824.] RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. ad the prospect is, that there will be vice of a council, we set off sixty memme gleanings of the vintage yet gath-bers as a Baptist Church in Edinburgh, red in, although the work seems to be uch abated. We are in a new country, ad people generally poor, but they ave erected a comfortable log meetingouse, well lighted, and a fire-place for heir accommodation in the winter. I have removed to this place at the pecial and unanimous request of the hurch. How long it will be my lot to arry with them, is known best to the Teat Shepherd. I am sensible that to be iseful amongst them, I need the divine id. Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glotified. The good work has recently begun in Poultney, a town adjoining. I understand between thirty and forty have been baptized, and the work is still progressing. May it still spread until the whole earth shall be filled with his glory. Yours in gospel bonds, IN 1802, I moved into this town, and it was then literally and spiritually a wilderness; though there were some professors of different orders, but no church constituted in the place. I attended to my ministerial labours with the people, and in less than one year, there was quite an attention to the word. In 1803, I was ordained,and was immediately called to baptize,and continued preaching and baptizing, until I had baptized thirty-three, before there was a church constituted, which took place in 1804. At this time, the little band consisted of more than sixty members, spread over a Since wide region of several towns. that time, we have enjoyed a good degree of union, and a gradual increase of mem bers. In the latter part of 1821,it pleased the Lord to begin to arrest sinners' consciences, in several neighbourhoods. In 1822, the attention became so universal, that there were not preachers enough of all denominations to satisfy the calls of the people. In the course of this year, we thought best that the church in Northampton and Edinburgh, should become two churches. So, by, and with the ad VOL. IV. 49 and they obtained brother Jonathan their Wade to settle with them as preacher and pastor; but God soon shewed them he had destined him for a foreign land. But the removal of brother Wade has not stopped the good work; God knows how to accomplish his own purposes. In August past, I have buried twelve in baptism, and there are yet some new case of conviction and conversion. May the good work continue and spread, till all shall know the Lord. The means which the Lord has been pleased to bless have been various; in the summers of 1821 and 1822, there was a very mortal disease among us. The dysentery prevailed, which took away many, which was sanctified to the awakening of a number. Prayer and conference meetings, also appeared to The receive the divine approbation. preaching of the gospel was sent home with power on some poor perishing sinners, so that they trembled at the word. : In the autumn of 1822, I went into an obscure neighbourhood, consisting of but thirteen families, and while I preached to them concerning the axe being laid at the root of the trees, the people appeared to feel the weight of truth. I dismissed the meeting, and started to leave them, but was soon called back to converse with them. I tarried some time fervent prayer was offered up once and again, for weeping sinners, by their request,and left them deeply affected. One young woman was brought into gospel liberty before she slept. I repeated my visits, and found the work prevailing. On the evening of new year's day, I met with them, and while I attended to the subject of the fruitless fig tree, four young people of one family wept for an hour without intermission. The next morning I called on them; they requested prayers, and while prayer was offered to the Lord, they kneeled, and some of them The Lord cut were greatly affected. his work short with some of them, for in twenty-four hours after their minds became seriously impressed, they were brought to praise God for pardoned "What hath sin. Truly we may say, God wrought." Since the work began, there have been added to the Baptist church in Northampton by baptism fifty-one, in Edinburgh eleven, and a number in Providence; in all about seventy, and I should say the Presbyterians and Methodists have shared about an In the above equal number each. EXTRACT FROM A FUNERAL SER- REV. CLARK KENDRICK, at the age of twenty-two, made a profession of religion in Hanover, New-Hampshire, where he had lived much of his time from infancy. The year following, he went to Salem, N. Y. and there opened a school in Rev. Obed Warren's Society. Here these servants of Christ formed their first acquaintance with each other, which ever remained a source of reciprocal pleasure. He continued in Salem upwards of two years, during which time, he commenced preaching in the fellowship of Mr. Warren's church. Soon after, he received a call from the Baptist church in Poultney, Vt. where he settled for life. Although he had been brought up at manual labour until about twenty years of age, when he lost his health, yet from his application to books after he commenced school-keeping, and the assistance which he received from his friends in Salem, he entered upon the ministry with enlightened views of the work. His first performances indicated more than ordinary pulpit talents, and excited expectations, that God intended him for much usefulness in the kingdom of his grace. The church and society over which he settled, rose from obscurity became large and respectable-built them an elegant house for worship-and were favoured with seasons of refreshing from the divine presence. As he advanced in years, the sphere of his usefulness was enlarged, and the services he rendered the ministry, and the churches in that region of country, will long be held in grateful remembrance. He was also much interested in the cause of missions. In addition to his efforts to promote Missionary Societies, he performed sereral extensive tours among the destitute of his own State on the frontiers of New-York-and in the province of Upper Canada. For several of the last year of his life, he manifested much anxiety for the improvement of the rising min istry. A society for this purpose was formed in Vermont, which he served as President. They adopted a resolution to establish a Theological School, for the gratuitous education of indigent young men, having the gift of God to preach, as soon as adequate funds could be ob tained. He acted as agent for the society in raising funds, until he became convinced that one Institution for several States, well endowed, would be preferable to several small ones; and upon the first proposal, he was ready to relinquish the design of having one in his own State, in favour of the one established in this place. Independent of local views, or any ambition to lead the public mind, he made the general good of the Redeemer's kingdom the end of his action. The practical results of combining the New York and Vermont Education Societies, in all respects equalled his anticipations, and afforded him the most en tire satisfaction. The last two years of his life he acted as General Agent for that section of country, superintending the concerns of the society, as far as the impaired state of his health would admit. He had an affection of the head, which more or less attended him for several years, and at times interrupted his public labours, without wholly terminating them, until a few days before his death. His disorder occasionally produced great depression of spirits, and occasioned a confusion of thought, which rendered it extremely difficult for him to pursue the illustration of subjects, which at other times were perfectly familiar. His mind He was naturally vivid-his memory tenacions--and his judgment penetrating. His pulpit talents were seldom equalled by any, whose opportunities for an edu acation had not been more liberal. His familiar acquaintance with the Scriptures, and remarkable aptitude for applying them on all occasions, gave light and solidity to his public discourses--weight and enlargement to his prayers-and often animated his conversation. was cheerful and enlightening at the fire-side-solemn and devout at the family altar-affectionate and familiar in his pastoral visits--and skilful in conducting the concerns of the church. He buried most of his flock in the likeness of the Saviour's death, and led numbers of them to the end of their hope, where he resigned them to the Shepherd and Bishop of souls. A number of his congregation died in youth; on which occasions, he improved these afflicting providences, for the benefit of those who remained. He left several of his funeral discourses in print, which, together with others impressed upon the tables of the heart, will be preserved in lasting remembrance. He retired from his public labours about three weeks previous to his death, with little expectations of ever resuming them His friends, however, saw nothing immediately alarmning in his case, until the Wednesday evening before his departure; when another harbinger of death, gave him a paralytic shock, and placed him beyond every prospect of recovery. He was engaged for some time in prayer, and like his divine Master before his passion, had strong crying and tears. He prayed for himself, his family, his church and people: and for the building up of Christ's kingdom in the world. He closed by saying, "The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended." Like Jacob, when he was dying, he called his family before him, and addressed them for the last time. They were all present but the lad who is here; and he too was remembered. His mind was then drawn from the concerns of earth, and for the last day or two of his life, was intensely fixed on the other world, waiting for the coming of his Lord. Having laboured about twenty-five years in the ministry, and "endured as seeing Him who is invisible," he finished his course with joy, in the forty-ninth year of his age. His companion is bereaved of her richest blessing in life-his children, of the guide of their youth--society and the church of God, one of their brightest ornaments. His son, who is present, just apprised of this bereaving providence, and suffering the anguish of a wounded spirit, has a distinct claim upon our sympathies, and upon our prayers. It was not until your dear Father had passed the scene of his last sufferings, and his body consigned to the grave, that you had any intimations of his approaching death. Remote from your surviving parent, and the rest of the family, you have to meet the shock of this bereaving providence, which has rendered you fatherless. You have, from the morning of life, to make your way through the changes of this ruined world, to the grave, and to the bar of God, without any further assistance from him, who has hitherto watched over you with much care and tenderness. It is a mystery in the government of divine providence, which we must wait to see explained at the Judgment Day, that a life so dear and important to youto his family--his people-and the general interests of Zion, should be so soon taken away. You will not, however, infer from this, that God is wanting in wisdom, in goodness, or in kindness to his creatures. He will ultimately manifest his glory in all his ways to the children of men; and even this most afflicting death will be made to promote the glory of God, and the good of them that love him--You are taught the uncertainty of all earthly enjoyments, and the short duration of human life. You are reminded by this providence of the importance of placing your hope and trust in God.-You have no longer a father on earth; but if you have one in heaven, you will be provided for in time and eternity." A Father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation." In him "the fatherless findeth mercy." Remember, therefore, your Creator, and acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will hold up your goings, and guide you through the changes of time, to a better world. You have the loving kindness of the Saviour exemplified in the life and death of your Father, who endured as seeing Him who is invisible." Although his prayers for you are ended, yet Jesus Christ is a living Advocate with the Father, for all who come unto God by him. May it please God to sanctify this bereaving providence to you, and make you an heir of his grace, to "that inheritance, which is incorrup tible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." While the bow of the covenant and cloud of glory, have manifestly appeared round about this Institution, the removal 非 of two of its patrons and pillars, has mingled our cup with weeping. Little did we suspect at our last annual meeting, when their coming to us was like the coming of Titus, that it was for the last time. Little did we suspect that those dear servants, whom the Lord had made strong for himself, and for us, were so soon to be taken away. But God, who has made the death of his own Son a blessing to millions,can sanctify the death of these servants of his, to our good, and the promotion of the great objects of his kingdom, in which they were engaged. May their spirits live in their successors; and the labour of their hands, which God was pleased to prosper, be continued until the head-stone of the building shall be brought, "with shoutings, crying grace, grace, unto it." To that throne, before which they have gone to bow down and worship, we are called to make supplication, that we may be strengthened with might in the inner man, and endure as seeing Him who is invisible." It is undoubtedly apparent to this school, that never before, has it been overshadowed with such a cloud of darkness. The breach which death has made in the superintending department, will long be felt and deplored. From this, however, we do not infer, that God is arranging the operations of his provi dence to defeat the objects of this institution; but rather that he has chosen it in the furnace of affliction, and will control its means and its movements, in a manner the best calculated to promote his kingdom in the world. As the fathers leave the field, its cultivation will devolve upon you; and those Institutions which they have undertaken, will soon be consigned to your hands. You are raised up at an eventful period, when Zion is breaking forth, and becoming a praise in the earth. God is laying the beams of her chambers in the waters, and preparing the isles for his law. He is bringing home to his Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. He is marshalling his hosts to extend the triumphs of the cross through the world; to accomplish for his kingdom, by a short work, all that is vast in prediction, and all that is glorious in promise. God, however, has not taken his people from the furnace, nor placed his public servants beyond the reach of trials, temptations, and afflictions. You are entering upon the field, where the Prince of peace, and the powers of darkness, with Rev. Obed Warren died a few weeks before Mr. Kendrick. all the resources of both worlds, are engaged in conflict with each other. How you will endure we know not. If you take the whole armour of God, you will stand, and come off conquerors, and more than conquerors, through the grace of Him who hath loved you. But if you attempt this warfare at your own charges, and in your own strength, you will utterly fail. Unaided by the divine Spirit, amidst the sparks of your own kindling, you will darken counsel by words without knowledge, and make shipwreck of faith. May you avoid a disaster so fatal to yourselves, and to those who follow you, and "endure, as seeing Him who is invisible."-" In all things approving yourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness, by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold ye live; as chastered, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." May God fil! you with the fruits of the Spirit-strengthen you to do his willand at last present you unreproveable in his sight, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion forever. Amen. MRS. POLLY FULLER. DIED at Ludlow, Mass. March 11, 1824, Mrs. POLLY FULLER. wife of Mr. Elijah Fuller, aged 39 years. She was the daughter of Mr. Leonard and Mrs. Mary Miller of Ludlow. In her younger years, she was often impressed with a sense of her sins; but nothing very remarkable occurred in her life, until after her marriage. At the birth of her first child, she was deeply convinced of her ruined condition by nature, and was constrained to implore the mercy of God, through the Redeemer of lost men. Shortly afterwards, she obtained hope of an interest in the merits of Christ; which has since appeared, from her exemplary life and joyful death, to have been well founded. About fifteen years before her death, she united with the Baptist Church, in West-Springfield, under the pastoral care of Elder Thomas Rand. Since that time, it has ever appeared to be her object, to live a life of strict devotedness to God. She was attacked, a number of years ago, with a consumptive disorder, which, several times, brought her very low, previous to the last year of her life. Throughout the whole of her illness, she exhibited much patience, and submission to the holy will of God. The doctrines of Scripture were her constant delight and support. She loved those truths, which exalt the grace of God, and humble the sinner in the dust. During the latter part of 1823, it became manifest to her, that she could not long survive. As she drew near the grave, her prospects of glory brightened. She now conversed with her children and other friends, with great freedom, charging them not to mourn for her, but to prepare for death. For a few days before her decease, she was much affected, in thinking of the value of the souls of perishing sinners, and entreated them to seek an interest in Christ, telling them what support religion afforded her, on a dying bed. A friend, one day, coming in to see her, while they were viewing her swollen feet she remarked, "This looks like death;" and expressed much satisfaction, at the symptoms of her dissolution. She said, that dying was going home, and that she expected to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and many of her dear friends, with whom she had gone to the house of God in company, and had often taken sweet counsel. The day preceding that on which she died, she was able to converse to the astonishment of those who visited her. She expressed great love to such as she thought to be Christians; telling them, that if she had no hope, she should be ready to call to the mountains and rocks to fall on her; but that now, she could cheerfully shake hands with death. There was, on her countenance, an expression of the heavenly state of her mind, which cannot soon be forgotten. It reminded us of the face of Moses when he came down from the mount. She addressed two of her brothers who came in to see her, in a most solemn manner, urging them to be engaged in the cause of religion. She also called her husband to her bed side, most affectionately en treating him, to be faithful to his own soul and to the souls of others. She exhorted her Christian friends to go from house to house, and warn sinners "to flee from the wrath to come," telling them, that a Saviour is freely offered them. In her great distress she often desired her friends to sing, and joined with them in that delightful employment. At times, she was afraid her patience would fail, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ;" but she would say, under her pain, God is good; God is just. Her confidence in the Redeemer was firm and unshaken, to the last. When she was dying, she wanted to join with her friends in prayer; which being performed, she wished to hear them sing, for the last time. Accordingly, the 66th Hymn of the second Book of Watts, was sung, beginning, "There is a land of pure delight." When in the agonies of death, she requested to be raised up; but finding no relief, asked to lie down again, repeating the words, God is good; God is just. A large circle of friends stood around her dying bed, deeply affected to witness the solemn scene O may it never be forgotten by them! About 3 o'clock in the afternoon, her spirit was released from its earthly tabernacle; and as we have much reason to believe, winged its flight to the realms of eternal day, to join those who are redeemed from the earth leaving a husband and five children, to mourn their irreparable loss. But her friends felt as though they could say, the will of the Lord be done. "Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints." "They die in Jesus, and are blest; Her funeral was attended at the Meeting house, by a large number of friends and acquaintance; and a discourse was delivered, by the Rev Mr. Wright, from Heb. iv 9. "There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God." DIED at Philadelphia, Rev. HENRY HOLCOMB, D.D. Pastor of the First Baptist Church in that city, aged 62. |