THE CHURCH'S REFUGE.

GOD hath been merciful to his church in all ages, and is so still. So Moses saith, "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place," that is, a house for the church to dwell in safely, "in all generations." From Abraham's time to the time they were in Egypt, he was their habitation; and so in the wilderness; and so in all the times under the judges; and so to our times. Look on the church when it was in the worst condition. Take the church of God, even when it was thought to be cut off, as in the great massacre in France; yet then was the Lord a habitation to it; a company was kept alive, that grew greater than the former. So in Queen Mary's time, God suffered the storm to overtake the church a little, but it was soon blown over; God was a habitation to keep off the storm from destroying his people. And so he hath been, and will yet be. So he hath been found to our church above all the rest; for our nation hath been like Gideon's fleece; when all others about us have been wet and wallowing in blood, we have been dry. Therefore labour to see how good God is, and how base we are, and take heed of abusing his kindness, lest he make this nation wet with blood, when all others shall be dry, and we come to have war, when all the rest have peace. The way to have his favours continued, is to remember them, and to humble ourselves before him in thankfulness.-Preston.

Review of Books.

SIX MONTHS OF A NEWFOUNDLAND MISSIONARY'S JOURNAL, from February to Aug. 1835. Second Edition. Smith & Co.

WHILE rejoicing in the speedy reprint of this impressive work, we are unfeignedly anxious to urge upon all our readers who have not seen it, to possess themselves of the volume, and to accompany in spirit the pious, the zealous Archdeacon through the varied tracks of his affecting tour. There is much of Christian liberality at present in exercise, towards claimants, at home and abroad, on the aid that God's people can render; but we would have them abound more and more.' An expenditure is too often indulged in, where mansion, dress, equipage, and other personal gratifications are concerned, which confines the stream of liberality within channels, that a little self-denial would greatly widen. We will venture to say, that no child of God could rise from the perusal of Archdeacon Wix's journal in a fit mood either to dispense or to countenance those entertainments on which too much thought, and too much money are

wasted; even though the bible does come in, at the evening's close, and the sparkling circle sit reverentially attentive to the voice of some favourite teacher. We would not discourage the assembling together of congenial characters, or the exercise of ungrudging hospitality, one towards another: but, with such scenes as Archdeacon Wix so simply, yet so vividly describes, fresh in our mind, we do look with feelings far removed from admiration on the costly china cups, the massive plate, and other expensive articles, which, however well they may accord with the jewelled fingers stretched forth to grasp them, do not accord with the spirit that, poured out from on high on the early church, threw the superfluities of the richer class into one common hoard, for the support of poorer brethren, and the furtherance of Christ's gospel in other lands.

The dignitary of our Apostolic Church who comes before us in the honourable and endearing character of a true missionary has drawn a sad, a faithful picture of the destitution that reigns in the remote places of our North American colony, and which, alas! affords too just a specimen of what might be related of a far wider territory. Out of the very many points of deep interest brought forward by the Archdeacon, we will select one. It is well known how strongly and deeply the tide of emigration has set in, of late years, towards that part of the world; and Ireland sends forth multitudes of her superabundant, perishing population. Among these, not a few of the most turbulent of Rome's demoralized bigots are mingled; and, true to their evil principle, the popish priesthood are eagerly pursuing, on those distant shores, the work of which we have too strik

ing a specimen close at hand. Furiously political, these emissaries of mischief are openly stirring up rank rebellion among the people, while rapidly erecting new chapels, from whose altars to fulminate their practical deductions from Dens. It is, or ought to be, a matter of deep moment, in the eyes of every true Protestant, to watch over the welfare of this distant but true branch of our National Church, and to guard it from the foe: while to the hearts of such as shrink from what they term controversial subjects, an appeal is made by the wretched situation of the more remote settlers, living without the form of any religion whatever, and given over to the most awful depravity of heart and life. Families, the founders of which perhaps dwelt in their own neighbourhood, and were baptized at the same antique font with themselves, placed far, far from all the means of grace, so largely enjoyed by them, and bringing up their children to live like the beasts that perish. We would gladly give the whole of Archdeacon Wix's most beautiful and energetic appeal, occupying the last fourteen pages of his book: but we must be content to transcribe the concluding paragraphs, with a prayer that they may find their way to the heart and stir up the liberality of some compassionate readers.

"Christian readers! you are yourselves looking forward with the humble confidence of one day being admitted to the glories of an heavenly Canaan, through the merits of your divine Redeemer Jesus Christ. You have received, I trust, first fruits of the Spirit, some earnest of the rich inheritance of the saints in light. From these pledges you know, as well as from God's word, that Emanuel's land is

T

an exceeding good land, a land which flows with milk and honey. You do not doubt of reaching this land; though there are obstacles and trials in your way, you rely on One who is mightier than any one who can be against you; who has promised to be with you even in your passage over the separating sea of death. In common with the rest of your fellow-creatures, you are called to endure trials. Do the hopes which you entertain of reaching this good land, give you comfort to support you under them? Would you barter away this hope for any of the treasures, any of the pleasures of this world? NO, NEVER!! Then help me to extend the knowledge of this land to those here who are in ignorance of its excellence and beauty. Shall any perish in this wilderness, whom you, reader! might furnish the means to direct in the path which leads to a better country, and a happy heavenly home? Oh! I feel convinced that you will aid me by your alms to instruct the babes of the fold of Christ who are looking to you to be fed! to enlighten the ignorant who are seeking to be informed in the way of salvation! to comfort the sick who have no pastor to breathe by their beds the prayer of assurance in their dying hour! You will, at least, contribute your mite towards the erection of a second church in the capital of this island, where, taking his stand upon the world to come, the Christian missionary may effect a moral, a spiritual movement, in the mass of ignorance, superstition, idolatry, and various wickedness by which he is surrounded. You will,— you will entitle yourselves to the thanks, the prayers, and the blessings of those who are fainting and ready to perish; who through your means, shall