Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

for many similar institutions throughout the nation; the objects of this society engaged a large portion of her attention during the remainder of her residence at Sheffield. Her benevolent labours were not confined to this society, as we learn that her attention was much devoted to the Girls' Lancasterian School, and that she took an active and valuable part in the Society for Visiting and Relieving aged Females. She also assisted greatly in the establishment and management of the Sheffield Bible Associations.

The correspondent who furnished these particulars, remarks :

"Our truly respected friend Hannah Kilham, with whom I was favoured to be intimately acquainted, and often privileged to co-operate, (from about 1802 to 1818 or 1819,) for years had an influence in the circle in which she moved, beyond that of any other individual, among the great number of excellent persons, who, during those years, gave their services to benevolent institutions in Sheffield. Hannah Kilham's sterling good sense, clear discernment, decided firmness of purpose, unusual business-like habits and plans, untiring industry, united with her winning, but unobtrusive manners, all conspired to make her influence great, and her services valuable."]

"1st mo. 2nd, 1815. Might there not be made a beautiful and interesting selection from the reports of Bible societies, school societies, and societies for bettering the condition of the poor? And might not a book of this kind be presented to each of the higher classes of schools, recommending, at the same time, subscriptions to be promoted among young people for these institutions?

"5th. At meeting, this query presented itself, and dwelt on my mind, 'Why should any complain of the want of light, when they do not open their eyes to behold the sun? Why should any complain of not finding access to heaven, when their minds are chiefly directed toward the earth?' Acknowledge thy God in all thy ways, and thou shalt know Him to be the guide and director of thy steps!

"3rd mo. 10th. I feel sometimes much support in the remembrance of these words, read in a tract early last year, I received this drop of earthly comfort from a source which still remains.' And whatever we may see beautiful or lovely in our companions, through this scene of probation,-their lovingness, their goodness-are only the streams which issue from an exhaustless Fountain. am I not bound to promote, with unwearying diligence, an establishment for the extensive circulation of tracts on religious and moral subjects, when some of the liveliest and deepest impressions I have ever received have been conveyed, I believe, through mediums such as these?"

Oh,

The following was evidently written on deeper reflection on the idea expressed 1st mo. 2nd, and is inserted for the valuable hints it contains::

"To enjoy we must communicate.

"In reading the animating reports of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and afterwards some affecting appeals on behalf of infant sufferers, the feelings of pleasure from the one source, and of sympathy and solicitude from the other, have been such as to excite an earnest desire for the wide extension of such interest, and for the diffusion of publications calculated to excite it. Can we read

of the benign and beneficial influences evidently produced on the minds both of the donors and receivers through the medium of the British and Foreign Bible Society, without earnestly desiring that Bible societies and associations might be formed in every village of our country, in every region of the world? And can we witness or hear of the sufferings to which, from various causes, our fellow-creatures are subjected, and especially of the sufferings of the most helpless part of society, without anxiously desiring that extension of interest which would tend to their alleviation ? There are numbers of persons whose united interest might do much in counteracting, or removing causes of distress, to whom subjects of this nature are but seldom presented.

66

Might not much good be done by the free and extensive dispersion of tracts, and other publications interesting to humanity?

"And in all the solicitude that may be felt for the relief of those who are suffering under depression and distress, let it ever be remembered that the most important object-the most interesting and efficient for present and future happiness-is their religious welfare and improvement. There are numbers of approved publications compressed for the benefit of the poor and others, which are calculated to impress the minds of readers on the most interesting of all subjects, and by affecting examples of piety, as well as by the affectionate counsels of the pious of various denominations, tend to excite feelings and dispositions correspondent with those which they express. "And since it is peculiarly desirable that the

younger classes in society should be engaged in the cause of humanity and piety, presents to the teachers of schools, of books on such subjects, might be made, with the recommendation that they should be read at stated times by the teachers - or senior scholars, and the attention of the school directed to what is read; and thus may the susceptibility, to which this early season of life is so favourable, be called into action by its appropriate objects.

"The powerful and animating appeals on the great cause of religion which are contained in the reports of the Bible Societies might be attended, no doubt, with an enlightening and ennobling influence, on the judgment and affections of our children. Why should their attention, with respect to the history of mankind, be confined so much as it often is to the history of wars and slaughter, to the rise and fall of empires in distant periods? Let them be led to regard with attention some of the most interesting facts of the present day; let them learn what is doing, and what remains yet undone, on subjects in which the happiness and well-being of mankind are eminently concerned.

"13th. Attended to-day a highly interesting meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society,the Auxiliary Society for Sheffield :—was much impressed with many excellent things presented there, and especially with a speech of our beloved townsman James Montgomery, wherein he earnestly urged that children should be incited, in their early days, to associate themselves for the promotion of this great and heavenly cause. And I believed that the time

was nearly come when it would be well to attempt, on a larger scale than has hitherto been done, to interest both children and others in engagements of this nature.

66

9th mo. 18th. Independently of many anxious feelings, I have not since Midsummer felt the constant sunshine of a summer's day; but have been ready at times to say, Where are those hours of enjoyment and happiness I formerly experienced? Discouragement had taken hold of my mind. I feared that many efforts made for the good of others would prove fruitless, or nearly so; and could not but dwell, from day to day, on the dark side of things; even feeling at times almost incapable of acting for myself, or filling the responsible situation of the head in a family; yet these feelings of depression were kept to myself, and I endeavoured quietly to pursue my duty without neglect; and was, perhaps, even more willing than usual to go on with anything dry or difficult, so that I might only escape dreary feelings, or feelings of condemnation. After a time, prospects brightened again, and on the 10th I began to write some Family Maxims,' which presented themselves to my mind on rising in the morning. Would it not be well to have some such maxims printed, and hung up in the houses of the poor?

[ocr errors]

"27th. An interesting day at the Town-hall, in the forenoon. In the afternoon, had the heartgratifying engagement of administering some relief to the extreme wants of two individuals in great necessity, and distressing degradation. Earnestly Ido I wish that measures could be taken more effectually to better the condition of the poor, and

« AnteriorContinuar »