Go forth, fearing nothing but your own hearts. Speak good of Christ to all your associates. Encourage the dear young people; speak kindly to the poor sinner; tell him of his danger and loss in keeping from Christ. I cannot tell you how I desire your prosperity. You see how little I have done for the Saviour. I grieve, I mourn, when I think of it. But he has had mercy on me. How much he has had to forgive; therefore I love him-I love him. He will make up for all my deficiencies."

About eight o'clock in the evening of the day before she died, she appeared well, as usual. Breaking off suddenly from the subject of conversation, she said, "My dear, bright is the night, is it not?" On being asked what she meant, she replied, "The Lord is coming for me to-night,; do you not think so?" I said, "I could tell." She said, "Oh! yes he is: I think so." She conversed sweetly on the Saviour's presence with his people in the hour of death, and said, "Though wretched and sinful, yet the Saviour takes us just as we are.'

While enjoying a little secret communion with God, she stretched out her hand, and spoke. I asked what it was. She said, "Satan! Satan! but the Saviour appeared, and he was gone that instant. All my doubts and fears have vanished. Jesus is my all in all." Turning to me, she said, "My beloved husband, how happy-happy -happy we have lived together; we have nothing to look back upon with regret, but that we have not served the Saviour better."

"Now we are going to be separated. My heavenly Father is calling me home, and you will soon follow. I can leave you, (for the little time it may be,) in the hands of your dear, dear father. And my precious children, I have not one anxious thought about them; I know you love them, and I feel confident the Lord will take charge of their hearts."

A little before eleven we thought her dying; but she revived with quite a fresh supply of strength, and said, "Oh! am I coming back? I do not wish to come back; but thy will be done, my Saviour. Oh! he is precious, sweetly precious to me. How delightful to fall asleep in Jesus! to breathe my life out sweetly then! Oh that all the members of this family may be privileged as I am, when brought into these circumstances. I wish every one to know the Lord, to love him as I do." Many times during the evening she was unable to speak, and could only make signs. But shortly before her death remarkable strength was given, which startled all present. She said, "Point! point to the Redeemer's blood, and say, Behold the way to God !'" She

singing, quite loudly, "Oh I shall soon be dying." She then said, "Can this be dying? They call it suffering death; but don't call it suffering. No, it is not. I did suffer on that couch, but there is no suffering, no pain now; it is all pleasure, all delight. Here I could sit and sing myself away to everlasting bliss."" She then began to sing, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name." She paused suddenly, and said, "Now, my dear friends, help me; you must help me to bless his holy name. Now do help me to sing." I told her we could not possibly sing. She said, "No, it is not to be expected; but I can." And then she commenced again

"Jesus can make a dying bed

Feel soft as downy pillows are."

and added, "You see the Saviour does not leave us at last in trouble to sink." "Oh ! precious, precious Jesus! thou art mine." Then, gazing upward, she exclaimed, “How bright! how bright! Don't you see him? There he is-see the angels! and there are one-two little angels, and my dear mother! No!" (pausing for a little, as if not certain, and then, smiling, exclaimed, "Yes! there is my dear mother! I am coming! I shall soon come. Hark! Hark! Don't you hear? tiful !"

Oh! how sweet! How beau

A few minutes before her happy spirit took its flight she said, "Farewell, my dear friends! Farewell my love! I shall soon

be gone." I asked her, when not able to speak, to raise her finger, if she felt Christ precious. She raised both her hands many times, and once stretching out her arm as high as possible, said, "I cannot reach it high enough." After a little while she said, "All's well. Precious, precious, come, Lord Jesus, come!" And, on seeing us shed tears, she said, "Don't weep for me.' On a friend repeating the verse,

"After death, your joy shall be
Lasting as eternity;

Be the living God your friend,
Then your bliss shall never end,"

she turned to me and said, "Oh! my dear, how sweet! blessed be his holy, holy name !" and then, appearing to be in prayer, though we could not tell what she said, she laid her head on one side, and, in about two minutes, sweetly fell asleep in Jesus.

MR. FREDERICK MARSHALL RABAN.

The subject of this brief sketch was the second son of the Rev. S. Raban, of Hatfield. From a child, his ruling desire was

* Alluding to two infant children whom she had lost.

the Christian ministry; towards this, as towards a centre, his studies, and his movements verged, but his heavenly Father designed his study to be affliction and his pulpit an early grave.

For the last eight months, he was principally confined to his bed, by sufferings and weakness, and here it was that the sustaining power of religious principles shone forth. flis delightful theme was the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ; here was his sheet-anchor,--here his dependance; this was the secret spring of that patience and self-possession of soul, so strikingly displayed by him during his illness. He would often say to his friends, "I am nothing without Christ, but everything in him."

66

He had a particular wish to reach his 21st year, which he did July 31st, and as soon as he entered on the day, he exclaimed very fervently, “ Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." "I am now," he said, "of age;" and the reply made to him was, Yes, and of age in grace." "Ah!" he responded, “this is best." Death stamped his image upon him from that day. He lingered till early on Monday afternoon, August 2nd, aged twentyone years and two days. Three hours before he died, fixing his eyes on his father, he said, "I feel that Christ is my all,-this is all I am able to express." More was not required; there was

"A mortal paleness on his cheeks,
But glory in his soul."

Half an hour before he died, evidently bearing in mind the last verse of Paul's first chapter in his epistle to the Hebrews, he cried out, "They are come, they are come! When asked if he meant the angels, he signitied his assent. Soon after, with the word "Saviour" on his lips, and peace in his countenance, he breathed his last, and entered into a glorious immortality.

He was highly esteemed in life, and deeply lamented in death. By his wish, his funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. James Raban, his affectionate relative, to a large audience, from Rev. xiv. 13; and the sabbath afterwards, in accordance with his request, his respected friend, the Rev. T. Ray, improved his death to young people from Isa. xl. 7th verse, the former part," May his death prove the life of many."

MISS HOLDSWORTH, EGREMONT, CHESHIRE.

It is an unspeakable privilege to be employed as the servants of Christ, to be permitted in any way to show our gratitude for his mercies, our love to his truth, and our delight in his ways. It is a still higher

VOL. XXV.

privilege to be treated as the friends of Christ, to share in his secrets, to enjoy his confidence, to live in his presence. But how surpassing the distinction to be called the "glory of Christ," to be enabled in some degree to exhibit the purity of his law, the perfection of his example, the blessedness of his service, and the efficacy of his grace. Of the subject of this short notice it may be truly said, that she was an honour to the Redeemer and his cause. Her devotedness to Christ in health, her calm submission in sickness, and her holy triumph in death, attest most clearly the value and excellency of the principles she had imbibed. The late Miss Holdsworth was born April 27th, 1817. She was instructed in the Scriptures from her earliest years, and found great delight in committing to memory considerable portions of the word of life, together with many hymns, the Assembly's and other Catechisms. It does not appear that she gave any decided evidence of a change of heart previous to the time of her being at school at Peckham, near London; when the very sudden death of the father of the lady under whose care she was placed, became the means of awakening her to a sense of sin, and to an earnest desire for the salvation of her soul. She gave herself to the Lord, and subsequently made a public profession of her faith in Christ, by joining the Congregational church assembling in York.street, Dublin, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Urwick. The profession then made she was enabled consistently to maintain, till it pleased God to visit her with lengthened affliction, when feeling convinced that this sickness would be unto death, she resigned herself into the hands of the Lord, anxious to bear as well as to do his will. About five weeks before her dissolution she expressed an earnest desire to feel more confidence in the promises, more love to Jesus, and more joy and peace in believing for these blessings she prayed, and often requested others to pray for them also. These petitions were not presented in vain she realised the fulfilment of the

promise, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee;" and rejoiced in hope of the glory of God.

In the morning of her last sabbath on earth, she suddenly complained of great weakness. Her friends met around her bed in deep distress, thinking their beloved one was about to be removed. She, however, gradually revived, expressed her readiness to depart whenever the Lord saw fit, and repeated those verses—

"Jesus can make a dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are;"

and also

"A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, On thy kind arms I fall;"

With several precious passages of Scripture. In the evening the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans was read, and, at her own request, part of the last chapter in Pike's Guide; or, Heaven the Christian's Home," when she exclaimed, "How very beautiful! Oh, how much happier we should be, if we lived more in anticipation of heaven as our everlasting home." She now sunk rapidly, and seemed to be ripening apace for glory. Having confessed with deep humility her own sinfulness and unworthiness, and referring to the finished work of Christ as the only ground of her hope, she said, "I know he will never leave me nor forsake me. 'He that believeth shall be saved'-that is what I rest on; I cannot go wrong there."

On Thursday, feeling her end approaching, she solemnly exhorted each one around her to "live near to Christ, and to meet her in glory." Throughout the night, being very restless, she asked, if that restlessness was not often a precursor of death. About three o'clock A.M., she said, "Oh, I cannot rest; I am afraid I am very impatient; I think we should find comfort in prayer." Those present then knelt down, and by turns committed her to the care of their blessed Saviour, entreating that she might be supported while passing through the dark valley. She then offered a beautiful prayer for herself and for each member of the family, committing them all to God. Afterwards she appeared more comfortable, and requested her attendants to repeat some hymns, among which were: "Jesus, lover of my soul," Rock of ages, cleft for me,"

and many others. Complaining of great faintness, her sister said to her, "Dear Elizabeth, Jesus is coming to receive you to himself;" when she immediately added, "Come, Lord Jesus; come quickly." To her brother she said, "I am going home; dying is but going home to the true believer." On the day of her death she appeared to be gazing intently on one part of the room. After a little she said, "Oh, I see such a light there; it is getting brighter and brighter." She continued thus for more than an hour, apparently unconscious, but gazing as if beholding something exquisitely beautiful; her eyes becoming almost too dazzling to look upon. Reviving a little, she said, "I have seen such glory; you never saw such a light; it was brighter than the sun; and I have seen crowds of people; but I could only see their shadows; now I will wait for my Saviour; I know he will soon come for me." She then relapsed into unconsciousness, her breathing became very much oppressed, every breath being accompanied by a groan, till half-past three in the afternoon of Friday, the 27th of August, 1847, when her happy spirit winged its flight to that blessed world, where there shall be no more sorrow, and no mors death, and where she now beholds her Saviour face to face.

"So fades the summer-cloud away;

So sinks the gale when storms are o'er;
So gently shuts the eye of day;
So dies the wave along the shore."
Liscard, Liverpool,
Nov. 2nd, 1847.

NOTICE TO THE RESPECTED WIDOWS OF OUR BRETHREN RECEIVING AID FROM THE EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.

We would again repeat our notice to the widows of our deceased friends receiving aid from the funds of the Evangelical Magazine. We beg respectfully to inform them that their applications must be made in writing, by themselves personally or their friends, on or before the 25th of December. No grant can be made without such application, and no widow can receive assistance who had a gratuity voted to her at last Midsummer.

We have to regret that some of our ministerial brethren omit to forward applications entrusted to their care. May we entreat that this unpardonable neglect may not be repeated.

THE BRITISH BANNER."

Dr. Campbell is assuredly one of the boldest men of his age. But for his unexampled success, in reference to the Christian Witness and Christian's Penny Magazine, we should tremble for his present position. His prospectus of the British Banner is now before us, and who would dare it but Dr. Campbell? With his other literary labours, how strong must be his confidence in his own powers, and in the favour of that public which has so nobly responded to his past efforts! He has a right to be meekly confident;-for God has made him the instrument of a great achievement for the Religious Periodical Press of our country. We cheerfully acknowledge our debt of obligation; and we are confident that posterity

will gratefully own the claim. Nor are we less sensible of the immense value of Dr. Campbell's labours, because we have not always been able to sympathize with his modes of dealing with particular questions. Such a man must have large scope, generous freedom of action, kindly interpretations of his motives, and, withal, candid allowance for the difficulties which beset his path. He has a more benevolent heart than many who write blandly and simperingly, while bitter malice lurks within, and their lives are spent in "scattering firebrands, arrows, and death." If we are to have an antagonist, let him be honest, straightforward, and undisguised; and, with truth on our side, we have nothing to fear. We dread nothing in controversy but cant, hypocrisy, secret conspiracy, and mischievous one-sidedness. Of these Dr. Campbell will never be guilty; he has too much manliness of character even to resort to them; and he will never tolerate them in the contemporary press.

In all this we discover the materials of hope for the British Banner. It will be edited by a bold and honest man-by a writer of unflinching integrity of character, who will not scruple to call things by their proper names, and who will be able to dispose of all the petty skirmishing of unworthy or mistaken adversaries.

We hail this great undertaking, (for such it assuredly is,) with unfeigned satisfaction; because it will be a clear gain to the cause of virtue and religion.

Dr.

Campbell's plan is large and compre. hensive a sort of encyclopædia of science, politics, religion, and general knowledge;but we have full confidence that he will be able practically to realise it. His energy and resources, if God should spare him, are fully equal to the task which he has imposed upon himself. Should his demand for a hundred thousand of a circulation of the British Banner be somewhat extravagant, (though we admit that his calculations would fully justify it,) we are confident that the project is now happily more than safe,that it will far outstrip the circulation of every other religious newspaper in the empire.

When we reflect on the appalling success of newspapers devoted to the interests of practical infidelity, which sneer at religion through the infirmities and crimes of its hypocritical adherents, and which minister, in so fearful a degree, to the baser passions of our fallen nature, we cannot but "thank God, and take courage," at the prospect of a newspaper organ of sufficient power, and sufficient circulation, to counteract, in some measure, this "abomination that maketh desolate." Of all the departments in the British Banner, we shall regard that which relates to the exposure of the infidel and licentious

press, as the most important. It has been too much allowed to have its own way ;-the foes of God and man have had the field too much to themselves;-the lions and the tigers have never been thoroughly bearded in their own dens. It will be otherwise in future; and many, we trust, of their deluded victims, by God's blessing, will be rescued from their cruel grasp. Dr. Camp bell can scarcely devote too much attention to this department of his labours.

The movements, too, of Popery, semiPopery, and High-church bigotry, he will watch with eagle-eye; and, by force of reason and scriptural authority, dislodge them from every position of national confidence, and pour the full tide of Protestant light and liberty upon the darkness in which they love to dwell.

But we turn with sanguine hope to the British Banner, as the strenuous and powerful advocate of all our evangelical schemes for the spread of vital Christianity, both at home and abroad. To Dr. Campbell our Home and Foreign Missions may confidently look for a continuous and efficient support. We know his deep-seated convictions on this subject, and we are sure that, with the publication of the British Banner, will commence a new era in the history of our missionary institutions. They require, with the mighty fields now opening before them, in all quarters of the globe, a species of advocacy which can never be realised but in the pages of a newspaper, stamped with ability, and having firm hold of vast masses of the people.

But we dare not enlarge: less, however, we could not say, on an occasion of such immense importance to the interests of truth, holiness, and benevolence. We welcome the British Banner to our firesides, and to those of our friends. We say to all whom we can influence by our favourable opinion, let the publication-day of this desideratum in our newspaper literature be one of such decisive omen, as to convince the Editor, the Committee, and the community at large, that it is placed beyond the reach of harm. Let orders be forwarded immediately to the proper quarters, and let there be not fewer than 25,000 of a sale to commence with, to proclaim the triumph of the undertaking.

RE-OPENING OF ORANGE-STREET CHAPEL, LEICESTER SQUARE.

This place of worship has long been endeared to Protestant Christians by its interesting associations. It was originally built for the refugees from France. On the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, in 1685, several thousands of these persecuted strangers came to London; and a large colony

of them was located at Charing-cross, then situated in open fields. Government assisted them in building Orange-street chapel, and the congregation continued large for some years. During this period, the most distinguished Protestant preachers from the Continent occupied the pulpit; and, from 1700 to 1705, the eloquent Saurin was a frequent supply.

The French congregation having subsequently declined, the friends of the Rev. Augustus Toplady arranged with the trustees for the use of the chapel on Lord's day evening and Wednesday evening. The chapel was licensed by Dr. Jerrick, then Bishop of London, and Mr. Toplady regularly officiated from April, 1776, to his death, the French congregation still meeting on the sabbath morning. Mr. Toplady was seized with his last illness in the pulpit, and was carried from thence to his house, where his valuable ministry soon terminated.

On the decease of Mr. Toplady, the chapel was occupied for some time by the Rev. Richard Cecil and the Rev. J. Foster, of the Established Church; and, on their removal, the congregation finding some difficulty in their attempt to have the Rev. Mr. De Coetlagan, a pious clergyman, settled over them, in consequence of the interference of the vicar of the parish, they determined to open the chapel under the provisions of the Toleration Act; and on the 25th March, 1787, it was re-opened as a Dissenting place of worship, the Liturgical service of the Church of England being retained; and for many years it was supplied by a succession of the most eminent Dissenting ministers of different denominations, until, in 1830, the Rev. J. P. Dobson became the regular minister of the chapel; and under his pastorate a Congregational church was formed.

A variety of circumstances and changes had, however, recently occurred to depress the congregation; and as the lease was about to expire, it was feared that this important place of worship would pass away from the Congregational body. The friends connected with the place have, however, been encouraged to undertake a new lease. The Liturgical service of the Church of England has been discontinued, and the chapel has undergone substantial repairs and improvements, the total cost of which has been about 8007. Of this sum the congregation, assisted by friends connected with other churches, have raised 7501., leaving only the small balance of 501. To this must be added a previous debt of 1701., and it is intended to make an immediate effort to raise this amount, in order that the present attempt to revive and perpetuate the congregation may not be encumbered by any pecuniary difficulties.

It is due to the owners of the chapel to state, that, although they are members of the Established Church, they have yet acted throughout the negotiations with great courtesy and liberality to the congregation, and have acceded to terms which are not only just, but moderate. Nor ought the kindness of the Directors of the "Dissenters' and General Life and Fire Assurance Company" to pass unnoticed. A considerable portion of the valuable organ belonging to the chapel was destroyed at the recent fire which consumed Mr. Walker's manufactory; and although the Company were not liable to any portion of the loss, (as the damage did not occur on the premises where the organ was insured,) the Directors presented the Committee with a donation of 101. towards the extra expense which this unforeseen occurrence had entailed.

The re-opening services took place on Thursday, the 23rd September last, when the Rev. Dr. Hamilton, of Leeds, preached to large congregations in the morning and evening; and the Revs. Dr. Morison, Dr. Jenkyn, S. Martin, and O. Clarke engaged in the devotional parts of the services.

Nearly forty ministers were present, a large number of whom, with the deacons and officers of the church and congregation, dined together in the interval.

The opening services were continued on sabbath-day, September 26th; when the Rev. Samuel Luke, (late of Chester,) minister of the chapel, preached in the morning; and the Rev. George Clayton, of Walworth, in the evening. The chapel was filled on each occasion.

The whole of the engagements connected with the re-opening of this commodious place of worship awakened the deepest interest; and the indications of revival and spiritual prosperity are most hopeful and encouraging.

LATIMER CHAPEL, MILE-END.

The recognition of the Rev. John Hall, as co-pastor with the Rev. R. Saunders, took place on Thursday, September 2nd, when the Rev. R. Saunders opened the proceedings with a short prayer; the Rev. Thomas Aveling, of Kingsland, read a portion of Holy Scripture, and offered another prayer; the Rev. George Smith, of Poplar, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. Thomas James, of Highbury, asked the usual questions; the Rev. J. Kennedy, M.A., of Stepney, offered the designation prayer; the Rev. Dr. Burder, of Hackney, gave the charge to the minister; and the Rev. H. Ainsley preached to the people. The Revs. Arthur Tidman, J. J. Freeman, Dr. Ferguson, C. Dukes, and many others, together with the neighbouring ministers,