HYMN FOR SUNDAY EVENING.

FIRST PART.

Like the cool rain upon the leaf,
Like dew upon the flower,
So softly steals the holy breath
Of Sabbath evening's hour.

It is the breath of praise and prayer
Which through this holy day,
Hath whispered peace to every care
And wafted toil away.

Lord, works of labour, works of skill,
Have all been put aside;
But Thou hast taught thy holy will
To us, and been our guide,

The hands that rested, thou hast bade
That we should clasp in prayer;
The lips forgot their songs, but paid
Their tribute to thy care.

SECOND PART.

We toiled not, neither have we spun,
Since this glad morning came;
But grant that in our hearts hath sprung
The grace to bless thy name.

This quiet evening softly falls
In calmness on our bed;

Oh, grant the truths heard in thy walls,
A blessing here may shed.
If I may slumber, let my sleep
Be met with thoughts of Thee.
If I awake, thy vigil keep,

And come and dwell with me.
Let this first day o'er all the rest
A hallowed brightness cast;
So let the week, O Lord, be blest,
And in thy service part.

The Sunday Library; or the Protestant's Manual for the Sabbath Day, being a selection of Sermons from eminent divines of the Church of England. By the Rev. T. Dibdin, D. D. 18mo. Pp. x. and 370. Longman.

THIS Volume contains eighteen sermons, selected from the works of Bishops Blomfield, Horne, Horsley, Mant, and Porteus; from the Rev. Drs. Paley, and Shuttleworth; and the Rev. Messrs. Benson, and Le Bas.

The Devotional Friend, consisting of Original Meditations, Hymns, and Prayers, arranged for Public Worship. By the Author of the Morning Repast. 12mo. Pp. x. and 290. Hamilton. 1831.

Memoir of a beloved and long afflicted Sister. By William Carus Wilson, M. A. Rector of Whittington. 12mo. Pp. iv. and 552. Seeleys. THIS memoir will be found highly instructive and interesting; at the same time we cannot but regret that our valuable friend Mr. Wilson had not considerably abridged its contents. Its present bulk must prove exceeding unfavourable to its circulation, and consequently to its usefulness.

Companion to the Bible, intended for Bible Classes, Families, and Young Persons in General. With Maps, &c. 18mo. Pp. iv. and 138. Nisbet.

Dr. Lardner's Cabinet Library: Military Memoirs of Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington. By Captain Moyle Sherer. Vol. I. 18mo. Pp. viii. and 296. Longman. 1830.

A Help to professing Christians, in judging their spiritual state and growth in grace. By the Rev. John Barr. 12mo. Pp. viii. and 366. Simpkin. 1831.

A Farewell Discourse addressed to the

Afternoon Congregation of St. John's, Bedford Row. By the Rev. W. F. Vance, M. A. Chaplain to the Refuge for the Destitute. 8vo. Pp. 32mo. Nisbet. 1831.

Grace and Love beyond Gifts. Opened in a Sermon before the Lord Mayor of the City of London. By William Bridge, Preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth, sometime Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Small 8vo. Pp. 56. Seeleys,

The Necessity of Religion as the Basis of Education, considered with reference to some prevailing errors. By the Rev. William Gurden Moore, A. B. 8vo. Pp. 32. Seeleys.

The Test of Truth. Small 8vo. Pp. 120. Seeleys.

An Inquiry into the present circumstances and character of England, in connexion with those of the Jewish Church and Nation recorded in the Holy Scriptures, more especially by the Prophet Isaiah, with some practical Suggestions. 8vo. Pp. 32. Seeleys, 1831.

THE following extracts of Letters recently received in this country from Greece will produce very different emotions in the minds of those who are desirous of promoting the cause of true religion. The first is addressed by Dr. Korck to the Bible Society in Malta. The second was written by a gentleman, who has been only a short time at Syra, to a friend in this country; very possibly when this gentleman has been some time longer on the island he may discover that though iniquity may abound, yet that God has still purposes of mercy towards the ignorant and oppressed inhabitants. The history of the church in every age, shows that its Almighty Head continually educes light out of darkness, and that many a cloudy morning is the prelude to a bright and glorious day.

Syra, Oct. 7, 1830.

I have lately received, from Milopotamus in Candia, a very interesting application for school materials, respecting which I shall speak on another occasion: I touch upon it here only so far as it relates to the Bible cause. While Turks from Kreta came to me for Bibles, and accepted them with the greatest reverence, the Greeks of that island were very much opposed to their reception. George Melidonis (the brother of the virtuous and heroic Melidonius, who fell by the treacherous hands of his own countrymen-see Jautgas's Histoire de la Révolution de la Gréce) after being expelled from his native isle, and deprived of his possessions, notwithstanding his distinguished services, lived here in Syra for about a year, and visited me almost daily. The misfortunes of his family had exasperated his feelings to a high degree against the authors of them; but I found his sincere soul open to every good impression, and that he was zealous to communicate to his fellow-men what he had found to be of benefit to his own soul. The sickness of another brother, who had only two motherless children left, the remains of a large family, caused him finally to return to Candia, though he knew his life would be endangered, that he might take care of the orphans, and, if possible, save his brother, who is a physician. At his request, I gave him a few copies of the Scriptures, that he

might try to sell some, or give them away; but the opposition of the people was so strong, that they refused not only to receive the books-saying they were Turkish, English, or Lutheran, but the Council even sent six men to kill the person who had charge of the distribution, and who tried every effort to persuade his unhappy countrymen to accept the word of God and to seek the salvation of their souls. About five months ago, six armed men came to the house of George Melidonis; and ordered him immediately before the council, with a quantity of medicines for some wounded persons. He told them he had none; and, being sick in bed, he excused himself from accompanying them but these six men seized him, dragged him out of the house, and, after beating him violently with sticks-for having, as they said, distributed Turkish, English, and Lutheran books, the poor sufferer became insensible, and, in that state, was precipitated from a height of twelve feet. Seeing him still alive, one of the wretches drew his knife in order to dispatch him; but a crowd being now assembled, in consequence of the cries of some women who witnessed the transaction, they rescued poor Melidonis, carried him into a house, and laid him, in a most deplorable condition, on a bed; where he remained for three months, till he recovered.

During this time a great change took place. The council sent for specimens of the books, in order to examine them; and, on seeing their contents, began to approve of them, and showed themselves favourable to George Melidonis ; they also established schools, where the children received bodily and mental food, at the expense of fifteen monasteries; and five priests have already begun to read the Testament in their churches, in the language understood by the people; namely, in our Modern Greek translation. On the application of the school commission established by the council, I have sent them a new supply of Greek Testaments, &c. for themselves, and some Turkish Scriptures wherewith to conquer their enemies. George Melidonis's advice is now asked in many circumstances; and he employs all his time, without caring for his earthly affairs, in riding on an ass,

his only property, from village to village, in order to read and explain the Scriptures to his countrymen, who are very glad to give him the food necessary for his subsistence. A young Hydriote, who went to Candia to inquire after George Melidonis, brought me all this news: he was sent to me for that purpose, by fifteen Hydriotes and a Lay Priest named Kyrillos, friends of George, and lovers of good things, and who, through him, had been induced to read our books: they now form a little community among themselves, and are diligently occupied in searching the Scriptures. The same young Hydriote, named Emanuel, told me that he had never known himself what Christianity was, till he had read with and heard Melidonis he now intends to become a schoolmaster; for which purpose I have sent him to Ægina.

:

I have long forborne to speak of George Melidonis, being afraid lest I should be mistaken in him: though, through him, a Captain George, and the servant of the Hospital here in Syra, had become lovers of better things. But, as you now request me to give you some instances of the benefits derived from the labours of the Bible Society, I think I cannot give you a fairer proof. The Lord, who alone is the searcher of hearts, knows how far all this is a real conversion; yet it cannot but be cheering to those who pray and labour for the spread of the knowledge of the word of Life to hear of such instances of its power on the human heart. However, this instance of partial success must not raise your ideas too much; for, in general, I must confess, our distribution of the Scriptures still resembles the sowing of seed, that remains covered under the ground, and is checked at times by signs of a rough winter: nevertheless, it is the word of God, and the seed cannot perish under ground. Here, in Syra, among my near acquaintance, I observe an increasing taste, if not a desire, for godly things, Some of the girls in our schools show not only that they love and begin to understand them, but also manifest their influence on their conduct.

Syra, Oct. 11, 1830. 'Indeed, my dear Sir, we all feel what privileges we have lost by coming among this people, who are, generally speaking, little removed from the poor Indians. The lower classes are sunk in the greatest ignorance and superstition; and the nation in general is

exceedingly prejudiced against any thing like a reformation in their religion. A very great change has taken place with reference to missionary operations, since Mr. Hartley left Greece They would now no longer suffer a foreigner to preach in any of their churches, as they did when Brother H. was here. Government has taken in hand the education of the youth, and published a Manual, which is taken from a French publication, according to which Scripture instruction is pretty nearly excluded from the Public Schools. Indeed our Missionary Brethren here are no longer at liberty to explain the gospel in the schools, as they used to do only three or four months ago; and the largest school, that of the boys, has been altogether taken out of the hands of Dr. K—, and is now in the hands of a self-conceited Greek. They also want to have images of saints in the schools, before which the children are to make their bows, a thing which is not suffered even among the heathens in India.'

'I am afraid Christian Societies will be able henceforward to do little more, than to give books to the Greeks to carry on the education of their children according to their own plans. The priests are very prejudiced men, and have with all their ignorance a great deal of influence with the people. These untoward circumstances will oblige us to leave Syra again, as we cannot see how we can do any missionary work, even should we acquire the language. Perhaps we might get some employment by teaching some of the higher classes English and French, but this does not appear to me worth spending so much money as it would cost to live here.'

'I understand Russland has a great deal of influence on Greece, particularly on its religious state, which leads to the conclusion, that the Missionary Societies will meet with the same repulse bye and bye, as the Bible Society did some years back in Russia.'

These facts, my dear Sir, will in all probability lead to an alteration in our station; for here there seems no opportunity for us to extend the missionary work. Where we are to go, we scarcely know yet but we have been told that go we must, lest the envy of the priests should be raised still more.'

'Thank God, I am able to inform you, that my health has much improved since we have come to a milder climate. I can say that I feel quite well, and that the little stay here will fully estab

lish my health. We live a little way out of the town, in a garden house, because we could not get another house in town. Syra is the general resort of people from all Greece, who came here to seek safety during the war, and stuck little houses as close together as possibly can be, so that there is no street that a cart could pass through. Indeed, there is not a wheelbarrow to be found in the whole town, much less a vehicle of another sort. I never saw such a dirty and irregular town in all my life; and still they say that Syra is the principal place in all Greece.'

'The Island is a barren rock, and produces very little indeed; all must be brought from other places which is consumed here; therefore, every article is very dear, and often scarcely to be had.. But it must be said that it is a healthy

place; and had we a prospect of being useful, I should like to stay here. The sabbath is dreadfully profaned in Syra; the people go to church early in the morning and in the evening, to perform a few ceremonies or prayers, and then they go about visiting from house to house, so that we are quite distressed about it. And many go about the whole Sunday shooting birds on the hills; again, others sing and cry about the town, not only during the day, but also through the greater part of the night.'

We trust that some favourable change may shortly take place in Syra, though well aware that no case is more dis-. couraging than that of an idolatrous and corrupt church under the control of an ignorant and superstitious priesthood. Return, O Lord, and visit this vine."

We have lately been favoured with the perusal of several interesting letters from persons in the employ of this valuable institution, from which the following are extracts. We cannot but hope that God is graciously owning the labours of his servants in that far distant land, and that the present hopeful appearances are only as the first-fruits of a rich and abundant harvest.

NEW ZEALAND.

Paihia, Aug. 25. Your accounts of the Jews are very

encouraging. Oh that they may be speedily brought into the fold of the great Shepherd. Poor Charles and his companions have not been heard any thing of in this part of the world since my last letter to you. The opinion principally entertained in Sidney is that the vessel was lost the night she left Port Jackson, and the reason they give, is the bad manner in which the vessel was stowed. It appears that Mr. K—, sail-maker of Sidney, accompanied the vessel down the river and his report is that being caught in a squall, the vessel was thrown on her beam ends in rather an alarming manner before he left her, and while she was in smooth water, and in consequence of which Mr. K requested the Captain to return to Sydney and unload his vessel, as he did not think her fit to go to sea on account of her top-weight. To this remonstrance the Captain turned a deaf ear, and requested Mr. Knot to make the owner acquainted with the bad trim of FEB. 1831.

the vessel, as he said he should take care to reload his cargo the first fine day after he got to sea. But alas, I fear that day never came to them, as it blew a dreadful gale of wind the same night, and it is generally considered that the vessel upset and went down. How mysterious are the ways of divine providence what we do not know now we shall know hereafter. Mr. and Mrs. Brown seem to be a valuable couple, may the Lord bless them with a large portion of his grace, and make them a blessing to our dear children and to the poor natives. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman also arrived in the Active, and Mr. Yate returned in company with them from that sink of iniquity Port Jackson, where he had been to get a portion of the scriptures printed, and to supply Mr. Marsden's church during his absence in New Zealand.

L

In December last, I finished my new house, which is the most comfortable one ever yet built in the country, but I am now about to leave it and to remove into the bush in the interior of the country, in order to endeavour to do something in agriculture. I here give you an extract from my journal, the same, and nearly the words of which, I brought before the New Zealand Committee in October 6, 1829.

For some time past it has appeared to me absolutely necessary that something of an agricultural nature should be set on foot as speedily as possible, for the following reasons;

I. From the signs of the times, it is

not only possible, but probable, that the time may not be far distant when our Christian friends in England may not be so well able to help us as they are now, consequently we should so prepare as to be able to help ourselves.

II. Our numbers are increasing, our families becoming large, and some of our children growing up, so that our expences are increasing and are already become considerable; consequently it appears necessary that we should endeavour to do something to lessen the expence.

III. If we do not do something for ourselves while we have it in our power, and our resources should fail at home, we shall have no means of support, and may be obliged at length to leave the Island and our work; this would not only be wicked in the sight of God, but it would appear cowardly in the sight of men. Whereas, were we to set about doing something in agriculture, as the times are much altered as it respects the disposition of the natives, we may be able to support ourselves, and continue to labour in the Lord's vineyard, while the gathering storm may be disembodying itself over Europe.

'This point was unanimously carried in the Committee, and a resolution past that something should be done as speedily as possible in the vicinity of Kerikeri, but when Mr. Marsden was here it was transferred to Waimate. Whether the time is come to form such a settlement in the interior, time alone will decide.'

Paihia, Aug. 27, 1830.

About ten days ago, one of our natives died in a very hopeful state, whose conversion, under the great Head of the Church, was brought about in the following manner. He was a lad who had lived a long time with us, but had always manifested a great share of indifference to learning and to every thing of a religious nature. At length he was taken ill, but still he seemed to be the same indifferent lad which he had always been. One evening I had an opportunity of speaking about him in one of my public addresses to the natives. Addressing myself to the converted part of my congregation, I spoke of the poor lad's illness, and of his unprepared state for death. I earnestly intreated them to be diligent in praying for and with him, and to endeavour to lead him to a knowledge of his state before God. The same evening many of the converts went

to him, and spoke to, and prayed with him, and continued to do so daily for several days. When they first visited him, they told me his heart was very hard, but in about a week after they had used the means of grace, one of the visitors came to me with an overflowing heart, and told me that the sick man had become thoughtful, and began to perceive a little light in his heart, and was longing after Christ. Never shall I forget the joyful manner in which the young man told me of the hopeful state of the sick youth. I trust the same spirit pervaded his soul which pervades the happy blood-bought throng, when they rejoice at the conversion of a sinner. About four days before the young man died he told me that Christ was all he wanted, that he did not wish to live any longer in this wicked world, he said that his sins were all blotted out, and washed away by the blood of Christ, and that he would rather die and go to Christ than remain longer here. In fact his conversion was such as gave me every reason to believe that he was a brand plucked from the burning, and that he is now praising his Redeemer in the highest strains.

One of our native girls is now lying on the bed of death. She was one of the first baptized, her sickness has been now of long continuance; she is visited and prayed-by daily, by the converted natives, she is in a pleasing, happy state of mind, and will no doubt ere long join the blood-bought throng. The Lord hath indeed been merciful to this guilty land, and I trust is now collecting a church and people for Himself, from among the poor despised savage cannibals of this country. I know that the account of the success of our mission will be the means of exciting thousands to praise the Lord of glory for this his rich mercy so manifestly displayed towards this country. But I hope neither you, nor the whole Christian church will cease to supplicate the Lord in behalf of us his most unworthy instruments, that we may become more faithful to our post, and remain so till death.

A few days since, a report was in circulation that news had been received in Port Jackson that the brig Haweis, in which our dear friends sailed from the colony, had been heard of in South America. The report is, that she was taken by prisoners and run away with to the coast of Peru. But the accounts appear very vague to us. Should it be true, the civilized barbarians may have