day-Schools have occasioned more calls for Bibles within these five years, than perhaps even was known before, among our poor people. The possession of a Bible produces a feeling among thein, which the possession of no one thing in the world besides could produce. In many houses they have but one Bible for the use of a numerous family; of course, every one cannot obtain the free use of it at all vacant seasons, when they might read it; and, frequently, the young people and the menial servants, who are debarred the use of it, are the most anxiously desirous for the reading of it.

The last Oxford

edition was bought up, by them principally, in every parish where dispersed, with the greatest avidity; and there were not half enough to answer the demands for them. I have seen some of them overcome with joy, and burst into tears of thankfulness, on their obtaining possession of a Bible as their own property and for their free use. Young females, in service, have walked thirty miles to me with only the bare hopes of obtaining a Bible each; and returned with more joy and thanksgiving than if they had obtained great spoils. We, who have half a dozen Bibles by us, and are in circumstances to obtain

as many more, know but little of the value those put upon one, who before were hardly permitted to look into a Bible once a week."

tion;

improving each other's method of instrucand, 3dly, To promote the opening of new schools, by their influence and personal assistance, wherever it may be deemed expedient. For the attainment

of these objects, the Members of the

Union hold Quarterly Meetings; when the Secretary reports the state of the schools in the metropolis, and its vicinity; after which the Chairman calls upon the Members for any interesting and useful information they may be able to communicate.

A Treasurer, Secretary, and Committee of eighteen other Members are annually chosen to manage the affairs of the Institution; and, in consequence of frequent applications having been made from persons in the country, who wished to institute schools, bat felt difficulties in carrying their desires into effect, a Com mittee for Correspondence has also been appointed; to whom any, who are desirous of information, may apply; and who will likewise endeavour to promote an intercourse with the principal schools already formed in different parts of the kingdom,

Reports have been received from a large proportion of the schools in London, and its vicinity; from which it appears that the number of children is greatly increas ing-that many flourishing schools have been lately formed, which are attended by gratuitous teachers:- and that the religious instructions which have been given, have, in a great many instances,

been blessed to the conversion of the chil

dren; and, in some instances, eventually to that of their parents.

The expences incurred in carrying the designs of this Union into effect, are defrayed by annual subscriptions and dona

tions. Persons who wish for further information, are referred to the Treasurer, Mr. W. Marriott, jun. No. 55, Hoxton Square; or the Secretary, Mr. W. B. Gurney, No. 17, Bartlett's Buildings, Holborn,

On account of the many serious objections to the present mode of collecting money for building or repairing chapels, the Independent

ministers in Manchester, and seve ral persons in their congregations, have formed a plan for the future regulation of their conduct respect ing cases, which they request to be announced in this Magazine: rst, A certain number of cases will be admitted in a year; 2dly, A Committee, consisting of eleven persons, is appointed to examine 3dly, Cases, in general, will be countenanced according to rotation, their urgency, and the contiguity of the places from whence applications are made; 4th, The Rev. S. Bradley is the appointed Secretary, with whom ministers and others, having wellrecommended cases, are desired to Correspond.

the cases;

RECENT DEATHS. We are sorry to inform the friends of religion, that they have to lament the loss of the Rev. John Johnson, of Manchester, who died on Saturday, Sept. 22. On the Sabbath but one after his interment, Mr. Roby preached a fune ral-sermon to the bereaved congregation; and, on the succeeding Sabbath, Mr. Jack and Mr. Bradley improved the mournful occa. sion at their respective chapels. At all the places the congregations were exceedingly crowded, and deeply affected. Mr. Johnson was one of the first six students

who were ordained in the late

Countess of Huntingdon's connection, on the plan of secession. Mr. Roby's Sermon, including a Memoir of his Life, is just pub. lished.

On Friday, the 5th of October, died at the Chapel - House, Spa Fields, Lady Anne Agnes Erskine, aged sixty-five, one of the trustees of the late Countess of Hunting

don's chapels, the superintendencé of which principally devolved uptime past, been indisposed, which on her. Lady Anne had, for some excited apprehensions among those

who best knew her, although there was no expectation of her inmein the chapel on the Lord's Day diate departure. Her ladyship was preceding; and on the day before her decease, went out in a friend's coach for an airing: after which she appeared revived, and flattered take an intended journey to Mar. herself with being able to under with some friends the same even gate. She conversed cheerfully ing; and went to rest without any thing material occurring. Her attendant, who was in the same room, heard her cough slightly about five o'clock the next morning; but, hearing nothing further, hoped she was getting rest, About six o'clock she went to see if her ladyship was asleep; and, at first, supposed she was, her head being reclined on her hand; but, some time after, upon approaching near, found that she was dead: from which it appears that she quitted this world without a struggle. Her body was removed, on Saturday the 13th, to Bunhill Fields burying-ground, in a plain but decent and respectful manner, in a hearse and six, followed by were her ladyship's brother. and seven mourning coaches; in which nephew, the ministers in the connexion who were in town at the time of her decease, two of the three surviving trustees of Lady Huntingdon's chapels, and the Committees chapels in London. The corpse, who manage the when arrived at the ground, was preceded by the Rev. Mess. Kirkman and Clark. Mr. Kirkman read the burial-service, and Mr. Clark delivered a short but solemn address over the grave. A funeLord's Day morning at Spa Fields, ral-sermon was preached on the by the Rev. Mr. Clark; and in the evening at Sion Chapel, by the Mr. Clarke's

Rev. Dr. Ford.

Sermon, we understand, is printed,

Nov.

4. LORD'S DAY. Broad Street, ev. Mr. Collison; Devonshire Sq. Mr. Gray; Hare Court, Mr.W. Smith. 5. MoN. Missionary Prayer- Meeting, ev. Camomile Street.

6. Tu. Broad Street, m. Mr. Goode. 7. WED. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, ev. Mr. Coxhead's.

8.

TH, Monthly-Meeting (Indep.)
m. at Towle and Barber's, Mr.
Knight. Religious Fasting.
Fetter Lane, cv. Mr. Nicol.

The Atonement of Christ.
IT, LORD'S DAY. Broad Street, ev. Mr.
Booth; Devonshire Square, Mr.
Gould; Hare Court, Mr. J.
Humphrys.

12. Mox. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, Surry Chapel.

13. Tv. Broad Street, m. Mr. Ford. 14. WED. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, ev. Mr. Waugh's.

5. Tu. Fetter Lane, ev. Mr. Smith. -The Presence of God promised to those who wait upon him. 18. LORD'S DAY. Broad Street, ev. Mr. Townsend; Devonshire Sq. Dr.

Ah! soon shall dreary Winter come, And spread his ice and snow around; The fields be bare, the groves be dumb, The streams in frozen chains be bound Yet ere with rigour Winter frowns,

Autumn with placid smile retires; The woods with fading tints embrowns,

And future budding Hope inspires. So mortals, like the leaf, shall fade,

And with'ring shrink to swift decay : · Their honours in the dust be laid, Swept by the storms of Time away. Yet ere the blast of Death destroys,

To pious age a space is giv'n For sober thought and tranquil joys: Sweet buds, that bloom at length in Heav'n!

ALIQUIST

WHEN the winter's tempest lowers
O'er a bleak and cloudy sky,
Herbs, and shrubs, and fragrant flowers,
Hang their drooping heads and die!
Thus my bosom-comforts languish,

Like a lily overblown;
And my heart is fill'd with anguish
When I see my Saviour frown!

Nipping frosts the wave congealing,

Bind the gently flowing stream, Which, along the valley stealing,

Lately shun'd the sultry beam: But the stream of life more slowly Creeps along, with ling'ring pace, When the frown of Jesus wholly Hides the beauties of his face!

Oft, in summer, pealing thunder
Threatens as it gathers near;
Lightning cleaves the rock asunder,
Shaking guilty man with fear:
But no sky, tho' storm beclouded,

Half so dark, so drear, can be
As my bosom, when 'tis shrouded,
Jesus, by a frown from thee!

Sad is death to shrinking nature,

Sad the last, the parting sigh, Sad the pale distorted feature, Sad the slowly closing eye! Summer's storms and winter's horrors, Death's sad tear and long-drawn gross All are bitter; yet more sorrows, Jesus, gather in thy frown! Ramsgate.

W. B. COLLYEZ