OBITUARY. THE REV. HENRY WILLIAM COULTHURST, D. D. DIED, December 11, the Rev. Henry William Coulthurst, D. D., Vicar of Halifax, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. His father was of a respectable family in Yorkshire, but had settled at Barbadoes, where the subject of this obituary was born; who was educated in Eng land, first at Hipperholme, near Halifax, and afterwards at St. John's College, Cambridge. He took his B. A. degree in 1775, and was the second wrangler; and, soon after, obtained one of Dr. Smith's prizes for his proficiency in mathematics and natural philosophy. In 1777, being a senjor bachelor, he obtained one of the prizes given by the members for a dissertation in Latin prose. He was afterwards elected a Fellow of Sidney College, where he resided till he became Vicar of Halifax. He held the office of Moderator in the years 1784 and 1785; and, in the latter part of his residence in the university, he was tutor of his college. He was very conspicuous for his brilliant, but innocent, wit; and many instances of this are remembered at Cambridge and elsewhere. He was also much esteemed and followed at Cambridge, as an excellent preacher; having been the minister of St. Sepulchre's in that town. He was inducted, December 1790, to the vicarage of Halifax; and, in 1791, he took his degree of D. D. On Dec. 10, 1817, he rode from Halifax to the house of his friend, J. H. Smyth, Esq. M. P., at Heath, near Wakefield, with the design of attending a meeting of magistrates at the court house, Wakefield, the following day, to choose a director and matron for the New Pauper Asylum for Lunatics. On his arrival at Heath, he complained of being CHRIST. OBSERV. App. unwell from the extreme coldness of his ride but nothing serious was apprehended, either by himself or his friends; though it is probable that his having been so long on horseback, on a very cold day, accelerated his dissolution. On the 11th, his servant went to call him at the appointed hour of seven o'clock, when he received orders to come again at eight. He did so, and was then told by the Doctor that he would be ready for him in ten minutes. At his return, after the lapse of this short period, he found his master apparently lifeless. Medical assistance was immediately sent for, but in vain: the spark of life was totally extinct! It is probable, from the posture in which he was found, that he was seized with an apoplectic fit when attempting to rise. He was buried in the chancel of the parish church of Halifax, on December 10th; the parish officers, his brother magistrates, and several of the clergy preceding the corpse, and twelve of the incumbents of benefices in that populous and extensive parish supporting the pall. Some hundreds of gentlemen and respectable inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood, voluntarily assembled to pay a sincere tribute of respect to their lamented vicar, and formed a long procession, following the other mourners in silence and tears. A vast concourse also of persons attended as spectators, who completely filled the spacious church. The utmost decorum, however, was observed; and nothing could be more affecting, and more congenial to the best feelings of our nature, than the deep concern and regret that was manifested on every side. On the following Sunday, various funeral sermons were preached in the different churches in the parish, and others were intended." 5 X His loss is most sincerely and deeply regretted, not only by his widow, his relatives, and his parishioners; but also by a numerous body of friends in various parts of the kingdom, as few persons have been more beloved. He was indeed a benevolent man, a patriotic citizen, a pious Christian, a Courteous gentleman, a sincere friend, a zealous minister, a useful magistrate, and one whose death has made a great blank in society. Whatever might have been his natural propensities and passions, the irregular and excessive parts of them were so subdued and mortified, that he enjoyed a temperate and tranquil composure of mind, a placid and unruffled temper, a placable and forgiving disposition, an inoffensive cheerfulness--a good humoured pleasantry, a uniform urbanity and kindness of demeanour, a wish to promote the welfare of his friends and of all mankind, zeal to encourage loyalty in the state, and pure and undefiled religion in the church: all which were much heightened and improved by springing from a truly Christian source. His first Not long before his death, he expressed the pleasure he derived from the Scriptures and, if his avocations would allow, how happy he should be to devote the whole of his time to a perusal of them, and to prepare himself for heaven. Upon another occasion, he said he had no fear of death, as it was his daily endeavour to be in a state of readiness for it. On the evening before his dissolution, his mind was in a very spiritual frame; and in bis conversation with the respectable friends in whose house he was, he expatiated upon the necessity of giving the utmost attention to the concerns of eternity. Thus both his late sermons in general, and particularly his last, show him to bave been very intent upon his own spiritual improvement, and that of others; and are an indication, that he was growing in meetness for the heavenly inheritance. His more opulent parishioners have determined to evince their conviction of his many amiable and excellent qualities, by erecting a monument to his memory; and a handsome subscription for the purh was to dis- pose has already commenced. cipline his own heart, by prayer, by meditation, by reading the Scriptures, by contemplating the consolatory promises of the Gospel; and it is no wonder, therefore, when an attention was thus given to rectify the fountain, that the streams which flowed from it should be so pure. MRS. H. S. CAHUSAC. J. F. On Tuesday evening, October 14, died, at Paddington, Hannah Sophia, wife of Thomas Cahusac, Esq. and second daughter of the Rev. Basil Woodd. The subject of this memoir was born March 21, 1789, and fell a victim to a rapid decline in the twenty-ninth year of her age. In early life she appeared to possess a good constitution. Her disposition was naturally very cheerful, tranquil and affectionate; her mental powers were solid, sprightly, and attentive. When she was under ten On the Lord's-day before his death he preached two very excellent sermons, and from texts that would not be unappropriate for funeral discourses for a good man. The first was 1 Pet. iv. 18: "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" The second (which was his last sermon) was the fifteenth verse of the seventeenth Psalm': As for me, me. I will years of age, she translated into behold thy face in righteousness; English, with great correctness, I shall be satisfied when I awake part of St. Bernard's Latin Mediwith thy likeness." tations, and soon discovered a solid judgment and taste for literary heart, and renew a right spirit pursuits. As it was the endeavour of her parents to make the education of their children subservient to their immortal interests; and as, on this principle, they educated them all at home; so, as far as human care and attention could influence their minds, it was their constant aim, in dependence on the Divine blessing, to gain and conciliate their early affections, and to direct them supremely to the love of God. The greatest punishment known in this family was the apparent suspension of parental affection and notice. On the same principle, they endeavoured to guard against that frivolous vanity which assigns to mere embellishments a higher importance than to solid attainments, and which sometimes pursues outward accomplishments to the neglect of" seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." Hannah possessed a fine ear for music, and considerable taste, which was cultivated, not as a means of mere amusement, but as an auxiliary to devotion. But it was a much higher gratification, when it was observed that the desire of her heart was directed to remember her Creator in the days of her youth. At the age of twenty, by her own particular wish, after being confirmed, she was admitted to the holy communion : within me. Grant me grace to abhor and detest all sin conform me to thy blessed image; make me holy instruct me by thy blessed Spirit, for I am very ignorant: forgive me for thy mercies' sake, for I am very sinful. Unworthy of the least of all thy mercies, yet, gracious Lord, thou wilt give thy Holy Spirit to them that ask it. "The bliss of holiness bestow, And then the bliss of heaven." She took great delight in public worship, was very desirous of being useful in her little sphere, and superintended one of the classes in the girls school of Ben tinck chapel. She was very partial to the valuable writings of Mrs. Hannah More, Cowper's Poems, and the Christian Observer; and they prov ed highly conducive to the forma❤ tion of that correct taste and judg ment which she eminently possessed. Among other favourite books, were the practical works of the learned and excellent Richard Baxter, the "Rise and Progress" of Dr. Doddridge, and the life and Sermons of the Reverend Joseph Milner. The diary of this eminent clergyman she knew almost by memory, and frequently spoke of it, particularly in her last illness, as the development of her own selfexamination. Oct. 24, 1809, she and it will appear, from the fol- marriage state. I entered the lowing short meditation which was found among her papers, with what feelings she approached that sacred ordinance. "March 28, 1809. I am this day going to commemorate the great love of my Saviour, in giving himself a sacrifice for sinners, and to promise solemnly to devote myself to the service of God. Almighty God, accept thy unworthy servant, for Christ's sake; and pour upon me the spirit of grace and supplication. Meet me in thy ordinances make me love thee more, and serve thee better create in me a clean pleased God to bless her with four lovely children; and although the eldest is snow only seven years old, she had taken great pains, according as their infant minds expanded, to impress them with practical sentiments of their duty to God, and of the dying love of their Redeemer. After the birth of her second child, in June, 1812, she was alflicted with a painful nervous disease, partly occasioned by her anxiety during the illness of a brother whom she tenderly loved; but no signs of consumption were suspected till the month of last June. From this period, the usual symptoms of decline became alarmingly visible. She soon began to suspect the probable termination, and to abstract her thoughts from all earthly concerns, preparing her feelings for leaving the beloved object of her affections, and for yielding the tender charge of their endeared little offspring. No expression of hesitation to obey the Divine will escaped her lips. She acknowledged that she had felt an earnest desire for life; but was enabled to add, that even that desire was now taken away. Deeply as she was sensible of the anguish of so early and so unexpected a separation, she felt, at the same time, that she could bow All submissively to the stroke. the tender ties of a mother seemed passively to yield to the conviction that the Almighty Disposer was holy, just, and good; too wise to mistake the real interests of bis children, and too good to be unkind. Extreme self-suspicion marked her character. She was always. afraid lest she should think too well of herself; or lest any expression from her lips should lead others to think of her more highly than she thought they ought to think. This often imposed on her a delicate and painful silence. Many beautiful and edifying remarks inadvertently escaped from her: but it was her express desire that nothing should ever be repeated as an observation of hers, and therefore no distinct memorial is here attempted. Deep humiliation before God was a prominent feature in ber; and such was the tenderness of her conscience, that although she was affectionately attached to her parents and family, yet, in her last illness, she expressed her fears that she had not loved them so well as she ought, or sufficiently appreciated a parent's worth. This, in the last interview which she had with her mother, she particularly It drew forth a cormentioned. respondent acknowledgment, with the remark, that in all our duties we stand in need of a better righteousness than our own, as the basis of our hope for eternity. To which she instantly replied, "Yes; the righteousness of the Saviour." the A day or two before her departure, speaking of the sensible approach of dissolution, she expressed a calm reliance on precious death and merits of the Lord Jesus, and then added, "I feel an humble hope in my Redeemer; if a sinner, such as I am, may be per mitted to hope in his mercy. She dwelt much upon the subject of her own unworthiness and the manifold mercies of God, but a holy fear of deceiving herself prevented her possessing those enjoyments in religion which some Christians experience. About two or three hours before she drew her last breath, she des sired her afflicted partner to read a favourite bymn, "In ev'ry trouble sharp and strong, To God my spirit flies: To thy Redeemer's name : In joy, in sorrow, life and death, His love is still the same." At this period, she could scarcely speak so as to be heard; but she seemed to feel this last verse in particular, as a consolation in her dying hour. She waved her hand, and lifted her expiring eyes to heaven, with a smile of calm delight, and a hope of approaching glory. From this time she scarcely spoke, but she seemed perfectly composed and happy. At nine o'clock in the evening, October 14, nature, exhausted, resigned the blessed spirit, and, it is humbly trusted, she entered for ever into the joy of her Lord. It was an indulgence of mercy to herself and her friends, that although for the last five years she Rev. S. Locke, D. D. Hilgay R. Norfolk. Rev. R. Williams, A. M. Meylherne and Bottwnog R. Carnarvon, vice Williams, dec. Rev. F. Churchill, Roughton V. Norfolk. Rev. J. Palmer, M. A. Peldon R. Essex,vice Mountain, dec. Rev. W. Ward, Gr. Horkesley R. Ess. Rev. G. W. T. Milner, Larling R. Norfolk Rev. William Collet, Egmere R. with Holkham V. annexed, Norfolk. Rev. Barthol. Goe, M. A. Boston V. Rev. George Caldwell, M. A. Stanley Regis R. co. Gloucester. Rev. Mr. Lawson, Needham Market Perpetual Curacy. Rev. Dr. Holland, a Prebendal Stall in Chichester Cathedral, vice Birch, dec. Rev. William Mitchell, Bylaugh Perpetual Curacy, Norfolk. Rev. Osborne Shribb, Reynolds Boulge R. with Debach R. annexed, Suffolk. Rev: Jas. Pascoe, St. KevernV. Cornwall. Rev. Edward Ince, Wigtoft V. co. Lincoln, vice Partridge, dec. Rev. G. Treweeke, St. Minver V. Cornwall. Rev. C. Hodgson, St. Tudy R. Cornwall. Rev. Joseph L'Oste, LL. B. Postwick R. Norfolk. Rev. John Taylor, M. A. Haynford R. Norfolk. Rev. Richard John Geldart, M. A. Little Billing R. co. Northampton. Rev. Charles James Blomfield, M. A. Tuddenham R. Suffolk." *Rev. George TereyCarwîthen, LL. B. Newton St. Cyres V, Devonshire. Rev. J. Trevenen, jun. Caud R. Cornwall. Rev. Charles King, Witchampton R. Dorset. Rev. William H. Holworthy, Eartham V. with Bowthorpe annexed, Sussex.. Rev. Henry Parr Beloe, Chaplain of the Tiber, vice Rev. S.W. Roberts, appointed to the Glasgow. Rev. Charles Chichester, M. A. a Prebendary of Exeter, vice Veysie, dec. Rev. T. Mitchenson, Thornton and Carrington Chapelries, co. Lincoln. Rev. H. Gauntlett, Cricklade St. Samson V. Wilts. Rev. John Hopwood, Accrington Perpetual Curacy, co. Lancaster, vice Whitaker, dec. Rev. Alfred Hadfield, M. A. St. Stephen's, Liverpool, Perpetual Curacy. Rev. Robert Sutton, St. Michael's, Spurriergate R. York. Rev. Dr. Stewart, Loughgilly R. co. Armagh. Rev. William Hildyard, A. M. Assistant Curate of Beverley Minster, vice Ramsay, dec. Rev. John Morland, Aughton R. co. Lancaster. Rev. Thomas Putt, Combrawleigh R. Devon, vice Drewe, dec. Liskear Rev. C. Golding, Stratford St. Mary R. Suffolk. Rev. W. Hicken, Ellenhall Perpetual Curacy, co. Stafford. Rev. T. Hulse, North Ockendon R. Essex. Rev. John Hutchinson, M. A. Edale co. Denbigh, vice Turner, resigned. Rev. James Slade, M. A. Bolton-leMoors V. Lancashire. DR. Rev. W. Keary, Nunnington York. Get Co. Rev. W. Harrison, Overton R. Hants. Rev. John Brocklebank, B. D. Teversham R. co. Cambridge, vice Slade, resigned. |