idolatry-and how many are subject to the sway of a nominal and spurious system of Christianity-as friends of the Bible, we should bestir ourselves, and look rather to the amount of labour yet to be done, than to what has hitherto been accomplished; and, although the progress has, as yet, been limited, God is, from time to time, opening up to us prospects, which forbid us to despair, and encourage us to hope. I shall merely glance at a few of those which the circumstances of the times warrant us to mention. I observe that it has been stated, seemingly on good authority that in some of the States of Germany, where Neology sprang up and was nourished into vigour, a remarkable change has taken place, and that a great desire is manifested to read and study the Scriptures in their original simplicity and purity. It is stated, also, that in several instances the Roman Catholic inhabitants have desired to have the service of their Church read in their vernacular tongue, and that several of their priests have joined in endeavouring to effect this change. Does not all this prove, that the state of things is there somewhat altered; and that the chains of false philosophy and superstition are breaking in sunder? We must regard this as one door opened up for the increasing ef forts of the Bible Society to disseminate in this interesting country the Word of Life. -ano If again we look to Ireland-which has been styled our Sister Island,ther effectual door appears to be opened for the diffusion of the Scriptures among the natives, in their own tongue; for it is well known that the people are exceedingly charmed with the Irish Bible, and that neither the persuasion nor the threats of those who are opposed to its perusal can prevail upon them to give it up. Again, directing our attention away from Europe and the British_Islands, altogether, we may point to the extensive and populous Empire of China, as another field which God is opening up for the exertions of the friends of the Bible cause. We know the extreme jealousy with which the Chinese guard their shores from the intrusion of strangers, and which presents an insuperable obstacle to the entrance of the Christian Missionary, and the blessings which generally follow in his train. But, by the course of events as directed towards that country, this exclusive system seems to be on the eve of being broken up, and a more enlarged intercourse with the country procured for the British and other barbarians, as the Chinese are pleased to term us, than what was formerly allowed. It is easy to perceive that, should this be the issue of the present course of events, the Bible will be admitted to a more extended circulation in that wide and populous country. In Africa, also, we may observe the same Providential preparation for the admission of the light of divine truth in countries hitherto unknown and unenlightened.-I allude particularly to the expedition planned and fitted out by several enterprising merchants of Liverpool and other places in Great Britain, to explore the upward course of the famous River Niger; in exploring whose course downward, the celebrated traveller Mungo Park, met his melancholy death. At this moment, British steamboats and British subjects are ascending the course of that river, and laying open to civilization and commerce those countries of that vast continent where those unfortunate and degraded beings termed slaves have been taken and brought to the Islands and States of America.May we not, therefore, hope that the Bible, finding entrance in the wake of enlightened commerce, will through the influence of the Divine Spirit, make ready a people for the Lord; and that soon through its power, there will be no longer found there parents willing to sell their children for gold, or kings ready to barter their subjects for gold. but a people rejoicing in the liberty of the children of God, being blessed with that liberty wherewith Christ makes believers free. Let me, There is another clause in the resolution which I have to move, which assures us of the cordial support given to the Society, by Christians of various denominations; and certainly when I see assembled before me Episcopalians and Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists. countenancing it by their presence, I have the most convincing proof which I could receive of the fact. in conclusion, then, congratulate, most cordially, my fellow Christians assembled on the success which has already crowned their efforts, and let me urge them to re-double these, that this great cause may not suffer from their lack of zeal. Let us all rally around the Bible, which contains the charter of salvation ; let us go forth with it as our weapon of offence against all the enemies of our Lord, resting assured, that under the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of the living God, the ranks of infidelity and idolatry will ultimately, if not speedily, fall. And let us not only employ the Bible as our weapon of offence, let us rely upon it also as our surest and strongest foundation of support, as that to which we refer all our opinions, and by which we regulate all our conduct. In this way may we with confidence look forward to the final and successful termination of our united and Christian endeavours. (To be Continued.) POETRY. HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY HOPE. REFLECTED on the lake, I love Thus heavenly hope is all serene; But earthly hope, how bright so'er, Still fluctuates o'er this changing scene, As false and fleeting as 'tis fair. THE HOUSE OF GOD. "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."-Psalms cxxii. 1. THRICE-Welcome hour that turns my feet Into the path which leads me where A company of pilgrims meet, And worship in the house of prayer: There would I go when some dark cloud In heaven-born thoughts of better things: Nor less I love those courts to tread, When overwhelm'd with sin and shame; Where sounds the music of His name And still, that faith and hope may grow, I would resort where blessings flow Would lave my spirit in the Gospel sea, Offering my prayers and praises, Lord to thee? Z. BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN WESLEYAN METHODIST MAGAZINE, FOR MARCH, 1842. BIOGRAPHY. MEMOIR OF THE REV. JESSE WHEELOCK, BY THE REV. JAMES G. HENNIGAR. (Continued from page 15.) MR. WHEELOCK commenced his labours on his new station under the influence of great indisposition, arising from a severe cold he had recently taken; but full of zeal for his Master's cause. In Shubenacadie he found an excellent home in the house of Richard Smith, Esquire, and soon entered fully upon the work of that extensive field of Missionary labour. Under date of April 12th, he thus writes, "I am now more fully convinced than ever that the greatest earnestness and most solemn appeals are of little service without vigorous acts of faith on the part of both ministers and people. In meeting the class I found the Lord present-Brother S. appears anxious for the blessing of full salvation." Mr. Wheelock, like all who have been called of God to the work of the christian ministry, had his discouragements. On this subject he observes, "Last evening, while musing upon the state of religion in this place, I found myself giving way to despondency. I however checked this dishonorable emotion-I fell upon my knees-and after reading several chapters in the Acts of the Apostles, gave myself afresh to God." In May, Mr. Wheelock first discovered indications of that disease which ultimately terminated his life. He attended the District VOL. II. First Series. MARCH 1842. H Meeting during this month, and was appointed to Truro, giving the Shubenacadie station part of his labours. The extensive sphere of labour peculiar to Wesleyan Missionaries in the Provinces, especially on the Country circuits, must be regarded as a great impediment to the work of God with us-1st. Because our extensive circuits frequently prove inimical to the health of our ministers; and 2dly. Because we have not sufficient time to follow gracious impressions with such pious councils and repeated exhortations as circumstances require. As increased benevolence on the part of our people* will enable the Missionary Committee to add to our number of Missionaries, and thus abridge the circuits, we hope that they will direct their attention to this good work. To the first disadvantage, arising from extensive fields of labour above noticed, we are to attribute as a cause the rapid decline of Mr. Wheelock's health, and the premature termination of his ministerial labours. On the Truro and Shubenacadie circuits he laboured with unabated *Benevolence is kindness to those who are its subjects; but it is no benevolence economically to remunerate services which are cheerfully rendered. It is only an act of justice that a people, enjoying the benefits of a christian ministry, provide for that ministry. We say this, not so much to object to the writer's appeal, which is certainly very proper, as to obviate an impression that is too general; viz. that all which is done for the temporal support of the christian ministry is a kind of charity. Charity! Is it charity to return value for value? Much less is it charity to give a scanty pittance to sustain the mortal existence of a man, who indeed looks for no more, while he spends his days in endeavouring to promote the spiritual and eternal interests of his charge. We know individuals, and not a few either, who make large professions of love for the gospel, and who, while they lay up pounds upon pounds per annum, and are yearly increasing in "this world's goods," do not contribute the one hundredth part of their year's PROFITS, even, we repeat it, the one hundredth part of the year's profits, to the support of their own spiritual pastor. Themselves, their families, their neighbourhood and their country, have derived essential advantages from the labours of the christian ministry, in the increased intelligence and morality always resulting from its exercise, promoting personal enjoyment and security beyond any power human law affords; and these, forsooth! because they incur expenses in the enlargement of their worldly estates, and which by the way they could never have been able to do but for the power of those principles of self-denial and economy urged upon them by a christian ministry, pretend that they "cannot afford to give much," and a paltry sum is the maximum of what is esteemed by them as a bounty! While such individuals live, the maintenance of Missionaries in the Provinces will, so far as they are concerned, depend on the benevolence of others, and of OTHERS whose means are by no means equal to their own :-And while they live, christian ministers may labour, to their premature death, with no more sympathy from them than "Well they were disabled and died in a good cause!" Common honesty cries "shame!" on such; and true christianity, which essentially involves the duty of rendering to "every one his due," knows them not. In the midst however of general complaint, it is but honest to acknowledge that a few circuits in the Provinces Do provide for their own ministers, besides contributing to the extension of the gospel elsewhere:-and the credit belongs to but few. On these circuits real religion, that of the heart, is the most evident and promising. We say to each of the other circuits, "Shall the Committee continue in debt by supporting their ministers ?" T. zeal, until the Chairman of the District, the Rev. R. Knight, finding his health suffering from excessive labour, appointed him to the Truro circuit exclusively. From his private journal, it is evident that he continued with increased earnestness in his Master's work, but it was equally evident that his indisposition was fast increasing. In January, 1838, by the advice of his medical and other friends, he left his station to spend the remainder of the winter in a West India climate. He arrived in Grenada in February, and met with a kind reception from the resident Wesleyan Missionary, the Rev. G. Beard. Under date of February 21, 1838, he thus writes, "Arrived at the Island of Grenada on Monday last, much improved in health, and was kindly received by the resident Missionary, the Rev. George Beard. We sailed from Halifax on the 27th of December. During the first week I was very ill-was not out of my birth for several days. On our first entering the Gulph Stream the weather was exceedingly rough; so much so that we lost nearly all our deck load. When I first came on deck, after reaching the mild latitudes, I was surprised and delighted with the softness of the atmosphere: the morning was fine, and formed such a contrast to the weather we had lately experienced, that I thought it exceeded any thing I could have fancied. As the weather continued fine I made the best of it, continuing on deck each day, until late in the evening, the remainder of the passage." During Mr. Wheelock's sojourn at Grenada his health continued to improve he preached several times, and experienced every kindness from his christian friends. In the month of April, feeling his health much improved, he left Grenada for Halifax, anxious to reach Nova Scotia in time to attend the District Meeting. On leaving his Grenada friends, he has left the following record, "Embarked at Grenada on the 10th of April-the evening was calm; the sun was just retiring beneath the western waters as I stepped into the boat, accompanied by the Rev. George Beard, his family, and several kind friends. We were kindly received by Captain Barss. My company remained with me until the weighing of the anchor and the spreading of the canvas reminded us that we must part, probably no more to meet in time. The kindness of my Grenada friends has made an impression on my mind not soon to be obliterated." Early in May he arrived at Halifax, and in the latter part of this month proceeded with several of his Brethren to Prince Edward Island to attend the District Meeting. He observes, "At this District Meeting I thought myself able to take a circuit, and was appointed to Yarmouth." |