A country woman carrying eggs to a garrison, where she had three guards to pass, sold at the first half the number she had, and half an egg more; at the second, the half of what remained, and half an egg more; and at the third, the half of the remainder and half an egg more; when she arrived at the market-place, she had three dozen still to sell, how was this possible, without breaking any of the eggs?
Solution.—The possibility of this problem will be evident when it is considered, that by taking the greater half of an odd number, we take the exact half—½. It will he found therefore, that the woman, before she passed the last guard, had 73 eggs remaining, for by selling 37 of them at that guard which is the half—½, she would have 36 remaining. In the like manner, before she came to the second guards she had 147; and before she came to the first, 295.
Two Greeks dicing together, one provided five dishes, the other three. A stranger happened to pop in, and requested to join them. On his departure, he gave the Greek who had provided five dishesfiveshillings, and to the other who had furnished three dishes,threeshillings; but the latter was dissatisfied, and had the matter referred to Solon, who instantly decided that the Greek who had provided five dishes should havesevenshillings, and he who furnished the three dishes should receive butoneshilling.
Solution.—Each Greek paid eight shillings, which are twenty-four shillings for eight dishes, or three shillings per dish. The one who provided five being fifteen shillings out of pocket, had a right to have seven shillings refunded to him, which left him eight shillings, his proportion.
When first the marriage knot was tied, betwixt my love and me,My age did then her’s exceed us three times three doth three.But when we ten and half ten years we man and wife had been,Her age came up as near to mine, as eight is to sixteen.
Solution.—The man was 45, the woman was 15.
From
To
£.
s.
d.
£.
s.
d.
Travelling expences per mile one way
0
1
0
0
7
0
Journeymen, labourers, &c., while detained, per day
0
5
0
0
15
0
Tradesmen, yeomen, farmers, while detained, per day
0
10
0
0
15
0
Merchants, gentlemen, auctioneers, clerks if residing in London, and the trial be there
1
1
0
altogether.
If at assizes
1
1
0
per day.
Professional men from
1
1
0
£2
2
0 per day.
Attornies’ clerks
0
15
0
1
0
0
Families, according to rank
0
5
0
1
0
0
ThePelhamarrives at the Bull Inn, Horncastle, from Boston, every morning, (Sundays excepted) at 8 o’clock; proceeds at half-past to New Holland and Hull: returns to Horncastle at half-past 6, and proceeds to Boston immediately.
TheDefiancearrives at the George Inn Horncastle, from Louth, every morning (Sundays excepted) at half-past 8 o’clock; proceeds at 9 to Lincoln: returns in the afternoon at 6, and proceeds immediately to Louth.
TheMail Cartleaves the Post Office Horncastle, for the North, every evening at half-past 6, and returns the following day at 2 in the afternoon:—theMailfrom the South, arrives at 11 o’clock in the morning, and leaves at half-past 2 in the afternoon:—theLetter Bagsfrom Conningsby and Tattershall, arrive by a foot-postat 11 in the morning, are dispatched at half-past 1 in the afternoon.
Read’s Packet leaves Horncastle every Tuesday morning, for Boston, at 7 o’clock, where it arrives in the evening; leaves Boston the following Friday morning at the same hour, and arrives at Horncastle a the evening.
Slack’s Packet leaves Horncastle every Tuesday morning at 7 o’clock, for Lincoln, where it arrives in the evening; and returns the following Saturday morning at 7.
Riggall’s Sociable leaves the Maid’s Head’s, every morning at 8, for Kirkstead, where it meets the Boston and Lincoln Packets; and returns to Horncastle, at 3 in the afternoon.
Clays Fly Waggon leaves Horncastle for New Holland every Monday noon, passing through Wragby, Rasen and Caistor, arrives at Hull on Tuesday, and returns to Horncastle on Thursdays.
Fletcher, Day, Mower and Thompson’s Carts leave their respective houses, every Monday, for Spilsby, and return in the evening.
Day’s Fly Waggon leaves his house every Wednesday morning at 7 o’clock, for Louth, and returns in the evening.
Mower’s Waggon leaves his house for Louth, every Wednesday morning, and returns in the evening; leaves Horncastle for Boston, every Friday morning, and returns on Saturday.
Roberts’ Cart leaves Horncastle for Alford Market, on Tuesday morning, and returns in the evening.
Edwards’ Cast from Sleaford, arrives at the George Inn, every Friday afternoon, and returns on Saturday.
Thompson’s Cart leaves has house Boston Road, for Lincoln, every Thursday evening, and returns the following night; for Alford every Tuesday morning, and returns at night.
Fletcher’s Cart leaves his house Horncastle, every Tuesday and Friday, for Boston, and returns on the following evenings.
Towns and Villages.
Carriers.
Inns at Horncastle.
Alford
Reed
Red Lion
Alford
Trolley
George
Barkwith
Porter
George
Belchford
Sutton
Rodney
Bardney
Dennis
Maid’s Heads
Benneworth
Wass
Fighting Cocks
Bucknall
Pilson
Fighting Cocks
Conningsby and Tattershall
Cooling
Maid’s Heads
Conningsby and Tattershall
Sharpe
Red Lion
Goulceby
Tomlinson
Maid’s Heads
Goulceby
Vester
Rodney
Kirkby
Wold
Maid’s Heads
Kirkstead
Lewis
White Hart
Louth
Cash
Maid’s Heads
Mareham-le-fen
Codd
Maid’s Heads
Martin
Cawden
Fighting Cocks
Minting
Cartwright
Black Horse
Minting
Addleshaw
White Hart
Minting
Danby
White Hart
New Bolingbroke
Newman
Maid’s Heads
New Bolingbroke
Wood
Maid’s Heads
Old Bolingbroke
Marshall
Maid’s Heads
Scamblesby
Smith
Rodney
Scamblesby
Parish
Red Lion
Somersby
Hewitt
George
Spilsby
Sargeant
Red Lion
Spilsby
Widle
Maid’s Heads
Spilsby
Lilley
George
Stixwold
Warrington
Black Horse
Tetford
Stevens
Greyhound
Tetford
Brackenbury
Royal Oak
Wragby and Lincoln
Silvester
Black Horse
Wragby and Lincoln
Dawkins
George
Wragby and Lincoln
Sandal
Maid’s Heads
***Carriers are requested to inform D. Cussons when they change Inns,time of starting,&c.,in order to have them inserted right in the next year’s almanack.
January, 1837.
Periodicals delivered in Horncastle on the First day in the Month.
WEEKLY PARCELS FROM LONDON:
Orders up to Saturday Night, for any Works of Music not on hand,will ensure the delivery on the following Wednesday.
s.
d.
Abbott’sChild at Home,—Mother at Home—Fire Side—Young Christian—Corner Stone, each
1
0
— Parential Duties, and Golden Rules of Life
1
0
Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, and Life of Selkirk, boards,
4
0
Affection’s Gift, figured boards, gilt edges
2
0
All for Love, and the Pilgrim of Compostella, by Southey
2
0
Amaranth, suitable for a new year’s gift, roan, gilt edges
3
6
Annualsfor 1837, a great variety, from 4s. 6d. to
21
0
Annual Poesy, figured boards, gilt edges
2
0
Angelo’s Reminiscences, best edition, half-calf, 8vo.
4
6
Annual Register, from 1774 to 81, 1786 to 89, calf, 12 vols.
36
0
Antwerp and its Siege, in 1832, half cloth
2
6
Anxious Enquirer
1
6
Art of Being Happy, by B. H. Draper, embossed roan, gt. edges
4
6
Art of Confectionary, cloth
1
0
Æsop’s Fables, plates, sheep
3
6
Barbauld’s Hymns, 6d. Evenings at Home, half-bound
4
0
— Lessons, neat edition, half roan
2
6
Bard: a selection of Poetry, silk, gilt edges
4
0
Baxter’s Saints’ Everlasting Rest
3
0
Beauties of the British Poets, extra cloth, 12mo.
7
6
Beauties of the Prose Works of Southey 3s. 6d. Poetical Works
3
6
Beaufoy’s Guide for True Pilgrims
1
6
BIBLES, various sizes and bindings, elegant and plain
Biscuit Baker’s and Pastry Cook’s Assistant
1
0
Blair’s Sermons complete in one vol., 8vo. 6s. 6d. Lectures
6
6
Bloomfield’s Farmer’s Boy, &c. cloth, gilt edges
1
6
— Poetical Works, boards
2
0
Bogatzky’s Golden Treasury for the Children of God, new edit
2
0
Book of Fate, or Oracle of Human Destiny, frontispiece
2
6
Book of Private Prayer and Devotion
2
6
Boy’s Own Book, with numerous plates and cuts, extra boards
8
6
Bransby’s School Anthology, green roan
5
0
British Critic, vols. 12 to 17, 6 vols. half-calf, 8vo.
6
0
Bridal Gift, a selection of Poetry, 2s. Embossed roan, gilt
3
6
Brookes’s Apples of Gold
1
0
Brown’s Self-interpreting Bible, new edition, maps, 4to
28
0
— bound in calf
34
0
— Diamond Concordance of the Scriptures
2
0
— Dictionary of the Bible, thick 12mo.
10
0
Brooks’s Gazetteer, neat calf, 8vo.
8
6
Buchan’s Domestic Medicine, 8vo.
7
6
Buffons’ Natural History, by Wright, a new and greatly improved edition, 446 cuts, 4 vols. royal 18mo.
24
0
Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, new edit. 18mo. 2s. plates, 8vo.
6
0
— Barren Fig Tree, 1s. Holy War
5
0
— Grace abounding to the Chief of Sinners
1
0
Burn’s Poetical Works, 18mo. with engravings
6
0
— Songs, with Life and Glossary
1
6
Burkitt’s Exposition of the New Testament, 4to.
20
0
Byron’s Don Juan, foolscap, 3s. 6d. 32mo.
2
6
— Miscellaneous Works, containing Hours of Idleness, English Bards and Scotch Reviewers, Hints from Horace, Curse of Minerva, Waltz, Age of Bronze, Vision, &c., 2 vols.
8
0
Byron’s Life by Galt, 12mo. cloth
4
6
Caroline Mordaunt, by Mrs. Sherwood, roan embossed gt. edge
4
6
Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible, by Taylor, imp. 8vo.
24
0
Childs Own Book, greatly improved, 3rd. ed. with illustrations
7
6
Child’s (Mrs.) Girl’s Own Book, with 144 wood engravings
4
6
— Mother’s Book, gilt edges, 4s. 6d. Story Book, 26 cuts
3
0
Children’s Books, a great variety, from one penny upwards
Christian Bard, a selection of Sacred Poetry
3
0
Churchill’s Poems, 2 vols. 8vo. calf
4
0
Clarke on the Promises of Scripture
1
6
CLARKE’S (Dr. ADAM)Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, a new and beautiful edition, elegantly bound in cloth and lettered, 6 vols. imperial 8vo.
£5
5
0
— Works, fcap. in monthly vols.
6
0
Cobbett’s Legacy to Parsons, 1s. 6d. to Labourers, 1s. 4d. to Peel
1
4
Clater’s Cattle Doctor, new edition, 6s. Farriery, 6s.
6
0
Cookery Books in great variety from 6d. to
10
6
Collection of Prayers for Families
1
0
Complete Letter Writer, 2s. 6d. Modern letter Writer, 1s. &
2
6
Contributions for Youth, extra boards, plates
4
6
Cowper’s Life and Works, by Grimshawe, 8 vols. 8vo. fcp
40
0
— by Southey, 12 vols. 8vo. fcp.
60
0
— Poetical Works, with Life
4
0
Conversations at the Work Table by a Mother
3
6
Crabb’s Dictionary of General Knowledge, last edit. 580 cuts
9
0
Cruden’s Concordanceof the Old and New Testament
13
6
Cyclopædia of 1000 popular Songs
5
0
Doddridges Rise and Progress 2s. 6d. Expositor, imperial 8vo.
21
0
Dodd’s Reflections on Death, 4s. Beauties of Shakspeare
3
6
Dolby’s Cook’s Dictionary, and Housekeeper’s Directory
7
6
Elegant Extracts, Epistles, royal 8vo.
10
6
English History made Easy, on a popular plan, many plates
3
6
Evenings at Home, by Mrs. Barbauld and Dr. Aikin
4
0
Evergreen, a selection, of Poetry, embossed roan, gilt edges
3
6
Falconer’s Shipwreck, and other Poems, cloth, gilt edges
1
6
Fisher’s Young Man’s Best Companion, bound
3
0
Fleetwood’s Life of Christ, with Lives of the Apostles and Evangelists, 9 engravings, 4to. cloth bds. beautiful edit.
18
0
— second hand, 4to. sheep
6
6
Fool of Quality, or History of Henry Earl of Moreland
4
6
Forsyth’s Dictionary of Diet, second edition, post 8vo.
6
6
Frank and his Father, by B. H. Draper, embossed roan, gilt ed.
4
6
Gay’s Fables, 109 engravings, best edition, 32mo.
3
0
Goldsmith’s Poetical Works, with a sketch of his Life
5
6
— Vicar of Wakefield, 4s. Poems
1
6
— History of the Earth and Animated Nature, 9 vols.
9
0
Graham’s Modern Domestic Medicine, last edition, 8vo.
16
0
Gurney’s Dictionary of the Bible
3
0
Haddon’s Farmer’s Account Book
7
0
Harris’s Children’s Books, from 1s. to 8s.
Harp of Zion, gilt edge, 1s. 6d. Harp of the Desert, gilt edge
4
0
Harding’s Stenography
3
0
Hill’s Village Dialogues, considerably enlarged, 3 vols. 36 eng.
9
0
Homer’s Iliad, turkey morocco, gilt edges, 7s. 6d. Oddysey
7
6
Hopland’s(Mrs.) Africa—Decision—Integrity—Moderation—Patience—Reflection—Self-Denial—Fortitude—gilt edges
5
0
— half-crown books, 18 sorts
Howard’s Beauties of Byron, cloth, gilt edges.
2
6
Hymns—for Sunday Schools, 9d. for Infant Minds,
1
6
Johnson’s Dictionary, diamond, 2s. octovo, 8s. Imperial 8vo.
31
6
Juvenile Books, suitable for presents, ten sorts, gilt edges
2
6
Jest Books, Joe Miller’s, 3s. 6d. Cream of the Jest
3
6
Mirth in Miniature, 2s. Droll Story Teller, 1s. Gems of Wit
0
6
Kirk White’s Remains, 3s. Poetical Works, gilt edges
1
6
Ladies Magazines, 8vo. half-calf, 3 vols.
3
0
Leslie’s Book of Sports, square 12mo. elegant boards
4
6
Maclock’s Natural History, 400 cuts, 12mo. bound
4
6
Map of Lincolnshire, 1s. 6d. ditto on canvas for the pocket
1
6
Maunder’s Treasury of Knowledge and Library of Reference
8
6
Memoirs of Mrs. Harriet Newell, neatly half-bound,
1
8
Mason’s Pocket Companion, 1s. Prayers for Morning & Even.
1
0
Maxwell’s History of the Bible, plates, half-bound
4
0
Milton’s Paradise Lost, new edition, cloth gilt edges
2
6
— Poetical Works
4
6
Midsummer Holidays at Briges Hall, half-bound, plates
4
0
Midland Gleaner, a selection of Sacred Poetry, silk, gilt edges
1
6
Modern Voyages and Discoveries:—
Parry’s three Voyages of a north-west passage, 4 vols.
12
0
Franklin’s Journey to the Polar Sea, 4 vols. plates
12
0
Denham and Clapperton’s Discoveries, 3 vols. plates
12
0
Modern Confectionary, 2s. 6d. Modern Cookery
2
6
Modern Traveller: Sketches of Ancient Biography, Poets, &c.
3
6
Sketches of Ancient Biography, Warriors, &c.
3
6
Travels in Europe and Asia
3
6
Remarkable Voyages from the Discovery of America
3
6
More’s (Mrs. Hannah) Stories for persons of the Middle Ranks
3
6
— Tales for Common People
3
6
— on the system of Female Education
3
3
— Sacred Dramas, cloth, gilt edges
2
0
Mudie on the Earth, Heavens, Air and Sea, 12mo. boards, each
5
0
Newton’s Works complete in one vol. 8vo.
12
0
New Year’s Token, for 1837
6
0
New Manual of Devotions
3
6
Olney Hymns, by Newton and Cowper
2
0
Owen’s Book of Fairs, 1s. 6d. Book of Roads
1
6
Nursery Book, square, cloth, numerous engravings
3
6
Pamphlets,—sixpenny and shilling, 50 sorts
Penny Magazine, vols. one to five, cloth, each
7
6
Perennial Treasure, roan embossed, gill, edges
3
6
Percy Anecdotes, forty-one parts, stiff cover, each
2
0
Pike’s Persuasives to Early Piety, 1s. Motives for Perseverance
1
0
Pott’s Gazetteer, 2 vols. 8vo. half-calf, neat copy
5
6
Pigot and Co’s Directory, with Atlas, royal 8vo., Midland
2
25
0
Prayers and Bibles, all sizes, in plain and elegant bindings
Poor Law Union, (books, forms, and receipts for)
Rate and Receipt Books, Forms, &c., for Parish Officers
Register Forms, on parchment, for baptisms, marriages &c.
1
0
Reward Books and Presents, in great variety
Rowe’s (Mrs) Devout Exercises of the Heart
1
6
Saturday Magazine, from commencement, cloth, each
3
6
Sacred Music, the most celebrated Psalm and Hymn Tunes
8
6
Scott’s Marmion, gilt edges, 2s. Lady of the Lake, gilt edges
2
0
— Lay of the Last Minstrel, gt. 1s. 6d. Lyrical Pieces, &c.
2
6
Sherwood’s (Mrs.) Works
Shakespear’s Dramatic Works, 8vo. cloth, gilt edges
9
6
— Turkey morocco, gilt edges
12
0
Social Tales, by Mrs. Sherwood, embossed roan, gilt edges
4
6
Sphinx, (The) a collection of 500 enigmas, charades, rebusses
1
6
Stebbin’s Common Prayer, with notes, &c., 12 plates, 32mo.
6
0
— New Testament, with notes, &c. 12 plates, diamond
3
9
Song Books—Quaver, 4s. 6d. British Melodist, 3s. 6d. Warbler
0
6
— Harp of Orpheus, 2s. 6d. Roland’s Comic, 2s. 6d. Oliver’s
3
6
Sturm’s Reflections, 2 vols. half-bound
9
0
Smith’s Manual of Theology, 9s. Compendium of Theology
10
6
Token of Remembrance, Affection, Friendship, gilt edges, each
1
6
Vicar of Wakefield, cloth, gilt edges
2
0
Walker’s Critical Pronouncing Dictionary, 8vo. half cloth
7
0
— elegant pocket edition, 18mo. bound
5
0
Watts’ Psalms and Hymns, in plain and elegant bindings
— Scripture History, 4s. World to Come 5s. Logic
4
6
Wesley’s Hymns, with the additional Supplement, from 1s. 9d. to
6
0
Webster’s Psalms and Hymns, bound
1
0
Whiston’s Flavius Josephus’s History of the Wars of the Jews
9
0
White’s Farriery, 12mo. 3 vols. half calf
10
6
Whites Natural History of Selborne, embellished with 48 cuts
4
6
Also a general assortment of English, Latin, Greek,and French School Books
What are the objects of such missions? Are they not to make known the glorious Gospel of the blessed God; to institute Christian Schools; to erect places of Christian worship; to collect Christian societies; and thus to banish Pagan ignorance, Pagan vices, and Pagan cruelties, from the earth?
Have not such objects been already accomplished,to a certain extent,in various parts of the heathen world?—This is indisputable. Many in Asia, Africa, America, Australasia, and Polynesia, no longer worship idols; no longer destroy each other. Many mothers no more cast their children to the crocodiles, or drown them in rivers. Many aged and sick persons, who would have been cast out into the woods in age and infirmity, are now cherished by their children. Many thousands of children, in the different Mission Schools in India, Africa, the South-Sea inlands, and other places, are now reading the word of God, worshipping our Saviour, and singing his praises; who would otherwise have been trained up in idolatry, and all its polluting and degrading superstitions. Many adults have been brought to the knowledge of Christ; and many have died in peace and in the hope of heaven, whose sun would otherwise have set amid the dark and lowering clouds of Heathenism. Finally, the work, though in some places feeble, has been begun; it is spreading its enlightening and sanctifying influence among surrounding millions; and it exhibits to our faith and hope the dawn of the universal salvation.
Are you a man?—Do you not then shudder at the miseries, and oppressions, and murders, which Heathenism is daily practising, and which Christianity brings to an end wherever it prevails? On the principle of common humanity and sympathy, you will then surely feel an interest in Missions, nor suffer the cry of slaughtered widows and children, and the voice of distress, pouring out its wailings from all lands, to reach your ears in vain.
Are you a briton? Think of the vastness of the British Empire, comprising, at a low calculation, upwards of aHUNDRED MILLIONSof subjects, most of whom are Pagan idolaters. Why has Providence given us power, but to employ it so that, wherever it is felt, “mankind may feel our mercy too?” Shall we enjoy the advantages of that extensive commerce which so vast an empire gives to us; shall we revel in the luxuries of the West and of the East; shall we turn every colony to gain? and shall we neglect the souls of our fellow-subject? If we do so, we cannot be guiltless before Him who governs the world, and who will bless our blessings, or wither them, as we are faithful or unfaithful to the behests of His Providence. As a Briton, therefore, you are bound to supportMissions, and by them to fill the whole empire with the blessings of that Christianity we enjoy at home.
Do you profess to be a true and lively christian?—Then you love your Saviour, and must desire that all should love and worship Him. Then you pray daily, “Thy kingdom come,” and must mean something when you thus pray, or you offer vain service, and mock God. Then you pity the ignorant, and weep over perishing souls; and, if so, you must, you will, do all you can to point them to “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Are you a christian parent?—You look with joy and gratitude upon your rising family. You placed them, by holy baptism, in the arms of Jesus, that He might bless them. They are in covenant with Him. They hearken unto you, and you teach them the fear of the Lord. You send them into life, commended to God as their “sun and shield.” You rejoice in the hope of meeting them all again in the kingdom of Heaven. O happy Christian parent! O favoured Christian families!—families “whom Jesus loves.” But Missions are creating many such families among Negroes, Hottentots, Fejees, New Zealanders, the Friendly Islanders, the American Indians, and the Singalese. Many a Heathen hut resounds with praise; and parents and children, once idolaters, bow before the throne of grace in united family worship. Do not you rejoice in this? and will you not do your utmost to promote the cause of Christ, till all the families of the earth, like your own, are blessed in Him?
Are you a christian child?—What do you owe to Christ, whose adorable name you bear! But for the blessed Gospel, you had scarcely known your parents’ tender love. No prayers to the true God would have been offered by them on your behalf. You would have been a worshipper of the ugly, gloomy gods of Paganism. You might have been cast into a river, or turned out to perish in a wood; or, if not, you would have grown up in ignorance, vice, and misery. You would have had no education; never have read the blessed Bible; never have sung a hymn of praise to God, and would not have had, as now, the prospect of a happy, useful life, and a glorious heaven. O what do you owe to Christ! You feel that you ought to love Him, and how can you better show that you do love Him, than by pitying poor, ignorant Heathen children, and contributing some little of your spare money, to send them Ministers, to build them Schools, to buy them the Bible and holy books, and teach them all the blessed truths which you have learned of Christ, the Saviour of the world?
Have you lately been made yourself a partaker of the grace of christ?—How much do you owe to Him who hath brought you “out of a horrible pit, and out of the miry clay;” and how ought you to pity all who are living “without hope and without God in the world!” When you felt the burden of sin, you heard of Christ, and his willingness to save.
“Dying, you heard the welcome sound,And pardon in his mercy found.”
“Dying, you heard the welcome sound,And pardon in his mercy found.”
But millions of the poor Heathen feel that burden too, yet they know not where to fly for relief; they go from idol to idol; from sacrifice to sacrifice; perform painful pilgrimages, and torture their bodies. But in vain! the sting remains; the fear of the future still pursues them. Dothey not cry, even in your ears, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” and will not you, remembering the sweetness of that hour when you obtained mercy by believing in Christ, make haste to tell them, by the Missionaries you send forth, where pardon may be found? O you not, by your liberalities, cause these blessed words to be sounded in the ears of all such mourning, broken spirits?—
“Sinners, believe the gospel word:Jesus is come your souls to save!Jesus is come, your common Lord;Pardon ye all through him may have;May now be saved, whoever will:This man receiveth sinners still.”
“Sinners, believe the gospel word:Jesus is come your souls to save!Jesus is come, your common Lord;Pardon ye all through him may have;May now be saved, whoever will:This man receiveth sinners still.”
Finally,Are you an aged christian?—How often have you prayed, “O Lord, revive thy work!” How often have you longed to see the dawn of the day of Christ upon all nations! Well, now you see it. God has granted you this before you depart to be with Christ. You, you aged servant of God, must rejoice in it. Your long life of mercy has been crowned with this mercy. Tell all about you, how you “saw the cloud arise, little as a human hand;” bid them look to its spreading showers; mark its reviving influence; and hear the “sound of abundance of rain.” Yes, you will encourage our youth to pledge themselves to this cause; you will give it the sanction and aid of your counsel and influence; and you will die in greater peace and higher triumph, since “your eyes have seen His salvation; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel.”
“Let the children of Zion,” therefore, “be joyful in their King.” “Both young men and maidens, old men and children, let them praise the Lord,” and unite to proclaim “His glory among the Heathen, His wonders among all people,” till the whole earth shall be filled with the honours of His high and glorious name. Amen.
But do any of you ask,What can i do in this cause?—This is an important and serious question, especially when you consider that that day will come when you must “give up your stewardship, and be no longer steward” of your Lord’s goods, whether he has entrusted you with five, three, or only one talent; and when he will doubtless ask you, what you have done to promote His cause in the world.
Well, then, it may be kindly and affectionately inquired of you, whether you do not indulge in some needless superfluities of meat, drink, apparel, furniture, or show, which, even in perfect consistency with your rank of life, whatever it may be, you may reduce, and have more to spend in works of piety and charity at home and abroad? Put this question to your hearts in the fear of God.
If you have no obvious superfluities, yet may not your economy, that is, your management of what you have, be more exact, methodical, and careful? So that even your own affairs will be more prosperous; and, from this good management, you may find much more to give to these great services than even now you are yourselves aware of. Try the experiment; for many have tried it, and have found themselves enabled to become “rich in good works,” almost without cost to themselves.
Ask, What cannot I give? Cannot I spare this penny every week?—Why not? Cannot I give this shilling, as a monthly subscription; or this pound, or even several pounds, as a yearly one? Why not? You may have an answer, but see that it is a good one; that it is such an one as you can with confidence give to your Lord, when He calls you to give an account of your stewardship.
Cannot I give my influence to this cause? Why not? I have some influence, perhaps as a master, or as a parent, or as a neighbour, or as a friend. Cannot I employ this talent of influence in inducing servants, children, neighbours, friends, to take a share in all the good which the Lord is doing upon earth among the children of men? Will they not be benefited by it? How many good thoughts will it put into their minds! How probable is it, that they may feel more sensibly the value of the Gospel than before, by considering the situation of those nations who have it not! How much will it enlarge their knowledge, to place before them the publications of a Missionary Society! How much will it ennoble the heart of the poorest and youngest among them, to teach them to live to benefit all mankind! Cannot I take even an active part in this work, if called upon; or may I not humbly offer my services in some department? Why not? Collectors, patient, persevering Collectors, are always wanting; and why cannot I become a Collector, and have the honour and blessedness of begging for a perishing world? Treasurers, Secretaries, Members of Committees, are wanting wherever a Missionary Society is formed, who will be active in their duty, and constant in their attendance. Cannot I then, if called upon, take my share of any of those duties, whenever they are assigned me? Why not? What good and serious reason can I give against it, when, laying my hand upon my heart, I ask, “How much owest thou unto my Lord?” Cannot I converse on these great subjects, and arouse my own languid zeal, and that of others, by this means? Why not? Would not this shut out many trifling things from conversation; and will not the constant reading of Missionary Publications, and accounts of the progress of Christ’s kingdom in the world, furnish conversation with some of the best and most inspiring topics?—and is not this in character, when, as the Psalmist says, “All thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord, and thy saints shall bless thee; they shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.” And cannot I join my prayers, prayers in my closet, in my family, and in the Church of God: thus acknowledging that the work is the Lord’s, and that vain is the help of man,—thus bringing upon all counsel, and upon all effort, the prospering blessing of Him who “worketh all and in all?” Rest not till you have put to yourself all these questions, and then so act as “the answer of a good conscience” shall direct.
WESLEYAN MISSION HOUSE, BISHOPSGATE-STREETWITHIN, LONDON.
***For an account of the Missions conducted by the Wesleyan Missionary Society, see the accompanying “General View.”