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on our land, and he quitted the place him and his activity was confined immediately." within yet narrower limits, he did not lose his cheerfulness, but deExtract of a letter from Bethlehem in lighted to hear reports of the work Pennsylvania, Feb. 5, 1809.

"I HAVE to mention to you to-day, that it has pleased the Lord to call home to himself, after a short illness, his aged and venerable servant, brother David Zeisberger, on the 17th of November, 1808, at Goshen, on the Muskingum, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, after a service of upwards of sixty years, in the Brethren's Mission among the North American Indians.

"This eminent servant of God to his last breath retained the same serenity of mind, ardent desire after the conversion of the heathen, and firm confidence in his God and Savior, which distinguished his character during the whole of his missionary life. Under the severest trials, and most discouraging circumstances, he never murmured or gave himself up to despondency; and though he had a way peculiar to himself, of strongly expressing his feeling on every subject relating to the mission, yet it always partook of uncommon cheerfulness, benevolence, and unshaken trust in the almighty power of Him, at whose word all opposition must cease, and to whom all things must be subject, insomuch, that both by conversation, and by letters, he inspired his fellow missionaries, and all who were connected with him in the labor, with renewed courage and zeal in the Lord's cause. Though remarkably bold in faith, and ever manfully resisting the influence of the devil by the Word and Spirit of God, he was truly humble and lowly in heart, gladly dependent upon the grace of his Savior for every good gift; and always spoke and acted as a man whose strength is only in his God. When he began to feel the effects of old age, and could no longer travel about as formerly, he was content to devote all his time to the welfare of the Indian congregation at the place of his residence, sparing no pains, both with old and young, to teach them how to walk worthy of the gospel of Christ. When his eye-sight began to fail

of God in the world, read to him by his wife and fellow laborers, and was quite resigned to the will of the Lord as to the declension of his powers.

"In his instructions to the young missionaries, who generally spent some time at Goshen, to receive the benefit of his paternal counsel, he immediately won their hearts by his affectionate, lively, and solid conver. sation, and thereby proved the means of benefit and blessing to distant missions.

"Thus this venerable witness for Christ finished his course on earth, and having fought the good fight of faith, and overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of His testi. mony, he has now obtained the Crown of Life, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give him at that day; and not to him only, but to all them also that love His appearing."

Extract of a letter from Basseterre,

St. Kitts, Feb. 7, 1809.

"On the 5th of this month, we had a truly blessed and signaliz. ed prayer day three men and three women were baptized. Looking over our church-books, I find, that since the year 1779, the number of negroes baptized by the Brethren's missionaries in St. Kitts, amounts to 3683.

"I had lately a very pleasing con. versation with a principal magistrate and proprietor of estates in the island, who honored us with a call, on purpose to see our settlement. He entered very freely into the subject of the conversion of the negroes.There are 47negroes on his estate bap. tized by us. In speaking of the Bishop of London's excellent admonitory letter to the planters, &c. in the West India Islands, he declared his wil lingness to do what was possible to promote the spiritual welfare of his negroes, but stated the difficulties attending the instruction of the children under their present circum. stances." Ch. Ob.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

Oliver D. Cooke of Hartford, (Con.) and I. Cooke & Co. N. Haven (Con.) booksellers, have in the press and expect in a few weeks to have ready for sale, Jamieson's Use of Sacred History, 2 vols. in one, at the reduced price of $3.

The author of this interesting and useful work is the same, who accepted the challenge of Dr. Priestley to answer his History of early opinions concerning Christ, and who executed this answer in such a manner, that no opponent has yet appeared to enter the lists of controversy with him. Those who wish, more particularly, to learn the character of his Use of Sacred History, may consult the Christian Ob

server for 1806, in which they will find a Review of it. We are happy to announce a book of so much plainness and practical religious worth.

Great Britain.

The Rev. James Parsons has undertaken to publish the remaining collections of the Septuagint, prepared by the late Dr. Holmes.

Professor White will shortly publish under the title of Synopsis Criseos Griesbachiana, an explanation, in words at length, of the marks and abbreviations, used by Griesbach in his edition of the New Testament.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

ORIGINAL.

A General History of the United States of America, from the discovery in 1492, to the year 1792: or Sketches of the Divine Agency in their settlement, growth, and protection; and especially in the late memorable revolution. Volume first. Exhibiting a general view of the principal events, from the discovery of North America, to the year 1760, By Benjamin Trumbull, D. D. Boston, Farrand, Mallory, & Co. 1810.

A Treatise upon Wills & Codicils, with an Appendix of the Statutes, and a Copious Collection of useful precedents, with Notes, practical and explanatory. By William Roberts, of Lincoln's Inn, Esq. author of a treatise on Voluntary Conveyan ces, and on the statute of Frauds. London, J. Butterworth, 1809.

Lectures on Rhetoric and Oratory, delivered to the classes of Senior and Junior Sophisters in Harvard University. By John Quincy Adams, L L. D. late Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory. In two volumes.

Cambridge, Hilliard and Metcalf. 1810.

The New England Patriot being a candid comparison of the principles and conduct of the Washington and Jefferson administrations. The whole founded upon indisputable facts and public documents, to which reference is made in the text and notes. "Read and disbelieve if you can—BUT READ." Boston, Russel and Cutler, 1810.

A Continuation of Letters concerning the Constitution and order of the Christian Ministry; addressed to the members of the Presbyterian Churches in New York. Being an examination of the strictures of the Rev. Doctors Bowden and Kemp, and the Rev. Mr. How, on the former series. By Samuel Miller, D. D. one of the pastors of the first Presbyterian Church in the said City. New York, Williams and Whiting, 1809.

The Christian's Magazine: designed to promote the knowledge and influence of Evangelical truth and order. Edited by the Rev. Doct. J. M. Mason, and Rev. J. B. Romeyn, of New York. No. 1 & 2.

Vol. 3-Commencing January 1st. 1810, and published monthly by Williams & Whiting, New York, and Farrand, Mallory, & Co, agents, Boston.

The Duty of a Christian in a trying situation; a Letter to the author of a pamphlet,entitled, "The Mediator's Kingdom not of this world, but spiritual, heavenly, and divine." New York, R. M‘Dermut, 1810.

An Essay on the Climate of the United States: or, an inquiry into the causes of the difference in the climate between the eastern side of the continent of North America and Europe, with practical remarks on the influence of the climate on Agriculture, and particularly the cultivation of the Vine" Rerum cognoscere causas. Virg."-Philadelphia, Hopkins and

Earle.

An Oration commemorative of the character and administration of Washington, delivered before the American Republican Society of Philadelphia, on the 22d day of February, 1810, by Charles Cald. well, M.D. Published at the request of the Society. Philadelphia, Fry and Kammerer.

No. 1, Bibliotheque Portative des meilleurs ecrivains Francais pieces choises en prose. Par N. Faucon. Boston, Buckingham and Titcomb. 1810.

An account of the separation of the Church in the town of Pittsfield, with remarks on some Ecclesiastical proceedings, which seem to have violated the principles of the Congregational and Independent Churches of New England. By William Allen, A.M. Pittsfield, P. Allen.

Sermons on the Mosaick account of the creation; the serpent's temptation to our first Parents, and on their exclusion from the garden of Eden, by Stephen West, D.D. Pastor of the Church in Stockbridge. Stockbridge. 1809.

Travels in the northern parts of the United States, in the years 1807 and 1808, by Edward Augustas Kendall, Esq. In three volum. *. New York, I. Riley. 1809.

The second volume of American Ornithology, or the natural history of birds of the United States, illustrated with plates, engraved and col

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The History of the Church of Christ, vol. 4th, part second; containing a continuation of the 16th century on the plan of the late Rev. Joseph Milner. By the Rev. Isaac Milner, D. D.

Essays, addressed to the Jews, on the authority, the scope, and the consummation of the Law and the Prophets. By Rev. Greville Ewing, of Glasgow.

A Narrative of the life and conversion to Christianity of the Rev. S. C. F. Frey, minister of the gospel to the Jews, written by himself.

An English Hebrew Grammar by S. C. F. Frey.

NEW EDITIONS.

Essays on the most important sub. jects in Religion. By Thomas Scott, Rector of Aston Sandford, Bucks, and Chaplain to the Lock Hospital, London; author of the Commentary on the Bible. Second American edition. Cambridge, Hilliard and Metcalf, 1809.

William Tell; or Switzerland delivered. By the chevalier de Florian; with the Life of the Author prefixed. Translated from the French by W. B. Hervetson. Philadelphia, Ed. ward Earle, 1810.

Fragments in Prose and Verse, by Miss Elizabeth Smith, lately deceas ed, with some account of her Life and Character. By H. M. Bowdler. Ornamented with an elegant likeness of the author. Boston, Munroe and Francis, 1810.

Calebs in search of a Wife, comprehending Observations on Domes.

tic Habits and Manners, Religion and Morals. In two volumes. Boston, Munroe and Francis, 1810.

The Principles of Midwifery; including the Diseases of Children. By John Burns, Lecturer on Midwifery, and Member of the Faculty

of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow. With Notes. By N. Chapman, M.D. Honorary Member of the Royal Medical Society, Edinburgh; Member of American Philosophical Society, &c. &c. &c. Philadelphia, Hopkins & Earle, 1810.

OBITUARY.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF REV. THOMAS ALLEN, OF PITTSFIELD.

THE REV. Thomas Allen was born at Northampton, January 17, 1743, and graduated at Harvard college in the year 1762, being ranked among the best classical scholars of that day. His regard to the interests of religion, determined him to devote his life to the ministry of the gospel. He accordingly pursued the study of theology under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Hooker of Northampton, and was ordained April 18, 1764, the first minister of Pittsfield, then a frontier town, in which a garrison had been kept during the French war. At the time of his settlement, there were in this place but half a dozen houses, which were not made of logs. He lived to see it a rich and beautiful town, containing near three thousand inhabitants. During a ministry of forty six years he was unwearied, and faithful, and zealous, in dispensing the gospel of Jesus Christ, both "in season, and out of season." In addition to his stated labors on the Sabbath he in the course of his life preached six or seven hundred funeral sermons.

In

the early part of his ministry he also Occasionally preached in the neighboring towns, not then supplied with settled ministers. But few of the disciples of the Redeemer have been more diligent in the service of their Master.

Although the peculiar duties of a minister of the gospel chiefly Occupied his thoughts; yet the same benevolence, which awaken ed his zeal in guiding men in the way to heaven, made him desirous also of rendering them hap

His

py in this world. To his family he was all, that is to be expected from a most affectionate husband, and a most kind and faithful parent. His charities to the poor excited their gratitude, and rendered his religious instructions the more effectual. house was the seat of hospitality. Towards other denominations of christians, though strict in his own principles, he was yet exemplarily candid, neither believing that true piety was confined to his own sect, nor that gentleness and forbearance were useless in the attempt to reclaim men from error. At the commencement of the American Revolution, like most of his brethren, he engaged warmly in the support of the rights and independence of his country, for he believed that the security and permanence of the best of earthly enjoyments as well as the progress of genuine religion were intimately connected with liberty. In the year 1777, when a detachment from Burgoyne's troops under the command of colonel Baum had penetrated as far as Bennington, and threatened to desolate the country, he accompani ed the volunteer militia of Pittsfield, who marched to repel the invasion. Previously to the assault of a particular intrenchment, which was filled with refugees, he deemed it his duty to advance toward the enemy and exhort them to surrender, assuring them of good treatment in a voice distinctly heard by them. But being fired upon, he rejoined the militia, and was among the foremost, who entered the breast-work His example contributed somewhat to the

triumph of that day, which checked the progress of the British, and prepared the way for the capture of Burgoyne. During the rebellion of Shays Mr. Allen supported the authority of the established government of Massachusetts. He was at one period proscribed by the insurgents, who threatened to seize him and carry him as a hostage into the state of New York. But being constitutionally intrepid, he was not to be shaken from his purpose and his duty.

He survived four of his children. His first born daughter, who married Mr. William P. White of Boston, died in London, leaving an infant un. protected by any relatives, her husband being then in the East Indies. Though the child was left under the care of a very respectable gentleman, who was concerned with Mr. White in mercantile business, yet such was the solicitude of Mr Allen for its welfare, and such his resolution, that in the year 1799 he encountered the dangers of a voyage across the Atlantic, and brought his grandchild home to his own family. In many other instances bis active benevolence was strikingly displayed.

In his theological sentiments he was a Calvinist. He had carefully examined the sacred Scriptures and he thought that they gave no sup. port to that system of doctrine, which attributes any thing good to the will of man independently of the grace of God. "The atonement of the Divine Redeemer, the evangelical doctrines of grace, and their application to the practical duties of life in the various relations of society were the favorite subjects of his public sermons and private conversations. He explained them without the formality of logic, but with a happy perspicuity of style, and recommended and enforced them with apostolic zeal. Simple and courteous in his manners, sincere in his communications, and just in his dealings, he set his parishioners an example of christian morals. His remarkable frankness and his zeal

sometimes exposed him to the charge of indiscretion."

His health had been declining for several years before his death, and more than once he was brought to the brink of the grave. His indispo sition was induced by his long con. tinued labors in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, by domestic afflictions, and by the cruel calumnies, with which from various causes his upright character was assailed. Though his infirmities rendered him incapable of preaching for several months before he died, yet he was confined to his house but a few days. He was fully aware of his approaching dissolution, and the prospects of eternity brightened as he drew near the close of life. Those prec ious promises, which with peculiar tenderness he had often exhibit ed to the view of the sick and the dying, were now his The support. allsafficient Savior was his only hope; but he rested on him with perfect confidence. He was desirous of de par ing, and was chiefly anxious, lest he should be impatient. Knowing his dependence upon God, he continually besought those, who were around his bed, to pray for him. He took an affecting leave of his family, repeating his pious counsels, and bestowing upon each one his valedictory blessing. When he was reminded by a friend of his great labors in the ministry, he disclaimed all merit for what be had done, though he expressed his belief, that he had plainly and faithfully preached the gospel. He forgave and prayed for his enemies and calumniators. When one of his children, a day or two before his death, pressed him to take some nourishment, saying, that unless he took something it would be impossible for him to live; he re plied, "Live? I am going to live for ever!" He would frequently ex claim, "Come, Lord Jesus; come quickly." In the morning of the Lord's day, February 11, 1810, he fell asleep in Jesus.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A few communications have been received, and more original ones would

be acceptable.

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