on my y arrival in Devonshire, I lost no time in recommending the establishment of such schools; and in this place especially our success has far exceeded our expectations. Sunday, June the 4th, sermons were preached and collections made at the Methodist Chapel in this town, for the Adult and Children Schools. The statements then given, shew that our labour has not been in vain in the Lord.

There are in these Schools 26 men, and 43 women, and, in general, they make very great improvement; several, who six months ago did not know the Afphabet, now read in the Testament; but none have yet been dismissed. The greatest part of these did not previously attend any place of worship, but now they appear to take great delight in the duties of religion. There are four men and five women who give evidence of a work of grace in their souls; four of these are become members of our Society, and also the wife of one of the men, to whom he has been useful. A young woman, who, from the time of her attending the Adult Schools, was much concerned about her soul, is gone from time into eternity, and she had hope in her death.

A woman who lives about a mile from this town, heard of the Adult Schools and resolved to attend, but her husband violently opposed it, protesting,, that if she went he would lock her out; regardless of the consequences she attended, and he was as good as his word. Finding, on her return, that she could not get in, she took her school-book and began practising her lesson under the hedge. About half an hour after this the husband returned, and, seeing her thius' employed, declared he would go to the Adult School too, if he might be admitted. Since that time he has regularly attended, and there is a great change in his conduct; the woman declared at School, with tears, that in their house things are quite changed, and she was never before so happy.

When searching out for Adult Scholars, one was met with upwards of 60 years of age, whose case was considered almost hopeless, but it was resolved to invite her; she received the invitation with gratitude, saying,, " By the blessing of God I will attend." "She has attended regularly, learns rapidly, and is become very serious. The change in her moral character astonishes all who knew her.

One of the scholars in the Childrens' School, about eight years of age, was accustomed to go with her book to the place where her father was at work, that he might assist her in learning to read, not suspecting that he could not read himself; for some time he deceived her by telling her some word,

right or wrong; but finding she was not satisfied with his answers, he refused to tell her any more. "But why, father," said she," will not you tell me?" To her repeated enquiries, he at length replied with tears," I cannot read !" "What," said the child," such a great man as you not able to read! why, if I had known that I would have taught you myself." This remark from his own child, pierced him to. the very soul, and he resolved to learn to read. At this very time the Adult Schools in this town commenced, and he gladly attended. Since that time he has regularly prayed with his family, is become a member of our Society, and has also the happiness to see his wife turn to the Lord.

It is very desirable that the attention of the benevolent should be more generally directed to these Schools. No one would suppose the great number of Adults which, on a careful enquiry, will be found unable to read, and therefore in general have scarcely any sense of religion, And how much sooner are persons rewarded with visible success in teaching adults than in teaching children! they learn to read in about one-fourth of the time, and almost immediately on their attending, a change in their moral conduct is generally observed; and Adult Schools are established with very little trouble and expense. Our's are all in private houses, belonging to respectable, if not religious persons. The men and women of course are in different houses; from 10 to 20 of the neighbours attend each school, these are divided into two classes, and two Teachers are appointed. One of the Teachers is generally an Assistant Visitor, to call on absentees; and the Visitor for the day attends all the schools, to mark the number of teachers and learners present; to enquire the cause of former absence; to receive and class those who apply for admission, and give advice, as may be necessary. The Teachers have to open and close with prayer; the schools at Coventry are on the same plan, in which, I ain happy to learn, there are now 103 learners, besides 45 who have learnt to read the Testament, and are dismissed. The learners are very fond of the Bristol Spelling Book for adults. Wishing for the extensive circulation of your Magazine, as a stimulus to active benevolence,

VOL. II.

I am, Sir,

Yours, &c.

W.W.

REVIEW.

The HISTORY of LITTLE HENRY and his BEARER.
p.p. 139.-G. & S. Robinson.

WE remember the time when books for children (serious ones in particular) were as scarce as good ones are now. When we were young, after we had read Janeway's Token, Familiar Dialogues, and a very few more, all our religious stock was expended. At present we are going into an opposite extreme. The juvenile library is immensely enlarged, and the religious part of it (owing to the attention Sunday Schools have drawn towards youth, and the generation of readers they have raised up) is increased in equal ratio. We cannot, however, say, that the quality is in any proportion to the quantity; and even now we think it the most difficult task we know, to find suitable serious books for children. We stated in a former review the various qualifications they ought to unite, and after having read through hundreds, we can confidently pronounce this, among the few, to be one that holds a distinguished rank in the list of books which come up to our idea of a proper present for children. Easy in its language, evangelical in its doctrines, and entertaining in its story, it combines every requisite to make it interesting and beneficial to children. As we have no doubt but that our readers either have seen it, or will procure it, we shall content ourselves with a short outline of the story, and two or three extracts, which will more powerfully recommend it than all that we could say in its praise.

Henry L ——— was born at Dinapore in the East-Indies. His papa was an officer in the Company's service, and was killed in attacking a mud fort belonging to a petty Rajah, a few months after the birth of his son. His mamma also died before he was a year old. Thus litle Henry was left an orphan when he was a very little baby; but his dying mother, when taking her last farewel! of him, lifted up her eyes to Heaven and said "O God, I leave my fatherless child with thee, claiming thy promise in all humility, yet in full confidence that my baby will never be left destitute; for in thee the fatherless find mercy." The promise to which she alluded, is to be found in Jeremiah xlix. 11. “Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me."

When his mamma was dead, he was taken into the house of a fiue lady, who, occupied with dress, visiting, and other concerns of equal moment, contented herself with ordering that he should want nothing, and left him to the care of her servants. He was intrusted to a native “bearer" named Boosy, who was affectionately attached to him, having lived with his father. He took care of him day and night. Boosy, however, could not teach him more than he himself knew, and therefore till he was five years old, he could not speak English, and knew of no God, except the wood and stone idols the natives worshipped. At this time a

young lady came to live with his mamma, (as he called the lady he was brought up with,) who feared God, and was pained to see a child of christian parents educated as a heathen. She, therefore, instructed him, not only in English, but in the principles of religion, and, before she left the house, had the unspeakable satisfaction of seeing him able to read the Bible, and receiving the truth in the love of it. All the conversation between this lady and the child is most happily conceived and expressed, and a perfect model for talking with children. After the departure of the young lady, Henry endeavours to make Boosy a christian, and talks to him continually, but without effect; assuring him that all his idols are vanities, and that there is one only the living and true God. He afterwards, at the recommendation and by the assistance of a Mr. Smith, learns the Persian character, that he may teach Boosy to read the Bible, and Mr. S. procures a part of the Scriptures in the Hindoostanee language in the Persian character, that his bearer may read in it. Henry soon after falls sick, and long as the account of his last illness is, we can neither resist the temptation of giving it to our readers, nor omit any part where every thing is so inimitably affecting.

When Henry first came to Berhamphore, he was able to take the air in an evening in a palanquin, and could walk about the house; and two or three times he read a chapter in the Hindoostance Bible to Boosy: But he was soon too weak to read, and his airings became shorter and shorter: he was at last obged to give them quite up, and to take entirely to his couch and bed, where he remained until his death.

When Boosy saw that his little sahib's end was drawing on, he was very sorrowful, and could hardly be persuaded to leave him night or day, even to get his khauna. He did every thing he could think of to please him, (and more, as be afterwards said, to please his dying master than his God :) he began to read his chapters with some diligence, and little Henry would lie on his coach, listening to Boosy as he read (imperfectly indeed) the word of God in Hindoostannee. Often he would stop him, to explain to him what he was reading; and very beautiful, sometimes, were the remarks which he made, and better suited to the understanding of his Bearer, than those of an older or more learned person would have been.

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The last time that his Bearer read to him, *Mrs. Baron sitting by him, he suddenly stopped him, saying, “Ah, Boosy, if I had never read the Bible, and did not believe in it, what an unhappy creature should I now be! for in a very short time I shall go down to the grave to come up no more;" Job vii. 9. that is, until my body is raised at the last day. When I was out last, I saw a very pretty burying ground with many trees about it. I knew that I should soon lie there; I mean that my body would; but I was not afraid, because I love my Lord Jesus Christ, and I know that he will go down with me unto the grave; I shall sleep with him, and I shall be satisfied, when I awake with his likeness." Psal. xvii. 15. He then turned to Mrs. Baron, and said "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and fhough, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh I shall see God.” Job xix. 25, 26. "O kind Mrs. Barou! who, when I was a poor sinful child, brought me to the knowledge of my dear Redeemer; anointing me with sweet ointment (even his precious blood) for my burial, which was so soon to follow."

The lady who taught Henry to read his Bible, and to love its contents.

"Dear child!" said Mrs. Baron, hardly able to preserve her composure, "dear child! give the glory to God."

"Yes, I will glorify him for ever and ever," cried the poor little boy; and he raised himself up in his couch, joining his small and taper fingers together: "yes, I will praise him, I will love him. I was a grievous sinner: every ima gination of the thought of my heart was evil continually; I hated all good things; I hated even my Maker; but he sought me cut; he washed me from my sins in his own blood; he gave me a new heart; he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, and put on me the robe of righteousness; he "hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light." 2 Timothy i. 10, Then turning to his Bearer, he said, “ O my poor Bearer! what will become of you, if you neglect so great salvation?" Heb. ii. 3. “O Lord Jesus Christ", he added, "turn the heart of my poor Eearer!" This short prayer which little Henry made in Hindoostanee, his Bearer repeated, scarcely knowing what he was doing. And this as he afterwards told Mr. Smith, was the first prayer he made to the true God-the first time he had ever called upon his holy

name.

Having done speaking, little Henry laid his head down on his pillow, and closed his eyes. His spirit was full of joy, indeed, but his flesh was weak; and he lay some hours in a kind of slumber. When he awoke he called Mrs. Baron, and begged her to sing the verse of the hymn he loved so much, “ Jesus sought me, &c." which she had taught him at Dinapore. He smiled while she was sing. ing but did not speak.

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That same evening Boosy being left alone with his little master, and seeing that he was wakeful and inclined to talk, said, "Sahib, I have been thinking all day that I am a sinner, and always have been one; and I begin to believe that my sins are such as Gunga cannot wash away. I wish I could believe in the Lord Jesus Christ!"

When Henry heard this, he strove to raise himself up, but was unable, on account of his extreme weakness; yet his eyes sparkled with joy: he endea voured to speak, but could not: and at last he burst into tears. He soon, however, became more composed, and pointing to his Bearer to sit down on the floor by his couch, he said, "Boosy, what you have now said makes me very happy: 1 am very happy to hear you call yourself a sinner, and such a one as Gunga cannot make clean. It is Jesus Christ which has made this known to you, he has called you to come unto him. Faithful is he that calleth you. I shall yet see you, my poor Bearer, in "the general assembly and church of the first born." Heb. xii. 23. "You were kind to me when my own father and mother were dead. The first thing I can remember, is being carried by you to the Mongoe tope near my mamma's house at Patna. Nobody loved me then but you and could I go to Heaven, and leave you behind me in the way to hell? I could not bear to think of it! Thank God! Thank God! Į knew he would hear my prayer; but I thought that, perhaps, you would not begin to become a Christian till I was gone. When I am dead Boosy", added the little boy, “do you go to Mr. Smith at Calcutta. I cannot write to him, or else I would; but you shall take him one lock of my hair, (I will get Mrs. Baron to cut it off, and put it in a paper,) and tell him that I sent it. You must say, that Henry L- , that died at Berhamphore, sent it, with this request, that he would take care of his poor Bearer, when he has lost cast for becoming a Christian." Boosy would have told Henry that he was not quite determined to be a Christian, and that he could not think of iosing cast ;but Henry guessing what he was going to say, put his hand upon his mouth. "Stop! stop! he said, "do not say words which would make God angry, and which you will be sorry for by and by: for I know you will die a Christian. God has begun a good work in you, and I am certain that he will finish it."

While Henry was talking to his Bearer, Mrs Baron had come into the room; but not wishing to interrupt him, she had stood behind his couch: but now she came forward. As soon as he saw her, he begged her to take off his cap, and cut off some of his hair, as several of his friends wished for some. She thought that she would endeavour to comply with his request; but when she took off his cap, and his beautiful hair fell about his pale sweet face; when she considered