Extracts of Correspondence.

FOREIGN.

From the Thirty-fourth Report of the Religious Tract Society. THE friends of the MALAYALIM SOCIETY, at COTTYAM, mention in their Report several interesting circumstances. "Facts," they state, "have proved, in innumerable instances, that even Brahmins will, with pleasure and avidity, receive and read our books. They have sometimes arrested the readers at the doors of their pagodas, and said, 'You must read some of your little books to us;' after which they have asked for, and received them." The Report also mentions the following fact: "A Roman Catholic received a few of the Tracts, which were blessed to his mind. He has since renounced that church of darkness and error, and united himself to the protestant brethren, and now enjoys the light and consolations of the gospel. For this act of decision he has endured great persecutions. We consider it no small mercy that, in such a fiery trial, he has been enabled to maintain his ground, and to evince his sincerity by rejecting error and embracing the truth."

In the BOMBAY Report, one of the correspondents states, “I believe the publications of the Society are diffusing a knowledge of the gospel throughout the Deccan more extensively than is generally supposed. A Brahmin came to me, a few weeks ago, from a village 60 miles from this place. He seemed convinced of the folly of performing the rites and ceremonies prescribed in the Hindoo sacred books, for obtaining the favour of God; and he had gained a pretty correct, though limited knowledge of the way of salvation through the atonement of Christ. On being asked how he had obtained this knowledge, he replied, that a few months ago he had fallen into company with a man who had been at Poona, and while with him he read a Tract, which this man had obtained there."

The JAFFNA SOCIETY also reports the great usefulness of the works it has distributed. The Committee remark, "The increasing circulation of the scriptures requires that Religious Tracts should be sent forth in greater numbers. They should be pioneers to the bible, as well as follow in its train; for, in a heathen country, the sacred writings need such aid, to be readily received and well understood. They take the place, in a measure, of the living Teacher. Every Tract is a voice, crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord;' and it sounds not once only, but repeatedly, and in the ears of many. It is heard at all hours of the day, and in the stillness of the night; and whether it whispers peace, or speaks alarm, it cannot be wholly disregarded."

The Committee of the RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, in reference to the intelligence received from India, feel, with the Calcutta Society, "That these statements are highly calculated to encourage to diligent perseverance in the good work in which the Society is engaged. The facts related, prove that the Tracts are read; that they are understood; that in many instances they have let a flood of light into the mind, which has chased away the clouds of pagan darkness in which the

individuals have been all their lives involved; and lastly, that in some instances they have led to genuine conversion to God. It is evident, that the united operations of the various Societies for the spread of the gospel in India, have made a sensible impression on the prejudices of the people. The great temple of idolatry is tottering on its basis. Let the conflict, on our part, be carried on with energy; and, with the blessing of Almighty God, we shall soon see the hideous fabric fall, its foundations razed, its agents confounded, its influence destroyed, and, in its stead, a glorious temple for Jehovah will be erected, the top stone of which will be brought forth with the shouts of millions of ransomed souls, crying, Grace, Grace unto it."

IT is with gratitude to Him who disposes the hearts of all, that I mention the kind assistance I have met with from many individuals, in different parishes, in selling books and distributing tracts; and some, though not rich in this world's goods, have paid a small sum for the tracts distributed by them. "THE SWEARER'S PRAYER" has, in one instance that has come to my knowledge, been useful. Amongst some tracts given by me for distribution, was that entitled, "SIXTEEN SHORT SERMONS," which I am informed is read by a pious Negro in the evening, after reading a portion of scripture, for the edification of many others as well as herself. This report I got from a gentleman who had expended a considerable sum, in the purchase of bibles, &c. for the benefit of slaves under his charge.

DOMESTIC,

From the Report of the Carr's Lane, Birmingham, Religious Tract Society.

AN old man, about ninety-two years of age, was met with, living in the neglect of religion; he could read a little, and gladly received the tracts. After the lapse of a few months, his sight failed him, through extreme old age; but his desire to know the contents of the tracts increasing, the distributor read some to him. Among others, "THE SINNER'S HELP," and "CONSIDER YOUR WAYS." These tracts produced a powerful impression on his mind, and led to serious consideration. On being asked upon what he was building his hopes for eternity, it was discovered that he was resting on the supposition of the mercy of God, without any idea of his justice, or the necessity of an atonement for transgression. The visitor inquired if he believed there was a hell, but this seemed to him so opposed to his ideas of mercy, that he would not believe it, because no one had returned from that abode of sorrow to tell the dismal truth. The visitor insisted on the justice and holiness of God, as well as his mercy, and pointed out the necessity of an atonement for transgression, by reading to him one of the tracts already mentioned. On leaving

him, the distributor urged him to think seriously on the subject of their conversation; and, on being asked, at the next visit, if he had done so, he replied, "Yes; I have thought of it many a time, and could scarcely get sleep all night." He was prevailed upon to attend Divine worship, which he continued to do as regularly as his age, aided by two crutches, would allow him. His mind gradually received the truths of the gospel, and one of the first effects was, the remonstrance of conscience that he should so long have lodged in a family where he was continually hearing the name of God blasphemed. From this family he soon removed, and after passing a few more months in this wilderness world, he was removed by death, it is humbly hoped, to the mansions of the redeemed, a monument of sovereign grace, converted from the error of his ways, at the eleventh hour of his being.

The distributor saw him a few days before his death, when he expressed his earnest gratitude for the tracts, from which he had learned to place his dependance on the Saviour, and to rest his hopes for eternity on his sacrifice at Calvary. With these sentiments he seemed waiting in humble submission for a welcome to the skies.

In this district another distributor writes: "In visiting a remote part of the village, we offered loan tracts to an individual who seemed careless of receiving them, and who, we fancied, looked upon us with an air of suspicion, as if we were seeking our own good, not his. About three months ago, we found him labouring under heavy affliction; we entered into conversation with him, and discovered that his reliance for salvation was placed upon his moral character, and the right discharge of social duties. We took pains to remove this erroneous belief, and to point out this fatal dependance, and by the blessing of God we have succeeded. We attribute this success to the SIXTEEN SHORT SERMONS,' which we read, and commented upon at different times, in a manner suited to his case. We perceived the breaking in of light upon his mind, and, being aware of the dangerous nature of his malady, we trust we were faithful in our remarks and advice, and urgent in our appeals to his conscience. We have read and explained other tracts, we trust, to his benefit. Our last visit was on Sunday, December 9, 1832. On entering his sick chamber he gave us a smile of welcome, expressed his joy at seeing us once more, and then earnestly solicited our prayers. We referred him to David's penitential psalms, to the promises of mercy contained in Isaiah, directed him to appropriate hymns of Dr. Watts, and united in supplication at the footstool of heavenly grace.

"When we left him, tears expressed what he was unable to utter, and we have hope that a saving change has been effected. He looked only to Christ as his hope of salvation, and depended entirely on his righteousness as the ground of his justification. He appeared on the threshold of eternity, and we expect has, ere this, realised the value of those truths which the gospel presents to the believer, by being permitted to join the chorus of the skies. To the instrumentality of tracts he is indebted for his present peace."

Printed for the RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, 56, Paternoster Row;
by John Hill, Black Horse Court, Fleet Street.

STABILITY RECOMMENDED. "UNSTABLE as water, thou shalt not excel," Gen. xlix. 4. We should guard against instability in our governing aim. If a vessel at sea is steering for no port, who is to determine whether the direction of the wind be favourable or unfavourable?

When a man has fixed his aim, his aim will simplify his conduct, arrange his actions, and give every thing a relation. Paul says, "This one thing I do." He does not speak of a oneness of exertion, for he did a thousand things; but a oneness of purpose, which combined them all, and gave them the same direction. Now our determinate aim should be to please and serve God according to the injunction, "whether ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God." If here our eye be single, our whole body will be full of light. But if other aims also sway us, we shall be perplexed, distracted, and often at a stand. "Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty." "A double-minded

man is unstable in all his ways." "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

Let us guard against instability in our views of Divine truth. Some have no fixed sentiments in religion; they are struck with every novel opinion; and are led after every "Lo! here; or lo! there." But, says Paul, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines, for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace." By grace he means the gospel. We would not plead for bigotry or prejudice. We should be open to conviction, and judge according to evidence: but it is absurd to suppose we must remain all our days in uncertainty and doubt. Be like the ship which has its port constantly in view; and ever directs its course towards the desired haven, though the winds and the waves may at times thwart its progress. If the poor have the gospel preached unto them, it cannot be, if they are to receive it, very difficult as to its leading principles. And we are told that the wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein. Surely it is a reproach and not a commendation, that some are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. It is desirable and necessary that we should be able early to decide what is truth, that we may make use of it, and live upon it, and enjoy it. Who has ever seen a sound experience and a consistent practice in connexion with a loose creed? We should distinguish between what is circumstantial in religion and what is essential. cannot be too candid and liberal. let us be inflexible: Here, "take go: keep her, for she is thy life."

With regard to the former we
But with regard to the latter
hold of instruction; let it not
JAY.

MOTIVES.

IT should never be forgotten, that we disclose a spirit of opposition to the will of the Most High, by declining the service which he enjoins, as certainly as by presuming to do what he has forbidden. But, passing over our sins of omission, in regard of what is due outwardly to man, the scriptures require the moralist to place his motives in the balances of the sanctuary along with his actions. In the view of the gospel, it is not what a man does that determines his character; this depends rather on the state of mind from which his doings have proceeded. St. Paul assures us, that we may give all our goods to feed the poor, and our body to be burned, as an act of charity, and yet be without charity. The apostle clearly supposes, that men may proceed to extremes of this nature from motives of so little worth, as to