CATHERINE HUNTER.

APRIL 4, 1798, the Lord took to himself, my dear daughter, Cathe rine Hunter, aged 25 years, after a long and painful illness of near eleven months, which the bore with great patience and fubmiffion to the will of her heavenly Father. At times, he was under great difcouragement of foul, often complaining that he was afraid her heart was never changed. Being asked the caufe of her dejection, the answered, "Mifpent time; but, more particularly wandering thoughts in God's houfe, under the ordinances ;" and often expreffed her fears that her heart was not fincere, becaufe fhe did not feel that ardent love to the Lord Jefus, as the ought. I endeavoured to encourage her from God's word, that it is the work of the Spirit of God to convince of fin, which I hoped was her experience. She faid, “I have had a little encouragement from those words of Manoah's wife to her husband. If the Lord had meant to destroy us, he would not have fhewed us fuch things as thefe." But as her bodily ftrength decayed, her diftrefs of foul increafed, often faying, "I am afraid, I fall be loft." She continued in this ftate until the last week of her life; the Lord for holy and wife ends, fuffered Satan to throw his fiery darts at her, fo that fometimes fhe was upon the borders of defpair; a few weeks before her death, one of our deacons, afking her what was the ground of her hope, the answered, in my hearing, I have none at all. The last Wednesday of her life, fhe was obferved by her sister to be in great diftrefs of mind. When I came home, the faid, "Oh! father, I have been fo diftreffed this afternoon, I have been almost in despair, the enemy hath brought all the fins of my life to my remembrance, and he hath told me that in a little time, I fhall be with him." This was an evening much to be remembered by us all. My dear children were all prefent (fix in number) and I addressed them thus: "I know not what defign God hath in this dark Providence. Should your fouls be convinced and my foul quickened, God will be glorified." We then poured out our hearts before the Lord, and bleffed be his name, our extremity was his opportunity to appear as our great Deliverer.

The next morning, when I asked my daughter Catherine, how it was with her, the replied, Very comfortable; the Lord hath faid, I will never leave thee, nor forfake thee." This rejoiced me exceedingly; and fhe remained comfortable the reft of that day.-On Friday, I faid to her, "I hope by this time the fear of death is removed, and the fting is taken away" to which the answered, "I cannot fay that yet; but I muft wait.' The fame evening, the had fome freth difcouragement of foul; but joy returned in the morning, and continued during the Satur day, though he was very low, and her speech was painful.

On the Lord's Day morning, feeing hier upon the confines of an eternal world, I asked if I should ftay at home with her, fhe faid, "No; go to the houfe of God." She continued very low all that day, but comfortable in her foul. She defined Mr. M. to read the Scriptures to her, by which the feemed much comforted. To Mrs. K. the faid, "Oh! when will my release be figned, that I may quit this houfe of clay "This evening, Mrs. K. being with her, after much conversation about the glorious employment of the redeemed, the faid, "Suppofe after all I fhould be miftaken?" This friend went to a throne of grace with her, and read the Scriptures. But at times, he was fill much harraffed by the enemy. In the morning, on which he died, fecing her time near at hand, I faid, "My dear, I hope you are looking to the ark of the covenant, standing in 4 Gz

the

the midst of Jordan." She replied, "Yes; I am comfortable-I am happy in my foul." A fhort time afterwards, as I ftood by her bedside, fe faid, "Father, I am going." Having all the appearance of a speedy diffolution, and being in great agony for near half an hour, after taking my laft farewell of her, I retired into the next room. On my return, to all our astonishment, her fpirits returned as one awaking out of fleep, and she was enabled to declare what God had done for her foul. She denied us to fing the goth Palm,

"Lord what a feeble piece is this our mortal fiame,” &c.

In which, the exprefled much comfort, and then added, "Now I have got the victory, I am going to join the church of the first born." She defired Mr. M. to read Dr. Watts's Hymn, beginning

"Stand up my foul, fhake off thy fears," &c.

She then faid, with apparent extacy, "Oh! this is fweet! Do you not find it fo?" At the same time, the faid to one of her fifters; "Dying work is hard work; but I fhall get fafe home this afternoon." She defired the curtains to be opened, that he might have more light, laying, "It is a dark day, fomething like my journey; but it will be light fcon. Mrs. K. cut an orange which he ate, at the fame time expreffing the many acts of kindneis received from her Chriftian friends, and admiring the goodness of God in a way of providence. She was now within a few minutes of eternity-her speech foon altered, and after a few groans, the breathed out her foul into the bofom of her Jefus, a little after one o'clock.

R. H.

MR. MOSES WILLATS.

ON Good Friday, April 6, 1798, departed this life, Mr. Mofes Willats, aged 75 years, between 30 and 40 of which he was an inhabitant of the Poultry, where he filled up the character of a good man, and a diligent confcientious tradefman. He was among the oldeft of the Rev. Mr. Brooksbank`s church: alfo, a great admirer of feveral Evangelical Minifters of the Church of England. For a confiderable time before he died, his faculties were fo impaired, that his continuance here was not defirable; but while he was at all able, his great and conftant delight was reading, writing, and reflection. As to the Scriptures, he knew them well from his melt early age. It was his conftant practice to be up for hours in the morning before bufinefs commenced, for the purpose of reading his Bible, and other valuable books. He was much in private prayer, and never omitted Family Prayer, in which he had a peculiar gift; many of his excellent writings are in the poffction of his relatives, which evidently difcover the genuine devotion of his heart. He fubfcribed to several benevolent inftitutions, one of which was for the relief of pious Gospel Minifters in the country, and his hand was always open to the poor and needy; he was an honour to his family and connections, an example to profctãog Chriftians, and thofe that knew him, eftecmed him to be a fincere and humble Believer.

J. W.

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

An Apology for Village Preachers; or, an account of the Proceedings and Motives of Proteftant Diffenters and ferious Chriftians of other denominations, in their attempts to suppress Infidelity and Vice, and to spread Religion in country places; especially where the means of pious inftru&ion among the poor are rure: With feme animadverfions on an anonymous Appeal to the People :" and replies to objections. By W. KINGSBURY, M. A. 8vo. 56 pages, xs. London: Chapman and Conder.

A WRITER, under the appellation of "A clergyman of the Diocefe of Salisbury," and who pretends to have the ear of the learned Prelate of that diecefe, has in a late "Appeal" here alluded to, brought forward a very ferious charge against Diffenting and Itinerant Preachers. He pretends that "their real object is not religious, but political; and that this ob "ject leads to alienate the attachment of the people to the eftablished "church, as the ground-work and foundation of fome fecret defign in the "field of politics."---" Weak and foolish as the charge is, (fays Mr. K.) yet, in thefe days, in which fufpicion and a spirit of party fo much prevail, it is not unlikely, that it may be believed by those who are ignorant of us and our principles, and who may be fuppofed to imbibe prejudices against all Diffenters and their defigns without difcrimination. I feel myself called upon to explain and defend the views, motives, and conduct of the itinerants in these parts of the country, with which I am acquainted (i. e. about Southampton ;) and, I prefume, what will be faid, may be equally applicable to others who labour in the fame way in different parts of the kingdom."

What Mr. K. has undertaken he has performed, at once with credit to himself and to the cause he has defended; the amiable spirit in which he has written will recommend his Pamphlet to all impartial enquirers; and we doubt not the evidence and arguments he has adduced will appear fully fatisfactory. Mr. K. might have added, that many clergymen are no lefs active in the diffemination of religious knowledge than the Dalenters; and even the Bishop of Durham himself in his late charge, has ftrongly recommended Village Reading-the very mode adopted by thofe whom this pretended clergyman cenfures.

The Univerfal Refloration, exhibited in a Series of Extras from Winchefter, White, Sieg volk, Dr. Chauncy, Lp. Newton, and Petitpierre, fome of the most remarkable Authors who have written in defence of that Syftem. 12mo. 192 cloje pages, 25. London: Lee and Hurft.

THE former half of this Volume, contains Mr. Winchester's Dialogues; the latter consists of Extracts from the other Authors mentioned in the title; and the chief argument employed by all these advocates, is derived from the divine be nevolence, an argument that would be doubtful if we had no divine Revelation; and is perfectly nugatory as we have one; fince God who best knows his own perfections, has declared of impenitent finners, that he who made them will have no mercy on them."

The argument against the final deftruction of finners from the benevo lence of God, is like that against the punishment of criminals from the humanity of the magiftrate. The fact is, that indifcriminate mercy is often cruel, Befide, it is not from the triumph of one attribu e, that the

character

character of Deity must be drawn; but from the harmony of the whole. It is the glory of the Chriftian fyftem that therein justice and mercy meet together, righteoufnefs and peace falute each other.

Another difadvantage of this fyftem is, that it depends on criticism, and cannot be supported without torturing the Scriptures in a moit arbitrary manner. The practical tendency, and the natural confequences of this doctrine, are allo much against it. It tends to leffen the evil of fin, and to hold out a delufive hope to the finally impenitent. Nor do we perceive that Mr. Winchefter's fcheme, which admits nearly of 50,000 years of torment in fome cafes, is above others fo wonderfully calculated to remove the prejudices of infidels against the divine character.

Youth's Scripture Recorder, and Moral Infiructor; being passages selected from Sacred and Moral Writings. Defigned for the use of Schools. By T. ANDREWS, 12mo. 173 pages. London: Griffiths. THIS compilation is in two parts. The former and most valuable part confifts of Extracts from the Scripture History and Morals of the Oid Teftament, printed in a convenient form, and clear type. The fecond part, is a motley collection from Addifon, Cheflerfield, Harris, Pope, &c. feveral of which have appeared in most collections of this nature; and fome of them are rather above the capacities of children: A fault too common in books defigned for Schools.

The Chriftian Parent; or, Short and Plain Difcourfes concerning Ġod, and the Works and Word of God, in Creation, Redemption, and San&ification, 3d Edition, Corrected, 12mo. 126 pages, 1s. 6d. London: Griffiths. THIS book, though small in fize, is incstimable in value; and we recommend it with peculiar pleafure, as containing the beft illuftration we have met with of the first principles of Science and Religion, explained in elegant funplicity of language, and enforced with all the tenderness of a Chriftian parent. The Public are indebted for this excellent piece, to the ingenious Author of Hoe Solitaria.

The most useful way of Preaching. A Letter to a Friend, written by the late Rev. Dr. AUG. HERM. FRANCK; to which is prefixed, an Hiftorical Account of Profeffor Frank's building and establishing the Orphan Houfe, at Glauca, in the Suburbs of Hall, Saxony, 12mo. 36 pages, 6d. Button.

THE method of Preaching here recommended is Evangelical and Apoftolic. The providences that occurred at the erection of Glauca Hall, are fome of the most extraordinary fince the age of Miracles; and certainly demonftrate that the Lord hath not left the earth, nor forgotten them whe truft in him.

Extract from the Journal of Mr. John Nelson, Preacher of the Gospel, containing an account of God's dealing with him from his Youth to the 42d year of his age. Written by Himself. 12mo. 168 pages, Price 1s. fered. London: Lee and Huilt.

THIS is the re-print of a tract published many years ago, containing an account of the Author's experience, and his various fufferings and perfecutions, on account of his zeal for God and Religion. Notwithstanding this good man may be thought a little tinctured with enthufiaim, and bad more religion in his heart than in his head, we doubt not but he was an instrument of good to fouls; and his narrative is rendered interefting by a great number of Anecdotes, and incidents of a religious nature. The

The Life of the Rev. Oliver Heywood, with Hiftorical Sketches of the Times in which he lived; and Anecdotes of fome other Minifters in Yorkfire, Lancashire, &c. By J. FAWCETT, A. M. 12mo. 216 pages. London: Willis, Johnfon, Button, &c. zs. 3d.

MR. O. H. 'was an eminent and pions non-conformist of the last centory, and we think the prefent pplication well timed, as affording a proper antwer to many of the calunnies of late revived, and circulated to the prejudice of the non conformists. Mr. F. has enlivened his narrative with fome very interefting Anecdotes, and diverfified it with a variety of pertinent obfervations. We are much indebted to the ingenious Author, for the fatisfaction it has afforded us, and are perfuaded that whoever attentively perufes it, may derive from it both pleature and advantage. Thoughts on Chriflian Communion, addreffed to Profeffors of Religion of every Denomination. Second Edition, enlarged. By J. FAWCETT, jun. 12mo. 60 pages, 6d. London: Wills, Knott, and Button.

IN confidering this fubject, Mr. F. points out the nature of Chriftian Communion-its advantages--and the means of promoting it; and we cordially concur in praying that a Divine Blefling may accompany

his efforts!

We fhall only add, that this Addrefs is neatly written, and elegantly printed.

A Letter to the Author, occafioned by his late Publication, called, "A Guide to the Church" Wherein his ignorance and inconfiftency, are clearly demonftrated, by an OLD CHRISTIAN, 44 pages, 12mo. No

Publifher.

WE have already reviewed Mr. Daubeney's "Guide," and Sir R. Hill's anfwer (fee Mag, for July.) The prefent writer goes over nearly the fame ground as the worthy Baronet; but in a different temper. Mr. D's book having ftirred up, as he fays, his holy indignation" againt rongous and worldly clergymen, he rebukes them sharply, not sparing even the higher orders, and is particularly fevere upon the perfonal character of Mr. D. as well as his publication; and we cannot pafs without animadverfion fuch paffages as the following: "You, Sir, have the subtiity of the fox, and the cruelty of the tyger. The fpirit of Banner, Gardiner and Land, pervades your bofom. You only want power to do as they did."Surely this is not the Spirit of Chrith inity.

Though this author appears the allocate of Diffenters, and in fome places, writes like one himitif, he certainly mistakes their fentiments, when he fuppofes they would not admit players “to burial in their places of interment," without evidence of their repentance. We believe they keep none above ground.

Letter to the Rev. Jof. Eyre, Vicar of St. Giles's, Reading, occafioned by his Vifitation Sermon. By a Friend of the late Hon. and Rev. W. B, CADOGAN, 8vo. 28 pages. London: Griffiths.

"WE, all of us," have paid our refpects to Mr. E. and now furrender him to the gentle caftigations of Mr. C's friend, who very fairly convids him both of inconfitency with himfelf, and with the Doctrines of the Church of England; for whofe fake it is much to be wished that clergymen who disbelieve her a ticles, and disapprove the most Evangelical and important part of her fervices, would not become her advocates.

The talk of this writer is too easy to admit the claim of merit; but,

we