tatius to relieve Mr. Jewett. Mr. Driver was well received in St. Kitts, and the Society considerably increased, during his stay, in Sandy Point, the part of the island where he lived. Such was his ardent desire to do good, that he spared no pains, but laboured, both by precept and example, with diligence and perseverance, to recommend the gospel to all; to bring back the wanderers, comfort the mourners, and build up believers in their most holy faith. Nor was his labour in vain in the Lord; for the great Head of the Church made his servant the happy instrument of good to his people, by awakening the careless, stiring up the lukewarm, and guiding sinners, in general, to the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness.

As St. Eustatius was to be supplied with a preacher from St. Kitts, after the arrival of the new Missionaries in 1813, Mr. Johnston, the superintendant there, considering Mr. Driver to be the most proper person, wished him to come and relieve me; Mr. Driver acceded to his desire, and immediately prepared for his removal. On Friday evening, February 12, 1813, word was brought me that Mr. and Mrs. Driver were arrived; I went to the bay, and, as soon as I could procure a boat, sent for them to come on shore. The next day, Mr. Driver and myself waited on the Governor, but could not see him at that time. I intended to go to St. Kitts, by the return of the vessel, expecting there to get a passage to my appointment in Dominica: but the captain saying he should be down again in a day or two, and as we could not see the Governor until Monday, I thought it best to remain until the return of the vessel, in which time I should have an opportunity of introducing Mr. Driver to him, before my depar ture. I did not perceive any thing the matter with either Mr. or Mrs. Driver the day after their arrival, more than might be expected from the fatigue they had undergone. On Sunday, the 14th of February, Mr. Driver preached to a very large congregation, from Rom. i. 16. I thought him particularly lively, and was surprised to see the improvement he had made during the short time he had laboured in St. Kitts; especially when I considered how much work he had had to go through there. But his whole soul appeared to be fully engaged in his Master's work, his end being to save as many souls from death, as he possibly could. In the afternoon, I preached, as I then supposed, my last sermon here. Immediately after preaching, Mr. Driver began to complain ofhis head, and soon after of a fever. We immediately got him to bed, and gave him something to bring on a perspiration, hoping it would relieve him. In the evening, he still complained much of his head, and the fever continuing, I thought it most prudent to call in medical aid in time; I proposed this to VOL. XXXVI. OCTOBER, 1813.

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him, and he consented. I sent for the doctor, who came and gave directions what should be given him during the night: and, in the morning, he gave him some medicine to carry off the bile. The medicine operated well, but he continued low through the course of the day. On Monday night, the fever continuing, he was restless; but as it was not violent, we did not apprehend any danger. On Tuesday he had but little fever outwardly, though he still continued very low, and could get no rest. The doctor was apprehensive that his inside was in a bad state, previous to his leaving St. Kitts. On Tuesday night he could get no sleep, though he had very little fever, and the doctor informed me, that symptoms appeared which threatened a mortification. On Wednesday, he continued very low and weak: from about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, I perceived an alteration in him; he began to feel a particular inclination to sleep, so that I could scarcely turn away from giving him his medicine, before he would be in a doze. I informed the doctor, and he said that nothing more could possibly be done for him, as a mortification had actually taken place. As it now appeared evident, that his time here would be but short, I made such inquiries respecting the state of his mind, as I deemed proper, and the answers he gave to the several questions I put to him, were highly satisfactory. About nine o'clock in the evening, he began to breathe very short, and it soon became difficult for him to speak. He was perfectly in his senses to the last, and conscious of his approaching dissolution. I asked him, if he found the Lord precious at that awful period: he answered immediately, "Yes, precious! very precious!" I replied, "then there is no doubt:" he said, "No, no doubt!" His mind appeared now, as it had been through the whole course of his short affliction, in a calm, composed, and happy state, ready for the will of God to be accomplished in him, whether in life or death. Just before eleven o'clock, I said to him again, "Is there any thing you would wish to say to me?" He made no answer. I perceived it was with the greatest difficulty that he could speak. I then said to him, "Mr. Driver, I hope all is well:" he answered immediately, "Yes, all is well, all is well!" I said, "that is best of all :" he replied, with all his remaining strength, "Yes, best of all; best of all:" which were the last words I could hear him speak. He then turned himself on his side, and lay so a few minutes; then he turned on his back, stretched out his hands by his side, closed his eyes, and sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, about eleven o'clock on Wednesday night, February 17, 1813, in the fortieth year of his age, and in the second of his itinerant labours. His body was interred, the following day, in the English church-yard, attended by many of the White inhabitants of the island, and also by a great part of the Society.

any

Mr. Driver was a man of a humble and teachable disposition. He exalted the riches of divine grace in any good he was the instrument of doing, and was always willing to learn the most effectual method of being made useful to all with whom he had any intercourse. As he came out as a Christian Missionary to preach the gospel, so he laid himself out, with all his might, in that blessed cause, until the Lord of the vineyard called him home to his reward. The labour Mr. Driver had to go through in St. Kitts, I fear, was too much for his constitution, which was not the strongest; and, perhaps, was the cause of bringing on the complaint which terminated his earthly existence. Had it pleased the Lord to spare him a year on this island, he might have recruited his strength, as the labour is much easier here than in St. Kitts; but the great Head of the Church knew what was best for his servant; and though we may lament the loss the Mission has sustained, yet we know God doeth all things well, and what we know not now, of his dealings with us, we shall know hereafter.

St. Eustatius, April 5, 1813.

DIVINITY.

JOHN WILLis.

The Heathen Nations Receiving the Word of Life;
A SERMON, in which is set forth the Necessity of Missionary
Efforts, and the peculiar Advantages resulting therefrom to
the Heathen World.-By WILLIAM BROWNE.

"Ye sons of grace, observe the great command,
And spread the living waters o'er the land:

Throw wide the streams which heal all mortal woe,
The sluices clear, and bid the fountain flow.
The crescent moon thus gilds the infant night,
Full-orb'd she grows, and drinks a tide of light:
Then round the sky she throws the silver store,
And swift, to day's full fountain, runs for more."

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace."-ISAIAH.

"All the ends of the world shall remember, and turn unto the Lord and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth, All nations shall call him blessed."-David.

TO THE PUBLIC,

Missionary efforts, of every kind, in conjunction with Biblical translation, are not only the most popular, but likewise the most useful institutions in the present day; as such, they have a claim upon generous support, and vigorous co-operation. This senti

ment has induced the author to send out the following plain discourse, that he also, with others, may contribute his mite in aid of the cause of pure religion throughout the world. That the great Head of the Church (the cordial Friend of Missionary efforts and Biblical translation) may accompany this feeble attempt with his special blessing, is the ardent desire and fervent prayer of Hermitage, Kettering, March 6, 1812. W. B.

JEREMIAH xlix. 14,

An Ambassador is sent unto the Heathen.

DURING the silent watches, when night had drawn her sable curtain over certain regions of the earth, a vision appeared unto the holy Apostle Paul. A man, in a Macedonian habit, stood before him; and, in a plaintive strain, uttered the memorable words, "Come over and help us." The zealous Missionary of the Gentiles, considering this as a call from a higher Power, availed himself of every method to expedite his journey, in order to preach the gospel unto them. If not "in dreams, when deep sleep falleth upon man, or by visions of the night," yet, in a variety of other ways, a similar solicitation has partially proceeded, not only from Macedonia, but from various parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Many individuals, and some collective bodies, not only near our home, but from regions distant far, have uttered the cry of the man in the Macedonian habit, saying, "Come over and help us." The continent, land, or nation, not yet visited by the light of the gospel, is, to the present hour, the dark region of the shadow of death. Do any want assistance, so much as they who are destitute of the glorious gospel? In a few cases, this importunate solicitation has been adhered to. Of late years, the spread of the gospel, among the heathen, and other un-enlightened nations, has evidently appeared of more importance; and, as an object the most desirable, has been aided by the truly pious. But is there not a necessity for increasing vigour, and, in order to the extension of plans of usefulness, is not additional weight required to be thrown into the scale of Missionary exertion? Let us now take occasion to realize the representation which our text supplies, "An Ambassador is sent unto the heathen." In a political point of view, the arrival of an Ambassador from a foreign power, is considered a circumstance of great importance; especially if his embassy is of a pacific nature. The residence of such a character, denotes peace and amity between the two existing nations. But an Ambassador, a gospel minister, delegated from the court of heaven, having received his credentials from the King of Glory, and been despatched with terms of reconciliation to the heathen world, is an event, unspeakably interesting in its nature and consequences. The grand object of gospel missionaries is, not to treat with

Indians about their golden wedge, or glittering ore; no: it is of a nobler kind; it respects the state of souls immortal. Their design is not & traffic for their bodies; but a benevolent intention to do something for their better part. Not to bring them into abject slavery, but to point out the most effectual measures for their emancipation.

With these sublime intentions, Ambassadors are sent unto the heathen. The auspicious morn arrives, and the messenger of peace embarks on board the destined vessel. The anchor weighed, the sails are spread, and the Great Head of the Church, the friend of missionary efforts, who went about doing good, becomes the pilot to direct their course. They, who leave their own, to publish the tidings of salvation in other lands, are not only under the inspection, but also the guidance of the glorious Being, "Who rides upon the whirlwind, and directs the storm." The ship containing this valuable passenger, steers her course towards the heathen land. It is worthy of notice, that the stupendous ocean, in a few cases, has been honoured in a very remarkable manner. There was a time when the whole existing race of mortals were embarked in a single vessel; I mean, Noah and his family in the Ark, appointed by the great Preserver of men. Precious charge! Sacred deposit! Important ship! that. carried the lives of those who were to re-people the face of the earth! Our glorious Redeemer, when he tabernacled here below, sometimes availed himself of this method, when disposed to remove from place to place. No royal yacht, gilt down to the water's edge, attends to receive him; nor any stately ship of war prepared to be his convoy. A fishing-boat is not disdained; in the cabin of that he slept, and, from its deck he taught the people on the shore. What a valuable cargo, when the pearl of great price' is on board! Ought not the inhabitants of this highly favoured isle, the sons of Britain, with peculiar pleasure to reflect upon that vessel, by which the gospel of their salvation was imported to this happy country? What are all the brilliant diamonds, the sparkling gems, the oriental pearls, to this pearl of price inestimable! Blessed ship! that first brought to our be nighted land, the name of Jesus, the Saviour of the world. This to us was as the tidings to the simple shepherds; or to be compared to the rapid messenger whom the apostle saw with wings extended, "Flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."

If we deem it of such infinite importance, to have had the tidings of salvation conveyed to our own shores, is it not equally essential, that this invaluable gospel should be transmitted unto other lands? Why has the supreme Lord of earth and sea, bestowed upon our isle the vast dominion of the mighty ocean? This