couragement derivable from such a subject was the more necessary to me from the temptation to despondency which, in common with many of my fellow-Christians, I have of late experienced, on the very painful and awful prospects which appear to us to threaten the National Church and the British public, in an hour of darkness, when "the sea and the waves are roaring, and men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth."

In reference to the importance of intercessory prayer, I am old enough to remember many seasons of great anxiety and danger, during the war, not merely with regicide and revolutionary France, but with the Popish and Infidel powers which that nation brought into the field against our religion and existence. On those oc. casions, as they arose, a Government which had not cast off the fear of God, called upon the nation to observe many solemn days of fasting and humiliation: and it is well to remember that the Almighty was, again and again, entreated for the land, and repeatedly turned aside the wrath which so frequently impended over us. I know that many prayed most earnestly on the eve of the decisive battle of Waterloo, nor need they be afraid or ashamed to confess it. Being now at peace with the whole world, we have no such grateful calls of authority as we once had, to deprecate the Divine wrath, although I apprehend that no enlightened mind can doubt for a moment, that our dangers, as a professedly Christian nation, are multiplied in an indefinite ratio beyond those of the period when we were at war with the whole world. Far, indeed am I from underrating the Scriptural assurance that "the Lord reigneth ;" but such a conviction is not merely consistent with the vigorous use of

all appointed means, but will chiefly honour prayer as one of the principal, seeing that the Almighty will be "enquired of" by his people to effect deliverance for them. Now, with the single exception of an invitation by one or two ministers of the Establishment, at the opening of every year, we are absolutely without any thing in the shape of an appeal to the duty of public intercessory prayer.

Will you, Sir, or perhaps, rather, such of the Evangelical Clergy, (I do not renounce this phrase at the bidding of Puseyism) as can feel for the Church and country, be pleased to take this subject into consideration; and strive to obtain some understanding upon the propriety of naming a day when all that can be effected for us without public authority (for which we should, I apprehend, now look in vain,) may be generally agreed upon; as we now find occurring in the case of the new year, to which I have already alluded, and which is now at some distance. I remain, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,
JOHN POYNder.

OCCUPYING an humble station, being only a curate of a retired country church for the greatest part of his life, and having no adventitious circumstances in his favour, he produced works which a large portion of the religious public, high and low, learned and unlearned, do highly approve and greatly value. Though not distinguished for genius or learning, he undoubtedly had both to a considerable extent. Ofthis, were there no other evidence, the popularity of his works would be quite a sufficient proof. They have been greatly blessed to the good of many. Several testi

monies to this effect have at various times been communicated to himself. To some they have been the means of conversion, as testified by the individuals themselves; and many have been by them instructed, comforted, and strengthened. When he spoke of his writings, respecting which he often AUGUST-1845.

received very pleasing testimonies,* it was ever with mingled feelings

*As an instance of this, I give the following portion of one of his letters to an afflicted friend at Cheltenham, one of the family with whom he resided. Its date is, May 23, 1835 :

2 U

"While I was at dinner to-day (Saturday), in came the Rev. Mr. W and staid only to give me this account of a sister-in-law of his, who lately died. 'She was in great darkness and distress of mind, but very anxious to obtain assurance that she was in a state of salvation. In reading the "True Christian," a flood of light broke in upon her soul; her fears and darkness vanished, and she was filled with holy confidence, that her soul was safe; which filled her with joy and peace that continued habitually for two months, when she died very happy.'

"This account is somewhat similar to what another clergyman gave me, when at Aberystwyth, of his own sister on her death-bed. What a high favour to be instrumental in administering consolation to any of the children of God, when trembling on the verge of eternity.'

In another letter of a prior date, Dec. 3. 1834, he says "The Rev. Mr. Graham, at York, has publicly recommended my 'True Christian' to his people."

In a letter to the same friend, sent

of gratitude and humiliation. That God should own his efforts and bless them, seemed not only to make him thankful, but also greatly to humble him, While overwhelmed almost with gratitude, he evidently felt himself wholly unworthy of being so honoured.

He had a particular talent for condensing things, for reducing them to a small compass; and by thus conveying important sentiments, he rendered them more striking and more easy to be retained. When his very kind and liberal friend, Mr. Ramsden, resided at Spratton, and had an annual Missionary Sale on his grounds, there was nothing so much coveted by many of those who came to buy, as the cards on which Mr. Jones had written some of his moral and evangelical axioms. Several of these were prepared and readily disposed of every year.*

from Barmouth, August, 1834, are these passages:

"There is one thing I would mention with diffidence, because it may have the appearance of boasting and vanity: it is however my wish to mention it with gratitude to God, who alone should have all the praise of all that is good. I go no where without having many testimonies to the good effects of my plain publications. Two ladies came to me on the shore, and acknowledged much benefit. One was a Miss -, who said, that my book on the Prodigal' was the means of restoring her to God, and of turning her from Socinianism to the faith of Christ. The other was a Mrs. who had been a Governess in Mr. T. G -'s family, and afterwards had a school. She said that my Scripture Directory' had been made extensively useful to a considerable number of her pupils. You know that I wrote that book for your instruction."

The Reports of the local branch belonging to the Church Missionary Society were written by Mr. Jones, as long as he exercised public duties, and were deemed very interesting, all of them containing some new topic on the subject of Missions, and displaying a most catholic spirit. There is in the second, published in 1820, one very fine passage, which shall be quoted; it is very happily conceived, and beautifully expressed. The passage is this

"For this extraordinary work it hath pleased God to raise up extraordinary men to carry it on. The primitive Swartz appeared on the unhallowed plains of Hindostan. Like another John the Baptist, he called on kings, princes, and people, 'Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' The Lord is coming with ten thousand of his saints. This faithful herald of the Lord of Hosts published the Gospel of the kingdom with great fidelity and success. After him,

others of late. It occurs to me that it is a duty in such cases to aim at doing good: and I shall write for this amiable young lady on the grace of faith: a very wonderful grace indeed! in its nature, operations, benefits, and blessings. In its nature it is a divine principle, the breath of the Holy Spirit, the life of the soul, and the commencement of eternal happiness.

"What is faith? It is soul-reliance on Christ; it is confidence in God; it is the root and parent of every other grace; it is the bond of union between the soul and Christ, and the seed of eternal life.

"It is a powerful principle and mighty in operation; it has power with God, and can obtain any thing and every thing it seeks, as contained in the promises and covenant of Salvation; it conquers the world, subdues sin, foils Satan, and treads on death.

"It is a most blessed principle; it restores the soul to God; it teaches submission to God in all things, and to be willing to endure what he appoints, and to be deprived of what he takes away, and to be thankful for all his gifts, mercies, and blessings. O then let us have faith in the God of all grace: the Lord increase our faith and love."

Carey, like one that attended on the day of Pentecost, and then endued with the gift of tongues, took his Station at Serampore. From thence Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Cretes, and Arabians, have heard him speaking in their own tongue the wonderful works of God. Then Buchanan broke forth, like a brilliant star in the east, pointing the wise and the foolish to Bethlehem, saying, there was HE born who brought salvation down. One day as he passed an infernal prison, called the Court of the Inquisition, at Old Goa, his spirit was stirred up within him. He planted against it the great artillery of the Gospel and blew it up, and let the prisoners go free. One more bright luminary must be mentioned, for his name will be had in everlasting remembrance; he was called here below, Henry Martyn, but in the heavens has 'received a new name, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.' This man of God was more like a flying meteor than a fixed star. He flew over divers countries in a short space time, and illuminated them as he went. He left behind him a burning lamp in Persia, which shall never be put out."

of

to resist our sinful self; ought we not, in everything we think, say, and do, to ask ourselves, Why do I think, say, or do this?' We should do nothing but for the glory of God. We connect happiness with heaven; can we be happy in any other way than by doing as they do there?"

When travelling together, we came to a part of the country which commanded a very extensive view. Mr. Jones said, "There is not a twig growing within this wide compass which has not an owner, one to say, Thou art mine.' There is not a twig growing in any part of creation that I can call mine." "You never purchased any land, Mr. Jones?" "No; nor had I ever a wish to do so. It would only be a temptation to me. If I had a spot of ground, I should be in danger of being too fond of it."

From the little I know of worldly affairs, I am sometimes astonished how those much engaged in them can retain any grain of religion." "Why," said he, our farmers, in general, have very little religion. The cobbler has much more chance of having religion than the farmer. He has only one thing to attend to; his routine of business is the same. But the farmer has a great many things to engage his mind; and variety of things dissipates all thoughts about eternal concerns. Whatever it be that constantly engages the mind, it assimilates the mind to itself."

During the same journey the wise and gracious provision made by God for irrigating the earth by rain was noticed. "What a won

derful contrivance," observed Mr. Jones; "indeed all is wonderful. We see and know but little yet, compared to what may be seen and known, and with what will hereafter be seen. We are yet but on the threshold of being. God will