apprehensive that her end was near, none left her; she said, I thought last Friday I was going home, but I was disappointed: I hope it will not be long; but I will patiently wait the Lord's time.' - After lying quiet for some time, she said to her husband, I have had some precious thoughts of the dear Redeemer; but I can't mention them ;' and when he said "What a mercy it is to have such a precious Saviour!" - Yes,' says she, He is precious, he is very precious to me.' After conversing some time, she complained of being tired with speaking, and wished to be still: but all the while her lips continued moving, as if engaged in prayer; and, after lying about a quarter of an hour, she broke out with these words: - Blessed! Blessed! Blessed!' - and instantly her willing spirit took its flight into the arms of the Redeemer, without a struggle or a groan. This solemn event was improved by her pastor, the Rev. Mr. SMALL, from 1 Thess. iv. 16. The Dead in Christ. MRS. SUNDERLAND, OF KENSINGTON. GRACE had here a trophy and an ornament. She was brought in early life to the knowledge of Jesus, as a necessary, sufficient, and willing Saviour, under the ministry of the honoured Romaine. She was long a regular attendant at Tottenham Court and the Adelphi chapels. -—--Many thorns sprung up in her path to glory; but she went over them; and went over them rejoicing. Nearly three years ago, she came to reside at Kensington; and came, as all Christians who saw her could not help saying, 'To be ripened for glory!-so highly spiritual was the frame of her mind, and so deep and constant her anxiety for the best interests of those around her. Soon after her residence was fixed at Kensington, she became subject, at intervals, to a very serious illpess; but Death had no sting for her with smiles she looked him full in the face; and welcomed his approach. She had very long, and often in timated a wish, if it should please God, to die on a Sabbath, that she might not omit, even for one Sabbath, praising Him with his people, either on earth or in heaven. It was the only wish she had on this subjeet; and it was mercifully indulged. She was confined but a week; and died early on the Sabbath morning. To an unknown temptation, some little time before her death, she replied, Oh, Satan, this is only what the minister said a child of God night experience!" Her last words were, I see, I see!' -Thus she passed into the skies. leaving a character, over no part of which it is necessary to throw any veil, or to put any gloss. Five daughters survive her; - brought by her prayers and example to know the Lord. Her death was improved by her pastor to an affectionate congregation lamenting her loss, from those words of Job: Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season.' J. L. SUDDEN DEATHS. Cath. Davies, aged 25, living with the Rev. Mr. Berry, of Camberwell, was at Camden Chapel the first Sunwhich time she was suddenly taken day evening in this year; during with a violent internal pain, which, however, soon went off, and she appeared in good health; but on the Thursday morning was found in her room quite dead, in the attitude of prayer. Sunday, Jan. 12, this solemn providence was improved by Dr. D. at Cambden Chapel; and on the following Sunday at Camberwell Meeting, by the Rev. Mr. B. An aged Christian, at Hadleigh, requested his minister to preacă a sermon from Isa. i. 18. Circumstances occasioned a delay for some time; but on Jan. 24, the old man being present, his wish was complied with; and he appeared highly gratified. In returning from the meeting, while engaged in spiritual conversation, he dropped suddenly and expired. Feb. 10, the alarming providence was improved by the Rev. Mr. Gann, from Matt. xxiv. 44, Be ye also ready." REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. The Pilgrim's Progress. By John Banyan. A new and corrected Edition; in which the Phraseology of the Author is somewhat improved, &c. 8vo, 12s.—royal, 188. In rhymes not so uncouth, he expresses himself, according to the present editor, Mr. Gilpin, with good reason, substitutes for the very rude and quaint attempts of Bunyan's muse, verses far more congenial to the feelings of the classical reader. As a short specimen of the alteration THE name of the Editor of this made in this respect, we may give Work appears at the close of a De- the two first couplets that occur: dication so truly elegant and touch-When Christian knocks at the ing, as to be worthy of the admired wicket-gate, he says, according to author of the Monument of Paren- the venerable author, May I now tal Affection.' In an Address to the enter here? Will he within open Reader, Mr. Gilpin thus states the to sorry me, though I have been views with which he undertook the an undeserving rebel? Then shall work before us:- My intention I not fail to sing his lasting praise was to deal with the venerable on high.' Bunyan as delicately as possible; and, in no instance to deprive him of that beautiful simplicity, in which he will assuredly stand unrivalled to the end of the world. I admired his Pilgrim's guise; and wished only to adjust it in a few minute points, where it seemed to be inconsistent with the general detorum of his character. It appeared to me desirable, that he should be made to speak with a little more grammatical precision, that his extreme coarseness should be moderately abated, that he should be rendered less obscure in some passages, less tautological in others, and offensive in none.'-' The corrections and alterations which have been adopted are almost innumerable; but I am willing to persuade myself, that the greater part of them are so contrived as to escape the notice of those readers who submit not to the drudgery of comparing this with the preceding edi tions. so far as we have examined the edition of Mr. G. the plan proposed appears to be carried into effect with great propriety and success. The editor seems to be in every respect qualified for the task, possessing the requisite feeling of admiration for the original work, with a taste distinguished by delitacy, and yet free from fastidious A wretch oppress'd with guilt and pain? well of the admirers of Bunyan, by Tract Society. To which is prefixed, An Account of the Origin and Progress of the Society. 12mo, 4s. Suo, 68. ALTHO' in the Religious Tract Society we recognize the features of a child, and of course cherish toward it a strong parental affection, yet we are truly happy to find, that it is too well known, too firmly established, and has so widely diffused its reputation for utility, as to stand in no need of recommendation from us. Still we think it but common justice, on receiving the third volume, to say, Bb are treated. That we think it does not come behind either of its predecessors, either in the importance of its subjects, or the manner in which they There are in all 26 tracts in this volume. They contain a happy mixture of historical, biographical, and allegorical subjects. It also contains some whole epistles from the New Testament; and many useful lessons of experimental and practical piety are scattered through tracts which are of a mixed kind. They are also adapt ed to a great variety of characters. Soldiers and sailors,-Catholics and Protestants, the moral and decent professor, and the open profligate, -the rich and the poor, the unfortunate debtor and the hardened criminal, are all admonished of the incalculable importance of obtaining the knowledge of Christ, the consolations of the gospel, and grace to practice all the duties of That holy religion, of which it is said her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.' The Committee of this Society, somewhat resembling the industrious bee, care not through whose garden, or over what flowers they rove, provided they can extract from them that pure and precious truth, of which the volume of inspiration says; It is more to be desired than gold; yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, or the honey-comb. The justly celebrated author of the Pilgrim's Prothe late polished preacher gress, of St. John's chapel, the late candid and pious rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, and the able and impressive author of the Calvinistic and Socinian Systems compared, have all contributed their quota (yea, even Pope Pius has also contributed) to make up this useful and instructive volume. Each of these little tracts is a messenger of mercy; and all those who are ambitious, at least of making some small effort to do good, have an opportunity of doing it at a very small expeuce. Who can tell, Christian reader, but by your becoming a purchaser and distributor of Religious Tracts, you may be instrumental in reclaiming some lost wanderer from the paths of Ignorance and Sin, and be the instrument of producing such a beneficial effect, as will yield more solid pleasure, and confer more lasting honour than that which is obtained by either the conquest or the salvation of an empire. This Society is one, out of many, which has roused the opposition, and excited the reproach and condemnation of the champions for the alteration of the Act of Toleration, as a thing necessary for the preservation of the church. Even the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge have permitted the publication of sermons, under their sanction; in which are exhibited charges against the Society, which are as untrue as they are illiberal. We will furnish one specimen, from Dr. Gray's Sermon before that Society, in 1803 (p. 20.) 'We must confess, that books of elementary and popular instruction cannot be selected with too scrupulous regard to considerations of public utility; and that they cannot be circulated with too much in dustry in the present age, when those who are insensible to all the most awful considerations that should influence the mind, disperse every species of production that may undermine the foundations of human virtue; and when those Societies, which are erected in separation from, if not in opposition to our church, boast of having distributed millions of their tracts,-which, however they may contain effusions of piety, are so debased by the intermixture of enthusiasm and vain conceits, that they must vitiate the religious principle at its very origin, and concur (however the effect may not be designed) with the efforts of those who would open the gulphs of Misery and Despair.' Other writers of the same spirit, have laboured hard to discredit the Religious Tract Society with theReligious Public, and to obstruct the extensive circulation of its publications; but it is all in vain; for as the persecutions of Paul conduced to the furtherance of the gospel, so the more this institution is slan dered, the more it prospers; and, like the sun, comes forth from behind the thick clouds of reproach and obloquy with new lustre; and collecting new force from the storm with which it has been surrounded, accumulates new subscribers, new writers, new purchasers, new distributors, and new defenders. The silent and dignified contempt with which the Committee of the Religious Tract Society have treated such calumniators, was worthy of them, as men and as Christians; nor will they have any need in future to defend their own cause, having obtained a verdict from as impartial a judge and as intelligent a writer, as can well be expected to give attention to this question. We allude to what has fallen from the pen of the Rev. Mr. Dealtry, whose attention to the publications of the Society had been excited by the harsh things which Dr. Wordsworth had written against it. In his Answer to that gentleman he writes thus: 'I acknowledge my obligation to you for having induced me to examine them: they are all practical, and many of them are truly excellent. Several are written by dignitaries and clergymen of the Church of England. One was delivered in my presence before the university of Cambridge; and without particular selection, I will observe, in general, that no man who bas a heart to profit by treatises of a religious and pratical tendency, can peruse these tracts without edification *.'__ Again he says, 'I am confident, from the nature of the tracts themselves, and from the innumerable testimonies which have been borne to their utility, that this Society is one of peculiar excellence; and I am sure that it proceeds with no sinister design; nor can I doubt that it will improve in its progress. While it must be satisfactory to observe, that the coalition of persons connected with different parties, independently of what regards moral and literary excellence, will constitute a sound pledge, tha nothing calculated to injure the Church of England, or any class of Christians, will ever find admittance there t.' In connection with the last remark of this sensible writer, we may very suitably insert the following: object in turning over the volumes -My chief of this Society, was to discover whether their tendency was hostile, to the Established Church. I have found nothing of the kind; and I am persuaded that nothing of the kind can be found ‡.' The Transactions of the Missionary THE Transactions of the Missionary Society contain the only official detail of their proceedings, and exhibit, more fully than the limits of this Magazine can admit, the progress of their efforts to evangelize the Heathen nations. This Number includes the Annual Report of Bethelsdorp, with letters from Dr. Vanderkemp, and other missionaries there employed; the Journals of the brethren Christian and Abraham Albricht, and several other particulars respecting the missions in South Africa, which, of all the objects embraced by the Society, appear to be the most fa voured by the divine blessing. The present number is distinguished by a full account of the civil war in Otaheite, which obliged the missionaries to leave that island, to seek refuge at Huaheine, and afterwards to retire from thence to New Holland. An event which must be painfully deplored by every friend of the Missionary Society! The laborious perseverance of Mr. Morrison, who is indefatigable in his translation of the Scriptures into the Chinese language, is also related; together with some of the pitiable superstitions of that great but dark empire, which it is his earnest desire to illuminate. A short account is given of the promising labours of the mis Dealtry's Letter to Dr. Wordsworth, p. 205. sionaries at Vizigapatam, in India, -weakened, alas! by the death of the excellent Desgranges! A curious account is inserted relating to a new Sect in India, where Mr. Ringeltaube is engaged; and a statement of the engagements of the missionaries in the island of Ceylon. The whole is extremely interesting to all the friends of the Missionary Society; and may be read with advantage, not only in private families, but at the Missionary Prayer Meetings in various parts of the country, and circulated among the members of Auxiliary Socities. Twelve Addresses on Moral and Religious Subjects; delivered to Young Persons at School, with an Original Hymn to each. By a Minister of the Gospel. 12mo, 3s. THE provision which has lately been made for the education of children in general, and especially for the children of the poor, affords sublime pleasure to every benevolent mind, and promises much benefit to succeeding generations. It is very desirable that the patrons, teachers, and visitors of Sunday Schools should be assisted in the religious education of the children under their care; and that, in addition to catechetical instruction, inquiry into their understanding of the sermons they hear, and occasional exhortations in a conversational way, they should be furnished with short simple discourses, or plain and pointed addresses on subjects suited to their age, and adapted to their capacities. For this purpose, Mr. T. has presented the religious public with this little volume, in which the following subjects are discussed: Early Knowledge of the scriptures, Wicked Children punished, good Name better than Riches, Scripture - Character of Fools, Profanation of the Sabbath, Against bad Company, Against Idleness,Against Wastefulness,The Deceits of Satan,-The Nature of Repentance, Children invited to Christ, The different states of Men in the next World.' These A - subjects are treated in a familiar manner, well adapted to the views and understandings of children, and (which we cannot say of every work of this kind) on truly evangelical principles, practically improved. The author suggests another use of this little volume, Perhaps, such parents as continue the good old custom of instructing their children on the Lord's Day Evening, may, by altering a word or two in some places, adapt them to their families. He adds, and possibly, such persons as read sermons in villages, may, by similar omissions and alterations of here and there a sentence, drop all that marks them for children; and gain, in their simplicity, a suitable address to the poor.' We sincerely wish the pious and sensible author all the success he can desire in this useful publication, which we recommend as well adapted to the purposes proposed. Peace with Heaven. A Sermon preached before the Sussex Mission THIS discourse written by a minister, who now, for the first time, makes his appearance before the world, is one of the best maiden performances we can remember to have read. It has less of juvenile imperfection, and more of solid reasoning, good sense, and simplicity of style, than a first publication usually exhibits. It is on a subject too, which, on account of the spirit and nature of theological controversy in the present day, demands from the person who undertakes its discussion, a close and extensive view of the evangelical system; critical precision in the use and application of terms, acumen in de tecting the sophisms of the enemies of truth, together with skill and dexterity in forming and conducting a chain of argument. Of each of these qualities, Mr. J. Burder possesses a very respectable share; and we cannot but indulge the pleasing hope that a youth whe |