Mr. W. a merchant in Boston, agreeably to his usual liberality, sent a present of chocolate, sugar, &c. to the Rev. Dr. Byles, with a note desiring his acceptance of it, as a comment upon Gal. vi, 6, "Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things." The Doctor, who was then confined by indisposition, returned his compliments to Mr. W., thanked him for his excellent Family Expositor, and wished Mr. W. to give him a practical exposition of Matth. xxv, 36, “I was sick, and ye visited me."

S. J. B*****.

"YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETIES."

MR. EDITOR,You are aware, that not a few of the readers of the Christian's Penny Magazine, are com posed of young persons, who, it is hoped, derive much benefit and religious advantage from its pages.

Several young men would feel obliged, if they could be informed through the medium of your excellent periodical, where applicants may apply who wish to become members of the above associations, several of which have recently been established in London? Yours much obliged,

CRITO.

"Young Men," and "Young Women," constitute the hope and glory of the church and nation. For their benefit we have particularly laboured; and with pleasure, in a future number, we intend to give some account of the "London Young Men's Society; which, with discreet management, may be the means of infinite benefit to those for whom it is designed. A society of this kind was formed among the Young Men of the Rev. J. A. James's congregation, Birmingham, about twenty years ago, from which the most precious fruits have arisen. We should be obliged by some particulars respecting their plans and proceedings up to the present period.-EDITOR.

AMERICAN COTTAGER,

Or, Conscience and the Lord's Supper, by the Rev. Calvin Colton, A. M. 32mo. cloth, pp. 104. London, James Paul.

American religion in the newly-formed settlements of the Western States, is most graphically exhibited in this beautiful little narrative. Log-houses and logchurches are here described by the pen of an intelligent, pious, and devoted labourer in that Home Missionary field; and we believe that every reader will be thankful for our recommendation of this elegant and touching delineation of piety among the new settlers of America. We purpose to enrich our pages with some of its affecting details.

SONGS OF A PILGRIM;

Short Poems on Sacred Subjects. By John Cox. 24mo. Cloth. pp. 192. Nisbet, London.

CHRISTIANS of maturity in scriptural knowledge and experience will esteem this volume a little treasure. It contains nearly eighty poems on the most important subjects; many of which contain considerable poetic merit, but especially the riches of evangelical truth. The following may be regarded as a good specimen of the whole.

ANXIOUS CARE DISMISSED FROM THE HEART.
"Be careful for nothing," &c.- Phil. iv, 6, 7.

Farewell, farewell, corroding care,

My God commands, and we will part;
His promise doth my spirit cheer,

And rolls the burden from my heart.
Perplex'd my anxious spirit rov'd

Through paths and days that ne'er may come;
Like Noah's dove I ever prov'd,

Such troublous waves could yield no home.

In vain my careful soul did plan

From morning's dawn till evening's shade;
Still ending where I first began,

Still by my counsellors betray'd.

Till thus a kind adviser spoke

'Haste to the throne in trouble's day; Then shall thy fears dissolve, like smoke Blown by the breath of heav'n away. "There let thy woes and fears be spread, There with thy large requests attend; Then shall thy faith lift up its head,

Thy song shall rise, thy sorrows end; "And heavenly peace thy soul shall keep; Peace flowing through a Saviour's blood, Shall make obedience free and sweet,

Shall keep thy heart reclin❜d on God!”

Conscience is a certain middle thing between God and man.

A good conscience, is one that speaks peace with God's allowance. WARD.

London; Printed and Published by C. WOOD AND SON, Poppin's Court, Fleet Street; to whom all Communications for the Editor (post paid`, should be addressed; - and sold by all Booksellers and Newsmen la the United Kingdom.

Hawkers and Dealers Supplied on Wholesale Terms, by STRILL., Paternoster Row; BERGER, Holywell Street, Strand; F. BAISLER, 124, Oxford Street; and W. Ñ. BAKER, 16, City Road, Finsbury.

No 82.

TECEMBER 28, 1833.

MIRACLES have always been the means of demonstrating the divine mission of the inspired servants of God. Moses, the founder of the ceremonial dispensation of mercy to the nation of Israel, and Christ and his apostles, the founders of the evangelical economy for all the nations of mankind, wrought miracles in proof of their heavenly commission, Familiarity with the inspired records renders it unnecessary to enumerate for the readers of the Christian's Penny Magazine the wonderful works of God, by his inspired messengers; the present observations, therefore, are limited to the apostolic visit to Lystra, in Lycaonia of Asia Minor, as recorded Acts xiv.

Idolatry of the most absurd, ridiculous, and demoralizing character, was practised by the refined Greeks and Romans. Jupiter was regarded as the supreme divinity, or father of the gods, among both those refined divisions of the ancient world. Mercury was esteemed the god of eloquence, and the messenger of the other deities; and it was a common notion, that all the divinities were confined to some particular place or country; but that on some occasions they condescended to visit mortals, and converse with them on great affairs. According to this theology, they believed that Mercury usually accompanied Jupiter on these expeditions; and, agreeably to these notions, when the people of Lystra beheld the miracle performed on the helpless cripple, they immediately expressed their astonishment. Luke VOL. II.

says, "And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker."

Instantly Paul and Barnabas were metamorphosed, in the imagination of these superstitious citizens, into Jupiter and Mercury, whom they supposed to be inseparable companions. Barnabas seems to have been the tallest and most elegant figure; and they concluded therefore, that he must be the father of the gods, whom they were accustomed to represent as an old man, of robust make and of majestic aspect. Paul, whose "bodily presence was weak," according to his own testimony, yet being but a young man, of sprightly manners, whose public talents and rhetoric were most distinguished, they were persuaded could be no other than Mercury, the eloquent interpreter of the gods. This persuasion might the more easily prevail in the minds of the people of Lystra, from the well-known fable of Jupiter and Mercury having descended from heaven in human shape, and being entertained by Lycaon, from whom the people of this province were called Lycaonians.

Honoured as they thus imagined themselves to be by a visit from Jupiter and Mercury, having witnessed the miracle of benevolence in the healing of the cripple, the citizens of Lystra, to render due honour to these 2 G

illustrious personages for their condescension, determined on celebrating a public and solemn sacrifice, and decked themselves and the victims designed for the offering. "Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people."

Jupiter, it seems, they worshipped as the chosen guardian of their city; and a temple erected to his honour stood a little way out of the town. The supertitious or crafty priest immediately entered into the enthusiasm of the people, and brought victims and chaplets of flowers, according to the rites of their worship. With this preparation they proceeded towards the lodgings of these holy men of God, to offer the sumptuous sacrifice, all wearing garlands, both the people and the victims. Such proceedings shocked the holy minds of these devoted servants of Christ; and, as the sacred historian remarks, "When the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard these things, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them."

Every reader will observe the wise adaptation of the address of these messengers from God to the deluded and superstitious pagans. They derive their arguments from no higher source than natural religion, and insist only upon the plain and obvious topics of creation and providence for the works of creation are a certain demonstration of the being of God-the living God, who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein. In times past he suffered all nations, except the house of Israel, to walk in their own ways, without having given to them any particular revelation of himself and of his holy will, like that which he had made to his chosen people. Still his general providence afforded to all ample proofs of his power and goodness; as they declared, he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. These arguments are plain to the meanest capacity. He who is the Creator and Preserver of us and all things, the author and giver of all the good we enjoy, must be the only proper and the most worthy object of our worship. Superstition however had so inflamed and transported the minds of the heathen, that with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

Paul and Barnabas would not, however, be satisfied to reason with the people on the grounds of natural religion: they preached to them the gospel of Christ for their salvation. Disciples were found at Lystra: and though malignant Jews succeeded in prevailing on the fickle multitude to stone their chief benefactor, and brutally drag him out of the city for dead, the Holy Spirit had blessed the good seed of the gospel already sown, and we read that Paul and Barnabas returned again to Lystra, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith.

The engraving at the head of this article, representing the intended sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas, is from one of the celebrated cartoons of Raffaelle, purchased by King Charles I, and deposited in the palace at Hampton Court, of which they are esteemed the richest

treasures.

MINON ROBINSON, THE AGED GREENWICH PENSIONER.

BRITISH sailors are entitled to the respect of the nation: for their self-denying labours have preserved our shores, and kept us in the secure possession of our peaceful homes. Many of them, it is true, exhibit a character and habits, in which truly devout Christians cannot by any means delight: but probably the churches of Christ and individual believers are in a high degree culpable, in having neglected to seek and promote their spiritual welfare, by affording them more abundantly the means of grace, and calling their attention to the gospel of their salvation.

British sailors, however, are not all reprobates; much has been effected for this class of our worthy countrymen, in making provision for their spiritual edification; under the Divine blessing, many have been made new creatures in Christ Jesus," and they have become "living epistles of Christ, known and read of all

men."

Greenwich Hospital, that grand national monument of benevolence, has been not the least means of their eternal good for besides their personal comforts, which are so amply secured, and the religious instruction imparted by the chaplains in that noble institution, there are several chapels in the town, in which the gospel is faithfully preached by the Baptist, Independent, and Wesleyan ministers, and many of the pensioners" attend those places of worship on the Lord's day evenings, not a few of them being members of the several chapels.

Among these devout men, one of the most distinguished was Minon Robinson, who died Dec. 4, 1833, aged 92 years, after an illness of only a few days. He was a member of the Independent church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. H. B. Jeula, Greenwich, and highly esteemed by his minister and Christian friends. Temperance and godliness might be seen beaming in his cheerful countenance; and his regularity at the house of God, and devotional appearance when engaged in the service of the sanctuary, have been witnessed with pleasure by the writer of this notice; and they commanded the respect and love of all that knew him. Though so far advanced in life, his faculties seemed unimpaired and vigorous, even to the last; his bodily activity indicated little more than half the years which had passed over his head; and in many respects he appeared the most remarkable man in the whole establishment, which includes 2,700 pensioners.

Sir Jahleel Brenton, the excellent and pious Lieutenant Governor of Greenwich Hospital, took great notice of Minon Robinson; and sometimes, we understand, sent for him to enjoy his religious conversation. Sir Jahleel, we are informed, visited the venerable mariner, when he heard of his illness, desiring that everything possible might be done for his comfort, and was delighted to witness his holy resignation to the will of his covenant God, and his triumph in hope of eternal glory by Christ Jesus. His character was held in deserved respect by his fellow-pensioners; and it is trusted that his death has served to lead some of them to seek an interest in God our Saviour!

"There is no adversity, no disappointment in life, that does not leave behind it some serious, useful moral."

"There is no idea which so directly tends to civilize the human mind, making all men act towards each other as brothers, as any belief, however uncertain, in a state of future existence."

MR. CAMPBELL's details, on his return from his missionary travels, afforded the most lively delight to crowded congregations in every part of Great Britain. His volume, containing the journal of his travels, was read also with deep interest, as it exhibits the triumphs of Christianity among some of the most degraded of human beings - the native tribes of southern Africa. This abridgment we regard as a most valuable and interesting volume; which will form an admirable present for the young, peculiarly so for those who are collectors for missionary societies, or contributors to promote their evangelical operations.

There are few little volumes better calculated to promote the genuine improvement of the young - promoting an enlarged benevolence of heart towards the miserable heathen, and gratitude for our civilized British and Christian mercies- than this of Mr. Campbell's Journal.

66

ANECDOTES. CHRISTIAN GRACES.

18mo. Cloth. pp. 208. Religious Tract Society. EXAMPLE is more powerful than precept," is a maxim which is finely illustrated in this valuable volume. Many bright examples, exhibiting the Christian graces, we have constantly before us in our favoured country but in this choice collection of Anecdotes, we behold a most instructive mirror, reflecting the excellences of many of the saints of God, in a most striking manner. We give an example, illustrative of Luke xiv, 26:-"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children," &c.

"A martyr was asked, whether he did not love his wife and children, who stood weeping by him? 'Love them!' said he: 'Yes, if all the world were gold, and at my disposal, I would give it all for the satisfaction of living with them, though it were in a prison: yet, in comparison with Christ, I love them not!'"

VISIT TO AN ARMENIAN PASTOR.

THE chief at Jelton having given me a letter to the minister of Masra, a small village in the neighbourhood of Mount Lebanon, I alighted at his door. He was not at home, but his wife received me in the kindest manner, and pressed me to wait her husband's return, and rest myself after my fatigue. She was a fine woman, in the flower of her youth, and conducted the detail of her family affairs in the midst of three or four little children, whom she endeavoured to quiet by turns. Meanwhile the good man arrived from his farm, and seemed to vie with his wife in attentions to his guest. In compliance, however, with the restraints which oriental manners impose on women, she soon withdrew, and gave up her whole attention to the concerns of her family. At the hour for evening respers, the people assembled in the open air, where prayers were offered up as much in the spirit of true piety, and consequently in a manner equally acceptable to the Deity, as if we had been seated under the gilded ceiling of the most sumptuous temple. The fall of night brought home several flocks of cattle, which constituted the whole wealth of this honest ecclesiastic; and while his wife and himself fed them by hand, and received their warm caresses, the simplicity

of the patriarchal life was seen in its most genuine colours. As the customs of the East do not permit strangers to sleep under the same roof with the women, visitors are always lodged under the porch, or in apartments which have no communication with the principal part of the house. At my desire, my bed was laid in a raised corner under the porch, and my host reposed at my side; for, according to the manners of the mountaineers, the master of a family is both the keeper and the guardian of his guests, a rule of hospitality which I always found most religiously observed.

As soon as

it was day, I attended my host to the celebration of mass, and resumed my journey, notwithstanding the most pressing invitations to prolong my visit.

De Page's Travels.

"True piety is lovely wherever seen: it irresistibly throws interest and dignity around the most humble and obscure; and when it beams brightly in the noble and the brave, it imparts a double lustre to all their honours and their fame."

LINES ON THE TERMINATION OF THE YEAR.

A fleeting year with all its circling months,
Once more is lost in the expansive rush
Of that vast flood, Eternity, whose tide
Has onward roll'd its full, resistless stream,
Since the first morning of creation dawn'd;
And still will forward haste, till time shall cease,
And this mortality shall be no more.

So speaks the mandate of th' Eternal God!
'Tis past! and seemeth now its realty but a dreamn,
And its truest semblance is the moon ray,
Fitfully beaming through th' umbrageous grove,
Or streaming lucid on the peaceful lake.
'Tis gone! gone as the tropic whirlwind's blast,
When furious in wrath it sweeps the plain;
Or rending from its base some towering crag,
Adown the steep it falls precipitate,
And distant groves re-echo back the peal.
'Tis fled fled as the vision of a summer dream,
When solar languor steals upon the soul,
And flit the fairy forms in graceful dance;
The eager mind dispels the fantasy,
And wakes to prove the shadow of the bliss.
'Tis past! and in its travellings have fallen
The great, the mighty, potentates and crowns,
And never shall oblivion veil its fame,
Or memory forget its bright renown,
While Time shall spare the chronicles of earth,
Or hold its records sacred from its spoil:
For great has been the lustre of its scenes,
And glorious the annals of its deeds:
And while each year revolving to the view
Opens fate's dark predestination,

Scenes of to-morrow dawn at morning's break,
And evening's shades proclaim the present past.
The misty future, veil'd from mortal eye,
Ere long shall beam upon the anxious view,
And memory retrace prophetic thought.
Thus as successive years shall onward fleet,
And Time shall haste it to its destined end,
Our frames must swell the myriad hosts of dead,
And the heart's throbbing at the painful truth,
Counts its pulsations but that throb the less.

London: Printed and Published by C. WOOD AND SON, Poppin's Court, Fleet Street; to whom all Communications for the Editor (post paid) should be addressed; —and sold by all Booksellers and Newsmen in the United Kingdoin.

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