you? And with equal advantage as ease; for what have the drunkards and swearers in any parish of this kingdom to do, when they begin to be disturbed in their sinful courses, but to call the preacher a Methodist? And then, both in their own opinion, and in that of all the world, they stand fairly excused for never minding more a word that he says. Bishop Horne's Life, written by Jones, of Nayland, informs me, that the worthy prelate was called a Methodist! May the works of that late amiable Bishop be read by all the Clergy! May they imitate him in his zeal and piety; and may we all learn, both Clergy and Laity, to set a proper value on those who dare to be pious in this impious day!

Should you think this letter worth insertion in your Magazine, I shall be induced to send you a quotation from a Sermon of Bishop Horne's, which ought to be read by every clergyman; but which, if I mistake not, was part of a single sermon never published with his other works:-it is in some measure applicable to the subject of this address.

I am, Sir,
Your's, &c.

Aug. 18, 1804.

A VILLAGER.

WE

ON HEALTH AND SICKNESS.

ON HEALTH.

E are exposed to so many dangers every day of our lives, that we must own HEALTH is a gift which cometh from the Lord. In him we live and move, and

have our being (a). In the midst of life we are in death (b): and therefore our health and preservation which is granted us for the discharge of our active duties, demand our constant gratitude and thankfulness to God. For this especially therefore, our prayer should be joined with THANKSGIVING (c). And the best way to shew our thankfulness is by doing our duty in that state of life to which it hath pleased God to call us (d): in the regular discharge of our religious duties; and a diligent, honest and sober exercise of our lawful employment, to provide what is honest in the sight of all men (e), for ourselves. and families (f), and that we may have something to give to them that are in greater need and want than ourselves (g), being always ready and willing to help others, as we should like them to assist us (h). We must thus employ our health in promoting the glory of God, the good of others, and our own salvation. We must pray to God in private every night and morning at the least, to beg his protection, direction, and blessing, to praise him for his daily mercies, and beg his forgiveness for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. And if we have families we must pray for them, and also with them. We must instruct them in religion, by reading to them and conversing with them at all convenient and proper opportunities, as Abraham was commanded to do. Thou shalt teach them diligently, says God, and talk to them, when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way (i). We must receive our food with thankfulness (k), and say grace before and after our meals. We must HONOR the holy NAME of God (1), his DAY (m), his HOUSE, his WORD, and his MINISTERS (mm) the regular clergy. We must honor the holy NAME (n) of God by not taking it in vain, calling upon it rashly, or using it carelessly in our common discourse. We must never swear by it, but when lawful authority commands it, when an oath for confirmation is to make an end of all strife (o). We must honour his DAY by remembering to keep it holy (p), as being sanctified and set apart for

(a) Acts xvii. 28. (b) Office for the burial of the dead, in the Common Prayer-book. (c) Philip. iv. 6. and Psalm, Ixviii. 19. (d) Church Catechism. (e) Kom. xii. 17. (f) 1 Tim. v. 8. (g) Ephes. iv. 28. Deut. xvi. 17. Tobit, iv, 8. (h) Matt. vii. 12. (i) Deut, vi. 7. (k) 1 Cor. x. 31. (1) Exod. xx. 7. (m) Exod. xx. ver. 8 to 12. (mm) John, xx. 21. Mark, iii. 14. Matt. xxiii. 2, 3. 1 Cor. ix. 12, 14. (u) Exod. xx, 7. (0) Heb. vi. 16. (p) Exod. xx. ver. 8. to 12.

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the more particular duties of religion. We must attend the service of his HOUSE the CHURCH, and reverence God's sanctuary (q) by a proper behaviour there, kneeling down at the prayers (r), standing up at the Psalms (3), when they are read and sung? and sitting down at the lessons and sermon; we must not give way to sleep, idle postures, or wandering thoughts, but be attentive, and try to remember all we can in order to direct our practice. We must read in the BIBLE, which is the word of God (t), the COMMON PRAYER-BOOK, and other proper books (*): and we must think and talk about what

(q) Levit. xix. 30. vi. 13. Daniel, vi. 10. 10. (t) Isaiah, xl. 8. iv. 31. vi. 2. xiii. 7, 44.

we

(r) Luke, xxii. 41. Acts, ix. 40. xx. 36. 2 Chron.
Psalm, xcv. 6. (s) Nehem. ix. 5. Rev. vii. 9,
Luke, iv. 4. chap. v. 1. 1 John, iii. 34. Acts,
Rom. ix. 6. x. 17.

(*) Such as the following, which are sold by Messrs. RIVINGTONS, St. Paul's Church Yard, London, at the prices marked against them.

The Englishman directed in the choice of his religion, price 3d. The Country Clergyman's Advice, 3d. Green's Instructions for the poor, shewing God's goodness and love to them, 3d. Ostervald's History of the Bible, 1d. The Christian's Way to heaven, 1d. Motives and Encouragements to bear Afflictions patiently, 1d. The Husbandman's Manual, 2d. The Christian Scholar, 2d. The Young Woman's Monitor, 2d.

Lewis on the Church Catechism, 6d. Companion for the Aged, 6d. Stonehouse's Admonitions against Swearing, Sabbath-breaking and Drunkenness, printed on a large sheet of paper, to be pasted up in the house, 1d. A Dialogue between a Country Gentleman, and one of his Poor Neighbours, who had been led away from the Church, under the pretext of hearing the Gospel, and attending Evangelical Preachers, 6d. Sikes's Dialogue between a minister of the Church, and one of his Pa-: rishoners, on the Christian's liberty of choosing his Teacher, 3d. A second ditto, on Christian Edification, 3d. A third ditto, concerning Gospel Preachers, 3d. The Endeavour Society's Prayers for Children, from the Church Catechism, and for private persons and families, from the Liturgy, 2d. The most important. Truths and Duties of Christianity stated, sold by HATCHARD, No. 190, Piccadilly, 2d. An Address to the Common People of England, on CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, printed on a sheet, to be pasted up in the house, sold by M. GURNEY, No. 128, Holborn, price one half-penny. These are so cheap as to be easily purchased by any person, but there are also others, at a higher price, which would be found highly useful and proper especially to families, if they could be obtained. If one person or family cannot buy them, they may join with others to do so, and have them to read by turns, which would also make one book useful to many persons.

Ostervald's Arguments of the Books and Chapters of the Old and New Testament, 2 vols. 12s. Nelson on the Feasts and Fasts of the Church, 6s. Cooper's 400 Texts explained to the Understandings of the Common People, 25. 6. Spincke's True Church of England-man's Companion in the closet; a Manual of Prayers, 2s. 6d. Mrs. Trimmer's Teachers Assistant, 2 vols. Ss. each, Archbishop Wake, 1s. 6d. or Archbishop Secker

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we have heard, and read, for the direction of our lives? knowing that we must not only be hearers, but DOERS Of the word (v). Thus we should hallow, or keep holy this sacred day; all acts of charity, and necessity, are proper, because they are parts of our duty: but to prevent all needless work, NEVER DO THAT ON SUNDAY, WHICH MAY BE DONE AS WELL ON ANOTHER DAY? We must submit ourselves to his MINISTERS, the regular CLERGY, as our spiritual pastors (w). We should attend to their instructions in public, in our parish church, and ask their advice in private whenever we want to be informed about our duty; and more especially that we may not be carried about with every wind of doctrine (x), remembering that the priest's lips are to keep knowledge, (y), and they are appointed to watch over our souls, as those who are to give account (z).

We must be sober, honest, and industrious, in the dis charge of our lawful employment: to provide for our selves and families: that we may maintain them with honesty, taking care of their bodies, to render them healthy, and bringing them up in habits of cleanliness, civility, and industry: teaching them their duty, by good instruction and example: and reproving whatever is sinful, or may lead to it. We should avoid running into debt (aa), or honestly pay what we owe (bb): and guard our thoughts (cc), words (dd), and actions (ee).-We must be merciful to ANIMALS †.

We should be ready and willing to do unto others, as we should wish them to do unto us (ff). There are many ways by which the POOR may assist others (gg), as well as the rich, if there be first a willing mind (hh), which

(v) James, 1. 22. (w) Church Catechism. (x) Ephes. iv. 14. (9) Malac. ii. 7. (z) Heb. xiii. 17. (aa) Rom. xiii. 8. (bb) Matt. xviii. 28. (cc) Rom. ii. 15. and Heb. iv. 12. (dd) Matt. xxii. 37. and Ephes. iv. 29. (ée) 1 Samuel, ii. 3. and 2 Cór. v. 10, 11. † Matť. v. 7. Luke, vi. 36. (ff) Matt. vii. 12. (gg) 1 John, iii. 17. (hh) 2 Cor. viii. 12.

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on the Church Catechism, 2s. 6d. Sellon's Scripture History, 1s. Powdler's Sermons on the Doctrines and Duties of Christianity, 3s. 6d.

It would be a very great charity for persons who can do it, to give away these books to such deserving persons as they may know; or keep them to lend to such persons, which would make a sort of LENDING LIBRARY, very useful in country Villages or Towns: and which might be very easily done, by a few charitable persons, at a very small expense. Most of these books are dispersed by the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge; and all of them are given away by the ENDEAVOUR SOCIETY.

Vol. VII, Churchm. Mag. Aug. 1804.

R

God

God has promised to accept and bless (ii). Every one may shew a good example to others: be kind and civil in behaviour to them. Read to them, or with them, especially if they cannot read, which makes it a very great charity; lend them proper books; mind their house, or family when they are from home; lend them what can conveniently be spared, when they may want it; help them in their work, or employment when there is an opportunity to do so; save their time or trouble by bringing for them what they may want from the place you are going to; visiting them in sickness, or going to see them when they are ill or confined: helping to nurse them; giving them their medicine regularly; dressing their food; talking with them, and advising them; and many other things of the same nature. All which are great acts of charity from one to another, and only require a readiness

to Do UNTO OTHERS AS WE WOULD WISH THEY SHOULD

DO UNTO US (kk). Whenever we see others afflicted, or exposed to accident, or misfortune, or such as have been so, we should be thankful to God that we are spared, remembering that we are all worthy of punishment (11). Let us not be high-minded, but fear for ourselves (mm). We should pray for them, and let it be a lesson to ourselves, knowing that we may have deserved it more than they (nn), or having received it in part, know that God has punished us, less than we have deserved (oo). We may exercise this thankfulness and piety every day, when meeting with those who are lame, blind, sick, infirm, or the like. If we thus employ our health, and thankfully endeavour to promote the glory of God, the good of others, and our own salvation; repent of what we do amiss, and beg the forgiveness of God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, and by his grace do so no more, we shall not be unprepared for any event that may befall us. Our souls will prosper and be in health (pp): we shall secure the favor and mercy of God, and in the time of any tribulation, or trial, in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, he will deliver us (qq): and we shall be prepared and disposed to enter into the joy of our Lord, through the merits of Jesus Christ our blessed Redeemer.

(ii) Heb. vi. 10. 11. (kk) Matt. vii. 12. (1) Heb. xii. 5, 6. (mm) Ram. xi. 20. (nn) Luke, xiii. 4. 5. (00) Ezra, ix. 13. (pp) 3d. Epist. of John, verse 2, (qq) The Litany.

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