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he has made a due impression on his audience, and exhausted himself by the violence of his bawling and gesticulation, he checks his maledictions and threatenings, and draws forth a paltry image of "wood," which he assures them has been rubbed against a piece of the true cross, and that as it can communicate the virtue it has thus received to any other image, so can such image impart its virtue in turn to the possessor of it, and effectually purify him! This comfortable doctrine of religious magnetism is quite to the taste of the lazzarain, who, if they have any cash in their pockets, forthwith become the purchaser of his miraculous ware. Yet woe to the preacher, should he encounter any one of those he has thus armed with holiness in a spot convenient for robbery! since his penitent would not hesitate to make him refund, aye, and more than refund, and that, too, without employing other exhortation than that of his hands. Doubtless, the lazzarain considers his ghostly adviser to be a great knave, only protected by a spell, while the preacher comforts himself with the idea that his impostures and juggling are kept in countenance by the example of San Jenaro. Really what is called here religion, seems to be little more than a most barefaced system for stultifying, brutalizing, and demoralizing the people.

To this it may be added, that on the sabbath day, when puppet shows and every species of buffoonery is played off, with a Babel uproar of tongues, the clergy openly countenance these mountebanks, for I saw many religious" priests strolling about, who relished the "fun" as much as their neighbours. It is quite sickening to witness such loathsome depravity and profaneness, to behold a whole people, and a people professing christianity, thus giving themselves up to all manner of ungodliness and gross indulgence, and exercise on this blessed day more daring acts of rebellion against the majesty of heaven.-Rae Wilson's Route through France and Italy.

SUPPLIES OF PROVISION IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL.

MR. Editor.-The following article will supply some very important materials for profitable reflection, partly on the bounty of the divine handpartly on the difference between Paris and Londonand especially on the state of the domestic relations in Paris. Deplorably corrupt as the metropolis of Great Britain is in many respects, it is, I trust, very far from being so far sunk in licentiousness, as that of the "Great Nation" across the channel; and I do humbly and fervently hope that the operation of our Christian Instruction Societies, District Visiting Societies, and especially our City Mission, will be crowned with the divine blessing in checking the progress of irreligion and immorality in our vast metropolis. SENIOR.

The consumption of oxen in Paris during 1834 was 68,408, of cows 15,290, of calves 60,237, and of sheep 306,227. A curious observer on these subjects has ascertained the annual consumption of the above articles of food for the seventeen years from 1760 to 1777, and calculated that the average was 66,784 oxen, 20,977 cows, and 107,945 calves, and 332,920 sheep. The number of oxen killed in 1834 was greater than in the above average, but this was not the case with respect to the cows, calves, and sheep. In fact, there was an increase of 1,624 oxen, while there was a decrease of 5,687 cows, 47,708 calves, and 26,694 sheep. The consumption of butcher's meat in London is much more consider

able than at Paris. According to statements given, it amounts annually to 150,000 oxen, 50,000 calves, 700,000 sheep, and 250,000 lambs. It is observable, that the consumption of meat in Paris has not augmented in proportion to the increase of its population, which may be judged of by the following figures. In 1760, there were in Paris 3,787 marriages, 17,991 births, 18,531 deaths, and 5,031 foundlings. In 1834 there were 8,094 marriages, 19,119 births, 23,015 deaths, and 9,987 foundlings.-Galignani's Messen

ger.

FRENCH SUGAR, ILLUSTRATING THE BOUNTY OF PROVIDENCE.

MANY have feared that the increasing consumption of sugar through the amazing increase of population would be likely to occasion its excessive dearness, and that the supply would fail by the emancipated negroes refusing to work. The negroes will, however, work for wages; and there are other sources of sugar besides the cane, as the following will show: Of the 200,000,000lbs. of sugar consumed by France annually, beet-root already supplies 80,000,000lbs., whereas, in 1828, beet-root supplied not more than 16,000,000lbs.

THE CONVERSION OF THE LATE REV. J. BERRIDGE, A. M.

ONE day as he was returning from school, a companion and playmate requested him to read a chapter to him out of the Bible. He complied with the request. The other frequently solicited him to return, and exercise himself in a similar way, insomuch that his numerous invitations became disagreeable to young B., and he would gladly have declined these friendly visits; but, having obtained the repu tation of being a pious child, he was afraid to risk it by a refusal. On his return from a fair he hesitated to pass the door of his juvenile neighbour, lest he should be again requested to go in and read. His neighbour was in waiting; and when he approached, renewed his invitation, but, making an addition to his former request, asked if they should pray together. In this delightful exercise he perceived his heart was not right with God, or the trifling amusements of a fair would not have been preferred to the inexhaustible pleasures of devotion. Such was the happy effect of this interview, that soon after he adopted a similar practice with his schoolfellows. When about fourteen years old, God was pleased to convince him of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that he was a sinner, and that he must be born again. About this time he left school, and returned to his father, with an intention to apply himself to business. A tailor, who was occasionally employed in the family, being a man of strict sobriety, and struck with the uncommon appearances of piety in one so young, conversed with him on serious subjects, whenever he had an opportunity. As these conferences seldom occurred, young B. was induced to cultivate a more intimate acquaintance with the tailor, by frequent visits for serious conversation. His relations, however, not being well affected to the cause of God, were somewhat inclined to discourage these religious visits, and told him that as his inclination led him, at every interval, to visit the tailor, he should be bound to him as an appren tice. This threat had not the effect they wished; for so prevalent was his bias to reading, prayer, and

serious conversation, that he more frequently repeated his visits. Finding their scheme unsuccessful, and imagining that his religious habits and exercises would unfit him for business, they determined, reluctantly, to send him to the university. With this determination he readily concurred; and, after previous preparation, was entered of Clare Hall, in the nineteenth year of his age. Soon after this a neighbour asked his father what was become of his son, when he jocosely replied, "He is gone to be a light to lighten the Gentiles:" and his testimony, however jocose, was true.

gularly the duty on the same," &c., the AccountantGeneral for household plate sent Mr. Wesley a copy of the order with a letter, stating that hitherto he had neglected to make entry of his plate, and demanding that he should do it immediately. Mr. Wesley replied as follows:

"Sir, I have two silver tea-spoons at London, and two at Bristol. This is all the plate I have at present, and I shall not buy any more while so many around me want bread. I am, Sir, your most humble servant, JOHN WESLEY."

ILLUSTRATION OF ECCLES. xi. 1. "Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days."

THE EVENTUAL IMPORTANCE OF A LEGACY LEFT MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED YEARS SINCE.

WHAT is called the MICO CHARITY, arises from a sum of money bequeathed by a liberal person in London more than a century since. Its annual proceeds were to be applied to the redemption of Christian slaves in Barbary. Slavery in that form has ceased to exist for a very considerable time, the fund accumulated and arose in amount to upwards of 100,0007. In consequence it was necessary to give it another channel. And a scheme has the sanction of the Court of Chancery for devoting the proceeds of the fund to the establishment of schools in the British Colonies where slavery has been so recently abolished. The Rev. J. M. Trew, formerly rector of St. Thomas in the East, in Jamaica, with teachers selected by him, has proceeded to Jamaica, to act there as the agent of the trustees. The first object is the formation in that island of a school for the instruction of persons to be teachers, and great efforts will be made to render this an effective central institution. The Holy Scriptures are to be the basis of education, and the system pursued will be that of the British and Foreign School Society.

The Rev. Mr. Trew, in writing to a friend on the subject of the abolition of slavery says,

(Kingston, Dec. 31, 1835)-It is quite impossible for me to convey to you an idea of the improvement which I witness in the altered circumstances of this people, since I was here scarcely eight years ago. The first pleasing change which attracted my attention was the breaking down of caste; for in the same pew I have seen persons of every grade, and at the same sacramental table persons of all colours. You, my dear sir, and those who were associated with you have reason to bless God to the end of your existence; for had I a thousand hearts to feel, and a thousand pens to indite, it were impossible to convey an idea of the mighty benefits, which, under God, you have been the instruments of effecting for this poor people."

(Gal. vi. 10). "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

THE REV. J. WESLEY AND HIS SILVER PLATE.

AN order having been made by the House of Lords, "that the commissioners of excise do write to all persons whom they have reason to suspect to have plate; as also to those who have not paid re

AN INFIDEL REPROVED.

MEN of infidel principles are sometimes as ignorant, as they are impertinent. One of this sort was making himself merry in a large company, at the expense of the Scriptures, and told his companions that he could prove the prophet of the Christians mistaken, even upon the most common subjects. After awakening the curiosity of the company, he thus gratified it:-" Christ says that old bottles are not so strong as new; and therefore if new wine is put into old bottles it will break them. Now does not every body know that old glass is just as strong as new; for who ever heard that glass was weaker for being old?" A minister of the Gospel in company, who had been made the butt of his wit, gently reproved the ignorance and folly of this witling, by asking him if he understood Greek?* “ Greek, sir, no, sir; but what has Greek to do with it? A bottle is a bottle, whether it is in Greek or English, every body knows that an old bottle is just as good and as strong as a new one." "Not quite, sir," replied the other, "if they are made of leather or skins, as those bottles were, of which Christ speaks, as the Greek name imports, and indeed it is so in many countries even unto this day, that people use skins instead of vessels to contain wine." On which side of the company the laugh turned, is not very difficult to conceive.

BEREAN CLASSES IN SUNDAY
SCHOOLS.

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS are deservedly called "Nurseries to the Churches of Christ;" and that they have been the most fruitful in training youth of both sexes to supply the places of those who have been ripened on earth for the general assembly of heaven, has been most amply proved wherever these humble seminaries have been established, especially in Great Britain and America. Something, however, it is presumed, might be done systematically to increase the amount of good thus effected; and as I have been informed, that in the Sunday-school of Dr. Fletcher, at Stepney, London, there has been established a Berean Class," consisting of the senior scholars, with most delightful effects, I should be glad to learn by means of the "Christian's Penny Magazine," what is the plan of that class, that I may see if it can be introduced in the school with which I am connected. Your giving this a place in your useful periodical will greatly oblige many besides your constant reader,

66

A COUNTRY SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER.

* Matt. ix. 17, Greek, askos, a skin-bottle.

REVIEW. The Life of Thomas Eddy; comprising an Extensive Correspondence with many of the Most Distinguished Philosophers and Philanthropists of this and other Countries. By SAMUEL L. KNAPP. First Printed in New York, in the Year 1834, 8vo. cloth, pp. 264. London: E. Fry & Son. AMERICA, on many accounts, must be deeply interesting to the Christian inhabitants of Great Britain; that great portion of it using the English language, being the descendants of those servants of God, who, in the days of oppressive intolerance in the reign of Charles I., emigrated to escape persecution, and founded this mighty republic. America possesses not only the language, principles, and religion, of the persecuted Puritans, but every institution which improves, adorns, and blesses Britain, is adopted by her sons for the welfare of her own people and the benefit of the world.

Individuals of high character and Christian principles are found in America, as in England, whose chief business it is to do good; and among that heaven-born class must be enrolled the worthy name of Thomas Eddy, whose interesting Memoirs are here presented to the public from the pen of Colonel Knapp, who has thus honoured his worthy friend and done justice to America.

Referring to the noble class of patriots and philanthropists to which the subject of this memoir belonged, Colonel Knapp thus glances at the mother country.

"About the middle of the last century, a philanthropist arose in England, who gave a new direction to the alms of individuals, to the sympathy of communities, and to the charity of nations. This philanthropist was JOHN HOWARD. He was a man of strict habits, of daring courage, both natural and moral. He began, as it was then considered, a crusade of charity. He examined the state of all the prisons in England and Wales, and then extended his researches through the continent. He made known his discoveries to the grand inquest of the British nation, the House of Commons. This august body heard the relation with surprise, and set about turning the information they had gained, to alleviating miseries, which, until then, were considered legendary tales or incurable evils. Howard was still indefatigable in his new pathway of glory, and at last fell a martyr to his zeal in the cause, on the banks of the Euxine. His exertions, however, were so bold and novel, as to excite general attention, and to give a new impulse to the charitable dispositions of the human mind. He was, indeed, born for the universe, and the effects of his exertions are pervading the whole of Christendom.

"America has been so intimately connected with England in science and letters, that all that has been done in that country was soon known in this, and has generally been imitated, when found to be good. The privations and sufferings of a new people taught them to be kind to one another, and gave them the habits as well as the spirit of benevolence. It might, of course, have been expected by the patriot and philosopher, that Howard would have a school in America. This school has been established.

"One of the most distinguished disciples of this university of charity, was Thomas Eddy, a merchant of the city of New York. He was born about the period that Howard began to mark out his course of action. Eddy not only made this great philanthropist his pattern, but he carried his reasonings farther than Howard had an opportunity to do. Seizing

the facts and reasonings which Howard had furnished, he added others, truly his own, and set about to influence his fellow-citizens to make practical efforts to test the correctness of his views, and the soundness of his principles; and such was his success, that he, by general consent, received the appellation of the HOWARD OF AMERICA.'

Memoirs of such a man cannot but be interesting and permanently useful; and every reader will be astonished at the activity, devotedness, influence, and success of Mr. Eddy, in improving the criminal code of the state of New York, in establishing a new system of Prison Discipline, Hospitals, Schools, Deaf and Dumb Asylums, the American Bible Society, intercourse with the Indians, means for the Amelioration of the condition of Slaves, and for the Abolition of Slavery. Mr. Eddy's philanthropy, like Howard's, was the fruit of his Scriptural Christianity; he was an orthodox member of the Society of Friends; but his spirit was most catholic, as his piety was sincere and fruitful in good works. This valuable Memoir is one of the most excellent and useful publications which have been imported from America, and its publishers have, by its republication, conferred a favour upon England.

PETER WEEPING.

O STRONG in purpose-frail in power, Where now the pledge so lately given? Coward-to creatures of an hour,

Bold to the challenged bolts of heaven. Shall that fierce eye e'er pour the stream Of heart-wrung tears before its God? Thus did the rock in Horeb seem,

One moment ere it felt the rod.

But Jesus turns; mysterious drops

Before that kindly glance flow fast; So melt the snows from mountain tops, When the dark wint'ry hour is past. What might it be that glance could paint? Did one deep touching impress blend The more than sage-the more than saintThe more than sympathizing friend? Was it, that lightning thought retrac'd

Some hallowed hour beneath the moon? Or walk, or converse high, that grac'd The temple's column'd shade at noon? Say, did that face to memory's eye, With gleams of Tabor's glory shine? Or did the dews of agony

Still rest upon that brow divine?

I know not:-but I know a will
That, Lord! might frail as Peter's be!
A heart that had denied thee still,

E'en now-without a look from Thee!

London: Printed by JAMES S. HODSON, at his residence, No. 15, Cross Street, Hatton Garden, and Published by him at 112, Fleet Street; where all communications for the Editor (post paid) are to be addressed; sold also by Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., and by all other Booksellers, Newsvenders, &c. in the Kingdom.

The trade may be supplied in London, by STEILL, Paternoster Row BERGER, Holywell Street, Strand; in Manchester, by Ellerby : Sheffield, Innocent; Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Finlay and Charlton; Liverpool, Arnold.

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View of St. Mary Woolnoth Church, Lombard-street.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF REV. JOHN NEWTON.

IMPROVEMENTS in the British metropolis have, during the last ten years, been carried forward to an extent that is truly astonishing; and whether the commerce, appearance, or health of the city of London is considered in those alterations, they cannot but be contemplated with solid satisfaction by the merchant, the physician, or the Christian philanthropist.

St. Mary Woolnoth church, celebrated as being, for twenty-seven years, the house of God in which the Gospel was so faithfully and successfully preached by the Rev. John Newton, is now most conspicuous. It is situated near the Bank of England, and the Mansion-house of the lord-mayor; and at the entrance of the fine new street which leads to the Monument and to London-bridge. But though the situation is admirable, and the edifice an elegant structure, its principal interest with many, especially those who are fast hastening to the world of eternal

VOL. V.

bliss, arises from the remembrance of its former excellent and useful minister.

Experimental religion has found few advocates who have more beautifully or more successfully illustrated its holy and happy nature, than the Rev. John Newton; and his portion of the "Olney Hymns,"-his letters intitled "Cardiphonia, or the Utterance of the Heart"-and his "Discourses on the Oratorio of Messiah," will carry down his name in the church of God to posterity, so long as the English language is sanctified by Christianity.

Mr. Newton's knowledge of the Gospel was acquired in an eminent degree by experience, in a series of circumstances, the history of which will most remarkably illustrate the providential dealings of God with his people.

Mr. Newton was born in London, July 24, 1725; his parents, though not wealthy, were respectable. His father was for many years commander of a ship trading to the Mediterranean; his mother was a superior person, of eminent and exemplary piety, a member of a dissenting church under the pastoral

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care of the late Rev. Dr. Jennings. She took great pains with her son to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and his infant mind was stored with many valuable pieces and portions of Scripture. When only four years of age he could repeat the Assembly's Catechism with the proofs, all Dr. Watts's smaller catechisms, and his Children's Hymns. His temper and disposition seemed to be what could be desired by so excellent a parent; but to his unspeakable loss, she departed to her eternal rest, July 11, 1732, before he had completed the seventh year of his age.

Young Newton's loss was the greater as his father was at sea; but returning, he married the next year a lady from Essex, by which this hopeful boy was thrown into a new connexion, in which his religious impressions, derived from his mother's excellent instructions, were almost erased from his mind, and, like his young associates, he became profane in his habits. He was now about eight years of age, when he was sent for two years to a boarding-school at Stratford, in Essex; but his master's severity and injudicious treatment, almost destroyed his love of books, and he forgot the first rudiments of arithmetic.

Young Newton left school at the age of eleven years, and went five voyages with his father to the Mediterranean, in the last of which he was left at Alicant in Spain. During this period his state of mind was various: for though he had fallen into ill habits and was accustomed to profane swearing, his conviction of sin and the piercings of conscience often forced him to prayer; he was, therefore, by turns profane and religious, from about the age of twelve to twenty. In 1742, his father left the sea, but he made one voyage before the mast to Venice, and the evil example of his companions seemed to effect his complete apostacy from God.

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Having returned from Venice, young Newton was impressed on board the Harwich man-of-war, and enrolled as midshipman; and now his principles seemed altogether ruined. In December, 1744, the Harwich was in the Downs bound for the East Indies, and in the beginning of 1745, they sailed from Spithead but Newton deserted from the ship -was brought back-and degraded from his office to the rank of a common sailor. During the voyage he was tempted to the commission of the greatest crimes, but he was mercifully restrained by the good hand of God, by whom he had been designed for service in the church of Christ. While the ship lay at Madeira, the captain was prevailed on to allow him to enter on board a Guinea slave-ship bound for Sierra Leone. Having arrived on the slave-coast, Newton sinned with a high hand. and tempted others to the commission of every vice; but in this abominable traffic he experienced the greatest hardships, being himself reduced to bondage in Africa; and during an illness, being called to receive his scanty allowance from the hand of his black mistress, through weakness he dropped the plate, lost his food, and became the sport of the African lady.

Newton, in 1747, received intelligence of the death of a person who had left him a considerable estate : he was released from his bondage and embarked for England. The voyage was dangerous and the ship was near being wrecked; but while the vessel was expected every hour to founder, his mind was powerfully influenced to consider his course of iniquity, and implore forgiveness of God. Providence favoured the mariners, and while their last provisions were actually being cooked, they made land, April 8, and anchored in Lough Swilly in Ireland. The mate of this vessel being soon after appointed to the com

mand of a ship in the same trade, Newton went a voyage with him in the capacity of mate. Having taken in their cargo of human beings on the slavecoast, they sailed with them to Antigua in the West Indies, and thence to Charles Town in South Carolina.

Mr. Newton now returned home and married the object of his affections, Feb. 1, 1750; for whose sake he had submitted to many hardships with a degree of courageous patience: still, however, he continued in this murderous trade; and being appointed to the command of a slave-ship, belonging to some merchants of Liverpool, he sailed from that port in the following August. He performed at successful voyage and returned to England at the close of 1751. In July, 1752, Mr. Newton set sail again for the African coast in a new ship; and having effected his purpose, sailed for St. Christopher's. In August, 1753, he returned to Liverpool; but made another voyage in the same trade, and returned in August, 1754. His conscience now became truly awakened; he reflected on the iniquity of his past life, and abandoned it, devoting much time to the study of the Word of God.

Mr. Newton, in 1755, obtained the situation of tide surveyor of the port of Liverpool; and he now turned his attention to the profession of a clergyman in the established church, and made an unsuccessful application to obtain episcopal ordination from the archbishop of York, a friend having complimented him with a title to a curacy. Disappointed, however, in his hopes, he prosecuted a course of study, and exercised himself in expounding the Scriptures to the poor at Liverpool, as opportunity offered among the Dissenters, until 1764, having an offer made him of the curacy of Olney, in Bucks, he renewed his application for ordination, and, on the 29th of April, obtained it from the hands of Dr. Green, bishop of Lincoln, at the palace of Buckden. During a residence of fifteen years at that place, he formed and improved an intimate friendship with the poet Cowper, whence originated the well known and admired" OLNEY HYMNS," their joint produc tion.

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Mr. Newton, in 1779, removed to London, having been presented, by the late John Thornton, Esq., with the rectory of the united parishes of St. Mary Woolnoth, and St. Mary Woolchurch Haw, Lombardstreet. Here a new and wide field of usefulness opened before him, which he continued to fill for about twenty-seven years, until December 21, 1807, when he departed to his rest at the advanced age eighty-five. Mr. Newton's ministry appears to have been a great blessing to many in London, and to have been a principal means of the revival of religion in the British metropolis. Mr. Newton was a Calvinist in doctrine, and his works have been read with the greatest delight by Christians of all denominations, both in England and America.

"LOST CHILDREN IN MANCHESTER." CHRISTIAN benevolence and zeal must have ample room for their operation in Manchester, as is manifest from the evidence afforded in the following statement of facts relating to lost children in that great town. It seems the nature of the employment of their parents in the cotton manufacturies, occa sions this lamentable state of things: but could it not be remedied? or at least lessened, by the operation of Christian instruction societies, district visiting societies, or infant schools? Would that this

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