our distance from St. John's; but owing to the thickness of the fog, we were prevented from discerning to any great extent.

About this time a beautiful white bird hovered over the mast-head of the cutter, and continued fluttering there until dark. Trifling as this circumstance may appear, it was considered by us all as a propitious omen. We indulged ourselves, on this occasion, with the most consolatory assurances, that the same hand which had provided this solace to our distresses would extricate us from the danger that surrounded us.

There being every reason to conclude ourselves well in with the land, the few that were able to move were now called upon to make a last effort to save their lives by rowing, and taking advantage of the little breeze we then had. We had now been six days and nights, constantly wet and cold, without any other sustenance than a quarter of a biscuit and one wine glass of fluid for twenty-four hours. The men who had appeared totally indifferent as to their fate, summoned up resolution, and as many as were capable of moving from the bottom of the boats applied to the

oars.

Monday, 4th.-As the day dawned, the fog became so thick that we could not see very far from the boat. During the night we had been under the necessity of casting off the jolly-boat's tow-rope, to induce her crew to exert themselves by rowing. We again lost sight of her, and I perceived that this unlucky accident was beginning to excite great uneasiness among us. We were now so reduced, that the most trifling remark or exclamation agitated us very much. I therefore found it necessary to caution the people against being deceived by the appearance of land, or calling out till we were quite convinced of its reality, more especially as fog-banks are often mistaken for land. Several of the poor fellows, however, repeatedly exclaimed they heard breakers, others the firing of guns; and the sounds we did hear resembled the latter so much, that I concluded some vessel had got on shore, and was making signals of distress: the noise afterwards proved to be the blowing of whales, of which we saw a great number.

Soon after daylight, the sun rose in view for the second time since we

quitted the wreck. It is worthy of remark, that during the period of seven days that we were in the boats, we never had an opportunity of taking an observation, either of the sun, moon, or stars, nor of drying our clothes. The fog, at length, beginning to disperse, we instantly caught a glimpse of the land within a mile distance, between Kettle Cove and Island Cove, in Conception Bay, fourteen leagues from the harbour of St. John's. Almost at the same moment we had the inexpressible satisfaction to discover the jolly-boat, and a schooner in shore standing off towards us.

I wish it were possible for me to describe our sensations at this interesting moment. From the constant watching and fatigue, and from the languor and depression arising from our exhausted state, such accumulated irritability was brought on, that the joy of a speedy relief affected us all in a most remarkable way: many burst into tears, some looked at each other with a stupid stare, as if doubtful of the reality of what they saw; several were in such a lethargic state, that no consolation, no animating language, could rouse them to exertion.

At this affecting period, though overpowered by my own feelings, and impressed with the recollection of our sufferings, and the sight of so many deplorable objects, I proposed to of fer up our solemn thanks to heaven for our miraculous deliverance. Every one cheerfully assented; and as soon as I opened the prayer book (which I had secured the last time! went down to my cabin), there was an universal silence; a spirit of devotion was so singularly manifested on this occasion, that to the benefits of a religious sense in uncultivated minds, must be ascribed that discipline, good order, and exertion, which even the sight of land could scarcely produce.

The schooner being now within hail, and having made our situation known, she hove to, and received us on board, our boats being taken in tow.

The wind having blown with great violence from off the coast, we did not reach the landing place at Island Cove till four o'clock in the evening. All the women and children in the village, with two or three fishermen, (the rest of the men being absent), came down to the beach, and appear.

ing deeply affected at our wretched situation, assisted in lifting us out of the vessel, and afterwards in carrying us up the craggy rocks, over which we were obliged to pass to get to their habitations. This small village afforded neither medical aid nor fresh provisions, of which we stood so much in need; potatoes and salt fish being the only food of the inhabitants. I determined, therefore, to lose no time in proceeding to St. John's, where we arrived on the 8th of July. Thence I proceeded to England, where I arrived on the 3rd of August.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

Audi alteram partem is an admonition of which I have frequently experienced the benefit. But I do not recollect to have ever more deeply felt the importance of it than on perusing, in the number of the Christian Obser for July, your report of the parliamentary debates on the Lottery Bill. I confess that I have, for a long time, entertained some scruples of conscience on this subject. I could not consider the adoption of such an expedient for increasing the public revenue as adviseable, either in a political or a moral view. Judge then what were the effects produced on my mind, by the able, luminous, and forcible statement of the gentleman who spoke in opposition to the lottery. Every argument adduced gave me entire satisfaction: all my previous doubts were confirmed; and I felt clearly convinced both of the impolicy and of the iniquity of the measure in question. Such were my sentiments on this matter; and such had been my sentiments still, had I omitted to comply with the admonition mentioned above. Yes, Sir, had I not proceeded to pay due attention to the arguments advanced on the opposite side, I had, perhaps, for ever continued, as I am now free to acknowledge, in a state of gross misconception and ignorance on this important subject. These arguments, according to your report, were two. The former went to defend the measure chiefly on the ground of precedent. I cannot indeed say, that this argument had much weight with me; for it appeared evident to my mind, that if the measure were either morally or politically bad, no previous usage

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could justify a recurrence to it. The other plea urged in favour of the lottery was, that as a spirit of gambling existed in the nation, it was right and expedient that government should avail itself of that spirit, and turn it to the advantage of the state." On reading these words, my sentiments underwent an immediate and entire revolution. The argument contained in them, struck me as the most satisfactory and conclusive which I had ever heard. It carried irresistible conviction on the face of it. It appeared to me one of those plain, simple, obvious, unanswerable truths, which, while they call forth our admiration of the persons who advance them, create in us no little surprise and self-dissatisfaction at our own want of penetration in not having dis covered them. What proposition can be more reasonable, than that the vicious propensities of individuals should be made subservient to the good of the state? What attempt can be more praise-worthy and meritorious, than that of converting national sins into sources of national prosperity, of thus extracting political good out of moral evil?

It must be admitted, indeed, that this principle is not altogether a new discovery. It has been resorted to by other wise and enlightened countries. In Holland, and in some parts of Italy, the government has formerly availed itself of the irregular inclinations of the people, and has derived a considerable supply from licensing places peculiarly appropriated to licentiousness. Nay, in our own country, the same principle has been indirectly at least recognized, and tacitly adopted, in the encouragement given to alehouses, and in the objections so frequently urged against the diminution of their numbers, as a measure highly prejudicial to the revenue.

But though the merit of novelty and invention cannot attach to the present espousers of this admirable principle of political expediency; yet to them belongs all the credit of having made a public and unreserved avowal of it: and to them, I trust, will further belong the credit of making a more general and extensive application of it. Yes, Sir, I do trust, that the principle in question will be universally applied in every possible direction; and I am happy to say, that subsequent events fully justify me in expressing

1

my hopes on this subject with no inconsiderable degree of confidence. In the general Defence Bill, the same ingenuity has been shewn in converting the evil dispositions of the people to the public advantage. Perceiving that a spirit of sabbath-breaking existed in the nation, the framers of that bill have happily availed themselves of it for the service of the state, and with a laudable attention to the public interests have encouraged the process of volunteering, by the tempting offer of a legal profanation of the Lord's Day. With the hope, therefore, that these efforts may be systematically pursued, I will venture to suggest some few hints for the consideration of the legislature.

There exists among certain individuals in the nation a passion for promoting boxing-matches, and other brutal and inhuman sports; why may not this spirit be countenanced and turned to the public good? Why may not these pastimes be rendered legal, and, by a suitable tax levied on the performers and spectators, be converted into a profitable branch of finance? There exists also, throughout the nation, a general spirit of swearing. What forbids that all due advantage should be taken also of this spirit? Why may not oaths, and profane conversation, be tolerated under certain regulations? Let the present fines on these practices, for instance, be greatly increased, and an annual licence be granted for a small sum to all persons who wish to be indulged with the commission of them. Incalculable would be the addition to the revenue, which by these and similar means might easily be procured. In short, Sir, I am not sure but that, by taking a judicious advantage of prevailing and fashionable vices, the present system of taxation may be entirely laid aside; the excise laws be repealed; the assessed and income taxes be abolished; and effectual provision be made for the exigences of the state, without bring ing either odium on ministers, or burdens on the people. Some few old fashioned persons, perhaps, whose minds are too blinded by prejudice to perceive the expediency of the measure, might censure the adoption of it: but the promoters of the system would receive ample compensation for such censures, in the approbation of the more enlightened part of the

nation, in the increasing popularity of their administration, and in the conscious reflection, that if by their efforts the country was daily becoming morally worse, it was yet in an exactly equal ratio becoming politically better.

SPECULATOR.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer. In addition to your very clear and satisfactory observations on the letter of your correspondent Miles, in your number for September, will you per mit me to remind him, that if he acted in the way he mentions, he would be a party to the crime of his opponent? His statement conveys a tacit acknowledgment, that a gentleman who should challenge, meet, and fire at him, would be justly chargeable with guilt. Would Miles then be innocent, if he voluntarily presented himself to the fire of his antagonist? Would he not by such a conduct voluntarily afford him an opportunity of perpetrating a crime, and therefore be beyond all dispute an accomplice in it? If through the absurd opinions, which the corrupt practice of the world has made current on the subject of duelling, this conclusion appears at all doubtful to Miles, let him try the justness of my reasoning by applying it to other analogous cases. Would he think himself innocent in giving a highwayman to understand that if he wished to rob him, he should travel a certain road on a given day, and would surrender his money without resistance, and never take any measures to bring the man to justice? Would he not justly consider himself as having, by his conduct, smoothed the way of the robber to the perpetration of a crime which otherwise might probably never have been committed, and as therefore partaking in its guilt? Let another illustration be taken from the instance of the merchant, who faces dangers in his commercial pursuits. We will suppose, that the Emperor of Morocco (what may we not suppose of such a monster?) passed a decree, that no merchant should trade with his subjects who had not previously exposed himself as a mark, to be once fired at by his Moorish Majesty, at the distance of fifteen paces, with a pistol which he had received as a present from his brother of Great Britain. Would

the merchant think this a danger to which he could properly expose himself in his plans of commerce? Would he not in doing so be universally condemned by all who made any pretensions to morality, as (in addition to various other grounds of condemnation) a particeps criminis with the tyrant of the desert?

B. T.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer. THE writer has been credibly informed, that Mr. Charles Wesley, Mr. Fletcher of Madeley, and, in the

latter part of his life, Mr. John Wesley, distinctly opposed the doctrines now supposed to be generally held in the Wesleian Societies; that the forgiveness of sin is manifested by internal impulses and impressions, and that assurance, communicated by impulses or otherwise obtained, is an indispensable and an infallible mark of a state of salvation. If some of your correspondents would favour the public with a perspicuous statement of the final opinions of these eminent men on the two subjects in question, they might possibly render no inconsiderable service to religion. X. Y.

CXVII. The History of the Church of Christ. Volume the Fourth, Part 1. Containing the Remainder of the Thirteenth Century; also the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Part of the Sixteenth Centuries. Edited from the Manuscripts of the late Reverend JOSEPH MILNER; with Additions, Corrections, &c. By the Reverend ISAAC MILNER, D. D. Dean of Carlisle, and Master of Queen's College, Cambridge. Cambridge: printed at the University Press, 8vo. 5s. 6d. London, Matthews and Mawman, 1803.

Ir will readily be allowed by all who venerate the Bible as the word of God, that next to the study of the sacred oracles, no branch of knowledge is so interesting and important as that which developes the history of the Church of Christ. In reviewing the ecclesiastical history of the three first centuries, faith is invigorated and hope enlivened by the triumph of evangelical truth over the splendid system of pagan idolatry, without any other weapon than the "sword of the spirit." In tracing the progress of the grand apostacy from the primitive faith, till the full establishment of the man of sin in the eleventh century, the pious Christian, while he remarks the fulfilment of scripture prophecies, is led to adore the providence of God, who never left his Gospel without some faithful witnesses in the worst of

times. From the twelfth century we hail with gratitude the dawning of that bright day, which, at the auspicious æra of the Protestant reformation, dispelled the thick mists of anti-christian delusion with which Europe had been so long enveloped ; and we trust we may now indulge the pleasing hope, that the glorious light which that great event has diffused will never be eclipsed, but shine more and more until the coming of that happy period, when "the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea."

An impartial history of the Christian Church, executed with sound judgment and correct taste, upon true scriptural principles, has long been a desideratum in this Protestant country; for, as a pious writer observes, the bulk of ecclesiastical history, as it is generally understood, is little more than a history of what the passions, prejudices, and interested views of men have prompted them to perpetrate under the pretext and sanction of religion; by which means the cause of scepticism and infidelity has been undesignedly promoted, by writers whose stability in the faith of the Gospel has never been questioned. The history of Mosheim, which, during the last forty years, has been our principal source of ecclesiastical know:

*Introduction to Newton's Review of Ecclesiastical History.

ledge, is far from being satisfactory to those readers who are desirous of separating the wheat from the tares, or to speak without a metaphor, of finding genuine christianity amidst the corruptions which have been engrafied upon it, by the craft and vanity of men pretending to be wise above what is written. Of some popular authors in our own country, who had handled different periods of ecclesiastical history, it might be said, with too much truth, that they had written more as politicians than as Christians. In short, we had no standard work in our language which gave us the history of the Catholic Church upon those sound and consistent principles, which were recognised by our first Protestant reformers.

Such was the state in which Mr. Milner found this important branch of knowledge in our country, when he undertook to give the world a history of the Church of Christ. His reputation as a scholar had long been established in the University of Cambridge; the public had been well acquainted with his talents as an author by several useful productions, especially by a solid defence of scriptural truth against the sneers and misrepresentations of Gibbon, and the sophistry of Hume; and the zeal and success with which he had, for many years, discharged the duties of the pastoral care were equalled by very few clergymen in the kingdom. We had, therefore, just grounds to expect from Mr. Milner such a view of ecclesiastical history as would do credit to his learning, and prove edifying to christian readers of all denominations: nor have we been disappointed in our expectations. It is true, that the critic, who examines sentences according to Dr. Blair's rules of collocation, may, without the sweat of his brow, extract abundance of deviations from purity of stile: and, without being fastidious, we cannot but regret that Mr. Milner paid so little regard to correctness and perspicuity in the structure of his language. It were also to be wished that he had been more studious of the lucidus ordo in the arrangement of his materials; but these and other defects that might be pointed out in the literary execution of the work, in our estimation, weigh but as a feather in the scale, against its peculiar excellencies. We conceive

that the great objects of an ecclesiastical historian are to exhibit the history of the Church as "a congrega tion of faithful men, in the which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ's ordinance* ;” to point out the distinguishing characteristics of true believers in Christ as the subjects of a kingdom which is not of this world; and to shew how the revolutions of empire have been rendered subservient to the grand purposes of heaven, as they are revealed in the scriptures of truth. We think this province has been more clearly marked out by Mr. Milner, than by any of his predecessors with whom we are acquainted, for which he is entitled to the gratitude of all true members of the Holy Catholic Church."

The Reverend Mr. Newton, in his Review of the Ecclesiastical History of the First Century, had paved the way for a work upon the plan adopted by Mr. Milner, who, in the introduction to his first volume, acknowledges that, to the best of his recollection, the perusal of Mr. Newton's instructive publication had suggested to him the first idea of his undertaking. Three volumes had appeared in the worthy author's life time, which were very favourably received by the public.

The first volume, which made its appearance in 1794, exhibits a view of ecclesiastical history during the golden period of the three first centuries. It opens with an epitome of the nature and progress of christianity in the apostolic age, extracted from the New Testament. The account of the doctrine and discipline of the Church of God in the second and third centuries, is enriched with co pious biographical anecdotes of the most distinguished worthies, who earnestly contended for the faith once delivered to the saints, and nobly sealed their profession with their blood. Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and Polycarp are exhibited before us in just and lively colours, reflected from their own writings; and Origen and Cyprian shine forth as stars of the first magnitude. A pleasing picture is given of the African Church about

* Nineteenth article of the Church of England.