"That constant family-worship is so necessary to keep a live a sense of God and religion in the minds of men, that he sees not how any family that neglects it can in reason be esteemed a family of christians, or indeed to have any religion at all." How earnestly would Mr. Henry reason with people sometimes about this matter, and tell them what a blessing it would bring upon them and their houses, and all that they had. He that makes his house a little church shall find, that God will make it a little sanctuary. It may be of use to give a particular account of his practice in this matter, because it was very exemplary. As to the time of it, his rule was, commonly the earlier the better, both morning and evening; in the morning before worldly business crowded in, "early will I seek thee;" he that is the first would have the first; nor is it fit that the worship of God should stand by and wait while the world's turn is served. And early in the evening, before the children and servants began to be sleepy; and therefore, if it might be, he would have prayer at night before supper, that the body might be the more fit to serve the soul in that service of God. And indeed he did industriously contrive all the circumstances of his family-worship, so as to make it most solemn and most likely to answer the end. He always made it the business of every day, and not (as too many make it) a by-business. This being his fixed principle, all other affairs must be sure to give way to this. And he would tell those who objected against faimily-worship, that they could not get time for it; that if they would but put on christian resolution at first, they would not find the difficulty so great as they imagined; but after a while, their other affairs would fall in easily and naturally with this, especially where there is that wisdom which is profitable to direct; nay, they would find it to be a great preserver of order and decency in a family, and it would be like a hem to all their other business, to keep it from ravelling. He was ever careful to have all his family present at family-worship; though sometimes, living in the country, he had a great household; yet he would have not only his children and sojourners (if he had any) and domestic servants, but his work-men and day-labourers, and all that were employed for him, if they were within call to be present to join with him in this service; and as it was an act of his charity many times to set them to work for him, so to that he added this act of piety, to set them to work for God. And usually when he paid his workmen their wages, he gave them some good counsel about their souls: yet if any that should come to family-worship were at a distance, and must be staid for long, he would rather want them, than put the duty much out of time; and would some. times say at night, "Better one away than all sleepy."

Anecdote.

A certain libertine of a most abandoned character happened accidentally to stroll into a church, where he heard the fifth chap

ter of Genesis, importing that so long lived such and such persons, and yet the conclusion was they died. Enos lived 905 years, and he died-Seth 912, and he died-Methuselah 969, and he died. The frequent repetition of the words he died (notwithstanding the great length of years they had lived) struck him so deeply with the thought of death, and eternity, that it changed his whole frame.-He attended the remainder of divine service with the utmost seriousness :-went home and prayed earnestly to God for forgiveness and the assistance of his Holy Spirit;-and became, from an infamous libertine, a most exemplary christian.

"The Lord gave,

OBITUARY. .

FOR THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.

and the Lord hath taken; blessed be the name of the Lord."

DIED, on Saturday evening, the third of April, after an illness of six days, and in the fifteenth year of her age, Miss MARY LIVINGSTON, eldest daughter of Edward P. Livingston, Esq. of Clermont. The Christian fortitude, hope, and joy, displayed by this young Lady at the solemn hour of death, forcibly point out to parents the duty and advantages of bringing up their Children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." At a very tender age she had been accustomed to hear such parts of the Holy Scriptures as it was supposed she could understand; and before she had completed her eighth year, she had read, with her mother, the whole of the Old and New Testaments. Since that time, she had devoted a portion of each day to read several chapters of the Bible with the females of the family. The Book of Common Prayer, which she had received from her affectionate grandmother, the late Mrs. R. R. Livingston, she also constantly and attentively perused, as well alone, as with her father; and the Catechism, and several Psalms were committed to memory, and clearly understood, at an early period of her life. She possessed an amiable disposition and a kind heart, and on no occasion was she ever known to employ money entrusted to her own disposal, for any other purpose, than to feed the hungry, and to clothe the naked. Cheerful and happy, she engaged readily in recreations suited to her age, and took great pleasure in accommodating herself to the wishes of her younger sisters. To her parents she was dutiful and affectionate; to all she knew, kind and benevolent. When she was taken sick, it was soon apparent, that Religion afforded her the greatest consolation; she requested her mother to read the Bible to her, and particularly a Psalm which she had just committed to memory. She often prayed, and mentioned, with much pleasure, a Sermon she had heard preached by the Rev. Mr. Montgomery, in which the vani*y and insufficiency of the world to make us happy, had been

clearly shown. This truth appeared to dwell greatly on her mind, and she remarked, that if people would only study the Bible, they would be convinced of it also. The idea that her sickness might terminaje in death, early occurred, and her addresses to God, in the presence of her mother, that he would cleanse her heart, and make her fit to die, were frequent and devout. When her father returned to her chamber, after being informed that she could not, probably, live many hours, she asked what the Doctor had said, and whether it was his opinion that she must shortly die? He answered, My dear Child, you know that you are very sick, and I fear that you cannot recover; you know, also, that life and death are in the hands of God. Do you trust in him, and in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Oh, yes, my dear father, was her reply. Observing her lips to move, he inquired what she said? Iam praying to God. Do so, said he, and let me hear you. She then addressed her Heavenly Father and Saviour in the most fervent manner. When her mother came near her, she desired her parents to pray with her. After which, on being asked, Whether she was not convinced that Christ had come to save sinners? she answered, Only those who have faith in him. On being interrogated by her Father, Whether she had faith in him? she replied, Oh, yes, Papa! and repeated the Apostle's Creed, and the Lord's Prayer; then told him she had been lately learning another Psalm, and repeated the first 10 or 12 and the two last verses of the 139th Psalm, also some verses from a Hymn of Dr. Watts. Again she prayed to God to bless her parents for instructing her early in Religion, and teaching her to love the Bible. You read it with me, my dear mother, said she; and you, my dear father, often read it for me and instructed me in the Catechism-May my sister read it, and love that Blessed Book. Oh! how graicous and good has God been to me!-To him am I indebted for every thing-I might have been born poor, without friends to take care of, or instruct me; instead of which, I have had loving parents and kind friends, who have allowed me to want for nothing. Only think how kind Christ was, to come on earth to save such poor sinners as I am. Overpowered by the consciousness of her own unworthiness, she asked an affectionate cousin, at her bed-side, Whether she thought her sins would be pardoned? On being answered, That a sense of our sins, and sincere sorrow for them, were the surest grounds to hope for pardon, she again prayed, repeated her confidence in the mercy and merits of her Saviour, declaring that she no longer feared to die. She observed, that it was better for her to die now; for if she lived longer she might become sinful. She then entreated her Heavenly Father to bless all those whose kindness she had experienced during her sickness, mentioning them by name; expressed her gratitude to her Physician, and implored the Divine blessing on him for his care and attention. She also devoutly prayed for her Pre

ceptor. The following pious ejaculations are most distinctly recollected: "Oh Lord, in thee have I trusted, let me never be confounded," "Oh Lord, deal not with us according to our sins"" neither reward us according to our iniquities." "If it is thy will, oh Heavenly Father, may this cup pass from me; not mine, but thy will be done." "Oh Lord, thou art the rock of my salvation, and I shall not be confounded." The following was said with great animation: "Who would have thought that this night I should be lying on my dying-bed! Oh, blessed night for me, for I shall sleep in the arms of Jesus-Oh, what a glorious thing it is, to go to my Saviour's kingdom." It is impossible to enumerate the affectionate remarks she addressed to her parents, and the anxiety she showed lest her death should too sensibly affect her mother, whom she entreated to be consoled, and recollect, that her sisters and brother would still stand in need of that love and kindness, which she and they had ever experienced. Afterwards she became silent and composed, and when asked if she knew her parents? replied, Yes, you are my dear mother, and my dear father. When asked if she felt pain? she answered, No pain-quite happy: and continued so to reply as long as she could articulate, and signified the same, by signs when her voice failed, turning to her father and kissing him. After laying some time, during which no groan was heard, nor convulsive motion seen, she ceased to breathe; and her spirit, as we trust, fled to the bosom of that Redeemer, on whose atonement she had confidently relied, for pardon and eternal happiness. New-York, April, 1819.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

SURVEY OF MISSIONARY STATIONS.

(Continued from page 42.)

SOUTH AFRICA.

THE Societies engaged in Missionary Exertions in this quarter, are, the United Brethren, the London Missionary Society, and the Wesleyan Methodists; whose attempts began in the order in which the Societies have just been mentioned. The United Brethren had shown what might be effected, by the Divine Blessing on patient endeavours, even among despised Hottentots: the London Missionary Society, without any great expectations at first from this quarter, has multiplied its stations, and laboured with success even among the wildest inhabitants of the Interior: and the Wesleyan Methodists are following in the same vigorous

career.

There is a School at Cape Town, formed by Mr. Van Wageninge, from the Central School of the National Society. Mr. Van Wageninge is dead, but the School is proceeding with success.

Ten or twelve thousand Slaves in Cape Town, at present a prey to Mahomedan Priests from the Interior, call loudly for Christian compassion.

The frequent intercourse with this country, the protection of the Local Government, and the comparative salubrity of the elimate and cheapness of living, are circumstances favourable to Missionary Undertakings in this quarter.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Cape Town-The Capital of the Colony.-George Thom.Mr. Thom has resided here several years; and has been highly useful to the Europeans, Hottentots, and Slaves. He has taken several long journeys to distant parts of the Colony; preaching, in Dutch, with much acceptance; promoting Auxiliary Societies; and dispensing the Scriptures. He has made application for per mission to build a Chapel, for the purpose of instructing the Slaves.

Stellenbosch.--Twenty-six miles from Cape Town." Nothing," says Mr. Latrobe, in his Journal of his Visit to South Africa, "can be more delightful than the shady avenues planted in every street, defending the inhabitants and their dwellings from the burning rays of the sun."--1802.-J. Bakker. Mr. Bakker is well attended by Slaves and Hottentots, for whose accommodation places have been erected. His infirmities prevent him from extending his labours.

Caledon-About 150 miles E. of Cape Town, formerly called Zurebrach, from the valley in which it is situated.-1811.--John Seidenfaden.

The number of communicants is 70; and of the School-Children, 50. The people amount to 400; but they are poor. The Place of Worship is insufficient for the accommodation of the hearers. A Bible Society has been formed about three years; and a fund for charitable purposes has been established. Improvements have been made in the cultivation, and in roads and fences. In 1817, 70 quarters of wheat were grown.

Hooge Kraal-About 300 miles E. from Cape Town.-1813.-Charles Pacalt.-The Congregation increases so much, that the Chapel is too small. There are 60 School-Children. Communicants are 34, and they walk worthy of their holy vocation. Others are promising. About 406 rix-dollars were paid in taxes, in the year. The great scarcity of wheat disabled the people from sow ing much. This is a flourishing Station.

Bethelsdorp--About 500 miles E. from Cape Town.-1802.J. G. Messer, Evan Evans, F. G. Hooper.-Erasmus Smit from Grace Hill, and W. F. Corner and J. Goeyman, from Hephzibah, were at Bethelsdorp.

Large tracts of land, at some distance from the village are cultivated. Many trades are carried on. They have now a School House and a Printing Office. Many stockings are knit for sale.

VOL. VI.

K