Henry II. who, in a charter, A. D. 1185, for rebuilding Glastonbury church, styles it," the mother and burying-place of the saints, founded by the very disciples of our Lord."" Pomponia, wife of Plautius, a Roman general, who commanded in Britain A. D. 45, was, in all probability, a Christian lady. She was very likely to use the powerful influence of her sex, as far as it extended, for the instruction of the deluded disciples of Druidism. She, with Claudia Ruffina, says Mr. Ivimey, in his History of the English Baptists, are supposed to be of the saints that were in Cæsar's household, mentioned in the epistle to the Philippians, iv. 22. ish historians, who allow ecclesiasti- | been received in the time of cal councils in Britain in the fifth century. The St. Alban's Council, A. D. 446; the Britannic Council, A. D. 449, held partly to consider the incestuous marriage of king Vortigern with his own daughter; the Cambrian, convened A. D. 465, for electing Aurelius Ambrosius king of the Britons; the Britannic Synod, | held A. D. 512, for electing Theliaus bishop of Llandaff; the British Convention, A. D. 516, composed of all the archbishops, bishops, abbots, and clergy, for the coronation of king Arthur; the Menevensian Synod, held A. D. 519. Besides which, there were three British bishops present at the Council of Arles, A. D. 314; and it is considered several were present at the Council of Nice, 325; and at that of Arminium, 359. Respecting St. Paul, Clement, who was his contemporary and felThe learned writer already men- low-labourer, says, "That he was a tioned well observes, that we may preacher in the east and west, that safely listen to tradition, when its he had taught the whole world righvoice has been "strong, unvarying, teousness, and travelled even to the and continued;" and of this descrip- boundaries of the west." Whether tion is that which attributes the first from these last words, Britain or promulgation of the gospel to Joseph Spain is intended, is a disputed of Arimathea, which we give in Dr. point. Bishops Stillingfleet and Clarke's words: "About 63 years Newton understand it of Britain. after the incarnation of our Lord, The latter writer remarks,*. "Our and 30 after his ascension, Joseph of ancestors of this island seem to have Arimathea, who had buried our lain as remote from the scene of our Lord's body in his own tomb, was Saviour's actions, as almost any nafurnished by Philip the Evangelist tion, and were a rough, inhospitable with eleven disciples, and sent into people, as unlikely to receive so ciBritain, to introduce the gospel of vilized an institution as any people Christ, in place of the barbarous whatever; but yet there is some prorites of the Druids, These holy men, bability that the gospel was preachon their landing, applied to Arvira- ed here by St. Simon the apostle; gus, a British king, for permission to there is much greater probability settle in a rude and uncultivated that it was preached here by St. spot called Ynnwytryn by the Bri- Paul, † and there is absolute certish, Avalonia by the Romans, and tainty that Christianity was planted Glasting-byrig by the Saxons; and in this country in the days of the is still known by the name of Glas- apostles:" in confirmation of which, tonbury. Their petition was granted, the authorities of Eusebius and and twelve hides of land were as- Theodoret are cited. "St Paul signed for their support; and the himself," adds Bishop Newton, place is, to this day, denominated speaks of the gospel being come the twelve hides of Glaston. Here, into all the world, and being preachaccording to this tradition, the stan-ed to every creature under heaven ;‡ dard of the cross was first erected; and a chapel made of wicker-work was the first church of God in Britain! This opinion appears to have See Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. 1. 66 Dissertation xviii. + St. Paul is thought to have been born two years before Christ, and in an homily of St. Chrysostom, is said to have lived 68 years. Col. i. 6, 23. and elegantly applies to the lights of the church, what the psalmist said of the lights of the heavens, Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.'"+ That Christianity was very early known in this country, is proved by Dr. Clarke, from the following authorities: Tertullian, who flourished nearest the apostles, about the middle of the 2d century, on the above words of David says, "In whom have all the nations of the earth believed but in Christ? Not only Parthians, and Medes, &c. &c. but also all the boundaries of the Spaniards, all the different nations of the Gauls, and those parts of Britain which were inaccessible to the Romans, are become subject to Christ." Origen, who flourished abont A. D. 220, asks, "When before the advent of Christ, did the land of Britain AGREE in the worship of one God?" St. Athanasius, in his Apologia contra Arianos, written about A. D. 350, mentioning his trials before the Council of Sardis, at which there were more than 300 bishops present, expresses, "from the provinces of Egypt, Lybia, &c. the Spanish, Gallic, and British territories." From which it is evident, there were churches, and their bishops were of sufficient consequence to be cited to this grand and important council. St. Chrysostom, who flourished about A. D. 400, speaking of the spread of the gospel, says, "In every place altars are erected, among the Romans, Persians, Scythians, Moors, Indians; what shall I say, even beyond our habitable world: for the islands of Britain, which are situated beyond our sea, in the very ocean itself, have felt the power of the word: and even there, churches are built, and altars are erected." Well, youthful reader, our limits admonish us to leave this interesting subject: Christianity has been introduced into Britain, multitudes in heaven, and thousands on earth, are praising God for the event. But the great question is, has it been introduced into your heart by the power of the Holy Spirit? Our land is called a Christian country, and too many H. S. A. ASTRONOMICAL OCCURRENCES less have had their attention exOUR juvenile readers must doubtcited by the planet Venus, which has adorned the western part of the heavens during the evenings of the last four or five months. On the third of April she was seen among the Pleiades; and there had indeed been some expectation that on that of the more northern stars of that day she would eclipse Asterope, one remarkable cluster. however, if it really occurred, was This eclipse, England, as in the early part of the a few hours too early to be seen in evening the planet had advanced Venus is now fast approaching the some distance beyond the star. But sun, which she will pass on the 21st. however, she will form a very inteAt the beginning of this month, not only in the evening but at midresting object for contemplation, day, to those who are provided with a good telescope, and an equatorial stand, to enable them readily to find the planet, and to trace her with facility as she traverses the heavens. The fact is, that she is now in the most interesting part of her orbit, being nearest the earth, and forming a crescent, like the moon a few evenings after the change. But she must be sought in the early part of the month, as the crescent she forms is rapidly contracting itself, and as she will also soon be lost in the effulgence of the sunbeams. The planet Mercury may also be seen on some of the evenings of the present month, as his greatest elongation on the eastern side of the sun happens on the 19th. The place of the heavens in which he appears, will be pointed out by the moon on the evenings of the 17th and 18th, as she passes him on the morning that intervenes between those two evenings. On the 16th there is an eclipse of the sun, but owing to the moon's south latitude, it will be invisible in this country. On the 30th, at eleven minutes after three in the afternoon, the moon will exhibit an appearance similar to that which she assumes just before a lunar eclipse. This dusky appearance on one of the limbs of the moon, will be occasioned by the earth's shadow passing so very near that luminary, as sensibly to affect her by the penumbra. As the moon, however, will not be risen at the time, the phenomenon will not be observed in this island. J. F. Obituary. MISS CHRISTIANA CLARKE. | for her best interests, yet she was not permanently impressed with the importance of religion, until Jehovah visited her with affliction. About much uneasiness for a considerable THE subject of this account was born January 20, 1803. She was the youngest daughter of the late twelve months before her decease, Mr. Edward Clarke, of Pentonville, symptoms of disorder began to apnear London, who was the son-in-pear, which however did not create law of the Rev. William Smith, formerly pastor of the church in Eagle-street. She was educated in a religious manner, and, with her parents, regularly attended for some time the ministry of the late Rev. A. Austin, at Elim-chapel; and for the last six or seven years that of the Rev. Thomas Smith, at Hattonchapel, and afterwards at Trinitychapel. She was taught to revere the word of God, and, having formed a strong attachment to it, she committed a considerable portion of the sacred volume to memory. She was very fond of religious books, and particularly of the "Divine Emblems" of Mr. Quarles, which she often read with delight. The gaiety of her disposition, and some parts of her deportment however, contributed to inspire the minds of her friends with fears for her spiritual welfare; for although, when conversed with, she displayed a concern time. In the month of June, 1816, her father died in the faith of the gospel; and, shortly afterwards, she accompanied her mother to her aunt's in Berkshire, where she remained after her mother's return to London. About the month of October her illness greatly increased, house of God, from which she was and she was unable to attend the a considerable distance. Consumption began its dreadful ravages, and Was soon afterwards attended by the dropsy. Her indisposition, and the death of her father, had made a deep impression on her mind. Combined with these, her absence from the means of grace and her friends in London, and the prospect of death, tended to augment her dis tress. She bitterly lamented the misimprovement of her privileges: upon this subject she has observed, that when in a place of worship, she did not reflect upon what she was hearing; and that her heart was, like the eye of the fool, in the ends of the earth. She felt now the value of the gospel ministry, and was anxious, if she should return to Lon- | don, and could by any means be conveyed to Trinity-chapel, to hear Mr. Smith again; but her desire could never be realized. She was frequently unable to obtain rest in the night, and in these dreary seasons, her reflections were painful and distressing. Her sins were brought before her view, and she was led by the Holy Spirit to view herself as an helpless sinner-she cried for deliverance-she fled to Jesus Christ' for salvation, and obtained relief. She did not then seem to fear death, and expressed a hope, that if she should not meet her relations again in this world, she should | meet them in glory. Her disorder in the meantime increasing, she was removed from the country to the house of her brother in London, where she arrived with | great difficulty about five weeks before her death. Though she appeared to have an extensive acquaintance with the way of salvation, yet her mind was much depressed on account of sin, and with fears that she was not interested in Christ. She anxiously inquired, "What must I do to be saved?" and "will Christ save such a sinner as I am?" She said, that she was indeed a great sinner, and that no one knew the extent of her wickedness but God and herself. Her eldest brother endeavoured to describe the exceeding riches of the grace of God, and the willingness and ability of Christ to save all that come unto God by him. By conversations similar to this, and by the recollection of various passages of scripture which were impressed on her mind, such as "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”"Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God" and the declaration of Christ to the thief on the cross-" To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise," she obtained peace and consolation. The enemy of souls appears afterwards to have harassed her, but a discourse delivered by the Rev. Thomas Smith a considerable time since, which she well remembered, from 1 Peter, v. 8, enabled her to resist the insinuations of the enemy, and she rejoiced greatly in the idea, that this roaring lion could only devour those whom he was permitted to devour. From this time Satan was not allowed to disturb her tranquillity, and for the last three weeks she enjoyed much of the presence of God, and afforded the brightest evidence of her interest in the Redeemer. Her faith in the Son of God was strong and decided. One of her sisters having brought to her a little book which she had often read, called "The Shepherd and his Flock," she pointed to the frontispiece, which represents the Saviour in the character of a shepherd guiding his sheep through a narrow path which terminates in glory, and carrying a lamb in his arms; and observed, " I am weak and feeble like that lamb, but Jesus carries me in his arms." She frequently repeated these lines— "Come children 'tis Jesus that calls, No disciple shall turn you away." One evening, when she was supposed to be asleep, she suddenly began to sing Hallelujah; and afterwards a part of the hymn which begins with "Come ye sinners poor and wretched," although through weakness she was compelled to stop for breath at almost every word; and when she came to the words"Jesus ready stands to save you," her countenance sparkled with celestial joy, and she said she could almost see Jesus in his glory. Having such faith, and feeling such joy, her affections soared above the world, and she was happy in the prospect of departing from the present to a better state of existence. She used to repeat, with peculiar emphasis, these lines, "There's nothing here deserves my joy; There's nothing like my God." Her patience and resignation un der very severe sufferings was remarkably prominent, and was admired by her friends; but she was afraid that she was impatient, and expressed her hope that if she was, the Lord would forgive her. She earnestly requested that the Rev. Thomas Smith might preach a discourse on her death, in order that other young persons might see the goodness and compassion of the Saviour. She chose as a text that memorable invitation of Christ, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" observing that she was heavy laden with sin, and that Christ had not only said, "I will," but that he had given to her rest. The hymns which she selected, for the purpose of being sung on the occasion, and to which she was much attached, were those which commence with these lines," Come ye sinners, poor and wretched;" "Hosanna to Jesus on high;" and "Vital spark of heavenly flame." 46 MARY BARNES was the wife of Christopher Barnes, one of the deacons of the church at Accrington, near Blackburn, Lancashire; and died very suddenly about midnight, January 27, 1817, in the forty-eighth year of her age. She has left an aged mother, an afflicted husband, and seven children, to lament her loss. On the above-named day, she attended to the business of her family as usual, and having previously washed, she was preparing to bake, and had made some progress in it, when a pain in her head, with which she had been more or less afflicted through the day, became so violent, that she was obliged to desist, and resign it to a neighbour, at whose house she then was. When she had sat a few minutes, she went home, and her husband, who had just returned from his work, on seeing her so unwell, but apprehending nothing serious, proposed that she should get a little tea, and go to bed. She at first objected, alleging as her reason the extreme pain which she suffered. When the tea was prepared, however, she took a single cup. The pain in her head became more violent, and as if in the agonies of death, she exclaimed several times, with great earnestness, “Lord Jesus have mercy on me, have mercy on me." She however had still as much strength and self-possession as enabled her to retire to bed without assistance. Her husband, who ac She was very desirous of leaving this world of sin and sorrow, and frequently said, "I long to go to Jesus, and to my heavenly Father; I long to depart, and be with Christ; Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." When her relations wept, she said, Do not weep for me, but rejoice; if I had voice I would sing with you a song of joy, because I am going to my Father." She anxiously inquired for the appearance of symptoms indicating the near approach of death, and when she heard of any she was glad, and would observe, " I hope it will sooner take me to Jesus." Latterly, her anxiety to depart increased, and she requested her youngest brother, the day before her dissolution, to pray for her departure. Convulsions shortly afterwards seized her frame, and when she recovered from each, she turned her anxious eyes to the clock, and inquired, "How long will it be?" At length in the even-companied her up stairs, continued ing of Monday, 3d of March, 1817, having recently entered the fifteenth year of her life, and after having just recovered from a convulsion, her ardent desires were granted, and her happy spirit, bidding adieu to all terrestrial things, mounted to the realms of bliss, with her a short time, during which she had a kind of fit, and beat violently with her hands. In a few minutes, however, she was composed, and seemed easier, and having an engagement to meet a friend on business relating to the church, he left her, charging his daughter, |