He concludes by urging his father to come to Bath to see him. The concern he felt for the salvation of a bosom friend, to whom he had been under very particular obligations, led him thus to write at the commencement of the year 1820, when he thus opened his heart to Mr. J. L. in a letter, dated "No. 7, Orange Grove, Bath, 4 Jan. 1820.— My spirits have been much af fected with reviewing the events of the past year. How mysterious are the ways of Providence! I never felt so much at the entering of any new year as I have done at this period. I have had a sort of trembling anxiety for the future. But God, I trust, will support and strengthen me. I cling to earth, my life seems of importance to my family; but if it be the will of the Almighty to remove me early in life, I hope cheerfully to acquiesce: my religious principles support my mind. I have no alarming dread of death. I have, however, a solemn awe on my mind when ever I think of dissolution, and I would not be without this feeling, because every circumstance connected with the event is so· lemn and momentous. But the christian doctrine of the atone. ment affords a firm foundation for my hope of safety, and of acquittal at the tribunal of HIM who is the Judge of all the earth. "Ah! my dear Joseph, let it occupy a portion of your time 1 and attention, to become acquainted with that grand feature of christianity, the doctrine of salvation through the MERITS OF JESUS. I make no apology for addressing you thus it is the only way in which my heart can now utter its friendly feelings towards you. Endeavour to urge my father to pay me a visit for a few days: I have had an irresistible desire to see him for a month past. "I have now to request, that whatever unfavourable impression this scrawl may make on your mind relative to my health, you will be very cautious about showing it to my father, or sister, or mother :* I fear my desire to see my father, will excite their fears too much." In a letter written by his surviving widow, Mrs. Phillips, she says, "His worth can be but little estimated. His zeal for his Divine Master's cause lasted to his latest breath; and in the last prayers he was heard to utter, he earnestly implored that God would raise up others to fill up his place. Let all that know me,' he said, be told, that had I ten lives to lose, I could wish they had been spent in the Java Mission.' And when the cold hand of death arrested him, he emphatically exclaimed, 'I could have wished to live longer in the cause of God, to have seen the Javanese possessed of a Bible; but all is well. God has other instruments. I have now nothing to do but to die." I have said all I wish to say; A mortal paleness on my cheek, A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, *. This excellent woman, of whom he was very fond, died a few weeks since. I have not an anxiety all is well!' He died at Reading, June 14, 1820, and was buried on the following Lord's day, June 25 his funeral sermon was preached at the Baptist Meeting by the Rev. Mr. Winterbotham, from Psalm xlvi. 10, Be still, and know that I am God. "He bequeathed the pocket Bible, which was presented to him at his designation by the children of the Eagle-street Sunday-school, which he prized as his chief and invaluable treasure, to be given to his darling girl, when she should be old enough to know its use, and very emphatically said, 'Let her know that her father was a Sundayschool teacher.' A funeral sermon was preached for him by his pastor at Eaglestreet Meeting, from John iii. 16, God so loved the world, &c. : Thus the short but useful career of Joseph Phillips terminated his sun went down at noon. The climate of Java injured his constitution, shook his apparently strong tabernacle, and very soon caused it to sink into the arms of death. He had acquired the Javanese language, and made considerable progress in preparing for translating the scriptures into it; a work upon which his heart was supremely set; but his purposes were cut off, his designs were rendered abortive, and the work left to be carried on by his faithful colleague, Mr. Bruckner, who has been very successful in mastering its difficulties, and in translating several books of the scriptures into it. he was Mr. Phillips's memory is very fragrant in the church of which a member, and in the Sunday-school to which he was so strongly attached. His conduct too, as a Missionary, was highly approved by the Committee of the Society by which he was employed, and is considered as an example worthy the imitation of other Missionaries. He lived honourably, and died happily, and there is good reason to conclude received the plaudit of the pardoning and rewarding Saviour, Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. The good providence of God has been eminently displayed since his death over his widow and fatherless child. Mrs. Phillips supports herself by keeping a boarding-school and lodginghouse at Margate. I. Jan. 14, 1823. INFLUENCE OF THE GOSPEL ON FEMALE SOCIETY, "But he said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it." Luke xi. 28. AMIDST the numerous evils which interrupt the enjoyment and call forth the lamentations of society, it ought to be remembered that our happiness in the present state depends, in a great ineasure, upon ourselves, and will be diminished or promoted by the complexion of our views and feelings, tastes and dispositions, alliances and pursuits. Though the outward distinctions of birth and fortune, and other accidental variations, may have a powerful effect upon general happiness, the principal sources and ordinary means of enjoyment are distributed with an impartial hand, and are possessed by all classes nearly in the same degree, without distinction of age sex, community or colour. A mistaken judgment, perverse passions, and groveling sensualities, or dicial. Like divert many from the calm and tions of delight, mingled with secret, but certain and substan-solicitude, which thrill through tial enjoyments which are com- every nerve as she follows him mon to all; while exterior splen-in his career, are best appreciated dour, rank, and property, fix by those who have long been their attention upon civil ine- familiar with a mother's tenderqualities, and produce effects ness and a father's care. highly and extensively preju- the matrons of Greece and Rome, whose sons were distinFrom this source arises the guished in the school and forum, spirit of envy, which keeps the the senate or the field, she will mind in restless agitation, magni- doubtless receive the congratulafies existing evils, deplores a tions of her own sex, on the state of subordination, and ren-honour and happiness of having ders its victim insensible to those so illustrious a son. But a eulocomforts which, if rightly used, gium of this kind is for the most might yield him a satisfaction far part coupled with envy; and by superior to the superficial advan- its humiliatory contrast, renders tages and envied prosperity of the less fortunate more sensible the great. of their depression. It is also forgotten that the envied themselves often stand on a dangerous elevation, from which some sudden catastrophe may remove them, producing anguish as deep, lasting, and irreparable, as their distinction was pre-eminent and fleeting. Such indeed was the case of Mary, whose peculiar blessedness as the mother of our Lord according to the flesh, was, in a short time, so deeply embittered by the anguish flowing from his crucifixion. therefore, hearing the woman's exclamation, and perceiving the effect of envious comparisons, called her attention from circumstances over which we have no power, to the common, but su Our Lord, But the Author of our religion, who spake ás never man spake, decidedly forbids such invidious comparisons, and directs his disciples to sources of happiness open alike to the prince and the peasant; from which all classes of society, however circumstanced, may derive pure and lasting enjoyment. Thus, in the course of his ministry, when his doctrine and miracles had drawn around him an immense multitude of admirers, a certain woman of the company, envying the mother of so illustrious a son, lifted up her voice and declared that Mary must be the happiest of women. The sentiment indeed was, in some respects, natural and just, the spontaneous effect of mater-perior happiness connected with nal sympathy. Every mother whom providence has favoured with a son eminently endowed with genius and talent, virtue and piety, may be supposed to feel similar emotions, when she beholds him rising to fame, passing through life with dignity and wisdom, acquitting himself with peculiar credit, gaining applause, and rising to glory. The sensa religion; " Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it !” In confirmation of this sentiment, we might appeal to the testimony of experience, and to the general influence of the gos pel in improving the morals and happiness of mankind. While theMohammedan imposture overspreads the world like a pesti ferous Samiel, sweeping away volence, christianity has had, a, every thing valuable from the earth, the christian doctrine has pursued its course like an angel of God, a messenger of mercy, filling the vallies, and levelling the mountains, making the crooked straight, and the rough places plain, strowing her path with flowers, striking the flinty rock, and causing streams to flow in the wilderness. Its general influence is highly favourable to happiness; while its effects in ameliorating the condition and enlarging the enjoyments of its female votaries, have in all ages been remarkable. Whether we review the state of society among the ancients, as exhibited by credible historians, or survey the social and moral condition of different nations in our own time, nothing will strike us as a more decisive proof of the benignity of our religion, than the superior state of female society in christian nations, rising in knowledge, virtue, and happiness, in proportion to the spread of christian principles. Amidst all the varieties of custom, character, and climate, its effects in this respect are uniform and invariable, operating in the same way in every community, rank, and age. Whether the standard of the cross be erected in the crowded regions of the East, among the barbarous hordes of Africa, the savage tribes of the New Continent, or the numerous islands that overspread the bosom of the South Seas, its claims are no sooner owned by any considerable number of the population, than it emancipates the weaker sex from moral debasement and civil oppression, and becomes the guardian of their interests and felicity. By promoting civilization, social order, and general bene favourable influence on female happiness. In proportion as mankind sink into a barbarous, and savage state of society, their animal propensities become turbulent, tenderness and sympathy give place to the violence of passion, and their manners are ferocious and disgusting. Neither governed by fixed laws, nor restrained by a sense of justice, their contracts and engagements depend chiefly on selfishness and caprice; while superior strength, conferring a supposed right of absolute dominion, reduces the weaker sex into abject slavery, from the insults and cruelties of which they have no redress. Hence it happens, in savage countries, that the most laborious and degrading occupations are assigned to the women, while their lords follow the pleasures of the chase, or repose in indolent security. But civilization, wherever it extends, curbs the violence of passion, teaches men to govern their propensities, ren ders their manners mild and obliging, and gives to the weak and defenceless the security of public opinion and established laws. In proportion, therefore, as nations become civilized and enlightened, the condition of females is improved, the natural order of society exempting them from the more laborious occupations, assigning to their charge the duties of domestic life, and promoting their improvement, inBluence, and happiness. Now christianity not only tends to civilize barbarians, but improves the taste, principles, and habits of the more civilized and polished nations. By delivering its disciples from the debasement of sensuality and indolence, and leading them to the due neither polygamy nor arbitrary divorce can be admitted, but that every man must retain his own wife, and every woman her own husband. Thus christian females, by the laws both of God and man, enter the marriage state by their own choice, not to be dismissed at pleasure, but to share for life in the property, honour, and society of their husbands, as confidential friends, wedded companions, and helps meet for them in the different scenes and circumstances of life. exertion of their faculties, in a noble emulation to rise above the ruins of a fallen world, it encourages every good plan, enlarges and multiplies their comforts, elevates their manners, and refines their happiness. It not only favours efforts of genius, literature, and science, but abolishes pernicious customs, supports works of real utility, confirms the basis of justice and benevolence, and perpetuates by divine sanction the order of social intercourse, and the virtue and repose of domestic life. Hence, It is indeed a fact, that the we perceive that many shame-happiness of the married is often ful and pernicious practices, embittered by unkindness; while sanctioned by the Greeks and infidelity to the solemn vow is a Romans in the most polished crime, of which too many even periods of their history, are not in christian countries are guilty. to be endured in christian com- But these are exceptions to the munities, whose manners and general rule, transgressions of the customs are more consistent with christian law, which incur unipurity, and more conducive to versal censure, and from the the interests of the weaker sex. effects of which every possible But the gospel has further con- guarantee has been provided. tributed to female happiness, by The connubial state is fenced abolishing polygamy, and restor- around by every part of the ing the marriage law to its ori-christian doctrine; while the perginal purity. In every nation nicious customs before mentionwhere pagan superstition, and ed are legalized in heathen naMahommedan imposture have tions, as the common destiny of been established, the law of females in all classes, from the marriage is loose and uncertain; baneful effects of which they while the men are permitted to have no remedy. In this respect, multiply their wives according to therefore, christian females owe their caprice or property, often to the gospel an obligation, which without the consent, or contrary few seem sufficiently to appreto the wishes of the other sex, ciate. whose persons are seldom at their But it has still further increasown disposal. Now the least re-ed their happiness, by an acflection may convince us, that a knowledgment of their just rights, practice of this kind must be with the rank and influence asvery pernicious, proving little signed them in society. In sabetter than legalized prostitution, vage nations, where might is sup. in which the true happiness of posed to constitute right, the the conjugal relation is unknown. physical weakness of the other But, happily, the religion of sex is deemed a sufficient proof Christ has abolished this custom, of the mental inferiority, civil and restored the marriage law to debasement, and domestic subits original purity, telling us, that ordination for which nature de |