DREADFUL IMPRECATION. ON Saturday, Mr. Baker held an inquest at the Fox and Goose, Shakspere's Walk, Shadwell, respecting the death of Elizabeth Jane M Carthy, aged 31 years. Deceased, some months ago, had been engaged to be married to a young man who went to sea. On Wednesday last her suitor returned home, and as soon as she heard of his arrival she surreptitiously left her home, and took away with her the whole of her goods. On application for the rent by the landlord, her intended husband promised to pay it as soon as he received his wages. When deceased heard this she threw herself into a violent paroxysm of rage, and declared, with the most horrible imprecation, that if he did so, "she wished that God would strike her dead if she lived with him again." The same evening they retired to rest as usual. In a short time afterwards deceased was found lying on the floor in a state of insensibility, and quite black in the face. Medical assistance was sent for, but all aid was fruitless, life being quite extinct. Mr. Daniel Ross, High-street, Shadwell, surgeon, deposed that he was called to deceased. She was quite dead. He attributed her death to apoplexy. Verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.-Jan. 1845. THE PRODIGAL'S RETURN. "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out."-JOHN vi. 37. Just as I am without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot— To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, Just as I am though tossed about Just as I am-poor, wretched, blind, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am-thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, Because thy promise I believe Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am-thy love, I own, O Lamb of God, I come! THE PRODIGAL'S WELCOME. M. J. D. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Behold, now are we the sons of God."-1 JOHN iii. 1, 2. The wanderer no more will roam, O Lamb of God, in thee! Though clad in rags, by sin defiled, O Lamb of God, in thee! It is the Father's joy to bless; O Lamb of God, in thee! O Lamb of God, in thee! Yea, in the fulness of his grace, O Lamb of God, in thee! I cannot half his love express, O Lamb of God, in thee! It is thy precious name I bear, O Lamb of God, in thee! And when I in thy likeness shine, O Lamb of God, in thee! FOSTER, PRINTER, KIRKBY LONSDALE. M. J. D. FRIENDLY VISITOR. No. 322. JULY, 1845. VOL. 27. A FEW WORDS ON THE TIMES. My readers are aware that I have been in the habit, from time to time, of drawing their thoughts to whatever, in the movements and changes of this vain, passing world, seemed to require special notice. It is clear that the Scriptures sanction such a course. Are we not to discern the signs of the times? And it is clear that there is an advantage in doing this. When the mind and the feelings are deeply interested and busily at work, then it is that attention can be gained; and then it may be hoped that the effort to guide and help others may be blest and prospered. Now, every one has a stake in the interests of his country. High and low, rich and poor, young and old— all meet together here in one common sympathy. It is as much a matter of importance to the humble cottager as it is to the wealthy noble, to ask what are the times, and what the future prospects, whether for good or for evil. A nation's prosperity is as dear to the poor man as to the rich indeed, in one sense, far more so; since its adversity will press first and most heavily on him. I say, then, that we have a right to expect from all classes of a people that an anxious regard should be felt by them for the progress and the prospects of the nation to which they belong. It is And to the Christian, whether high or low, there are dearer considerations than those which attach to the fleeting interests of a world, soon to be no more. not indeed a matter of indifference with any, whether times are bad, and trade dull, and future prospects no better. While we are in the body, none can be regardless of the wants, and the sustenances, and the claims of our bodily condition. H But the Christian has still higher thoughts and anxieties and as a joy and a gladness may be put into his heart, and is indeed known and realized by him, far, far more than in the time when corn, and wine, and oil increase; so the thought of any thing that endangers his only substantial joy and gladness will be far more grievous to him, than the thought of that which can only affect the lower and contracted springs of earthly good. Now, when we compare our present state as a nation with that of a few years back, we see much, in a worldly point of view, to excite our thankfulness. Trade now prospers, and work is consequently plentiful, and things are in a very different state with all classes of the community to what they were some time ago. But a nation's prosperity is no sure sign of God's favour, much less of a people's real well-doing. When "Jeshurun waxed fat he kicked." The most solemn warnings of holy writ seem directed to the dangerous circumstances of worldly prosperity. Who knows but that God may be raising us up to the highest pinnacle of national greatness, that he may show to all the world the utter worthlessness of fame, and wealth, and power, to make our mountain so strong that it never can be moved? Who knows but that God may be raising us up, like Nebuchadnezzar of old, in order to make our fall the more marked before the nations of the world, and thus to vindicate his own insulted dignity, and to manifest his omnipotence over those who virtually drive him out of his own universe, and, in the spirit of proud independence, ask, "Who is Lord over us?" My Christian readers will agree with me, that no degree of worldly prosperity can satisfy us that the Lord of hosts is with us in the way of national blessing, if higher tokens be wanting. We cannot be content with the blessings of the nether springs, without those of the upper also. And here comes our fear. We cannot withhold our conviction, that dark and troublous days are nigh at hand. See what a shaking of all the various sections of the professing Christian Church! See what new, and powerful, and untiring efforts are making in all directions by the Papists! Churches building convents and schools starting up-missionaries going forthbishops, jesuits, priests increasing in all directions, at home and abroad! And, along with this, see what efforts are making to undo the Protestant character of our own beloved Church, by the treacherous hands of those who ought to uphold her; efforts to withhold and to keep in the background her glorious, blessed doctrines, and to new-model her worship and her churches, as far as possible, after the fashion of Rome! I would scarcely refer to this painful subject, if I thought that any of my readers could be in the bliss of ignorance; but where is there one, even one, to whom, in report or reality, this mischief has not come? Depend upon it, it may well be a time of trembling and fear. All, apparently, is moving in favour of Popery. Our rulers are infatuated, and are boldly and fearlessly succouring and establishing Popery. The black, fearful cloud advances rapidly over our heads; and oh how soon the candlestick of the Gospel may fail from amongst us altogether! The Church's whole dependence is on Him who is the only Light of the world; and if he withdraws, there is nothing to prevent the purest and brightest Church from relapsing into the darkest condition of ignorance, superstition, and ungodliness. What, then, should be our duty at this critical period? We must awake, my dear readers, to a just sense of our I. National unworthiness, which may well provoke God to withdraw our privileges, and leave us to the enemy. What light England has long enjoyed! Bibles -faithful preaching-schools-tracts! What more could God have done in his vineyard? But oh what poor returns! What sad, inconsistent, unholy lives! What ungodly, unpraying families! What neglect of the souls of children, relatives, neighbours; and what forsaking of the means of grace! How little done compared with what might be done for the conversion of the world to Christ! How little zeal for Christ's glory! |