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serviceable as was then anticipated; for since that period she has frequently had much suffering to endure, but more especially for the last four months of her life, when, being worn down by disease, she was wholly confined to her bed, agonized with extreme pain, and which, after two months' excruciating sufferings, were still more aggravated by the fracture of her thigh, while attempting to ease her position by gently moving her; and although the bone was speedily and carefully set, it was discovered after her death never to have united.

The former part of this period was distinguished by severe distress of mind, by gloomy apprehensions as to the sincerity of her professions; the fact of her regeneration, and her prospects in eternity. Yet she had from her early years manifested a strong attachment to the public means of grace, and given symptoms of spiritual life. Her religious friends had discovered in her spiritual tastes and desires, delight in religious ordinances, and a desire to be delivered from the bondage of corruption, a regard for the Divine glory, and a love to the saints, to those whom she esteemed as the excellent of the earth; and besides these things, there was an ingenuous fear of deceiving and being deceived. But she was apt to perplex herself with human opinions, when a simple and direct appeal to the Scriptures, and a resting on them as the unerring testimony of a faithful God, would have given her relief, instead of sifting the emotions of her heart, when her time would have been more satisfactorily employed in contemplating the foundation of her hopes, and without giving way to the encroaching nature of earthly cares, whereby her intercourse was necessarily abridged with that Saviour," whose favour is life, and whose loving-kindness is better than life." It is certain that these topics furnished her with subjects of lamentation in her illness, and she frequently adverted to them for arguments with which to enforce the solemn admonition to her friends, to beware of formality and negligence in matters of religion, and urging upon them never to forget the reverence due to Scripture in making it the standard of appeal. But whatever clouds might rest upon her mind for a time, it pleased Him, who is the hearer and answerer of prayer, to disperse them, and to inspire her with a tranquillizing confidence in the promises of grace, for some time before her death, when her serenity was as remarkable as before they had been distressing. When she came near the Jordan, the waters divided, and she passed over on dry ground.

The day and night before her departure, she was often anxious to say something to those who waited upon her, but was no longer able to speak. Her pains seemed to be now removed her mind was tranquil and serene

and she appeared to be leaning on the arm

of her beloved. In the morning her husband held her by the hand for several hours, with anxious solicitude, to ascertain the state of her mind now she was evidently sinking into the arms of death, and said to her, "Now, my love, you are drawing very near to the end of all your sufferings; I hope all your fears of death are dissipated; that you feel assured that Jesus loves you, and died for you; and that, therefore, you love him, and will soon be with him for ever. If so, give me the sign by pressing my hand with your fingers," which she did, and shortly after gently breathed her last, without a struggle or a groan.

Her remains were interred in the family grave, Bunhill Fields, on the Wednesday following, and on the next Lord's day, Oct. 2nd, her funeral sermon was preached by her pastor, the Rev. Samuel Ambrose Davies, from Prov. xiv. 32, "The righteous hath hope in his death."

MRS. SARAH FELLOWS, OF WOOBURN, BUCKS.

The Christian religion is one of purity and superlative excellence. Its Author is divine, and from him nothing but good can proceed. The person who cordially receives the truth, so as to live under its sanctifying influence, most resembles God, and is most worthy of our admiration and esteem. Yet, in attempting to delineate character, we too seldom can call to remembrance those in whom religion appeared in its native worth and amiable attractions. But the writer has to record the name of an aged mother in Israel, who was one of the choicest ornaments in the Christian church, as all who knew her can testify. The late Mrs. Sarah Fellows, of Wooburn, Bucks, who was the senior member of the Independent church in that place, having been admitted at its first formation by her relative, the late Rev. Thomas Grove, in the year 1773; was called to the knowledge of the truth under the preaching of the pious Mr. Francis Blackwell, a man of true apostolic zeal. She had, indeed, been accustomed to attend a prayer-meeting with her mother before there was preaching by a stated minisMrs. Fellows, her sister, and a few others, were in the habit of attending what were called by them conference-meetings. One of these was held at a place about two miles from her residence; yet she was accustomed to be present, though held early on the Lord's-day morning. This pious female met for some time with a considerable degree of opposition, and underwent some very painful trials; but she was a faithful servant, and was therefore decided. There never was a greater lover of God's house, for in this she was an example worthy of imitation. When health would permit, she was never absent at the seasons of worship; and she did not attend herself only, and also required her

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servants to do the same, but was in the practice of calling on the members of the church and others to ask how it was she had not seen them in their places in the sanctuary; so that her late friend, Rev. Matthew Wilks, was accustomed, in his quaint and rather blunt way, to call her the belwether, which was certainly characteristic of her. This eminent Christian would seldom part with a minister or a friend without requesting him to pray with her. Indeed her whole soul was engaged in religion; it was her very element. It might be truly said she walked with God. We do not mean to intimate that she was perfect. No, she, with all others, had her failings, and of these she was very sensible, and mourned over them, and was ever remarkable for humility; but, amidst every imperfection, there was in her an uniformity of conduct that did credit to her profession. Sincerity and integrity were distinguished traits in her character. There was nothing in our aged friend of mere appearance, nothing of disguise; and hence, the more she was known, the more she was esteemed. No characters were more disliked by her than the smooth, the canting, and the deceitful. She preferred the crusted diamond to the showy but rotten fruit; she was in fact an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile. This appears to have been her motto: "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me." The fidelity of this venerable saint was thought by some to be a bluntness of manners; for she spake as she thought; however, nothing but good was her intention. Mrs. F. was a very liberal contributor to the cause of Christ, both at home and abroad; and what she freely gave was not of her great abundance, but the fruit of economy. We believe that few, with her limited income, did so much; for she denied herself many things which others would have thought necessary for her station in life, for she was esteemed one of the most respectable inhabitants of the village, and justly so. The zeal of this honoured disciple on behalf of the gospel did not make her indifferent to the poor around her, for she was in the habit of visiting them and relieving their wants. Her minister has often had the honour and grateful pleasure of presenting to the needy and to the sick her bounty. She would often say to him, "You are going to such a place to-day or to morrow; shall you see such an one?"—and would put into his hand something to give to the person. The dear departed once said to a friend, I want a new cloak; but then if I should purchase one, some of the poor will, perhaps, want a meal." To show the disposition of this good woman towards the church with which she was united, it may be mentioned, that she would frequently inquire after the different members, and she rejoiced in the addition of new

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ones. She would often ask how the sub

scriptions went on, ever being anxious for her minister's support and comfort, towards which she was liberal herself. It is worthy of remark, that while Mrs. F. rejoiced to hear of large collections for missionary or other objects, she would say, "I hope home is not neglected." And when her pastor went to any public meeting, she would give him something to put into the plate. This eminent Christian felt great anxiety for the spiritual welfare of her family. Her soul was sometimes almost overwhelmed when thinking of the affecting state of her children. Deep were her sighs for them, and many and fervent her prayers. But to come to the closing scene: This aged saint was long and painfully afflicted; wearisome days and nights were appointed to her; but amidst all, her greatest comfort was derived from true religion and the prayers of her friends. Her constant cry was for mercy, till her strength was often spent, and she would frequently call her maid to read and pray with her; and was herself almost always praying or repeating verses of hymns, some of which we had marked down, but they are too numerous to mention. However, one was,

"Oh, for a heart to praise my God;
A heart from sin set free;

A heart that's sprinkled with the blood
So freely spilt for me!"

She was frequently heard to say in prayer, "Heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee." ""Receive me graciously, and love me freely." "Oh! that the Lord would prepare me, and take me to himself." "Let me die the death of the righteous, &c." "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." She felt the need of patience, and on the day of her death she said, "I must go, I must go.' Though the dear departed had no raptures, she was composed, trusting in her Redeemer. length she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, in the 91st year of her age. Thus she "came to her grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season,

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MR. RICHARD PARKINSON.

At

Died, Nov. 12, 1831, at Hythe, in Kent, at the advanced age of nearly eighty-two years, Mr. Richard Parkinson, formerly of Distaff Lane, London; a man highly and deservedly esteemed by all who knew him for his sterling piety, uprightness of character, and conscientiousness in all his dealings, both as a man of business and as a Christian. He was born at Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, was sent to London when very young, and evinced the true fear of God from the days of his youth. He had for many years been a consistent member of the church of Christ, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Barber, now under that of the Rev. Mr. Dean, at Aldermanbury Postern, to which he continued united to the last. Some time after the

death of his wife, in the month of December, 1817, he left London to reside in the family of his daughter, at Hythe, in Kent, and regularly communicated with the church of Christ there, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Marsh. In this situation he ever manifested a strong attachment to, and anxious solici tude for, its spiritual interests and prosperity, as well as for the inhabitants of the place in general.

During the last thirty years of his life he had been completely deprived of his hearing; notwithstanding which he never absented himself from the public or more private means of grace, unless prevented by illness. He always considered "God's house as his dwelling-place," for he loved the habitation of God's house, and the place where his "honour dwelleth," to which he frequently retired by himself and alone to pour out his prayers and supplications for the prosperity of the church, his country, and the world at large.

As he could not hear any thing, he always had recourse to those who sat near him to point him to the hymns sung, the chapters read, and the minister's text; then, fixing his eyes steadfastly on the preacher, formed some ideas in his own mind of the plan which would be adopted and pursued; so that he always found it good to be there, and was greatly rejoiced when explained to him by others, especially when it happened to harmonize with his own pre-conceived views of the subject.

He was a man of much prayer, and uniformly attended all the social prayer-meetings, on which occasion he was frequently called upon to engage; which circumstance, as he could not hear others, speaks the powerful language of reproof to those members of churches who enjoy the invaluable blessing of hearing, together with that of leisure and opportunity, and yet are so very seldom seen uniting with the rest of their brethren in this all-important and hallowed exercise.

In a letter addressed to the writer, from the minister at Hythe, in reference to the closing scene and character of the deceased, he says, His sun set in full splendour. Looking

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and seeing me at his bed-side, he said, "I'am waiting at the foot of the cross until my Lord shall call me;' and, I suppose, feeling some pain, added, after a short pause,

Oh, sin, sin, what hast thou done!' These were among his last words. It was my privilege to visit him frequently during his confinement and sickness, which, from the first, I felt persuaded would end in death. On every occasion what holy confidence in the

riches of divine grace!-what settled calmness he manifested! I scarcely ever saw him, but good old Jacob was present to my mind, and his pious exclamation, as it were, on my tongue-'I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.'

"In our little church we have sustained a loss, whether we look at his constant and unwearied attendance at our meetings, public and private; his lively and unabating zeal in the ways of God; or his earnest and devout supplications at the throne of grace. He walked with God. Some few months since, a friend from Cambridge and myself went into the chapel, and found your brother engaged in silent prayer. Being deaf, he did not hear us enter. We stood several minutes and witnessed with unusual pleasure his uplifted hands and marked devotion. We retired without his knowledge. To my friend I said, You may travel many miles and not be blessed with such a sight.' The impression produced is still strong on my mind. Of him it may be said, he was at home in the house of God.

"He made religion his chief concern; but withal was a true patriot, a lover of his country, and often wept between the porch and the altar for the sins of the people. He had passed through his trials, difficulties, and perplexities of various descriptions: but his warfare is over-the days of his mourning are ended. He was a faithful man, and feared God above many.' During the last fortnight he was entirely confined to his bed, worn down by pain and disease, longing to depart and to be with Christ. A little before his departure he was seized with a convulsive struggle, which was soon over, when he peacefully and calmly closed his eyes in death, and came to his grave in full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season!'"

His funeral sermon was preached on Lord's-day afternoon, Nov. 20th, by the Rev. Mr. Marsh, to an attentive and full congregation, from the text himself had chosen, Rev. iii. 11: "Behold I come quickly; hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."

REV. MR. DAVIES.

We regret to inform our readers, that the Rev. Mr. Davies, of Edmonton, has been called away from an affectionate church, and a sorrowing family, in the midst of his usefulness. He died of a rapid decline. He was a good minister of Jesus Christ.

FOR JUNE, 1832.'

Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the Funds of this Society will be thankfully received by the Treasurer or Secretaries, at the Mission House, 26, Austin Friars, London; in Edinburgh, by Mr. George Yule; in Glasgow, by Mr. William M'Gavin ; and in Dublin, by Messrs. J. D. La Touche and Co., or at 7, Lower Abbey-street.

THE THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

London Missionary Society.

THE Annual Meeting of the Society was held, this year, in the large room, at EXETER HALL, where, at an early hour, a numerous and respectable assembly was collected, which was afterwards increased till the spacious apartment was entirely, and even crowdedly, filled. It is gratifying to add, that we do not recollect to have observed, on any former Anniversary of the Society, a more seriously-attentive auditory, or one apparently more deeply and intensely impressed with the vast and solemn importance of the object, and with the weighty obligations of all Christians to promote it, than we witnessed on the late occasion. Nor can we help auguring from the general spirit and tone of the Meeting-enlightened and cheering, subdued yet decided, as they were—an increased devotedness and zeal on the part of those who composed it, in their future support of the glorious cause, and also on the part of those members of the Society who were not present on the occasion, but who, from the influence of those who were, will receive an increased warmth to their zeal and an additional stimulus to their exertions—so that in the issue all may be led to dedicate their piety, their talents, their property, their strength, and their time, more unreservedly and entirely, to the adoption and promotion of measures for the enlargement of the Society's permanent resources—and thus put it into the power of the Directors to enlarge the sphere of its permanent operations, for the advancement of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal salvation of multitudes who dwell in Pagan, and other unenlightened parts of the world.

We proceed, as usual, to communicate particulars of the various services, as well as the proceedings at the Annual Meeting.

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In the introduction some remarks were made on the rise and progress of the missionary spirit in modern times, and on the success with which God has blessed the labours of the London Missionary Society, and the other kindred institutions leagued with it in the same holy warfare. In accordance with what appeared to the preacher to be the design of such meetings as the present to animate to persevering exertion in the cause of Christ-he had selected the words of St. Paul as the subject of discourse -Striving together for the faith of the gospel.

He began with some observations on the faith of the gospel. The phrase denotes the same thing with what in other places of the New Testament is called, "the faith which was once delivered to the saints"-the truth as it is in Jesus-the gospel of God or of Christ. To ascertain what the faith of the gospel is, it was noticed, that we must have recourse to the Holy Scriptures, the only infallible standard of the belief and practice of Christians; that we are to take their declarations in their plain and obvious sense, and that our researches are to be conducted with diligence, humility, and prayer to the Father of lights. A brief statement was then given of the leading and essential doctrines of the gospel. While it recognises the unity of God, it reveals to us the threefold personal distinction in the Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; it contemplates man as in a fallen condition; it unfolds the plan which the God of mercy has devised for the deliverance of our guilty race from sin, and their restoration to holiness and happiness. The great agent in this scheme is the only begotten Son of God, the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person; for the accomplishment of it, in the fulness of time he was manifested in our nature, and gave himself for us "an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling savour." The blessings which he has procured by his death, and is now exalted to dispense, are many and invaluable-pardon-the influences of the Holy Spirit-and eternal glory. The gospel calls upon us to believe on Jesus -to receive him as our teacher, our priest, our sovereign; and assures us that, on our believing, all these blessings shall be ours. In conclusion it was remarked, that in the scheme of salvation which the gospel reveals, grace reigns through righteousness—that in it provision is made for every evil under which we labour, and that as it is needed by all, so it is adapted to men of every clime.

The language of the apostle, concerning the faith of the gospel, was next considered. The Philippians are exhorted to strive together for it. They were to hold it fast in its original purity-but this was not all-they were to endeavour to extend the knowledge of it. Adopting this latter view of the text, it was noticed that it suggests this important

observation-that as it is the duty of all Christians to aid, so all of them have the means of aiding, in disseminating the faith of the gospel. They may do this, and they are bound to do it, by cultivating purity of heart and life, and maintaining an exemplary deportment by their pecuniary contributions-by uniting and co-operating with one another in measures and efforts to promote this most important object--and by their humble, importunate, and believing prayers.

But more, it was stated, was implied in the text, than that all Christians may aid, and are bound to aid, in disseminating the faith of the gospel,-it also suggests to us, that in this good work Christians are to be zealous, and to engage with all their might. The original term, which is rendered striving, is borrowed from those games so celebrated in ancient times, the competitors in which exerted their utmost skill and strength to obtain the palm. To stimulate the zeal of Christians, it was observed-that the diffusion of the gospel is a work which requires their most strenuous exertions, on account of the formidable and inveterate opposition which it has to encounter-that it is worthy of them, on account of the important ends with which it is intimately, nay, essentially, connected - the glory of God, the best interests of the children of men, and the honour of our blessed Redeemer. And, in fine, that the exertions of Christians shall not be in vain in the Lord.

The sermon was concluded with a few observations adapted to the occasion of the meeting, recommending the London Missionary Society to the Christian regards of the audience, soliciting in its favour their efforts, their prayers, and their pecuniary liberality; and reminding them that, as the time in which we shall be called to strive for the faith of the gospel is precarious, and cannot possibly be long, whatsoever our hand finds to do, we should do it instantly, as well as with all our might.

TABERNACLE.

After prayer by the Rev. Mr. Adey, of Ramsgate, Rev. J. Morison, D.D., preached to a crowded and attentive auditory, from the words of God to Moses, Numbers xiv. 21But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.

After an appropriate introduction, which tended to illustrate the circumstances in which the prediction of the text was originally uttered, and which was fitted to stimulate the friends of missionary enterprise. The preacher proposed the following outline of thought:

I. To inquire what we are to understand by the glory of the Lord?

11. To mark the vast field upon which that glory is to be displayed.

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