Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

5,269,931 Bibles and

And a grand total of Testaments in circulation, or in their progress to it, by means of the Society.

These are in 140 different languages; whereof 93 are those in which the Scriptures were never before printed, 41 are reprints of former translations, and 6 are new translations into languages, in which the Scriptures had before been printed.-Institu-. tions, so benevolent in their objects, and so extensive in their plans as these, are the glory of the age and of the country in which we live. And their excellence consists not only in their labouring to fulfil the predictions regarding the universal establishment of the kingdom of Messiah; but, by the example they have set, and the agents they have called forth, by the correspondence they have carried on, and the reports they have circulated, they have also awakened a degree of practical attention to the subject of religion. and to the value of the Bible, which was unknown before; they have stirred up a spirit of Christian: union, benevolence, and zeal, which is diffusing itself. in every quarter of the civilized world; and they are certainly therefore most justly entitled to the countenance and support of every one who has a mite to offer to their funds, or a heart to pray for their suc

cess.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NORTH CAPE.

IN approaching the Cape, a little before midnight, its rocks at first appeared to be nearly of an equal

222

DESCRIPTION OF THE NORTH CAPE.

height, until they terminated in a perpendicular peak; but, on a nearer view, those within were found to be much higher than those of the extreme peak, or point. Their general appearance was highly picturesque. The sea breaking against this immoveable rampart, which had withstood its fury from the remotest ages, bellowed, and formed a thick border of white froth. This spectacle, equally beautiful and terrific, was illumined by the midnight sun; and the shade which covered the western side of the rocks, rendered their aspect still more tremendous. The height of these rocks could not be ascertained; but here every thing was on so grand a scale, that a point of comparison could not be afforded by any ordinary known objects. On landing, the party discovered a grotto, formed of rocks, the surface of which had been washed smooth by the waves, and having within a spring of fresh water. The only accessible spot in the vicinity was a hill, some hundred paces in circumference, surrounded by enormous crags. From the summit of this hill, turning towards the sea, they perceived to the right a prodigious mountain, attached to the Cape, and rearing its sterile mass to the skies. To the left, a neck of land, covered with less elevated rocks, against which the surges dashed with violence, closed the bay, and admitted but a limited view of the ocean. To see as far as possible into the interior, our navigator climbed almost to the summit of the mountain, where a most singular landscape presented itself to the view. A lake in the foreground had an elevation of at least ninety feet above the level of the sea; and on the top of an adjacent, but less lofty mountain, was another lake. The view was terminated by the peaked rocks, chequered by patches of snow. At midnight, the sun still remained several degrees above the horizon, and continued to ascend higher and higher till noon, when, having again descended, it passed the north, without dipping below the horizon. This phenomenon, which is as extraordinary to the inhabitants of the torrid and temperate zones, as snow is to the inhabitants of the torrid zone, could not be viewed without a particular interest. Two months of continued day-light, during

[blocks in formation]

which space the sun never sets, seem to place the traveller in a new state of existence; while the effect on the inhabitants of these regions is singular. During the time the sun is perpetually above the horizon, they rise at ten in the morning, dine at five or six in the evening, and go to bed at one. But, during the winter season, when, from the beginning of December until the end of January, the sun never rises, they sleep above half of the twenty-four hours, and employ the other half in sitting over the fire, all business being at an end, and a constant darkness prevailing.

**

EVENING HYMN.

[ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors]

GLORY to thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Under thy own almighty wings.

Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son,
The ills that I this day have done;
That with the world, myself, and thee,
Lere I sleep, at peace may be.

Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed;
Teach me to die, that so I may
With joy behold the judgment day,

O may my soul on thee repose;

And with sweet sleep mine eye-lids close;

rec Sleep, that may me more active make, To serve my God when I awake.

[ocr errors]

Let my blest guardian, while I sleep,
His watchful station near me keep;
My heart with love celestial fill,
And guard me from th' approach of ill.

224

REASONABLENESS OF AFFLICTION.

Lord, let my soul for ever share
The bliss of thy paternal care;,
"Tis heaven on earth, 'tis heaven above,
To see thy face, and sing thy love.

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

It is an

CONSIDER, that labour and trouble are the common way to rest, both in the course of nature and grace. Can there possibly be rest without weariness? Do you not travel and toil first, and rest after? The day for labour is first, and then follows the night for rest. Why should we desire the course of grace to be perverted, any more than the course of nature? established decree, "that we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of heaven;" and that, “if we suffer, we shall also reign with Christ;" and what are we, that God's statutes should be reversed for our pleasure?-Afflictions are exceeding useful to us, to keep us from mistaking our rest. A Christian's motion toward heaven is voluntary, and not constrained. Those means, therefore, are most profitable, which help his understanding and will. The most dangerous mistakes of our souls is to take the creature for God, and earth for heaven. What warm, affectionate, eager thoughts have we of the world, till afflictions cool and moderate them! Afflictions speak convincingly, and will be heard when preachers cannot. Many a poor Christian is sometimes bending his thoughts to walk in flesh-pleasing or applause, and so loses his relish of Christ and the joy above, till God break in upon his riches, or children, or conscience, or health, and break down his mountain which he thought so strong; and then, when he lieth in Manasseh's fetters, or is fastened to the bed with pining sickness, the world is nothing, and heaven is something. If our Lord did not put these thorns under our head, we should sleep out our lives and lose our glory.-Afflictions are also God's most effectual means to keep us from losing our way

[blocks in formation]

to our rest. Without this hedge of thorns on the right hand and the left, we should hardly keep the way to heaven. If there be but one gap open, how ready are we to find it, and turn out at it! When we grow wanton, or worldly, or proud, how doth sickness or other afflictions reduce us! Every Christian, as well as Luther, may call affliction one of his best schoolmasters; and, with David, may say, "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I learned to keep thy word." Many thousand recovered sinners may cry, "O healthful sickness! O comfortable sorrows! O gainful losses! O enriching poverty! O blessed day that ever I was afflicted!" Not only the green pastures and still waters, but the rod and staff, they comfort us. Though the word and Spirit do the main work, yet suffering so unbolts the door of the heart, that the word hath easier entrance.-Afflictions likewise serve to quicken our pace in the way to our rest. It were well if mere love would prevail with us, and that we were rather drawn to heaven than driven. But seeing our hearts are so bad, that mercy will not do it, it is better to be put on with the sharpest scourge, than loiter, like the foolish virgins, till the door is shut. Oh! what difference is there betwixt our prayers in health and in sickness-betwixt our repentance in prosperity and adversity! Alas! if we did not sometimes feel the spur, what a slow pace would most of us hold towards heaven! Since our evil natures require it, why should we be unwilling that God should do us good by sharp means? Judge, Christian, whether thou dost not go more watchfully and speedily in the way to heaven, in thy sufferings than in thy more pleasing and prosperous state..

GOD IS LOVE.

'Tis sweet when cloudless suns arise,
As through the vale we move';
But, oh, more sweet to recognise,
Through dreary nights and starless skies,
The smiling face of Love!

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »