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he had a peculiarly happy method of explaining and applying the va rious parts of Christian experience. An humble sense of his own unworthiness, and a cheerful resignation to the Divine Will, were leading traits in his character. Whatever difficulties might occur in the dispensations of Providence or of grace, they were all solved and removed by the application of this one sentence, "Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight." Having thus borne an honourable testimony to the reality of religion and the power of godliness for the space of nifty years, he was at length called to confirm and strengthen that testimony by a corresponding temper and deportment upon a death-bed. He had long accustomed himself to reflect upon the event of his final dissolution,-and could, therefore, view its approach without any emotion of fear and dismay; and in the midst of all his sufferings, he rejoiced in hope of the glory of God." A few days previous to his departure, he was favoured with some delightful foretastes of that glory, which was soon to be more fully revealed; and, from that circumstance, was persuaded that his time on earth would be very short. Early in the morning of July 19, with unusual strength and clearness of voice, he committed all his concerns for time and eternity to the care of a faithful and unchanging God. To his aged wife, he said, "I have Heaven upon earth." She asked him, what must become of her when he should be gone to his final home? He said, I leave you in the Lord's hands: he has provided for you so far, and he will provide to the end; and will shortly bring you to your eternal rest!" In the most impressive manner, he soon after exclaimed, lifting up both his hands ia an attitude of astonishment, "How little! how mean! how vain! do all created things now look within sight of the promised land -- His bodily weakness continned to increase, with evident symptoms that the springs of life were nearly exhausted, but hear ing a friend ask if he was asleep

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On the 30th of July, 1802, aged twenty-seven, died John Winław, butcher, in Berwick-upon-Tweed. His death was matter of sorrow to a number of the people of God in this place, who have sustained a loss which only can be made up by so. vereign grace calling others, as it was manifested in plucking him, as a brand out of the burning. He re. ceived religious impressions when about sixteen or seventeen years of age, and at a time when placed amongst those who had no fear of God before their eyes. Having tasted that the Lord was gracious, he began to ask the way to Sion, with his face thitherward; and was instructed in the way of the Lord more perfectly by some experienced Christians. He soon joined a prayer. meeting, and was a constant attendaut, and an ornamental member until the time of his last sickness. He was likewise a useful member of the gratis Sabbath Evening SchoolSociety in this place, and cheerfully assisted as a teacher in one of the schools. In his worldly calling, our deceased friend was honest and upright; and accompanied by the bles sing of God, his business was in a prosperous way. As a Christian, he had a conversation becoming the gospel of Christ, and was remarka ble for artless simplicity and godly sincerity; insomuch, that even those who care for non of these things, were constrained to speak well of him. He esteemed all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, and cordially

OBITUARY.

80 joined with them in the work of the Lord, although they did not see every thing in the same light as he did. On the Lord's Day, July 18, after he came from public worship, he found himself unwell; he continued so for several days; but was not thought dangerous. During this time, he appeared comfortable in his soul, and resigned to this providence, saying, he was in the hands of a merciful God, who had shewed him much kindness. being the Sabbath, he expressed a On the 25th, wish that none but pious people might come in to his room; and desired a friend to read him several portions of Scripture; said he, "have been refreshing to "these," me in times past. The righteousness of Christ is all my desire; and I trust this alone for my everlasting salvation." The fever, which until now had been moderate, began to increase. The surgeon asking, if a physician might be called on; he replied, they might do so; but he placed no dependence on human

aid.

Mrs. W. being much distressed on his account, he said unto her, "My dear, it seems to be the will of our heavenly Father that I must

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leave you; but my God shall ply all your need. He hath mised to be a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless. O train up the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, of their father." It now became that they may early know the God apparent that his departure was at hand; he several times wished to speak to those around him, but was unable; and, a little before he expired, he seemed as if engaged in praising God with his last labouring breath.

RECENT DEATHS.

died Charles Townsend, Esq. of Homerton, in the parish of St. John, On Sunday, the 2d of January, Hackney, after a short illness, which into the world of spirits ; and, on the Saturday following, Edward was closed by a happy dismission Hanson, Esq. of Clapton, in the waiting, entered into his desired rest. same parish; who, after patiently

gentlemen, and to the liberal things devised by them for the poor, and Some particulars relative to these for the interest of religion, we shall lay before the public in a future No.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The Directors feel a peculiar pleasure in recommending the following Letter to the serious attention of the religious public. They notice, with gratitude to God, this auspicious commencement of a most important Mission, which was in their own contemplation at the formation of the London Society; and can do no less than warmly commend it to the benevolent patronage of those who long, and pray, and exert themselves, for the glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom. To the Rev. J. Eyre, Secretary to the London Missionary Society.

Edinburgh, Dec. 28, 1802. Sir, THE Directors of the Edinburgh Missionary Society would be deficient in the gratitude which they owe to God, if they embraced not the earliest opportunity of laying before you, and other friends of the

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great cause in which they are en-
gaged, the very remarkable coun-
tenance which the Divine Provi-
dence has given to the late at-
tempts of the Society, and the
holds out,
schemes with increasing vigour.
strong encouragement which it now
to prosecute their

For several years past, our atten-
northern shores of the Caspian
tion had been directed towards the
Sea, as a situation peculiarly fit for

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the establishment of a Christian Mission. The more we examined the map of the world, and considered the moral and religious state of its inhabitants, the more deeply did this idea impress our minds. Almost in the center of the Old Continent; on the confines of several of the greatest empires in the world, having Persia on the south, Turkey on the west, Russia on the north, and Tartary on the east ; rounded on every hand by numerous tribes of men, all sunk in the deepest ignorance and depravity; some of them indeed, professedly Christians, though altogether strangers to genuine Christianity; the rest, either Mahommedans, fellowers of the Dalai Lama, or Heathens of some other creed, what a wide field of usefulness here for faithful Missionaries! What an inviting situation for scattering some handfuls of the corn of Heaven! and what rich returns might, by the blessing of God, be expect ed in the conversion and salvation of perishing millions!

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Obvious, however, as were the advantages of this Missionary station, difficulties of a formidable, nay, apparently insurmountable nature, presented themselves to accurate observers. These we shall not at present detail. Suffice it to say, that for a while they damped the courage of the most confident, and checked the ardour of the most zealous. Hence, opportunity of preaching the gospel in this extensive and uncivilized part of the globe, was an object rather of desire than of hope.

Yet the magnitude of the object seemed to demand that an experiment should be made. The Edinburgh Missionary Society, therefore, after collecting information from every quarter to which they had access, and after many consultations together on the subject, and frequent prayer for divine direction, resolved, notwithstanding the disapprobation of many, and the fears of more, to risk the small remainder of their funds on a Mission of Inquiry to Astrakhan, and the countries adjacent; satisfied that, if the attempt should fail, they had

done their duty; and that, should it promise to succeed, the friends of the gospel would come cheerfully forward to furnish them with the means of carrying it into effect.

It was a circumstance for which they desire to be thankful to God, that, when they formed this resolution, the Rev. Henry Brunton, who had formerly given proof of his prudence and zeal as one of their Missionaries among the Susoos, in Africa; and who had afterwards proved his capacity for the acquisition of foreign languages, by composing several religious tracts in the Susoo language, was then not only unemployed, but zealous for hazarding his person in such an attempt. The Society, therefore, committed to him, in conjunction with Alexander Paterson, a young man of whom they had every reason to think well, and whom they had been educating for two years preceding for Missionary labours, the execution of this very difficult and hazardous work. After having been separated for their work, and committed to the protection of God, they set sail for St. Peters burgh in the month of April last, taking along with them Ġillorum Harrison, an African youth, who had been committed to Mr. Brunton's charge in Africa. Our hearts followed them with many anxieties for their welfare, trembling often, not only for the issue of their mission, but even for their personal safety.

Blessed be God, who has disappointed our fears, and exceeded our hopes! The Society has reason to erect a stone of memorial, and to call it Ebenezer; because hitherto the Lord hath helped. After a prosperous voyage, our Missionaries reached St. Petersburgh the beginning of May. There they received many civilities from the persons to whom they were recommended; and although for some time they met with many discouragements respecting the object of their mission, and almost all classes of persons with whom they conversed, agreed in representing the difficulty and extreme danger of fixing their residence in the southern parts of

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the Russian empire; and still more, of attempting to convert the natives to the Protestant faith,-insomuch, that they almost despaired of obtaining liberty even to travel thro' the empire, yet, at length, through the good hand of God upon them, their fears were dispelled, the obstructions to their progress moved, and their way made prosperous. He, in whose hand are the hearts of all men, unexpectedly raised up for them a friend in M. Novassilzoff, a Russian nobleman, in the confidence of the Emperor, and a Lord of his Bed-chamber. Through his means they obtained not only the permission, but the approbation of the Russian government. Passports were granted them, with liberty to travel thro' the empire, and settle in any part of it they chose ;-post-horses were ordered; private letters of introduction were given them; and an open letter was written by M. Novassilzoff, recommending them to the protection and kind attentions of all civil and military officers. Thus the difficulty which the Society were taught to consider as the greatest, has not only been removed, but a degree of public countenance has been given to the mission, of which those who were most sanguine in their expectations, never entertained the most distant hope.

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Encouraged by these tokens of the care of Providence, our Missionaries proceeded by the way of Moscow, Tambou, and Sarepta, to Astrakhan; and performed a journey of about 1400 English niles, which occupied them nearly two months, without accident or other inconvenience beyond what must be considered as unavoidable in such a journey through such countries. Everywhere they met with kindness. The magistrates of the places through which they passed, were forward to assist them, and many private individarals received them with hospitality, particularly the Moravian Brethren at Moscow and Sarepta; and, after they reached Astrakhan, Mr Brenner, a German banker.

The city of Astrakhan appear

ing, in some respects, an unsuitable situation for commencing their Missionary labours, they left it on the 10th of August, proceeding south-west towards the country of Georgia. Their intention was to have settled in Teffis, or its neighbourhood. But here again Providence kindly raised up for them a protector, counsellor, and guide. General Knoring, the GovernorGeneral of these provinces, dissuaded them, on account of the unsettled state of the country, from proceeding into Georgia; and directed them to move towards Cir. cassia, They halted, therefore, for some time at Georghiyersk, and then proceeded to Constantinegorod, at the foot of the mountains of Caucasus; the governor which, by the General's orders, furnished them with a guard to enable them with safety to explore the surrounding country. At length, after some days search, they found a most eligible spot; and have taken up their residence at Karass, a Tartar village in the neighbourhood of that fort, inhabited by above 500 souls; where they lodge in the sultan's house, and enjoy the protection of a Russian garrison.

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God, who has promised to "lead the blind in a way they knew not; and in paths which they have not known," has thus given our Missionaries favour in the sight of strangers; has led them in safety through a long and dangerous journey, by sea and land; has preserved them in health, though they passed through various climates in the sultry season of the year,—and, during three months, slept seldom under a roof; has conducted them to a place which appears peculiarly adapted for a Missionary station; and has opened to them a wide door (May it also be an effectual one!) of usefulness to multitudes of immortal beings involved in ignorance and guilt! What may we not hope from such auspicious beginnings? Shall we say, that he who has led them, as by the right hand, from their native homes to the foot of Caucasus, intends, after all, to defeat our expectations? Rather let us hope, that God has many

souls in these dark and desolate regions, for whose sakes he has conducted them thither; and that, ere long, the light of the glorious gospel shall diffuse, through them, its cheering rays!

Look into the map of the world, and see in what a desirable and hopeful station Divine Providence has placed them. Observe that narrow slip of land which separates the Euxine from the Caspian Sea. Towards the northern extremity of this, at an equal distance of 400 versts (somewhat less than 300 miles) from each, near the source of the river Cubane, which separates the Russian from the Turkish empire, is a Tartar village, Karass; the inhabitants of which are Mahommedans; and in which, as it is composed of natives of all the surrounding countries, six or seven different languages are understood. In its neighbourhood, on one hand, is a horde of Nagay Tartars; subject to Russia. A little more than a day's journey on the other, are the Cubane Tartars; subject to Turkey. All around them are Circassians, Kabardians, and Abyssinians. Here, amidst darkness, and vice, and misery, are two men who have left their country and their friends; who, for the sake of Christ and the souls of men, have parted with all that men hold dear; who have devoted their lives, that they might be the messengers of good, the heralds of peace and salvation, to the wretched natives. Are they to be abandoned to their fate? or shall they have sympathy and support? Shall we recall them, and shut the door of hope to the Heathen and Mahommedans around them, which God has thrown open? or shall we follow the leadings of Providence, send them the necessary supplies, and, in particular, hasten to them others to take part with them in their labours?

plans, would bet ray a fickleness of temper unworthy a Society erected for the diffusion of the truth; and, after the very striking testimonies of the divine approbation which you have already received, would be to counteract the apparent intentions of Providence, and to obstruct the very cause which it is the professed design of your institution to promote. By all means persevere. Hasten to them the necessary supplies. Send them, with all speed,

fellow-labourers to comfort them in their solitude, and assist them in their work. "Trust in the Lord, and do good." Though the beginnings are small, the latter end may greatly increase.

The Directors of the Society are eager to follow the counsel which you gave them. They are anxious to send them the necessary supplies; and, if possible, by the month of April, three young men who have been educating for the service, under their inspection. At that time, they wish to send out Mrs. Brunton and her family; and they are convinced that, to give effi ciency to the undertaking, several more Missionaries should accom pany them to the same spot.

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But, Sir, what can we do? will is present with us; but how to perform the good that we would, we find not, We are deficient both in Missionaries and in money. The expences of the undertaking, tho' hitherto smaller than we could have previously imagined, you cannot doubt, must have been considerable; and the funds of the Society are insufficient, not only to send out the number of Missionaries which we deem necessary, but even to send out the few who are under our. charge, and only wait our orders to join their friends in Circassia.

Nor would you be surprized at the low state of our funds, did you know how few donations we have We anticipate your reply. To of late received, and how we have abandon your Missionaries, you employed what the liberality of the say, in such circumstances, were friends of the gospel has committed inhumane, and, after the assur- to our charge. The Society have ances of support which they must educated and maintained sixteen have received, would be perfidious. Missionaries, some of them with faTo recall then before experience milies. Besides, unwilling that demonstrate the inefficiency of your their funds should remain unoccu

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