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succeeded to the crown of these realms, "This case has been read with equal interest by the Princess Victoria."

Mr. Sims never gave the least intimation to Adelaide, that he had made application on her behalf, until he had received the pleasing assurance that the application had been successful. When he had the happiness to announce to her that he was permitted to receive the sum of £6. every quarter, to supply her wants from time to time, she asked him what suitable portion of the Holy Scriptures she should read that night; and be pointed out the 103rd Psalm. The expression of her gratitude, however, was not delayed till the time of her devotions at night, for almost as soon as the grant was mentioned to her, she had kneeled down that her pastor might offer up their united prayers for the temporal and eternal welfare of her illustrious benefactresses.

Being thus relieved from the pressure of want, she gave two tickets for coals, at Christmas, which had been offered to her and accepted, to two widows more destitute than herself: but she thought it better to continue to receive the allowance of one shilling per week from the workhouse till the end of the quarter (but no longer), on account of the expenses incurred during her illness, when unable to work; especially as she knew that her receiving the allowance would not diminish the relief given to other persons. It was indeed a great source of pleasure to her, that she was now in circumstances not to receive but to give a little on charitable occasions; but, on hearing of the Duchess of Kent's kindness, she said, in a very cheerful manner, she hoped that she should not be found like the young man in the Gospel, who would not be a follower of Christ because he had great riches.

One of Adelaide's most delightful employments was to read the Holy Scriptures when not engaged in work; by which means she acquired much religious knowledge, and found the ways of wisdom paths of pleasantness and of peace. So highly did she value her New Testament that she said to Mr. Sims one day, that it was her "compagnon de voyage," her travelling companion on her journey through this world to that above. Her Testament being printed in very small type, Mr. Sims applied to the British and Foreign Bible Society for the gift of a Bible; which request was cheerfully granted. Many months had not elapsed from the time she received this present, before a resolution was adopted by that Society to furnish thousands of copies of the New Testament to the Negro population scattered

through the West Indies, to reward those able to read, and to stimulate others to learn: and thus, at the time they became emancipated from slavery, to impart to them the means of becoming acquainted with the nature of an unspeakably greater deliverance. Mr. Sims stated to her the intention of the Society, and asked her if she would wish to contribute by re-paying the amount of her Bible. She gladly acceded; and her pastor wrote in her name a letter, of which the following is an extract :— "The Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society were so kind, a few months ago, as to present a French Bible to Adelaide, a native of Guadaloupe, and once a domestic slave in that island. She requests me to return her thanks for the French Bible, and at the same time to re-pay the full value, twelve shillings; for, having been told that the Society is occupied in supplying the Negro population with New Testaments, she is desirous by this repayment, that as many copies of the New Testament as it will purchase may be added to those sent or about to be sent to the West Indies. By debarring herself of a few comforts, and by exercising economy and industry, she is able to make this small offering out of the income which, by God's providential goodness, she enjoys." This letter was inserted in an appendix to the Society's Report; but the good woman never knew that her grateful generosity had been published to the world. The sum thus returned amounted to one-tenth part of her quarter's income. Being now in possession of a Bible, with large type, she became a very diligent reader, when time could be spared from the work of the day. She worked and read daily; neither neglecting work that she might read the Bible, nor omitting to read the Bible on account of work. Every Friday or Saturday, when Mr. Sims called to pay her part of her pension, he mentioned one or more of the chapters which would be read on the following Sunday at church, that by perusing them in French she might more fully understand the meaning when read during Divine service. For the same reason she often read the Epistle or Gospel for the next Sunday, in the French translation of the Church of England Book of Common Prayer.

"She had also the advantage of knowing a member of the congregation (Miss Margaret Forster, who intends to proceed shortly to Ceylon to promote the Christian education of females among he Cingalese), who used, in the kindest manner, to sit with her after the Sunday evening service, to con

verse on religious subjects, and read to her portions of the holy scriptures. The practice was very favourable to her advancement in Christian knowledge. She understood and remembered much that she had read. During her last illness, when Mr. Sims was sitting by her bedside, and had read the account of our Saviour's agony, in St. Luke's Gospel, upon his closing the Bible, she stretched out her arm, put her hand on the cover of the holy book, and said in a humble tone of voice, "How often have I rejoiced in reading this Bible!" She repeated the words, "How often have I rejoiced in reading this Bible!" and kept her hand upon the Book, and seemed reluctant to remove it.

During the month of April 1838, she complained so much of a pain she suffered in the chest, that it was deemed proper to seek medical aid from the Charles-street dispensary, Westminster, and an order was obtained from a lady who was a subscriber. Notwithstanding the very kind attentions of a physician who called to see her occasionally, her weakness increased, and medicines afforded but slight temporary relief. After lingering in this state for many weeks confined to her bed, attended by day and night, she became so ill, that on Saturday, the 19th of May, Miss Forster, who had long esteemed Adelaide for her unfeigned piety, resolved to remain with her till the hour of her dissolution, which took place on Friday the 25th of the same month.

During the last seven days of her mortal career, Adelaide was unable to take any food except barley-water; but she was evidently much employed in private devotion. Her eyes were usually half shut when she was not asleep; and, her strength being much exhausted, she very seldom spoke to any persons, even to those for whom she had much regard. A slight degree of impatience had been sometimes noticed in an earlier stage of her illness; but now, as her sufferings increased, her patience increased also. She had communicated to Miss Forster, some time before, all her wishes with regard to the distribution of the different articles she possessed; her thoughts were now almost wholly fixed upon eternity and its concerns; but with calm composure of mind. She was happy to hear, from time to time, what was either said or read respecting the Saviour in whom she trusted; and many important passages

were mentioned or read during this last week of her life.

The expectation of her speedy dissolution created, apparently, no terror in her mind; and, relying on the faithful Redeemer and Shepherd of her soul, she could adopt the words, " The Lord is my Shepherd," as expressive of her own feelings. Once when Mr. Sims cited to her, "We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins," though too weak to speak, Miss Forster observed that she pointed to her heart, intending to express, by that silent but significant action, "He is also my Advocate with the FatherHe is the propitiation for my sins."

On Sunday, the 20th of May, she expressed her wish to partake of the holy communion; and early in the week, the Rev. Mr. Page, curate of St. Margaret's, Westminster,administered it to her.

The weary pilgrim was now near the gates of the holy city- the heavenly Jerusalem. She was however able to listen while Mr. Sims read and prayed with her. Soon afterwards she clasped her hands together, and applied her mind, it was evident, to private devotions. Her lips appeared to indicate that she was praying to the last; and, at ten o'clock she expired, in the most gentle and placid manner.

At the time of her death, Adelaide was sixty-eight years of age. During a severe illness of two months, she required the constant assistance of attendants both by day and night. That extra expense, as well as the expense of "a plain and decent funeral," her Majesty, the daughter of the royal prince, her former illustrious master, was graciously pleased to defray. Her remains were interred in Broadway churchyard, Westminster, the funeral being attended by a few widows, and others who respected her as a kind neighbour, a sincere friend, and a devout Christian. All the articles of wearing apparel and furniture she possessed, were distributed amongst them, according to her wish. Some were accepted as useful to supply necessities, others as little memorials of a departed Christian friend. Her much-valued French Bible Mr. Sims intends to present as a Church Bible, to be used in congregations of Negroes who speak the French language, with a short manuscript preface explanatory of the chequered life and happy death of Adelaide Zaire.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

PUBLIC attention has been absorbed this month more with the annals of crime than even with the most important questions of politics; and the names of Gould, of Courvoisier, and of Oxford, have obtained a fearful notoriety. The first had been tried for the murder of Mr. Templeman at Islington; but had been acquitted for want of conclusive legal evidence against him, rather than from any reasonable doubt of his criminality; but through a series of circumstances which strikingly mark the providence of God in often bringing the consequences of sin upon the perpetrator even in the present world, this hardened criminal has, by means of the corroborations brought to light by his own testimony, been found guilty of the hurglary and robbery which accompanied the murder, and condemned to a punishment which to a man reckless of another world, is far more terrific than the momentary horrors of the gibbet itself. The case of Courvoisier is still more remarkable, as shewing the interference of Divine Providence in the detection of atrocious crimes, especially murder. He had murdered his master, Lord William Russell, in the dead hour of night: no human witness was present; the weapon of destruction was not identified; no evidence of blood was traced to the murderer; and he had planned everything with a view to leave an impression that the house had been broken open and robbed. But his cunning out-cozened himself; for he overlooked many circumstances which proved that such was not really the fact, but that the perpetrator wished to convey the inference that it was so. He was suspected, and various articles of property were found concealed in his pantry; but still it was within the bounds of possibility, however improbable, that another hand might have placed them there; or it might have been argued that he would not have placed the stolen property where the rigid search consequent upon the murder would have connected him with both crimes; but the links wanting were most remarkably supplied, by the discovery, after his trial had actually commenced, of other missing articles of value; which he had previously left at a hotel, where his real name was not known. With perhaps the exception of the discovery of the mangled remains of the woman murdered by Greenacre at very distant places, and under a complication of dove

tailed circumstances, which upon the doctrine of chances would be incredible, no trial for many years has more strikingly proved the truth of the inspired declaration, "Be sure your sin will find you out;"-a passage indeed true of every sin; and if not always in this world, yet awfully true to the unrepentant and unconverted in another. Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."

The trial of Oxford for the intended assassination of the Queen is postponed till next session; and in the mean time the Chief Justice Tindal has expressed "his earnest hope that till the trial the public prints will upon this case maintain a profound silence." We feel it our duty to obey this direction. The main defence to be set up is, that the man was labouring under insanity; and should this fail it is conjectured that advantage will be taken of no bullet having been found, to deny that the pistols were loaded with bullets, as averred in the indictment; and to assert that the whole was only a wild frolic. Though implicitly obeying the learned and humane judge's direction, we cannot allow ourselves to say that we think the latter plea in the least wise credible; nor with regard to the former, do we see any reason, from what appears of the man's conduct at the time, to believe that he did not so far know what he was doing as to be a moral agent. If, however, upon the trial it be proved that the accused was not conscious of right and wrong, it will be a cause of just rejoicing both as respects himself and society; and though in this case the word "traitorous," as used in the form of Thanksgiving, will scarcely be appropriate, yet the national gratitude for the providential deliverance of our gracious Queen from the hand of an assassin, will not be less fervent; and notwithstanding the above judicial caution, we cannot think that those thanksgivings and congratulations ought to have been postponed, to await the very improbable event of its being decided that the pistol was not loaded. At the same time, in thanksgivings to God, in addresses to the Queen, and in the remarks in sermons, it is very important to tread on sure ground. Any remarks therefore which we have to offer upon the subject, and it leads to many, both religious and political-we postpone till after the trial.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

H. W. W.; W. B.; Delta; C. C.; W. W.; E. W.; M. M. H.; Mathetes; Index; F. H.; A sincere Protestant; Anglicanus; S. B.; G. W.; W. H. B. ; G. D.; and ПTIS; are under consideration.

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THE great purport of Revelation is to make known the mind of God to man: and the different degrees of light, from the patriarchal dawn of obscure prophecy, to the meridian splendour of the consummated Gospel, which, in its different dispensations, revelation has shed upon the Unchangeable Mind, were not the result of arbitrary appointment, but of the counsel of God's will; and were accurately proportioned, by Divine wisdom, to existing circumstances; and to the different degrees in which the human soul, collective or individual, was, at those different periods, able to bear it. It is the same "God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets; and in these last days unto us by his Son:" and His message has been at all times substantially the same. Whether his appeal be made, as in the patriarchal days, to the social and domestic affections; and its object be to develop the amiability and benevolence of the natural heart, by promises of length of life, and prosperous days, and numerous offspring; then to sanctify the soul, thus softened and prepared, by revealing to it the God of nature, and of providence, as a God of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; righteous to punish, yet mighty to save; abundant in mercy; long suffering, and of great goodness; and hence appeasable by an instituted typical sacrifice; or whether, as amid the "blackness, and darkness, and tempest" of Sinai, He thunders to the guilty conscience and reluctant heart the holy precepts and awful sanctions of his eternal law, "This do, and thou shalt live but, cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them :" thus making the law a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith; or whether, in a state, as that of the Baptist, intermediate between that of the law and the gospel, He summons to glooms of solitude, and deep abstraction, and austere self-denial, and penitential sorrow, and moral reformation, and works of righteousness; or whether He introduces his first-begotten as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world:" by the spirit of adoption and holiness CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 32.

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emancipates the soul from the chains of slavish fear and the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God; and proclaims, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ-believe only, and thou shalt be saved;" in all these varied aspects, under which Revelation has exhibited the Divine Mind, God's character and nature are unchanged" God is love :" God's will and message are unchanged.— "Be reconciled unto God."

I. Let me then call to your recollection the nature, character, and conduct of that glorious Being, as the ambassador of whom I address you; and whose message of love I now deliver.

II. Let me not only remind you of the relation which originally subsisted between God and man; but also of the peculiar circumstances in which man's apostacy has placed him; and the stupendous means provided for his recovery.

III. Let me deliver to you God's message of love :-assist you in examining whether you have already accepted the gracious offer which it proposes :—and, if not, "beseech you, in Christ's stead, Be ye reconciled unto God."

I. It is the object of every ambassador from an earthly potentate to magnify the master whom he serves to enhance the dignity of his character; the resources at his command; the services which he has already performed; and the benefits which it is still in his power to confer. But does the ambassador of Christ, charged with a message from God to man, need to preface its delivery by a declaration of the character, and an assertion of the authority, of God, as though God's name were unknown among his own people-among the creatures of his omnipotence, and the recipients of his overflowing bounty? Do not the character and the claims of God find a witness in every awakened conscience, a response in every regenerated heart?

It was God who created you: who called you into existence by his word: who breathed into your nostrils the breath of life. He rescued from the waste and desert realms of vacancy, and constructed, from out the wide and shapeless elements of primeval chaos, this solid earth, laying the beams of its chambers in the waters, and hanging it upon nothing. He canopied it with the glowing firmament of Heaven. He gave to light its many mansions, by day the sun travelling in the greatness of his strength: by night the moon, a gentle, peaceful queen, "walking in brightness" amid her tributary stars. He clothed its woods with a rich drapery of varied and luxuriant foliage. He carpeted its lawns with verdure: He studded its azure canopy with sparkling gems. He furnished it throughout with every requisite for the comfort and accommodation of man-with all that was pleasant to the sight, and good for food. In this mansion, fitted for the abode of angels, He placed man, as His vicegerent and its sovereign lord; and gave him all things richly to enjoy. In him, too, we live, and move, and have our being; and from him we daily derive life, and breath, and all things. His unsleeping providence incessantly watches over us: orders and disposes the circumstances which relate to us with such minute observance that the very hairs of our head are all numbered.

II. Against this Being, thus infinite in power and in love, you have madly as well as ungratefully rebelled. You have daringly rejected his authority, saying in every sentiment of your carnal heart, in every action of your ungodly life, "We will not have this man to

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