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crying aloud for spiritual help; he is willing to devote health and strength to save poor mortals from the eternal burning. When such a man is willing to make such a noble sacrifice, the friends of missions, with one voice and effort should applaud his resolve, not by word only, but deeds. Mere verbal sympathy is a very worthless thing. Well, there is now an opportunity of following up vigorously the step now determined, namely, sending a missionary to Australia. All should try, but I especially rely on the exertions of our 40,000 Sunday-scholars.

Christmas will shortly be here. What a time for visiting and rejoicing; what pleasing associations in Christmas cheer! What a flow of benevolence. How instinctively the hand drops to the pocket to bestow the Christmas gift. Keen calculation closes at such a time. Christmas is just the time for the Sunday-scholar to be awake-up and doing something in the good cause. Then this Christmas, remember the Missions. If each scholar upon an average will raise twopence, by either giving or begging, this month, we shall be able to present to our Treasurer above £300 as a New Year's gift. This surely is a very small sum for each individual to raise. To work at once! Call your Committees together. Issue cards for collecting to the scholars. Where no Juvenile Committee exists, form one at once! Not a moment must be lost. Your enthusiasm will soon be caught by those around you. Show that you are in earnest, and you are sure to have help.

Teachers address the scholars previous to their commencing the work; keep it before their minds by stirring anecdotes on Missions and other encouragements. And let the climax of your endeavours be a Missionary Meeting, either on Christmas-day or Sunday afternoon. Teachers! Sundayscholars! in London! Rochdale, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, &c., arouse yourselves! From Edinburgh to Penzance let there be a loud, a hearty response, and in one month the sum will be raised. Hitherto most of you have been asleep; the missionary cause has had a small share of your sympathy. But this is the time for shaking off lethargy. This is the time for prosperity to the mission cause. Take the tide at the flood. Sunday-scholars, let your young blood glow with

enthusiasm in this noble cause; let your energies he exerted to their full power. Gladden the heart of your Australian Missionary, by this strenuous crowning effort. Teachers! direct their zeal; let your perseverance and support show you enter heartily into the scheme, and by such united effort you will promote the happiness of immortal souls, and bring glory to God.

W. H. RINDER.

ANECDOTE ON APPARITIONS.

DR. FOWLER, bishop of Gloucester, in the early part of the eighteenth century, was a believer in apparitions. The following conversation of the bishop with Judge Powel is recorded:

"Since I saw you," said the Lawyer, "I have had ocular demonstration of the existence of noctural apparitions."

"I am glad you are become a convert to truth; but do you say actual ocular demonstration? Let me know the particulars of the story."

"My Lord, I will. It was, let me see, last Thursday night, between the hours of eleven and twelve, but nearer the latter than the former, as I lay sleeping in my bed, I was suddenly awakened by an uncommon noise, and heard something coming up stairs and stalking directly toward my room; the door flying open, I drew back my curtain, and saw a faint, glimmering light enter my chamber. " "Of a blue colour, no doubt ? "

"The light was of a pale blue, my lord, and followed by a tall, meagre personage, his locks hoary with age, and clothed in a long loose gown, a leathern girdle was about his loins, his beard thick and grizly, a large fur cap on his head, and a long staff in his hand. Struck with astonishment, I remained some time motionless and silent: the figure advanced, staring me full in the face: I then said, "Whence, and what art thou?"

"What was the answer-tell me what was the answer?' "The following was the answer I received: "I am watch

man of the night, please your honour; and made bold to come up stairs to inform the family of their street door being open, and that if it was not soon shut, they would probably be robbed before morning.'

POETRY.

CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

AN ADDRESS TO SABBATH SCHOLARS.

MY DEAR CHILDREN,—

I oft have meant to write to you,
Of something which you all may do;
And if you will attention pay,
I will unfold to you the way
By which you may your efforts tend,

Benighted Heathens to befriend.
You oft have heard from teachers kind,
How little Heathen children blind,
Are taught to worship wood and stone,
And never have the Gospel known;
Have never heard of God in Heaven,
Who unto us his Son hath given,
To save our souls from sin and hell;
Then after death with Him to dwell.
In ignorance and guilt they live,-
Then will you not some trifle give,
That teachers may to them convey,
The Word of life, and show the way,
How God hath there his will made known,
That they might worship Him alone;
Instead of idols made with hands,
Which is against his just commands.
In Sabbath-schools they are not taught,
Nor like you are they early brought
To know and serve the God of truth,
Who doth defend and guide your youth.
From parents oft in childhood torn,
In hopeless slavery doom'd to mourn

By cruel masters bought and sold,
To gratify their thirst for gold.

Then will you not some trouble take,
To do them good for Jesus' sake;
That every Heathen child may know,
What blessings from the Gospel flow.
Collecting Cards we have for you,
That you may try what each can do,
And raise if but a trifling sum,
Which to a large amount will come:
If every scholar will invite,

Their friends and parents to unite,
To aid them in this work of love;
And glorify the God above,
By making known to all our race,
The blessings found in Jesu's grace.
And if your friends should ask you why
You do collect-will you not try
To tell them 'tis that Heathen bands,
Who now reside in distant lands,
And still in sin and darkness dwell,
May hear of heaven and flee from hell,
And cast their idols all away,
Rejoicing in the Gospel-day;
That every heart may learn to raise,
A joyful song to Jesu's praise.

And now with prayers for your success,
I must conclude, and may God bless
Your efforts, make you wise and good,
Redeem'd and wash'd in Jesu's blood,
Then, after death with him to rise,
To share a mansion in the skies.

From your affectionate Teacher

Chelsea, Nov, 1850.

ON CHRISTMAS.

Season of joyous hope,
Of holy mirth and love,
We hail thy bright approach,
And sing with those above.

M. B.

Glory to God, in highest heaven,
Good-will and peace to men be given.

Welcome thou favour'd morn,
On thee we fondly gaze
When God in flesh was born,

To save our ruined race.
Glory to God, in highest heaven,
Good-will and peace to men be given.

Welcome, angelic hosts,

Who visit abject man,
And strike your golden harps
To sing redemption's plan.
Glory to God, in highest heaven,
Good-will and peace to men be given.

Welcome, sweet Saviour, thou
Who hast thy crown resign'd,

Thy peerless majesty,

To die for all mankind.

Glory to thee, in highest heaven,
Good-will and peace, to men be given.

Creatures redeem'd from hell,

Awake, and sing the love,
That brought Him down to earth,
Through shining ranks above;
Glory to him, in highest heaven,
Good-will and peace to men be given.

He pass'd their nature by,

Who burn with living fire ;
Amazed, they look-and each
Takes up afresh his lyre;
Glory to God, in highest heaven,
Good-will and peace to men be given.

Amen! let all repeat,

And sound thro' earth and sky,
The universal song,

Glory to God, on high.

Good-will and peace to men be given,
Pardon, and holiness, and heaven.

Dec. 1849.

J. R.

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