The Rev. Mr. Holdgate, of Bradford, Yorkshire, engaged Mr. Stevens, of Leeds, to fupply for him on the 30th of laft April. On the preceding Sabbath, he informed his congregation, that on the next Lord's day a ftranger would preach to them, one who had formerly been upon the stage; and that he hoped therefore they would all attend, and bring many of their friends along with them. This publication had the defired effect: public curiofity was excited; and the chapel was crowded. Among others, Ann Rhodes, a young woman, about 21 years of age, came to the meeting. She had heard the gofpel in her childhood; but, her father dying when he was very young, fhe went to fervice. In her ftate of fervitude, the was unhappily led altray from the paths of chastity. She frequently felt the alarms of confcience rebuking her wicked courfe of life, without producing any effectual determination to reform her conduct; but the day of God's power and mercy was now arrived. The fermon fhe heard was made effectual to her. Mr. S preached from Heb. ii. 3. "How shall we escape, if we negle& so great falvation?" The delivery of the text made an awful impreffion upon her mind;whilft he described the greatnefs of the falvation, he was filled with wonder-and when he proceeded to point out the neglectos of it, fhe was moft pungently convinced that he was one of them. The fenfe of this was fo great, as to affect her whole frame. Her fins, and especially her neglect of this falvatios, were fet before her with all their aggravating circumftances, and in fuch a tremendous manner, that the must have fallen down in the place, had the not, by the affiance of another perfon, immediately gone out. Her diftrefs, however, followed her; and, in this excess of spiritual trouble, fhe was feized with a violent fever.

The Rev. Mr. Crabtree, the Baptift Minister of that place, vifited her, and found her in all the horrors of mind that a creature is capable of in the body; apparently in defpair. He informed her, that though she was a vile finner, Chrift came to fave fuch; and endeavoured to fhew her what encouragement there is in the word of God for the vileft to come unto Chrift for falvation. His converfation feemed to have no effect. He vifited her a fecond time, and found then that his former visit had been made useful. She was more calm, difcovered that there was falvation in Chrift for fuch finners as the was, and earnestly longed for Chrift as her Saviour. On the Sabbath but one after fhe had heard Mr. S——, a Christian friend called to fee her. Her mind, which was fometimes deranged, was then quite compofed, and the fpake of the preciouinefs of Chrift with great plea. fure. After he had prayed with her, fhe faid, "I find much more fatis"faction in attending to the concerns of my foul, than in taking medicines "for my body." Soon after this, the diforder increased fo as to render Der unfit for converfation; and on the next day, May 15th, at the time when she should have been married, he died, we hope, in the Lord.

From this, and fimilar inftances, we fee how powerful, how fovereign, and how free are the operations of divine grace in the converfion of inners! "Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"

MISS BAILEY, OF CHESHAM.

THIS young lady after a very lingering illness, died at Chefham, on Tuesday, May 31, 1797, aged 29 years. Mils B. appears to have always led a very moral life, obferving the outward forms of religion; and being well fatisfied. During a very long and fevere illness, the continued Battering herself with the hopes of recovery, not manifeftiag any parti

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cular concern for the fafety of her foul, until within a few days of her de ceafe. To a friend who visited her, Thursday evening, May 25, the first mentioned with great freedom her anxiety about her foul. Lamenting the darknefs, which obfcured her views refpecting futurity, the exprest an earnest desire that she might enjoy such a happy frame of mind as Mrs. Dunkerton did, when on her death bed; but although the was defirous of being delivered from the fear of death, and of obtaining assurance of fature happiness, fhe faid, that her uneafinefs did not arife from any weight of guilt upon her confcience: her friend on hearing this language, took the liberty of cautioning her against trusting to any righteouinefs or goodness of her own; and observed that even a person of the most regular and moral life, must be saved exactly in the fame way as the most abandoned profligate, viz. through the merits of Chrift alone; fo that fhe must apply to the great Redeemer, as a loft finner, in the language of the publican.

Mifs B. feemed much affected with this representation, and after paufing a little, faid, "Such a one spoke comfortable to me, but you have made me uneafy." The fame friend obferved, that what was faid, was with the pureft defign of correcting her mistaken views, hoping that the did not wish to be deceived in her prefent ftate. "Oh, no, no!" the directly replied. At the fame time fhe was told, that the invitations and promifes of the Gospel were fuch as to afford her every poffible encouragement. After fpending at her request a little time in prayer, the converla tion on the subject was again renewed, and the was delighted to hear of the mercies of God promised through Jefus Chrift; but till the expreit her fears, leaft in paffing through the valley of the thadow of death, the might not be comforted with the light of God's countenance. Religion was to interefting a fubject to her, that the kept up the converfation to a late hour, and then unwillingly fuffered it to be broken off, faying, “I "could talk all night on the fubject."

The next day, Mifs B. was found in the fame pious frame, longing for a fenfe of the divine favour, "with ardent pangs of ftrong defire." She was now fully convinced of her own infuthciency. "Oh, faid he, if I "could but enjoy that light, which Mrs. D. did! Do you think it "will be given me?" This question she asked at many different times. Her friends told her it was a question no man could answer; but it was certain, that, if the threw herself at the feet of Chrift as a loft finner, the would be faved. There was promise upon promise, and that from a God, who could not, , to affure her of this: and although the might not receive that prefent lively joy he was fo anxibus for, yet the state of her foul would not he lefs fafe on that account. They had no doubt but those defires, which were kindled in her breaft, would be fully answered; but it must be in the Lord's time, and the must therefore wait. They could only refer her to the great Physician, who alone was able to grant her the relief, the fo much wanted. She replied to this effect: "I hope, I shall be "able to wait patiently-but a teftimony-I want to leave a teftimony!" Being delivered from all vain dependance on her own righteousness, she now readily owned that the felt her fins a great burthen to her, such as fhe had never experienced before; manifefting at the fame time an infati

* With whom Mifs B. had been acquainted from her infancy, and of whole experience and happy death, fhe had read an account in our Magazine for February, 1796.

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able thirst after Chrift. In the prefence of many weeping, yet rejoicing, friends, the declared "I can refign every thing—can give up my mother; "and could willingly die, if I was fure of an intereft in Chrift. All I want is "Chrift." At another time, when they were speaking of the Redeemer being able and willing to fave to the uttermoft all who call upon him, the replied, "Yes, even at the eleventh hour," alluding to herself. Her strength declined faft, fhe endured much bodily pain with great patience, faying often in the midst of it, "But I do not mind this-if I could but feel Chrift in

my heart."-Enquiries refpecting the ftate of her mind, were frequently anfwered in words to this effect: "I do not yet feel the comfort, I fo "much want; but I am waiting for it; I hope I fhall have it before I "pafs through the valley: then I fhall be glad to die."

When a female friend reminded her of the ftriking and happy contrast between the prefent ftate of her mind, and that which was obfervable during the preceding part of her illness, the freely confeffed, "I used to think

all was right-I had no fear; but I am now convinced of my mistake." "Oh!" faid fhe, in the moft earnest manner, "Warn every one." She frequently alluded to the great change the had experienced in the views and defires of her foul; and expreffed a grateful fenfibility of the goodness of God in afflicting her. At one time, when the felt the burthen upon her mind greatly relieved, and was telling her friends of the comfort the enjoyed, how precious the felt Chrift to her foul, the exclaimed, "let it "be known-let all the world know." So defirous was fhe, that others might efcape the dangers from which he was delivered; and obtain the bleifed comforts, which now refreshed her foul.

Before this change Mifs B's affections appeared to be chained to terreftial objects; the lower fhe funk, the more defirous was the of life, as herself acknowledged. Even when her decayed fabric was tottering on the brink of the grave, fhe eagerly caught at every ftraw to fupport her hope; and was difpofed to check, rather than encourage any ferious converfation on fpiritual things; but now her thoughts were raifed from earth to heaven, her affections fet upon things above. The defires of her heart refembled those of the Pfalmift, when he faid, "As the heart panteth for "the water-brooks, fo panteth my foul after thee, O God." Nothing but Chrift himself could fatisfy her defires; hence the would often say, "Christ " is all I want, I must have him. I want to feel him here,"-pointing to her heart. Two neighbouring minifters vifited Mifs B. frequently during her few last days, by whofe converfation and prayers, the was much comforted; and it afforded them no fmall fatisfaction to witnefs fuch ftrong evidence of the power of divine grace on her heart. As long as ftrength permitted, fhe talked day and night of spiritual things, and when her religious friends were taking leave of her, the often defired them to ftop longer, and fay fomething more to comfort her, as the was never weary of the subject. Nor can the writer eafily forget how attentively fhe liffened to the pleasing history of the Saviour's love, even when her frength was too low to speak many words.

Mifs B. retained the full poffeffion of her fenfes to the laft; and her friends had the inexpreffible happiness to fee, that he was gradually delivered from thofe diftreffing fears, which had for awhile oppreft her mind: and not only did fhe enjoy a comfortable hope that it would be well with her in the end; but he was even enabled, before her departure, to rejoice exceedingly in her future profpect. This was particularly the cafe in the afternoon of Monday when the confolation and joy the experienced was fo great; that the defired her attendants to inform the minifters, and othe VOL. VI. 1798 friend

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friends, who had frequently vifited her, of the circumftance. She repeat.. edly faid, "Tell them what comfort I feel." Being afked if he was ready to die, fhe chearfully anfwered, "Yes." In the fame evening, when her bodily fufferings were very great, and her ftrength fo low, that it was with difficulty the could articulate, the following broken fentences were heard. "Come Lord Jefus, come quickly, why are thy chariot "wheels fo long in coming? for thou art my Lord, and my God." Within an hour of her diffolution, the dropt a few words, earneftly advifing her friends" To go to Chrift;" and expreffive of the most comfortable state of her mind. She was enabled to meet death, deprived of all his terrors, with calmnefs and tranquillity, early on Tuesday morning, when all her sufferings terminated; and her happy soul, was conveyed into manfions of glory.

MR. J. WILSON.

ON Thursday, Nov. 23, 1797, died at Nottingham, in the 58th year of his age, Mr. John Wilfon, one of the deacons of the independent church meeting in Caftle Gate; he had been many years an honourable and useful member of that church; and was exemplary, for his attachment to the truths of the Gofpel, for his regular attendance on all the ordinances of Chriftian worship, for his induftrious care to promote the profperity of the church, and for the uprightness of his conduct in the world. His difmiffion was unusually fudden and easy, like Enoch, "He "walked with God, and was not, for God took him."

REV. JAMES DAVIES.

ON Saturday, December 16, 1797, died at Bath, the Reverend James Davies, many years paftor of an independent congregation in Bridge-treet, Bristol. A Biographical Memoir of Mr. D. if it can be obtained, will be inferted in our Magazine.

MR. D. MILLS.

ON Wednesday the 26th of April laft, after an illness of three months, died, Mr. Daniel Mills, of Great Earl ftreet, Seven Dials, aged 25. He was born of religious parents, had known the Scriptures from a child, and from his early years invariably attended on the miniftry of Mefirs. Fofter and Cecil, at Long Acre Chapel, which was peculiarly bleffed to his foul.

Mr. M. was favoured with an uncommon degree of vivacity, he was the life of company; he well knew that religion was not that melancholy thing which the world confider it. Yet, though chearful, he was not levitous, being careful that the cause of Chrift fhould not fuffer by his conduct.

Religious company and converfation were highly efteemed by him. He prized the means of grace and esteemed the book of God of infinite value. Confidering it as God's word, he was averfe to its being used in a light and trifling manner.

In converfation he would frequently lament his fhort-comings, the depravity

pravity of his heart, his evil thoughts, and the wanderings of his mind while in the house of God; but he would exprefs with delight the consola tions he received under the word, He retted his whole falvation on the covenant mercy and love of Chrift; and when lamenting his deficiencies, he would fay, "Happy are we, if we have the Lord for our God."

In the early part of his life he experienced many trials; but he was careful to keep all his troubles within his own breaft, that his friends might not be rendered unhappy on his account. He has often expressed that the comforts of religion tended to alleviate his forrows, and render them lefs poignant.

It pleafed the all-wife difpofer of events to afflict him in January last with a cold, fucceeded by a violent cough, which tended to the diffolution of his earthly tabernacle. During this illness, he appeared wholly absorbed in divine things, and the Bible was conftantly his companion. Grace enabled him to bear his affliction with a degree of chriftian fortitude seldom equaled; although he was furrounded with every bleffing which the kind hand of heaven could heftow to heighten his happiness, and on the eve of being united to an amiable young lady, whofe religious attainments reflect luftre on her character as a chriftian.

Such was the flattering nature of his diforder, that he conceived himself frequently recovering: But it was with pain his friends obferved its first advances, and perceived it continually gaining ground, They dreaded the event, end laid the cafe before him who is ftronger than death, defiring to be refigned to his will whatever that will might be.

At the commencement of his illness, a friend observed to him that afflic tions came from God: he answered, "What a mercy it is that we have fuch a friend to go to!"

On the Faft day, the fame perfon difcourfing with him on the fubject of death, he faid, "The fting of death is taken away; death is the door to glory:" and dwelt much on these words of the Apoftie Paul, 1 Cor. i. 9. "After all our contemplation (faid he) we must agree with the Apol "tle that it hath not entered into the heart of man even to conceive of what "God hath prepared for them that love him."-On another occafion, he faid, "What a bleffing it is that we can read the word of God, but what a greater bleffing to understand it !"

His extreme weakness deprived his friends of the pleasure of much converfation in his laft hours. In general he expreffed himself rather comfortable, than triumphant; and funk gently into the arms of death, without a figh or a ftruggle; juft as the fetting fun declines below our horizon by almost imperceptible degrees, and then arifes and shines upon another hemifphere.

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious Syftem of Profeffing Chriftians, in the higher and middle Claffes of this Country, contrafled with real Chriftianity. By W. Wilberforce, Efq. M. P. 4th Edit. 8vo. 75. Cadell and Davies. 12mo. 3s. 6d.

We are happy to fee an advocate for vital Christianity of Mr. W.'s rank and refpectability, and efpecially to find that his work has made fuch an impreffion on the public opinion, as to pass through feveral editions in

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