Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

and attention discovered by his mistress and her family. He told one of his sisters he did not desire to live, for this reason, among others: He was afraid lest he should walk in the paths of sin again. He seemed greatly to enjoy serious, faithful, and spiritual conversation.

At first he endured much terror of mind, under the conviction of his fallen and sinful condition, which gradually abated as his views of Christ and the riches of mercy to sinners became more clear and enlarged. He was remarkably patient, admiring the goodness of God in not dealing with him according to his deserts.

[ocr errors]

Frequently were those passages on his lips, with emotions of inconceivable delight, Come unto me all ye that labour,' &c. 6 Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out.' He often repeated that hymn, There is a land of pure delight,' &c.

6

Not long before his death, he said, I little thought of this last Saturday.' Being asked what he meant, he replied, That I should be made a new creature in Christ Jesus, old things pass away, and all things become new.' He reckoned his pains nothing in comparison of the misery he deserved, and the glory he hoped to enjoy. Recovering from a doze, he repeated those lines, 'Jesus can make a dying bed,' &c.

Just before his departure, he exclaimed, What a large estate have I! A Heaven to all eternity!' Then added,

There shall I see his face,
And never, never sin,' &c.

With great composure he fell asleep in Jesus, on Monday noon, August 3, aged about 16. His death was improved in a sermon preached by Mr. Gaffee, at his meeting-house, Hatfield Heath, Essex, from Psalm exix. 75, I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.' Hatfield Heath.

S. G.

MRS. IRESON Was born in the village of Matley, near Worcester. Her father

dying when she was very young, she was left with her sister to the care of her pious mother, who endea voured to train them up in the fear of the Lord. Some indications of piety were seen in her; but as she grew up, she m ogled in the villagedance, and became vain and thoughtless. The society of her

mother

was a burden; and she went to reside with her uncle in London; but not finding that happiness which she expected, she engaged as a servant to a lady, with whom she travelled and visited most of the places of fashionable resort.

Now the prayers of her mother were to be heard: she is arrested by affliction, and brought to the gates of Death. One of the nurses attending her, proposed to the other to give her a little wine and water; which having taken, they laid her down, one of them saying, 'There, that is the last she will take in this world!' Being perfectly sensible, these words filled her with terror. She groaned in spirit, Gracious God, what will become of me!' She attempted to pray. At last, wearied with her agitations, she fell asleep; and dreamed she was in a spacious plain, when a man, in the habit of a minister, directed/ her to look upwards, when she saw Jehovah, in great majesty, attended by Moses. The Lord said to Moses, • Strike!' and immediately there. was a horrible tempest, such as is described in Psalm xviii. 7-14. She was struck with terror; and in attempting to prostrate herself before the Lord, her horror was increased; for a chasm was cleft in the earth, out of which the flames issued with

such rapidity, that she could not escape from them. She then cried mightily to the Lord, that he would snatch her as a brand from the burning.'

[ocr errors]

thought, was now heard. The Lord Her prayer, she looked mildly on Moses, saying, 'It is enough; and immediately all was calm. She then awoke in great distress; yet the words, It is enough,' and the mild manner in which they were spoken, encouraged her to pray. The nurses perceiving her agitation, sent for a clergyman; when God, in his gracious provi

:

dence, introduced the Rev. Mr. Newell he explained the way of salvation, when she exclaimed, Ah, Sir, all these things I have. known from a child; but, like Jonah, "I have fled from the presence of the Lord;" and, like him, I am overtaken in a great storm.' Mr. Newell comforted her with the promises of the gospel, repeated his visits till her recovery; and improved her retura to health, by preaching from the parable of the Prodigal. This sermon was much blessed to her, never losing a feeling sense of the text to the day of her death; but would often be repeating, When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and ran, and fell upon his neck and kiss

ed him.'

[ocr errors]

Being introduced into a pious family, and solicited to marry, she unbosomed herself to her mistress; who removed her scruples, by saying, You may be the means of his salvation.' The advice was pleasing; but, alas she found it to be dolorous; remarking, in her last illuess, to a friend, Õh, let not the children of God think to escape if they forsake his way; for he is as faithful to his threatnings as he is to his promises.'

In the month of June 1805, she was seized with a disorder which baffled medical skill. Being poor, she was sent to the County Hospitai; but all was in vain; she prayed to return and die among her religious friends in Farnham, whose hearts the Lord opened to minister to her wants. From her pillow she could see the people go to the house of God, where she had received strong consolation. She was, when pain would admit, almost always cheerful, and in the prospect of death would exclaim, The Lord is so good to me, that I think I shall go off triumphantly!'

One evening, during her illness, was memorable. Being somewhat revived, she talked with much cheerfulness, encouraging and exhorting all around her to be faith ful unto death, that they might receive a crown ; which,' said she, "I hope to wear before the morning;' adding, ' I think, I shall soon

be singing in glory; but let us join once more our cheerful songs on earth,' pointing out Watts's hymn: Thou whom my soul admires above,' &c. Then addressing her husband, she desired him to join in singing; adding, I am happy, although I am going to leave you and these friends, whom I shall meet again: they will be glad to bring you with them.' She then joined with us in singing, with peculiar animation; which being completed, she repeated many promises of God, which she left for us here below; adding, They will be your support when I am in glory!'

[ocr errors]

A few days after, she was seized with a fit and her husband, sup posing her to be dying, ran to call some of her friends. She revived, and said, I thought I should have been taken from you to-day. O the bliss that I feel! Then pausing, observed, There are two in this room whom, I fear, know nothing of its meaning. Talk to them, my friends, my strength fails me.' Her husband asked if she wanted any thing. She smiled, and said, I want, my friend, to lead you into the right road. A friend calling on her the following Sunday, she said,

[ocr errors]

You are welcome. We have spent many sweet Sabbaths on earth; but this is the last. See how good the Lord has been to me: I will tell it to you, to make you strong in the Lord. This morning, seeing my husband pensive, I said, What is the matter? he said, "I am in straits: nothing prepared for your dinner" (her appetite was unpleasantly keen; such was the influence of the disease). I said, I shall have a dinner; for that God who has provided for me so long, will not let me want now; for I can trust his word in the 37th psalm.' Then beginning with the first verse; but laying particular stress on the third, -"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

6

Now mark, my friend,' she said; before the last word was out of my mouth, my husband's father came with a dinner for us. There, Ireson, I said, learn to put your trust in the Lord, for you see not only what he

[ocr errors]

OBITUARY.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

can do, but what he really has done.' When a person with whom she had lived came into the room, she took her by the hand, saying, • My dear I have often exhorted you to walk in the ways of the Lord; and now, with these dying lips, I entreat you to love the Lord Jesus Christ, for he is altogether lovely. I know that you will meet with opposition; but a crown of glory is worth striving for; and the Lord grant that I may meet you in Heaven!' Then lifting up her heart, she prayed in a peculiar manner for her minister and all the members; and just recollecting a young but absent friend, she said, Tell her, with these dying lips, I desired that she would walk close with God; and the Lord bless her!' The person who furnished these materials of her dying experience, said, "Bless my children also.' She said, Let me see them.' They were introduced. She addressed the two eldest. • John and William, I have sent for you to speak a few words to you before I die; and, above all, let me intreat you to give the flower of your youth to the Lord. O spend it not in the service of Satan, and think as many do, to bring the dregs of old age to such a good God, for he may not accept of such a service! Besides, you do not know that you may live to be old; and if you are called while young, you will not think that you began too soon; and God says, he "loves them that, love him; and they that seek him early shall find him." Besides, you are blessed with pious parents, who pray for you; and your minister watches for your souls. O strive to be his joy, and crown of rejoicing in the day of Christ Jesus; and the Lord bless your endeavours !' Then addressing their little sister, she said, And you, my dear little girl, the Lord abundantly bless you, and keep you from all evil incident to your sex; and may you, with your little brother, grow up as tender plants before the Lord, of his own right hand planting!'

The next day, when something as presented to her, she said,

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want!' In the evening she was visited by the minister's wife and some friends, who put her to bed for the last time, expecting to see her no more. The next morning she fell asleep in Jesus.

Thus died Mrs. Ireson, in the thirty-second year of her age, after a life of many trials, and seven weeks of almost uninterrupted joy in God. Her death was improved, by her desire, from the 23d Psalm, of the shadow of death, I will fear no Though I walk through the valley evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.'

J. H. C.

MRS. E. HARGREAVE,

OF LEEDS.

THE Lord Jesus Christ appeared unto her as her Saviour from sin and death, during a long and severe illness, about the 30th year of her age. She then made solemn vows,

:

that if the Lord would restore her to health, her future life should be devoted to his service. When the faculty gave no hopes of her recovery, and said it was necessary that her arm should be amputated (an operation to which she had been it is done, provided simple means ever averse) He who speaks, and which, under his blessing, to the astonishment of all, soon perfected her sickness, and in the strength of flesh recovery but ah! vows made in and blood, are soon broken. turning again into the world, amidst earthly prosperity with its bewitcha gay circle of acquaintance, and ing charms smiling upon her, she soon forgot her solemn protesta tions, and forsook the Fountain of living waters, from which she had derived so much support, for broken and empty cisterns that could yield no satisfying pleasure.

Re

In this state she continued for vessel, Jehovah suffered her to reabout two years; but being a chosen main no longer at such a distance from himself.

As in sickness he first appeared unto her, so by a bereaving providence he again brought her to himself. About this time,

he who was the visible support of her life, was removed by a lingering consumption. Being left a widow with three children, the Lord in clined her heart to seek another, and a better Husband. During this period she often said, The Lord is my Husband! After our late invaluable minister, the Rev. Peter Thomson took the pastoral charge of the Scottish Presbyterian church in Albion Street: she united herself to that body of Christians, and became an ornament to the community. Attending on divine ordinances, she found much spiritual refreshment and holy vigour. The duties of practical religion were carefully studied and diligently observed. The grace of God, that bringeth salvation, taught her to live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world.' She would weep with those that wept, and rejoice with those that rejoiced: her sympathy for the distressed was truly tender; and the needy, within her observation, to the utmost of her power, were secretly relieved. Her family she loved; and to its interests, temporal and spiritual, she paid a strict attention. Prayer was an exercise in which she was daily employed, and in which she took great delight. The graces of the Spirit shone with conspicuous lustre in her deportment; particularly humility, meekness, and godly sincerity. Being more of a doubting than a forward turn of mind, her faith was often weak, and clouds, frequently overcast her soul. In this state she remained for two of the first days in her last illness; but he who sometimes hides and often

6

[blocks in formation]

When sinking into the cold arms of Death, with the most cheerful composure, she exclaimed, I can give up all! there remaineth a rest prepared for me from before the foundation of the world: - yes, there remaineth a rest! is run! On a relation expressing a hope that her race was not to terminate so soon, she mildly replied, with a serene countenance, Yes, but it is. The writer then quoted I have fought a On having 2 Cor.

2 Tim. iv. 7, 8, good fight,' &c.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

she re

i. 12, repeated to her, plied, Yes, by the grace of God.' On hearing her children mentioned, she said, Farewell; I leave you to the care of Him who hath said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee!" There remaineth a rest, rest! After being still a few moments, she opened her eyes, and lifting up her hands, exclaimed, • I On come!' She was immediately asked, "Where do you go?" She re

reveals his love to his people, suffered her to remain oppressed with the burden of sin no longer. the third day, anxiously wishing to see her physician, and being told he could not be procured at that moment, she said, Well, the Lord reigns: I have found a Physician for both body and soul. Through Christ strengthening me, I can do all things.' The patience she displayed amidst the severest sufferings was exemplary. On being asked if her pains were great, she replied,

[ocr errors]

plied, in broken accents, It is betber to depart, and be for ever happy!' In this manner did this pious and valuable Christian leave this valley of tears, May 6, 1807, in the forty-second year of her age, The Rev. Mr. Lee improved the event, from Heb. iv. 9, There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God.'

[ocr errors]

T. H.

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS."

A Sermon on the Translation of the Scriptures into the Oriental Languages, preached before the University of Cambridge, May 10, 1807. By the Rev. Francis Wrangham, M. A. F. R.S. of Trinity College, Cambridge. Price

TOWARDS the close of the year 1806, the Rev. C. Buchanan, Vice Provost of the College of Fort William, in Bengal, transmitted to the Vice Chancellor at Cambridge, Proposals for translating the Scriptures into the Oriental Languages; and suggested the propriety of appointing two sermons to be preached on this interesting subject, before the university. Mr. Wrangham, who is already well known to the religious public, by his Dissertation on the best Means of diffusing the Light of the Christian Religion throughout the Eastern World," and other publications, was elected to deliver the first discourse; which now presents itself to our notice. The text is chosen from Acts ii. 7, 8, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in Our own tongue wherein we were born?'-In bring ing forward is important topic of consideration, the author exposes the folly of the antiquated maxim, that the bulk of the people should be kept in ignorance,

traces the conduct of Providence in favouring our land with the sacred Scriptures in the vernacular tongue; and hints at the duty which we owe to other countries, of imparting to them, in their own language, that volume, ⚫ which is able to make wise unto salvation.'

[blocks in formation]

and by what persons, lation be made?

[ocr errors]

shall the trans

In reply to the first question, Mr. W. affirms, that we ought to con fine our primary efforts to the Hindus. He says, In our moral account with the Hindus, we have indeed a heavy arrear to discharge and if our guilt be measured by the importance of the duty neglected, the magnitude of our means and the urgency of our motives, we may well tremble for the consequences of our eastern responsibility. Possess ing the distinguished privilege of reading the divine volume in nearly its primitive purity, and moistened almost exclusively, like Gideon's fleece by the dew of Heaven,' we have been insensible to the drought upon all the earth beside,' even where it was probably in our power to have prevented its continuance. With hearts hardened by prosperity, we have wrapped ourselves up in Epicurean apathy; nor deigned to feel a solicitude, inuch less to make an effort, for the salvation of millions, who have been destroyed for lack of knowledge.' A century ago, Denmark sent her teachers to a petty settlement on the coast of Coromandel; and as our merchants were not then princes, it appeared no derogation from our dignity, nor any impeachment of our munificence, to give her a kind of subordinate support: but within the latter half of that interval, the realms of Aurora and the Ganges' have undergone an entire revolution. On the plain of Plassey, Eng land virtually won the diadem of India. Since that momentous day, our Asiatic empire has rapidly swelled to a bulk almost too great to keep, or to resign.' In the train of conquest more than Roman, commerce more than Tyrian has followed; and our oppressions have too closely kept pace with both; but of the Gospel, which would at once have reproved and compensated our injustice, we have said nothing! At the suggestion, forsooth,

« AnteriorContinuar »