in their generation, others have been taken away at an age which might have been deemed premature, if the great ends of life had not been accomplished in them. How justly may we apply to them the animated language of the poet:

66

-What, though short their date! Virtue, not rolling suns, the mind matures, The man of wisdom is the man of years.'" The sermon founded upon a text chosen by the deceased, Titus, ii. 6, Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded," contains correct and evangelical sentiments. We do not remember having met with Mr. Langdon as a writer before; he is too far advanced in life, and of too modest a disposition, to be elated with our praise; but if our commendations will provoke him to publish more such sermons as this, we shall be happy to contribute towards an event, which we doubt not would gratify the taste, and improve the knowledge, of the rising generation. We have only room for a short paragraph.

"It would be pleasing to me, and I am persuaded it would be edifying to you, might I be allowed to pourtray the character of this amiable youth. I would first exhibit him before you as a pleasing example of filial piety, and fraternal kindness and affection. I would then endeavour to trace the formation of

those principles of evangelical piety and holiness that uniformly governed his conduct, and point out some of the many virtues which adorned his character; particularly his engaging modesty, and unaffected humility. I might then mention the correctness and decorum of his general deportment, and so go on to notice his unshaken patience, and cheerful resignation to the Divine will, during the long affliction which terminated his mortal existence; and the serene fortitude with which he submitted to the stroke of death. But I am prevented from doing this, by the particular request of his relatives. I will, however, beg leave to say, that good and amiable as he was, he did not depend on his own merits as the foundation of his hope of the divine acceptance. When told by a domestic, a little before his death, that he had always been good,' he eagerly disclaimed all dependence upon his own merits; and with all his remaining energy, expressed a deep conviction of his need of a better righteousness than his own, in order to his justification in the sight of God. Most of you

But

knew him, and some of you had the
pleasure of being intimately acquainted
with him. By you I am confident he was
regarded with esteem and affection. You
admire his character. Let it then be
your concern to imitate it. I can scarce-
ly wish you a greater felicity than that
your lives may be as respectable, and
your death as happy as his. Your be-
loved relative and friend is now gone,
and the places that once knew him in
this world will know him no more.
though he is dead, he yet speaketh to
you. He speaketh, by the example
which he has left you. He has been
speaking to you this afternoon; for it is
at his request that I have addressed to
you the serious admonitions which you
have now heard. He speaketh to you
by his death, and calls upon you to be
also ready, to prepare to meet your God.
Defer not a serious attention to the con-
cerns of religion to any distant period;
a period which you may not live to see.
It is even a vapour,
Life is uncertain.
that appeareth a little while, and then
vanisheth away. Our departed friend

was not permitted to number one-third
of his threescore years and ten. Before
he had completed his twenty-first year,
his countenance was changed, and he
was sent away. Remember now your
Creator in the days of your youth. Now,
now is the accepted time, now is the
day of salvation."

An Attempt to support the Diversity of Future Rewards. Price 2s. Button & Son.

THIS anonymous, but well written pamphlet, on a subject, which the author admits, when compared with any one of "the first principles of the oracles of God," is of very inferior moment; and which is not so explicitly stated by the inspired writers, as to preclude a diversity of opinion among Christians, is well worth the perusal of persons who wish to be satisfied respecting it. The subject is treated with much caution, clearness, and force; and to us the author has most satisfactorily supported his position.

In some preliminary remarks, he considers the happiness of the saints in heaven, as represented in the sacred writings, under the idea of a reward; and that as there is nothing in this notion of a reward, seeing it is unmerited, that militates against

the claims of divine grace in the bestowment of future blessedness, so neither are different degrees of happiness inimical to the richest dis-shall be;' we spend every day, and close

plays of that undeserved favour in those degrees. For if the lowest degree of happiness be unmerited, surely the highest degree must be unmerited also.

faith in the Saviour's promise, Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man as his work our lives, in the most devout wishes for

the enjoyment of those prospects, and saying, Even so, come, Lord Jesus:the accomplishment of that promise, thus expressing the ardent desire of our souls in the parting words of the heavenly oracle, which she breathed through the lips of that disciple whom Jesus loved,' when, from Patmos, the last scene of inspired communication to man, she ascended to her native skies."

an authentic Narrative.

WE are informed, that this little history originally appeared as the first article in a work published in Scotland, entitled "Youth's Monitor," of which five editions have been circulated: it is now considerably enlarged. The writer remarks, that "those who object to the propriety of employing fancy in impressing divine truth on the minds of youth, have, in this small work, that ob

In further proof of his position, he argues-from the analogy of the Divine proceedings, both towards the world and the church-the great diversity of Christian experiencethe vast variety of natural capacity with which Christians are endowed in the present state-the different The History of George and Charles; degrees of moral excellence which will exist in the heavenly stateits superior tendency to advance the happiness of the whole society of the redeemed. The last and best source of proof, he observes, isscripture testimony. The two passages, however, usually cited in proof of the sentiment advocated, are relinquished, not being considered in point; viz. 1 Cor. xv. 41, and 2 Cor. ix. 6. Those he considers to his purpose are, the conver-jection obviated, every circumstance sation between our Lord and the sons of Zebedee, as narrated by two evangelists, Matt. xx. 21-23, Mark, x. 37-40. The parable of the ten pounds delivered by a nobleman to his servants, Luke, xix. 13-26. Our Lord's declaration to his disciples, that he "prepared for them a kingdom;" should eat and drink with him at his table;" and also, that they should sit on thrones." Luke, xxii. 28-30. The declaration of the apostle to the Corinthians, that " every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour." 1 Cor. iii. 8. Also, "Our light affliction, &c. worketh for us." 2 Cor. iv. 17. He also adduces 1 Cor. iii. 15, and 2 Peter, i. 11.

These various passages are descanted upon with much good sense, and in a manner adapted to strike conviction into the mind; and the conclusion of the subject is very serious and impressive; a short paragraph of it only, our limits will permit us to present to the reader.

"The time is short: it remains that in the contemplation of prospects so ani inating and divine, and in the exercise of

being literally true." We hope that this excellent miniature history of a Sunday school teacher, will be first read by persons of the same class, and then by them be introduced to the notice of their scholars.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.
In the Press.

"The City of Refuge," a Poem, in four Books, by Thomas Quin.

Just published,

A Brief Outline of an Examination of the Song of Solomon: in which many beautiful Prophecies, contained in that inspired book of Holy Scripture, are considered and explained; with Remarks, By William critical and expository. Davidson, Esq.-" Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.” Gen. xlix. 21.-"The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him but his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob." Ibid, 23. pp. 520.

"Don't Despair;" a Tale, by W. Beck. Dedicated to the British and Foreign School Society.

Missionary Retrospect and Foreign Jutelligence.

AMERICA.

We have been favoured by the Rev. Dr. Staughton, of Philadelphia, with a pamphlet, entitled "Proceedings of the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, at their first Triennial Meeting, held in Philadelphia, from the 7th to the 14th of May, 1817:" together with the "Third Report of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions for the United States." From this admirable work, consisting of 58 octavo pages, we shall make a selection for the present month; reserving some highly interesting letters, &c. to the next . number.

In order that our readers may form some conception of the magnitude of this General Convention, they are informed, that it is composed of 132 Associations, 2727 churches, and 1935 ministers. The number of members in fellowship amounting to 183,245. This pamphlet has a Table of all these Associations, containing the above particulars, with the names of " Corresponding Secretaries, standing Secretaries, Clerks, and Correspondents," | the times and places of meeting, &c. The number of persons baptized last year, on a profession of their repentance towards God, and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, is stated to be, at least, TEN THOUSAND! In another table, is exhibited "The

Societies, Associations, and Churches, geographically arranged; together with their delegates and proxies, that were represented in the Convention ; and which constitute the Convention, till the time of its next Triennial Meeting." The whole number of these societies, spread throughout the several states, is ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTYSEVEN: ONE HUNDRED AND TEN OF

WHICH ARE FEMALE SOCIETIES. Forty societies, two associations, and church, were represented by delegates

one

in the Convention. The sum collected for missionary purposes, during the last three years, amounted to THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS! We proceed to copy

the

"Proceedings of the General Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States of America, for Foreign Missions, assembled in

Sansom-street Meeting-house, Philan delphia, the 7th of May, 1817: "The meeting was opened with an appropriate hymn and solemn prayer by

the President.

"The delegates and proxies from Mission Societies, Associations, and Churches, upon producing credentials duly certified, took their seats.

، The Rev. Richard Furman, D. D., was elected President, and the Rev. Daniel Sharp, Secretary.

"The Board offered to the Convention the following ADDRESS:

"The Baptist Board of Foreign Missions have, for the first time, the pleasure of addressing the General Convention. They rejoice in the return of another meeting of your beloved and venerable body, and pray that the spirit of wisdom and counsel, the fear of the Lord, and a sacred zeal for his glory, may animate and direct your consultations and endeavours.

"In the first and second Annual Reports, a summary of the proceedings of the Board, from the period of their appointment, has been given. Any addi tional information that may be desired, you will have an opportunity of collecting from the whole of the minutes of their body, which are submitted to your perusal.

"Since the publication of the last Report, the services which, in the course of Providence, the Board has been called

to fulfil, have been comparatively few. They have, however, with pleasure, witnessed the success which has attended measures formerly adopted; and derive from the review fresh motives to gratitude and exertion.

Serampore. Mr. Joshua Rowe, of the English Baptist Mission, is there engaged. He solicited, and obtained a union in marriage with Mrs. White. The step appears to have been approved by the brethren of the Serampore Mission House. She has now the care of a large school, a station for which she is excellently qualified, where a directress was greatly needed, and is introduced into sphere of respectability, usefulness, and comfort. The Board consider it their duty to state to the Convention, that not a cent of expense has arisen to the institution from sending Mrs. White (now Mrs. Rowe) to the East. She supported herself entirely while she continued in America, and from her own funds procured her outfit. Two hundred dollars besides she left in the hands of the Treasurer, which, as she is now conneeted with the English mission, the Board is of opinion ought to be returned her. May she prove, in her new situation, like Priscilla, a helper in the Lord Jesus. Dr. Carey says, I consider her marriage as a very providential circumstance. At Digah she cannot fail of being useful.' Mr. Hinton, Assistant Secretary of the English Baptist Society, ingeniously observes, that England and America have plighted hands at a missionary altar, by their respective representatives, Mr. Rowe and Mrs. White. Every one augurs good from their union.'

"By communications from the brethren at Rangoon, it appears that they are increasingly encouraged in their important work. Brother Judson and wife are truly valuable persons. He has laboured under indisposition for some months past, but is, a good degree, recovered. He has composed a tract in the Burman language, which brother Hough will be able to print immediately. Of this difficult language he appears to be already master, and is both facilitating its acquisition for associates and successors, and progressing in the translation of the scriptures of truth. May his life be preserved for many years to come. More missionaries in Burmah are anxiously desired.

The Board cannot, they wish not to conceal from you, that in the discharge of their internal duties, they have experienced much embarrassment and obstruction. Convinced of the integrity of their aims, and of the propriety and importance of the measures they have pursued and accomplished, they respectfully ask of the Convention an attentive investigation of their conduct, and an avowal of the sentiments of your body whether it deserve censure or support.

66

Suggestions which have been offered relative to the propriety of altering, in some points, the constitution of the Convention, the Board have taken into serious consideration. They apprehend that instruments of this description ought to be held as sacred as possible, so that changes occur only when imperious necessity, or a conviction of solid

have reason to believe that bequests have been made to the Convention, which a variation of the title might render precarious. But from the experience of three years, and the best light they have been able to obtain, they are of opinion that the following alterations will be beneficial, and are expedient, viz. That the powers of this Convention be extended so as to embrace home missions and plans for the encouragement of educa tion; and that henceforward the quorum of the Board for the transaction of business be five.

"Soon after the arrival of brother Hough in India, he applied for a passage on board a brig from Calcutta for Rangoon. He carried with him, as a pre-advantage shall require them. They sent from the Serampore brethren, a printing press, types, paper, and other articles. Some serious difficulties occurred in his descending the Hoogly river, which are detailed at large in a communication, now presented, and constrained his return to Calcutta. The difficulties were such as call for the sympathy of every feeling, and especially of every parental bosom. Some loss to the mission has been sustained; but it is such as may reasonably be sometimes expected, yet such as it is hoped will not frequently occur. He embarked a second time on the 17th of September, 1816, and has arrived safely at his destination. Brother Judson appears much pleased with him as a missionary associate. May he prove eminently useful. At Rangoon a church has been formed. This, it is believed, is the first church ever constituted in that empire on the real basis of the gospel; and surely our denomination throughout the United States must feel themselves sacredly pledged for its support.

"A communication from our agent, Mr. Rice, relative to his late tour, has been laid before the Board, to which we refer you. Until the present time he has been employed in the United States for originating and encouraging mission institutions, and for organizing and establishing a system of general intercourse. It is obvious that many import ant advantages have resulted from this measure. The distinct sense of the Con