MRS. MARY WILCOCKS. AMIDST the aboundings of sin, it is peculiarly pleasing to see that divine grace is rescuing some poor sinners, on all hands, from the ways of perdition:-The subject of this memoir appears to be one so rescued, by the grace of the Redeemer. friend what she must do in order to come acceptably to God, for she was convinced, that, of herself, she could do nothing: was entirely lost, and without strength. Sometime after this, Mrs. Wilcocks heard the Rev. William Walton, then a student under the Rev. William Steadman, at Bradford, from Psalm lxvi. 16. That sermon was the first means of enlightening her mind, and giving her a correct view of the way of salvation. She afterwards remarked to the writer of this paper, "O! that was a precious discourse to my soul, I can never forget it." She now became a constant hearer of the word at the Baptist meeting-house, in Shipley, near Bradford; and a change was discovered in her de } She Mary Wilcocks was born at Gilstead, in the parish of Bingley, Yorkshire, in the year 1778. Her early life was spent in estrangedness from God, and in a marked attention to gaiety; nor does it appear that any evidences of seriousness were manifested until towards the latter end of her life, On July the 24th, 1797, she entered into connexion with a respectable family in the vici-portment by all her acquaintance. nity of her birth-place, by mar- In August, 1814, the pastor of rying Mr. Thomas Wilcocks. She the baptist church there, first appears, in her marriage state, to formed an acquaintance with her; have conducted herself with much and rejoiced to see, on every fresh propriety in her attention to the occasion of converse with her, things of time, but the realities more pleasing evidences of a of eternity were too little regard-genuine change of heart. ed. About the year 1812, how now had fully determined to ever, 'her mind was stirred up to unite herself with this society, pay more regard, than formerly, but before she could do this, she to the welfare of her immortal was confined by affliction; in soul. At this period she began which affliction, she frequently to think seriously, and mentioned regretted her neglect of publicly her concern, in the first instance, avowing her faith in the Lord to some of her acquaintance in Jesus, by being baptized in his the Wesleyan methodist connex- name. About the beginning of ion. She found something want- the present year, she seemed to ing to give her inward peace, and be hastening to the grave, by a satisfaction of conscience; but consumption. Of this, however, knew not where to obtain it.she was not so ɛensible, as to be Though she had frequently at-apprehensive of danger: A good tended divine worship, yet her mind was in the dark how she was to be accepted with God. Her friends, at this period, did not discover to her, clearly, how she was to obtain help; or point out, with sufficient accuracy, the only refuge. It was in vain to tell our VOL. VII. husband, and three lovely chil dren, were ties not easily broken; and her desire to amend was great. But grace sanctified the affliction, gently loosened the ties, and enabled her to say to her heavenly Father, "Not my will, but thine be done." 3.F a bad effect on my mind. I wish to deliver up all in to his hands: My times are in his hands; nor could I wish it were otherwise. He can raise me up again if he will; he only can give me health and strength. O! what a blessing that I was led to think of On March 30th, she said, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest:" this promise has given me great comfort. One evening, when in bed, and in much darkness of mind, that came to my recollection, and afforded great relief;—and also that pas-Christ before my affliction; and, sage-" I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." What! will he never forsake me; then I have all that I can want! I had rather live in poverty with my children, and enjoy the love of God in my heart, than have all the world without that. O the love of God! I remember when once at prayer, that was shed abroad in my heart to such a degree as I had never felt before. I can live and die in | the faith of Jesus Christ. He is my all, and in all.” On one occasion, the minister on whom she latterly attended, had been preaching about blind Bartimeus; she remarked some time after to Mrs. M. that she could truly say with the blind man, "Lord that I might receive my sight," and added, that when opposed by sin and Satan, it only led her to cry out so much the more for Jesus. On April 4th, Mrs. M. asked her how she felt as to the state of her mind; she then complained, that her memory was somewhat impaired by affliction; and that she had to mourn over her own dulness: It was answered, "It is a great blessing, that you have not now a Saviour to seek in your affliction."-__" Yes," said she," It is so indeed; I often think so." It was said, that great men, as well as good men, were sometimes in darkness. That," she replied," encourages me." April 7, she said, "I desire wholly to submit to the Lord's will, I have had too great a desire to amend, and it has had when in a dull and heavy frame, I then think, 'He will never leave me, nor forsake me." On the 12th she said, "I feel many a pang at the thought of leaving my children.-I have never murmured in my affliction, unless it has been at the thoughts of leaving my husband and children; and I fear I I have murmured about them. However, I can venture my all ON Christ, and my all FOR Christ. Had I the whole world, I could give it all up at his call; yet I want to be drawn more to him— to feel more of his love. I would also freely resign my children and husband up to him; but cannot without his help. But he can make me as willing to give them up, as now I feel reluctant. I often think of poor Joseph, (the youngest child) he has tender eyes, and is weakly. But his father will look after them all; and God is able to do all they need for them. I must leave it there." The spirit of resignation, she now so earnestly desired, she afterwards felt in an eminent degree. April 19th, Mrs. W. said, "I have found it very difficult to be resigned to the Lord's will; but I feel more so than before. I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; that has much comforted me. I wonder how it is that we should feel so reluctant to die. But I begin now to be fully reconciled. I hope I have an interest in Christ; and he is able to save me, I have a long journey before me, I her, have lost an affectionate but I dare follow my guide." companion in the way to glory. April 27th. She remarked, That she had been much harassed with many fears lest her soul should be lost, and could not, as yet, remove from her mind the painful idea. The minister present, suggested to her, That the grace of Christ was all-sufficient:- that unbelief was a great sin;-and that after the Lord had had mercy on her, it was very improper to dispute his love. She seemed much more comfortable than before, and said, "I hope I shall not distrust him any more. I know that he is able to save." go May 3d." I have fully resigned myself to the will of God, and am willing to home at any time. I am afraid that I am impatient. I feel that, without Christ, I can do nothing, I am a poor lost sinner; but I believe in him. I have, however, many temptations, but we cannot always enjoy the love of God here." Her ability to converse was now nearly over; but her faith and love towards the person and work of Christ continued, and triumphed. On Thursday, May 25th, looking upwards, she said, "I hope Jesus is my refuge." Miss M. R. said, "How is it with you now?" -She replied, "O! I feel him." Her last words were, "I feel glory-glory!" and immediately expired. Thus fell a devout Christian, May 26th, 1815, in her 37th year. Shipley, July 8th, 1815. RECENT DEATH. I. M. ON Tuesday morning, June 13th, at the early age of twentyfive, died Mr. John Rippin, of Titchmarch Mill, Northamptonshire; his first serious impressions were received at the Baptist Meeting, Thrapston: he was distinguished in a very considerable degree, by simplicity, humility, sincerity, and ardent attachment to the cause of religion. In the affliction, which terminated in death, he expressed pious resignation to the will of God, and with flattering prospects in life, and surrounded with endeared connexions, with firm confidence and with humble hope, committed his soul into the hands of Christ to participate in the glories of an eternal world. His funeral sermon, was preached at Titchmarch church, also by the Rev. William Ragsdell, at Thrapston. ON DEATH. GOD is he, from whom to deOn Lord's day, July 2d, Mr. part is to die; to whom to repair Mann preached her funeral ser- is to revive, and in whom to mon to a very large assembly, dwell is life for ever. Be not from Phil. i. 23; a text which she then of the number of those that chose as expressive of the feel- begin not to live till they be ings of her own mind. In her ready to die, and then, after a departure, her family, her ac-foe's dessert, come to crave of quaintance, and the pious around God a friend's entertainment. Review. A Narrative of the late Mr. W. D. | this topic. Query, What is the difSandys, of Trinity College, Cam-ference between moral and practical bridge, &c. THIS is a well-written narrative, and will produce a strong and beneficial impression. It exhibits a highspirited, hardened, profligate youth -brought to repentance: a prodigal brought back to his father's house. We hope it will have an extensive | circulation, especially among those who live at college. Many pious parents, who have graceless children, will read it with peculiar interest. “To you, Christian parents,' the departed youth seems still to say, 'What an encouragement to parents never to cease praying for their children.' Many prayers had ascended up as a memorial, before God, on his behalf; many precepts and admonitions had been urged upon him. The seed was pure, but it seemed utterly to come to nought. The heavens were shut, and no gracious rain descended during a long night; yet, at length, the showers were poured forth in rich abundance, and weeping was turned into joy." P.65. uses? p. 33. The term moral is often used by preachers so as to be perfectly unintelligible: in this case it appears. to be superfluous. It is thought by many, that Baptist ministers dwell too much, or advert too often, by far, to the institute, from which they derive their distinguishing denomination among Christians. Zeal, without knowledge, is dangerous. It deserves, however, to be considered, that this ordinance occupied a very prominent place in the apostolic preaching. “It would be very difficult, I conceive, for any one to point out a single instance of the gospel being preached in the days of the apostles, when baptism did not constitute a part of the discourse." P. 10. "A brief Answer to the Charge against the Bible Society, recently delivered at Bedford, by the Lord Bishop of Lincoln. THIS appears to be the production of a sensible and candid churchman, and contains a good defence of the constitution of the British and Fo An Answer to the Question, Why are you a Baptist? By a Baptist Mi-reign Bible Society. We insert one nister. "A GREAT book," the proverb says, "is a great evil.” This tract has four qualities which powerfully recommend it: it is cheap, concise, clear, and comprehensive. The topics discussed, are, the meaning of the term Baptism; the example of Jesus Christ; his express command; -the practice of the first disciples; the perpetuity of the ordinance, and its practical uses. We apprehend the unknown author is mistaken, in supposing that to immerse, to dip, and to plunge, are not strictly synonimous. In the next edition, we should like to see a little alteration in p. 4, relating to short extract.' "Your lordship will remember, I doubt not, the anecdote of general Wolfe. When the enemies of his rising fame represented him to his sovereign as a madman: It may be so,' said the king; ' but I wish he would bite some of my generals.' I believe, my lord, if some of the dissenters were to bite some of us churchmen, we should not be much the worse for it." P. 9. Arabia; a Poem: with Notes, &c. By Johnson Grant, M. A. Second Edition. THIS is an elegant and entertaining poem, very creditable to the all "Yes, thou shalt reign, dread Pow'r! thy praise shall sound, From Jordan's stream to earth's remotest bound; O'er Tarshish and the isles, from sea to sea, Theme of all praise, by bending worlds ador'd! Source of all good, all blessing, and all bless'd." thor's piety as a Christian minister, | cause of protestantism and toleration and his taste as a man of letters. by his determined resistance of The notes supply some valuable the aggressions of infidelity-by his illustrations of passages in the Old regular observance of the public orand New Testament. The con- dinances of the gospel-by his uni cluding lines will be acceptable to form consistency and integrity of our readers. conduct- by his steadfastly discountenancing every appearance of his generous encouragement of every flagitiousness in his court, and by humane or patriotic institution recommended to his attention, he has acquired a name, among the monarchs of Christendom, of pre-eminent excellence; which the breath of malice cannot tarnish, and which will be held in veneration, while there is a British heart to feel, and while the truth-telling page of history preseves it on record. mighty God has seen meet to spread a gloom over the evening of his days. He lives; but the lamp of reason is extinguished, and he sits in darkness, unconscious of the blessings that are poured, by Heaven, on his subjects; insensible to their testimonies of undiminished attachment; and incapable of participating in their felicities. But still he is their beloved sovereign. dazzling insignia of royalty be withcrown and the sceptre, and all the drawn, he retains what these cannot and affectionate regards, of a freecommand, the profound veneration, born and an independent people.” P. 94, 95. Several of the smaller pieces have .considerable merit. The author needs not deprecate the severity of criticism; we may remark, however, that he has given a hint to the critical corps, in the last page · From the Greek of Alcaus and Leoni das, Antholog. book iii. ch. 25. "Here lies a critic: let no willow wave, But hornets, like himself, buz round and sting." An historical Sketch of the Translation and Circulation of the Scriptures, from the earliest Period to the present Time, &c. By the Rev. W. A. Thomson, and the Rev. W. Orme, Secretaries to the Perthshire Bible Society. An admirable pamphlet, to which we cannot but wish the widest possible circulation. It contains a mass of valuable information on a most interesting subject; and exhibits, with elegance, the fruits of the most elaborate inquiry. Many extracts might be made, which would enrich our pages: one only must suffice. "Nor ought it to be overlooked, that, in the present very gratifying and encouraging state of religion in this nation, much has been owing to the personal character of our excellent and revered KING. Since the memorable day he ascended the throne, he seems never once to have 'viewed himself in any other light than as the father of his people; and, as a Christian father, he has never lost sight of their Christian interests. By his unshaken adherence to the AI Though the The Validity of Baptism by Sprinkling, and the Right of Infants to that Ordinance, &c. by David Osgood, D.D.; and a Church of God described, &c. by Joseph Lathrop, D. D. recommended by the Rev. Messrs. Clayton, Goode, Ford, Humphrys, Burder, and Dr. Winter. MANY of our readers remember a book, published some years ago,'entitled "Candid Reasons for renounc ing Antipædobaptism." When that performance was first announced in the United States of America, it excited great expectations among the Pædobaptists in that country. They conceived, that an advocate, appear ing under such novel circumstances, must be able to furnish them with |