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Ifrael. Such Deacons are always great bleffings to the Church; having the glory of Chrift, and the profperity of his caufe at heart. The dostrines of grace, were peculiarly precious to his foul. He appeared to feel their power, in an uncommon degree: not only did they afford him confolation better felt than expreffed, under all the trials and afflictions of life, but peculiarly fo in a dying hour. He was conftant in his attendance on public worship, loving the habitation of God's houfe, and the place where his honour dwells. He was generally one of the first that appeared there, whenever the doors of the fanctuary were opened; either on Lord's days, or on other days. As the confequence of fupreme love to Chrift, he ever evidenced affectionate concern for the fouls of men. Every enquirer in the way to Sion, had in him, a friend, and a father; especially those who fought the Lord in their youth. It was his cuftom to meet them, at an early hour, on the Lord's day morning, for prayer. This practice he continued, (though not to the omiffion of fecret duty) till his bodily indifpofition fo increafed, as to prevent him. Whenever abfent from the Houfe of God, he could truly fay; he was the Lord's prifoner and not his own.

So refpectable was his character, both in civil and religious life, that with propriety, it could be faid of him, as of Demetrius, he had a good report of all men. One of his friends that had been a particular acquaintance, for twenty years, would often fay, "that he could truft him with every thing but the falvation of his foul."

In his laft illness, his bodily pains were great; yet divine confolation, like a river, appeared to flow into his foul. He had the happinets to look the king of terrors in the face undaunted, not only refigned, but chearful. A chriftian acquaintance coming into the room, whofe pious parent, then in glory, had been Mr. C's. intimate and affectionate friend, "Ah," faid he to him, with a smile, " I shall soon see your dear father.”

His dear paftor, often vifited him, on his dying bed, and found that prayer was the delight of his foul then, as it had been through life; more efteemed than his daily food. At one time, a perfon coming into the room with fomething to refresh his decaying nature; he begged it might be laid alide, till after they had fought God together in prayer; and when his minifter had ended praying, he lifted up his hands with a foul full of con. fidence and divine rapture, faying, "Amen, amen." He appeared among the happy few that are not afhamed to live, nor afraid to die. He entered the gloomy valley of the fhadow of death with a well grounded hope "of being ever with the Lord. Not a fear or doubt appeared to rife in his mind; but it was all ferenity and compofure; "Father (faid he) not my will, but thine be done." To a friend, by his bed-fide, he faid, "My Chrift! My Chrift!" knowing in whom he had believed; he added, "Jefus Chrift the fame yesterday, to day, and for ever."

The Saturday evening before his death, he was again vifited by his beloved paftor, who asked him if he was eafier as to his bodily complaints? to which he answered, "Yes." He then enquired if he was ftill favoured with that divine and solid comfort he had enjoyed during his affliction? he replied, "Yes, yes." He then defired him to pray with him, and addreffed thofe around, in language the most interefting and affectionate.The fabbath evening, death appeared to make faft approaches to him, and he had Pilgan fights of the glory and bleffedness of Heaven. A friend afked him, "Do you recollect those words of Mr. Mason

"My Chrift, he is the Heaven of Heavens,

"My Chrift, what shall I call;

"My Chrift is first, my Chrift is laft,

"My Christ is all in all ?"

With rapture of ioul he said, "That is it, that is it."

Thus

Thus lived this eminent man of God; diftinguifhed for his love to, and Ready dependance on Chrift. On Tuesday morning, January 5th, he fell afleep in the arms of Jefus without a figh or a groan.

The Friday following, he was interred in the burying ground belong. ing to the meeting. After which a fuitable fermon was preached, by the Rev. E. Afpburner, from Pfalm xxxvii. 37. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace."

JOHN GIFFORD.

JOHN GIFFORD was the fon of a serious shoemaker, at Cambridge, and had been a chorifter in the Univerfity chapels. His father took him to his own business, and for fome years he attended the ministry of the Rev. C. S. being one of the leading fingers. Though he never went to any grofs acts of wickedness, yet his greatest pleasure was in foolish and vain converfation, and the indulgence of inful affections'; but God, whofe ways are unfearchable, wonderfully rescued him from destruction. One Sunday, in the month of April, 1795, walking after dinner (before the afternoon fervice) rather further than he intended, on looking at his watch, he hafted back towards church, knowing that a hymn was to be fung, which required a strong bafs, and would be weak without him. On his way back he met one of his companions, who endeavoured to prevail on him to accompany him to a neighbouring village to spend the afternoon, but in vain. The hymn could not be fung without him, and though he could not be there before the service begun, he could be in time for that. He accordingly went and affisted in the hymn. Mr. S. took his text from Matthew v. 28. "Whofoever looketh on a woman," &c.-The word came with power, it reached his heart, and the heart of his then moft intimate companion, who fat close by him at the time.—They were both convicted before God, and by their own confciences. For fome evenings they walked together as ufual; but were ignorant of the change in each others hearts: each fearing the other should begin his foolish difcourfe. At length one made fome remarks on the fermon. Their joy and furprife was mutual. They opened their minds first to each other, then to their parents, by whom they were introduced to their minifter. Then it was I became acquainted with J.G. and our friendship increafed to fuch a pitch, as bofom friends only can know. We frequently met together for prayer, and I have been often furprised at his found experimental knowledge. His humility was moft exemplary. He feemed to feel much of the plague of his own heart, and had many heavy confl&s of foul. The grand plan of redemption, and the riches of divine grace were his darling themes. His walk was clofe with God, who did not permit him to remain long on the earth, but cut short his work in righteoufnefs. In March, 1796, he was feized with a complaint, which terminated in a confumption. During his illuefs, which was violent, he experienced various degrees of light and darkness. He talked very little, but what little he faid fhewed that Chrift was the anchor of his foul.At one time he faid, "Oh my friends, Eternity will foon be here, and I shall then fee all my friends again, and welcome them to Jefus."-At another time he complained that Satan harraffed him with doubts, but faid that he was enabled to look to Jetus. Near midnight of the 3d of June, his father being in his room, he faid, "Father I wish you would leave me. I have a good hope, I fhall foon be with Jefus. I fee him ftanding with his arms ready to embrace me." Thefe were his laft words, and within a quarter of an hour he refigned his departing spirit into the hands of his dear Redeemer.

Thus died, after an illness of about 10 weeks, at the age of 19, one who was brought to the knowledge of the Redeemer, in a manner worthy to be

recorded,

recordal, who honoured his christian profeffion, by a holy life and converfation, and who has left a convincing affurance of the fecurity of those who truft in Jefus.

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. Thanksgiving Sermons, preached before the Miffionary Society, London, Aug. 6, 1798. By the Rev. J. GRIFFIN, Portfea, and Rev. T. HAWIES, L. L. B. and M. D. of Ald-winkle, 60 p. 8vo. Chapman, 15. To thefe Difcourtes is prefixed a fhort Introduction, with the report of the Directors. The first Sermon, founded on Ephef. iii. 20, 21, is entitled, "Mercies received, a Claim for Admiration and Gratitude;" among which the Preacher very properly reckons a Miffionary Spirit, which has been the mean of quickening the zeal both of Minifters and People, in a remarkable manner at home. Nor is this all," Perhaps (fays the preacher) I am addreffing others, who, like fome in the town where I refide, will have reafon to blefs God" through all the fucceffions of an endless eternity" for the Miffionary caufe. The novelty of the fubject excited their curiofity; the benevolence of the Society their admiration; and the ftate of the Heathens their pity. But their attention was foon turned from the ftate of the Pagan nations to themfelves, and they wondered they should feel that concern for them they had never exercifed for their own fouls, and that admiration for the Society they had never felt for Jefus Chrift. In this way the spirit of truth convinced them of their deplorable condition as finners, the neceffity of a new heart, and of an intereft in the blood of atonement. He hath alfo fealed peace their confcience by the Gospel, and directed their feet into the way of holiness. Should not one Heathen be converted by our means, the falvation of perfons alluded to will afford fufficient reafon for us to be eternally grateful."

on

In the fecond Difcourfe (on Pf. cxxvi. 3.) Dr. H. after enumerating, and improving the great things the Lord hath done for the Society, animates them to farther exertions in the following manner:

"Come forth, ye fpirits of the juft, burning with love of Jefus, and zeal for the falvation of mankind. Ye ministers of flame, that wait on his fanctuary, cherish the divine impreffion, that prompts to this arduous fervice. Rife up to lead the faithful warriors to renewed conflicts. Ye faithful, whom the Lord hath furnished with ability and zeal to build up the ark of his church, the fmiths, the carpenters that smooth the planks, as well as the architects that plan the fabric, awake, as in the ancient days. Ye men of science in every department, efpecially in medicine and forgery, fhew yourfelves: the miferies of the difeafed, and the dying, cry aloud for your healing hand. Ye ready labourers all, thrust in the tharp fickle, for the harvelt of the earth is fully ripe; and he that reapeth, receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto eternal life; verily your reward fhall be great in Heaven. O! that the people might offer themselves willingly-the filver and the gold are his. Pour them in, that nothing may be wanting to further the progrefs of a work fo happily began. The Lord of hofts is evidently with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Up then, and be doing. "The time is short; whilft we are deliberating thousands are loft-the work is great-the King's business requireth haste, and fo much the more, as ye fee the day approaching."

[Several interefting articles of Review are unavoidably poftponed.]

POETRY,

POETRY.

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ON THE DEPARTURE OF THE
MISSIONARIES.

JESUS behold, thy fervants stand,
Deffin'd to a foreign land;

Thy glorious Gofpel to proclaim,
And tell the Heathen world thy name.
For them we offer humble prayer,
Oh, let them find thy guardian care!
Protect them, Lord, in all their ways,
And let their miffion work thy praife!
Send down thy Spirit from above,
To fill their fouls with zeal and love;
Preferve them, Lord, from self and sin,
And teach them precious fouls to win.
Jefus, thou art the fov'reign Lord,
E'en winds and waves obey thy word;
Now fend a strong, propitious gale,
And well fupply each spreading fait.
Let each on board with ardour join,
To aid the bleft, the grand defign,
In fafety reach their deftin'd shore,
And join their brethren gone before.
And there in joyful, grateful fongs,
May heathen join with Chriftian tongues,
Till fouthern feas, and hills and plains,
Refound "The Lord the Saviour reigns!"
1. T. R.

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Whole fiat gave creation birth,

Who built the skies, who ipread the feas,
And can accomplish what he please:
May he his powerful arm make bare,
And take this Miffion to his care;
His little flock in fafety keep,
And guide them thro' the pathlefs deep.
Hide in the hollow of his hand,
Untill they reach the wifh'd-for land;
Then let their joyful lips proclaim
Salvation thro' a Saviour's name.
May God the Spirit fet his feal,
Be prefent both to wound and heal;
And give the Pagan tribes to know,
What blefings from Salvation flow.
Wide as the fun beams pour the day,
The banner of the crofs difplay,
Till hofts of converts hither fly,
Like clouds from east to western sky.

Jefus

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MY Saviour, my eternal friend,

Accept my morning facrifice, While proftrate at thy feet I bend,

And hail the day that faw thee rise. When thro' the fhades of night I flept

(Sufpended all my active powers,) Thy guardian care foft vigils kept,

And faved me in thofe dang'rous hours. My op'ning eyes with rapture fee

The dawn of thy returning day; And all my thoughts afcend to thee, While thus my early vows I pay. I yield my heart to thee alone,

Nor would receive another guest, My deareft Lord erect thy throne, And reign fole monarch in my breast. O bid this trifling world retire,

And drive each carnal thought away; Nor let me feel one vain defire,

One finful with, thro' all the day. Then, while I to thy courts repair, My foul fhall rife on joyful wing,

The wonders of thy love declare,

A TEMPEST HYMN.

HOW awful art thou feen, O God,
When light'nings iffue forth;
And deaf'ning thunders roll abroad,
To fhake and tear the earth!
The forked light'nings know thy will,
They mark thy beck'ning hand,
And harmless pass, or blasting kill,
As thou doft give command.
Thou only art our fented tow'r,
Our help is in thy grace;
Defend us in this folemn hour,

And guard our dwelling place!
Such tempests, like the fiery law,

Thy majefty proclaim;

Oh, fill our hearts with rev'rend awe,
To glorify thy name!

G-EL-CHILD.

FAMILY AFFLICTION.

And join the strains which angels fing. How strong the ties of nature bind!

Thus would I wait the blifsful hour,

That bids me quit this houfe of clay; Then burit my chains, and upward foar To realms of everlasting day.

E. T.

PRAISE TO DIVINE GRACE.

ARISE my foul, adore the grace,

Which rais'd thee from defpair; Taught thee to feek Jehovah's face,

And all his works declare.

Had not his pow'r my heart renew'd,
I fhould have wander❜d on
In fin's perverse and dangerous road,
Till time and life were gone :
Have rush'd to all the awful fcenes
Of Hell and black despair!
Inmers'd my foul in endless flames,
And all the horrors there!

How hard it is to part

With wife, or child, or bofo.n friend,
That twines about the heart!
'Tis agony too keen to paint,
Or little faith to hear;
Almost upfets the ftrongest faint,
And makes him yield to fear.
Yet this has been my frequent lot,
A foul tormenting pain!

And let me will, or will it not,

It may be fo again.

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