haviour in her last illness, by transcribing part of a letter which I wrote to one of her uncles after her death. She had passed some time at his house between the two attacks of her disease; and having received from him the kindest attention, and most seasonable advice, she entertained a high degree of respect and affection for him. "Dear Brother, "During the former part of my dear A.'s illness, she was requested to forbear talking much, lest the spitting of blood should be brought on again by the exertion. When the disease was so far advanced, that there appeared to be no hope of her amendment, I left her to follow her own inclinations and feelings, and she conversed as she found herself able to bear the exercise of speaking. Her conversation, when she was restored to a state of comfort, gave me great satisfaction, and evidenced a mind deeply impressed with holy affections. The most prominent feature in her experience was bumility. She always seemed deeply abased before God. I scarcely ever conversed with her in her last illness, but she reminded me of the parable of the Pharisee and Publican. It seemed as if she thought herself unworthy to lift up her eyes to heaven. The prayer which best suited her feelings was, God be merciful to me a sinner. She asked my pardon for any perverseness or impatience that she had shewn to me at any time. This disposition was so clearly genuine in her, that I derived great comfort from our Lord's declaration, This man went down to his bouse justified This deep sense of her own sinfulness led her by faith to the Saviour of sinners. Her mind rejected all other ground of dependence, except the merit and intercession of her Redeemer. Her consolation increased gradually, as her death approached; yet it was often assaulted, and sometimes interrupted by fears. She manifested a most tender affection to her relations who were about her One day she expressed to me her fear that she loved us too well; and when I assured her, that love to us was not inconsistent with love to God, she seemed comforted with the idea. She considered it as a great privilege to be permitted to love us. Her principal visitor was a poor pious woman, for whom she had contracted a great esteem, on account of the unremitting attention which this woman had shewn to another who had been bed-ridden a considerable time. My daughter left it as her dying request, that I would never suffer this poor woman to be in want. pauper, She spoke with great composure of her approaching departure; and looked forwards to heaven with humble confidence She said several times, that she had never, during any part of her illness, wished to recover. She said one day, with considerable emphasis, 'I feel just now, as if I would not recover if I might' She often repeated this expression, Christ. Observ. No. 11. God does not willingly grieve his children; and he has promised, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee' She said to her mother and sisters, at different times, it was a great comfort to her to think, that to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord When her desires to depart were the most lively, she expressed great submission to her sufferings, and begged her sisters to pray for her, that her faith might not fail. Some weeks before her departure, she was distressed with fears of the agonies of death, and mentioned what her brother had suffered during the two last days of his illness. Her sisters advised her not to distress herself with such apprehensions, as it might please God never to try her in that way, which, through mercy, was the case. She replied, Then I will leave it with him, and do you all pray for me, that I may be delivered from the fear of death. From that time she never expressed any apprehension or dread about the pains of death, except for a short time, upon hearing of the death of a young lady, who had suffered greatly from a cancerous complaint. She asked her sisters one evening to talk about heaven, and departed pious persons of her acquaintance. She said it was a comfortable idea to her, that she should meet her pious friends in glory. She was aware that many of the distressing thoughts which had harassed her mind were suggestions of the devil. One day, having mentioned something which she considered as a suggestion of Satan, her sisters said to her, but he has no power to hurt you;' she replied strongly, No, I do not believe he has.' At another time she said to her sister R-, Never cavil at the Scriptures; it is a dangerous thing.' It pleased God to give her a more easy dismission from this state of trial than we were led to expect. The day preceding that of her death, she looked earnestly at her mother upon waking in the morning, who asked her if she wanted any thing she replied, I want to be happy in God. Indeed, I have great need of comfort from him; pray for me, that I may be patient.' She requested that she might once more join with us in the holy ordinance of the Lord's supper, which the Rev. Mr. administered on the following day. She expressed great comfort after joining in this solemn ordinance, and about four hours afterwards quietly fell asleep in Jesus, departing without a sigh, or any other expression of pain." DEATHS. SENEX. On Sunday, October 14, at Whitburn, in the bishopric of Durham, Mrs. Hewson, relict of the late Davis Hewson, Esq. of that place. How truly the loss of this most exemplary Christian is to be deplored by her own family, as well as her numerous and lamenting 5 E friends, might be estimated by a consideration of the many spiritual excellences of her character. In every relation of life, her conduct exhibited, as far as human insufficiency could admit, the brightest pattern, and exemplified the purest principles of Christianity. As in the hour of health, so in her dying moments, resembling the uniform tenor of her life, she displayed by her patient and humble submission to the Providence which summoned her to an eternal rest, the efficacy of that Gospel which actuated her practice in life, and inspired her dying hopes. On the almighty and all-sufficient Redeemer, who had been the uniform source of her consolation through life, she firmly and faithfully depended for that encouraging support she experienced through the agonizing pains of her last conflict, till "death was swallowed up in victory." October 23, at Vienna, in the 80th year of his age, General Jerningham. Lately, at Lincoln, the Rev. Thomas Howson, Vicar of Langton. October 12, the Rev. John Fairfax Franklin, Rector of Attleborough, Norfolk. October 28, the Rev. Stebbing Shaw, Rector of Hartsborn, in Derbyshire, and Author of the History and Antiquities of the County of Stafford. At Bath, Mrs. Foley, relict of the late Dr. Foley, Dean of Worcester. November 4, at Wickstead Hall, in Cheshire, Mrs. Ethelston, wife of the Rev. E. W. Ethelston, Rector of Worthenbury. November 5, aged 67, the Rev. Dr. Burrough, Senior Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. Lately at Hadleigh, Suffolk, in her 92d year, Mrs. Baines, relict of John Baines, Esq. November 8, at Ely, Mrs. Underwood, wife of the Rev. Mr. Underwood, Prebendary of Ely, and daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Knowles, Prebendary of that Cathedral. November 9, after a few days illness, the Rev. John Warter, M. A. Fellow of Magdalen College Cambridge, and Junior Proctor of that University. At Manchester, William Gall, at the advanced age of 105. Lately, while on a visit to her daughter, after a short illness, at the Woodhouse, near Shiffnal, Mrs. Dean, of Pellsall, in the 70th year of her age. Same day, the Rev. John Gill, of AvonDasset, Warwickshire. November 11, at Dean's Leaze, Dorsetshire, Sir William Andre, Bart. Same day at Bath, Mrs. Pollock, relict of the Rev. Thomas Pollock, LL. D. late Rector of Grittleton, Wilts. In Wales, the Rev. T. Smith, Vicar of St. Ives; and on the same day, at the Vicarage House, St. Ives, Mrs Smith, his wife. A family of eight children deprived of both their parents in one day, is a truly afflicting circum stance. In Bath, Mrs. Barwis, relict of the late Dr. Barwis, of Devizes, Wilts. Of an apoplectic fit, John Scott, Esq. ́one of his Majesty's Sitting Justices of the Peace at Marlborough Street Police Office. The Rev. John Price, Curate of St. Andrew's, Holborn. Mr. Richard Dafder, of Twerton, aged 83. At Edinburgh, the Rev. Mr. William Paul, Minister of St. Cuthbert's. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. We are much obliged to Ry, for noticing an error in the Life of St. Paul, p. 487, col. 1. where the miracle performed on Eutychus, is said, by mistake, to have happened at Philippi, instead of Troas, to which place he had gone directly from Philippi, in his way to Ephesus. Acts xx 6. The same Correspondent expresses a doubt whether (see p. 486) St Paul can be said to have been apprehended at Athens. We do not pretend to decide the question, but the expression eaßoμevol, Acts xvii. 19. seems to favour the idea. The Communication on preaching Christ; J. M.'s two papers on the Responsibility of Men for the Consequences of their Opinions, and on the Identity of opposite Affections; and JAMES on a Passage in Mr. Jones's Writings, will find as early an insertion as possible. We are happy to see a second number of Horaa Vectenses, and we regret the circumstances which have so long interrupted the design of their author. O. and JUVENIS, will appear-A SERIOUS INQUIRER will also be attended to. The tendency of the Poetry of THEOMUSOPHILUS is very good, but the execution does not deserve equal praise. The Poem of B S. is of too local a nature for our work. A Sonnet to a Robbin is also, we conceive, not quite suited to it. In reply to a Correspondent we beg to observe, that we do not think it right to admit poetry which is not either religious or moral. C. O. T.; VERAX; C. R. C.; PHILO ECCLESIA; J. M. G.; CONSISTENCY; W. M.; and BESEQUAMEN, are received. We regret with CURATOR, that an answer to the Queries on Justification has been so long delayed, but it was unavoidable. He will perceive that we have inserted one in this Number. We have received from no fewer than three friends, a strong expostulation respecting the na ture of many of the advertisements on our blue cover, and a fourth Correspondent tells us that they furnish a plain proof of our methodistical tendencies. Every one, however, who knows any thing of the management of periodical publications, must know, that the adver tisements, which are a source of considerable emolument, belong to the Publisher's depart ment; to whom indeed we have prescribed this general rule, that nothing shall be admitted contra bonos mores, as the rejection of the bills of advertising quacks will testify. If we need. ed any farther justification, we should refer our Correspondents to the cover of THE ANTIJACOBIN REVIEW for September, where he will find advertised that heterodox and schismatical work called THE CHRISTIAN OBSERVER, a work whose deeply veiled puritanic purpose, aims at the destruction of our Constitution, ecclesiastical and civil. The following query arrived too late for insertion in its proper place, but as it may be of some consequence to the writer of it to receive an early solution of his difficulty, we insert it in this place, and request, that those of our Correspondents who may have considered the sub. ject, would answer it. "In the service appointed by our church for the ordering of priests, they are exhorted to give themselves wholly to their office. Is it consistent with the obedience due to this exhortation, with the spirituality of the clerical character, and with the ministerial duties of a beneficed clergyman, to act as a civil magistrate? "The foregoing question is stated in general terms, but as the answer may be thought in some measure to depend upon particular circumstances, it is right to add, that the person applying for instruction on this subject, is a young clergyman, about to be presented to a living situated in a very populous district, where great vice and immorality prevail, and the interference of civil authority is frequently called for." We beg to inform B F. that we have deferred our extracts from Nowell's Catechism till the beginning of the year, in order that the whole may appear in one volume. We are extremely obliged to a venerable and much esteemed friend in Edinburgh, for several interesting articles lately sent to us, of which we shall avail ourselves in due time It would take a great many words to explain to J. L. our reasons for departing from our original intention of publishing supplements. CONTINUATION OF THE ABSTRACT OF HIS EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. LET us not, my beloved, join with such as exclaim, "Where is the promise of his coming?" Let us rather consider the evidence, which the succession of day and night, and the disso lution and growth of seeds, afford of that resurrection, of which our Lord Jesus Christ is the first fruits : we shall not then think it strange that God should raise those up who trust in him and serve him. Having this hope, let our hearts be fixed on him who is faithful to his promises, and just in his judgments, and who cannot lie. And as we cannot flee from God, who sees and hears all things, and who comprehends all things in his embrace, let us stand in awe of him, laying aside every impure desire, and wicked work, that through his mercy we may be sayed from future condemnation. Let us also love him who has made us the objects of his choice, and draw nigh to him with pure hands and a holy heart: and being his portion, let us carefully abstain from evil speaking, abominable Justs and impurity of every kind, and from that pride which is hateful to God; and let us practise universal holiness. Let us be clothed with concord, being chaste and humble, avoiding all detraction, and being justified by our works, not by our speeches: for shall a man full of talk be justified? God hates such as exalt themselves. Arrogance and presumption characterize those who are accursed of him; but meekness, humility, and gentleness, those whom he blesses. Let us then lay fast hold of his blessing; and that we may know how it is to be obtained, let us consider what has taken place from the beginning. Was not Abraham blessed, because through faith he wrought righteousness? Isaac also, in the confident persuasion of what was to happen, cheerfully yielded himself a sacrifice. These were greatly honoured, not for their own sakes, or on account of their works, or the righteousness which they had wrought, but through the will of God: and we, in like manner, being called by his will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, neither by our wisdom, knowledge, nor piety, nor even by those works which we have performed in holiness of heart; but by that faith, whereby the Almighty has justified all men from the beginning, But shall we on this account, my brethren, be slothful to perform good works, and forsake the law of love? God forbid! Let us unweariedly fulfil his will, and with all our powers, work the work of righteousness. The faithful labourer receives the bread of his labour; but the indolent and remiss cannot meet the eye of their employer. We must, therefore, not be slothful in the performance of any good work. Let us be subject to his will, as the angels are, and being gathered together with one heart, as well as in one place, let us, with one accord, earnestly cry unto him, that we may be made partakers of his glorious promises. Beloved, how wonderful are the gifts of God! The hope of immortal life! glory begun in righteousness! assured faith! and holy moderation! These are the effects of his bounty which we discern and feel even now; but the excellency and extent of those things which are prepared for them that wait for him in faith and patience, God only knoweth. In this way, therefore, we have found Jesus Christ our Saviour, the High Priest of our oblations, and the helper of our weakness: by him, who is the brightness of the Divine Majesty, are our minds opened: by him are our darkened understandings enlightened: by him we enjoy the knowledge of immortality; while his enemies, even the wicked who oppose their own wills to the will of God, shall be made his footstool. Let us also in our warfare as Christians, imitate the order and discipline of soldiers in an army, considering that all are not generals, or tribunes, or centurions, but to every one a station is appointed by the commander, and in that station he remaineth. The great cannot subsist without the little, nor the little without the great. Let, therefore, the body of Christ be preserved and united in us; let every one be subject to his neighbour in charity, in that station wherein he is placed. Let not the strong contemn the weak; and let the weak pay respect to the strong. The rich ought to be bountiful to the poor; and the poor ought to bless God for having raised up for him a benefactor. The wise ought to prove his wisdom, not by words, but by good works. The humble ought to leave it to another to praise him; and the chaste ought not to be high-minded, knowing from whom he hath received the gift of continence. Let us, in short, consider who and what we are, and how he who formed us, prevented us with his benefits even before we were born. In obedience to his commands, every thing ought to be done in due order; our oblations ought to be made, and our religious offices performed, at stated and regular seasons, as well as at the places, and by the persons whom he, by his authority, hath appointed; that being thus done according to his will, they may be acceptable to him. Moreover to the High Priest, by the Levitical law, are assigned his peculiar functions; and the Priests and Levites each fill their proper stations; but the Layman is to confine himself to such things as are commanded to Laymen. The appointed sacrifices, also, are only offered at Jerusalem; and they who trans gress this order, shall die the death. But, my brethren the greater is your knowledge, the greater also is your danger, if ye transgress. Jesus Christ was sent by God to preach the Gospel, the Aposties by Christ, and both according to the will of God. When, therefore, they went forth, and preached the word in provinces and cities, they ordained the first fruits of their ministry, after having proved them by the spirit, to be bishops and deacons over such as should believe. Our Apostles likewise, being informed beforehand by our Lord Jesus Christ, foresaw that strife would arise respecting the name and office of bishops, for which reason they made the appointments already mentioned, and afterwards laid down a rule for the succession, that when they themselves should fall asleep, other approved men might follow in their office and ministry." Wherefore we do not think that such as were appointed by them, or other chosen men, with the consent and approbation of the whole Church, and who have exercised their ministry blamelessly, humbly, gently, and disinterestedly, can be justly deprived of their office. It would be no small sin in us to do so. But happy are those presbyters who are already departed in peace and joy, and have no longer any fear of such a deposition as ye have inflicted upon some pious and blameless ministers who are yet alive. Ye are, indeed, contentious brethren, and zealous about things which belong not to salvation. But search the Scriptures, which are the true words of the Holy Spirit: nothing perverse or unjust is written there. There you will not find that righteous men were ever cast off or persecuted by holy men, but by the wicked and unjust. But be ye joined to the innocent and the righteous, * It is impossible calmly to weigh the arguments incidentally introduced by St. Clement, in this place, without acknowledging that it three orders of ministers which exist in our furnishes good ground for considering the Church as agreeable to the apostolical institution. The Apostles and their successors, to whom the name of ExоTo was afterwards appropriated, correspond to our Bishops; the Elders or Presbyters to our Priests; and the Ministers to our Deacons. (See Christ. Observ. p. 575 and 717.). |