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J. D. Casewell, of which he furnishes the her heart was alive to the glories of Christ as following particulars.

Gift." After which she said, with much emphasis, "Oh, my dear, those are the sentiments. She spake afterwards of the glory and preciousness of Christ, and fed upon him as the "bread of life." Two days before she died she said, "There is a heavenly world, and thither I am going." She uttered this with the calm and sweetness of heaven resting upon her countenance. The arms of her faith embraced the precious Saviour-the antidote of death. In him she was complete.

God over all blessed for ever. She felt his propitiation-his great atonement-to be the In cherishing holy and beautiful recollec- balm, the refuge, the salvation of her spirit. tions of the departed, we not only act accord- A few days before her illness she wished her ing to a law of our nature, but we gather husband to read to her a discourse entitled, strengthening influences around our religious," It is just like Him: or, God's unspeakable principles, and bring ourselves more directly under the powers of the world to come. It is not only soothing to the heart, but is invigorating to our holiest affections to listen to the voice which speaks to us from the tomb. In the case before us there are peculiar circumstances which give to that voice more than an ordinary amount of tenderness and power. Eliza Townshend Casewell was an affectionate wife, a young and tender mother, with bright prospects of earthly happiness, in the bloom and vigour of life, and surrounded by relatives and friends to whom she was endeared and by whom she was deeply loved, yet she is cut down; God, in the sovereign and mysterious movements of his providence, changes her countenance and sends her away, On October the 18th, after severe and lengthened suffering, she gave birth to a daughter. Soon after this, symptoms of danger became visible. Medical skill was in vain: in much suffering, endured with unfailing patience and sweet Christian resignation, she lingered here through twelve days and nights, till the 30th of October, when her gentle and pious spirit left its house of clay and passed on to eternity. She died in the Lord Jesus, and is blessed.

By nature she was averse to the gay frivolities of fashionable life, and was fond of the retired and tranquil pleasures of the domestic circle; it was in the family that the peculiar qualities of her nature unfolded themselves in all their power and beauty. These qualities marked her character from early life. She did not profess to be influenced in her feelings and conduct by the high and spiritual principles of true religion till a few years before her death. The means to which she referred as the instrumental cause of the divine life in her soul was a funeral sermon preached by her now bereaved and sorrowing husband, from the text, "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Peculiar power was given to this discourse by the fact, that she had just come from the dying bed of an aged and near relative, the mother of her beloved father, of whom she was accustomed to speak in terms of sweet and strong affection. In these circumstances the renewing influences of the Holy Spirit came down upon her, and she passed from death unto life. After marriage she made a public profession of religion, was baptized in the name of the adorable Trinity, and received into the church at Mill-street, Evesham, in communion with which she died.

Though she entered not into controversy,

This afflictive providence was improved by a suitable discourse preached from Ps. xvii. 15, to a large and attentive congregation, by her pastor, the Rev. A. G. Fuller. May his solemn appeals be productive of much good; and may the death of the departed Christian, who is now robed in the glories of eternity, be the means of the spiritual life of many! The sun of her earthly existence set in glory; and, through rich and sovereign grace, she has now entered into the joy of her Lord.

MR. WILLIAM ABBEE,

On Thursday morning, Oct. 28, 1847, Mr. William Abbee, who for thirty-six years had honourably and usefully sustained the office of deacon in the church at Mill End, Herts, was suddenly called to his rest. He was born Nov. 12, 1779. His religious character determined when about twenty years of age, under a sermon preached at Hamper Mill, near Watford, by Mr. Smith. In the year 1811 he was baptized by the Rev. W. Groser, sen., of Watford, being the first baptized in Mill End. Soon after was chosen deacon, which office he filled with credit till his death. For nearly twenty years he has been totally blind, and of late years very infirm, but never permitted his blindness or other infirmities to prevent his attendance at the worship of God's house, if there was any possibility of his being there. There is not a member left who attended the chapel so often as he did. Leaning on the arm of a beloved daughter or other friend, he might be seen halting on his way to the sanctuary, whenever its doors were open. His hospitality, and especially to ministers, is worthy the imitation of those who like himself were raised above want. His house and table were ever open, and but little short of 500 ministers have crossed the threshold of his habitation, and by their presence and converse beguiled the dark hours of this sightless saint. But he is gone to the land of light; the chimney corner is vacant, but the seat in heaven is filled. Being called

hence suddenly, he has left no dying experience to be recorded, but we have the more satisfactory living one. He lived the life of the righteous, and for him to die was gain. "Absent from the body, present with the Lord."

MR. HENRY GAMBLE.

The church at Mare-street, Hackney, under the joint pastoral care of Dr. Cox and Mr. Katterns, has again been visited by the hand of death. Last month we recorded the decease of one of its deacons, Mr. William White; this month, we are called upon to add that of Mr. Henry Gamble, another of its officers. Mr. White departed this life on the 20th of October; Mr. Gamble, on the 14th of November, less than one month after. Mr. Gamble had nearly attained the eightieth year of his age, and had faithfully served the church in the deacon's office nearly a quarter of a century. During the greater part of that time he acted as treasurer; but, in the year 1842, on the ordination of his only son, the Rev. Henry John Gamble, then in the eighteenth year of his age, as pastor of the Baptist church at Margate, moved by paternal affection to afford the youthful minister the benefit of his countenance and advice, he retired to that place, and consequently relinquished his active engagements with the church at Hackney. The subsequent transfer of his son's ministerial exertions to Hanover chapel, Peckham, induced him to resume his residence at Hackney, whereby his brethren recovered the advantage of his counsel and the pleasure of his society. Scarcely settled in his new abode, he was called upon to attend the funeral obsequies of Mr. White, his successor in the office of treasurer; when, although in his usual state of health, he was observed to wear an aspect of solemn thoughtfulness, importing, as it seemed, the anticipation of his

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cipated how soon he would himself be laid upon the bed of sickness and of death! On the following day, through exposure to the humid atmosphere in his garden, he took cold. The immediate consequence was, pleuritic inflammation, under which, in connexion with the enfeebling tendency of the means adopted to subdue it, he rapidly sank, and, notwithstanding all attempts to rally him, eventually expired, entering, on Sabbath morn, November 14, into that rest which remaineth for the people of God.

Throughout his short but painful illness, he was assiduously attended by his devoted wife, and was additionally comforted with the presence of his affectionate children; but, sometimes to spare their feelings the distressing tokens of his severe sufferings, and at other times to gain opportunity for those solitary meditations in which it is so natural for the dying Christian to indulge, he often expressed a wish to be left entirely alone. Nor while at his bedside could his friends hold much converse with him; for the paroxysms of his disorder, and the effects of repeated lancing, disabled him from speaking, except in brief, broken, and hardly audible sentences. "Alas!" observes his son, in a letter which lies before the writer, "we could only catch here and there a word of what he uttered; His debut every sentence spoke of peace. meanour was calm and dignified. There He always wonwas no ecstasy or rapture. dered how any could experience this in dying; for he regarded death as a solemn His countenance, indeed, and trying event. appeared to me to betoken that he was in a great conflict-I mean a conflict with death; that he felt its solemnity, but that he was persuaded he should gain the triumph, and thus receive a gracious answer to the petition with which, for many years, he usually concluded his evening prayer in the family— that I might finish my course with joy !' It was while the shadows were gathering darker around his spirit, that, with many On Friday, November 5, however, he met pauses between, he said to my mother, Precious joys'-' precious promises'-' precious with his brethren, specially convened to consider what steps should be taken to repair the hopes'— ' and precious trials!" The firm breach made in their ranks, and entered into and solid foundation of his faith and hope was strikingly indicated in his dying testimony the consideration of the subject with a readiness and an efficiency which forbade any fear to his son: "Piety, my son! piety!-Christ! lest this meeting with him should be the last. If it were not for Christ, I should have had So, nevertheless, it was ordained to be. nothing to do with the bible! I have no Though declining, on account of age and in- fears-I am a firm believer in the Lord Jesus firmities, to return to those more arduous Christ!" One of his favourite texts was functions which he had formerly exercised Paul's declaration to Timothy-"I know with the greatest honour to himself, and with whom I have believed, and am persuaded that equal advantage to the church, yet he cheer- he is able to keep that which I have comfully consented to afford the continued bene- mitted unto him against that day." "This," expressed the ground of fit of his sound judgment and long experience, remarks his son, and spontaneously requested that the names his hopes, which had no resting place but the of sick members might be communicated to cross and righteousness of Christ. Of all the him; their visitation being a walk of duty doctrines contained in the scriptures, he had in which his complete leisure might enable as clear and comprehensive a view as any one him still to move. Alas! it was little anti-I ever met with; but this was his all in all,

own not distant decease.

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He lived he died upon it. But we did not require a dying testimony; his living example fills us with confidence-as a friend expressed it, an 'unclouded confidence'—of his eternal safety."

The character of Mr. Gamble, in every relation of life, was uniformly excellent. As a husband and a father, they only can fitly describe him towards whom he bore those hallowed names. One voice that could speak much of his tender and considerate affection, is stifled in grief. "As a father," observes his son, whose career he watched with selfabsorbing interest, "he esteemed no sacrifice too great if it promoted his children's welfare. He was not content with witnessing their settlement in life; but he left his own home, broke asunder the associations which had been twining for years around his heart, and followed them like a guardian angel,their counsellor, their comforter, their guide." His time, indeed, for several of the latter years of his life, was almost equally divided between visits to his son and to his daughter, the wife of the Rev. Jesse Hobson of High Wycombe, where his venerable form and affectionate prayers will be long remembered by the ministers' daughters placed under that lady's fostering care.

In his more public relations, Mr. Gamble commanded the unwavering respect and esteem of all who knew him. Both in the church and in the world his practical sagacity, the soundness of his judgment, the uprightness of his heart, and his punctual and orderly fulfilment of all engagements, were eminently conspicuous. He was one of that valuable but too rare class of Christians, who, while they bring the habits of the man of business into the affairs of the church, carry also the principles of religion into the transactions of every-day life, and, by their manifest conscientiousness and consistency, redeem religion from the reproach and suspicion under which it falls through the misconduct of incautious and hypocritical professors. More addicted to observation than to books, and more conversant with the haunts of society than with the meditations of the cloister, he was happily qualified for the formation of a just judgment on questions to be determined by practical considerations rather than by scientific rules; and this often enabled him easily to thread his way through difficulties which baffled the retired student inexperienced in the ways of life. In him the softening effect produced on others by the pursuits of literature and art, resulted not less certainly from the higher and purer influence of true religion, which, operating in unison with a native amenity of disposition and a peculiar tenderness of heart, showed itself in an unaffected gentleness and simple courtesy exceedingly attractive. To the poor he was a sympathizing friend; to the more affluent, a cheerful companion; while even the learned

VOL. X.-FOURTH SERIES.

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found in him an associate whom good sense and varied experience enabled to contribute an equal share to the common stock of pleasant and improving conversation. the house of God, his attendance was frequent, constant, and devout; at the social meeting as at the family altar, his prayers were simple, fervent, and impressive; and in meetings for the transaction of the business of the church, his wisdom and prudence were as apparent as his behaviour was conciliatory and unassuming. A baptist and a dissenter from conviction, he was at the same time catholic in spirit, habitually imprecating grace, mercy, and peace on all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ." Among the most remarkable features in his character were scrupulous integrity in the discharge of public trusts, tranquil stedfastness in the performance of even disagreeable duties, and a modest, yet manly and self-respecting independence of spirit. As an illustration of the last of these virtues, it may be mentioned, that, although not pretending to the position of a man of fortune, he insisted upon paying the entire expense of his son's education for the Christian ministry; and it needs scarcely be added that this noble characteristic was coupled with a corresponding liberality. In fine, whether Mr. Gamble be regarded as a private individual, a man of the world, or a professor of religion, he merits the lasting veneration of his descendants, the general respect of his fellow citizens, and the blessedness that belongs to the memory of the just.

MISCELLANEA.

SALENDINE NOOK, YORKSHIRE.

The Rev. T. Lomas having closed his pastoral labours here in October, his friends presented him with a purse amounting to £31, as a token of their esteem for his personal and ministerial character, as well as a mark of regret at his leaving. The presentation was made on behalf of his friends by John Brook, Esq., of Marsh House, near Hudders

field.

COLLECTANEA.

CHURCHES AND CHAPELS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

The editor of the Leeds Mercury, a few weeks ago, deduced with great care, and from the best accessible authorities, a general view of the comparative numbers of places of worship of different denominations. The tables containing the results of his investigations will be found in our Supplement; but we give here some of his illustrative remarks. In reference to England and Wales he says,—

"It would appear, then, that there is a

greater number of places of worship belonging to the Nonconformists than to the Established Church, even in that part of the kingdom where the Establishment is the strongest. It does not of course follow, that there is a greater number of Nonconformists than of Churchmen. There are many places where the great bulk of the population attend the church, and where the Dissenting chapels are small, and scantily attended. The churches would in general accommodate much larger numbers than the chapels. But, on the other hand, many of the churches are in parishes of very small population. Of 14,453 parishes and townships in England, no fewer than 9,181 have & population below 400 persons each. Many of the churches which abound in cathedral cities and other old towns, as well as in villages, have very scanty congregations. The Dissenting chapels exist in the greatest number where the population is the most dense; and in the manufacturing districts at least, the Dissenting congregations are larger than the Church congregations. On the whole, however, we do not doubt that the number of Churchmen exceeds that of Dissenters in England and Wales; and of course, in point of wealth, the Church has an immense superiority. But the above figures lead to the belief, that the numerical majority of the church is much smaller than many writers have assumed. And it is surely a fact which most strikingly demonstrates the power of the voluntary principle, that the Nonconformist bodies of England and Wales, besides contributing to the support of the Church, and in the face of many discouragements, have built and are maintaining no less than 12,700 places of worship, and support their ministers and service, without the aid of sixpence from any public funds.”

In reference to Scotland it is said,

"Thus the Nonconformist chapels exceed the churches of the Scotch Establishment by 823. But when it is remembered that great numbers of the churches of the Establishment were absolutely emptied by the secession of the Free Church, it will be obvious that the numerical majority of Dissenters must be much greater than in proportion to the number of their places of worship."

Of Ireland it is said,

"The Established clergy are much more numerous in proportion than their flocks; not a few of the clergy have not a church to preach in, and not a few of the churches are without congregations. At least 3,000 chapels must have been built, and are now upheld by the poorest part of the population, entirely without Government aid, except the allowances made under the name of Regium Donum to the Unitarian and other Presbyterian ministers of the north of Ireland-the benumbing and deadening effects of which have lately been exhibited on official authority."

Respecting the United Kingdom generally, it is added,

"We are inclined to believe, that the actual attendants at the churches of the Establishment in England and Wales would exceed the

attendants at Dissenting and other chapels in the proportion of four to three. We think that in Scotland the proportion belonging to the Established Church would be, compared with the other religious bodies, as two to five. And in Ireland the proportion of Churchmen to the other sects is as one to eight. If, for the sake of ascertaining what we may term the comparative religious weight of the Establishment and the other sects, we divide the populations of Great Britain and Ireland according to these proportions (though we are aware that there are great numbers who attend no place of worship, and belong to no religious body),

It would seem that the other religious sects out-number the Establishment as follows: Nonconformists 16,008,672 Establishment . 10,317,417

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On Lord's day, Nov. 7, the Rev. M. Saunders, of Haworth, Yorkshire, preached his farewell sermon to the church and congregation over which he has presided twentyfour years. A very large number of people was assembled ; and the sermon, which was founded on Acts xx. 32, "Now, brethren, I commend you to God," &c. and was above an hour in length, was listened to throughout with profound attention, and drew tears from the majority of the hearers. His solemn, faithful, and affectionate appeals will not soon be forgotten. Mr. Saunders leaves amidst the deep regrets, and is followed by the fervent prayers of his numerous friends, who have been eye-witnesses of his disinterested labours. When he accepted the call of the church, it consisted of only sixteen members, who worshipped in an upper room; in connexion with it. Since then a commothere was neither chapel nor sabbath school dious chapel has been erected, at a cost of nearly £1800, and which has been also enlarged; and a flourishing sabbathschool has been conducted for twenty-three years. During the pastorate of Mr. Saunders 244 persons have been added, chiefly by baptism. Besides which, two other baptist chapels have been built in the vicinity through his exertions. The additions to the church by baptism during the last year, have been greater than those of any baptist church in the West Riding; and so has the clear increase. We earnestly hope that his health may be re-established, and that the blessing of God may attend him in whatever sphere he may hereafter be called to labour.-The Church.

RANGOON.

Dr. Judson writes from Rangoon, March 28th, "I have just returned from baptizing a

Burman convert, in the same tank of water where I baptized the first Burman convert, Moung Nau, twenty-eight years ago. It is now twenty-five years since I administered baptism in Rangoon, the few converts that have been made during that period being generally baptized by the native pastor. My time has been mostly spent in Maulmain, where, having been instrumental, with others, of raising up a few Burmese and Karen churches, I have left them, since my return from America, in the care of my dear and excellent missionary brethren, and am now making a small attempt once more in Burmah Proper.

"The attempt, however, is made under very discouraging circumstances. The present administration of government, though rather more friendly to foreigners, is more rigidly intolerant than that of the late king Tharawaddy. Any known attempt at proselyting would be instantly amenable at the criminal tribunal, and would probably be punished by the imprisonment or death of the proselyte and the banishment of the missionary. The governor of this place has received me favourably, not as a missionary (though he well knows from old acquaintance that that is my character), but as a minister of a foreign religion, ministering to foreigners resident in the place, and a dictionary maker, labouring to promote the welfare of both countries.' Our missionary efforts, therefore, being conducted in private, must necessarily be very limited. It is, however, a precious privilege to be allowed to welcome into a private room a small company, perhaps two or three individuals only, and pour the light of truth into their immortal souls-souls that, but for the efficacy of that light, would be covered with the gloom of darkness. American Baptist Missionary Magazine.

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for all could meet there without any compromise. They were all agreed in taking the word of God as their rule of faith, and giving up whatever was not found there. He remembered some years ago, at an examination of Irish teachers at Kingscourt, an old man asked them something about limbus patrum; another of the teachers said, 'Oh, that is the old story, Paddy, but there is not a word about it in the bible.' Oh, then,' said Paddy, if it is not there, good bye to it." They might disagree about some things, but whatever they believed was not found in the bible, they would say with Paddy,' Good bye to it.""

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We have no doubt that the good bishop was in earnest. But did he reflect on the consequences of his admission? Is he now prepared to say of everything, in the Irish church, that is not found in the bible, "Good bye to it." If so, what will become of his own bishopric, and of all other diocesan bishoprics? What will become of infant baptism-the sign of the cross-godfathers and godmothers-confirmation-bowing at the name of Jesus-kneeling at the Lord's supper-confession-absolution? &c. &c. He who makes up his mind (as every protestant ought) to say "good bye" to everything that is "not found in the bible," would do well to count the cost, and prepare for all results. This is the crisis to which the church is hastening. The sooner it comes the better it will be for all interests, secular as well as religious.-Montreal Register.

THE DOVE AND THE ARK.

The sending forth of the dove, her finding no rest for the sole of her foot, her return to the ark, the projection of the hand through the window to pull her in, her second mission and return with the olive leaf, altogether make up a very graphical representation. I may here record the strong interest I feel in these scripture histories, enhanced I have no doubt by the recollections of my boyhood, convincing me that it is a most useful education for the juvenile mind to be seasoned and made familiar therewith. Wilkie the painter told me that the ark experiment of a bird was tried with a dove from a balloon, and that it returned after that it had been let out, and that an experiment was intended with a raven, but I have not heard if the latter trial has actually been made.-Dr. Chalmers' Daily Scripture Readings.

CORRESPONDENCE.

HINT FOR DECEMBER,

To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. SIR, The present are trying times! Such is the exclamation of high and low,

rich and poor. There are but few, however, who feel it more keenly than do the pastors of our village churches, many of whom are doomed to live upon a salary which is barely sufficient to procure the necessaries of life.

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