are so commonly held, (the proper legal denomination of which may, in some cases, be questionable,) it seems desirable to use terms which will charge with the payment all property which can by law be charged.

With great deference, I submit that the recommendation at the foot of page 10, of the Missionary Report for 1840,

should be altered; the legacy, on failure of the stock, should be directed to be paid out of such part of the residue of the testator's personal estate as he may legally, by his will, charge with the payment thereof. JOHN L. HAIGH. Selby, Yorkshire, Jan. 16th, 1841.

MR. BENSON's Life of Fletcher has been translated into German, and published in Germany, with a preface by Dr. Tholuck. The following extracts from the preface will, we trust, be highly interesting and acceptable to our readers. -EDIT.

WE should know nothing of the fairest and most excellent fruits of the Gospel, if we had no Christian biographies. We must, therefore, consider a rich supply of Christian biographies as the best part, not only of the ascetical, but of the apologetical, literature of a nation. The beginning has already been made among us, to transplant into our soil the treasures which the English ascetical literature possesses in this respect. We have translations of the Lives of Martyn, Thomas Scott, Doddridge, &c.: but they are only weak firstlings when we compare them with the rich harvest which we may yet earn; for there is none of the English or American denominations which has not erected biographical monuments for their distinguished Ministers. Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and even the Friends, possess, in great number, highly interesting and edifying biographies of their good men and women. And there is a peculiar circumstance which gives an unusual interest to those biographies. One might fear there would be a tedious uniformity, if no extraordinary events in their lives should distinguish one person from the other, and give to each a peculiar interest, inasmuch as the inward life, or Christian experience, in everything essential, must be the same, and the distinguishing shades could not be accurately delineated by a biographer. This difficulty is avoided by the universal custom of the pious English to keep religious journals. In these journals every one reveals before God, in his peculiar way, bis inmost soul; here we find important moments of life, whose peculiar effects would have died away with the memory of the individual, preserved for the edification of the church; here we find tri

fling occurrences of common life connected with the all-important history of the inner man. Without these journals, which most of the English saints have left behind, it would have been impossible to write so many important, charming, and instructive Christian biographies. Besides these living testimonies, we have a great number of religious letters, which the Christians in England and America are wont to write.

To those biographies which let us look into the inmost life of sanctified souls, belong those of the Rev. Mr. Fletcher and his wife. They exhibit a life before and in God, as it ought to be the foundation of the outward and inward life of every Christian; they show us earnestness of self-examination, and a zeal for growth in truth and grace, which cannot fail to fill every reader with shame. Let us hear, respecting Mr. Fletcher, the testimony of a man, who is accustomed never to praise a Methodist without haughtiness_the___ celebrated English poet, Southey. He says, "No age or country has ever produced a man of more fervent piety, or more perfect charity; no Church has ever possessed a more apostolical Minister." And the Rev. John Wesley, who had been intimately acquainted with him for a long series of years, testifies in his last years of him: In eighty years I have become acquainted with mary distinguished men of a pure heart and holy conversation; but never have I seen one who was like him, who has been so devoted to, and so united with, the Lord. A man so unblamable in every respect I have no seen, either in England or America; and I doubt if I shall find one like him this side of eternity." I had scarcely read the biography of Fletcher, in England, when my heart wished that we possessed, in Germany, a translation of it. A friend of mine, whom I made acquainted with the book after my return, and to whose inner man it had also communicated strengthening food, participated in my feelings; and, during a period in which a long bodily affliction prevented him

from fulfilling his official duties, he employed his leisure hours in translating this work into our language.

I cannot but accompany this translation with my warmest wishes, that Fletcher's Life may become to many of us, and especially to young Clergymen, a

mirror, by which we might become savingly humbled, and powerfully en. couraged.

Such is the sensation produced by the Life of Fletcher in one of the most learned men of Germany.

SINCE we wrote our last "Christian Retrospect," the clouds that were then gathering on the political horizon, though by no means dispersed, have been yet so far broken as to allow a cheerful light to shine upon our prospects, and to justify the hope that we shall not be called to witness a renewal of the demoralizing calamities of war. Except in France, and even there among the more valuable portion of society,-a strengthening conviction prevails that it is not only the interest, but the duty, of nations to labour for the preservation of peace. Disputes and provocations far less numerous and irritating than those which have recently occurred, would have been, not many years ago, amply sufficient to set one half of Europe against the other. The recollection of the price at which even successful hostilities are to be purchased, may have disposed some to peace; but we are persuaded that, in addition, other and higher causes are at work, and that war is avoided not only because it is injurious, but because it is wrong.

From our own colonies we are glad to learn that the agitations which not long ago threatened the tranquillity of some, and most painfully interrupted it in others, appear to be subsiding; and that both in Canada, and the West Indies, Her Majesty's subjects seem to be agreeing to direct their attention to those methods of internal regulation, which, while securing their legally-recognised rights, shall neither deny, nor interfere with, the sovereignty of the parent state; and which, while increasing their own prosperity, shall add to their value as colonial dependencies.

From India, too, the intelligence is pleasing. The hostilities with which

our empire there was threatened on some of its more distant frontiers, are yielding to British prowess or diplomacy; and not only are the millions of our Indian subjects likely to enjoy in peace that security of life and property which the rule of their native Princes seldom even attempted to bestow; but, to the Christians of Britain, divine Providence still affords the undisturbed opportunity of spreading, by all proper means, that holy knowledge without which no people were ever yet permanently great, and with which, if properly improved, the inha bitants of Hindostan shall gradually, but certainly, be raised to the level of their most favoured brethren in the west.

The information received from China, as far as it goes, is favourable. What the issue of negotiation will be, it were vain even to attempt to conjecture. The great fact before the Christian public is, that hitherto China has succeeded in all her plans for keeping herself free from what is properly Christian influence. For this, therefore, especially at the present time, must earnest prayer be made, that the Lord God Omnipotent may open "a great door and effectual," through the hinderances by which Satan has surrounded his seat, and intrenched his position, among the almost countless inhabitants of that vast and hitherto unyielding empire.

The "Egyptian question" seems to be at length on the eve of final and satisfactory adjustment. Now that the danger of a general European war is, we hope, passing away, we may express our conviction, that recent events will be productive of the most important conse quences both as to Turkey and Egypt. The power of Mahommedan obstinacy, we know, is very great; and

hitherto, by steadily resisting all direct communication with western Europe, the followers of the false prophet have kept themselves from all comparisons except such as human vanity and selflove made in their own favour. But the circumstances in which both the Sultan and the Pasha have been placed, have, if not broken down, yet shaken, that partition-wall behind which the Turks have endeavoured to sit in contented apathy, scornfully regardless of the improvement of their neighbours. Mahommedanism is a system of ignorant fatalism; never safe except, as in its earlier days, it is precipitating itself with resistless fury on all who would oppose its progress; or, as in its present period of decadence and decrepitude, dwelling in dark and stagnant seclusion. Light and activity are both hostile to its continuance; and therefore do we look on recent occurrences as steps whereby the wrath of man shall ultimately be made to promote the praise of God, in the extension of the kingdom of his well-beloved Son.

The "pacific results," which, in our last Retrospect, we "hopefully anticipated" from the "change of administration in France," continue to be realized. Devotedly as we love our country, yet we trust it is not under the influence of a partial prejudice that we have noticed the strongly-marked difference between the general state of opinion in France and England, as shown in the public papers of each country respectively. In France, although the warparty appears to have thrown off all the restraints of principle, and even of interest; yet very largely does the country sympathize with it, especially in its almost insane hatred of England; while in England the language of the press has been, with scarcely an excep tion, not only calm, forbearing, and rational, but even dignified. We have noticed this with great thankfulness. It shows both the power and extent of Christian principle. Defective or inefficient as, on some occasions, public opinion has proved itself to be, yet such events as these operate in the manner

of chemical tests, and bring to view what was latent and unnoticed before. In England, Christianity is not only generally understood, but so publicly and officially recognised, that the examination of given questions, like these, can scarcely fail to be, in great measure, governed and concluded by its principles ;—principles which, sooner or later, will unite all nations in one peaceful and happy fraternity; and which, even in their comparative infancy, call for mutual forbearance and respect.

We wish no ill to France. The true prosperity of no one country requires the depression of another. But because we wish for her, as well as for ourselves, all the blessings of divine Providence and grace, therefore do we wish her full and speedy deliverance from the mistaken opinions by which she is but too generally governed. Forty or fifty years ago her now-active politicians were infants, just beginning to imbibe the principles which were to form their future character, and direct the proceedings of their manhood. And just then, and for a few years previously, society was thoroughly pervaded with irreligion and atheism. Things spiritual were scorned; things sensible constituted the entire world of rich and poor. And these constituted the rules and objects of educa tion. The whole youth of France was trained up in ignorance of God, in proud impatience of superiority and restraint, and in that devoted attachment to earthly pleasures which allowed in the heart no rival but the passion for martial glory. Such was the education of too many of the seniors of France. Such have been the teachers of the youth just now starting into active life there. Let the result be seen in the popularity of the late Minister, whose whole policy was to urge the people to clamour for war.

We do not mention these things exultingly; but they are facts which no Christian Retrospect can overlook. There is, however, even in France, a portion of the better leaven, as among ourselves there is only too much of that which is worse. Our earnest prayers

should be addressed at the throne of the heavenly grace, that what is but "a handful of corn on the top of the mountain," may be so blessed and multiplied, that "the fruit thereof may shake like Lebanon." And it should be our care, so far as our influence extends, that religion, in that extent in which it is judged proper to connect it with education, should be connected with it clearly and decidedly. The newspapers and general literature of France show too plainly what are the results of secular and irreligious education, to allow any Christian patriot to wish the experiment to be tried in England. In fact, society is chiefly benefited by the education which teaches its members how to act, and which disciplines and purifies, as well as enlightens, the mind. Men may be very vicious, as well as very knowing.

Before this meets the eye of the reader, the British Parliament will have assembled. The piety of our ancestors

provided that, during the parliamentary session, special prayer should be offered to God in all our established churches. Never was such prayer more necessary than now; and whether by the use of the prescribed form, or otherwise, we do hope that, through the length and breadth of the land, all who love their country, and wish well to the world, will pray for the "High Court of Parliament," that God "would be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of his glory, the good of his church, and the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign and her dominions;" that "all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations."

January 23d, 1841.

OCT. 5th, 1840.-At Selby, Mary Lockwood, aged seventy-three. She was awakened from the sleep of sin, and led to Christ for salvation, when about sixty years of age. She united herself to the Methodist society, attended the means of grace, and profited much. Her affliction was difficult to be borne; but she was graciously supported. She delighted in pious conversation, expressed her cheerful acquiescence in the divine will, looked to eternity with joy, and fell asleep in Jesus. R. T.

Oct. 7th.-At Chartham, in the Canterbury Circuit, John Stubberfield, in the ninety-first year of his age. He had been a consistent member of the Methodist society more than thirty years. About twenty-six years since, he invited the Canterbury Preachers, the Rev. Joseph Taylor, and John Brown, sen., to preach at his house, and became very active in inviting his neighbours to hear. The blessing of God so attended the word, that many souls were quickened, and brought to the knowledge of the truth. In consequence of this, a chapel was erected, and a society formed, in the village; from which have been raised up seven Local Preachers, two of whom are his own sons. He long kindly received the Preachers into his house, was eminently a man of prayer, and died in sure and certain hope of everlasting life. B. A.

Oct. 14th.-At Bainbridge, in the Middleham Circuit, James Mason, aged fifty-six. For more than forty years he lived in a state of alienation

from God. Having entered the army, he was seven years Sergeant in the First Scotch Royals, and twice Orderly to the Duke of Kent. About twenty-two years ago he was chosen Governor of the Bainbridge workhouse; the duties of which office he discharged with great fidelity, to the entire satisfaction of those who appointed him, and the comfort of the inmates. About eleven years ago he was convinced of sin. He yielded to the strivings of the Spirit; and sought and found mercy through the atoning blood of Christ. He then became a member of the Wesleyan society; and some time before his death he was appointed a Class-Leader, a Trustee, Society and Chapel Steward. He took a deep interest in the cause of religion; and under his roof the Preachers met with a hospitable home. His last illness was short, and his end was peaceful. His strict integrity, and his death, fully accord with the declaration, "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace."

J. S.

Oct. 15th.-Aged twenty-eight years, Jane Adlam Shutter, wife of Mr. James Shutter, Local Preacher, of Box, in the Bath Circuit. Her maiden name was Rowe; and her pious parents were the means of introducing, though against much opposition, Wesleyan Methodism into that village. As early as eight or nine years of age, she became a subject of deep religious impressions, which never left her. She joined the Wesleyan society about eight years ago, and, in the year 1836, was made a happy partaker of