CREDULITY OF AN UNBELIEVER, AMONG the opposers of Revelation who appeared in the seventeenth century, was Lord Herbert, of Cherbury, who, though he did not absolutely deny the divine origin of the gospel, maintained, at least, that it was not essentially necessary to the salvation of mankind; and threw out, on all occasions, insinuations against revealed religion as absolutely uncertain, and of little or no use. But this same Deist has left upon record one of the strongest instances of fanaticism and absurdity that perhaps has ever been heard of, and of which he himself was guilty. Having finished his book De Verilate, and apprehending that he should meet with much opposition, he was dubious whether to publish or suppress it. Being thus doubtful (says his lordship) in ny chamber (at Paris, where he was ambassador, in the year 1624) one fair day in the summer, my casement being open towards the south, the sun shining clear, and no wind stirring, I took my book De Veritate, in my hands, and kneeling on my knees, devoutly said these words, O thou eternal God, Author of this light that now shines upon me, and Giver of all inward illuminations, I do beseech thee, of thine infinite goodness, to pardon a greater request than a sinner ought to make: I am not satisfied enongir whether I shall publish this book; if it be for thy glory, I beseech thee, give me some sign from heaven; if not, I shall suppress it.' What does the reader now think of this corner-stone of Deism, who demands a supernatural revelation from heaven, in favour of a book that was designed to prove all revelation uncertain and useless? But the absurdity does not rest here; for our Deist not only sought for this revelation, but also obtained it, if we are to believe him. I had no sooner (says he) spoken these words, but a loud, though yet gentle noise, came forth from the heavens (for it was like nothing on earth); which did so cheer and comfort me, that I took my petition as granted.' Rare credulity this in an unbeliever! but these gentlemen can believe even against reason when it answers their purpose. See Leland's View of the Deistical Writers, vol. i. page 470; and Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History, vol. v. page 58. DEATH OF CALVIN. JOHN CALVIN is equally known as the reformer of Geneva, and as the advocate of the doctrines of grace. Beside his labours in the pulpit, in the senate, and in the study, in composing his learned and voluminous commentaries, and other works, he corresponded with the reformers of the age in most other countries, and was, in a manner, the eye and the heart of the Reformation: especially after the death of Luther. On the 6th of February, 1564, Calvin preached his last sermon. He was faint, thin, and consumptive. For ten years together he abstained from dinners, to avoid the head-ach, to which he was very subject. In the latter part of his life he was successively tortured with the gout, the cholic, the stone, and other painful disorders. Notwithstanding which, he never uttered a word unbecoming the Christian or the divine: only, lifting up his eyes to heaven, he used to say, How long Lord?' which was also his usual expression when he heard of the calamities of the church,--for which he felt no less than for his own afflictions. On the 27th of March he was carried in his chair to the senate [of Geneval when he presented to them a new rector for the school; then uncovered his head, and thanked thein for all their favours, and particularly for their great care of him in his sickness; for I perceive (said he) this is the last time I shall come into this place.' His voice failed as he spoke, and the assembly took leave of him in tears. Calvin died on the 27th of May following, aged 55. THE GOOD CHILD'S MISSIONARY. Several letters have been received with School-Offerings, produced by the reading of the humble Petition of the perishing Heathen, inserted in the Magazine for April; from which we give the following Extracts :Rev. and dear Sir, Bristol, May 4, 1812. 'I embrace the earliest opportunity of forwarding to you the sum of -21. 17s. 6d. being the amount of a collection from the children of the Sunday School at the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, for the Missionary Society. It will no doubt afford you pleasure to be informed this was produced by The humble Petition of the perishing Heathen,' which appeared in the Evangelical Magazine for the last month [April.] As we spend half an hour before the regular business of the School commences, in reading any little piece which may be likely to be useful to them, it impressed my mind that the reading of the above would be attended with some advantage. I suggested it to the teachers, who readily acquiesced. It was accordingly done; after which, I endeavoured to point out their happy situation, when contrasted with that of the children of the Heathen, who were perishing for lack of knowledge. I then asked them if they felt no pity for them, and did not wish that good men might be sent to teach them the Scriptures, &c. Their attention seemed to assent; but being desirous to have a farther proof, I requested that those who were willing to assist would hold up their hands. This was truly a gratifying sight their little hands were held up for a considerable time; and every countenance bore evident signs of satisfaction. They were then informed, that the next Sabbath. some further account of the cruelties and superstitions of the heathen would be read to them from the Missionary Anecdotes,' and a Collection made to assist in sending the Good Child's Missionary' to instruct them in the way of salvation. I cannot forbear adding, that the doors were scarcely opened on the following Sabbath, before they ran to me with their little offerings; and it is known that some who had hoarded pretty money (as they term it) exchanged it with their parents, to give on the occasion. You will excuse my trespassing on your time in detailing this; but I mention it, as thinking, if it were known, it may prove a stimulus to others.' Yours, &c. T. C. Extract of Letter from Rev. Mr. Shaw, Ilkeston, near Nottingham. OUR pupils, having read the Juvenile Department of the Magazine for April, wished, of their own accord, to make a Collection; and were anxious to be numbered among those good children who should send a Missionary to the Heathen. I read the same paper to both our congregations (at Moor Green and Ilkeston); the children listened to the piti, able tale; they felt, and contributed their little mite.' • Rev. Sir, Uttoxeter, May 4, 1812. 'I have the pleasure of inclosing a two pound note, collected as below. It was truly pleasing to see the children give with cheerfulness their penny or halfpenny, the savings of the last fortnight, from their weekly allow ance (which they call market penny) towards sending a Missionary to teach the poor Heathen to read the Scriptures, &c. At the close of the subscription it was proposed to return the money to any that had repented. On which several came forward, not to claim the halfpenny given, but to give the other halfpenny which they had reserved for their own use.' REV. SIR,-Having read the Claims of the Heathen,' I was induced to shew it to my young men (having from nine to a dozen of them); who immediately took the hint, and forming themselves into what they call an Infant Auxiliary Society, subscribed a penny a-week. They have likewise got several more to join with them; so that now there are at least 20 members; and am in hopes, in the course of a year, to aid the Missionary Society with a few pounds to carry on their work. Yours, BURROWS, ΝΑ XX. Dbituary. D. G. LADY FRANCES TENISON. APRIL 13, died at Tettenhall, near Wolverhampton, Lady Frances Tenison, the lady of Colonel T. of Castle Tenison, Ireland; whose benevolent heart, and the bright example of Christian piety, which her valuable life afforded, will be long remembered by her friends. Her regard for the cause of God was great; and her heart was filled with love and anxious concern for the salvation of sinners. In an interview with her on the night preced ing the Meeting of the Stafford Auxiliary Bible Society, I shall never forget how her countenance glowed with zeal, and anxious solicitude for its prosperity. MRS. WIDGER. ness!' In this frame 1 left her, to go to the house of worship. Little Oct. 7, 1811, Mrs. Mary Gifwas understood of what she said ford Widger was removeď from this mortal life, aged 34. She had about five, she fled to her blessed during the night in the morning, the happiness to be born of pious abode. Her death was attempted parents. Early in life she discovered an amiable disposition and a gooding Lord's Day, to a crowded house, to be improved by D. G. the followcapacity. She imbibed the princi- from Rev. xiv. 13, at the request ples of religion, under the care of of her sorrowful partner. her uncle, the Rev. James Stoat, with whom she lived, and became acquainted with the gospel in its saving power. At 23 she was married to Mr. Austin Widger, an affectionate husband; and soon after joined to the church under her uncle's care. She was truly an example to the followers of Jesus in all the departments of Christian deportment. The closet, the parlour, family, bed of sickness, and the public worship of God, witnessed the ardent piety of her soul. About two years prior to her death, she removed with Mr. W. to Buckfastleigh, where she finished her course. Here, as well as in her former place, her bright example shone to all around. In the beginning of Aug. 1811, she went to Teignmouth with her infant son, to visit a pious sister, and avail herself of the sea air; which however did 'not agree with her. She consequently returned, much emaciated, and in a few weeks was seized with a putrid fever. Sept. 29, I was called to Plymouth; from that time she was confined to her bed. On my return I visited her on the Friday evening, conversed with her a little, and by her desire prayed with her; when she was joyful and resigned. On the Sabbath afternoon I again attended her; she had a little before sang a line or two of Salvation, O the joy ful sound!' then she was beclouded in her mind, and requested me to intreas the throne of grace for her. She asked what day it was. swered, the Lord's Day, and we have been at his table praying for you; and you are going to feast with the Lamb.. She answered, 'Blessed "day! A little after, she said, "Sir,, may the Lord fill you with all ful 6 1 au The Lord's Day evening preceding her death, she was in good spirits, read a sermon to her family and servants, after which she retired to rest; and about eight o'clock next morning, the Lord called her to glory. Her beloved sister, Lady Eleanor King, with whom she was of one heart and mind, I trust, will yet be spared, to be a blessing to the neighbourhood. Wolverhampton. RECENT DEATHS. W. L. MARCH 5, 1812, died, after a short illness, Mr. Thomas Wyatt, late Master of St. Pancras Workhouse.For the last eight years he had filled this situation with unblemished integrity, acting as master and minister to the people, and as a parent, to the children, reproving sin, and couraging piety. He preached among them every Sabbath the great truths of the gospel; catechized and instructed the children, visited the sick and dying. He had the happiness of see en Singular Instance of Mortality. ing some triumph in Christ; and, no in death. To a friend, Saturday previous to his dissolution, he said, I long to be released, to be with my blessed Lord. Lord, thou knowest I long to be with thee.' His complaint was such as prevented his speaking much; but during the whole of his illness, he evidenced that he knew in whom he had believed. By his desire, his death was improved by the Rev. Josiah Pratt, at St. John's Chapel, from the words of Job, There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary are at rest.' As he lived both beloved and respected, so his death will be long lamented He has left a widow, advanced in pregnancy, to mourn the loss of an affectionate huse J. D. band. MAY 6, died at Reading, in the 69th year of her age, Mrs, Mary Arnold (wife of the Rev. T.A.) after a long illness, which, thro' grace, she was enabled to bear with Chris tian resignation and patience. Her mind throughout her illness was calm and peaceful. Faith in the word of God was the support of her soul; and she rejoiced in the hope of immortality. On the 2d of June died, at his house on Stamford Hill, Wilson Birkbeck, Esq. in consequence of having grazed his shin by a fall, at the annual meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society, on the 6th of May. This gentleman had been a very active and valuable member of the Committee in that Institution: his casualty was deemcd so slight as to have occasioned no immediate alarm; but he shortly afterwards became delirious, and terminated a life which (from his general health and vigour of constitution) promi ed fair to have been of long continuance. He was an highly respected member of the society of friends, generally cailed Quakers; and his loss will be deeply lamented by those who knew his intrinsic worth. June 3, died the Rev. E. Porters, of Highgate, aged 56; and 25 years minister of the Independent Congregation in that place. JAN. 28, died at Bristol Hot Wells, after a lingering illness of more than two years continuance, Anne Bowerbank, aged 26; and on the 9th of March, at the house of her brother, the Rev. T. F. Bowerbank, Vicar of Chiswick, Isabella Bowerbank, only surviving sister, aged 22; following their youngest brother Edward, aged 23, and their within the short period of ten sister Mary, aged 24, to the grave, months. The circumstances at tending the deaths of these four young persons are very remarkable! Their brother Edward arrived from India, labouring under a deep de cline: his sister Mary came from Bristol to see him at Chiswick; but would not be persuaded of his dan ger until she had heard the decided opinion of the medical attendants given to an indifferent person; for which purpose she concealed her self behind the curtain. Now, said she, I am satisfied. I hope I shall not survive him.' She was taken ill the next morning, and, after 12 days, died; preceding the object of her tender solicitude to the grave by exactly a month. Sis milar, but more awful, has been the months past it had been her repeat fate of poor Isabel. For several ed declaration, both by letter and words, that, anxious as she might be to have health and strength to administer to the comforts of her lingering sister, yet, as soon as the scene of her suffering should close, life would become indifferent to herself. How inscrutable are the ways of Providence! On Wednesburied; on Friday she accompanied day the 5th inst. her sister was her brother to Chiswick, where she arrived without the least fatigue on Saturday; on Sunday, after a few hours of apparently trifling indisposition, from which she appeared taking some refreshment, she raised to be fast recovering, in the act of her eyes, and without the least change of feature, or posture, immediately expired ! They were four of the six children of the late Rev. Ed.Bowerbank, rector of Croft and Barningham, York; and prebendary of Lincoln. C. B. REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. The Substance of a Conversation thought, to melt a heart of stone; with J. Bellingham, the Assassin, and then read to him a letter, statMay 17, 1812; together with some ing, that the afflicted Mrs. Perceval, general Remarks. By D. Wilson, A. M. Minister of St. John's Charound the corpse of her murdered with her orphan children, had knelt pel. 8vo, 2s. IN the Intelligence of our last Magazine we recorded briefly the crime and fate of this unhappy man. We mentioned also, that on the day preceding his execution he was visited by the above clergy man, in company with a lay gen tleman. Mr. Bellingham had been apprized of their visit, and res ceived them with great civility. Mr. Wilson began the conversation by some general remarks on the depravity of human nature, and on the way of salvation, in which the prisoner acquiesced with a cold indifference. confess my sins," said the unhappy man, in the calm and unfeeling tone which he generally preserved; but I cannot say that I feel that sorrow you de scribe, nor that earnest hungering of mind after salvation. Soon after this, Mr. Wilson went to prayer, and the prisoner added his Amen to most of his petitions in an audi ble, though tame' manner. Wilson renewed the subject with encreased energy, and gradually adverted to his last fatal crime; and the gentleman who accom panied him read a letter, to shew the kind and benevolent disposition, of the late Chancellor of the Exche quer. Mr. I thought it now proper, as every other mode of address had failed, and his last direful crime had been introduced, to turn the conversation towards it; and, as I found he spoke on the subject with the same calm indifference, and monstrous apathy as on the gene ral topics of religion, I conceived 1 could not begin with any thing more calculated to soften him than a most interesting and affecting circumstance, with which I had been furnished the moment before 1 went to the prison. I accordingly to d him I had an anecdote to relate to him, which was sufficient, I husband, and had put up earnest prayers to God for his murderer. Thus, said I, while you, on a mere presumption of injury in your own mind, have assassinated a man who had never personally injured you, and whose amiable and benevolent character you cannot but acknowledge, his widowed partner, whose injuries from you are incalculably greater than any you can even pretend to have received from Mr. Perceval, has, in all the poignancy of her anguish, been offering up prayers to God on your behalf. As I was standing up to read the letter, by a dimly burning candle against the wall of the cell, my friend took particular notice of the murderer's countenance, and dis tinctly observed, that on hearing this touching account, he hung down his head for an instant (for he had been before stedfastly looking at, us) as though he was much affected. He'soon, however, resumed his former attitude, and said as one recollecting himself, This was a Christian spirit! She must be a good woman. Her conduct was more like a Christian's than my own, certainly. He was silent for a moment, and then said, turning aside to a totally distinct topic, and yet with the air of a man who was niceting all my arguments, I have confessed my sins before God, and trust to a general amnesty of them.' Mr. Wilson objected to this general mode of confession, as unmeaning and unavailing; he then said, that no man could know all his sins; that therefore a general confession was all that any one could make. No one, it is true," I replied, "can understand all his errors; but cannot, and does not every man know his prominent and flagrant crimes? and ought not the guilt of murder to sink. deep in the soul, and pierce it with sorrow and contrition? whereas by this general |