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celestial day shines down upon the darkness of what else had been despair.

"The cross,

Sole prop and pillar of a sinking world,"

Is the one key-stone of that arch which supports man's highest hopes of immortality. If this is displaced, the whole fabric, though it may for a short time tottering stand, is sure eventually to sink into one promiscuous pile of ruins. The danger and certain ruin of denying the divine nature of the Saviour, of wresting from him the uncreated glories of his Godhead, is exhibited in a manner so striking, that we readily recommend the perusal of the book to all our readers, as the only means of becoming acquainted with its character.

Another excellence which we think characterizes many parts of this production is originality of illustration. Whatever may be said of the argumentation pursued in order to exhibit the divine benevolence, it is presumed few will deny the propriety of this remark. To illustrate many important ideas, the author seems to have retired within the compass of his own genius, where he seldom failed to find something pertinent, something calculated to give clearness and force to every idea which he wished to impress on the reader's mind. But we have already pursued the subject further than was at first intended. Should we suggest, that possibly towards the close, there may appear to some to be rather a falling off from that spirit and energy, and that vividness of conception, which characterizes other parts of the book, it is not because we fear that the expectations raised by the first number will not be realized in those which are yet to make their appearance; but for a different reason, which perhaps may suggest itself to the mind of the reader. We could wish, therefore, that before the heart shall begin to sicken under the influence of hope deferred," the next number will be given to the public, and that it will meet even the most sanguine expectations of its author's friends.

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I. M. Y.

Ernesti's Institutis Interpretis, translated by Professor Stuart of Andover, with copious notes by the translator, has lately been published, and is recommended to the careful perusal of every student.

The Lectures of the celebrated Dr. Brown of Edinburgh, on the Philosophy of the Human Mind, are publishing in Andover.

Letters on Unitarianism, addressed to the members of the First Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, by Samuel Miller, D. D. Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J. This work, together with the able works of the Rev. Messrs. Stuart and Woods, we think will prove to the satisfaction of every candid mind that all the talents in the world are not on the Unitarian side. pp. 312. 8vo. Price $1 50.

A new periodical work entitled "Theological Review and General Repository of Religious and Moral Information. Edited by James Gray, D. D." pp. 169. Price three dollars per annum. Published Quarterly. No. 1. Jan. 1822.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

LETTER FROM MR. FISK TO THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY OF THE A. B. C. F. M. RESPECTING THE SICKNESS AND DEATH OF MR. PARSONS.

Very dear Sir,

Alexandria, Feb. 10, 1822.

I HAVE written to you twice, since we arrived at this place. In my last I stated the opinion of the physician, that brother Parsons would probably never enjoy perfect health in this climate; though he said, without hesitation, that he would recover from his present weakness. So we all hoped and believed, though I apprehend brother Parsons had less hope of it, than any one who knew

him.

His symptoms continued favorable, till day before yesterday; and our hopes were rather brightened. Then his diarrhoea returned, though not severely; and the physician said it would be easy to cure it. Yesterday it was worse, and he was weaker than I had ever seen him. My apprehensions respecting a fatal termination of his disorder were greatly excited. He conversed on the subject with his usual serenity, referring the event continually to the will of God, as he has always been accustomed to do. Last evening, we spent a most precious hour in reading the Scriptures, prayer, and conversation. We read John 14th, and conversed some time about the 27th verse. "Peace I leave with you," &c. After conversing about an hour, I told him it was necessary that he should stop and take some rest. He replied, "I feel as though I could converse two hours longer. You don't know how refreshing these seasons are to me." He then fell asleep, and I sat down to write. I soon heard him saying in his sleep," the goodness of God-growth in grace-fulfilment of the promises-so God is all in heaven, and all on earth." After sleeping a while, he awoke; and seemed about as usual at that hour. I proposed sitting by his side through the night; but he insisted on my going to bed; said he felt as though he should have a very quiet night; and as his attendant always slept near him, and woke at the least word or motion, he urged me to retire to rest. About 11 o'clock I bid him good night, and wished that God might put underneath him the arms of everlasting mercy. He replied, "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him."

These, my dear Sir, were the last words that I ever heard that beloved brother speak,-the last that I shall hear him, until I hear him speak in the language of immortality. Twice, while I slept, he awoke, and told Antonio, his servant, that he had slept very quietly, and felt easy and well. At half past three Antonio heard him speak, or groan, and started up. He saw something was the matter, and called me. I was by the bed side in a moment. O what a heart-rending moment was that! He was gasping for breath, unable to speak, and apparently insensible to all around him. I stood by his side and attempted to revive him, but in vain. I sent in haste for the physician, but did not obtain him. Nor do I suppose it would have been of any use whatever, if he had come. It was evident

that he was dying. I attempted to commend his departing spirit to that Redeemer on whom he had believed. I pressed his hand and kissed his quivering lips, and spoke to him; but he gave me no answer, not even a look, or a motion. He took no notice of me, or of any thing around him. His appointed time had arrived. He continued to breathe till a quarter past four. Then the muscles of his face were knit together, as if he was in pain. It was the dying struggle. It was the dissolution of the last ties that united soul and body. It was the soul breaking off its last fetters. His features then became placid again. His breath stopped. His pulse ceased to beat. His soul took its immortal flight.

After the first pang of separation, I stood pensive by the corpse, thinking of the scenes which were opening to his view. O what glories! O what glories!

I turned my thoughts to myself, and found my heart sink and faint. But I have not room here to describe the emotions that agitated my breast.

A little while after, as there was no person with me who understood English, I read a chapter, and prayed in Greek with Antonio, and then we dressed the body for the grave.

Early in the forenoon, Mr. Lee, the Consul, called on me, and kindly offered to see that all necessary arrangements were made for the funeral. He said, that in this climate it was necessary to bury soon, to prevent putrefaction. On this account he thought it necessary that the funeral should be to-day. Four o'clock was accordingly appointed. All the English gentlemen resident in the place, six or seven in number, the captains of several English ships, and a great number of merchants, principally Maltese, attended the funer al. The consul walked with me next to the coffin, and the others, 60 or 70 in number, followed in procession to the Greek convent, where the few English who reside here, bury their dead. At the grave, I read some verses from Job xiv. Ps. xxxix. 1 Cor. xv. and. Rev. xxi, xxii. and then made a short address, and closed with prayer. We then committed the dust to its kindred dust, there to await the archangel's trumpet.

To me the stroke seems almost insupportable. Sometimes my heart rebels; and sometimes I hope it acquiesces in the will of God. I desire your prayers, that I may not faint when the Lord rebukes

me.

With a heart overflowing with grief, I subscribe, yours affectionately, PLINY FISK.

Answers to the following questions are requested. 1st. Is it proper that the exercise of singing in public worship should be conducted by any except christians?-2d. What attribute of God is most offensive to the carnal heart?

We regret that several articles of Religious and Missionary Intelligence are omitted for want of room.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Y. S.; W.; M. and ALONZO, together with several pieces without signatures, are received and will meet with due attention.

It is requested that any communication, designed for the Pilgrim, may be

handed in soon.

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Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments."

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