spective ministers, be forwarded, as soon as convenient, to one of the London secretaries. The London committee earnestly hope, that the plan here proposed will not be thought to be designed, as it is evidently not calculated to violate any of the rights of individual churches, or to lodge an undue power in any part of the Union; but simply to prevent the eirculation of unworthy cases, - an evil so deeply to be lamented; and to give all desireable encouragement to those which are deserving of pub. lic patronage. Applications may be made to one of the Secretaries, the Rev. T. Hill, Homerton or the Rev. C. Buck, Primrose Street, Bishopsgate, London. Charity for the Blind. THE Rev. W. Hetherington, in the year 1774, enabled the Governors of Christ's Hospital, London, to pay aunuities of £10 each, to 50 blind persons. Other benevolent persons have since made such munificent additions to Mr. Hetherington's Fund, that the Governors are now enabled to extend the annuity to 400 other persons. persons The petitioners must be born in England (to the exclusion of Wales and Berwick upon Tweed) aged 50, or upwards, who have resided three years in their present abode, who have been totally - who blind during that period, have never begged, nor received alms, nor have been deemed objects of parish relief; but who persons have been reputably brought up, and who need some addition to what they have, to make life more comfortable under the misfortune of blindness." The Governors lately advertised, That, from the 15th of October to the 3d of November, in every year, they are ready to issue from the counting-house of their hospital, upon the personal application of `a friend, Petitions for any blind persons duly qualified,-the great extent of the Charity rendering it impracticable to attend to letters What a noble charity is this, by which £4500 is arinually distributed among 450 distressed objects! RECENT DEATHS. AUG. 28th, after a lingering ill. ness, supported alone by the consolations of the gospel, and indulged with that serenity of mind which its lively and infallible promises are calculated to produce, died Mrs. Mary Wood, relict of the late Mr. Thos Wood, Printer and Editor of the Shrewsbury Chronicle. Mrs. W, was in her 64th year, was a native of Painswick, Gloucestershire; one of the most intimate friends of the late Rev. Cor. Winter; and a bearer (for 30 years) of the late Rev. Mr. De Courcy, Minister of St. Alkmond's. hurry and business, in which the deDuring a life of much ceased was visited with many trying bereavements, the graces of Christianity shone with resplendent lustre, and, amidst the most perplexing crosses and troubles incident to hu man nature, being enabled to rest her faith on the Rock of Ages, she most eminently adorned the doc trine of God her Saviour,' Oct. 12. The Rev. John Mac Gibbon, pastor of the Independent church at Birdbush, near Shaftsbury, Dorset. A slow consumption brought down to the grave this truly valuable young minister. Nov. 17. The Rev. Geo. Bart lett, pastor of the Independent church at Weytown, near Bridport, Mr. Bartlett, in the midst Dorset. of his usefulness, at the early age of 30, fell a victim to the disease of water on the brain, after an illness of little more than a week. Both these excellent young ministers were members of the Dorset Independent Association; and have been removed since the meeting on the 5th of October last, when the subject discussed in the morning was DEATH. On Monday morning, Nov. 28, at his seat at Hawkstone, Salop, in the 76th year of his age, Sir Richard Hill, Bart. (elder brother of the Rev. Rowl. Hill) well known in the religious world as an able defender of the gospel of the grace of God. He died in the enjoyment of that peace which the doctrines he maintained are calculated to produce. Histille devolves.on his next brother, now Sir John Hill. In yon ethereal blue ; More glorious far than you! His beams, eclips'd in mortal clay, And pour on us a gentle ray Of tenderness divine! Come, let us view the Saviour's bed, And press to see the lowly shed Where heav'nly Love was born. Sweet were the smiles that deck'd his face, And soft his, infant eyes; But sweeter was the matchless grace That brought him from the skies! Hail! Prince of Peace, a thankful child A Song in the Night of Affliction. INWARD anguish racks my bosom, Sorrows which I can't disclose; Tho' he be not always seen : I am compass'd round with foes, Do not know such calm repose. Here I shall not dwell for ever, Like a captive bound in chains; All my foes cannot dissever Me from him who lives and reigns! Tho' he seem at times to leave me In their hands that hate my soul; Yet he quickly can relieve me, --- He can all their schemes controul. Could I, on his promise trusting, Lean on him with all my might, He, my burdens well adjusting, Soon would make the burden light, In my Father's house are many mansions. HIGH in yonder realms of light, Heav'n's unfading mansions rise! Dwell the raptar'd saints above: Thro' the long, the cheerless day! Oft their vileness they deplor'd, Wills perverse and hearts untrue! Griev'd they could not love their Lord! Love Him as they wish'd to do! Oft the big unbidden tear, Stealing down th' furrow'd cheek, Told, in eloquence sincere, Tales of woe they could not speak! But these days of mourning o'er, Past this scene of toil and pain, They shall feel distress no more; Never, never weep again! 'Mid the chorus of the skies,' 'Mid th' angelic lyres above, Hark! their songs melodious riseSongs of praise to Jesus' love! Happy spirits! ye are fled, Where no grief can entrance find: Lull'd to rest the aching head, Sooth'd the anguish of the mind! All is trauquil and serene, Calm and undisturb'd repose! There no cloud can intervene, There no angry tempest blows! Ev'ry tear is wip'd away, Sighs no more shall heave the breast; Night is lost in endless day, Sorrow in eternal rest! Homerton. T. R On the Nativity of Christ. WHAT sounds harmonious strike the See, darkness flies,-the light appears! XVI. FROM A JUVENILE AUTHOR TO HIS SISTER, ON THE DEATH OF HER INFANT SON. For laurel-wreaths let more aspiring bards |