| themselves and in the Church at large, Mr. Currie, the senior elder, rose, and having in warm terms alluded to the amiability, faithfulness, and zeal of their late pastor, the Rev. Adam Roxburgh, whom loss of health alone had withdrawn from his pastoral work, he trusted only for a season, and who was this evening enabled to be among them, presented him, in the name of his former flock, with a handsome time-piece, in testimony of their respect and esteem, and of their gratitude for the successful efforts made by him for the erection of the elegant and commodious church in which they are now privileged to worship. While all had felt proud to contribute to this memorial, the ladies of the congregation must receive the credit due to some labour and much good taste in the matter. Mr. Roxburgh, with much feeling, accepted this gift, acknowledging the kindness by which it was dictated, and expressing, in the most generous spirit, his hope and confidence | that the work from which, in God's providence, he had been removed, would, by the blessing of the Great Head of the Church on the labours of his successor, be, in His own time and way, accomplished among them. After a few words from Mr. Duncan, in concluding the duties of the evening, this very interesting meeting dispersed. MARYLEBONE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. -The Annual Tea-meeting of the Sabbathscholars was held in the school-room connected with this Church, on the 18th inst. By half-past five o'clock nearly 200 children had assembled. The Rev. W. Chalmers asked the blessing, and after all had partaken of tea, and returned thanks in united voices, and also sung two appropriate hymns, Mr. Chalmers delivered a suitable Address on that trite but important apophthegm-"Things are not always what they appear to be," which he illustrated in a very pleasing manner. These various topics were interspersed with questions which were generally correctly and promptly answered, and thus showed that the youths were undergoing a training in divine things, which by God's blessing would not only fit them for being good members of society here, but prepare them also for glory hereafter. LIVERPOOL. Canning-street Presbyterian Church Young Men's Society.-From the last Annual Report of this interesting Society, we find that it now consists of thirty-eight members. We transcribe the following list of Essays, read at their ordinary meetings, as they may be useful as hints to others :-Prophecy Fulfilled ;Providence;-Life and Character of Buxton;-The Christian in his relation to the world;-Popery, and its effects on the moral and intellectual condition of its adherents;―The development of the intel lect and the discipline of the heart in their relation to each other;-Williams's missionary labours in the South Sea Islands;Athens, its civil, moral, and religious institutions, and its rise and fall;--The Pilgrim Fathers in New England, and the causes which led them to seek an asylum there. Life and times of Charles I.;-The introduction of Christianity, its reception and propagation ;-The captivity of the Israelites in Egypt, and their journeyings in the Wilderness;-Prayer, its duty and privilege;-The Sabbath-school Teacher and his duties;-The promotion of personal religion;-The doctrine of Non-resistance ;Man as created, man as fallen, man as redeemed;-Sketch of Luther and the German Reformation;-Geology as illustrative of the goodness of God. The Society has two Sabbath evening schools under its management, conducted and supported, in a great measure, by the members. The average attendance in Stanhope-street school has been 55 boys, 67 girls, and 35 infants; in Mill-street school, 90 boys, 50 girls, and 20 infants: 307 children in all, under the instruction of 39 teachers. We most earnestly commend the example of the Canning-street Society to the attention of other young men, for we know of no better means of securing the sympathies and assistance of their ministers and office-bearers, or of doing so much good to themselves, as by such acts of Christian benevolence. RAMSBOTTOM MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.-The Annual Soirée of this Institution was held in the hall of the Athenæum on Thursday evening, the 4th of March-about four hundred persons sat down to tea. After tea, Joshua Knowles, Esq., of Stormer-hill, was called to the chair, and addressed the Meeting in terms of the strongest commendation of the high character and beneficial results of the Institution. Eloquent and effective addresses were afterwards delivered by the Rev. V. M. White, B.A., of Liverpool; the Rev. Alexander Munro, of Manchester; Professor Calvert, of the Royal Institution, Manchester; Messrs. Aitken and Lawson, of Manchester; also by the Rev. J. H. Butcher, Incumbent of Ramsbottom; and by the Rev. A. H. Hulton, and the Rev. J. P. Hughes, of the Established Church. The soirée was brilliant and successful, and gave great satisfaction. [We must again plead with our friends connected with Sabbath-schools and Young Men's Associations, to furnish us with brief abstracts of their doings for the year, instead of the usual formal announcements of their annual gatherings, from which we gather no intelligence whatever of a really practical character.-EDs.] Children's Messenger. CORFU JEWISH MISSION-SCHOOL. (Continued from page 95.) PERHAPS Some of you thought, when reading your "Messenger" last month, how very difficult it must be to make Christians of the Jews-how very patient and persevering Mr. Charteris will require to be. And you were right. But when you grow a little older, you will find that it is very difficult to do good anywhere. The Lord Jesus himself found this to be the case; and He said the reason of it was, because "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." But God can change the heart, however desperate may be its wickedness, and fill it with his own love. He has done so to many a Jew, and made them "a burning and a shining light." The man was a Jew of whom these words were first spoken; and see what a beautiful shining light the Apostle Paul was. He shed a glorious light around him wherever he went; it did not go out when he was laid in the grave, for it is now burning in every part of the world, and will continue to "shine more and more unto the perfect day." God has given us many great and precious promises" respecting the Jews. If you look to Isa. xi. 12, you will see that he promises to "assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." Mr. Charteris knows this verse well; many a time when his spirit was weary and his heart heavy, has he read it over and over; and he has taken fresh courage from it when he remembered that the poor "outcasts of Israel" in Corfu, were included in the blessing. When he has looked at them wandering about like sheep without a shepherd, weary and heavy laden and knowing of no resting-place, complaining that they were, 66 "Strangers in a dull, cold land, the words of Jeremiah have often been sweeter to his heart than music,-" Thus saith the Lord, like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them." (Jer. xxxii. 42.) No doubt you will be glad to know-and it is a fact which ought very much to encourage you to help them-that at present there are upwards of two hundred converted Jews ordained ministers of the Gospel. The revival of religion in Germany has been mainly owing, under God, to the zealous labours of the "outcasts of Israel," whom He has gathered in, and made shining lights in that dark land. Who can tell, but from your little schools in Corfu, some noble spirits may yet come, and, "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus," shall be mighty through Him-like Paul of old-" to the pulling down of the strongholds" of the kingdom of Satan? Let us work hard and pray fervently for it, and doubtless God will grant us "all the good that He has promised." You remember that, last month, we concluded by telling you how the Jewish children returned again to Mr. Charteris' school, and began to learn with renewed diligence. Poor Miss Greig, then teacher, was greatly delighted to see them in class once more, and hoped to spend many years in winning them to the fold of Jesus.But our fondest hopes are often short-lived. Very soon she was taken ill, and though she still kept at work, it was in great weakness and suffering. The doctor at last told her she was in a consumption, and that she must not teach any longer. This was a sad blow to her, but she felt it was the Lord's doings, and therefore became resigned. One thing she desired very much,-that she "might die among her own kindred," and therefore prepared to return to Scotland. It was almost with a breaking heart she bade farewell to the dark-eyed girls of her school, earnestly desiring she might meet them again in heaven. Having reached Bergamo, in Italy, her strength failed, and she was obliged to get into an hospital there. It was a lonely time for her, lying, weak and worn out, among strangers and foreigners, but the Lord was with her. At last she reached her father's house, pale and exhausted, where she died shortly afterwards. Miss Mackenzie was then appointed to the school, and proved a most worthy successor to Miss Greig. Next time we hope to give you a description of the island; and we may as well tell you that Mr. Charteris promised to help us in doing this; he posted a very interesting letter to us, long ago; but it has been miscarried or lost, so that we are obliged to wait until he has time to send another. We found the card too small to hold a good view of Corfu, and therefore we have given you one of a Greek Church. Perhaps some other time you may see a larger engraving in your own "Messenger." Meantime we hope you will now set to work in right earnest. Let the cards be returned as we formerly stated-to the Treasurer of the Corfu Mission, care of Mr. Anderson, 16, Exeter Hall. THE TICKING WATCH. "O PAPA," said Frederick, dancing into the room, and gazing with smiling looks on something he held in his hand; "it is a watch; it is a real true watch; for, hark! it ticks! Yes it ticks! it ticks!" continued the delighted boy, applying it to his ear, and jumping still higher. Only listen, papa," said he, climbing upon his father's knee, and holding the watch to his ear, "tick, tick, tick! do you hear?" "Yes, I hear," answered papa; "but what is all this? where did you get it?" "Pull out your own watch, papa," said Frederick, too busy to answer questions; "and let me see if they are both alike." Out came papa's watch; and the little boy, holding one in one hand, and the other in the other hand, began to compare them. "Yes, they are both alike-one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve figures are on each. It is half-past eleven o'clock by yours, and it is three-quarters of an hour past eleven by mine. Look, is not that right?" "It is, my boy." "I can see my face in yours, and you may see your face in mine; they shine so bright! only yours is yellow, papa, and mine is white; how is that? "Yours is silver, and mine is gold," answered рара. "Well, then, I am a man now. But I must tell you how I have gained the watch, for I am sure you must be surprised." And here Frederick strutted across the room, with all the consequence a boy feels when first he wears this favourite and useful ornament. His papa confessed he was a little curious to learn how he became possessed of so valuable a present, and listened, with real pleasure, to the following account. Frederick was passing a lane near his house, when he saw a boy treating a poor loaded horse with wanton cruelty, goading his sides with a sharp stick, and beating him about the head. Frederick was shocked, and civilly entreated him to desist; but the boy, without making any reply but a sneering grin, only belaboured the poor beast with greater violence. Frederick, enraged at this cruelty, raised his voice, and commanded him to leave off, or he would call his father, who should see him punished. "You would gain nothing by that, little master," replied Tom Wilson; "for I would beat him worse another time." This answer stung the generous Frederick to the quick. "You are a cruel boy," cried he," and deserve to be well beaten yourself." "Not by you," answered Tom, with a sneer; "I think I could soon manage such a stripling as you are." "Stripling!" repeated Frederick; and he drew himself up, as if to add to his stature; "little as you may think I am, I have a better spirit than to ill-use a helpless animal." "I should like to try your spirit," said Tom, with a provoking smile; "so, young gentleman, if you have a mind for the trial, take off your coat, and let us see who has most spirit." quickened his steps, so as to escape the blow, and Tom, in the effort, fell at full length on the road, with his face against a sharp stone. All his courage vanished when he beheld his own blood, as it streamed over his hand, which he raised to the wound, and he shouted out with pain and terror. Frederick, kindly overlooking his late conduct, ran to assist him, and gave his pocket-handkerchief to tie up the wound. The cruel are always selfish, and Tom eagerly accepted this kind offer, forgetting how little he deserved it. While thus employed, a gentleman turned into the lane, who was no other than Frederick's grandpapa; he had seen the whole affair from the opposite side of the hedge, and, after commending the conduct of his grandson, he took Tom Wilson to task for the inhuman treatment of the poor horse, made him acknowledge the justice of his punishment, and promise, for the future, to treat the animal with kindness. As a reward for Frederick's behaviour on this occasion, his grandpapa gave him the real silver watch, which he showed with so much pleasure to his father. HAND OF THE AVENGER STAYED. THE following incident is taken from the diary of Hans Egede Saabye, a grandson of the celebrated Hans Egede, first missionary to Greenland. It has ever been a fixed law in Greenland, that murder, and particularly the murder of a father, must be avenged. About twenty years before the arrival of Saabye, a father had been murdered in the presence of his son, a lad of thirteen, in a most atrocious manner. The boy was not able, then, to avenge the crime, but the murderer was not forgotten. The boy left that part of the country, and kept the flame burning in his bosom, no suitable opportunity offering for revenge, as the man was high in influence, and many near to defend him. At length his plan was laid, and with some of his relations to assist him, he returned to the province of the murderer, who lived near the house of Saabye; there being no house unoccupied where they might remain, but one owned by Saabye, they requested it, and it was granted, without any remark, although he knew the object of their coming. The son soon became interested in the kind missionary, and often visited his cabin, giving as his reason, "You are so amiable, I cannot keep away from you." Two or three weeks after, he requested to know more of "the great Lord of Heaven," of whom Saabye had spoken. His request was cheerfully granted. Soon it appeared that himself and all his relatives, were desirous of instruction, and ere long, the son requested baptism. To this request the missionary answered, "Kunnuck," for that was his name, you know God, you know that he is good, that he loves you and desires to make you happy; but he desires also that you should obey him." Tom Wilson was a coward; but he knew himself to be much stronger than Frederick, and therefore would willingly have fought him, secure of not being beaten ; but our little friend, though not wanting in proper courage, had no desire to settle the dispute by a brutal contest, which he had been taught to despise as a low and cruel custom. Tom, whose rough nature had not been softened by care and instruction, could not believe a boy who refused to fight possessed true courage; and, concluding the other was afraid of him, used every provoking effort to rouse the anger of Frederick; but, although his temper was a little ruffled, the prudent boy had forbearance, and did not allow Tom's insults to make him forget the commands of his parents. At this moment, the poor horse, who had been left at liberty during the debate, trotted on a few paces; a freedom that renewed his master's anger, who, "His command is, 'Thou shalt not murrunning after him, raised his stick to strike der."" The poor Greenlander was much him with violence; but the frightened animal | affected, and silent. "I know," said the mis 66 Kunnuck auswered, "I love him, I will obey him." sionary, "why you have come here with your relations; but this you must not do, if you wish to become a believer." Agitated, he answered, "But he murdered my father!" For a long time the missionary pressed this point, the poor awakened heathen promising to "kill only one." But this was not enough. "Thou shalt do no murder," Saabye insisted was the command of the Great Lord of Heaven. He exhorted him to leave the murderer in the hands of God, to be punished in another world: but this was waiting too long for revenge. The missionary refused him baptism, without obedience to the command. He retired to consult his friends. They urged him to revenge. "And does he charge you?" "Yes, a white thirteen." "And do the Deans confess?" "Yes, boy, Confess to Bishops, and pay smartly, too." Rome." "Well," quoth the boy, "all this is mighty odd; But does the Pope confess?" Oh, yes; to God." "And does God charge the Pope?" "No," said the priest; "He charges nothing." "Oh, then, God's the He's able to forgive, and always willing; Saabye visited him, and without referring to the subject, read those portions of Scripture and hymns teaching a quiet and forgiving temper. Some days after, Kunnuck came again to the cabin of Saabye. "I will," said he, "and I will not; I hear, and I do not hear. I never felt so before. I will forgive him, and I will not forgive him." The mis-"Why, they confess and pay the Pope of sionary told him, "When he would forgive, then his better spirit spoke; when he would not forgive, then his unconverted heart spoke." He then repeated to him the latter part of the life of Jesus, and his prayer for his murderers. A tear stood in his eye. "But he was better than I," said Kunnuck. "But God will give us strength," Saabye answered. He then read the martyrdom of Stephen, and his dying prayer for his enemies. Kunnuck dried his eyes and said, "The wicked men!--He is happy; he is certainly with God in heaven. My heart is so moved; but give me a little time; when I have brought the other heart to silence, I will come again." He soon returned with a smiling countenance, saying, "Now I am happy; I hate no more; I have forgiven; my wicked heart shall be silent." He and his wife, having made a clear profession of faith in Christ, were baptized and received into the Church. Soon after, he sent the following note to the murderer of his father: "I am now a believer, and you have nothing to fear," and invited him to his house. The man came, and invited Kunnuck in turn to visit him. Contrary to the advice of friends, Kunnuck went, and as he was returning home, he found J. B. a hole had been cut in his kajak (or boat) in order that he might be drowned. Kunnuck stepped out of the water, saying, "He is still afraid, though I will not harm him!" What a noble example of self-conquest! What an illustrious exhibition of the power of the Gospel! THE IRISH BOY AND THE PRIEST. CORFU JEWISH MISSION SCHOOL. Helen Webster Constance Selina Webster P. M. .... E. C. P. J. H. P.. £ s. d. 2 6 0 0 6 2010 000 0 0 J. The Rector eyed the youth, his zeal approved, Jenny Locke This made the enraged father storm and curse, Lock David Locke 0 0 6 620666 £0 15 4 THE ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN MESSENGER. Original Papers. CHURCH COLLECTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS. WE have often feared that the proper principles on which Christian men are required to contribute to our funds are neither clearly apprehended nor sufficiently appreciated. The following paper supplies what we have long desiderated in order to meet this evil. It was presented to and approved by the Meeting of our continental brethren, held at Elberfeld in September last, and is here translated, with some alterations to suit our condition, from the authorized Report of the proceedings of that Meeting. ("Die Verhandlungen des vierten Deutschen Evangelischen Kirchentages zu Elberfield im Sept. 1851. Erstes Heft. Berlin, &c. 1851.") We need hardly say how very urgently we press upon all our members the principles contained in this paper. 66 BIBLE PRINCIPLES. (1.) General. "1. The Church is the body of Christ, an organization based upon love, and formed to beget and promote mutual love among its members. (1 Cor. xii. 12-27.) "2. The honour of the whole body depends upon the honour of each individual member. (1 Cor. xii. 26.) If one member suffers all suffer.' Each member, therefore, should contribute to the advantage of every other member. (Rom. xii. 5; 1 Pet. iv. 10.) "3. As Christ has given himself a sacrifice for us (Eph. v. 2), so should each Christian offer himself (Rom. vi. 3) as a sacrifice of praise (Heb. xiii. 15) and of penitence (Ps. li. 19), which is well pleasing unto God. (Heb. xiii. 16.) To do good and to communicate (i.e., to give of your goods) forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.' "4. As Christians are bound to contribute of their goods for the service of civil rulers (Rom. xiii. 1–7), so are they also certainly not less bound to serve God with their substance. (Mat. xxii. 21.) VOL. IV. |