observe, that no name can be more suitable. First, It is indeed a dale, inclosed by high mountains; and, Secondly, O what grace has the Lord not bestowed upon its inhabitants! With. trath we may say, The Lord hath done great things in this place! I think, dear Brother, that if you recall to your remembrance the great benefits bestowed upon us for these fifteen years past, you will admit that the grace of God has prevailed here; and, therefore, I hope you wili, in futur, admit the name into your Periodical Accounts. You say, that our English fileads are accustomed to Bavianskloof, and it has become a favourite name with them, but with us it sounds very disagreeable, and we were glad of the change. The baboons and monkeys are no longer in full possession, and therefore have no right to have the dale (or glen) called by their name.' Bible Society, Philadelphia, By the Report of this Society, May 1, 1809, we find that they had purchased 1000 English Bibles, 300 English Testamenis, and 500 German New Testaments; they had also ordered from Germany 300 German Bibles, and had directed that 100 French, 100 Welsh, and 50 Gaelic Bibles, should be imported from London. Mrs. B A quantity of Bibles and Testa. ments were distributed among the Indians of two Christian congregations at Muskingum, in the destitule parts of Maryland, Delaware, Peasylvania, and New Jersey; and 100 were ordered to be seat to Canton, for the American sailors, and some to the slaves in Virginia. an It is The harmony with which Christians, of different denominations, united in prosecuting this object, afforded much satisfaction, as approximation to that brotherly love among Christians, which all good men so ardently desire. the opinion of the managers, that, in the prescut convulsed state of Europe, there is no place from which the light of divine truth may be sent forth more successfully to various paris of the benighted world, than from the city of Philadelphia.--The cash received by subscriptions, &c. to this infant institution, amounted to 2715 dollars. WE rejoice to hear that the infloence of the example of the Bible Society at Philadelphia, which was formed on the model of the British and Foreign Bible Society in Londen, has already produced a similar institution at Hartford, in Connecticut, May such societies increase and multiply,' till the world is filled with Bibles! Amen and Amen! MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS, &c. A Friend, by Mr. Bradley Rev. Mr. Clark and Friends, at Brigg and Wraby A Friend, at Abergavenny A few Friends at Tottenham Court Chapel, subscribing small sums weekly A Friend in the Parish of Neilston, by W. Muir, Esq. A. L. or Z. A Parcel of Needles, Pins, Thread, Thimbles, &c. a Present for the Tobago Mission, from sundry Friends. CELEBRATION OF HIS MAJESTY'S ACCESSION TO THE THRONE, THIS day will long be celebrated in the annals of Britain: it was a day of peculiar festivity, observed by all ranks of people, in a manner congenial with their respective views and habits. A similar event having taken place but twice in the history of our counity *, the attention of the public was uncommonly excited, and an acknowledgment of the good providence of God in the protection of his Majesty's person, and continuing to this country, under his government, the most invaluable privileges, civil and sacred, was made sincerely, we doubt not, by many thousands of British subjects. It is not our province to describe at large the public demonstrations of joy, by means of the ringing of bells, discharge of cannon, fire-works, or illuminations (though the latter were, in many instances, uncommonly superb and brilliant); but we would direct the attention of oer religious readers to that display of piety which marked the day. We do not, indeed, call it a JUBILEE; because we humbly conceive that the application of a name by which a divine ordinance among the Jews was distinguished, to a merely human festival, is not strictly proper; but we rejoice to notice that, at least, apparent regard to the worship of God which marked the former part of the day, for this was general, if not universal. The cathedral, the parish church, the chapels and meetinghouses of the Dissenters and Methodists, Catholics and Jews, were not only opened, but frequented by a very great body of the people. Public collections were made at many of the places, besides liberal subscriptions, for the purpose of setting at liberty the debtor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and encouraging the children of charity and Sunday-schools. The Lord Mayor went in state to St. Paul's Church, attended by the members of the Corporation, including 160 of the Common Concil. His Lordship was received at the great west door by the Dean and Chapter, the great aisle being lined by the River Feucibles. The chaplain preached on a very appropriate text, 2 Kings viii. 66. And they blessed the King, and went to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness the Lord, had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.' At Westminster Abbey, Dr. Vincent, Dean of Westminster, preached to a large congregation, from Rom. xiii. 7, Render to every man bis due,' &c. . The preacher gave due honour to the character of the Sovereign, the influence of whose example, and the weight of whose character were properly appreciated † ; nor did he forget to notice, that noble act which secured the independence of the judges. *The reigns of Henry III. and Edward III. "At the commencement of his reign, he gave this order to his chaplains, That they should forbear all flattering speeches; and deliver their Master's message with the force, spirit, and freedom of the gospel.' In corroboration of the truth of this anecdote, Bishop Warburton, in one of his leviers to Bishop Burd, writes, That when some of the King's chaplains had been using flattering speeches, the King publicly expressed his disapprobation; and said, He came to hear thè praises of God, and not his own. "While we have regularly indulged our morning slumbers, our King has as regularly been found joining in prayer with his household. Or his solems and unostentatious deportment in these morning devotions, in his private chapel at Windsor, they who have exercised their privilege of attending with him, can fully wituess. He is known to have been an admirer of the Works of the good, Bishop Hall; and has often brought a volume of them forward, to point out some passages which had streck him as worthy the observation of the Queen. The Exposition of Scripture to which he has had most frequent rect urse (Mr. Henry) is as popular and orthodox as any of which, our country can boast. Mr. Watkins's Sermon, Oct. 25, page 20, 21. It may not be improper to record in this place, the Prayer which, by order of the Privy Council, was composed for the occasion, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and used in all the places of worship connected with the Establishment. O God! in whose hauds are the issues of life and death, and to whom alone it belongeth to distribute mercies, as well in lengthening as in shortening the days of men, we yield the praise and thanksgiving for the protection thou hast vouchsafed our gracious Sovereign, during a long and arduous reign! Continue, we pray thee, thy watchfulness over him; shield him from the open attacks of his enemies, and from hidden dangers, from the arrow that flieth by day, and from the pestilence that walketh in darkness; enlighten his counsels for the public good; strengthen all his measures; and when it shall seem fit to thine unerring wisdom, perfect the ends of both, the restoration of peace and security to his people, - of concord and independence to contending and bleeding nations! These blessings and mercies we implore for our Sovereige, ourselves, our allies, and our enemies, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.' To render this day somewhat like the Jubilee of the Jews, a proclamation was issued for pardoning Seamen and Marines, and another for pardoning Deserters from his Majesty's land-forces. Delinquents, confined for offences of a military nature, were also ordered to be set at liberty. An extra allowance of provisions was likewise granted to the sailors. The same zeal which distinguished the metropolis, was manifested in every district of the country, and especially in the great cities and towns, the same expressions of joy, the sanie attention to the worship of God, and the same spirit of liberality towards the poor and distressed. This latter circumstance is peculiarly pleasing; it was directing the joy of the nation into the best and most useful channel; it served to excite and increase the spirit of benevolence, for which, we trust, the British nation is so justly celebrated, and which, in years to come, will render the day deserving of special remembrance. Among the diversified modes of keeping the day, none was more appropriate to the occasion, or better suited to exemplify the Christian character, than that which was adopted by the Master and Seniors of Trinity College, Cambridge, who unanimously voted a Donation of Fifty Guineas to the British and Foreign Bible Society, for the purpose of diffusing the glad tidings of Redemption. The Rev. Mr. Dunn, of Maryport, in Cumberland, thus writes to the Secretary of the Missionary Society, with a Donation of 227. 1s. : — ' On the late occasion of general joy, and among the various methods adopted of expressing it, we have chosen to express ours in that way which, with the divine blessing, will be productive of the most lasting benefit. The blaze of powder, the glare of oil is transient, but if the light of the glorious Gospel can, by such means, be diffused in Beathen lands, it may shine to the latest posterity, to the everlasting joy of all the friends of Jesus.' List of Texts preached upon October 25, 1809. [Those marked with an Asterisk (*) are printed.] St. James's, Clerkenwell. Lev. xxv. 9, Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound,' &c. St. Ann's, Blackfriars, Dr. Dawker. this world are hecoine,' &c. Rev. xi., 15, ' The kingdoms of Queen Square Chapel, Westminster, Mr. Shepherd. Isa. Ixi 1-3,' To Col. iii. 15, And let the peace of Chapel of Bridewell Hospital, Mr. Budd. Isaiah xxxix. 8, 'He said, more over, there shall be peace and truth in my days.' Ely Chapel, Mr. Wilcox. 1 Sam. vii. 12, Ebenezer, hath helped us.' Pell Street, Mr. Smith. 6 hitherto the Lord Lev. xxv. 9, Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound,' &c. Tabernacle, Mr. Wilks. ful in their King.' Sion Chapel, Mr. Wilkins. Psalm cxlix. 2, ' Let the children of Zion be joy The same. Lothbury, Mr. Thomas. The same. Islington, Mr. Lewis. The same. Tottenham Court Chapel, Mr. Hyatt. Rev. xi. 15, And he shall reign for ever and ever." Camden Chapel, Mr. Hooper. Ps. xcvii. 1, 2, The Lord reigneth,' &c. Worcester Chapel, Mr. Stodhart. Judges xiii. 23, If the Lord were pleased to kill us,' &c. Queen Street Chapel, Dr. Clark. Psalm lxxxix. 15-17, Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound,' &c. Bentinck Chapel, Mr. Maan. The same. Ram Chapel, Hackney, Mr. Williams. Dan. v. ever!' * Greenwich Chapel, Mr. Chapman. Nehem. ii. 3, ever!' * 10,0 King!' live for Let the King live for God save the King" Psalm ixi. 6, Thou wilt prolong the King's Mile End, New Town, Mr. Evans. The same. Psaim cxlvii. 20,He hath not Fetter Lane, Mr. Burder. 1 Tim. ii. 1, &c. I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, prayers and giving of thanks be made for Kings,' &c. St. Swithin's, Mr. Watkins. The same. * Surry Chapel, Mr. Griffin. The same. * Hammersmith, Mr. Raffles. Isa, xxxiii. 15, Seventy years, according to the life of one King. Pell Street, Mr. Cloutt. Prov. xvi. 31, The hoary head is a crown of glory,' &c. * Islington, Mr. Jennings. Luke xii. 48, Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required,' &c. Shepherd's Market, Mr. Hackett. 1 Peter ii. 11-17, 'Dearly beloved, &c. honour the King." JEWS. THE Directors of the Missionary Society, being earnestly desirous of attracting the attention of the Jews to the gospel of the Son of God, have engaged a number of the ministers in and about the metropolis, to preach a course of lectures to them, on Tuesday evenings at Artillery-shicet Chapel, the place which they formerly procured for Mr. Frey, who now peaches in another connexion. By the importance of the subjects chosen (a list of which has been published), and the variety of the preachers employed, they hope that a good attendance will be secured. The subjects proposed for discussion, though intended more immediately for the benefit of the Jews, will be found peculiarly interesting to Christiana also; and especially to young persons, as likely, by the blessing of God, to establish their minds in the belief of the truth. These lectures commerced on Tuesday evening, Nov. 28th, when the Rev. Mr. Waugh delivered an introductory discourse on' The benevolent disposition of true Christians towards the posterity of Israel.' TRACTS FOR THE JEWS. We are happy to learn that a very considerable number of Tracts, composed and printed for the use of the Jews, have been dispersed, at the instance of the Missionary So Π ciety, among that people. Mr. N. J. who has gratuitously and very zealously distributed them, says, his Report to the Committee, commenced the distribution Drury Lane, proceeding in a sraight I ia e to the Hay Market; including also the short streets to the right. and left, The next distribution was between St. Martin's Lane and Bedford Street, west and east; the Strand and High Holborn, north and south. It was my practice to deliver them in their respective houses, as well as to the Jews walking in the streets. I have followed the same method in the neighbourhond of St. Mary Axe, Duke's Place, Whitechapel, Petticoat Lane, &c. &c. Although I received opprobrious language from some, the great majority (perhaps 15 out of 16) received them with civility, some with great complacency, and others with the most eager impa. tience. I therefore hope that many have seriously perused them.' LONDON FEMALE PENITENTIARY. We are informed that two Sermons will be preached on Sunday, December the 10th, for the benefit of the above Institution at St. James's Church, Clerkenwell (in which parish the Penitentiary is situated); that in the morning by the Rev. Henry Foster, M. A. Minister of the parish, &c. and that in afternoon by the Rev. E. T. B. Beyaon, M. A, of Carshalton. POETRY. THE BLESSING OF JACOB. YE sons of Jacob, gather round and hear; Your father Israel's last address revere ! 6 REUDEN, my first-born thou, once my delight, My strength, and the beginning of my might; 5. The excellence of dignity and power; But, ah! how chang'd since that disgraceful hour! As swelling waters bear their banks away; Thon durst ascend thy father's marriage-bed, 10. Pollute my couch! then Reuben's glory fled! Line 7. Pachas cammajim, impetuous as waters; swollen, turbid (see Zeph. iii. 4, and Judges ix. 4) turbulent, presumptuous, audacious, rather than light (Jer. xxiii. 32.): by their ifes and by their presumption. Not instability, but presumption, under e infuence of impetuous passions, was the source of Reuben's misconduct. Su. Robertson's Clavis Pentateuchi. |