time into those of eternity? While yet, then, we remain on earth, let us employ the largest possible portion of the same under the hallowed influence of the Sabbath, to win souls to glory of the great human family, rather than store it up for the waster to destroy.

How blissful to behold all, instead of, as now, seeking exclusively their own narrow interests, meditating how most widely and extensively to benefit the whole household! Wherein could there be safety and harmony like this? No foes, no rivals would exist; each having every one the guardian of his interests, and all, from the labours of six days, administering aid and pleasure to all on the

Sabbath.

Let Christians, at least, labour as the Redeemer intended they should, to form such a family, as the aggregate of their many households, 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2; Gal. vi. 10. Are not families which thus occupy the Sabbath, and thus expend the treasures of earth, most likely to spend together an eternal Sabbath in the felicities of heaven?

The question is sometimes put in a spirit of complacency, What can I give? as if there were no obligation in such a case. We are justified in not giving only when we do not receive. Every receiver should give something: none are exempted. It is every man's own duty to learn his obligation, as well as to perform it. It were vain to say that multitudes of expectants of salvation never solemnly inquire into the nature of Christian obligation. Oh, the infatuation and the meanness of those who can hope for a blood-bought heaven through faith, and yet can systematically withhold all they can, to escape positive disgrace, from the furtherance of the grand design of the Redeemer's agonies and death! who, so far as his glory in others' salvation is concerned, leave it to prove a failure, rather than part with property to promote its success! With whatever semblance of truth the plea of ignorance on this point may hitherto have been held, it can hold good no longer. No expectant of heaven can entrench himself longer in ignorance or sophistry.

The plea of difficulty, of a question of simple proportion, can ill be urged by those who have to solve the problem of the means by which a soul lost by selfishness and unfaithfulness can be ransomed! And shall those shrink from the sacrifice of a due proportion of their material possessions for the work of God, whose only

valid hope of salvation is connected with the surrender of life itself, if demanded by his authority? If any will still forget their stewardship, and, assuming their full personal proprietorship, will withhold from the service of Christ that which he demands of them, by the saving of a few paltry scores or hundreds of pounds, they will seal their own doom, and stamp their own infamy, as unfaithful servants.

It is only by some large and comprehensive plan of action that even-handed justice will be done to every interest,---a method which makes the interests of religion one of the great items of family expenditure, in the ratio of income, not putting it after anything, but regarding it as one of the great and main branches of outlay. Such was the case with Jewish families; why should it not be also with Christian families?

The demands of commerce, enterprise, and social station are met in their own element, and amid favouring influences. Where but in the element of religion, and under the hallowed influences of the Christian household and sanctuary, are the claims of human necessity, of the Saviour's glory, and of a soul-enriching ministry likely to obtain due consideration? Take this fact in illustration:

A minister improved the jubilee of one of our great Missionary Societies by reviewing its past history. He then sought extra offerings, according to personal circumstances. The day following a prosperous tradesman said to him, “I thought yesterday I would give £5 as a jubilee offering, but I will think of it a day or two." It was replied, "Give it now, or the counting-house influence will fritter it down daily. You evidently ought to give the £5. You cannot be lieve you yesterday beheld the full weight of your own obligations, or of the worth of souls." On the Friday he gave the minister £2.

Where but in Christian families, where parental affection gives to human existence its true worth, and invests Divine mercy with its noblest charms, as encircling the household of its love; and where the human parental heart realizes some feeble sympathy with the great Father of all for the bliss of his offspring, are adequate arrangements for such lofty purposes likely to be made?

High-principled appreciation of the peculiar nature and worth of pastoral services, and cordial integrity in devoting their appropriate recompense, is far from general. How cruelly low their estimate

of their own soul's worth is that thus manifested by many! Thousands expend far more on their humblest attendant, and others on their least costly foible, and on many items of embellishment, than to maintain in honour, comfort, and sufficiency the man of God who studies, toils, and watches for their everlasting welfare; the guide of their youth, their instructor in heavenly truth, and their bosom friend in the hour of domestic sorrow. Paltry, indeed, would the legal and medical adviser consider the frequent recompense of the minister,-the man of taste and cultivation, ever at command, and devoted to their interests. Where, but in the Christian household, is a pastor's worth likely to be fully known? Where else are his necessities likely to be met by a grateful love-offering, instead of a heartless pew-rent?

The system of dedication indicated by the phrase, "Domestic Economics," is that stated in 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2,-the presentation of the offerings of Christian households, for all purposes of common and sacred benevolence, in the retirement of home, on the holy Sabbath, prior to their specific application. The principle of Jewish offering was proportion to resources. From the nature of their chief property, the principal offerings of the Jews were presented at the great seasons of ingathering. Besides the tithe for the priesthood, and the further tithe for Temple appurtenances, no worshipper might appear before the Lord empty. Here, then, were large periodic and frequent special offerings demanded. A circulating currency, the representative of all property, allows of a more frequent and equal periodic dedication of resources. This is what Christianity demands !

The Christian may infer his obligation from a sense of the superiority of the Christian to the Jewish economy, and from a comparison of his resources with those of a Jew. Can any infer inferior obligation? The inference drawn must relate to persons bearing family burdens. Persons free from them should devote in higher ratio.

Suppose the heads of a Christian household determined to act in this respect, with an enlightened and self-approving conscience, as in the sight of God; suppose that with an average family say of five or six children, they feel they ought, from an income of £100 per annum, to devote a fifteenth-from an income of £200 a tenth-from £400 a sixth, and

so on at higher rates with higher income. On the Sabbath morning they put the whole week's proportion into a sacred treasury of the general dedicated fund. At family devotion its members may deposit in a box such portion as they may deem suitable for Home and Foreign Missions. In entering the sanctuary, a judiciously decided amount for purposes of ministerial subsistence, requirements of worship, relief of brethren, and general church necessities, may be committed to its treasury. The balance remains for application as religious and benevolent claims may subsequently arise. The very children and servants, if they have anything of their own, perhaps imitate the example on their humble scale; and if special mercies have been received, a special offering is presented, and a present received devotes its tithe.

This is no mere fancy picture, but an every Sabbath-day fact. Is not this what the Holy Spirit demands in every Christian household? What scene on earth more lovely and appropriate in the sight of heaven than this? Its influence on the moral training of a single generation what mortal can conceive?

It is universally allowed that there is no influence exerted on man so deep and permanent as that of home. When every other name and influence have lost their charm, those of Home and Mother find a vibrating chord in the depths of the soul. May it not be feared that home influences greatly foster the present conspicuous developments of selfishness, and love of dress, pleasure, and wealth? Where such objects are the chief themes of converse, and the most eager objects of pursuit, what can follow but that children become like their parents,-gay, grasping, and worldly; "lovers of pleasure, more than lovers of God?" But when children see that there is something by their parents far more highly prized than wealth-the favour of God, and a faithful regard to their stewardship; where the attire of grace and purity is held in higher estimation than the fabrics of Lyons, and the treasures of piety than those of India; and where the first and determined aim, under all circumstances, is to act a faithful part towards God and man, in the cheerful devotement from the week's income of a due proportion, what result can follow than that it expand their hearts, and train them in benevolence and piety?

Undoubtedly thousands of well-meaning parents have, by their all-grasping

covetousness, ruined, both in body and soul, the very children for whom they so acted, while professing concern for their eternal welfare, by fixing in their conviction, through the force of daily example, an unconquerable persuasion of the superiority of earthly to heavenly good.

In the six weekly days of toil man is, through the sin-incurred curse, obliged to descend to the vale of labour, to ply his mental and muscular energies in the workshop of industry. On the Sabbath he is permitted to ascend the Pisgah heights of holy meditation and repose, that from the watch-tower of domestic peace and sanctity he may survey the land over which he can most successfully scatter the seed-corn of benevolence accumulated by the past week's toil.

Who can mention the benevolent organization whose operations are not repressed by deficiency of means? All human methods combined fail to supply needful resources. Whence but from the million households of Christians, constituting in their unity the true sanctuary of God on earth, can flow those neverfailing streams which, commingling in the ever-deepening channel of Divine beneficence, shall spread spiritual life, fertility, and joy throughout the world? Woodbridge. J. Ross.

SPOTS, BLEMISHES, AND WRINKLES. To the Church of Christ.

"Be ye holy, for I am holy."

THE Church of Christ shall assuredly be presented faultless before the throne, with exceeding joy, by the great Head of it. But there are now many imperfections which deform it, and are called in Divine truth, "Spots, blemishes, and wrinkles." Alas! that many of them should be suffered, knowingly, to remain till then. These must, however, be "burnt up," in order to rescue the souls they defile from eternal ruin, though they must, personally, "suffer loss."

Church of God! a few of these "" spots," &c., upon thee, are the following. And, oh! Christian, look well and faithfully to thyself. Are any of them infecting thee?

First.-There is the "wrinkle” of an uncourteous spirit.

Christian! is this defacing thee? Is the "gentleness of Jesus" not reflected in thy daily deportment? Is the winning sweetness of a "soft answer" clouded by the wrinkle of asperity? "Is this thy kindness to thy friend?" "Be pitiful, be courteous." Second.-There is the " spot" of not "showing piety at home."

Christian! is the eye of thine household upon this in thee? Is the fruit pleasant to the eye from the leaves of thy profession? Is the altar of God cast down, or only raised occasionally? Does languor characterize thy presentation of its offerings? Is thy wife,

thy child, or domestic, chilled by the variableness of thy temper, by the absence of cheerfulness, or the presence of discontent? Third.-There is the "wrinkle" of "evilspeaking."

Christian! dost thou stab in the dark? making the failings or peculiarities of thy brother or sister subjects for "foolish jesting," or hasty suspicion? Christian! thy motto is, "Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

Fourth.-There is the "blemish" of "withholding more than is meet" from the cause of the Redeemer.

Christian! "what hast thou which thou hast not received?" That you might be rich, Jesus became poor. Wilt thou give grudgingly and stintedly to his under shepherds, towards the comfort of thine own pastor? Dost thou refuse to aid as "God has prospered thee," cheerfully, the various institutions connected with thine own Zion? Must thou be incited to "give of thy substance" by some exciting theme from a fardistant land, and yet feel no inducement to give, no emotion of sympathy when the claims of "home" are pressed upon thee?

Fifth.-There is the "blemish" of indifference to the week services of the sanctuary.

How unlike our God, who says "he loves the gates of Zion, more than all the dwellings of Jacob." Are the gates of thy Zion open for communion with God in prayer and praise, Christian, and thou not glad when they say, "Let us go into the house of the

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Lord"? Art thou an absent Thomas when the Saviour breathes over his assembled disciples his divine and satisfying peace?" "We have seen the Lord," say the happy worshippers, as they return to their home with renewed strength." Can the voluntary absent ones credit their holy joy, feeling no kindred emotion in their languid, lukewarm spirits?

Sixth, and finally.-There is the "blemish" of not aiding, as far as possible, in the support of Religious Magazines and Newspapers.

Christian! canst thou not set apart a trifle to take in one or more of such invaluable serials as the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, Evangelical Magazine, CHRISTIAN'S PENNY, the BRITISH BANNER, the Patriot, &c.? Believe, Christian, thou dost lose much-much personally of mental culture, of spiritual nutriment. You forget, further, the noble objects to which the funds derivable from the sales thereof are devoted,-to the comfort of the "widow and the fatherless ;" to the aid of "aged ministers," worn-out "servants of the Church for Jesus Christ's sake." And to thy special care and love, Christian, are such committed by the great Shepherd of the sheep. Hast thou, believer, greater taste for intelligence on the mere political progress of nations, than in viewing them in the grander aspect of their noble destinythat of immortal beings, created for citizenship in the eternal world?

We speak as unto wise men; judge ye what we say :" and let not, we beseech thee, thou member of the Church of the living God, any of these "spots," &c., defile thy "beautiful garments." W. S. P. H.

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP.

To the Editor of the Christian Witness. SIR,-In reading in the WITNESS time after time the things talked of or done at the Union Meetings, I have often looked for something about the best or any means of uniting church-members. It is five years ago since I joined the Independent church in my neighbourhood, and I was three years before that with another. I have always felt surprised and disappointed to see the distance members are at both amongst themselves and their pastor and deacons. I refer more especially to persons of my own classWorking Men, who require a kind word and shake of the hand sometimes from their minister, &c. I have often noticed how the richer part of our churches are treated; they seem all to know their minister and each other, and be friendly. I have never shaken hands with any of the officers, although I have many times been in the same room with pastor and deacons, and have met them in the street, and of course touched my hat to them, when they just passed by with a short

nod. This is not the way our good Master and his Apostles would have acted.

It seems to me that there is always much anxiety to increase members to our churches, and they, of course, mostly are seat-holders, the supporters of the place; you are then considered fixed, and nobody cares anything further about you. I think if this subject was brought forward at some Union Meeting, or some kind friend gave an Article on the subject in the WITNESS, it would do good. I have inquired of other mechanics, members of other churches, and they feel and notice the same. I think the pastor might call at least once in every year upon every member. I must say that mine called, when he first came amongst us four years ago, twice, but at a time when working people cannot be seen, but never since.

I humbly beg that you will excuse my thus addressing and troubling you; but I know, from the WITNESS, something of your kindness and good-will towards all men. Yours most respectfully, EDWARD WILLIAMS. 19, Stanhope-street, Dec. 13, 1852.

THIS island, one of the Hervey Group, was discovered by Captain Cook, and is situated in lat. 21° 57' south, 158° 7' lon. Its circumference is between twenty and twentyfive miles.

After one or two unsuccessful attempts of the lamented Williams to land native teachers on the island, the object was effected about the close of 1822, when Davida and Tiere, two pious members of the church at Tahaa, effected a landing and were hospitably received by the chiefs and people of Mangaia. This was the commencement of the Mission. In the course of a few years, as the result of the labours of these native Evangelists, a considerable number of the natives embraced the Gospel, and emerged from a state of barbarism to one of partial civilization. In 1845, the Rev. George Gill became the first resident European Missionary on the island, and his labours have been so signally blessed that three distinct settlements have been formed, at each of which places of worship have been erected and churches formed; and the entire population has been brought under Christian instruction. In order to sustain Mr. G. Gill under his arduous and multifarious labours, the Rev. William Wyatt Gill was sent out in the "John Williams," in 1851, to co-operate in the work.

The subjoined letter, from Mr. W. W. Gill, dated Mangaia, 15th of May, ult., and written shortly after his arrival, affords the most recent information regarding the state and progress of the Mission.

"In a former letter I referred to the fact of our arrival here, on the 1st of March last, and to a few gratifying circumstances connected therewith. As there was no place fit for us to occupy, we have, since our arrival,

resided with our esteemed friends, the Rev. and Mrs. George Gill. We have thus enjoyed many opportunities of conferring on the affairs of the Mission, and the best means of advancing its future interests. I rejoice that the desire expressed by yourselves in your letter of instructions to me, that unity of feeling and purpose may characterize this Mission, has been deeply felt by each of us. My esteemed colleague has laboured here so long alone, and without the observation of those who are competent to form an estimate of his labours, that it is but simple justice to him to say that, so far as I am able to judge, the utmost order, wisdom, and vigour have characterised his proceedings on this island. The varied means of instruction and of religious improvement are exceedingly numerous. To all these must be added, the care involved in the superintendence of public buildings and general improvements. Amongst the latter may be reckoned the removal of two settlements to healthier localities, and the improvement of the roads connecting all the settlements. In each of these there is a substantial stone chapel ;that at Oneroa being about to undergo thorough repairs. All are filled on the Sabbath; the chapel here with, perhaps, 1500 people, that at Tamarua with 800, and that at Ivirua with 400. The numerous services of the Sabbath are exceedingly well attended; after each preaching service the people meet in their respective classes for catechetical instruction on the subject of discourse. The Sabbath and week-day schools at this settlement are attended by about 500 children and 400 adults (many of the latter do not attend school on the Sabbath, on account of their other duties). The schools here assemble in the large old chapel. A stone