laborious pastors from those who did not so entirely devote themselves to their work. To this interpretation Mr James inclines: see the note on page 55th, which note we would respectfully suggest it may be well to omit in the future editions of the work. We should hardly suppose an apostle would recommend as worthy of double honor a minister of Christ who was known to be deficient in his duties.

Mr Choules deserves the thanks of the churches for his labor in preparing this American edition. We trust the work will be widely circulated. Its influence must be salutary

The Story of Aleck, or Pitcairn's Island; being a true Account of

a very singular and interesting Colony. 18mo. pp. 54. Amherst, Mass. J. S. & C. Adams. 1829.

This is, indeed, a remarkably interesting little narrative. It is well adapted to enlarge the views of the young, to awaken the thinking powers, and to leave on the mind a salutary impression. It is actual history; and we are assured that the author is not aware of having added the slightest embellishment to reality.' And yet the story is of such a nature, and it is told in so happy a manner, that many a group of little prattlers will have their attention fixed, and many a youthful eye will sparkle with curiosity and delight. All, of whatever age, who read it, will feel a gratifying consciousness of having increased their knowledge; and in the striking facts brought to view, all will have matter for useful reflection. • The work,' says the preface, 'is designed for the use of children, and is commended to all who wish to promote in them a love of reading; especially to any, who think it best for youth to seek amusement and instruction, not in the airy regions of fiction, but in the rich field of historic truth.'

We join heartily in the commendation. For we have long been of opinion that if proper subjects for true history were selected, and if proper talents were employed, and proper pains were taken to render it attracting, the specious arguments for fictitious histories and religious novels would lose their power. We hope that the Author, who, we understand, is a distinguished classical scholar, as well as a gentleman of piety and of taste, will be encouraged to lay before the public additional demonstrations of the attractiveness which may be given to real history.

Pitcairn's Island, our readers will recollect, is one of the verdant spots that adorn the Pacific ocean. But we do not wish to make any abridgment of the story. The whole can be

purchased for a few cents; and in any family, it would be a valuable addition to the children's library. About the middle of the thirty first page, there is a statement in which, perhaps, we ought not to acquiesce without some little qualification ; we mean, in respect to the alleged becomingness of the ceremonies at baptisms. What thuse ceremonies were, we are not particularly informed; nor is it important to know. It is important, however, to remember that, strickly speaking, no ceremony can be becoming which displaces, and in effect, makes void what our Saviour has commanded.

The benevolence which breathes throughout this historical tract, is happily poured forth at the close in asking, 'Who will not pray that all who are born on the surf beaten island, may become newboru heirs to the home of the saints ?—That the children of Aleck, and his children's children down to the latest generation, may ascend from their dwelling amidst the roarings and tossings of the mighty deep, to find a surer and a sweeter rest in the broad, peaceful ocean of a Creator's glory and a Redeemer's love ?

a

POETRY

THE following lines have been communicated for the Magazine by one of the most accomplished literary ladies of our country, one of those 'honorable women' whom the grace of God has taught not only to diffuse a benign influence around them in their families, and throughout an extensive circle in this country, but also to reach forth the hand of Christian kindness to the daughters of Greece, and to pray for the benighted and needy wherever sin has made its desolations.

The communication was accompanied by a note addressed to Mr Knowles, the insertion of which may be beneficial to some who have not seen the work that is mentioned.

•Rev. Sir,

• May a stranger be permitted to express to you the deep satisfaction with which she has perused the Life of Mrs Judson, written by yourself, and her conviction that its clearness of arrangement, judgment in selection, and felicity of style, contribute greatly in aiding the impression which a character of such energy, disinterestedness, and sublime piety, is calculated to make on every reflecting mind. With sincere wishes that the cause to which her best years were devoted, may continue to become more interesting to Christians,

I remain yours, Sir, with high respect,

ON READING THE MEMOIR OF MRS JUDSON.

I saw her on the strand.-Beside her smil'd
Her native land, and her beloved home,
With all their pageantry of light and shade,
Streamlet and vale. There stood her childhood's friends,-
Sweet sisters who had shar'd her inmost thoughts,
And saintlike parents whose example rais'd
Those thoughts to Heaven. It was a strong array!
And the fond heart clung to its rooted loves.
But Christ had given it panoply, which earth
Might never overthrow.

And so she turn'd
To boisterous ocean, and forsook the clime
Whose halcyon bowers had nursed her joyous youth.

Again I look’d. It was a foreign shore.
The tropic sun had laid his burning head

On twilight's lap. A gorgeous palace caught
His last red ray, while hoarse the idol song
To Boodh, mingled with the breeze that curld
Broad Irrawaddy's tide. Why do ye point
To
yon

lone prison? Who is he that gropes
Amid its darkness with those fetter'd limbs ?
Mad pagans! do ye thus requite the man
Who toils for your salvation ?

See that form
Bending in tenderest sympathy to sooth
The victim's sorrow. Tardy months pass by,.
And find her still intrepid at the post
Of danger, and of disappointed hope.
Stern sickness smote her, but she felt it not,
Heeded it not, and still with tireless zeal
Carried the hoarded morsel to her love;
Dar'd the rude arrogance of savage power
To plead for him, and bade his dungeon glow
With her fair brow, as erst the angel's smile
Arous'd imprison'd Peter, when his hands,
Loos'd from their chains, were lifted high in praise.

There was another scene, drawn by his hand
Whose pallid pencil blotteth all the grace
And loveliness of man. Keen anguish pours
Its fiercest darts into that martyr's soul,
Who is about to wash her garments white
In the Redeemer's blood, and glorious rise
From tribulation to a world of rest.

Dark Burman faces are around her bed,
And one pale babe,—to hush whose wailing, cry
She checks the death groan, and with fond embrace
Still clasps it firmly to her icy breast,
Even till the heart-strings break.

He comes! He comes !
The wearied man of God, from distant toil.
His home, while yet it seems a misty speck,
His glance descries,--half wondering that the step
Of his beloved glides not o'er the heath,
As wont, to meet him.

Ah! what heathen lip,
In its strange language, told him, that on earth
Nothing remain'd, which to his throbbing heart
In that hour's desolation he might press,
Save that poor, famish'd infant. Days of care
Were measur'd to him, and long nights of grief
Weigh'd out,—and then that little, moaning one
Went to its mother's bosom, and slept sweet
'Neath the cool branches of the Hopia-tree.

'Twas bitterness to think that bird-like voice,
Which conn'd sweet hymns to charm a father's ear,
Must breathe no more. This is to be alone!
Alone in this wide world. Yet not without
A Comforter. For the meek heart that trusts
Its all to Heaven, and sees its treasur'd things
Unfold their hidden wing, and thither soar,
Doth garner up its hopes more firmly there,
And toward that blessed hour look joyously,

Which binds its sever'd links, to break no more.
Hartford, (Conn.)

L. H. S.

MISSIONARY REGISTER.

FOR JULY, 1829.

SUBSCRIPTIONs and donations to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions, &c. should be transmitted to Heman Lincoln, Esq. Treasurer, Boston. Persons visiting the city, to whom it may be more convenient to call at a central place, can lodge their communications with E. Lincoln, No. 59 Washington-Street, who is authorized to receive moneys for the Treasurer.

one.

BAPTIST GENERAL CON VEN- ing with independence and conscien. TION.

tiousness, without previous concert. We have received from a valued But these differences related principal

ly to modes of action, rather than to meascorrespondent, and insert with much

ures; and the decisions to which the pleasure, the following notice of the discussions led were almost uniformly late meeting of the General Conven- unanimous. In regard to the proceedtion.

ings of the Board of Managers, and to

all the learling operations of the ConvenThe Convention held its sixth trien- tion, entire approbation was manifestwial meeting at Philadelphia, on the ed: and it may, we think, be safely 29th of April, and after a session of a affirmed, that at no previous period week, adjourned, to meet in the Oliver since the formation of the Convention, Street Meeting-house, in New York, was there a more perfect confidence on the last Wednesday of April, 1832. reciprocally felt by the members of The Minutes of the meeting, and the the Convention towards each other, Report of the Board of Managers, were

and towards the officers and managers. published in the preceding number of This is a token for good, which dethe Magazine.

mands gratitude to God, who has shed The meeting was a very pleasant abroad a Saviour's love in the hearts

The number of delegates pre- of his servants, and thus kindled sent was not as great, as at some pre- theirs towards him and each other. vious sessions ; but it was sufficiently A considerable portion of the time large, to furnish a fair representation of the session was occupied in devotionof the views and feelings of the whole al exercises; and several evenings Atlantic portion of the country, in- were allotted to public conferences, in cluding the interior of the great State which the interests of the denominaof New-York. From the vast regions tion, the state of our literary institubeyond the Alleghany mountains, no tions, the progress of revivals, the best delegate was present. It is hoped, modes of ministerial actions, &c. were that before the next Convention, the the topics of discussion. Much benefit numerous Baptist Churches in the will result, it is hoped, from these statewestern States, will be enlisted with ments of facts, and this interchange of their eastern brethren, in the work of views. Scarcely any thing has respreading over heathen lands the tarded the prosperity of our denominaknowledge of our Lord.

tion more, than a want of concert among The session was delightfully har- its distant members. There has been monious. Perhaps no equal number little strife, and that little has been of brethren, many of whom had never local and temporary; but there has also before seen each other, ever met for been little of mutual knowledge and legislation, on important questions, who co-operation. Our churches have were more perfectly joined together been a vast multitude of units, standin the same mind and the same judg- ing alone, instead of being combined, ment. Differences of opinion existed, to produce, by their union, a mighty and were expressed freely and fully; sum. They have been single and but these were no greater than might small detachments of the great hosts be expected from intelligent minds, act- of God's elect, inefficient, because July, 1829.

33

they were single; and feeble, because blended, commended his children to they were small. The Associations, the protection of his father and their and State Conventions, have done some- father, of his God and their God. It thing towards marshalling these de- was a scene long to be remembered ; tachments into combined, active, and and it gave a sweet and most approefficient array. The General Conven- priate finish to the session of the Contion has been of the utmost service, in vention. The savor of these services preparing the way for a perfect and will, it is hoped, long remain in the general co-operation. We may hope, hearts of the members. that there will be a rapid advance to

Mr and Mrs Bennet, and child, have wards this desirable result; and that since sailed from Philadelphia for Calthe numerous Baptist Churches, in our cutta, where they will proceed to land, while they stand fast, in their Maulayming. May the Lord speed individual independence, in the liberty them on their way, and may the Bible wherewith Christ has inade them free, soon spread its light over the darkness will also stand firm in affectionate con- of Burmah. cert in the service of our Lord.

The prosperity of the Burman mission shed a delightful confidence and

BURMAN MISSION. hope over the minds of the Convention. It animated their prayers, and

MR BOARDMAN'S JOURNAL. gave vigour to their measures. It was felt, that God calls on the Convention

(Continued from p. 273.] for ardor and more vigorous efforts in Visit of Myat Poo and others. his cause. It is hoped, that many April 26. Myat Poo (see journal prayers will ascend to God, for more for 19th inst.) was here last evening, laborers, and that our young men will and is with me again to-day. He has inquire earnestly whether it is not gained much light and knowledge since their duty to serve their Redeemer as I saw him first, and avows himself a Missionaries among the heathen. decided disciple. Indeed, he gives

The presence of Mr M'Coy, our in- very satisfactory evidence of possessing defatigable Missionary ainong the In

Bless the Lord, for so dians, and his statements, produced early a display of his grace in Tavoy. much sympathy for the condition of

27, Lord's-day. A congregation of those unhappy men; and much desire about twenty persons, and among them that the measures for their removal to

were several whom I saw at the funersome permanent home, where the gos- al on the 22d. I spoke a few words pel may be preached to them, under from John iii. 16. The people listened more favorable circumstances, than it rather attentively, and I was glad to can now be, may soon be accomplished. find when I had done, that they un

The last evening before the Con- derstood pretty well. They staid an vention separated, Mr Cephas Bennett, hour afterwards asking questions. I whom the Board had appointed a print- hope some little good inay attend these er to the Burman Mission, was, with my first, and very imperfect essays at his wife, set apart by prayer and by public teaching in the Burman lanother services. The scene was deeply guage. As the people come of their affecting. Mr Bennett gave a brief own accord, and request me to speak to and modest statement of his conver- them, I dare not refrain, though I did sion, and of his views and feelings in not propose to commence public worrelation to the Burman Mission, end ship till after the present rains. ing with the words of the excellent and lamented Wheelock: “ To Bur- Description of the Karens. mah would I go; in Burmah would I May 1, 1828. Received a visit from live; in Burmah would I toil; in Bur- about thirty Karens, with whom I had mah would I die, and in Burmah would some conversation on religion. Their I be buried.”

remarks confirmed the opinion I had The father and mother of Mr Ben- previously entertained, that, as a peonett were present; and it touched ple, the Karens are atheists in the every heart to see these venerable Tullest, largest sense of the wordparents about to take leave forever of that they acknowledge no being their son, and his wife and child. The whatever, as an object of worship. father, in a prayer, in which the over- Some few of them, from their connesflowings of strong natural affection, and ion with the Burmans, have become submissive faith in God, were strongly Boodhists. But the general mass of

true grace.