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Evangelicana.

A REMARKABLE PROVIDENCE.

[From the New York Christian Magazine for August, 1811.]

SOMETIME in March, A. D. 1811, a pious young man, of one of the episcopal churches in this city (New York) said to a young lady, there are two poor women, who live near me, that are objects of charity. Have you any thing to send them? The enquiry was enough to move a benevolent heart. The young lady, who had lately entered into the connubial state, sent them, from her own stores, some of the conveniences of life; and soon after visited them in person. She found two maiden females advanced in life, inhabiting a small apartment in a cellar. One was afflicted with the slow consumption; and the other was under the necessity of devoting her time to her apparently dying sister; so that neither of them being able to earn any thing, they were miserably destitute. The young visitant found them in want of all things but confidence in God, and hope in his mercy; and, as it became one of the followers of the benevolent Jesus, took effectual measures to provide for the necessities of the afflicted sisters.

In one of her visits to this abode of misery, the young lady learned that the persons whom she relieved by her bounty, had once the pleasure of administering relief to the necessitous. Once they were rich; once they visited the poor, fed the hungry, and supported the sick; but, in the late revolutionary war between this country and Great Britain, they lost their father, lost their property in the general disorder of the times; and they, when young ladies, with their mother, were compelled to keep a boarding-house for their own subsistence. Some of their boarders were soldiers; and one of them, a young man from Connecticut, who, in the hard times which our fathers saw, with his soldier's pay, never paid, was unable to discharge even the bill for his board.

When thus poor he was taken sick; and for five or six weeks these reduced young ladies attended upon him gratuitously, with all the kindness which he might have expected from the daughters of his mother. They cast their bread upon the waters.'

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But who was this soldier? Who was this young person that was providentially sent to relieve those who had formerly relieved others?

It is not expedient to give names. The soldier having fought all the battles to which he was appointed, has laid aside his armour, and now sleeps in Jesus, A son of the soldier is still alive, and the young lady is his bosom companion: yea, it was the good pleasure of God, that the wife of the son of the sick soldier should comfort those who comforted him. The aged females have been assisted as many months as they assisted the soldier weeks. After many days, the bread which they cast upon the waters, is returned to them. They had pity on the poor; and now the Lord, according to his gracious obligations, is pleased to pay them with interest.

Reader, Go thou and do likewise. Then, should you be sick and brought to a piece of bread, may the son of some widow, whom you have befriended in your more prosperous days, furnish you with a few sticks to warn your blasted frame, with a covering for your couch, with suitable beverage for your parched tongue, and prevent you from saying, Alas! I die friendless in my native land!'

EVANGELISTARIUM.

A VERY curious manuscript, called Evangelistarium, or Collection of Gospels, read in the public service of the church, which was written by order of the Emperor Charlemagne, about the year 781, has lately

been presented to Bonaparte, by the city of Toulouse, This manuscript was given by Charlemagne to the Abbey of St. Servin, at Toulouse, when the Emperor was travelling that way. It is adorned with miniatures, which exemplify the state of the arts at that early period.

ON THE SOURCE OF INFIDELITY. FROM BISHOP PORTEUS.

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It is not, in general, the want of evidence, but the want of virtue, that makes men infidels; let them cease to be wicked, and they will soon cease to be unbelievers. It is with the heart,' says St. Paul (not with the head) that man believeth unto righteousness. Correct the heart, and all will go right. Unless the soil is good, all the seed cast upon it will be wasted in vain. In the parable of the Sower' we find, that the only seed which came to perfection was that which fell on good ground, -on an honest and good heart. This is the first and most essential requisite to belief. Unbelievers complain of the mysteries of Revelation but we have the highest authority for saying that, in general, the only mystery which prevents them from receiving it is -the mystery of iniquity. Bishop Porteus's Third Lecture.

JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

HENRY LANGTREE

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WAS born in Oldcastle, in the county of Meath. It was the privilege of this child to be born of religious parents, who thought it equally their duty and their privilege to offer up their children to God in prayer, that they might become partakers of his Spirit. With regard to the deceased, their supplications were not in vain. Parental instruction and examples were sanctified to his early conversion. When between four and five years old, he was one day observed to weep bitterly. On being asked, Henry, what's the matter?-why do you weep?' He answered, cause I am a sinner, and have need of pardon." He was always grave and solemn ; his countenance expressive of a settled peace of mind. A friend saw him one day, when about eight years old, going to school, when some foolish boys, (knowing his seriousness) threw clods at him he turned about, and, without any emotion, spoke seriously to them, and went on his way; while they appeared much ashamed.

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About this time he had very impressive views of his character; and, possessing just sentiments of gospel truth, he never indulged a hope of reconciliation to God, but through the blood of the cross. He could talk of the plan of salvation with great clearness; and with gratitude would often speak of the love of God to man, in sending his Son to redeem a perishing world.

He would by no means associate with ungodly children, knowing their company was dangerous, and might prove infectious. Only once, in all his life, he thought to divert himself like other children with some plaything; but, feeling dissatisfied, he threw it from him where it could not be found again, saying, 'It could not satisfy an immortal soul.' He saw his necessity to watch and pray; and three or four times a day retired for devotion: this he steadily attended to; and at these seasons his mother often came into the room without his knowledge, such was his earnestness at the throne of grace, He sometimes prayed in the family (when requested) with great earnestness, and in such language as discovered his deep piety and devotion to God.

The love he had to his parents was remarkable; which he proved by strict obedience to their commands. He felt what they felt, by tender sympathy with them in all their troubles. Some time before his last sickness, his father was dangerously ill, and there remained but little

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hope of his recovery. Seeing his mother's anxiety, he said, Mother, don't be uneasy, God will provide. He will be faithful to his promise; and, if I live, I will take care of you, and strive to make you happy.'

Some months prior to his last affliction, he was seized with a severe illness. The Lord was his help, who strengthened him to endure great and continual pain with a great degree of patience and submission.

A little before his last illness he appeared stronger, and his health more established than usual; but, like a fading flower, he was brought low by consumption. which soon wasted him to a skeleton, and terminated in death. He bore his affliction with cheerfulness and fortitude of soul, even to the last. He was entirely confined to his bed; and much afflicted with a cough. Once, after a painful fit, he said to his mother, What are my sufferings to what the Lord Jesus suffered for me? They are not to be compared with the glory which shall be hereafter revealed.'

Through the whole of his illness he was never known to murmur. When receiving refreshment, he expressed much thankfulness to God. To those who enquired how he was, he used to answer cheerfully, being unwilling to complain of what he suffered.

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When any of his school-fellows came to see him, he warmly advised them to flee from the wrath to come; particularly one of them. He asked him,' How often do you pray in the day?' He answered," Once." That,' he returned, is not enough; your soul has need of spiritual food: nor can it be sustained without it, any more than your body with natural food. Beseech the Lord to teach you how to pray, and what to pray for, and to live to him who died for you.'

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A few days before his death, he was so low that he appeared as if unable to survive any longer. His soul was happy and without a cloud. Recovering a little strength, he said to his father, I thought I should have been ere now with Jesus.' He asked him, “Do you long to be away?" He answered, I dare not choose any thing; he knows best what to do with me: the will of the Lord be done! Perceiving his mother weeping, he said, 'Do not weep for me; I shall soon be happy with the Lord, where my Sabbaths shall never end, and where I shall drink, never to be dry again, of that fountain which makes glad the city of God.'

Three days before his departure, he was exceedingly weak, and unable to speak as usual. When asked the state of his mind, his answer was, Blessed be God, I am happy. His mother speaking to him on the terrors of death, he replied, I have no fears of death." She asked him why? The answer was, I have an interest in the blood of Christ.' She asked, "Would he not be sorry to leave her and his dear father.” 'No,' said he; I have a greater prospect in view than any thing here; I hope to be soon singing the praises of the great Three-One above; and shall have a blessed convoy of angels to conduct me to the realms of day.' It might be truly said, that he lived and died, waiting for the salvation of the Lord, and resting upon the Rock of Ages.

On the morning before he died, his father spoke to him of the goodness of God in calling him to seek his face, fitting him for himself, and promising him a crown of life. O yes, father,' he replied with joy,' I

shall soon wear it.'

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On the day of his death he could only speak in broken accents; but evinced by his looks and gestures a happy mind, elevated above the world, and fixed on things above. Just as his happy soul was on the wing for eternity, being asked respecting his state, he said, All is well,' These were his last words. He lay motionless, with a sweet serenity on his countenance, breathing shorter and shorter for about ten minutes; and then, without the least struggle, fell asleep in Jesus. Thus died Henry Langtree, in hoary youth,' aged nine years and a half! Dublin.

ADOLESCENS.

MRS. BURN.

Obituary.

THE memory of the just is precious, after they have changed the Society of the church militant for that which is triumphant, aud left their slumbering dust under the charge of Jesus, to be deposited in the silent grave until the morning of the resurrection.

Mrs. Barbara Burn, the subject of this memoir, and the only daughter of James and Margaret Cunningham, was born at Borrowstownness, near Edinburgh, November 29, 1734.

At seven years of age she removed with her parents to Sheffield, in Yorkshire; where they became members of the church, under the pastoral charge of the late Rev. John Pye. His ministry, connected with the holy example and conversation of her parents, were blessed to her early and experimental acquaintance with the great truths of the gospel so that, almost from a child, she might be said to love as well as know the Scriptures. When very young, she was admitted a member of the church to which her parents belonged, and walked in sweet fellowship with the saints.

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She was afterwards married to Mr. William Burn of Hull, an exemplary and honourable deacon of the church there, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. G. Lambert: in whose introduction to that place he was also one of the principal in

struments.

After a most affectionate and happy union with her beloved husband for 22 years, he was taken away from her by death; and she was left with the care of six children. Great and many were the trials brought upon her by this bereaving dispensation ;-but she was wonderfully supported, and amply supplied by that God, who has styled himself the Father of the fatherless, and Judge of the widow.' His many and gracious interpositions in her behalf not only caused her admiring heart to overflow with praise, but enabled her after

wards to encourage many a drooping spirit, under similar circumstances.

She was spared several years after her children were grown up, and not only enjoyed it as a season of exemption from the bustle of worldly business, but most carefully improved it in private devotion, and in reading pious authors; but especially the word of God. It was often observed by her friends, with what delight and refreshment she read all accounts relative to the spread of the gospel in the world; and with what cheerful readiness she came forward with her subscriptions to the Missionary, the Tract, British and Foreign Bible, and other Societies, which she thought calculated to further the Redeemer's interest in the world.

Such was the profit that she found in the ways of God, that she was never absent from his house when she could attend; and was often found there when very weak in body; even a very short time before her final remove, she was heard to exclaim, O how amiable are thy tabernacles!' how I long again to visit the sanctuary of my God!

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She was truly a mother in Israel; and her spiritual, lively, and encouraging conversation was rendered very profitable to the young; while with her aged fellow -travellers, she would often look back, and help them to record many a past mercy; for mercy was her delightful and darling theme.

The humility, meekness, and patience of her dear Lord and Saviour were studied and copied by her; and the graces he bestowed upon her were improved and increased by a close and careful walk with God.

Her last illness, though it confined her to the bed four months, and was accompanied with extreme weakness and much pain, was borne with that humble patience and holy resignation which God alone could impart. She was constantly admiring his mercies bestowed upon her, and recommend

ing the love of her dear Saviour to all around her. This was her prevailing subject; and, as long as ske was able to speak, her lips overflowed with the high praises of her God. Her common answer to any friend who asked her how she did, was, I am a miracle of mercy; I am fixed upon my God, and he is the Rock of my salvation.'

One of her sons being abroad, a foreigner called upon her a few days before she died, to inform her that he had lately seen that son in good health. After several cnquiries, she desired the gentleman to give her love to him, and to tell him from a dying parent, to remember and serve the God of his fathers; and then added, I pray to myGod to bless him.' The foreigner said, with much apparent feeling, There is no fear of death here! What a good thing it is to be religious! Thus she continued trusting and rejoicing in God as long as she had strength. Two days before her departure, speech failed; but even then the composure and placidity of her countenance indicated that God was with her of a truth, and that in him she enjoyed peace.

After a pilgrimage of 76 years, she finished her course, full of days, of faith, and of consolation, in the evening of December 18, 1810, and went to heaven, accompanied by the prayers and tears of her affectionate relatives and friends, who witnessed her departure.

A funeral sermon was preached by her affectionate pastor on the Lord's Day following, from Psalm xxiii. 6. W. B.

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solemn and numerous congrega tion, by Mr. Smellie.

Mr. White possessed great talents and pure benevolence; and was indulged with peculiar usefulness, &c.; was a man of considerable ability in the original Scriptures; a judicious preacher, and a disinterested labourer in the vineyard of Christ *. He has left a voluminous account of his experience and life from 1757 to 1785. He was truly Calvinistic and independent in his sentiments and conduct. In him the church and congregation at Huttoft and Mablethorpe have lost a great character, the Lincolnshire Association a stedfast brother, and the Missionary Society a constant supporter.

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On observing her youngest daughter in tears, she said,' Don't grieve for me, but turn your sorrow into prayer.' She had no desire to continue in the flesh. She frequently was speaking of the felicity of those who had past the verge of Jordan to the land of Canaan above. The last nine days of her life in which she was confined to her bed, were made up of humility, gratitude, and love. She commended her two daughters to God, who alone could keep them; and begged they would live in his fear, saying, All will then be well with you. After which she seemed unconcerned about and quite disengaged from any thing in this world, as one that had taken her leave of every thing here below; and was at leisure tions. After lying a short time she for nothing but heavenly contempla

broke out in these words, Lord Jesus receive my spirit.' Soon after, her willing spirit took its flight into the arms of the Redeemer, without a struggle, -This solema event was improved by the Rev. Mr. Thorpe, from 2 Tim. iv. 6,

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