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Death of the Bishop of Calcutta.-We have at different times introduced into our pages some of the beautiful hymns of Bishop Heber, so that the name of that excellent prelate is not unknown to our readers. We have now to record the melancholy tidings of his death. He had not been more than three years in possession of the Bishopric in the East Indies; an undertaking full of danger and of labour, and which nothing could have induced him to undertake but an anxious wish of promote the great cause of Christian knowledge and Christian practice. Great were his exertions in this sacred cause; but his time was short; the great Master whom he served has seen fit to call him to his rest. The following account of the death of this pious and learned bishop is thus recorded in the "Bombay Courier" of the 22d of April. "His Lordship had arrived at Trichinopoly on the morning of Saturday, April Ist. On the following sabbath he preached, and in the evening held a confirmation, after which he delivered another discourse, concluding with a solemn and affecting farewell to the congregation. On Monday, at an early hour, his Lordship visited a congregation of native Christians, and, on his return, went into a bath as he had done on the two preceding days; he was there seized with an apoplectic fit, and when his servant, alarmed at the length of his stay, entered the bathing room, he found that life was gone. Medical aid was immediately procured, but without success. Thus terminated the earthly career of the Right Rev. Reginald Heber, a man not less distinguished as a scholar and a divine, than for his deep piety, and true apostolic zeal in the cause of Him "whose he was, and whom he served.'"

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NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have received the communications of W. R.; W. W.; Devoniensis; T.; E. M.; K. K. K.; A. A.; A. Z.; M. P. H., and F. T.

THE

Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

DECEMBER, 1826.

Remarks on the Forty-third Chapter of Genesis.

V. 1.-" AND the famine was sore in the land.” Many I fear, often know what it is to want a meal: and there are some who have been constrained by poverty, to feed themselves andtheir little ones with any green food they might find in the fields or hedges. Now think what this would be, if it were to last for any length of time. Consider what would be the state of those in towns, who have not such resources, if they were to eat what dies of itself, things so disgusting, that nothing but the most ravenous cravings of hunger, and the fear of perishing for want, would compel a human being to touch them.-These are the effects of famine among the poor, when it is "sore" in the land.-The family of Jacob were not reduced so low, for they were people of substance, and had money to carry into Egypt to purchase corn: but there must have been many reduced to the greatest extremity by a seven years' dearth and it is useful to think of their situation, that we may be thankful when we see plentiful crops growing up around us, and are able to procure enough for our own share, to keep us from pinching want.

V. 2-10. It seems that from the time of their return, till the supply of corn was consumed, nothing passed between Israel and his sons, upon the necesno. 12.—vol. VI. A a

sity of going again. He had expressed his dislike to sending Benjamin; and, till they could no longer avoid the subject, his sons wisely and kindly abstained from bringing it before him. A great deal of difficulty and discomfort would often be saved by this sort of consideration for the feelings of others, and leaving things to work round of themselves. When we are in circumstances not unlike theirs,when we see a thing must, or ought to be done, whilst some of those, whose consent is necessary, are averse to the measure, instead of pressing and urging it upon them,-by which we give them pain, and excite opposition in their minds,—our best way is, to leave it to their own reflections, and the necessity of the case, to bring conviction; and then, like Judah, provide as well as we can, against the evils they dread.

V. 11. "Carry down the man a present." This custom still exists in that part of the world where they lived. On all great occasions, presents are given away-at a wedding, or when a person of consequence is invested with a new office, or the like. Indeed, the practice prevails to so improper an extent, that a man does not expect to get justice done him without making his way with a gift.

V. 14. "And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin." It is very beautiful to observe, that, though he neglected no precaution for the safety of his children, Israel's confidence was in the Lord. He would have them take of the best fruits of the land in their vessels:-he knew that none could prosper without honesty in their dealings; and therefore he bade them take the money that was brought again in the mouth of their sacks: -he was assured, that unless their youngest brother went with them, their journey would be in vain; and therefore he consented to risk his favorite: but he had constantly experienced that safety is of the

Lord; and, therefore to his mercy he commended them. How vain are all our devices without his blessing! But" whoso trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about." You may "rise up early, and late take rest, and eat the bread of care fulness;" you may grudge every moment that is not spent in toil; you may take advantage of every opportunity of getting money; you may exert yourself beyond your strength, rather than lose the smallest trifle; and, after all," except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it."

If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." That is, having taken this course, I entirely commit the success to God, and refer myself to him. Be it now as it will; "if I be bereaved, I am bereaved" Very different language from that we remarked at the end of the last chapter. Then, nature spoke; the strong feelings of an affectionate father's heart, rebelled against the thought of losing, one after another, the children in whom centered all his earthly comfort: now, we see his will subdued: nature has struggled, but it has yielded to grace. The providence of God plainly shewed him that he was called to resign them all, even his best beloved. to the disposal of his heavenly Father-and he yields. Submission does not require that we should not feel, but that we should allow God's right to do with us, and our's, as he sees fit, even at the sacrifice of our tenderest feelings. Submission teaches us to choose that his will should be done, rather than our own: it does not forbid us to weep, but it disposes us to say, in the midst of our tears," it is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good."

V. 15-25. The reception they met with was calculated to remove all fears; yet the untoward and strange events of their former journey hung

See the like expression, Esther iv. 16. perish.”—Bp. Kidder.

"If I perish, I

upon their minds, and they could not trust to the appearances of friendship and kindness with which they were received.

V. 26. "They bowed themselves to him to the earth;" thus, exactly fulfilling the dream which had, so long before, warned them that they should all bow down before this hated brother.

V. 28. This second obeisance at the mention of their father, was, in fact, doing homage for him :— and thus was accomplished the second prophetical dream, in which, not only the brethren, but the parents of Joseph, are represented as bowing down to him.

V. 29, 30. How touching is this description of the peculiar affection he felt for Benjamin, his own brother, his mother's son! He could not refrain from expressing the good wishes with which his heart overflowed, and words alone were not sufficient, for he sought where to weep." It must have sounded strange to the sons of Jacob, to hear the lord of all Egypt praying for a blessing upon the Hebrew youth, in language so like a worshipper of the God of their father.

V. 32. Eating together, is, in eastern countries, a sign of friendship and equality; so that a foreigner would not be suffered to partake of the same meal with the inhabitants, for they always look down upon strangers; and in some places, (India, for instance,) they are so precise upon this point, that the meanest native would on no account sit down to eat at an English gentleman's table. They also consider some employments more honourable than others. Those of different trades will not eat together. Both these prejudices appear to have existed in Egypt; and as the sons of Israel were shepherds, and every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians," we need not wonder at the distinctions mentioned in this verse.

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It is worthy of our notice, how carefully God pro

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