a still greater profundity in space. When the stars of clusters can yet be seen in telescopes, their distances may be estimated by the aperture which just resolves them, and in this way we have the distances of forty-seven clusters actually estimated in this paper. These, in turn, become connecting links with such ambiguous objects as our telescopes will not resolve. It is first proved by many observations, that resolvable clusters seen with inferior telescopes, actually put on similar appearances with those of the former kind, by the same principles as those with the nearest fixed stars. The utmost limits of human vision seem attained when such objects are lost to the sight; and this, we are led to suppose, must take place about the 35000th order of distances.

MANIFESTATION OF DIVINE JUSTICE IN THE DEATH OF MRS. H. A.

To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine.

DEAR BRETHREN,

I was recently perusing some papers, in which I had formerly noticed some particular occurrences which transpired within the limits of my travels; where I found an account of a woman who died in the horrors of despair, the reading of which excited a fresh remembrance of the awful scene. It was immediately on retiring from the gloomy apartment, that I wrote some of her last words, and some particulars of her death. It was the desire of some friends that it should be published, as a warning, not only to those who neglect religion" until a convenient season;" but also to those who despise the cross of Christ-but was omitted. Should you think the following worthy of publication, you will give it a place in your useful Magazine; and give all your readers an opportunity of viewing the vast contrast between the saint and sinner, while dying in full view of an unbounded eternity. May the GoD of love and mercy excite every reader suitably to appreciate the overtures of the gospel, and feel the necessity of a witness that they are approved of God, that they may escape the horrors of everlasting despair. ASA KENT.

Nantucket, Nov. 24, 1820.

MRS. H. A., the subject of the following account, was the wife of a respectable merchant in Cheshire county, N. H.They were heartily united in the accumulation of wealth; but when he began to be seriously concerned for the salvation of his soul, her opposition arose in the same proportion; for she conceived religion, as taught by the Methodists, would expose their family to lasting disgrace. He, however, continued to attend Methodist preaching, until he believed that God for

Christ's sake, had forgiven all his sins; when he considered it his duty to establish family religion, and for this purpose, called his family together for prayer. This but heightened her aggravation-for she thought his prayers were so broken and unconnected, that if any one should come in, or listen without, in time of prayer, the subject would be talked through the neighbourhood, and she should not be able to walk the street without mortification. Sometimes not able to endure prayer, she would retire to her chamber, and indulge the most bitter reflections upon what she considered an unhappy change in the family. She was at length persuaded to hear the Methodists preach the word reached her heart, and she felt the need of religion. But here she was in a strait betwixt two-while her understanding was enlightened, and her judgment informed, she saw nothing but religion would give peace in death, and prepare the soul to dwell in heaven; yet on the other hand, her feelings did not agree with her judgment: her affections were on the world. Being in affluent circumstances, she had extended her kindness and liberality to the poor and destitute, and had gained their esteem; while her affable and engaging manners had given her a kind of pre-eminence in the circle of her associates, who indulged themselves in fashion and amusements. To such an one, that plain command" deny thyself, take up thy cross daily, and follow me," is an hard saying She saw she must renounce all, and give up her good name, if she then set out in the way to heaven. But alas! she wanted religion-but not in such a despised way; and finally proposed to Mr. A. to join the Congregational Church, and she would try to serve the Lord with him; "for why," said she, can we not have religion here, just as well as with the Methodists ?" However, Mr. A. preferred that preaching which God was rendering effectual, by his Spirit, to the awakening and conversion of precious souls; while she concluded to wait for a more convenient season. Now and then she would attend meeting with him, and generally would feel the strivings of the Spirit for some time afterwards; but the awful thought of being "reproached for Christ's But she sake," determined her to pursue her former course. was not long permitted to regale herself in worldly sweets, and bask in the beams of prosperity, for a fatal consumption, like a greedy vulture, had seized upon her vitals.

On the 1st July, 1807, I moved into the neighbourhoodsaw her rapidly declining, and felt great solicitude for the salvation of her soul. She was insensible of her danger, but thought she should soon recover. This, perhaps, was one cause why she did not like to say any thing about religion. I thought, if I could but converse with her alone, she would indulge more freedom. She was in the habit of riding, when the

morning was pleasant, and she accepted my offer to attend her in her carriage. She moved slowly-I wished her to lay aside restraint, and inform me what her views were in regard to religion-the state of her soul, and the nature of her disease. She did so-told me she considered religion of great value-had often seen and felt the need of it, and still at times felt the Spirit striving with her; but she did not think her complaint alarming that if she thought she should not recover, she should want religion above every thing else. I felt some hope, that even at the eleventh hour, she might be accepted of God. But the last time I rode with her, I found her mind more on the world, and less inclined to talk upon the concerns of eternity.

How astonishing the fact! that the god of this world, not only" blinds the minds of them that believe not," but deludes them with prospects of long life, even to the gates of death!

I

At the dawn of day, (September 2.) I was called to go and pray with her. I hasted to her bed-side, and asked what I should pray for? She replied, "I must die soon, and I want you to pray that I may go to heaven." Ah! thought I, how can pray for this, while I cannot believe that she has any fitness for the place. I prayed the Lord to show her her situation, and even at the close of life appear for her salvation; but the heavens seemed shut, and prayer unavailing. I sat down by her bed side to witness the attack of the King of Terrors, who now appeared rushing, with relentless fury, upon his agonizing victim. The room by this time was nearly filled with family connexions, (most of whom were enemies of the cross of Christ), who had come in to witness the solemnities of the parting scene. She lay with her eyes alternately raised towards heaven-her lips moving, and an expressive excitement in her countenance, which drew the eyes of all upon her. Perceiving her to be praying, I put my ear to her lips, to ascertain her whispers, but in vain. Her physician was critically noticing the state of her pulse-all seemed eager that life should be continued, that they might know the effects of her prayers--hope seemed to beam in each countenance, as well as in my heart, when suddenly she opened her eyes, and spoke with an audible voice-"The manifestation is come, and it is plainly shown to me that I am going to HELL! HELL! HELL!" Who can describe the consternation that seized the spectators! After pausing a moment, she said--" I have been praying the Lord to shew me what my state will be after death, and he has, and I must go to hell!" Her father-in-law, (perhaps a deist, who at other times could sport with prayers, especially women's praying) came to her bed-side, and sought to compose her mind; and entreated her to lay her hand on her breast and say, God be merciful, and all would be well "Ah! father," said she,

"once I might have obtained mercy--the Lord called me, and I thought I would serve him-I tried to; but my heart was so PROUD-I was so wicked the Lord would not regard me, now I have sinned away the day of grace-prayer is of no use. Now for your good, I warn you not to do as I have done." Sighs and groans, together with a profusion of tears, evinced the indiscribable agony of the spectators. But it was too much for her affectionate aunt, who had had the care of her education from her youth, to believe her in her right mind, and intimated to a friend, she thought her to be light headed. This Mrs. A. readily denied, and assured them she had her reason perfectly clear, and added, "I suppose some would not tell where they were going, if in my case; but I tell you that you may know where I am, and if you do'nt want my company there, you must live better lives! do'nt let PRIDE ruin you, as it has me! Now, since I must go to hell, I do'nt care how soon. I have been a great sinner," and fixing her eyes on Mr. A. said, “I ask your forgiveness-I ask all your forgiveness-I must go! I must go to hell!" Nearly exhausted, she lay silent a few moments, then with a tone of voice dreadfully expressive, and despair eminating from her distorted countenance, she cried out, "O! DEVILS! must I go to burn in everlasting torment! O Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!" I sat on one side, and Mr. A. on the other, supporting her in the last struggles of mortality. Her strength appeared gone, and we thought her dying agonies might be past when on a sudden, she started with a ghastly stare towards the front windows-nearly turned herself to the other side of the bed-flung her arms around the neck of Mr. A. crying out," the DEVIL is coming! keep him off! keep him off! pray! pray! pray! do'nt let him come! do'nt let him come!" Then she sank down, and immediately expired!

Thus, amidst the cries of children, the sorrows of an husband, and tears and universal lamentations of death-bed visitors, she was forced from fair prospects, to submit to the mandate of justice, in the meridian of her days.

Whoever may read or hear this tragical story, be candid, turn thy thoughts within, and deal faithfully with thy soul, and with an eye to the Eternal Judge-let me plainly ask theeHas not the Spirit of God strove with thee? Hast thou not been ashamed of the cross of Christ? Has not the long suffering of God waited upon thee, to show himself merciful? Hast thou persisted to grieve the Holy Spirit? If so, answer candidly, what security hast thou against being overwhelmed with horror and despair in thy dying moments? Is God yet waiting, and the inviting whispers of dying love urging thee to the wounds of Jesus? Arise and fly-now is thy time--if thou delay, the Master may shut the door of hope, and seal thee up in everlasting darkness.

The Grace of God Manifested.

MEMOIR OF CHARLES NEWMAN, WHO DIED AT BRUSSELS, AUG. 13, 1816.-Br H. C.

(Concluded from page 27.)

FOR several months previous to his baptism, he had not been exposed to the external air, living principally in an apartment the temperature of which was regulated; but his soul being set at liberty, the body would no longer be thus confined; he longed to go up to the house of God with those who kept holy-day; and not counting health or life itself dear unto him, he regularly attended public worship, began to meet in class, enjoying greatly that and every mean of grace, and constantly obtaining in every mean those blessings for which they were graciously instituted. The effect produced by this alteration in his mode of life was different from that apprehended by his friends; it was favourable, not prejudicial to his health; he gained strength, and for a season they encouraged hopes that he might yet be spared. From his quitting the navy he had been dependent on his mother, but he wished no longer to eat the bread of idleness; he looked out for, and obtained employment; urged more particularly to do this by the probability there was that a sister and her family might soon become in a great measure destitute. He wished also in some way to be useful to his fellow-mortals; having obtained mercy at the hand of the Lord, he was anxious to proclaim to those around him, who were perishing for lack of knowledge, that there was, (even for the vilest of the vile, the chief of sinners), mercy and salvation in Christ Jesus. He offered himself as a visitor in the Stranger's Friend Society; and though his conversion to God was but recent, so genuine and deep was the work of grace in his soul, that he was accepted; and while he had health and strength, he actively engaged in that most excellent institution; and there are reasons to believe, that though his career was short, the Lord gave a blessing to his labours, and that he was instrumental in the salvation of some souls. To the temporal wants of those he visited, he ministered according to his ability, frequently giving amongst them all that remained of his weekly earnings, after defraying the expense of his milk and vegetable diet; laying up treasure on earth entered not his thoughts; his heart was in heaven, and as he journeyed towards his home his conversation was heavenly; he had power to cast his care on him who had, and still cared for him; and when the disease returned with increased violence, and prevented him from follow