family, and in the world: and since the establishment of prayer mectings in the neighbourhood of Kirton, his efforts have been peculiarly blessed, and at which he diligently attended, being always active and officious. He never expressed himself in the strong and confident language of assurance; but was uniformly blessed with an humble reliance and persevering dependence on the unchangeable promises of Jehovah, who had made with him an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure. He seems to have enjoyed much nearness to, and communion with, his God: his conversation was always seasoned with grace, and he possessed great freedom and liberty in his breathings at the divine footstool: this was particularly noticed the last evening of his valuable life, as he had been attending a prayer-meeting at the town (Kirton) about a mile from his residence, consisting of several pious members of the Establishment, as well as Dissenters, at which opportunity his soul seemed peculiarly expanded on behalf of Christians of all descriptions, and for the success and prosperity of every effort calculated to promote the cause and interest of the kingdom of Christ amongst men. While he was in prayer, the bell announced the death of an aged neighbour, and here his mind took a striking survey of the solemn visitant, of the various states in which he attacks his victims, of the happy event of being prepared to receive his message, and the glorious transition experienced by the triumphant soul when it lays down the weapons of warfare, and exchanges them for palms of eternal victory. Here his animated soul was transported into those regions whither he little thought the next hour would convey him. He just reached his home, and before he had time to get seated, in the act of catching hold of his chair, he fell down and expired, without a sigh or groan. His afflicted companion called one of the girls to assist her in raising him up; but his triumphant spirit was fled to a world of uninterrupted tranquillity and rest into the arms of his beloved Lord. The Rev. J. Spense, the pious minister of the parish, delivered an impressive and appropriate discourse on the occasion, on Lord's-day, Oct. 26, from Job, v. 26, Thou shalt come to thy grave in a good old age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season;" in which he candidly remarked, that though the deceased had not habitually sat under his ministry, he was convinced he had long been a faithful disciple in the school of Jesus, and he considered this a sufficient reason for making him, under this striking providence, the subject of his present meditation. His pastor, also, the Rev. J. Thonger, preached a funeral sermon on the Lord's-day following, Nov. 3, at the Particular Baptist chapel in Boston, to a very crowded and deeply affected congregation, from Psalm xlvi. 10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” May the language of the text be exemplified in the experience and deportment of the bereaved widow and their offspring, the alarming providence abundantly sanctified, and their minds consoled under the event. R. W. MRS. SARAH EVANS. Died, Nov. 16, 1817, at her house in Castle Green, Bristol, Mrs Sarah Evans, widow of Dr. Caleb Evans, late pastor of the Baptist church in Broadmead, Bristol, aged 78. Her remarkable beneficence, ever since providence granted her ample means of gratifying her inclination to liberality, though chiefly conducted with great secrecy, was an additional evidence, that they who disclaim all idea of the merit of good works, are the most ready to abound in the practice of them: for while she cmployed her property in relieving the wants of the necessitous, and in promoting the advancement of true religion at home and abroad; she most explicitly avowed, in the near prospect of death, the deep sense she had of her own sinfulness, and her entire dependence in Christ alone for pardon and eternal life. MRS. MARY HARRISON. MRS. MARY HARRISON, of the Moat Mills, Bromsgrove, was born in that town, in the year 1759, and from her childhood was brought up in a great measure in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Respecting the precise means which terminated in her conversion, the particulars cannot now be correctly ascertained; it appears, however, that she was brought to the know ledge of the truth about the year 1782, and having first given herself to the Lord, she was desirous of uniting with his people, according to his will. She was baptized by Mr. James Butterworth, then pastor of the Baptist church; and she continued a member in the same community upwards of thirty years: during which period, her walk and conversation upon the whole was as becomes the gospel of Christ. "Why should the children of a King Go mourning all their days; One of the members visiting her three days before her decease, after the close, she earnestly desired her considerable other conversation, at to be diligent in talking to poor sin ners concerning the danger of their living in sin and ignorance, and to its welfare and prosperity; she also be diligent in the church to promote observed, she had experienced on the day before, which was the "day of sacred rest," much of the enjoyment of the divine presence; so that the time seemed too short for her have enjoyed such union and communion with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ, as greatly exceeded any former period of her pilgrimage. So that it appears on her last earthly sabbath, she was favoured with a foretaste of the heavenly onc. desired meditations. She stated to "Where the assembly ne'er breaks up, The Sabbath ne'er shall end." Upon the formation of the church in Worcester-street, she was among the first that united in fellowship, and, until the time of her illness, she To a friend who visited her the evencontinued an honourable, active, ing before her departure, she was and useful member amongst us. conversing much upon the " good The prosperity of the church lay things of the kingdom," and towards near her heart, and she embraced the close observed, "Heaven is a every opportunity in her power to glorious place, I shall soon be there," promote its welfare. About a fort- which was literally the case; for, in night before her departure, after about four hours after, her spirit some other observations, she thus took its flight, and she passed the addressed her son: "I have been vale of mortality early in the mornthinking I should like to have these ing of the 31st of October, 1817, in words spoken from at my funeral her 58th year. On the following sermon, I have longed for thy sal- Lord's-day, her remains were depovation, O Lord, and thy law is my sited in a vault, in the chapel in delight;"" adding, " It is near forty Worcester-street. Mr. Holt (who years since I began to seek the supplies there,) conducted the funeLord;" and, bursting into tears, sheral service; and, in the evening, deadded, "I have experienced many livered a discourse to a very crowded trials and difficulties, many gloomy audience, from the words before reand cloudy days, but I could never cited, in Psalm cxix. 174, agreeable give up my hope. I trust I have to the desire of the deceased. The longed, and do long, for God's salva- following descriptive lines, amongst tion; and that I have delighted, and others which were sung on the occado delight, in his law. I am a poor sion, are, we trust, applicable to the unprofitable wretch; but I depend deceased, in common with the teron the mercy of God, through Jesus mination of every Christian's career: Christ, for salvation." She has fre"Far from this world of toil and strife, quently recited those beautiful lines of Dr. Watts, as it were, checking herself when under doubts and fears: They're present with the Lord; Thus she is gone, we trust, to participate in that inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away: where there are no fruits of the curse. The blessed inhabitants thereof shall no more say they are sick; the dignified throng there have no need of the light of the sun by day nor the moon by night, for the glory of God enlightens it, and the Lamb is the light thereof; and where the glo rious citizens are perpetually singing in the most melting and exhilirating strains, the new song unto the Lamb that was slain. May it be our great concern to be followers of them who, through faith and patience, now inherit the promises; that we also may finally unite with the blood-bought throng in singing redeeming grace and dying love through the countless ages of eternity. W. II. Review. Reasons why the Protestant Dissenters in particular lament the Death of Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte Augusta; a Sermon preached at the Baptist Meeting, Eagle-street, London, on Wednesday, Nov 19, 1817, the day of the Funeral at Windsor. With an Appendir. Second Edition, with additions, pp. 36. By Joseph Ivimey. Button and Son. As the strong and general expressions of sorrow on account of the death of our illustrious Princess have been almost unexampled in the annals of British history, so the sermons which have been published, and which were preached on the memorable day of her funeral, have been perhaps unparalleled in number. We are far from intending to institute an inviduous comparison on their respective merits, but none that we have seen more appropriately or more happily directs to the due improvement of the mournful event which occasioned them, than that which is now before us; especially where the author contemplates its bearings (which is the main object of the discourse) on the interest of Protestant Dissenters, and on religious liberty and the rights of conscience. We wish that we had room to transcribe the whole that is introduced on this subject, but we must content ourselves with a short quotation, and refer the reader to the sermon itself; where he will VOL. X. find, also, several anecdotes, which we have not seen elsewhere, re specting the late Princess, and which appear to obtain currency and general assent. "The late lamented Princess had no opportunity to declare her sentiments upon these subjects: from her general principles we may infer, however, that she would have imitated the conduct of her illustrious progenitors. It is highly probable that she well understood the doctrines of Protestantism, and was fully convinced of the importance of Protes tant ascendancy as interwoven in the British constitution. The Princess it is known was fond of reading old authors on divinity; and on one occasion, the folio work of Erasmus was purchased for her use; without doubt because of the Protestant principles maintained by that celebrated reformer. The subject of Protestantism, in connection with her character as presumptive heir to the throne, was marked very prominently on the occasion of her marriage. When the royal message was communicated to Parliament, March 14, 1816, the reply from both Houses contained these sentiments, vis. That a humble address be presented to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, returning the thanks of the House for his gracious communication, and to express their entire satisfaction with the marriage of her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte Augusta to a Protestant Prince of so illustrious a House, an event which must be satis It is worthy of being mentioned, E factory to all classes of his Majesty's subjects, and conducive to the best interests of the country.' "You will observe the marked emphasis which is laid upon the Prince Leopold being of a Protestant House: that was the circumstance which, in the estimation of Parliament, was to conduce to the best interests of the country and it is fair to conclude, that united with such a Prince, the Princess Charlotte would have been tenacious to preserve the Protestant ascendancy, and the right of unrestrained liberty of conscience, in the government of these realms." The British Empire in Tears; a Funeral Sermon delivered in the Baptist Meeting House at Bow, Middlesex, by William Newman, D. D. pp. 34. Button. NOTWITHSTANDING SO many sermons have issued from the press occasioned by the same event, and though they all abound with similar trains of thought in relation to "the unsearchable dispensations of God, the instability of earthly grandeur," &c. yet there are some of them (and that before us is of the number) which give proof of superior talent and just discrimination. The author neither desires nor requires our fecble praise. The best eulogium upon his sermon will be, to suffer it to speak for itself. Considering "the necessity of national repentance and reformation" he exclaims, "O my country-my country! This is the time of thy visitation. Consider the things which belong to thy peace, before they are hid from thine eyes. Luke, xix. 42-44. The prayers of all pious men are ascending day and night to the great Ruler of nations, that it may please Him to sanctify to the British empire this alarming visitation. If these prayers be answered, it will be as when Moses cast a tree into the waters of Marah; the bitter waters will be made sweet. Let us indulge hope. "Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?" Jonah, iii. 9. If these prayers be answered-The Princes of the Blood will be excited, by this sad event, to emulate the virtues of their much-honoured father, our venerable King. The Nobles, like his Serene Highness Prince Leopold, will avoid ruinous dissipation, will reverence the sabbath, will seek domestic comfort, and study to promote the happiness of their numerous dependents. The Ex. ecutive Government will not bear the sword in vain, but will exert all their mighty influence in favour of piety and purity of manners. The High Court of Parliament, cleansed from political corruption, and convinced that what is morally wrong can never be politically right, will continue to enact wholesome will enforce the execution of wise and laws. The Magistrates of every rank salutary laws, without partiality and without hypocrisy.' The Ministers of religion, both in and out of the Esta blishment, will labour in word and doc. trine, not lording it over God's heritage, but as being examples to their flocks. Heads of colleges, of schools, and of families, will walk each one in his house with a perfect heart, restraining vice with a strong hand, and encouraging to the utmost of their power whatever is well-pleasing to God, and conducive to the welfare of the state. "I have sometimes thought, that fo reigners coming to our shores, after that the Capital of the Principality of hearing of the Bibles we have sent out Coburg was famous in the early period to the very ends of the earth, must be of the Reformation, as the residence of greatly shocked to witness the profana Martin Luther, who was protected there tion of the sabbath, the lying, the perby the Duke, during the diet of Augs-jury, the frauds, the adultery, the forburg, in 1530, that Luther might always be at the call of the Protestant Princes; at the head of which was the Duke of Coburg. Many of Luther's epistles are dated from Gruboc, which the reader will see is the reverse of Coburg. The Protestant cause has still met with staunch supporters in that principality; so that the manner in which this alliance was announced was fully justified by historical facts eminently interesting to English Protestants. nication, and other crying sins which abound in the midst of us. They might almost expect to see literally Holiness to the Lord' written on the bells of our horses. Zech. xiv. 20. My brethren! when every man sweeps before his own door, the street is clean. Let no man present neglect to say, 'What have I done? Is it on account of my sinful practices or omissions, in addition to those of others, the lovely Princess has been taken away?*'* The Nation in Tears; by the Rev. James THE respectable author of this sermon being situated in the immediate vicinity of the residence of the late illustrious Princess, has wisely improved the advantages which local circumstances afforded him, to improve that afflictive event in three different villages around Claremont. It is probably owing chiefly to this consideration, that the sermon has already gone through four editions, though it is not destitute of suitable and edifying remarks from Jer. ix. 21. The anecdotes, also, which relate to the conjugal happiness of this royal pair, afford a considerable degree of interest. The March of Death; a Sermon preached at the Meeting House, Rayleigh, Essex, on Nov. 19, 1817, by James Pilkington. pp. 22. Button. THE text is from Jeremiah, ix. 20, 21, “For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces." The discussion is plain and serious; and we doubt not but a good impression was made by it upon the minds of the hearers. The preacher expresses his fears respecting the future possible succession to the throne. The following paragraph will shew the author's sentiments and style. "The Prince of Coburg is said to be descended from ancestors, who fought and conquered for the emancipation of the Protestant cause from the thraldom of the Romish church. They were eminent in the days of the Reformation, and as the same blood warms the veins of their illustrious descendant, how delightfully we could have looked forward to his exaltation to that office which we thought he was appointed to fill. "Dear as the House of Brunswick is to Protestants, and, more particularly, to Protestant Dissenters; and eminently as they have distinguished themselves in their opposition to the tyranny of the Papal hierarchy; who is there but must stand alarmed while gazing on the progress which this antichristian domi. nion has lately made through the na They express at once the importance I attach to right sentiments in religion; the ardent love I cherish for my country; and the sincere sympathy and genuine loyalty I feel for the mourning and afflicted Royal Family.” The Principles of Nonconformity sanc tioned by the New Testament. A Sermon delivered at Dr. Rippon's Meetinghouse, March 20, 1817. By William Newman, D. D. Button and Son. WHEN We reflect on the privations of our forefathers, and the cruel sufferings they endured, we cannot be sufficiently thankful for the happy change in our condition, for a succession of princes favourable to the rights of conscience, and for the protection of the law in the enjoyment of our invaluable privileges. In attachment to the civil constitution of our country, and to the family on the throne; in subjection to just civil authority, and in peaceable demeanour, the Protestant Dissenters will yield to no classes of men in the land: while they deem it, at the same time, of high im portance to cultivate the knowledge of their religious principles and practices, and upon all proper occasions publicly to avow them. On this account we rejoice that the cause of nonconformity has lately excited considerable attention; and that among others of its strenuous do |