Obituary. MISS ANN WRANGHAM. ON Thursday, October 11, 1804, died, aged 21, after a lingering and painful indisposition, which she bore with a patience truly Christian, Miss Ann Wrangham, of Thorp Basset, Yorkshire She had an interesting appearance and genteel address; to which were added a conduct strictly moral, a temper remarkably sweet, and a mind naturally lively. These admired excellencies, however, left this young lady destitute of spiritual religion, till about eighteen months before her death, when it pleased the Lord to call her by his grace. This work of the Eternal Spirit was effect ed under a discourse, the report of which excited her curiosity on account of its being delivered in a barn, and by a clergyman of the establishment. The simple and affecting account of her conversion is given in her own language:-" What a wandering wretch was I before my God's converting grace! I was driven away with every wavering blast; yet, when I have promised myself pleasure, something has always occurred to my mind which has cast a sadness over my heart. How different that peaceful breast where Jesus dwells! Oh happy people, who are publishing the glad tidings of the gospel! How many hearts do you set free! I was anxious to hear Mr. M, at Rilington; zeal and love for Jesus beamed in his eyes! I heard him with stupid amazement; my heart beat with a thousand fears; how earnestly did I wish I was the meanest wretch, if I only could feel the love of which he spake! I returned with the gay ones whom I accompanied; I spoke cheerfully to them; but my heart was wrung with anguish; it was dark, and my tears flowed unseen; I retired to bed and to pray, but arose unrefreshed; my heart was hard; I thought it would remain so; I feared the miseries of Hell." From this time she became a new creature, which was manifest in her total disrelish to vain amusements, by the diligence with which she perused religious authors, especially the sacred volume, and from the pleasure she always appeared to enjoy in the company of those who were born from above. Her fears were gradually removed, and her faith in Jesus confirmed by the use of such private means; the only ones to which long indisposition would allow her to attend. If ever she murmured, it was on account of her not being able to be present at public worship. But her meditation in private was so constant, and her prayer for divine teaching so fervent, that her knowledge of the plan of salvation became so correct as far to exceed that which some appear to possess who have heard the gospel preached for years together. As her body decayed, her mind daily was renewed. This will best appear by a few extracts from her papers. March, 17, 1804. "To-day I am twenty-one; and Oh, I hope next year I shall celebrate my birth-day in my Father's kingdom! Shall 1, O God, spend an eternity of joy for these earthly sufferings? Then blessed be thy fatherly hand that draws me by them to thyself! Last year I did not think to see another birthday; but wonderful are thy ways, thou King of Saints! Why do I go mourning all the day? thou wilt be my Saviour; thou wilt raise my head in my last agony!" In a letter to a female friend, dated April 15th, she writes: "It may seem strange, but it is true, that from the beginning of my illness (near two years ago) I have never firmly believed that I should recover. Although my friends would flatter me with the prospect, and I have, to appearance, been getting better fast, yet this idea never left my mind; "An angel's hand cannot save thee from the grave." And are they friends, my dear S-, who would drag me back to life and all its pain, ful miseries? How I despise the things of this vain world! All that I have known of what the world calls Pleasures, now look to me like dreams or empty shadows! And though my heart was twisted round OBITUARY. Monday, July 16th. would fain persuade me, I yet shall fail at the last. Yet in thee, my allconquering Saviour, I will trust. Lord increase my faith, for I am weak! O my heart, why art thou so distrustful! Is he not able to save to the uttermost ?" : The following letter she wrote to a minister, a few days before her dismission from the body, with instructions that it should be delivered "Ere immediately after her death:this reach my ever-valued friend, I shall have ceased to groan under this body of sin and pain. I long for death, which will, I trust, release me from both. I may truly say with David, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted." Has not the Lord, with all the tender compassion of a long-suffering Father, caused me to feel his chastening rod, since nothing but that could move my hardened breast? Oh the goodness of God to so vile a sinner! I would not part with my hopes in my blessed Redeemer for all that this vain world can give! Oh, if the world knew the calm, the real pleasures of religion, they would make it their first instead of their last concern!"-At the close of the letter she thus writes; "Give my dying love to Mr. M, and pray tell him, that he once made a sinner tremble. And now, my dear I need not ask Sir, I must cease. for your prayers: when you receive this I shall be beyond them. Adieu! adieu! we shall soon meet again to sing the praises of him who was slain!" The friend to whom this letter was addressed, was in the habit of visiting the pious writer during her illness, as often as a distant residence would admit. There is reason to believe that his conversation was much blessed for the fortifying the young Christian against the powerful assaults of the great enemy of souls, and for arming her for her 175 final conflict with the king of terrors. frame. -2 She was able to go down stairs till the day of her death, when she found herself so weak, as left no doubt in her mind that her end was come. She had previously arranged her little valuables, to which she had affixed marks how they were to be disposed of, and now gave directions accordingly. After having had her dear parents, and brothers and sisters called to her bedside, she very affectionately addressed them upon the vanity of the world, the importance of religion, &e. and took a long, last farewell of each. Then, with a countenance expressive of the sweet serenity of her mind, and which also demonstrated that her former fears were only the suggestions of that great adversary of souls who seeks to distress whom he cannot destroy, she lifted up her eyes and said, "Lord Jesus now receive my spirit, for I am ready!" Her friends and attendants witnessed her departure with mingled sorrow and admiration.. According to her request, the solemn occasion was improved by the above friend, in a sermon delivered in the Methodist Chapel, at Relington, on Sunday, October 21, 1804, from Rev. xiv. 13. J. JACKSON. We understand that a pamphlet will shortly appear, containing the diary of this lady for the last nine months of her life, together with outlines of her character. MISS REBECCA ALBRIGHT, Or Basingstoke, died on Monday, April 22, 1805, aged 29. It appears that she had been seriously impressed with the importance and worth of her soul for about four years; and the impression was increased by means of a lingering affliction, under which she laboured for the last three years. Death at a distance appeared dreadful; but as it approached, she 'was enabled to view it with composure. She told a friend a little time before her decease, that had she died when very ill about seven years before, the should have been lost; but that now, she thanked God, she had a good hope, and could look death in the face without dismay. In this comfortable frame she continued till about Sunday, 14th April last, when her weakness permitted her to attend only in the morning at the meeting. Her mother perceiving she was preparing to go, thinking her too weak to attend, endeavoured to dissuade her; but with a very expressive and animated countenance she replied, “Oh, my dear mother, if you knew what enjoyment I have had this morning (referring to private devotion) you would not attempt to prevent my going to the house of God, for I hardly knew whether I was in the body or out of the body! I am constrained from gratitude to go for what the Lord has done for me; and if this body sinks under it, it does not matter." Mr. Jefferson preached from Matt. x. 32, "Whosoever, therefore, shall coufess me before men," &c. During the discourse she was almost in raptures. Her love to the house of God was so great, that nothing but total incapacity could keep her from it; and her attachment to her minister so strong, that it was always with great pleasure she saw him come into the house; for he had been the means of her establishment in the truths of the gospel. From the time of her coufinement she addressed all who came to see her on the important concerns of their souls, though before remarkably reserved on religious matters. To a young woman who came to see her (and who had lived with her some time) she said with carnestness," My dear Fanny (clasping her in her arms) make relig on your main business; do, promise me you will attend to it more than ever you have done; it is this only that can support you in the time of affliction, and in the hour of death. Oh, what could I do without the presence of God at this time! I had," said she, “ a comfortable sleep last night; and, what was better, I had a little of the presence of God with me! Oh, how sweet it was! I dreamed that there were four angels standing to convey me to the upper regions of bliss."On the Friday before her death, she expressed a wish that her mother might sit up with her that night, saying, at the same time, that she might probably sleep out of the body, and that it was on her mother's account she wished it; "for," said she, “I know it would have grieved you if I had gone while you were asleep." To a friend she said, "Oh, what Inercy there is in God! who felt his bowels move with compassion towards his rebellious child! This was my case." She frequently lamented that she knew religion so late; that she had so little time to glorify God; and had not now an opportunity of honouring bin in an open profession, by joining the church. 66 On Sunday, the 21st, she was quite in extacies, saying, to her friends around her, she louged to be gone to her dear Jesus; and with extended arms to Mrs. S. she exclaimed, “Oh, my dear Sally, that i could take you and all my dear friends with me to glory!? To a young person who came to see her, she earnestly said, "My dear Sarali, 1 want you to go to Hoaven as well as myself! I hope you do seek the Lord. See here, I am just going to die. What a mercy it is that I was not suffered to perish in my sins! So vilo a sinner as I ain found mercy! and so will you, if you go to God for it. See what religion will do nothing but real religion could support me now. You have, my dear, a parcut that prays for you, and longs for your salvation; "oh, attend to her good advice!" To another friend she said, “I sometimes fear that my faith will not hold out, that Satan will be too strong for me; but I desire to trust in the Lord, who has said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." To Mrs. P. she said, she was just going to OBITUARY. pass the river Jordan; "but to me (lifting up her foot at the same time) it is no more than stepping over a rivulet." To Mr. T. she said, "I used to be afraid that you would talk to me about my soul; but now I cannot but speak what God has done for me;" Mr. T. said, God has opened your mouth to speak for him; "Yes," said she, emphatically; "neither you, nor all my friends could have done it; it is God that has done it." At another time she said, "I have been thinking how happy I should be, if I were permitted to look down, and be able to tell you when I am gone, that I have got safe to Heaven. Oh, how differently do I think now to what I did when in health!" Thus she continued till about twelve o'clock on Monday, when she altered so much for the worse, that her friends were apprehensive she was about to take her flight. "Death," said she, with the greatest cheerfulness, "is advan cing" and with a placid smile said, she was going to Heaven. after, Mr. T. called, when she addressSoon ed him, "My dear Sir, I have been disappointed; I thought I was gone to glory; but you see I am come back again; I am still in the land of the living," he said, "Not my will" she immediately added, "but thine be done." About three o'clock Mrs. C. called, found Mrs. T. Mrs. A. her mother and sister Fanny with her; she was sitting in an easy chair, a mere animated skeleton; yet so serene, comfortable, nay, even joyful, in the immediate prospect of enter ing into the eternal world, as astonished all her friends. After speaking to those who came to see her, she paused a little, and suddenly broke out in those words of Dr. Watts, "With joy we meditate the grace 177 Christian friends, and join with me in singing praises to my adorable Saviour!" and immediately began singing, “Great God, I own thy sentence just;" and sang it to the last verse with uncommon fervour, "Then shall I see thy lovely face "With strong immortal eyes; "And feast upon thy unknown grace "With pleasure and surprize." joined with her; while others who Those whose feelings would permit were too deeply affected with the After the hymn was sung, she requestscene, sat overwhelmed in tears. ed her friend to engage in prayer. She afterwards continued to speak of her hopes and prospects, or sang hymns or psalms descriptive of her feelings, as far as her strength would admit; but at times, was so much reduced, as not to be able to articulate. "Ofour High Priest above;" and sang the hymn nearly all through with such animation and strength of voice, that surprized all around her. Expressing a wish that Mr. T. might be sent for, he came, and about the same time another friend called to see her; 64 Come, my dear friend," said she, "and see what the Lord has done for my soul! Come all my XIV. till about seven o'clock, when the In this happy frame she continued adversary of souls was permitted to approach with his fiery temptations. She perceived the storm drawing that are coming over my mind! Oh near, and said, "Oh these clouds that dreadful darkness which is friends, that the tempter may not be approaching! Pray, O pray, all my permitted to come.” gathering storm began to break, and At length the in vain did her minister and Mr. T. endeavour to comfort her. She refused every argument. About nine o'clock she was exceedingly agitated, wrung her hands, moaned in the the most doleful accents, “I am lost! most piteous manner, exclaiming in I am lost! I am lost!" Thus she continued till about eleven o'clock, when she said, "The conflict is now over; the victory is obtained; and now I am going to glory!" Addressing herself to Mr. T. she said, "My dear Sir, what would you have thought of all my professions if I had died in that state?" I should have thought, my dear,' he replied, you were gone to Heaven.' Sir," said she, "I am now going! the conquest is won!" Oh death, Yes, is thy victory and immediately where is thy sting? O grave, where broke out in songs of triumph; which she continued till her voice was lost in death, A a REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. Sermons on various Subjects. By T. Blundel, Pastor of the Baptist Church, Luton. 8vo, Price 6s. bds. THE author of these discourses in forms us, that he has been "induced to publish them, from the consideration of the great importance of divine truth in general, as well as of that part of it which the present volume is intended to elucidate. "If those who possess property do well to preserve it for others who shall cone after them, how much more should those who are in possession of heavenly truth, which both enriches and adorns the soul, endeavour to transmit it to posterity!" No person can be fit to preach who is not impressed with "the great importance of divine. truth in general;" nor is he likely ever to preach usefully, if not affected by the particular importance of that part of divine truth on which he is addressing his congregation. If, then, the reasons assigned by Mr. Blundel are of general application, every minister ought to trans mit to posterity every useful discourse which he ever preaches; that is, he ought to print it, if he can, that posterity may at least have a chance of advantage from his ministry. We have lately intimated a different apinion; and we do not imagine that our readers will think us required by the foregoing argument to retract it. We are willing, however, to admit of an exception to our rule against the publication of sermons which do not relate to particular occurrences, and are not suited to social or domestic edification, in favour of such discourses as those which are now before us. We think their intrinsic merit sufficient to Justify their appearance in print. At the same time, we are mistaken, if an author, who can infuse this recommendation into a printed servion; might not communicate his ideas more usefully in a different form. The natural and acquired talents, the modes of preparation, composition, and expression, that are requisite for the pulpit and the press, differ so greatly, that we very rarely find the same person eminently useful both as a preacher and as a writer. The same discourse is read in the closet with very tifferent feelings from those which attended its delivery from the pulpit. Cicero, than whom probably no one ever more fully understood the difference of writing and speaking, was wiser than to publish his moral and philosophical treatises in the same form as his orations. We think it might be for the public benefit, if those of our brethren, who have talents for composition, would write something else than sermons. 3, The subjects of these discourses will lead to a judgment of their general tenor: 1, The Ground of Enmity between Christ and Satan; Gen. iii, 14, 15. 2, Christ's Benevolence to an impoverished World; 2 Cor. viii. 9. The Atonement; Heb. x. 12.— 4, The Pre-eminence of Christ over the Saints; Col. i. 18. -5, The Ministry of Angels; Heb. i. 14. — 6, The Excellency of Charity; 1 Cor. xiii. 13. 7, The Believer's best. Hope; Tit. ii. 13. 8, The great End of the Christian Life; John xvii. 15. - 9, The River of Life impeded; z Thes. if. 1. — 10, The Design of God in an unsuccessful 11, The Ministry: John xv. 20. Necessity of Christ's Ascension; Acts iii. 21. 12, Love to Christ; 1 Pet. i. 8. 13, God's Kindness in the severest Afflictions; Deut. xxxii. 11, 12. -14, The favourite Objects of Eternal Wisdom; Prov. viii. 31. —15, Christ's Dominion; Rev. i. 6. As these subjects are not trite, neither is the author's manner of treating them. He has considerable originality of thought, and his remarks are usually pointed his information is evidently more extensive than his literature: his style is not polished, and it is sometimes obscure; but it is free from affectation: his divisions (which are com monly not of the text, but of the subject) are more indicative of fertile invention than of logical arrangement; and ingenuity, rather than pathos, characterizes the discussion. In general, these discourses are evangelical, practical, instructive, and entertaining. The author's remarks are sometimes singular and questionable; but they are usually just and profitable, and often very interesting and impressive. As a specimen, we quote the exordium of his second sermon: "Gifts among men rise and fall, considered as proofs of a benevolent heart, according to the ability of the giver. That which in one case is deemed niggardly, would in another appear libe |