friends; but, beside these, he had much anxiety arising from his connexion with the church of Christ. The cause of God lay very near his heart, till the day of his death. The church in Shrewsbury was very low when he joined it. was 66 of them who, through faith and pas Wem, May 20, 1818. HARRIET SKELTON. To the Editors of the Baptist Magazine, I am, Highgate, June 9, 1818. Harriet Skelton was convicted, in February last, of uttering and hav He was patient and resigned to the will of God in all his afflictions. Of late years he suffered much, but his patience was very great; he never uttered a murmuring word, but THE following account of the young constantly said, the will of the Lord woman who was executed on the 24th be done; though he would add, "if of April last, in the Old Bailey, and I were to have my own will, I would whose case excited so much attenrather go than abide in the flesh." tion, is submitted to your inspecHe triumphed over his enemies tion; and, if thought suitable, through the cross of Christ, and gave | place is requested for it in your Mathanks unto God for victory, "Hegazine. fought the good fight, he kept the faith, he finished his course,' He was strong in faith, waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus; the Lord was his helper, he raised him high out of the pit of corruption, he set his feet upon the rock of ages, and established his goings. His hopeing in her possession, forged Bank as an anchor of the soul, both of England notes. Her case havsure and steadfast, entering in unto ing been mentioned in the public that which is within the veil." The prints, and also in the House of Comenemy was not permitted to distress mons, as hard and pitiable; great his soul, nor did any fears beset him; commutation of her sentence to his mind was calm and serene, even to the hour of his death. Though the Ladies' Committee, Mr. Alderm. transportation for life, by Mrs. Fry, he was aware of the near approach of his dissolution, and said he should Wood, Mr. Bennet, and others. His be but a short time here, he had a Royal Highness the Duke of Gloufull assurance to be soon with Jesus Cester visited her on the Wednesday to see him as he is. He waited for previous to her execution, conversed the salvation of God with patience, with her for a considerable time, and longed to be with Christ, be- and having made himself acquainted cause he knew it would be far bet-with the particulars of her case, proter. He looked forward with de- mised to use his utmost efforts to save her life. He waited upon the light, and spoke with rapture of the time when he should leave this trou-principal officers of the Bank, and blesome world, and all his enemies, afterwards repaired to the seat of troubles, and afflictions; yea, his royalty itself." earthly tabernacle, and enter into the house not made with hands. He often said that, " exertions were made to obtain the But all the efforts made were ineffectual. "But when (to use her own words, in a letter to Mrs. Fry) all mercy failed on earth, heaven denied it not." There is ground to hope, that she died truly penitent; not only on account of the crime for which she suffered, but also for her sins in general. The religious instruction she received from Mrs. Fry and the Ladies' Com"Mark the perfect man, and be-mittee, and some other persons who hold the upright, for the end of that visit the prisoners on Lord's day afman is peace." Let us be followers ternoons, under a divine blessing, "To dwell with God, and feel his love, were the means of leading her, I trust, to an acquaintance with herself, and with the Saviour. I am led to think so from the following circumstances. 1. She confessed her guilt, relative to the crime of which she was found guilty; and sincerely lamented that it was not in her power to make restitution to those whom she had defrauded. 2. She also confessed and bewailed herself as a sinner in the sight of God. To one of the friends already referred to, she stated that she thought all the sins she had ever committed were brought to her remembrance,and were a great weight indeed upon her mind. 3. She often expressed to me, in affecting terms, the deep regret she felt for her neglect of the religious admonitions she had received a few years ago." Oh, had I taken your counsels, what distress, disgrace, and misery should I have escaped!" was her frequent exclamation. Let those in early life, and who are favoured with religious counsellors, mark this. Twill save us from a thousand snares 4. Her repentance towards God was accompanied, I trust, with faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. An extract of a letter to a person who had the charge of her for some time after her mother's death, affords, I think, pleasing evidence of this, in addition to the satisfaction which I received from her own lips. "Dear "Condemned Cell of Newgate, April 22, 1818. "It grieves me much to write to you on this solemn occasion, but it is a mercy I have been brought to a clear sight of that Saviour that alone can give me rest. Oh, that I had seen him before; but, thanks to the Almighty, it has not been too late, though very late. I have had great assistance in the spiritual way, and that is better than all the riches of the earth. "Tell to live in the fear of God, and bring up her children in | | the same; for without that fear we can never do well, or live happy. "I have had great trials since my confinement. I have, in the cell, had great struggles; as I was borne down with the weight of my sin, fearing God would not forgive me, but that is over. God in his mercy has heard me, and given me faith to believe in his only begotten Son, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.-Oh, what a rock of rest!" 5. She died as became a penitent criminal. Mr. Fuller has remarked, that "the boasting language so common among convicts who profess to repent and believe the gospel, in our times, has caused some to ask, "whether the gallows was not the surest way to heaven?" There was no ground for this remark, with reference to H. Skelton: the disgrace of an ignominious end she deeply felt, and could scarce bear up under the thoughts of it. She conducted herself, in her last moments, with the utmost decorum; and, as far as the agitation of her mind, in such afflicting circumstances, would permit, manifested deep contrition and fervent devotion. The last words she uttered were those that best became her," God be merciful to me, a "Is not sinner." May we not say, this a brand plucked out of the fire?" MARY HOUSE. MARY HOUSE, the subject of this memoir, was born in the parish of South Huish, four miles from Kingsbridge, Devon. Her parents were respectable, occupying their own estate; and, being members of the established church, and steadily attached to its forms of worship, educated their children in the same attachment. But when, about 18 years of age, she and a younger sister were induced to attend on the preaching of some Baptist ministers from Kingsbridge, who had, for several years, occasionally preached the gospel in that neighbourhood; they heard with attention, and were pleased and affected with the plainness and simplicity of the worship, and the impressive manner of the preachers. The truths they now heard were such as they had not been accustomed to hear in their parish church; but their attention was so engaged, that they went again and again; and the more they heard, the more their minds were affected, the Lord having opened their hearts to attend to the things that were spoken by his servants, so that they could no longer with satisfaction attend at the established church, where the distinguishing and fundamental doctrines of the gospel were notexhibited. dismissed to the church in Kings bridge, and gladly received by them; she still persevered in her Christian course, walking in the ways of pleasantness, and the paths of peace. In December, 1807, she became the wife of Mr. Philip House, pastor of the Baptist church in Ashburton, and was received a member of that church by a letter of dismission from Kingsbridge. On May 27, 1817, she had a violent attack of a painful and fatal disorder; her speech altered, and she appeared near death, but by immediate assistance she But, as the opportunities they had obtained temporary relief; but of hearing the gospel in the villages soon after she had an apowere not very frequent, the earnest plectic fit, which rendered her desires of their souls were not satis- speechless, and almost insensible. fied, and they determined to attend She continued in this state, with in Kingsbridge, where the gospel some intervals of relief and senwas regularly preached; and, not-sibility, several months. A few withstanding the distance, they attended with constancy and pleasure. To the honour of their parents it should be mentioned, that though undoubtedly they would have preferred their remaining in the establishment with them; yet, knowing that the consciences of their children were sacred to God and themselves, and being persuaded that their daughters' motives were pure, their minds were satisfied; and they manifested so much good sense and liberality, as never to lay any impediments in their way, but rather assisted them in the accomplishment of their desires. The subject of this memoir acknowledged, on her death-bed, this kindness of her parents with gratitude and praise to God. Mrs. House was baptized on the 30th of August, 1783, with three others, who were the first baptized by Mr. Penn, this being about two months after his ordination; and continued a member of the church in Kingsbridge, with a conversation becoming the gospel, and adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour, till February, 1800; when she was dismissed to the church, meeting in Pembroke-street, Plymouth-dock, | then under the pastoral care of Mr. (now Dr.) Steadman. Removing her residence from Dock to Kingsbridge, she was again | days before her death, she spoke very distinctly these words: "Lord Jesus, into thy hands I commit my spirit glory, glory, glory." These were her last words; and though she afterwards attempted to speak, she was unable to articulate. And on the 29th of November, 1817, she breathed her last, in the 57th year of her age; thus finishing all the trials and afflictions of life, and the exercises, doubts, and fears of 38 years devotedness to the service of God; 34 years of which she continued in union, peace, and harmony with the church of God in the wilderness: and, we doubt not, she is entered into the everlasting joy and glory of the Lord. On Dec. 3, she was buried at Pen, near Kingsbridge, Mr. Nicholson spoke at the grave; and Mr. Sprague of Bovey preached her funeral sermon, from 1 Cor. v. 1—5. ANN HEADDING. ON Thursday, June 19, 1817, died Mrs. Ann Headding, of Bourn, in the countyof Cambridge, wife of Mr. Wm. Headding, of Bourn, Farmer; and daughter of Mr. Osborn, late of Willingham, and who was many years a much-respected member and deacon in that church. Mrs. Head constancy at the house of God became a proverb; and it was as much expected that she should be there, as that there should be a minister to preach. During the last two or three years of her life, her end was kept in view. Her conversation commonly turned upon the subject of her decease, and she became anx ious that the Lord would prepare and call her home: as she was weary of, and emptied of love to the world. As her end drew nearer, her hopes became brighter; her "outward man" became weaker, but the "inward man" waxed stronger and stronger. The Lord favoured her to partake of the ordinance of the supper the last sabbath she was at his house; when it appeared she was much af fected, and said she should not be long here. ding had been an honourable member | of the church of Christ at Gransden, for 19 years. She was a pious and intelligent woman, possessing a general knowledge of human nature, and a deep sense of her own depravity. She was not in the habit of speaking much of her own exercise of mind; but when this was the case, it was most commonly evident, that she laboured under many doubts and fears about her own interest in the Lord Jesus Christ. She had passed through many and great trials, but it was remarkable how diligent and how constant she was at the house of God; though her distance was across the country some miles, and bad roads, extremely difficult for a person in years to travel. Her heart was in the service of God and at his house, and she brought her poor afflicted body afterwards to present as She took her farewell of her a living sacrifice. Till the last two friends; and that day being her last sabbaths of her life, she came to that she spent among her Christian God's house; though then in the friends, she returned home with dif 71st year of her age, riding a single ficulty, through great weakness. horse, when she appeared like a sha- Nature was breaking up. She con dow indeed! Her friends consider- tinued, however, to sit up, till the ing her distance, weakness, and last few days, when she retired to age, urged the necessity of her stay-rise not, till the heavens are no more.' ing at home, fearing some accident might attend her on her journey, as she had not sufficient strength to guide the horse; which, however, had been so long accustomed to the road, that the horse brought her with the greatest safety, through the kindness of divine Providence, on which she was taught to rely. But her reply was, that her sabbaths were her best days; and she never perceived that she took any cold, or received any injury, from the air or exercise on the Lord's day; though it is well known in the neighbourhood, that, during the week, it has been attended with great difficulty for her to pass from one room to another! Her coming to meeting attracted the attention of many to astonishment; some saying she would die on her journey; others, that though they made no account of religion themselves, yet they believed, from her example, as frequent reading the scriptures,occasionally speaking on the subject of religion, that if there was a reality in religion, she must undoubtedly possess it! Her VOL. X. -The Lord was pleased to indulge her much. Upon visiting her on the evening of the Lord's day previous to her dissolution, she told me she had heard the text, and how much the words had been to her for some days past: indeed it was well known by many, that she had felt much of the painful part of the text, 1 Sam. xxiii. 5, "My house is not so with God." So far was her grief and sorrow. 66 66 are all "But," says she, "he has made, ah! made with me; I never could say it was with me till now, But he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure. Its blessings," added she, mine: it is well ordered. I can leave all and every thing from this consoling thought. Oh the grace, the sovereign and free grace of God to me." That passage in Gen. xv. 1, appeared much to support her, "Fear not, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." On this she dwelt with a divine triumph: "Exceeding and great reward, and all my fears," says she, " are gone. 2 M I need not fear, my God has told me so; what can hurt me, he is my shield." 66 my soul is happy. I think, I long for my dear Jesus, my precious Jesus. I know that my Redeemer liveth; The Lord favoured her with much there is no condemnation, no sepaof his presence, and though her af ration." Sometimes she would say, fliction was severe, yet she found so My pains are great;" but then much comfort from that passage: would chide herself, and say, “what 2 Cor. xii. 9, "My grace is sufficient did my dear Lord suffer and endure for you." In this she was made to for me? what's my suffering? Oh, triumph with an holy joy, express- nothing, nothing. I shall see him, ing "she thought she had seen a his wounded hands and side; I shall beauty, and felt a pleasure, from the praise him for ever, for ever. I am text before; (it being blest to her almost at home now; do not weep when first labouring under concern for me, be glad, I am going home to of soul) but now," to use her own see my Christian friends, to see my words," the abundance of grace; dear Lord Jesus!" With but short it is sufficient, oh what a mercy, for intervals, she enjoyed, to the last, all I am to suffer, to help to bear, the most unshaken hope and confifor all I can want, to render me dence of her safe and happy arrival happy, to save me for ever!" upon to her heavenly Father's kingdom. which she dwelt with a peculiar emHow wonderful are the ways of phasis. "Christ," says she, " is God: though all her life time subject precious to my soul." Her chamber to great fears and doubts, she leaves appeared next door to heaven. "I them long before she leaves the now can," says she, see my dear world! Thus died, much respected Lord, my precious Jesus." One of in the neighbourhood by churchmen her children, hearing her expressing and dissenters, lamented and beherself with such an air of triumph, loved by her friends, the subject of and knowing her to labour with so this short memoir, in the 71st year many doubts and fears before, said, of her age. How calm her exit! "Sure my dear mother is not mis- night-dews fall not more gently to taken." Upon which being spoken, the ground, nor weary worn out though in a low tone of voice to one winds expire so soft." High in her that stood by, she heard and said, faith and hope, she reached af "Mistaken, no! I have had my ter the prize in view; and, like a fears, but they are all removed; Ibird that is hampered, struggles to have now no doubts nor fears, now get loose." 66 6 R. S. Review. A Letter addressed to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent; oc casioned by the Death of Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte of Wales, of the Church of England, &c. &c. By a Clergyman. Seeley. THE style and spirit of this letter reminded us strongly of an anecdote which is told of Bishop Hugh Latimer, justly celebrated for his plain and faithful preaching at the period of the English Reformation. It is said, that the good bishop had given great offence to some of the cour tiers of King Henry VIII. for having exposed, in a sermon, the abounding vices of the court and the country at that corrupt period. The king having been informed of this sermon, commanded that Latimer should preach in his presence, and retract what he had before uttered. Latimer attended to the royal message, and thus introduced his sermon: Remember, Hugh, that thou art in the presence of thy sovereign, that hath power to bring thee to prison and to death; but, then, recol |