MR. JOSEPH KESTIN, Obituary. AGED TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS, enabled, before I was so weak in work, he will carry it on till the day of Jesus Christ.” "These light afflictions which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight or glory." Oh the precious blood of Christ, that cleanseih from all sin!" Observing his wife filled with grief, he said, "Do not grieve for me; trust in the Lord, and, I hope, we shall meet again in glory. it is our duty to submit to the will of God." On being asked if the word of God should be read to him, he desired that they would read of the precious blood of Christ. On the Sabbath-day morning he desired to get up; he sat up about four hours, and feeling himself quite exhausted in body, he said, "I feel I am worse; I find this body fast dissolving; I do not think I shail recover now; indeed, I do not wish it. "Thanks be to God that giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." On the succeeding sabbath he was evidently approaching the confines of the grave. He desired his wife to read a hymn of Dr. Watts. Within a few hours of his departure, his wife went to his bed-side, and observed his lips move as though in fervent prayer. He soon after opened his eyes, and with eagerness addressed her, "Oh, my dear, I am going to glory, happy, happy, happy. I am going to sing praises to God and the Lamb I am going to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I think I can see my Jesus without a glass between. I can, I feci I can, discern "my title clear to mansions in the skies." Come, Lord Jesus, come! why are thy chariot-wheels so long delaying?" He desired his mother might be called, of whom he took a last farewell, and said, "I hope to meet you in glory." He then addressed those around him with this awful admomition, "Prepare to meet your God: it will be but a short period before the youngest of you must exchange time for an eternity." He prayed for his dear partner, and exhorted her to put her trust in the Lord. He observed, it was a mercy that he had been afflicted: "What have my sufferings been, when compared to those of my Saviour!" When the enemy of souls made his last attempt to distress him, his wife observed, that his views of glory were not so bright as before: he said, "I certainly have bad clearer views; but I believe there is a mansion prepared for me above;" and then repeated, Lord, I believe thou hast prepar'd, Unworthy tha' I be, Forme a blood-bought free reward; A goldeu harp for me. After this, he could not be heard to speak; but by the movement of his hips it could be perceived he was saying, "Come, coine, come;" when his redeemed soul fed from its earthly tabernacle, to enjoy that eternal rest that is prepared for the people of God. “And there shall in novise enter into it any thing that delict, neither whatsoever workein abomination or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Mr. Gill, of Market Harborough, frequently visited him during his confinement, to the great satisfaction of himself and friends, and preach ed his funeral sermon from 1 Cor. XV. 57. MR. JOHN BELL, Late Student in Hoxton Academy., THIS amiable and promising youth was brought to an early acquaintance with the gospel, and received much spiritual good trader the ministry of Mr. Parsons, of Leeds. Some time after this, he devoted himself to the important work of the ministry, and was admitted as a student into Hoxton Academy. For about twelve months he pursued his studies with great diligence and success; and, while he increased his literary tainments, he neglected not is cultivate a close and growing acquaintance with divine things. His temper and conduct were exemplary to a high degree. To his fellowstudents he shewed the affection of a brother. No disposition manifested itself which could for a moment excite a painful feeling in any breast. Bajoying the happy and peaceful spirit which the gospel inspires, he endeavoured to promote the happiness and harmony of all around him. To his tutors he always paid a deference and respect; which proved at once his readiness to learn, and his gratitude to those who assisted him in his studies. His aind was humble and teachable, and formed for obtaining a rapid and extensive acquaintance with the various subjects of literature. In his attention to study he was ardent and persevering; in als piety he shewed an habitual consistency and seriousness; and, by the whole of his deportment, he indicated, to,no common degree, the deep conviction he had of the importance of his situation, as one separated to the work of the sanctuary. Much were his tutors and toms of a consumption began to fellow-students affected when sympappear. Though in different places round the metropolis he tried to obtain relief by the change of air, his health continued to decline. After a few months, he returned to the house of his parents, at Leyburn, near Leeds; and from thence the following brief account of the few last mouths of his life was re ceived. During his illness of fourteen months," says his affectionate sister, my brother was never heard to uiter a murmur or a complaint. Whenever asked by any friend how he felt himself, he always replied with a smile, that he was tolerably well. He seemned desirous that his sufferings should be feit by none but himself. My mother frequently asked him how he felt with regard to death; and his answer always was, "Quite happy, and perfectly resigned to the will of God.”. For above two months before his death, he was nearly deprived of his speech, wing to some disorder in his throat. He often expressed a great desire to talk, but could not Sometimes, however, we could hear him distinctly, by laying our ears close to his hips; but this generally brought on his cough, vinca, towards the last, was very violent. The question which had been often asked him, and as often answered, with great satisfaction to his friends, respect. See the kind angels at the gates, A short time after, he said, “O that I might awake up in glory!" "Not," added he, as if checking himself, "that I wish to get rid of suttering here." Many other remarks be made, but they could not be distinctly heard, From this time his difficulty in breathing increased, and he seemed much in prayer till nine o'clock, when he breathed his last without a groan or sigh, and seemed perfectly sensible till the last minute. Thus died this respectable and much lamented young man, at the age of 20. The gospel he had embraced, and when it was his ardent wish to publish among dying mea, was found by himself to be an enectual solace in the extremities of sickness and death. Though not permit ted to enter fully upon the work of the ministry, his Divine Master sees actions in the designs that lead to them; and has already said, It was well that it was in thine heart." MBS. G. EVILL. DIED ali, December 9, 1806, in the 70th year of her age, Mrs. G, Evil, forly-áve years member of the Laptist Church now under the pastora; çare of Mr. Porter. From her first seizure, with a paralytic stroke, she expected the result, and spoke of it with much She resignation and composure. had glorified God by her life, and found him to be the strength of her heart, and her portion in death. Her references to the Saviour were She frequent and affectionate. would repeat, "Other refuge have I none: Kangs my helpless soul on thee." Extending her hand, she said, "Let me touch the hem of his garment." When drinking cold water, she compared it to the water of life, "of which," she said, “I am going to drink, and I shall eat too of the bread of life, and of the hidden mua." She noticed the commencement of the Sabbath, saying, "I shall soon joia the assembly which never breaks up ;" and immediately added, "There shall I see his face; and never, never, never, sin." The evening previous to her seizure, she heard Mr. from these words,' "Who maketh thee to dr?" These words she frequently repeated with fervent gratitude. The 1031 Psalm being read, she dwell with emphasis on the words "Childrens' children,” expressing an earnest desire to see all her grandchildren in Heaven. Being supported by one of her children, she said, "May God put his everlasting arms around you.” She adverted often to these lines, "Jesus, thy blood and righteousness My beauties are, my glorious dress." The vein of scriptural sentiment, and the joy which pervaded her last moments, were equally astonishing and delightful. So may her child, rén, and so may all our readers, take their leave of surviving friends and the world. Her funeral sermon was preached to the numerous branches of her family, and to a large congregation, by Mr. Porter, from Peaim lxxiii. 24. RECENT DEATH. Dec, 23d, died the Rev. M. Powley, M. A. 'twenty-nine years Vicar of Dewsbury, near Wakefield, REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. A Catechism for the Us of all the Churches in the French Empire. Translated from the French, with a Pref and Notes, by David Bogue, 12m0, 35, 6d. WHEN this publication was first announced, no small degree of curiosity was excited; but the perusal of it will turn that curiosity into astonishment, for no Protestant could have expected, after what has happened in France, that such a production should have issued from the national preas. It might have been hoped that the experience of France, in the effect of her religious absurdities and mumeries, which certainly gave occasion to the Revolution, and swelled that torrent of Infidelity and Atheism which carried all before it, would have prevailed to render their new formula less exceptionable than that which originated in the ages of palpable darkness: but we are here surprized to find all the former errors and superstitions of the Papal church restored, restored by the authority of a man who has proved himself an arch-infidel! The infallibility of the church, the distinction between mortal and venial sins, the seven sacraments, transubstantiation, confession to the Priest, indulgences, satisfaction, purgatory, the worship of created beings, are all retained, but very properly animadverted upon by the worthy editor, whose introduction and notes do him much honour. Mr. Bogue observes, that the sources from whence the Catechism is drawn, are the Apocrypha and Tradition, and not the divinely inspired Scriptures of truth. Indeed, it is chietly copied from that of Bossuet, the celebrated Bishop of Meaux (the zealous defender of Popery against the Protestants, in the days of Louis XVth) a principal design of the work seems to be to establish the authority of Napoleon, as will appear from the following questions, &c. 66 Q. What are the duties of Christians in regard to the princes who govera them? and in particular, What are our duties towards Napoléon I, our Emperor? "A. Christians owe to the princes who govern them, and, we owe in particular to Napoleon 1, our Emperor, love, respect, bedience, military ser wiec, &c. "Q. Why are we bound to all these duties?" &c. The answer refers first to God, who creates Empires, and who distributes them according to his will," in loading our Emperor with favours; and who has made him his image on earth" it is also added, because "he is be come the anointed of the Lord, by the consecration which he has received front the Chief Pontiff, Head of the Uni versal Church." The editor justly observes, that * the moral duties which it specifies, are all on one side; and that what inferiors owe to their superiors, is minutely de tailed and sternly enjoined; but what superiors owe to their inferiors, will be sought for in vain; for not a word on the subject is to be found." In short, we may see from this spe cimen, that whatever light is diffused in the world, Popery appears to he still the same; and, disgusted as the rational reader will be at many things which he will meet with in this Cate chism, he may indulge a hope, that the retention of all the old and preposterous absurdities of the Papal church may have a favourable influence on the Protestants in France, in rendering Popery more abominable to them, and in inducing thinking persons to forsake the Roman Catholic church, and unite themselves to a purer body. The ridi culous zeal of Bonaparte will probably produce the same happy effect, for he labours to restore what, after the des tection of the impostures of priesteraft in the revolution, might have been thought impossible, the reverence for relics! for we are assured that he has lately transported, with solenn pomp from Italy, the identical crown of thorns worn by our Saviour! On the whole, we think that this pub lication will have a valuable tendency 1 it will render the British Protestant thankful for deliverance from the sys tem of Popish error, au careful to resist any attempt that may be made for its revival in this country. Oriental Customs, or ai Illustration af the Sacred Scriptures, e. By 3. Burder. Vol. 11, S20, Price gs. OUR judgment of the utility of a work of this kind, and of the merit of Mr. Burder's former volume, was ex pressed in our Magazine for 1802, p. 10. The strong recommendation which we gave, appears to have been confirmed by the public demand for a new edition of that book; and the success attending it, has encouraged the author to fulfil a purpose which he then intimated in his Preface. The present volume is strictly what he proposed, "of a similar nature, though perfectly distinct" from the former, and contains elucidations of a great number of texts, collected with no small labour from a variety of writers, and with such a constant regard to conciseness, that the reader possesses "much in a little." This volume, like the former, is well adapted to the help of Biblical students, whether devoted to the work of the ministry, or laudably desirous of acquiring an accurate knowledge of the sacred Scriptures. We gladly, therefore, recommend his present publication, as a desirable addition to his former valuable work; and close with observing, that it may be used with benefit, separately from the first volume, as well as jointly with it. The Young Christian's Guide, or Suitable Directions, Cautions, and Encouragement to the Believer on his First Entrance into the Divine Life. By Charles Buck, 12m0, 35. THE Christian world is already much indebted to M. Buck for several useful publications. The present volume is dedicated to the service of young converts, and especially to young per sons. His design is to state the duties of young professors, to suggest cautions, to encourage them in their difficulties; and he has judiciously interspersed a number of incidents and anecdotes to render the work more pleasing. We have not room fully to state the variety of subjects which this little volume embraces. The following is an abstract: Chap. 1, Religion of Importance, Doctrines the Foundation of Religion, Doctrines stated, Decision in them necessary, &c - · Chap. 2, Religion not speculative, Experience explained, how abused, to be reviewed, but not depended upon; — Chap. 3, Holy Practice the Result of Right Principles, Meditation, Self-Examination, Prayer, Reading the Scriptures, Human Authors; -- Chap. 4, The Sabbath, Public Worship, Ministers, Coming to the Lord's Table, Objec tions answered; Chap. 5, Zeal, Sted IN these discourses the author is anxious to impress the bearts of his hearers by au affectionate address from I Thess. i. 5. In the first sermon he enquires, On what accounts the apostles termed the message they delivered Our Gospel? and shews in what manner it was received by the Thessalonians. In the second, he points out" by what means they may secure such a reception of it among themselves;" and supplies urgent considerations to engage them to receive the gospel, not in word only, but in power." In the close of the second sermon, the author says to his hearers," De. part then from the house of God, making that improvement of these discourses which your consciences may direct you" and he adds, "With regard to the mere opinions you may form of them, we are wholly indifferent, any farther than as a favourable judgment may be the precursor of your own profit." With regard, however, to the opinions of his readers, he appears to entertain more anxiety; for in his Preface, which he calls Notice to the Public, he expresses a hope that "the severity of Criticism will be superceded by the mildness of Candour;" and promises that, if "this be granted, he will thankfully submit himself to the stroke of benevolent reproof, aiming to amend |
