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we obliged to soften, as well as we can, the evils of our fellowcreatures? Let it not be sufficient for us to supply our own wants, but let us endeavour to supply those of others; and never suffer any one to sink under misery, whom it was in our power to relieve.

THE GRACE OF GOD MANIFESTED.

SHORT MEMOIR OF MRS. HANNAH HOWE, WRITTEN BY HER HUS

BAND.

To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine.

Dear Brethren,

AGREEABLY to the request of Conference I shall attempt to give you a short, though it may be somewhat imperfect account of the Experience and Death of my beloved wife, who departed this life October 11th, 1812, in the thirtieth year of her age.She was born of reputable parents, who at that time (1783) lived in the town of Adams, in the state of Massachusetts. Nothing very remarkable occurred from her infancy, until she was about sixteen or seventeen years of age, when it pleased God to revive his work in the town of Brandon, in the state of Vermont, where she then resided with her uncle. It pleased the Lord to make use of the Methodist preachers in this gracious work, as the instruments to bring many from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, of which happy number she was one. After labouring for some weeks under the burden of her sins, it pleased the Lord to speak peace to her soul, through the instrumentality of brother S. D. while holding forth the ingrafted word of life, which is able to save the soul, at the house of her father, who had removed to Orwell, in the state of Vermont, who, soon after, together with his wife, and the subject of these memoirs, joined society. She passed through much opposition, and persecution from a gainsaying world; notwithstanding she held fast her profession, overcame with love, and witnessed a good confession before many witnesses. I became acquainted with her in August, 1805, and married her in February, 1806. From that time, I may truly say, the Lord gave me a helpmate,

and one that laboured night and day for the strengthening of my hands in the work to which God had called me.

On account of a bad state of health, I had some severe trials relative to a location; but notwithstanding all the inconveniencies of an unsettled state, and having to remove from circuit to circuit, she would persuade me to try it one year longer, and was often heard to say that she hoped that she should never be the cause of hindering me from travelling, and preaching the gospel of our common Lord. In 1806 she was with me on Brandon circuit-1807 on Schenectady-1808 on Albany-in 1809 Montgomery-1810 on Cambridge, at all of which places I trust there are many which bless the Lord that they became acquainted with her. She was plain and open in her manners, close and cutting in reproofs, sympathetic and feeling in her advice and counsel; naturally high spirited, yet, with truth it may be said, not revengeful; but, on all occasions, manifested a forgiving disposition, and was often known to weep and mourn that she was not more watchful over the risings of her temper, fearing most of all lest she should wound the precious cause she had embraced. She was humane to her fellow creatures in distress, weeping over the sick, administering cordials to the wounded in spirit, and food and raiment to the poor and indigent whether professor or non-professor, and often invited the poor to her house, in order (as far as she could in her circumstances) to releive their wants. She stood at the greatest distance from hypocrisy, openly telling the worst of her case in class-meeting, and love feast; but in her lowest times declared that she would rather die than give up the cause of Christ. In 1811 we received our appointment for Brandon circuit, and removed to her father's house on that circuit, where we were called to drink deep of the cup of affliction by sickness and death. In May 1812 it pleased the Lord to call from time one of our children, which was a grief to her, and had a very sensible effect upon her health, which had for sometime been upon the decline. Her complaint (which proved to be the consumption) became more alarming and her dissolution drew near.

She was much engaged with God in prayer for resignation to his will, and often expressed a wish that she might die shouting, and have an easy passage over the Jordan of death; and, blessed be the Lord, he remarkably answered her prayers in this repect. For some weeks before her death she gave up the world,

and conversed about death with the greatest composure of mind, often exclaiming "how good the Lord is, time is too precious to sleep away." At another time, while rejoicing in the Lord, she cried out, "come ve blessed, come. O will it ever be said to me come ye blessed!" She disposed of her effects with the greatest composure, and requested me "to bring up Maria for God," and to "let her wear no superfluities," and said, "I hope we may all meet in heaven where parting can never come." I observed to her that it was a great thing to change worlds, and that God was a consuming fire, and justice knew no forgiveness, and that we were all sinners by nature; "yes," said she, "but there is mercy in Christ." She then said to me, "do you doubt of my being prepared to die?" I replied, no; but I thought we ought to examine close to see how it stood between God and us. "O," said she, "I should not wonder if you should doubt of my state, when I have lived so unfaithful. Can you forgive me all I have said or done wrong to you? I hope if I should live I shall be more faithful to God." I told her she had not done any thing to me that needed my forgiveness. I said to her " we have a good and gracious Redeemer to go to. She expressed the fullest confidence in him, and said Jesus was precious to her soul. About this time, being much worn down with watching, I fell a sleep, but was soon awaked by the sound of her fervent prayer and praise. Her language was the most feeling, and enough to move the hardest heart. She rejoiced in God her Saviour, and shouted aloud for joy; and witnessed that the Lord was good to her amidst all her afflictions.

October 1st. she spoke of having had great trials. "It seemed," said she, "as though Satan was here;" (alluding to some disagreeable company that had visited her the night before) "but now I feel that God is here, and my soul is happy in him." To one of her sisters who sat up with her that night, she gave the experience of Hester Ann Rogers as a pledge of remembrance, and spake much of her excellent character. As I was about to lie down, she called me to her, and, taking me by the hand, commended me to God, wishing me a good night's rest.— She slept but little that night, frequently waking and speaking of the goodness of God. October 2nd. she continued to grow weaker in body, and requested Cloe Smead, her nurse, to sleep with her. "O what union there is," said she, "between Christians, O, it seems as though it was heaven here, the more of

Christians the more of God," and spake much of the blessedness of Christian company and conversation. She often said, through the course of the night, "we ought to go to sleep;" but would again break out in prayer and praise and say, "how good the Lord is to my soul, time is too precious to sleep. October 3d. she conversed much of the goodness of God, and said to a woman that came in, "I often thought when I came so near death, it would appear gloomy, and awful, but, Glory be to God, it appears pleasant." Shortly after she had a fit of the palsy, so that she could not converse much; we thought she was dying,I took her by the hand, and said you will shortly be in Glory— "yes," said she, with joy sparkling in her countenance, "and see my child and Jesus." She was often enquired of whether Jesus was precious, and at all times gave us to understand by signs that he was. October 7th. we were conversing of the happy death of a certain person-I looked round and she was waving her hand with a smiling countenance. I asked if she felt as though she could shout, "yes," said she, and still waving her hand, cried "Glory! Glory! Glory !"

October 11th. But oh! the day of her departure came, in which we saw her sinking into the arms of death. However, for the most part of the time, through the course of the day she appeared to be regular, and her mind clear and serene. A few hours before the soul took its flight, she lay as though lost to all things here below; but appeared to be conversing with invisible guests, and was distinctly heard to say "Glory! Glory! Angels, Angels, Jesus loves me." Shortly after I said to her "my dear, we have gone as far with you as we can, and must now give you up to Jesus. Roll all your burdens on him. He hath suffered more for you than you can suffer. He sympathises with you.— I hope I shall so live as to meet you in Glory." "Yes," said she, putting one hand on my head, and the other on my bosom, with looks the most pleasant, mixed with compassion for her friends. A short time before she breathed her last, I took her by the hand and asked her, if her confidence held out? if Jesus was precious? and if she had a prospect of heaven? she pressed my hand, and said, "yes," and fell a sleep in the arms of Jesus with out a struggle or a groan.

VOL. I.

4

MISCELLANEOUS.

LETTER FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE REVEREND THOMAS COKE, AND REV. FRANCIS ASBURY, BISHOPS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, IN ANSWER TO AN ADDRESS FROM THOSE GENTLEMEN, IN BEHALF OF THE METHODISTS IN THE UNITED

STATES.

"Gentlemen,

"I return to you individually, and through you to your society collectively in the United States, my thanks for the demonstrations of affection, and the expressions of joy offered in their behalf, on my late appointment. It shall be my endeavour to manifest the purity of my inclinations for promoting the happiness of mankind, as well as the sincerity of my desires to contribute whatever may be in my power towards the civil and religious liberties of the American people. In pursuing this line of conduct, I hope, by the assistance of Divine Providence, not altogether to disappoint the confidence which you have been pleased to repose in me.

"It always affords me satisfaction, when I find a concurrence in sentiment and practice between all conscientious men, in acknowledgements of homage to the great Governor of the universe, and in professions of support to a just, civil government. After mentioning that I trust the people of every denomination, who demean themselves as good citizens, will have occasion to be convinced that I shall always strive to prove a faithful and impartial patron of genuine vital religion: I must assure you in particular, that I take in the kindest part the promise you make of presenting your prayers at the throne of grace for me, and that I likewise implore the Divine benediction on yourselves, and your religious community. "G. WASHINGTON."

PRINCE EUGENE'S PRAYER.

I BELIEVE in thee, O my God! Do thou strengthen my faith. I hope in thee, confirm my hopes: I love thee, inflame my love more and more. I repent of all my sins, but do thou increase my repentance. As my first beginning I worship thee; as my last end I long for thee; as my eternal benefactor I praise thee; and as my supreme protector I pray unto thee; that it may please thee, O Lord, to guide and lead me by thy providence, to keep me

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