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, Benighted Heathens to befriend. By cruel masters bought and sold, Then will you not some trouble take, Their friends and parents to unite, And now with prayers for your success, From your affectionate Teacher Chelsea, Nov, 1850. ON CHRISTMAS. Season of joyous hope, M. B. Glory to God, in highest heaven, Welcome thou favour'd morn, To save our ruined race. Welcome, angelic hosts, Who visit abject man, Welcome, sweet Saviour, thou Thy peerless majesty, To die for all mankind. Glory to thee, in highest heaven, Creatures redeem'd from hell, Awake, and sing the love, He pass'd their nature by, Who burn with living fire ; Amen! let all repeat, And sound thro' earth and sky, Glory to God, on high. Good-will and peace to men be given, Dec. 1849. J. R. |