not deaf to the call-the rich, as they are peculiarly bound, are coming forward with large subscriptions-meetings in towns are held-collections are making in villages. There is no fear of excess in this matter; two or three millions of starving people are not easily fed for four months; and so long must this season of want continue-that is, till the next harvest. But there is another thing to be considered: while the penny or twopence of the poor man goes to increase the fund, it brings down a blessing upon himself and family. The apostle says "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."-If God should chasten us for our sins, what could prevent a similar national judgment? The heaven might become brass, and the earth iron, and all the produce of our fields be smitten with blasting and mildew. And while exposed to such calamity, we might in vain remember the time, when we refused to come forward to impart to our famishing brethren.

That this act of charity may be a national one, it is surely advisable that every minister should either preach or collect in his parish; and every master of a family do the same among his children and servants. Let those who know the blessing of going to a throne of grace, unite their prayers with their gift-and laying it as a small thank-offering at the feet of their great High Priest, may we not hope, that our prayers and our alms may come up for a memorial before God. C. H.

We know not whether to be more affected with the sufferings of the poor Irish, or the liberal manner in which England is come forward to their relief. In addition to the facts stated above, Members of Parliament have inentioned in the House of Commons, that the poor in some parts of Ireland have been absolutely obliged to tear up the potatoes they had planted for next year's crop, to satisfy their

present hunger, and to eat the very bark off the young trees! London has set the example of benevolence: in the space of a few weeks nearly £70,000 has been subscribed for the Irish. Several Noblemen, Ministers of State, &c. have given £500, £300, £200, and £100 each. In Liverpool above £4000 has been raised: other towns are at work; the whole country no doubt will come forward in due time, and glad will the Editor be, if this appeal in the least degree helps forward the work of mercy on behalf of the poor starving Irish.

ED.

VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS.

REV. SIR,

A Letter to the Editor.

I hope you will excuse me troubling you with a letter, as I am not known to you personally. I have long wished to thank you for publishing the " Friendly Visitor," and more particularly for your selections of "daily texts," and earnest recommendation to your readers to attend to them. When worldly cares and troubles (from which no one is free) and fears from without and within, harass and perplex me, how often have I been led, by reading the text for the day, to rejoice in hope of being one day freed from the toils and strifes of this vain, transitory world, and through the merits and goodness of my redeeming God of being joined to that company, where the " weary shall be at rest. Yes, sir, your selection has often tended to inspire me with a desire to thank my God for his kind and fatherly care. How often has my foolish heart been carried away with the smiles of the world; when lo! his fatherly goodness has permitted some cross to fall in my way: then it is, sir, that those precious passages delight and rejoice the heart, and constrain one to "Bless the Lord," that he has not suffered one to cleave to the world and its unsatisfying enjoyments; but for our comfort has left it upon record, that all things work together for good to those who love him, -I might refer to many parts of your publication, and thank you for your hints and observations, as well as your general description of Christian duties, &c. but shall content myself with observing, that I feel myself as an individual greatly obliged, and I hope benefitted; and I earnestly pray, that the Holy Spirit's influence may direct and prosper your work, and bless it to the salvation of many souls: and that both Editor and Readers may at last meet together in the realms of bliss, and join that multitude which no man can number, in ascribing glory to God and the Lamb for ever and ever.

My reason for now writing is this ;-in your number for April you gave a very interesting account of the Village in the Mountains"-with which I was much delighted. Who can contemplate these Christians in their destitute situation, without feeling a desire to assist them? Who can contemplate their meetings, to pray and read the Testament (which was "almost worn out") without thankfulness to God that such " new lights" have been manifested? -Their conviction "that God is beginning a great work in

the earth," is indeed wonderful. Who can refuse to join them in saying, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven?" In your "notice" in the number for this month, you kindly undertake to receive any small sum for their use. I cannot afford to give much, but you will, I hope, accept the inclosed trifle for them: and I rejoice with you that steps are taking to send them a faithful minister, and pray that he who keepeth Israel may be with them and all true Christians, to defend and bless them, and greatly increase the number of his elect, that all the earth may be filled with his glory.With prayers that the Almighty may defend and bless you, and greatly prosper your labours to the good of his Church and the glory of his name, I am, Rev. and dear Sir,

Your much obliged and very humble Servant, May, 1822. T. O. M.

A Letter from a Schoolmistress in a Country Town, to the Clergyman of the Parish.

REV. SIR,

Learning from the Notice upon the "Friendly Visitor," that a contribution, "however small," would be acceptable towards sending Bibles and Tracts to the Protestants in France, my little daughter wished to offer a part of her small treasure; this I named in the school, when her brother and sisters, together with a few of the scholars, brought their pence and halfpence, desiring they might be sent for the same purpose: I therefore, sir, enclose 2s. If you should have an opportunity, and should think it worth sending to the Editor of the "Friendly Visitor," I shall esteem your doing it a favour.-I trust I need not apologize to you, sir, for presenting the humble offering of these little ones, as it will be remembered, that "it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."-Their mite is accompanied with a fervent prayer, that those long "hidden ones" of the Lord of Hosts, may be enabled to sow the seed of divine truth, (through the aid of Tracts or otherwise) till the spiritually barren desert of France shall rejoice and blossom as the rose, and bring forth fruit abundantly to life eternal. That pious few have doubtless often prayed for this, and the prospect now seems opening, when even in this, "the Lord shall fulfil the desire of them that fear him." I am, Rev. Sir,

With much respect, your humble servant,

May 10th, 1822.

RELIGIOUS AND USEFUL INTELLIGENCE.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.-The Eighteenth anniversary Meeting of this excellent Institution was held in London, on May the 2nd. Long before eleven o'clock, every part of the large room was completely filled; and about 1800 persons were present. Amongst others, there were his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester-the Bishops of Salisbury, St. Davids, and Norwich-the Earls of Harrowby, Gosford, and Rocksavage-Lords Calthorpe, Gambier, Suffield, and Sandon—the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and several Members of Parliament.

The Report, which was read, and which contained many most cheering facts relating to the prosperity of the Society, occupied nearly an hour.

The Earl of Harrowby in moving that the Report be printed, expressed the high satisfaction which it had given him; as it appeared from it, that the Gospel now extended to the most distant parts of the world, to men of every colour and of every clime.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer observed, that the Society had now entered its nineteenth year; and that although it had long been neglected by many, it had grown above all difficulties. By the Report it appeared, that ignorance and idolatry were giving way before the light of Gospel truth in every quarter of the world.

The Rev. Mr. Monod, Secretary of the Paris Protestant Bible Society, was introduced to the meeting. He spoke in very good English. He said, he appeared before them as the representative of a Bible Society, which took the greatest interest in the proceedings of this Society. The French Bible Society valued no other distinctions, than those of the disciples of Jesus. He considered himself there among children of the same father, and followers of the same Saviour. The Bible Society in Paris had only been established about three years, and there were already forty Branches from it; and, from having at first only an income of 40,000 francs, they had now 300,000 francs (a franc is 10d.) They had distributed vast numbers of Bibles; and a generous friend had sent 2000 francs to be given to the author of the best work on the reading of the Holy Scriptures.

Lord Calthorpe expressed his admiration at what he had just heard from the Secretary of the Paris Bible Society. He was convinced that nothing less than a divine influence could produce such wonderful effects as have resulted from