his body, at his interment, which | felt more or less in every country: I hope he will anticipate his final reward by seeing all its effects fully realized in his own." was the last request he ever made, and indeed nearly the last words his lips pronounced, as he was soon afterwards seized with a third fit, and ceased to speak for an hour or two previous to his decease. Still, however, he was sensible a while; as, on being requested to let the physician be sent for, who was then at some little distance from his residence, he nodded his head by way of assent, though it was too late. Before he could arrive, the rattling in his throat had begun, and he soon afterwards breathed his last, at about eight o'clock in the morning of the 20th of January, 1790. We shall conclude this brief Memoir of Mr. H. with the celebrated panegyric of Mr. Burke on his character. "I cannot name this gentleman without remarking, that his labours and writings have done much to open the eyes and hearts of mankind. He has visited all Europe-not to survey the sumptuousness of palaces, or the stateliness of temples; not to make accurate measurements of the remains of ancient grandeur, nor to form a scale of the curiosity of modern art, nor to collect me. dals, or collate manuscripts; but to dive into the depths of dungeons; to plunge into the infection of hospitals; to survey the mansions of sorrow and pain; to take the gauge and dimensions of misery, depression, and contempt; to remember the forgotten, to attend to the neglected, to visit the forsaken, and compare and collate the distresses of all men in all countries. His plan is original: it is as full of genius as it is of humanity. It was a voyage of discovery, a circumnavigation of charity. Already the penefit of his labour is ་ THE ECLIPSE OF THE SUN. ON Thursday, the 7th of this month, there will happen the greatest solar eclipse that has been witnessed in the southern parts of Great Britain since the 1st of April, 1764. It is also the greatest that will happen in England till the 15th of May, 1836; and it is the greatest that will be seen at Greenwich till the 9th of October, 1847. It is, however, one of those eclipses which cannot be total, as the moon's disc is too small to cover that of the sun. It is well known that a total eclipse of the sun is occasioned by the moon's shadow passing over some part of the earth's enlightened hemisphere, But as the moon is a much smaller body than the sun which shines on it and produces the shadow, it is plain that the shadow must assume the form of a cone or sugar-loaf, and end in a point at a certain distance from the moon. Now it so happens that if the moon be in her perigee, or nearest distance from the earth, the shadow is long enough to reach the earth, and to cover a portion of its surface as large as half England, thus occasioning a total eclipse of considerable extent. But the present eclipse happens when the moon is very near her apogee, or greatest distance from the earth: and, computing from her parallax, it appears that, at the time of the eclipse, she is 253,551 English miles from the the annulus, or ring, being 24 minutes and 36 seconds in breadth, all round the dark body of the moon. If, therefore, a line be conceived to be drawn from this spot in the German Ocean, and to pass through Greenwich, and if the decrease from 11 digits 35 minutes to 10 digits 26 minutes centre of the earth, and that the moon's shadow comes to a point at the distance of 234,197 English miles from the moon herself. The shadow terminates, therefore, at the distance of more than fifteen thousand miles from the surface of the earth, and more than nineteen thousand from its centre, and consequently pre-be assumed as a uniform decrease, cludes the possibility of any total a tolerably correct, idea may be eclipse in any part of the world. formed of the quantity of the The interest of the present eclipse throughout the kingdom. eclipse in this kingdom consists in its near approximation to an annular eclipse: and though it will not be quite annular in any part of Great Britain, yet it will be so on a very large portion of the German Ocean, and within a few miles of our eastern shores.The nearest approximation to an annular eclipse in England will be in the eastern parts of Norfolk and Suffolk, where the sun will be eclipsed 10 digits and 41 minutes, when it is about 53 minutes after one in the afternoon by the London clocks. At Greenwich the eclipse will begin at 24 minutes after twelve, and end at 17 minutes after three in the afternoon, solar time. The eclipse will be the greatest at 53 minutes and one second after one, solar time, or 50 minutes and 50 seconds, mean time, when the sun will be eclipsed 10 digits, 26 minutes, and 17 seconds. According to a computation by M. Delambre's formula for computing the centre of the penumbra from the parallax of altitude, it appears that, at the instant of the greatest obscuration at Greenwich, the sun will be centrally eclipsed in 54 degrees 54 minutes, north latitude, and 6 degrees 52 minutes, east longitude from Greenwich, and where the quantity of the eclipse will be 11 digits, 35 minutes, and 24 seconds, The eclipse is just annular when the sun is eclipsed 11 digits and 11 minutes. With respect to the obscurity at the middle of the eclipse, it may be proper to say, that it will be greater than that of 1816, and less than that of 1764. No such effect, therefore, as the appearance of the stars or the consternation of nature ought to be anticipated. For even if the planet Venus should be discerned, it will be no more than what sometimes takes place in the winter months, (and even in summer,) at a period when Venus is about 40 degrees from her inferior cọnjunction: and she is in this very situation at the time of the solar eclipse, and is possessed of more brilliancy than all the other stars together. The light of the sun, however, is so intense, that even though 999 parts out of a thousand of his disc were covered, yet the remaining thousandth part would emit as much light as 300 full moons. In 1764 an idea was entertained by many persons, both in England and in France, that the eclipse which was to happen in that year would cause great darkness, an idea arising probably from the circumstance that many persons who were then living had actually been spectators of the total eclipses of 1715 and 1724. But when the eclipse was observed, the difference between a total and an annular eclipse was very clearly perceived. 41 seconds after three in the afternoon, mean time, or 22 minutes 37 seconds, solar time, when the sun will be eclipsed 10 digits and 23 minutes. A. D. 1847. Saturday, Oct. 9. The greatest obscuration at Greenwich will be at 26 minutes and 53 seconds after seven in the morning, mean time, or 39 minutes and 23 seconds, solar time, when the sun will be eclipsed 11 digits and 2 minutes. This quan In observing the present eclipse, the spectator's attention will be first arrested by the appearance of a small notch on the western side of the sun, about half way between the top and middle. At the middle of the eclipse, the sun will appear like the moon when she first appears after the change, the horns, or cusps, point-tity just gives an annular eclipse ing upwards in a direction from the south-west part of the horizon and, at the same time, the sun's light will be so much diminished, that he may be viewed without dazzling the eyes of the beholder; and if the sky be serene, he will be perceived to as sume something of that red cast which distinguishes him when appearing through a thick fog. He will, however, soon re-assume his dazzling brightness, and the eclipse will end with a notch on the eastern side of the sun, about the middle of that side. at Greenwich. It will certainly be annular a few miles nearer the British Channel, but whether it will actually be so at Greenwich, must be left for future computers, with tables in their hands that shall be still more correct than the valuable tables we now possess. A. D. 1858. Monday, March 15. The greatest obscuration at Greenwich will be at 59 minutes and 47 seconds after 12, mean time, or 50 minutes and 41 seconds after twelve o'clock at noon, solar time, when the sun will be eclipsed 11 digits and 41 In addition to the particulars minutes. This eclipse will make relating to the present eclipse, it the nearest approach to a total may not perhaps be uninteresting eclipse of any that will happen to say, that after a period of 15 in this country for a great numyears, during which there will be ber of years. It will be central but two or three visible eclipses and annular in Warwickshire, of the sun, no less than three an- Northamptonshire, Huntingdonnular eclipses will happen in Eng-shire, Cambridgeshire, and Norland, at the distance of eleven folk, and in these and some of years from each other. The the adjoining counties, two or first will take place in 1836, the three of the principal fixed stars second in 1847, and the third in may perhaps be seen. 1858. Bromley, Middlesex. A computation for Greenwich gives the quantity and time of J. F. greatest obscuration as follows, ADDRESS TO CHRISTIANS. according to Delambre's Solar Tables, and Burckhardt's Lunar Tables. A. D. 1836. Sunday, May 15. The greatest obscuration at Greenwich will be at 18 minutes and No. 5. IV. We should always remember that though God has pro mised great things to his people, 443.) Who is there among us yet he has expressly declared he but must blush with shame at the will be inquired of by them for example and dying sayings of the fulfilment of his promises. If such holy men of God as the vewe expect to be delivered from nerable Sutcliffe, and the laborievery evil work, and preserved ous Fuller? But we have still to his heavenly kingdom, we higher example: the ever-blessed must be diligent in the use of Jesus went up into a mountain the means which he has ap- apart to pray, and continued all pointed. The Lord will draw night in prayer to God. If he nigh to them who draw nigh to found this exercise so necessary him our safety and comfort con- for him, is it not more abundantsist much in being frequent and ly necessary for us? Prayer is fervent at the throne of grace. the method of communication Men of great piety have always with the infinitely blessed God; been mighty in prayer: were we the readiest way to be assimilated more constant and earnest with to his likeness; the best means God in private, we should obtain of promoting our conformity to more strength for public services, his will, and of advancing our and be more fortified against a love to him, and to each other. sudden, powerful temptation; but If we neglect it, we rob ourselves if we neglect this duty, or are not of the prescribed means of servspiritual in its performance, we ing him here, and of the fairest may make a noise about religion, foretaste of that communion with yet we shall have but little of the him which will be our highest life of God in our souls. "I have happiness hereafter. It is an been thinking," said the late me- exercise which brings God down morable A. Fuller, "of what bro-to the soul, and which raises the ther Sutcliffe said to me a few soul up to God. How lamentdays before his death, 'I wish I able then must it be that we had prayed more.' So I wish I should pray so seldom, and with had prayed more. I do not sup- so little spirituality! Let us pose that brother Sutcliffe meant hear the Saviour saying to us, that he wished he had prayed" Watch and pray, lest ye enter more frequently, but more spi- into temptation." ritually. I wish I had prayed more for the influences of the Holy Spirit; I might have enjoyed more of the power of vital godliness. I wish I had prayed more for the assistance of the B. S. G. (To be concluded in our next.) ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE LATE Holy Spirit, in studying and REV. ABRAHAM BOOTH, preaching my sermons; I might have seen more of the blessing of God attending my ministry. I ΤΟ MR. PELLING, BRENTFORD. wish I had prayed more for, the at Mr. Corson's Turpentine Manufactory, out-pouring of the Holy Spirit to attend the labours of our friends in India; I might have witnessed more of the effects of their efforts in the conversion of the heathen." (Morris's Life of Fuller, page MY DEAR FRIEND, IT is with a mixture of grief and pleasure that I peruse the letter, which informs me of your The weather has been and is yet extremely trying. Seldom have I known so many people afflicted with violent coughs, and with obstructions in their breath affliction, and of your partial recovery. The attack, I find, was very serious, and the event was likely to have proved very solemn. Of what vast and essential importance it is to be quite readying, as there have been of late, for dissolution at any moment! Of this I doubt not you have often thought; and the late stroke will, I trust, make you think of it more than ever. Yes, my Friend, your having been visited with a disease which so suddenly deprived you of all capacity for self-reflection, for meditating on the truths of the gospel, and for prayer, may well excite in you a more ardent, and a more habitual concern, for things eternal, and for lively anticipations of the heavenly blessedness. Enter afresh upon the most serious and impartial selfexamination respecting your state and now are. My cough has O that we may be in the sight of God. Consider, A PLEA FOR THE WIDOW. not only what is the ground of your hope for pardon and peace, but also where your affections To the Editors of the Baptist Magazine. are, or upon what your heart is set. Inquire whether your faith, hope, and love, be lively and vigorous: or whether they be dull and languid. Read your Bible, not only with frequency, but endeavour to do it with true devotion. Whether the public means of grace in your neighbourhood be agreeable and edifying to you, I know not; but if they be, use them with diligence. Whatever be the company with which you are surrounded in your daily employment, endeavour to set them a good example, and diligently guard against the snares that attend you. Be earnest with God in prayer, that you may be patient and resigned under all pains and sicknesses and disappointments; and seek for spiritual advantage THE widow and fatherless have peculiar claims upon our sympathy. Benevolence never assumes a more lovely aspect than when she is feeding, clothing, or instructing the orphan, and making the widow's heart to sing for joy. And this has been the usual and delightful employment of the servants of God. It was to the house of a poor widow that Elijah was sent, that she and her son, as well as the prophet, might be fed, during many months of famine, from the handful of meal and the cruise of oil. It was on behalf of a widow, whose two sons were about to be taken for bondmen, that the illustrious suc * Of this excellent woman there is an Vol. VI. 1814. from them. O, that the Lord interesting Obituary in our Magazine, may help you so to do! |