are the individuals they accuse?—and, in the long run, truth and righteousness will prevail. The Trinitarian Bible Society has so much work to perform in settling what it is to be, that we apprehend it will have but little time left to determine what it is to do. What new translations is it effecting ?-what new editions is it printing? Where are its Bibles and Testaments?-where are its funds? In answer to the last interrogation, we believe the public scarcely confide in it, and we heartily sympathise with them.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

The following communication we have much pleasure in inserting, as it will prove to the public that the Cominittee of the above Society is not responsible for either the folly or impudence of certain of its professed advocates. We are glad to learn that the Bishop of London is to preside at its approaching anniversary, on the 22nd of May. "To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

"We think it right to inform you, that the Committee of the British and Foreign Temperance Society has no connexion whatever with any periodical, except the British and Foreign Temperance Herald, and can only be responsible for the official publications of the Society.

John Capper, "Thomas Hartley, "John H. Ramsbotham, "N. E. Sloper,

PROVINCIAL.

SURREY MISSION.

- Secretaries."

The annual meeting of the Surrey Mission will be held at the Rev. Thomas Jackson's Chapel, Stockwell, on Wednesday, April 18. The morning service to begin at eleven o'clock, when a sermon will be preached (D. V.) by the Rev. Dr. Collyer. A public meeting will be held in the evening, at six o'clock, when the annual report will be read and new officers chosen.

HAMPSHIRE ASSOCIATION.

The half-yearly meeting of the Associated Churches of Hampshire will be held at Romsey, on Wednesday, the 18th of April. The Rev. J. Thorn will preach: the given subject -"Christian Liberty."-The Hants Sunday School Union will hold their half-yearly meeting early in the morning of the same day.

DORSETSHIRE ASSOCIATION.

The half-yearly meeting of the Associated Ministers in the county of Dorset will be held at Weymouth, on the Wednesday in Easter week. The sermon to be preached by the Rev. Richard Harris, of Wareham. The ministers and friends connected with the County Sunday-school Union will hold their annual breakfast, and transact the usual busiBess, in the morning of the day.

STRICTURES ON A LATE COMMUNICATION OF MR. KNILL.

Exeter, March 10, 1832.

TO THE REV. R. KNILL.

DEAR SIR,The readers of the Evangelical Magazine having been favoured with your remarks upon the contributions "of all the congregations of East Devon to the Lon-" don Missionary Society," I feel myself called upon to offer to your attention, and to that of the readers of the Magazine in general, a few observations upon your statement. The charge of " trifling with God and with missions" is a very grave one; and " Devonshire people," whom you "love above all others," cannot but wish that your statement had been distinguished by fairness and candour, as much as it is by zeal in the cause of missions. Few who read your animadversions but will conclude that "All the congregations in East Devon, including the always faithful city of Exeter," have usually sent no more to the London Missionary Society than £120 per ann. In the last report the sums raised in East Devon are entered in a very irregular manner, as you must have observed, or you would not have given us credit for £120. The East Devon Auxiliary has credit for only £93. 5s.; but other sums, not entered as they ought to have been, make the total £133. 15s. Now, my dear Sir, in a note of public censure, you ought to have been most careful to avoid detraction from the amount of our contributions in any degree.

But why represent the sum as the contribution of " all" the congregations in East Devon? Five only made any remittance last year, and there are eighteen congregations in the district of the congregational order. One or two of this number do not, I believe, on principle, unite in missionary objects. Most of them, however, are too small and too poor to be able to render any efficient assistance. They do not, they cannot, give their ministers daily bread. In some instances the whole of their subscriptions do not exceed twenty or thirty pounds per annum.

Four of the congregations, who have usually contributed to the Missionary Society, omitted to do so last year; in one instance, because the minister was from home, at the time of making the remittance; from the remaining three I have received no explanation of the failure. I attribute it to the heavy expences in which they were involved at the time in rebuilding, enlarging, or repairing their respective places of worship. As, however, your object was to reprove our "cold-handed charity," you should, my dear Sir, have done us the justice to consult former reports before you proclaimed our de. linquency to the world.

In 1827, the sum raised was £249 1 1 In 1828, .........ditto............ 349 0 3 In 1829, .........ditto............ 195 12 11 In 1830, .......ditto............ 246 16 8 In the above accounts I could show you,

in more than one instance, a contribution exceeding £20 paid by a brother minister, whose income from his people is less than £50 per ann., though he is a married man, and has a family, for whose support he submits to the daily labour of a school; nor can I say that his people are able to give him more, except on the condition of withholding their subscriptions from the London Mis sionary and other societies. My respected brother, who encourages his people to subscribe to foreign objects, while he receives so little from them, and has no private fortune, deserves not the censure of "cold-handed charity." His case, however, is by no means singular. I could at this moment furnish the names of half a dozen of my brethren, stationed within a short distance of Exeter, whose united incomes from their congregations do not exceed the salary paid by the London Missionary Society to an individual missionary if stationed in India.

Notwithstanding our poverty, we have supported a home missionary for the East of Devon for the last fourteen years. We are now using every endeavour to re-establish the Western Academy (your Alma Mater) on a respectable footing; and many among us have, according to their ability, done well for this object. We wish, if possible, to raise a sum sufficient to pay for the premises contracted for, for the purposes of the institution. Our circulars are now before the public for this purpose; but your remarks will meet them in every direction, and tend most powerfully to render them useless. For the sake of the Academy, as well as of the Missionary Society, I should be glad to find out those who can "afford to give a pound where they have given only a penny," and also the country 'squires" in this neighbourhood belonging to our religious denomination. I do not mean by these remarks to apologise for lukewarmness and "trifling with God and missions ;" but I leave it with God to decide who they are, and to deal with them as he please that are guilty.

It is my wish that "Devonshire people," not only in the East, but in the county at large, may deserve a name for good works, not inferior to that enjoyed by the "handiul" under the pastoral care of their countryman at St. Petersburgh. I do not, however, expect that invidious comparisons, censure, and rebuke, publicly expressed, will ever produce a spirit of liberality. I have known the plan tried before, but it has always failed to do any good, and in most instances it has injured the cause it was intended to serve. I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, JOHN BRISTOW.

FOREIGN.

STATE OF RELIGION IN CANADA.

Extracts of a Letter from the Rev. Richard Miles, dated Montreal, Canada, Ost. 28,

1831, addressed to the Rev. John Arundel, London.

MY DEAR SIR,

Through the care of our heavenly Father, we have again been preserved in crossing the pathless ocean, and have safely landed on the shores of the Western continent. We were favoured with a pleasant, though not very speedy voyage, and landed in this city after being on ship-board forty-five days from Greenock. We had, in every point of view, a comfortable passage, and have abundant reason to praise the Lord for his great goodness towards us. The prayers of our dear Christian friends in Britain on our behalf have indeed been most graciously answered in our preservation and comfort. Although the wind was very generally contrary, yet we had very fine weather, with nothing like a heavy squall during the whole voyage. Our ship sailed excellently, our captain a worthy man, our accommodations very good, and peace and harmony prevailed during the whole time among all on board. We had divine service regularly every Lord's-day, and the greatest decorum was observed.

The town of Montreal, which is 180 miles higher up the St. Lawrence than Quebec, contains a population of above 30,000 souls, the greater part of whom are descendants of the original French settlers, and are Catholics. The other portion consists of English, Scotch, Irish, and Americans; and of the last there is a considerable number. In the lower province of Canada Popery reigns and triumphs, and this city is the very seat of the beast. The French Canadians have a cathedral church, a fine building, newly erected, in this town, capable of containing nearly 10,000 persons; and I am informed that it is usually, on a Sabbath morning, nearly filled. I am truly sorry to say, that Protestant Christianity in this town, and from what I can learn even through the country, is little more than nominal. It prevails most extensively in the Episcopalian and Presbyterian forms; but, with few exceptions, is among them little more than a form. The Methodists are increasing in the upper provinces, as are also the Baptists; and with these there may probably be more of the life and power of religion. But there

are hundreds and thousands of British settlers, I am told, scattered in different parts of the country, who are utterly destitute of the means of grace, and living without God in the world, their families growing up in a state as bad as heathenism.

You will, I know, my dear Sir, be desirous of hearing something respecting my future prospects and probable destination. I have, therefore, much pleasure in informing you, that my prospects are encouraging, and I hope in due time, under the Divine blessing, to see a church and congregation established in this town, under my own care. There is at present but one congregational church in

Canada, under the care of Mr. Gibb, late of Banff, in Scotland, but now of Stansted, in this country, an eastern township in the lower province. I commenced preaching the first Sabbath after I arrived, in a school-room, hired for this purpose, and have continued to do so down to the present time. The attendance is very good, and if we could procure a larger and more commodious place, we should have a larger attendance, especially on the Sabbath evening. We also commenced a Sunday school, and have nearly forty children, with the prospect of many more. have also had a meeting on the Friday evenings with the coloured people who reside in this town, many of whom have now begun to attend our Sabbath-day services. There are, from what I can learn, about 100 coloured people dwelling in this place, but who have been hitherto neglected, no one caring for their souls There is, indeed, a wide field for useful labour in this part of God's vineyard, and I hope He will bless my endeavours to promote the spiritual welfare of the people.

1

We intend, without delay, to endeavour to obtain the erection of a suitable place of worship, and for this purpose nearly £200 are already subscribed, which sum, I hope, will soon be increased; but we must appeal to the benevolence of the churches at home to render us assistance, for without their aid I am fearful we shall be unable to effect our object; and certainly no object of a similar kind can be presented to their attention more worthy of their countenance and support. I have come hither as a pioneer in this good work, and I trust that my feeble efforts will be successful, under the Divine blessing, for preparing the way for many valuable labourers to follow. I have sacrificed a considerable portion of what little personal property I possessed; but I shall feel the highest satisfaction if, by doing this, I am made instrumental in efficiently promoting the good cause. Can you, my dear Sir, by your representations and recommendation of our infant cause, do any thing for us? What

ever may be done to promote pure Christianity in Canada will be ultimately repaid in assistance to aid the cause of missions through the world. I have established a monthly missionary prayer meeting, and begun to direct the attention of the people to the progress of the work, and I hope in due time to be able to assist the Society by our contributions. You would be rendering service if you would forward missionary publications regularly to this city, which I shall be ready to distribute, and will endeavour to excite an interest in the objects of the Society. Many individuals have expressed their gladness at my coming amongst them; and present appearances of prosperity are even beyond what could reasonably have been expected. There is in this city, beside the Roman Catholic places of worship, an Episcopalian church, two Presbyterian

BAPTIST MISSIONARIES IN JAMAICA.

We noticed in our last an attempt which had been made, by the enemies of the gospel in Jamaica, to implicate certain Baptist missionaries in the insurrectionary movements of that island. Since we penned the article in question, we are happy to inform our readers that our good opinion of the said missionaries has been fully verified; though, alas! the conduct of those who first aspersed them, and then sought to infringe their liberties, but too plainly evinces the temper of mind which obtains among the proprietors of a slave colony. It appears, from recent intelligence, that Messrs. Knibb, Whitehorne, and Abbot, who were conducted to the head-quarters, at Montego Bay, on the 3rd of January, on a charge of declining (doubtless under mistake) to perform military dury, have since been set at liberty, have had their papers, which were seized, restored to them, and have all three been enrolled in the militia-Mr. Whiteborne as a captain, Mr. Knibb as a private, and Mr. Abbot as an artilleryman. As it respects Mr. Burchell, who was represented in the Jamaica Courant-that vehicle of enmity against missionaries-as confined in double irons, it appears from the latest accounts that he has been treated by Sir Willoughby Cotton with as much leniency as could well be extended to a party accused; and it is confidently believed that the seizure of his papers, though in itself a painful measure, will lead, with other circumstances, to his entire and honourable exculpation. The Baptist missionaries are not the only sufferers in these horrible scenes. Mr. Box, a Wesleyan missionary, was imprisoned, in Spanish Town, without any charge whatever having been preferred against him, and after having been confined in a filthy dungeon for five days, was liberated because his enemies dared not attempt to accuse him! Some of the Moravian and Church Missionary agents, too, have been treated as if guilty of insurrectionary practices. In fact, it cannot be concealed, that the white population are determined to charge the whole affair upon the gospel. Could they get rid of the gospel it is all they want. They see that if light spreads slavery is at an end; and in this they are perfectly right. But it is base in the extreme to accuse innocent men of crimes which they never dreamed of committing. and to blame the gospel for doing that which only the vices of slavery have produced.

The following testimony on behalf of the missionaries, which appeared in one of the Jamaica newspapers, will be highly satisfactory to our friends "It is notorious, that the charges brought against the missionaries are a tissue of wilful, wanton, and malicious falsehood; and are intended not to hurt them only, but to injure the cause of Christianity, and to arrest the progress of religion in the island." This testimony, combined as it is with the fact that multitudes of the Christian

slaves came forward, with the utmost determination, to rescue their masters' property, must put to shame the interested calumniators of the gospel. Surely, surely professing Christians in Great Britain can no longer defile their characters by taking part in a system so fearfully opposed to the spirit and precepts of Christianity, and upon which the retributions of Divine Providence seem ready to fall with alarming force!

THE REV. JOHN BROWN, OF WHITBURN.

It is our painful duty to announce the death of the Rev. John Brown, minister of the United Associate Congregation, Whitburn, Scotland, and one of our old and steady contributors. The afflictive event took place at Lonridge Manse, on the 10th Feb., in the 78th year of his age, and fifty-fifth of his ministry. He was one of the sons of the late Rev. John Brown, of Haddington, and father of Dr. John Brown, of Edinburgh. mind and personal habits were characterised by a measure of simplicity strictly patriarchal; his life was active and useful; his end was peace; and his memory will be blessed by multitudes in and out of his own religious connexion.

THE REV. JOHN PRIMROSE, WHITEHILL.

His

This eminently holy and devoted servant of the Lord Jesus entered upon his rest on the 28th Feb., in the 81st year of his age, and in the forty-third of his ministry. He was pastor of the United Secession Church, Whitehill, parish of Grange, North of Scotland; and he maintained, during a long ministry, a character for zeal, integrity, and devotedness to the great duties of his calling, which will associate his name with all that is devout towards God, and benevolent towards his fellow-creatures. We remember him a highly popular preacher.

MEMOIR OF ISABELLA MARIA L.

To an affectionate parent there are few trials more severe than the death of a beloved child, especially if that child be beautiful of countenance, and amiable in disposition, and have arrived at such years as to be able to give the promise of much future excellency of character. To see disease lay its rude hand upon the tender frame, and in spite of a mother's tears and a father's prayers, refuse to let go its hold; to witness the pain which it inflicts, and the sighs and the exclamations of agony which it calls forth; and then, the way having been thus prepared, to mark the slow but persevering advance of the King of Terrors, who, steeled against all the emotions of pity, tears from their embrace the darling object of their affections: these are scenes

of sorrow, which none but those who have passed through them can adequately understand; and yet there are few parents but what have passed through them. How persons destitute of the knowledge of salvation by Jesus Christ our Lord, can bear up under such an affliction it is difficult to conceive; but it is a pleasing fact, that in the gospel of the grace of God there are to be found consolations, not merely to cheer the mourning parent, but to support the dying child; consolations which, while they dispose the father and the mother to say, Not my will, O Lord, but thine be done," and wipe away the tears from their eyes, and calm the agitation of their souls; at the same time draw from the couch of death, in infant tones, the sweet exclamation, "I am happy-O yes, I am happy."

Thus would I introduce to your notice the brief history of an interesting little girl, with whom I had the pleasure of being well acquainted, who was indeed one of the lambs of my own flock. She was the beloved child of most affectionate parents; but before she had reached the age of eight years they were obliged to part with her; to consign her body to the cold mansions of the grave, where it now lies; while her happy spirit, I trust, rejoices in the presence of God and the Lamb. Her name was Isabella Maria L. She had two sisters, older than herself, and two brothers, who were younger; all of them the children of A. L., Esq. Her birth-place was the town of K., in the county of W., where she was born, on the 29th of November, 1823, and where, with the occasional change of a summer residence in the vicinity, the whole of her short life was spent. From the first dawning of reason there was something uncommonly pleasing in this lovely child. She, at a very early period, began to exhibit a considerable thirst for knowledge, and great application in the attainment of it. With an industry beyond her years, and with a patience of perseverance seldom displayed by one so young, she was constantly adding to her stores of general and scriptural information. For instance, she would frequently beg to be allowed to commit to memory the lessons which were required of her sisters;

and if, because considered unsuitable to her years, her request was refused, she would take an opportunity of learning them by herself. The 29th of Nov. 1830, was kept as the anniversary of her birth. I spent the day with the family. The morning was occupied in examining the children as to the progress they had made in the various branches of their education, and in distributing rewards according to the proficiency of each. Maria carried off by far the greatest number of prizes, although the youngest; in fact, she had not only made up to, but outstripped the others. There are few parties happier than ours was on that day. Ah! little did we then think she would never see another! Even then her months were numbered. Shortly after, her education for eternity was completed; and, unwilling that she should dwell longer amid scenes of sin and suffering, her heavenly Father took her to himself. As an illustration of her thirst for knowledge, her governess has sent me the following interesting statement:

"In my system of education I attempted to provide employment or recreation for every half hour in the day; and it has been sometimes difficult, and a matter of discussion, how to find time for due attention to something new which has claimed it. On one

such occasion dear Maria said, You need not think about it, Miss G.; I will learn it in scraps of time; I know I can.' This led me more particularly to observe in what manner she employed her scraps of time generally; and though they seldom exceeded five minutes, I think I never saw them lost or trifled with. Indeed, I have no doubt, that often whilst the family was simply preparing to partake of their meals, she had in the meantime been treasuring up some useful, perhaps saving knowledge." Oh, how much precious time is lost by the old as well as the young, in consequence of their taking no care of its scraps; and how deserving the imitation of both is the conduct of this child! And here I must mention, what, indeed, by this time, you must have perceived, that Maria and her sisters were blessed with the superintendence and instruction of a pious governess, who resided in the family; one who watched over their souls; who felt that her duty was not discharged when she had merely gone through the routine of their daily lessons; but who, under a deep sense of her responsibility to God, made it her object that they might become wise unto salvation. While anxious to qualify them for discharging their duties according to the station which they should occupy in after-life, she was still more anxious to prepare them for the services and the enjoyments of that happy world where there is no death: and, in the case of Maria, she has the unspeakable happiness of knowing that her labours were not in vain. Would that all families VOL. X.

knew the value of a pious governess, and that in selecting a teacher for their children, deep and earnest piety were made an indispensable qualification more frequently than it is!

At an early period Maria's mind exhibited evident symptoms of its being impressed with the importance of religion. Naturally her conscience was very tender; and during the last two years of her life the Spirit of God had obviously begun to operate that divine change upon her which he has since perfected among the spirits of the blessed. This tenderness of conscience, especially after it had been brought under the influence and control of divine grace, was manifested in a variety of ways, and resulted in an habitual watchfulness and circumspection of conduct rarely to be found even among those who are much farther advanced in years. It is believed, that for many months before she died, she did not give an unqualified promise to any person, lest circumstances should occur which would prevent her from keeping it; in which case she thought she should offend her God. One day, before leaving her other sisters for a few hours, the governess requested a promise of attention to her wishes from each of them. The sisters gave it cheerfully and without hesitation; but Maria only said, "I will try to be good; I don't promise you, because you know God may see something in me which he thinks is wrong, and I may not know it; and then, you know, it would be sin. I don't say it because I shall not try-you may trust me I will try to be good." Such a declaration from her was sufficient-more was unnecessary-the mind could not refuse to her the most unbounded confidence. The same tenderness of conscience prevented her from ever being gratified by commendations which she thought she had not deserved. Her governess was once expressing how entirely she relied upon her word, observing, that she had never known her to tell an untruth. She crept to her side, hung her head, and with conscious shame said, "I told you one once." She then mentioned the circumstance to which she referred; when with pleasure it was found that it could not bear the name of a falsehood. It was simply the neglect of some trifling assent she had given; but she had thought of it for weeks. This occurred, perhaps, two years ago, since which time she has been scrupulously exact to perform her

word.