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the towns in which I distributed them. They were like a partial shower passing through a widely extended country, withered and parched with drought." How affecting the consideration, that in this christian land, so many children should be trained up, and so many parents grow old and die, without possessing the Bible. On every side of us are fellow beings, who want the best blessing which God has bestowed on men, and which, with very little trouble and expense, we can communicate to them.

Bibles are not only wanted in many poor families, but still more in our garrisons and ships of war. Some of these have received Bibles from government, but the supply is in no measure adequate to the demand. In England great efforts are made to furnish soldiers and seamen with the word of God; and officers of distinction have born testimony to the happy influence of these pious efforts.

But even if there were no demand for Bibles among ourselves, there would still remain a wide field for the exertions of this Society. When we look beyond our own country, we behold vast and almost innumerable multitudes, who bear the christian name, but who want the means of obtaining the sacred volume. True, they are inhabitants of distant regions; but still they are fellow christians, perhaps poor and oppressed, yet many of them able to read the word of God, and most eager to receive it.

No sincere christian can need arguments to convince him, that he is bound to contribute to the diffusion of christianity through the world. This is a religion designed for all nations. Jesus Christ commanded his diciples to preach it to every creature under heaven; and shall we do nothing in aid of this great design? Is the gospel the appointed instrument of God for restoring the world to purity and peace? Has the Son of God died to impart this invaluable blessing to our race? Have holy men of all ages toiled and suffered to diffuse it through the earth, and to perpetuate it to unborn generations; and shall we do nothing to extend the knowledge and

power of this salutary truth, of the word of eternal life?

To excite us to this most christian work we have an example, which, on this anniversary, ought never to be forgotten. Your committee refer to the British and Foreign Bible Society, that wonderful institution, the glory of our age. The exertions of this Society surpass all praise. Its branches are spread through the whole kingdom. Auxiliary societies, patronized by the most distinguished and venerable men of the country, and including christians of all denominations, are springing up with astonishing rapidity. No charity in the world was ever espoused with equal zeal. Christians of all classes, from the sovereign on the throne to the common laborer, are uniting their exertions to spread the Bible, not only through their own nation, but though the world. Already this divine light has beamed from Great Britain over a large part of Europe. It has penetrated and cheered the frozen regions of the north, and even Asia and Africa are. sharing in its reviving influences; and shall we do nothing, when our fellow christians are doing so much? Shall the honor, the happiness, the rewards of such efforts be confined to others, whose obligation is certainly not stronger than our own?

It is indeed true, that our ability to promote the object now recommended, is diminished by the war in which we are involved. But still, how many among us can contribute at least enough to purchase one Bible for the destitute, and how many can contribute more? We should remember that God's blessing on our suffering nation is not to be obtained, by giving up the few exertions, which we have hitherto made for the diffusion of christianity. Perhaps one cause of the frowns of providence upon our land is this, that we have so ungratefully neglected to employ our prosperity and our connexions with other na tions for the religions improvement of the world. We have visited all regions, and enriched ourselves with the productions of every clime But where have we given aid to the cause

of christianity? Through what nation have we helped to spread the word of God, the good tidings of salvation by Jesus Christ?

In the present convulsed and disordered state of the world, it is most consoling and cheering to see so many christians, of different countries aud different denominations, forgetting their divisions, and uniting in one great effort, for making known the scriptures to every nation under heaven. Like the rainbow in a dark and stormy sky, this is a promise of a brighter and hap

pier day. It is suited to carry forward our thoughts to that predicted period, when the knowledge of God shall fill the earth, and all nations be joined in love to their common Father and Redeemer, and to one another. We should rejoice, that it is the design of providence to effect this revolution by the instrumentality of christians, and we should esteem it our privilege and happiness, that we may bear a part in this inexpressibly sublime and merciful work of God.

W. E. CHANNING, Chairman.

The officers of the Massachusetts Bible Society, elected June, 1813.
His Honor WILLIAM PHILLIPS, President,
Rev. JOHN LATHROP, D.D. Vice President,

Rev. SAMUEL C. THACHER, Corresponding Secretary,
Rev JOHN PIERCE, Recording Secretary,

Mr. JOHN TAPPAN, Treasurer,

Mr. JOHN GREW, Assistant Treasurer.

Rev. James Freeman, D. D.
Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D. D.
Rev. Abiel Holmes D D.
Rev. Thomas Baldwin, D. D.
Rev. Charles Lowell,
Rev. Joshua Huntington,
Samuel Salisbury, Esq.
Hon. Thomas Dawes,

John Tucker, Esq.

TRUSTEES.

Joseph Hurd, Esq.
Hon. Dudley A. Tyng,
Samuel Parkman, Esq.
Joseph May, Esq.
Henry Hill, Esq.
Hon. William Brown,
Hon. Isaac Parker,
Hon. Peter C. Brooks,
Dea. John Simpkins.

Donations the past year, omitted by mistake in the Report.

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Rev. John Pierce, collected in a Cent Society in Brookline

39 33

From two ladies in Medfield, by the hands of Rev. Dr. Prentiss,

6 50

Rev. Mr. Thomson (Rehoboth), collected by him

3 00

Rev. Thomas Andross (Berkley)

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Warren Dutton, Esq. (Boston)

5 00

8 00 5 00 50 00

38 56

50 00

Anonymous, by the hands of Rev. Mr. Greenough, (Newton)

A young lady in Franklin, through the hands of Rev. Dr. Emmons
Hon. Peter C. Brooks, second donation

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Rev. John Pierce, collected in a Cent Society, 2d collection
Samuel Salisbury, Esq. (yearly subscription)

Ordination.

July 14, 1813, the Rev. JOHN L. ABBOTT was ordained to the pastoral care of the first church and congregation in Boston.

Candidates for the ministry, recently approbated.

Mr. JOSEPH HAVEN, and Mr. NATHANIEL WHITMAN, Cambridge.

THE

No. 5.

CHRISTIAN DISCIPLE.

SEPTEMBER, 1813.

VOL I.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE
REV. JOHN HOWE.
Continued from p. 102.

MR. HOWE, having been about
five years in Ireland, received a
very pressing invitation to return
to England, and settle in the
ministry in the city of London.
This circumstance naturally im-
plies, that the restraints laid on
the dissenters had been in some
degree removed.
The call to
London was received by Mr.
Howe, as a matter which deserv-
ed the most serious considera-
tion. Prior to giving any an-
swer, he took a voyage to that
place, to make particular inqui-
ry as to the prospects of useful-
ness. On this occasion he com-
mitted some things to writing,
which have been preserved. By
this private paper it very clear-
ly appears, what were the
thoughts and meditations of his
heart, in view of that unexpect-
ed occurrence; the concern he
felt, lest he should be too much
influenced to a decision in favor

of complying with the call, from improper motives, and undue regard to popularity and wealth. In this singular paper a number of questions are stated, and answered in a course of self examination. It also contains a

number of considerations, designed for the comfort of his wife and other relations, in case he should be called by death, in the course of his voyage; from which it appears, that he lived as became a dying creature, and that he contemplated the event of his own dissolution without terror or dismay.

The third query in his self-examination was this-"Am I not afraid of miscarrying-by shipwreck, &c.-To this question he answers in six particulars; the following are the 4th, 5th, and

6th.

"4. It is pleasant to me here. upon to think of going into eternity; of laying down the body of flesh, and sin, and death together; and of being perfectly holy, and associated with them that are so in holy work and enjoyment."

"5. To put off this tabernacle so easily, I reckon would to me be a merciful dispensation, who am more afraid of sharp pains than of death. I think I should joyfully embrace those waves that should cast me on an unde. signed shore, and when I intend

ed Liverpool, should land me in

heaven.

"6. Yet I bless God, I have no weariness of life, nor of his work in this world, if he shall yet please to employ me here."

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In the consolations for his wife and other relations, we have eight particulars-three of which will be quoted.

"6. I have, through the grace of God, preached immortal truth, which will survive, and may be to your advantage.

7. As to you, who have dependence on me for worldly concerns; I was never a good projector for the world; so the loss is not great. How many dear to God, make a shift in a worse condition! Forget not the motto, God will provide. He that feeds ravens, and takes care of sparrows, will he not take care of you? Are you of his family, and will he not take care of his own? Instead of distrust and repining, give thanks. O bless him with all your soul, that he hath revealed and given himself to you for an everlasting portion; and whose covenant is to be your God, and the God of yours.

"8. Let it be some satisfaction to you, that I go willingly, under no dread, with no regret, but with some comfortable knowledge of my way and end."

The call to settle in London he accepted, and in the course of his ministry in that place he was eminently useful and highly respected.

For several years there was some relaxation of the laws, which affected the dissenters, but in 1681 they were rigorously enforced, and this rigor and in

tolerance continued for several succeeding years. However, during these perilous times Mr. Howe published several discourses, and wrote an exposition of the three epistles of John, which was published in the second volume of Mr. Pool's Annotations; he being one of the continuators of Pool's work.

In 1683 Lord Russel was beheaded, who was by Mr. Howe considered as an eminently good man. On this occasion he wrote a very long letter to the bereaved widow, in which he discovered the spirit of christian sympathy, and eminent talents for comforting the afflicted. In 1684 Bishop Barlow, of Lincoln, published a letter, pressing the execution of the laws against the dissenters. Mr. Howe wrote a private and anonymous letter to the Bishop, which was published. This letter was written with ability, and a most excellent temper. If the Bishop

were not past feeling, he must have been filled with trembling, or deep regret, on reading the epistle. Mr. Howe suggested to him that he must know, that a compliance with his orders would be the ruin of many, as to their temporal interest, "and not that only, but deprive them of the advantages appointed by our blessed Lord, for promoting their spiritual and eternal well being." He proceeded thus: "How well would this practice agree with that apostolic precept Him that is weak in the faith receive, but not to doubtful disputations.' I know not how your lordship would relieve yourself in this case, but by saying they were

not weak nor conscientious, but wilful and humorsome. But what shall then be said to the subjoined expostulation, Who art thou, that judgest thy brother?' We must, it seems, understand all this rigor your lordship shows, to proceed from love, and that you are for destroying the dissenters only to mend their understandings. But for the purposes your lordship seems to aim at, I wonder what you can expect. Can you by undoing men, change the judgment of their consciences? Or if they should tell you, we do indeed in our consciences judge, that we shall greatly offend God by complying with your injunctions, yet to save being undone we will do it; will this qualify them for your communion? But if you have misjudged, or misdone against your judgement, I pray God to rectify your error by gentler means, and by less affiction than you have designed to your brethren."

"In 1685 the dissenters were run down almost universally, and hardly any one durst speak or write in their favor," and the prospects every day grew more and more gloomy. Mr. Howe, therefore, having an invitation from lord Wharton, to go with him into foreign parts, readily accepted it. After he arrived in another country he wrote a letter to the people, whom he had been constrained to leave. In this, he gave them most excellent advice, and endeavoured to comfort them under the trials they endured from a persecuting spirit. It would be gratifying to us, had we room for it, to lay

this letter in full before our readers. But we must content ourselves with giving but a short extract from a long epistle. In urging his persecuted brethren to maintain a meek, humble, and patient temper, and to forbear every thing of a bitter or revengeful spirit under their sufferings, he writes thus: "Oh the gentleness, kindness, tenderness, and compassionateness of the evangelical, truly christian spirit, as it most eminently appeared in our Lord Jesus Christ himself! And we are told, if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his. How easy and pleasant is it to one's own self to be void of all wrathfulness, and vindictive designs or inclinations towards any other man? For my own part, I should not have that peace and consolation in a suffering condition, as through the goodness of God I have found, and do find, in being conscious to myself of no other than kind and benign thoughts towards them I have suffered by, and that my heart tells me, that I desire not the least hurt to them that would do me the greatest; and that I feel within myself an unfeigned love and high estimation of divers, accounting them pious, worthy persons, and hoping to meet them in the all reconciling world, who are yet through some mistake, too harsh towards us who dissent from them; and in all things of this nature, I pray that you and I may abound more and more."

In 1687, king James published a declaration in favor of liberty of conscience. Upon this Mr. Howe's friends in London

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