A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE REMARKABLY HAPPY DEATH OP ELIZABETH PETTIT, WHO DIED BY MR. EDITOR.-I send you this short account of a dear little girl, aged ten years, whom the Lord has been pleased after much suffering, to take home to glory. Elizabeth Pettitt, the subject of these few remarks, died on the ninth of October, 1857, at Chesham, Bucks., after living in this sintainted world the short space of ten years. But during that time she has been at times much afflicted, and reduced to great weakness, through affliction, and loss of blood. She was much subject to a bleeding at the nose; her nose has bled thirteen hours at a time. This kept her in a very delicate weak state. But without doubt she has done with suffering now. Her patience when a sufferer here, was remarkable. A proof how the Lord can make us like lambs in the hottest fire. This child was a very intelligent and interesting little girl. She was sharp in mind, though truly affectionate, and as grave in conduct and manner, as an old woman. Her mental faculties seemed far to outrun her age. When the Lord first put the rich treasure of his grace into her heart I know not, but by the knowledge I have of her I have no doubt but it was there; and there have been some blessed symptoms for some time past. She was decidedly fond of good people, and remarkably attentive if their conversation was spiritual. She has been for some time past subject to three fears,-a fear of doing wrong; a fear of death; and a fear she should not go to heaven, when she died. About two years ago, a friend lent this little girl that very interesting little book, "Matthew Hepburn," she felt much interested in reading this little book. One evening when reading it, she seemed in a great deal of trouble, and she cried very much. After a time her mother asked her what was the matter. She said she was afraid she never had prayed, and she was sure there was no heaven without prayer. She wept much before she went to bed, and seemed very much concerned about herself. She retired to rest with the other children, but said, the next morning, she could not sleep. She tried to pray the Lord to have mercy on her; and she said there was some thing like a voice spake powerfully to her, saying "dont cry, Elizabeth, you have prayed." This had a soothing effect on her mind. After which she went to sleep. This was about two years ago. And would this little dear, be so much concerned about herself, about prayer, and an interest in the mercy of God, if she was wholly destitute of the grace of life? I think not. She was also the subject of much feeling for those who lay on the borders of time. If she heard of any one in dying circumstances, the first thing would be "are they good people?" As an instance of this, a few days before her death, I was speaking to a friend Now, these things, Mr. Editor, with many others I have past by, similar in nature, convince me that a work of grace was commenced in her soul before her last illness; and while there was not that deep distressing sense of sin, as some can speak of, yet there was a sense of sin, and a feeling need of pardoning mercy; and there was to be traced in her the operations of that Spirit who alone can create a real spirit of prayer in hearts like ours. In September, she had a desire to go to an aunt in Kent for a change: her parents thought the change would do her good. She went with her grandfather into Kent. But in a few days a letter was sent to say she was worse, and that she would return home next day. The next day she was too ill to be moved home, so her mother went to see her; but it was some days before she could be brought home. She had a great desire to get home to see the rest of the family. She was brought home in her mother's lap just a fortnight before her death, and her medical attendant gave no hope of her life. When her mother arrived in Kent, she asked if she thought she should get better, she replied, "If its the Lord's will for me to get better, I shall get better; but if its not his will, I shall not." She said, "I should not 66 mind dying if I was sure I should go to heaven, about it. Then she said, "If I know, I will but I am not sure, I hope I shall, I believe I tell you, mother." A friend asked her if she have prayed, and I know it must be the Lord should like to get better. "No, said she, for to save, and its no use to look anywhere else." I should have to go through it all again." To At another time she said, "I hope I shall go a friend she said, putting up her poor bony to heaven, for I never can bear the other place arms, "The worms won't have much of a feast to be with the other company, the wicked." here, but I shall have the feast." The friend The day she came home, I called in the even said to her, " And what will be your feast?" ing to see her, but she said but little, and as "My feast, she said, will be in heaven." When she was so exhausted by the journey, I said she first was seized with death, her sufferings but little to her. But when I was leaving she were dreadful, and she seemed much agitated, said, "Call again, for I want to have a little but after a few minutes she looked calmly and talk with you." I said, "Yes, my dear, I pleasantly up, and said, "I am dying now, will." I called again, but she was too ill to mother, I am dying now, but I am going to converse, so I did the talking part. I spoke heaven." Her mother said, "Are you sure, to her a little on the solemnities of death. I my dear, that you are going to heaven ?" asked her if she thought heaven was hers."Yes," said she, "quite sure." And although She said, "I don't know." Her mother said, similar questions were often asked by parents "Elizabeth, did you not say you believed you and friends, there was no wavering in her should go to heaven ?" No," said she, "I mind about her safety. Her mother, thinking said I hoped I should." The little dear was her sight was gone, said to her, "Can you see remarkably careful how she expressed herself. me, my dear." Not so well as I can see But she was too ill to bear much talk, so my heaven," said she. Her natural sight was stay was short. I made a third call. Found nearly gone, but heaven seemed open to her her a little better, and I stopt with her some mind, as pleasingly as it was to the martyr time, and after a few words she began speaking Stephen. Her mother said, "Can you tell me of sin, and in a very faithful way she spoke of what heaven is like." "No, said she, I cannot, it. She spoke of her sufferings as the fruits its so splendid, I cannot." She thought she of sin. "It's all sin," she said. "Yes," I said heard her father weeping. She said, "Father, "and one sin brought all this misery into the are you crying?" "No, Elizabeth," he anworld." "Yes," said she, "but his blood don't swered. "No" said she "there is nothing to only cleanse from one sin, but all." "Yes." cry about, I am going to heaven." And she said I, "if he begins to save he will completely seemed to have heaven in her soul, and heaven save, and if he begins to cleanse he will per- in her look, and her senses as sound as ever. fectly cleanse. Let me see is there not a pas- A few minutes after this, she said "How sage which reads thus, The blood of Jesus beautiful, how beautiful!" Again she said, Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." "I can see the angels, there they are, there "Yes," she said, and spoke as if she knew the they are, all round the bed," and her little comfort of it. After this she said, "I am sure hands a-going as if to point them out to those I pray, prayer does not lay in words, but in present, and after a few minutes she said, thought, in feeling." I asked her if she thought "Now, they are gone, they are gone in now, she should go to heaven if she died, as she felt and they say, she won't be lony, she won't be so sure she prayed. She replied, "Yes." long.' No doubt some will say she was de"But," I said, "how are you going to get lirious. I would just say here, there were there?" Her answer was, "Not by my own eight or nine persons in the room at the time, goodness." "No," said I, "nor any one else and in the midst of these, she was asked many will get to heaven that way." "But how are questions, and she answered them as reasonyou going to get there? Not without prayer," ably as they could be answered. She knew she said. Here I thought she was looking at every one in the room by their voice to the prayer as meriting heaven, but I found to my very last. But to return. After a few minutes Batisfaction it was not the case, but she viewed she said, rather mournfully, "O how long prayer as a key by which we enter heaven. they are." Her mother said, " You are willing As the poet says, to wait the Lord's time." She replied, "He is willing, he says I am to come." She did not quite understand her mother here. After a time she said "I never saw my grandmother, but I see her now, and little Ann." Her grandmother being in the room said, "I am here, Elizabeth." "Not you, grandmother, my grandmother in heaven, I mean" This grandmother died triumphing in Christ, years before she was born, and little Ann was a sister of her's who died in infancy. Two or three years ago, a friend said to her, " When your grandmother died, she said, "We enter heaven by prayer." There was more said than this. But I took no particular account of what was said, for I had no idea of sending this to the VESSEL then. But what I write my mind clearly serves me in, and the rest I leave out. I believe this dear child knew something of Christ the way of salvation, and she was brought to rely wholly on him for salvation. I saw her again on the 7th of October, five days before her death, but she was so extremely ill it seemed cruel to talk to her. This was the last time I saw her alive. I left home early the next morning, and returned on Friday morning, and heard she was gone. She had a particular wish to know when she was dying, and told her mother if she knew she was dying to tell her, for she did not want to be in the dark 'Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly.' She is not singing that now. She has no need of it." Her mother speaking to a friend said her sufferings were dreadful. Said she, "No, beautiful, beautiful." Here she thought her THE CHRISTIAN mother said her sufferings were now dreadful. Little before her death she wished her mother EXPERIENCE OF E. WARREN. not to leave the room, she said her grandfather would attend to the shop. "You may all leave me soon, said she, for it will soon be over now." Again she said, "Sarah Jane said she thought it was time to think about dying, when she came to die, but if Sarah Jane was as ill as I am she could not think much about dying then." After this a friend said to her, "Are you quite happy, my dear ?" "Yes," said she, "quite happy." Again she laid a few minutes as if she had some pleasing views of the upper world, and then she once more raised her poor withered hands, as if she was going to climb to the skies, and as Dr. Watts says, "With mortal paleness on her cheek, She said, "I am coming now, I am coming now," and her happy spirit took its flight to join the choir above where suffering is unknown. There were several friends who witnessed the last few hours of her life, and some of them have known the Lord for twenty years, and ought to be judges of things spiritual. These persons were delighted with the things which proceeded from her lips, and the way they were spoken will not easily be forgotten by them. I very much regret that our friend did not draw a little more freely from this little dear. The last three hours she was like an overflowing spring, and all we have to report came almost spontaneously from her, which makes the report rather one-sided. But I quite think that if her friends had drawn more from her by a few questions differing a little from those which were put to her we should have had a greater variety, which would have enriched these lines very much. But, She's gone, sweet lamb, for ever gone, She's gone, sweet lamb, for ever gone, To stand before his glorious throne, She's gone, sweet lamb, for ever gone, With light and love and joy unknown Her harp no more will be unstrung, She's gone, sweet lamb, for ever gone, Chesham, Bucks. JOHN PARSONS. Baptist Minister. THE salt of the covenant was a symbol of incorruption: that is, of perpetual continuance in the covenant of God." (Addressed to a Friend). As you wished me to give you some account of the Lord's dealings with my soul since he has, I hope, called me by his grace out of darkness into his marvellous light, I will do so. I was, as you are well aware, brought up by christian parents, which is, I think, a very great blessing; but I had no desire for an interest in that covenant ordered in all things and sure to all the elect, until the death of my dear sister, which took place on the 25th of February, 1856. I then saw and felt that I had a soul which must live for ever, either in that place where hope can never come, or at God's right hand where there are pleasures for ever more. I then felt the necessity of being born again. I felt that without that change, hell must be my portion; and I felt that God would be just in cutting me down as a cumberer of the ground. I endeavoured to approach the throne of grace, but found no mercy there. I feared that I had sinned beyond the reach of mercy; and that there was no hope for me. I felt that my dear sister was gone to be with Jesus; and I could not grieve for her: my concern was that I might follow in her steps as far as possible: and be found with her at last. But I thought that was too good for me, so vile and unworthy as I felt myself to be. All my past sins seemed to stare me in the face, and 66 say no hope for you." I used to go to the house of God but could get no comfort there. I used to think when I saw a dog, oh, that I was like you you have no soul, but I have one which must exist through all eternity, I always envied you, and others, who I knew were the children of God; and used to say, "oh that I were like them." These feelings continued for some time, until I thought I must give up all for lost; but these words were applied with power to me one night Cast thy burden upon the Lord," and I was enabled to do so for some time. But again my darkness returned worse than ever, which made me think there was no hope for me; that it was all a delusion; I had better give it all up, and go into the world as much as I could; but I found that was not what I wanted. About this time I was expecting to go to London, and hoping to hear that highly favoured man of God, Mr. Roffe, while he was at Great Ailey-street; but here my expectations were cut off; for the day after he left, was the day fixed for me to go; and I went and stayed there a fortnight. After I returned, Mr. Emery came here for two nights and preached at Reading. We were conversing on the best things, and I was enabled to tell him a little about the state of my mind; he asked me, whether I was a member here? I told him I was not. I told him I thought a person ought to have a manifestation of their sins being pardoned before they ever thought of joining a church. He asked me whether that was the desire of my heart to have that manfestation? I told him it was, and had been . for some time, but that I feared there was no I was helped to tell my mind in such a mercy for me. I felt myself so vile and un- way to Mr. Sykes on Sunday night, as I never worthy. He said, "the desire of the righte- did to any one before, and I was astonished at ous shall be granted:" and went on to shew myself after I had done. Baptism has been that the vilest of the vile might obtain mercy, very much impressed on my mind for some which gave me a little hope; and that hope time and two or three have spoken to me on has never left me since, although at times the subject. But when I went to Knowl-hill, very low. Mr. Emery mentioned our conver- you know Mr. Bloomfield mentioned the subsation in his prayer at night, which made my ject in his morning's discourse. And a few heart sink within me, for Satan immediately days after I awoke in the morning with the told me that I should turn out nothing but a words "If ye love me keep my commandments,” deceiver, and that it would be so much the and " in keeping my commandments there is worse for me, as my dear father knew of it, great reward," though not for keeping them. and that it would break his heart to see me My mind has been very much harassed for turn my back upon the people of God, fear that I should have any thing like a spirit and his cause in that place; but hitherto I of resentment towards those who are in office have been kept. On returning to rest that here as deacons of this church; and I hope if night my feelings were such that I cannot you should see anything of this sort in me describe. After this, Mr. Evans came here: you will tell me of it or anyone else who may and I felt a very great union to him as he was observe that in me; I feel perfectly satisfied the first minister I heard with any degree of to leave it in the hands of him who makes profit, and him only once: but that once will all things work together for good to those not very soon be forgotten: his text was the that love him. I feel whether I am one 31st Psalm, last verse. I should have said that amongst you or not, that nothing will ever albefore, and after my conversation with Mr. ter the union I feel towards those who love Emery, I often used to endeavour to pray our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and in truth. with such words as these "Lord, remember Oh, that I could love him more and serve him me, when thou comest into thy kingdom. Lord better for his many mercies bestowed on me save or I perish." But there seemed no way so unworthy as I am, and yet I am surrounof access to the throne of grace for me, and I ded with blessings. One Sunday about two came away with my burden heavier than ever. months ago when I was coming to chapel I can indeed say with the Psalmist, I have very much cast down in my mind, and thinkwatered my couch with my tears, both from ing over the changes of the week then passed joy and sorrow; for I can say that the sweet-away, these words were applied with power est time with me now, is when all nature is hushed in silence around me: then to lie and think of him who neither slumbers nor sleeps and to find his presence with me, is sweet indeed: and that sweetness I have felt. You know, my dear young friend, what this is better than I can tell you. Last Wednesday after seeing Mr. Martin, I felt very much cast down in my mind, fearing that I should turn out nothing but a hypocrite after all. I took up my Bible and searched for a word of comfort, but could find none, and laid it down again in despair. Well, I thought it will do me no harm if I read a little, so I opened it again in the Psalms, when these words fell with sweetness on my soul" He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their cry," and I blessed and praised God for again delivering me, so that I was enabled to leave it in his hands. But on Thursday night I was as bad as ever and felt my flesh rise in rebellion against him who had done so much for me. I went to chapel but felt that it was solemn mockery of God for me to go to his house and mingle among his saints: come along with me." So he took me in after which I met two of the deacons. I was and it appeared to me a very singular sight. very much cast down and could not say but The place was very full; every one had his very little, and returned home ashamed of my-hat on most of them were covered with self, and all I did. After entering my own little room on Friday night these words were very precious to me (639 Gadsby's Selection.) "Return to thy rest my soul, and rejoice, Make Jesus thy boast, for thou art his choice." I found them very precious and was bled to say feelingly. to me "They have no changes therefore they fear not God" which made me go on my way rejoicing again. Thus my dear friend I have endeavoured to give you an outline of the dear Lord's dealing with my precious soul. Oh that you and I may both be found with him at last is the sincere prayer of your sincere though unworthy friend and companion, 13, Whitley-crescent, E. WARREN. Reading, Aug, 5, 1857. A VISIT TO THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUE IN DUKE'S PLACE. (To the Editor of THE EArthen Vessel) SIR,-I was in Dukes's-place, last Saturday morning: many Jews were entering the noble building; 1 enquired if they allowed strangers to go in? "O yes, yes," he said, something like a large white shawl, I suppose the meaning was, they were covered in sackcloth; though some of them appeared to be made of rich silk. In the gallery, on each side, are all the females by themselves; no female is allowed to be below among the ena-males. In the centre of the building is a raised "He that has helped me hitherto, platform; railed all round, with steps to ascend to it: On this platform, there were about sixteen readers and singers: they appeared AND THE CRITICS. to be very zealous while engaged in their MR. COZENS'S THOUGHT-BOOK, ceremonies. One of the old gentlemen had a very musical voice; he appeared to be a very devout worshipper of the great Jehovah. Oh! that he knew Christ Jesus, the Saviour! that he might worship him with the same zeal ! Some part of the service he read alone: then the whole congregation joined, which made the whole building resound with the multitude of voices; then the sound gradually died away to the silence of death, when the reader again commenced, and the services went quietly on. At the extremity of the building, there is a place where the sacred books, ancient rolls, and all the sacred utensils are kept locked up, and hidden from view, by a large veil, or curtain, suspended by brass rings; this veil was drawn aside; and one of the elder Jews, (I suppose the High Priest,) took out a large roll in Hebrew writing, bound round with crimson silk, and on the top was fixed, by silver chains, the pomegranates, and the little glittering silver bells, and as he bore them along towards the platform, the little bells gave a peculiar tinkling sound, which led my mind back to the temple worship at Jerusalem, where God authorised and ordained the way in which he would be worshipped. I believe I did now humbly and feelingly worship the Lord; for I saw him through the ceremony; and felt my heart and soul go out in prayer to the God of my salvation. I was enabled to worship him in spirit and in truth. I felt the presence of Jesus with me, although I was in a Jewish synagogue. The old gentleman read a great deal out of this large roll; and the whole congregation appeared highly to venerate its contents; and as it was being carried back to the holy place, several of the Jews touched it and kissed it, and then it was deposited in its place, and the veil was drawn to again. A good part of their service is by singing; their singing is beautiful: there is a youth apparently about eighteen, who sings soprano: he is a delightful singer; his voice is like a sweet musical instrument in the bands of a skilful player: their tenor was good, but rather faint; their bass was very good, and had a fine effect with the thrill voices of the youths. My feelings were excited by their singing; I believe my prayers and praises ascended up to heaven to the Lord Jesus Christ, and by faith was enabled to enjoy and taste a little of that blessed fountain, the streams whereof make glad the city of God. I pray that the Lord might hasten the time when the vail shall be taken from their eyes; so that they may see that Christ Jesus is the true Messiah whom they have rejected for hundreds of years; that there may be one fold, and one Shepherd, that we may all unite in that one grand chorus "unto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen." I have no reason to regret my visit to the Jewish synagogue. Yours, &c., T. HALLS Salmon's Lane, Limehouse Oct. 26, 1857. letter: but we are constrained from two [WE very reluctantly publish the following special motives: first, our brother Cozens has laboured hard to expound and exhibit "the beauties of the Bible:" and his labours to many bave been a great blessing; we wish, therefore, to strengthen his hands. Secondly, there are many men (idle, ignorant, and injurious), who run about the country and London as professors, sowing the seeds of discord and ill will :-we say the time is come when all habitually unholy conduct in professed Christians ought to be exposed and abandoned.-ED.] (Mr. Samuel Cozens to the Editor of the EARTHEN VESSEL). MY DEAR BROTHER.-You enquire, "How is your Teacher's Thought Book' moving?" Better than I could expect, considering the indefatigable industry of some orthodox gentlemen, whose gratuitous patronage is in speaking to the prejudice of the work to all within their popish domination. Indeed, sir, you would be surprised, if made acquainted with all the animadversions of accredited men of truth. One said to me, "I am afraid you will make too many parsons." I replied, "Indeed, sir, why?" "W-h-y, you have given them ideas enough for a thousand sermons," was the answer. Of course he was one of those who feared the danger of the ministerial "craft," and who liked to have everything from the Lord. One of this heavenly minded sort (who never reads books), was at my house some time ago, and he favoured me with such a wonderful account of how the prophesies had been opened up to him that I was perfectly surprised at his exposition of some of the dark passages of the Old Testament, but I was more surprised a few days after, when a book containing the very wonderful things he had named fell into my hands. I know a gentleman who professes not to read: but it is a marvellous fact that he knows almost every theological author from the fathers until now. Well, if he does not read, he has read: and if he had not read, he would read. One of the cloth, when asked, "Have you seen Cozens's Teacher's Thought-book ?" answered "Ah!-The Teacher's Thought-bookah!-yes, -a very happy title, a good book, no doubt-exceedingly useful-exceedingly useful-exceedingly useful to the uninitated-but," -" But what, sir?" was the demand.-" But-alas! master, it was borrowed." "Borrowed! indeed, sir! Then you have seen it." "No-I-have-not-seenit, but I saw an extract in the-in the EARTHEN VESSEL, and he said something about the Jewish law, and of course he must have read that." Certainly, sir, he must have read or heard something about Jewish law, or he could know nothing about it; but, sir, I heard you preach a sermon the other day |