which it is built, is immoveable; and thus our faith may receive a renewed strength, when, perhaps, weakened by the convulsions of the age we live in. Besides, all the. Missionary efforts which lately have been made from so many various quarters in your highly favour ed island, afford a most pleasing and encouraging sight to thousands of Christians on the continent, who are anxiously waiting for the glorious manifestation of Christ's kingdom; and who exult at every fresh triumph of our blessed Immanuel over Satan's kingdom among Hea then idolaters or Christian infidels. Though separated from you by seas and lands, we stretch out to you the hand of brotherly love, kindly beseeching you, "Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Let no fear nor hinderance slacken your zeal. It is true, the present situation of your country seems a very critical one; but hope, and be undismayed. Many thousands of your Swiss and German brethren are most affectionately concerned for your weal and woe; and if you could see their closets opened, you would see them upon their knees, unanimously imploring God's fa vour and protection in your behalf, lest the promising seed of the gospel, which is so richly sown in your country, and begins to grow and blossom, should be destroyed by any tempestuous cloud hanging now over your head. The Lord, who is with us, is stronger than those that are against us. But, to add a few words concerning ourselves: The Lord has abundantly prospered our feeble endeavours, so that we had the satisfaction to witness a considerable increase of the members and friends of our Society. Our monthly Magazine finds an open door among friends of gospel-principles. Its principal design is, to preserve the fundamental doctrines of Christianity in their original purity, as they are delivered to us in the Holy Scriptures, to represent them in a plain popular way; and to warn all ranks of people, but more especially the lower classes, against being infected by those Deistical and Antichristian principles which are now spread all over the world. We endeavour likewise to pull down more and more the walls of Partition, which divide the various denominations of Christians; and to tie still faster the bond of an uni versal love among all who worship God in Spirit and in truth, and truly believe in his Son Jesus Christ; and in this view the Missionary Accounts, which you send us from time to time, are a very essential help for us, as they are sought after with great eagerness. Some time ago we paid a more particular attention to the Missionary Seminary at Berlin, being seriously disposed to do every thing in our power, that this important institution may be countenanced, supported, and wisely directed, so that it may produce subjects duly qua. lified for the noble purposes of the Missionary work. Finally. Farewell, dearly belov. ed brethren. We salute you most cordially; we wish you a thousand blessings; and remain, with neverceasing love and esteem, Yours, &c. An Account of the Annual Ce remony of Blessing the Apples, or First Fruits, in the Greek Churches. Extract of a Letter from Petersburgh, dated Aug. 7, 1803. YESTERDAY was the day set apart for the priest to receive and bless the apples, called The First Fruits; before which they are not permitted to be eaten. The cere mony is performed in a very solemn manner. As the morning was fine, I took a ride about four or five miles out of town. In going, the Imperial carriages passed me, with the singing men and boys be. longing to the Chapel Royal, on their way to a small chapel which stands near the palace. As I returned, I saw preparations making for the reception of their Imperial Majesties. I went in, without interruption, and waited about half walk have been seventy-one had he lived till the 24th of next month. He continued composed and cheerful to the end. He had been apprized of his dissolution for some days." Extract from a Communication in the Philadelphia Gazette. "Since his illness at Philadel con. phia, in the year 1801, he never regained his former good state of health. His complaint was stant indigestion, and a difficulty of swallowing food of any kind; but during this period of general debility, he was busily employed in printing his Church History, the first volume of his Notes on the Scriptures, and in making new and original experiments. During this wrote his period likewise, he and pamphlet of Jesus and Socrates compared; and reprinted his Essay on Phlogiston. an hour. In that time the Bishop, and five others of the clergy, arrived, and prepared the dresses: they all put on one and the same coloured dress, - a rich gown of scarlet velvet, finely ornamented with silver crosses. After I had waited some time, a woman pointed of the me to the opposite side chapel. I went; and soon after, the doors suddenly opened, when their Majesties entered, and came and stood within the reach of my ing-stick. I was much pleased with the great attention which they paid to their devotion. Two quantities of apples were brought in bags, carried within the altar, and kept there for some time: after which a little table was brought, and placed before the altar; covered with a covering of the same scarlet and silver velvet of which the priests' vestments were made. A plate of apples was then brought, and placed upon the table in a py ramidical form. The six priests came out, and stood around the table. The Bishop, with his mitre on, gave them his blessing, one of the priests perfuming them with incense all the time: after this, he threw the incense toward the Emperor, Empress, and Grand Duke. This being ended, an anthem was sung. The Bishop presented the Emperor and Empress each with a little loaf. The Bishop first, the priest following, went to the Emperor and kissed his left cheek and right hand; which salute he returned: they next went to the Empress, and kissed her hand; she returned by kissing Here the ceremony ended. J. H. which theirs. AMERICA. DEATH OF DR. PRIESTLEY. Extract of a Letter from T. Cooper, Esq. of Northumberland, to J. Woodhouse, Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pensylvania, Feb. 6. "YOUR old friend, Dr. Priestley, died this morning, without pain, at eleven o'clock. He would From about the beginning of Nov. 1803, to the middle of Jan. 1804, his complaint grew more serious; yet, by judicious medical treatment, and strict attention to diet, he, after some time, seemed, if not gaining strength, at least not getting worse; and his friends fondly hoped, that his health would continue to improve as the season ad.. vanced. He, however, considered his life as very precarious. Even at this time, besides his miscellaneous reading, which was at all times very extensive, he read through all the works quoted in his " Compa, rison of the different Systems of Grecian Philosophers with Christianity;" composed that work, and transcribed the whole of it, in less than three months; so that he has left it ready for the press. During this period, he composed, in one day, his Second Reply to Dr. Linn. In the last fortnight of Jan. his fits of indigestion became more a larming, his legs swelled, and his Within two weakness increased. days of his death he became so weak that he could walk but a little way, and that with great difficulty; for some time he found himself unable to speak; but on recovering a little, + None are permitted to sit in the Greek church; all stand, from the highest to the lowest. Hh he told his friends that he had never felt more pleasantly during his whole lifetime, than during the time he was unable to speak. He was fully sensible that he had not long to live; yet talked with cheerfulness to all who called on him. In the course of the day, he expressed his thankfulness at being permitted to die quiety, in his family, without pain, and with every convenience and comfort that he could wish for. He dwelt upon the peculiarly happy situation in which it had pleased the Divine Being to place him in life, and the great advantage he had enjoyed in the acquaintance and friendship of some of the best and wisest men of the age in which he lived, and the satisfaction he derived from having led an useful as well as happy life. He this day gave directions about printing the remainder of his Notes on Scripture (a work, in the completion of which he was much interested); looking over the first sheet of the third volume, after it was corrected by those who were to attend to its completion; and expressed his satisfaction at the manner of its being executed. "On Sunday, the 5th, he was much weaker; but sat up in an arm-chair for a few minutes. He desired that John, chap. xi, might be read to him: he stopped the reader at the 45th verse, dwelt for some time on the advantage he had derived from reading the Scriptures daily, and recommended this practice; saying, that it would prove a source of the purest pleasure. "We shall all,” said he,“ meet finally we only require different degrees of discipline suited to our different tempers, to prepare us for final happiness." Mr. coming into his room, he said, "You see, Sir, I am still living." Mr. observed, That he would always live. "Yes, I believe I shall: we shall meet again in another and a better world! He said this with great animation, laying hold of Mr. : 15 's hand in both his own. Af. ter evening-prayers, when his grand. children were brought to his bedde, he spoke to them separately, nd exhorted them to continue to ve each other, &c. "I am go. ing," added he, "to sleep as well as you; for death is only a good long sound sleep in the grave, and we shall meet again." "On Monday morning, the 9th of February, on being asked how he did, he answered, in a faint voice, That he had no pain; but appeared fainting away gradually. About eight o'clock, he desired to have three pamphlets, which had been looked out by his directions the evening before. He then dictated, as clearly and distinctly as he had ever done in his life, the additions and alterations which he wished to have made in each. Mr. took down the substance of what he said; which was read to him. He observed, "Sir, you have put in your own language; I wish it to be in mine." He then repeated over again, nearly word for word, what he had before said; and when it was transcribed, and read over to him, he said, "That is right; I have now done." About half an hour after, he desired that he might be removed to a cot. About ten minutes after he was removed to it, he died; but breathed out his last so easily, that those who were sitting close to him did not immediately perceive it. He had put his hand to his face, which prevented them from observing it. He was born March 24th, 1733." In recording the death of this eminent person, we cannot withhold our tribute of unfeigned respect to all that was estimable and useful in his character and labours. At the same time, on other and far more momentous considerations, we lament, with heart-felt concern, the degraded employment of his noble talents and uncommon endowments to a purpose totally subversive of the dearest interests and best hopes of sinful man. As a man of moral character and amiable manners, as a sufferer by cruel persecution, as a most extensive general scholar rather than a profound one, and as a perspicuous writer,he holds a place of high and merited honour. His works in History, Criticism, and some important parts of Metaphysics will be a lasting monument of his fine and richly cultivated mind. In his philosophical labours, the scientific world has been deeply interested; and is under great obligations to his singular and prolific felicity in experiments, his indefatigable exertions, and his brilliant and truly useful discoveries: for the latter, the manufacturers of this country ought to have no small sense of gratitude. In his works on the External Evidences of Revelation, while we deplore their sad deficiency, we truly admire his clearness of conception, his masterly arrangement of thought, and his force of reasoning. But here, alas! we must change the language of revering approbation. For his indefatigable zeal in the diffusion and defence of his religious sentiments, we blame him not; yet, O had his diligence been consecrated to a bet ter cause 1 We cannot, in justice and candour, as well as for a warning to our readers, pass by his defects as strument. O that our tears and our regrets could for ever efface the melancholy remembrance, and the awful effects of his determined, inflexible, and guilty hostility to the glorious person, the grace, and the gospel of Jesus! MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS, &c. Falmouth Congregation, by the Rev. Mess. Wildbores St. Agnes ditto, ditto, Basil Society, Switzerland ditto .23 10 7896O 4 16 9 - 31 17 From a Number of Friends in Old Deer, Aberdeenshire Subscriptions from Hull, remitted by Rev. Mr. Lambert Rev. S. R. Hartnell and Congregation, Runeaton, War. A Few Friends at Alton, Hants, by the Rev. S. Tracy HOME INTELLIGENCE. A PROPOSAL TO MINISTERS FROM THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. 9 15 THE Committee of The Religious Tract Society being desirous that the Tracts which they publish should have the most enlarged circulation, in order that they may produce extensive and general benefit, it has been thought, after mature reflection, that no means will be so likely to accomplish this object, as those which shall include the co-operation of Christian Ministers in the several cities, towns, and villages of the United Kingdom. In pursuance of this idea, the Committee respectfully propose to such Ministers as may read this Address, - 1. That the important objects of the Religious Tract Society be reCominended to the attention of their congregations: 2. That, for the purpose of having a supply of Tracts always ready for sale, or distribution, in their vicinity, Tracts be forwarded to them from the Depository, Stationers' Court, London. The price to be charged as Jow as possible, and credit to be given for six months; but none to be sent on return: 3. That one copy at least, of each Tract published by the Society, be retained in their own possession. This will materially assist them in making up their orders: 4. That care be taken occasionally, or periodically, to preserve the subject from being forgotten or abandoned." At the same time, Ministers can best determine for themselves on the various modes of carrying such designs into effect. Some may think proper to mention them in public : lists of the Tracts may be displayed' in their vestries, from week to week: Societies may be formed; the Members of which, by a moderate contribution, may be supplied with a certain portion of the Fracts, according to the rules they establish. The Committee would observe, That the credit for six months will enable those Ministers who may not, in this respect, have the systematic aid of their congregations, to promote, without any immediate expence, with scarcely any risk, and with considerable facility, the great ends for which the Religious Tract Society was instituted. By the adoption of the measure now proposed, the following advantages will be secured : 1. A Depository of Tracts will afford pious and benevolent persons an occasion of exercising their zeal in distributing appropriate instruction to the poor, the afflicted, and the profligate. 2. The interests of religion may be expected to revive, in consequence of such repeated addresses to the understandings and passions of many, who never give the opportunity of tendering them, in any other way than serious advice and expostulation. 3. Thus, the foundation may be laid of a small library for the use of Subscribers, and those whom they may agree to indulge with the same privilege; by which means, if the books are well. chosen, many will be excited to read, and the knowledge of divine truth will be greatly ex. tended 4. If the assortment should be large, a Minister will be provided with Tracts which he may circulate, recommend in his pastoral visits, and in all his journies. The substance of what is here stated, will equally apply to those Ministers and Christian friends to whom it may be more agreeable or conve. nient to obtain Tracts from any other Society. London, April 11, 1804. Signed, JOSEPH HUGHES, Secretary. N. B. Applications for Tracts on credit, must be addressed to the Secre tary, at Mr. Williams's (the Depositary) Stationers' Court. Jan. 5, 1804, was opened a chapel at St. yes, in Cornwall. The first sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr: Wildbore, of Falmouth, from Hag. i. 1o; Mr. Wildbore, jun. preached in the afternoon, from Ps. cxxii. 1; and in the evening, the Rev: Mr. Paddon preached from Zach. iv. 9: after which the sacrament was administered. The congregations were large all day, and were not without tokens of the Divine Presence. Jan. 26. A neat and commodious chapel was opened at Swindon. The following ministers conducted the services of the day: Mr. Thresher, of Abingdon, preached in the morning, Mr. Holmes, of Farringdon, in the afternoon; and Mr. Elliott, of Devizes, in the evening. Messrs. Wase, Bagnel, Clift, Best, Muston, and Watts severally engaged in prayer. Swindon is a populous.and genteel town, situated in the center of several vil. |
