The thanks of the Directors are respectfully presented to the following: To Mrs. Holdsworth, for Numbers of the Christian Observer, and Reports. Mr. Whitehonse, for Ironmongery for the South Seas. G. P., Miss Pepper, Mrs. Etheridge, per Rev. J. Johnson, Mrs. Mutrie, per Mr. Fairbrother, Miss Butcher, Rev. Mr. Blacke, Mr. Ward, Mrs. Lambirth, Mr. John Parry, Mr. Harris, Mr. Smithy man, Rev. P. Messervey, Mr. W. Souttar, S. P., and several Anonymous, for Numbers and Volumes of the Evangelical Magazine. Mrs. Giles, Newport, Essex, for Useful and Fancy Articles. Miss Smith, Bath, for Lace-making Apparatus. Mrs. Kingsbury, Bath, for Books for Rev. R. Knili. M. K., Dorking, for Articles fur the Schools in Africa. A Lady, native of Hants, for Doddridge's Expositor, and other Works. A Friend, for Mann on the Atonement, various Reports, and Religious Periodicals. Miss Butcher, for Numbers of the Jewish Expositor, and other Works. The Ladies of Jersey, by Mrs. Traveller, for a Case of Faucy and Useful Articles for the Combaconum Mission. Mr. Ward, Sundry Articles for Sale at Calcutta. S. S., for Books and Pamphlets. A Friend, per Mr. Thrim, for Articles for African Schools. E. W., for Ditto Ditto. Mrs. Clark, Hoxton, for Ditto for Schools. Mr. T. Chapman, and Mr. W. Souttar, for Newspapers. C. J. H., for a small Parcel of Books. Rev. John Burder, for Twenty-four Copies of his Lectures on Religion. S. P., for Home Missionary Magazines. Rev. M. T. Adam, for Two Parcels of Clothing for the South Seas. Friends at Redditch, per Rev. G. Redford, for Fish-hooks for the South Seas. REVELATION XIV. 6. Lo the mighty angel's flying Bids the nations "Come and see." Hark! how much his voice resembles But the earth at it rejoices, And the glorious hosts above, Their ten thousand thousand voices Join to sing redeeming love. Kingdoms, thrones, and powers, opposing Fly! as doves unto their windows, For a shelter from the rain; Fly as clouds, when the strong wind blows] Fly from earth's remotest quarters, Shout, O earth! and sing for gladness, Death and hell are bowing down; Earthly kingdoms all must decrease, Caxton. WATKINS. Printed by John Haddon and Co., 27, Ivy Lane. EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE AND MISSIONARY CHRONICLE. FOR AUGUST, 1833. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. SAMUEL BRUCE, OF WAKEFIELD. THE Rev. Samuel Bruce was the last surviving branch of a family eminent for their personal piety, and for their ardent attachment to the cause of evangelical, truth. His father, Mr. John Bruce, was early called, by divine grace, to the knowledge of salvation, through a crucified Redeemer; he united himself to the Independent church at Heckmondwike; and, from the first to the last hour of a long Christian profession, maintained a high character for firm adherence to his principles, and great consistency of conduct. He was a man of sound judgment, clear views of Christian doctrine, and conscientious in his regard to all the institutions of religion. He had a remarkable talent for serious conversation and social prayer, which rendered him a successful helper to his minister in the private circle. His domestic govern ment was so wise and happy that, of seven children born to him by Hannah his wife, three were faithful ministers of the gospel, and The Rev. John Bruce, pastor of a Particular Baptist church at Manchester; the Rev. David Bruce, pastor of the first Independent church at Liverpool; and his youngest son, the subject of this memoir. VOL. XI. the other four consistent members of the church with which he himself was united. His immediate ancestors came from Scotland, and settled in Halifax; and perhaps, to them he was much indebted for his subsequent habits. The subject of this memoir was born near Heckmondwike, in the parish of Batley, August 21st, 1754. On his baptism he was named Samuel, at the desire of his mother. When a boy, he was the subject of frequent religious impressions. One Sabbath evening he was led, from something remarkable in the appearance of the heavens, to meditate on the last judgment, and to feel the necessity of an immediate preparation for it. At another time, he dreamed that the world was come to an end. In this vision of the night he saw the flames kindling in the west, and throwing their red glare on the whole hemisphere, while terror seized all living creatures. In the distraction of his mind he looked hither and thither for a place of safety to which he might flee from the devouring element. And when, at length, he saw the way opened, although narrow and difficult to. pursue, his joy was as exhilarating. 2 K as his fear had been appalling. All this was doubtless the effect of truths which he had often both read and heard, and which, in a certain state of mind, had strongly excited his imagination. So long as the influence was felt, it would doubtless be a restraint from sin, and an incentive to duty. At the age of eighteen, his convictions were renewed under a powerfully awakening sermon. Such was the anguish of his mind, that he retired that night no less than seven times for prayer, that his sins might be forgiven and his heart renewed. These impressions, however, although vivid at the time, and useful as preparatory to the great moral change which was to be wrought in him, were transitory in their duration. Restrained from Restrained from vice, by parental authority and the force of a pious education, he was yet bent on pursuing what are deemed the more harmless pleasures of the world. His ardent imagination pictured a terrestrial paradise-scenes of beauty, fruityielding trees, and living fountains, where the eye might be pleased, and the taste gratified. With a bosom beating high with expectation, he went to a country feast. Here he anticipated that all his desires of earthly good would be attained; that, in the company, the scenes, and enjoyments of the day, he would realize that measure of happiness for which he had long panted. He returned, however, disappointed, and miserable as he thought it was possible for a creature to be on this side eternity. All his golden dreams were broken; the phantom had vanished; and he himself, an unhappy youth, obliged to exclaim, "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity, and vexation of spirit." The night on which the Lord was pleased to bring him to an abiding conviction of sin, he was invited by a young person to a meeting for social prayer. In the house where the meeting was held a youth lay on his death-bed, and two of the students from the academy at Heckmondwike were in attendance to conduct the devotional exercises. At first, from a motive of shame, he refused the invitation of his friend, who went alone; but, feeling uneasy at home, he followed him, resolved to skulk into a corner where no one could see him. On entering the house, he saw many young persons, of the same age and equally thoughtless with himself, which emboldened him to take his seat among them. At that time the late Rev. Joseph Cockin, of Halifax, had just commenced his academical course, After prayer and praise had been offered, Mr. C. rose to address the little assembly. The theme of his exhortation was death, and he depicted, in strong and glowing language, the awful condition of those who, in the final hour, are unprepared for eternity. The hymn sung at the close of the service begins "Death, 'tis a melancholy day To those who have no God." Such a subject, enforced as it was by the natural ardour of the speaker, and the circumstances of the dying youth, were calculated to impress him. "I went home," says the subject of this memoir, "troubled in heart for my past life, with a determination to be found seeking the salvation of my soul, and to spend the rest of my days in the service of God." He was not, however, without strong temptations to relinquish his purpose. His own evil heart often suggested to him that it was too soon to become religious, and that, by this early dedication of himself to God, he would lose the pleasures of the world, and spend the heigh-day of life in perpetual |