ON THE ABOLITION

OF

LINES,

THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE, Spoken by some of the Children edu

EY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT,
which took Effect the 1st of May, 1807.
THE Swelling breeze shall urge uo more
Our vessels to the sable shore,
To hurry thence despairing slaves
O'er mountains of resenting waves!
For lo! Britannia, bath'd in tears,
Trembles to count her guilty years;
Implores Compassion's boundless sea
To wash th' inveterate stain away;
And quits the trade in human blood,
Repentant at the feet of God!
Soon other nations shall aspire,
And copy what they now admire, -
Till not a sail shall be unfurl'd
To terrify the negro-world!
Nor shall Humanity desist
From her appeal while slaves exist!
Methinks, I hear the fetters fall,
And Freedom offer bliss to all;
White, pointing to the Christian plan,
She shews the love of God to Man.

Our hope grows brighter from this
happy day!-

Who does not hail the glorious First
of May!
Battersea.

PHILELEUTHERUS.

cated in the Asylum for Deaf and Dumb, at the Anniversary Meeting of the Patrons of that Institution, April 30, 1807.

THE gratitude we owe to you,

Our tongues cannot express;
Our words are few, our hearts are full
Yet we'll the debt confess!

You found us helpless, dumb, and poor,
Unable to complain :

Unask'd, you tender'd that relief
Which mitigates our pain!

Yes; we are taught to comprehend,-
To use and value speech:
"Hard is the case" of Deaf and Dumb,
Who no such boon can reach ! *

Doom'd yet to live, and not to know
The end why life was given,
They breathe unconscious of their state,
Nor hope, -nor think of Heav'n!

O pardon then, if we should aim
To plead their cause to-day,
And feebly raise an uncouth voice
For their relief to pray!

Referring to the numerous unfortunates for whom application has been made to this Society; but who, for want of adequate accommodation in the AsyJam, have been hitherto unsuccessful candidates. At the last election, the Gowernors had the painful task of selecting six, out of sixty-four cases; of whom, what more affecting can be said, than that they were all indigent Deaf and Dumb, whose friends are unable to procure the blessings of education for them, other wise than through the assistance of this Charity!

A PERSUASIVE TO MISSIONARY LABOURS.

WHERE the majestic Ganges swiftly pours
Her mighty streams along the eastern shores,
My hovering fancy dwells, and bears me hence
To India's wealthy climes, and plains inmense!
Where darkness reigns I fain would spend my breath,
And toil to weave a never-fading wreath

To crown my Saviour's brow! O blissful thought!
To win to Christ a soul with darkness fraught !

Ye champions of the mighty God, arise,
And wave your floating banners to the skies!
With shouts proclaim a dying Saviour's love,
And, conquering and to congner, onward move.
Shall not the clang of vile idolatry

Awake your souls to set the prisoners free,

And loose the dreadful chains that binds them fast
To superstitious rites and hellish east?

Ye ministers of Christ, behold with grief
The dying Heathen panting for relief!
"Tis yours to break Oppression's crue! rod;
'Tis yours to point them to the Lamb of God.
Why then so slothful? why this long delay?
The work is God's,

Immanuel leads the way! TEMPO.

Printed by G. AuLD, Greville Street, London.

1

EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.

JULY, 1807.

MEMOIR
OF

THE REV. WILLIAM TENNENT

CONCLUDED.

Mr. TENNENT was remarkably distinguished for a pointed at tention to the particular circumstances and situation of the afflicted, either in body or mind; and would visit them with as much care and attention as a physician; and frequently indeed proved an able one to both soul and body. But his greatest talent was that of a peacemaker, which he possessed in so eminent a degree, that probably none have exceeded, and very few have equalled him in it. He was sent for, far and near, to settle disputes, and heal difficulties which arose in congregations; and, happily for those concerned, he was generally successful. Indeed, he seldom would relinquish his object till he had accomplished it.

Mr. Tennent was a man of the most scrupulous integrity; and though of a very grave deportment, had a remarkably cheerful disposition, and generally communicated his instructions with sq much pleasantry, as greatly to gain the affection of all with whom he conversed, especially of children and young people. In all his intercourse with strangers and men of the world, he so ma naged his conversation, that, while he seldom neglected a proper opportunity to impress the mind with serious things, he always made them covet his company rather than avoid it; well-knowing that there is a time for all things, and that even instruction and reproof, to be useful, must be prudently and seasonably given.

An instance of this disposition occurred in Virginia. The late Rev. S. Blair and Mr. T. were sent by the synod on a mission into that province. They stopped one evening at a tavern for the night, where they found a number of guests, with whom they supped in a common room. After supper cards were introduced, when one of the gentlemen politely asked them if they would not take a cut with them, not knowing that they were clergymen. Mr. T. pleasantly answered, "With all my heart, gentlemen, if you can convince us that thereby we can serve our Master's

cause, or contribute any thing towards the success of our mission." This drew some smart reply from the gentleman; when Mr. T. with solemnity added, "We are ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ: :we profess ourselves his servants; we are sent on his business, which is to persuade mankind to repent of their sins, to turn from them, and to accept of that happiness and salvation which is offered in the gospel." This very unexpected reply, delivered in a very tender, though solemn manner, and with great apparent sincerity, so engaged the gentlemens' attention, that the cards were laid aside, and an opportunity was afforded for explaining, in a sociable conversation during the rest of the evening, some of the leading doctrines of the gospel, to the satisfaction and apparent edification of the hearers.

Resignation to the will of God, was among the excellent graces that adorned the character of this man of God. He had been tried in various ways; but domestic afflictions, as yet, had not been laid upon him. The time, however, was now come, when his character was to be brightened by a severe test of his resignation and obedience. His youngest son, who was one of the handsomest of men, had just commenced the practice of physic; was married, and had one child. To the great distress of the parents, he discovered no regard to the things that belonged to his eternal peace. Wholly negligent of religion, he indulged, without restraint, in the gaiety and follies of the world. The pious father was incessant at the throne of grace in behalf of his dissipated son; and was continually entertaining hopes that God would arrest him in his career, and bring him into the church of Christ, that he might die in peace, under the consol ing hope of meeting this dear child in a better world. God, however, had determined otherwise; and the son, while engaged iu inoculating a number of persons in his father's neighbourhood, was seized, in an unusually violent manner, with a raging fever. With the disorder he was brought to a sudden and alarming view. of his lost condition. His sins were all set in dread array against him. A horrible darkness fell on him, so as to make him the dreadful example of a convinced sinner, trembling under the confounding presence of an angry God. The pious father was con-. stantly in prayer and supplication, that God would have mercy upon him. He seldom left the side of his bed. For many days the fever raged with unabated fury; but the immediate distresses which it occasioned, were lost in the severer pains of an awakened conscience. Such was the height to which his anguish arose, that his bed was shaken by the violent and united convulsions of mind and body. The parents were touched to the quick; and their unqualified submission to a sovereign God was put to the most rigorous proof; but God, in his infinite mercy, was at last pleased to hear the many prayers put up for the relief of the poor sufferer. His views of the lost state of man, of the only means.of salvation through the death of a Saviour; of the necessity of the