Obituary. REV. S. GAFFEE. THE Rev. Samuel Gaflee was edueated for the Christian ministry at the Independent Academy, Homerton; and was afterwards ordained pastor of the Church of Christ at Hatfield Heath, Essex; where his labours were remarkably successful and he had the satis. faction of seeing a sinking church rise to a great degree of prosperity. The doctrines of the gospel were the delightful theme of his ministry and, while he never failed to enforce on the people their practical tendency, his own conduct displayed their vital and animating influence. His spirit and temper became the office be held, and procured him the ardent affection of his people, and the esteem of all who knew him. He was, indeed, a solid, humble, holy minister of Jesus Christ, and an affectionate, vigilant, faithful pastor of the church under his care. His health, of late, was frequently interrupted; but he never omitted preaching whilst any ability of body remained, The first Lord's Day in Dec. 1808, was the last Sabbath he was able to be in God's house; and then he preached twice, and administered the Lord's Supper. During the month's illness which preceded his death, he was richly favoured with the consolations and hopes of the gospel; and could speak of leaving the world with the greatest composure. The infinite grace of Immanuel, which he had gladly preached to others, and was the only source of his own hope, became the solace of his dying hours, and supported in him a placid expectation of everlasting glory. He frequently said, I am not afraid to die, for I know whom I have believed; and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day. Jesus, my God, I know his name, His name is all my trust,' &c. When a friend requested he would not fatigue himself by talking, but compose himself to sleep, he replied, I must speak for Christ and then my body shall have a long while I can it wil soon be over, and comfortable sleep; - it shall sleep till the trumpet of God shall sound: he will call and I shall answer; and he will have respect to the work of his hands.' Another friend enquiring how he did, Going to Heaven,' said he, as fast as I can." He was completely resigned to the himself, willing to live, and not divine will, being, as he expressed afraid to die.' He dreaded nothing so much as being left to entertain a murmuring disposition. Whilst under strong convulsive agonies, Mrs. G. said to him, "It is sharp work, my dear." "Yes,' he replied, but it is all right work;' adding, she answered, It is well." Addressing his servant, he said, Mind the best things, live near to God, and set the best of examples.' When his nephew, from London, ful some years before, entered his to whom his ministry had been usechamber, he thus addressed him -01 my dear son in the gospel, it is all glory within! all Heaven Hell, but to Heaven! in my soul! I am not going to He chose a text for his funeralsermon, which indicated his affectionate concern for those to whom he had ministered the word of life for 30 years; and desired the fol lowing hymns might be sung: 138th, 100th, and 27th, in the first book of Dr. Waits. To innumerable instances of his sition towards the people of his very feeling and affectionate dispocharge, this was added on his deathbed- he desired his nephew to write down, from his lips, a kind farewell message to thein; which was read, as he ordered, at the by the Rev. W. Chaplin, of Bishop close of his funeral- sermon, preached Stortford, on Lord's Day afternoon, Jan. 8, 1809, from Gen. I. former part of the 24th verse, I die, and God will surely visit you.' Thẹ following is what was taken from his lips, and read from the pulpit by his desire: May the Lord sanctify this affliction of my body for the good of my soul, and the meetening it more. for the inheritance of the saints in light! sanctify it to the soul of my very dear wife, and to the soul of every dear relation, younger or older. I do not know that I feel any will of my own; but sincerely wish the will of God to be done, either by life or death. - I have loved my people, and do still love them. I hope the trial will be blessed for their souls' good; and sincerely and heartily thank them for the marks of kind love they have shewn me. I wish, with great sincerity, if it is the will of God to take me, that they may have a sound minister, pure in his conduct, seeking the welfare of precious souls, and that shall be loving and kind in his behaviour. I wish the people may not scatter, but keep together, a loving and united people, and not be in a hurry for a new settlement; for hasty settlements seldom issue well. S. GAFFEE, Dec. 14, 1808. Hatfield Heath.' He died Dec. 30th, 1808, in the 59th year of his age, deeply lamented by all his surviving relatives, and the numerous congregation to which he preached. The crowded assembly that heard his funeralsermon, seemed animated by one sentiment of affection for his memory, and one desire that God night visit them indeed.' MRS. ANN ROGERS. MRS. Ann Rogers, the wife of John Rogers, died June 11, 1808, at Bassingbourne, in Cambridge shire, aged 29 years. She was descended from pious ancestors. Her maternal grandfather, the Rev. R. Cooper, was, for nearly half a century, pastor of the Independent Church at Melbourne, in Cambridgeshire. Nevertheless, she was a partaker of nature's common depravity; and under the reigning power of which she lived till her marriage. By this event, she was removed to Bassingbourne; where, under the ministry of Mr. S. Bull, the Lord gave testimony to the word of his grace in her saving After some time, she conversion. her Her joined the church of which he is pastor; and, to the end of life, walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelesi. Her constitution being habitually delicate, and predisposed to consumption, she took cold in November last, in going to visit a friend: this occasioned a decline, which terminated in her dissolution. Her knowledge of the Scriptures was extensive, judgment of divine truth was accurate, her hopes were wellfounded, yet not lively. She was a Christian, who lived much more in the valley than on the mountain. In the first part of her illness, her dread of death, as a separation from her natural connections, was exceedingly great; but, through the abundant manifestations of divine love, her desire to depart was as great as her dread had been. pastor had several profitable interviews with her; in one of which, he asked her opinion of those doctrines (commonly called Calvinistic) which he had preached and she had believed; she answered, They will do to live by, and they will do to die by. For several months after the commencement of Mrs. R.'s last affliction, her spirits were low, her prospects clouded, and her mind uncomfortable on these accounts, she was painfully reserved. At length, by the divine application of these Scriptures, Isa. li. 16, Deut. xxxii. 29, Psal. xxii. 24, her darkness was dispelled, and her consolation restored. On the evening of May 5, she said, The thought that the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, is a great comfort to me. I want much bringing down: find a need-be for great affliction to purify me. :: True, 'tis a strait and thorny road: At another time, she said to her husband, I have been looking for ward to that period when my spirit must take its flight to the eternal world. Suppose I had a particular friend, one on whom all my felicity depended, and I was taking a journey to see him, I should have all my thoughts occupied about him before I set out: by the way I should think of him; and, when I arrived at the destined place, were the company ever so large, I should not be happy until amongst them I had found my particular friend. So, I trust, my mind will be employed about my dear Jesus.' In the evening of May 11, she was much distressed respecting her state; but soon her mind was composed, and she said to a friend, Now I desire to give up myself and all my connections, into the hands of my gracious God. When will my sweet release he sign'd To quit this house of clay? When will my spirit, unconfin'd, To glory wing its way? Some time afterwards, she observed, It is through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom! Time how short! Eternity how. long! But not too long to utter all his praise! Referring to the foundation of her hope, she said, 'It is laid in oaths, promises, and blood !' She said to her husband, I overheard one kind friend say to another, "There is a probability of her recovery." This cast a gloom upon my spirits. I have seen so much of the depravity of my heart and the vanity of the world, that 1 cannot bear the idea of returning! She now appeared to long to be absent from the body to be present with the Lord; and said, Now flesh and heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart, and, I trust, will be my portion for ever! My dear friends, don't pray for the continuance of my life: I am afraid some of you do, and keep me back from glory.' Enquiring for her pocket-book, she, tho' very weak, read with an audible voice, a beautiful hymn of Cowper's; the last stanze of which she repeated, and in a mannerso impressive, as astonished ah present: Pay! follow Christ and all is paid: His death your peace ensures! Think on the grave where he was laid, And calm decend to yours!" On the Saturday before she died, the grand adversary, accused her of presumption; but, with the shield of Faith, she quenched all the fiery darts of the wicked one. About noon, her husband said to her, My dear, I suppose you have entirely given your children up? Do you stand to the surrender?' She replied, "Yes, I have given them up to my covenant God and Father, through Christ; and I pray that they may all be brought very early in life within the bond of the covenant, and prove ornaments to the church of Christ. With regard to their temporal concerns, I feel no anxious solicitude, - God will pro nesily wished the presence of Christ with her brethren and sisters in church fellowship, who should meet at the Lord's Supper that evening. On Monday, the 6th, she said, Why are his chariot wheels so long in coming?' To her friends around her bed, she said, I love you all; but I love my dear Jesus better! I cannot praise him sufficiently here; but I shall praise him eternally in the other world! A few steps more, and I shall arrive at my Father's kingdom, and go no more out! Cheer up, my soul!-cheer up, my soul! Afterwards, being in strong pain, she cried out, O thou God of Patience, give me patience! 'Where can a weary sinner go But to the sinner's Friend? And bid my sorrows end!' She now appeared as on the verge of dissolution; and said to her husband, I must die;' but turning her attention from him to a higher ob ject, she cried, Lord Jesus receive my spirit! into thy hands I commit my immortal soul, O Lord God of truth!' But as the tempest-tost mariner is sometimes, when just entering the desired haven, driven back by adverse winds, so she revived again, to spend a few more languishing days in this world of sin and sorrow. In the most excruciating bodily sensations, she prayed so loudly and so earnestly, that all who heard were deeply affected. evil.' When will the happy day arrive? I long to be at my Father's house! Oh, for the meanest, the very meanest place in Heaven, if I may but see Christ: He is more precious to me than rubies! The love of Christ surpasses angels' praise! Observing her mother and husband weeping, she said, Mother, don't weep for me, Jesus will make up my loss to you! should perish, it is not your fault ;if saved, O what a happy meeting shall we have! To her husband she said, My dear, don't grieve for me. Keep close to the word and ordinances of God; -Walk in the footsteps of the flock, and you will arrive at the kingdom. You have a great charge: the Lord give you wisdom and strength!' To her female servant, who was waiting upon her during the night, she gave the most excellent advice, particularly about keeping the whole of the Lord's Day holy. On Tuesday morning, her mind being calm and serene, she exclaimed, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name !'— Throughout the day her cough was very distressing; she frequently cried, O Lord, grant me patience! Leave me not to dishonour thy name, but enable me to glorify thee !' Wednesday, she was extremely ill and restless. She said, I have been thinking upon Hopeful and Christian, when they were passing through the river, and the angels that were waiting for them on the other side. O when shall the time arrive that I shall go over Jordan !' To some friends who were present, she made this appeal: No one has loved a husband and children more than I have, but I love Christ more; and if any persons love not Christ more than father or mother, &c. they cannot be his disciples.' A disconsolate friend she thus exhorted :- Seek comfort where I have sought and found it, and per severe in the path of truth and obedience. In the afternoon, she endured violent pain, and Satan made his fierce assaults. When thus tried and tempted, she cried out, Oh, Satan! Unbelief has entered! Oh, thou enemy of souls! But, Satan, thou art chained! 'Jesus, full of all compassion, Hear thy humble suppliant's cry,' &c. When I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, may I fear no XVII. 6 if I On Thursday and Friday her weakness was so great as to prevent her saying all she would: this she regreited; and much lamented her inability to speak the Redeemer's praise, often saying, The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!' About five o'clock on Saturday morning, she said to her husband, My dear, I am going!' He re plied, "I trust you are going to be ever with the Lord." She said,' Of that I am afraid.' He endeavoured to encourage ber, by stating, That not one soul ever perished sueing for the Saviour's aid. Then, with hum. ble reliance upon the Rock, of Ages, she said, "Come, Lord Jesus;* and, in a short time, calmly resigned her spirit into her Redeemer's bands. : On Lord's Day, June 19, she was interred in the burial-ground adjoining the Dissenting Meeting at Bassingbourne. The same day her funeral-sermon was preached by Mr. Bull, to a numerous auditory, from Nah. i. 7 words chosen by herself, on account of the peculiar relief she had derived from them some years before, when she apprehended her eldest daughter to be in dying circumstances. She judged him faithful who had promised; and found a due performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. S J. R. REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS, &c. An Address to the Public, upon the Dangerous Tendency of the London Female Penitentiary; with Hints, relative to the best Means of lessening the Sum of Prostitution. By W. Hale. Price 1s. The following Answers have appeared: Prostitutes Reclaimed and Penitents Protected; being an Answer to some Objections made against the Principle and Tendency of the Lon-don Female Penitentiary; with Observations on Licensed Brothels, and the Means of discouraging Prostitution. By W. Blair, Esq. Surgeon of the Lock Hospital and Asylum; of the London Female Penitentiary, &c. Price 28. The Remonstrant a Letter to Mr. W. Hale, in Reply to his Address to the Public, upon the Injurious Tendency of the London Female Penitentiary. By G. Hodson, 1s. A Defence of the London Female Penitentiary, in Reply to the Charge of Dangerous Tendency, &c. in a Letter to T. Pellatt, Esq. Secretary. By W. Shrubsole. 1s. 6d. A Letter to W. Hale, Esq. in Answer to his Address upon the Dangerous Tendency, &c. By R. Hawker, D. D. Is. 6d. The London Female Penitentiary defended, or a Reply, &c. By J. Clarke. 1s. 6d. Cursory Remarks on a Recent Publication, addressed to the Public, upon the Dangerous Tendency of the London Female Penitentiary. By Juvenis. 18. AFTER the lapse of so long a period as 5 years, during which the Magdalen Hospital has existed, and the refuted objections made against that Charity in its commencement, have, nearly as long, slumbered in oblivion, we cannot but express our surprize that the principle upon which the London Female Penitentiary is founded,' should, in the opinion of Mr. Hale, yet remain to be discussed, and should form the chief object of this Address:' and if any thing can still farther increase our astonishment it is this, That as the principle alone was assailed, which is equally the basis of other similar Institutions, the London Fe. male Penitentiary should exclusively be made the object of attack from the pen of so respectable a gentleman as Mr. Hale, without the most distant allusion to previously existing charities of the same description !! When a society, the object of which is to afford shelter to poor midnight wanderers for bread,' to pluck their feet from the path of the destroyer, and to bring them to Jesus, is thus openly opposed, the unimpeachable testimony in support assailant ought to be prepared with of his hypothesis; and he should not presume to come before the public, resting upon the illusory phantom of a prospective speculation only, but on undeniable matter of fact. It is a very serious thing to urge any objections to the probable prejudice of a useful Institution, unless these objections have been brought to the test of experience, and sanctioned by repeated observation. We premise these remarks, not cellent charity will suffer in the esfrom any apprehension that this extimation of the public by the discussion; for Truth, the more she is inspected, the more lovely she will' appear. If this work or institution, therefore, be of man, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest, haply, ye be found even to fight against God.' Knowing, therefore, as we do, that much good has resulted from similar Institutions, and even from this, though yet in its infancy, we shall not deem it our duty, in this review, to be satisfied with mere speculative predictions, in order to prove the principle of the London Female Penitentiary to be unsound; but facis must be opposed to facts, |