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COMPOSED ON THE DEATH OF MRS. EDWARDS.

Late Governess of the Seamen's Girl's School, Bell Wharf, Shadwell, as the last Tribute of Respect to a dear and much lamented Friend.

By G. LAWS.

She is not lost, but gone before,

To join the ransom'd host above;

Those blissful regions to explore,

Where nothing dwells but light and love.

She is not lost, but gone before,

And in her Saviour's bosom rests;

She followed him through troubles here,
And now with him is ever blessed.

She is not lost, but gone before,

No tears of sorrow dim her eyes;

She lives for ever to adore,

The Sovereign Ruler of the skies.

She is not lost, but gone before,

What tongue shall speak our Saviour's love,

Who held her up through trials sore,

And took her soul to dwell above.

Oh! Jesus, let us all be thine,

O may we love thee more and more ;

And dying, leave this earthly land,
To follow those who're gone before.

* A Youth that received his education in the Sea-boy's School.

MADDOX, PRINTER, DOCKHEAD, BERMONDSEY, SOUTHWARK.

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It has been happily said, that "a christian with the gospel, is like a sailor with his money,-he deals it out freely." There is nothing little-nothing selfish in christianity. It is a system of the purest, and most unrestricted benevolence; and whoever has truly imbibed its large and catholic spirit, is sure to be found on the side of active,-disinterested,-universal good. An idle christian is a contradiction in terms. Christianity involves the very highest principle of action,-the principle of LOVE. It is the definite expression of infinite love to man; and the moment that this love affects the soul, it constrains us, "because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then all died; and that he died for all, that they who live, should henceforth not live unto themselves, but to him who died for them, and rose again." It is under the influence of this principle, that the redeemed will be for ever placed. It is the law of their renewed and ransomed nature; and when translated to a higher sphere of being, by this invincible energy will they be borne forward in their deathless career of holiest and sublimest service.

We are well aware, christian brethren, that numerous and urgent are the claims which are pressing upon the church of Christ. Far be it from us to depreciate any one of those institutions which are the glory of our land, or withdraw a single fraction of that pecuniary support which they now enjoy. But we importunately ask to share in the sympathy and liberality of

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British christians. If it be true, that British benevolence is graduated on a noble scale, then greater is the number of objects to which it may descend. And than our SAILORS, there is not any class of our fellow-men who have a stronger claim to participate in its distribution. We solicit attention to the following considerations :—

Was it not from this class of men that our blessed Lord chose his immediate followers-the ambassadors of his cross? And are they now to be left out of the calculations and exertions of the christian church?

Is it not to them, under God, that we are indebted for the present extent of our commerce? Is not our commerce the grand source of our national wealth? And shall we then deny them "the unsearchable riches of Christ?"

Is it not as the fruit of their toils, and sufferings, and frequent exposure to death, that we are surrounded by such a variety of earthly comforts? But for them, and how scanty and comparatively poor, would be the daily provision of our tables? And shall we withhold from them "the bread of life," which alone can "give life unto their souls ?"

Is it not through them, that we send the heralds of the cross to the distant and benighted regions of the earth; and shall we leave themselves without a living instructor? Are they not the channel through which "the water of life" is conveyed to famishing millions, and shall we leave them to thirst and die?

Is it not true, that thousands of our seamen perish annually in the great deep? How often are they wrecked and lost! Shall we suffer them, without any effort, to be found a wreck on the dark shores of eternity?

Christians!-from those shores there comes back a voice :it speaks in deep tones and fearful. It speaks to you :-"GO AND WARN MY BRETHREN." They need to be warned. But whom shall we send? Who will go? Men of piety and power are to be found:--men imbued with the Spirit of Christ, and

who are willing to spend and be spent for his glory. There are also numerous stations which are, at this moment, waiting to be supplied with suitable agencies. Whether we look at home or abroad, the openings are many-the facilities great—the demand urgent, the call importunate. We turn

TO BRITISH CHRISTIANS,

and we ask,-What is to be done? You have it in your power to provide the necessary means for the efficient occupation of these stations. Are you prepared to act? Your obligations rather increase than diminish with the progress of time-are you in a state to discharge these obligations? If a larger measure of support is not extended to our Institution, then all these stations must still be neglected. Nay more :-other agencies must be given up-the field of exertion greatly circumscribed, and thousands abandoned to the power of evil in its worst and most deadly forms! Can the church of Christ,— will any christian justify such a course? We cannot believe it. We have more confidence in British feeling, and British piety. Let but christians of all parties throughout the land, solemnly resolve on one grand effort in the seaman's cause, and we shall be fully satisfied with the results. We appeal to every christian heart-appeal in the closing language of the last annual Report : "Before that cross on which the Saviour died, and in which you profess to glory, say,-WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR THE SAILOR? Before that holy altar at which you worship, and at which you so often vow to live to Christ, say—WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR THE SAILOR? Before God, who shall judge the quick and the dead, and to whose grace you are under infinite obligation, say— WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR THE SAILOR? With the solemnities of the last judgment, and the disclosures of an eternal world opening to your view, say,-wHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR THE SAILOR? In the prospect of the Saviour's second advent, and with the certainty of sharing in his final triumph, say-WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR THE SAILOR? In the belief that every one shall receive according to his works, and in anticipation of the great rewards of immortality, say,-WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR THE SAILOR?"

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE HOLY CITY.

(Continued from page 299.)

The Jews, as we have seen in the days of Constantine, were again permitted to approach Jerusalem, and apparently to dwell once more upon their native soil. They had never been driven out from Galilee; and under the reign of his successor, Constantius, they formed the chief population of Diocæsarea (Sepphoris) and other towns, and felt themselves in sufficient strength to take up arms in rebellion against the Romans. But they were soon subdued; and in A. D. 339, this city was levelled to the ground. The emperor Julian, in abandoning christianity, endeavoured as a matter of policy to win the confidence of the Jews. He showed them favour; granted them privileges; and gave them permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their sacred temple. They accordingly began to lay the foundations about A. D. 362; but the the attempt, according to contemporary writers, was rendered abortive by supernatural hindrances. Under the successors of Julian, the edicts would seem to have been renewed, which prohibited the Jews from residing in Jerusalem; for Jerome relates, that in his day they were still forbidden to enter the city, except once a year, to wail over the temple. Thus they continued to struggle on for a residence in the land and city of their fathers; objects of contumely and oppression on every side, and with little change in their general situation; until, at length, the Mahommedan conquest gave them the opportunity of acquiring larger privileges both in Jerusalem and throughout Palestine.

Even

In the latter part of the fourth century, A. D. 384, Jerome, the celebrated father, took up his residence in Palestine, where he remained as a monk in the convent at Bethlehem until his death in A. D. 420. At this time, monasteries and communities of anchorites (laurae) were numerous; and the whole of Palestine swarmed with monks and hermits. Jerome speaks expressly of " the great multitude of brethren and the bands of monks" who dwelt in and around Jerusalem. Paula, a noble Roman matron, the friend of Jerome, first made a pilgrimage to the holy places, and then retired to Bethlehem; where she erected four monasteries, one for monks, and three for nuns. Nor was the throng of strangers and pilgrims who came from every quarter of the globe to visit the holy places and adore the cross, less remarkable. The same father relates that devotees "streamed to Jerusalem from every part of the world, so that the city was crowded with persons of both sexes and of every class." From Gaul, Britain, Persia, India, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the whole east, princes and nobles thronged to the holy city; believing themselves to have less of religion, less of science, and not to have attained the highest point of virtue, unless they had paid their adorations to the Saviour in the very places where the gospel first shone forth in splendour from the cross. Nor did the

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