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Obituary.

MRS. SARAH COOK.

and mourned when it was at a low APRIL 14, 1803, died Mrs. Sa. ebb; she travailed in birth for the rah Cook, of Heckmondwike, aged and used to say, She did not wish spiritual welfare of her children; near eighty, relict of the late Mr. Wm. Cook, by whom she had for great things of a temporal na. twelve children. Three daughters ture; but O that they might live and two sons yet survive; one of before him! And she had the hapwhom is in the work of the minis-piness of sitting down with some of try. It appears that for upwards of thirty years she was unacquainted with the things which belong to life and salvation, and only walking according to the course of this vain world; when it pleased the Lord to bring to this place the Rev. James Scott, who was, to use her own expression, truly an apostle to her; under whose ministry the word came with a convincing power and light. Her convictions were strong, and trouble great for a considerable time. She was greatly

distressed under her first serious thoughts about election What if I should not be elected?" Yet it pleased him from whom she sought relief, powerfully to apply Rev. xxii. 17; which was effectual to remove her distress upon that head. In due time she was admitted into church communion, and proved what Mr. Scott, long before his death, said of her, that she was a mother in Isracl; maintaining an honourable place in the house of God above forty years. She was very diligent in her attendance upon all the means of grace, tron. which she found considerable comfort, especially during the last few years of her life. She came as long as it was possible, and when she could no more attend, she would often say, "Though I cannot go to the house of God, yet it is my privilege that I can go to the God of the house." She was eminent in prayer, imitating her divine Master, in pouring out her soul in strong cries and tears unto God. Many who have attended with her at the womens' prayer-meeting, can bear testimony to the ardour of her spirit; the cause of Zion was near to her soul; she rejoiced in its prosperity,

them at the table of the Lord. She was remarkable for her patience in affliction, supporting, with heroic fortitude, the decays of nature. — Two days before her death she said, "I have been favoured with such clear views of Heaven as I never had before; I believe the Lord has afforded them to me for

support against my departure, for I died, being asked how she did, she am going!"-The morning she said, "My voice is nearly lost in death, but my hope is as firm as

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ever." - A few minutes before her departure, she said with a loud triumphant voice, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope." Thus terminated the life of a person eminent in her sphere of action. The event was improved by a funeral sermon from that text," By grace are ye saved, thro'

faith."

T. H.

MRS. HANNAH JOYCE.

JULY 6, 1803, Mrs. Hannahı Joyce, aged sixty, near forty years a humble follower of the Lamb, and upwards of twenty years a useful and ornamental member of the church of Christ in Eagle Street, Holborn. For the encouragement of others (and not to flatter he deceased) it should be observed that her example, in many instances, was well worthy imitation; especially her uniform concern to introduce her carnal neighbours to the means of grace; which was attend. ed with the divine blessing, as several now in glory did, and others in the church do, joyfully testify. And though naturally timid, yet with holy boldness would she re.

prove persons who took God's name in vain, assuring them, that they could not be held guiltless for the offence. And her reproofs were so well timed and pointed, that they usually appeared "as apples of gold in pictures of silver," and seldom were without effect; for she was not contented to point out the disease merely, without the only all sufficient remedy, Christ Jesus, as displayed in the gospel. Her Christian companions regret the loss of her spiritual conversation, which was seasoned with salt, and remarkable for its scriptural phraseology. Her memory, though na. turally weak, was sanctified; and she could recollect more of sermons, and religious books, than most persons. Notwithstanding the Bible was her principal companion, yet she was very familiar with the writings of several eminent authors; so much so, that upon most topics of religious conversation, she could introduce an appropriate quotation. But her favourite subject was the faithfulness of God to his promises, which she could exemplify by many instances of her own experience; and which, would the limits allowed us here permit insertion, might prove edifying and strength. ening. But although she had faith, she was not without fears; and mostly her language was like Job's, "Oh that I knew where I might find him," &c. But she enjoyed the faith of reliance when she could not full assurance, as her last words will testify, of which the following is the substance :-"May the good will of Him who dwelt in the bush be upon my dear children! I have committed my soul into the hands of Jesus many years ago; and tho' he withholds the light of his dear face, I am enabled not to cast away my confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. What a mercy! the Lord rewards his own gift, grace. I thank the Lord for the kindness of all my dear friends in my affliction, especially for the attention of Miss C. I have been much supported since the Lord has applied that promise to my soul this morning, viz. "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light

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shall not be clear nor dark; but at evening time it shall be light." It has been neither clear nor dark with me; but should the Lord be pleas ed to put me to bed in the dark, I know in whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep what I have committed unto him." She whispered another sentence after. wards, but could not be understood. She bore her pains, which were excruciating, without murmuring, and with surprizing fortitude.. After an affliction of five months, the Lord answered her dying petition, and received her spirit. Her remains were interred in BunhillFields, over which her muchesteemed friend and pastor, the Rev. W. Smith, delivered a pathetic and edifying exhortation. J.

MRS. MARKHAM.

ON Sabbath, Aug. 28, 1803, died Mrs. E. Markham, wife of Mr. Joseph M. coast officer of the customs in the port of Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire, aged sixty-seven. She was greatly afflicted with the jaundice. The last attack, which terminated in her death, was the ninth; and what seemed singular, for some days before, she enjoyed a state of so great health and comfort, that she was ready to conclude the Lord had perfectly restored her: but alas! how soon the scene was changed! it returned with renewed violence, and in less than three weeks brought her to the gates of death. The state of her mind will best appear from her own words, which were taken by Mr. M. himself, near the time of her departure. "Through faith in Jesus, the sting of death is taken out of the conscience, and thereby the fear of it out of the heart; the Lord is my light and my salvation, what then shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. I need not fear any, because thou, my Lord and Saviour, hast promised to be with me; thy rod and thy staff shall comfort me. This is great victory, but not singular. In the same faith

died the noble army of martyrs, of whom we read that they overcame the accuser o the brethren by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony. I am going to the Three Persons with whom I have had communion. I shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye; all my lusts and corruptions I shall be rid of, which I could not while here below. I stand complete in his righteousness. Christ cannot love me better than he doth; and I think I cannot love Christ better than I do: - I am swallowed up in God. Blessed be God. Death is no king of terrors to me; he is a welcome messenger, because he is sent by my Heavenly Father. Here I am, O Lord, wait. ing thy pleasure, ready to obey the summons; thy will O Lord, be done." The evening before her release I found her exceeding clear and collective. On my questioning her if I might say any thing to the living concerning her, she answered, "Say I am a brand plucked out of the fire (Zech. iii, 2); a sinner saved by grace. I am nothing, I have nothing, and I have done nothing to merit; but Jesus has done all things well. God is faithful; yes, he is good and faithful to me; I shall soon be with him.

Come

Lord Jesus, come quickly; why tarry the wheels of thy chariot so long!" Here we closed our conversation; and, about one o'clock on the Sabbath, she breathed her last, and fell asleep in Jesus.

W. S.

PETER WETHERILL. SEPT. 16, 1803, died Peter Wetherill, aged twenty-two years, who attended the ministry of the Rev. R. Hill. He was of a serious turn of mind from a boy, fond of hearing the word preached, and reading the Scriptures and religious books; a dutiful son to his parents, and es. teemed by all around. The manner in which he behaved in his long sick. ness (which was a consumption) plainly proved the Lord was with him of a truth. At times, he was much harrassed by Satan. He often cried out," Come Lord Jesus, and come quickly, why are thy chariot

wheels so long in coming?" He was told by a friend the Lord would manifest himself to him, and he would not leave him, nor forsake him. He replied, "If I do perish, it shall be at the feet of Jesus! O blessed Spirit, descend and remove these doubts and fears from me; I trust entirely on the blood and righteousness of Christ for salvation "It was observed that his sufferings were very great: he replied, "It is the Lord's doings." He never was heard to murmur. On the day of his death it pleased the Lord to remove all his doubts and fears; to reveal in his heart the knowledge of his dear Son. He cried out, "Christ is precious! the Lord now shines upon me; I long to depart, and be with my Saviour who died for me." His mother said to him, You sweat very much. He replied, "" My Saviour sweat great drops of blood for me."- About half an hour before he departed, his sister asked him if he was happy? He answered, “O happy, happy!" Prayer and praise was almost all that could be heard as long as his tongue could speak, or he had breath to draw. - At twelve o'clock at night he finished his course, fell asleep in Jesus, and entered his eternal rest, departing this life without a struggle, sigh, or groan. J. H.

MR. THOMAS NALDER. ON Saturday, Jan. 14, 1804, died at Hammer-ponds, near Godalming, Mr. Thomas Nalder, aged sixtyfive years. His love to Christ, which, for many years, he had ma. nifested by a steady and liberal at. tachment to his cause, and his be nevolent disposition in general, wiil long endear his memory to many. The event of his death was improv ed by the Rev. T. Gardner, of Godalaing, in a Sermon on Lord's Day evening, Jan. 22, at a room near the late dwelling of Mr. Nalder, where the gospel has for several years been statedly preached for the spiritual advantage of the neigh bouring people; of whom a great number attended upon this lament. able occasion.

E. M.

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

Solitude Sweetened, or Miscellaneous Meditations on several Religious Subiects, written in distant Parts of the World. By James Meikle, late Surgeon at Carnwath. 12me, # 376. 35. 6d. boards.

"THE Meditations now offered to the public," says the Rev. Mr. Jeddie, of Edinburgh, the editor, in consequence of the very appear favourable manner in which the author's "Select Remains" were received. They are written in the same style, and breathe the same spirit of ardent piety with the Remains," but they embrace a greater variety of subjects, are, in general, composed with greater ease; and will, the editor is persuaded, be found intitled to an equal, if not a superior, degree of acceptance. The greater part of them was written, not amidst the quiet and comforts of home, in the retirement of the country, and during the intervals of leisure from the regular duties of his profession; but at sea, amidst the noise, bustle, and confusion of a man of war. A book written during hostilities, on board a ship of war, may be considered as a literary curiosity; and this is, perhaps, the first book of devotion ever composed in such circumstances. It may justly excite surprize, how the good man could find opportunity, or command composure of mind, in the cockpit of the Portland, for writing, not only the greater part of the present volume, but another series of Meditations, entitled, “The Traveller ;" and it must be particularly pleasing to pious minds to observe his stedfastness in the faith unshaken, and the ardour of his devotion undiminished, during a period of several years spent in a state of exclusion from the ordinances of religion, and in the society of persons ignorant of God. How his righteous soul was vexed from day to day, in seeing and bearing with their unlaw. ful deeds;" and to what ridicule he was exposed from his ungodly com

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panions on account of his religion, are apparent, from many expres. sions in his Meditations; yet he persevered in his course, frequently seized (when other opportunities failed) the midnight hour for his prayer and meditation, and “out of the belly of Hell cried unto his God."

The subjects of Meditation, which amount to 147, are entirely of a practical nature; and the author's thoughts on them are always scriptural, and frequently original. The reader will rise from the perusal of them, as from a spiritual feast; his taste gratified, and his

soul nourished.

Sermons on Various and Important Subjects. By Thomas Bell, late Minister of the Gospel in Glasgow. Faithfully published from the Original Manuscripts, as revised and corrected by the Author for the Press. 8vo, pp. 518.

MR. Bell was a respectable minister of the Relief Church; first at Jedburgh, and afterwards at Glasgow. For the space of fiveand-thirty years he laboured in the vineyard of the Lord. He was a man of considerable learning, well acquainted with the most eminent German and Dutch Divines, and possessed much of their solid and regular habits of thinking. home, he was held in high esteem by the ministers of his own denomination, while his candour and liberality greatly endeared him to others.

At

The Sermons before us were selected by himself for publi cation; and will be read with pleasure by the lovers of solid evange lical and practical divinity. That the reader may form some judg ment of what he is to expect, we shall add the titles and texts of the Sermon I. several discourses:

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The Great Doctrine of Obligation to Duty illustrated; Luke xii. 48. II. On the Entrance of Sin and 111. Ou Death; Rom. v. 12. Original Sin imputed, Eph. ii. 3.Ä

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IV. On the Inherent Depravity of our Nature; Ps. li. 5.-V. The Perpetuity of Messiah's Government; Ps. lxxii. 17. VI. The Blessings of Messiah's Reign; Ps. lxxii. 17. VII. The Blessedness of Messiah's Person; Ps. lxxii. 17. -VIII. The Nature and Extent of Messiah's Government; Is. xxii. 22.IX. Christ's Suretyship il lustrated; Heb.vii. 22.-X. Christ considered as a Testator; Heb. ix., 16. XI. On the Death of Christ; 1 Cor. xv. 3. XII. The Promise of Messiah's Resurrection illus trated; Acts ii. 27.-XIII.Christ's affectionate Lamentation over Im penitent Sinners; Luke xix.41, 42. XIV. The Nature and Causes of our Saviour's Agony in the Garden delineated; Luke xxii. 44.

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THE religion of Jesus Christ is not a mere system, the beauty of which the mind is to perceive; but it is a divine blessing, the energy of which the heart is to feel. Hence principles and precepts, tho' they make part of the system, yet do not include the whole of it Experience may be considered as essential to its very existence; and without which, whatever ideas we may form, or whatever tenets we may maintain, we cannot be said to be religious. This, like the heart in the animal system, throws life and vigour throughout the whole man. Christian Experience, there fore, is not to be treated with contempt, of thought of such little consequence as some imagine: it is highly evidential of a gracious state; and the relation of it is useful, and often consolatory and refreshing. The volume before us presents us with a view of the feel. ings and exercises of a heart deeply impressed with a sense of divine things. We doubt not but the Christian reader will find it profitable in the perusal. The recom.

mendation given by the author of the Preface is in affectionate terms; and the testimony he gives to her character, after an intimate acquaintance of above twenty-seven years, is honourable. "Her zeal," he observes, was not a short-lived spirit, excited either by the novelty of religious ideas, or by merely selfish affections; but, like a perennial spring, still increasing as she increased in the knowledge of her Lord and Saviour. It continued all through life; and put her upon renewed efforts, in every way wherein her station and talents would afford her opportunity both to subserve the best interests of her fellow-creatures, and advance the honour of her dear Redeemer."

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Ir the Memoirs and Diaries of eminently pious women be considered as desirable and useful, as they certainly are, then we safely recommend this volume to the attention of our readers. An Extract or two may be more acceptable, and shew the piety of this gracious woman, better than any observations we can make : «Jan. 20, 1796. It was our prayer-meeting this morning. I rose, weak as I was; and I would not for the world have lain in my bed. My sout was doubly blessed. How should

have regretted, and my heart have smote me, if I had lain in bed, when I consider how my dear Lord staid whole nights on the Mount, exposed to the open air, praving for such a Hell-deserving sinner!

"March 20. I often think of a person that was under disgrace with his King. He wanted to obtain pardon and reconciliation; but did not know how to come at his Majesty.. He understood, if he could get the

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