view; but ought also to be fully persuaded in his own mind, that he is using lawful means to ac complish it. Judging upon this principle, while I readily admit the powerful effect of these performances, in the excitement of highly devotional feelings, I would still ask, whether this end can justify the means which are employed to promote it; and whether the various circumstances, connected with such performances, are not such as ought to induce the Christian to forego his own gratification, rather than give his sanction to consequences which he cannot contemplate without serious concern? The subject of musical performances has indeed been often touched upon in your pages (particularly in your volume for 1821); but I am convinced that what are called the religious world have not yet come to a clear understanding upon the subject; and therefore a few well-weighed suggestions respecting it, will still be acceptable.

H. H.

Tothe Editorofthe Christian Observer.

HAVING noticed in your publication for August, the judicious remarks of one of your correspondents on indiscriminate charity to persons apparently distressed; I beg leave to offer a few additional observations on the same subject, founded on my own experience, hoping they may be useful to some of your readers, who may be disposed to the exercise of benevolence, but are restrained by the fear of imposition; and on the other hand, that they may tend to check in others that profuse liberality which too frequently gives a sanction to indolence and vice.

To benevolent and pious minds, there cannot be a greater luxury, if with the will they have likewise the power of "doing good." The page of inspiration, exhorts us to be rich in good works, ready to distribute, and willing to communicate: it also

assures us, that with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Our Lord declared, "The poor ye have always with you;" and in his own preeminently charitable conduct, for he went about doing good, "he has left us an example that we should follow his steps." But while the duty is enjoined, proper caution is needful as to the manner of performing it. In particular, a careful selection of suitable objects should be made, lest the stream of benevolence should flow in a wrong direction, and "the children's bread be cast unto the dogs;" in other words, lest vice should be encouraged, and worth of character disregarded.

It is a lamentable truth, that much of the misery of the poor too generally arises from their own imprudence or misconduct; and it is almost a certain criterion to judge by, in visiting a case of distress, (with the exception of sickness,) that if the habitation has the appearance of extreme destitution and filth, there is something in the character of its inmates that will not strictly bear the light cleanliness should always be a strong recommendation

in its favour; and it would be well for those who are in the habit of visiting and relieving the poor, to notice this point particularly, and not to pass over what tends so essentially to their health and comfort.

Persons unaccustomed to visit the habitations of the poor generally act from the impression they receive at first sight of the extreme wretchedness of the case; and from this momentary impulse, they relieve the objects of their bounty with a liberality that would perhaps be better bestowed in a quarter where cleanliness and decency were more observed. Were they fully to investigate the case, they would find, that notwithstanding their liberality, affairs continued from day to day much the same as at first. Persons of this description often subsist wholly on the bounty of benevolent individuals in succession, by keep

ing up a miserable appearance; for very few persons comparatively take the pains thoroughly to investigate either real character or circum

stances.

Imposition in many instances would be prevented, were families to forbid their servants receiving petitions promiscuously at the door. Unless a petition is drawn up and taken in hand by respectable individuals, from a full knowledge of its relating to a case of real distress, it is seldom worthy of notice or relief. Petitions drawn up and presented by the parties themselves, are always to be regarded in a suspicious light; and it is injudicious in the extreme to relieve such cases indiscriminately. It is not unusual for those who adopt this hackneyed system of obtaining money, to use the names of individuals known to the persons whose aid is requested; and thus the unwary and unsuspicious are not unfrequently imposed upon.

In giving recommendatory letters to persons for the various benevolent and religious institutions, the same caution is usually needful as to the character of the applicant. If a case of sickness, it should be ascertained, as far as possible, whether the sickness is real or feigned, or whether it proceeds from intemperate habits, which is often an unsuspected cause of ailment; and even where real sickness prevails, care should be taken that two societies are not visiting the same individual, a species of imposition which is too frequently practised by designing

tigating the merits of the cases that may come under their notice. In so doing, each should pray earnestly for that wisdom which is profitable to direct us in our intercourse with our fellow-creatures. But at the same time, the "wisdom of the serpent" should be blended with the "harmlessness of the dove;" and though, even with all necessary caution, offences of this kind will come, the genial current of Christian benevolence must not be checked on this account. We are still "not to be weary in well doing," nor are we to relax our exertions in the cause of suffering humanity. The affliction that befals our neighbour may at some period be our own; for in this uncertain state of existence, who can tell what a day may bring forth?

There cannot be a more pleasing, or profitable employment, either for male or female, than visiting the sick and afflicted. It is frequently in seasons of sickness and deep affliction, that the mind is softened, and prepared to receive Divine instruction. The truths of the Gospel at such periods often reach the soul with a power hitherto unknown; and an opportunity thus afforded of stating them should never be lost sight of by the visitor. Here lies indeed the grand responsibility of those engaged in such a work, that, while ministering to the temporal wants of the necessitous, the eternal interests of the soul should not be disregarded.

In the Epistle of St. James, i. 27, we read, that "pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction." Aged widows, without children to render them assistance; and single females unprovided for, are a class of persons too generally overlooked: they seldom obtain relief with that facility that persons do with large families: and many of them, it may be, having formerly been in better circumstances, retire from rather than attract observation.

The

writer has known several persons of this description who live upon a very small and uncertain pittance, who nevertheless are clean, creditable, and contented: such persons should be preferred as objects of benevolence, delicately administered, before those who are more clamorous and querulous. In cases of extreme sickness, even when the character of the sufferer is doubtful, application should be made for parochial relief, and other necessary

assistance obtained; so that no one should perish for lack of food, or care, under such circumstances.

In conclusion, let each bear in mind, that after the most active exertions in the cause of benevolence, we are still but unprofitable servants; and that no works can be acceptable or well pleasing to our heavenly Father, but as they proceed from faith in the atoning sacrifice of his beloved Son.

A-A.

1. Osric, a Missionary Tale; with the Garden, and other Poems. By CHARLOTTE EIZABETH. Dedicated by permission to Mrs. Hannah More. Dublin. pp. 134 & 53. 8vo. 2. Hints on Missions. By James DOUGLAS, Esq. Edinburgh. 1822. pp. 118.

3. The Advancement of Society in Knowledge and Religion. By the same Author. Edinburgh. 8vo. 1825. pp. 383.

4. Thoughts on Missions, written after a Perusal of Douglas's Hints an Missions By a Missionary. London. 8vo. 1825. pp. 19. 5. The Moral Dignity of the Missionary Enterprize, a Sermon delivered before the Boston (United States) Baptist Society. By F. WAYLAND, Jun. Pastor. Boston. 1825.

Ir is not our intention, in placing these works in our review depart ment, to discuss at large the nature of Christian missions, and their imperative claims on the regards of all professed Christians. These topics are not new either to ourselves or our readers. Our pages have borne repeated testimony to the value and the importance of the measures which are in active operation at the present time, for widely diffusing the "glorious Gospel of the blessed God." We feel especial pleasure

in witnessing the successful part which our own church has long borne in this hallowed enterprize, and in observing the calm and undisturbed manner in which the "Free Thoughts," and the "Prótests," and "Addresses," and "Defences of Protests," which were directed in particular against one most valuable institution, conducted by members of that church, have been sustained and survived. The cause of missions in our Establishment, like, we would trust, the cause of that Establishment itself, is now resting on a basis of increasing security and strength. The very agitations which have pressed upon it have contributed to its stability, and we doubt not that any new and yet untried resistances will prove equally impotent to subvert its foundations. In noticing, however, the movements of a power like that of our missionary apparatus, as it directs its efforts against the altars of idolatry in one quarter of the globe, or the bulwarks of superstition in another; we see persons of various gradations of rank, intellect, and principle, directing their attention towards its operations, and express. ing in many diversified forms their surmisings or their approval. Even the dislike of opponents is compelled to pause in its denunciations, while the augmenting resources which

In his geographical dissertations he displays extensive reading, and has accumulated more hard names in some of his pages than Johnson ever accused Milton of boastfully heaping on his similes in the Paradise Lost. He stands forward too as the avowed advocate of missionary exertion, though he does not always Occupy the high ground which might be chosen for the basis of his reasoning. Many of his arguments are striking and powerful; and we do not think that full justice has been done to his work on missions, in the reply to it which we have placed upon our list; but in the sentiments of that reply, in the main, we cannot but agree. We shall, in the course of our remarks, introduce to our readers some valuable extracts from Mr. Douglas's "Hints." But of his two works generally we cannot think otherwise than that he has been somewhat entangled in the perplexities of his own powerful mind, and too much busied in amusing speculations.

In proof or illustration of these remarks we might notice the anxiety apparent throughout Mr. Douglas's book, so to construct the plans and operations of missionary enterprize as to render them acceptable in the eyes of philosophers and men of taste, and the sneer with which he condemns the missionary's journal, "filled too often with the experiences of particular converts, which have often more connexion with the body than with the soul," and the suggestion that he proposes as a far preferable object of pursuit; namely, that "Christians would shew what Christian benevolence can do for the comforts and embellishments of this transitory life, and that thus there might be some common feeling between two parties who might gain much by mutual intercourse." In addition to recommending for study, as is most necessary, the languages of heathen nations, he adds to them their national music and songs, their tales and superstitions; and besides this, the physical locali

ties of the country, the order of the rocks, the soil, the vegetables, the animals, the aspect of nature, and the events of history. He would have a register kept of the weather, and the direction of the winds; regular observations made of the thermometer, and, if possible, of the barometer, and all this in order that those philosophers, who, as he confesses, would be scared at the mention of the soul or a future state, and who consider missionaries as ignorant fanatics, may be forced to read through these returns, and acknowledge them, what Mr. Douglas has no doubt they would become in time, the most magnificent range of experiences that has ever been made to science!

Now, without denying, and indeed strenuously maintaining, that the Christian missionary may and ought to endeavour to enlarge his sphere of knowledge, for the sake of the important work in which he is engaged; believing also that, in many instances, without any sacrifice of higher duties, he may greatly benefit the physical condition of those among whom he labours; that he may greatly promote civilization and the arts of social life, and even in some cases transmit home, at little expense of time or labour, various miscellaneous memoranda of value in different departments of knowledge; we think it cannot be too strongly inculcated that a missionary should be most emphatically a man of one object and of one book-and that whatever really diverts him from that object and that book, however laudable in itself, is to him a dangerous diversion. Mr. Douglas needs not be reminded that an attempt to conciliate the favour of "the wise and prudent" towards the cause and the doctrines of the Cross, has ever been amongst the most infelicitous and unsuccessful of experiments.

It was so even before our Saviour's first advent made them known more clearly than by type and prophecy: it has been increasingly so since. « Have any