Were uniformity and consistency. It is be- between truth and error, and between lieved that he was, in a great measure, free him who serveth God, and him who serifrom rapture and from despondency. In eth him not ; no one was disposed to conhim was seen not the sudden glare of the tend more earnestly ** for the faith which comet, but the uniform and steady lustre was once delivered to the saints." He of the sun. From the whole tenor of his public religious instructions were soch as conduct it seemed strongly impressed on might be expected from the truths which his mind, that he was bound to live only formed his creed. The principal obiect for the glory of God, and was forming a aimed at in his sermons was, to reach the character for eternity. heart and the conscience of his hearer. It is natural to inquire what were the His uniform endearour was to union the feelings and the views of those who have character of the sidner to himself ; to strip left the world, in the near prospect of him of all his refuges of lies; to destroy eternity. If euch inquiries are made, with his biding places; to cause him to view a principal design to form a judgment with himself as "guilty betore Gol" He was what character these persons have appears a bold and fearless assertor of those truths ed in the presence of God, and what re which are most otiensive to the camal ward they are receiving at his hands, they heart, and which are often misrepresentought not to be too far indulged. It is by ed and opposed. No one could give suitthe conduct of men in their days of health able attention to his discourses withog that we must principally regulate our learning from them, that men are nataral. opinion, as to the estimation in which they ly “dead in trespasses and sins;" inat are held by the Judge of all. In this view they must be renewed by the special and the sentiment expressed hy the lamented discriminating grace of the Holy Spirit; President Dwight, on his death-bed, is un- that, before they can be almitted to be questionably correct;- that the expressions kingdom of heaven, they must possess that of a dying man are of bul little importance. “holiness, without which no man skall see With regard to Mr. Gray, it is sutlicient the Lord." to state, that in the last stages of his disor Mr. Gray could not be styled s popolar der, so far as could be learned from the preacher. His manner of writing was few expressions which the violence of his better adapted for discussion tia lor Jecdisease allowed him to utter, his mind was, lamation ; better suited to inform and conin a good degree, tranquil and serene ; vince the understanding, than to awaken was in such a state as every rational crea the feelings, or to touch the heart. His ture ought to desire his mind to be in, manner in the pulpit was also voru of that when expecting soon to appear before vivacity, that vehemence and force, which God. He manifested a willingness to give every public speaker great advanleave the dear people of bis charge, and tage, and which are essential to the highest the church in general, in the hands of Him eloquence. Sull, however, his appear. who is King in Zion. Through faith in ance in the desk and his delivery were him, who has said, “I will never leave grave and solemn ; were characteristic of thee nor forsake thee,” he contemplated a man deeply impressed with the sense of with composure the prospect, that his wife the weight and importance of the message must soon become a widow and his chil- which he had to deliver, and realizing dren orphans. Through his distressing that his preaching was intimately connet sickness no expressions of complaint, of un- ted with the eternal interests of himseli easiness, or of anxiety were heard from and of his hearers. He was assiduow and him. To one of his brethren in the minis- constant in the discharge of his miorsterial try he declared, that he enjoyed, in good duties ; instant in season and out of sexson; measure, the presence of God. He evi- willing to spend and be spent in his lfadently felt, that his "everlasting arms" ter's service ; never disposed to value his were underneath him ; that his rod and own strength or efforts, if he might do any his staff comforted him. thing for the advancement of the Redeem. As a theologian and a minister of Christ, er's cause, and the salvation of perishing Mr. Gray has left to his survivors an ex. men. ample of sound and correct opinions re Though during the short period of his specting christian doctrine, and of great ministry at Stafford, no very signal success fidelity in his Master's service. In all his attended his labours, yet he had the bapinquiries after religious truth, he manifes- piness to gather numbers into the church, ted a decidei determination to appeal to who had previously been made subjects of the Holy Scriptures as the only standard grace, and to see his faithful efforts to of faith. Hence his views of the doctrines maintain christian discipline in the family of christianity were strictly evangelical of Christ, attended with encouraging toand discriminating. No man thought kens for good. There is also ground to more highly of what are styled the doc- believe, that the good seed sown among trines of grace ; no one was accustomed to that people by his hand, has takep root in make more clear and accurate distinction, some hearts, and begun to bring forth fruit which will be forever to the praise of rich Still the most amiable trait of Miss Stilland sovereign grace. son's character remains to be noticed. It That Mr. Gray had imperfections and was her sincere piety. Jo early life, and faults cannot be doubted; but of these it more than six years hefore her death, she is presumed no one was more fully sensible became tbe subject of renewing grace. than himself. That he had violent strug. Her convictions of her ruined, lost state, gles with his remaining corruptions, and and of the evil of ber many sips, were deep strong desires to become more like his Fa and pungent. She said, and felt that she ther in heaven, was evident both from his was justly deserving of God's everlasting frequent declarations, and from the uni displeasure ; and that nothing but bis form tenor of his conduct. With applica- sovereign grace, through the merits of tion to him it is believed by his brethren Jesus Chrisi, could rescue ber from final in the ministry, who feel themselves pain perdition. At this time her distress was fully bereaved by his death, and also by inexpressibly great. But after some weeks, his other friends, that the language of inspi. it pleased God to renew ber heart-to give ration may now be adopted ; « Blessed her a sweet sense of the loveliness of his are the dead which die in the Lord, from character-the glories of Christ, and the henceforth : yea, saith the Spirit, that they infinite fulness of his merits. These views may rest from their labours ; and their inspired confidence in the Saviour, which works do follow them.” N. A. issued in a humble hope of her interest in the blessings of the new covenant. Note withstanding the consolation which this Died, at the residence of the Rev. Dr. bope gave ber, so great was ber jealousy Lewis, in Greenwich, November 20, 1821, of herself, and 30 deep her conviction of Miss ELIZABETH Stillson, a native of the solemn obligations of professing ChrisBethlem, Litchfield County. This Lady, tians, that it was near two years before through a natural sweetness of temper, she presumed to offer herself as a caudi. was ever alive to all the tender sympa. date for communion with the visible thies of humanity, benevolent and affec cburch. Nor did she do this, witbout tionate to her friends and acquaintances. long and rigid self-examination, and ferShe possessed an active and distinguish- vent prayer to God, for direction and as. ing mind, an ardent thirst for literary im sistance. Her exercises on tbis occasion provement, which rendered her capable are minutely detailed in her journal, now of the bighest attainments in science. in the hands of a surviving friend. Hav. When in early life, she left the common ing thus publickly devoted herself to the school, she was enabled by the assistance service of her God and Saviour, she conof friends, for several seasons, to attend a tinued to adoro the christian profession school of a higher order. Here sbe made until her death. Always modest and bumrapid advances in knowledge, which only ble, she ever avoided all ostentation in reserved to increase ber desires for stiil ligion : but on proper occasions, showed greater advantages. These, she enjoyed how much it engrossed all the affections and improved in the most industrious man. of her soul. A few female christian ner, and ever after during her life, a deep friends, with whom sbe united in weekly conviction of the worth of time was fas. meetings for prayer, and religious con(ened upon ber mind. For these last ad. versation, can allest the fervour of her vantages, she was wholly indebted to her devotions, and her zeal for the revival own personal exertions, and defrayed the and extension of true religion. For the expenses, by engaging in the business of promotion of the last mentioned object, instructing youth. For this employment, she was a liberal contributor. In ber she was eminently qualified, and in per- school the Scriptures were daily read, and forming the arduous duties of an Instruc- prayer attended. Her pupils are wit. tor, spent a considerable part of the last nesses of ber unwearied exertions, not three years of her life. While thus occu- only to proroote their improvement in pied, she had the satisfaction of seeing science, but to impress on ibeir minds, a her pupils making daily advances in their sense of the infinite importance of rememvarious studies, and in those attainments, bering their Creator, in the days of their which enrich and adorn the mind. Her youth. discipline was strict, yel managed with But although possessed of talents, na. such wisdom and prudence, as always to tive and acquired, which fitted her for secure to her the strong attachment of ber distinguished usefulness; and a heart to scholars and i he love of her employers. improve them all to the divine glory, and But although her mind was furnished the best good of her fellow beings, yet it with abundant stores of the most useful pleased a boly, and all wise God to call knowledge, and her faculties uncommon her to himself, at !he early age of twentyly brilliant, so great was her modesty, four years. In her last sickness, which that none knew her many accomplish: continued for twelve weeks, she comments, but those wbo were capable of ap- plained, at some seasons, of darkness-of preciating them, and were also her inii- a want of clear views of spiritual things, mate friends. and of sensible communion with her Re. deemer. In this state of mind, she com- said she," my Saviour and my King." She menced a strict and diligent self-exami- adopted the 281st bymn in the Hartford nation, relative to her repentance, faith, selection, entitled, “ Celestial Prospects," humility, hatred of sin, and snbmission to and 2291h, and 262d bymns of D#igbi's the divine will. This she accompanied collection, as expressive of her owa riews with ardent prayer that God would dis- and feelings. After a friend had read to cover ber true character to ber, and if her the last of these bymns, she repealed consistent with his holy will, lift on ber in an impressive manner, the light of his countenance. The result "O the transporting rapturous scene, was a removal of every cloud, and a clear inanifestation of the love of God to her soul. “ That rises to my sight! Her concern for the advancement of re “ Sweet fields arrayed in living green, ligion, and particularly for the spiritual “ And rivers of delight!" good of her relatives, was in a very af. In the same interesting and impressive fecting manner exhibited, on the follow. manner, she repeated the last verse of the ing occasion. Some of these she was dying Christian lo bis soul. A short time called to part with, a few weeks before her before her death, a member of the family death. The fact that they had never who was tenderly attached to ber, asked prayed together, as a tamily, was to her a “ what is your last advice to me. She source of deep regret, and she felt as replied with great emphasis, “work wbile though she could not part with them, for the day lasts-prepare for deatb-live the last time, without commending them near to God." After death bad evidenty all to a merciful God. begun his work, an intimate friend, By ber request, they accordingly knee: read to her the 23d Psalm, and enquired led around her bed, while she invoked if she could adopt the language of the the blessing of Heaven upon them, and Psalmist, and say, “ though I walk earnestly prayed that her death might be through ihe valley of the shadow of death, sanctified to ibem. They were sensibly I will fear no evil.” She replied, “ I have affected, and continued koeeling some been endeavouring to fortify my mind, time after her prayer was ended. She by the exercise of faith in my Redeemer, manifested a great desire, that the dis. and I think I can truly say, I fear no evil. pensations of Providence towards her, The adversary may assault me, but the might be sanctified to her pupils, and great Shepherd of Israel is able, and I when any called to see her, at a time she Trust ever will protect me, who am a lamb was able to converse, she always address. of his flock, and bring me into the fuld of ed them with great tenderness and ener everlasting rest." gy, on the importance of preparing for A few minutes before she ceased to dealb, while they were in bealth ; and breathe, the same member of the family earnestly exhorted them not to delay re above alluded to, said to ber, *tbe conpentance till a dying hour. Her affecting flict is almost over." She replied, “I can and impressive addresses, it is hoped, will hardly believe that this is death, it has be long remembered by them. come in so gentle a form ; it appears that Patience under distressing pains, and God is adding this to the innomerable gratitude to those who attended her, was mercies, which he bas bestowed upon manifested through all ber sickness. She me." These were the last words spoken often thanked them most affectionately, by her, which could be distinctly under and fervently prayed that God would re stood. In a very few minutes, without ward them, with ibe best of temporal and the distortion of a single feature, or the spiritual blessings. As her life drew near least motion of a limb she espired. er its close, her consolations greatly in Thus lived and died this amiable youth. creased. On Sabbath morning previous A volume might be written on her exemto her death, every cloud of darkness was plary life, and peaceful death. These dispersed, and she called upon all who hints are given, in hope tbat they may be were present, to bless God for his great useful to all survivors, and especially to goodness toward her. “ I can now say," the young. Answers to Correspondents. T. T.DD; has been received. G; G. B; and C.L; will be inserted. INDEX TO THE ESSAYS, INTELLIGENCE, &c. OF THE THIRD VOLUME OF THE CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR. Page. Page. 491 Institutions 52, 106, 165, 221, 278, 121 329, 390, 443, 502, 558, 612, 660 19 Dow, James Gilbert, obituary notice of 222 156 Dwight, President, extract from his 576 315, 548 System of Theology 548 319 56, 112 281 380 Education Societies, on the manage- 123 315 576 state of education in 549 113 Exposition of Rom. viii. 19, and Luke 627 103 107, 222, 329 602 Galitzin, Prince, his letter to the Ge- 504 384 General Assembly, remarks on the narrative of 410 23 394 Great Britain 54, 167, 222, 503, 646 379 352 Gray, Cyrus W., obituary notice of 663 628 Hall, Hannah, obituary notice of 55 Harvard University 490, 602 617 Hebrew Vowel Points 236 3 Holland, extract from the travels of 126 379 Missionary Society 115, 492 Ingersoll, Samuel B., obituary notice 57 316 435 Intelligence, Literary and Philosoph- 435, 499, 548, 602, 646 - - sage in the ting of Page Page. 659, 614, 662 Religious Knowledge, on advance- ment in 561 536, 611, 659 Report of the Prudential Committee of the American Board 37 35 Revival in New-Haven in the North Consociation of Hartforu County 551 Royal Society of Literature 157 268 Russian Expedition for discovery 315 257 218 219, 272, 654 292 - state of agement of them 648 Scott, Thomas, obituary notice of $34 91 on the ministerial of fice 495 527 397, 455, 511, 567, 623 516 Sierra Leone, Sir G. R. Collier's ac- 558 count of Slaves, religion among 406 96, 165, 218 Society, American Bible 438 American Colonization - 649 American Education 100, EIN American Philosophical 217 British and Foreign Bible 321 Connecticut Education, 496 Connecticut Missionary 115 278 Connecticut Domestic Mis- 548 sionary Geneva Bible 217 186 Maryland Education 267 Portage Missionary United Foreign Missionary 3? 217 dress of Spain 54, 292, 331, 613 95, 436 Sprague, Charlotte E., memoir of Stillson, Elizabeth, obituary notice of 657 Stuart, Moses, Letter of 319 Subjects proposed by the French Roy. al Academy Survetus, remarks on the treatment which he received from Calvin 408 Truth, on the defence of the 573 Turkey, 278, 330, 391, 443, 614 Tuscaroras, a Sabbath among them 465 5 53 610 664 Yale College 505 488,602 |