Hervey's labours is still alive. When a young man at work in the neighbourhood of Weston, Mr. Hervey used often in the course of his rides to visit him. He was accustomed to dismount from his horse, hang the bridle on his arm, and in the most familiar, affectionate, and correct manner, recomend to him a serious attention to the concerns of his soul. This young man was afterwards clerk to Mr. Hervey's successor. He is now a member of the Baptist church at Northampton; and he acknowledges with pleasure, that the recollection of Mr. Hervey's conversations had been highly beneficial to his spiritual interests. He has in his possession a Bible which he received from Mr. Hervey. It is incalculable what benefit might be the result of ministers following the example of Mr. Hervey in this particular. THE REV. MR. BAGSHAW, ONE OF THE EJECTED MINISTERS. THE following anecdote is illustrative of Mr. Bagshaw's benevolent endeavours to instruct the poor, and of his happy success. Going one day to preach at some distance from his own house, he passed by the cottage of an indigent shoemaker, who was sitting at work. He asked him if he would accompany him to the preaching. The poor man replied, · I' have not time to spare, for I have a wife and family to maintain.' The pious minister enquired what he could earn in about an hour and a half. Being informed, he gave it him, and the man went with him. The next time Mr. B. went to preach at the same place, he passed by the cottage without calling; but had not proceeded far, before the shoemaker ran after him. On seeing him, Mr. B. said, "What! art thou going? I thought thou couldst not spare time to hear preaching, because thou hadst a wife and family to'maintain; and I cannot afford to pay thee every time!' But the poor man's heart had been affected under the word, so that he hastily answered, in his provincial dialect, You shall never pay me any more. I'll never stay behind again. It was the best money I ever addled (earned). This holy man of God preached his last sermon from Rom. viii. 31, March 22, 1702,—and he fell asleep in Jesus the first of April following. 6 AT Z-, in W, a man is still living who was formerly much addicted to cursing and swearing. Once, during the harvest, being at work in his field, and his labour not succeeding to his wish, he began to curse and swear; uttering, among others, the imprecation, that he wished the lightning might strike him dead! The sky soon became overcast, and a thunder storm arose, whilst he was still employed in his field. During the storm, a strong flash of lightning struck into the ground before his face, he himself, however, remaining unhurt. This evident proof, shewing how easy it would have been for the Almighty to have given a dreadful accomplishment to his impious wish, touched him with remorse; and from thenceforward he entirely abandoned his wicked habit of swearing. JUVENILE DEPARTMENT. A brief Account of the Last Hours of MARY STRONG, who was admitted into the Holborn Sunday School, May 20, 1810, and died happy in the Lord on July 24, 1812, aged 13. This child lived near St. James's Square:-but, notwithstanding the distance, she was punctual in her attendance, shewing at the same time anxiety for improvement; and at the quarterly examination, about a week preceding her illness, her name was entered for the first class. Her behaviour to her parents is worthy example. Her industry was great-appearing desirous of doing what she could for the benefit of the family, her mother gave her partly the care of a younger brother and sister (who are also in the school) to whose clothes she always attended preparatory to the Sabbath, that they all might appear clean and decent. She was particularly careful of these children, that they said their prayers morning and evening, and watched over their conduct at home and abroad. However, it has pleased God, in his providence, to bereave this little family of so affectionate and so dutiful à child. The parents informed the teacher of her indisposition, who, immediately (as is usual with them) visited her, and were happy to see her, though upon a bed of languishing, yet in a composed and resigned state of mind, which will appear from the following pious observations. We shall state them in the simplicity of her own words.-On being asked by the Visitor Do you know me? she answered, "Yes;" and mentioned his name.. Visitor. How do you do? Child. In great pain Sir. V. What an awful thing sin is! Your pain and every other affliction, and death itself. are the effects of sin. C. But there is no pain in Heaven.-V. True, there is none: for Heaven is the rest of God. Should you like to go there? C. Yes. Why should you like to go there? C. Because they are all good people there, and Jesus Christ is there. V. All that go to Heaven are good while on earth; but, those who live and die in their sins cannot go there.--Do you feel yourself a sinner? C. Yes, Sir, I know I am. — . How do you know it? C. I have told stories and spoke bad words. [Here she was interrupted with great pain.]—V. Your pains are very great. C. I am in great pain; but what did Jesus Christ suffer? and I must have suffered more, if he had not. -V. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, and by suffering in their place, he has completed the work, and now invites such to come to him; therefore we are to pray to him. C. I have prayed and do pray. — V. What do you pray for C. For God to bless me. — V. Do you think it hard to be afflicted? C. It is what God pleases, and that is best.-V. Were you disappointed in not going to Kilburn Wells? C. Rather; but I was where God would have me to be. V. Do you love your School? C. Ah, yes Sir, I love my teachers, and should have liked to be in the first class. [Her mother, standing by, observed she should feel a great loss in losing her, the child took an occasion to address her brother in the most affecting manner, requesting him to be diligent and assist his mother, who then would not miss her. She, with holy resignation, expressed a desire to go to Heaven, if it were the will of God to take her. Conversation was then resumed by the Visitor.] Shall I read a chapter? C. if you please. V. Is there any one in particular? C. I like them all in the Testament. That is a sweet part, The Woman of Samaria. —. Yes, it is; for we see the love of the Saviour to that sinner. He must needs go through Samaria, that he might meet with that woman; so you were to be brought to the Holborn Sunday School, that he might meet you there. . I am thankful; for it was there I learned all I know. [The Visitor then read the 8th of Romans, with which she was very conversant and much pleased.] V. Shall I go to prayer? C. If you please. [In this solemn engagement she joined, apparently with much fervour, clasping her hands together; after which the Visitor took his farewell. This was on the Sabbath preceding her death; during which time, she observed to a friend, what a pity it was she did not take a ticket to go to the Chapel: she knew not what she lost.] 6 The child being sensible her death was fast approaching, requested her mother not to fret, for she was going to Heaven; and regretted the trouble she had given. About nine o'clock on the evening before she died, she took her last farewell of her family and friends in the most affecting and interesting manner, saying, God bless you, mother! God bless my father! God Bless my brothers and sisters, my uncles, my aunts, and all my cousins, and all those dear friends that have been so kind to ne, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. Amen.' She continued for some time in prayer for her teachers and schoolfellows; and said once more to her mother, I am fainting, I am going. Come, dear Lord, come quickly; do beiter for me than I can think or ask, for Jesus Christ's sake, and expired.' Obituary. MRS. SELINA CHAMBERS, WIFE OF MR. J. CHAMBERS, AND DAUGHTER OF MR. ODDY, Died April 2d, 1811, in the 25th year of her age. age THIS young disciple of Christ evinced from her childhood a regard for divine things. At the of fourteen she was brought, by the providence of God, to Hoxton chapel; where she received much pleasure and profit from the ministry of Mr. Dewhirst, then a student in the adjoining academy, particularly by a sermon from these words: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him."-She became a regular attendant; and a short time after, was benefitted by a sermon from Mr. Moseley, on " Thy word have I hid in my heart," &c.It was now evident to all who had an opportunity of observing her, especially in private, that the Holy Spirit had taken of the things that are Christ's, and revealed them unto her. Her decision of character was truly exemplary; and though she felt much diffidence in speaking on religious subjects in general, yet, when occasion offered, she was ready to give a reason of the hope that was in her. In December 1804, she was admitted a member of the church at Hoxton; and after expressing with what kindness and affection she had been received, she added, “O that I may be admitted into the Church Triumphant !—' When speaking of her own experience, she would say, "The Lord manifested himself to me under his most endearing title,-that of The REDEEMER: he drew me with the sweet cords of his love;-it was a sense of blood-bought pardon that dissolved my heart of stone." She so well filled up the relative duties of life, as to contribute not a little to the happiness of all her connections. Her filial piety was the most acute and sensible that can be imagined; indeed, her very existence appeared to be interw ven with the happiness of her parents, her husband, and family. Her bereaved partner, to whom she had been united not quite 18 months, feels that he has sustained a loss which God only can support him under. Her tender frame received but too severe a shock in the death of her excellent father, whom she survived so short a time, and whose loss she expressed herself unable to bear, but for divine support. Her health from that moment began to decline, but not in an alarming manner; and only a few days before her dissolution she visited his grave. Little, little did she then think she was so soon to join him; and little did her relatives expect that grave would so soon open again, and that they should deplore a second loss, and shed over her the tears of agony. Being delirious nearly the whole time of her illness, little could be collected from her; but the example of her whole life speaks far louder than words. She was confined only three days-was in apparent good health on the 27th of March, was out on the 28th, on which day she was taken ill,- went home and took to her bed, never more to rise. This solemn providence was improved at Hoxton chapel on the 14th of April, by Mr: Percy, of Warwick, from Phil. i. 21. To die is gain." MRS. JONES. DIED on Thursday, May 28, 1812, Mrs. Jones, wife of the Rev. E. I. Jones, London. Her funeralsermon was preached at Islingtonchapel, by the Rev. John Hyatt, in which he gave the following Sketch of his departed Friend: "It was her privilege to receive religious instruction, even as soon as the bud of reason began to open: hence, as is often the case, she could not say when, or by what particular means, her first saving impres sions were produced: nor is this Becessary. She was deeply seasible of the total depravity of her nature, the guilt of sin-the necessity of an interest in the atonement of Christ; and by the influence of the Holy Ghost, she was enabled to commit her soul to him alone for salvation. At one time she experienced some heavy domestic trials, which seem to have been sanctified to her, as they led her to the throne of grace; and that God, who is always faithful and kind to praying souls, gave her assurance of his favour and she rejoiced in his love. She at once warmly espoused the cause of Christ; the ordinances of God's sanctuary became inestimably valuable; the ministers of Jesus she highly esteemed in love, for their work and their Master's sake; and the saints were esteemed by her as the excellent of the earth. She was decidedly attached to the truth as it is in Jesus. She approved of no preaching that was not evangelical, plain, and lively. She was an admirer of the glorious doctrines of grace; salvation by grace was the life-blood of her hope. She experienced and exhibited the holy and happy effects of a cordial reception of those important truths, which some persons reject, as licentious in their tendency. She was diligent in the use of the means of grace; her faith wrought by love; she often attended the house of God, under circumstances of affliction, which many would have employed as excuses for absence. In twenty-two years,' says her husband, I can remember but one instance, when she might have filled her place in the house of God, and did not; and much regret it cost her.' It were devoutly to be wished that professors of the religion of the Saviour, were like-minded with her in this respect. Copy her example in this thing, my dear friends, and you will do much to encourage your ministers. She was candid. Her decided attachment to the doctrines of grace did not produce bigotry. Her candour was truly Christian; she loved all who appeared to love the Lord Jesus. She grieved whenever she discovered shyness amongst the Lord's people, and often rejoiced that she obtained many a blessing, from which some were excluded by their bigotry. She was circumspect. She always paid particular attention and care in forming connections; she regarded her character as of the greatest importance; she preferred being reproached by those who did not well know her, to suffering herself to lie at the mercy of every tattler. She prized retirement, and found, that a few friends with whom she could associate were sufficient; that an extensive acquaintance would deprive her of opportunities for retirement. It She was affectionate. Those who best knew her thought best of her; she was pious without austerity, and cheerful without levity. I will venture to say, that I never knew a Christian who exhibited fewer faults, or more excellencies. requires no ordinary character to fill the place of a minister's wife ;she should possess piety, prudence, and kindness in a very superior degree;- - these our departed friend possessed. She was placed in a situation which required an extraordinary degree of prudence and affection. Had she been a gossipper, she would have kept her husband between two fires. Every one must perceive how prudently and affectionately a woman must act, so as not to create jealousies in some minds, placed as she was between two congregations; and every one must admire her prudent and amiable disposition, which carried her so peaceably through life. Her end was peace. During a long affliction, she experienced the consolations of God to be neither few nor small. Her heart was gradually weaned from this world. Often she experienced rapturous joy; but was never without solid peace. She loved prayer, and found it peculiarly refreshing to her mind in the prospect of dissolution. Not long before she was released by death from all that is troublesome, she said, My confidence is un shaken,' and thus she died. THE REV. DR. BAYLEY, MINISTER OF ST. JAMES'S CHURCH, Died April 2, 1812, aged 58. He appears to have been eminently pious, even when a child; made great progress in learning, particularly in the Hebrew language, of which he composed a Grammar; which procured for him, unsought, a doctors' degree from a foreign university; he afterwards took the same degree at Cambridge. He entered the ministry under the auspices of the Rev. Mr. Fletcher, of Madely, and imitatod him both in doctrine and in zeal. Perceiving the vast increase of buildings in Manchester (where he married) he determined to build, if possible, a new church, where it was most wanted; which, with great labour and perseverance, he at length accomplished, obtaining a presentation for 60 years, and of himself in the first instance. He was a very laborious useful minister of Christ; many were converted and edified, and the communicants were frequently 500 in number. His humility, meekness, and charity were exemplary; and his diligence in visiting the sick was perhaps never exceeded by any. To this laborious branch of ministerial duty, he attended at all hours of the day and night, and thereby, as is supposed, injured his health, and shortened his life. His patience was also remarkable during the whole of his pious and useful life, especially in his last sickness, which continued nearly two years, and was very severe. His last words were, my Saviour, O my Saviour, O my Saviour! The Lord is with me! and while his friend, the Rev. Mr. Crosse, who assisted in serving his church, was praying with him, he literally fell asleep, and rested from his labours. His funeral exhibited a spectacle seldom seen; more than 40 clergymen, with great numbers of his people, in deep mourning attended; and the concourse of people was so great, that more than a thousand could not get into the church. THE REV. MR. JOHNSTON. MAY 28, died in the 82d year of his age, and 52d of his ministry, the Rev. John Johnston, minister of the Associate Congregation, Belesfecton, Annandale. He was beloved and respected by all who had the happiness of being acquainted with him; and thro' his long life was an ornament to religion, a lover of his country, and a friend to mankind. As a man, his dispositions were amiable, social, and courteous; and his conduct was grave, dignified, and correct. As a Christian, his piety was judicious, cheerful, and fervent. As a scholar, he held a distinguished place; and in Biblical learning and criticism, was excelled by few. As a minister, his talents were good; and in the application of them to the duties of his function, he exhibited a paltern of diligence and fidelity wor thy of the imitation of all those who fill the sacred office. To the last his faculties continued vigorons. Until within a few months of his death, he encreased his functions; and such was the ardour of his soul in the cause of his Redeemer, that on the last day he preached, under the pressure of corporeal infirmity, he literally fell down in the pulpit. He entered with much spirit into the benevolent views of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and largely contributed to its aid. Supported by the assured hope of that blissful immortality, which it had been the business of his ministry to hold out to others, as a source of consolation under the trials of life, and of fortitude in the 'hour of dissolution, he was gently dismissed to his rest. He will he long embalmed in the memory of his afflicted family, his affectionate congregation, and his extensive circle of friends.. March 10, died Mrs. Rogers, wife of the Rev. John Rogers, of Tisbury, Wilts, in the 45th year of her age. It is remarkable, says our correspondent, the wives of three Dissenting Ministers, distant only 12 miles from each other, have departed this life within 3 weeks. |