the nature and duties of Christianity have been explained to them in their own tongue, by a converted Chinaman. They have signed the temperance pledge, and as many as could read have received copies of the Chinese New Testa

ment.

The Candace, which bears them to their destined port, sailed on the following day. Some of the owners, (who have generously given the chaplain his passage,) the officers of the American Seamen's Friend Society, and other friends, accompanied them on board, and on their way as far as Sandy Hook. Before parting, prayer was offered, commending all on board to the care and blessing of Him who controls the winds and the waves. A beautiful sight it was to behold that bird of the sea spread her wings to the wind for that far-off land.

Another chaplain is shortly to follow for another important station in the islands of the Pacific. And two more are soon to sail, under commission from the same Society, for other important fields of labour.

The Lord prosper these efforts for the benefit of the long neglected seamen.

MISSIONARIES SETTING SAIL TO
CHINA.

CHINA is now open to receive the gospel; and the London Missionary Society is doing nobly in relation to that vast country. Sixteen missionaries embarked on Monday, the 6th of last month, (March,) on board the fine ship Ferozepore, from

London, for their remote destination. Those devoted friends were the Rev. Dr. Legge and Mrs. Legge, Rev. W. Young and Mrs. Young, Rev. B. Kay and Mrs. Kay, Revs. T. Gilfillan, and J. Edkins; Mr. Hyslop, medical missionary, and Mrs. Hyslop; three Chinese_converts who had come to England with Dr. Legge, with Misses Hanson, Evans, and James. These friends were commended to God in a special religious service, held at the Rev. Dr. Leifchild's Chapel, on Tuesday Evening, February the 3rd. The assembly was very large. The Rev. A. Tidman, Rev. J. Sherman, Dr. Legge, the elder of the Chinese, Dr. Leifchild, and Rev. J. C. Harrison, engaged in the service, which was most solemn and delightful.

We hope that this noble ship will be a Bethel on the great deep; and that it will have a prosperous voyage, and be the means of the conversion of seamen and passengers to Jesus Christ.

ANCIENT HISTORY.

Lynn, March 11th, 1848.

MR. EDITOR,-You will very much oblige a constant reader, and, I think, many of your young friends, by inserting a few chapters on Ancient History in your Magazine.

I remain, Mr. Editor,

Your obedient servant,
R. C. N.

This request shall be complied with.-EDITOR.

ON THE POWER AND LOVE OF GOD.

Psalm

"Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in the great waters, and Thy footsteps are not known," lxxvii. 19.

Almighty Ruler of the sky,

Great God of earth and heaven!
To Thee, the lofty ONE and high,
May ceaseless praise be given !
Thy word can quell the stormy deep,
When waves tumultuous rise;
Thy sleepless eyes can vigils keep,
Though darkness veil the skies.
Unseen o'er ocean's trackless space,
Thy printless footsteps glide;
Yet in Thy works that power we trace,
Which bounds the restless tide.
But attributes of power alone,
Would only fear impart;

Thy love to sinning mortals shown
Subdues the harden'd heart.

Thy mercy in redemption's scheme,
Surpasses human thought;
Angels could ne'er exhaust the theme,
So great the atonement wrought!
Clothed in the Saviour's righteousness,
Acceptance we may find;
With hearts renewed for ever bless,
The Father just and kind.

His ways may be to us unknown;

But this we must believe,
That when He most appears to frown,

Most mercy we receive.

Then let us daily seek to prove
That we His work revere,

By aiding those compelled to rove,
That they His name may fear.

ANNE B-.

PRIESTS are mediators between God and men; and their duties are to offer sacrifices for their sins, interceding for them with God. Sacrifices were appointed by God, after the fall of Adam by transgression, to teach the evil of sin, and pardon could be obtained, by an atonement, which, in the fulness of time, was to be made by the sacrifice of Christ. For this reason he is called "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."-Rev. xiii, 8. From the beginning,

F

in the earliest ages, therefore, our young readers will find Cain and Abel, (Gen. iv, 3, 4.) Noah, (viii, 20.) Abraham, (xii, 7; xv, 9, 17; xxii, 7, 14.) Job frequently, (Job i, 5; xlii, 8.) Isaac and Abimelech, (Gen. xxvi, 25, 30.) Jacob, (xxxi, 54; xxxv, 7.) and Jethro, (Exod. xviii, 12.) as priests, building altars and offering sacrifices in worshipping God.

Moses, by the command of God, appointed priests to offer sacrifices daily for the whole nation of Israel; and for this service Aaron and his sons were consecrated.-Exod. xxviii, 1, 43; xxix, 38, 42.

Our engraving represents an ordinary priest and the high priest in their robes of office. Their various duties and services for Israel may be learned from the books of Exodus and Leviticus ; and how their ministry shadowed forth the office and work of our blessed Saviour, may be learned from the Epistle to the Hebrews, which was written for that purpose to instruct the first Christians.

Our Divine Redeemer, having "given himself a ransom for all" (1 Tim. iii, 6.), and "by one offering perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Heb. x, 14.), by his suffering death, "became the Author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him." (v, 9). Christianity having, therefore, no sacrifices now to be offered for sins, can have no priest, except the great "Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus."— Heb. iii, 1. On this account there can now be no ministering priests in our religion; but all true Christians form "an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."-1 Pet. ii, 5.