to the unlettered, yet humble and conscientious Christian, their conduct assigns a sufficient reason for their enmity to the truth of God. A certain gentleman, now deceased, when in early life, denied revealed religion, and, with a companion, often carried on conversation in the presence of a pious though illiterate countryman. The gentleman afterwards becoming a serious Christian, was anxious to remove, if possible, any evil effects from the mind of the countryman. One day, therefore, he asked him whether what was so frequently advanced in his hearing had not shaken his faith. By no means,' replied the countryman, 'it never made the least impression upon me.' "No impression upon you!" said the gentleman, "why you must know that we had read and thought on these things much more than you had opportunity of doing." "O yes,' said the other, but I knew also your manner of living.' Homerton. J. I. ANECDOTE. SIR Henry Wotton, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who had great honours conferred upon him, on account of his near relation to the great favourite, Robert Earl of Essex, was very intimate with the Duke of Tuscany, and with James then King of Scotland (and afterwards of England too) and had been sent on several embassies to Holland, Germany, and Venice; and after all, desired to retire with this motto, Tandem dedicit animas sapientores fieri quiescendo*; and consequently, that a man was more happy in a private situation, than it was possible for him to be with those worldly honours which were accompanied with so many troubles. In short, the utmost of his aim in this life, for the future, was to be Provost of Eaton, that there he might enjoy his beloved study and devotion: and he was afterwards heard to say, That the day on which he put on his surplice, was the happiest day of his whole life; - it being the utmost happiness a man can attain here, to be at leisure to be and to do good. And this great man never reflected on his former years but he would weep, and say, "How much time have I to repent of! and how little to do it in!" * That he had learned at length, that the soul grew wiser by retirement. QUERY. As the appointed mode of worship under the New Testament is to approach the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit (Eph. ii. 18.) under what circumstances may a Christian pray, exclusively, to Jesus Christ 2 Dbituary. MISS MARY ANN DAVIES. Miss Davies, eldest daughter of Mr. Robert Davies, of Shoreditch, London, when under two years of age, became an object of the peculiar affection of two aunts, a few miles from the metropolis, who took her under their care at that tender age, and with whom, from that period, she almost constantly resided When a mere child, she was the happy subject of serious impression; which appears to have acquired a considerable degree of strength as she advanced in years. Having heard a sermon, occasioned by the death of Miss Bowyer, of Pall Mall, preached by the Rev. Dr. Rippon, from Proverbs viii. 17, “I love them that love me; and those that scek me early shall find me,” she made the following memoranum: "I was much affected with the discourse, and it was much impressed upon my mind afterwards; and very desirous was I that the impression might not be erased." But, for several years prior to this event, religion was evidently the business of her life, the principal subject which occupied her attention, and the great object of her pursuit. - In the month of May 1798, she was emboldened to make a public profession; and was received, with her two younger sisters, into communion by the church under the care of Dr. Rippon: a circumstance highly gratifying to her affectionate parents, and to her father more particularly, who was himself a member of the same Christian society; and who now enjoyed the unspeakable satisfaction of realizing an answer to his many fervent supplications, that he might live to see his dear children devoting themselves to God in an everlasting covenant. Immediately after this solemn engagement, Miss Davies, couscious that the vows of God were upon her, became unusually circumspect -th regard to the operations of her mind and her daily deportment: and as a mean of invigorating her Christian graces, of preserving a tenderness of conscience, and promoting the divine life in her heart she adopted the very commendable resolution of making daily remarks upon her employment, her conduct. and her experience. Her diary, which contains a large quantity of ex cellent matter, at the same time that it expresses in every page, in every line almost, the fears and discourage ments to which she was subject, discovers that tenderness of disposition, that holy, heavenly, patient temper. that zeal for the divine glory, and that affectionate concern for the best interests of her dearest connexions, which eminently characterize a genuine disciple of the blessed Jesus. There have been, it is probable, but few serious Christians whose spiritual exercises have been more painful than hers. But she was enabled under all, at some happy seasons, "to encourage herself in the Lord her God;" and in the most sorrowful intervals had reason to say, "that as her tribulation abounded, her consolation did much more abound." While greatly valued by all her acquaintance, and in the enjoyment of every blessing which this world could afford, for several years her habit of body was evidently consumptive; and, to the no small grief of her friends, her health appeared to be gradually declining. But the coa solations which the gospel is sc admirably calculated to communicate, were, in a great measure, withheld during this the season of her increasing weakness and pain, till within about six weeks of her dissolution ; when the Lord was graciously pleased to deliver her from all her fears, and inspire her with all joy and peace in believing. From this time she was enabled to express the feelings of her mind in the most cheerful manner, assured her surrounding friends, and that she did not wish her consola- In a visit made her by Dr. Rippon, "Divinely fair, and full in sight, Some time after, the adversary was permitted, for a short season, to gain an advantage over her: upon which, with a sorrowful countenance, she addressed her sister, "I am afraid that my religion is all a delusion." But the Lord, in infinite compassion, soon appeared for her relief; and, after a few minutes, she expressed herself with a pathos which will not be soon forgotten: "I can tread Satan under my feet: help me to praise, help me to praise. Pray, my dear sister, live near to the Lord; for I feel it to have been of the ut most importance now I am in the near prospect of eternity." A short time before her dissolution, looking at a Bible, she exclaimed, “I am interested in all the precious promises contained in that blessed book.". And in the night previous to her departure, she expressed herself to her aunt, "I am very bad, and do not know what the Lord is about to do with me; but all is well; I am going to Heaven." In this most delightful frame of mind did my beloved child exchange this world for a better, on the 21st of June 1805, in her 33d year. From the commencement of her conversion to the closing scene, her behaviour was uniformly exemplary in the highest degree:-it may be justly admired, but will not be easily imitated. R. D. MR. WILLIAM HILL, AGED 21. MR. William Hill was born at St. Thomas, near Launceston. It was his happiness to receive a religious education; which, under God, restrained him from many youthful vices, and inspired him with a veneration for true religion. There does not appear, however, to have been any distinct work of grace on his soul till he was visited with a linger, ing consumption, when he began to seek the Lord with purpose of heart, At his request I visited him :-he expressed his fears that all was not right. "It is true," said he, " I have not launched out into open vices, like many young men, but I am a great sinner in the sight of God. I am not ignorant of the plan of salvation; but I want to see mys OBITUARY. self personally interested in Christ." I adduced a variety of the blessed. promises which exhibit Christ" will ing to save to the uttermost; and that whosoever would, might come," &c. On my next visit he appeared more comfortable, and stated the great consolation he had found in reading the Gospel of John, particularly chapter vi. 37, &c. From this time he advanced rapidly in Christian knowledge and experience; many writings were blessed to him, particularly that excellent book, "The Refuge." The desire of his heart was gratified, and he was enabled to exclaim, "Jesus is my Saviour, I know and feel him to be so: what should I do without this good hope? O what a mercy that the Lord did not cut me off in my sins, and amidst my gaiety and -unconcern." June 21. "I am waiting," he said to a friend," with restless nights and days; had I not support from God, what should I do?-but what are my sufferings to my dear Redeemer's?" On seeing his mother weep, he said, "O mother, why do you weep? Suppose the Lord should restere me, and I should be left to the temptations of Satan and turn out an infidel! whereas now I can lie down on my pillow and resign myself into the arms of my dear -Redeemer." The Tuesday following, a young friend calling, found him so very weak as scarcely to be heard to speak. Soon after, he desired to sit up; but with the exertion he fainted. Reviving a little, he prayed that the Holy Ghost would reveal more of the love of Jesus to his soul, and that, if it were the Lord's will, he might enjoy that sense of his presence which he bad experienced in former days; but he could rest on the Lord's promises, and his soul was safe in his Redeemer's hands. When the clock struck, and the was inforined of the time, he observed, "A few more hours and I shall leave this vile body and fly -away, where I shall be for ever at rest." On some fruit being brought him, he said, "How good is the Lord to such an unworthy wretch! O that I had a more thankful heart for the 127 boundless mercies I enjoy, and that I could convey some of it to those who are suffering in the same manner as myself, especially such as love the Lord Jesus; for I love them whoever they are. While enduring much bodily pain, he looked up to his father, and said, "Tis hard; but what is this to what Christ suffered for me? what should I do now without my dear Redeemer? I could expect nothing from the Lord but to be cast into the bottomless pit of perdition; but Jesus is my Saviour, and has said unto me" Fear not, I am thy salvation." Looking from the window, and seeing the church,-"There," said he, "my poor body will soon be laid, and my spirit will ascend to my dear Jesus; yes, it will, and Christ shall be my song." Being told the day of the month, he said, "This is the month in which my dearest sister died: and who knows but 1 may die on the same day; but I hope I shall not continue so long, for I want to be with my dear Jesus; I feel him precious to my soul, and I know he will save me: a little longer, and I must see him face to face; I am not afraid of death; the sting is taken away: Jesus said, "It is finished;" salvation is finished for all who feel their need of Christ." Thus did this excellent youth display the reality of a work of grace upon his heart. Gradually becoming weaker and weaker in body, but strengthened with all might in the inner man, there was A mortal paleness on his cheek, But glory in his soul. Weakness of body prevented his expressing his fervent desires after Christ; and now greatly longing for his dismissal, the Saviour whom he loved received him to his arms on The Wednesday, July 17, 1805. event was improved by the Rev. R. Cope, to a crowded audience, in a discourse founded on Job xiv. 2. Launceston. R. H. O. JAMES FRYE, ESQ. On Monday the 2nd of December, died, in the 47th year of his age, after three days indisposition, James Frye, Esq. Post-Master for the city of Bristol; which office he sustained during the period of 17 years, with peculiar honour to himself, and with equal advantage to the public. In the death of this excellent man the world has lost a friend, and the church ef Christ a most admirable and amiable member. Like Obadiah, be "feared the Lord from his youth;" and of him may it also be said, "that he feared the Lord above many." Such, however, were the just views he entertained of the religion of Jesus, that he preserved an habitual seriousness of spirit without a shadow of gloominess; and was as uniformly cheerful, without ever yielding to the impressions of levity. His literary attainments were very considerable. Besides an acquaintance with several of the modern languages, he was no mean proficient in the Greek and lebrew tongues,which he acquired in the earlier part of life from an ardent desire to read the sacred Scriptures in the languages in which they were originally written. So endeared to his heart was the inspired volume, and so familiar to his mind were its interesting contents, that he was a sort of living concordance: many whole chapters, and a considerable part of some of the sacred books, could he repeat verbatim. He had cultivated a taste for the fine arts. His own drawings are master-pieces; he was a connoisseur in paintings, and a proficient in music. He shone, however, the brightest as a Christian. In his sentiments he was strictly evangelical; in his habits cheerfully devout; in all his conduct wisely benevolent; and few men ever lived more universally esteemed, or died more cordially regretted. His end was peace in a very eminent degree. Sensible to the last moment of his life, he spake delightfully of the mercy of God, particularly as displayed in the gospel of Christ; expressed an unshaken confidence in the atoning death of the Saviour; with great tranquillity committed his departing spirit into the divine band, and thus sweetly slept in Jesus. On Lord's Day evening, the 15th, the much lamented death of this good man was improved in a funeral. sermon, addressed to a very numerous and deeply attentive audience, by the Rev. Mr. Lowell, from 1 Thes. iv. 13.; on which occasion a very honourable testimony was borne to the inflexible integrity, and the pious consistency of our departed friend. RECENT DEATHS. The church of Christ has suffered a serious loss in the death of the Rev. Abraham Booth, who, at the age of 72, left this world of sin and woe, on Monday, January 27th, 1806. He had been 37 years the faithful and affectionate pastor of the Baptist Church in Little PrescottStreet, Goodman's Fields, London. On Wednesday Feb. 5th, his mortal remains were conveyed to the grave in a respectful but very plain manner, agreeably to his own injunctions. The body being taken into the Rev. Mr. Dore's Meetinghouse, Maze-Pond, the Rev. Dr. Rippon delivered a funeral-oration; after which the body was deposited in the adjacent burial-place. On the following Sabbath afternoon the Rev. Mr. Dore preached the funeral-sermon at Prescott-street, to a very crowded audience, from Numbers xxiii. 10. We forbear enlarging, because we hope soon to be able to gratify our readers with a full Memoir of this excellent man, and, if it can be procured, a Portrait. Tuesday, even. Jan. 28, 1806, died Mr. John Hall, Grazier, of Arnsby, Leicestershire. He was the eldest son of the late Rev. Robert Hall, senior, whose praise is in all the churches. It appears that Mr. Hall had been remarkably cheerful throughout the whole day, had conversed with peculiar familiarity with his family, was in general health perfectly well, and had but just returned home to the bosom of his family, who were sitting round him, when, in attempting to reach something from a cupboard, he dropped down and expired in an apoplectic fit. |