that I may be diligent and faithful in the discharge of my duty, for Jesus Christ's sake our Lord. Amen. April, 1836.

THOMAS GIBBONS.

[We have inserted (with a few verbal corrections,) the letter of this worthy individual for two reasons; first, because it exhibits an artless representation of the operation of sound religion upon the heart, and the happy repose of a grateful and contented mind, under that church which he has embraced, and of which he seems to have imbibed the true spirit. Secondly, because we regard it as a proof of our circulation, and influence, among a class of persons whose affection and respect we covet more earnestly than the favor of the loftiest and brightest of the land.]

JONAH IN THE WHALE'S BELLY.

"In the cavity of the whale," is Bishop Jebb's rendering, of which he gives the following account. "A safe and practicable asylum is afforded, not indeed in the stomach, but in another cavity of the whale; the throat is large, and is provided with a bag or intestine, so considerable in size, that the whales frequently take into it two of their young ones when weak, especially during a tempest. In this vessel there are two vents, which serve for inspiration and respiration: and here, in all probability, Jonah was preserved, not, indeed, without miracle, but with that economy of miracle so frequently exemplified in Scripture.'

THE FIRST HOSPITAL.

THE first hospital for the reception of the diseased and infirm was founded at Edessa, in Syria, by the sagacious and provident humanity of a Christian Father. The history of this memorble foundation is beautifully given by Sozomen in his account of Saint Ephrem Syrus. The historan selects the anecdote to conclude with, as peculiarly deserving of commemoration, and as being the last act of St. Ephrem's life.

"A grievous famine, with all its inseparable evils, having befallen the city of Edessa, its venerable deacon, at the call of suffering humanity, came forth from the studious retirement of his cell, whither he had long withdrawn, that he might devote his latter days to meditation on the deep things of God. Filled with emotion at the sight of the misery which surrounded him, with the warmth of Christian charity, he reproved the rich men of Edessa, who suffered their fellow-citizens to perish from want and sickness, and who preferred their wealth at once to the lives of others, and to the safety of their own souls. Stung by his reproaches, and awed by his reverent virtues, the citizens replied, that they cared not for their wealth, but that, in an age of selfishness and corruption, they knew not whom to intrust with its distribution. What (exclaimed the holy man) is your opinion of me? The answer was instant and unanimous. Ephrem was every thing that was holy, and just, and good. Then (he resumed) I will be your almoner. For your sakes I will undertake this burthen. And, receiving (proceeds Sozomen) their now willing contributions, he caused about three hundred beds to be placed in the public porticos of

the city, for the reception of fever-patients: he relieved also the famishing multitude who flocked into Edessa from the adjoining country, and rested not from his labour of love until famine was arrested and "the plague was stayed." Then, once more, he returned to the solitude of his beloved cell, and, in a few days after, breathed his last."(Translated by Rev. Charles Forster, Chaplain to the late Bishop Jebb.)

DEATH-BED FEELINGS OF A CELEBRATED RABBI

WHEN Rabbi Johanan Ben Zachai was sick, his disciples came to visit him; and, when he saw them, he began to weep. They said to him, "Rabbi, the light of Israel, the right-hand pillar, the strong hammer, wherefore dost thou weep?" He answered them, "if they were carrying me before a king of flesh and blood, who is here today, and to-morrow in the grave; who, if he were angry with me, his would not last for ever; anger if he put me in bondage, his bondage would not be everlasting; and, if he condemned me to death, that death would not be eternal; whom I could soothe with words, and bribe with riches; yet, even in these circumstances, I should weep. But, now I am going before the King of kings, the only blessed God, who liveth and endureth for ever and

ever; who, if he is angry with me, his anger will last for ever; if he puts me in bondage, his bondage will be everlasting; if he condemns me to death, that death will be eternal; whom I cannot soothe with words, or bribe with riches; when, further, there are before me two ways, the one to hell, the other to paradise; and I know not to which they are carrying me; should I not weep?"-Talmud Beracoth.

ST. PHILIP AND ST. JAMES.

To the Editor of the Penny Sunday Reader. REV SIR,-In attendance on the morning service which is appointed for this festival, an enquiry arose in my mind, why the two Apostles, from whom the day is named, are thus placed together? Our Liturgy has been framed, throughout, with the most studious care; and we may be sure it was not by accident that St. Philip and St. James were made to share the day between them. My question was not answered by any of those writers, whom I had more immediately at command; and, in the absence of any extract or original paper bearing upon it in your present Number, I venture to offer a suggestion of my own for your approval.

St. Philip is generally considered as the first Apostle of our Lord, for although Andrew and his brother Simon were called the day previous (John i. 43.) yet neither of them at that time became followers of Jesus: it was not till after John was cast into prison (Matt. iv. 8.) that they left the occupation of fishermen to become fishers of men.

St James has a title, as clear as can be imagined, to be considered the first bishop of the church of Christ on earth. If not appointed by the chief Shepherd himself, his consecration, as bishop of Jerusalem, certainly took place not many days after Jesus had ascended into heaven.

Admitting, then, the precedence of these two Apostles in the offices above mentioned, it seems to me probable, that our Church praises God on this day for the first Apostle sent, and the first bishop appointed: and thus places the foundations of episcopacy, as it were, at the same depth with those of Apostolicity itself. May 1, 1836. I am, &c.,

L. W.

No. 80.]

[Vol. IV.

THE PENNY

SUNDAY READER.

EDITED BY THE REV. I. E. N. MOLESWORTH,

RECTOR OF ST. MARTIN'S, CANTERBURY, AND ONE OF THE

SIX PREACHERS OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL.

ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH, CANTERBURY,

IN WHICH CHRISTIANITY WAS FIRST EMBRACED BY A

KINGS SHALL BE THY NURSING FATHERS AND THEIR QUEENS THY NURSING MOTHERS.-Isaiah xlix. 23.

CANTERBURY:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, EVERY WEDNESDAY,

AT THE OFFICE OF THE KENTISH OBSERVER.
TO BE HAD OF G. BARNES, KING'S ARMS LIBRARY;
AND OF ALL BOOKSELLERS.

LONDON AGENTS-MESSRS. RIVINGTON'S, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD.