Fortunatus had so much good instruction, that when he thought at all, on serious things, he was always afraid of death and judgment. As he advanced in years his conscience was disturbed. The Spirit of God made him feel that he was awfully guilty! He saw that he had not only broken the laws of God, and of his parents, but that he had a bad heart; that he was a poor, sinful, polluted creature, and in the utmost danger of perishing for ever! With deep solicitude he cried out, "What shall I do to be saved? God be merciful to me a sinner."

The holy Scriptures, which he had been taught to read from his childhood, though he had read them in a very thoughtless manner, appeared to contain the words of eternal life. He saw that they opened a door of hope to the ill-deserving, to the penitent believing sinner, and that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He heard Him cry from the mercy seat, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

He humbly hoped that he accepted the offer. In many things, evidently, he became a new creature; old things were done away, and all things became new! He was no longer "the foolish son" who was "the heaviness of his mother;" but the solace of both his parents in their declining years. He loved and honoured them. After their sun had long set, he remembered them, and mourned their absence. It always gave him great sorrow to think of the pain his disobedience caused them when a little boy; especially his kind and faithful mother. Whenever he saw children disobedient to parents, he thought much of their sin and danger. He wished they would all learn this text by heart: The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pluck it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

Whenever he saw parents, who, from a false tenderness to their children, suffered them to violate their laws, especially the laws of God, he used to pity them, and to repeat the following divine aphorisms: He that spareth his rod, hateth his son. The rod is for the back of fools. Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beatest him with a rod he shall not die. Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

Reflections.

1. Parents, as the natural guardians of their children, ought to watch them with great care; christian parents have solemnly bound themselves to do it; and whenever they threaten to punish, in case of disobedience, they must learn to keep their own word, if they would hope to maintain any proper government.

2. If it is of importance for parents when they threaten to keep their word, they ought to be cautious about threatening. They should invariably be guided by sound reason, and the word of God. They should threaten nothing, but what they ought to do, in view of death, judgment, and eternity. Nothing should be threatened in a passionnothing, merely because the parent has power and can punish, but because the law of God, and the principles of eternal right require it. The prohibitions should be such, that if it were possible for parents and

children to change places, it would be proper for the children to impose on their parents.

3. If parents would only maintain uniformity of conduct, in restraining, instructing, reproving, and correcting their children, they would have reason to hope, that however long they might be tried, the divine blessing would eventually crown their labours with success.

Children may discover awful depravity, and show that they are led captive by Satan at his will; but still their state is not hopeless, so long as the day and means of grace are continued.

It is infinitely easy for God, by the influences of His Spirit, to renew their hearts, and cause them to act in a rational, dignified, and christian manner; and not only to be anxious for their own salvation, but ardently desirous that the religion of the cross may be handed down from generation to generation till the Lord shall come.

SENEX.

THE INDIAN CHIEFS.

From the London Youth's Magazine, December, 1321.

THE writer of this was present at a dinner given by General Knox, to a number of Indians, in the year 1789, at New-York; they had come to the president on a mission from their nations. The house was in

Broadway. A little before dinner, two or three of the Sachems, with their chief or principal man, went into the balcony at the front of the house, the drawing room being up stairs. From this, they had a view of the city, the harbour and Long Island. After remaining there a short time, they returned into a room apparently dejected, but the chief more than the rest. General Knox took notice of it, and said to him, "Brother! what has happened to you?-You look sorry; is there any thing to distress you?" He answered, "I'll tell you, brother; I have been looking at your beautiful city, the great water, your fine country, and see how you all are. But then, I could not help thinking, that this fine country, and this great water, were once ours. Our ancestors lived here, they enjoyed it as their own place, it was the gift of the Great Spirit to them and their children. At last the white people came here in a great canoe-they asked only to let them tie it to a tree, lest the waters should carry it away; we consented-they then said some of their people were sick, and asked permission to land, and put them under the shades of the trees. The ice then came, and they could not go away-they then begged for a piece of land to build wigwams for the winter; we granted it to them-they then asked for some corn to keep them from starving; we kindly furnished it them-they promised to go away when the ice was gone-when this happened, we told them to go away with their big canoe; but they pointed to their big guns round their wigwams, and said they would stay there, and we could not make them go away; afterwards more came-they brought spiritous and intoxicating liquors with them, of which the Indians became very fondthey persuaded us to sell them some land. Finally, they drove us back, from time to time, into the wilderness, far from the water, and fish, and oysters: they have destroyed the game; our people have wasted

supplied or destitute, in which there is not a number who have commenced the solemn work of seeking the salvation of their souls. The work extends to all christian denominations—and whilst the friends of this work are active and combining their efforts, its enemies are rallying, and uniting in resistance to the spirit of God."

"At the Harbour the number is small; at Watertown it is larger; at Adams it is still larger, and at Rodman the greatest number of converts is supposed to have been made. Perhaps the whole number of hopeful subjects of this extensive work does not exceed 400. The work is more like the refreshing and silent breeze than the roaring wind-like the gentle dew than the powerful rain.

"But whilst there is cause for joy, there are causes for sorrow. Our country is new and destitute-ministers of the gospel are few, some of that few are young and inexperienced. Such feel their weakness and cry for help the anxious inquirer, who has no guide, calls for help-and shall these calls be unavailing? Much more can be done in this region at this time in one month, than in a careless region in twelve. 'Who will come up to the help of the Lord.""

In another letter it is said, "in Pittsfield and the neighbouring towns the work still goes forward. In Richmond, Va. there is much attention; 14 have been added to Dr. Rice's church, and as many more expected soon to come forward, who were active, intelligent, and influential young men."

SUMMARY.

Indian Deputation.-A deputation consisting of fifteen persons belonging to the Grand Pawnees, Pawnees Republic, Pawnees Loups, Omahaws, Kansas, and Ottoes tribes of Indians, from the vicinity of the Council Bluffs, have recently visited our city. They came to Washington to see their Great Father, (as they call the President of the United States,) with Major O'Fallon, Government Agent. While in the city, a Committee of the Managers of the United Foreign Missionary Society held a council with them, at which the Chiefs expressed themselves well satisfied with the good intentions of the Society, and desired the introduction of civilization amongst their people, but could not enter into any specific agreement on the subject until they had consulted their Chiefs and Brethren at home. The population of these tribes is estimated at nearly 19,000

The receipts of the United Foreign Missionary Society for the month. of December amounted to $261 35-and for the American Bible Society in November to $3436 99. The issues from the Depository of the American Bible Society in November were 2579 Bibles, 2326 Testaments and 12 Indian Gospels and Epistles. Total 4917-value$3102

57.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

"SENEX;""VERITAS;""NAUTA," are received also, a communication from a gentleman in this city, complaining of some remarks, in several parts of our work, on the Roman Catholic religion, which we have not room to notice further in this number, and must defer it to our next.

The importance of the subject discussed in the "Report of the Society for the Prevention of Pauperism," will justify, we think, the large space allotted to it, under the head of review; and we hope all our city readers, at least, will give the subject an attentive examination.

The Seaman's Magazine.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.- They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.-Psalms.

NEW-YORK BETHEL UNION.-GENERAL MEETING.

(Continued from page 511.)

The Rev. Dr. MILNOR rose to second the motion of his respected fellow citizen who had preceded him. After the excellent report, to which the meeting had listened, and the interesting address of the gentleman who made the motion for its acceptance, and with the expectation of being followed by abler speakers than himself, he should be brief in the observations he had to offer. He congratulated christians, the immediate civil community, of which we are a part, and our country at large, on the establishment and success of the BETHEL UNION. He had frequently (he said) had the pleasure of meeting the worthy presiding officer, whom he now addressed, at many cheering anniversaries of Bible Societies, Sunday School Associations, and other benevolent institutions; but he had never met him with greater satisfaction than on the present occasion. He considered the report which had been read as one of the most interesting documents he had ever heard. It was indeed a glorious sight to behold a class of men, hitherto almost entirely excluded from a participation of the means of grace, and the opportunities for moral improvement enjoyed by others, invited to a sanctuary of God specially provided for their use, and to orderly and well-conducted meetings for social worship on shipboard; to see them furnished with the sacred Scriptures, and many auxiliary means of instruction, conducted to the altar of their Redeemer, and affectionately called upon to devote themselves to his service. Sir, said Dr. M., the situation of this portion of our fellow men has of necessity been, and must be, peculiar. The sailor's home is on the deep. Seldom does he there enjoy the privileges of social worship, of religious reading, of virtuous association. Every thing at sea is calculated to demoralize his feelings, vitiate his habits, aud estrange him from his God, When arrived in port, where have hitherto been his opportunities for improvement, if inclined to be religiously instructed? Should he be desirous of attending the duties of public worship, where could he go? The arrangements of most of our churches admit of but small accommodation for strangers, and the dress and manners of the common sailor are not very likely to obtain for him other than a cold reception, perhaps an unkind repulse. It appeared, indeed, till lately, as if, by common consent, seamen were considered as destined to remain for ever without the pale of the christian church. If the whole christian community had not passed upon them a sentence of proscription, they seemed to agree in considering them as utterly incorrigible. As there was little encouragement for seamen to make advances towards an association with the religious world, so none were made towards them. As soon as they arrived in port, temptations to debauchery and vice at once proposed themselves, in forms well adapted to their previous inclinations and habits, and no friendly counsellor was at hand to interpose a word of christian caution and advice. Is it surprising, under such circumstances, that so great a portion of seamen were proverbially vicious? can we wonder that, for the most part, they were sunk in the depths of ignorance and sin? With none around them but profligate advisers and drunken companions of their own sex, and the most infamous of the other, their deplorable situation at sea was followed by an enormous mass of positive evil on shore. At sea, or on shore, there was little motive or opportunity for serious reflection-an almost entire destitution of every thing calculated to awaken and reclaim. But, Sir, it is honourable to the times in which we live, that, among the many benevolent enterprises in which christians are so harmoniously and zealously engaged, this unfortunate class of men have not been overlooked. Sailors are no longer to be strangers to the Bible, or to the voice of the faithful minister unfolding its precious truths, r to the consolations of christian conversation and communion. The Bethel

Union, with the other excellent institutions mentioned in your report, will, to no inconsiderable extent, here, and wherever else they are established, remedy these evils. Recently as public attention has been aroused to this interesting subject, in various commercial cities of Great Britain, and of this country, much has been achieved. The manifest benefits that have been derived from the general distribution of the sacred volume among seamen, the erection of churches for their accommodation, and the provision of ministers for their instruction, and now, through the medium of Bethel Societies assembling them often when in port, for the worship of God on the decks of their vessels, encourage us to renewed and more animated exertion for their improvement. Sir, said Dr. M., I will candidly acknowledge to you that if I had been consulted but a few years ago on the project of christianizing common seamen, I should have been inclined to consider it a vain attempt. I should have said, they are utterly inaccessible. Their characters, their prejudices, their habits, their inclinations are altogether opposed to your attempts. If you invite them to join with you in religious duties, none will come, and if you go after them they will fly from you. Talk to them of the Bible and of prayer, they will mock and deride you. But that God who overrules the destinies of nations and of men, and who will infallibly accomplish all the declared purposes of his word, in the success with which he has crowned the past efforts of the friends of seamen, has removed all ground for scepticism, and afforded an inspiring pledge of his blessing on their carnest prosecution. What a most enlivening exhibition does your report present of the quiet, orderly, attentive conduct of the seamen, who have crowded the decks of vessels at your Bethel meetings, and of the salutary impressions there made upon their minds. For myself I can declare, that I never preached in any church to a more silent and respectful audience, than the one which, on board the Panthea, it was my happiness to address. And with such a manifestation of the favour of God towards this philanthropic work, can christians feel indifferent? will any who regard the precepts of their Master tranquilly fold their hands, and look, without one effort to prevent it, at so large a portion of their fellow beings hastening to the gulf of everlasting ruin? will they not, now that the plan is shown to be feasible, unite in one common united attempt to reform the lives and save the souls of seamen? Sir, it is a debt of gratitude we owe them. Christianity is under great obligations to sailors. What would this country have been but for them? a waste, howling wilderness-the residence of wild beasts, and of men wild and savage as themselves. What would have been the country of our forefathers? a land of pagan ignorance and idolatry. It is sailors who have been, and must be, indispensable instruments in carrying into effect the promised designs of Heaven in evangelizing the world, in giving to the Lord Jesus the Heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. They must convey the heralds of the cross to the distant regions of the earth; and shall they not themselves partake of the blessings of that great charter of salvation, which these missionaries of divine mercy are sent to proclaim to the heathen world? But what duty requires of us, policy and self-interest conspire to recommend. Sir, all classes of society are interested in supporting the benevolent and useful objects of the Bethel Union. Besides the principal design you have in view, much collateral good will grow out of its measures. Our cities and maritime ports will be essentially benefited by the reformation of seamen. Our youth will be saved from the effects of their evil example. The number of those sinks of pollution that infest the purlieus of every large town, will be diminished. Merchants will feel more safe in committing their vessels to their management. There will be no resistance to authority, no mutinies, no piracies on the part of a christian crew. Drunkenness will become disgraceful, and profane swearing be banished from amongst them. In the forecastle of every ship christian hymns will occupy the place of lewd ballads, religious tracts that of profane jest-books, and no honest-hearted tar will be ashamed to be seen with the Bible in his hands. Their topics of conversation will be changed. Instead of relating to each other the revelries and debaucheries in which they had spent their hard earnings at the last port, and looking forward with delight to the new scenes of profligacy and vice in which they are to be engaged at the next, they will be found descanting on the happy Bethel meetings they have attended, on the pious addresses to which they have listened, on the earnest and devout supplications to Heaven in which they have united, and contemplating with delight a fresh engagement in these exercises at the port to which, under God's blessing, they will soon be wafted. I am not so fanciful as to imagine that all these benefits are about to be realized in a day. But whenever these laudable associations shall have but in part accomplished their benign objects, the character of the profession of seamanship will present itself in a new aspect before the public. Heretofore it