son College, lately resuscitated at Carlisle, has been favoured with a revival of religion, as well as a part of the Rev. Mr. Duffield's congregation in that borough. In the months of September and October last, some dispensations of providence in the surrounding country, were of a nature calculated to awaken reflection. The preaching of the pastor was faithful; his attention to pastoral duties diligent; and his prayers for a revival of religion ardent and persevering. The communion season, in the early part of November, was unusually solemn, and some of the young men in college were seriously impressed. One or two of them applied for Christian instruction. On the 16th of November took place the death of Mr. James Hall Mason, a young gentleman who had graduated in June last, and had for two months taught the grammar school with much approbation. He was the fourth son of the Rev. Dr. Mason, president of the college, and a youth so pious, amiable, and exemplary, as to have commanded, in an uncommon degree, the affections of his youthful companions, and the sincere esteem of a respectable community. It was remarked, that no decease, within recollection, had produced so powerful an effect on the public feeling. The young men in college, by whom he was greatly beloved, were penetrated with grief at the sudden decease of their youthful friend, and some of them, on that very day, were roused to a sense of their own danger, and to call on the name of the Lord that they might be saved. The funeral was numerously attended on the following day, and the address at the grave, delivered by the Rev. Mr. M'Cartee of NewYork, proved pungent and powerful, so that the whole assembly were bathed in tears. In the college there were, from the beginning of the present session, tenyouthful professors of religion, of decided piety. From them, accounts reached Mr. Duffield, two days after the funeral, that there were eight of the students deeply exercised about the state of their souls; the number soon increased to fourteen. The eight that were originally impressed, had some bosom friends in college, who felt alarmed at the rashness (as they deemed it) of the young converts; fearing it was only a temporary excitement which would wear off, and leave them with the reproach of being hypocrites or backsliders. Frequent interviews, however, assured the friends of the young inquirers, that the work of grace in their hearts was genuine; and their conviction and sincerity likely to ensure a consistent and persevering profession of religion.

This produced a most happy effect; the doubting advisers became themselves also earnest inquirers; and, blessed be God, were enabled to lay down the wisdom of this world at the foot of the Cross, and with their affectionate friends, to desire the sincere milk of the word, that they might grow thereby. Some of them passed through deep exercises of mind, of fasting, and agonizing prayer, before they received that hope that maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us. They immediately formed themselves into a society for prayer, and met weekly at the hour when the new enquirers, and those of the students who came for the first time, were to meet in private with the Rev. Mr. Duffield for religious instruction and direction. In the college rooms, where the occupants were of the number thus awakened and comforted, morning and evening worship was attended to in the manner usually followed in family worship. The peace and joy which filled the minds of those dear young men, led them forth as zealous missionaries to plead with their fellow-students yet careless, to seek after God; and to persevere in seeking until they found him. The first arrow which seemed to fasten in their youthful minds was the fear of death: "were I called by rapid fever, as James Mason was, to pass into eternity, have I a solid hope for my immortal spirit that all would be well in that interminable home of the soul?" Aware of their past neglect, of the value of the soul, of the possibility of sudden death, of their absolute dependence for temporal life, from hour to hour, on that God whom they were daily provoking by their sins, they perceived the necessity of immediate attention to this, of all others, the most important object, and betook themselves to prayer, reading of the word of God, and anxious inquiries of their spiritual guides, "What they should do to be saved?" It is worthy of observation also, that as each of them found peace, it was generally given by the powerful application of some comforting promise in the sacred text to the heart and conscience (we have reason to trust) by the spirit of God. It was a work truly delightful to behold sometimes two, at other times four new students coming forward as humble and anxious inquirers after the way of salvation.

The number of the awakened soon increased to twenty-six; and now there are probably thirty-five, of whom good hopes are entertained for thirty, as being truly regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and united by a living faith to that dear Redeemer who is the living vine, able to nourish all the living branches to cternal life. This number, added to the ten originally pious, form a happy proportion of the whole number of students, in Dickinson College which does not exceed seventyseven. Nor is the mere profession of religion the only fruit of this revival. The awakened students display in their whole conduct the lovely deportment of the disciples of the blessed Saviour, and a noisy college is now transformed into the peaceable order of a regular family!

An opposition was at first manifested by some of the students, and a regular organization threatened to counteract the religious exertions of the new converts. One or two of those fell off from the ranks of opposition, and became themselves warmly engaged on the side of truth. A seasonable and powerful address from the Rev. Doctor Mason, put an end to all show of opposition; and the attendance of the students on many religious exercises of a public nature became almost general.

This special attention to spiritual things was not confined to the college, but was found to prevail in a proportion of Mr. Duffield's congregation. He appointed an inquiring meeting on Monday evening the 25th of November, when there were present about sixty persons from the college and congregation.

At this meeting, one of the ministers found himself seated between a hoary headed man of seventy years, and a boy, of ten, a Sunday Scholar, whose softened heart bore testimony to the work of grace.

Turning from the youthful disciple, the minister thus addressed the aged inquirer, are you come to teach, or to learn? Surely thou art not come here to learn of me. Oh yes, was the reply; though old in years, I am but a babe in the spiritual life.

A lad of fourteen, who had been able to give a touching and satisfactory account of his passing from darkness into light, and of his resolution to serve the Lord in the strength of his grace; was asked if he had any difficul ties? With a solemn air, and after a pause, he said, "the suggestions of Satan trouble me; if I pursue the course I have now entered upon, I shall forfeit the pleasures of this world, and his suggestions trouble me at times."

During a visit of nearly a fortnight, the Rev. Mr. M'Cartee was actively engaged in forwarding the good work; and his ardent preaching evidently accompanied by a divine blessing.

Mr. Duffield has the happiness to find in the Rev Professor M'Clelland, a diligent, evangelical, and able coadjutor. The Rev Mr. Ebaugh of the German Church gives all the kind and cordial "assistance that the cares of his own congregation will permit.

On Saturday, evening the 30th November, Mr. Duffield held a meeting of his church members, in which they mutually engaged, as in the sight of God, to be more alive to the spiritual interests of themselves and others; and to do all in their power by prayer and exertion to forward the good work now going on; and to avoid whatever might prejudice sinners against the religion of Christ. At the next inquiring meeting on the 2nd December, there were about seventy present, and lately there have been 85, at a time when it was known that about 15 or 16 who had obtained a hope were absent.

May a gracious God continue to vouchsafe the influences of his Holy Spirit, until many more shall be added to the Church of such as shall be saved. The state ment of facts given above is no doubt correct, and may be acceptable to many readers It is impossible, however, to impart the spirit, the life, the mourning, and the joy alternately in exercise, where a revival of religion extensively prevails. Christians of experience appear to have their graces rekindled anew; new-born Christians are lost in admiration at the view imparted by faith of the glory of God the love of Jesus and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. Parents rejoice over their children; brothers embrace in spiritual joy; the word is preached with power, and received in love; gracious affections flow out, and the weeping, yet rejoicing, assembly gives an animating hope that God is

near.

New-York, 30th December, 1822.

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Obituary.-The late Rev. John Owen.

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Obituary.

THE LATE REV. JOHN OWEN.

IN No. 213 we announced the lamented death of the Rev. John Owen, M. A. formerly Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; Rector of Paglesham, Essex; Minister of Park Chapel, Chelsea; and one of the Secretaries of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He died on Thursday, September 26, when he had just completed his 57th year. Mr. O. has fallen a sacrifice to the incessant exertion and anxiety with which he discharged the important duties of his arduous situation, and which had in two former instances brought him down to the very borders of the grave.

The funeral took place at Fulham, on Thursday, October 3. The funeral service was read by the Rev. Mr. Dealtry with the most impressive solemnity, and produced a deep effect. The inhabitants of Fulham evinced their high respect for their fellow-townsman and former lecturer, by voluntarily closing their shops and houses, and crowding around his grave.

At a Meeting of the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, September 30, 1822; the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth, President, in the chair;

The President stated, that he had now to discharge the melancholy duty of reporting to the committee the death of the Secretary, the Rev. John Owen, which took place on Thursday the 26th September, at Ramsgate.

In adverting to the afflicting dispensation which has deprived the British and Foreign Bible Society of the invaluable services of its late Secretary, the Committee cannot resist the impulse of duty and affection, thus to record their grateful testimony to his zeal and unwearied exertions.

As no one was more deeply impressed with a sense of the great importance of the institution to the best interests of mankind, no one laboured more strenuously and effectually to promote its influence and prosperity. To this object, which was ever near to his heart, his time, his talents, and his personal labours, were unremittingly devoted. The correspondence which his official situation imposed on him, was alone sufficient to occupy the time which he could spare from his professional duties; but the energies of a superior mind enabled him to extend bis care and attention to every branch of the multifarious concerns of the Society, and to accomplish more than could have been expected from individual efforts. His pen and his voice were incessantly employed in its cause. The former was frequently and vigorously exercised in elucidating the principles of the nstitution or in defending its character and conduct against misrepresentation or aggression. To his pen the world is indebted for a luminous and authentic history of the origin of the British and Foreign Bible ociety, and its progress during the first fifteen years of its existen e ;

in which the characters of truth and impartiality are throughout conspicuous while his eloquence, so often and successfully displayed in advocating the cause of the institution, impressed on his audiences that conviction of its utility, which he himself so strongly felt, and which the progressive experience of eighteen years has how so amply confirmed.

But his eloquence was entitled to a higher praise; it was the effusion of a heart in which candour and liberality ever predominated; it was characterized by that suavity of disposition, which had endeared him to the affectionate esteem, not only of his colleagues and the Committee, but of all who were in any way associated with him in transacting the business of the Society; while his great and diversified talents commanded general respect and admiration, and never failed to produce in public meetings, a harmonious feeling of mutual regard among all who had the privilege of attending them.

In the year 1818, Mr. Owen, at the suggestion of the Committee, undertook a journey to the Continent, principally with a view to the recovery of his health, which had materially suffered in the cause of the institution; but also for the purpose of visiting the Bible Societies in France and Switzerland.

On his conduct during this excursion, it is sufficient to say, that it tended to raise the reputation of the institution, of which he was the representative; and to cement that happy union which had so long subsisted between the British and Foreign Bible Society and its Continental associates; and that his advice and experience were eminently useful in forming arrangements for the establishments of new Societies, or for rendering those already existing more active and efficient.

The Committee, while they deeply lament, individually and collectively, the loss which the Society has sustained, cannot but devoutly express their gratitude to Almighty God, for having so long granted it the benefit of the zeal and talents of their beloved associate; to the indefatigable exertion of that zeal and those talents, the British and Foreign Bible Society, as far as regards human instrumentality, is essentially indebted for its present prosperous state; while to the same cause must in great measure be ascribed that indisposition which has so fatally terminated.

The Committee, fully persuaded that all the members of the institution will most cordially sympathize with them, on an event so peculiarly calculated to affect their feelings, resolved that this brief memorial of the merits and services of their late Secretary be published in the Monthly Extracts of Correspondence.

On Sunday morning, October 13, a funeral sermon was preached at Park Chapel, Chelsea, the place of Mr. Owen's later ministerial labours, by the Rev. W. Dealtry, Rector of Chapham, from Rev. xiv. 13: " And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are thedead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." From a sketch of this sermon, published in the London Guardian, we make the following extracts:

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Obituary.-The late Rev. John Owens

503

"We are told, that those who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars, for ever and ever.' But among the numerous followers of Christ in these latter days, few indeed had been engaged in works more important, or had brought to their labour talents more extraordinary, than our departed brother.

"Mr. D. then proceeded to advert more particularly to the character of his deceased friend. Their earliest acquaintance commenced at Cambridge. At that place he had frequent opportunities of hearing him, was forcibly struck with the indications of talent he then displayed, and anticipated his early arrival at the first rank among his brethren.

"But called to other scenes, and to another line of duty, he has been for the last eighteen years the servant, or rather the property of the public-a living epistle, known and read of all men.

"Scarcely any other imaginable post could have so completely called forth the powers of his extraordinary mind. Imagination the most fruitful, and yet the most under control-eloquence, free, forcible, and convincing-judgment the most exact and admirable-diligence, which exhausted his frame itself-resolution, rising above difficulty and opposition the most continual and overwhelming.

"Who can estimate the amount of his services? of those meditations by night-of those discussions by day-of that voluminous correspondence of his almost unintermitted travels in England and on the Continent?

"And what were his motives for all these singular exertions? Worldly inducements he could have none. By the very act of becoming gratuitous Secretary to the Bible Society, he seemed to have renounced all such. By this one engagement, he was necessarily and totally withdrawn from all the pursuits of ambition and interest, even in the subdued degree which only is allowable to a Christian. And, finally, his frame itself fell a sacrifice to his labour, and he sunk absolutely and completely worn out in the service. But did he ever lament these sacrifices? Did he, on the retrospect, begin to consider that a more moderate, a less devoted kind of service might have sufficed? No. On a loose slip of paper, there had been found the following reflection, penned during his last illness; How sweet to have toiled in this work! and if compelled to withdraw from labours more abundant.' the sentence was left unfinished; and, in a later hand, was added, I have done;' added, no doubt, at a subsequent period, when he began to feel a conviction that his toils were closed, and that his rest was at hand.

·

"His peculiar excellencies in the discharge of his official duties were next adverted to. He was a man of a large and liberal spirit; and although firmly attached to our venerable Church, and determined to give up no principle of faith or practice, yet he loved far better 'to dwell on those things in which men could agree, than on those in which they differ. His remarkable judgment and masterly conduct in certain painful instances of opposition was not to be forgotten. 'I have witnessed with admiration,' said a friend, his demeanour when provoked, I should rather say, when he bore with imperturbable good