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ceived in reference to the things of time, take heed that thou art not fatally cheated with reference to the great realities of eternity!

Coseley.

B. H.D.

ADDRESS TO CHRISTIANS.

No. 4.

jealous God: his glory will he not give to another, neither his praise to graven images. If his people set up the idol self in their hearts, and neglect to honour him, he will, by means peculiar to himself, humble them before him, and cure them of this idolatry. What but his own selfGod to choose us to salvation moved goodness could incline through sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the truth, while so many are left to perish in their sins? This is very astonishing indeed; for some of us had, through our vile affections, made ourselves conspicuous for rebellion against him, and were the means of hardening, perhaps of ruining, others by our example. Since he has called us by his grace many and great imperfections have attended our reli gious services; the good that we would, we do not, and the evil righteousness. Let us more fre- that we would not, that we do; quently contemplate the riches shall we therefore indulge the and freedom of that grace by idea of merit, or for one moment which we are saved-it did not forget the matchless mercy and only set our salvation on foot, by grace of God in Christ Jesus? accommodating its terms to our detested be the thought. We enfeebled capacities; but the will glory only in the cross of whole of it, from its origin in him who died for our redempGod's everlasting love, to its tion, and with highest notes of consummation in perfect felicity, praise, and strongest feelings of has this motto indelibly inscrib-melting gratitude, say, By the ed upon it-" To the praise of grace of God we are what we the glory of his grace."

III. LET us beware of lega lity. Self-righteousness naturally cleaves to us, and genders in our minds the idea of merit. When we feel our wretchedness and misery as sinners before God, it seems impossible that we should ever think of meriting any thing from him by our works; yet it is to be feared that at other times we go about to establish our own

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(To be continued.)

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By nature we were children of wrath even as others; and, had we been left to our own way, we should have filled the measure of our iniquity, and completed our destruction. It is by distinguishing mercy that we have the knowledge of ourselves as sinners, and of Jesus Christ as the circumSaviour; we are therefore under stances which will justify a Pasthe strongest obligations to mag-tor in resigning his office, when a nify the sovereignty and freedom majority of the Members desire of divine favour. The Lord is a the continuance of his labours?

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Obituary.

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JOSEPH MELLOR.

some inquiries about his present affliction, asked him, how he felt his mind in the prospect of death. He replied, "I am a guilty sinner: what must I do to be saved?" Mr. B. pointed him to Christ, and read to him the two first chapters of the Epistles to the Ephesians, making

some remarks.

To this exercise

JOSEPH MELLOR was born at Gilstead, near Bingley, in 1805. Born to affliction, and yet not exempt from labour, he was called upon at an early age to procure his own support. When he arrived at his thir-Joseph was all attention, and said teenth year, his maladies increased; at the close, with the animated he was confined to his abode; he countenance of one who had found wept, because unable to work. His a great treasure, "Then it is all of mind was much affected with a con- Christ, all of Jesus Christ." From cern for the welfare of the family. this time he began to be much reHe would often say to his parents, signed to the will of God, and "I can do nothing for you;" and looked at life without a desire to would express his gratitude that he live, and at death without the fear had a kind father and a tender moof dying. He would say to his pather to provide for him. But, alas! rents when he saw them weeping his mind was wholly engaged about over him, “Do not weep, mother ; this world. It pleased the Lord, or, do not weep, father; it makes however, to turn his thoughts to the me uneasy to see you do so; otherimportant concerns of another; and wise I should not murmur." At one he began seriously to inquire about time he said, "Do we not say 'Thy the salvation of his soul. The first will be done? What a sad thing it symptoms of real seriousness ap- is then to murmur at his will!" At peared after his father had been another time he said, "I think it reading to him the 584th Hymn of better to die young; for if I were Dr. Rippon's Selection. to get well I might commit much sin." Mr. B. lent him some Tracts, from which he received much comfort; "Christ the only Refuge;" "On the Cross of Christ;" and the "Christian Drummer." About a fortnight before his death, talking with his sister relative to a future state, he said, "What a rare thing is religion! Seek the Lord while he

"On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, And cast a wishful eye, &c."

He was powerfully impressed with a sense of his own corruption, and was led to cry out, "What must I do to be saved?" In this state he remained for some time, without being able to lay hold on Christ, or to receive any comfort from him to relieve his distressed mind, till one day he seemed more composed, and said, "I had thought that I should get better, but now, I think I never shall. If it please the Lord to raise me up again, it will be well; if not, I shall be better than here." About 'six weeks before his death he was visited by Mr. Bottomley, who was then supplying the Baptist Church at Bingley, and who, after making

VOL. XII.

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may be found, call upon him while he is near,' that is to say, while life lasts, whilst the gospel is preached unto us." Two days before his death he was anxious to speak to his parent upon the subject of religion; but felt a difficulty to introduce it. But, while the tears ran down his face, he said, "I thought I would ask you if, when I am gone, you would try to follow me?" His mother replied, "We shall all

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want to be happy." But this did | Sussex, in the forty-fourth year of

not satisfy Joseph's mind. He said, "Yes, the wicked would like to go to heaven when they die; but there must be a change of heart, or we can never arrive there."

The day before his death, his father said, "Thou bearest much;" he answered, "Yes, but Christ endured more for me." His father then said, "You will not have this to bear long," he replied, "The sooner it is over the better, for it will be a glorious day for me." The next morning his mother asked him, If he thought he should be happy?" he immediately said, "I believe; yes, I believe, I firmly believe, I shall be happy !”

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During his affliction he said, “I have no occasion to murmur, for God does all for the best: I cannot contradict him in any way. If he afflict me more, it will be for my good in the end. I had but little rest last night; but what I enjoyed was better than sleep, I sat up in my bed, and prayed, and talked about the Lord Jesus; and that was

A few hours before his death, Mr. B. said to him, "Joseph, you have almost finished your course; you are going home;" he said, "I wish it may be before the night." Mr. B. asked him, “If he had any pas-rest to my soul." In February, he sage of scripture which he wished to be preached from as a funeral text?" he said, "Yes; Psalm cxvi. 7: Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.'" He then asked him, if he should pray with him, and what he should pray for; he replied, "That I may be taken out of my misery into Christ's blessed kingdom." Prayer was then presented for his happy dismission, which we trust was answered.

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About two hours before his death he told his mother "That he could not see. Then holding up his dying arms, he threw them about his father's neck, and said, “I am going to heaven," and expired, August 4, 1819, in the fourteenth year of his age.

His funeral sermon was preached to a numerous and affected congregation, at the Baptist Chapel in Bingley, on Lord's-day afternoon, August 13, 1819, by Mr. Bottomley. W. B. B.

T

Bingley.

JOHN PIPER.

DIED, in a decline, March 20, 1819, John Piper, at Wadhurst,

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said, "I am a brand plucked out of the fire. What would become of me now, if I were in my unrenewed state? I don't want any one to flatter me: when the Lord pleaseth to call me, I am willing to go. I am not afraid to die, for I can give my heart to him, and leave my wife and children in his hands, who will do all for the best, though it is hard to part from them. I feel indeed greatly concerned for the conversion of my dear partner and children; yea, for the salvation of every one."

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On Friday, March 19, when struggling with his last enemy, as if conscious there was some alteration in his features, he said, “Don't be afraid of me; I am going to be with the Lord. It is hard and painful work; but my heavenly Father is with me. Give my love to all my dear brethren in Christ." Being asked," Is Christ precious to you?" he exclaimed, "Precious! Precious! Precious!" The whole of the night he was much engaged in prayer; and said to his wife in the morning, "Don't be afraid, I am happy; I am going to the Lord." He then entered into the presence of his Redeemer, leaving a wife and six children to mourn his loss. He selected for his funeral text, Psalm lxii. 5, 6, 7, "My soul, wait thou only

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REV. RICHARD OWERS.

THE Rev. Richard Owers, Bap

interred in the Baptist Chapel on the 14th. The Rev. Daniel Miall, of Portsea, delivered the funeral oration at the grave; and the Rev. Thomas Adkins, Independent Minister at Southampton, concluded the solemn service by prayer. In the evening, the Rev. Daniel Miall preached a funeral discourse to a numerous congregation, from the text chosen by Mr. Owers; John xi. 28, "The Master is come, and calleth for thee."

N. B. We have inserted this entist Minister, Southampton, depart-larged account to oblige a Corresed this life May 4, 1820, and was

pondent.

Review.

The Work and the Reward of faithful Deacons: a Sermon addressed to the Baptist Monthly Association, August 21, 1806, at the Rev. Mr. Hutchings's Meeting-house, Unicorn-yard, Tooley-street; with an Appendix, including a Sketch of the Character of the late Rev. Abraham Booth. Second Edition, corrected by William Newman, D.D. Offer, Pp. 36. 1s.

THERE are many articles which are valuable on account of their rarity; others on account of their intrinsic worth; and there are some in which both these qualities unite: such are the precious metals! and we may add, such is this sermon! It is the only sermon of the kind which we have seen; for where besides can the Deacons of our churches find their "work and reward" the topics of discourse? It is also a good sermon, scriptural, perspicuous, faithful, and evangelical. We consider it perfect in its kind, without deficiency-without redundancy; abounding with suitable exhortations, necessary cautions, and appropriate encouragements to that class of church-officers for whose use it is chiefly intended.

Were we apprehensive that the copies of this sermon would not be purchased, we should be inclined to

transcribe the principal part of it for this review; but we cannot persuade ourselves that the respectable brethren who are addressed in it will do themselves the injury to neglect procuring it, from the conviction which they must feel, that an office so responsible as that which they have undertaken, makes it desirable they should avail themselves of every assistance, that they may 66 use the office of a Deacon well;" and finally give an account of their stewardship "with joy, and not with grief."

In reply to the question, "What is the reward of faithful Deacons ?" The Author replies, 1. "They shall be rewarded in the growing reputation of a bold, decided profession." 2." In the prosperity of their secular affairs." 3. "In the prosperity of their souls ;" and 4. "In the approbation of our final Judge."

Under the second particular there is a paragraph,-a quotation from Mr. Bragge, which for its justness should be universally known, viz. "I have for years past made it my observation, that as churchmembers carry it towards the church to which they belong. either in seeking its welfare, or in neglecting it, so their families are built up or pulled down, blessed or blasted, according to that awful

are thus presented to the Christian public, which give them the appearance of novelty, yet no one can

word, Psalm exxix. 5, 6, Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion: let them be as grass upon the house-tops, which wither-read them without being convinced eth afore it groweth up.'" that she was one of "the excellent of the earth;" " an Israelite indeed!"

Some Account of William Lee who was executed at Salisbury, March 21,1820, in a Letter to a friend, by John Saffery. Hobson. Price 4d. THE character of the writer is a

Feeling extremely anxious that this excellent sermon should be generally read, we suggest it to the pastors of our churches, that it will be a delicate way of stirring up the Deacons to a sense of their duty, if they find that they have not purchased it; to lend a copy to each of their Deacons, earnestly requesting them to read it; and perhaps pledge for the faithfulness of the wishing them to notice a good re-affecting account which is given us mark in Page 19, "Statues on the top of a house must be larger than the life!" The Appendix contains some admirable sentiments, and the description of the character of the late Rev. Abraham Booth, will be recognized as an exact and fulllength portrait by all who were acquainted with that truly apostolic

man.

of the depravity and awful end of a young man executed for uttering evidences of his repentance are perforged Bank of England notes. The haps as satisfactory as could have been expected under the circumstances of the case. The pamphlet ful commentary upon the inspired might be considered as another faithtext, "When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

A Brief Memoir of His late Ma-James i. 15. jesty George III. Whittemore.

Price 6d.

THIS little Selection of the interesting Anecdotes of his late Revered Majesty, was made for the use of our Sunday Schools; and is well adapted for that purpose. We recommend it to those who conduct those useful establishments, for the purpose of impressing it upon the minds of children that religion was a principal feature in the character of the late king.

A Brief Memoir of Mrs. Martha Tilly of Ringwood, Hants, who died February 27, 1820, aged 63 Years. By Thomas Tilly. Whittemore, pp. 64. Price is.

WHO has not admired the delicate touches of affection which appear in Cowper's lines on the picture of his mother? The Author of this short account of his late excellent parent appears to have been influenced by similar feelings; and though there was nothing in the life of the good woman, whose memoirs

Fourteenth Report of the British and Foreign School Society to the General Meeting, May 15, 1819.

THE instruction of the rising generation is a very sublime object. It will, no doubt, change the face of the world. If, as Dr. Watts suggests, the boys and girls of the present age are to be the men and women of the next—if, according to Mr. Locke, nine out of ten of all mankind are what they are by education-then the labours of this Society are incalculably important, Every friend of God and of man will rejoice to hear,

"That it is established throughout France by authority of the government; that it is also established by law in the and highly patronized in various parts states of New York and Pennsylvania; of Europe, viz. in Russia, Germany, Spain, and Italy-in the United States, in British America, in the East Indies, in Ceylon, and in Hayti, Antigua, Dominica, and other parts of the West Indies, making rapid progress, and extending its influence in all directions,"

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