MRS. SMITH. Dbituary. THE consistent life and dying experience of eminent believers is so full of instruction, that though we are frequently presented with blessed instances of the triumphs of faith over the fear of death, and the divine supports afforded amidst the extremities of the last awful moment, yet we cannot withhold from the public an account of Mrs. SMITH, of Billericay, in Essex, who lately departed this life, full of that 'peace which passeth all understanding, and of that hope which maketh not ashamed.' And she lived as she died; she lived to the Lord, and died in the Lord! Having had much forgiven her, she loved much; and, with a noble consistency of conduct devoted herself to the service of God her Saviour. As her case was remarkable, and her experience instructive, it will be right, and may, through God's blessing, be profit, able to trace the work of grace on her mind. Fourteen years ago she was visited by a very alarming disorder, accompanied with much terror and anguish of mind; which seems to have been the means of awakening her to a sight of her condition and danger, as a sinner. Though always moral and exemplary as to outward behaviour, she now saw herself undone for ever without a better righteousness than her own. She lived under the influence of terror for some time; but at length was encouraged to lay aside her unbelieving fears by that gracious declaration, - Him that cometh unto me, I will in nowise cast out.' And on that passage she had lived (she said) as her main support through life. At first, however, she could only go now and then and look at that passage, and was afraid to open her Bible, lest she should meet with some of those alarming threatenings which she considered as levelled at herself, and sealing her own condemnation. Nor can we wonder at her reluctXX. ance to take the promises and comforts of the Gospel to herself, when we consider the state of a soul awakened to a sense of its dangerous and ruined circumstances, and seeing sin as exceeding sinful,' as an offence against infinite power, love, and mercy. She at length, however, sought and found rest in the atonement, blood, and righteousness of God her Saviour. From that moment a complete change took place in her principles, attachments, and pursuits ! The things she once delighted in became insipid; the vain amusements of the world had no interest for her. Her Bible, prayer, and the society of religious persons, became her delight. She set her affections on things above, and not on things on the earth,' her life was hid with Christ in God;' and with such a spiritual appetite did she feed on the bread of life; and so highly did she prize religious opportunities, that she would expose herself to every inconvenience, and make any sacrifice to enjoy them. Christ Jesus and his precious salvation, was the one object that engaged her mind, and she became comparatively indifferent to all others: and as her whole soul was engaged in the better world, so it continually became the animated theme of her conversation, and dictated the tenderest con.passion for all around her. Aid her many tears and prayers in behalf of those for whom she was more particularly interested, testfied the powerful influence that divine things had over her mind. As far as her influence could extend, she endeavoured to do good to the distressed; by the zealous diffusion of religious tracts and books; by encouraging every institution which had in view the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom; and by every work of faith and labour of love,' she endeavoured always to abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that her labour was not in vain in the Lord. 3 G Whenever she spoke of herself, it was in terms of the deepest debasement. Whenever she spoke of Christ, it was in strains of the highest exaltation. As one scale sunk, the other was exalted. God forbid (was the language of her heart) that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.' She frequently spoke of herself as a sinner saved by the free grace and righteousness of Christ. And when, therefore, all hopes of her recovery were relinquished, she strictly enjoined the Rev. Mr. Shirley, who attended her, to say nothing commendatory of her. Put me in the dust,' was her repeated charge, that the Lord alone may be exalted.' When she drew near her end, she realized in a glorious manner the truth of her principles. Though she was in great extremity of bodily pain, yet not a wave of trouble was suffered to distress her peaceful soul; nor did a murmuring word escape her. She was not indeed favoured with those triumphant sensible comforts which some believers have experienced in their dying moments; but her Lord was pleased to fill her with peace,' if not with joy in believing;' with that sweet peace' (the Psalmist says) which those enjoy who love God's law. I have no triumphs, or what is called full assurance (said this dying believer) but I enjoy a sweet peace which does indeed pass all understanding.' As she felt, at the same time, the deepest sense of her unworthiness, she was afraid, at times, to take those comforts to herself; and requested, repeatedly and earnestly, Mr. Shirley to pray that she might not deceive her self.' But, this fear, and her unaffected poverty of spirit on account of sin, together with her consistent life, fully proved that the peace she enjoyed was not the false confidence of the wicked,' who cry Peace! Peace! when there is no peace; but that perfect peace in which God keeps those whose minds are stayed upon him, because they trust in him. To the last she, with much energy, comforted and instructed all around her ; and when low and langu'd in her frame, through the influence of her disorder, the mention of divine things would instantly rouse her, and she would converse on the delightful topic with an animation far beyond her strength. Her love of prayer continued to the very last moment; and only one hour before her death she expressed the strongest desire for it. She was likewise filled with praise and thanksgiving, and repeatedly thanked God for his great mercies to her a sincer; and particularly for the sweet peace with which she was supported and comforted when she most required it; and for the resignation with which she was enabled to give up all that she held dear, and all whom she most tenderly loved on earth. She felt at first much pain at parting with her beloved husband; but, after a struggle, was enabled to resign him also into the hands of her covenantkeeping God. Amidst all her sufferings she shewed the tenderest regard for the spiritual welfare of all about her; and looking round on her relations and friends with peculiar affection, and with a look full of the deepest concern for their everlasting happiness, she prayed that they might all, one after another, be called by God's grace, and fitted for glory. When she approached the hour of dissolution, she expressed a desire for a hymn to be sung; and her friends not being in a state, through grief, for singing, 'Jesus lover of my soul,' was read to her repeatedly during her last illness. The last word she uttered was Jesus,' supposed to be the beginning of the same delightful hymn. With what rapture and energy did her seraphic spirit, freed from the burdens of mortality, finish it above! and with what delight did she approach Him whom she loved,' and say • Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly! for immediately the tide turned in favour of the restless tossings of her suffering nature; and she, like a vessel deeply laden with a rich cargo, was gently wafted into the harbour of unceasing peace and glory. FRANCES S REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. A Body of Divinity, wherein the Doctrines of the Christian Religion are explained and defended; being the Substance of several Lectures on the Assembly's larger Cate chism. By T. Ridgley B. D. 4 vols. 8vo. Vol. 1, 9s. THIS has long been a standard work in our religious seminaries, and occupied the same rauk among Pædobaptist Dissenters, as Gill's learned body of Divinity does Dr. among their brethren on the other side of the question. Dr. Ridgley's Theological learn ing has never been questioned; and the form of his work is particularly adapted to those who consider the Assembly's Catechism as the Standard of Orthodoxy; though it must be confessed the Doctor was not the slave of creeds or catechisms, but allowed himself to think independently of them, particularly on the doctrine of eternal generation and the filiation of the Son of God; on which point he leaned to what has since been called the Hutchinsonian System. This useful and important work having become very scarce, we are certainly indebted to Mr. Boothroyd for this edition; and should have been more so had he favoured antagonist of Priestley on theological subjects; and however we may tiness of his spirit as a writer, on lament the bitterness or the haughsome occasions, that part of the citadel of truth which he defended, particularly the doctrines of the of the Saviour, he has surrounded Trinity and of the supreme Deity with a wall of adamant. The work before us collects the Controversy, namely various pieces of the Bishop on this Sermon, and a variety of Letters a Charge, a and disquisitions, some of which had become very scarce; and as they are here collected, merit and demand a place in every theological library. antagonists are dead, the controIt may be objected that as both versy might as well die with them; but it should be recollected that truth and error do not die with their defenders. have been reiterated and always The same objections will be; and while the poison is so carefully preserved, it is well that the antidote should not be lost. voted to some recent Remarks of The appendix of the Editor is deMr. Belsham on this Controversy, and on the writings of the learned Prelate. tirement. By the Author of an Antidote, &c. 2 vols. 12mo, 98. us with better paper and print. Cottage Sketches: or Active ReSuch as it is, however, we hope he will meet with sufficient encouragement to complete the work, and that without delay. If the Devil, as our forefathers thought, invented Novels, the tables have been turned upon him by this writer and some others, who have made fictitious narrative the vehicle, not only of moral religion, but even of evangelical truth; and Antidote were furnished to every we sincerely wish that this Lady's library which circulates the poison generally contained in Novels and Romances. The principal characters in these sketches are the family of a Mr. Wilson, who, by industry and honourable trade, had acquired a sufficiency to leave the bustle of this great city and retire to a cot tage in the country, where he means to prepare for his latter end. This character is well drawn, as is that of Mrs. W. and Mr. Gregory Wilson, a lively old Bachelor, who is the wit and the darling of the family. Miss W. is a talkative girl, both ignorant and forward, which makes her certainly the more suitable subject for the fair Authoress to work upon, whose leading object appears to be, to shew how such persons may be most usefully employed and effectually improved. Under her management, not only Mr. and Mrs. W. become useful and respectable characters, but even the flippant Miss Patty grows into an amiable and pious young woman. For this end the author introduces the excellent and learned Mr. Nicholls, who with his admirable daughter are highly useful, not only to Mr. Wilson's family, but even to the Rector of the parish, who, from a literary pedant, becomes a useful minister of the gospel. The little room we can devote to literary criticism excuses us in general from the painful task of finding fault; and in the present instance we are happy to find but little room. We take the liberty however to suggest to this modest writer, that she will succeed best with judicious readers by copying nature as closely as possible; we mean, not only as to the features of character, in which she is generally successful, but in the gradations of change, in which she is sometimes too sudden and abrupt. The general tendency of the work is, however, so excellent, and its manner so entertaining, that we cordially recommend it not only to our juvenile readers, but to those particularly who, like Mr. Wilson, on retiring from the world, wish not to spend the remainder of their days in vain. Four Sermons preached in London, ut the Eighteenth General Meeting of the Missionary Society, May, 1812, &c. Price 3s. [Continued from page 354 ] MR. STEIL's sermon, which is the third, from Haggai ii. 7, 'I will shake all nations; and the de sire of all nations shall come,' has for its title The Shaking of the Nations productive of the Spread of the Gospel.' In the first part of the discourse, he calls his hearers to at tend to the peculiar character under which the Lord Jesus is represented, the desire of all nations.' This title, he observes, is ascribed to the Redeemer, on account of his personal dignity and excellencies,→ of his character and work as Mediator, of the blessings he communicates to believers, both in a present and future state, because he has been so esteemed in all ages by those who have discovered his unspeakable worth. This head is wholly doctrinal; and though well illustrated, and exceedingly edifying to pious people, is not so striking as the second part of the discourse, which consists of an enquiry how the shaking of the nations, of the couvulsions and revolutions which happen in the world, prepare the way for the coming of Christ.' They do not, Mr. Steil observes, affect the propagation of the gospel, simply considered in themselves, but under the divine superintendence and direction. They are necessary to remove and destroy those things which oppose the spiritual reign and government of Christ; they prepare the way, as thereby, in the providence of God, new fields present themselves to Missionaries for the diffusion of religious knowledge in the world; and the minds of men are thereby prepared to listen to and cordially receive divine truth. These particulars are ably and judiciously illustrated,, and bear upon the cause of missions with considerable force. In the application of the subject, in which it is his aim to direct and encourage the efforts of the Society, be expresses himself in the following terms: I know not how it has happened, but there are persons who used to contribute, and some of them liberally too, to the Missionary Society, who have in part withdrawn their support, and think themselves justified in giving their time and property in aid of other societies in preference to it. But whatever is excellent or important in other societies, is all combined in this. Many there are who, instead of subscribing or contributing one guinea a year to this benevolent Institution, might and ought to give fifty. When o e reflects on the millions in Africa, India, China, and other parts of the world, whose pitiable condition should excite the melting compassion of every follower of Jesus, how much is it to be lamented that so little has yet been done for their instruction and salvation! and that what has been attempted, has been hitherto necessarily on so small a scale ! Instead of sending out two or three Missionaries in a year, we might, if our pecuniary resources were adequate, send fifty or an hundred faithful men, to tell the heathen What How that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.' might not then be effected! glorious and extensive the moral change for which we might look, when, by the instrumentality of our Mission aries acting on so large a scale, multitudes of the converted natives might become Missionaries, and communicate, with ineffable delight, to their deluded, degraded, and miserable countrymen, the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified Redeemer! This pleasing prospect cannot, however, be realized, unless there be more liberal contributions throughout the whole of the religious world than we have yet witnessed. If the inflrence of the Saviour's dying compassion, if the obligation of his last command to proclaim his gospel to all the world, if the obliga - tions under which his followers are laid to seek by all suitable means to extend the knowledge of his salvation had been rightly understood and pro perly felt, all Christendom had long since been one vast Missionary Society. Consider, my friends, the signs of the times are favourable to your exertions. God is shaking the navions; infidelity, superstition, error, idolatry, and the empire of Satan are coming to an end. The kingdom of darkness is shaking to its centre. Now is the judgment of this world, and now shall the prince of this world be judged and cast out.' Behold with pleasure the God of heaven finishing all the gods of the earth;' and he will cause men to worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.' ། affectionate regard for the heathen world, the effect of which should be to awaken our gratitude, and to stimulate our exertions. He then proceeds, secondiv, to show the gracious design of Christ towards the heathen world:- them also must I bring. Fidelity to his covenantengagements requires it; and a concern too for his own glory. The means by which they shall be brought, he observes, are here expressed: -They shall hear my voice; and it is shewn that the great work is to be accomplished by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, for the success of which the pious preacher earnestly eatreats his hearers to offer up their fervent supplications to the God of all grace. Under his third and last head, he illustrates the glorious consequence that will result from the accomplishment of Christ's gracious design toward the heathen world. They shall be one fold and one Shepherd.' It includes three things, All the families of the earth shall be incorporated into one body;- they shall all be animated by one spirit; and they shall all be united together in love and affection.' that were scattered abroad;' to unite them all into one family, to gather them all into one fold. Hitherto this event hath been only partially fulfilled, Who can contemplate, without the most lively emotion, its final accomplishment when all the tribes of |