reading, meditation and prayer, | ed to Dartmouth, but was soon he rose to eminence and repu-obliged to flee again, by a retation in the church. peated enforcement of the acts

In 1656, he received an invita- of parliament. He now went tion from the people of Dart-to London, hoping that he mouth to be their minister, might be more useful there, which he accepted, and was as-than in the neighborhood of sociated with Mr. Allein Geere. Dartmouth. After a short stay Here God crowned his labors at London and a narrow escape with great success. Faithful to from the hands of his enemies, his flock, he sought every occa-he returned once more to Dartsion to do them good, and zeal-mouth, where he was confined ously preached the gospel of a close prisoner to his own Christ among them; though house; yet he kindly received the civil arm was raised all who would come to him unagainst him, and threatened his discovered, and made his prison destruction. One of his judi-a temple of worship. cious hearers expressed him- In 1687, the penal acts beforeself thus concerning him : "I mentioned were dispensed with, could say much, though not and Mr. Flavel, who had long enough of the excellency of his been checked by legal restraint, preaching of his seasonable, now resumed his former public suitable and spiritual matter; of labors, with renewed zeal, and his plain expositions of scrip-shone with brighter lustre. He ture, his taking method, his now preached and published genuine and natural deductions, his eleven sermons entitled his convincing arguments, his England's Duty," which manclear and powerful demonstra-ifest his piety and independence tions, his heart-searching appli- in the cause of Christianity. cations, and his comfortable supports to those that were afflicted in conscience."

He had vowed to the Lord in his confinement, that should he again obtain his liberty, he would improve it to the advantage of the gospel, which he conscientiously performed both by public and private exertion.

He was a nonconformist, and when the act of uniformity deprived him of his living, he still labored among his people with undiminished exertion. When The last sermon which he the Oxford act went into opera- preached was at Ashburton from tion, he was compelled to leave 1 Cor. x. 12; which was a paDartmouth, to the great affic-thetic and excellent discourse, tion of his people. He retired tending to awaken careless proto Slapton where he continued fessors to be solicitous about to preach, to as many as dared their souls. His death was sud to resort thither, in defiance of den. He had appeared to be the act against conventicles; and in usual health during the eve though driven abroad by thening; while at supper he compersecuting spirit of intolerance, plained of a numbness in one he continued to assert boldly hand, which alarmed his wife the truths of the gospel. On a and friends. As they were carchange of measures he return-rying him to his chamber, he

expressed an opinion that it would be the last time, but added, I know that it will be well with me.

Thus died in peace this man of God, on the 26th of June 1691, in the 64th year of his age.

His treatise called, “A saint indeed, or how to keep the heart," is deservedly esteemed. The following testimony in its favor is interesting. Mr. Flavel being in London in 1673, his bookseller Mr. Boulter, informed him that some time before, a gay young gentleman enquired in his shop for play books. Mr. Boulter told him he had none, but shewed him Mr. Flavel's treatise on keeping the heart. The gentleman read the title, and glancing over several pages, profanely censured and condemned both the book and its author. Being further urged, he at length bought it, but declared that instead of reading it, he would tear and burn it, and send it to the devil. The book was then refused to him, upon which he promised to read it. About a

Mr. Flavel was a man of middling stature, and full of activity. With his friends he was social and communicative; to the poor and distressed, he was liberal and compassionate. He was much devoted to reading and meditation, and the productions of his pen to this day administer consolation and instruction to Christians of every station. His writings evidence a disposition to instruct the ignorant and sooth the afflicted, rather than to display his own talents and erudition. That however he was a man of high literary at-month after the gentleman came tainments is abundantly evident; into the shop again, in modest and his talents were employed to habit and with a serious countenthe noblest purpose. He had ance, thus addressed Mr. Boulter: a peculiar faculty of adapting Sir, I most heartily thank you his discourses to the meanest for putting this book into my capacity, and of drawing divine hands; I bless God who moved instruction from the most com- you to do it, it hath saved my mon objects and incidents of soul. He then bought an hunlife. For the truth of this re-dred more of them to distribute, mark the reader is referred to to the poor, who were unable to those original and interesting buy them, and left the shop, treatises, the one entitled "Hus-praising and admiring the goodbandry Spiritualized," the other.ness of God. "A new Compass for Seamen," The sermons of Mr. Flavel in which the author has with are plain and practical, and from uncommon judgment suited his a number of them entitled the. language and matter to those fountain of life, it is evident that whom he addressed. The lear- his constant endeavor was to ned and critical have affected to preach Jesus Christ and him despise performances like these, crucified. but they can never deprive them of merit. Christianity was first taught by parables, and their excellency in catching the attention is unrivalled.

Of Mr. Flavel's private life, it is worthy of remark, that his equanimity and humble deportment, were prominent traits in his character. His family af

364

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Seth Williston. [Ocr. 'flictions were great. He left his books, which are already in the fourth wife a widow, and yet hands of a part of your readers. under all his trials he was pa-There may be some objections tient and resigned. His token against the biography which I for mourners shows the improve-send you. It may be objected ment which he made of afilic- that there is not enough of her tions, and the source, from own views, feelings and words whence he derived his consola-contained in it. I acknowledge tion. there is not so much of this kind of matter as I could wish. Had I only penned down all which I have heard her express myself, this sketch would not be

It appears from his work on the soul of man, on what his mind was much employed. He looked forward to a more glorious state of existence; con-deficient in this respect. I had sidered the world beneath his pursuit, and the kingdom of God and his righteousness, the great objects of attainment. The peace and union of the church he zealously sought, and labored much to effect; and spent the last days of his life in pro-late. She was considered as a moting the design.

made some such minutes years ago, and I trusted too much to my memory, which is apt to let slip particular expressions, &c. I was with her a few hours before she died, but she was gasping for life, and could hardly articu

kind of female Lot in the place where she lived, and was known extensively in this part of the country as a woman of piety. It is one argument in favor of its publication that it will be in

When he saw the heads of agreement subscribed by the London ministers, he told a friend then with him, that he could say with Simeon : "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant .de-teresting to those who take the part in peace." Thus after a life spent in the service and consolation of the church, he em ployed the close of it in laying a foundation for her future quiet and prosperity.

Magazine in this part of the country. One of the Magazines still comes on directed to her, and is taken by her daughter, Mrs. Pumpelly. We have read the lives of many eminent for piety, who have died in New. England, but have not read the

Extract of a Letter from the lives of any, who have lived and

2

Rev. Seth Williston.

Lisle, July 18th, 1805.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

I PROPOSE, with this, to send you some sketches of the life of Mrs. Pixley with a view to their being inserted in the Magazine. Biography is interesting; and the lives of those who have lately lived, if otherwise equal, are, I think, preferable to those taken from

died in these new settlements.

Another objection which I expect will be made against the biography, which I send you is its length. It may be said that too much time is taken up since we have so little account of the life and death of the woman. The m thod which I took was calculated to take up time; but I thought it might be the most profitable method to my hearers, and who

1808.] Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Seth Williston.

365

knows but it may be the most pro- | little about it. In the 4th numfitable method to your readers?ber I think we had encourageThe Magazine publishes sketch-ment, that by the next month we es of lives, didactic pieces and ex- should have some account of hortations apart, here they are the work of God in ———, but put together. After all, it is sub-we have seen nothing of it. Permitted to the discretion of the haps it will be said that it is not editor. If the piece should need the fault of the editor-he any apology to be made to the waits to receive communications public for its publication, I wish from those who are acquainted you to make one yourself, and with these awakenings. I wonnot consider any thing which I der that those ministers and othhave written to you as a preface er friends of religion, who have to the sketches. opportunity to be personally acquainted with the displays of divine grace, do not take pains, through the medium of Magazines, to make joy on earth over many sinners, who are repenting and turning from Satan to God. But if they neglect to do their duty, would it not be the duty of the editor to stir them up by putting them in mind of it. if hints given in the monthly numbers fail of bringing forward the information, which is desired, why would it not be best for the

The public are hitherto a little disappointed in the new Magazine, in having no more account of the wonderful work of grace which we hear is going on in the land. I believe there is no one thing which induces a greater mumber to try to make out the money necessary to obtain the Magazines, than a desire in this way to obtain correct information of the revivals of religion in our land and in different parts of the world, together with the success of the missionary exer-editor to write private letters to tions in Europe and America. particular gentlemen, who are I often hear them offer this rea- capable of giving such informason for becoming subscribers; tion, desiring them not to delay I believe more often, than any to attend to the matter as a thing other. I saw Mr.. a few which concerns the Redeemer's weeks ago, he said, the minis- glory, and the comfort of his ters in his quarter thought there people. Where there is an never had been so much attention awakening extending over a to religion, and so much out-pour-number of towns adjacent, some ing of the Spirit in the land since one minister, who is acquainted its settlement. We are continual-with the work, and who has been ly hearing that the Lord is displaying his arm gloriously in various places; but we have seen very little mention made of it in the Magazine, where we have a right to expect to see it, if it is real. The public will be in danger of thinking that the editor does not think it a genuine work of the Spirit, if he says

into all the awakened towns, might give a general statement. There appears to me an evident advantage in being informed of what the Lord is now doing for Zion. It animates and encourages us to hope. If the Lord is now pouring out his Spirit in other places, we think surely he has not forsaken the earth.

There is hope for us-who| Several years before her reknows but the same grace will appear for our help?

SETH WILLISTON.

Note. The EDITOR perfectly agrees with Mr. Williston in an opinion of the benefits which arise from faithful narratives of revivals of religion. They are means for warming and rejoicing

the hearts of Christians, awa

moval from New-England, in a time of some special out-pouring of the Spirit in the place where she lived, she was made sensible of her lost state by nature, and her need of the renewing of the Holy Spirit.—

Some time after she obtained a hope that God had wrought a saving change in her heart, she

kening the secure, and display-joined the congregational church

in Stockbridge, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Stephen West. While she lived there, she acquired the character of eminency in religion as such,

she was recommended to me by her worthy pastor, before I

ing the riches and power of Sovereign grace. He laments that so little of this matter is found in the Magazine, in a day when the Spirit is gloriously out-poured in many of our churches; but he cannot accuse himself of neglect. In ad-ever saw her. It is now more dition to the public invitation many letters have been written. Modesty or some better reason hath prevented communications

of this kind.

than eleven years since I have been privileged with a personal acquaintace with her; and I can say, with truth, that my personal acquaintance has exalted my views of her piety. You who have been longer and more in

FOR THE CONNECTICUT MAGA-timately acquainted with her, I

ZINE.

trust, know more of her excelSketches of the life of Mrs. Lydia lencies; and, perhaps, you also Pixley, who died February 2d, have known more of her defects. I have always been very spa 1808, at the village of Owego, in the County of Broome, Aring in characterizing the dead York; as they were given in in funeral sermons, lest I should a sermon preached at her fune-be ral from Psal. Ixxiii. 4. by

Mr. Williston.

M'

RS. PIXLEY has lived almost seventeen years this part of the country.

*Mrs. Pixley was the widow of Col. David Pixley, whom she survived hardly six months, and the daughter of Mr. Joseph Patterson, who removed with his family from Watertown to Richmond in Massachusetts. She never had but three children of her own; cne only of which survives her. She died at the age of 62.

tempted to eulogize all the dead for the sake of the feelings of the weeping friends; or lest I should be tempted to paint the character of the vir tuous dead above what they were seen to be in life. But I know not how to pass over the character of this amiable woman in silence. And I remember, that when Peter came into the chamber where the pious and charitable Dorcas lay a corpse, all the widows, who had known her, stood by weeping, and showing the coats and garments