of the octo-decimo size was furnished, and one dozen of the same to that of the ship. These were all presented in the name of the Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society; and I beg leave, once for all, to state, that this is my uni form method. "It was expected that a chaplain would go out in the frigate, one having been appointed for that purpose, though not of the Episcopal persuasion; but he was taken sick before the sailing of the ships, and consequently remained behind. Had this been ascertained beforehand, it would have been desirable that a larger number of the smaller Prayer Book should have been supplied. "With one of the ward-room officers, whom I found to be a religious man, I had conversation previously to their sailing, on the subject of having the service of the church performed, in case the chaplain should not accompany them. He assured me that every thing should be done on his part to promote that object; for although brought up in a different profession, he candidly acknowledged, that the Episcopal form of worship is the best adapted to the use of seamen. And I have since learned from an intimate acquaintance of that gentleman, that he expressed to him the determination to have that subject brought before the commanding offi cer in such form as to ensure success. "From an officer lately returned from the Mediterranean squadron, I have had the pleasure to learn, that what I had fondly anticipated has been actually car ried into effect. That gentleman was at. tached to the sloop of war Ontario, and was on board at the time of my officiating, previously to her sailing. He informs me that my recommendation has been strictly complied with; for that from the time of her departure, and especially while in port, divine service, according to the Episcopal form, has been regularly performed by the surgeon, and a sermon read by the captain, every Sunday morning. On these occasions a signal was hoisted, to inti mate the occasion to the other parts of the squadron, if any from them should see proper to attend; and all intercourse with the ship, and all departure from her, was prohibited during the hours of prayer. The same was observed on board of the ship of war Erie. And on board of the frigate Constitution, under the command of the lamented Macdonough, there was a chaplain episcopally ordained, who held service and preached every Sunday. "From these favourable commencements, I cannot but indulge the hope, that the time is fast approaching, when not only they who go down to the sea in ships, and occupy their business in great waters, shall see the glory of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep;' but when ⚫ the abundance of the sea shall be con- Concurring entirely with the reverend chaplain in the views expressed of the pe culiar and superior fitness of the Book of Common Prayer for the public devotions of seamen, the board have determined to make him the almoner of the society's bounty to this class of individuals, to as great an extent as its resources and the claims of destitute brethren in various parts of the country will permit. The board have incurred one item of expense of considerable magnitude; the reasons for which they feel it due both to themselves and their constituents to explain at length. It will be recollected that in our ninth annual report we announced our determination to have the plates of both our Prayer Book and Bible carefully compared with the standard copies of those works adopted by the General Convention of our church. Pursuant to such determination, a graduate of our Theological Seminary, who possesses in an eminent degree the proper qualifications for such an undertaking, was employed by the board to examine and compare the Bible, the Prayer Book having previously undergone the same process by another competent individual. As it was impos sible to ascertain the extent of the corrections to be made in the plates previous: to their examination, and as it was requi site that the labour of the type-founder should immediately follow that of the examiner, we were obliged to assume the risk of the expense, without a possibility of knowing its amount until the comple tion of the work. 'We regret to say, that the discovery of a number of errors in punctuation, or thography, and typography-some affecting the sense slightly, and others materi ally-has involved an expense much greater than was, or could have been, antici pated. In casting our plates for the Bible, the founder followed a corrected copy of the American Bible Society; but which, on comparison with the copy adopted as a standard by the General Convention of our church, is found to differ as above stated; the discovery and correction of which differences has involved an expense of about three hundred dollars. By reason of the relinquishment of all profit on the sale of both our Bible and Prayer Book, in order to increase the ability of other similar institutions and benevolent individuals to be useful, by a more extended circulation of the Bible and Prayer Book, this expense, great as it is, must be borne by our ordinary funds.' 14 Female Auxiliary Missionary Society.-The Rev. Roger Searle. [No. 1. For the Christian Journal. Fifth Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the Female Auxiliary Missionary Society of Christ Church, New York. Adopted December 7th, 1826. THE return of this day of thanksgiving is well calculated to remind us of the renewed debt of gratitude which we owe to that gracious Being, through whose mercy we are permitted to assemble to celebrate this our fifth anniversary. While we bless the Giver of every good and perfect gift, that we have been allowed to share, though in a very limited degree, the enviable privilege of aiding the faithful watchman on the walls of our apostolic Zion, to break the bread of life to those whose cry is, "Come over and help us," and to "sound an alarm in the holy mountain," we would not forget that "much land remains yet to be possessed." To that end, we would most respectfully solicit further aid from the ladies of the congregation. Sixty dollars have been paid to the parent society the past year, ten dollars of which was an unsolicited donation from a gentleman, whose liberality is well known; nor is this the first time we have experienced his munificence. May God remember him concerning this good deed, and put it in the hearts of others to go and do likewise. Seven annual subscribers have been added during the past year, while as many have withdrawn; so that while the society annually gains on the one hand, it loses on the other; which, to those who have the management of its concerns, is truly discouraging. We therefore once more apappeal to the Christian feeling of those who regularly enjoy the ministrations of the sanctuary, whether their destitute brethren of this state, whose ears are never greeted, or hearts gladdened, by the sound of a preached Gospel, save when the zealous missionary, true to his appointment, may in the course of his extensive labours occasionally call together the little flock to hear the glad tidings of salvation, through the redeeming blood of Christ whether they shall, or shall not, still be permitted to say, "Come, let us go up to the house of God." True, our contribution towards the great object in view is but trifling, yet it excites a most delight. ful emotion to know, that our heavenly Father will accept an offering, however small, if offered in sincerity and according to our ability. But while we are anxious to procure your pecuniary aid, we would most affectionately remind you, that "every thing is sanctified by prayer." Much has been said on the important subject of missionary societies, and it cannot therefore be expected that we can suggest any new idea; but of this we are well aware, that though “Paul may plant and Apollos wa ter, it is God alone who can give the increase." With our humble offerings let us then mingle the prayer of faith, both for the faithful missionary, and that God would own and bless the little vine, that although it is now of comparative insignificance, it may grow and extend its branches, that its leaves may be for the "healing of the nations." Then, indeed, "shall not our labour be in vain in the Lord." A. MARSHALL, Sec'ry. New-York, Dec. 23, 1826. For the Christian Journal. THE REV. ROGER SEARLE. THE decease of this labourer in the holy vineyard was announced at page 340 of our last volume; and again, at page 371, some notices of him were copied from the Churchman's Magazine. Since then, we have received the brief biographical sketch which follows. It was intended for an earlier insertion in this Journal, but was by accident mislaid. "The Rev. Roger Searle, who died at Ashtabula, Ohio, on the 6th of September last, after a painful illness of one week, was a native of Stafford, Tolland county, Connecticut. He was born of respectable and pious parents, July 25, 1774. He received in his childhood and youth a religious education, and, through the instrumenta lity of his pious parents, those religious impressions were early made upon his mind, which influenced his subsequent conduct through life. "Having been for more than ten years a reputable preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist connexion, he was, at the age of 31, admitted to the order of deacons, and the following year to that of priests, in the Protestant Episcopal Church, by the Right Rev. Dr. Jarvis, bishop of Connecticut. "In the year 1817, his connexion with the parish of St. Peter's church, Plymouth, was amicably and honourably dissolved, and he came with letters of dismission, credence, and recommendation, from the standing committee of his native diocese, and from the elder bishops and many respectable clergymen and laymen in various states, to the state of Ohio. "The object of his mission to Ohio, was to collect and organize into pa rishes the scattered members of the church who had emigrated into that new state from various parts of the Union. As he was approaching the eastern boundary of the state, he requested his conductor to inform him when they should cross the dividing line between Pennsylvania and Ohio. They had no sooner entered the state of Ohio, than he kneeled down, and most fervently and devoutly prayed God to bless the enterprise in which he was engaged, and make him an instrument in his own hand of building up the church and cause of Christ in the infant state of Ohio. This prayer appears to have been answered. For nine years he was a faithful and successful labourer in the state of Ohio. The good seed of the word of God, sown here through his instrumentality, has taken root; and as it has done so, it is believed it will continue, for generations to come, to bear fruit to the glory of God and the upbuilding of his church. "Being on his way to the diocese of New-York, to witness and enjoy the ministrations of the Right Rev. Dr. Hobart, bishop of that state, in a contemplated episcopal visitation in the western part of his diocese, he met death, as above related, with the calmness and composure of a Christian, whose faith in the merits, and hope in the mercy of his Saviour, are sure and steadfast. His useful life will be gratefully remembered, and his untimely death will be deeply lamented, by the numerous friends, acquaintances, and relatives, left behind him." time longer concealed. Had Joseph given vent at once to all a brother's fondness and pity, they would have presumed on his kindness, and their conduct to him would have awakened in remembrance no keen feelings of remorse. But the discipline to which they were subjected, led to reflections which undisturbed prosperity had never excited, and formed their after conduct to meekness and humility. Such was Joseph's object in requiring Simeon to remain in custody till they should return with Benjamin, an expedient which, though wise and salutary, it was painful to his kind heart to execute. Some time elapsed before he could announce it, or summon up the fortitude necessary for taking him from them and binding him before their eyes. This affecting incident suggests some striking illustrations of the substitution of Christ in the room of his people. Simeon was an hostage that his brethren might go free, and so was Jesus Christ. It was to save us from the chains of darkness that he was bound; to redeem us from the wrath of God he was made a curse; to deliver us from the thraldom of the devil he was tempted; and that we might live for ever he gave up the ghost. The substitution of Simeon was the plan of Joseph and not of any of his brethren, and that of Christ was the suggestion of divine wisdom and mercy. In the choice of a surety so admirably qualified in all respects for the task of duty and of suffering, Jehovah glories. It is to God himself that this language is appropriated-"I have found a ransom;" herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." It was to a brother that Simeon became a hostage, and it was to his Father that Christ became surety for guilty sinners. Simeon at that time was unconscious of his relation to the ruler in whose power he was left, but our Lord had this always in his view, and it was this which made the frowns of Jehovah so terrible--that they were a Father's frowns. He felt his hand in the cruelties of his enemies, as well as in the infliction of the curse. Simeon's detention was an expedient well fitted to lead him and his brethren to repentance. When thus left alone in a state of confinement, he would think of his cruelty to Joseph when he was cast into the pit, and sold to the Ishmaelites for a slave. An accusing conscience would make his brother's cries to be heard amidst the silence of his ward, and his anguish to be felt when thus requited. And his brethren, on their way home, could not converse on the sad scene, without recalling, in shame and grief, one which would now appear before them in its true colours of malice and cruelty. No motives to contrition are so powerful as those which the substitution of our Lord presents. This is the feeling with which multitudes have contemplated his ago ny" On me that fire should have kindled; through my heart that sword should have pierced." With such emotions, impressions of our own demerit are associates which humble us in the dust, and the heart shudders at the thought of any sinful indulgence by which the amazing grace of heaven would be abused, and the Son of God be crucified afresh. The issue of this detention of Simeon was happy. On their return with Benjamin, his brethren found him in good health, and were soon settled amidst comfort, plenty, and security, under the eye of their generous brother. And those for whom Christ became surety are not only saved from wrath, but shall live for ever under the blessings of his kindness in the heavenly country, in all the abundance and beauty of a land, which no curse has blasted, and which no foe can reach. The joy which the sons of Jacob felt when Simeon was brought out to them, points us to the rapture with which Christ was welcomed when he was taken from prison and from judgment, and leads us to the bliss of that day, when the trial of our faith shall be found to praise, honour, and glory. But let us meditate on the superior glory of the substitution of our Lord. Simeon was called on by Joseph to be the hostage of his brethren. It has been supposed that he pitched on him because his conduct to him had been most violent and cruel; and that know. ing his bold and fierce temper, he might suppose that he would be most likely to hinder Benjamin from coming. The trials of Providence are always suited in wisdom to our temper and condition. But Christ presented himself to suffer for man. When throughout the wide universe there was none to help, and every hope seemed lost, then said Jesus, "Lo I come, here am I, send me.” How slight were the afflictions of Simeon to the sufferings of our Lord! hé was treated with all the kindness which was consistent with his detention and its object; and though he had been put into the worst prison in Egypt, it ap pears a scene of comfort when contrasted with the wrath to which Christ submitted. "It pleased the Lord to bruise him." Simeon was a partner in the crime of those for whom he became hostage; but Jesus is the Holy One of God, and while he was made a sin offering for us, he knew no sin. No pangs of re morse could visit his bosom, and his painful remembrances were directed to human folly and corruption. The peculiar discipline of Simeon might be required by the stubbornness and haughtiness of his spirit, but the suretyship of Jesus could only display more fully the generosity of his charac ter, the meekness of his temper, and the kindness of his love. Few were to be benefited by the de tention of Simeon. It sent his brethren in safety to their homes and their families, but the objects of redeeming mercy form a great multitude which no man can number, of every generation, of every class, of every period of life, and of every land. There are in it blessings to enrich, and grace to save, beyond all created power to estimate. Let us give glory to the Surety who died for us; and may we, on reviewing these hints, feel more strongly than ever our obligations to his mercy. Let us be willing to do, or to suffer every thing for him; and let no one fret that he is singled out for any arduous duty or service. This is his honour, and for him more abundant consolation is destined, and a more glorious reward se+ cured. It will give no comfort on a death-bed, that we did or suffered little for the Lord Jesus. Ye angels of heaven, what would ye not do for him! Ye would welcome at his call watch ings more constant, and ministrations more lowly; and shall not we be willing to deny ourselves, to take up our cross daily, and to follow him? Let no one murmer that he is singled out in families as the subject of trials, and as a monitor to the other mem bers. If by your sickness a thoughtless brother is led to seriousness; if by your difficulties his presumptuous hope is checked; if by your terrors he is excited to flee from the wrath to come; you have cause not of complaint but of thanksgiving. If by thy anguish at the death of a companion, thy sister is made to see that in the friendship of Christ alone can the heart safely rest; if by thy disappointments she is convinced that favour is deceitful, and that beauty is vain; if by thy lingering illness she is improved in patience and fortitude; and if by thy desolation she is taught to live to eternity; mercy rejoiceth over judgment. And was Simeon silent while thus bound? was Jesus led as a lamb to the slaughter? Let us be meek and quiet in every affliction. The cords with which God binds us are not the fetters of the criminal, but the bonds of love. Did we know ourselves, we should bear testimony to God's justice and severest trials; and did we know him, we should believe in his wisdom and goodness, when Providence assumes to us its darkest form. The despisers of the grace of the Gospel may learn from this incident to anticipate the period, when the Judge of all shall say concerning them, "Bind them hand and foot, and cast them into outer darkness." From these cords no power can release, and on that prison no light can fall. And while they are thus bound, no tear in the Judge's eye shall indicate his pity, or excite their hope. They shall be bound before the multitudes whom his grace hath saved, and before the pious friends who would have brought them under the wings of the Saviour's mercy, but they would not. While the day of grace still shines, the path of life is still open, and the VOL. XI. voice of mercy still calls-" Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, and he will abundantly pardon." Falkirk. H.B. From the London Christian Remembrancer for No vember, 1826. Memoir of the Right Rev. REGINALD HEBER, Lord Bishop of Calcutta. It is a very brief sketch of the life and character of the late lord bishop of Calcutta that we purpose to present to our readers: but we think it would be neither creditable to ourselves, nor respectful to a man whom we, in common with the country at large, admired when alive, and lament now that he is no more, to suffer his memory to pass. away without some record in our pages. Reginald Heber was the son of the Rev. Reginald Heber, of Marton, in Yorkshire, and Mary, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Allanson, of the same county. He was born on the 21st of April, 1783, at Malpas, in Cheshire, a living held at that time by his father. From his childhood he gave promise of those Christian graces with which he was afterwards so richly endowed, and of those talents which eventually set him high amongst the literary characters of his day. All, however, that we will say of this period of his life is, that the Bible was the book which he read with the most avidity, whether from that spirit of early piety, of which we hear so much more frequently than see it; or whether (what is more probable) from the beautiful pictures of primitive manners which the historical parts of Holy Writ display, and which are singularly attractive to a child. However it was, this first application of his powers laid the foundation of that mas-terly knowledge of Scripture which he afterwards attained, and to the perfecting of which almost all his future reading was made directly or indirectly to contribute. From the grammar school of Whitchurch, where he received more than the rudiments of his classical edu'cation, he was sent to Dr. Bristowe, a gentleman who took pupils near town; 3 |