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in want of books, ink, and paper. The natives would purchase from me the whole I could spare, and ten times more if I had them, with the greatest avidity. They appear to be very fond of St. John's Gospel. With respect to the trading intercourse our captain expressed himself highly satisfied. It was pleasing to see them so peaceably disposed, offering their property for clothing and axes, and such articles as were really useful, and not once soliciting for weapons of war. Some of the native men, amongst whom was the judge of the law, slept on board. Before they retired to rest, they requested the captain to allow them to pray on the quarter-deck, to which he most cheerfully consented. They did the same the following morning. There are several natives of Hervey's Island on a visit here, for the purpose of Christian instruction; and the natives are building a small vessel of about twenty tons burthen, having nothing but native cordage for the fastenings, in order to convey them back to their own country. On the day we quitted the island the whole of the native missionaries were on board, and I had an opportunity of conversing with them, and did all in my power to encourage them to go on faithfully in their work; but I was with Mataitai longer than with the rest, and therefore knew more concerning him. I shall long remember his mild countenance and praiseworthy behaviour."

FRIENDS' YEARLY EPISTLE
FOR 1829.

The general benevolence, integrity, and good conduct of the members of the Society of Friends have been long acknowledged; but we have been much gratified of late years in witnessing among them an increasingly elevated tone of scriptural doctrine and Christian piety. They never seemed in danger of falling into the extravagancies of the Antinomian delusion; and if in any instances there might appear to be greater apprehension from the Unitarian heresy, or from practical Pharisaism, we rejoice to learn that these errors find no sanction in their official documents. The Yearly Epistle just issued is a truly devout, practical, and scriptural exhortation, from which we have much pleasure in copying the following passages.

"In proceeding to unfold the Christian solicitude which has prevailed in this meeting, we would express an earnest desire that the confidence of all our dear brethren and sisters may be humbly, yet CHRIST, OBSERV. No, 331.

firmly, fixed upon God. He changeth not; his compassions are new every morning; his promises are sure; and 'his kingdom ruleth over all.' His 'word is settled in heaven;' and his 'faithfulness is unto all generations.' His name 'is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.'

"It pleased the Father, in his abundant mercy and love to the human race, in their fallen and lost estate, to give his onlybegotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that 'whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Oh! then, that not one amongst us may, by neglecting or undervaluing this blessed means, come short of that rest which is prepared for the people of God. May we all, in true and living faith, accept the Saviour of men, as our Redeemer, and Deliverer from the thraldom of sin. 'In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;' He is that eternal Word which in the beginning was with God, and was God; and who was made flesh and dwelt among men. He offered himself a sacrifice for our transgressions, 'the Just for the unjust;' 'we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.' He, our ever-living Intercessor and Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,' 'is passed into the heavens,' and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.'

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"These sacred and essential truths of the Christian religion, were the faith of our early predecessors, and have been uniformly upheld by our society, from their day to the present period. It is cause of thankfulness to us, that we can entertain the full persuasion that these truths are dear to Friends in this land, in Ireland, and on the American continent; although we have to mourn over many, on the other side of the Atlantic, once in fellowship with us, who have widely departed from the true faith of the Gospel."

"We are thankful that, as a Christian people, we are, through Divine mercy, one in faith but how highly incumbent is it that we should be individually concerned, not only to accept in simplicity the doctrinal truths of Holy Scripture, but earnestly to strive that we may be coming up in the practice of every Christian virtue! Look, then, unto Christ, dear Friends, we beseech you; that you may come to know Him to dwell in your hearts by faith,' and to rule there by the power of his blessed and eternal Spirit. Be awakened to the necessity of working 3 M

'out your own salvation with fear and trembling.' Let the knowledge of your proneness, by nature, to transgress the law of the Lord, incite you to seek after a death unto sin and a new birth unto righteousness; and ever remember, that it is by faith and repentance, by prayer and obedience, that the work of sanctification is to be carried forward." "A real hunger and thirst after righteousness will lead us gladly to embrace all opportunities of meeting together for the public worship of Almighty God. We shall then feel it to be one of our greatest privileges thus to draw near unto Him, and to unite in waiting upon and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth. We shall rejoice to seek after the influences of his love and power, and to pour out our souls in secret supplication for the continuance of his blessing and preservation." "Nor will our approaches to the Throne of Grace be confined to the attendance of religious meetings. Impressed with the benefit and the need of a daily supply of heavenly help, we shall be often seeking for the renewal of our spiritual strength; and in our private retirements, as well as in select opportunities in our families, for this purpose, as also for reading the Holy Scriptures and the writings of pious authors, we shall seek to be imbued with a deep sense of the power and presence of the Almighty. Discouragements of various kinds may prevail and abound in the course of our pilgrimage; but how obvious are the danger and folly of relaxing to 'press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!' And such are his condescension and goodness, that he at times permits those, who put their whole trust in him, consolingly to feel that there are no joys like unto the joy of his salvation."

"But we are constantly to bear in mind, that this is not the place of our rest. The warfare must be maintained! we can at no period put off the armour with safety; we have an unwearied enemy to contend with, whose temptations are diversified, subtle, and insidious: the path of life is an arduous one; but, thanks be unto Him who is omnipotent, his grace is all-sufficient. As he is daily sought unto, he strengtheneth our souls, and increaseth our confidence in him; and, if we faint not, but persevere unto the end, he will give us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Unto Him,' then, that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto

Him be glory in the Church, by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.'"

SOCIETY FOR FEMALE
SERVANTS.

The Report of this very useful society states, that since the formation of the society 1199 Bibles have been distributed among the servants of subscribers; and upwards of 47901. in money has been distributed in 2759 rewards from half a guinea to five guineas. The subscribers may have as many servants on the books for rewards as they subscribe guineas. SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING EDU

ICATION IN CANADA.

A society was established in London, in 1825, under the patronage of the Duke of Sussex, the Bishop of Salisbury, Lord Bexley, and other names of high respectability, for promoting education and industry among the Indians and destitute settlers in Canada. By the funds of this society, assisted by benevolent persons in Canada and the United States, a school was opened at Caughnawaga, of one hun. dred Indian pupils; another at Kingston, of one hundred, mostly poor children; at Quebec, one of forty-five; at Montreal, one of one hundred and fifty; at Westleyville, one of fifty; besides aid granted towards building four school-houses among the Indians and poor settlers. A large number of Sunday-schools and libraries have been assisted with the books sent from this country. The Rev. T. Osgood, the society's agent, has arrived in England with strong testimonials, to procure further assistance to promote the object. The committee state, that the institution has already done much; and they are persuaded that a seminary, in which teachers should be trained up in the knowledge and practice of the useful arts, and receive instructions in grammar, arithmetic, and, when necessary, the French and Indian languages, would prove the most powerful means of accomplishing the design of the institution; care being employed to select such persons as possess zeal, prudence, piety, and industry. The committee are of opinion, that such a plan can be carried into effect with very moderate funds. In reference to the aborigines, the committee are of opinion, that they shall best fulfil the views of the society by collecting information with respect to the different tribes, and the means for ameliorating their condition; and by establishing a seminary for the instruction of Indian youths, and

1829.]

Poor Pious Clergy Society.

other persons, to go forth as teachers and civilizers.

The committee make an earnest appeal to the public in Great Britain and Ireland, to assist their endeavours; and with great confidence, as one of the primary objects of the institution is to provide education, and the means of subsisting on their own industry and labour, for poor emigrants who arrive from England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Subscriptions will be received by Messrs. Hatchard, in aid of the society's benevo lent and Christian object.

POOR PIOUS CLERGY SOCIETY.
The following are extracts from letters
of clergymen relieved by the society dur-
ing the last year.
We need add nothing
to them, to shew the value of this truly
excellent and well-conducted institution.

1. "I can truly state that few labouring
men are more harassed than I have been.
At the same time, what care and industry
could do has not been neglected. The
world knows not nor suspects the trials
endured by clergymen of narrow incomes,
and in respectable situations; nor
they be fully told but in the ears of Chris-
tian brethren."

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2. "I have experienced such an accumulation of distress as has, at last, very much weakened my mind. My wife was dying for near six months, and I was her chief attendant. My second son, after an expensive education, could for a long time obtain no situation in which to earn his bread; my daughter unprovided for in any way; my youngest son so weak in mind as to be unfit for any thing but the most common labouring work, of which he has none. All these and other things have so wrought upon me, that my head is unable to bear any application; and I frequently can obtain very little sleep. With difficulty I perform my Sunday duty. I feel so distressed at the idea of dishonouring religion by unpaid debt, and so harassed by an incessant struggle to avoid it, that my life, I fear, will be little more than constant misery. Such is the outline of my present situation, which I must leave in the hands of God, that he may do with me what seemeth him good."

Acknowledgment of the relief granted to the foregoing case :

"With feelings of deepest gratitude to the Father of all mercies, and to the members of your committee, I acknowledge the receipt of l. inclosed in a very kind and consoling letter. Your communication has tended much to comfort and heal my wounded spirit, which by a series of heavy trials has been sorely pressed down. But I trust my faith will grow stronger in the Rock of my Salvation, and that I shall be enabled still more and more to trust in him for all I may need both for time and eternity. My mind, through mercy, begins to gather strength."

443

3. "I have a wife and nine children dependent on me; and my income, which is usually ninety-five pounds per annum, has fallen short of that sum during the present year by eighteen pounds. Real necessity alone has compelled me to make this application; and any assistance which you shall be pleased to render will be very gratefully received."

66

4 "I have not words to express my gratitude for the very liberal donation of l. voted me by the committee of the Poor Pious Clergy Society. Most acceptable indeed is it, especially at this time when bread is at so great a price with us. It is, I assure you, with difficulty that I can furnish my family-a wife and nine children, all at home but twowith a scanty supply of this necessary article of life, and occasionally with a little butcher's meat. Clerical income, eighty pounds per annum; addition, through wife's marriage settlement, forty pounds per annum."

5. "I have now eight children only, having buried two since I came hither. They are all dependent on me for support and education. I perform three full services every Sabbath, besides a Wednesday evening lecture. The average number of the congregation is from 800 to 1000; the church not admitting any more at one time."

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6. My stipend from my church at — is seventy pounds per annum; there is no parsonage house; and for a dwelling at a neighbouring village, one mile distant, besides I pay twelve pounds per annum, taxes. Seven children and a sickly wife depend upon my exertions for support. Ten persons, including myself, eat daily at my table; and we could not make even a commonly decent appearance, were it not for the assistance which your society has from time to time afforded us. Hitherto your grant has been laid out in the purchase of necessaries, as soon as it has arrived; and my wife and children are looking with heartfelt anxiety to the result of this application. I have double duty on Sundays, and a week-day evening lecture, in my church. The people are very poor, a few substantial farmers exThe population amounts cepted.

about 800."

to

7. "This moment I have received your kind letter, inclosing -. said to be granted for the relief of myself and two sickly sisters in our old and tottering age. Be pleased to return our sincere thanks to the committee for supplying our temporal

wants.

This remittance was a special help in time of need; for a few hours before, I was telling my sisters that I did not know what to do for money to buy corn, cheese, and butter for the following week. Oh, what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits! This is an additional proof of the mercy of God towards his unworthy servant; and evidences the truth of the Psalmist's assertion,

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Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.' I am seventy-seven years of age; fifty-four of which I have been in holy orders, serving small curacies in this my native diocese. My annual salary is fifty pounds, from which arises my sole subsistence."

8. "I am a very old man, aged seventysix, during fifty of which, if I live till August next, I shall have been a minister of the Established Church, always in full employ with very scanty means. For twenty-four years I was curate of three small parishes, for serving which my highest salary was forty pounds per annum; which was the cause of poverty and distress to myself, wife, and family. We had eight children, only two of whom are now alive."

9. "I have still eleven children, all dependent on me. I perform two services on the Sabbath, besides baptisms and visiting the sick frequently on the same day, my parishes being very populous and extensive. The average number of my congregations at is between 3 and 400, of communicants 145; and at near 1000, communicants about 250. The sacrament is administered monthly in each church."

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KENYON COLLEGE. OHIO.

A member of this interesting and valuable institution has furnished us with the following recent information respecting it. "During a residence at Gambier of nearly nine months, I have been much gratified, not merely by witnessing the progress of the college buildings, the increase in the number of students, and the rapid improvements visible in that, as in other infant settlements in the West; but also by observing the truly moral and religious demeanour of the professors and students, their zeal in the propagation of pure Christiauity, their activity in the distribution of Bibles and tracts among the numerous poor and morally destitute in the vicinity of the college, and their affectionate and Christian intercourse among themselves.

"When I left Gambier last month the college was roofed in, its lofty steeple was nearly completed, its floors were mostly laid, and every hope was entertained of its becoming habitable by the first of August. The foundation stone of a beautiful church (to be nominated Rosse Chapel), had been laid, and the intended site of Cornish, a new town situate on the college lands at the distance of five miles from the institution, had been surveyed under the direction of our venerated bishop. By their own exertions the students had organized a Bible society, auxiliary to the American, in connexion with a Sunday-school society; and had resolved to supply the destitute in Knox county with Bibles, in the course of a single year.

A society for improvement in literature had been established several months; and during my residence at Gambier, they had instituted a horticultural society, and a society for improvement in psalmody. In addition to these is a society auxiliary to the American Colonization Society; the object of which is to furnish poor emancipated Negroes with the means to proceed to the colony of Liberia; a Missionary society and a Prayer-book and Tract society. Their Sunday-school system is ably conducted, and, by the Divine blessing, appears to be productive of beneficial effects among the neighbouring poor. The elder students direct eight Sunday-schools; of which several are from five to seven miles distant from the college. They are held in the school-houses, so wisely erected by the government, even in the midst of the wilderness, for the instruction of the rising generation; and are attended by persons of both sexes, of every age, and of all denomintions of Christians. Early on the Sunday morning the students may be seen issuing forth in pairs to their respective schools, on their benevolent and pious errand, bearing with them books and tracts adapted to the comprehension of their scholars. Between 500 and 600 scholars, in this widely scattered population, are instructed by them in these schools. Thus is the desert made to bud and blossom as the rose.' A printer had been procured, and the excellent press sent out by Lady Acland had been usefully employed in printing the Report of the proceedings of the late annual convention of the diocese of Ohio, and the

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Report of the anniversary of the Bible society of Kenyon College and its vicinity.

"The above is a sketch of the present state of Kenyon College; an institution entitled to the warmest support of the Christian world, whether we consider the great influence which it appears likely to exert on the moral state of the West; or whether we regard it as a barrier against Infidelity and Unitarianism on the one hand, and Popery and, I may add, fanaticism on the other; for within one hundred miles from Kenyon College, and in the same State, is the large and flourishing popish college at Somerset ; and in the adjoining State of Kentucky is the great Unitarian Transylvanian university at Lexington.

"The institution stands upon a hill rising abruptly on the western, and sloping gradually on the eastern side. A beautiful and romantic stream, now called Vernon river, but formerly known by the appellation of Owl Creek, flows within a hundred yards of the college, at the foot of the western side of the hill. Hence it flows in a south-eastern direction for more than a mile, when it is stopped by the mill-dam, and its power applied to turning two pairs of stones, and working an excellently constructed

1829.] School Society-Missionary Society-Obit.: J.M.Feneberg. 445

saw-mill. The climate is salubrious, some degree, though it partakes, in of the vicissitudes of heat and cold so universal throughout North America. The forests are exceedingly romantic, and the soil fertile and exuberant in the highest degree. Grape vines twine among the lofty trees, and the finest melons, cucumbers, and other valuable productions, grow almost spontaneously. Peaches are so plentiful, that the swine are fattened upon them. Wild honey is produced in great quantities; and in the spring much sugar is procured from the sap of a species of maple-tree. Many of the forest trees attain surprising magnitude. I have seen a sycamore-tree forty-five feet in circumference, and of corresponding height."

NEWFOUNDLAND SCHOOL

SOCIETY.

The committee of this society have determined upon extending the operations of the society to the continent of North America. It was never intended by the society to stop at Newfoundland, but, as they were favoured by Divine Providence, to penetrate the recesses of North America and carry the lamp of Christian knowledge intotheCanadas, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The moment for this advance, they think, has now arrived. The population of these colonies consists of hundreds of thousands of persons; and the ecclesiastical establishments formed by the government, or conducted under the management of the Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, are unequal to the spiritual wants of the great and growing

population of these provinces, which is
scattered over an immense surface of
country. There is, in particular, a want
of free daily and Sunday schools, especi-
ally in the newly-formed and distant set-
tlements, which present a wider and more
uncultivated waste than was found by the
society in Newfoundland.

It is with great satisfaction that the
committee state, that they have obtained
the approbation and assistance of his
Majesty's government to establish schools
in the British provinces in North Ame-
The respective governors are to
rica.
make the necessary grants of land to the
society for its schools, and a free passage
is to be provided for the teachers in his
Majesty's transports. The society will
henceforth be called by the name of "The
Newfoundland and British North-Ame-
rica Society for educating the Poor."

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

At a special meeting of the friends of this society, to take leave of the missionaries about to embark with Dr. Philip, for South Africa, upwards of 2500l. were The recent collected to assist the society's important labours in that quarter. measures of his Majesty's government for securing to the injured aborigines of the soil, not being slaves, (for they, alas! are still oppressed,) their civil rights, have excited much satisfaction, and led to the enlarged sphere of missionary operations now under contemplation by the society. A variety of most interesting particulars will be found in a paper printed by the society and prefixed to our last Number, to which we refer our readers.

OBITUARY.

JOHN MICHAEL FENEBERG.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer. You some time since inserted in your publication a memoir of the late almost Protestant Roman-Catholic Martin Boos, translated from the Archives du Christianisme. I had so much pleasure in observing, amongst many of your readers, the interest excited by that memoir, that I now send you an account of a fellowlabourer of Boos, John Michael Feneberg, whom that great and good man assisted They were for some time as curate. members therefore of the same church, witnesses of the same Evangelical principles, partakers of the same sufferings, and, eventually, through the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, having fought the good fight, and kept the faith,

heirs of the same glory. As Feneberg died as long ago as 1812, the paper does not, perhaps, come regularly under your Obituary department; but it appears to me so useful and interesting, that I should rejoice to see it inserted, even a little out of its place.

The contemplation of the character of such individuals as Boos and Feneberg,of whom I believe there are many, even in that church which is so completely in its general character the mother of abominations,-may not only serve to excite the gratitude of the Protestant Christian to the Giver of all good, and to enlarge his charity, but also to stimulate his labours in the dissemination of the light of the Gospel under a purer and more scriptural system. It is indeed delightful to be able to hope that, amidst the one hundred and thirty millions who are said to be contained in the Roman-Catholic church

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