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the European nations, for its moral and political amelioration. The protection afforded by the four Powers against the oppressions of its rulers; the profession of the Romish and the Greek faith by some of the tribes; the recently-increased commercial relations with Europe; and the claim of the Druses to be descended from English Crusaders;-these, with many other circumstances, have disposed the Syrians to look to this, and to other foreign nations, for sympathy and support; and a small expenditure of money and trouble may, in Syria, meet with the largest return.

Of all the blessings which England might, out of her abundance, impart to the Syrians, the one which they most desire and appreciate,-is medical skill. The natives who profess medicine are utterly ignorant of the science, and are, generally, of the meanest capacity. Dr. Bowring, in his Report, states, that "while travelling with Clot Bey, and stopping at Beilan, near Antioch, the Governor and all the principal people being present, we found that the knowledge of any preservative against the small-pox had not yet penetrated; and we were listened to with delight, when we explained to the auditory the effect of the Jennerian discovery." And whenever an European who practises medicine appears, his steps are thronged with eager applicants; and his person is sacred, even to the predatory Arabs.

Lady Francis Egerton, in her recentlyprinted" Journal of a Tour in the Holy Land," says, "The poor people all over the country are in sad misery, for want of medical advice; and they flock to such travellers as are in company with a Physician. There is no such thing as a medical man in all Syria; nor do the people appear to have any local knowledge of herbs even, a knowledge which, in many uncivilized nations, often supplies the place of medicine to a certain degree."

Mr. Farren, who resided for several years as British Consul-General at Damascus, in a communication to the Society, to which reference will shortly be made, states: "In that country, no hospitals, dispensaries, infirmaries, or public charities exist, to receive the diseased, the mendicant, the orphan, or the helpless widow. Sympathy can but offer prayer and hope; while sickness preys unchecked upon its victims, without science to eradicate, or benevolence to alleviate, it."

Assaad Yacob Kayat, a native of Syria, now engaged in connexion with the Sy

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Another native of Syria writes thus: "In regard to the necessity of having a hospital in Syria, I need say but very little in all that country there is not a single one. All their Doctors-or what I should call quacks-often kill, instead of cure. Many a time did I witness the horrible way patients are treated.”

Many other similar testimonies might be quoted. To alleviate these painful circumstances, a Society has recently been formed, entitled the "Syrian Medical-Aid Association," for the purpose of sending out, in the first instance, a Surgeon or Physician, with an Assistant, and a store of drugs, &c. It is proposed that he shall visit the indigent sick gratuitously. While it is not intended that he should make any direct Missionary effort, it is considered indispensable that he should be a person of a decidedly Christian character; and who would thankfully avail himself of every opportunity to invite those, whom he might find favourably disposed, to have recourse to the Saviour, the Physician of souls. It is hoped that he will thus become a valuable pioneer to the labours of Assaad Kayat, and other Agents of the Syrian-Education or kindred societies; the local knowledge of whom will open to him continual opportunities of usefulness.

In this manner it is anticipated, that, under the providence of God,

I. Much suffering and misery will be relieved, and one of the greatest of earthly blessings will be conferred upon the Syrian people.

II. Our national character will be favourably exhibited. In the place where England's voice was lately heard in the roar of cannon and the cries of the wounded, it will now find its way to the bedside of the sick and dying, in the gentle accents of pity and relief.

III. This manifestation of Christian

benevolence may win a favourable hearing for those who shall come to teach the divine principles, of which such a practical exemplification will have been thus presented.

IV. A benefit will be conferred on resident European merchants and travellers; many of whom fall victims to disease, for want of competent medical advice. The medical agent will be allowed to receive payment for services rendered to these classes.

To these benefits may be added the probable advantages of more closely studying, with the view to prevention and treatment, the plague, and other terrible diseases, which yearly destroy thousands in Syria and the adjoining countries.

The proceedings of the public Meet

ing, and the names of the Patrons and Committee, are subjoined.

It only remains to call upon the public to render liberal pecuniary assistance, of which the Committee will endeavour to be faithful stewards. It will be remembered, that to "heal the sick" was one of the ministerial charges given to the Apostles; and that some of the most affecting incidents in our Saviour's ministrations are associated with this exercise of his divine power and benevolence. A holier and more beneficent crusade is now submitted to the friends of Syria and of the cross, than that for which myriads of Englishmen once abandoned their families and their country, and a brother of the Sovereign of England mortgaged the crown of Normandy.

POPERY

AT a time when so much is said of "Popery and Puseyism," any authentic illustration of the real principles of either will be read with interest. We have just received (by the kind attention of a friend) the following proclamation of the Popish Bishop of Malta. The paper from which we copy the article appears to be an official document, having what we suppose are the Archiepiscopal arms at the top, and being printed in Maltese on one side, and in English on the other. And it is to this Maltese Popery, that British Protestant soldiers are to be compelled to pay military honours!-EDIT.

WE, Don Francis Xaverius Caruana, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See, Archbishop of Rhodes, Bishop of Malta, Domestic Prelate of our most holy Lord, Gregory XVI., by divine Providence, and Assistant to the Pontifical throne, &c., &c.

We having with much and grievous affliction of our heart been informed of the numerous offences which some of the indigent class have committed, by frequenting the houses of the Methodists, with the view of obtaining from them alms, and thereby entering meanwhile into their room, (lodge,) and there hearing sermons, which these masters of error purposely aim to address to them, in order to propagate their sect, and thus to corrupt the faith of those Maltese who, mainly through ignorance, go to them: We, to whom the Lord, by his divine mercy, has specially entrusted the deposit of the faith, that it may be preserved immaculate in these islands, as it was

IN MALTA.

are

communicated to us from our apostolic father St. Paul, who here preached it, cannot, in these deplorable circumstances, without betraying our pastoral ministry, abstain from raising our voice, and loudly exclaiming against an offence which, if it continue to prevail, will without fail bring down on us from heaven other visitations still more terrible than the great drought with which we are at present afflicted. But whither will our voice reach, unless the parochial Priests, the Preachers, and Confessors, who workers together with us in the vineyard of the Lord, unite with us, by exhorting, reproving, and correcting those who have thus dishonoured their Catholic profession? It is on this account, dearly beloved brethren in Christ Jesus, that, by our present pastoral, we earnestly exhort you in the Lord, as far as you can, to exercise that zeal which so greatly distinguishes you, in order to turn away from so dangerous a vicinity as many as have thus frequented the houses of the Methodists, by reminding them that relief for the wants of the body is not to be sought where the eternal salvation of the soul is endangered; and that the highest and most horrible offence is committed against the God of providence by him who dares to ask alms, at the cost of injuring and dishonouring his holy Catholic religion, which, as the only true religion, cannot in any manner tolerate the hearing of the divine word, even in the simplicity of the holy Scriptures, except from the lips of its own Ministers, to whom only, as successors of the Apostles, Jesus Christ formerly entrusted the office of preaching; whilst in his Gos

pel he characterizes as false Prophets all who shall have preached out of his church. Thus much we expect from your experienced piety, most beloved brethren,

whilst we impart to you our pastoral benediction.

Given at Valetta, in the Archbishop's palace, the 20th October, 1841.

CHRISTIAN RETROSPECT.

THE accounts which have been recently received of the Niger Expedition, it will be perceived, are very unfavourable, and such as even cast a gloom upon this noble enterprise of Christian benevolence. Great sickness and mortality have prevailed among the seamen and officers of the vessels, so as to render the ultimate success of the undertaking matter of painful anxiety. In the mean while there are men, professing to be actuated by feelings of humanity, who utter the bitterest invectives against the parties who formed this plan for the civilization of Africa, a country upon which for ages the greatest injuries have been remorselessly inflicted. Nor is this at all surprising. There have always been men who would sacrifice property, and even life, to any extent, for the attainment of secular objects, but would risk nothing for the moral and spiritual good of mankind. They reserve their sympathy and tears, not for the millions who are slain in savage warfare, and who are sold into slavery worse than death, but for the generous individuals who fall in the compassionate attempt to lessen the sum of human misery, and confer the most substantial benefits upon whole nations. It may please God for a season, in the wise dispensations of his providence, to subject the faith and perseverance of Africa's friends to a severe and painful test; but the irrevocable word has passed the lips of the Almighty Father of the human race, that all flesh shall see his salvation. Africa, with all her degraded and injured tribes, shall so stretch out her hands unto God, as to share in the blessings of civilized life, and in the more substantial good which the Gospel of his mercy reveals. Nor shall those who have laboured, and not fainted, to prepare the way for this mighty change, be without their appropriate reward.

Considerable excitement at present prevails among the members of the University of Oxford concerning the election of a Professor of Poetry in that seat of learning. Dr. Pusey and his friends have put into nomination, for this post of influence and honour, Mr. Williams, a strenuous advocate of their opinions, and the well-known author of some of the very worst of the anti-Protestant "Tracts for the Times," and of some poetical compositions, written in the spirit of a silly Monk of the dark ages. The friends of Protestantism have proposed Mr. Garbett, as the type and defender of the principles of the Reformation. The contest is to be decided early in February next. In itself this election is a matter of small moment, and under ordinary circumstances would have scarcely been noticed by the public; but as a trial of strength between two great parties, it possesses an absorbing and general interest. It is a monitory indication of the rapid spread of the Pusey heresy, that its adherents deem themselves sufficiently numerous to carry a public election against the men who take the formularies of the Church of England in their designed and obvious sense.

If the doctrines of the Oxford Tractarians were matters of mere opinion, their propagation might be regarded with indifference; but they compromise some of the most vital points of evangelical truth; they change the very nature and substance of Christianity; and they affect the dearest rights of British subjects, undermining the foundations of civil and religious liberty. These men deny the right of private judgment, and claim, for what they call "the Church," a power to coerce the consciences of men, as to what they shall believe, and the manner in which they shall worship God. The regal dynasty of England was changed in the year 1688, that the nation might

be freed from Papal tyranny. From that period, the Monarchy has been avowedly Protestant; and, in accepting the crown, an oath has been solemnly imposed and taken, before both God and the nation, that the wearer should uphold the Protestant religion, as by law established. The manner in which the party are accustomed to speak on these subjects is matter of notoriety, to all who have looked into their publications. They stigmatize the Revolution as a "rebellion;" they canonize the non-juring Clergy, who refused to acknowledge the Protestant Monarchs as their lawful Sovereigns; and they are unbounded in the praises of Archbishop Laud, whose bloody acts, as a persecutor of the Puritans, constitute some of the foulest stains of English history. When the principles and restless activity of the Tractarian Clergy are viewed in connexion with the revived spirit of Popery, both at home and abroad, they certainly afford just ground of alarm. That antichristian error, in all its forms, will ultimately disappear, and scriptural Christianity universally prevail and triumph, is attested by the "sure word of prophecy;" but before this promised state of things shall be introduced, it is not at all improbable that persecution, even in its severest forms, may test the characters of many who have no apprehension of danger. The language and spirit of the Anglo-Catholics are precisely those of the Vatican. Our readers are not altogether unacquainted with the fulminations against "Bible Societies" and "sectarians" which have of late years issued from the "triple Tyrant;" and Mr. Palmer, one of the Oxford writers, in a pamphlet which he has just published, in the same manner anathematizes the very name and principle of Protestantism, with the Church of Scotland, and every Protestant Church upon the European continent. Thus "the Philistine cursed David by his gods."

heart, and see that it be right with God and then let him resolve, by the grace of God, to sacrifice ease, and honour, and even life itself, rather than betray the cause of liberty and truth, which has been committed to British Christians, both by God and their martyred fathers, in trust for the world's benefit and salvation. Our hope is perfect, that the spiritual children of the venerable John Wesley, however calumniated, will never succumb to Papal Rome. They are pledged to the Protestant institutions of the country; but not to Popery in any of its modifications. Their motto, we trust, will ever be, "No peace with Rome." There must be no compromise. The command is absolute. "Come out of her, my people; that ye be not partakers of her plagues." If there is any truth in prophecy, she is doomed to destruction as the great patron and support of soul-destroying error, and the bloody persecutor of the saints of Jesus.

For several months the depression of trade, and the consequent sufferings of the poor in the manufacturing districts, have been subjects of loud and just complaint; and those sufferings must now be considerably aggravated by the season of the year. The attention of all classes is eagerly directed to the reassembling of Parliament, which will take place in a few weeks, in the hope that some means of effectual and permanent relief will be devised. Let prayer be offered to God, that he will direct the counsels of the Legislature, and so overrule all events, as that the wants of the destitute may be supplied, and their hearts filled with food and gladness. Meanwhile, let not the more affluent forget their obligations as the stewards of God, the great Proprietor of all things. No duty has he urged in his word with greater frequency than that of bounty to the poor. This is generally a season of festivity, when friends, and members of the same family, meet, and enjoy the rich delights of social intercourse. O let them think upon the destitute, for whom nothing is provided! and, by the seasonable distribution of

In the present state of things it behoves every lover of God and of his truth, to prepare for the approaching conflict. Let him examine his own VOL. XXI. Third Series. JANUARY, 1842.

F

food and clothing, command the blessing of those that are ready to perish, and cause the widow's heart to sing for joy. They will thus prepare for that strict

account, the expectation of which is sufficient to make the stoutest heart quail and tremble.

London, Dec. 21st, 1841.

RECENT DEATHS.

JUNE 27th, 1841.-At Elvington, in the Pocklington Circuit, Mrs. Bowman. She was a subject of serious impressions, and had the fear of God before her eyes, from her youth. Many times she resolved to be his; but her resolutions failed. The Spirit of God, however, strove so powerfully with her, that she could not rest. In 1832 a friend of hers was to all appearance on the borders of eternity. For her Mrs. Bowman was deeply distressed, under the impression that her friend would be lost for ever. Just then the inquiry came powerfully, as if some one had uttered the words, "Are you prepared to die?" She now became greatly alarmed for herself. Her friend, for whom she had felt so much, found peace with God, and rejoiced in Christ. Mrs. Bowman saw the extraordinary change which God had wrought in her, and determined not to rest till she enjoyed the same blessing. The Lord, who is ever ready to save, heard her prayer, and applied those words to her mind, "Arise, shine, for thy light is come; and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." She was enabled to believe in Christ her Saviour; her burden of guilt was taken away; peace and joy filled her heart; and she could say, with humble confidence," Abba, Father! Naturally of a timid disposition, and a subject of nervous debility, she was at times harassed with fears and temptations; but she wrestled with God in prayer; and, through faith in Christ, generally enjoyed peace, and walked in the fear of the Lord, and comfort of the Holy Ghost. She held in high estimation all those who feared and loved God. For her husband and children she felt great anxiety, and offered up many prayers for their conversion and salvation. For some weeks before her death, she who had often been full of fear became strong in confidence. Every doubt was removed, and she had undisturbed peace. The sting of death was taken away. She had much enjoyment of the divine love, and great tranquillity of mind. No anxiety was felt by her as to her family, or the things of this life. She remained in a state of great peace and resignation, till she fell asleep in Jesus. Her husband has lost a kind and affectionate wife; her children, a tender mother; the church, a zealous and attached member; and the poor, a sympathizing and generous friend. L. B.

July 1st.-At Sunderland, Mrs. Isabella Parker, in the forty-fifth year of her age. She was a subject of deep religious impressions from her early childhood. In the year 1821 she became a regular attendant on the Wesleyan ministry, and shortly after was induced to join the society. She met in class upwards of twelve

months before she obtained the knowledge of salvation by the remission of her sins; but from that time, to the day of her death, she retained a constant evidence of her acceptance with God. Her piety was deep and uniform; and she adorned, in all things, the doctrine of God our Saviour. In the domestic circle her piety shone with peculiar lustre. As a wife, "the heart of her husband did safely trust in her;" and as a mother, she faithfully and affectionately taught her children the doctrine and discipline of the Lord. In all her affliction her mind was kept in perfect peace; and she died in joyful hope of a blissful immortality. T. H. S.

August 10th.-At Burringham, in the Epworth Circuit, Mr. John Rusling, an old disciple. He was brought to God on the 14th of April, 1782, and united himself to the Wesleyan society. The same year he preached his first sermon, and laboured as a Local Preacher for the space of fifty-nine years, and was acceptable and useful. After the sudden death of Mr. Dawson, he told his daughter, he thought he should go in the same way. He attended his class on the last evening of his life, and expressed his pleasure in the choice he had made, and his unshaken confidence in God, through Jesus Christ. He retired to rest. In the morning his daughter thought he lay rather longer than usual, went up to his chamber, and found him seated on the carpet, with his head reclined on the bed, as if in a sound sleep. E. A.

Sept. 23d.-At Sacriston Colliery, in the Durham Circuit, Robert Marshall, aged fifty-one years. He was truly brought to God when about twenty years of age, and was enabled thenceforth to walk humbly with God. Ten years after his conversion, he became more deeply convinced of his need of entire sanctification, and set himself steadfastly to seek the richer benefit, as he had sought for pardon, through faith in the atonement. He did not long seek in vain; but whilst pleading for this blessing, he consciously received it, and to the end of his life both professed and enjoyed it. His whole deportment, both in his family, in the world, and in the church, was consistent with his profession. He was likewise a useful Class-Leader and Sunday-school Teacher. His illness, which was occasioned by a blow received in his occupation as a smith, was short and painful; but he was divinely supported, and declared that he had a hope blooming with immortality and eternal life. J. S.

Oct. 21st.-At Presteigne, in the Kington Cir

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