Bible which teaches him to believe in the regeneration of the righteous, also tells him that, in Hell, "he that is filthy will be filthy still." Oh ye, who shrink from the oaths and blasphemy, the coarseness and vulgarity of the most depraved and abandoned, what are ye doing? Can ye feed your children delicately and nourish them tenderly, and neglect to implant religious principles, and forbear to bring them up" in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" Can the moralist, despising the hope of imputed righteousness, be willing to risk the hazard of mixing with the vile and abominable,—and that because he rejects the only remedy which God appoints to cleanse the soul from spot or wrinkle, or any such thing? I wish it were possible to confine many of our fine gentlemen and fine ladies (who are too indolent to pray, and too vain to learn) amidst the rude and nasty atmosphere of a country ale-house (for refined vice is palatable and familiar. enough) and then ask them whilst inconvenienced by its brutal joys, What an eternity in such society must prove? a society combined with all we can represent savage in its nature, ferocious in its tendency, and boldly impious in its blasphemy! But I only suggest the hint, and wish a more energetic pen to enlarge on it; and may the Spirit of God make the application! M. G. ON THE CONSISTENCY OF ACTS IX. 7, WITH XXII. 9. OBSERVING, in your Number for May, an attempt to reconcile Acts Ix. 7 ("And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man") and chapter xx1.9 ("And they that were with me saw indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me") I use the liberty of stating, that, while I believe the ideas in that article concerning the import of the words Ewoutes and EXOTO are right, the passages do not contradict each other in that particular. In the other, where there is a seeming contradiction, I do not think the solution proposed by the writer of the article referred to, is consistent with the original. The readers of the Greek Testament will observe that the article is used in both cases ; ακούοντες της φωνης and την φωνην ουκ ήκουσαν του λαλοῦντος моб. I think the difficulty is completely removed by understanding the historian as narrating that Paul's companions heard the voice, or sound, in the first passage; and the other as informing us that they heard not the voice, i. e. the articulate voice, the distinct words uttered. This interpretation is justified by the addition of the words "of him that spake to me," in the latter place. I think the reconciling of passages of Scripture that seem to differ, and the removal of difficulties that are of a nature external to religion in general, is a work that demands considerable attention from Christians. If the above attempt in that way be satisfactory to any doubter, the writer has attained his end. If the writer of the former article on this difficulty contends for the propriety of his interpretation, it will be necessary to shew how the article is definite in the one case, and indefinite in the other; and he will oblige me and perhaps some others (as I believe some such thing exists in the practice of the language) by assigning a rule when the article is definite, and when not. It will also be a favour if he, or any of your cor spondents, will explain the effect of the Greek Article when pienxed to the name of God, and when not. Rom. xv. 5-9, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, &c. Langside. ALPHA. Mr. Editor, ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES. IN Is your Number for May, your correspondent J. B. recommends to ministers to form libraries for their several churches, and to make the subscription one penny a week. I write to you to say, that I have long since seen the propriety and importance of this plan; and actually set on foot two societies many months ago. I limited the first principally to the young men of my church; and connected it with a monthly-meeting for prayer and conversation on some subjects proposed and registered at a previous meeting. The design has rather ingu.hed thro' some of those who first joined in it, having gone to study for the work of the ministry; and from others being employed till too late in the evening, to come to the meetings. We had some thoughts of relinquishing the plan on these accounts. I also proposed and set on foot a similar one among the female part of my church. This also, from various causes, has languished, if it has not actually expired. Your hint has awakened afresh in my mind a desire to give these little institutions energy and extension; and I think it may provoke others to try the plan. It my endeavours should be succeeded, and our societies revive, I may perhaps, at a future period, give you a farther account of our proceedings. I am Bermondsey. yours sincerely in the gospel, As my pen is in my hand, allow me also to remark, that some female friends in my church have met once a week at each other's houses to drink tea. One of them was occupied in reading some book of standard excellence and usefulness, whilst others worked; and I believe there is more than one society of ladies who meet monthly, thus to work together in the evening; and also to converse on some religious topic, previously chosen How preferable, how infinitely preferable this, to either cards or the chit-chat of most tea-table companies! QUERIES. MIRIUM will be much obliged to any of her Evangelical Friends for their thoughts on I Cor. vii. 11," And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died." If likewise on the concluding eight verses of Luke xv. the favour will be increased. ISCA enquires, Is it not the duty of Christians to use means for the conversion of God's ancient people, Israel?—if so, What means are most likely to promote it? ANECDOTES. THE POWER OF PREJUDICE. A Protestant Clergyman in Ireland was called to visit a sick and dying woman. A Roman Catholic, a very decent woman, was present. The clergyman took occasion to dwell on the love of the Saviour, and the efficacy of his blood to take away sin; warmly exhorting her to put her trust alone in him. Making a pause in his discourse, the Catholic woman, who, by her countenance, had expressed much astonishment, immediately exclaimed, "O Sir! this is the first time I ever thought that a Protestant minister believed in Christ!" The opposition of Protestant ministers to the superstitious use of the sign of the Cross, may have given occasion to the priests to represent them as enemies to the doctrine of the Cross. But may not the silence of some preachers, as to the grand peculiarities of the gospel in their preaching, confirm the unhappy prejudice? May no preachers in Ireland or England, by their omission of Christ in their sermons, render it questionable to their hearers, whether or not they believe in Christ! A labouring man in Cumberland, who has been lately brought to the knowledge of the truth, understanding that the Rev. Mr. C, whom he had heard preach an occasional sermon, was about to visit London, requested him to present the Missionary Society with his Half Gumea, as a token of he sincere interest he feels in the success of the noblest of all causes, AGNES CRATE. Obituary. THE writer of the following lines was induced to submit them to the public, not only from the solicitations of several pious friends, but in hopes that they may also be instrumental in stirring up a spirit of activity in his Christian Brethren, "to speak of those things which pertain to eternal salvation," among their young friends in particular; trusting that, through the instrumentality of the servants of God in private life, the Redeemer's kingdom may be extended; and here he begs leave earnestly to recommend the encouragement and support of those societies who have the salvation of souls principally in view; who, by their advice, prayers, and exhortations, endeavour to lead sinners to God, and at the same time are enabled to administer temporal relief also to their poor afflicted brethren, while pining under disease and want. The family to whom this young woman was related, were much benefitted by the instruction given to her brother, who earnestly wished the visitors of Mr. Jones's Chapel, at Islington, to attend him, he being at that time distressed in mind, in the last stage of a consumption; and in a short time after died triumphant in faith. The serious deportment of the rest of the family during the time of visiting this young man, excited the esteem of a visitor, who, frequently after his dissolution took occasion to call upon them, to press upon their attention the important concerns of their souls; and shortly he had the unspeakable satisfaction of seeing three of the family introduced as members of the congre'gation. The writer perceiving the health of this young woman rapidly declining, put some very close questions to her, particularly, How she expected to stand before the throne of a holy God with acceptance? This led her, from her natural modesty, to think her at tainment so small, that she feared she could not, with sufficient sa. tisfaction to herself, answer one of the questions proposed; but on his seeing her again, every cloud had vanished; and when asked what she thought of the questions being put in the manner they were, she said it was very kind, and had proved the source of abundant blessings to her soul, and at that time, as well as throughout her illness, she gave the most satisfactory evidence of her being rooted and grounded in the faith. When asked if she would not wish to be restored to her former strength, she invariably used to say she did not wish to live; she feared her own wicked heart so much, that she was apprehensive, if the Lord should spare her, it would again betray her into sin, the incli nation to which she then was happily delivered from; but if it was the Lord's will to keep her in a state of suffering for a twelvemonth, provided it was to glorify him, by her patiently enduring it, or to be a benefit to one immor. tal soul, she would gladly wait his time, though she longed to depart and be with Christ. The first Sabbath after her confinement, when the ordinance was to be administered, she expressed much grief that she was deprived of the privilege, but still shewed satisfaction in the Lord's deigning to indulge her with his presence in her confinement. As her disorder grew worse, it at times affected the power of recollection; this was a source of great sorrow; but when she could recollect divine truths, she was always found rejoicing in the Lord; and after a very painful and restless night, she said she had experienced so much joy and consolation in her soul, that she anx iously wished for many such, if she might be also indulged with as much of the divine presence. Oathe Sabbaths she was generally found astray; but now I desire to keep thy word." One morning, on a friend entering her room, she said, "I have had a most delightful night; I have been enabled to pour out my soul to God in such a way I never before did! I was enabled to remember all my dear friends in my prayers, and have found great comfort therein! Each day I live I have stronger assurances, and brighter evidences, that I am as heir of glory, and have no more doubt that God is with me, than I have of the presence of my friend." Thus she was happily supported till she fell asleep in Jesus, on the 8th of November, 1804, in the twentieth year of her age. Her last words were," Come Lord Jesus, come quickly!" The following remarks, &c. were found in writing after her decease: longing to participate in the joys of God's House, particularly in singing his praise. Though fre quently deprived of rest for nights together, and worn out with pain, yet often she said, she was fully sensible her Saviour was well acquainted with what she felt; 'and his goodness was such, he would not suffer her to endure more than was absolutely necessary to wean her from this world, and fit her for his kingdom in glory. When some of the promises were read respecting the unchanging love of God to his people, she said "Ah, but what an unspeakable blessing it is for me that, through grace, I am enabled, without a doubt, to view them as my own!" At a time when some friends called to see her, there were some in company whom she had reason to think were in an unen-Being greatly impressed with a lightened state; and when a friend endeavoured to speak privately to her, she boldly declared she did not wish to hide in secret what the Lord had done for her soul, but wished all around to hear of his gracious dealings with her. — A person endeavoured to comfort her, by saying, she need not fear, for God was merciful, and she had committed no great sin. She smiled at her ignorance, and said, "Oh! I know better, for I was born in sin, and shapen in iniquity." She desired to come to God in no other way than as a sinner: on this occasion she spoke so forcibly, that her friend melted into tears and left her, being astonished, saying, she envied her her privileges, and longed to lie in her place; and begged she would pray for her. Shortly after this, in great extasy, she exclaimed, "Oh! what mercies, what a blessing to have the fear of the Lord! Oh, grace, grace! what an unspeakable privilege! - how am I favoured !" About a week before her death, she said,“ O, how I should rejoice, if it would please God to take me to himself this night, or this hour!" At another time, with great composure, she said, "I am looking forward to things which are to come; before I was afflicted, I went sense of the solemnity and importance of attending the sacrament, the following texts were much blessed to my soul: Truly, my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your hearts before him! God is a refuge for us. My soul, wait thou upon God; for my expectation is from him. In God is my salvation and my glory, the rock of my strength; and my refuge is in God. Because thou hast been my help, therefore, in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." On her first receiving the sacrament she wrote thus: "O, blessed and adored Saviour ! I prayed to thee this morning, to enable me to pay at. tention to thy word, -thou didst surely hear my prayer, for with what felicity did I hear thy word preached!-how impressive it was! my whole heart and soul were animated! I came home rejoicing. My dearest mother and sister felt the same. Lord, may we be spared to spend another Sabbath as happily as this! O may we hear to the benefit of our souls! may we be enlightened more and more every hour we are spared! Lord, may we live in love, and to serve thee! prepare us for thy heavenly kingdon!" During her illness, she |