Immagini della pagina
PDF
ePub

MRS. ESTHER SAUNDERS.

titude to the bountiful Giver. When sitting by a cheerful fireside in the gloom of winter, she reflected, with MRS. Esther Saunders was born thankfulness and humility, on her at Havant, in the county of Hants, innumerable and undeserved mer1745. She was the fourth daughter | cies; and considering that it is not of Mr. John Poore, a respectable | enough to say, “ Be ye warmed, and grocer of that place, whose desire it be ye clothed," has sent relief to the was to train up his children in the neighbouring poor. She was uninurture and admonition of the Lord, formly humble, peaceable, and holy; Her mother died before the children retired, unambitious, and unassumcould estimate her value, and her ing; yet a faithful, but gentle refather married again. A pious uncle, | prover. She was a mother in Israel, named Benham, who resided at a nurse to young converts, the counWhitchurch, offering to receive one sellor of the inexperienced, and the of the children, it was for some time comforter of the aflicted. Many concluded that the eldest should who are now in glory, and others be sent; but Esther was the fa- who are in the road to it, have reavoured child, whom Mr. B. took un- son to bless God for her, as the inder his kind protection when she strument of their spiritual improvewas but seven years of age. Here | ment. Well instructed herself, she she enjoyed the advantages of a re- was able to administer instruction ligious education, and, by her atten- | to others. tion and good conduct, gained the One among the many amiable affection of her aunt. She regularly traits in her character, was an averattended, with her relatives, the | sion to hearing her own praise. ministry of the highly-esteemed Mr. When any person mentioned her Charles Cole, pastor of the Baptist fervent piety and exemplary life, she Church in that place upwards of would exclaim, "Oh! you know fifty years. This servant of God not what a poor creature I am;" was the honoured instrument of her and would lament that so high an conversion when she was about opinion should be entertained of twenty years of age. His spirit some her. Much of her time was spent years ago winged its flight to glory. alone in meditation and prayer. The recollection of his name and When in business, she frequently character was precious to Mrs. S. mentioned her indifference about on her dying bed. the attainment of great things in this life, and her wish to relinquish the affairs of the world; and her bereaved and afflicted partner can testify to her having manifested, for | the last thirty years, an entire dis. regard of its pleasures or attainments. Although unincumbered with a family of her own, she generally kept one or more of her nephews or nieces, who live to regret her loss, and to pay the just tribute of their testimony to her affectionate and maternal treatment, and to her continual prayers, tears, and counsel. When she expressed affection, her language was sincere: all her words were guided by the | law of integrity.

About the age of twenty-two she made an open profession of her faith, and of her love to God, by baptism. Before she had completed her twenty-third year, she was married to Mr. Joseph Saunders. They were united in the ties of conjugal affection and Christian love for fiftythree years; during which time they lived in many different places, where they assisted and built up churches, and devoted their time and property to the service of God, and the advancement of his kingdom. Many persons in easy circumstances are forgetful of the hand that bestows their temporal blessings, and possessing every comfort this world can afford, do not recollect the distressed and indigent; but this was not the case with Mrs. S. Her generosity, (according to her means, was very great, and her | extensive charities testified her gra

In 1815, she returned to Whitchurch, to spend her latter days there:-a town rendered dear to her from its being the place where she received her earliest impressions. Towards the year 1820, nature gra.

dually, and almost imperceptibly, | decayed: her mansion was preparing above, and she welcomed every symptom of dissolution. The messenger Death gently approached, and she was undisturbed at his appearance. Her consolations were firm, composed, and regular; proving the reality of the assertion, "Thou wilt keep them in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed on thee."

On Monday, July 12, when a little revived, she said, with tears, in the presence of her afflicted husband and others, "Oh! if I recover a little, I cannot say, as many do, I will be better than ever, and never sin again. No, no, no." Then, after expressing her entire dependence on Divine help, she added, "It is my earnest desire to live more and more devoted to Christ, and that my walk may be more close with God." All were deeply affected: it was a solemn and affecting scene. When asked by her minister, if Jesus was present with, and precious to her, she answered with confidence, humility, and simplicity, "He is my Saviour." The nature of her complaint, and her constitutional calmness, prevented her from saying so much as she desired; for her spirit yearned with tender compassion over those she was leaving behind. Upon its being said to her, "It is a very great recommendation to religion that you have enjoyed it so many years, and now find it so

[ocr errors]

strong a source of consolation;" she replied, "Yes, it is indeed, and the covenant of God standeth sure; he is ever faithful to his promise." Her intellects remained unimpaired to the last, and also her senses, excepting taste for food, which she lost some time previous to her death. She was confined to her room one month and three days, suffering pain without murmuring, and breathing holy resignation and divine submission. She departed without a struggle, on Tuesday evening, August 18, 1820), surrounded by her relatives and friends. Her countenance, though bearing the impression of death, was as calm as a summer evening. Her remains were interred the Monday following; and the succeeding Sabbath evening an appropriate discourse was delivered by Mr. Philip Davies, from Rev. xiv. 12, 13. Mr. S. Bulgin of Poole, and Mr. Futcher of Longparish, (places where she had lived, and where her memory was highly respected,) preached also from the same words, and at the same time.

The following texts of scripture were impressed on her mind during her illness: The redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever, Psalm xlix. 8; And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, 2 Peter iii. 13. She is now in the enjoyment of the heavenly inheritance;— of that rest which remaineth for the people of God.

Review.

Memoirs of the Rev. Dan Taylor, late Pastor of the General Baptist Church in Whitechapel, London; with Extracts from his Diary, Correspondence, and unpublished Manuscripts. By Adam Taylor; with a Portrait, 8vo. Boards. Pp. 345, 7s. 6d.

THIS interesting and well-written work is the production of the Author

of the History of the General Bape tists, in two volumes, which was reviewed by us in the early part of last year. The history of the "New Connection" was detailed in the second volume, and in that account the subject of these Memoirs was most prominent.

Though there are many parts of this volume from which we could extract matter very honourable to

"To this infirmity of age, almost unavoidable in the circumstances in which

he was placed, may be ascribed much of the trouble that embittered his latter days, and caused his sun to set with less effulgence. In short, he was a man, and imperfection clings close to the human character in its most exalted forms. But, though his intellectual powers were in a degree debilitated, yet his moral and religious principles retained their full vigour; and, to the last, he was incapable of acting designedly contrary to what he believed to be the dictates of duty. Whatever imperfect principles he might assume, or however inconclusively he might reason from true principles, he always meant to do right; and would have

from what he esteemed the will of God."

the character of Mr. Taylor; we consider that he appeared most conspicuous in his labours as a religious reformer. The minister who undertakes to reform a corrupt religious community, will require talents of no common kind; such a combination of knowledge, piety, zeal, and fortitude, as are seldom found in any individual; but which are essentially necessary for the accomplishment of such a design. To say that the late Mr. Taylor appears to have possessed these qualities in an eminent degree, is bestowing upon his memory a meed of praise, to which but few of our race have been entitled, The General Baptist Denomina-sacrificed life itself rather than deviate tion, when Mr. Taylor first joined it, had sadly degenerated from the orthodox principles of its founders; and the evangelical and burning zeal which he felt for the honour of his divine Master, and for the purity and increase of his church, was as if $6 new wine had been put into old bottles;" which, from being incapable of extension, were soon explod. ed. The adherents of Matthew Caffin, and the Socinianism which he first introduced into that respectable body of Christians, were too numerous and powerful for the small remnant that still adhered to the orthodox principles of Thomas Grantham, their principal writer during the seventeenth century; and there was no alternative to be adopted by them, without sacrificing "the truth as it is in Jesus," but that of effecting a separation, of which Mr. Taylor was the principal instrument.

The extracts from the Diary and Letters of Mr. Taylor prove him to have been a man of habitual piety and good understanding. The review of his character, by the writer of the Memoirs, is very creditable to his judgment and talents: he has accomplished what appears to have been his object, the exhibiting of his relative as a model for the imitation of other ministers. For the last seven years of his life, the biographer admits that "his mental faculties evidently failed;" and to this cause he attributes some circumstances which had exposed the subject of his Memoir to censure. He says,

We can cordially recommend this volume, as containing much profitable information; though it is probable our readers will disapprove of that part of Mr. Taylor's creed, which was opposed to the doctrines of sovereign and electing grace, and which, in our opinion, is in direct contradiction to the spirit and design of the Apostle's queries, "Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?”

[ocr errors]

A Defence of Baptism a Term of
Communion,' in answer to the Rev.
Robert Hall's Reply. By Joseph
Kinghorn.

THIS elaborate and argumentative performance is divided into twelve chapters. The subject, probably, will secure more attention hereafter than it has yet obtained in our own denomination and in others. Without attempting, at present, to enter into the argument on either side, we shall give the contents of the chapters nearly in the Author's own words,

The first is entitled, Introductory Ob servations. The second is on the State ment of the Controversy. The third examines Mr. Hall's reasonings in the second and third chapters of his Reply. This is subdivided into seven sections. The fourth is on the Connexion between the two positive Institutes; and includes five sections. The fifth is on dispensing with a Christian Ordinance. The sixth

one thing of which we are confident,

is intended to expose Mr. Hall's misrepresentations of the argument respecting namely, that the Author was un

the ground of dissent. The seventh represents the Pædobaptists as necessary parties in the present controversy. The eighth examines the Scripture Injunction respecting Forbearance. The ninth is on Mr. Hall's argument for communing with Pædobaptists, because they are part of the true Church. The tenth considers the charge of excluding, excommunicating, and punishing other Denominations. The eleventh shows that Mixed Communion was unknown in the ancient Church. The twelfth is occupied with "the Conclusion."

We should not forget to say, there is also a Preface of twenty-three pages, which contains much valuable information on the history of this controversy, from Dr. Featly to the Rev. Charles Jerram.

Whether Mr. Hall will make a rejoinder, we have not heard; we sincerely wish he may-under the impression which we feel, in common with our readers, that in some way or other it will be useful. The subject is certainly not yet understood by thousands of those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. But the time is coming when the Angel of the Apocalypse will appear with a golden reed to measure the city, and the GATES thereof, and the wall thereof;" and then every thing will be found in its proper place. Even now the divine oracle seems to cry aloud, "Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." Rev. xxi. 15. and xi, 1.

"Georgianna" or Anecdotes of George 111. with a Selection of Poetical Effusions, and other Eulogiums on his Character, and on that of His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent. By Ingram Cobbin.

THIS book contains a considerable number of anecdotes of our late Sovereign, which we believe have been published, in many ways, all over the kingdom; and neither the accuracy with which they are related are we able to avouch; nor the necessity of publishing them again, in such a colJection as the one before us, shall we affirm or deny. There is, however,

der no necessity of giving us the same relations twice over in such a book as this. Yet, in page 16, we are told of the Monarch's attachment to the study of Topography, and in page 79 we find the same thing related again. In page 32 we have an account of Dr. Johnson's interview with the King; and in page 81 it is repeated. It is true this would do very well for a mere book-maker, and so would the long extracts from printed sermons, that have recently been very generally read; as well as effusions from Magazines and Newspapers, which have had a late and extensive circulation.

Original Letters from the Rev. John Newton, A. M. (late Rector of St. Mary Wolnoth) Author of Omicron's Letters, Cardiphonia, &c. to the Rev, W. Barlass, late Minister of the Gospel in New York. 12mo. 190 pp. bds. 4s. 6d.

Five Letters of Mr. Barlass contain 62 pages; twelve of Mr. Newton, 122. They were written from 1777 to 1783.

"

Mr. Barlass

was born in Scotland, in the parish of Fowlis, about eight miles from Perth. He entered the sacred ministry in connexion with that body of Christians usually denominated Antiburgher Se ceders, and was settled at Whitehill, in the parish of New Deer, about thirty-six miles from Aberdeen, where he continued until the year 1797. The circum stances which led to a separation from his congregation, and which produced his emigration to America, are not material to the reader. After his arrival in New York, August 27, 1798, he undertook the tuition of a number of boys in the classics, and continued in this em ployment with reputation and usefulness until August 1800; when he commenced the business of a bookseller and stationer, which he pursued till his death, January 7, 1817. In this station he was peculiarly useful, by importing from Europe, and collecting from various quarters, an assortment of the most valuable, curious, and rare books in divinity, and in the learned languages; thus supplying wants which could not otherwise be satisfied in

this city. Mr. Barlass was a zealous, faithful, and impressive preacher, and acquired a high degree of popularity with the members of the society among whom he officiated. Wherever he displayed his talents, he was attended by a crowd. 'ed auditory; and many of the congregation at Whitehill, which was greatly attached to him, to this day deeply lament the loss of his services. He was a judicious divine, a man of extensive reading, and a good classical scholar. In his manners he was mild, and without affectation; modest and unassuming in his deportment; of a sociable disposition, but much abstracted from the world; of ardent piety; humble, patient, and submissive to the will of his heavenly Fa ther, under a severe and distressing malady, with which he was afflicted for many years, and which at last brought him to the grave. The correspondence between Mr. Barlass and the pious and celebrated John Newton, took its rise from the difficulties and perplexities which agitated his bosom, when about to enter upon the work of the ministry; and was intended to elicit the advice and direction of that excellent man, for whom Mr. Barlass had a high veneration. The effect corresponded with his expectation." These letters embrace a variety of topics, and are both entertaining and instructive. There is much information in them; but it cannot always be implicitly depended upon; -witness the following from good Mr. Newton.

.

"The Baptists are divided into General and Particular; the latter, and sounder, is, I believe, the larger part, They are a respectable people, have many good ministers, are tenacious of the truth. They are, I think, over zealous about the point of baptisan, and their numbers are kept up and increased, more by the proselytes they gain from among other denominations, than by conversions under their own preachers." P. 151.

Who amongst us does not know that this statement is incorrect? Will any person say that one member of our churches in a hundred was converted under the ministry of our Independent brethren? If Mr. Newton means, that our churches are kept up and increased by persons from the church of England, after the death or departure of an evangelical minister, we rejoice that we have had many members who were converted under such ministers, and

that it was in our power to afford them an asylum when they could no longer hear the gospel in their own church. But who will say that at any time the numbers of our members flowing from that quarter was greater than the number converted under our own preachers?

Did Mr. Newton think us over zealous about the point of baptism? And do not all Christians think those who differ from them over zealous about the points of difference? Various are the charges brought by Christians one against another. Some are charged with bigotry, whilst others are charged with being fierce for moderation; some are charged with always bringing forward their peculiar sentiments, whilst others are charged with being overbearing towards their brethren, and with a desire to impose silence upon them, at the same time that they are by no means backward to expose to view their own sentiments upon the same subject.

Tantæne animis cœlestibus iræ?

mination, and recrimination, to It is high time for strife, and cri

cease. Are we not brethren? Let other's faults; only let our reproofs us not, however, connive at each flow from, and be mixed with, love. Are we not all members of the same body? The hand sometimes lays a caustic upon the arm; but it arises from love. If one member suffers, the other members suffer with it, Let Christians be "kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another." And if any members of the body be thought to be "less honourable," upon them let their brethren "bestow more abundant honour." These remarks are not excited by the spirit of good Mr. Newton. We wish that all Christians were as affectionate and as

meek as he. But we presume that they can never be unseasonable;

and we address them to Christians. of all denominations, not excepting

our own.

A View of the Nature and Govern ment of a Christian Church, collected from the Holy Scriptures,

« IndietroContinua »