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were destitute of a pastor, but nevertheless met for worship in a school-house, every Lord's day, and were occasionally favored with preaching by Baptist ministers who visited them On these days, and at other times, Mr. R. was a constant attendant on divine service, aiding in the worship of God, by prayers, exhortations, and singing. At length, he had an impression on his mind that it was his duty to preach the Gospel; yet, being a man of limited education, and not possessing a ready elocution, he felt much diffidence, and doubted whether he was called of God to the ministry. In the language of Moses, he said in his heart,-" O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since thou hast spoken to thy servant; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." Ex. iv. 10. The impression, however, that it was his duty to preach, became so strong that he could say with the apostle Paul, Wo is me if I preach not the Gospel." He therefore obeyed the call of God, and began to preach; not for hire, but in obedience to the will of God, laboring with his hands to support a young and increasing family,-having learned and for several years followed the clothier's trade. He continued to preach to the church and people at Stonington until the Spring of 1779, when, in consequence of losses sustained in an attack on Stonington, in the war of the Revolution, by the ship Rose, Captain Wallace, in 1775, and the subsequent decrease of the means of supporting his family, he removed with his family to Ashford, where he had bought a farm. He had no sooner become settled in his new habitation, than he began to look up the lost sheep of the house of Israel; and, gathering together the brethren and sisters who were scattered about in that part of the town where he lived, he held meetings in his own house, and preached to the people. God was graciously pleased to bless his labors; and in a short time a church was duly organized, consisting of the individuals just mentioned, and eighteen new converts; and he became their pastor. They were called the 2d Baptist church in Ashford. He gave them a piece of ground to build a meeting house upon, (beside contributing in aid of its erection,) and a second in which to bury their dead. He continued to preach and administer the ordinances to them till 1804. He then lost his wife; and, being 75 years old, went and lived with his children, residing several years alternately in Bellingham, Mass. with his son, Valentine Wightman Rathbone, who was pastor of a Baptist church in that town; and in Charlemont, with his son Samuel Rathbone, Esq. He afterwards removed to the residence of his son Aaron, in Ballston, N. Y., which he made his home till the year 1825. He then went to Willington, adjoining Ashford, to the residence of his widowed daughter Weston, not far distaut from where he had formerly lived; wishing, as he said, to spend the remainder of his days there, and there die, and be buried with the wife of his youth and the mother of his children. He spoke also of the pleasure of being visited by his brethren of the 2d Baptist church in Ashford, of which he had formerly been pastor between twenty and thirty

years. It may here be added that Mr. R. was accustomed to preach in New York, Bellingham, Charlemont, Ballston, and every place. where he lived after he left Ashford, when requested so to do, until about nine months before his death. He removed to Willington, in August, 1825. But his appointed period there was short. On the 2d day of August of the following year, he departed this life, at the age of ninety-seven years, one month, and seven days.* Mr. Rathbone was a man of habitual submissiveness to the divine will, and had, at all times of affliction, manifested great patience and resignation. But during his last sickness, the grace of patience shone conspicuous. Not a murmur escaped from his lips, though he suffered great pain in consequence of a fall which he had received a short time before his illness. He appeared to acquiesce in the divine will as a child of God. And he was strong in faith, nothing wavering. To his children and grandchildren, and others who stood around his bed, he said, with a clear voice and a peculiar emphasis, "I am going where I shall be happy forever." At times his mind seemed to be absorbed in religious exercises. ruling passion was strong in death. He would talk of the Bible, name a chapter, and recite passages of scripture; and at one time, he exclaimed in a voice louder than usual, "I want to preach the Gospel." But his work on earth was done. He had been an approved and able minister of Jesus Christ for nearly seventy years, and the message was now to be delivered to him, "Come up higher."

The

Mr. Rathbone, though deprived in early life of the advantages of a good education, had been distinguished, through the long period of his ministry, not only as an indefatigable public servant of Christ, but not less as an able counsellor in Zion. He was probably called upon oftener than almost any other minister, to settle difficulties in the churches. His character as a counsellor and peacemaker, had become almost proverbial; and when any difficulties had arisen in some church or churches, it was the customary and almost natural suggestion, "Let us send for father Rathbone. He will point out a way by which the matter can be adjusted." And it was the usual and acknowledged result, that, by visiting the parties at their houses, and with his peculiar manner of soft persuasion and explanation, he would smooth the rough places in their hearts, and in a good measure do away their asperity and rancour, and cause them to repent and forgive. The influence of his urbanity and prudence combined with candor and impartiality, was not limited to the members of his own denomination. Instances were not rare, of ministers of other denominations calling upon him to obtain the benefit of his counsels.-Mr. R.

*The descendants of Mr. Rathbone were very numerous. Their precise number could not be ascertained; but the writer of this me noir counted up 287, consisting of his children, grand children, great grand-children, and great great grand-children, who were living at the time of his death. Two of his sons were Baptist ministers; Valentine, mentioned above, and David, who was pastor of a church in Scipio, N. Y., and afterwards of a church in Lawrenceville, Pa., where he died Aug. 1823.

was an eminent example of the qualities required in a bishop, in Paul's 1st Epistle to Timothy, iii. 2. He was "given to hospitality," ready to distribute, willing to communicate. His home was open to all Christians,-a resting place for the way-faring man, the stranger and the poor. Those who knew him were of the opinion, that he gave much more in the aggregate to the poor of his church and other Christian friends, than he received during the whole term of seventy years. For it was not customary in those days, in the region of country where he lived, for Baptists to give much to their ministers.

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But it was at his domestic fireside, and in the circle of his family and friends, that the engaging qualities of his mind and heart were most conspicuous. There the kindness of his feelings overflowed. There the uniform fervor of his piety threw its holy lustre over his character. One trait in his character was singularly remarkable. When his family and friends had formed a circle round the fire-side in an evening, conversing on topics of casual interest, he would say to them, Come, if you have no objection, I will give you a short sermon;" and having obtained their consent, he would mention a passage in the Bible, and tell his auditors where they could find it. He would then explain and illustrate the text, and his discourse would consist of the very pith and marrow of his subject, and might be compared to virgin gold without alloy. These chimney-corner sermons were frequently given. The writer of this memoir has had the pleasure of hearing several of them.-In his family he was kind and forgiving; and his reproofs were attended with convincing exhortations to reform. And when he called his family around him for the morning and evening sacrifice, his venerable age, his tall and reverend form, his thin locks, that were bleached by many winters, and the devout solemnity of his manner, all combined to impress on the minds of those about him, that he bore a striking resemblance to one of the ancient patriarchs of Israel.

It is worthy of remark that Mr. R. was the friend of Missionary Societies, Bible Societies, and indeed of all the benevolent objects of Christian enterprize, and most devoutly prayed for their success. He was particularly fond of Monthly Concerts of Prayer.

In conclusion, it may be truly said, that through an unusually long life, Mr. R. as a Christian, and as a minister of Christ, maintained an unspotted reputation in the church and in the world; and, from the time of his first profession of religion, to the close of his life, adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, exhibiting in his conduct the holy influence of the Gospel which he proclaimed.

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.

THE COMPREHENSIVE COMMENT.- mote correspondently its sanctifying and RY ON THE HOLY BIBLE, &c. &c. Ed- sustaining influences. Other Commentaited by Rev. William Jenks, D. D. ries may make a higher demand for intelPastor of Green Street Church, Bos- lectual effort, and may or may not give ton, &c. Re-edited and adapted to the views of the Baptist Denomination back an equivalent of valuable informaof Christians, by Rev. Joseph A. tion. But no work of like character and Marne, A. M. Pastor of the Baptist extent is known to us, better adapted to Church in Brookline, Mass. -Judges. Brattleboro': Published by give life and efficacy to the private or the Fessenden & Co. Boston: Shattuck & social reading of God's Word, and none, Co. 1835. we believe, can with much reason be anticipated, for at least the present genera

Genesis

Of the comparatively few who venture to sit in judgment on the biblical labors of Henry, Scott & Doddridge, there is only here and there one who will deny their claims to his deep respect and grat itude, as well for the light which they have shed on the meaning of the for the full sacred Scriptures, as ness and power with which they have made that meaning to bear on the heart and conscience. Add to this the important fact that the Editor has interspersed the work, thus far, with annotations of Stuart, Robinson & Bush, and of Patrick, Poole, Lowth, Rosenmüller, and many other distinguished writers on the Scriptures, and it will not be thought strange if, in respect to completeness and accuracy of interpretation, the Comprehensive Commentary be found worthy of an unusually extended patronage. And even were it otherwise, it should be borne in mind that, from the want of interest, or leisure, or pecuniary means, a very inconsiderable part of the rapidly increasing population of this country will have recourse, in their study of the Bible, to works of more deep research and exacter criticism, and that a still less number are competent to consult these works with profit, though within their reach, since a ready and judicious use of them involves an amount of preliminary knowledge rarely attained. But our strongest motive for presenting the claims of this Commentary to public favor, is the conviction that its daily use by families and individuals would greatly enhance the interest felt in reading the Bible, and pro

tion.

MEMOIRS OF HARLAN PAGE, or the Power of Prayer and Personal Effort for the souls of individuals. By William A. Hallock, Cor. Sec. of the Published American Tract Society. by the American Tract Society, 150 Nassau Street, New York. pp. 230. 12mo.

When we first perused this little Memoir, we designed to transfer several of its most interesting paragraphs to the pages of the Magazine. We were confident we could not do a more acceptable service to very many of our readers-to all, certainly, who are conscious of not having done what they could for the conversion of their fellow-men, and are willing to be stimulated to greater activity in their efforts; and no less to those who, in the efforts they have made, have not met with a success corresponding with their hopes, and would thankfully learn how to apply their exertions with greater skill and fairer promise. Still we do not much regret that we are limited to this brief notice of the work. That it may effect its due amount of good, it must be read throughout, carefully and with prayer.

And that it will be so read, and read far more extensively than to require our aid, we cannot doubt. Its general character is indicated on the title-page. "The great object of Mr. H.'s spiritual life was not himself to be happy in religion, but rather by persevering labors and holy self-denial,-like the apostle who testified that he died daily—to glori fy God in winning souls to him."

MISSIONARY REGISTER.

Subscriptions and Donations to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination, in the United States, for Foreign Missions, &c., should be transmitted to Heman Lincoln, Esq., Treasurer, at the Baptist Missionary Rooms, No. 17 Joy's Building, Washington Street, Boston. The communications for the Corresponding Secretary should be directed to the same place.

Burmah.

AVA.

JOURNAL OF MR. KINCAID.

(Continued from p. 335.) The violent interference of Government with the preaching of the Gospel in Ava,

mentioned in a former number of the

Magazine, and more minutely described in the closing part of the following extracts, though directly prompted by a spirit of indiscriminate revenge, as suggested by Mr. K., must in no small degree, we think, be ascribed to the manifest interest which had for some time existed among the people respecting religious truth, and the apprehensions of its further prevalence, awakened in some of the partizans of Boodhism.

Sept. 20, 1834. More than 50 persons at the house, professedly to inquire about the living God. Some appeared to feel a little, and we hope good may result from the labors of this day.

21. During the forenoon, had a few visitors, and for several hours in the afternoon the verandah was crowded. The subject, "what is the cause of all the darkness, misery and superstition which exist among mankind," was discussed for some time.

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25. For several days past, we have had crowds at the house, and not a few of them have contended for Boodhism, with an earnestness and zeal that would have done honor to the Christian cause. I am often surprised to find very young men having an extensive knowledge of their books, and well skilled in all the sophistry of heathenism. It is said there are five thousand priests in the different monasteries in this city, and all are professedly engaged in studying their sacred books. Two thirds of this number are under 18 years of age,

26. Gave away 147 tracts, mostly the View. Had preaching and disputing for about 10 hours, and between 3 and 4 hundred have heard of Christ.

27. Gave away 130 tracts, 10 copies of Acts, and 6 copies of Luke and John. Several of our auditors listened with great attention to the history of Christ. May the Saviour be revealed in their hearts, the only hope of glory. Held our Saturday evening prayer-meeting at candlelighting; 5 of the converts prayed.

28. Lord's day morning, preached to an assembly of 27 persons, from John iv. 23, 24-as usual, many in the

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