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him to attend public worship in the winter; yet there is good reason to believe that in a few months he became a humble Christian.

In conversation with him the writer of this found that Mr. B. was wholly indisposed to attribute any of his former feelings to the loss of his reason. He told me that after the first three years, he laid aside the design of self-murder entirely and also declared that all his conduct during that long time, was the fruit of an evil heart left to itself that this was the reason of his being so averse to prayer and serious conversation. And this was the cause of his being so unsociable and bitter towards mankind-that he could not bear the sight even of his former most intimate friends-that he generally attempted to overcome so perverse a disposition, but was unable-that it was in this struggle between the perverseness of his heart, and the consciousness of propriety, that he so often repeated the words, I cant, meaning thereby that he could not bring the feelings of his heart to acquiesce in that which was proper, and that the conflict was so severe, that the words were pressed from his lips almost without his knowing what he did.

As he was unable to go abroad in the winter and early part of the spring, the feelings and exercises of his mind, under the conviction and power of the Holy Spirit, were not generally known. It appears, however, from his own account and that of his children, (his wife having died several years before) that he was brought into great distress in view of the sinfulness

of his heart; and, as it is hoped, to a humble submission to the gospel method of salvation. The consequence was, that he became as remarkable for love as he had been before for the contrary. His attachment to the Redeemer and his cause-his discoveries of divine truth and his inward joys were indeed wonderful. Similar to the apos tle, who after his conversion was animated with a degree of zeal proportionate to his former opposition, Mr. B. felt an uncommon share of ardor in the cause of Christ. He appeared indeed to love much.

His humility and self-abhorrence, also appeared peculiar.— After he was able to attend public worship, he desired to come to the Lord's table which he had omitted for more than twenty years, but expressed his fears that the brethren could not admit so vile a creature as he had been to their communion again. And hence of his own accord took the first opportunity to speak to them publicly, and in such a manner as abundantly witnessed the sincerity of his heart.

At a sacramental season previous to his death, he attended with seemingly great devotion indeed. A few days after which, as he was going to attend a lecture, the following conversation took place between him and a person who fell into company with him:

Q. Was the ordinance comfortable to you?

A. I never saw such a day in my life. I never attended it so before-I never saw God and Christ so before.

Q. It was season to you?

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A. Yes, the best in my life. Q. Did the Redeemer appear lovely in himself?

tian would be left, for so long a time in such a state." To him the question was of difficult solution; but as far as this case was concerned, there seemed to be a satisfactory answer, at least it was very evident how Mr. B. considered himself.

A. Yes he was new to me, I had such discoveries and such joys as I never had before, and I never had such exercises before. Q. You don't mean that your discoveries were new in kind, but only encreased to a greater degree than you ever had be-peared to me that I seldom, if fore?

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In subsequent and further conversation with him, it ap

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ever, found plainer marks of sin-
cerity, submission, love, and
growth in grace.
And many
others have heard him express
the deepest humility and the
most warm and pathetic ack-
nowledgments of the free and
sovereign and distinguishing
grace of God. Many are wit-
nessess, with what fervor, zeal,
constancy, and devotion, he
spake of the work of God among
us, and upon his own soul.
seemed sometimes that he la-
bored to communicate some-
thing unutterable. And he who
had for nineteen years scarcely
gone a rod from his door, was
now willing to travel into distant
parts of the town to attend lec-
tures, and visit his old acquaint-
ance; encouraging Christians,
proclaiming the grace of God,
and bearing testimony in favor
of the glorious work among us.
But his labors were short. In
the latter part of September he
was called away by death. The
exercises of his mind were such
as became the great event. On
the day of his death his mind
was in some degree beclouded.
But the day before, he intima-

The foregoing conversation is verbatim, as taken down in writing a few days afterward. As the writer had considered him a Christian previous to his derangement, as it was called, the question had often occurred" Whether a real Chris-ted not only his willingness,

*If any explanation is here required, it may be noticed that this season

was in the month of July 1799. The only season which his bodily infirmi-. ties permitted him to attend after his

relief.

but his desire to depart.

What testimony have we here of the power of religion, of the love, grace and condescension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of This ability to save to the utter,

presence of God. It is presumed that you do not sorrow on her account, that she is taken from this vale of tears. You have no reason to be disturbed in your mind when you contemplate her present state with de

termost! What an alarm to sleeping Christians and mere professors! What a decided testimony of the real truth of the words the carnal mind is enmity against God? The same principle is in every natural heart, only more restrained.-parted spirits. She gave every Who, that know the Lord Jesus Christ, will not ackowledge, that in this case was acted out the same heart which they see in themselves, and in every human creature; and which would have been probably much worse in them were it not for the power of restraining and converting grace? There is room firmly and feelingly to believe the doctrine of man's depravity. The Lord teaches it not only in his word but in the dispensation of his Grace; he teaches it in most solemn accents.

evidence of her friendship to God and his kingdom, and her union to the Lord Jesus, while living. The weight of the calamity sustained by surviving relatives must be greatly diminished by the consideration that their departed friend has gone to eternal rest. What is your loss is her gain. She is now borne beyond all the toils, pains, and sorrows of time in which she had an unusual share; yes, she has arrived to where there is no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying.

Your worthy parent has been removed by a righteous God. The arrow was not shot at random, which occasioned her death. Not by blind chance, or unmeaning fatality was she brought to the grave; but by a wise, perfectly wise, and holy provi

Let us make our peace with him, by humble submission: that when we die we may ascend to that "bless'd abode," where we may find all the disciplinary scenes of this world to have terminated for our good; and where a precious Redeemer will be forever new and com-dence. You hope you love God, pletely entertaining.

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and profess to make his glory your first object. All that his hand doth amongst men is to display his perfections. You will then cheerfully submit to his afflictive providences, and from the consideration that he reigns you will derive consolation and joy in the darkest and most trying seasons.

If, as you hope, you are one of God's children, this bereavement is designed for your best good, and will be sanctified to this end. All things will work together for the good of them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

Whom the Lord loveth, he chas- | ver be made up in the same teneth, and scourgeth every son kind of good. whom he receiveth. Many Christians, like David, have found it good to be afflicted. Job was rendered more eminent in grace by reason of his sore afflictions, and so is every child of God. The Lord doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men; but if need be, he brings his people into the furnace of affliction, to purify them from dross, and make their graces to shine.

You have lost one of the best friends you had upon earth. None but one among all the sons and daughters of men had that affection and concern for you. She was unwearied in her labors for your good, and both night and day ministered to your comfort in sickness and distress. You have lost her society. You might improve and feel happy in her presence. To female delicacy and modesty, she united such dignity of deportment as every where commanded respect. Her discourse was never vain, trifling, or slanderous; but always seasoned with good sense, prudence, and grace. She could speak for virtue and for God. Her conversation ministered edification to those who heard her. Her example was instructive; peculiarly so to her children, and much so to society. You have been a witness to her diligence and economy, her sobriety and composure of mind, her patience and submission in trouble, her attention to the scriptures, and sacred regard for the sabbath. As she was often de

God in his goodness continued to your enjoyment an affectionate and faithful parent thro' your forming age, and until you left your father's house to have a family of your own. Many children have been left without the care, attention, and counsel of a fond mother when they most needed them. You see the great difference in this respect, between your own case and many around you. Your mother had the happiness of living to see her daughters comfortably settled in the world, and her only son to arrive to manhood, industrious, steady, and sober. It was all for their good. Such considerations, as those now sug-tained from the house of prayer, gested, should console your heart in this day of trouble, and cause you to rejoice and be thankful in the midst of adversity.

Perhaps you may think, that though the sentiments now mentioned may diminish your sorrow; yet there are so many other considerations calculated to swell the tide of your grief, that you cannot suppress it. I know, dear friend, that the cup which God has given you to drink is indeed a bitter cup.Your loss is great, and will ne

you know how she embraced every opportunity to worship God with his saints. She seemed to have the feelings of the psalmist, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go up to the house of the Lord." You remember her pleasure and joy at the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, when she saw some of her own children, with a multitude of their companions, seeking after God and subscribing to be his. You have seen her aversion to strife and contention. Her voice was

ever for peace. She practised kindness, hospitality, and equity, while she looked well to the ways of her household. Indeed, I may say without exaggeration, her example shone with singular lustre.

their powers and influence to promote the cause of vice and irreligion. Others, who seem to have no ability to be useful in society, but may be considered as a burden and a nuisance, are continued in the land of the living to an unusual age. At the same time, many, who appear singularly promising, being fur

You have lost her good counsel. She was capable of advising in your domestic concerns, and as to your general deport-nished with strength and brilment; but, especially, in the things of religion. She was an excellent counsellor in spiritual darkness and trouble.

You have, furthermore, lost her prayers. Such was her religious life, and such her sense of the importance of piety, and such her concern for the future welfare of her children, that we may presume you was daily remembered in her addresses at the throne of grace. Perhaps it is in answer to the prayers of faith that the richest blessings are bestowed upon the children | of pious parents. The prayer of the righteous man availeth much. All these losses you have sustained in the death of your mother. No wonder you are sorrowful under the bereavement. But remember that God hath taken away, only what he gave. He had the best right to the blessing. Then be still and know that the Lord is God.

liancy of mind, improved by cducation, and enriched by grace, are cut down in the midst, if not in the morning of life.Your departed friend was in a situation, and had a heart to do much good. She has been removed in the midst of life, while you see others, who are a great injury to the community, spared. Why it is so, perhaps we can only say with Christ, Even so Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight....

I trust you do not, need to be taught how to improve the death of your friend. But, notwithstanding, suffer me to observe that the apostle's words furnish us with cautions under the frowns of providence, which are well deserving our earnest heed; My Son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. We are in danger of erring in one of these two extremes; a Your parent is taken from you medium is cheerful submission in the midst of life. According to the will of heaven; and this to the course of nature she might is both our duty and happiness. have lived to have been an ac- Every such calamity as that tive instrument of good to her you have been called to experi friends and society for many ence, should increase your huyears. And here is one of the mility, your dependence upon mysteries of divine providence. God, your prayerfulness, your The wicked often live, become alienation from the world and okl, yea are mighty in power. heavenly mindedness. This We sometimes see the vilest providence should improve evc of men living to a great age, ry grace and stimulate to a though they seem to exert all

VOL. VI. No. 10.

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