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Let

Let us look at the things which are not seen, but let us look at them with all our powers and affections. Let us look at them with a look of contemplation, which renders them present to us, as if we perceived them with our bodily senses. The reason why we are not affected by the unfathomable blessings of another life, is because they are out of the reach of our senses; and as they are not gross and tangible, do not make so deep impressions upon us. By reason and reflection we approach unto them, and faith discovers unto us what St. Stephen saw in his ecstacy: "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man seated at the right hand of God." Yes, my faith penetrates the veil, and where my senses cannot reach, my understanding contemplates a blessed eternity; the place which God hath provided for me, and to which he hath destined me. us look at them with a look of admiration, for it is impossible. that we should seriously contemplate these exalted objects, without being seized and occupied by them. They are blessings immense in their extent, eternal in their duration; and pure in their enjoyment; a throne that cannot be moved; a crown that shall never fade; a feast, a stream of delight, which shall flow from the throne of the Lamb, from God himself, whom we shall see and enjoy. All this has in it something so great and august, that it is impossible to fix our attention upon it without being dazzled and transported with the magnificence of our Benefactor, and exclaiming with holy David, "O how great are the benefits which thou hast prepared for them that fer thee! Let us look at them with a look of love. We cannot behold these blessings in all their greatness and excellency without feeling our love inflamed, and fixing our heart where our treasure lies. Nor can we in the prospect of these things, help adopting the language of the prophet David; "When thou saidst unto me, Seek my face, my heart said, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord: my flesh ceaseth not to long for thy courts." And as St. Paul: "I have a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better." Finally, let us look at them as our end, and as the objects which influence our conduct, viewing them so as by them to regulate our thoughts, actions, and conversation. Let us never lose sight of those objects which are our true guides, but imitate those skilful pilots, who, in their voyage attentively and constantly observe the heavens, to discover their course by that of the stars. Let us esteem the things of earth only as means to bring us to the things above, and leave behind us whatever is likely to turn us aside from the good way."This one thing I do," says St. Paul, "leaving the things that are behind, and reaching to them that are before, I press towards the mark of my high calling."

If on this day, which renews our grateful feelings for what is

past, when we raise our eyes to heaven: if on this day of the year we ought to offer thanksgivings and prayers, for our coun try, our families, our trade, and for the church in its militant state; let us turn our attention towards the things that are not seen, and only form prayers with a relation to our future felicity. If we desire long life, and pray for the prosperity of our families and children, let it be that these young plants, cultivated by education, strengthened by our good example, watered by the dew of heaven, and growing day by day through the Divine favour, may become matured for eternity, and finally be removed to the heavenly abodes. If we pray for the prosperity of our trade and commerce, (God forbid that a vile and sordid feeling, or an ambition for splendour, should be the soul of our desires! but) keeping in view the support of innocence by our credit, the putting down of vice, and the assisting of the poor, may we hereby make to ourselves friends which shall receive us into eternal habitations. If we ask for the prosperity of the church, that God in our day may make Jerusalem a praise in the earth, God preserve us from the crime of factious views, and the intention of taking revenge on our enemies. Let us improve this state of prosperity as a means of extending the reign of Christ, of enlarging his dominions, multiplying his subjects, filling up the number of the elect, and accomplishing the decrees of God, which relate to the eternal establishment of the church in heaven.

May the benedictions which I put into your mouths this day, and which I form in a pure intention, be ratified in heaven, and return upon us in more abundant blessings! May your dear families multiply in number, and increase in virtue; promote your comfort on earth, and secure their own salvation in heavyen! May our decayed commerce resume its former course, extend itself more and more, and tend, as we may hope, at some future period, to assist in the propagation of the faith! May the visible church be purified from every stain, and strengthened in zeal, that Christ may triumph in every place! May this church in particular shed the good savour of the gospel around it, by the holy conduct of her ministers, elders, and deacons, and by the fervour and good works of all her members. May the church of France-for, "Should I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remem. ber thee, if I prefer not Jerusalem to my chief joy ;"-may the church of France purify her sanctuaries, recall the word she has lost, collect her children, scattered to the four winds, and attain a solid and permanent establishment, which shall become the deposit of truth to the remotest ages. May you all, my beloved brethren, pass your days in profound peace. "The peace of God be with you. Amen."

Biography.

For the Methodist Magazine.

A SHORT MEMOIR OF ALBA BECKWITH.

THE subject of this memoir, brother Alba Beckwith, (some time a Methodist itinerant preacher,) was the son of Mr. Lemuel Beckwith, long a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Alba was born in Stamford, Delhi, New-York, in the year of our Lord 1793. From his childhood till his conversion to God, he was of very steady habits; and was by the fear of the Lord preserved from those vices into which the young and the thoughtless often fall. He did not, however, experience religion until he arrived to manhood. In the twenty-first year of his age he became truly concerned for the salvation of his soul, and in good earnest began to cry, " God be merciful to me a sinner." He did not continue long in this situation, before the Lord came to his relief, and blessed him with the remission of his sins. This blessed change took place at a watchnight, while the people of God were engaged in earnest prayer for the salvation of sinners. The reality of the change effected on his heart at this time, was ever after evinced by his upright walk and conversation. He immediately attached himself to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and continued a faithful member of it till the hour of his death.

Devoted to God and the interests of religion, the service of God became his highest delight. He loved the souls of his young friends in particular, and neglected no opportunity to recommend to them the excellency of the religion of Jesus Christ. He was soon licensed to exhort; and he discharged this duty with much zeal and usefulness. He was, however, soon called to move in a larger sphere; and he accordingly received license from the church to preach the gospel. He was well received wherever he attempted to preach, and the word was often rendered power and life to his hearers.

At the annual conference in 1818, he was admitted on trial as a travelling preacher, and appointed to Ontario circuit. Here he was very useful, and displayed much ability in declaring the glorious gospel of the blessed God. By the united exertions of himself and his worthy colleague, the church was much strengthened, and built up this year in the faith and hope of the gospel. Many were added to the societies. At a small village called Bethel, was witnessed an uncommon display of the power and salvation of God. Here brother Beckwith was VOL. IV.

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very useful; and here he has many friends in whose grateful memory he will long live.

At the conference for 1819 he was appointed to Eden circuit; but was soon after changed, and appointed by the presiding elder of the district to the charge of Clarence circuit, where he terminated his labours in the ministry. On this circuit he manifested a growing zeal in the cause of religion, and great punctuality in attending his appointments. He laboured here till some time in February last, when the foundation was laid for a speedy dissolution. He had preached twice on Sunday, and after the second sermon, a friend solicited him to accompany him to a place about six miles distant, and preach a third sermon in the evening. Being disposed to accommodate his friend, and wishing to do all the good he could, he concluded to go to the appointment, where he preached a third sermon; and after preaching rode back six miles to the friend's house, where they arrived late in the evening. The weather was very cold and stormy, and being uncomfortably situated in the house, he did not get thoroughly warmed till the next morning. At this time he was taken very unwell. He left his circuit, and returned to his father's in Ulysses, Tompkins county. Soon after he arrived at his father's he raised blood, and grew worse than he had been for several days. A physician was called, who administered some medicine, but apprehended no immediate danger. He however failed fast, and his case was soon considered dangerous. In a few days after, a council of physicians were called, who concluded that bleeding was the only remedy. This they continued till blood was let twentyone times, which drew almost all the blood from the system.

During his illness he expressed a strong confidence in God, and manifested the most unreserved resignation to the righteous will of heaven. He said" that the Lord had delivered him from all anxiety"-and, although his sufferings were great, he often said," that he had no more than his share of them.". He often requested his parents not to feel so deeply affected on his account, saying, "that he was not afraid to die; that the Lord would receive him to himself," &c. A few minutes before his departure, he roused from a kind of stupor, and said, "I am dying" and after a little pause, he raised his hands and eyes towards heaven, and said," There is my God," and immediately closed his eyes, and departed this life without a struggle or a groan, September 8th, 1820, in the twenty-seventh year of his age.

Thus ended the life of Alba Beckwith. A young man of rare mental endowments. As a christian, his heart was warm, and his life deeply devoted to the honour of his Maker. The pious example which he set to all his acquaintance, was worthy of

the imitation of all who knew him. He was modest and unassuming, and walked in the humble path of self-denial. As a preacher, his zeal was great, but ever according to knowledge. He used every means in his power for the improvement of his mind. He took short notes of all he heard or read of importance, and in the course of about three years made such improvement as astonished his friends and acquaintance. In a word, he bid fair to become one of the brightest ornaments of the Genesee Conference. He never affected to appear great, but always delivered good sense and sound scripture doctrine-his words were weighty, and attended with divine power. He loved the church of which he was a member, and was particularly attached to the itinerant ministry, with whom he had resolved to spend his life. He was indeed a bright and a shining light, a warm friend, and affectionate brother. But while the church is called to mourn its loss of an able minister, he is doubtless rejoicing in the felicities of a better world.

Ovid, November 1, 1820.

JONATHAN HEUSTIS.

The Attributes of God Displayed.

SIR WILLIAM HERSCHEL'S RESEARCHES RESPECTING THE DISTANCE OF THE FIXED STARS.

In a paper published in the Phil. Trans. 1818, Part II. this celebrated astronomer endeavours, by computation founded on the known power of his telescopes, and the probable assumption of some certain average magnitude of the fixed stars, to arrive at definite conclusions on the great problem of the arrangement of celestial objects in space. Granting that, one with another, the faintest stars are the farthest distant, their light then becomes, in some rough way, a measure of their distance, which may be compared by a series of equalizations between large and small stars, made with similar telescopes, but of different apertures. He thus concludes, that a single star of the first magnitude would be just lost to the naked eye if removed to twelve times its distance, and to the most powerful telescope hitherto constructed, if to 2300 times. Yet such an instrument continues to shew stars in the milky way, at the utmost limits of their visibility. This wonderful sidereal stratum is therefore fathomless alike by our eyes and by our telescopes.

But though the light of single stars may no longer affect our organs, the united lustre of sidereal systems may reach us from

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