souls that die without heirs, to put in something to this public treasury, when they see it is employed to such pious and honourable uses.

7. It will let in many wise and wealthy persons, to the church, that now stand out, because of the weakness of the preachers, and poverty of the people: they fearing that if they should come in, the charge of the place, pulpit, and poor, would be such a yoke upon them, as they could never get off. 8. Many that are hearers and well-wishers to us, will come into the collections (being a free-will offering) and will be glad of the occasion to shew their respects.

9. Thousands not looked upon, to be able to stand, charged in the poor's flock, come readily with their penny, as the widow did, and are much pleased at it.

10. Here is a succession of ministers secured for the poor churches, when we are dead and gone.

11. Here is an example to have the like done in all places, amongst, all people, which are under the like circumstances.

12. God will bless Zion's provision, so that the rich shall increase in substance, the poor shall have no want, there shall not, in a short time, be a beggar in Israel. Bring your tithes and offerings into my store-house (for my ministers and my poor) and try me, if I do not pour down blessings upon you, till there be not room enough to hold them. Mal. iii. 10, 11.

13. Some good 'member dying, possessed of an estate, and leaving only a wife, or but one child, not likely to live, may be induced (not knowing where the estate shall go, after the death of this single successor) to leave it to this public and pious use; inasmuch as it is not to be applied to the use of any single party, but employed for the good of the whole community.

14. And lastly, Even the gift of one penny, where no more can be spared, is highly valuable in the world to come. Mat. x. 42. Rev. xxii. 12.

So much for the matter of health and healing: now as to the method of collecting, and applying this sovereign medicament: it is proposed

1. That the members of every church, that are qualified for the collection, be computed.

2. That the case be laid before them, for their free and voluntary subscription.

3. That two or three be appointed by the church, as sub-collectors. 4. That one or two of every church be nominated, as chief-receivers, from the sub-collectors.

5. That one person, of wellknown and long approved integrity, having a good estate of his own, who is well situated in respect of habitation, and whose business and employ are that way disposed, be made receiver-general.

6. That six faithful brethren be impowered to meet one day in a week, and to spend one hour of that day, to receive all addresses for supplies, from any church.

7. That such address, by whomsoever made, be signed by four principal brethren of the church from whence it comes.

8. That these six brethren do sign an order under their hands to the general receiver, for the disbursement of such a sum as they think fit, which shall be his war

rant.

9. That he take an acquittance for such disbursements, and place it to account.

10. That once a year, the general receiver do give up his accounts to four, or all the six brethren, who shall have power to audit and pass the same. Exod. xviii, 23, And if you shall do this thing, and God shall command you so, then shall you heal, help, and save, from ruim

and decay, many churches of Jesus Christ. That you may so do, and be blessed in your deed, by that God, who is able to make all grace abound towards you, is the desire and prayer of your well-wishing, though younger brother J. C.

P.S. Be it known to all persons, to whom this epistle may come, that the design of it is not to remove old landmarks, viz. lessen or alter any allowance or subscriptions formerly made for the minister or the poor: but as an additional act, to supply what is wanting, and advance learning and piety.

The signs of care in many preachers'

looks,

Aloud proclaim their want of bread

and books.

The reprinting of this ancient document, may excite our gratitude for the preservation, improve. ment, and increase, of our churches. While the wonderful effects of a similar plan, more generally adopted, by the Wesleyan Methodists, may teach us, what happy consequences would have followed, if the plan here proposed, so long ago, had been more fully pursued by our forefathers, to whom it was recommended, in this epistle, and if their descendants had continued to act upon it to this present day. Persons of a truly candid mind will excuse the antiquated phraseology of a paper, written above a hundred and thirty years ago: I preferred letting the writer appear in his own dress, to making any alteration in his style. Many of our churches are beginning to imitate his plan, with regard to collections for the Mission, and have found it very productive.

QUERY.

J.R.

A correspondent, with the signature of Philomela, desires to be informed what is the true meaning of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

recorded in the 58th chapter, and 2d verse; and inquires how it was that if they were hypocrites, they could take delight in the ordinances and ways of God?

ANECDOTE OF JOHN BUNYAN. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in sight of the keeper of the prison.

The respectability of Mr. Bun yan's character, and the propriety of his conduct, while in prison, at Bedford, appear to have operated very powerfully on the mind of the jailer; who shewed him much kindness, in permitting him to go out and visit his friends, occasionally, and once, to take a journey to London.

The following anecdote is told respecting the jailer and Mr. Bunyan. "It being known to some of the persecuting prelates, in Lon don, that he was often out of prison, they sent out an officer to talk with the jailer, on the subject: and in order to find him out, he was to get there in the middle of the night. Mr. Bunyan was at home with his family, but so restless that he could not sleep; he therefore acquainted his wife that, though the jailer had given him liberty to stay till the morning, yet, from his uneasiness, he must immediately return. He did so, and the jailer blamed him for coming in at such an unseasonable hour. Early in the morning the messenger came, and interrogating the jailer, said, Are all the prisoners safe? Yes. Is John Bunyan safe? Yes. Let me see him. He was called, and appeared, and all was well. After the messenger was gone, the jailer, addressing Mr. Bunyan, said, Well, you may go in and out again, just when you think proper, for you know when to return better than I can tell you. Ivimey's Life of Bunyan.

my

God and Saviour for this day.” Thus, like the eunuch, she went on her way rejoicing. She afterwards met with persecution from the ungodly around her, but in the general, she was carried above it, rejoicing that she was accounted worthy to suffer shame for Christ's sake. Her attendance on the means of grace was uniform and serious; she appeared to find the word of God and eat it, and it was the joy and rejoicing of her soul. When certain professors tried to draw her aside, and poison her mind, she would either turn a deaf ear, or reply, "O let us be thankful for the gospel which God has sent among an unworthy people." And in reference to those attempts, she said to a friend a few days before she died, "Blessed be God, they never moved me at all.”

heart, while he attended the ministry of the General Baptists, at Ford, about five miles from Crendon. Here he was baptized about the 20th year of his age, and his mother and himself were both received members of the church. For some time after this, he was a strenuous advocate for the Arminian doctrines; but at length he was convinced of his error by the careful perusal of John vi. 37. From that time, to his death, he strongly maintained the doctrines commonly called Calvinistic. He often spoke with animated feelings of this memorable period. About this time, Mr. Simmons, now of Wigan, preached at Ford, but for advancing Calvinistic sentiments, was expelled, and Mr. H. left the society, saying, "that the truth was gone

with Mr. S. and he must follow it." This took place about the year 1788. Mr. H. then joined a small society of the Particular Baptist denomination, at Gibraltar, a small village about two miles from Ford; together with the late Rev. J. Clement, of Tring, and others. A few wealthy individuals formed a plan for the erection of a place of worship there. But this was laid aside, and Mr. Clement afterwards preached at Tring, where his labours proved very acceptable and useful to the end of his days. After this, one of the persons before alluded to, erected the Baptist Meeting house, at Waddesdon hill, in the same county, and Mr. H. became a member of the Baptist church there. Here he was called occasionally to preach in the villages, and for some time afterwards he preached once a fortnight at Ford, with great acceptance and considerable success. He also served the Baptist Church at Aylesbury, about six months; till he began to preach at Crendon. The circumstances which led to the formation of the church at Crendon, were as