It is also lamentably true, that many of the people do not attend our places of worship when they are erected; but this only lessens without destroying the power for good which such places exert upon the surrounding neighbourhood, and rather increases than diminishes the necessity for their erection. For, wherever a chapel is set up, with an evangelical ministry, there schools, visiting societies, city missions, and other religious and philanthropic institutions are established, which cannot fail to prove as salt to the surrounding mass. All other means of usefulness are found to be inadequate without places of worship, and the regular preaching of the gospel; but where these are provided, those other means will be most effectually promoted. Thus the necessities of London point with solemn emphasis to the increase of edifices in which divine worship may be observed, and the word of truth be proclaimed; and for a larger supply of these, they constitute an appeal which cannot but be felt by all who care for the souls of the people, and sympathize with the compassionate Saviour. MORAL AND SPIRITUAL RESULTS OF CHAPEL-BUILDING IN LONDON. It is satisfactory to know that the chapels which have been erected by the Metropolitan Chapel Building Fund, and the London Congregational Chapel Building Society, have been the means of securing the highest and happiest results. In connection with them, churches and congregations have been gathered; vast numbers of children have been instructed on the Sabbath, and during the week; thousands of families surrounding them have been regularly visited for Christian instruction; and large sums have been annually contributed in aid of home and foreign missions. In proof of the truth of these general statements, the following particulars of four chapels are given as specimens of the The names of the chapels are withheld in deference to the Christian modesty of their ministers. rest. Chapel was built by the Metropolitan Chapel Building Fund. It is situated in a locality largely inhabited by the working classes. It has a congregation fluctuating between 600 and 800, and a church of between 200 and 300 members. Attached to it, are Bible classes and Sunday-schools, with about 300 scholars; and day-schools for boys, girls, and infants, containing a still larger number of children. It has a City Missionary, who labours in the surrounding district, and a Christian Instruction Society, with about 16 visitors, each one having a district in the neighbourhood. There is also a Benevolent Society for the relief of the sick poor, a Dorcas Society, and a Coal and Clothing Club, with nearly 300 weekly depositors. Upwards of £100 a year is contributed to Foreign Missions, and about £30 a year to British Missions, besides what is done for various other societies. Chapel was also built by the Metropolitan Chapel Building Fund. It is filled with a congregation of from 1200 to 1400 persons, composed largely of the poorer classes and young men. The church has between 600 and 700 members, a large proportion of whom have been gathered from the neighbourhood, and reclaimed from ungodliness and vice by the preaching of the gospel. There are Sunday and day schools connected with the chapel, with from 400 to 500 scholars; also a Dorcas, Christian Visiting, and other Societies; a City Missionary, and a Young Men's Christian Association. The inhabitants of a large part of the neighbourhood have been notorious for vice; and the churches of the Establishment among them have been grievously infected with Tractarianism; but, by the blessing of God upon this chapel, and its faithful minister, hundreds of ungodly persons have become consistent followers of Christ, and the truth as it is in Jesus has proved far more attractive and powerful than the gaudy ceremonials and erroneous doctrines of a priestly superstition. Chapel has been erected by the London Congregational Chapel Building Society. It has been opened about two years and a half. Its pulpit is happily occupied by an earnest and evangelical minister, and the chapel itself is crowded with an attentive congregation of not fewer than 1200 persons. A church has been formed, the members of which are gradually increasing in number; and the Sunday-schools are as prosperous as they well can be, with the present lack of accommodation. The congregation are erecting spacious and handsome school-rooms, which will, ere long, send forth copious streams of Scripture knowledge through the populous district in which they are placed. There are, also, other religious and philanthropic institutions, which are as yet in their infancy; but bid fair, speedily, to attain to a vigorous and beneficent maturity. chapels, may serve still further to increase our gratitude and zeal. Mr. is a respectable shopkeeper. For a long series of years he had been living without God, occasionally going to church on the Sabbath morning, and spending the rest of the day in pleasuretaking or reading the newspaper. One Sabbath morning he was led by a circumstance, apparently accidental, but really providential, to go to one of the chapels which have been mentioned. He was interested and impressed by what he heard. He went again and again-soon became a stated and constant hearer--received the gospel by faith-forsook his former habits, and is now a consistent disciple of Christ and a member of the church. Mr. is a working man; he had been accustomed, from his youth, utterly to neglect the word and worship of God, and too often indulged in the vices of his class. He heard the minister of one of these chapels at a public meeting in another place, and was induced, by what he heard, to visit the chapel itself. The gospel proved to be "the power of God unto his salvation." His wife, too, was brought under the same quickening influence. They both gave evidence of genuine conversion, were received into the church, and have proved to be eminently consistent and useful Christians. Chapel has also been erected by the London Congregational Chapel Building Society, in a neighbourhood which presents urgent necessities, but corresponding difficulties. It has been opened about a year and a half, and the gospel is now faithfully and regularly preached within its walls, to a congregation of from 400 to 500 persons. It has connected with it a church of about fifty members, a Sunday-school, with nearly 300 children, a Tract Society, a Church-visiting Society, a Dorcas So- Mrs. is a respectable married ciety, a Juvenile Missionary Working female, residing in the vicinity of one Association, and Bible Classes; all in of these chapels. For about twenty active and efficient operation. Besides years she had neglected public worship all this, the minister and people are with her family, and her life had been zealously exerting themselves to pro- one of alienation from God. She was cure the erection of commodious school- led, by some apparently trivial circumrooms, and have already obtained a stance, to attend for once at the chapel. goodly sum towards that important ob- Her heart was touched. She became a ject. The massive results thus pre-regular attendant, and, ere long, dissented in these four chapels, sufficiently closed the happy change which she had prove the wisdom and adaptation of undergone. She is now a consistent this method of spreading the gospel, member of the church, and is following and may well stir up the hearts of all Christ, though at the expense of bearwho behold them, to carry on the good ing a heavy cross. It would be easy to work which has been so signally blessed give many instances of similar happy of God. One or two individual ex- conversions which have augmented the amples of the spiritual good which has joy of the angels before God. Surely been accomplished by means of these they should fill our hearts with holy VOL. XXXI. G delight, and animate us to fresh exertion in the service of Him who gives so bounteous a harvest to the labours of his servants. In view of these facts, which prove at once the necessity and the blessed results of the work in which they are engaged, the Committee of the London Congregational Chapel Building Society earnestly solicit the fervent prayers aud liberal aid of all who may read this paper. PHILIP DODDRIDGE AND HIS CORRESPONDENTS. No. IV. Robert Cruttenden, Esq.-Hymn by.-Hon. Mrs. Scawen, daughter of Lady Russell.—— Letter of-Miss Sarah Wesley, niece of the Founder of Methodism.-Letter of.-Poems by.-The Wreath.-Lines to Maria Cosway.-The Surprise.-Concluding Remarks. No. XIV. SELF-EXAMINATION. By Robert Cruttenden, Esq. AND is it yet, dear Lord, a doubt If in my heart thou reign'st alone? Oh! find the lurking rival out, And drag the traitor from the throne. Would earth's delusive, trifling charms Dispute a power aboye thy name?— Stab the usurper in my arms, And vindicate thy rightful claim. By purchase, duty, every tie, Even choice itself, Lord, I am thine; Maintain that right and let me die, Ere from thy love my soul decline. If my poor wandering heart would rove, And well thou know'st its subtle frame, If aught below, or aught above, Would share or quench the sacred flame; Chase the cursed object from my soul, Far thence the latent mishief tear, Rule thou the sovereign of the whole, And Lord of every motion there. Too close the secret idol lies, I search, alas! but search in vain ; Yet even by thy all-piercing eyes, Oh! let it by thy power be slain. That I would love but thee alone, To thee I make my last appeal, But if I do not, 'tis unknown.. Speak, Lord, for only thou canst tell. Transferring to a note,* a Letter from No. XV. HONOURABLE MRS. SCAWEN TO MRS. Maidwell, ye 10th May, 1756. Through the great and unspeakable the Honourable Mrs. Scawen, ... only daughter of Lord James Russell, fifth son of William, first Duke of Bedford, goodness of God I am now able to set my pen to paper, and with pleasure it shall be employed in my sincerest thanks to good and dear Mrs. Doddridge for her tender concern for me, and more especially for her prayers and those of her friends to which I contribute [attribute ?] my recovery and a blessing on the means I made use of otherwise. Physicians are of no value. Indeed it has been a painful and fatiguing illness for some weeks; the erysipeles which is alone the sorest and [most] troublesome disorder, but then falling on my arm which was burnt made it more exquisite and tedious in healing the wound, which is now [however] near closing. Mr. Paull has shown both his skill and honesty in the cure of it. I have great reason to be thankful for my cure, and may it be more suitably owned to the God of my life and length of my days. And may the frequent warnings I have of my own weakness make me more watchful and ready and willing to leave this vain uncertain world, and to rejoice [that] there is a rest remaining for the people of God. Few have seen more of the vanity of these earthly enjoyments than myself, but [I] would wait till I come to that world where all will be set in a clear light, even what is now so dull and intricate and hard to be understood; and I hope these providences may be sanctified to me and be as ordinances. I am extremely glad you are so well and to go thro' such incessant writing as your affairs oblige you to despatch. I sincerely wish you success in your [late dear Husband's] Family Expositor, and every other undertaking. As to your building, tho' a small enlargement to your house, (and can't be avoided) yet it is attended with more trouble and expense, To this Letter we also add three singularly chaste and sprightly little Poems by Miss Wesley, the whole hitherto unpublished. and niece of the celebrated Lady Rachel | fection on all occasions is well known, Russell.... as interesting rather from and my sincerest congratulations I beg the Writer than anything in itself, ex- you will present to Mrs. Humphreys. cept so far forth as it enables us to feel, My youngest brother is married-it was so to speak, the pulse of the higher so- long, too long kept a secret from us. ciety in which the Doddridge family I have been in the country visiting his moved..... we close these Selections wife; he has a lovely boy, seven months with a particularly acceptable Letter old, and in whom I fancy I can spy from Miss Sarah Wesley, niece of the some strong traces of my beloved fagreat Founder of Methodism. ther. Mrs. Samuel Wesley is in ill health, and I have promised to accompany her to the Hot Wells: this has retarded all my determinations, as she is yet unfixed about it, and I think, my dear friend, it will not be possible to wait upon you till the autumn; at least, I should keep you in uncertainty three weeks longer, and it is better to decide thus, than to prevent any agreeable plans of your own: therefore favour me with your kind letters, with your affectionate wishes, with your valued friendship, till we meet, which [I trust] will be in this world before we rejoin in another. No. XVI. MISS SARAH WESLEY TO MRS. MY DEAR FRIEND,-Your kind letter has just reached me; so many circumstances and indeed events have fallen out since I received your former favour, as would not only excuse but justify a silence, wherein I am much the loser. But first, I must return you my cordial thanks for the account of your niece's safe delivery. Your solicitude and af (especially to our sex) than at first was foreseen. I hope your son continues well at St. Alban's, and yt your daughters are so with you, to whom we all beg our best compliments. I have returned the sermons preached on the fast; to my taste Mr. Gilbert's and Mr. [Job] Orton's are preferable to any of the Dissenters, and Dr. Fenwick's before the House of Commons exceeding any of the established Church. I wish either the one or the other did but promote a general reformation in this land, and avert the judgments which we have reason to fear. My young family are well, and your obliged, humble servant. I see in the Newspapers Mr. Price is dead: by all accounts a worthy and eminent minister. There are a number of such of late years called home: but not suffering my pen to enlarge, nor your thoughts to fly with so large a field of meditation, I conclude, Dear Mrs. Doddridge, your most affectionate and faithful humble servant, T. SCAWEN. P. S. I hope you received my daughter's letter relative to Mrs. Harrison's book. I should be glad if you would send me some practical sermons which I have not read. My mind has been a good deal agitated with domestic occurrences, as you will imagine: my brother Samuel has many excellent and intellectual qualities; may he be happy in the choice of very early youth! I have just now received a letter from the priest, whom you have kindly interested yourself concerning, the brother of my friend Madame Bathe; he has flown to Holland, and the accounts he gives of his undaunted countrymen is really alarming. He must soon fly to England, as there is much danger for a conscientious priest anywhere but here. Courtnay [or Courtray] is taken, and other towns: the Republican armies are passing on to Menin and meditating a descent on Ostend. Alas! what avails our partial advantages, as magnified in our Gazettes! we may extend slaughter, but cannot hope for conquest. I should rejoice in any measures which accelerated peace, but much doubt if it be not prolonged by desperation on one side and obstinacy on the other. The word of a persecuted emi grant is good authority, and he is so near the spot, and witnesses such scenes of carnage, that he can have no motives for misrepresentation. He knows not whether his amiable sister Bathe is alive, not having heard from her since July last. Often do I recollect the many agreeable days I passed with her; they were peaceful and sweet! My distress at leaving France, where I did not remain three months, was inexplicable and prophetic! my attachment to people whose merits I could not be said to know, though I believed, was as extraordinary. Yet, I am inclined to think that many of our sympathies, which in this stage of existence seem only sources of fruitless anxiety, will be explained and perfected in another. Probably the spirits of the departed are actively employed in averting evil and imparting good-in rewarding kindness and mitigating sorrows. The thought is consoling, and adds a sacredness to friendship and a pleasure to piety. Yes, my dear Mrs. Doddridge, I will hope that in some renewed state you will receive better, stronger marks of gratitude and affection than can now be testified by your S. WESLEY. May 3, 1794. Our kindest respects to your good family. Let me hear from you soon: meanwhile if I procure a frank I shall not wait for the form of punctual answers. Mrs. Brace called on me the other day, and enquired with much interest after yourself. She is in astonishing health, strength, and spirits. No. XVII. THE WREATH.... A DREAM. In Fancy's dream on sweets intent, The violet-Joy! all bright and blue, Surcharged it seemed with morning dew, And breathed its sweetness o'er the glade. Forming this fancy wreath for thee, Mingling with sweets! uncourteous here! No. XVIII. LINES TO MARIA COSWAY. Thee, dear Maria! would thy sister hail, And bold's the Muse that kindred claims with thine, She brings a garland from the lowest vale, (A simple garland) to bedeck thy shrine. No scented Tuberose (Flattery's high perfume), No gaudy Tulip (Falsehood's vain attire), Is in the garland twined, no sickly bloom Of fading Lily, born but to expire! Fair emblem of short-lived Caprice! I bring Wild flowers of Truth to grace the sweetest dream; And Ivy.... Love! in many a mystic ring Winding around a branch of fix'd esteem. October, 1779. No. XIX. THE SURPRISE. Written at Fifteen.. "I love," said a Maid, as she sat on a plain, "I love," said a voice in reply.— Delighted she rose to find out the fond swain Who answered her sighs with a sigh. She wandered throughout every valley and grove, She sought for this shepherd in vain. "You mock me," she cried, " by pretending to love." "You mock me," it answer'd again. |