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Marriott, Hoare, and Cunningham, warned their countrymen of those evils, following in the path which had been trodden by a Bacon, a Clarendon, and a Hurd, at former periods of our history.

In proportion to the smallness of the number of those who have visited other countries with religious views and on Christian principles, is the value we set on such a traveller as Mr. Campbell. This pious and persevering agent of the London Missionary Society has undergone perils by land and by water, and braved the heats, and savages, and monsters of an African continent, once and again; as a pioneer to that army of faithful soldiers, which we trust will soon take the field, and wrest from the rulers of the darkness of this world the ground which forms a part of the inheritance of the King of kings. While some can speculate on a fallen shaft, lament its broken capital, and measure the height from whence it has been precipitated; he has been more disposed to weep over the moral ruin of the human mind, to contrast its present degradation with its primeval dignity; to find out a station for fixing that machinery which is designed to set it up on its base, that it may be a pillar in the temple of our God, never more to go out." While others are poring over inscriptions, and are content to have their dwelling among the tombs, that they may dig for treasures to gratify an antiquarian fancy; he has been rather anxious to trace, among hordes of barbarians living in the valley of the shadow of death, some of the sympathies of our common nature, some glimmering of traditional light, some feelings which may identify the children of Ham with the sons of Japhet;

"Some glorious fragments of a soul immortal,

With rubbish mix'd, and glittering in the

dust."

Mr. Campbell left Cape Town on the 18th of January 1820, with

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two friends and some Hottentot servants, in waggons drawn by oxen, and journeyed through the country of the wild Bushmen towards the Orange river. In the neighbourhood of the Tropic of Capricorn, the thermometer rose to above 100 in the shade. It is curious, that the poor natives in this sultry district had no idea of the comfort or refreshment of ablution. Covered with dirt, ochre, and cowdung, they could not be prevailed on to wash themselves. They prefer greasing their bodies, which causes so unpleasant a smell, that they do not drink of the fountain which may happen to be nearest their kraal, or dwelling-place, lest the odour of their visit should deter animals which they are accustomed to seize for food from coming to water. The party crossed the Orange river and arrived at Griqua Town. Here Mr. C. was refreshed by the sight of a missionary settlement, and a school, conducted according to the British system, of more than one hundred children, who gave fair promise that the labours of their teachers would not be in vain.

Proceeding to New Lattakoo, he was received with kindness by King Mateebe. A missionary station, under the patronage of his sable majesty, was found here also, with a chapel of commodious size. Mateebe is very civil to the missionaries, but expects to receive presents from them. He is very angry, however, if any of his subjects beg of them. In one of the divisions of the Lattakoo territory, Mr. C. was entertained by Malawoo, chief of five hundred Bootshuanas, who had a black beard about an inch long, on his upper lip and the lower part of his chin, while the skin of a long serpent was wrapped round his forehead, its head hanging over his brow. The good offices of this ferocious-looking captain were propitiated by a present of snuff, of which the natives are remarkably fond. Kos

see,, chief of Mashow, was with Mateebe, and it was agreed that Mr. C. should visit his domain. When our traveller mentioned to Mateebe his wish to proceed thither, that no obstacle might arise on his part, he replied, "I will never hinder the progress of the word of God." On his arrival at Mashow, he was entertained in a friendly manner by the chief and grandees, among whom the missionaries divided two buffaloes which they had shot; and a public meeting being held, an old patrician delivered a speech in favour of the designs of the visitors.

Our traveller next entered Kurrechane, the farthest point of his journey northward. It is the capital of the Marootzees, containing 16,000 inhabitants, and about 900 miles distant, E. N. E. from the settlement of the Cape of Good Hope. The natives beheld the white men with the utmost astonishment. The aged laughed, and the young screamed. There were many circumstances of interest in this part of the journey.

Round the town were many old cattle

inclosures, built of stone, some parts as neatly done as if they had been erected by European workmen; and the houses themselves were surrounded by stone walls, of which some were plaistered and painted yellow on the outside. Their dwellings are in a circular form; and the neatness, regularity, and embellishment, do great credit to the taste of the Joneses and Wrens of Africa. They discover also much ingenuity in the manufacture of articles of pottery, and in the smelting of iron and copper. They practise inoculation for the small-pox between the eyebrows.

The king was a minor, and his uncle governed as regent. It is the custom, if the sovereign die without issue by his eldest queen, that his brother should marry her, and "raise up seed unto his brother," and the fruit of such an union will succeed to the prejudice of all other. The regent was presented with some bread and cheese, a red worsted night-cap, a kaleidoscope, and a portrait of Prince Leopold, which were graciously received, his Highness remark

ing, that the white man had made him

quite light to-day." The natives were highly amused at seeing the Hottentots cook the victuals, and seemed much amazed

that any dish should be removed from table before its contents were eaten. They were also delighted at hearing the singing at divine worship. A peetso, or general meeting of chiefs, was held during the stay of our traveller, for which they prepared themselves by painting each other's bodies with wet pipe-clay of a French gray colour. Three or four hundred persons attended, who took their stations in regular rows opposite the regent. A grand chorus was sung, and a chief rising gave three howls, and made an oration on the loss of some cattle which he suspected to have been stolen by the Boquains, a neighbouring nawhich was agreed to by the assembly. He tion, and proposed to march against them, also spoke favourably of the visit from the strangers. After the assembly had been addressed by other captains, the regent's brother concluded the meeting by a long speech, during one part of which the regent and

young king danced. The whole company afterwards rose with tumultuous noise, and departed with such speed, that in one minute the square was cleared. The meeting lasted about four hours.

1

But such publications as this of Mr. C. are chiefly interesting as bearing on the subject of religion. At Lattakoo, the natives have been persuaded by the missionaries to leave off their predatory excursions in search of cattle from neighbouring tribes. King Mateebe said, "All are pleased with the word, but we cannot comprehend it." At evening worship, they used to call out, Come and hear the news of the Son of God." A poor female among the Matchappees, named Manyena, gave the following account of her experience:

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She called and told me, that when she first heard of the Bible she did not think it was true; but when she found it describe her heart so exactly, she could not but believe what it said. She was determined, she added, always to live near some place where the word of God was preached, where she might hear about a crucified Saviour, though she should starve. Jesus died for sinners, and she would not leave the Word. She prayed that I might be carried safe back to the Cape and to England.Vol. ii. p. 170.

Our readers will be pleased with such facts as these. Let us not

despise the day of small things. When God gives the word, great will be the company both of preach

ers and hearers. Mean time, it is no trifling matter that Mr. Campbell should have travelled among these hordes without molestation; and if at the missionary settlements there are some hearers who seem to expect some brandy, or musquetry, or the use of a plough, as the price of their attendance, yet others believe to the saving of the soul. Most unfeignedly do we rejoice in the success of the United Brethren, and the London Missionary Society, in this labour of love; and pray that, if it be the will of our heavenly Father, the agents of these fraternities having extended yet further their course upward, and our friends of the Established Church penetrating latitudinally, they may meet in the centre of that continent, whose miseries have so powerful a demand on our sympathy, and whose wrongs have so long and loudly called for reparation.

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A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Gloucester, by Henry Ryder, D. D. Bishop of Gloucester.-Payne. 1822. THERE are few publications more deeply interesting to the attentive inquirer into the actual state of religion among ourselves, than the charges and sermons delivered at episcopal visitations. The occasion is solemn, and the opportunity most important; yet, in many instances, it is allowed to pass without any correspondent imA mere perfunctory provement. address, a discussion of some political question, some new act of the Legislature, or some recent controversy, is made the basis of a well-written and a well-delivered address; no word of ministerial exhortation is introduced; it is taken for granted, that all the clergy are exactly what they ought to be; and after mutual bows and compliments, the parties often separate in high good humour with themselves and each other.

Widely different, however, is the Charge now before us. In two former instances, his Lordship had adverted to the general duties of the ministerial profession, the performance of the service, the tenour of the sermon, and the various offices which commence, continue, and close the minister's pastoral communications with each member of his flock. He then introduces. the subject of his present Charge.

mains: I have to explain and to urge upon The most important and difficult part reyou the indirect teaching by example-by the elevating standard, and the attractive influence of a life, consistent with the precepts, and congenial with the doctrine, which you preach.—Pp. 7, 8. And shortly after adds,

evil, that what our people hear, will But such is the natural preference of rarely indeed counterbalance the effect of what they see; and the vices, the dissipation, the worldliness, and the lukewarmness of the man will generally render utterly vain the prayers and the preaching of the

priest, however duly commissioned, how

ever solemnly set apart for his office.

His

words must come from the heart, or they will never reach the heart. The precept must be accompanied and recommended by the exemplification: the picture delineated must have its counterpart, in some measure, in the picture embodied. The preacher's doctrine must be confirmed by the daily and hourly lesson of his conduct. He must be able, in his measure, to say with St. Paul*, "Be ye followers of me, even as also I am his ministry;" the very seal of his office, the of Christ," or he will make no "proof of charge he undertook, the title he assumed, the privileges and opportunities he enjoyed, the powers and means of usefulness he poshim not only his own, but his people's sessed, will rise up in judgment against "blood will be upon his head," and he will inherit "double condemnation."Pp. 8, 9.

His Lordship then considers the clerical life; first, in its pursuits of business; secondly, in its relaxations and amusements; and concludes with the motives which can alone dictate, and the means which can alone, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, secure its right

1 Cor. ii. 1.

and profitable regulation. Happy would it be for the church at large, happy for every individual minister, were these suggestions of his Lordship invariably attended to. Under the pursuits of business, the Charge alludes to agriculture, tuition, and the magistracy; the snares and dangers of each of which are succinctly but admirably pointed out, and at the same time the benefits in some instances resulting are well illustrated.

youth, and to mould it, while tender and pliable, into the frame which will promote its happiness here and hereafter. His people may also be benefited, from time

to time, by the introduction of a youthful disciple, who may take delight in treading in the steps, and sharing in his little meathe reader of the Scripture in the cottagesure the labours of his revered master, as the subordinate instructor of the Sunday

school-the humble but anxious aspirant after admission, in due time, into that blessed office, which he will have learnt, thus early, to understand, to prize, to love, and to desire.

But with these advantages this engagement has its peculiar evils and temptations: it cannot but divert much time from thoroughly clerical studies and occupations→ it exhausts the spirits and tries the temper -it has a tendency to habituate the mind to a train of ideas, to a tone of feeling and a moral taste, wholly adverse to vital religion-to make the preacher, in the strong language of Bishop Horsley, "the ape of Epictetus," instead of "the ambassador of Christ," and to cast a deadening apathy or a sickly refinement over all his ministra-" tions, especially in the cottage and among the poor.

Thanks be to God, this is only a tendency, and we have examples of its complete counteraction.-Pp. 16, 17.

On entering upon the second part of his subject his Lordship states,

Of such pursuits, personal attention to the sources of our pecuniary support, and especially the superintendence of our as signed portion of land, stands obviously the first. That degree of regard to our temporal concerns, which will prevent waste, and enable us to "owe no man any thing," which will maintain our families in decent comfort, educate our children, and provide, if possible, some moderate inheritance for those whom we leave behind, cannot, in the present circumstances of the church, be blamed. It is not incompatible with Christian duty, or with the standard of ministerial spirituality. It is even needful to prevent many scandals and offences, which neglect and consequent distress would produce. But all beyond the devotion of any considerable time to these objects-the indulgence of anxious solicitude The relaxations and pleasures of the -the aim at "much goods laid up in clerical life must be such as become one, store," directly overstep the boundary, and who is by profession a guide to eternity plunge us into sin. Innocent as agricul--who points to heaven and leads the way: tural pursuits, the primitive business of man, appear, even they are found to draw us down and chain us to the earth; and our personal occupation of land is, on that very account, justly and wisely restrained by the Legislature within narrow limits. Indeed, the very nature of the property, which was from the earliest period and by Scriptural authority, set apart for the subsistence of the clerical order, clearly proves the intention of secluding us, as much as may be, from worldly cares. The tithe severed, the corn in the sheaf, the hay in the mow, prepared for our use, are so many mementos of the design of the institution, in which we hold a place-endowed with gratuitous provision, and therefore consecrated to the undivided service of our God and Saviour.-Pp. 12, 13.

In speaking of a clergyman as a tutor, his Lordship observes,

Accustomed in his parochial career to read characters in a spiritual sense, and to suit his advice to each varying shade of disposition, he will be best calculated to develope and to fix the changeful soul of

they must be consistent with the character of a watchman and steward of the Lord, of one who "watches for souls that he may give account *.”—P. 23.

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To private Christians it has often been recommended, as the test of the lawfulness of a diversion, to consider whether, after a day or an evening thus spent, the devotions will be as heartily and satisfactorily performed; whether the train of ideas and imaginations, which it generates, will be favourable or unfavourable to a religious frame of mind; and whether the individual would be content to be summoned to his account from amid such a scene and such an occupation. To this test, in the case of a clerical diversion, it must surely be added: Will it tend to fit or to unfit you, not only for the punctual but for the cordial discharge of your sacred duties? Will it leave you as disposed and qualified to lead the prayers of the congregation with that lively earnestness, that "spirit of suppli cation," which becomes such matter and such expressions-with the heart obviously

*Heb. xiii. 17.

in the work, with the whole soul" drawing nigh unto God?" Will it leave you as capable and willing to exhort and to supplicate by the bed of sickness, with the Christian sympathy of a soul daily intent upon heavenly things, and inured to the contemplation of death and eternity? And again, how will the sight of the minister engaged in such diversions affect the feelings with which his people view him? Will it produce in any measure on their parts a contagious indifference and lukewarmness in their common devotions, and a want of that, not only mental, but hearty assent, that realizing reception of the truths delivered from the pulpit, which can alone give them their full influence and power? Will the sight produce in them any suspicion of their minister's sincerity, any mistrust of the efficacy of his ministrations, and, if not a contempt of his person, yet a contemptuous refusal of that reverential regard, with which the ministerial character should always be invested?Pp. 24, 25.

In touching upon objectionable amusements, his Lordship recommends the perusal of "Three Dialogues on the Amusements of Clergymen," intimating, at the same time, that the author yields too much for personal safety, and for the steady maintenance of the standard of ministerial example. After adverting to the pleasures of literature, society, &c. he proceeds:

The most tempting excursion, however innocent and refreshing, should be gladly

sacrificed at the call of duty-the pastor should be readily reassumed by the deeplyinterested student—and the man of God should ever shine through the agreeable companion. Alone or in company, in business or in pleasure, in the most sublime and pathetic exercises of our profession, and in the least intellectual occupations of our lives, the predominant quality of the mind should, as much as possible, be spirituality-the characteristic feature of our conduct should be consistent devotedness to the service of Christ, and of our brethren, for whom Christ died.-Pp. 32, 33.

The last passage we can quote relates to the motives and principles which can alone produce such a character.

It is the love of Christ: a love, springing from a heartfelt consciousness of our own guilt and helplessness, from a thorough conviction, that through the blood and intercession alone of Christ we can be

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delivered from this state, and from a humble hope that we are in some measure thus delivered: a love, abounding in the warmest and liveliest gratitude to this our own Deliverer and Redeemer; a love therefore ready to overflow in the most selfdenying sacrifices and the most laborious efforts to promote the glory and kingdom of that Redeemer, and to bring souls, equally lost in themselves and yet equally precious to him, to the same wholesome self-knowledge and to the same blessed hope of salvation.

To a heart animated by this motive, what business will be fully satisfactory, what pleasure truly acceptable, but the business and the pleasure of Him that sent us-the labours and the joys of the ministry?-P. 36.

We proceed one step further before we close. By what means are these invaluable dispositions to be introduced and established in the heart, a soil naturally averse to such a culture, and barren of such plants? He, who hath the key of all hearts, replies, " "Search the Scriptures *"-" Learn of me+"-" Ask, (i. e. ask for the Holy Spirit), and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you"-" Daily read and weigh the Scriptures §," not only with commentaries, as a study for your profession, but sometimes alone, as an oracle

and a standard for yourselves; with no comment but that of parallel passages, "comparing spiritual things with spiritual."-Pp. 37, 38.

Long may such sentiments as these be impressed on the attendants of an episcopal visitation! Long may his Lordship be spared thus faithfully to discharge the duties of his high situation; and may many, yea all of his clergy, and those of other dioceses, partake of his spirit and temper; and then, whatever may be the fears of some or the wishes of others, our Zion shall most assuredly be established and prosper.

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