received me very kindly, and it was at her house that I staid till Friday morning, when I returned. During my stay at this place, people came to see me from all quarters. Some had walked eleven or twelve miles after they had done their owner's work, and considered themselves amply rewarded for their fatigue, since they had been permitted to see a white minister. I made all the inquiries I could respecting the state of the country, and the situation of the people, and should it meet with your approbation, and the rest of the Society, I should wish to make a trial of it; for though there are not many houses in the place, there are about six or seven thousand negroes upon the different plantations, within a short distance of it, and most of their owners are favourable to religion. Brother Godden was at Kingston on the 21st of September: he had the flux very bad, but from Mrs. G. being so near her confinement, he would not stop all night. He wrote to me the Lord'sday following, when he was confined to his bed. He had had the fever, and been obliged to call in the doctor. Next morning I went to town to see him, and found him much better; this was on the Thursday. On Saturday morning following, Mrs. G. was delivered of a fine boy. She appeared to be recovering very fast till the eighth day, when she had a slight fever; this was followed by a second attack. On Thursday, the 14th of October, about two in the afternoon, I received a letter from brother G. stating their situation. I went to Spanish Town immediately, and found brother G. in a weak condition, overwhelmed with grief in the prospect of being bereaved of an affectionate and invaluable wife. I had not been long before the doctor came, ordered her head to be shaved, and that she should be blistered. Brother G. informed her of my arrival; I went into the room, she took me by the hand, but could not speak. day, got there at two o'clock, and Mrs. G. died at half-past three. Next morning, brother G. had a return of the fever, which prevented him from attending the funeral on Saturday evening. After the funeral, I settled things as well as I could, and returned to Kingston, with a determination to go back to Spanish Town on Monday. When I got home, I found my wife, who had been delivered the Wednesday before of a boy, in the fever; therefore I applied to brother Tripp, who kindly engaged to go to Spanish Town for me. He went, and after settling all brother G.'s accounts, excepting the doctor's bill, he returned to Kingston, bringing his wife, brother G. and his little one, with him. Brother G. and his child are at Tripp's, doing well. He would have been at my house, if it had not been for my wife's confinement. Make our respects to all the friends of the Redeemer, and accept them yourself. And that the Lord may be with you at all times, and prepare both you and us for death and eternity, is the sincere desire of Yours, C. KITCHING. Brother Godden will write as soon as he gets better. NETHERLANDS MISSIONARY SOCIETY. FIVE Missionaries have lately been sent into the Eastern World by this Society. They arrived at Batavia in December, 1818; and it was intended that one should be stationed at SOURABAYA, two on AMBOYNA, and one in each of the neighbouring islands of TIMOR and BANCA. We rejoice in this accession of Next morning I returned to Kingston, Missionary strength, and pray that and found Mrs. Tripp at my house. the incipient efforts of this ConI sent for her husband, and it was agreed she should return with me to Spanish tinental Society may be attended Town directly. We set off about mid-with encouraging success. London: Printed by J. BARFIELD, 91, Wardour-street, Sobe. THE Baptist Magazine. MAY, 1820. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. THOMAS FLINT. THE REV. Thos. Flint was born at Ashford, in Kent, Aug. 12, 1777. His paternal grandfather, a principal supporter of the Independent congregation in that place for many years, married a daughter of Mr. Marsh, an eminent surgeon and apothecary, who was accustomed to distribute the whole income of his profession among the poor. Their son, Thomas Flint, Esq. was the father of our deceased friend. It being the desire of his parents that he should devote himself to one of the learned professions, he was initiated, at an early age, into the elements of classical literature; and after passing through the usual routine at school, was placed, for further instruction, under the tuition of the late Rev. W. Kingsbury, at Southampton, where he not only acquired considerable literary advantages, but received those gracious impressions which tended to form his future character. Our confined limits oblige us to pass over a considerable part of his early life, with only remarking that it was distinguished for his piety. In July, 1794, he was proposed by Mr. Kingsbury to the church, of which he was pastor, as a candidate for Christian fellowship. It was not long VOL. XII. after this that he turned his at tention to the ministry. Mr. Kingsbury gave him encouragement, and directed his studies to that important object. In the autumn of 1795, having changed his views of baptism, he removed from Southampton, and returned to his father's house at Ashford, This separation from a tutor whom he affectionately loved, deeply affected him. "Thus," says he in his Diary, "have I left that family, with which I enjoyed the greatest happiness; thus have I left that tutor, whose kindness to me was unspeakable, and whose name will be ever dear to me." Having been very affectionately recommended by Mr. Kingsbury, he was baptized, October 11, 1795, and became a member of the church at Ashford. He was shortly after invited to exercise his gifts before the church, and in the beginning of the next year he was sent to Bristol Academy, where he enjoyed the instruction of the Rev. Dr. Ryland. On his entrance into that seminary, he penned the following prayer. "Jan. 8, 1796. O Lord, I beseech thee to bless me abundantly in my new residence. Do good to my soul. Be with me in my retirement every morning and Diary as follows. "It is worthy of note, that about three years ago, when I was at Northampton, evening. Bless me, O bless me, and make me a blessing to the world. Direct me in my studies; preserve me from error, from pre-my mind was so embarrassed that sumption and conceit; make me more humble, and more holy." By the advice of his tutor, Dr. Ryland, he accepted the invitation of the church at Wild-street, and preached his first sermon there October 16, 1796. A considerable majority of the church were strongly attached to him, and pressed him to renew his visit, to which he acceded, and preached there from March till June, 1797; when, understanding that a few of the members differed from the rest in their sentiments respecting him, he relinquished all thoughts of settling among them. I was unable to proceed with my In January, 1797, he visited In July, 1796, the Rev. Benjathe Baptist church at Northamp-min Francis, of Horsley, having ton, and preached both in the been seriously injured by a fall, town and neighbouring villages Mr. Flint was nominated to supwith his usual fervour and ac-ply his place for one Sabbath. ceptance. The last Sabbath His introduction to the family of which he spent there was attended with a very remarkable circumstance. After his usual preparations for public worship, he ascended the pulpit, intending to preach from Rom. viii. 6: "To be spiritually minded is life and peace." He had not proceeded far before his mind became suddenly embarrassed; his wellknown talent at amplification at once forsook him; and, filled with confusion and anguish, he made an apology and sat down. Having sung a hymn, the congregation stood up to prayer. The preacher rose also, and with a heart bursting with grief, and eyes streaming with tears, exclaimed, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" He concluded his prayer, and the people retired from worship deeply affected.-About three years afterwards we find in his that truly eminent servant of Christ, was followed by a sincere and permanent attachment to his eldest daughter. The interviews which succeeded gave him frequent opportunities of preaching to the people at Horsley, who so highly esteemed him, that they united in giving him an affectionate invitation to become the assistant of their venerable pastor. This invitation, after many prayers for divine direction, he accepted, and arrived at Horsley March 10, 1799. The natural cheerfulness and frankness of his disposition, together with his earnest addresses and fervent piety, greatly endeared him to his numerous hearers, and induced him, at the close of his probationary labours, to confirm their choice of him as an assistaut preacher. On June 5 he married Miss Francis, who, some years before, had been admitted a member of her father's church. This was a union which contributed greatly to his happiness. For more than twenty years they lived together as heirs of the grace of life, and helpers of each other's joy; walking in all the commands and ordinances of the Lord, and training up a numerous family in the paths of virtue and religion. The vicinity of Horsley opened to our deceased friend a wide field of usefulness. He was very assiduous in village preaching; and nothing gave him so much delight as the frequent opportunities that were afforded him of instructing the ignorant cottager in the truths of salvation. gays of my fancy; but now I willingly recede from this rank, and would gladly occupy the most retired station so that I might be a useful minister. O to be of service in the church of Christ! This were better than to be pre-eminent in the esteem of men. I trust I find a pleasure in the work, to the utter exclusion of applause or gain. The Lord give me a greater portion of his spirit, that I may be more plain, and more faithful." Troubles arising from a quarter whence he least expected them, he did not continue long at Horsley, but became the pastor of the Independent church at Uley, from whence, after he had occupied that station for eleven years, with great fidelity and usefulness, he removed to Glou Having received, after the lamented death of Mr. Francis, acester. While he resided there, unanimous call to accept the pastoral care of the church at Horsley, he was ordained April 16, 1800. It is supposed that there were present at this soJemnity, two thousand people, and nearly forty ministers. Dr. Ryland gave the charge, and the Rev. Mr. Burchill preached to the people. The following is an extract from his Diary, July 24, 1800. "Blessed be God, that the longer I live, the more I desire to be plain, familiar, evangelical, and searching in my ministry; not to dress up my sermons as if I were trimming a statue with laurels and roses, or as if at a heathen altar I were scattering abroad the incense of an idol; but as one who, while he preaches to souls, must himself be accountable for his sincerity and faithfulness. Once I aspired to be a popular preacher, and strewed about the flowers of speech, and offered to the people the nose the pastoral office of the church at Weymouth became vacant by the lamented death of Mr. Rowe: The church, hearing that Mr. Flint was disposed to change his situation, earnesly requested a visit from him. Having excited much interest by his probationary sermons, he received a unanimous call, and, November 14, 1817, entered on his new sphere with the most flattering prospect of long enjoyment. Here he found a situation agreeable to his mind;-his circle of friends respectable; his circumstances easy; his family advancing to maturity, and repaying his solicitude and care by their opening virtues; his labours successful; his talents appreciated; and his influence daily extending: and his domestic comforts and the state of the church seemed to invite his stay. But God's thoughts are not our thoughts. The foundation of Mr. Flint's illness was a cold, caught on the Pebble Beach. Being over-heated that all his people might wait on by his walk, and exposed, in on-him by two or three at a time; ly a loose great coat, to a very and as on the verge of the grave, piercing wind, he was attacked he gave to each of them his dythe same evening with fever. ing charge, and exhorted them By medical advice he visited all with great earnestness, to puNailsworth, in Gloucestershire. rity of life, to mutual love, and But his case being soon pronounc- to perseverance in the ways of ed hopeless," Let me return," God. | said he, with his characteristic warmth, "to my dear people. They have had my labours; they have my heart; and they shall have my ashes." His experience during his affliction was very tranquil. "It will naturally be inquired," said he, "after my death, what were my exercises of mind during my sickness. Tell those who may inquire, that I had neither rap Accompanied by Mrs. Flint and two of his mourning children, he addressed himself to his jour-tures nor doubts, and that the ney, which he was some days in glorious doctrines which I preachperforming, owing to his extreme ed and lived on in the days of weakness. As the carriage was my health, were my support in moving slowly up the hill from the prospect of dissolution." Nailsworth, looking around on Looking one day on his emaciated the highly picturesque scene of frame, he exclaimed, "What a that neighbourhood, he said, blessing is it that this wasting of "How often have I made those nature is not owing to a course hills and vales resound with the of sin!" At another time, fixing preaching of the Gospel!" On his eyes on his wife and family the following day he arrived at as they sat around him, he said, Frome. The interview between "I desire to depart and to be him and his dear friend, the Rev. with Christ, which is far better; Mr. Saunders, was very affecting. though to abide in the flesh apHe had just been assisted into pears most needful for you." Bethe chaise, and was sitting there ing asked whether he could suralone. The door being open, render himself to the divine will Mr. Saunders ascended the steps in being separated from his family, to take his last farewell. "We" I can," he answered, " resign a have known each other," said dear wife and eight dear children Mr. Flint, "many years, and we to His care, who has been my have always loved as brothers; guide for forty-two years." and now I have one request to make. It is this; that at my death you will visit my mourning family and people, and preach hy funeral sermon.' His voice faultered; he grasped the hand of his friend; he pressed it to his dying lips; and Mr. Saunders saw him no more. At length he arrived at Weymouth, and after he had recovered in some measure from the fatigue of his journey, he desired His disease every day gathered additional strength: it was accompanied with excessive torpor, and an utter inability of receiving the smallest nourishment. He became speechless. At this time, during a short interval of wakefulness, his eldest son, a youth about nineteen years of age, said to him, " Father, if you are happy, make some sign." The dying father raised his withered hand, and waved it in |