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and fifty of the members of our congregregation lay ill. The situation of these poor people was deplorable in the extreme. In many tents, all the families lay in a helpless state, nor could any one give the other even as much as a drop of water. Those who had recovered a little, walked about like shadows. We were employed early and late, in preparing medicines, nursing the sick, making coffins, and burying the dead. But our comfort was the state of mind of twenty-one persons who departed this life, one seeming more desirous than the other to depart and be with Christ. They all declared that they rejoiced at the prospect of soon seeing Him face to face, who by sufferings and death

had redeemed them from the power of sin and the fear of death. In watching the departure of many, we felt indeed as if heaven was opening to them." From Hopedale in like manner, the missionaries write, "The word of the Cross, which we preach in weakness and simplicity, has approved itself as the power of God, in the hearts of our people:" and from Greenland, "As to our dear Greenland congregation, we have great cause to praise the Lord for his mercy. Our people have proceeded, under the guidance of His Spirit, in the path of life, and increased in the love and knowledge of their Saviour."

OBITUARY.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

B. H. ALLEN, ESQ.

PERMIT me to record in your pages, for the edification of your readers, a few particulars respecting a faithful servant of Christ,whose sudden decease, at the early age of thirty-six years, has excited, and deservedly, the deepest sympathy, not only in the fondly attached circle of his family and friends, but throughout the densely populous district in which he resided.

The late Benjamin Haigh Allen, Esq. of Greenhead, near Huddersfield, the lamented individual to whom I allude, and who was taken to his heavenly rest on the 10th of last May, in the full vigour of his life and usefulness, was born at Thorp, in the parish of Almondbury, in the West Riding of the county of York. March 31, 1793. From his childhood his disposition was mild and amiable; his character was marked by generosity, candour, and simplicity; and he was enterprising and ardent in all his pursuits. These qualities, which endeared him to his youthful companions, and ensured him in after-life the esteem of all who knew him, when ennobled by the grace of God and directed into their proper channel, rendered him the uncompromising defender of truth, the liberal supporter of every cause which proposed for its object the glory of God, the promotion of true religion, and the common good of mankind.

Having received his education at Macclesfield school, he returned to his paternal roof, and entered upon a mercantile life; which however he early quitted, in consequence of having come into the unrestrained possession, in his nineteenth year, of a very ample fortune by the death of his uncle. At this critical point in his lifefreed from parental restraint-possessed of a large estate-courted by the smiles of

the gay-having in his hands the ready means of self-gratification-and being at an age when the passions are in full buoy aucy, and the world is wont to put on its most alluring garb,-had he set forward in a wrong direction, the first step might have been fatal: and the talents, given to be consecrated to God, might have ministered only to self-indulgence, to the pomp and luxury of life, and to his eternal ruin. It pleased, however, the Giver of every good and perfect gift to implant in his mind holier purposes and desires; for no sooner did he become possessed of wealth, than he was brought to feel his accountableness for the use of it; and far from being elated by prosperity, he entertained a salutary fear lest he should become an unfaithful steward of the deposit committed to his charge. About this period of his life, he read Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion, to which invaluable treatise he referred his first convictions of the heinous nature of sin, and his fervent desires after that eternal life which is the gift of God in Jesus Christ. He rose from the perusal of it with feelings of deep concern for his everlasting welfare; nor did these feelings evaporate -for he engaged in the work of his salva-.. tion with intense earnestness, and entered into a solemn covenant, or a ratification of his baptismal covenant, to devote himself to the service of his God and Saviour. A document to this effect has been found among his papers since his decease, drawn up after the plan recommended by Doddridge, signed with his hand and sealed with his seal The advantages of the peculiar mode of stipulation urged by Doddridge have been often questioned; but in the case of Mr. Allen, this solemn ratification was certainly attended with much spiritual benefit.

In the year 1814, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Sarah,the fourth daughter of the late John Whitane of Woodhouse, Esq.,

a lady of sentiments congenial with his own; and the result was an abundant measure of domestic happiness. Immediately after his marriage, as before no.. ticed, he withdrew from the cares of business; considering that God had already bestowed upon him as much of this world's goods as it was expedient for him to possess; and being desirous of having his time more entirely at his own command, not to dissipate it in idleness or unprofitable pursuits, but that he might have greater leisure and opportunity for doing good. The manner in which he spent his days will shew that this was no idle wish or vain resolve. Among other important engagements, he entered with ardour upon the office of a magistrate, which, in the populous neighbourhood in which he resided, could not be otherwise than laborious, and often painful; especially as he had fallen upon troublous times. The period from 1816 to 1820 was marked by much disturbance on the district around Huddersfield; and he was soon called to take an active part in unravelling a plot which disturbed the public peace, and aimed at nothing short of a national revolution. His unwearied exertions and valuable services at this period will not soon be forgotten. The firmness with which he repressed disorder, and the mildness with which he exercised authority, not only raised his character, but greatly contributed to the return of tranquillity in his neighbourhood. On the magisterial bench his loss will be much felt, and deeply deplored.

But though much occupied in maintaining the civil welfare of the community, he had still higher thoughts and purposes. He was pre-eminently desirous of promoting the influence of true religion, well knowing, that the principles of Christianity conduce not less certainly to the temporal than to the spiritual and eternal welfare of mankind. Huddersfield, like many other large towns of recent growth, was provided with only one church for a numerous and increasing population. Mr. Allen had for some time formed the purpose of erecting one at his own charge; but many difficulties, particularly at that time, stood in the way of such a design. To overcome these, and to obtain an act of parliament for the purpose, required all the energy of his character; but, by the blessing of God, he succeeded; and, in December 1816, laid the foundation of a handsome Gothic edifice, dedicated to the holy Trinity, adapted for the accommodation of 1500 persons. This he subsequently endowed, and it was consecrated by his Grace the Archbishop of York in Oct. 1819. Mr. Allen appointed to the incumbency his beloved friend the Rev. H. I. Maddock. In this holy temple he was a regular and devout worshipper; and it was the never-failing subject of his desires and prayers, that the word

of God there preached might become the seed of eternal life to many souls. He hailed with no less satisfaction than the minister himself the diffusion of pure and undefiled religion among the congregation. In 1826 he was deprived of his beloved friend and pastor; and respect for his memory, combined with a persuasion of the fitness of the appointment, led him to make choice of his brother the Rev. B. Maddock, as his successor.

Mr. Allen, it will be readily inferred, was deeply anxious for the increase of true religion abroad, as well as at home. He was an active supporter of all the great religious institutions. He was a vicepresident of the Huddersfield District Societyfor promoting Christian knowledge; president of the Auxiliary Bible Society; secretary to the Church Missionary Association; a liberal subscriber to the Society for the Conversion of the Jews; one of the founders of the two large National schools in Huddersfield; and a zealous supporter of every other local charity, and every plan for promoting the instruction and welfare of the labouring classes of society; particularly by means of Savings Banks, in which he took an especial interest, seldom failing to give his personal attendance at the one at Huddersfield on the days for receiving deposits, and feeling his heart cheered at witnessing the honest and industrious poor bringing in their extra earnings to be treasured up against a time of need. He took much delight in imparting instruction to the young: a school for girls was supported at his charge, and he devoted a portion of every Sunday to their improvement. For the last nine months of his life he employ ed his leisure on this day in teaching a Bible class for adults. He heard the details of the plan from the late Rev. B. Allen, Rector of St. Paul's, Philadelphia; and with his characteristic energy he immediately organized one himself. heart was much engaged in it; he found it attended with a great blessing, and he earnestly recommended the system for adoption to his friends. Would that Bible classes prevailed generally; they are evidently calculated to do much good, inasmuch as they carry forward scriptural instruction at an age fraught with danger and temptation.

His

Whatever his hand found to do, he did it with all his might. He gave to these institutions not only his money, but his time, his influence, his watchful care and superintendance; and above all his prayers. His services to the Church Missionary Society in particular, were very valuable; he visited the neighbouring associations, pleaded on its behalf, and, to mention but one among many instances of his good-will towards this excellent institution, he made on one occasion an anonymous grant to its funds of one hundred pounds, as a thank-offering to God, on

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hearing of a handsome legacy being bequeathed to Mrs. Allen.

But his charities were not confined to public societies; for no case of real ne cessity ever came before him without being relieved; to whatever community, rank, or place the individual belonged. The winter before last was a most distressing season in his vicinity, as well as in many other parts of the kingdom. Thousands of the labouring classes were thrown out of employment, and were dependant for support upon the hand of charity. At this season of distress, Mr. Allen did not confine his labours to the public distribution of relief; but he went from house to house, examined into each case, and numbers of families were supplied with the necessaries of life by his Christian liberality. To this period may be referred the beginning of his illness. Exposure to the inclemency of the weather, and anxiety of mind at witnessing such scenes of distress as surrounded him, together with an accumulation of business as a magistrate, produced a sensible effect upon his health, which he had hitherto considered sufficiently robust to allow of great exertion and fatigue. The distress at this time was not confined to the labouring classes; for many opulent families had been reduced to poverty; and by the failure of banks the preceding year, the town of and Huddersfield suffered to such an extent, and public confidence was so greatly impaired, that it was proposed as a remedy to form a joint stock banking company, and Mr. Allen's active co-operation being considered indispensable for carrying the design into effect, he felt, averse as he was to embarking in business for the sake of gain, that he could not with propriety refuse. He engaged, therefore, in the scheme with his wonted energy; and the complete success which attended the institution was owing mainly to his correct judgment and efficient support The result, however, to himself, was far from being salutary. The fatigue and anxiety which were hereby superadded to his former labours, increased the mischief which had commenced in an early part of the winter; and his constitution sustained a shock from which it never recovered. Still, even when his strength was much exhausted, and he was forbidden to go abroad, he transacted public business at home. On one occasion, not many days before the final seizure, when the individual most interested in the preservation of his life, urged upon him the necessity of leaving home and resting for a year from public labours; he replied, with that mildness yet firmness of manner which was peculiar to him, "Years are not ours; I should think it quite wrong not to return to my duties, if it pleased God to give me my health." On May 6, he was seized

with an illness which baffled all the efforts of his medical attendants; but he was for the most part in possession of his faculties, and sensible of his danger. He prepared to enter the dark valley of the shadow of death, leaning upon the rod and the staff of that Saviour who has guaranteed to his faithful disciples victory over the last enemy. He did not trust to himself, or flee for refuge to works of righteousness which he had done, but desired to come simply to Jesus Christ for salvation, and to abide under the shadow of his wings. He dwelt upon what he had left undone, not upon what he had done; and he humbled himself before God in the deepest repentance. When expressing the humiliation of his soul, and his strong conviction of his sinfulness, his beloved partner having suggested to him that he had endeavoured by the help of Divine grace to glorify God, he felt pained at the mention of any thing which might appear like self-exaltation, and declared, "If I am saved, it will be solely through the mercy of God in Jesus Christ; I will cling to the cross of my Redeemer, and in case I perish, it shall be there." But he knew in whom he believed, and was persuaded that he to whom he had committed his soul was faithful. He expressed his gratitude to God for his many and undeserved mercies; saying, "I can scarcely allow myself to reflect upon the love of God; it almost overwhelms me." Again : his resignation and confidence in God were very remarkable. "I have no anxieties," he said, “of any kind: I am confident,” addressing his beloved wife," that God will take care of you and your children, and will bring both you and them to meet me in heaven: they are included in the covenant, which is sure to us and to our children." The last word which he uttered while in a state of consciousness, was a hearty amen at the close of a prayer offered up by his brother-in-law, the Rev. W. Madden, which commended his soul into the hands of a faithful Creator, and most merciful Saviour. His countenance was then lightened up with heavenly peace and joy; and about an hour afterwards, "he fell asleep."

"His

The length to which I have extended these remarks prevents my detailing further particulars of his character, or noticing the memorials of affection and esteem with which his memory was embalmed by his fellow-townsmen. record is on high;" his Divine Master found him engaged in the manner that has been specified; his loins girded and his lamp burning; and truly blessed are those servants whom their Lord when he cometh shall find so doing, for they rest from their labours, and enter into the joy of their Lord.

H.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

THE session of parliament has closed; a session which will be long memorable for the great measure which occupied its most anxious, sittings, and the effects of which, be they good or evil, will be felt by generations yet unborn. To this topic we shall not at present recur, as our opinion has been often and decidedly expressed. The discussions on this important question having occupied much time, and led to great excitement, and to a general derangement of the usual balance of parties, it seems to have been the mutual wish of the government and the legislature to abridge the remaining business of the session, and to postpone topics of conflicting opinion to another year. Much therefore has not been effected, though the foundation has been laid for future proceedings on various points of great moment. To these we have not now space to advert, or to those discussions and measures already noticed in our pages, some of which we propose to consider more fully in future Numbers. The King's Speech adds little to the public information. His Majesty laments the continuance of the war in the East of Europe, announces his satisfaction in having renewed diplomatic relations with Turkey, and states that the negociations for the pacification of Greece will be resumed. His Majesty regrets the condition of Portugal, and will

use his efforts to reconcile conflicting interests in that unhappy country. It is the determination of government to in terfere as little as possible with foreign powers; a just determination as to the general principle, though we think that, far short of actual hostilities, much might in many cases be done for the benefit of the world, by amicable remonstrance, and particularly as respects Greece, Portugal, and South America. To disarm a robber, or to protect the weak and oppressed is both with individuals and nations a plain duty, rather than an unjustifiable interference; and this duty of justice and humanity may be exercised without any necessity for recurring to bloodshed and warfare. We trust, that while we respect the equal rights of other nations, our public men will never shrink from advocating a good and righteous cause, wherever British power or influences extend. We fear that in the instances above alluded to, the present cabinet have carried their abstinence too far, and that greater zeal might have effected more. On the Catholic question, the currency, free trade, and other points, they have firmly maintained their ground; and: let them not shrink from being equally resolute in opposing whatever tends to diminish the liberties or the happiness of the human race.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

M. N.; Y. M.; T. B.; T. P.; C. T.; and R. E., are under consideration.
W. D.; CRITO; X. Y.; A. R.; D.; will be inserted.

Mr. Addis, in the first sentence of his "Heaven Opened," states, that the work owes
its origin to the discovery of the name and number of the Beast of St. John, which
he says 66
we completed on January the ninth, in the eighteen hundred and
twenty-eighth year of the Christian era." After puzzling over this sentence for
some time, we concluded that the author meant to say, that the prophecies relating
to the Beast were completed on the day specified with such minute accuracy. It
seems, however, that the " we "refers to himself, and the completion to the date of
his discovery; which is, that "the Emperor of the Romans is the name of one beast,
and his Holiness of Rome the name of the other; that the Church of England is a
part of Antichrist, of the mother of abominations, and of the ten-horned beast."
T. B. will find a note at our publisher's.

SUPPLEMENT TO RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.
BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

THE monthly Extracts contain a communication relative to the want of Gaelic Scriptures in Scotland; some interesting and encouraging facts from Turkey; and others even more so from the remote shores of Siam

ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY.

The Reporter gives a review of what has passed in parliament during the session relative to Slavery. On some of these topics we had ourselves intended to dilate, had we not found ourselves anticipated in this paper. The parliamentary advocates for Slavery have spoken strongly, but have proved nothing; facts and reason, humanity and religion, and we may add the British public, are all against them; yet the scourge of Slavery continues, and we therefore owe our warmest gratitude to the conductors of the Reporter, to whom we are indebted for such able and satisfactory refutations as those before us of the mistatements which are cast forth to uphold that nefarious system.

PRAYER-BOOK AND HOMILY SOCIETY.

We shall recur to the labours of this Society in a future Number; at present we have only space to recommend our readers to weigh well the interesting account appended of the speeches at its late anniversary.

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IN

ESSAY ON SUPERSTITION.

(Continued from p. 339.)

N continuing the history of dreams, and other analogous brainular manifestations, we may not omit some notice of the phenomena of somnambulism.

The common form of somnambulism must be considered as a kind of dream, happening during profound sleep, in which some actions intimately associated in the waking state, and rendered easy, and almost automatic, by long continued habit, are reproduced in sleep without apparent volition; and these actions correspond with the ideas, feelings, and emotions, the succession and combination of which form the intellectual and mental fabric of the dream.

Possibly the alleged faculty of second sight, so far as it is not a mere jugglery of the designing, may be referred to a species of somnambulism, in which the mental manifestations confer with themselves, and produce a prospective result, which has been termed second sight. If this mental manifestation be not referred to a cerebral origin, there is no alternative but that of either denying its existence altogether, or investing it with the attributes of prophecy, and admitting it as the result of inspiration;-this inspiration being either a spiritual cornmunication from the Most High God, or a suggestion of the evil CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 331.

one.

All these alternatives are unsatisfactory. To deny its existence altogether, seems impossible; to place it on a level with Revelation, derogates from the high and holy character of prophecy; and to ascribe it to satanic agency, is to allow Satan a greater sway over the government of the universe than is consistent with our views of the power, and knowledge, and goodness of the Omnipotent Jehovah. But if we consider it as an affair of the brain, occurring principally in advanced life, and when that organ is manifestly suffering under excited action; and, what is very important to be remembered, both the seer and his auditors fully believing from their infancy the occurrence of such manifestations, and prepared implicitly to receive them; we are enabled to class it at once with other phenomena which result from analogous stages of excitement, when the brain has escaped from the influence of the will and the judgment, and continues its morbid function without guidance or direction. The common examples of cunning men and women, the practice of fortune-telling, and the science of astrology and divination, must be referred to the class of impostures; and, as such, are scarcely entitled to consideration among the legitimate offspring of superstition. influence upon many

And yet, and even fright

minds is

ful; and the best antidote, is to be 3 F

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