new prison." At Copenhagen," he writes, "there are one hundred thousand souls, but no English church, neither is there any at Elsineur." He did not insert this in his journal without a meaning. Some parents do not sufficiently consider what they are doing, when they send their children to places where they cannot hear the gospel. What is a man profited if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul! To what did righteous Lot expose himself when he chose the well watered plains of Jordan? His soul was vexed by the filthy conversation of his neighbours-his sons-in-law were burned to death-his property was all destroyed-his wife was turned into a pillar of salt-his daughters by the prevalence of evil example became abominable, and his grey hairs were brought down with sorrow to the grave.

Just one week after Mr. Venning had visited Copenhagen, he arrived safely at St. Petersburg. The ship had only a three weeks passage from England, and the time passed pleasantly, as they had the privilege of divine service every Lord's day. This was his fourth voyage to Russia, and although he intended only a short visit, yet various circumstances conspired to protract it." One reason was, the cordial reception which he met with from a near relative, whose mind he

was most happy to find encreasingly opening to those great truths which he himself had received. Another was, the greatly improved state of religious Society in St. Petersburg. A third, in connexion with this, was the enlarged opening which he there perceived for all plans of promoting-religion, through the wonderful exertions of the Bible Society. And the fourth, was, the opportunity of active usefulness which he found in his favorite employment of visiting prisons both in the metropolis and in other parts of the empire."

Ten years had elapsed since his last departure from Russia, and the vicissitudes which the hand of time had wrought among his acquaintance during that period made a deep impression on his mind. His reflections on this subject are too valuable to be lost-the reader will not be displeased by my inserting them. The words of a dying man are fitted to make a lasting impression on the mind of survivors, and he being dead yet speaketh; "An absence of ten years will convince any man of the ravages of time, infants are become boys-boys are grown up to menand men are sinking into old age. Among these how many are cut off by death, and even survivors confess that happiness is not to be found. A few more changes will lay them and the writer too beneath the clods of the valley."

Mr. Venning found that in order to facilitate the important measures which he had in view, it would be expedient for him to be select in the choice of his society, and he immediately attached himself to those who could enter into his views, and whose principles were similar to his own. By this means he was introduced to his Excellency Prince Alexander Galitzin, and many other persons of genuine piety and powerful influence, who were capable and desirous of forwarding his benevolent labours, and who actually did afford him every facility which he needed. His ardent spirit promptly seized such golden opportunities, and the rising and the setting sun often beheld him at his favourite employment. Perhaps few persons have attended more rigidly to the advice of the wise man, "Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." Eccles. ix. 10.

It appears that at the commencement of his labours his mind was touched with peculiar distress, because one whom he dearly loved was not pleased with his proceedings, and he unbosoms himself to a correspondent in the following manner, "U is hurt that any of my family should engage in an affair so mean as visiting pri

sons, and has asked me, very gravely, what I intend to do to such hardened villains ?"The ideas of thousands on this subject are exactly similar to what his friend had expressed. They think that a man who is confined in a jail for theft, or murder, is too debased-too far sunk in the scale of being-even to be spoken to. Certainly the wickedness of such criminals is very great. The idea that a fellow creature should be guilty of such horrid crimes is enough to make our blood run cold-but if the object of the prison society be to reclaim them-to lift them up from the degradation into which they are plunged, then surely it is truly laudable, and claims our cordial approbation and support. We think we can never sufficiently applaud the conduct of that humane physician, who ventures his life amidst the most fatal diseases, without any hope of reward, except what arises from the pleasure of doing good. But diseases of the body and diseases of the mind, will bear no comparison; therefore, those who seek to raise the tone of morals, and to banish crimes from the earth, deserve our highest praise.

The principal objects of the Prison Society may be expressed in this short but comprehensive sentence,

"To seek and to save that which was lost."

During the last few years that Mr. Venning resided in England, he enjoyed an abundance of the means of grace; his religious connections were remarkable for keeping holy the sabbath day, and he did not forget it when far removed from them. The language of the Prophet, "Blessed is the man that keepeth my sabbath from polluting it," had a powerful effect upon his heart; hence he never entered into company on this sacred day. Some may wonder why such an incident is introduced, but pious people in Britain can form no idea of the dreadful profanation of the sabbath in foreign lands, by many of their countrymen.

The Imperial Court removed for a season to Moscow, and His Excellency Prince Galitzin, invited Mr. Venning thither to explore the prisons of that city. Rejoicing at the favourable opportunity, and having gained the consent of one of his countrymen, Mr. Thomas Rutt, to accompany him, he set off on the 11th of Feb. 1818, for Moscow. He thought little of the fatigue of a journey of 1400 versts, when the good of his fellow creatures were concerned.

In this city he was honoured by an interview with the Princess Mestchersky, who entered most decidedly into his views, and translated his