letter to each of them; but added, ◄ I am not able now!' How anxious was he that what he might be able to say to others, should be made useful to them! Yea,' said he, if it were but to one soul!- May this his dy-, ing prayer appear to have been much more largely answered! . A second thing remarkable in my dear young friend was, his sense of obligation to divine mercy, and the high value he set upon the Saviour and his salvation. His language was, I am a debtor to Mercy alone. O that I, who might have perished for ever, should have hope! Christ is the way, the only way! The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin! I wonder more and more every day at my own unworthiness, and at his great love! At another time, when asked how he was, he replied, He is more and more precious! Worthy, O worthy, is the Lamb that was slain ! Grace unknown, and love beyond degree!" At another time, when the writer of this Memoir entered his room, he was closing what he had been saying of the great salvation, nearly in the words of the poet : — Fain would I sound it out so loud, That Earth and Heaven might hear!" Ia short, Jesus and redeeming mercy were all his theme. Often he repeated parts of those hymns:'Grace; 'tis a charming sound!' 'Jesus, and shall it ever be, A mortal man ashamed of thee!' &c. 6 His hope and confidence were also remarkable. He expressed no extatic joy; but a calm steady hope, which was indeed an anchor to his soul, and entered into that within the veil.' I am resting,' said he, upon the Rock of Ages. Bissed be God, I am not permitted to, doubt! The conflict will soon be over, and end in glorious victory! I long for mortality to be swallowed up of life, to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord!' - At another time, Oh, for an overcoming faith, to cheer my dying hous! &c.→ and soon after added, Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evil, &c. I hope I shall soon pe with my dear Redeemer! I hope this will be our last meeting on earth, if it be the will of God! I hope we shall meet above. O how I love the company of the people of God! — if it were not for my weakness, I should never be tired of it! His friends can witness also to his calm rosignation to the will of God. His sufferings (as was hinted) were very great; but amidst all, those who visited him, often noticed the smile of tranquillity which sat on his countenance. Nothing like repining escaped from his lips. Often, toward the last, he seemed very de-. sirous to depart and be with Christ. He said, I suffer so much; but yet I hope I do not desire to be gone: merely to be free from pain, but that I may see him as he is, and be glorified with him. I am only afraid. lest my patience should not hold out. I often think of the good woman who, pleading the promise that God would not lay upon her more than he would enable her to bear, said, Lord, less pain, or more patience!" His sease of the kindness of his friends, which, he said, he was sure would not be exceeded, was very lively. When the writer of this paper left him, a few hours before he deand was evidently sinking; but with parted, he could speak but little, dying languor, mingled with hope, looked up, and said, 'I can do all things, and can bear All sufferings, if my Lord be there!", His departure was easy. • Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord!' They die in Jesus, and are bless'd; How kind their slumbers aje! From sufferings and from sins releas'd, And free from every snare!' Much more might have been added; but what is here recorded was heard personally by the writer, who can attest it as a fresh glorious instance of the triumph of the Redeemer; and be wishes it to be made publie, for the encouragement of those who fear the Lord from their youth; and to induce other young persous to consider the infinite advantages which result from an early experimental acquaintance with God in Christ Jesus. Royston. W. J. Obituary. MRS. MARY BULL. Nov. 2, 1808, slept in Jesus, Mrs. Mary Bull, of Portsea, relict of the late Mr. B. Bull, of whom honour able mention is made in this Magazine for Aug. 1795. She had nearly attained her 80th year when she was attacked by a paralytic disease, which, in a few days, terminated in her dissolution. It pleased God that the death of this excellent woman should be silent (her disorder very soon preventing the power of speech) bat her long and creditable profession of experimental religion,- her steady attachment to revealed truths, her great veneration for the sacred Scriptures, and her ardent longing after the beatific vision of her Saviour, will long live in the memory of many who survive her. Her remains are interred near to her late husband's, in Kingston churchyard, where a plain stone is erected by an affectionate relative, bearing this inscription: When Christ, who is their life, shall appear, they also shall appear with him in glory!' T. W. jun. MRS. HANNAH RUGGLES DIED at Clare, in Suffolk, April 26, 1809, aged 36 years. She had been for many years the subject of great bodily afflictions; but it was not until the beginning of the year 1808 that they appeared to be sanctified. The first serious impressions of an abiding kind were received at a weekly lecture, which has been lately established: before which, she was satisfied if she appeared in the house of God on one part of the Lord's Day; but no sooner was the word brought home with power to ber soul, than she began to hunger and thirst after righteousness. Upon a visit from her minister, she exclaimed, Now, Sir, I trust I can say, My beloved is mine, and I am his. What a mercy I was not cut off a few weeks ago, when I knew not Jesus, when I felt no love to him, desire to be interested in his nor any favour! What a change has grace wrought in me, one of the vilest sinners, delivered from going down to the pit! But how am I grieved on account of my neglect of the means of grace! but now I trust nothing but the afflictive hand of God will be able to keep me from his house!' Such was the fervency of her love, that frequently, when unable to walk, without being supported by one or two persons, she would go to the house of God, saying, This may be the last Sabbath: I may never be permitted again to unite with my Christian friends, for I feel my outward frame decaying; but, blessed be God, I am growing stronger in grace; so that the thoughts of my dissolution, instead of being a terror, is my greatest source of joy; for I can say, ' I know in whom I have believed; and am persuaded that he is able to keep,' &c. 6 For some months previous to her death, she was entirely debarred from attending public worship. Under her confinement, she was frequently visited by her pastor, who, calling one Monday, she said, My heavenly Father, Sir, saw right to deprive ine of the pleasure of uniting with you yesterday in his earthly tabernacle, but I cannot fully express the happiness I enjoyed! I had such a view of the love of Christ, that my sorrows are all turned into joy! I felt so much of the joys that God has prepared for them that love him, that I long to be gone, that I may live without sin, and praise him without intermission!' He said to her, "If you had your choice, which would you wish,-To depart and to be with Jesus, or to have the blessings of health restored?" She answered, 'If the choice were of fered me, I would refer it back to the Lord; and say, Not my will, but thy will be done! for I am certain he knows what is best for ine!' It as then suggested to her, how delightful afflictions are when sanctified: she replied, I have often · felt the rod of God correcting me; but have been as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. This is a blessed affiiction indeed, because it has led me to Jesus; so that I have reason to say, It is good for me that I have been afflicted !' On the Thursday before she departed, being worse, her friends sent for her minister. On entering the room, he found her apparently near the verge of eternity; and hardly able either to speak or bear the fatigue of conversation. In a short time after, being somewhat revived, and perceiving one of her sisters approaching her bed, and observing that she wept, she said, 'Do not weep for me; you have more reason to rejcice, that my conflict is almost ended, and my everlasting felicity about commencing! I hope that no one will drop a tear for me, for I am going to Jesus; and can you wish me back again into this sinful world!' be On Friday her pastor visited her again, and found her still wore cheerful. With a smile, on her countenance, she said, I was in great hopes, Sir, of being landed in glory before now; but it gives me much satisfaction that I have the pleasure of speaking to you again; it may afford you comfort when I am gone, to know that God was pleased to make use of you, as an instrument to deliver me from a state of sin, and bring me to experience the blessings of grace; fore I knew you I was a stranger to Jesus, ignorant of the state I was in by nature, and had no desire to have the gospel applied with power: but, my dear Sir, I feel I am dying, but I can say to the honour of God, and for your comfort in the ministry, that I shall praise him through eternity, for the blessings of grace that have been conveyed to my soul by means of your labours!' On Saturday, the 22d, he saw her for the last time; she appeared extremely weak in body, but strong in faith. On being asked how she felt her mind, she said, Death is sot in the least terrible to me, because it has lost its sting! When her minister was about to pray with her, she said, Sir, do not pray for 6 6 ¢ my recovery; I had rather depart and be with Jesus.' Before he left the room, he told her that, being sngaged from home, he should not be able to call again for three or four days, but that he hoped to see her on his return; she answered, I hope not, Sir; before that period, I trust to be singing the praises of God in the upper and better world!' Oa the Tuesday following, she said to ber sister, Now I think death has seized me.' Being asked, Whether she was willing to go, - she said, Quite, quite; for then I shall be with him whom I love, and worship him without a veil between.' In the evening, she said to a person who stood near her bed, Is Mr. S. returned ? being answered in the negative, then' she exclaimed, I shall never see him again below; no more shall I hear his voice ad dress the throne of grace; but I shall soon meet him, where we shall unite in singing the praises of God for ever!' About an hour before she departed, she requested to be lifted upon her knees, that she might once more address the throne of mercy. Her weakness being so very great, she was advised not to change her posture; she replied, • These poor knees must once more bend before the footstool of grace.' Being laid again in her bed, she was only heard to say, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly!' Thus this pious woman finished her course, and entered into the joy of her Lord. On the following Lord's Day her death was improved by her Pastor, to a large and attentive auditory, from 2 Čor. v. 1—3. Clare. J. S. a stimulus to the saints,- -a reprover of the world, a check to the infidel, and a grown to truth, which I trust will appear in the following evidences of the true grace of God in Mrs. Amelia Blow, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire, who died March 29, 1809, in the 36th year of her age. In her might evidently be seen two natures; when to the natural, God had graciously added that of his grace; s that from one so strongly attached to worldly cares, with too great asperity of temper, many be holding the natural shades so strong, were ready to forget the bright jewel of grace hid in her, which before and in her last affliction did so nobly shine, to the satisfaction of many who visited her. It was no small conflict, from the prejudices of education, and the aversion of many to the doctrines of grace, that Mrs. B. became a hearer and a member of the church under the charge of W her. When I preached on Isaiah xxxix. 17, the Lord graciously ap plied the word, and this became the joy and rejoicing of her soul in life, affliction, and death; for which she always called them her words, fixing upon them as her funeral-text. re On the 8th of November she was delivered of a daughter, her eighth child, from which she never covered, being of a consumptive habit. The effects of divine grace were now remarkably clear in her humility, patience, government of temper, and conquest of grace from Martha's to Mary's disposition; so that all who visited her, were constrained to admire her discourse on the love of God, and what his grace had wrought for her. In one of my visits, she said to me, 'I have peace with God, pardon, through blood, and righteousness divine to appear in Heaven. O! I would not have my sinful body to go with me to glory! — and I will not stand in my own righteousness before my Judge! No, no : 'Jesus, thy blood and righteousness * My beauties are, my glorious dress!' &c. S. To use her own words, or nearly so, her first hear ing was attended with such strong emotions, that they moved her whole frame, shook her pride, and brought her down to be saved in God's own way; yet, at seasons, she resolvedto hold out, and began to spurn at But I have to go through the waters of death! the sovereignty of grace, and wan1 am ready to fear I dered from place to place seeking shall not be able to praise my Lord rest, but finding nothing to fill thein death; - he knows I desire to do void. At length she determined on it, and I hope he will strengthen taking a seat in the chapel, saying, me! Come, I will repeat any text Here will I worship till I die.' for my funeral, and give you my In a constant attendance on the hymns also to sing; but be sure you word, the Lord was pleased to manisay nothing of me; give all the fest himself to her soul. Increasing glory to my Lord : he loved, called, in divine knowledge and experiand brought me to himself, and he ence, she found enlargedness of mind will not let me go, or this wicked heart would turn aside after all! and brighter views of the truth. Jer. xxxi. 3, 18-20, became the but mark my text, Isa. xxxviii. 17, language of her soul. With a firm ، Thou hast, in love to my soul, and zealous attachment to the house delivered it from the pit of corrupof God, and an unshaken confidence tion; thou hast cast all my sins in the word, she honourably enbehind thy back ;' therefore, sing dured sicadfast in the faith. The my hymn, enemy of souls was not wanting in his attacks; aud her anxious mind and warmth of temper afforded him opportunities greatly to distress her, which kept her from offering herself to the church for some time; and when she was accepted as a member, and in celebrating the Lord's Supper, the adversary was ready to resist Afflictions do not come alone, She called her husband and children to her bed-side, and said, · My dears, I must leave you I shail die: now I am going indeed ! - 0 ! how anxious I have been to live OBITUARY. with you a little longer,-to attend day after. She was exceedingly my Jesus O! what hath Jesus brought for me And trees of Paradise! Recovering a little, she addressed eve y one in the room, and spake of. the grace of God and her views of death. Lifting up her withered arms, she cried out, Til clap my wings, And soar aways when she closed her eyes, and breathed no more in this world. Her funeral was attended by a numerous and affected congrega- JOHN HASKINS. JOHN HASKINS, a day-labourer, died January 30, 1809, aged 79, at Stoneburrow, in the parish of St. Gabriel, Dorsetshire. He was called by grace in the early part of life, delighted much in the exercise of prayer, particularly social prayer; and he never appeared so much pleased as when speaking on divine things. For a considerable time previous to his death, he was prevented, through the infirmities of age, from filling his place in the house of Gol, which was to him a severe trial; but, in order, in some measure, to make up that deficiency, a meeting for prayer and exhortalion was held at his house once a week, or fortnight; which was continued till near the time of his death. During the whole of this painful dispensation of Providence, he would at intervals be speaking on his favourite topic Religion, in as rational and pertinent a manner as ever, and sometimes pray with much spirituality with those of his most intimate friends. He was one of the deacons of the Independent Church at Charmouth, near the place of his abode; which situation he filled for more than 50 years. He was interred, by his particular request, in the meeting yard, having himself fixed on the exact spot where to lic, and also the subject he wished to have improved on the occasion, which was accordingly complied with; and the s rmon preached the following Sabbath, by the Rev. J. Crook, from St. John xii. 26, 'If any man serve me, let him follow me,' &c. J. K. RECENT DEATHS. Sept. 29. Suddenly, the Rev. B. S. Lloyd, pastor of the newly-formed church ai Lessless Heath, near Woolwich. Oct. 17. The Rev. Mr. Rawlings, pastor of the Baptist Church at Trowbridge. 4 H |