or understanding) to a sense of the sublimity of that religion, to whose dictates alone he owes his preservation. Will he not most likely be won to that religion? Will you not have turned his hatred into gratitude? may not that gratitude ripen into affection? And is it a small consideration, that you have gained a friend both to yourself and your God? An atheist may be thus induced to become a believer; a believer, a confirmed Christian. Yes! "heap coals of fire upon his head;" it may kindle the smothered spark of divinity in his breast, may rouse him from his spiritual slumbers, and bring him to throw off the works of darkness, and to leave the slavery of sin and Satan.

To take the argument in another point of view, no man can be justified in avenging himself on his enemy, even from the principles of common justice. If you have made him your enemy through injury done him, did you not deserve all the ill he inflicted upon you? and was not real justice thereby awarded you? In such a case, when he comes into your power, and you exercise rigour upon him, you commence a new act of aggression. I argue in this way, because rigour to our enemies is often advocated upon the principle of moral justice. In another point of view, may not the injuries inflicted upon you by your enemy, have been permitted by the Deity as a punishment for your enormities to him? Besides, are we not all enemies to God, and at every moment of our lives in his power? And would he not be justified in inflicting the severest punishment at any time? Yet, does he not pardon us perpetually, watch over our spiritual and temporal welfare, and in spite of our transgressions, multiply his blessings upon us? And when he punishes (as we call it) is it not his tender mercy to wean us from that, which, however pleasant to us, would be destructive if continued? And has he not said, that the merciful only shall receive mercy? Let these things sink deep into our minds, and regenerate our narrow ideas; and let us remember the important words of our Saviour, indicating, that we only prove ourselves his disciples, when we "love one another." X. P. X.

REVIEW.

Memoirs of the Rev. Samuel J. Mills, late Missionary to the southwestern section of the United States, and Agent of the American Colonization Society, deputed to explore the coast of Africa. By GARDINER SPRING, D. D. Pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church, in the city of New-York. New-York, published by the "New-York Evangelical Missionary Society," 1820. 8vo. pp. 247. $1.

(Concluded from p. 49.)

In following our author in his interesting notices of benevolent plans, we have been frequently impressed with the idea, that he was giving to Mr. Mills' agency a greater prominence than a full

acquaintance with the facts would warrant, and has left too much out of view the truth, that as all these plans required a variety of agencies, so there were a variety of agents, of spirits kindred to Mr. Mills, whose exertions have been, and still are, zealous and steady. Mr. Mills was, undoubtedly, more wholly devoted to all the benevolent purposes with which his name is connected, than any other individual; but in prosecuting the various details of each, there were others equally faithful and zealous. It is one of the marked peculiarities of the present day, at once glorious to God, and greatly encouraging to all our efforts to do good, that the spirit which excites to benevolent action is not displayed by here and there a detached individual, who has received some particular inspiration or impression, but has spread far and wide, among private Christians and ministers, who have been led, in the course of Providence, to reflect upon the wants and miseries of mankind.

As it regards that great institution the American Bible Society, we are not at all disposed to dispute the instrumentality of Mr. Mills, whose early suggestion, and constant exertions, were among the most important means of bringing it into operation; and, we should have been happy to have seen still more in detail, his various exertions for the accomplishment of so great an object. Still it is proper to observe, that there were many others who took a deep interest in the formation of the National Institution, and by great wisdom and care, overcame or prevented those peculiar difficulties, which threatened to prevent its establishment, or obstruct, its progress.

Passing over the seventh chapter, which mentions some very useful exertions of Mr. Mills, in connexion with others, among the poor of the city of New-York, we proceed, fearful of protracting this article to an unreasonable length, to notice what our author styles "the darling object of Mr. Mills." It was to meliorate the condition of the African race. At his suggestion was established, October, 1816, the African School, under the care of the Synod of New-York and New-Jersey, designed "to qualify young men of colour for preachers and teachers to the African race."

At the formation of the Colonization Society, at the seat of government, January, 1817, (erroneously printed 1818, on page 134th) Mr. Mills was present, and ever after until his death, he was engaged in its service. Until the succeeding November, he was occupied in forwarding their plans by his exertions in different parts of the country, and on the 16th of that month sailed for England, on his way to Africa, as their agent, in company with Mr. Burgess. After having narrowly escaped shipwreck, the two agents arrived in England about the middle of December. Having received abundant hospitality and kindness there, they departed for Africa, February 2d, 1818, and entered Sierra Leone river March 22d. From this time till the 22d May, when VOL. VII.

K

the agents embarked for England on their way to America, Mr. Mills was actively engaged in his inquiries concerning the proper situation for a colony. His journal of that period must be peculiarly interesting to all the friends of the Colonization Society, and to those who will love to dwell upon the last exertions of one so valued and beloved.

The exertions in Africa were his last. Between Africa and England, he was called home, by that Master whose faithful servant he had long been, and departed on the 16th June, 1818, in the 35th year of his age. Reviewing his life, and particularly its closing labours and its happy termination, we can say nothing better on our own behalf, than, "Let our last end be like his." And to all who are, or who ought to be devoting themselves to the spread of the gospel, we can say no words of greater encouragement, or of deeper reproof than, "Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh, shall find so doing."

In respect to the particular merits of the object, in the pursuit of which Mr. M. closed his useful life, we might enlarge; but to do so would carry us beyond the bounds which we ought to set to this article. We shall therefore only briefly say, that in our opinion, the usefulness of the Colonization Society is not at all to be found in its removing our black population; since no exertions of ours can be expected to remove them hence, or to prepare places for them in Africa, by any means so fast as materially to diminish their present numbers at home. If they may be supposed to double their numbers once in thirty years, on the one hand, there would be required, at a very moderate computation, $45,000.000; and, on the other, a purchased territory of at least 150 miles square. The Colonization Society is a noble institution, and, in behalf of Africa, we have no doubt it will effect much; but it will, and must leave us an immense, and we believe increasing black population. It is immensely important, that we duly consider this subject, and that we enter without delay upon the best measures for reforming and improving a population which we must retain. Whoever has wisdom to devise a plan, to teach, and reform, and bless, and make useful citizens, a class of men in circumstances so peculiar, will be a rich benefactor to his country, and will long receive the blessings of the African race. Let the wisdom of the wise, and the active kindness of the benevolent, be turned to this subject; and let every man in his individual capacity, and every benevolent society, seize every opportunity, and do what they can.

The summary of Mr. Mills' character is exceedingly interesting, and in point of excellence of execution, is the best part of the work; and it may be repeatedly read with great advantage, by every Christian. We feel ourselves bound to recommend the whole work, as well deserving the attention of the Christian public.

In concluding our remarks we ask, will not every man who is "willing to give himself up to the guidance of enlightened piety," enter heart and soul into all these benevolent undertakings which occupied so fully the subject of these memoirs? Is not every man bound to love the cause as much? to seek its progress with as intense desire, and as steady perseverance? Must not the work of benevolence slowly progress, if the greater part, even of Christians, yield only feeble efforts? A time of general exertion, and of the universal spread of charity, must precede the general diffusion of the blessings of the gospel. In some form or other, all classes of Christians must yield their service; "Holiness to the Lord must be written upon the bells of the horses, and the pots in the Lord's house become like bowls before the altar." The disciples of Christ must yield themselves up to the guidance of Christian principles, and bring all the facilities of their actual circumstances to aid in extending his kingdom. Our great purpose can never be accomplished (and if it could, what a glorious privilege would be lost,) by the labours of a few individuals, or an unmissed contribution of money. The farmer and the mechanic must labour, the merchant must traffic, with the express design of furnishing means, and with the determination that means shall not be wanting. And those whom God calls to preach and teach his truth, must consider their time and talents sacredly devoted, and all must wait upon God to bless their labours. Oh, if this were the case, in how many new channels of benevolence and kindness would wealth flow; how many new sources of industry would it create. The poor, instead of labouring to furnish luxuries for the rich, would labour to carry into execution their benevolent purposes. Luxury would disappear among the disciples of Christ; a multitude of messengers would stand ready shod for every enterprize, and ample provision for their every comfort, would be cheerfully furnished. Then would be exhibited the glorious spectacle of the church of Christ occupied in enlarging the dominion of their king, "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with ban ners."

Intelligence,

ENGLAND.

British and Foreign Bible Society.

On former occasions we have presented numerous instances of the great utility, and extraordinary success, attending the exertions of Ladies' Bible Associations in England. We would again urge the subject on the attention of our readers, especially in this city; and, as an inducement for the immediate preparation of a plan and commencement of

its execution, present for their encouragement the following testimony of the benefits of Bible Associations, given by the Committee of a Ladies' Association for Hackney, Clapton, and Homerton.

The collateral effects of familiar visits to the poor, are found to be of a very salutary kind. The call of the Collectors is expected, and even looked for, with a feeling of satisfaction, which often leads the poor to signify disappointment, when unavoidable circumstances have prevented the Visitor from executing her purpose; and, in general, this disposition manifests itself, not merely in civilities of expression, but in the neatness of their preparation for the anticipated visit. It is found, likewise, that the children partake, in a lively and pleasing manner, of the enjoyment which the visits of the Collector at their humble abodes afford their mothers. So much is this the case, that the Ladies' Committee think themselves justified in concluding, that a cessation of their visits would be regarded by the poor themselves, as a cause of no little regret. It may also be reckoned among the incidental benefits of the association, that several adult persons, un able to read, have been stirred up by the prospect of obtaining the scriptures, to a desire of reading them, and have attended the schools set on foot in this district, for that benevolent purpose.

In fine, the Committee beg leave to state, as one of the results of their experience, that the general operations of Bible Associations enter so greatly into the requisites for raising the moral habits, and consequently for promoting the domestic and social happiness of the poor, that, in pressing the claims of their own and kindred associations on the attention of the public, and especially of their own sex, they are rendering a service, not merely to the poor as individuals, but to the interests of society at large.

LIVERPOOL AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY.

Ninth Annual Report, presented 19th April, 1820.

By the kindness and early attention of our friend and correspondent at Liverpool, to whom we are much indebted for the seasonable reception of our English and Scotch Magazines, we are enabled to notice the "Ninth Report of the Liverpool Auxiliary Bible Society," and the "Third Report of the Ladies' Branch," of the same society, presented on the 19th of April last.

In the present number we shall merely give a statement of the funds and distribution of the scriptures, by the former institution during the past year, and conclude with some extracts from the "Report of the Ladies' Branch," which is a highly interesting document.

The funds of the society are so materially, and, indeed, so mainly under the influence of the Ladies' Branch, that the necessary diminution in their income prevents so large a return to