Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

quaintance with a person of libertine and infidel principles, who, by fallacious arguments, endeavoured to convince her that the Bible was an imposition, and that it was irrational to credit its doctrines. Books of a sceptical and seductive tendency were recommended but too successfully to her attention, and she was soon persuaded to embrace notions hostile to the glory of God, and her own honour and happiness: but this infidel assassin, for such epithets he righteously merits, had a base object to accomplish, in which he well knew he could not better succeed, than by first undermining her faith in the Gospel, after which she would become an easy prey to his infamous and designing arts. But to return to Mary-her mind became gradually resigned to a separation from Miss F., though her attachinent was too strong to allow her altogether to relinquish the acquaintance. The immortal interest of her friend was an object of great concern, and scarcely ever did she address a throne of grace, but her friend's case was deeply impressed upon her mind. She embraced every opportunity of being in her company, but was constantly enabled to decline attending her to places of public amusement, using at the same time every argument she could devise, to dissuade her from practices and pursuits so hostile to her spiritual welfare, unhappily without effect. So fascinated did Miss F. become with the theatre, and so fearfully did she depart from her religious profession, that about this time she was induced, by various circumstances, to offer herself as a stageplayer, and so far succeeded as to rehearse before the managers of Drury Lane with approbation. She, however, met with some subsequent disappointments, which induced her to relinquish this project. The state of her mind now such as might be ex

relations: this they declined; upon which he entreated them in affectionate terms to give up the prosecution of a measure so fraught with a thousand troubles, which they never had conceived of. His expostulations happily had the desired effect, and they returned home, without seeing the merchant. On their return, Mary found a letter from her mother, desiring she would come to her immediately. To this parental command she could not refuse obedience. Her mother urged, in the strongest terms, the importance of a separation between her daughter and Miss F. This was very painful to her, but she yielded to the command of her mother, determining at the same time to avail herself of the opportunities which might occur of associating with her friend. I have alluded to another acquaintance, which these two young women had formed, and of which I shall here introduce a few particulars.—Belinda was the daughter of respectable parents, but her father dying when she was young, her mother married again; and Belinda's situation, as she grew up, proving unpleasant to her, she had left her home, and was endeavouring to promote her own interest with her friends. Among these was a Mrs. H., a woman of singular piety, who had often expressed a wish that Belinda possessed grace equal to her gifts. Her high esteem for this excellent lady, was most probably her first inducement to make a profession of religion; but, as her convictions had no better origin than interest, it is not surprising that, in the time of temptation, she should fall away. She appeared to possess much acquaintance with the Bible, and could converse with great fluency on the doctrines and precepts of Scripture. She was fond of reading, and ardently attached to poetry. Unhappily she had formed an ac

was

66

pected, after having forsaken her professions of attachment to the Gospel of our Lord. And in a conversation with Mary on the subject, in which she could but recollect the seasons when her pursuits were widely different, she burst into tears, and said, once I was happy, but now am like one standing on a precipice: the next step involves me in inconceivable ruin." Her friend asked for an explanation, and found she had been receiving proposals from a Captain in the army, who was altogether a person of bad character, and destitute of honourable intentions. Mary then entreated her friend to reflect on the effects of such conduct, and to implore God to prevent her from falling a victim to such temptations. She appeared to listen to the expostulations of her friend, and promised once again to use those means of grace in which she formerly seemed to delight, and to seek consolation and happiness in that religion which she had so awfully forsaken. The two friends mingled their tears together, and Mary hoped that Miss F. would again be brought back to see the evil of sin, and take delight in the ways of righteousness and peace. But in these fond hopes she was pitiably disappointed. The public worship of God was soon entirely given up, and in answer to the affectionate entreaties of her friend, she would often say," If you love me, I request, as the greatest evidence of your affection, that you will talk no more on religious subjects to me." While things were thus going back with Miss F. Mary found that Belinda, her other young friend, was departing still more awfully from the way of righteousness and peace, The sceptical prejudices of her mind increased, and she very soon entirely relinquished her religious profession, and, together with Miss F., indulged in the gaiety and dis

sipation of worldly amusements. Mary still felt unwilling to break off her acquaintance, and anxiously endeavoured to set before them the extreme danger of the course of life which they were pursuing. Calling upon them one evening, she found them preparing to go to Vauxhall, dressed out with a degree of extravagance ill becoming their rank in life. She was invited to join in their amusement, but was enabled resolutely to decline, and informed them of her determination never more to be found in those places of dissipation. Her resolutions and remonstrances, however, only excited their ridicule. They pleaded haste, as an excuse, and bade her adieu. This unexpected withdrawment of her friends threw her mind into great agitation, for she still much loved them, especially Miss F. She hesitated what to do, and was more than half determined to follow them; but recollecting there was preaching at the Tabernacle, in Moorfields, thither she went, though with a greatly distracted mind. She strove much to attend to the truths delivered by the preacher from these words, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" She was enabled to enter into the subject, and to see the impropriety of undue attachment to earthly objects, and to say before she left the place, "Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee." She determined from this time to relinquish her dangerous. attachment for her two young friends, whilst she would not cease to pray continually for deliverance from those errors and sins in which she saw they were entangled. But her unhappy acquaintances went on greedily indulging more and more in the vain and delusive pleasures of the world, which were void of satisfaction or comfort to their minds.

We have already hinted that Belinda had fallen a victim to the

base deceiver, who, destitute alike of feeling and of principle, had now entirely deserted her. In this distressing and awful situation, the affliction of her mind was not to be described. She had made several attempts at self-destruction. Miss F., knowing the state of her mind, invited her to a lodging in the house she possessed. The in vitation was accepted, and from that period is to be dated the awful and tragical project to which satan and their guilty consciences urged them. A pious friend, who had received some intimation of the distracted state of Belinda's mind, visited her about this time, and sought opportunities of directing her views to the merciful provisions of the Gospel to restore repenting sinners, adding, "I once knew you a happy girl, and am concerned to see you so uncomfortable, but hope the Lord will soon manifest himself to your soul as the God of grace and everlasting love, and that, being restored to you the joys of salvation, you will be a comfort and a blessing to your friends." But the poor deluded girl, interrupting her, replied, "Speak not of a reformation or a change taking place in my mind; for if I thought God intended to effect a change in me, and I were capable, I would wrest the power out of his hands!" This awful declaration quite horrified her friend, and sealed her lips on religious subjects; but, turning to Miss F. she endeavoured to say something solemn and impressive to her, in the hope of exciting repentance and feeling in her mind. But she also replied, they were actuated by one soul, and therefore their sentiments were unanimous, of which they would soon give a manifestation." Other Christian friends tendered their advice, to whom they said, "They needed no reproof, for every thing in nature preached to their consciences, and rendered them more

[ocr errors]

miserable than the power of argument could do." In reply to others, they said, "They wished they had never heard the Gospel, which they knew would heighten their condemnation." Alas! all they ever knew of the Gospel was confined to notions falsely called religion; the one, doubtless, having professed it from the habit of education alone, whilst the only motive which had actuated the other, was a high esteem for the character of a dear friend: but to the vital power of the Gospel it was evident they were both strangers; and to them it therefore proved the "savour of death unto death."

Mary, in the mean time, was enabled, through divine mercy, to experience, in an increased degree, the preciousness of the Saviour. The displays of his love and mercy had strengthened her confidence in him, and she found the ways of religion to be those of pleasantness and peace; hence she wished to be more devoted to him in body, soul, and spirit, and she was encouraged to devote herself to the Lord, and to enter into covenant with him at the sacramental table. She now united. herself to the church of the Rev. Mr. A., under whose ministry she had all along found so much benefit. Here she constantly attended the ordinances, and found the labours of this servant of God increasingly blessed to her soul. She entertained much diffidence with respect to herself, but by faith was enabled to lay hold on one that is mighty, who is also able to keep us from falling. Thus, for a season, she went on her way rejoicing. But she says in her letters, "Alas! an awful storm was gathering, which must have driven me to despair, had it not been for the secret support of divine grace." Her mind had for several months been held in great suspense, on account of her two young friends, of whom she now

seldom received any tidings. They had removed from the apartments they formerly occupied, and changed their names, that their friends might be prevented from finding them, and compelling them to return home. Miss F. having been apprized that this was the intention of her parents, they were both hurried on to commit the dreadful act which I am about to relate. Mary's description, which is given with the vividness of one that had watched the whole proceeding, and with the feeling of a heart which had but narrowly escaped the apostacy into which they fell, will be more acceptable to your readers than any thing I could write. She says, "Methinks I see them, in all the horrors of despair, leave their apartment-the night intensely cold (the second of February) having to walk more than a mile in the dead of the night. Oh! what was the night's sable curtain to the blackness and darkness in which their souls were involved. Great Sovereign of universal nature, forgive thy creature, who dares to offer one sentiment opposite to what is pleasing in thy sight! I thought-were they prevented-Ah! be hushed, my passion! They move slowly onthey seem more than half determined to return. Again my prayer ascends !-But oh! what fiend is that pursues them? A foe implacable; sworn enemy to God and man! He is busy still! Hush! What does he say?-Oh, horrid ! He bids them venture down into the watry grave. See! they draw back!-Ah, what says he now? Why now he calls it cowardice, and grows more bold. -They have no shield of faith! Now! now descend!' he cries, 'the time of mercy is over, and heaven never was designed for you! They hear-they seem attentive-his lies believe-and, dismal to relate, resolve again! They tie their clothes about them,

[ocr errors]

again embrace each other, and, at the last embrace-at once immerse!!

Let silence stop my pen, while, in the language of a man well taught, I exclaim, Great God, how unsearchable are thy judgments, and thy ways past finding out!" Thus perished, by their own act, two interesting females, before they had attained to twenty-one years of age, an awful instance of the danger of sin. What a hard master is satan! he first leads the soul into the commission of sin, and having effected his purpose, seeks to drive his captive to despair and ruin. Let, then, young persons be aware of the danger of the first departure from God. One sin will lead to another more heinous than the first, and sin persisted in, will bring both body and soul to hell. Grieve not then the Spirit of God; resist the tempter, and he will flee from thee, and let all who read the unhappy account of these poor young women, be very constant in prayer, Lord, hold thou me up;" Leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation."

[ocr errors]

This unhappy circumstance was a source of much uneasiness and disquietude of mind to Mary. The enemy of souls was active in suggesting temptations, and her peace and comfort for a time experienced a considerable interruption. But it pleased God to restore again to her the joys arising from a sense of his favour and mercy towards her. I shall conclude this narrative by an extract from the last of her series of letters to her friend.

[blocks in formation]

satisfactory. I no longer envied the votaries of pleasure; my affections were weaned from earth. My soul became as a weaned child before the Lord. His great salvation became more than ever my theme and my song."

I have alluded to the temptations which harassed her mind after the untimely death of her young friends, in reference to which she says, "I had long laboured under awful temptations, and although my mind was desolate and dark, yet I was kept looking up to God in the use of the means; and one evening, being at the Tabernacle, the Lord whom I sought suddenly came to his temple, and spoke peace to my soul by the ministry of his word. The Rev. Mr. P. preached from this text, Thou hast delivered my soul from death, wilt thou not keep my feet from falling? The sermon was applicable to my state of mind, and salutary in its effects. My sorrows were soothed, peace restored, and a happy confidence excited in my soul; and I knew that as he had preserved me through many trials and temptations, he would lead me through the mazes of life, and land me safe where the inhabitants thereof shall no more say, I am sick."

I would fain indulge in many reflections, but have already occupied too much of your room, and must subscribe myself, Yours, &c.

་་་་་་་་

EAGLET.

in the sacred history; and, viewed in connexion with the claims and the truths of Christianity, they appear powerfully calculated both to affect and edify the pious mind. Of his character we have but a brief and passing notice in the 6th chapter of Acts, but what is there recorded supplies ample matter for instruction. There is an identity about the characters of Christ's apostles and disciples, which, while it marks them of one family, and allies them to one great Head and Lord, supplies a striking evidence of the commanding and moulding influence of the system, and a divine picture of its unrivalled blessedness. No such influence was ever exerted by any other system, no such characters were ever produced by any other agency. If the divinity of the Gospel rested for evidence on this solitary argument, there is weight enough in it to command universal assent. has wrought moral miracles in all its subjects-effecting that which no other doctrine ever did or could effect.

It

Stephen was the first martyr who fell in the Christian cause, and since in heaven there must have been felt no common sensation when his magnanimity and piety triumphed over his enemies, it is desirable that on earth there should be a perpetual remembrance of his name, and a frequent contemplation of his character. He was full of faith and of power. What inestimable qualities are these! He had such strong faith in God, and in the grace of the

ON THE EVIDENCE AND ILLUS-
TRATION CHRISTIANITY DE-
RIVED FROM THE FALL OF THE Lord Jesus Christ, that it made
FIRST MARTYR.

[blocks in formation]

him eminent even among men who were all strong in faith. He was not indebted to contrast for his eminence, as a feeble light assumes undue brightness in a starless sky, but he was a sun among the stars of glory, and the power of God was largely in him-in him, in such a measure, as to make him the first and most conspicuous

« AnteriorContinuar »