age; and even his mind has been occasionally under serious impressions. Two have entered on the stage of active life, and are now occupying stations of usefulness and great importance to the church. One son has lately been licensed to preach, and another has just entered on a course of preparation for the ministry. Of the children of Mr. W., not one has yet given any evidence of piety. They are indeed what the world calls respectable; but having been suffered to be much in the company of the gay, thoughtless, and profane, they have adopted many of their habits, and cherish many of their feelings in reference to religion. To what else, but to the influence of the parents, can we ascribe the difference in these children? Let every parent, who may read these facts, ponder them well; and let them remember, that their influence will materially affect the eternal interests of their beloved offspring. THE NEGRO AND HIS MASTER'S CHILDREN. S. In the Memoirs of the late Mrs. Hannah More, it is related, that a Captain of one of Commodore Johnson's Dutch Prizes, one day went out of his own ship to dine on board another; while he was there a storm arose, which, in a short time, made an entire wreck of his own ship, to which it was impossible for him to return. He had left on board two little boys, one four and the other five years old, under the care of a poor black servant. The people struggled to get out of the sinking ship into a large boat, and the poor black took the two children, tied them into a bag, and put in a little pot of sweetmeats for them, slung them across his shoulder, and put them into the boat. The boat by this time was quite full, and when the black was stepping into it himself, he was told by the Master, there was no room for him, that either he or the children must perish, for the weight of both would sink the boat. The exalted, heroic Negro did not hesitate a moment. "Very well," said he, "give my duty to my master, and tell him I beg pardon for all my faults,"and then he sunk to the deep waters, never to rise again till the sea shall give up its dead. MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE. "I WAS proceeding," says Sir W. Scott, " from the old town (Edinburgh) to the new, by the earthen mound, at the head of which I was led for a few minutes to look at a bull that had got into an enclosure there, after the unmerciful butcher lads had driven it fairly mad. The crowd that gathered on the outside of the fence increased the brute's fierceness. At length they began to cast ropes over its horns and around its neck, thereby to pull it to a strong hold, that it might be slain in the place where it was, which drove it to its most desperate fury. Its eyes now glared madness; there were handfuls of foam flying from its mouth; with its fore feet it pawed the ground, throwing lumps of earth as high as the adjoining houses, and it bellowed so as to make one quake. It was any thing but an agreeable sight, so I moved away homewards. But before I had got to the mound, an alarming shout caused me to look back, when I perceived the animal at no great distance behind me, coming on with all its rage. I had just time to spring to the top of the wall that lined the footpath, and to behold' its future progress." "I shudder at this hour when I think of what I immediately saw. Among the people that were near me and in jeopardy was a young lady. She wore a red mantle, which is a very offensive colour to many of the brute creation. As I did, she also made for the wall, but had neither time nor strength to gain its top, ere the infuriated animal drove towards her. She turned her back, however, to the inaccessible eminence, as if to see the full extent of her fate, and then stood as nailed to it, save only her arms, which she threw aloft in her despair, which would indeed have been as fragile in defence as a rotten reed. Her tender body would have been nothing against a force that could have broken bars of brass, and horns that might have transfixed an animal of its own size. As I have said, directly towards the unprotected young lady the bull drove for ward; with intensest eye he came on, he mistook his mark not an inch; for, as the multitude yelled behind him their horror, he dashed with prodigious strength and madness at her. "Was it not a miracle that the dear young woman escaped unhurt and untouched? Yet it is true: for the terrific animal struck at her so accurately, that a horn struck the dead wall on either hand, thus embracing her, but from their great length shielding her person from even the slightest damage. But the staunch wall withstood the tremendous thrust, and sent back with rebounding force, to a considerable distance, the huge and terrible brute, throwing him prostrate, never to rise again: for numberless destructive weapons were plunged into him before he had time to recover from the recoil." THE REV. Mr. Holmes, at a Home Missionary meeting in New York, related the following anecdote: with Being appointed an Agent of this Society, I visited one of the towns of Massachusetts, and was accompanied by the Minister to a wretched hovel at some distance from the village. It appeared scarcely habitable. We entered, and my name and message were announced to an old and very feeble man, who was lying on the bed of sickness, and, as it proved, of death. His aged wife was also bowing down over the grave." Before you speak of the Agency," said the old man, "I wish you to pray me, for I am very feeble and full of pain.' His request was granted, and the Agency afterwards introduced. "My wife," said the aged Christian, "I think we cannot do much, but we must do something for this object. How much shall we give ?" The feeble woman replied, "I shall like whatever you think proper." "Then go," said the dying saint," and bring ten dollars." She went, returned, and stooping down over the wretched hard bed, said, "Mr. W., I've brought fifteen dollars, and there's enough left to pay for the flour and those other little things." Oh! sir, said Mr. Holmes, would to God that I could bring the hovel, and the bed, and the man and his wife, and place them here before the eyes of this vast assembly, we should never offer resolutions for more money. No, sir, we should not lack money for the Missionaries, would we but let the luxuries go, and only keep back enough to pay for "the flour and those other little things." Shrouded in deep eclipse, the sun His smiles may from creation hide; He feels; and who may that abide ? Why dropp'd his quivering limbs with To shield us from offended God, 'Tis ours to wonder and adore; H. S. NOTICES OF BOOKS. THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST NOT OF THIS WORLD. An Introductory Discourse delivered at the ordination of the Rev. J. Davies, of Maidenhead. By JOHN H. GODWIN. London: J. Snow. 8vo. pp. 28, T A lucid and eloquent statement of those great and fundamental principles which are, in our opinion, as essential to the purity and stability of the Church of Christ, as they are to the existence of religious liberty. THE VAUDOIS: comprising Observations made during a Tour to the VALLEYS OF PIEDMONT, in the summer of 1844. Together with Remarks, Introductory and Interspersed, respecting the Origin, History, and Present Condition of that Interesting People. By E. HENDERSON, D.D. London: John Snow 8vo. cloth, boards, pp. 262. In consequence of our going to press much earlier than usual, we were obliged, very reluctantly, to discontinue our perusal of this fascinating volume-so far as we have read, fascinating it certainly is, in the highest sense of the term. It opens up the founthins of Christian sympathy, and awakens an intense interest in behalf of a people whose isolated position and whose oft-repeated and fearful sufferings have only served to elicit their unconquerable attachment to the pure faith of the Gospel, and to give stronger prominence to that spirituality, simplicity and zeal which have ever distinguished their Christian character. Dr. Henderson's work is rich in its descriptions of Alpine scenery, and in its narration of facts-so much so that we shall feel it incumbent upon us again to bring it under the notice of our readers. OCCASIONAL SERMONS: on Doctrinal, Experimental, and Practical Subjects. By ABRAHAM SCOTT. Second Course. London: J. Mason. 8vo. cloth, bds., pp. 283. So far as our examination of these Sermons will enable us to judge, we consider them as well calculated to sustain the high character which the esteemed author has so deservedly acquired as a theological writer. Questions of deep interest, and of deep importance are here presented to the attention of the reader, and are discussed with a clearness and thoroughness of investigation calculated to clear up numerous difficulties, and to convey a large amount of valuable information. Though we cannot regard these Sermons as an adequate substitute for what is technically termed a body of divinity, yet the serious and attentive reader will peruse them with pleasure and advantage. We regret to observe that no-titles are prefixed to the discourses. THE DEITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST; being the Second Part on the Holy Trinity. By WILLIAM COOKE. No. V. Price 2d. This number of Mr. Cooke's Tracts concludes the arguments in support of our Lord's Divinity. We feel unable adequately to express our high admiration of the very able manner in which this important doctrine is here discussed. The truth of it is established by reasonings the most satisfactory and unanswerable. The absurdity and falsehood of the Socinian hypotheses are vividly exposed, and the whole, though presented in a very condensed form, is so luminous in statement, and so truly Christian in temper, that it cannot fail to carry conviction to the mind of every earnest and honest enquirer after truth. The most unlearned reader may understand this tract, and the most learned may profit by it. OBITUARY. JAMES BATES Was born at Halifax, in the month of October, 1798. He was converted to God when about thirty years of age, through the instrumentality of his uncle Joseph Bates, now the oldest member in the Halifax Society. He was a man of regular and peaceable habits, of good moral character, and universally believed to be sincerely pious. He was remarkable for the regularity of his attendance on the public and private means of grace. At the meetings for church business he was generally at his post; and though he was not forward to offer his own opinions, yet when he spoke he was listened to with respect. He was for some years a Teacher in the Sabbathschool connected with Salem Chapel, and, it is believed, never wilfully neglected his duty. When the Society was shaken by unstable men, he, like a man of principle, stood firm in his attachment to the church in which he had been nurtured, and in which he had enjoyed those privileges which had made his soul happy. When affliction seized his feeble frame, he was not dismayed, neither did he murmur at the chastisements of the Lord. Nevertheless as in duty bound, he used those means, and procured the medical advice best adapted to promote his recovery. On one occasion there were considerable hopes of his ultimate restoration to health, and the prospect of this desirable result gave great pleasure to the partner of his life and his dear children, for he was a kind husband and affectionate father. At the time their expectations were thus raised he walked to the house of his medical attendant, thinking the walk would be of service to him, when he caught a severe cold, which brought on a relapse. From this time he lingered about fourteen days, and with little variation gradu ally grew worse and worse. But as he approached nearer the verge of the grave, his prospect of heaven grew brighter and brighter. His confidence in the promises was remarkably strong. His affections seemed entirely loosened from the world, and he cheerfully gave up his disconsolate wife and affectionate children into the hands of his heavenly Father, knowing that he who had promised to be "a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless," would make them the objects of his care and kindness. His Christian friends frequently visited him during the last ten days of his life; and though his sufferings were sometimes great, yet he never repined, but exhibited the submission expressed by the language," It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." On one occasion, with a smile of calm composure and holy confidence, he said, 'A bright crown is waiting for me!" and on another he said, "My Jesus is mine, and I am his." He frequently gave his wife and children earnest advice to walk in the commandments of the Lord blameless. Even during his seasons of delirium he seemed to enjoy the means of grace. On the day before he died, he said, "I have finished the work he gave me to do; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." He seldom spoke afterwards, and was frequently insensible. He fell asleep in Jesus, November 1st, 1844, aged 46 years. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." His death was improved in Salem Chapel, on Sunday evening, the 22nd of December, by the Rev. P. J. Wright, to a crowded audience. JOHN RAMSDEN. RECENT DEATHS. DIED at Peartree-hill, near Broomhedge, (Ireland), December, 1844, WILLIAM RECENT DEATHS.- -CONNEXIONAL INTELLIGENCE. DOWNEY, nearly 80 years of age. For many years he enjoyed almost uninterrupted good health. The morning on which he died he was as well as usual, attending his farm and household concerns. Whilst in his barn sorting wheat, he was seized with a violent pain in his back. He was assisted into the house, and put to bed, but expired immediately in calm and peaceful tranquillity. He was one of our oldest members in that country, next to friend Charles Hall. He was actively employed in the erection of Broomhedge Chapel, and planted the shrubberies and trees about it with his own hands. Our Ministers have preached in his house for thirty years, and a class met under his roof most of that time. Frequently have I and the ministers of the New Connexion shared in his kindness and hospitality. He took great interest in the welfare of our cause in this place, and reaped much spiritual profit from the means of grace, both in his own house and in the sanctuary of the Lord. He is gone to his reward, and to augment the number of the redeemed before the throne of God and the Lamb. Also, MARY DOWNEY, wife of the above, died in January, 1845, only six weeks after her husband. She was as well as usual at his death, but could not sustain the shock occasioned by his sudden and unexpected departure. They had lived happily together for many years, and death was not suffered to keep them long asunder. She could not be called well after his death, for her strength gradually failed; she took to her bed, lay speechless for several days, and died being nearly 70 years of age. Though incapable of expressing the state of her mind in her last moments, we have no doubt of her happiness, as her pious and holy deportment justifies the conclusion that she has entered into that rest which remaineth for the people of God. W. B. 191 Died December 30th, 1844, in the 70th year of his age, WILLIAM M'CORRY, of Drumeill, near Lisburn. He opened his house to receive our ministers, several years before his death. He told me the good he received to his soul from the ministry of the word, especially in his house. Often have we visited the neighbourhood to invite the people to preaching, and he seemed to pant ardently for their salvation. On his death-bed I frequently visited him, and always found him clinging to the blood of Jesus, and resting his entire dependence thereon for eternal life. Since his death a class has been organized in the house, and surviving relatives are much aroused to follow the Lord. On On April 4th, died happy in the Lord, Mr. JOHN SAXON, of Ashton, after a long period of severe suffering, which he bore with exemplary patience, and pious resignation to the will of God. In his death, his family have to mourn the loss of a kind parent and husband, and the church a worthy member and liberal friend. the day of our late brother's decease, his daughter Ann was interred. She was truly amiable and pious,-cut down, by consumption, in the flower of her days, being only in her seventeenth year; she murmured not at the dispensation, but went down to the grave in the full hope that it was her passage to heaven. J. H. CONNEXIONAL INTELLIGENCE. MISSIONARY SERVICES. MANCHESTER CIRCUIT.-On Sunday, February 16th, Sermons were preached at Altrincham, in behalf of our Missions, by Mr. J. Mills; and on Monday evening, the 17th, a Missionary meeting was held. Thomas Harbottle, Esq., was called to the chair, and the meeting was addressed by the Revs. Murray, (Wesleyan), Stermer, Earnshaw, (Independents), C. Atkinson, the Ministers in the Circuit, and Messrs. Renshaw, Martin, and J. Mills. This was perhaps the most interesting meeting ever held at Altrincham, and the collections were almost double those of the preceding year. |