manner, I answered in easy language, such as common people speak; and a great crowd collected, and began to listen, and to say to one another in a scoffing way, If you become Christians, the English will show you much favour!" "

At Benares, which Abdool reached the day before Christmas Day, he had a conversation with some Mahomedans, which he thus details :

you

"When I told them my history, they were at first very angry. I asked them if they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. They said, 'We believe in him.' I then said, 'Do you then deny the Pentateuch, and Gospel, and Psalms?" One of them, who could read a little, said, 'We believe that these books are true and certain.' I said, "Well, why do you not read the books? They said, 'Our spiritual guide, whose disciples we are, forbids us to receive or read those books.' I said, 'You people are endowed, through God's goodness, with understanding. When go into the market to buy bread, are you deterred from purchasing the best, because a shopkeeper, who wishes to sell you his own, speaks ill of what you approve? One of them said, 'By no means.' I then, taking occasion from this concession, said, This is all I mean. I tell you truly, that God has given information in the law, and in the Psalms, and in the Gospel, that Jesus Christ is God over all blessed for ever, and all the prophets bear witness to his Godhead and his Divine Glory; and you also acknowledge him to be a prophet, and the authority of all the books of the Pentateuch, the Law, and the Gospel. Your leaders neither read themselves, nor let you read them; and do not give Jesus the honour due to him so what answer will they give to God? The Lord Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, and through faith in whom forgiveness is alone to be found-what sentence will he pass upon you?' One began to say, 'What! is there no mention of our prophet in the Law and in the Gospel?" I said to him, It is on this account that I say to you, read or hear for yourselves, and judge for your selves; or believe my words: I say truly, that no mention is made of him:

when several of them becoming angry, said, 'What! do our religious and learned men teach us lies?' I answered, You say the truth yourselves-I need not repeat it.' Another said, in anger, What! are you people mad?. This person owns himself, that he was a Mussulman, and has become a Christian-to hear the words of such an one is sin. Is he worthy to be attended to, or thought of? Go to your own homes. They all went away."

The horrid effects of the vice of drunkenness cannot be exemplified in a greater degree than by the exposure of the following few cases. It is greatly to be wished that the insertion of them will have the beneficial tendency to induce those who may be under the influence of this unfortunate attachment to pause, and finally to refrain from habits so terrible in their effects. To the oases stated we well remember the report of one of a similar nature, which happened many years ago in this city, and under circumstances in almost every particular corresponding with the horrid facts here related. The subject was a female, who, too, had been given much to drunkenness and followed all the vices consequent upon a dissipated life.

-

Human Combustion.

A WOMAN in Paris, who used to drink. brandy to excess, was one night reduced to ashes by a fire from within, all but her head and the ends of her fingers.Novum Lumen Phosphor. accens. Amst 1717.

Signora Corn. Zangari, or, as others call her, Corn. Bandi, a lady aged sixtytwo, of an unblemished life, near Cesena, in Romagna, underwent the same fate in March, 1731. She was found in the morning, in the middle of her chamber, reduced to ashes, except her head, three fingers, and legs, which remained entire, with the shoes and stockings on.— Mem. de Trev. an. 1731, p. 1293.

Grace Pet, of Ipswich, aged sixty, who had previously drank a large quantity of spirituous liquor, was found incinerated in the same manner in 1744,

Mary Clues, of Coventry, aged fiftytwo, had been much addicted to intoxication, so that scarcely a day passed in which she did not drink at least a pint of rum or anniseed-water; she was destroyed in like manner, and nothing remained of the skin, the muscles, and

the viscera: the bones of the cranium, the breast, the spine, and the upper extremities, were entirely calcined, and the room was filled with a very disagreeable vapour.

A similar instance is mentioned by Vicq. d'Azyr, in the "Encyclopedie Methodique." A woman, about the same age, who indulged to excess in spirituous liquors, and went to bed every night in a state of intoxication, was found entirely burnt and reduced to ashes.

Le Cat, in a memoir on spontaneous burning, mentions several other instances of combustion of the human body; and two other facts of a similar kind are published in the "Journal de Medicine," (vol. lix. p. 440.)

These shocking facts have been ascribed, by different writers, to various causes, none of which appear to be very satisfactory. But M. Lair, in a memoir on the subject, communicated to the "Philomathic Society" at Paris, makes the following observations:1. The persons who have experienced these effects of combustion, were generally much addicted to the drinking of strong spirituous liquors, and it has been remarked, that the inhabitants of the north are most subject to these accidents. 2. They were usually very fat. 3. This combustion has happened more frequently in the case of women. 4. These women were old. 5. Their bodies did not appear to have been burned by a combustion perfectly spontaneous; but it appears that the fire had taken place in consequence of some very slight external cause, such as the fire of a taper, candle, or pipe of tobacco. 6. The extremities of their bodies, such as the legs, the hands, or the cranium, escaped fire. 7. Water, instead of extinguishing the fire, gave it a greater velocity, a circumstance which also occurs in fat that is burnt. S. The fire very slightly damaged, and, in many instances, did not injure the combustible objects which were in contact with the body."

On the whole, the author attributes it to a particular state of the fat, produced by spirituous liquors; and supports his theory by the well known fact of the spontaneous combustion of a

mixture of animal soot and linseed oil, which is a mixture similar to that of a fat body containing charcoal in a very minute state of division.

Dram-drinkers, beware! Take warn ing. Spirituous liquors have been called "liquid damnation." How awful the instances which have here been detail

ed! To be destroyed by internal fire! How much more awful the doom of impenitent sinners!-Everlasting burnings; "the worm that dieth not, the fire that is not quenched !??

From the Gospel Advocate, for Nov. 1822. Abstract of the Proceedings of the Biennial Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Eastern Diocess, holden at Portsmouth, NewHampshire, September 25th, 1822.

THE Convention was attended by the Right Rev. Alexander V. Griswold, D. D. Bishop of the diocess, eight clerical, and three lay deputies.

The meeting was opened by the ce lebration of divine service, and a sermon, which were followed by the administration of the holy rite of confirmation, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

The Rev. Asa Eaton was chosen Secretary of the Convention.

The Rev. Mr. Crocker, the Rev. Mr. Burroughs, the Rev. Mr. Bronson, the Rev. Mr. Ten Broeck, the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, the Rev. Mr. Eaton, the Rev. Mr. Morss, Dudley A. Tyng, and George Brinley, Esqrs. were chosen the Standing Committee of the diocess.

The Rev. Dr. Jarvis was appointed chairman of the Standing Committee.

The alterations in the constitution, proposed at the last meeting of the Convention, were unaniniously adopted.*

The following alterations in the constitution were proposed, and ordered to lie over for consideration at the next meeting of the Convention, viz. in the second article, that the words, "each

of the states by rotation," be erased, and the words, "such place as shall be agreed upon at the preceding Convention," be inserted; also, that after the words, "lay delegate," the words," or delegates, not exceeding three," be inserted. In article tenth, that the word annual be substituted for the word ❝t biennial."

Agreeably to the provisions of the 45th Canon, the Bishop delivered the following address:

Reverend Brethren and Friends,

highly and justly esteemed,

Through the indulgence of a kind Providence, we are here assembled as watchmen in Zion, and constituted guardians of that portion of God's vineyard committed to our care; to consult respecting its interests; and, as the Lord shall give us means and wisdom, to promote its prosperity. It is necessary, to the good result of our deliberations, to know the state and the wants of our churches; and it is my duty to make to you a report of my official transactions during the last two years; and to add such remarks, and suggest such measures, as may seem just and expedient.

Soon after our last biennial Convention, held in Newport, in 1820, I commenced a journey and visitation of our churches in the eastern parts of this diocess. Though in a feeble state of health, I was able, through the Lord's goodness, October 12th, to travel from Boston to Portsmouth, and to preach in the afternoon. Sunday, the 15th, in Portland, I preached twice, and administered baptism and confirmation. The commencement of very heavy rains in the evening prevented a third service. The small society of Episcopalians in that place had made, and were then still making, great and generous exertions, almost beyond their means, to meet the expenses of their new organ, and the salary of their minister. Since that time, in August, 1821, a few pious ladies formed themselves into a society for the promotion of the most excellent and useful of all charities, denominated "the Female Domestic Episcopal Missionary Society." They soon after transmitted to me twenty-five dollars, to be applied VOL. VI.

How noble

to missionary purposes. and blessed would be the effect, should all our churches, according to their ability, follow this example.

The next day, with difficulty and some peril, by reason of the abundant rains, swollen streams, and loss of bridges, we reached Gardiner. On the 18th, the new, commodious, and very beautiful edifice, called Christ Church, was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. The morning service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Morss, and the Rev. Dr. Jarvis delivered an appropriate discourse. On the 19th was a confirmation and other services.† My intention is, with Divine permission, again to visit those two churches in Maine, immediately after the adjourn ment of the present Convention. It is decidedly my opinion, that the spiritual interest and prosperity of our churches require that every parish should be annually visited by its diocesan: but the very limited and scanty funds of this diocess, and the extent of country over which our few churches are scattered, render such frequent visitations at present impracticable. My intention is, and, with few exceptions, my practice has been, to visit all the parishes at least once in two years; and a large proportion of them twice, or oftener. It requires no great wisdom to foresee what experience will probably soon verify; that our present practice of making a state, however large, but one diocess, may be very pernicious to the cause of true godliness, and the best interest of our churches. Thirty, or at most forty parishes are enough for one diocess; unless their location is very compact. And though the number in this diocess, excepting some very small, does not much exceed forty, it is desirable that, as soon as it can with propriety be effected, this diocess should be divided."

* A few days after this address was delivered, that society paid to Bishop Griswold above thirty-three dollars more.

†The church in Gardiner is in a flourishing state. Their church is furnished with a good organ, and an excellent bell. For the erection of that beautiful, and very commodious edifice, forts of an individual, whose piqus liberality is we are very much indebted to the generous efabove praise.

40

Vermont, especially, however reluc tantly I might relinquish the happiness of my present very interesting connexion with its churches, ought, as soon as circumstances will admit, to have a Bishop wholly its own.

On my return from Maine, I passed Sunday, the 22d, in Portsmouth, where I preached three times, and confirmed thirty persons. What the state of this church is, and what the politeness and hospitality of its members, we all have the pleasure of seeing.

The 24th, I preached and confirmed in Newburyport. In the evening we had a second service, when the Rev. Dr. Jarvis preached to a large and very attentive congregation. The solemnity of the services, and, in all human appearance, their good effect, evinced more forcibly than many arguments, the expedience and utility of occasionally opening our churches in the evening, and, when practicable, of doing it at regular and stated seasons. In towns, and large villages especially, where the people may easily assemble, the salutary effect of such extra services is very manifest. Many will attend these meetings who cannot, with convenience, and some who cannot consistently with what they suppose their duty, attend our religious worship at other times. A third service is peculiarly beneficial on Sunday evenings, when the minds of the people are less engaged with temporal cares, and more disposed to spiritual things. Very many, of young people especially, who would otherwise spend the evening of the Lord's Day in idle parties, and vain conversation, are thus drawn to the House of God, and their attention called to things which concern their immortal welfare.

In the same tour I visited Salem, Marblehead, and Lynn. Sunday, the 29th, in the morning, I preached and confirmed in Trinity Church, Boston. In the afternoon, performed the same services in Christ Church; and, in the latter church, we had a third service, and a very crowded and attentive audience. I continued my visitation to Quincy, Hanover, Marshfield, and Bridgewater. April the 8th, 1821, I visited St. Paul's Church, in Boston,

and confirmed thirty-three. The pros perity of this church has thus far more than equalled our most sanguine expectations.

On the 28th of May, 1821, I commenced a long journey, in which were visited the churches in Vermont, and in the western parts of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire. The church in Great Barrington was still in an unsettled state. In consequence of some disagreement with their minister, a large and respectable part of the society had, marry months before, withdrawn from the church, and attached themselves to some other denomination of Christians. Those, however, who continued their connexion with the church, appeared to be unanimous in their regard for its welfare, and in their desire that another clergyman might take charge of the parish. The Rev. Mr. Blakesley, from Connecticut, has since been elected their recter, and the parish is united and inereasing.

The little flock in Lenox was found still continuing to "stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel." In consideration of the great efforts they had made, and were then making, to clear off the debts incurred by building their church, and other necessary expenses, the Rev. Mr. Humphrey was engaged to officiate as a missionary in Lenox, one fourth of the time, beginning on the 10th of June, 1821.

In Lanesborough, the church is now happily united, and in a prosperous state. By a generous donation from one gentleman of $1000, and a libera! subscription by the rest of the parish, $3000 have been added to their fund.

In Bennington, Vermont, I preached; but such is the prejudice against the Episcopal Church in that part of the state, that no preaching of its ministers among them is likely at present to have much good effect. From one respectable family attached to its worship and interests, I experienced, as on several former occasions, very much kindness and hospitality.

In Arlington, the church continues to profit by the zealous labours of its pious pastor.

In Sandgate, a town adjoining, a few

Episcopalians have organized a parish. with not unfavourable prospects. The parish in Manchester has built a church, and is in a flourishing condition.

It was no small comfort to find, in Rutland, a few names yet steadfast, under all their discouragements, and very desirous that a missionary should be sent them. Painful are a parent's feelings, when his children ask for bread, and he has none to give them. May God, in his mercy, open our hearts, and fill our hands to contribute to their relief.

The parish in Middlebury continues very much as it has been for years past, faint, yet pursuing;" suffering much under the deprivation of the Christian ordinances; wishing, and asking, and striving to obtain a minister; but remaining destitute. In Vergennes, on the contrary, they seem to have relinquished all effort, and to have abandoned the church in despair. Yet, I met there a serious and very attentive congregation; and, even yet, the la bours of a faithful missionary would probably be blessed among them.

In Shelburne, the state and prospects are happily very different. Through the blessing of God, we succeeded in finding a clergyman to labour there, and his labours have been greatly blessed. The little society which, two years before, contained but eight or ten families, was now increased to a respectable congregation. I preached in Burlington, and was much obliged by polite attentions there received.

By setting off from Burlington at an early hour, and hard travelling in heavy roads, we arrived in St. Alban's in season for services in the afternoon. In the evening again we had prayers and a şermon. A pious, active minister, stationed in that place, and officiating alternately there, and at Swanton, might apparently labour to much profit. The churches in Sheldon and Fairfield were likewise in a thriving state. But an unhappy state of things commenced about that time, and still continues. Some reports and accusations, affecting the moral character of their rector, have rendered a discontinuance of his labours expedient till the cause shall have a canonical investigation,

On the 15th I visited a new parish in Berkshire, and was highly gratified in finding there much piety, and zeal, and attachment to the Episcopal Church. Its friends were then making preparation for erecting a house of prayer, and manifested a desire and willingness, to the utmost of their abilities, to procure and support an apostolic ministration of the Christian ordinances. The services of that day were unusually interesting and impressive. There being no building sufficiently capacious to contain the congregation expected, with the timber collected for the new church, on a beautiful rising ground, where it is to be erected, shaded by a small and very pleasant grove of sugar maples, the people prepared seats, and other accommodations for divine service. Our altar was built as it were with unhewn stones: we consecrated those materials by anticipating their use. The thought that they were to be fitly joined toge ther" in one beautiful temple, dedicated to God, naturally caused the very interesting and serious reflections, that the congregation present were, or ought to be, materials in preparation "as lively stones," to be "a spiritual house," a "building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Many circum stances conspired to heighten the interest of the scene and the occasion, and make impressions upon a serious mind not soon to be forgotten. Suryeying the one, and reflecting upon the other; beholding a large assembly, col lected from many miles of the country around, waiting, like Cornelius and his friends, and seeming to say, "We are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God;" with the additional consideration, that their immortal well-being might, in some degree, depend on my knowledge and fidelity, feelings were excited which language cannot easily express. Qn such occasions, and, to the preacher of the Gospel, similar occasions often occur, well may we exclaim, "Who is sufficient for these things!" It is among the wonderful counsels of God's unerring wisdom, that his strength should be manifest in weakness; that such a "treasure" as the Gospel ministry should be given us "in