to the far end, and that no good is doing. An Officer in the British Army, just arrived from India, stepped forward for the express purpose of giving his testimony to the good produced in India by the Missionaries, as seen with his own eyes. And while on the subject of Missions, I cannot help men. tioning a striking fact, which I heard related in a sermon Such has been the success of the Moravians, that the number of their converts is more than three times as large as their own body. Their converts (the greater part of whom are slaves in the West Indies) exceed thirty thousand; while the members of their own church do not exceed ten thousand. At the meeting of the Naval and Military Bible Society, it was striking to see officers of high rank, men whom one would have thought the last to come forward in such a cause, declare in the most pious, fervent, and eloquent manner, their desire that all our soldiers and sailors might possess that blessed book, which reveals the knowledge of salvation through the Redeemer. Captain Franklin, well known as an officer in the northern expedition, spoke of the good effects which he had seen amongst his own sailors produced by the scriptures. The meeting of the Hibernian Society was highly inte resting. Its harmony indeed was a little interrupted by a Roman Catholic barrister who got up to speak against the Society; but this attack, like most of the efforts to oppose the cause of true religion, was overruled for good. It drew from the Rev, Mr. Irving the most able and interesting reply. The Hon. Mr. Stanley, heir to the house of Derby, came to the meeting, simply to state that he had last year visited the estates of the noble Earl in Ireland, upon which he found two of the schools belonging to this society; and that he could bear ample testimony to the good that they were doing. Such is a scanty gleaning of the religious festivals lately held in London. What a scene do they present to our view! A world stirring itself, and awaking to anxious enquiry! Missionaries and Bibles going forth into all lands! And all classes, from the highest to the lowest, the noble to the peasant the young and the old, joining together to hasten the Messiah's kingdom! If in the secret counsels of Jehovah, England is to maintain her present unrivalled greatness, these national charities will prove her best bulwarks; for in proportion as she thus improves her talents for the benefit of more needy nations, may she hope that the eye of Heaven will be upon her for good. Happy nation! where there is bread enough, and to spare! the bread of life in abundance for all her children; and for Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Hereticks throughout the world. Happy nation! whose efforts and whose desires now aceord with the tenor of the prayer, which the little handful of the faithful have long loved to make "thy kingdom come: thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven!" A HYMN. Though dark and rough thy path below, Lift up thy weeping eye; 'Midst living streams of gladness soon, All faint and feeble as thou art, Almighty is thy gracious king, Who bears thee on an eagle's wing, And still his gentle, tender hand, And when thy parting soul at last, When heavenly beauties meet thine eyes, And Christ shall own thee his! ON BEING CALLED A SAINT. A Saint! Oh would that I could claim, Would that the term in scorn applied, In mockery to the King of heaven. A Saint! and what imports the name, Is such the meaning of the name, From which a christian shrinks with shame ? Ill might a son of Adam dare, A Saint! Oh scorner, give some sign, And warmer thanks thou shalt command, Oh! for an interest in that name, How shall the name of Saint be prized, When truth shall witness to the word, That none but saints shall bless the Lord. Printed by A. Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale. FRIENDLY VISITOR. No. LXXI. AUGUST, 1824. VOL. VI. DUNDEE WIDOW AND HER SON. Above twenty years ago, a lady near Dundee was once going to visit a poor woman in the town, when she was directed by mistake to the house of another person. On knocking at the door, she was desired, by a low female voice, to come in. She found a poor helpless woman in bed, worn down by illness and in a sad state, owing to a paralytic stroke she had had five years before: during which time, she had been confined to her bed quite helpless. The Lady began to pity her; but was surprised to hear her say, that "she thought herself one of the happiest of mortals." The Lady begged her to explain; on which the poor woman gave, in her simple language, the following account : When very young, she had been left a widow with an only son, who was twelve years old, when she was seized with the stroke. "Till that time, she had been able to maintain herself and son by spinning and other work; and also to pay a trifle for his learning. Since that heavy affliction, confined to her bed and deprived of the use of her limbs, she could do nothing for herself; and had no money to pay a nurse to wait upon her. Her little son, however, at this early age, trusting to the divine blessing, resolved to provide for her wants by the labour of his own hands; and thus lessen the distress of his poor mother. A neighbour now and then looked in upon her, to do some kind turn; but her chief comfort and support were from the very great affection and care of her son. He contrived to get such work in a factory as was suitable for one so young: and after cleaning and sweeping the room in which they lived H -getting ready the breakfast-and making his mother comfortable for the day; he left her every morning with a smiling face, to attend to his work; and came back at night with his well-earned pittance, to enjoy a cheerful meal with his beloved parent. And thus for the space of five years, had he maintained himself and mother. But this is not all. The widow could not read. She had, however, taken care that her child should be taught, when he was very young. He had read the holy Scriptures; and not only had read them, but had been led by the Spirit of God to delight in them; for he knew the truth as it is in Jesus. He wished very much that his dear mother should have the same pleasure and advantage which he enjoyed: and he resolved to teach her to read. She became his willing and his humble scholar; and in due time could read the Bible very well. By this means, she had found a stream of comfort, which she confessed had made her the happiest of women. It pleased the Almighty to open her heart by his Spirit, that like Lydia, she might attend to the things which are spoken; and with Mary, to sit at her Saviour's feet, to hear his word. She added, that during her son's absence, it was her delight to meditate on the sacred volume; whose divine truths had filled her soul with humble hope, and holy joy; and afforded her that peace, which the world can neither give, nor take away. And the thought that this blessing had been conveyed to her by the means of her own son, excited those feelings, which a parent's heart can alone know. Happy, ye poor! who know the Bible true; With pure delight, and humble love you know, |