holiest men, in all lands, is entitled to credit; and if the joyous experience, the domestic happiness, the sanctified prosperity, and the peaceful and triumphant deaths of myriads of God's people, are to be regarded as evidences of his favour; then it is demonstrated, that God loves, honours, and saves all those who remember the Sabbath to keep it holy."

66

We have now done; and, while thankful for the opportunity of bearing testimony on such a subject, we earnestly pray that the great Lord of the Sabbath may write his law on all hearts. To dispense reproof is not our delight; and if faithful love could have calculated on a cure by milder means, stern rebuke would have been spared. The detached form in which our communications have appeared, has no doubt tended to weaken their moral effect; and, though conscious that they can lay little claim to originality, we venture to request such of our readers as we have failed to convince, to give them a second and consecutive perusal.

The evil we have exposed is great, growing, and popular; and for the freedom with which we have denounced it, we offer no apology, save the paramount regard we bear to the truth, and the pity we feel for the souls of those who have fallen under the demoralizing influence of error. From the censures of men, we appeal to the decision of God. Had we not been firmly persuaded that "the battle is the Lord's," our "sling," and our "five smooth stones," would still have remained in the privacy of the "scrip," and in the bed of the "brook." Our prayer, from the beginning, has been, that we might neither err through ignorance, nor keep back aught through fear or faithlessness: and our desire now is, that the great Lord of the Sabbath would establish and bless whatever bears the stamp of truth; but that each sentence which savours of error may be neutralized, forgotten, and disregarded. PETER M'OWAN.

Manchester,

Feb. 14th, 1842.

(No. XC.)

"AN Apostle could not discharge his duty by public preaching only: how much less can an ordinary Pastor!"-Wesley's Note on Acts xx. 20.

THE duty of pastoral visitation, my dear young friend, on which you desire my opinion and advice, with a commendable anxiety to engage in your ministerial labours as a workman that "needeth not to be ashamed," is undoubtedly a work of the highest importance. It is sanctioned by the example of Christ himself, and everywhere inculcated or implied in the apostolic writings. Without its observance, Mr. Wesley writes, in connexion with the words standing at the head of this letter, even the Apostle Paul could not have been "pure from the blood of

* Compare Luke x. 38-42, with John xi. 1–28.

(No. I.)

all men." It stands connected with the spiritual successes of the Gospel; and, in proportion to its observance or neglect, it will generally be found that real religion advances or declines among a people. The Apostles taught not only “publicly," but also "from house to house;" and to such authorities as their example, and that of the most devoted Ministers of Christ in all ages, present, it is unnecessary to add one word as to the scriptural sanction and evangelical character of pastoral visitation. It is, undoubtedly, a necessary part of every Christian Minister's duty.

No pulpit ministrations, however excellent; no public expositions of divine truth, however acceptable to those who can attend them; no eloquent oratory; no powerful reason

ing; no conclusive argumentation; can ever supply the loss, to a great part of the flock, of those personal instructions, and that really pastoral care, which are included in the faithful discharge of the duty of visiting "from house to house." It is here that many an humble Minister of the Lord Jesus, though he may not be remarkably gifted with brilliant and shining talents, finds his ready way to the hearts of his people, making them feel, by his personal sympathy with them, that they are individually recognised, and esteemed, and cared for.

Indeed, that form of ministerial oversight which thus brings down the instructions of the pulpit, and the more general teaching of the sanctuary, to the personal wants of the several members of the flock, must, in its very nature, tend to promote a cordial union between a Minister and his people; which is most to be desired, and the absence of which nothing can ever fully supply.

Frequent domiciliary visitation is, moreover, in many cases, indispensable in bringing a Minister acquainted with certain parts of his flock, which may most imperatively need those instructions, consolations, and helps, the communication of which is an essential part of his sacred office. I hardly need mention the sick, the aged, the infirm, and the young. Circumstances connected with these various classes of people, and the vast variety of domestic misery and affliction which frequently precede and accompany bereavement and death, with the innumerable privations, misfortunes, and consequent sorrows included in all human history, both personal and relative;"the fatherless and the widow in their affliction;" the man of sorrows, in his spiritual conflicts and temptations; the subject of temporal losses and disappointments, of sad reverses, and often of absolute distress ;-all these will contribute to keep multitudes from the house of prayer, who greatly need the consolations of religion: and if their case is ever to be met, what can effectually provide for it, but pastoral visitation?

It seems difficult to imagine how, without the regular observance of this important duty, a Minister can enter into the spirit of his office, as it is illustrated in the thirty-fourth chapter of Ezekiel: "Seeking that which was lost; bringing again that which was driven away; binding up that which was broken; and strengthening that which was sick :" or how he can avoid the condemnation included in the words, "The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost." Therefore, thus saith the Lord, "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and will require my flock at their hand." (Ezek. xxxiv. 16, 4, 10)

Multitudes, it is painfully obvious, never apply the word which they hear; multitudes more are in circumstances, as to mental advantages, very unfavourable for profiting by what they hear. Many per

sons

are subjects of distressing temptations; many are writing bitter things against themselves; and many resemble the different kinds of unfavourable soil spoken of by our Lord in the parable of the sower. How much does all this, and whatever of a similar kind might be suggested, serve to make apparent the absolute necessity of that systematic, personal instruction which the distinctive character of pastoral visitation includes ! The sermon belongs to the whole congregation; (and they may or may not improve by it ;) but the pastoral visit belongs to the family to whom it is paid, or the individual for whose benefit it is chiefly intended. There is, moreover, in many, a natural shyness and reserve, and, in many others, a respectful estimate of the character of the ministry, which it requires all the kindly and familiar influence of the pastoral visit to soften down, so as to remove that strange and unsympathizing distance which prevents confidence; and to render the intercourse between a Pastor and his flock as profitable

as it ought to be, both for time and for eternity.

As a young Minister, laudably anxious rightly to divide the word of truth, probably you may often feel tempted to remain in your study, when you are reminded that it is your duty to be among the people. You will, in such case, have to exercise self-denial when called to discriminate between the contending claims of two important branches of your duty; but never must you suffer the fascinations of study, still less the mere pursuits of literature, nor even the passion for sermonizing, to rob the sick chamber, the desolate widow, or the infirm cripple, of the benefit of your counsels, sympathy, and instruction, in the regular seasons of pastoral visitation.

In the place to which divine Providence has directed your steps, and fixed, for a time, "the bounds of your habitation," you will find the Roman Catholic Priest assiduously

anxious in the duty I am recommending; and some of the Clergy of the Church of England scarcely less so. The Dissenting Pastor will not be found behind either; feeling it to be indispensable thus to cultivate the endeared relation subsisting between himself and the church with which he is settled. And how shall the Wesleyan Minister, with all those peculiarities of the itinerant system which are not the most favourable for it, maintain his proper influence with his people, or exercise efficiently his ministry among them, without the aid of a vigilant pastoral visitation ?

I reserve for another communication some beautiful examples, which I had intended to quote, of the best method of performing the duty thus recommended; and would request you, meanwhile, to receive this with cordial good wishes from

ADJUTOR.

WILLIAM WOON.

Mangungu, New-Zealand,
Oct. 14th, 1841.

77, Hutton-Garden, Sept. 17th, 1832. MY DEAR BROTHER, -I have written to the Chairman, Mr. Thomas, introducing the brethren; who, by God's blessing upon them, will have been conducted safely to you, to present you with this letter.

I have seen, in your communications with the Committee, the good use you are making of the press. You are now a printer indeed! A noble business, my brother, when

you can by it not only speak for Christ, but make your own and others' speaking to be heard and understood where your living voice cannot reach, and after you are dead. Even elementary books will convey elementary instruction of the most lasting and saving character. These thoughts will help you to pull your press, and move your letters, joyfully. At any stage you may say, "This is God's work; and I do it unto him." Should you ever have somewhat more labour than others, you will have the greater blessing. Still, by training up natives, you may relieve yourself, in time, of the drudgery of the press, although the direction and management will remain with you.

I have concluded my three years in your old Circuit, (that of the City-road,) in great happiness and harmony, and in none more than with the Local Preachers, who have given me great satisfaction. The congregations are all good, and the work

is hopeful. Death has made progress of late among us. Dr. Clarke, Mr. Storry, Mr. Scarlett, and others, have been called away: so that we shall soon meet together, from the ends of the earth, in our Father's kingdom. And what will it matter where we have died, whether in London or in Tonga?

Mrs. Tucker will, I think, be a great acquisition to the Mission. She is little in stature, but of great judgment, prudence, and piety. She is the daughter of Mr. John Hall, of Bristol, of whom I dare say you have heard. Give my love to the brethren, from whom we delight to hear often, and much. Only aim at being true Methodist Missionaries, preaching the religion of the heart; living in its full influence; having nothing to do but to save souls; despising ease, indulgence, show; living in perfect harmony and affection; honouring one another; read

ing often, and making your rule, St. Paul's Epistles to Timothy and Titus: then God will be with you. You will save your own souls, and them that hear you. Keep far from worldly things, and civil disputes with the natives. Show them that your work is higher.

May you have health and peace through Jesus Christ! I beg my kind regards to Mrs. Woon, and am, Dear Sir,

Yours affectionately,
RICHARD WATSON.

Rev. W. Woon,
Wesleyan Missionary,
Tonga.

P.S. I advise you and all the brethren to read daily, with the Scriptures, books of stirring experimental piety. This is a very important means of grace.

ALEXANDER CRUIKSHANK. 7, Donegal-street, Belfast, April 29th, 1842.

Belfast, Dec. 30th, 1841. MY DEAR FRIEND,-We arrived in time at Quebec, all safe and well, to sail from thence in the "RoseBank," on the 1st of November, with a fair wind; but this soon changed, and we were eighteen days in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, beating about with contrary winds; so that we were one month and sixteen days before we arrived here. During

At

this time we were twice nearly wrecked, owing to foggy weather. Once we were water-logged for thirteen hours, and in imminent danger, having ten men constantly working at two pumps, with the water hourly increasing on us. We were well aware of our danger the entire night, from the rolling of water-barrels, and the falling of spars on the deck, when the storm was dreadful. about eleven in the morning of the 5th instant, the Captain informed us that the water had then risen to six feet, and was momentarily increasing; and that if it rose one foot more, the pumping must be given up, and the ship left to the winds and waters, as any further exertion to save it would be useless labour. He told us to prepare for the worst ; in which case every soul on board must be lashed to the rigging, (about thirty feet high above deck,) and that we should have some raw salt pork and a bottle of water. Being horrified at this, and unable to bear the thoughts of it, (not that I feared