Immagini della pagina
PDF
ePub

should die, pray don't grieve for me." | wide-extended arms-in his compassionate heart," yet there is room." He can fit you to live—can prepare you to die-can give you eternal life.

This was repeated. She seemed to
have a presentiment of her approach-
ing dissolution. On the night before
she died, she said, "I have been
thinking a good deal of those words,
and they seem to speak to me, 'This
night shall thy soul be required of
thee.' And a short time after, she
said, "O how I wish I were in hea-
ven; how I long to be gone!" A
friend remarked, "You are ready
to say,' Why tarry the wheels of his
chariot?" She replied, "Yes, I
think the time long." Soon after,
pressing the hand of a relative, she
said, It is hard parting; but
ven will make amends for all."

[blocks in formation]

MRS. Sophia Millard died in March, 1820. She was the youngest daughter of Mr. Richard Knight, a respectable farmer in the neighbourhea-hood of Reading. A series of afflictions in the early part of life, was the means of bringing her under the ministry of the late Mr. Davis, pastor of the Baptist church at Reading. The gospel became the power of God to her salvation, and she was baptized, and joined the church in June, 1770, where she continued a member till her death. She was a person of very retired habits, and her worth was known and appreciated by those only who were intimately acquainted with her.

Her last night in this world was restless and painful; but her mind maintained its wonted composure. In the morning her appearance wore every indication of speedy dissolution. Several questions were asked, which she found considerable difficulty to answer. The last was, "Are you happy?" to which she replied, as firmly as possible, "Yes, -Yes." These were her last words. She continued perfectly composed, till at length nature could no longer endure the conflict. Grace conquered, and without a sigh or pain she fell asleep in Jesus, twelve o'clock, July 21, 1820.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

She sparkled-was exhal'd, and went to heaven."

Agreeably to her request, her remains were interred the following Sabbath at Staughton. Mr. Knight preached a funeral discourse from Eccles. xii. 1.

During the afflictions which terminated her life, she was calm, and resigned to the will of God. As she approached nearer the heavenly rest, her mind was increasingly affected with the prospect of its bliss. She often conversed with her family on the glories of her divine Saviour; and she frequently joined them in singing some of the sweetest portions of Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns.

The first two or three visits I paid her, I found that she thought she should recover, and especially antiYouthful reader! To you the cipated with great pleasure the advoice of instruction, the admonitions vancement of the spring, when she of Providence are directed. Boast hoped to see her son, who is pastor not of bloom or health. These were of the Baptist Church at Lymingpossessed in an unusual degree by ton in Hampshire. As I found her this young person. How short her particularly gratified when converscareer, how short her affliction! Re-ing respecting her family, I one day member similar circumstances await you. O then, listen to the language of inspiration-to the voice of the dying, above recorded-“Remember now thy Creator." Flee from the wrath to come, to the throne of grace-to the cross of Christ. Recollect that in Jesus's

remarked, that my own beloved mother used often to say, that her principal sources of consolation were, her God and her dear chil dren;-she said, that she found this to be the case with her also. I usually prayed with her, and she generally remarked, “ I always feel

better after prayer." Her mind was never enraptured, but always serene and comfortable, cherishing a good hope of future bliss, founded on the glorious work of our beloved Saviour, which she told me, she would not part with for all the world.

After a few days I perceived that a decisive change had taken place. She was evidently about to leave the world. I was confirmed in this opinion by observing, not only that she was much weaker in body, but that her mind was very materially changed also. She had given up all hope of recovery, and was willing, and even longed to depart. She said, that she had done with the world, and was going home, and rejoiced that this was the case. Every time I called after this alteration had taken place, she always requested me to pray that she might have a speedy and a comfortable dismission. She frequently declared that Christ was precious to her; and often wept when she acknowledged the unwearied kindness and affection of her daughters. She many times prayed most affectionately for all the children, especially for her son in the ministry: her mind seemed to dwell on him with evident and peculiar pleasure.

After a few days of severe indisposition, her weary, yet happy and longing spirit, peacefully took its flight to the immortal mansions prepared for the redeemed in glory.

May the widowed husband, and the bereaved children meet her in the family where there is no more death, and where God shall wipe away all tears from off all faces!

B. H. D.

REV. SAMUEL EVANS AND

FAMILY.

MR. Samuel Evans died in peace at Shepton-Mallet, in the year 1807, after having preached more than forty years to the people of the Baptist denomination meeting at Croscombe, (Somerset.) Being blest with one son and a daughter, his parental mind could not but look forward for their earthly as well as spiritual

comfort. But death arrested the daughter in 1804; and removed her to the world of spirits. In November, 1818, the son, a young man of considerable erudition, also fell a prey to the "King of terrors." The mother, like a shock of corn in its season, calmly resigned her spirit into the hands of her Redeemer, within a few weeks of her son (viz.) January 30, 1819, aged seventy years. Thus has Death swept away a whole family, whose remains lie interred in the meeting-house at Croscombe; and the present pastor, Mr.W. Lush*, addressed a numerous congregation on the first Sabbath after the funeral of the mother, from Matt. xxii. 27," And last of all the woman died also." As Mrs. Evans during her widowhood had derived benefit from different funds, her Christian mind impelled her to will the following legacies.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

RECENT DEATH.

MRS. ESTHER SAUNDERS.

On the 8th of August died, at Whitchurch in Hampshire, aged seventy-six years, Mrs. Esther Saunders, wife of Mr. Joseph Saunders, who had borne, with truly Christian fortitude, a long and painful affliction. She had maintained a consistent Christian profession for upwards of fifty-three years; and

died in the firm faith of the gospel : her hopes being fixed on the mercy of God, through the mediation and intercession of Jesus Christ. A correspondent says, her character was accurately described in the Salisbury and Winchester Journal, viz. “If devotedness to God, deadness to this world, and an active spirit of benevolence, mark the Christian, those were hers. The poor will lament in her death the loss of a kind benefactress."

Review.

Early Piety exemplified, in a brief Memoir of Miss Mary Ann Mabbs, of Mountnessing, near Billericay, Essex; with Extracts from her devotional Papers. 1s. 3d. Bds. Pure Religion recommended, &c. In a Series of Dialogues. By the Rev. J. Thornton, 12mo. Bds. 5s.

MR. THORNTON is well known to the religious public as a sensible, serious, and useful writer; and his well-earned reputation will not be impaired by these recent publications. The former is an interesting Memoir of a young lady of great piety and good sense, the extracts from whose Diary are accompanied with some judicious reflections. The latter is the more elaborate work, containing eight Dialogues. In the first, the Author describes and exposes ultra-Calvinism and Antinomianism. The second points out the evils of modern Pharisaism. Here Dr. Mant's view of baptismal regeneration is properly noticed. The third and the fourth are intended to guard the reader against enthusiasm and scepticism. The fifth, and the three following, illustrate the great fundamental doctrines of revelation. We are glad to observe, that, in the close of the Preface, the writer

says,

"Should what is here presented to the public meet with acceptance, and my life and health be continued, I design to add to these a few other Dialogues, in which evangelical doctrines will be branched out into their practical effects."

Mr. Thornton's common-placebook is rich, and he has made a very good use of it. We think, ment if he were to give the reader however, it would be an improvethe exact references to the writers he has quoted.

We have selected a

passage,

which, the Author seems to admit, is a little quaint, on account of its useful tendency.

I think I might with advantage place the evils of anxious care, and the benefits of earnest prayer, in opposite columns,

like debtor's and creditor's account.

"ANXIOUS Care.

"Item 1. In one week spoiled two good nights' sleep.

"Item 2. In one day discomposed and irritated the temper three times, be sides cold looks, and short churlish answers, not put into the account, though certainly meriting a distinct entry.

"Item 3. In a single journey of bu siness neglected five or six things necestracted the mind, and blurred the tablet sary to be done, because solicitude dis

of memory.

"EARNEST Prayer.

Ægis of her Minerva, admonishes us to "Item 1. Upon an interesting occa-put our trust within the shadow of the sion, while the nervous system trembled imperishable shield of the truth of the and shook, imparted promptitude and living God." P. 15. vigour, by the fear of God dispersing that fear of man which bringeth a snare.

"Item 2. In a season of darkness and difficulty, when the counsels of friends differed, brought light from above, ́ and opened the path of duty.

" Item 3. When weighed down with languor and indolence, amidst loud calls to immediate exertion, swept away idle, encumbering thoughts, and cleared the mind for action.

" Item 4. When the relish of enjoyment began to pall, sweetened the provision of my table; for every creature is. good, and sanctified to us by the word of God and prayer." P. 269.

[blocks in formation]

Part of Education. A Sermon
preached in Great Queen-street
Chapel, before the Teachers of the
Sunday-school Union, October, 1818.
By R. Watson.

66

Two Letters to the Rev. Dr. Chalmers, on his Proposal for increasing the Number of Churches in Glasgow. Second Edition, enlarged, With an Appendix, containing Thoughts on the Increase of Infidelity; and a Letter to the Editor of the Edinburgh Christian Instructor. By J. A. Haldane. pp. 66. (Nisbet.)

We know not how better to give our readers a correct idea of the nature and contents of this publication, than by employing the writer's words contained in the commencement of his strictures, addressed to the editor of the "Edinburgh Christian Instructor."

"In Dr. Chalmers's sermon, preached on the day of the funeral of the Princess THIS discourse is the offspring of Charlotte, he recommends increasing the a powerful mind. The text is Mark number of established churches and miix. 36. "And he took a child," &c. nisters in Glasgow. But he was aware, that the propriety of this measure deThe preacher proposes to make a pended on the determination of the few remarks on education considered generally-to connect the princi-churches are agreeable to the will of previous question, Whether national ples we may thus establish with the institutions in which you take so leading a part-and to adduce considerations from the text, which may afford motives for perseverance in your important labours." The reader will find the sentiments evangelical-the style vigorous and elegant, and well sustained throughout the spirit which it breathes, imbibed from the text itself, in which we have a most tender and affecting specimen of the condescension of our Lord-and the application very ́solemn, energetic, and impressive. To those Sunday-school Teachers who have had a liberal education, (we rejoice to think they are a numerous class,) Mr. Watson's sermon will be peculiarly acceptable, on account of the elevated diction and olassical allusions, by which it is characterized. We can make room

for one short extract.

"Athens mourning along the galleries of her public museums, over the frail

God? In an appendix to the sermon, he therefore examines this question, and adduces various arguments to prove the affirmative. In my first letter, the valjdity of these arguments is considered, and a distinct answer given to each. In the second, the point at issue is brought directly to the test of scripture; and the propriety of this mode of deciding every religious controversy is established, not only from the authority of the word of tions of Dr. Chalmers, who, in a former God, but also from the explicit declarapublication, recommends the exploding of the principle, What thinkest thou?" and substituting in its place,' What readest thou? justly observing, that want of unanimity must prevail among Christians, so long as they continue to forsake the safe guidance of scripture, and commit themselves to the endless caprices ofthe human intellect!"

That our readers may duly appreciate this excellent pamphlet, we shall attempt a brief analysis. In the first letter, our Author remarks, that "the tendency of every national

church is to substitute the form for the uniform result, in every dispenthe power of religion. It is a com-sation, of deviating from those relipany incorporated by royal charter, gious observances which God was to supply a demand for religious in- pleased to enjoin; refers to the hisstruction; but it uniformly adulter- tory of Abraham; and briefly traces ates the genuine article, and gluts the progress of Christianity, from the market with an inferior commo- which he derives this safe concludity. It undertakes to watch over sion, that we should be very careful the state of the currency; and it fills "not to deviate from the word of the country with a base counterfeit God." Our Author anticipates the coin." Our Author fully and forci- only objection he thinks can be bly exposes the want of analogy urged to this obvious conclusion, "between a civil establishment of" that all scripture is given by inChristianity, and the interference of spiration of God, and that although government for the purpose of pro- | nothing like national establishments moting general education," on which Dr. C. had particularly relied: and asks, "After all, what is the object of a national religions establishment?" "The gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth, the message of reconciliation from the God of mercy to his guilty creatures, which has for its object man's eternal happiness, is employed as an engine of state, it is made the basis of a political contrivance, entirely designed for this present world."

[ocr errors]

is to be found in the New Testament, the principle of connecting church and state is sanctioned by Divine authority in the history of Israel." It is farther observed, that the epistles of the New Testament do not refer to matters of local and temporary interest, but contain the last and fullest exposition of the will of Christ, for the direction of his people in every age; and examines that church, branded in scripture as the mother of harlots, and considers the whole system as founded on the Old Testament. Our Author then refers to a sentiment, with which he had repeatedly met, that a religious establishment is no part of Christianity, but a wall for her safety and protection,” and happily notices the striking analogy between the reasoning of the padre, mentioned in the Journal of the late lamented Henry Martyn, and that of Mrs. Hannah Moore, as also that of the writer in the Edinburgh Christian Instructor, (who had objected to the doctrine of Mr. Haldane's pamphlet,) all agreeing that "something must be added to Christianity.” Mr. H. acknowledges with pleasure the

In the second letter, the writer asks, "Is there one passage in the New Testament which contains a warrant for a civil religious establishment?" and favours us with the following excellent remarks, which are well supported: that" the wisdom of God is infinite, and, in his revelation, he has omitted nothing which was necessary to regulate the faith and practice of his people in every age;" that "we are entitled to argue from the silence of scripture, is the express dictate of revelation; that national churches are in direct opposition to the nature of the kingdom of Christ, as exhibited in the New Testament; that the change of cir-liberality and kindness with which cumstances between us and the first Christians, cannot affect the present question; and that the unlawfulness of blending our own inventions with the doctrine of Christ, is most evident from the strong manner in which the apostles expressed themselves, when the churches deviated in any respect from the precepts which they had delivered." Our Author then inquires, whether the propriety of a national church, is not a mere hypothesis, and proceeds to contemplate

Dr. C. speaks of Dissenters, and rejoices that this spirit is rapidly prevailing, but views it as a novelty in the annals of a state religion, that Dr. C. should consider Dissenters as "an appendage to national churches, without which they would be completely inefficient,”

The Appendix contains some serious thoughts on the increase of Infidelity, which the writer considers as affording additional evidence of the impolicy of a state religion; and

« IndietroContinua »