I rejoice to hear that the intended invasion of our cruel enemy is again laid aside. Hasten, hasten, dearest Lord! the happy time, when "the nations shall learn war no more; but shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks."

We have been favoured with blessed seasons: the Lord is truly gracious to the inhabitants of this isle; but alas! they do not render according to the benefits he pours down on them! These constant rains, though a general blessing, have been productive of some evils; particularly at Montego Bay, about one hundred and eighty miles from Kingston, some buildings were swept away by the flood; but, through mercy, only three lives were lost. The inhabitants of Montego Bay have dreadfully persecuted the poor Christians; and the Lord has severely chastized them, both by fire and water. Thirteen years ago, they imprisoned a young man, who was the instrument of raising a society of twenty-four people, in five weeks; and he was obliged to quit the island. When Mr. Fish went there, he was permitted to preach only twice a week, and at such hours as the poor slaves could not attend; many of whom were very desirous of religious instructions. Some years after, when Mr. Campbell visited them, they countenanced him, till they saw the slaves flock to hear the word of God; and though he promised he would only preach at such hours as would not prevent their doing their owners' work, they threatened to imprison him for instructing them; and he was obliged to return to Kingston: and, although they have been chastised every year with some heavy calamity, yet, "having eyes, they see not" the hand of the Lord, and cannot bear the idea of their slaves being religious; and as to themselves, they are rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." Strange infatuation! What, my dear Sir, are you and I better than our poor fellow-sinners, that God should bring us from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan to a knowledge of himself, and a love of holiness? -A consideration of this fills my soul with grateful love, and at times, I am constrained to say, Let silence speak his praise.

The word of God prevails so far as to influence a few to turn from the error of their evil ways. The last three months, we have had an increase of one hundred souls.

Kingston.

M. A. A. S.

QUERY.

ARE there any circumstances which may arise in the course of business, either of a public or private nature (distinct from cases in which life and health are concerned, and which, by our Lord himself, are allowed to be works of necessity) which can justify a professing Christian in an attendance to his ordinary calling on the Lord's Day?

T. M.

SIR,

IMPORTANCE OF THE TRACT SOCIETY.

To the Editor.

AMONG the numerous institutions for which the metropolis is distinguished, The Religious Tract Society is one of the most important. Mr. Bogue, in his excellent sermon preached before that Society, in the year 1800, has justly remarked, that "The dissemination of divine truth in the world, occupies a far higher rank among Christian duties than one in a thousand has yet assigned it; and that a far larger portion of our thoughts, time, and talents should be occupied in its discharge.'

Multitudes of professing Christians have lately felt the weight of this observation. Much good has been done by the circulation of Religious Tracts. Many instances of their great utility have been related; and many others will probably remain untold until that important period, when the gracious dispensations of God shall be fully illustrated. But, are the efforts which have been made for the diffusion of divine truth at all adequate to the importance of the design? May not some means be adopted for a more general distribution of these publications?

It has very forcibly struck my mind, that if a society were formed in every congregation of persons who would subscribe a penny, twopence, or more per week, according to their ability, for the purchase of Religious Tracts, the annual amount would be considerable; and, by a careful distribution of the tracts purchased in the neighbourhood where they reside, vice might receive a powerful check, the truth as it is in Jesus be advanced, and thousands of precious souls converted from the error of their ways.

I am happy to say, that some young men in the village of Ponder's End, are about to establish such a Society. A select Committee is to be annually chosen to manage its affairs : — cach person on the Committee is to take a part in the collection of the subscriptions, and to pay the amount every month into the hands of the treasurer, &c.

It is hoped that many similar institutions will be raised; by which means, the Religious Tract Society in London may be greatly benefitted; and, through the divine blessing, much good eflected at a trifling expence. I remain, Sir,

yours, &c.

J. K.

We are also informed, that a Society has been formed at Wells Street Chapel, Oxford Road, for the purpose of supplying Villages, &c. with Tracts gratis. The Committee meet there on the last Wednesday of every month; where particulars may be had, and subscriptions received.

ON CHRISTIAN MEEKNESS.

Ax attentive and enlightened observer of mankind may distinguish, at least, three kinds of Meekness: one is, where the natural temper is easy and amiable; another appears where reason suppresses passion; and a third now to be considered, which is the effect of divine grace. This last is properly called Christian Meekness. No truly serious persons are entirely without it; and some are eminent for it. With respect to the discriminating nature of this kind of meekness, Mr. Henry observes, that "it is casiness of spirit, but not a sinful easiness as to be drawn into sin, nor a simple easiness to be imposed on, but a gracious easiness to be wrought upon by that which is good." This is coming very near to an accurate definition; but, to be more particular, "Christian meekness enables the soul to submit quietly to the will of God; not to be easily provoked, patiently to bear injuries, and to be habitually mild and gentle." An enlargement on cach of these particulars would exceed the limits of an essay; the present remarks will, therefore, be confined to meckness in relation to man; and, first, I shall endeavour to remove objections, then shew some principal advantages of being meck, - and conclude with suitable advice.

It is objected, Ist, That meekness tends to check courage, emulation, and other laudable exertions. This is a device of Satan to destroy or injure souls, by promoting the gratification of evil passions; but spiritual meekness is so far from repressing courage and mental exertions, that it has a direct tendency to invigorate them by regulating all the springs of action. Besides, the history of great men completely refutes this objection. Thus, for instance, Col. Gardiner, after his conversion, was mild; but to the last day of his life he was truly courageous. Abp. Usher and Sir Isaac Newton were meek; though it is well known they were men of extraordinary strength of intellect. 2. Many think that, if they were gentle, they should be dispirited, and always be open to injuries or insults. Satan, having a peculiar hatred to meekness and humility, makes this a formidable ob jection, and stirs up his emissaries to take advantage of the mildness of serious persons; but let them remember what is recorded in Psalm Ixxvi. 9, “God will arise to save all the meek of the earth." As, therefore, the Lord has expressly declared himself their Protector and Avenger, they may consider themselves com. pletely safe in his hands. Here, however, I would remark, that it is a great mistake to suppose that Christian meekness prohibits self-defence:no: when our life, our character, or our property are really attacked, the meek man may use all proper means to defend himself. So likewise, as it is said, we may be angry, and sin not." Meek persons may shew their marked dislike against sin, and any unjust personal insults they receive. On

this point, however, we should take particular notice of the following judicious observation of Mr. M'Ewen: "The anger of a meek man resembles not gunpowder nor flax, that can mount in a blaze at being touched by a small spark of fire; but it may be compared to green wood, which is not easily blown into a flame; and to a flint, that emits no fire unless struck, and then is soon gone!"

As to the advantages of meekness, some of the principal are the following: - 1. It has the express high approbation of God. While other graces are commanded in Scripture, this is spoken of in very peculiar terms of divine estimation: "The ornament of a meck and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." Prile and Envy incline many haughty persons to undervalue meekness, and sometimes to call it Cowardice, or Meanness of Spirit; but God sets a high value on it; and what he so much esteems, we should particularly regard. — 2. It is attended with many peculiar personal bleesings. Christ says, "Blessed are the meek;" and his calling them blessed makes them so. Meek persons are often distinguished by a placid coun tenance; which, perhaps, made Mr. Matthew Henry observe, "That we read only of three in Scripture whose faces shone remarkably; namely, Moses, Stephen, and Christ; and they were each of them eminent for meekness. Habitual meekness is favourable to the health of the body, and the comfort of the mind; and the meek are happily free from a variety of evils in which the proud or passionate are continually involving themselves: but it is the soul which is most benefitted by this grace of the Spirit; as we may observe, that the most meek Christians are more humble, contented, and patient than others; and, in general, they enjoy communion with God and the ordinances of the gospel much better than serious characters of an unpleasant natural temper. In particular, the meek, when in the exercise of faith, live in a great degree above the world. As it is said in Psalm cxlvii. 6, "The Lord lifteth up the meek ;" that is, they are lifted above most of the storms of life, - they are favoured with an habitual Besides all calm; and almost every day is a Sabbath to them. this, their spiritual joys are growing; as it is said in Isa. xxix. 9, "The meek shall increase their joy in the Lord." persons much more fit for any relation, condition, or duty in life. Some relations take great liberties with each other, whereby, sometimes, great breaches are made between them; but this would very seldom occur, if they mutually exercised the law of meekness. A meck spirit will induce superiors to be kind and condescending to those beneath them; and it disposes inferiors readily to submit to the just commands and authority of their superiors. We are liable to sudden alterations in our circumstances; but changes without, to the meek man, make but little difference: if elevated by prosperity, he is not high-minded; and if reduced, it does not sink his spirits very low. Every branch

3. It makes

of duty is also better performed where there is meekness; as it will keep parents from being too severe to their children; and incline children to be very dutiful to their parents. Meck masters camot be rigorous to their servants; and when servants are meek, they will study to please those whom they serve. Spiritual duties, such as prayer, praise, meditation, hearing the word, and all other holy exercises, are better performed for meekness.4. It is an honour to religion, and a great recommendation to it. Haughtiness is a disgrace to the profession of the gospel, and highly inconsistent with true godliness; but meekness recom mends religion, by showing the true spirit of it. If we profess to be true disciples of Christ, it must be proved by a similar temper and disposition; as the Saviour says, "Learn of me, for I am mcek and lowly *." It is pride or party-spirit which occasions persecution, and most of the dissentions in congregations; but if members of churches and hearers of the word were all meek, there would be scarcely any divisions amongst those who profess the gospel. Nor would there be such violent controversial publica tions or disputes, if all, of different denominations, possessed a mild and candid spirit.

These are some of the most distinguishing advantages of meekness; but it is absolutely necessary to add some advice:-1. Let us not deceive ourselves, or be deceived by an artificial meekness. Some seem meek when abroad,-but are very different at home; others appear mild and gentie when in serious company, yet are the reverse when amongst companions of a different description. Many are meek among their superiors; but are haughty where they can shew their authority! If such suppose they possess Christian meekness, they are putting such a cheat upon themselves, as may be fatal, if grace prevent not. It is true indeed, that a meek man, like Moses, when he smote the rock in anger, may, by great provocation, shew an improper spirit; but it is our habitual conduct which will prove whether we are meek or not. Some also, who are constitutionally mild, may deceive themselves, by supposing that they have Christian meekness, when their gentleness is only what is commonly called Good-nature. Only such as have experienced the new birth, and have fith, love, hope, and other graces of the Spirit, have any wellgrounded reason to believe that their meckness is of the spiritual kind.-2. They who are meek have need to pray for the assistance of the Spirit. There are many serious persons who are naturally irritable: such have the greatest reason to watch and pray for divine assistance. When David's heart was hot within him, immediately prayed †. Even those who are naturally mild, and spiritually meck, may suddenly be led into evil passions, as our Hearts are depraved, the times trying, and the situation of some Christians particularly so. Under a due sense of these humiliating truths, the meekest should not trust in themselves to maintain * Mat. xi. 29. +Ps. xxxix. 3.

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