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frogs, and cats; beaks, and toes, and tails of birds; hoofs of deer, goats, and antelopes; and, in fact, the very fagends,' and tails, and tips, of almost every thing that swims, flies, or runs, in this part of the world. Such is a medicine-man, and such his manœuvres. The greatest respect, however, is paid

them. In councils they have a seat with the Chiefs; they superintend and conduct their religious ceremonies; they are, in fact, looked upon by all as the oracles of the nation."- Letters, &c., on the North-American Indians. By George Catlin.

CHRISTIAN RETROSPECT.

SINCE our last Retrospect, several important occurrences have taken place, which appear to us to call for Christian notice and observation. The first to which we would direct attention is, the late abundant harvest. Considering the depressed state of commerce, and the distress which has prevailed (and continues, we fear, to prevail) throughout the country, the effects of a deficient harvest, and of that advance in the price of provisions which it must have occasioned, would have been painfully serious. From this we have been preserved by the merciful providence of God. We readily allow, indeed, that the world is governed by established laws; and that any departure from these, or suspension of them, constitutes a miracle, as well as that the age of miracles, properly so called, has ceased. But the established laws of nature are not the laws of a blind and fatal necessity. They are administered by a personal Agent, the intelligent and holy Governor of mankind; and as they are administered for the supply of man's wants, so likewise in reference to his moral position. God acts in nature by those physical instruments which he has created and he acts by these in accordance to those laws which are the established methods of his own operation; but still it is God-the living, the wise, the holy, the benevolent God-that really acts. He governs his own laws; not, is governed by them. It is, therefore, perfectly consistent with the observance of the laws of nature, that we speak of such a direction being given to these, as shall secure certain intended results. The laws of nature are sometimes so described, as to assert a real atheism.

Without any departure, any suspension, He who rules over the very principles of created existence may so direct their operation,-in the case of vegetable production, for instance,- -as that there shall be more or less, according to his will. And that He does thus rule, the Scripture explicitly testifies, as well as that this divine administration is strictly moral. The laws of nature could not operate, any more than nature itself subsist, without Him. The atheism of the ancient Epicureans, who have, we fear, too many disciples among the moderns, did not consist in denying the existence, but the interference, of Deity. A genuine Christian philosophy teaches, that a people may be punished by a deficient harvest, occasioned by the peculiar direction given to the laws of nature by what we will venture to term, the moral will of a personal Deity. And when, especially in the midst of other marks of his displeasure, not this, but the contrary, takes place, Christian piety will refer the whole to the compassionate goodness of Him "whose mercy endureth for ever." He has turned away from us the evils which we most righteously have deserved. He has heard our prayers, and granted to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, that so in due time we may enjoy them. Under such circumstances, it becomes us to be thankful, and to show forth his praise, not with our lips only, but also in our lives. And as our "goodness extendeth not unto" Him, we are especially bound to remember the poor, whom we have always with us, and his cause, the interests of which are now marked out by Providence as requiring to be promoted by the strenuous and self-denying efforts

of his people. By opening "great doors and effectual," he has made it our duty to provide the means-and for this a portion of our thank-offerings should be devoted of passing through, for the cultivation of the desolate portions of Heathenism to which they conduct.

Another fact calls for especial thankfulness. For several years there have been unsettled disputes with America,— a people connected with us by blood, and language, and religion; and sometimes those disputes have threatened the most painful consequences. Happily, the negotiations for their adjustment have been successful; and a durable peace, we trust, has now been cemented between the two nations. The gloomy prospects of hostilities between countries that ought ever to be united in amicable relations and intercourse, now exist no longer; and we sincerely hope, that, in future, nothing will occur to interrupt the friendship which has thus been established.

We have just received the welcome news of peace with China, and of that success in Affghanistan which will doubtless lead to peace, likewise, there. We have no time to remark farther on this pleasing intelligence, than to say, that it most impressively calls for devout acknowledgments to the Providence that has dealt with us so kindly. The opening of four new ports in China will, we trust, contribute effectually to the enlargement of our commerce; while, both in China and India, the well-being of the inhabitants, we hope, will not less be promoted, than the interests of our own beloved country. We are willing to hail the dawn of a brighter day for China, among whose teeming millions the Gospel of Christ will soon, we trust, be found diffusing its invaluable blessings; while in India we hope to see recent occurrences overruled for the furtherance of the same great object among the populous nations so mysteriously subjected to British rule. Christian Missionary Societies should prepare to be able to take their share in this great work, so soon as the opportunity for more fully engaging in it shall be afforded them.

VOL. XXI. Third Series.

We wish we could state, that the distresses of the country had passed away, and that our domestic prospects were brightening. We still cherish the hope, that, by the favour of an indulgent Providence, this will soon be the case; but, certainly, we are entering on the more inclement season of the year under very gloomy circumstances. Christian patriots must be more than ever mindful of their high obligations. Earnest prayer must be without ceasing addressed to God, and every practicable measure adopted to promote the spread of genuine godliness. Our national offences are many and great, and forgetfulness of God is far too general. He that "converteth a sinner from the error of his ways," not only performs a religious duty, but directly contributes to the removal of national evils, and thus to the removal of the hinderances of national prosperity. Nor must kindness to the poor be forgotten. The prayers which, under existing circumstances, are not connected with practical benevolence, so far as ability extends, are not likely to be effectual. Sacrifices should be made, and self-denial practised, that the sources of charity may be the more abundant.

We regret that we have still to mark the prevalence of the destructive heresy which, of late, has chiefly been denominated from its connexion with the Oxford "Tracts for the Times," but which involves the essential principles of Popery,

principles which, if admitted, would prepare the way for the admission of all those developements which constitute the antichristian system against which Luther was raised up to wage successful war. Unhappily, while the documents of the Church of England bear explicit testimony to the truth, there has been from the beginning a Popish leaven, which, though often checked, has never been removed, and threatens now to impart its own deleterious nature to the whole mass. Christianity is essentially a spiritual religion; but, from the very beginning, many, whose judgment acknowledged its truth, have sought to evade its spiritual requirements, and to open its doors to unregenerate man. DEcember, 1842. 4 B

From such efforts, Popery proceeded; and we have now to witness their renewal in the Protestant Church of England. The Bishop of London has recently delivered a Charge, in which, it is reported, he intended to rebuke the Tractarians, and in which he certainly did rebuke some of the more complete developements of their system. But, unhappily, his Lordship could not leave the ground of exclusiveness, which seems to be the grand temptation of the Anglican Church. He, therefore, deliberately denied the ministry of all non-Episcopalians, and explicitly asserted the doctrine of baptismal justification and regeneration. By thus acknowledging the full validity of the Papal Episcopacy, the question about Tractarian practices becomes merely a question of time and degree. His Lordship's principles exclude from the ministry some of the holiest and most useful men that ever lived. Useful! The same principles deny the divine character of what hitherto has been considered as the work of God. Conversion!

Holy lives! Peaceful and triumphant

deaths! All is delusion.

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country at large; and, for a time, reli gion without conversion is sure to be popular. It will be our duty to watch the movement which is thus proceeding, and from time to time to direct to it the attention of our readers. Sectarian motives and objects we have always disclaimed, and as carefully as ever would we guard against them. But Methodism involves the very principle which is the direct antagonist of Popery,—the justification of a sinner by immediate faith in Christ. Methodism resulted from the ministrations which had this truth for their grand theme; and while we rejoice in witnessing such ministra tions, and their success, whether within or beyond our own limits, to the doc. trines which are completely opposed to them, we are bound to manifest an unrelaxing hostility.

We are sorry that we cannot conclude the labours of the year under more pacific circumstances; and that, as the path of duty opens before us, polemic engagements appear likely to be only too frequently necessary. May it please the great Head of the church to maintain his own cause, to revive his work, to guide his servants into all truth, to bless his people with peace and love, and to make his way to be known upon earth, his saving health among all nations! November 23d, 1842.

OBITUARY.

1. DIED, May 24th, 1840, in the Stockport South Circuit, Mr. Thomas Bateson, aged forty years. In early life his religious impressions were such as to restrain him from evil; but he was not made a partaker of the grace of salvation until the year 1817. The conversion of a relation was made to him the means of awakening him to a proper sense of his own duty. Being convinced of his guilt and danger, he earnestly sought mercy, until, being justified by faith, he had peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. On his removal to Stockport, the ministry of Mr. Hopwood was rendered very useful to him, in promoting the maturity of his experience, and the

settlement of his principles. His piety was of an intelligent kind. His Christian course was one of steady, resolute perseverance. His conduct through life was consistent with the profession he made, and was distinguished by the strictest integrity in all things. In efforts of usefulness he was diligent and conscientious: with nothing would be connect himself, except on principle, and under a deep conviction of its propriety. Hence he sometimes opposed the plans of his brethren; but when once his judg ment was enlisted in favour of any object, his active exertions were fully secured. To the doctrines, discipline, and institutions of Wesleyan Methodism he was

firmly attached; and as a Class-Leader he walked worthy of the vocation wherewith he was called. His last sickness was protracted and delusive. For a time there was a clinging to life; not arising from any doubt as to personal salvation, but mainly from domestic considerations. The prospect of a speedy separation from his beloved wife was sometimes painfully oppressive. Grace, however, so far triumphed, as to enable him to submit most implicitly to the appointments of his heavenly Father, saying, "Thy will be done." During the whole period of his lingering affliction his mind was kept in peace, being firmly stayed on the Lord; and there was an obvious and delightful improvement in the state of his religious experience. As he drew near to the final scene, there was evidently a ripening for glory: his faith was settled, his hope confirmed, his resignation perfected. A few days before his dissolution, he confidently committed her who had been the main object of his solicitude to the care of God, who can make even the widow's heart to sing for joy. The night before his death he gave, to my esteemed colleague and myself, the most satisfying evidence of his meetness for "the inheritance of the saints in light." Soon after we had left, his sorrowful wife, perceiving that the parting scene was near, said,

"Part of his host have cross'd the flood,
And part are crossing now."

He tried to finish this beautiful and appropriate hymn; but soon his strength failed, and he sank into a sleep which lasted some hours; after which, without any further suffering, he calmly yielded his spirit into the hands of his Redeemer. JOSEPH HARGREAVES,

2. Died, June 6th, at Stockport, Mrs. Horton, the beloved wife of the Rev. W. Horton, Superintendent of the Stockport North Circuit, in the thirtyninth year of her age. She was born at Louth, in Lincolnshire; and, from her infancy, received a decidedly religious training. At the age of sixteen she experienced the saving grace of God, and became a member of the Wesleyan society. From a diary which she then commenced, and in which she recorded, day by day, the spiritual exercises of her mind, it is very apparent that her Christian course was marked by steady advancement in knowledge and holiness, and the rich consolations of the Spirit of God. In November, 1820, she became the wife of a Christian Minister, and

prepared herself to accompany her husband to Van-Diemen's Land. Aware of the difficulties and perils necessarily attendant upon such an undertaking, and conscious of her own insufficiency, she cast herself on the promised guidance and protection of Almighty God. Her faith sustained her; and the light of heaven in which she habitually walked, combined with the natural buoyancy of her spirits, rendered her not only submissive, but cheerful, under every trial. Both in Van-Diemen's Land, and in New South Wales, her talents and influence were consecrated to the service of Christ. To the female inmates of the jail and hospital at Hobart-Town she regularly imparted religious instruction. As a Class-Leader she was useful and much beloved. In social intercourse she had an easy and engaging method of introducing religious conversation; and was accustomed thus to communicate, to all classes of persons, Christian counsel and admonition. But perhaps it was as a Visiter of the sick that she was preeminently successful in promoting the good of souls. Many in heaven would greet her as the instrument by whom they had been brought, in the hour of affliction, and of approaching death, to the knowledge of the Saviour. Her own health, always delicate, entirely failed, during the latter years of her residence abroad; and, in the summer of 1829, she returned to England. Her native climate had an invigorating effect; but, in the end, her constitutional infirmity (excessive bleeding at the nose) reduced her to a state of irrecoverable weakness and nervous irritability. In her last illness, her spiritual enjoyments were occasionally beclouded; and fears prevailed lest she should, after all, "fail of the grace of God." One evening, however, while the writer was interceding on her behalf, and she herself was engaged in earnest prayer, her misgivings were at once removed, and divine consolation poured so richly into her bosom, that she could "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." From that time she spoke of her approaching dissolution with perfect calmness, and enjoyed a blessed earnest of her heavenly inheritance. She gave utterance to her feelings in such expressions as the following:-"I am so unspeakably happy, I know not what to do, O help me to praise the Lord! Glory, glory be to his name for ever! When I am so happy, I must praise him. O how good the Lord is to me, who am so unworthy! Yes, precious Jesus, I can say,

'Not a cloud doth arise

To darken the skies,

Or hide for a moment my Lord from my eyes.'

O the blessedness of the saints! I shall be with Jesus to all eternity. Soon shall I

'Clap my glad wings, and tower away,
And mingle with the blaze of day.""

She had always valued the Wesleyan hymns as a rich treasury of devotional sentiments; and now she found in them words which exactly represented her own feelings. With indescribable tenderness and emotion she repeated that beautiful stanza,

"Jesu, lover of my soul," &c.

As she was rapidly sinking under the power of death, and while her family and friends were weeping around her, and commending her spirit to God in prayer, she said, "I have now nothing to do but to praise God to all eternity." Her last words, breathed in a faint whisper, a few moments before her departure, were the following:

"There is my house and portion fair,
My treasure and my heart are there,
And my abiding home:

For me my elder brethren stay,
And angels beckon me away,
And Jesus bids me come."

WILLIAM H. CLARKSON.

RECENT DEATHS.

JULY 1st, 1842.-At Stockport, in the twentysixth year of his age, Mr. Samuel Bower Fallows. At the age of fourteen, he became a member of the Wesleyan society; and in connexion with the Sabbath-school, diffidently, yet steadily, "held on his way." His last affliction was lingering, yet to him a means of religious growth and consolation. His departing hours were spent in prayer and praise. To his Leader, who visited him, he said, "You are just in time': I shall soon be in heaven!" Shortly after he resigned his soul to God. W. W. S.

August 9th.-At her father's residence, Liverpool, aged twenty, Rebecca, the dearly-beloved daughter and first-born of the Rev. Dr. Beaumont. She possessed a mind of more than ordinary endowment, which a various and extended education rendered highly accomplished. Her piety was enlightened and sincere, deep and elevated, habitual and practical; she was therefore conscientious, decided, and generous in all her proceedings. During a long and painful affliction, which she bore with all the resignation of a saint, the highest virtues of woman and the chiefest graces of the Gospel shone brightly on her character; and, through the Saviour in whom she trusted, she has passed from the church militant to join that which is triumphant and immortal. Nil nisi cruce. J. B.

August 17th.-At Baldersley, in the Thirsk Circuit, Mrs. Walbran, in the seventieth year of her age. She was an old and much-respected Methodist; often with pleasure recurring to the fact of her having once entertained Mr. Wesley at her table, and thus having been favoured with his prayer, before he left the house, for herself and infant daughter: the latter of whom, it may just be said, was brought to the enjoyment of piety while young, and taken to an early rest. Mrs. Walbran was a woman of great uprightness, discharging her duties to her neighbour, as well as to her God; and in great affliction held fast her confidence. The last words she was heard to utter were satisfactory, evincing her own happy state,-"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" W. W., 5th.

August 17th.-At Prior's-Ditton, in the Ludlow Circuit, Miss Martha Bradley, in the twentyfourth year of her age. In her nineteenth year she joined the Wesleyan society; and proved, by her subsequent conduct, that she had given herself unto the Lord. She became also a Sundayschool Teacher, and was active in the Mission cause, as long as she was able. Her faith was tried by severe affliction; but she was enabled to possess her soul in patience. She would often say, "Thanks be to God, who gives me victory through our Lord Jesus." She at last finished her course with holy joy. W. B.

August 25th.-At Dockroyd, in the Keighley Circuit, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, Hiram Craven, Esq.; having been thirty-four years a member of the Methodist society. By God's blessing on his religious industry and integrity, he rose to considerable affluence; but this did not make him forgetful of God or his people. To the sick and infirm, in his neighbourhood, he paid constant visits, and adminis tered temporal relief, as well as spiritual consolation. He was Trustee of several large chapels, and promoted the establishment and efficiency of Sunday-schools. He loved the habitation of the Lord's house, and gave decisive proofs of his veneration for the Sabbath. His last affliction, though short, was severe; but he was kept in peaceful patience. He declared his reliance on the great Atonement; charged his family to fear God, and live to Him; and though his dying words were few, they were the weightier that his foregone life proved their correctness. He died in great peace. R. F.

August 30th.-At Redditch, at the residence of his father, the Rev. James Smetham, the Rev. John Smetham, late of Lambeth, London. In early youth he experienced deep religious impressions; but he relapsed into a state of comparative indifference, till his twenty-first year, when he again sought the Lord with his whole heart. Not long after his conversion, his mind was strongly influenced by the love of souls, and a conviction that it was his duty to call sinners to repentance. After having been some time an acceptable Local Preacher, he was proposed for the regular ministry; and, being accepted by the Conference in 1840, was appointed to the Fifth London Circuit; but in the following April his

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