which had been spent. It was announced that it is in contemplation, during the summer, to hold a Bazaar, in aid of the Building Fund, which is proceeding very satisfactorily.

Sierra Leone,

TRAINING INSTITUTION.
This Institution which was established

in Freetown two years ago, is capable, under the divine blessing, of promoting the kingdom of Christ among the African people. We hope, at no distant period, to be enabled by the kind aid of the friends of education in this country to render the Institution more extensively useful. The efforts already put forth have not been in vain, and it will be seen by the following extracts from the letters of two of the Students addressed to the Rev. G. Fowler that they are not insensible of the obligation they owe to their christian friends in England, and that they desire to make satisfactory progress in their various studies.

"Rev. and dear Sir, I feel thankful to you for the instruction I received since the establishment of the school. Since I send in my last letter there were many troubles attending me. I have been deprived of my earthly father by death, and am left alone to provide for my little family, but in all I am thankful to Almighty God that I still feel a willing mind to pursue my studies. May you not be weary in well doing, nor be discouraged, for it is better to meet the bitter before the sweet, inasmuch that when the sweet comes it will make the sweet the sweeter."

The other expresses himself in these words: "Thanks be to God for the benefits he has bestowed upon me since my last report was sent to you. I have been endeavouring to the utmost of my ability to improve in my lessons. I am sorry to say that I have been in bed through bodily indisposition for a month. I beg that you may not be discouraged and say that I do not appreciate your kindness, It has ever been my delight, sir, to attend my school and not neglect it. Oh! my dear father, may you not think that I am negligent in this duty. I am trying to do the best I can in my lessons, though not so rapidly as I ought. I believe, through the power of the Almighty, you will in future be satisfied with some of us, though it may be long."

The native preacher states:-" On Sunday, September 16th, I visited Bandasumer, the residence of King Canray Bah, in order to conduct divine service. The people being collected together I commenced by singing and prayer. I then read the lessons, and preached from 1 Kings xx. 28. We had a delightful time. The spirit of God appeared to be present with us. I spoke with great freedom, and the people listened very attentively. The king who was present appeared to feel interested in the service. One man expressed his assent to what I said by bowing his head, and answering "yes" in his native tongue, while others fixed their eyes upon me during the whole time. After the service concluded the king shook my hand, and thanked me for my visit." What a gratifying scene this must have been to have witnessed-a powerful African king, surrounded by many of his subjects, sitting to hear the humble native missionary preach the gospel of Christ. Yes, and the time shall come when all the people of "Ethiopia shall stretch out their hands unto God," and when "all kings shall fall down before Christ, and shall serve him."

MA BANG.

was

The missionary at Ma Bang complains of the ignorance, and superstitious practices of the people living in that part of benighted Africa, but although often discouraged, he expresses his hope to be in God. His report is concluded in these words:

"I thank him for all that is past
And trust him for all that's to come."

This laborious and useful minister of our Lord was born at Maidstone; in which town he spent the first six years of his life. He theu resided with his uncle, (well known and esteemed by many of our ministers,) Mr. Daniel Dickenson, of Pembury, near Tonbridge Wells. From this dear relative, with his beloved aunt, he received great kindness, and many advantages; and, to the day of his death, he cherished for them a filial affection, attributing his first serious impressions, under God, to the pious instruction and prayers of his uncle.

When about thirteen years of age, however, he was removed to London, where, while acquiring a knowledge of business, he, alas, mixed in many of the follies of his age. He was not allowed by the God of all grace to remain long in these frivolities, as he was when young united to the Church, and an active teacher in the Sabbath schools at Hoxton Chapel. These schools he superintended for several years, towards the latter part of which time he often gave public addresses to the children, as well as to small congregations in different parts of the neighbourhood.

We are not acquainted with the particulars of the way in which he was first led to the Lord, and then to devote himself to the christian ministry; but the statements he made at his entrance into Cheshunt College, in the year 1823, we have heard, were highly satisfactory; and indeed it was impossible to be long in his presence without perceiving that he was a man of a very rich christian experience, "taught of the Lord." Enter

ing the College at rather an advanced age, and being much engaged in his favourite object of preaching the gospel to the poor, he could not, though diligent, make any great progress in academic learning; but his warm and simple heart, united with strong good sense and consistent deportment, secured him the esteem and affection both of his tutors and fellow-students.

During the last year of his residence at Cheshunt, he occasionally assisted the late Rev. W. F. Platt, at Holywellmount Chapel, London, with much acceptance, and the Rev. J. Sherman, then at Reading. When at the latter place, on one occasion, having forgotten his notes, he commenced his sermon with much fear and trembling; and yet the early part of that very discourse was the means by which the Spirit of God brought an individual from a neighbouring village to a knowledge of salvation; and in this way not only was a family benefited, but the village favoured with one of those useful chapels which encircle the chief town of Berkshire.

When about to leave the College, two places were presented to his notice, Kidderminster and Tildesley, in Lancashire. He gave, for a time, the preference to the former place, but, by various events was led to commence his labours at the latter, where he continued to preach and live the gospel till the day of his death. This decision was much approved by his tutors, and especially by one of them who had long taken an interest in the cause at Tildesley, and knew both the congregation and the minister who was to be

D

xx. 24.

Here, for more than thirteen years, his course was run with great life and energy, indeed; yet in a way evenly good, and consequently without remarkable incident. The pulpit, the school, the sick chamber, the poor, the neighbouring villages, the meetings of his brethren for religious and social purposes, with his private studies and prayers, and domestic duties, filled up the fleeting hours of the present week, as they had those of the past. If, however, the stream ran uniformly, it was never sluggish: nor did it flow onward without blessing the places through which it passed.

Mr. Langridge's mind was rather strong than graceful; well informed on subjects connected with his profession, rather than general and comprehensive; and his preaching was the outward image of his mind. His warm and affectionate heart, his sense of the worth of souls, and of the Saviour, prompted him to do all he could in the work of the gospel, and to do it with all his might. He sought out forcible expressions, and delivered his sermons with an energy which might offend the fastidious, while it proved his earnest sincerity, and heedlessness of his own health. His holy faithfulness would not allow him to spare sin; his ardent zeal, to spare himself.

For some years it was evident his frame was sinking under the pressure of his zeal. At a meeting of ministers held at Hindley, five miles from Tildesley, in Nov. 1841, he attempted to speak, and failed, so as to alarm his brethren for his health; and they gave the best proof of their affectionate sympathy, by offering to supply his pulpit free of expense, on condition that he would give himself a little rest. He would not, however, at this time, be persuaded to retire from his beloved work. Thus, till the end of the year, he continued with declining strength to preach even three times on the Lord's day, besides performing all his other duties in attending the sick, spending two evenings in the week at the school, week evening public meetings, &c.; and when, at the beginning of the year, he ceased to deliver a sermon in the afternoon service, by giving an address he allowed himself hardly any relief. Through having no pain, he would not acknowledge that he was worse, and

In March, he visited his kind friend and relative, Mr. Winkworth of Ardwick, at whose residence, in addition to affectionate attention, he had the advice of Dr. Johns. He returned home improved in health. In a few days after his return, however, he visited two families afflicted with typhus fever, took the infection, and the result was fatal.

Change of air had been recommended, and, by the kindness of his brethren in the neighbourhood, arrangements had been made for him to visit his uncle in Kent. It was, alas, too late to plan schemes for restoration-he died! that very day his thoughts perished."

in

Different opinions have been formed on the propriety of a minister in his state of health entering the abodes of fever. There can, however, be only one judgment respecting his zeal and deep interest in his flock. He never regarded himself when he thought he could do good to the souls of the perishing.

When he foresaw his end, the state of his mind, to use his own words, was that of "a sweet resting on Christ." To one of his hearers he said, "I have no ecstacies, but I do enjoy a confident hope of a full and free salvation through the merits of Jesus Christ alone. All my preaching, prayers, and other performances, appear more imperfect and sinful than they ever did before; and, were it not for the righteousness of Jesus Christ, I should now have nothing to rest upon in the prospect of entering another world; but, had I a thousand souls, I durst rest them all upon him.'

The last three days, with brief intervals of reason, were spent under a delirium, Yet, even amidst these wanderings, his friends had a melancholy pleasure in hearing him preach, and pray, and sing, and give directions to the clerk; then talk to the young people, play with his children, prepare for his journey into Kent, endeavour to comfort his wife in the prospect of his absence, &c. A few hours before his death he appeared to suffer greatly. On opening his eyes, and looking earnestly at his beloved partner, she said, "It is a hard conflict, I think, my dear." He replied, with a smile never to be forgotten, "O no, my love." She continued, "I hope a sense of Christ's presence makes it

easy." His last audible words were, "YES, THAT IS IT!" He departed this life, April 21, 1842, aged 44 years

He has finished his work and is gone to rest; but his name remains dear to his brethren in the ministry who knew him, both in the Connexion and out of it, to the congregation bereft of their faithful and affectionate pastor, and to his widow and children.

CHRISTIAN CO-OPERATION. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MOST CORDIAL UNION AND SUPER-DENOMINATIONAL CO

OPERATION IN ALL CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

The Church Missionary Intelligencer, for March, 1856, in a most christian and able article on "Conference of Missionaries at Calcutta," composed of forty-two missionaries, belonging to the following societies:-Baptist, Cathedral, Church, Free Church, Kirk of Scotland, and London, presents this valuable extract from Taylor's "New Zealand and its Inhabitants," which expresses the convictions of an experienced missionary.

"The church in the colonies [meaning christians generally,] it must be remembered and acknowledged, does not exclusively belong to the church of England. Men of all denominations and creeds flock to those newly formed communities; colonial society, therefore, is formed of every shade of religion.

"It becomes then a deeply important enquiry,-Shall all the differences of the old country be perpetuated in these new ones? Shall these rising communities be split into all those religious factions which separate the church at home? Is it desirable? Is it consistant with christian love and unity? Is it calculated to promote the spread of our common faith, and the establishment of the church universal? It cannot be. Why, then, attempt it? In doing so we only transport to the colonies the worst part of our faith: we destroy the kernel-love and unity-which alone possesses the germ of vitality, and content ourselves with carrying off the worthless husks of our christianity-our divisions and hatredsto their own adopted homes. How can we expect that such will flourish?

"But is it necessary? Shall we of the church of England be satisfied with being only one of the many petty sects; and shall they of those sects be content to transport all the animosities, heart-burn

ings, bitterness, and separations of the old country? God forbid! It is not, cannot be necessary-it is contrary to reason, love, and christianity.

"But further, it is seldom that men carry away all the bitterness and exclusive feelings of the fatherland, as they mix with persons of the other classes, they gradually become softened, asperities are rubbed down, and each soon begins to think more kindly of the other, however far separated at home; in fact, old ocean washes away many of the fancies of former days before he lands them on the shores of their newly adopted country. Hence, abroad, the churchman and the dissenter condescend to meet; the stiff presbyterian and the episcopalian are good friends. All find the real difference between them to be much less than they once thought-their mountains turn into molehills, and it becomes evident that the difficulties in the way of union are not so many and insurmountable as they once thought them to be."

What momentous questions are here suggested for every christian patriot and friend of missions! With what holy, peaceful jealousy ought all who love the souls of the heathen to watch the reunion of men, whether from the colonial office or from the chambers of any of the professed evangelical societies, whether termed bishops, or ministers, or catechists, and see if they have hearts large enough for this labour of love. Hyperism of both church and non-conformity must not only carry with it corn mixed with poisonous grain, but also sow what it exports in the colonial fields, and, as future ages witness the impure crops, cause them to cry and say "An enemy hath done this."

THOUGHTS AND FACTS FOR YOUNG AND OLD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HARBINGER.

Dear Sir, I have lately been reading a little work, by Hollis Read, A.M., entitled "The Hand of God in History," and it has occured to me that a series of anecdotes (from History) illustrative of the care with which God has watched over his servants and his church in past ages, would be very interesting to the readers of the Harbinger. We read in magazines sometimes of "A Page for the Young," but such a subject would form

"a page for the young and for the old; for the believer and for the worldling, for the godly and for the profane." It would interest the believer, as showing him that the eye of God is ever upon him for good, and that His care is ever over him; under the Spirit's teaching, it would lead the wavering to become decided for Christ, and the worldling to forget his covetousness, and it would, under the same mighty influence, teach the persecutor (and him who only requires the power to become one) that God ruleth in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth," and that it is in vain that "the heathen rage," "in vain that the kings of the earth and the rulers take counsel against the Lord and against his anointed.'

Allow me, then, to introduce the subject to the notice of your readers, and I trust that others will follow up the subject; in our Connexion there are many well read in history, and can they do better than employ their talents in promoting the welfare of the Harbinger,-of the Connexion-and in so doing, of the Church of the Redeemer ?

Let the facts of History then encourage believers every where, to cast all their care upon God, and let our motto be

"HE CARETH FOR YOU."

Yes, believers, he careth for you, and for yours-for your homes and for your hearths, for your queen and for your country; for the protection of your bodies and for the salvation of your souls: and he saith, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper." Let us not then be afraid of enemies without, or of enemies within, for the Lord is our refuge and the Holy One of Israel is our shield and our defence. We have been engaged in a cruel and sanguinary war; Protestant England has been leagued with Popish and infidel France in defence of the territories of a Mussulman Prince; and, I say not that England has done wrong in doing as she has done; neither do I say that she has done right; but this I say, that the behests of Jehovah will be accomplished, and whatever be the result of the quarrel as regards nations and individuals, the kingdom of God shall be magnified and increased.

But a treaty of Peace is in progress,

and already our Gallic neighbours and allies are loud in their demonstrations of joy at the expected event. All Europe is looking on anxious for Peace! All the powers of the pit too-Satan and his angels, are looking on: anxious for Peace! for why should Satan cast out Satan? Why should his votaries destroy one another? Angels and archangels too are looking on: from their seats in heaven they look upon our sinful world, and ask, Can there be Peace? FRANCE, infidel and popish France! can she have Peace? RUSSIA, clothing her people with superstition, throwing a darkened veil over the minds of her children, shutting up from them the word of life, and persecuting the ancient Israel of God; can she have Peace? AUSTRIA, popish, besotted Austria, giving her power and strength unto the beast, defiling herself more and more with the scarlet whore of Babylon, can she have Peace? What, Austria, Russia, France, Italy, at Peace whilst the whoredoms of Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." And England! Is there Peace for her? The land of bibles,-of gospel light and liberty, where God is known and the Saviour honoured, where vice is restrained, and where the Parliament has almost unanimously proclaimed that the Sabbath day shall be a day of rest, holy unto the Lord! Can there be peace for England? England, the richest of the nations, the favoured of heaven and therefore the hated of Antichrist and Satan, can there be peace for England? FELLOW CHRISTIANS, the day is coming, and you know not how soon, when the popish nations of the earth shall combine against England, to overthrow the foundations of her constitution and her faith, but they shall not be able to prevail: England shall be purified, but she shall not be destroyed. The thing has been tried before, but as "the stars in their courses fought against Sisera," so the elements have fought in favour of our land. Let us look back on the

INVINCIBLE ARMADA,

the project of King Philip of Spain, the husband of Queen Mary, and brother-inlaw of our good Queen Bess. And what was that project? The overthrow of Protestantism, the reduction of England to the dominion of Rome, and the reestablishment of Popery throughout all