Sir,

MEDITATIONS ON THE OCEAN.

To the Editor.

THE kindness with which you admitted the detail of my pleasures in a former Volume of your useful Publication*, induces me again to trespass upon your indulgence. It will be satisfactory to hear that Providence still blesses me in my basket and my store;' and I persuade myself, your religious feelings will be gratified when I tell you that the Bible continues to guide my sober pursuits and necessary relaxations, to soothe the hours of sadness, and cheer the brighter moments of enjoyment. Travelling with this sacred treasure in my hand, and I hope in my heart, enlivens my occasional excursions; and lately I have been permitted to lengthen my journey, and, for the first time in my life, beheld the broad sea: a stupendous effect of creative skill and wisdom, which astonished my mind and deeply humbled me!

As I walked upon the beach the first evening (and it was Saturday) I said within myself, Have I indeed, in my original sinfulness and obscurity, when no eye has seen me, worshipped the Proprietor of this magnificent ocean? Has the wonderful Being who holds these waters in the hollow of his hand,' deigned to remember me in my low estate? Has he fed me all my life long, has he taught me to adore him, whilst the grandeur of his character impressed my mind from description only? Surely, now my eyes trace his wonders in the deep,' I must, with holy Job, abhor myself in dust and ashes. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his mercies? To-morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath! I will go and appear in the courts of the Lord's house, and worship with those who delight to keep holyday.'

It was a village church to which I was directed on the Sabbath, the bells sounding through the serene air as 1 erossed a few pleasant fields, the distant prospect presenting a sweet variety the tower of the church peeping through the trees, cattle reposing, vallies standing thick with corn, birds hailing the king of day, and people, in various directions, hastening to the appointed house of prayer, gave an indescribable quietness and preparedness to my mind; and I entered the hallowed dome with feelings of attention and sacred devotion. The congregation were not numerous; but the cleanliness of the poor, and the grave decorum of the rich, were gratifying objects of reflection; and, above all, I rejoiced in the privileges of my beloved country, where the gospel is so freely and richly dispensed. Before the service, my thoughts involun

* See Evan. Mag. for 1806, p. 212 and 358.

tarily strayed towards my wife and family; then worshipping amongst the thousands of Israel in the great city, my heart was refreshed when I raised my secret prayer towards a throne of grace, in the humble hope that the united incense was arising from the altar of our hearts, and would be presented by our great High Priest, who ever liveth to make intercession for us!'

Oh, Mr. Editor, who can tell the privilege of social public worship to a real Christian!-whilst engaged in it, I feel the spirit of the apostle's meaning,' In Christ Jesus all is Yea and Amen.' The foot cannot say unto the head' I have no need of thee,' the unity, the sacredness of prayer! the sublimity, the elevation of praise! the refreshment, the consolation of hearing, are blessed helps indeed. May you and I always prize and love them as we ought!-The clergyman took a most appro priate text:-' And he thrust out a little from the shore, and taught the people out of the ship.' Luke v. He first gave us a concise description of the Lake of Genesereth, and then enlarged upon the condescension of the Lord Jesus, in teaching the listening multitudes out of the ship. He dropped some hints respecting the present attractions which brought , our gentry to the coast; and made it appear that the pleasures at the watering-places were very unlike waiting upon our blessed Saviour, and very contradictory to the import of his sermon, which concerned repentance, and which his faithful ministers were still enforcing. I am not enough of a scholar to do justice to all the serinon; but I know it occasioned many reflections in my mind, as I returned towards the sea, and saw the waves sparkle beneath the mid-day sun, more brilliant than ten thousand diamonds! Upon such a day, and upon such an element,' said I, ' my Saviour taught his people out of a small ship. What a scene it must have been! and what an impressive voice must he have directed to their consciences! Well, I cannot see his blessed countenance on earth; nor, as Bunyan says, 'Put my foot in the print of his feet' but I trust the voice of his word has sanctified this scene to my eyes and my heart. I hope I shall never again utter a faithless praye towards the Being who can say to the stormy winds and restless billows, Peace; be still.' If his be the | kingdom, and his the power, surely, his humble followers are encouraged to trust those covenant engagements which he died to confirm, and rose again to establish for ever and ever!'

I saw the flux and reflux of the tide, as it is called; and as I had with great pains put some philosophical notions about it into my head which I learned out of one of my son's books, I thought as I sat and watched it go and come, I should understand the power of attraction and where it went, and froni whence it came; but to a plain man like me, there is no earthly

book like the Bible; and therefore giving up the vain hope of comprehending its invariable obedience to divine authority, I uttered aloud these fine words, Where wast thou when God laid the foundation of the earth? Surely, he shut up the sea with doors, and brake up for it his decreed place, and said Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; there shall by proud waves be stayed.'

In the evening I attended divine worship in a small chapel: the preacher's text presented meditations truly interesting,Psalm 119, The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. My heart acquiesced in al! he uttered, as he explained how the entrance of God's word enlightens the mind; how the simple are taught understanding by the reception of it. Dear Sir, I am not learned enough to detail a gospel sermon; but in my poor way of thinking, that is a fine discourse which seems like a key to unlock the secret recesses of my heart, when as the minister advances he seems to unfold my ideas, and puts that into language which before seemed too big for utterance. Somehow, I believe, I must give you a simile. A right good sermon acts upon my mind as the blessed Sun does upon the pretty buds; it opens them, causes them to expand, and finally to bring forth fruit. So did this: I retired after service to a seat in a lovely grove by the seashore, and traced how the entrance of God's word when I wa only a poor shop-boy, induced me to be sober, honest, and industrious: how it had given understanding to my simple heart, and directed me in all the duties and engagements of life, having proved a 'light to my feet and a lamp to my paths.' I reviewed all the obligations it had laid me under, all the sinful scenes which it had guarded me from; all the encouragements it had afforded me; all the hopes it unfolded, and the blessed union and communion it taught me to cultivate. In this delightful retrospection my cup of mercies seemed to overflow, and I ventured to apply David's words to my own experience. Blessed Lord, said I, the entrance of thy word has indeed given me light, and now it gives me consolation; it has communicated instruction, and now it refreshes my soul; it has directed me hitherto, and it shall guide me even unto death. As I left the retired spot where I uttered these words, I ascended the gentle hill, and upon a terrace which commanded a boundless view of sea and land, my religious feelings were wounded by seeing gay gentlemen and fine ladies, as I thought by their manners, dress, and countenances, neglecting the moral use of the lovely scene. Pleasure-yachts were sailing upon the unruffled deep; and laughter and gaiety, even upon a Sab bath-evening, seemed to stifle every better feeling. I could scarcely refrain myself from addressing the giddy multitude with the prophet's expostulation, Ye who leave off righte ousness in the earth, seek him that maketh the seven stars

and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night; that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth the Lord is his name.' But the blush of indignation reminded me that I was a sinner; and a voice behind me seemed to say, Fret not thyself because of the ungodly.' Every painful feeling vanished. I recollected the mercies and privileges of the day: the serene satisfaction enjoyed at the sanctuary, the countless blessings of religion; and regarding with parting tenderness the sea, sky, and land, I took the li berty to adapt the poet's words (and I am told he was a right worthy Christian): His are the mountains, and the vallies his, and the resplendent rivers his! Who, with filial confidence inspired, can smiling say,' My father made them all? Dear Sir,

Spital-fields.

believe me ever yours,

THOMAS LOVEGOOD.

A CONCISE VIEW OF

THE PRESENT STATE OF EVANGELICAL RELIGION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

NO. IX.

[Continued from p. 180.]

STILL farther north, beyond the Great Orange River, J.Kock and Edwards, with their families, had penetrated; and were received by the natives with cordial welcome. The former lately fell by the treachery of some Boschemen, as he was travelling.

An open door is set before them into the interior of Africa, and invites farther exertions. The farther north they advance, the population increases. A large town hath been visited, containing many thousand inhabitants; and nothing seems to prevent the enlargement of their borders abundantly but the want of labourers, where the harvest is beyond their present powers to gather the fruit which presents itself. Every thing encourages the hope of farther progress; and that this yet unexplored country will be visited with the light of divine truth; and that by the labours of men of God, and their examples, our sable brethren will be led, not to civilization only, but to the blessings of the everlasting gospel. To the honour of the British government it should be recorded, that every countenance and support is given to the Missionaries, and their

exertions.

It is pleasing to notice also, that, among the military stationed near Bethelsdorp and at the Cape, our Missionaries

have been blessed; and daily meetings for prayer and praise are held among a few of our devout soldiers; and at the Cape Town a body of colonists, of a truly graeious spirit, is found; and the power of real religion exemplified in the slaves of different casts and colours; and it has been suggested, that from them, probably ere long, Missionaries may be found suited to carry the glad tidings of salvation to their native lands, if redeemed and restored to their liberty and their friends.

But while I rapidly sketch what has been done at the Cape by the Missionary Societies in London and Holland, for they act in unison, let me not forget to hold up the zealous and successful efforts of our Moravian brethren at Bavian's Kloof, who first led the way, many years ago, to Missionary efforts, and demonstrated what might be done by patient perseverance among the most stupid of the children of men. They continue steadily pursuing their great object; and the Saviour whom they love and serve favours them with his presence and blessing. The testimony of all who have visited their economy and settlement proclaims what God hath done by them to make the Hottentot Gentiles obedient in word and deed to the gospel of Christ. Their daily worship excites wonder and reverence in the beholders; and the praises of the Lamb that was slain sounds peculiarly sweet from the mouth of these our swarthy brethren, recovered from savage life and fatal ignorance to the enjoyment of Him who hath called them to glory and virtue, not to mention the minor blessings derived from the cultivation of the soil, in addition to their mental improvement, and the domestic comforts of civilized life! May the labours of these exemplary servants of our Saviour be encouraged and supported by every liberal-minded Christian among us! and their successful efforts stimulate us, who are running with them the same Missionary efforts, to emulate their zeal and fidelity!

Two additional labourers, Pacalt and Wimmer, have, at Dr Vanderkemp's request, been lately sent to Bethelsdorp; and having safely reached the Cape, have proceeded to join their brethren. Dr. Vanderkemp having expressed a great desire to enlarge their borders, either to the north, among the Tam boukis, beyond the bounds of the colony; or to sail for Ma dagascar: an expedition he has long signified his wish to un dertake. The care of Bethelsdorp will devolve on the re maining brethren, especially Mr. Read. It is encouraging to see the zeal of our brethren brightening as they go forward and after one great peaceful establishment has been formed to be ready to encounter the difficulties of another, in a new and untried soil, where the name of Immanuel is yet un

Six more Missionaries are on the point of departure, to reinforce the African Missions.