channels; and though it was again checked, violent hectic fever, and other unfavourable symptoms, seemed to threaten an early and fatal termination to the disease. The prayers of the church on the next Sabbath were earnestly poured forth to God to "spare the beloved mother," to 66 spare her babes ; for at that time they were all suffering from severe sickness. Those prayers were answered; for the worst symptoms ceased suddenly, and the rest gradually abated. The hope of returning health grew brighter and brighter, until at length, in the genial month of May, after four months' confinement to a sick chamber, the happy mother saw her dear children all recovered, was herself able to breathe again the fresh air of heaven, and by her looks created the belief that now all was well. A month's residence in her native air among her relatives seemed to confirm and realize the most favourable hopes, and she returned home in the month of July to all appearance in the most perfect health. At this time, however, a little cough, which few could hear, and still fewer noticed, gave a sad omen that all was not right. After a few weeks the cough became violent, so that it was thought necessary that the pure air of the country should be again tried. She then resided for two months with her brother, a medical man, in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. All that pure air, medical skill, and a brother's fondness could do, was done; and with a general appearance of success. At length the approach of winter rendered it expedient that she should return home. Her journey, however, if we look merely at second causes, was a series of misfortunes; so that by the time she arrived at home, her cough was worse than when she left it. Unable to lie down at night, torn for several hours at a time by a violent and painful cough, suffering from acute pain, and painful remedies, her sleep went from her, her appetite gradually decayed, and hectic fever wasted away her strength. Her medical attendant, Mr. Jay, who daily visited her for nine months in one year, and whose kind attentions were only equalled, but not surpassed, by those of her own affectionate brother, used every means that science improved by extensive practice could suggest, to mitigate the disease. But it was now evident that no mortal power could save her life. She had always herself expected such a result; but yet when death seemed quite certain, though not near, Nature struggled for a while for its ascendency. She thought of her dear aged mother, of ber dear brother and sister, her near relatives and friends; she looked round upon her husband, her infant babe, who had never known a mother's care,-her three delicate children, all of whom had been nursed upon came the words of her dear Saviour, "He that Joveth house or land, or brother or sister, or husband or wife, or father or mother, more than me, is not worthy of me,' into her mind; and she was soon enabled, by the grace of God, to resign all cheerfully into his hands. It was not that she loved them less, for she loved them as her own soul, but that she loved her Saviour more ; and was now willing to forsake all, and follow him. From that time her countenance assumed its natural cheerfulness; she now looked forward to death as to the final period of her sufferings, and her introduction to the joys of heaven. On Christmas day, that day which to her had so often been the day of happy meetings, she sat up in her bed, arranged with her own hands, and with the most perfect calmness, the little presents she would leave behind her; discoursed so composedly and cheerfully of death, that it seemed as if she were once more about to leave her home for a short sojourn among her relatives, rather than to go to the land which is yet afar off. Shortly after this, a temporary cloud, arising it is believed more from physical than moral causes, came over her mind. After a prolonged exercise in listening to the reading of the scriptures and in prayer, she suddenly felt her mind oppressed with the thought that she did not love God, that she had lost her Saviour, that she could not pray to him, and that she was about to die in that awful state. Her agony of mind for several hours was extreme. İt yielded to no encouragement from her pastor, who visited her and endeavoured to console her mind; it yielded to no reasoning on her past experience; until, on the same evening, it pleased God to remove the cloud, and to make her feel that he was still with her in her low estate. At night, she said with the utmost joy, that she "had found her Saviour, that it was he who first drew her out of her sin and misery; that he had given her his grace, and made her love him; and that he had promised that he would never, never, no never forsake her." Her peace and cheerfulness now returned; her countenance assumed the most happy expression; the hue of health never forsook her, until the arrow of death struck her, and in one moment "all the faded roses shed;" so that although her strength daily declined, and her form became more and more emaciated, few could believe, that she who could talk so cheerfully, and look so well, would soon be numbered with the dead. About this time she gave a Bible as a dying present to each of her dear children; talked to them at the same time of the Saviour's love even to little children; earnestly besought them, with tears streaming from her eyes, to read that Bible daily, as soon as they should be able; and committed them to the care of Him who was about to call her home. She gave her own Bible, which she could no longer read, to her eldest daughter, a child about five years of age; and with a trembling hand she wrote in it the following inscription : "To my dear little Linnæa I leave this Bible; and may it, my sweet child, be to you the inestimable treasure it has been to me. It has been my greatest comfort in the troubles of life, and now upon my death bed, through the merits of a crucified Saviour, it gives me the peaceful hope of an abundant entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Oh, my darling girl! whosoever cometh unto him he will in no wise cast out. Fall on your knees now." She gave also a Bible to her infant, with this inscription, which her weak hand could scarce make legible: "To my dear Claudia, my babe, who never knew a mother's care. Gracious Redeemer! take her in thine arms! ever, ever guard her! Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven,' were thine own words on earth, and in thy tender care I would humbly pray to leave her.-LINNEA EVANS." During all her sickness, she had felt the greatest anxiety and hope, that her death might be sanctified. She dictated letters to some of her near relatives, telling them of her happy state, that she was soon about to eave them for a better world, and earnestly exhorting them to be prepared to meet her there. To her medical attendant, for whose unexampled kindness she always expressed the liveliest gratitude, she wrote, with her own hand, but in indistinct characters, the following letter, to be given to him after her death : they were nothing compared with what her dear Saviour bore for her; that his presence took away all the burden; for she felt that his everlasting arms were underneath her. Again she said, that she thought nothing of her sufferings; that she had a comfortable bed, a warm room, kind friends, who anticipated all her wants; and then, as the cold blast shook her window, she talked of the poor who were dying as she was, but had no comfortable bed, no warm fire, and no kind sympathising relatives and friends. Her gratitude then rose to God for all his mercies; and her prayers for the wretched and the dying for whom no man cared. On another occasion, when suffering the deepest exhaustion, she prayed God that, if it pleased him, he would take her soon; but she added, with most pious resignation, "Not my will but thine be done." "All the days," said she, "of my appointed time, will I wait till my change come." Her thoughts now seemed quite absorbed with heaven; her very dreams and delirium were of that happy place. Sometimes she murmured, and that was the utmost of her complaint, "I think it will not be very long before my dear Saviour will come to fetch me home." Sometimes she lay in silent enjoyment of the thought that the presence of God was in her chamber, and that angels were waiting to waft her departing spirit home to God; and once, in the stillness of night, as her bright sleepless eyes were fixed gazing toward heaven, her feelings broke forth in the words of Spenser :— "How oft do they their silver bowers leave, And come to succour us that succour want! How oft do they on golden pinions cleave The flitting skies, like flying pursuivants, Against foul fiends to aid us militant! They for us fight; they watch and duly ward; And their bright squadrons round about us plant; And all for love, and nothing for reward! Oh! why should heavenly God to man have such regard!" An increase of appetite and a slight return of strength were for a few days visible; but it was but the forerunner of that great and solemn change that was to close her sufferings. After two days and two nights of incessant cough, sleeplessness, fever, and consequent exhaustion, she was seized with an hysterical fit which again caused her mind to be for a short time under a cloud; but it soon passed off, and left her as peaceful and happy as before. She then took leave of her dear children and family; and being by her kind father-in-law, the Rev. George Evans, committed to God in prayer, she lay for some minutes murmuring the words, " My dear Redeemer !-My dear Redeemer!-My dear Redeemer!" Being again somewhat revived, and supported in her bed, she partook of some refreshment, sent to her by a kind friend; and being " much strengthened, she was able to spend some minutes in most fervent prayer. Then, turning to her husband, she said with much seriousness, Mind! I'm in my perfect senses now; and whatever I may have said to-day-mind! I'm in my perfect senses now-I'm perfectly happy." And here her voice faltered. Again she said, "I know I am going to die; but I am going to heaven, to see God, and Jesus Christ; and I'm perfectly happy! Tell my mother, and my brother, and my sister, and others whom she named, that I am going to heaven; and charge them to meet me there. Mind," she said again, with great earnestness, "I'm in my perfect senses now. I'm going to heaven to-night! Oh, how happy! How delightful! Do let the dear children come, and see me go to heaven." The children were brought; and, at her desire, they were placed by her side upon her bed. Never did a smiling mother, surrounded by her children at some festive meeting, some birthday, or annual rejoicing, look more happy. Every feature beamed with heavenly joy. She told them of her going to heaven, where she should see God, and Jesus Christ; and, turning to her youngest child, requested he might sing a verse with which his infant lips had often gladdened her sleepless nights: : "Gentle Jesus, meek and mild; Pity my simplicity, And suffer me to come to thee!' The dear child performed his task; the dying mother gave her children her last farewell; and, turning to her astonished family, said, with looks of ineffable joy, but with faltering lips, 'Jesus can make a dying bed, Feel soft as downy pillows are.' "You must not grieve and lament for me," she said, "when I am gone. Think not of me as dead, but as a glorified spirit in bliss. You will all sing to-night, will you not?" The agonies of convulsions now closed her speech; yet even amidst those agonies, at intervals, a most beautiful smile of heavenly peace beamed forth upon her countenance, which at once amazed and delighted all who saw her. She was speechless; but she was at times sensible; and she heard the prayer which again committed her soul to God. She then lay down upon her pillows, and somewhat recovering her speech she murmured forth, with intense agony of prayer, "My mother!-my brother!-pardon !pardon !-mother !-brother !-pardon !mother-brother!" She then said, in scarce articulate words, "My dear husband, pray for me!" He knelt down by her side, and she repeated after him, word by word, "Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,' were thine own words, O Lord! Oh ! may I come unto thee, and find rest unto my soul! May I find rest soon; but not my will but thine be done! My flesh also shall rest in hope; for thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.' Her sinking voice could now scarcely articulate: "Lord Jesus, into thy hands I commit my spirit! Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." She then gently raised herself in her husband's arms; and as her lifeless body sank down upon his breast, her happy spirit fled away upon the wings of angels, and was welcomed into those blessed mansions which God has prepared for those who love him. the Bill, -a thing which we by no means concede, are they to be trampled upon and despised, by the introduction of a scheme of education, which, to a man, they reject? We will not believe that Sir Robert Peel will so far forget the responsibility attached to his high office, as to commit such an act of gratuitous oppression. Surely, the government must already perceive from the state of public opinion, that no party, but the Established Church, will accept Sir James Graham's Bill. Can the plan then, if adopted, work satisfactorily, if every Nonconformist looks on it with distrust-with aversion-and with tremulous apprehension as to its results? We cannot but hope that her majesty's ministers will withdraw a Bill, which has caused more alarm to the wise and good than any measure attempted to be carried through Parliament for many years past. They cannot reasonably expect, that any law will be productive of good, which outrages the religious feelings of large classes whom it professes to benefit. Before this sees the light, we do trust that the Bill will have been withdrawn. The peace and prosperity of the country demand that such should be pursued. a course CHRISTIAN UNION THE DESIDERATUM OF THESE TIMES. We have great satisfaction in learning that it is in contemplation to hold a public meeting at Exeter Hall, on the 1st of June, of Christians, and ministers of different denominations, for the purpose of declaring their union in Christ, and of reciprocating their friendly feelings on that ground, in devotional exercises, and in addresses appropriate to the occasion. This will not be, as at first proposed, a union of the different bodies by their representatives, some of them being so constituted as not to allow of such representation; but we understand that some of the most distinguished ministers and laymen of the several communions are expected to be present, and to take part in the proceedings. Should this meeting be honoured, as may be devoutly expected, with a more than ordinary effusion of the Divine Spirit, it will doubtless be followed with a series of meetings of a similar nature, in different parts of the kingdom, for the same object; namely, to bring more closely together, the scattered portions of the mystical body of Christ, and to promote among them a feeling of goodwill, of sympathy, and of co-operation in any object of general interest and concern. To such an attempt we cannot but give our good wishes, as we think the truly pious of all denominations will do, and earnestly pray that those who, in different parts of the country, as well as in the metropolis, are engaged in its promotion, may have wisdom, grace, and ability afforded them from above to conduct it forward to an issue which we believe to be practicable, and which none can doubt to be most desirable. Our motto long has been, and we take it up with new resolution and fervour in these times of division and separation, as breathing a spirit which is the only antidote to their evil and danger :"Grace be with all them that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, both their Lord and ours." PROPOSED MEETING OF PROTESTANT EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS OF ALL DENOMI NATIONS, at Exeter Hall, on Thursday, June 1st. A few ministers, of different denominations, earnestly desirous of more visible union among the members of the church of Christ assembled for prayer and consultation, and determined to summon a larger number of their brethren, to deliberate on the best mode of carrying into effect what they all so fervently sought. Accordingly about fifty ministers of Christ representing the Moravians, the Episcopalians, the Kirk of Scotland, the Secession Church, the Baptists, the Wesleyans, the Independents, and the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion; attended at the Centenary Hall, Bishopsgatestreet, and resolved, That it appears to this meeting that in the present crisis of affairs in relation to the church of Christ, it is most expedient that some measures be immediately adopted for bringing together the ministers and members of different Evangelical communions, with a view of making manifest to the world their agreement in the main and fundamental principles of our holy religion, and that the following brethren, the Revs. be a Committee to prepare a draft of resolutions, to be submitted to a second meeting similar to the present, which meeting the Committee now appointed is empowered to summon at such time and place, and consisting of such brethren as it may determine: the said draft of resolutions being intended for the adoption of a public meeting summoned for the express purpose of considering them, and to embody all the sentiments and views appropriate for a meeting assembled for the promotion of Christian Union, and the defence of Christian truth, at the present most remarkable and critical juncture. In accordance with the foregoing Resolution, the Committee met repeatedly, and drew up a series of Resolutions, which were submitted to a second meeting of ministers, in the same place, and the following were adopted. The undersigned, fervently desiring the increase and manifestation of union among Christians, invite, with most respectful earnestness and affection, the attendance of all ministers and members of Evangelical Churches, favourable to the object, at a public meeting for promoting such union, to be held in the great room, Exeter Hall, on Thursday, June 1, 1843. Admittance will be by tickets, which will be supplied to ministers for the platform, and to stated communicants in Evangelical Churches for the Hall, on application, by post, through their respective pastors, to the Secretary. To supply exact information of the character and design of the meeting, it has been determined to publish as the ground on which this invitation is given, and on which it will be understood to be accepted, the Resolutions that will be submitted for adoption. After much devout and careful consideration, the following Resolutions are submitted as appropriate for the important and delightful meeting that is anticipated. They are submitted to the candid consideration of the servants of Christ, as presenting a common ground of truth and love, on which to assemble in fraternal union. The measure now proposed is not recommended as final, and including all that can be hoped or attempted in pursuit of that most desirable object, Christian Union; but with humility, prayer, and love, undertaken as one step in a great and important proceeding, from which, if by Divine favour, successful, other efforts may arise. Except devotional exercises, with addresses in support of the Resolutions, no other proceedings at the meeting are contemplated; nor will any one be considered as pledging himself to any ulterior measures, by attendance on this occasion. I. That this meeting is fully persuaded that real and essential unity exists among all the children of God, and that being united to Christ, they are, in principle and affection, united to each other by the Spirit of Christ. II. That this Meeting is therefore convinced of the duty and practicability of rendering visible, the union of all who hold the Head, Jesus Christ the Lord, notwithstanding the diversity of their opinions and practice with regard to minor points of faith and ritual observance; and that the state of theological controversy, missionary opera'tions, and public sentiment at the present time, renders it peculiarly desirable to attempt the furtherance of such an union. III.-That this meeting declares itself assembled on the ground of truths common to all Evangelical Churches of the Protestant Reformation from Popery, and based on its first principle, the sufficiency and authority of the Holy Scriptures as the sole rule of Christian faith and practice, and the right of every man to judge for himself of the meaning and interpretation of that rule-and recognizes as the bond of Union, the great doctrines unanimously received by all Evangelical Christians, viz.-the doctrine of the Holy Trinity; of the infinite love of the Father; of the perfect atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ; of the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit; of justification by faith alone; of the necessity of regeneration to a Christian life and character; and other truths in harmony, and in essential connexion with these. And the meeting believes the agreement in these fundamental truths among Evangelical Christians, to be so unanimous in substance and spirit, as to lay a firm foundation for concord and union. IV. That this meeting utterly repudiates the sentiment that a true Church, a true Ministry, or a true Christian can be constituted, in the absence of spiritual qualifications, by the mere observance of any form, even though of Divine appointment. At the same time, it disclaims the least compromise of what is conscientiously regarded as truth or duty on any point of doctrine, discipline, or worship, by any individual bearing part in its proceedings. V. That this meeting deems it an imperative duty, for the defence of the truthfor the strength of the Churches-for the spread of the Gospel, to seek Christian Union-not in ritual uniformity; not in exact agreement of creed; not in a universal incorporation of Churches; but in the binding force of love to the truth in things great, and in the harmonizing power of forbearance in things subordinate. For this Union would the present meeting bear witness before the world, and offer fervent prayer to Almighty God. For the promotion of this blessed fraternal oneness in Christ, it would appeal to all his disciples, on the ground of their Saviour's will and prayer, that thus our holy religion may be honoured in the sight of the world, and the world be converted to our holy religion. John Leifchild, D.D., Craven Chapel. |