Obituary.-Mr. Nathaniel Drawbridge.-M. John Neighbour. Brighton, 8th August, 1816. To the Editor of the Monthly Repository. SIR, On the 31st of July, died at Seames Hill, in the parish of Lindfield, in the county of Sussex, at the good old age of 77 years, Mr. NATHANIEL DRAWBRIDGE, a worthy character, well known and mach respected in this neighbourhood, and whose memory i judge deserves to be handed down to posterity through your valuable Repository. He was buried in the General Baptist burial-ground at Cuckfeld, on Tuesday last, August 6th, and a very appropriate sermon ou the occasion was preached by Mr. Bennett, of Ditchling, from a text of the deceased's own chusing, Psalın xxxvii. and part of verse a,—“ Trust in the Lord and do good." In these two points of Christian exercise I believe but few of any denomination exceeded him, particularly in the former; for as for the later, man however well-disposed, can go beyond his ability. Though for three or four years past he laboured under an infirm state of body, yet be was highly favoured in his intellectual powers, which he retained in their full exercise to the last moment of his life. Permit me now to say a few things in reference to his general views of Christian truth. He was not ouly a firm friend to the rights and liberties of man in a general point of view, and shrunk from every idea of restraint upon private judgment; but particularly upon matters of religion it was a fixed principle with him, that every man had an equal right with himself to form his own opinion in matters of theology; and never condemned any man's eternal state on account of his creed, however it might differ from his own. Though he condemned their creeds he was tender over their persons, and ready to serve them upon every occasion, as far as in his power. The last observation he made on this head, a little before his death, was this: he said, "Oh God! dispose of me as thou seest fit:" a relative answered, “ God is merciful to us:" he answered, “there can be no doubt of that, but mankind make the Deity šike themselves, a mere human being, all passion and prejudice.” He was a firm believer in the Unity of God, and had embraced this doctrine with every other in unison with it, I believe from an early period of his life. He had studied nature as well as revelation, and was fully persuaded that both natural and revealed religion concurred to prove and confirm the doctrine of One God and Father of all. He was also a firm believer in the mission of Jesus as the true Messiah and sent of God the Father; and he most conscientiously believed him to be truly 487 and properly man and no other as it respected his person; yet he considered him every way qualified and adequate to all the purposes to which he was sent. lie considered him as the greatest of all the prophets and the most dignified and most exalted character of the human race, and that through him life and immortality was brought to light, aud that his precepts and conduct were not only worthy hat incumbeat upon all Christians to imitate. He had deeply studied and contemplated the character of the One Supreme Jehovah, and I believe has written much on the subject, which I hope will some day appear in public. He entertained some ideas upon the government of God that were probably peculiar to himself. He believed God to be the primary cause of all things, but could not suppose him to be the designing cause of all events: but for fear I should misunderstand him, I will give you his ideas in his own words, as I have collected them from your Repository for last June, (p. 322,) in a letter signed an “ Old Inquirer," which I knew to be his when. I read it, and have since bad it confirmed by himself. His words are as follow: "Now I do suppose that all events, all effects of power, are not subjects of intellectual determination, or objects of appointment; but on the contrary, that there are many natural results of force, which are not parts of any scheme, or any matters of device or ordination whatever." "No doubt, Deity is the source of all order, all systematic work, all management." He then asks" But is God the designing cause of all movement and result?", I have quoted thus much as a specimen of his ideas upon this critical subject. 1 shall conclude by saying that he was a good husband, a tender parent, a quiet neighbour, a faithful friend, and a pious man. I could say more, but think were he living he would not have wished me to say so much, for he coveted not honour from man, but that only which cometh from God, and was peculiarly circumspect in his words as well as actions. May every reader of your valuable publication imitate his virtues, and leave behind him as good a testimony of his faith, disposition, and conduct, as this our old and worthy friend. I remain, Sir, your obedient Servant, On Wednesday Morning, August 7, 1816, MR. JOHN NEIGHBOUR, eldest son of Mr. Thomas Neighbour, Wine Mer chant, Smithfield. The following character of him formed the conclusion of a Funeral Sermon preached for him at Worship Street, from Eccles. xii. 1, by the Rev. J. Evans, who interred his remains in the adjoining cemetry. 488 Obituary-Rev. Samuel Cary. "The beloved youth whose decease we now lament, and endeavour to improve, ought to have a tribute of respect paid to his memory. He died in the 22d year of his age, of a consumption, which, prying upon his vitals these three years, brought him down to the grave. He bore his tedious illness with exemplary patience and resignation-knowing that his HEAVENLY FATHER did all things well! Nor must it be omitted, that worn out by the ravages of this cruel disease, he was at length blessed with an easy dismissal from the pains and sufferings of mortality. Having had the superintendence of the closing part of his education, I am enabled to say that he possessed a good understanding, and an amiable temper, combined with a warm and generous heart. His love of knowledge, so commendable a trait in every youthful character, never forsook him, but continued with him to the last. He was gratified by every accession made to his little library; and never more happy than when conversing with a friend on topics conducive to mental improvement. As to RELIGION, he was regular and devout in his attendance on public worship in this place, as well as anxious to understand the Holy Scriptures, which are the sole rule both of our faith and practice. Nothing excited his disapprobation more than a spirit of ostentation exhibited in the exercise of prayer: to this purpose were the remarks he made to me on the very day previous to his death; and I was particularly pleased with them, because the circumstance shewed the just ideas he entertained of a scriptural and rational piety;—indeed my last interview on this occasion was of a devotional nature, and from which even in his extreme state of weakness he appeared to derive peculiar satisfaction. Without entering into further particulars respecting his character, it is sufficient to say, that by his death has been lost a dutiful son, an amiable brother, and a promising member of society. "Return my soul-the works of life attend, A little time to labour here is given; Meanwhile a new attractive thou shalt find To draw thee bence and fix thine heart in HEAVEN!" "Honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years; but wisdom is the grey hairs unto man, and an unspotted life is old age'."* J. E. Wisdom of Solomon, chap. iv. 8, 9. ADDITION TO THE ACCOUNTS OF REV. SAMUEL CARY, X. 656 and 729. [Extracts from a Discourse, delivered 17th Dec. 1815, on Occasion of the Death of the Rev. Samuel Cary. By the Rev. Mr. Colman, one of the Ministers of Boston.] I mean not on this occasion to attempt a studied eulogium of the character of our departed friend Cary, but to speak of him, as you would ever wish to remember him, as he was and as I knew him: a simple and faithful delineation of his character will be a sufficient and most honourable eulogy. I knew Mr. Cary well. He was my friend. I promised myself much satisfaction and benefit from his friendship; the more intimately I became acquainted with him, the more were my esteem and respect for him increased. Mr. Cary's talents were of a superior character; his intellectual attainments were considerable, and afforded an honourable testimony of his application and industry. His tract in defence of Christianity was in the opinion of competent judges, able and convincing; though we must always regret that any thing personal should be mingled in our discussions of a subject of such immense importance and dignity as the truth of our religion, yet this production reflects high credit upon his good principles and learning. As a preacher he was deservedly eminent. I have heard him often, and always with pleasure and improvement. His style was perspicuous and nervous; his discourses instructive and practical; not highly but sufficiently ornamented, discovering ever a pure and refined taste, and distinguished more by a rare solidity of judgment and a noble simplicity, than by a brilliancy of imagination. His manner was unaffected, serious, impressive, and suitable to the dignity of the pulpit. Of his religious opinions, I need not speak particularly; you heard him yourselves, and he had too much integrity and simplicity of heart, ever to be guilty of equivocation, of a dishonourable concealment of his sentiments, or of a reluctance to express them, when he deemed it proper. His views of Christianity, in my opinion, and in such cases we ought only to speak for ourselves, were highly rational. Of the Unity of the Deity and the propriety of paying religious homage to the Supreme Being only, he was seriously convinced. He might, I believe, be denominated a strict Unitarian, but those persons from whom he differed found him, though a strenuous, yet an honourable * Review of "The Grounds of Christ ianity Examined." Boston, 1313. ་ Obituary.-Rev. Samuel Cary. opponent. Correctness of religious belief is no evidence of moral goodness; and when we consider the innumerable invisible and indescribable influences to which the human understanding is subject, and the infinite variety of absurd and false opinions, which have been embraced and defended by the most distinguished men, it furnishes an equivocal proof of a man's wisdom or learning. Had Mr. Cary been a Calvinist or a Papist, I think, with his perfect rectitude of moral principle and exemplary life, I should not have esteemed or respected him less. Our friend had a liberal and honcurable mind; and, with a just regard for the inalienable and sacred rights of conscience and private judgment, he was always ready to maintain the liberties, defend the characters, and assist the inquiries of others. The correctness of his faith was attested by the purity and goodness of his life. He was a man of singular integrity, frankness, and generosity, with an entire freedom from avarice, or any low and sordid passion; evincing a nobleness of spirit, a high sense of honour, and a peculiar delicacy and refinement of moral scutiment. He possessed a serious and devout mind: he had no affectation in his religion, and anxiously endeavoured to guard. against the appearance of ostentation in his piety. He was a good son: while his father lived he served him with kindness and fidelity; he dwelt upon his memory with singular veneration; his death inflicted a wound which time had not healed: and he cherished his mother in her solitary old age with filial duty, love, and gratitude. In his family he was remarkably hospitable. His children, though the time was short during which he was permitted to enjoy them, had a strong hold on his affections; and his wife, who indeed deserved every thing from him, was the object of his faithful, affectionate, and courteous attention. Such, as far as I knew him, was the character of our lamented friend. I have endeavoured to delineate it with fidelity, I pretend not that he was without his faults,--for what human being is?-perfection belongs not to man in his present state; and if he might sometimes be thought impetuous in his feelings and language, we must remember that this same temper was the spring of that generous enthusiasm, with which he cherished every honourable purpose. The death of so excellent a man, in the morning of life, while his path yet glit tered with all the lustre of promise, and our hearts exulted in the prospect of an increasing brightness, is an event to be deeply deplored. The privation of his 489 talents, the loss of his society and friendship, the cessation of his labour in behalf of virtue and piety, the rupture of these ties by which he was connected with this religious society, the interruption of sa much domestic comfort, the dispersion of so many animating hopes,-it cannot be that these events should not fill our hearts with sorrow. Our religion does not forbid our sorrow; the stubbornness of a brutal philosophy makes no part of Christian resignation; but we are not permitted to nourish and prolong our grief, which, when excessive, indicates a distrust of the wisdom and rectitude of Divine Providence. Divine Providence!--there is something in these words to reconcile us to any event; however dissonant to our wishes, however disastrous to our hopes. The world with' all its concerns, we ourselves and all that is dear to us, are ever at the disposal and control of God. The government of God is truly paternal; the exercise of his authority is never arbitrary, capricious, or wanton, but the discipline of a most wise and faithful friend, suited to train the subjects of it to virtue and felicity. His knowledge embraces alike the past, the present, and the future, all things actual and all things possible; his power is adequate to any effect; his wisdom is unerring; his goodness and mercy are perfect and unchangeable. Is this the Being who presides over the destinies of mankind? and may we not coufide in him with -perfeet security?-can we receive from God any thing but good, and that, the highest good attainable by our nature and condition? These would have been the sentiments of our departed friend, if God had demanded of him such a sacrifice, as he las required of us. He displayed in this respect a truly Christian example. If any sentiments were predominant in his mind, they were sentiments of entire acquiescence in the will of heaven. When God took from him his first child under circumstances of peculiar trial, he submitted to the event with calm resignation. I'rom the commencement of his last sickness, he seems to have been fully impressed with a conviction of its fatal issue; yet he bore it with Christian fortitude. I am persuaded that I shall gratify you by an extract from a letter, which I received from a friend in Philadelphia after his last visit to that hospitable city. "When I spoke to him," this friend writes, "of leaving Boston next spring, so as to avoid the unpleasant weather at that season of the year, he said with perfect Mr. James Taylor, one of the ministers of the First Unitarian Society, Philadelphia. 490 Obituary.--Skenandon, the Oneida Chief. composure, that long before that time he should be in his grave; that he had always been subject to inward fever, and that he had already lived as long as he expected; that when he was stout and hearty he was impressed with the persuasion, that he had not long to live; that he had only one petition to offer on this subject, Father, thy will be done.' He theu conversed in an admirable manner on the good providence of God, which he was persuaded would dispose of his wife and his little child in the best possible manner; and particularly said, that even on their account he had no solicitude about life; that if such was the will of God that he should now be taken away, his death would be good for them as well as for himself." Our friend made no boast of his submission; these sentiments were uttered in all the ingenuousness and confidence of friendship. They show a temper most truly evangelical, the exercise of which in life and death is blessed and magnanimous. It is the same sublime spirit which burst from the soul of the apostle in that rapturous exclamation, O Death! where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory! SKENANDON, THE ONEIDA CHIEF. [From an American Paper.] At his residence near Oncida Castle, on Monday, the 11th of March, SKENANDON, the Celebrated Oneida Chief, aged 110 years; well known in the wars which occurred while we were British colonies, and in the contest which issued in our independence, as the undeviating friend of the people of the United States. He was very savage, and addicted to drunkenness in his youth, but by his own reflections, and the benevolent instructions of the late Rev. Mr. Kirkland, missionary to his tribe, be lived a reformed man for more than sixty years, and died in Christian hope. From attachment to Mr. Kirkland, he had always expressed a strong desire to be buried near his minister and his father, that he might (to use his own expression) go up with him at the great resurrection. At the approach of death, after listening to the prayers which were read at his bedside by his great grand-daughter, he again repeated this request. Accordingly, the family of Mr. Kirkland, having received * In the year 1755, Skenandon was present at a treaty made in Albany. At night he was excessively drunk; and in the morning found himself in the street, stripped of all his ornaments and every article of clothing. His pride revolted at his self-degradation, and he resolved that he would never again deliver himself over to the power of strong water. information, by a runner, that Skenandon Students of Hamilton College, Mrs. Kirkland and family, Officers of Hamiltou College, After interment, the only surviving son of the deceased, self-moved, returned thanks through Judge Dean, as interpreter, to the people, for the respect shown to his father on the occasion, and to Mrs. Kirkland and family for their kind and friendly attentions. Shenandon's person was tall and brawny, but well made; his countenance was intelligent, and beamed with all the indigenous dignity of an Indian Chief. In his youth he was a brave and intrepid warrior, and in his riper years one of the ablest counsellors among the North American tribes. He possessed a strong and vigorous mind; and though terrible as the torado in war, he was bland and mild as the zephyr in peace. With the cunning of the and the agility of the mountain cat, he fox, the hungry perseverance of the wolf watched and repelled Canadian invasions. His vigilance once preserved from mas sucre the inhabitants of the infant settle ment of German-flats. His influence brought his tribe to our assistance in the war of the Revolution. How many of the living and the dead have been saved from the tomahawk and scalping knife, by his and villages have expressed gratitude for friendly aid, is not known; but individuals his benevolent interpositions; and among the Indian tribes he was distinguished by the appellation of the 'hite Man's Friend. Although he could speak but little English, and in his extreme old age was blind, yet his company was sought. In conversation he was highly decorous, evincing that he had profited by seeing civilized and polished society, and by mingling with good company in his better days. Intelligence.-Unitarian Fund: 4 To à friend, who called on him a short time since, he thus expressed himself by an interpreter: "I am an aged hemlock-the winds of an hundred winters have whistled through my branches; I am dead at the top. The generation to which I belonged, have run away and left me; why I live, the Great Good Spirit only knows. Pray to my Jesus, that I may have patience to wait for my appointed time to die. Honoured Chief! his prayer was answered! he was cheerful and resigned to the last. For several years he kept his dress for the grave prepared. Once, and again, and again, he came to Chinton, to die, longing that his soul might be with Christ, and his body in the narrow house, near his beloved Christian teacher. While the ambitious but vulgar great, look principally to sculptured monuments, and to niches in the temple of earthly fame, Skenandon, in the spirit of the only real nobility, stood with his loins girded, waiting the coming of his Lord. His Lord has come! and the day approaches when the green hillock that covers his dust, will be more respected than the pyramids, the mausolea, and the 6 491 pantheons of the proud and imperious.' His simple turf and stone' will be viewed with affection and veneration, when their tawdry ornaments of human apothesis shall awaken only pity and disgust. INTELLIGENCE. DOMESTIC. RELIGIOUS. UNITARIAN FUND. [Extracts from the Report of the Committee delivered to the General Meeting, June 5, 1816,] The Committee have witnessed with pleasure during the last year many new and striking proofs of the spread of a spirit of religious inquiry, and of the sure though gradnal success which must attend all prudent and zealous efforts to enlighten the public mind. Their correspondence with persons in various parts of the kingdom emboldens them to state, that never was there so great a disposition in the public to look seriously and dispassionately into the Scriptures, to hear the doctrines of those who have been too often reviled, instead of being heard with patience and candour, to receive Unitarian missionaries and to associate for the formation of churches on true evangelical principles. In some particular cases the cause of truth may appear to be declining, and in many it may be at a stand; whilst it is flourish ing upon the whole. One certain evidence of the success of the labours of this and other Unitarian Societies, is, that scarcely stown in Great Britain is now to be found where there are not avowed Unitarians, even though they have no places of wor ship. As their numbers increase, they will no doubt form themselves into Christian Societies. The object of the Unitarian Fund is to collect them into assemblies, and to encourage them in the exercise of social worship, on the principles of the New Testament. As yet the great work of Christian Reformation is but commencing; the Unitarians of the present day are laying the foundation on which the next generation will build the Temple of Truths sacred to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Report of the last year announced that the Committee had engaged Mr. Wright to undertake another missionary tour into Cornwall, and that he was to be accompanied by Mr. Cooper, who had received his education at the Unitarian Academy. This journey was accomplished and a full account of it was extracted from Mr. Wright's Journals into the Monthly Repository. It was extremely laborious to the missionaries and proportionably successful. In almost every place the people were impatient to hear Unitarian preaching, and inquisitive after books, of which a great number were distributed. Cornwall appears to the Committee to be a most promising soil for the reception of the seed of Christian Truth, and they have engaged Mr. Wright to re-visit it |