however, read, and that was my consolation; writing was next to impossible; walking, or rather staggering on deck, required good sea legs, and was sometimes purchased at the expense of a wet coat and a severe fall. A stormy ocean may tempt philosophy to speculate, but the inward principle alone can quiet the mind. If God be with us, it is enough, "Here is firm footing, here is solid rock; This can support us-all is sea beside." Sailors often affect to despise danger, but this is mere bluster and bravado; during the heavy gales, they were as pensive and silent as mutes: faith in the Ruler of the ocean is the Christian's only Pharos. The captain often spread his chart of the Atlantic upon the cabin table: Here (he would say to the mate) is the ship's place; and then handing it over to the boy, would turn to me, "Rough weather, sir." "Yes," I replied, "but we are in the hands of Providence," "O yes, sir," he rejoined, "There's a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft, That keeps watch for the life of poor Jack." 66 Why, yes, captain; but I fear you do not put yourself under the protection of God's providence-by prayer, humility, and faith." Eyeing me with an arch leer, "Why, as to prayer, we leave that to you parsons-every one to his trade: and as to swearing, if a man does his duty, we mean no harm here, cabin-boy, hand me a glass of grog; Your health, sir,I have been to Greenland, to the East Indies, I have doubled Cape Horn, and I never felt my courage fail yet. By the bye, sir, I thought, on last Sunday, you bore a little hard on us captains, for swearing; but, sir, were you the captain of a vessel, you would find it impossible to get the ship's work done without it." A noise upon deck. The mate called out, "Captain H. there's a strange sail upon the weather quarter." The captain sprang up, taking his spy-glass with him. I followed. "She looks suspicious, like a snake on the water." After peeping through it some time longer, "-"Tis a privateer, she is bearing down upon us get ship ready for action; shake out the reefs; put her away, helms-man; stand by, and clear decks; get the guns ready fore and aft, we may have a brush with her she nears us fast." We had twelve nine-pounders, and plenty of small arms. "Here, passengers," said the captain, "you must act as marines; and if we come to close quarters, you must pick off their men as fast as possible. Mr. you will have no objection to aim at a Frenchman's upper story." Captain H," said I, "I have no objection to assist you in for a defending the ship, but you must excuse me taking a musket,-how can I pray man, and then shoot him through the head, and, perhaps unprepared, send him to his final audit? I have seen a book called the 'Bible and Sword,' but the pious author did not convince me of the lawfulness of war: besides, I am commanded to love my neighbour as myself, and to do unto others as I would they should do unto me; but I would not that any man should shoot me into the eternal world. Killing a man is a serious thing-he may go to his account with all his sins upon his head; my prayer is, that the Lord may deliver us in His own way; and, trusting in God, I am persuaded there is not a bullet in yon ship that will do me any harm." "Tush," cried the captain, as he turned away from me to give orders, you parsons are all mighty humane men, but we sailors must go to the scratch; and yon privateer will prove a Tartar, no doubt.” All now was bustle upon deck, so I went down into the cabin to pray; and the more I wrestled, the more confident I felt that I was under the shield of divine Providence, and that God would make a way for our escape. All this time the privateer was nearing us; our guns were boused out of the ports; strong netting was drawn high up the shrouds, to prevent her boarding us; cutlasses and pikes were handed upon deck, and matches were lighted. The other passengers were to act as marines, and I was stationed at one of the great guns; every thing looked as though we should have warm work. She bore down without colours, but seemed to be full of men. We now lay too, waiting for her approach; she also took in sail: we were two ships in company, and both well armed; when, after gazing at us a few minutes, she put aboutship, and dashed away from us in gallant style.-Was there no Providence in all this? Yes, and there was prayer too; Jehovah, who inspires and hears the petitions of his servants, over-rules events, to coincide with the prayer he inspires. None were more thankful than myself for this interposition, although I believe we all rejoiced that she had sheered off. The captain, however, would pursue her; but we might as well have hunted a hare, upon the back of an elephant; she was soon out of sight, and we were left to pursue our voyage. I would here remark, that the circumstance of a rough passage, on the threshold of a missionary undertaking, may have a salutary influence, in testing the strength of religious principle in the breast of a young herald. Heavy gales, separation from kind and tender friends, the wide wave-swelling ocean, the dim and uncertain prospect of "Oft has the mystic comfort warm'd my heart, JOSHUA MARSDEN. EUROPE IN THE SPRING OF 1833. EXCEPT the sailing of a Russian fleet, and the march of Russian armies towards Constantinople, Russia perseveres in her assumed neutrality, and continues tranquil. Yet a menacing attitude is presented to Asia, as well as to Europe, by this power, which the most shallow politician sees, and which all Europe beholds with awe; for this formidable power cannot be beheld with indifference. The plains of Holland, the interior of Germany, the capital of France, as well as the mountains of Italy, have witnessed the prowess of its armies; and Poland, with the neighbouring states, groan to this day beneath its overwhelming domination. Sweden and Denmark continue to plod on as usual, without affording a note of change. Prussia, ever upon the alert to obtain territory, or extend her sway, by a new commercial treaty, signed on the 21st of March, at Berlin, has subjected to her influence nearly all Germany. Twenty-five millions of people are said to be subjected to the Prussian customs by the regulations contained therein. Leipsic, it is thought, will be ruined by this sweeping measure; the ramifications of which embrace almost every state, hitherto independent, in Germany. Thus will Saxony suffer, while her neighbour prospers. Belgium and Holland continue to growl each at each; but rather in the manner of mastiffs, than of wolves, as heretofore. Al Frankfort, the seat of the German Diet, is involved in alarming calamities. though an independent, imperial city, possessing territory, the excesses of her own population have driven her to the necessity of admitting an Austrian garrison. Sometime back the diet promulgated certain obnoxious decrees, which appear to have filled the German states with huge dis content; and being now assembled in that city, either had, or, as was believed, was about to publish another decree, which would suspend all the chambers for five years. This aroused the populace; and their energetic action, for the moment, ensured success; but the firmness of the military turned the tide of their victory, and the arrival of Austrian troops overwhelmed them. A conspiracy appears to exist, which has for its object the formation of a republic in the heart of Germany: and the students as well as teachers, in the institutions of Frankfort, and many other places, several of whom belong to the first families in Germany, have been foremost in this affair. The schoolmaster, it seems, is abroad in the German states, as well as in England. France continues tranquil; her giant power overawes the minor states, and her pacific assurances fraternize the major states with herself; they make common cause, and live in peace. She is seriously occupied in spreading copies of the Sacred Scriptures over all her provinces, and in instructing her population.. Switzerland is for the moment tranquil. Spain continues to groan under the misrule of its authorities: contradictory decrees are issued by that despotic government, and what one proclamation builds up, the next pulls down. The Cortes are called upon to assemble on the 20th of June next, when an oath of fidelity is to be administered, and homage done, to the "Most Serene Infanta Donna Maria Elizabeth Louisa, eldest daughter to the King, as their hereditary Princess." In the mean time, serious riots have arisen, principally among the royalist volunteers, at Saragossa, twelve hundred of whom have been disarmed in consequence; but tumults are yet frequent in that city and its neighbourhood, and in various parts of Spain. Portugal we cannot but moan over, as over a dear friend who has lost all government of himself. Under the influence of two brother madmen, that fine country acts the bedlamite to perfection; exhibiting scenes of anarchy, cruelty, misrule, and savage barbarism, such as never were exceeded by a civilized nation in any age of the world. Defection from the cause of the invader, on the part of his fine fleet, which he has neglected, 'seems to menace his authority, and may lead to his ruin: but the position he has taken, and made strong for himself, may yet enable him to hold out until further succour arrives. England and Scotland, gradually recovering from the inflictions of political excitement, are now tranquil, and appear upon the eve of prosperity: what frantic hand, however, may dash away the cup of joy, ere it yet reaches the lip, who can inform us? In God is our hope and trust, and in Him may we have the continuance of peace! Ireland is once more subject to martial law. Alas, for that fine country! A prey to agitators who seek not her good, but her good things, and excite her to blood, she is from age to age their dupe; and so soon as one set falls off, she receives a new set with as much naivete as children receive toys and rattles; and whatever stature she attains, she acts the child with the same simplicity and the same eager. ness as while actually in leading-strings. We long for the day, (and may we soon behold it!) when the Irish will become men, and put away childish things. The cholera morbus has re-appeared in Ireland, and is partially fatal to whole families; but we hope it will not again spread through that country. In England the epidemic influenza afflicts its thousands. This, or a somewhat similar disease, has prevailed in the east of Europe during the past months, and seems to have gradually travelled west until it has reached us : trust it will soon subside. we The affairs of the East engross, almost exclusively, the attention of Europe. “At the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him," namely, the king of the north. The irruption of the Egyptian sovereign, now in progress in the lesser Asia, and upon the shores opposite to Europe, seems to be the first push at the grand sultan's empire; but help will, in all human probability, be afforded him by the European power; and if brought into great danger, and even distress, his end does not appear at hand. How the Egyptian troops have been able to march over Asia Minor, even to the shores of the Archipelago, and take possession of Tschesme, Smyrna, &c. &c., is matter for serious consideration; no battle having been fought since the fatal affair near Koniah, when the grand vizier was taken prisoner. Is the grand sultan's force annihilated on the eastern side of the sea of Marmora? Is the defection from his government so universal throughout the lesser Asia, that all the fortresses therein open their gates, and welcome Ibrahim to the sovereignty? Is the grand sultan's army so crippled, and his means so exhausted, that he cannot raise a force able to meet his formidable invader, even on the western shore of Marmora ?-What is become of the grand sultan's fleet? It does not appear to have been crippled by any action, or disabled by gales, yet the Egyptian fleet, after taking in Rhodes, Scio, and other islands upon the coast, was safe in the bay of Smyrna, where none of his ships appeared to oppose their progress. The arrival of a Russian fleet, with an army, in the waters of Constantinople, and the march of Russian troops from the principalities towards that capital, answers all these questions; and their continuance there speaks volumes. The disaffection of his subjects has reduced the grand sultan to distress; and "the feet of the bear" are ever ready to march south to obtain sway. The inscription placed by the imperial Catherine over the southern gate of Moscow-"The road to Byzantium"-is not obliterated, nor is the idea given up. The icy sons of the north yet long to melt their frozen habiliments beneath the sun of Romania. But the time is not yet come: the great powers of Europe appear to be rallying round their ancient ally, the grand sultan, and, weak as he appears to be, the jealousy of all will prevent him for the present, in all probability, from becoming a prey to any one power. Greece has not, since the arrival of her sovereign, given any decisive note of her future character: peace, however, if it does not reign, prevails throughout that kingdom; and progress is making in the education of the rising generation. Italy, from east to west, and from north to south, slumbers; and if her dreams are occasionally disquieting, the neighbouring powers soon lull her again to rest. Austrian, as well as French troops, occupy some of her fortresses; and wherever restlessness becomes visible, there they speed, to allay the disorder and compel peace. Austria, the great christian power of the east of Europe, has hitherto preserved that high tone of rule which commands obedience. Whatever disorders arise, within her own or amidst the neighbouring states, her armies are ever at hand, and prompt to strike the decisive blow which the occasion commands: and thus is innovation nipt in its very bud, and many a deep-laid plot overturned at the very moment of its execution. A more extensive domain, a more numerous and well-disciplined army, and a more energetic government, we know not in the milder regions of Europe: however, symptoms may be perceived of change, which time may ripen into revolution. The Diet of Hungary, which is now sitting, after amusing themselves with minor concerns, have at length taken up, all at once, the liberty and the right of conscience; and, after debating the subject, come already to the conclusion that the rights of the protestant subjects of Austria are in point of equity equal to the rights of her Roman Catholic subjects. They have, in consequence of this feeling, passed a resolution in the Diet to that effect. This was violently opposed by the Roman Catholic clergy; and on being sent up to the Chamber of Magnates, it was rejected. Dissatisfied with this rejection, they have again sent up the resolution to the Magnates, and call for its adoption. The Hungarians, as well as other provinces of the Austrian dominions, have frequently expressed sentiments in unison with the above resolution; but the strong arm of power put them down, from age to age; and probably this will be the result, for the moment, of this bold attempt of the Hungarians to obtain their just rights. But the gospel age has arrived, and the Word of God will have free course, maugre every opposition; success will ultimately crown their efforts, and they will lave in the liberty of the sons of God. The prophetic declaration of Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, on his last visit to the temple of Jerusalem, previous to his being offered up a sacrifice for the sins of the world," This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come," received its twofold accomplishment:-First, in the end or destruction of this very temple, with the capital, Jerusalem, and the whole estate of Israel; and, secondly, in the destruction of Rome pagan, and the establishment of this gospel of the kingdom upon the throne of the imperial Cæsars in its stead. It will finally receive its accomplishment when, after the manner of the primitive church, it may be declared of the ministers of the gospel during" the time of the end," Daniel xi. 40, and xii. 4 and 9; "Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the earth," Romans x. 18; and Colossians i. 23, "The hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven." The leading feature of this time of the end, which is come even upon us, is the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom to all the world. For this purpose, Bible Societies are every where established or establishing, which send forth the written word, the glad tidings of salvation, the gospel of this kingdom, in the vernacular tongue of almost every nation of the earth; and such is the progression of these Bible Societies, that we have ground to hope that soon the whole earth will declare, "Now hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born, the wonderful works of God," Acts ii. Missionary Societies, also, have arisen and are arising up around us, who send out "bands of men, whose hearts God hath touched ;" and these, with the word of God in their hands, publish this gospel of the kingdom to the nations. Great already is their progress, "To the north it has been said, give up; and to the south, keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by my name," Isaiah xliii. "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans x. has been responded from the frozen, as well as from the torrid regions; barbarians have cast off their ferocious turbulence, and, in place of savage wanderings, "sit at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in their right mind." The learned have bowed to the wisdom of revelation; the pharisee has relinquished his own fancied merit; and multitudes, out of all nations, have, with many tears, cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" As the gospel of the kingdom is thus progressing, so is the kingdom progressing also. The great falling away or apostacy from the gospel of the kingdom, foretold 2 Thessalonians ii., took place when the beast received power from the dragon, and another beast, having two horns like a lamb, caused an image of this beast to be made, and decreed that as many as would not worship the image of this beast should be killed, Revelation xiii. This image corresponds with the feet of the great image seen in vision by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, during the captivity of Jacob in that country. "The head of this image was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, and his feet part of iron and part of clay. Then was seen a stone cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth," Daniel ii. The smitings of the stone upon the feet of the image have already commenced, and, like the preaching of the gospel, are in progress throughout the kingdom of the beast and his image. These throw light into the mass of iniquity and superstitionand, blessed be the Lord, life also-and thereby are brands ever and anon plucked from the burning, and everlastingly saved. The light of science, also, attacks this mass of corruption, and, exposing its filthiness and deformity, holds it up to ridicule and contempt; while infidelity, rampant for rule, breaks down by main strength the strong-holds of crafty domination, which the beast and his image, during these last ages, have made their refuge; and, without knowing or even caring what cause they are serving, prove them to be the refuges of lies. Thus is the end coming, yea, even at hand-the end of the beast and of his image, as the end came to rebellious Israel and pagan Rome. The sound of the smiting strokes, like the pealings of the woodman's axe when laid to the roots of the trees, echo through the earth, and occasion huge disquiets; and as the smiting stone increases in size, which it daily does, heavier and heavier does the stroke fall, until the earth, as amidst an earthquake, shakes and trembles, and the nations find no rest for the soles of their feet. POETRY. A Tribute of Sincere Respect to the Memory of THE REV. SAMUEL DREW, M. A. BY JOSHUA MARSDEN. As those we love decay, we die in part, String after string is sever'd from the heart; Till loosen'd life, at last but breathing clay, Without one pang is glad to fall away. Thomson. ACCEPT this tribute, dear departed DREW! To clear the wherefore, and illume the why! He needs us not to prop His stable throne: We mourn, but not as hopeless atheists mourn, Less than a moment, to Eternity! [flower: Is man to DEITY, great Lord of all! |