deavour to feel with our hearts the import of the words we sing. There is such a richness and sublimity of sentiment, and such sweet strains of piety in the Psalms and Hymns of Watts, that they must have a blessed effect on the hearts of those, who are susceptible of devout and holy feelings. Let every one then who has a voice, and one spark of holy gratitude, or one beam of enlightened piety in his bosom, unite in this act of sacred worship. It is not expected, that we should all be Amateurs in music. But if we sing with our hearts, our praises will not only be acceptable to God, but beneficial to our selves.

An explanation and enforcement of the truths of revelation is another part of public service.

The preaching of the gospel is the principal means, which God has appointed for the conversion of sinners and the edification of Christians. I have sent thee, said the Saviour to Paul, to the Gentiles, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. "After that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom, knew not God; it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." But there is a state of mind in relation to hearing the word, which is more likely to be attended with profit, than when another, and different state of feeling prevails. We ought to hear with serious and fixed at tention. It is indeed a happy circumstance that sometimes the attention of the most thoughtless persons is arrested. A simple remark, or perhaps some particular passage of scripture, is fixed like a nail, and rivetted on the conscience of the sinner, by the almighty power of God. He is at once aroused from a state of religious apathy, and begins to in

quire after the way of salvation. But in general there is little prospect that hearers will derive advantage from the ministry of the word, when there is not a serious attention to the truths which are delivered. This is evident from the testimony of inspiration. "The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." But there may be such a listless indifference under the christian ministry, that what is preached may not even be heard. To use the language of Bunyan, Ear-gate must be open, or the truth cannot gain access to the Citadel of the soul. If we would profit by what we hear, we must dismiss worldly cares and pleasures from our minds. We must call in our wandering thoughts and vagrant affections, and let them be occupied with the truths which are delivered to us. We must seriously attend to the arguments and illustrations of the preacher. We must endeavour to comprehend his statements and feel his exhortations.

I need not remark that this serious attention is directly opposed to that levity and whispering which in some places disturb the pious part of the audience, and grieve the ministers of Christ. Nor does it accord with that sleepy indifference which some hearers manifest. We are all sensible that a person exhibits nothing like a serious and fixed attention when he is asleep. Were an angel from heaven to speak, he could do that person no good. He must lift up his mighty voice, and arouse him from his slumbers, before his strains, however angelic, could find their way to the heart.

We should apply what we hear to our own individual circumstances. As each must give an ac

count of himself to God, each should hear for himself. Instead of concluding that what is said will do for those around us, let us rather inquire how much will ap ply to our own individual charac ters? If warnings are given, we should search and try our ways, and see if we do not need these warnings. If Christ in all the fulness and glory of his character is brought to view, we should ask what are our views of him, and whether we have fully confided in his compassion and power to save? If the christian is urged to pursue his course, let us fear lest we be found loiterers, and be resolved to press forward towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let me mention some of the motives which should excite us to this serious attention and self-application of what we hear.

The dignity of the Being who addresses us through the ministry of the word, is a consideration which should powerfully affect our minds. So far as the truth is declared, it is God who speaks to us. Ministers are only the organs of communication from Jehovah, which in condescension to the weakness and sinfulness of man he has appointed. He has committed unto us, says the Apositle, the word of reconciliation. If a minister sent to a Foreign Court is slighted, and his messages disregarded, his government feel that the slight is cast upon them. So it is with the Court of Heaven. Christ said to his disciples, he that heareth you heareth me, and he that despiseth you despiseth me, and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me."

The importance of the subjects embraced in the preaching of the gospel, should be sufficient to secure the most solemn regard. They do not relate to the transitory concerns of time, but to the affairs of eternity. The design of the christian ministry is to bring into view truths that are necessary to our acceptance with God, and our meetness for heaven, and which will affect our character and happiness when millions of years have passed away.

A man might be

pardoned for not attending to the most eloquent speeches at the bar or in the Senate chamber; but inattention where the vast concerns of the soul are the theme, and where the plagues of the second death, and the blessedness of the just are expatiated upon, is the height of madness and impiety.

Under the influ

ence of these motives we ought to listen with profound reverence to the things which make for our present and eternal peace.

Pursuing the course which in this communication has been prescribed, we shall, from time to time, leave the house of God with a deeper sense of eternal things resting on our minds. We shall have a more enlarged and vigorous faith, and he blessed with that joy of the Lord which is our strength.

But, however punctual and regular our attendance may be, if we bring not our souls into the exercises of public devotion, and if our attention is not seriously fixed on the truths of the gospel, we shall ultimately find, that "bodily exercise profiteth nothing.'

MR. HOUGH'S LETTER.

EXTRACTED FROM THE AUXILIARY MISSIONARY HERALD, OF MARCH 1823, PRINTED AT CALCUTta.

Rangoon, Oct. 4, 1822.

Dear Brother L.

"It is now thirty eight days since brother Judson and the Dr. (Price) set off for Ava, where I suppose they arrived about seven days ago, as a boat which came from Ava nine days since, passed them within a short distance from that place. They have therefore entered the palace before now, and perhaps the king has inquired of brother Judson some thing more about the Christian religion, perhaps has listened with some little attention-perhaps is willing to consider it, and compare it with Boodhism-O that he might give it the preference, and permit his subjects to do the same. 1 have hopeful inquirer; he has spent nearly this whole day with me.

one

Our old Viceroy has at length passed into the eternal world, to answer for the deeds done in the body-Poor old man! he had heard of Christ, but had no heart to receive his truth. Who is to supply his place in Rangoon we do not yet know. I pray that Divine Providence which governs homan affairs, may remember mercy for us."

LETTER FROM DR. PRICE..

mah's king, with some degree of favour. O that this event may prove a spiritual blessing to this numerous people! The interview with the monarch was very pleasant. We were obliged to display all our medicines, and instruments, and to shew their use; and his people being ordered to look up blind and sick persons for our inspection, we were dismissed to our boat, with the promise of soon having a house built for our accommodation

The king has a very pleasant countenance, and talks with much grace and affability.

There is a great bustle in the place, occasioned by the change of the capital-every body building and removing.

There is a public spirit manifested in all the acts of this king, auguring much good to Burmah. O may true religion find a footing, and dispel the dark shades of atheism and superstition from ib. its borders!

EXTRACTS FROM MR. JUDSON'S LETTERS, RECEIVED AT CALCUTTA.

Ava, 24th. Dec. 1822.

I do not

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"I am just recovering from the fifth attack of fever and ague. The disorder returns at regular intervals of about a fortnight, and continues about a week. expect to get rid of it, til I leave this, or at least 1 have change my residence. spent a great part of my time lately in endeavouring to get a place for a kyoung (a residence for a priest,-a church.) My endeav

ours have been hitherto unsuccessful. Indeed, I have given up all hope of getting a place within

the walls of the inner or the outer town. The scramble for places, on account of the flood of emigration from the old town, is indescribable. It is the express order of the King, several times repeated to the Atwenwoons and Woongyes, (Great Ministers of State,) that we shall have a place; but other people have greater interest or prior claims.

"There is at present no fear of persecution. The King and all the blood royal are perfectly liberal and tolerant. Some of the Atwenwoons even take my side before the King. His Majesty lately ordered me to give him a specimen of my preaching, and I went through with part of the usual Sunday worship before a pretty full court. The impression appeared to be altogether in my favour. The King asked, whether I preached so every Sunday, whether those who listened to me changed their elothes, &c. I told his Majesty that we regarded Gaudama as a great teacher, but not as God. "Right," cried out one of the Atwenwoons, and the king smiJed. Another Atwenwoon said to the King, "Why, your Majesty, all the world believes in one eternal God, except these little spots of Burmah and Siam.”—All the court know and frequently remark to one another, that I have come to propagate religion; and yet they are helping me to a place to build a kyoung on.

There are some enemies, however; the chief Woongye I fear most. The oldest Atwenwoon also is stiff, but yet civil and facetious. The Queen also, I fear, is not so liberal as the King; but I have not yet seen her, except in public. Her brother is chief Atwenwoon, haughty and inaccessible.

I live

so miserably, and am so worn down with pain and sickness, that I cannot think of prolonging my

"Ava, Jan. 16, 1823. "We have been here nearly four months. Our missionary prospects are pretty encouraging. Brother P. is in considerable estimation as a doctor. My object is distinctly known to the King, and all the members of government; and yet they sometimes hear me with patience, and treat me with kindness, and have even given me a small place to build a house on, situated about a mile from the palace. Brother P. retains the small place which was given him on his first arrival for medical purposes; but is just now moving to Chagaing, on the opposite side of the river, which he intends to make his permanent residence. We have made every possible effort to get a large compound on this side, sufficient for us both, and at reasonable distance from the palace; but have not been able to succeed, on account of the present great demand for places, occasioned by the multitudes that are crowding down from the old town Ahmahrahpore, since the King has removed his residence to this place.

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"I have been sorely afflicted with the fever and ague, at intervals, ever since I have been here. My two last attacks were so violent as to alarm Brother P. and occasion our present sudden removal to Chagaing, where he is confident that I shall recover. I intend, however, to go down to