the Report, we intend to take an early, their support to the Bristol Church Mis- Bristol Church Missionary Association, in aid of the Church Missionary Society. A numerous and very respectable Meeting was held in the Guild-hall of the city of Bristol, on the 25th of March, the MAYOR of BRISTOL in the Chair, for the formation of an Association in aid of this Society. The Rev. JOSIAH PRATT, the Secretary to, the Society, explained to the Meeting its object, constitution, and proceedings, disavowing all hostility or rivalry to other institutions formed for similar purposes; but forcibly urging on the members of the Established Church their high obligation to come forward and take their share in attempting the conversion of the Heathen world. I. S. HARFORD, jan. Esq., in a very elegant speech, moved the first resolution, which was ably seconded by the Rev. T.T. BIDDULPH. The principal Clergy aud Gentlemen of Bristol took a share in the business of the day, or have given POETRY. A CHARACTER. YOUNG. SEEST thou that well-wrought character of grace? Yes, 'tis Philagathos.-In youth's green age Through wisdom's discipline, and holy aids, The most perfect cordiality prevailed, and few meetings have witnessed such a display of commanding talent, fervid eloquence,and elevated piety. Sermons were preached in the week, by the Rev. EDWARD BURN, the Rev. JOSIAH PRATT, the Rev. HENRY BUDD, the Rev. THOMAS SCOTT, and the Rev. BAZIL WOODD. The interchange of kindness among the various denominations of Christians was not the least triumph on this occasion, the Dissenters shutting up their places of worship, to enable their congrega tions to attend the Church Sermons, and both the Preachers and speakers expressing the most earnest wishes for the success of all similar institutions. The DUKE of BEAUFORD is Patron, and the MAYOR of BRISTOL and MEMBERS FOR THE CITY, for the time being, are Vice-presidents. The Rev. JAMES VAUGHAN and the Rev. FOUN TAIN ELWIN, are Secretaries; and THOMAS DANIEL, Esq. Treasurer. The contributions will amount, it is supposed, to TWO THOUSAND POUNDS. Trinkets and ornaments have been given to the value of not much less than one hundred pounds. An account of the Meeting is preparing for publication. With deeds of charity to men, in all "That more than mortal candidate for bliss, But by what steps did wisdom's pupil rise From sensual and terrestrial to divine? From low and abject to that height of great ness? "Twas by a touch of that almighty hand, Blindness to sight,*-infirmity to health,†-. Aiding mean time with free prevenient grace, To list their soothing sophistry; but fled, * Matt. xx, 84. + viii, 16. 4 Luke vii. 14 But strength of sin o'er strongest vows prevail'd; And oft the good he will'd to do, he found He did not, but the bad he would not, did.* Here pitying heaven, to shew to him his heart, And then new make it, opportunely sent That best interpreter, the gospel word. Hence open'd are his eyes-past sins arise Full on his view-sins undiscern'd before, An horrid aggregate of guilt and shame, And just result, hell's everlasting doom. What can he do? What plea prefer to gain His Maker's favour? Will good works atone For old delinquencies? Will fastings, tears, Heal a sick heart, or quench heaven's kindled ire? Ah, no! What then remains but prostrate lie Or wrestle, Jacob-like, till break of day, rest. 'Twas as he'd seen by faith, the slaughter'd Lamb Bearing his sins away. 'Twas life from death. Sweet was the mental vision--heavenly bright Its sacred beamings on his raptur'd soul, With peace ineffable, and glorious joy. Yet did the Accuser of the brethren dare Suggest his lie," that 'twas delusion allThat cause of joying at the change was none, "That, comfort goue, his steps would soon slide back To vice, and fine pretensions fruitless prove." Then warn'd of heaven it was a stranger's voice, Not the good Shepherd's, which thus counsell'd ill, He pray'd for succour, and that succour gain'd, rage, zeal, Whether his country's welfare call'd him forth To public scenes, or soft domestic cares fought, Till the good hand of God, and habit's force, By grace confirm'd, the victory ensur'd. Still at his Lord's dear feet a suppliant poor, Rom. vii. 19. +Zech. xiii. 1. He glories only in the blessed Cross. Attract, engross, and ravish all his soul. Dim and refracted in a vap'rous sky; Such is this angel here in human guise; sweets Of pure devotion, and love's noblest deeds; His labour rest, when heaven looks on, and smiles. What he requests his faithful Lord to be Long as prosperity's bright sunshine gilds Printed at the Conference-Office, 14, City- Road, London: By T, Cordeux, Agent, THE METHODIST MAGAZINE, FOR JULY, 1813. BIOGRAPHY. MR MEMOIR OF MR. GEORGE WALKER, OF CHESTER. BY MR. JOHN GUALTER. R. GEORGE WALKER, the subject of this Memoir, was born in the city of Chester, in the month of October, 1739. His family, if it could not claim the first alliances of fortune and literature, was respectable; and maintained a character in life, which was as reputable to themselves, as it is honourable to their successors. His parents were distinguished for their regard to the moral obligations of society, and their conduct, founded upon principle, was unvaried and exact. They had the most proper regard to all the decencies of the public worship of God, but their apprehensions of the true saving knowledge of the gospel, were confused and indistinct. In conformity with the prevalent creed of unenlightened men on that first of subjects, they mistook the decorum of life, and regularity in the forms of worship, for the whole of religion. This too common, but gross delusion, is the secret cause, managed by the grand adversary, of those deplorable mistakes, which at once dishonour the work of the Redeemer, defeat the purposes of revelation, and involve our race in sin without remedy, and guilt without salvation. What report can the dispensers of such crude and unauthorised sentiments give to the Head of the Church? They may be traced up to any other source, rather than that which they would filiate; and although, in effect, they have been taught in the ancient and modern schools of ethical philosophy, they neither meet with any countenance, nor derive any support from that form of sound words, that disclosure of the mind of God, in his own most sacred volume. VOL. XXXVI. JULY, 1813. |