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of prophecy than the following-"it is the event only that can unfold the prophetical meaning." What motive remains then for studying unfulfilled predictions to ascertain their meaning? Ir the meaning can ONLY be unfolded by the event, it is sheer folly to seek to know it by study; all we can rationally do, is to wait for the event! Mr. Coxon has not attempted to reconcile his statement, that the meaning of prophecy can ONLY be unfolded by the event,' ," with his own disclaimer of not having said a word to discourage the study of prophecy. In reference to this subject, Mr. Coxon in his Essay, said more than, from his diclaimer it appears, he intended; and more than we thought should have been said; and hence it was our duty to guard against its being supposed that we fully agreed with his statement, and therefore wrote the note of which he complains.

There yet remains to be noticed one part of Mr. Coxon's communication, which relates to our second note. Mr. Coxon passes by the former part of this note, altogether, in which we notice the glorious fact, that ALL mankind HAVE LIFE through Christ. We admit the doctrine of universal human depravity; but we object to the language which is often employed as descriptive of the state of man under the economy of redemption; we admit, that all impenitent sinners are judicially dead; that is under the condemnation of the law, the sentence of which is death: but we do not believe, this to be the state of infants, they are all redeemed from the curse and although all men are subjects of hereditary depravity, we do not approve of their state being described as a state only of absolute spiritual death. We say it ought never to be omitted to be stated, that ALL HAVE LIFE by Jesus Christ. The text quoted by Mr. Coxon in his present letter expresses our sentiments most fully; "If one died for all, then wERE all dead, that they WHICH LIVE (not they which are dead) should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died and rose again for them." We some months since inserted in our Magazine, an Essay on the Scriptural import of the word death, to which we beg to refer, as expressive of our sentiments.

In our note we also stated, that the words of the apostle "dead while he (she) liveth," do not apply to every man born into the world. By which of course we meant, that the apostle did not utter or write them intending so to apply them. Mr. Coxon quoted them as expressing the state of “ every man born into the world," and now he says he "did not quote them to support the doctrine," but "as correctly expressing" his "sentiments." When, however, we quote Scripture to express our sentiments, we also, intend our sentiments to be supported by the authority of the Scripture we quote; and we consider that Scripture should always be used in the sense in which it was spoken or written. We cannot help Mr. Coxon differing with us, as to the applicability of 1 Tim. v. 6. to the doctrine that "the natural state of every man who is born into the world" is that of "spiritual death." We abide by our opinion before expressed, and for the reasons we have assigned; our limits forbid the farther discussion of this subject. We assure Mr. Coxon, whom we very much respect, that in our remarks upon his letter we have endeavoured to avoid using any offensive expressions; confining ourselves within the narrowest limits, consistent with what we regard as our duty. We think it needful also to state, that in future, we shall not hold ourselves requireable to insert similar communications to the letter on which we have been remarking we do not often find it needful to make any observation upon the statements of our correspondents, and when we do, our readers can always judge whether or not our remarks are proper or otherwise.

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A COVETOUS AND CRUEL HUSBAND.

"In the town of Mendon, about fifteen miles from Boston, in the colony of Massachusetts Bay, as that State was then called, about the year 1745, there lived a young man, son of a wealthy farmer, who, with his father before him, had been noted for a stingy disposition. Money was an essential ingredient in every feast of enjoyment which their imaginations could picture. No one was esteemed but for his money, and however unlawful the means, and small the channels through which it flowed into their coffers, it made no difference. In these sentiments the young man, heir to the estate, was educated. He married, his wife's fortune was not a mean one-perhaps it was greater than his; but her warm heart threw the whole into his hands without jointure; and so she became the wretched wife of a miser.

"Several years elapsed before the young miser entirely withdrew his civilities from his amiable wife. Until her fortune, at the death of her father, fell entirely into his hands, the love of money forced from him some respectful attentions. After this he cut loose from all restraint, and treated her with great neglect. As his landed estate was enlarged, his soul seemed to contract; and not only his wife, but many of his neighbours, saw the baneful effects of his growing covetousness. He could think of nothing, say and do nothing, with satisfaction, but that which related to worldly gain. This one object filled his eye by day, and in robes of golden net work danced in his dreaming visions by night. To touch the precious metal thrilled through his moral frame sensations of the most exquisite delight. This was mental alcohol to him-the high wine, which alone could rouse and set in motion his otherwise torpid soul. For money, the usual means of comfort in his family were sold. For money, the faithful and trusty horse and modest chaise, which his wife brought him, and the use of which was considered necessary to her health, were (alleging them too expensive) sent to auction; and in this way, and for frivolous reasons, were all the comforts of his wife withdrawn from her. Under such treatment it was no wonder that her health should evidently decline: yet her constitution being naturally good, her disease was slow in its approaches, and as it was unseen, its fatal tendencies were unheeded by all except her own conscious mind. Those moments in which it may be said that the moral affections die with disappointed hope, were to this woman moments of profound secrecy. To God only she poured out her sorrowful heart for the blessing of repentance on her loved husband, and that the grace of resignation might be given to herself.

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Many months passed ere a flower of such prime vigour lost all its fragrance. As it hung its head, and bowed to its destiny, the sweetness of its character seemed to be more and more apparent. Her mild and heavenly smiles, which played about her countenance while her cheeks were flushed with the rose colour of a hectic fever, gave something angelic to her appearance; so that all observing persons were struck with wonder at the contrast between her and her husband. During her long and lingering weakness it was found that nothing could assuage her never-ceasing thirst so much as the moderate and constant use of fruit. But to procure it, such especially as was suited to her peculiar case,—the sweet and juicy orange and the fragrant and acid lemon, as they were brought fresh in vessels from the West Indies to Boston,-required money; and money could not be had except by appealing to the indurated bosom of her covetous husband. Nothing supported her under this necessity but a consciousness of the justness of her claims on his purse, once equally her own, and the absolute need in which she evidently stood of something to cool the palate of her parched mouth. She made these

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appeals again and again, as the arrivals of the fruit vessels were announced; but she made them in vain to a bosom indurated by covetousness.

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The frequent mention of fruit, however, did not pass unheeded by his own self-indulging disposition, out of which the love of money sprung. He was known frequently to go and look at the fruit as it lay exposed in the market; and as he did so, to manifest evident tokens of a great desire to eat some himself. But the thoughts of paying for it could not be endured; so he would pass it by. On one occasion, however, he was observed to eat immoderately of fruit, but on inquiry he was found to be gormandizing from the basket of a friend, who had thoughtlessly asked him to taste a bit. Such are the debasing tendency and effects of covetousness!

"But this is not the end of this tragic story. The sweet suffering wife of this covetous man, having exhausted much of her disposable personal substance in procuring things necessary to her invalid state, and having long since relinquished all hopes of obtaining relief from her husband's purse, had recourse at length to her own manual industry and mental ingenuity. While young, she had been usefully educated, and had learned fine needlework and embroidery. To these useful arts she applied herself now in her day of necessity, and with some success. Having procured from a shop in town the loan of a little muslin and lace, she was in hopes to make an article that would sell again with profit. The design succeeded, and the return by sale was in copper coin of royal stamp, of good King George the Second, sufficient to buy one pine-apple; and the next step was to send for it, and bring it from market. The lady hated concealment. To send by any other than her loved husband for anything of personal enjoyment to herself, would in her eyes look clandestine. Without further deliberation, therefore, she applied herself in her sweetest manner to her husband. My dearest,' said she, 'to-morrow you go to market, and will you have the goodness to attend to a little matter of business for me? Will you purchase I have no money to make any purchases for any one,' said he, turning quickly away. But,' said she, laying her soft and trembling hand on his withdrawing arm, 'here is some money, which I beg you to lay out for something that is necessary for my health.' As she spoke, there was an earnestness accompanied with dignity in her manner, which arrested the respect even of a miser; and when he heard the sound of money in the affair he stopped and listened; while his wife, recovering her feelings, already lacerated by his rough denial of her reasonable request, went on : These few half-pence are my own, the fruit of my own industry; I made a cap, and beside what the materials cost me, and which I have paid for, I have, as the return profits of the sale, what is contained in this little linen rag. Now will you,-for I desire to ask the favour of no one else but my husband-will you, my husband, take it all, more or less, and lay it out in the purchase of some fruit for your faithful wife? My wish is that you buy a pine-apple.'

"Her strength had sufficed to pronounce these words with firmness; but she said not, nor could she say another! there was something unearthly in all this-a solemn sweetness in her countenance, which stirred up the heart, and drew forth a tear from all.--The husband took the money as his wife held it towards him, and though this was in silence he agreed thereto, and ratified the covenant to do and perform the duty expressed by his wife. It was a long day that succeeded the heart-stirring scene just described. As it drew to a close, the window which overlooked the road to Boston was frequently visited by the languid eyes of one whom all the household regarded as the most innocent, patient, suffering person in it. The sun declined, and her husband did not come, it grew dark, and no one made his appearance at the gate; when no object could be distinguished, she left her post, and praying in her heart that her husband might be preserved and herself submissive, she turned to the parlour; at length a waggon was heard, then the hoarse voice

of her husband giving orders to his market hands, then he entered and passed unceremoniously to the fire, and stamped his muddy feet. While this was doing, how eagerly did the eye of his wife strain to meet his! But 'twas plain he purposely turned from her: at this, summoning up all her courage, she placed herself directly before him, and asked for his health and success in the business of the day, monosyllables were all she received in reply, still the anxious inquisitor went on and said, were the pine-apples all gone? The answer was, 'No.' Did you buy one for me? Yes.' Where is it?' 'It smelt so good,' said he, ‘I sat down, and ate it all up myself!' The frail ligatures that bound the spirit of this poor, suffering woman, to her tender earthly frame, at this unfeeling reply gave way. The life-cords of her heart now burst asunder. She fell back in her chair, and as she breathed her last, and rolled her meek eyes to heaven, she pronounced distinctly these words'May you never be satisfied!'

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"The prayer was a prophecy. Though from her gentle heart the malediction was evidently involuntary, the curse was fulfilled. The mean miser lived a monument of the wrath of God poured out on covetousness, always feeding, but never satisfied. An unrepenting consciousness of sin, in being the murderer of his wife, bereaved him of his reason, but altered not his passions. As a lunatic he lost his estate, and all his life was spent in asking for supplies to his voracious appetite. These supplies were given him: still he cried for more;' and with a body increased to an enormous size, he sat at the corners of the streets, and eagerly devoured the crudities which the thoughtless boys threw into his ever-open and craving mouth. God suffered him to live as an awakening example of the Divine wrath on the idolatry of covetousness. Avoid it then as the greatest evil.

Reminiscences of Bishop Chase.

A MEANS OF HELPING THE MISSIONARY FUND.

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has many times passed through my mind, and which has obtained the approbation of several friends to whom I have named it. It relates to our Missions, and the hint has been derived from the practice of the Moravians, whose Missions in the East were for a long time supported by these means. I would propose therefore, that our Missionaries should be instructed to collect together whatever natural curiosities shall fall in their way: shells, corals, sponges, and a variety of other things, that will require little trouble, cost or skill, to procure and preserve, —and to send them to the Missionary Committee, for sale in London. I am sufficiently acquainted with what takes place among the students of nature, to warrant the success of such a planof which I will give you a further account, if it should meet your approval. There is nothing in it to take off the attention of the Missionaries from their

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CORNWALL.

THE PENZANCE BRANCH of our HOME and FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY held its annual services in Queen-street Chapel, commencing on Sunday the 14th of November, when two impressive discourses were delivered in behalf of the Society that in the morning by the Rev. John Gibbons, of Helston; and that in the evening by the Rev. Thomas Pennock, from the island of Jamaica. On Monday evening the Public meeting was held. Great public interest having been excited in consequence of Mr. Pennock's intended visit on the occasion; the chapel was well filled at an earlier period than could have heen expected from the unfavourable state of the weather. The meeting commenced with singing, and after prayer offered by the Rev. James Edgar, minister of the Association; T. P. Rosevear, Esq. of Barn Park House, Boscastle, was called to the chair, who, after an introductory speech on the importance of active personal effort-man's extensive responsibility to the Redeemer of the

human family, and the requirements of Christ on the mind, body, and estate of every enlightened individual for furthering the Saviour's great object, of the establishment of his spiritual kingdom in all the world, and after stating the object of the meeting, he requested the Secretary, Mr. W. Rodd, to read the report. After which resolutions were moved and seconded by the Rev. John Gibbons, of the Association, the Rev. T. C. Finch, of the Baptist church, the Rev. T. Pennock and others. The resolution moved by Mr. Pennock, was introduced by a unique and uncommonly interesting speech, developing, in an able manner, the extraordinary nature and character of the rise, progress and prospects of the Wesleyan Methodist Association in the island of Jamaica. The Rev. gentleman, it appeared, had laboured in the West India Islands, upwards of twenty years as a missionary, and in the course of his speech, stated, in a clear and succinct manner, his reasons for leaving the Wesleyan Conference body, and the consequent formation of the Jamaica branch of the Wesleyan

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