love? On her replying, that she thought it very probable, in order to prepare them for the solemn and trying change that awaited them, he said, "I know not whether this be my case, or not; but I have had feelings this morning which I cannot describe," Being desired to state the nature of them, he said, that he had enjoyed an uncommon view of the character of God, in his wisdom, and love, and mercy, which | produced sensations that were indescribable; and though the intenseness of the feeling had then subsided, yet the serenity and pleasure which sat on his countenance, plainly showed that its effects still remained: it seemed as if he had made a visit to the celestial regions. weeks before his death, he asked her if she thought his complaint would end in death? After expres sing her fears that it would, he said, "Well, my child, you must pray for me, and I will try to pray for you." She observed, that he had done that many times. "Yes," said he, "I have many times mentioned your name, and when I think that those prayers of so poor and mean a creature as I am have been answered, it seems too much to believe. O! to think that the Almighty should ever so favour me, as to call any of my children by his grace-but when I think again that any of them may be lost, it almost overwhelms me." the most pleasing and tender emo. tions, observed, that for a good man "to live was Christ, and to die gain." "How beautiful," he replied," has Dr. Watts described the death of Moses: Sweet was the journey to the sky, The wondrous prophet try'd: "Climb up the mount," said God, " and die :" One of his sons, on a succeeding One evening, he accosted his evening, having read to him several daughter, (who was silently watch-hymns, which evidently produced ing his pale and sickly countenance) rather abruptly, inquiring whether she had ever attentively read the 8th of Romans, and added, "I have been thinking of that expression, It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again.' The subject of the resurrection has occupied much of my attention lately, on that all my hopes depend; for if Christ be not raised, our faith is vain, we are yet in our sins." On her repeating the declaration of our Lord, "I am the resurrection and the life," &c. his feelings overpowered him, tears filled his eyes, and when able to speak, he said, "I wish you to mind that, when I die, if it should be thought worth while to preach a funeral sermon for such a poor unworthy creature as I this be the text, 'It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again.' The prophet climb'd, and died. Upon his Maker's breast; And laid his flesh to rest.' His son then remarked, that Dr. Watts, when near death, said, "I am no more afraid to die, than I am of walking out of one room into another." am, Speaking of his death one day, his daughter said to him, "Would you be willing, father, to leave us, were the message to come to call you home?" He replied, "Were I to consult my own feelings, I should wish to stay a little longer for my family, my friends, and the church; but I am perfectly resigned to the Divine will, and I leave all in the hands of infinite wisdom. When I am wanted no longer here, I hope I shall be willing to go." Calling her to him, about three "No," he answered, "and why should he? The souls of Watts and Griffith were fitted for heaven by close and intimate communion with Christ upon earth. I have often thought," he added, "that Dr. Watts had clearer discoveries of the glories of heaven, than any other uninspired writer; and it was no wonder: such delightful anticipations of glory were the natural result of his great and intimate fellowship with Christ. How beautiful are those lines! "O glorious hour! O blest abode! His son rejoined, "What renders | heaven so attractive to the good man is, what Dr. Watts has so finely described in those two lines, There shall we see his face, "Yes," added his father, "the pre- | While his daughter was sitting by his side one morning, he said, “Where do you think heaven is?" She answered, that no conjectures on that head could be satisfactory. | "But," he replied, "it is where Christ is, and that is enough." He then said, "How can we see God? for since he is a pure spirit, we can have no idea how he is to be seen." She then repeated the sentiment of Dr. Watts: "The God shines gracious through the man." Yes," be answered, with eager delight, "there we shall see the full blaze of the Divinity, shining through the person of Christ." 66 versation; his nights were sleepless, but his mind was wholly occupied with divine things, as appeared from broken sentences which he uttered, of some favourite scripture passage, or of some divine hymn. 66 On the following day, a friend having called to see him, asked him if he knew her? Yes," he replied, "I do; and I shall soon be with your father. I am going to dwell with Christ for ever and ever;" and presently after, with evident emotions of wonder and delight, he exclaimed, “ To be with Christ! to be with Christ! I am going to Jesus!" On being asked, if his fears were gone? "Yes! yes!" he answered, "I have nothing but happiness." His joys, however, were not uninterrupted; for soon after this, a thick gloom fell upon his mind, which induced him to doubt the reality of his religion. “I am almost afraid," he said to his daughter one morning," that I am not a Christian; that I do not know what A few mornings before his death, saving faith is." She replied, "These while his daughter was serving him doubts are only the suggestions of with his breakfast, he said to her, Satan; they will last but a little "Come here, my child, sit down by while: you will not be troubled with me; I am persuaded now that I them in the hour of death." "Will shall not be long with you; I shall it be so?" said he, "now mind, if it soon be taken from you; but I feel proves to be as you say, I will inanxious for you. May the Lord form you of it." Accordingly on the bless you, and take you under his afternoon preceding his transition protection, and direct you, and keep to the skies, as she was sitting on you all through life; may you be the bed-side, he took her hand becomfortable and happy, a respect- tween both of his, and holding them able and useful character; may you up in the attitude of prayer, with his always cultivate a meek and peace-eyes fixed upward, he said, "My able disposition; always be ready to give up your own inclination, where conscience is not concerned, for the sake of peace. Try to do good; do not forget the profession you have made; maintain it with honour. May the Lord bless you, my child, and make you a blessing. Be useful in the world, and, as far as it lies in you, be useful to the church." poor child, all is well, all is well! She said, "Then you are happy, father?" "O yes!" he replied, "yes! yes!" The conflict, while it lasted, was distressing; but so far was it from injuring his soul, that it gave additional glory to his victory over the powers of darkness. Soon after this, one of his brethren in office entering his chamber, said to him, "You are almost in heaven, The last hour of this venerable and will soon obtain the crown." and pious man was now evidently His eyes immediately brightened approaching; and his friends saw with joy, and pointing upwards, he with unspeakable emotions that, in said, "Yes! yes!" and added, a little while, his spirit would be dis-"These are they who came out of missed to the invisible world. On great tribulation." Being asked, Sunday, January 26, he became whether he were in pain, he anworse, and was incapable of con- swered," Yes: but in heaven there 2 B shall be no more pain. Death has lost his sting. O come! come!" and then looking at two of his family, he said, "I would rather, I would rather go. Oh! to dwell with him! •`Millions of years my wondering eyes!'" His speech faultered-his breathing soon after became difficult, and on the following morning he breathed out his soul into the hands of that Redeemer whom he had loved and served with so much fervour and sincerity. "Softly his fainting head he lay Upon his Maker's breast: S. S. Review. The substance of a Funeral Sermon, occasioned by the unexpected and deeply lamented Death of her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte of Wales; delivered in the Baptist Meeting-house, Shrewsbury. By John Palmer, Pastor. 1s. C. Hulbert, Shrewsbury. We understand, that one hundred and twelve sermons were published on the occasion of the death of the late lamented Princess Charlotte: how many thousands were preached, each filled with expressions of respect for the illustrious dead, it is impossible for us to estimate. That now before us, however, is inferior to none in sentiments of pure and affectionate loyalty, and in faithful and animated appeals to the heart. Our worthy friend has informed his readers, that it is not the hope of gain, the desire of popularity, or the vanity of becoming an author, that has induced the preacher, (for the first time,) to publish this sermon. By this prudent statement, we conjecture the author calculated his sermon would be read by those who were unacquainted with his character; as those who know him would never have suspected him of such mean and unworthy motives. From his telling his readers that it is "the first time" he has appeared in print, it may be inferred that he does not intend it shall be the last. We really think, as he has succeeded so well in his first attempt, that he should try again, and furnish bis friends with others, plain, evangelical, and warmhearted sermons. | Let the following quotation be considered as a fair specimen. The text is, 1 Peter, i. 24, 25, For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass: the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.' "If we traverse the palace, and inquire oak, we are informed the top for George the Third, that royal British fallen powerful, are no longer able to sustain into decay, and the arms, though ouce the sceptre; but the venerable trunk re mains, adorned with the moss of deserved esteem and affection. "Or if we visit Claremont, that seat of royalty and conjugal felicity, and make inquiry for the lovely Charlotte, the rose-bud of England, which displayed some new beauty with every unfolding leaf, and sent forth a grateful odour beyond the confines of her native land, ture): in her were sweetly combined an (for her mind was not of common texassemblage of excellencies: she was au affectionate daughter, a friend to the poor, a companion of the virtuous, a chaste virgin, the obedient and faithful wife, and the honour and example of royalty. " This glory of the honoured man, ber royal Father; this glory of the once happy man, the Prince who so willingly and honourably espoused her; this flower, admired and beloved, in which a nation gloried. If we ask for this this glory of man is fallen! A reply so royal flower, the answer given is, that unexpected-an event so awfully sudden-a report so repugnant to our feelings, we are altogether unwilling to cre dit or circulate. Yet, impatient of being operation of the Spirit upon their kept in suspense, we have ventured, hearts-in the ultimate glorification with faultering tongues, to ask from of their souls and bodies in heaven." whence have you received this information? and have been answered in the at the head of an Academical InstiConsidering Mr. Thomas as placed words of the prophet: By a voice of noise from the city; a voice from the tution, we see abundant cause for temple.' What flower do you say is thankfulness, that the young minisfallen? Are you certain it is not the ters committed to his care, will enconvolvulus, the passion flower, or some joy the instructions of such an evanother destined to flourish but for one gelical tutor; and that our churches short day? No; be assured, unwel- in the Principality are likely to be come and heart-rending as the tidings supplied with men of correct theoare, that it is a flower of no less worth logical sentiments; so important to and beauty than the lovely Charlotte, the conversion of sinners, the edifithe full blown rose of England, that is cation of believers, and the perpefallen! and if you doubt the fact, ascer-tuity of" the faith once delivered tain it by the fragrance which embalms her memory. "If we ask for the afflicted Prince Leopold, he is found bathed in tears, because the desire of his eyes hath been taken away with a stroke: he, refusing to be comforted, says, I will go down to my grave, mourning for' [iny Charlotte and] my son.' Or if we make inquiry for the Prince Regent, her royal father, we may find him also absorbed in grief, mourning as for an only child, in bitterness as for his first-born." Salvation of Sovereign Grace; a Sermon preached at the Baptist Meeting-house, Abergavenny, September 22, 1811. By Micah Thomas, of Abergavenny. But ton, Paternoster-row. 1s. THOUGH it is several years since this sermon was published, yet the importance of the subject, and the respectability of the preacher, claim for it a brief notice in the Review Department of our Work. Preached for the purpose of correcting misrepresentations, which had been" diligently and widely circulated," respecting the author's sentiments on the doctrines of grace, it may be viewed as a detailed confession of faith; and we may venture to add, a luminous statement of the Calvinistic system. We blush for the understanding (or rather the want of it,) of such persons who could hear such a minister, and yet question whether he was of orthodox sentiments! In showing the operation of grace in the salvation of all true believers, the author considers it as it appears" In the eternal purposes of God respecting them-in their redemption by Christ-in the to the saints." Padobaptismal Regeneration Examined; in a Series of Letters to the Rev. Henry Comyn, Curate of Boldre, in the New Forest; being a Reply to his Treatise upon that subject. By William Giles. pp. 53. Button, London. 19. THAT an infant by being sprinkled on the face is a partaker of "the inward spiritual grace" of baptism, is a proposition so absurd, that none of our readers will admit it for a moment; and it is probable many of them will wonder, that any minister should assert and endeavour to prove it; and almost equally so, that it should have been thought necessary to write eight letters to expose such an attempt. Many, however, are the grave and learned clerks, who have contended for this fatal error: proving, (as we think,) that it is the doctrine of the Common Prayer Book; but not that it is a scriptural sentiment; and as there are always people who do not "search the scriptures" as the standard of truth, it becomes an important duty to refer them "to the law, and to the testimony," for the refutation of opinions, which, if believed, are of the most dangerous tendency to the souls of men. Mr. Giles felt himself called upon, from a pamphlet of Mr. Comyn being circulated among some of the people of his charge, to publish these letters, "to check, as much as possible, the spread of doctrines, which he considered erroneous." He has also stated pretty fully his objections to Infant-baptism, as well as to what he calls "Pædobaptismal | whose hands the liberality of the Regeneration." We think he is entitled to the thanks of the Christian public for the talents and temper which he has displayed in conducting this controversy, and we cordially recommend the pamphlet to the attention of our readers. A The Scriptural Unity of the Churches of Christ illustrated and recommended. Sermon by Ralph Wardlaw, of Glasgow. ERROR is multiform, truth uniform. If all persons, therefore, fully embraced the latter, and adhered closely to it, there would be no divisions, no contentions, no sects and parties. This state of things is very desirable; but it cannot be expected, since perhaps no two men think exactly alike upon all subjects. Mutual forbearance is hereby rendered necessary, but the unity of real Christians is not destroyed: they are all one in Christ Jesus, and constitute the invisible church. The unity for which Mr. Wardlaw pleads in this excellent discourse, is not so much the union of individuals, as of those sccieties which, from similarity of views with regard to the doctrine of Christ, and the government instituted by him for his subjects, acknowledge one another in the relation of sister churches. brethren is transmitted to the elders of those churches that are in need: or, if you will, they are the 'messengers of the churches,' confidentially intrusted with their bounty; only with this necessary addition, that they adjust the proportions of it required by different cases, as well as take the charge of its safe conveyanco.-The annual meetings of the Union are held publicly, before multitudes of assembled brethren. Nothing relative to the internal management of the churches is even mentioned, or alluded to. Were the slightest approach, indeed, ever to be made to any thing of this kind, all consistent Independents should combine to put it down. I should be amongst the first, in these circumstances, to vote for its abolition. And, indeed, nothing could be more easily effected. churches have only to withhold their contributions, and the Congregational Union is no more.' The One benefit arising from these contributions is, that ministers are enabled to devote a considerable part of their time to itinerant labours. The Annual Reports, quotations from which are given in a note, abound with striking, and very affecting proofs of the great good which has, by means of them, been done in this way. It will probably give pleasure to That this unity subsisted among those of our brethren who are advothe apostolic churches, Mr. Ward- cates for strict communion, to find law proves from the general cur- it to be the opinion of so very judirent of the New Testament-fromcious a divine as Mr. Wardlaw, that their mutual salutations-from their messengers to, and their intercourse with, each other-from their mutual liberality for the relief of the poor and from their mutual admission of members to church fellowship. Mr. Wardlaw is an independent, and his sermon was preached at the fifth annual meeting of the Congregational Union for Scotland, that is, of the congregational churches there. "The Congregational Union," says Mr. W. "has not the remotest connection with the government or discipline. Its committee are merely the 'Saul and Barnabas,' through the union of Baptists and Pædobaptists in one church is inexpedient. According to their views of duty it is impossible: but whether it be thought impossible, or only inexpedient, the practical result will be nearly the same. The modern advocates for free communion censure what has been the general practice among Pædobaptists, as much as they do that of the Baptists who are maintainers of strict communion. But we do not know whether they themselves, after all, may not be considered as strict communionists likewise. For they will not unite at the episcopalian altar with their episcopalian bre |