he uses as Thus does "the man of God" find "the word of truth" profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, and is throughly furnished unto all good works." From a sense, therefore, not only of its own intrinsic worth and excellence, but of the great things it has done and still does for him, "his delight is in the law of the Lord." III. But, lastly, and very briefly, What is the result of this delight with which the believer views the holy scriptures? What effect does this feeling produce upon his practice? He "meditates" in the law of the Lord "day and night." The word here translated "meditate" appears to mean more than we usually understand by that term. It further signifies, to think over a thing with intent to do it. The same word in Prov. xxiv. 2, is rendered "studieth:" "for their heart studieth destruction" (clearly with intent to execute it). Another sense of the word is, to speak of any thing. As in Psalm xxxv. 28, "My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished." Seek these blessings, the righteousness and salvation of God; seek them by faith and prayer; seek them as they are revealed in God's word; and, when he, who is "the Lord our Righteousness," and who now calls on "all the ends of the earth" to "look unto him and be saved," shall return to judge the world, you shall not "be ashamed before him at his coming." Begin now, if you have never begun before, to meditate in the law of the Lord, and in his gospel too; for to do this is not only the result of the delight which the long-established believer feels in the divine word, but it is one of the first acts of his spiritual life. By meditation on the things of God, delight in them grows, and delight again leads to meditation. Let those of us, who may perhaps but lately have taken the word of God as our portion, not be discouraged if we do not at first feel the positive delight we expected in it. With more experience, doubtless, more of this will come. Let us prayerfully meditate upon the divine promises and the divine commands, endeavouring in the divine strength to obey the latter, while we believe the former; and in due time we shall, no doubt, be able to say with joy, "Not one good thing hath failed of all that the Lord hath spoken." Thus, according to these two senses of the term, does the believer "meditate" in the law of the Lord, with a full purpose of obeying its righteous commands, and carrying them into And let the heart of those whose happy every-day life; and he shrinks not from experience agrees in the main with that of speaking of them and defending their cause the psalmist, or of the man whom he describes before men. He is not content with reading in the text, who delight even in that which his bible every morning and evening, and is strictly called "the law of the Lord," for then shutting it up and thinking no more of the holiness which it enjoins; let the heart of it. No; "day" and night is his "study" such rejoice, but "rejoice with trembling. in it. He makes it his rule of life, the stan- How strong an evidence they have of the dard of his thoughts, words, and deeds. Hear work of the Holy Spirit within them, asDavid's practice: "I prevented the dawning suring them that "old things are passed of the morning, and cried, I hoped in thy away; behold, all things are become new"! word:" "mine eyes prevent the night-"Blessed" are they. They "shall be like a watches, that I might meditate in thy word." Sooner than neglect that, he will lie awake upon his bed. How different the practice of multitudes who nightly return home from the ensnaring scenes of the world, wearied with a gaiety how soon past! and utterly unfitted for prayer or any thought of that better portion which, did they choose it, would never be taken from them! O let us think of those solemn words, "The fashion of this world passeth away!" "The world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever:" "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke; and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein shall tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season: their leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever they do shall prosper," prosper at all events to their final salvation. "The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish." - IRELAND. NOTES IN DINGLE, IN 1848*. : ON Saturday, June I left Tralee upon the "royal mail" for Dingle; and a true Irish mail it was an outside car with a pair of horses, one in the shafts and the other out-rigger, the driver wearing a huge frieze coat; and after passing the tidy English-looking village of Blennerville, we were soon upon the mountains, with a magnificent view before us-Tralee bay, whitened with many a sail; the neat village and spa of Ballybunnion; the fine strands of Bally heigh, and in the distance Kerry Head stretching out far into the Atlantic, and marking the southern point of the estuary of the Shannon. I will not attempt to describe the beautiful variety of scenery between Tralee and Dingle hill and dale, slope and cliff, rivulet, bay, and ocean-all combined to give an interest to it. I enjoyed it much; and, after thirty miles performed in good style by the "royal mail," I found myself in the coffee-room of the hotel in Dingle; the old waiter giving me his best welcome: "Right glad to see your honour in Dingle." And very comfortable "mine host" and the old waiter made me during my stay. True, the hotel was none of the grandest, nor the coffee-room the best furnished I had ever been in the writing-table had both leaves broken; and the easy chair was fully entitled to a pension, having long since lost one of its arms in the service. But I was perfectly content: great civility and attention, and a well-aired bed, are at all times to be met with at the hotel, in Dingle. I walked out to see the town, once a place of note, and still remembered in the page of history. A charter of incorporation was granted to it by queen Elizabeth; and, while Drake successfully engaged the Spaniards by sea, it was here that sir Walter Raleigh vanquished the same foes by land: a ruined fortress on the shore, even now called Fort Doloro, marks the place where, in times gone by, flying from the brave Raleigh and his followers, they were driven headlong into the waters, and perished. Here also was a brisk and lively trade; entries in the customs as late as 1750 showing that Dingle annually exported linen to the value of £60,000, besides butter and the agricultural produce of the soil. The town consists chiefly of one long street, dipping into the valley, and rising upon the hills on either side, with several cross streets, leading to the mountains, or to the calm and placid harbour, which from the town has all the appearance of a lake. bour. The following extract from the "Kerry Evening Post," Nov. 10, 1847, will show the importance of these towers in a public point of view: "Not only Dingle, but the empire at large, owes the rev. Mr. Gayer a deep debt of gratitude for the erection of these works of national importance and usefulness. Locally, these beacons will confer many benefits on the deep sea fisheries of that locality, by diminishing the dangers that attend much gratified in having to announce that a paWe confess ourselves that perilous employment. rochial clergyman of the Irish church has undertaken, and we hope soon to say has completed, a work of such public utility that should have been many years since executed by the nation. "Since the above was put in type, we received the following from our Dingle correspondent: 7th inst., the French brig Leontina,' William "Put into Dingle, by stress of weather, on the Morris, master, from Galatz, in the Mediterranean, laden with Indian corn, bound to Cork for orders. Ship and crew are all well. "The above vessel was driven into this bay by the violent gale on Sunday last, running before the wind, not knowing where she was, and no pilot able to get on board. Had it not been for the towers built outside the harbour's mouth, by the rev. Mr. Gayer, in which there are large hands pointing to the harbour, she would have She made this harbour in safety and without a been wrecked on the dangerous Bar of Inch. pilot." My curiosity having been satisfied as to the tower, I strolled along the beath: the houses for the most part poor, some of them miserably so; but on the Ventry road, near the entrance to the town, I perceived a square of clean substantial cottages. On going inside, I could see another adjoining. On inquiry, I found this to be one of the colonies established by Mr. Gayer. When persecution was strong, it was thought desirable to locate the converts in colonies: funds were provided, and two were established-one upon the hill, the other, that to which I allude. I have never in England seen better houses for the poor, nor better kept; the inhabitants cleanly in their rooms and persons, diligent in their business, and orderly and respectful in their conduct; but they are pro testants converts from Romanism to the truth of the gospel of Jesus. I have often been struck with the visible outward difference between the dwellings and habits of popery and those of a purer creed. I have seen it in the retired valleys of the Alps, and amidst the bustle of the large towns of England; and what Irish tourist has not perceived the difference in that country?—the latter, generally speaking, clean and industrious, the former quite the reverse. But the bible inculcates practical Christianity; and I am thankful to say that the Dingle converts appear to have taken as their motto, "Be not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." It was the twilight of a summer's night. I stood close to the water, and looming just before me, on the opposite shore, was a hill of considerable height, separating the harbour from the bay of Castlemain; and on its summit I could perceive a tower with a gigantic arm, pointing to the harbour's mouth: it was a beacon-tower, one of five, the last public work of the much-lamented rev. C. Gayer, commenced for the purpose of giving employment to the Roman-catholic destitute poor, and as landmarks for the entrance to Dingle har-in Irish Intelligence, No. 10; published by the "Irish Society of London." † Mount Eske. I questioned several of the colonists as to their spiritual state: they appear to be well instructed religion. One man said he had been a Roman; but now he "trusted for salvation to the blood of Christ alone:" he also said, work was scarce, but the Lord would supply his need. Indeed a volume might be written concerning the simple 6 66 EMIGRATION AND EMIGRANTS*. faith of the converts under trial, want, and perse- Now he "sleeps in Jesus," waiting for the sound cution. One fact I will relate: it was communi- of the archangel's trumpet. The 66 martyr's cated to me by the secretary of the Dingle mis- crown" he did not obtain; but another glorious sion, and will, I am sure, be read with interest. crown shall be his, even a crown of righteousShe was reading the scriptures to some of the poorness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall convert women: she was led to the subject; and, give him at that day;" and when "that day" while endeavouring to impress it as a source of shall come, "his work of faith, his labour of comfort, that, while man may repulse us, God love" shall not be forgotten; for "they that be never will, but is always ready to hear sinners wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmawhen they come to him in his own appointed ment, and they that turn many to righteousness way, a poor woman exclaimed: "I had an evi- as the stars for ever and ever." dence of that only yesterday: I had not a sod of turf in the house, and went down to the gate to see if any one would sell it to me: each man and boy refused, saying, they would not give their turf to the soupers.' I waited for more than two hours it was bitterly cold, and the day was passing on, and I feared we must go without fire or food. Tired and out of spirits, I returned to my house, shut the door, and went on my knees. I thanked the Lord that I was a 'souper' as they call us, but told him he knew my heart, and that I did not join the congregation for gain, but that, being convinced of the errors of popery, I was led to listen to the precious word: let them call me names if they liked for his sake, I did not care. I then asked him to incline the heart of some one to sell me turf. I returned to the gate, and had not stood there more than ten minutes, when a poor man brought the turf to me. Was not that an answer to prayer, miss? If we only trust him, he will never disappoint us." The poor colonists appeared deeply to regret their late much-loved pastor; and mournfully, yet gratefully, they spoke of his untiring efforts for their temporal and spiritual welfare, and of his kindness to them in every time of need. One woman remarked to me, "O sir, our love for Mr. Gayer was too great: he came between us and the Almighty: it was right to lose him, though we feel it sore." Indeed, sorrow for the loss of this devoted servant of God seems to pervade all classes in Dingle. Soon after the lamented occurence, a Roman-catholic man said, "He was a good man, a real friend to the poor, and an awful loss to them: I would rather at this moment see two of the priests lying dead before me than him; for they would not be missed." A Romancatholic female also remarked, nearly at the same time," It is not to-morrow or after, but for years to come, Mr. Gayer will be missed out of Dingle.' How changed the feeling towards this servant of God within a few short years! always indeed loved by the followers of Jesus, but opposed by those who obeyed the tyrant commands of Rome. So far did this opposition proceed, that a threatening letter was once sent to his house, at the same time a notice of a similar kind was sent to a neighbouring patriotic nobleman, who kindly lent his influence and his aid in furthering the scriptural education of the poor. But now how changed the feeling! how fallen the opposition! It was remarked that Mr. Gayer lived till even the Roman-catholics could mourn for his loss, many of whom joined in his funeral procession, and mingled their tears with those of the converts. Truly his work on earth was finished: he had found the Saviour precious to his own soul, and to the end he laboured to make known the preciousness of Christ to others. THIS subject, and its objects, are calculated to awaken many interests and feelings in Britain and in her church. When, by the blessing of God, a country becomes over-populated, and there is not sufficient employment for the maintenance of an industrious people, it is the wisdom of a nation to seek for sources of employment on a foreign shore. The committee will not dwell upon the schemes adopted by various companies for the encouragement of emigration to America, the Canadas, Nova Scotia, Mexico, Peru, and other foreign parts, but on the present occasion desire to direct your attention, and the attention of the Christian public, to the wise policy of her majesty's government, in appointing commissioners to conduct, and to give large facilities for emigration to the various colonies under British government in the vast territories of Australasia. And, doubtless, the scheme of emigration to Australia, which forms a very large portion of those territories, has been commenced upon the soundest priuciples, and is conducted-at least in every department of outfit and provision-in the most benevolent, creditable, and comfortable style imaginable. The close inspection of all matters, both in reference to the condition of the ships hired by the government commissioners, and their fittings-up for the comfort of the people, and also the quality and quantity of food provided for their voyage, is worthy of great admiration. Nor less so the careful examination of all the people in reference to health, qualification of labourers, servants, &c., and character, is highly to be commended. Neither does the care of the government commissioners for the welfare of their fellow-countrymen cease upon their leaving the British shores. The people are allowed to remain on board ship fourteen days after their arrival at their place of destination, if they do not find employment in their adopted country in a shorter period of time; but the very longest time any party has remained on board ship after arrival is reported to have been only four days. Herein we appear to see the mercy of God to this nation. In the course of divine Providence, first, wisdom was given to her majesty's government to explore the land; and, when it was proved to be fertile, then, secondly, the people of the united kingdom were encouraged to emigrate, From a report just published by the Prayer-book and Homily Society." and a free passage was provided by the government for eligible persons. Next in order-it would seem to be by the special grace of God-schemes were propounded, and funds specially provided by the British public, for the maintenance of colonial bishops. And, to complete this part of the work, her majesty and the government instantly manifested their care to provide for the spiritual and eternal welfare of the people, by appointing bishops to New Zealand, Tasmania, South Australia, Philipsland, and New South Wales. The Prayer-book and Homily Society has become deeply interested in this matter; and the committee are thankful to report that every possible facility is given to this society's visitors of the ships, to encourage its objects and labours. To Lieut. Lean, R.N., especially, the principal inspecting agent of the government commissioners; to Mr. Smith, of the royal navy, his assistant; and to all other persons acting under or for her majesty's government commissioners, the society is greatly indebted for the visitors' free access to the emigrants, both at the dépôt at Deptford and on board ship; also for their cheerful and important aid in promoting the benevolent object and labours of this society. In consequence of such facilities, the visitors of the ships have carefully watched every opportunity to visit the emigrants both at the dépôt at Deptford, and when they have embarked on board ship. A portion of two, and sometimes three, successive days have been devoted to this work. On board most of the ships all the families have been spoken with separately; and, of late, addresses have been delivered, respectively, to the single women, then to the single men; and afterwards to two or four messes of married people and their families collected at one time. Thus hours have been occupied with stating means for promoting peace and good will among the various parties on board; also, the advantages to their present and eternal interests that would follow a plan of daily reading the holy scriptures, and kneeling down between decks to pray for divine blessings; to spend a portion of their time in mutually imparting or receiving instruction in reading, writing, and cyphering. They have also been recommended so to conduct themselves that the surgeon may give a good account of them, as a well-behaved and religious people, at the end of the voyage. Of late, every single man and woman has been supplied with a book of family prayers, taken from the liturgy; arranged for every day in the week, and published by this society. Every father of a family has been supplied with a copy of the same book: and two copies have been given to those who have more than three children. The supply of these books has been gratuitous, with the hope of recommending unity and uniformity in prayer throughout the ship's company of emigrants. This is the more desirable, as the people, for the most part, are strangers to each other. These books, although freely offered to every one-to whatever Christian denomination he may profess to belong-are forced upon no man; but, after an address has been delivered, in which the people are invited to prayer, and the difficulties that might possibly arise are met by persuasive reasoning, the people are informed that the book will be presented, in the name of a Christian society in London called the Prayer-book and Homily Society, to such persons as are willing to make use of it in the manner recommended in the address. Of the thousands of persons visited during the past year, ending 31st March, only four or five Roman-catholics have refused the book. The occasional reading of two or three of the prayers has, under the blessing of God, invariably removed prejudices from the minds of Romancatholics and others. These people have likewise been supplied with the homilies of the church, published by this society. A selection of subjects suitable for the emigrants has been bound up for their use. A copy of this book has been supplied to every mess of the single men and women, and to every father of a family, on board all the ships visited in the London river, and bound to Australia or New Zealand. In the addresses delivered, the subjects of these homilies have been introduced: they uniformly obtained the strictest attention of the people, and afterwards prompted many expressions of grati tude. Other useful books and tracts published by the society have been put into the hands of the surgeondistributiou during the voyage; and, uniformly, superintendent on board every ship, for use or one large prayer-book for his own use at times of and evening prayers printed in consecutive order divine worship, and some copies of the morning as read on Sundays, to be lent to presbyterians, or others around him, who may have been strangers to the use of the book of common prayer. At the same time, the assistant visitor has offered the society's prayer-books for sale at the reduced prices fixed by the committee. Thirty-one ships have been specially noticed, as having been visited once, twice, or three times each vessel; and the following numbers of books have been gratuitously distributed, viz.: 390 prayerbooks and Sunday services, to assist divine worship on the Lord's-day; 1,307 books of select homilies, for instruction in the gospel of Jesus Christ; 2,205 family prayers, to unite the companies of strangers in the social worship of Almighty God; 860 copies of the collects and catechism, for the use of schools formed on board; 800 copies of a tract formed of the baptismal service, &c., for distribution to parents and married people on their leaving the ship; 8,050 homily tracts, to be given as rewards to those who learn well in the schools. From the same source, to which we are indebted for the foregoing, we add a very striking illustration of the catholicity of the book of com mon prayer: On the arrival of the society's visitor at Plymouth, in September last, he found the people at the emigrant dépôt, who were to embark on board the uip "Athenian." They were all assembled in their large mess-room, and an opportunity was granted him (the visitor) to distribute the society's books amongst them. On his attempt to open a parcel of books, he was surrounded by a large body of the people. A Roman-catholic asked the visitor: "Have you any catholic books there for distribution?" The visitor replied, that he certaiuly had a catholic book; but it was not of that sort for which, he supposed, the inquiry was made. The visitor then held up in his hand a book of family prayers, and said, "This, in a certain sense, is a catholic book: and I hope to prove it to your entire satisfaction." He further remarked that he saw before him a large company of persons from various parts, some from England, some from Ireland, and some from Scotland; that, in all probability, some of them were called by men presbyterians, some methodists, some catholics, some churchmen; but he could not speak to them as catholics, or as presbyterians, &c. There was one name by which all those who were present, including himself, yea, and all mankind, might be called, and that was, poor helpless sinners. People of all nations, and people of every colour, must come under that name 66 'sinners." The holy bible declares the sacred truth, that "we have all sinned, and come short of the glory of God." 22 | thee such good things as pass men's understanding, pour into our hearts such love towards thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Two or three expressed their admiration of that prayer. The visitor: "Hear a third prayer read." 66 "O God, who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity, mercifully | grant that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasures, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Through God's blesssing, the effect was delightful. Two or three Roman-catholics said: "The prayers are beautiful." Then one said: May I have a copy of the book?" He was immediately followed by a second and a third, saying, "Will you give me a copy of the book, sir?" The visitor next explained the purport of his visit, and gave a short exhortation on the comfort of unity, and the necessity of parties studying that Christian grace, who are to sail together in a ship to a foreign adopted country. He further remarked, that to unite together in prayer, and in the reading of the bible, on board ship, was one of the best means of promoting union of heart amongst themselves; and further, that he would give to all those persons, who would family prayer-book, also a book of select homilies, use it in their families and messes, a copy of the for their instruction. The Roman-catholics were the first to make an There was another name by which he hoped all the persons then before him might be called, if they had been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;" and that was, by profession, "Christians." Nevertheless, when every one looked into his own heart, he must confess, in the words of David (Ps. xxxvi.), "The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. "Permit me to ask a question: Is there any one in this company that can hold up a hand and say, I am not a sinner?" Here followed a pause, and perfect silence. The visitor proceeded: "Our application for the family prayer-book, and prosilence declares all of us to be under the convic-mised to use it on board ship. The visitor was tion of sin. And how awful is the consideration engaged nearly two hours in presenting the people that that is the state of all mankind!" In argu- with books, and in writing their names within, as ment, therefore, he would say that, if words of they came up to him in small companies. One prayer can be found to suit all men as sinners, and man, who came up nearly the last, said: "I really to express the desires of all men who are con- thought, sir, that you were distributing catholicvinced of sin, then the book which contains such that is, Roman-catholic books; but I have been words as will help people of all nations to express reading those which you gave to a companion of the desires of their heart in prayer to God, and to mine, and I find them to be excellent books. plead the merits of the atoning blood of our Lord Please, sir, I shall be thankful if you will supply Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and, me with copies of the same books." through faith in that holy blood, to find acceptance with God, peace of mind, and the grace of the Holy Spirit to guide them into the path which leads to heaven, then he need not be ashamed to call that a catholic book. Such a book he held in his hand. He wished them to hear a prayer read from the book. Immediately upon that announcement there went a cry throughout the room, "Hats off! hats off!" The following prayer was then read: "Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of life, now, in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty, to judge both the quick and dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen." At the end of the prayer a man exclaimed: "Ah, they are beautiful words of prayer." They all expressed their thanks for the books, and appeared to be really grateful for the kindness shown them. It was once remarked to the society's visitor, by an official person on board ship, that the books ought not to be forced on any Roman-catholic. They are not forced upon any man; and, in the instance above mentioned, all persons came up to the visitor voluntarily, and received the books. THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS*. WHILE surrounded with the luxuries of nature," said the reverend gentleman, "a thought occurs to my mind that angels may now be hovering over us: are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs * From "The Use of the Senses when engaged in con templating the external world." By Catharine Lake, London: Nisbet. 1848. We have extracted the above piece from a The visitor said: If you approve of that work written with the best intentions and on pious prinprayer, then hear another read." And he pro- ciples. But the authoress has not the art of constructing natural conversation. Friends do not usually, in their social ceeded: intercourse, recite every moment long pieces of poetry. We "O God, who hast prepared for them that love think, however, that the volume may be useful.-ED. |