RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. without hopes that they have been, and will be, productive of much more good, through the Holy Spirit's induence, on the hearts of those who read them. I remain, Dear Sir, Yours, &c. Respected Sir, 1st Oct. 1805. SINCE the receipt of your last, I have taken about 200 French and Spanish prisoners of war to the Sandwich, in the Medway, previous to their being marched to Norman-cross : to these men I gave all the French Tracts I had. There were a great many officers among them, who passed many high compliments on the authors of those little books, and frequently declared, Tres bons livres en verite. (very good books indeed): they seemed to covet more; and I was sorry I could not gratify them. I hope some of those valuable little books, in our own language, have been rendered very useful to a poor fellow on board one of his Majesty's ships, to whom they were seasonably given: the circumstance is as follows:- Recently, a number of men were put on board my vessel for a passage to the Nore, to serve in the fleet; amongst whom was one Charles F, who had received 4 dozen lashes for desertion; notwithstanding which, having a dislike to the naval service, be deserted a second time, and was a second time apprehended by the police officers. This man, well knowing what he might reasonably expect on his return to his ship, in a fit of despair, attempted his life, by cutting his throat with a knife, while on board with me, which obliged me to leave him behind, under the care of the surgeon of the receiving-ship. On my return to London he was discharged into the vessel I command, a second time, strongly pinioned, as he frequently declared he was determined 'to put an end to his life, could he get the use of his hands. The next day being the Lord's Day, agreeably to the word of God, the articles of war, and my established custom, I convened all the ship's company in the cabin, and this unhappy man amongst them, to hear prayer and preaching, and the word of God read; and I selected for the occasion one of the Village Sermons, called "The Value of the Soul." It was truly affecting to see how this poor man was agitated under the word; he used every effort to conceal his feelings, but in vain. After this service was over, I desired every one to retire from the cabin excepting 139 this distressed creature; I then attempted to argue with him on the nature of the crime of suicide, and the awful effects that follow, and to direct him to the only refuge, Christ Jesus. During this conversation the man wrung his hands and wept bitterly, under a sense of his criminality, and gave every external symptom of genuine penitence. Previous to this, he had frequently lamented the dullnes of his knife, that he could not cut his throat effectually! he now rejoiced that he had not succeeded, saying, "His body must have been a corpse, and his soul lodged in Hell." "O," said he, "that every poor sinner saw the crime of selfmurder, and every other sin, as I have it now presented to my view. I hope God will be merciful to me a sinner. I hope I shall yet live to become as good a member of society as I have been a bad one," After much conversation, I gave him tracts on various subjects, which he eagerly received, and very frequently and very attentively read them; and I have no doubt to great advantage. I have since learned from an officer, that this poor fellow has received his punishment, is now well, and rendering himself useful on board his ship; and that he has never attempted any thing like self-murder since. I remain, dear Sir, Royston, Rev. T. Towne Q 16 5 7 15 15 4 3 8 14 13 6 7 5 Byrom Street, Liverpool, two subscriptions, Davis Wooburn, English & Scot Stockport, Evans Anderton, Mitchell 7 9 21 II 12 1 3 9460 oo mo 1113 5 IT 11 32 4 I о 2 12 10 October 9, 1805. A small chapel was opened at Whizall, in the parish of Priese, Shropshire. Mr. Ralph, of Liverpool preached from Isa. lx. 8. Mr. Everall and Mr. Edwards prayed, &c. In the afternoon Mr. Weaver, of Shrewsbury preached from 1 Peter ii. 4. In the evening Mr. Wilson, of Drayton, preached from Isa. ii. 3.; Mr. Ralph from Mat. ii. 1, 2. We are happy to say that the 6 ministry of Mr. Frey among the Jews, 16 12 has lately been attended with some Little Prescot Street, Booth 158 O Friends, Boston, S. Barnard Merthyr Tidvil, Lewis Eben Chapel, Pontpool, Jones 6 о 10 dirto I Hanoverians living in Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Park 12 3730 very pleasing appearances of success. Many of our readers will be gratified to hear, that a Monthly Prayer-Meeting for the Spread of the Gospel (similar to those at Bristol, Frome, &c.) is held alternately at two places of wor ship at Newport, and one at Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, on the first Monday 6 evening in every month, and is well RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. attended. In this neighbourhood, we are well informed, there is a good opening for an Academy for the Children of Dissenters, who are here very numerous; and a Dissenting Minister, of character and talents, who would preach occasionally, would have the fairest prospect of encouragement. Patriotic Fund. On Saturday, Feb. 22, the amount of the Contributions to the Patriotic Fund, received at Lloyd's, on the Thanksgiving Day (beside the previous Contributions) amount to more than go,cool. Such exertions as these, not only do honour to the national sympathy and gratitude, but they discover such an union of spirit as has seldom 141 been known in this country; and will, we trust, tend to abate that party virulence, which too many have manifested towards all who dissent from the Established Church. CAUTION. It is recommended to persons who attend the more crowded places of public worship in the metropolis, carefully to avoid having property about them (especially in an evening) as a considerable number of genteelly dressed men and women make it their business to frequent such places, solely for the horrid purpose of picking pockets. List of Lectures in and near London for March. 2. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Street, Mr. Gray. 4. Tu. M. Broad Street, Mr. Goode. Wed. Ev. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, at Mr. Hutchings's, Tooley Street. 6. Th. M. Monthly Meeting (Indep.) The Sins of Believers offensive Ev. Fetter Lane, 9. LORD'S DAY EV, Broad Str. Mr. Collyer; Hare Court, Mr. Newman; Orange Street, Mr. Townsend; Chapel Str. Mr. Burder; 18. 19. Tu. M. Broad Street, Mr. Goode. Ev. Fetter Lane, Mr. Waugh. · 23. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Str. Mr. 25. Tu. M. Broad Str. Mr. Ford. Dean Str. Mr. Shenston; Peter 27. Th. Ev. Fetter Lane, Dr. Rippon. Street, Mr. Rea; Devonshire 10. Mon. Er. Prayer-Meeting for the Nation, Surry Chapel. 11. Tu. M. Broad Street, Mr. Ford. 16. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Str. Mr.. Hutchings; Hare Court, Mr. Singing the Praises of God in 30. LORD'S DAY EV. Dean Str. Mr. Clayton; Hare Court; Mr. Shenstone; Chapel Street, Mr. Gore; Orange Street, Mr. Lyndal; Peter Street, Dr. Rippon, MINISTERS SUPPLYING AT The Tabernacle and Tottenham, Mr. Sion, Mr. Start and Mr. Wilkins. Horton, Mr. Hudson, West Bromwick. Or the insertion of the following Poem, we cannot omit to announce, that it is designed to recommend The Asylum for educating the Deaf and Dumb. That institution has existed fourteen years, and produced effects most grateful to the philanthropic and pious heart. "The Deaf indeed hear, the Dumb speak; and to these poor babes the gospel is preached." The Funds of the Society are however very inadequate to the relief of the numerous and affecting objects who solicit their assistance. Only twelve candidates can be now annually admitted; and at the last half-yearly election, forty-seven applicants were unavoidably rejected: some of whom are now, by their age, rendered unadmissible; and others have brothers and sisters suffering under the same affliction. The Society have, therefore, determined to build a more extensive Asylum, and considerably to increase the numbers whom they relieve: but they cannot execute their de sign without liberal and extensive support; and such support, we hope, that they will not ineffectually entreat. Further information may be obtained from Henry Thornton, Esq. M. P. Birchin Lane, Treasurer; or the Rev. John Townsend, Rotherhithe, Secretary, who will gratefully accept any Donations for the intended Building, or Annual Subscriptions towards the general expences of the Society. PETITION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB. WHO is that little blooming boy? Oh, he is deaf and dumb? And who that maid, so passing fair, She too is deaf and dumb! Would that my language could relate Their woe-fraught pangs and cheerless state? And how I pity their sad fate Who are both deaf and dumb! Their infant years were never blest With a soft lullaby to rest: No prattlings e'er their love exprest, For they were deaf and dumb! Where healthy youthful sports abound, As they are deaf and dumb! When unseen dangers rush most near, Since they are deaf and dumb! Not all the melodies of Spring To the dull deaf and dumb! From cheerful scenes to gloom they steal; They can no joy nor pain reveal, Whilst they are deaf and dumb! What knowledge can their minds acquire ? In the sad deaf and dumb? POETRY. If rich, Science, with beams so bright, The darksome deaf and dumb! But if their parents should be poor, And die both deaf and dumb! Must they, ye good, whose hearts can sigh No; to the succour you will fly Of the poor deaf and dumb! Children, whose bosoms joyful beat Around the social hearth to meet, Who can your much-lov'd parents greet, Pity the deaf and dumb! Parents, who purest transports know, Hasten your gratitude to show, And aid, with lib'ral hands, bestow Upon the deaf and dumb! You who can list to pious lays, And in the Church unite to raise The fervent hymn of heartfelt praise, Assist the deaf and dumb! From Heav'n may great success descend, And constant fruits their toils attend, The hapless deaf and dumb1 And whilst we thus deplore their lot, Hoxton Square. Hoxton. Like them, both deaf and dumb! LINES ON THE THOUGHT OF DEATH. O, for that car which bore the man* of God- Safe to convey me to that bright abode, Far from Death's gloomy vale to mark the way! A thousand diff'ring tracks its entrance gain; And accidents in frightful forms that roll. Hark! from the skies a voice, than mortal more, "The path thou hast to walk I have made plain: Jesus, at thy command my fears subside; * Elijah. J. W. 143 STUDENS THEOLOGIE. |