Bible, Sir, ourselves, but our children who are at the Sunday-school can.' [Here a little boy was introduced who had received one penny per week of his father, and preserved it for sixty-six weeks, till he purchased a bible.] Bible Associations certainly stand greatly preeminent, in that they accomplish such stupendous ends by such comparatively insignificant means. Who could have supposed that in this parish, in the short space of eighteen months, under the greatest pressure of the times, the sum of one hundred and forty-six pounds could be raised by small weekly contributions : through which the poor have been so easily supplied. Nor has your Committee yet heard of a single instance where a Bible or Testament furnished by them has been sold or transferred. We have it also in our minds, not to rest till we have introduced a supply of the scriptures into all the neighbouring villages. Nor can we for a moment doubt that the abundance of seed thus sown, will in due time reward us with a corresponding harvest. The advantages in possession and in anticipation, civil and religious, temporal, spiritual, and eternal, which we confidently calculate on, combine to produce progressive substantial happiness to all those who have in any way contributed to such blessed results; and we humbly trust infallibly to ensure to them and their posterity, the blessed and comprehensive smiles of Him who hath said, 'In as much as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'” CHAPTER V. EXTRACTS FROM A DIARY. "1817. Sometime ago the following occurrence took place I witnessed it. A certain tradesman who was somewhat embarrassed in his affairs, wished to dispose of his business. His stock was very large: a person in the neighbourhood felt somewhat inclined to take it; he of course made the necessary enquiries respecting what capital would be wanted. The person who wished to dispose, well-knowing that the stock was too large for the other to contend with without great difficulty, designedly represented it to be of only half the value that it really was: at the same time, the conditions of the contract were to be, that the stock should be valued by two indifferent persons, and that whatever were the amount, he, the purchaser, should be bound to take it all. This stratagem, had it succeeded, would have entirely ruined the party concerned a merciful providence, however, timely interposed,The snare was broken, and he was delivered.' Observe,-He feared God. But see the fatal consequence to the other. A principal creditor accidentally hearing that Mr. valued his stock at only £ became alarmed for the safety of his money, and forthwith levied an execution to an immense amount : (this was certainly premature if not cruel). The property was instantly sold at a great loss. There was a considerable sum left after paying all the creditors to the full, notwithstanding the heavy law and other expenses incurred: at least two thousand pounds. But the unhappy character alluded to, unable to sustain the dreadful catastrophe : into which himself and family had fallen, refusing to be comforted, soon yielded up his disconsolate spirit to God who gave it. Awful warning to all those who sacrifice truth for gain. Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye also unto them.' This is in all cases the good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God: and it is also in the end the most profitable rule for man. Lord help me more than ever to attend to it, for thy great name and mercy's sake. "July 3rd, 1817. Attended a coroner's inquisition to enquire into the cause of the death of He was in perfect health on Saturday last, in the vigour of manhood: attempting to remove a waggon he had his fingers crushed; they mortified, and he died in three days. His body, though only thirty hours dead, is a spectacle shocking beyond all description: his face is as black as jet. The surgeon states that he was in a state of intoxication at the time the accident happened, and that his constant habit of drinking produced such a nervous irritability, and such grossness of habit, as caused his death. 'Religion's yoke is soft and light, And all her paths are paths of peace.' Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left are riches and honor.' 999 October 12th, 1817. This afternoon a poor man at the Common with the greatest gratitude and affection, expressed his obligations to me for spiritual good received at our christian experience meeting, he added with great emphasis, 'all your labour, Sir, I will not be lost.' This was a message from God to me, it lifted up my drooping head, and I again went on my way rejoicing. 'Still, O Lord, our faith increase, Make, O make us, meet for Thee.'" "November 23rd, 1817. The chapel hung with mourning for the death of the Princess Charlotte, and with her, the death also of England's glory.'When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away as it were a moth fretting a garment. Every man therefore is but vanity.' 'Visiting the sins of the fathers upon "January 25th, 1818. Visited a poor woman at the Common, who lives in a wretched cottage scarce fit for å stable. Two shillings a week, Sir, to live on, and this blessed book which you brought me, (pointing to a testament of the association she always kept by her side), make me quite happy and thankful. Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. I have got all this, and more; I have got the love of God in my heart, and I am willing to depart hence, whenever the Lord is pleased to call me.' 'There's something in the holy mind, For ever felt, yet undefined, So separate from without; That, add to want the fever's rage, I tell you, sufferings that embrued Which bursts the heart that dares to die NEALE.' "January 30th, 1818. Sweetest of blessings! filled overflowing with the treasures of his love. Divine communion, large and high, scarcely room left for either prayer or praise; all arising from having just left the dying bed of dear Mrs. C. O how different from that of her late husband! My soul said in very deed 'It is good to be here'-emphatically good- 'No guilty gloom can damp Whom Jesus' presence cheers.' A heavenly serenity on her pale countenance. 'Glories beaming from her brow.' "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for thou art with me.' Sure 'tis a privilege thus to die. 'Great in ruin, With unreluctant grandeur, gives, not yields, What a struggle I had in my mind at first about going to see her,-To-morrow-at a more convenient season, when no one is there to interrupt the conversation-she will not die yet-she does not belong to your denomination, for several weeks I yielded to these plausible suggestions of the stranger's voice: now, O my merciful God, receive I humbly beseech Thee, the humble hearty thanks of Thy poor creature, that with Thy own right hand and holy arm Thou hast gotten Thyself the victory. An hour's conversation with this dear woman- O what shall I compare it to! Words are lost' in describing it: and Thou thyself in very deed wast there, with thy two or three, in the midst, in the very centre of our enraptured souls. Sure it was the felt presence of the Deity. "O God of good, the unfathomed sea, O -the night that she dreamed this awful dream, the friend was awaked by hearing her cry out in her sleep very loudly: on going to see what was the matter, she found her in great agitation, the cause of which she related as follows.] I dreamed that my late deceased husband was returned; that he came not to see me, but the children; that one of the children ran up stairs and said to me, 'father is down stairs; surprized at hearing this, I called out aloud to him to come up to me. He immediately came up |