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trines of grace; nor was he less zealous for that true morality which is the genuine effect of those doctrines, when graciously received under the influence of the Holy Spirit. For this he pleads, in a masterly manner, in the work already quoted; from which we beg leave to make a short extract:-" Let the subject be candidly and closely considered, and it will appear that we plead for a morality which possesses every excellence that can give it purity, efficacy, permanency, and extent; and which is, in nature and operation, essentially superior to any thing that bears the name among those who deny the influence that communicate it, or the doctrines from whence it derives its constraining force."

These extracts from his writings may convey some idea of his ministerial labours. Convinced, firmly convinced in his own mind of the truths of the gospel, his first great aim was to convince his hearers of the same truths; well knowing that the exercise of heavenly affections, and the practice of holy duties, necessarily follow the due reception of the truth as it is in Jesus; and for this purpose it was his constant endeavour to reach the affections of his auditors, through the medium of their understanding.

Mr. De Courcy, knowing how to appreciate the civil as well as spiritual blessings enjoyed in this happy country, discovered a commendable zeal in resisting those dangerous doctrines which, under the delusive name of The Rights of Man, have occasioned so awful a perversion of their rights and privileges in neighbour ing nations. This will particularly appear from his sermon, preached at Hawkstone Chapel, at the presentation of the colours to the North Shropshire Yeomen Cavalry, 1798.

As to the person of our friend, his stature was somewhat below the middle size: his address was very pleasing; and the fund of information which he possessed, together with a degree of natural sprightliness and humour, rendered him a very desirable companion. His temper was considered as naturally warm; "but if at any time," says the preacher of his funeral discourse, "the man appeared, let it be remembered, that the grace of the Christian would presently gain the ascendency; and prove, that the main bias of his soul inclined to those things which afford consolation to the believer, amid the various calamities of life, and which constitute his support in a dying hour."

Mr. De Courcy was not without domestic trials; among which, none seemed to affect him so much as the death of his youngest son, in August last, after serving some time as a midshipman, under his relation the Hon. Capt. De Courcy. In the close of his last sermon, from Rev. v. 2, on the evening of the Fast-day, an allusion to the memory of those we had "resigned into the arms of Death," so far affected him, as to occasion an involuntary flow of tears; and obliged him abruptly to conclude.

His natural constitution was good; and supported him under many painful fits of the rheumatic gout, which at length weakened his knees so much, that he was sometimes obliged to sit in the pulpit. On the Fast-day he caught a slight cold, which brought on a return of his disorder; from which he seemed gradually recovering, until a few hours only before his death. On the evening preceding this event, he retired to rest about ten o'clock; and in passing from the sitting-room to his bed-chamber, his servant expressed her pleasure at seeing him walk so well-to which he replied, "Thank God, I am getting better!"

In the morning following, between four and five, he rang his bell, when his servant found him indisposed, but not so ill as to create the apprehension of greater danger than she had frequently witnessed, when attacked with flying pains about the neck and breast, which generally occasioned a difficulty of breathing. He requested a little brandy and water; which in a short time relieved him. His servant continued with him till near eight o'clock; during which time he frequently slumbered. When he was awake, he appeared, by motion of his hands and lips, to be engaged in prayer. He then desired her to retire, saying, he felt very comfortable; and she might place pillows to support him, as he could not bear a recumbent posture. A little after nine, she returned to his apartment, and found him perfectly tranquil. On enquiring if he would like any thing, he replied, "I should like to sleep if I could ;" on which she withdrew till about half past ten, when she re-entered, making her former enquiry, and was again dismissed.* Between eleven and twelve, he called for some breakfast, of which he partook as usual, and, during the repast, repeated some beautiful lines of poetry, saying, "I was reflecting on these when I was so ill this morning: they are very fine," continued he.-Soon after this, his attendant perceived a great alteration in his countenance, and found her apprehensions confirmed by his saying that he was very ill. A physician was instantly sent for. After a short pause, he raised himself up in bed, and folding his arms together, with a countenance indicating great composure, said in a firm tone, “I shall not recover." On his servant expressing her hope to the contrary, he replied, "I shall not; but be that as it may, Christ is mine." His pain and difficulty of breathing increasing, he prayed, "Lord Jesus give me ease! Lord, give me resignation! and shortly after, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit." Recovering a little, he exclaimed, "Christ is my foundation; Christ is the rock I built upon." On observing the servant in tears, and hearing her exclaim 'What shall I do? he replied, "Pray for me; but do not weep." Soon after which, gasping for breath, he said, "I am almost spent; it is a hard struggle:

Mrs. De Courcy was from home. on a visit to a relation.

but it will soon be over." About this time, the physician arriving, he told him he was very ill; but not so much in pain as greatly oppressed, putting his hand on his breast. The Doctor then leaving the room for a medicine, he said, while raising up his eyes to heaven, "Thanks be to God for my salvation!" and instantly, without a sigh or groan, resigned his spirit into the hands of his redeeming God.

Thus departed our respected brother, about two o'clock on Friday, Nov. 4, at the age of fifty-nine years. Thus was his family (Mrs. De Courcy and three surviving children) deprived of a husband and a father; his congregation of a faithful and affectionate pastor; and the town of an able and laborious minister of the gospel, after he had spent nearly thirty years in the constant dissemination of the pure word of life,-the fruits of which, we trust, will long remain.

His remains were interred at Shawbury, the scene of his first labours in Shropshire; and on that mournful occasion a great number of his friends, in carriages and on horseback, voluntarily joined the funeral procession, anxious thus to render to the memory of their beloved pastor the last tribute of respect and gratitude. Several sermons suited to the occasion, were delivered on the following Sunday. The Rev. Brian Hill, preached in the morning at St. Alkmond's Church, on John xvi. 33; Mr. Weaver, in the afternoon, at Swan Hill Meeting, on Mat. xxv. 21; and Mr. Palmer, at the Baptist Meeting in the evening, on 2 Sam. iii. 38; all uniting to lament the public loss. Evan. Mag.

The Power of Truth.

It is not wonderful that a man mistakes his way in the dark. If you would have him find his way,-give him light. It is the same in the spiritual world. Ignorance is the leading cause and source of error. When a person has been enlightened by the Spirit of God attending the Scriptures, and unveiling their pure and simple truths, error is discovered and renounced. An instance of this has lately occurred in Ireland, in the case of the Rev. Mr. M. Crowly, who, in searching the Scriptures with a view to refute the Protestant doctrines, has been led from full unbiassed conviction to embrace them. The same happy effects have uniformly attended a careful impartial study of the word of God. This was remarkably verified in the Reformation from Popery in the sixteenth century. I shall mention a remarkable instance of this from a work lately published.* In an act of the Scottish Parliament, anno 1525, renewed 1535, prohibiting the importation of books containing heretical opinions, and the rehearsing and disputing about them, an exception was made as te

* M'Cree's Life of Knox.

clerks in the schools, that they might confute them. In this device the patrons of the Romish church were outwitted; for a number of these clerks were, by the perusal of the book, and by disputation concerning them, induced to embrace the Protestant

tenets.

I need hardly mention that the word of God, in its simplicity, has been, and is the strong hold of Protestants; and an appeal to this is what the abetors of the Papal system chiefly dread. Abiding by this, in dependence on the promise of God, we have nothing to dread from the attacks of earth and hell. This is the light shining in a dark place;-to which we do well to take

heed.

What an encouragement does this present for the exertions of Bible Societies! When the Scriptures are spread, the teaching of the spirit of God shall, in a less or greater degree, attend them. Yes this heavenly light shall spread, and with it the glory of the Lord shall cover the earth.

Reader, would you experience benefit from the perusal of the word of God, come to it with child-like dependence on the promised influence of the Spirit of God. Thus shall you be guided in the way of truth. While pride blinds the eyes against the light of truth, a humble and teachable temper leads to the cordial reception of the truth, leading us to the Fountain of Light, in whose light we shall see light clearly. In this way shall we obtain the most comfortable evidence that the Scriptures are the word of God, and shall be led into all truth, under the wise and safe conduct of Him who teacheth us to profit.

The Rev. Mr. Brown's opinion of reading Books.

From experience I have found, that it is vain to attempt to be an universal scholar; that a few books, well chosen and carefully used, are better than a multitude of books. That multitudes of books are scarcely worth the reading; or, if read, we had better extract the useful hints into a note book, and never more look into them. That abridging of more useful books, especially if they be large, is very useful. That few plays or romances are safely read, as they tickle the imagination, and are apt to infect the heart; and even those that are most pure, as of Young, Thomson, Richardson, Addison, bewitch the soul, and are apt to indispose for holy meditation and other religious exercises; and so should be read, at most, but very sparingly. In reading histories, the Lord not only made me take up the facts as the doing of the Lord, and as a verification of some parts of his word, but also made them to suggest some useful, and sometimes very sweet thoughts, respecting the Redemption-scheme.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

SURVEY OF MISSIONARY STATIONS.

(Continued from page 174.)

INDIA WITHIN THE GANGES.

This is, without question, that Division of the Missionary Field, in which, under an awful responsibility, the most extended labours of British Christians are demanded. From the borders of the Burman Empire on the east to those of Persia on the west, and from the sources of the Ganges and the Indus on the north to Cape Comorin in the south, 70 or 80, or perhaps 100 millions of human beings-a tenth of the whole race of mankind--are now living, either under the immediate authority, or the controlling influence of this Christian country.

The Baptist Missionaries in India, in the letter before referred to, which they addressed to the American Baptist Board of Missions, anticipate with just confidence, and describe with eloquence, the future triumphs of our holy religion in India. We cannot more appropriately introduce our Survey of the multiplied operations by which those triumphs are preparing, than by quoting the passage at large. Speaking of the Mission in the Burman Empire, they say "We know not what your immediate expectations are; but we hope that your views are not confined to the immediate conversion of the Natives, by the preaching of the word. Could a Church of converted Natives be obtained at Rangoon, it might exist for awhile; and be scattered, or perish for want of additions. From all that we have seen hitherto, we are ready to think, that the dispensations of Providence point to labours that may operate, indeed, more slowly on the population, but more effectually in the end; as knowledge, once put into fermentation, will not only influence the part where it is first deposited, but will leaven the whole. The slow progress of conversion, in such a mode of teaching the nations, may not be so encouraging; and may require, in all, more faith and patience: but it appears to have been the process of things, in the progress of the Reformation during the reigns of Henry, Edward, Elizabeth, James and Charles. And should the work of evangelizing India be thus slow and silently progressive-which, however, considering the age of the world, is not, perhaps, very likely—still, the grand result will amply recompense us and you, for all our toils. We shall reap if we faint not. And then, dear brethren, when it shall be said of the seat of our labours, The infamous swingingpost is no longer erected-the widow burns no more on the funeral pile-the obscene dances and songs are seen and heard no more-the gods are thrown to the moles and to the bats; and Jesus is known as the God of the whole land--the poor Hindoo 2 C

VOL. VI.