46 THE PEACEFUL DEPARTURE OF MRS. MARY MALE. comforts of life, so that we have often said, 'the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, and we have a goodly heritage.' În March,1842,on Easter Sunday, we entered the marriage bond,performed by our respected and beloved friend Mr.P. This terminated our attendance at Eden Chapel; from that time we have constantly attended the ministry of our aged and respected friend Mr.Sutton, who is fast going down the hill of life; but still he finds his God faithful to his promise, for he still brings forth fruit in his old age. Nothing very particular had occurred in the experience of the deceased for about four years, but constantly the subject of great darkness of mind, and often has she wet her couch with tears, because she could not enjoy more of the Lord's presence, often would say, 'I go and come but all to no comfort, my dear friends seems to enjoy the word, and can talk about the best things, speak of his love, and sing of his grace and mercy, and tell to each other what God has done for their souls, but I cannot; the Bible is a sealed book; my prayers are like the chattering of the crane or a swallow; I think I am quite alone, like a sparrow upon the house-top; I fear after all I shall be a cast-away; but still to the house of God I will go, for I can say, 'There my best friends my kindred dwell, There God my Saviour reigns.' It may be truly said of her, as was said of the excellent Grimshaw, that she prayed much, and waited long before she experienced that peace of mind, which is the effect of a living faith in Jesus. But after all a happy end has crowned the whole. She now beholds his face. took them from me, and said, 'My dear, I am going to leave you, I have had a sure sign that I shall die. I shall live a few days more; and that will be to speak of the goodness of my God. Don't weep for me, I shall soon be at home; now I can feel my sins forgiven; ALL IS WELL! ALL IS WELL! The feelings of her partner may be better imagined than expressed, from such sudden and unexpected expressions. In the evening she wished to see a friend, to say how happy she felt; and it may be said that she was like a bottle wanting vent. A friend came to see her :-'Oh, Mrs. E., I am glad to see you; I am going to leave this sinful world; my race is nearly run; my doctor told me last night that there is no hope of life, that cheered my heart, for I feel so happy that I want to be gone; never in all my life have I felt so happy in my mind as the last two days; 'tis 'Now I can read my title clear, To mansions in the skies.' I have no fear of death: death has no sting for me, my Jesus has took it away; I am as happy as I expect to be this side of heaven. said, 'Do not weep for me, my dear, my Turning to her husband, she tears will soon be all wiped away; take care of the dear babes, mind they are not ill used; I can leave them with you without the least fear. I have not come to a dying-bed to learn your kindness; I shall see you again among the ranks of the glorified; and 'There we shall see his face, And never, never sin.' 'My Jesus hath done all things well;' I shall soon be with and like my Lord; I am quite ready to go when the messenger comes. Her father saying to her, not to talk quite so much, she quickly replied, Why I have been still long enough: satan would like to stop my mouth now, but satan is for ever done with me; I will speak of his praise while I have my breath, and soon I shall In the year 1846, there was a revival of was obliged to desist from talking for the Her cough getting very troublesome she the cause of God under the pastorate of our night. On the following day, the family venerable friend, Mr. Sutton; and somecame to see her in the last stage of life; thing like twelve or thirteen came to tell on entering the room she cheerfully said, the church what God had done for their 'My dears, I am glad to see you, don't cry, souls, the deceased being one of that num- I am quite happy; ber. She spoke her experience, June 28th, was baptised July 16th, 1846. During the last year of her mortal life, she laboured under much weakness of body, proceeding from asthma of fifteen years' standing, ofttimes troubled so much with cough as to deprive her of all comfort in her domestic circle; in addition to that mental darkness (her constant companion) which somei mes brought forth that pathetic exclamation, ‘Oh, that I had wings like a dove, then would I fly away and be at rest.' On the 23rd of August she was mercifully delivered of a living child, being the third he had borne; restoring mercies seemed to us to be granted for twelve days, so that there was no apprehension of death being so near; on the 7th of September she was seized with a violent fit of shaking, so that it was feared soul and body must part; and from this time it became evident that the tabernacle was about to be taken down, and nearly all hopes of being saved was taken away. On the following day, feeling herself weaker, she said, 'My dear, give me the Bible, and Stevens' hymn book;' she 'Clasp him in my arms The antidote of death.' A dear friend at evening, said, 'If I see you no more in this world, what is your prospect for the future? She calmly replied, 'I feel this mud-wall cottage shake, And I can say I] long to see it fall.' All is settled! All is well! I do not wish to be impatient, but I long to be gone; the feelings of my inmost soul are, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Good night: farewell: farewell.' Being very restless through the night, she often said, Why are his chariot THE LATE MR. T. DAWES. wheels so long in coming? I thought I should have been at home before this.' Turning to her husband, she said, 'My dear, I want to hear you pray once more before I go over Jordan: I shall soon be done praying and shall commence praising, never more to leave off; you will be spared long yet in this vale of tears to bring up the dear babes: but I shall see you again; and I hope my dear children will be found interested in the same salvation I live in the possession of a good hope through grace. 'The coffin, the shroud, and the tomb, To me are no objects of dread: On him who is mighty to save, My soul is with confidence stay'd.' After giving some directions respecting her funeral, how she wished to have it done, who should be the bearers, &c., she said, Tell Mr. Sutton to preach from Psa. xxxí. 5,—Into thy hands I commit my spirit. I think this will be the last day.' In the after part of the day it was apparent that the king of terrors was not far distant. Feeling herself much worse, she said, 'This is the time-good by my dear, farewell farewell!' After laying some minutes, being asked whether she felt better? she replied with emphasis, 'No: and have no wish; I am going home to night.' At half-past seven o'clock her faculties became a little impared; nothing would do but her bed must be altered so that she might go to rest for the night: her sister mentioned to her that she was safe on the Rock of Ages. Her reply was don't talk so loud,' the last words she was heard to speak. At half-past eight o'clock she fell asleep in the arms of Jesus, on the 3rd day of October, 1848, in the thirty-first year of her age. On the following Lord's-day, her mortal remains were interred in the Cottenham Cemetery; there to sleep till the morn of the resurrection; when her 'mortal shall put on immortality. Some remarks were made at the grave by our friend Mr. Sutton; and we left the body in the dust with singing Farewell, dear saint, a short adieu, Some angel calls thee to the spheres.' And the same evening, the solemn event was improved by Mr. Sutton preaching from the text chosen by herself; and the service closed with singing the 256th hymn in Dobell's collection''Tis finish'd, the conflict is past, The heaven-born spirit is fled; Her wish is accomplish'd at last, And now she's entomb'd with the dead.' Thus, Mr. Editor, I have given you a few of the particulars connected with the life and death of Mary Male, hoping that you will give them a place in that Vessel which brings good tidings from a far county, if you think them worthy, if not, return them to me again. I am happy to inform you that the Vessel is making its way into our village. Your companion in the path of tribulation, DAVID MALE. The Late Mr. Thomas Dawes, 47 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." SIR:-Should you deem the following brief memoir of a faithful minister of the Lord Jesus worthy of a place in your interesting publication, its insertion at your earliest couvenience will much oblige, Sir, Your's respectfully, A WIDOW IN ISRAEL. That'the memory of the just is blessed.' was especially verified in the instance of our beloved and departed friend Mr.Thomas Dawes, whose remembrance is cherished with grateful affection by many who esteemed him very highly in love for his work's sake.' He was a native of Welwyn, Herts, called by divine grace in early life and after a long season of mental anxiety and soul conflict, set at liberty under the ministry of Mr. Óxenham, then supplying in that town. In the providence of God he removed to London, and was a hearer of the late Mr. Huntington till his death; afterwards uniting with the church under Mr. Francis, of Snows' Fields, between whose character, as described in the pages of the Earthen Vessel, and that of our friend, there appears to have been a striking similarity; eventually he joined the friends assembling at Soho Chapel, (of which place the late Mr. Coombs was then pastor) where he confrom the church militant to the church tinued an honourable member till removed triumphant above. Mr. Dawes was engaged in the ministry upwards of thirty years in various parts of his Master's vineyard; and for more than twenty-six of that number as an alternate monthly supply, he faithfully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ to the friends assembling at Zion Chapel, King's Langley, and by the grace of God was enabled to adorn his profession by a suitable life, walk, and conversation. His public ministrations were plain, simple, and energetic, often arising to the sublime, while his deep views of the gospel truth, and of the glory and preciousness of his Lord and Master, whom he delighted to honour, often exceeded his power of expression; and the Lord honoured his devoted servant by owning his message, and giving it an abiding in the hearts and affections of many of his hearers. It was his often expressed desire that he might be left to outlive his religion. This request 'rather wear out, than rust out;' and not was more than granted, his lamp appearing to burn brighter as it neared the fountain of light. The last Sabbath Mr. Dawes spent on earth he laboured amongst us with peculiar liberty and acceptance, addressing us in the morning and afternoon from Psalm xcii. 10, 'I shall be anointed with fresh oil.' And as far as memory is correct, he considered the words of the text as ap 48 WAS THIS A VESSEL OF MERCY? more of the way of salvation now seemed quite to overpower every other feeling; she never alluded to her approaching trial, nor seemed to think of it. And when I expressed fear that she might be wearied with conversation, as she had previously received instruction that morning she said, Oh, no, no; I can never hear too much, about that; all I want is to know more, more about Christ.' She refused to plead 'Not Guilty,' and throw herself on her country for trial, which was recorded as a plea of Not Guilty, by order of Court ;' indeed, confession, free and full had been her only comfort from the very hour when plicable to the Lord Jesus Christ, his min- | her. I found her very ignorant, never havisters, and his people; and spoke of the ing read a chapter in the Bible till she came nature of this anointing oil, the necessity to Newgate. Her extreme anxiety to know of being a partaker of it, its blessedness, and the evidences of its reception. This anointing of the Holy Spirit, typified by the oil used in the services of the Jewish tabernacle, gives heavenly light, soul establishment, solid comfort, and divine consolation. The evening's discourse was founded on the 11th chapter of the gospel according to John, 28th verse, 'The Master is come, and called for thee.' The text was considered as a solemn and premonitory one, but we little thought it had reference to the venerable speaker, who, during the whole of the service, was unusually animated; while the heavenly joy which beamed on his pallid countenance, indicated a soul on the wing for glory, and only awaiting its summons for the flight. To a friend who accompanied him to the station he expressed how much the Lord had favoured him throughout the day, notwithstanding he left home in the morning much depressed in mind, he had been truly anointed with fresh oil; on reaching his own habitation, he made the same pleasing communication to the honour of the Master he loved and served. On the ensuing morning he complained of indisposition gradually sinking into a stupor, from which he had partial revivals of consciousness, when he repeated various passages of Scripture, and portions of hymns indicative of the blessed foundations on which his hopes rested. On the following Friday, Dec. 17, 1847, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. [Lines on the Death of Mr. Dawes in our next.] Was this a Vessel of Mercy? A LITTLE tract, headed "A Record of One under sentence of Death," has fallen into our hands; it contains some particulars descriptive of the last days of Harriet Parker, who, for murdering two young children, was executed a short time since, at Newgate. If she was indeed a vessel of mercy, (and from what this tract declares, we would almost hope she was) then, see- to what amazing lengths of sin a redeemed sinner may be permitted to go; see what solemn events may sometimes stand in connection with the conversion of an heir of glory! and see, how free, unmerited, and sovereign is the saving grace of God! Reader! I will give thee a brief outline of what is written of the last days of this poor sinner. Meditate thereon; and the Lord bless it to thy soul's eternal peace. "Harriet Parker had committed the dreadful crime of taking the lives of two young children it was after her committai to Newgate that, as a prison visitor, I was brought into communicatioD with her. was on the 25th of January that I first saw It she had committed the dreadful deed. She She - the "On the 1st of February, I again saw her. She wept much, and expressed great fear that she did not feel her sin enough.' In reading over and contrasting with her the repentance of Judas and Peter, she was much struck and comforted to find that, like the latter, she was enabled, through the grace of Christ, who had first looked on her, to cling to his cross with a hope of mercy. "The next time that I saw her was the day after it had been announced to her that she was ordered for execution in a fortnight, and henceforth I visited her daily. She asked me, before we went to our Scripture reading, to look over a letter she had just dictated to the father of her innocent vlctims. It was a simple, earnest expession of deep penitence for the cruel injury she had inflicted on him, with a solemn entreaty to repent and return to his lawful wife; her sense of the wrong done to the wife appeared from first to last to be that which gave her the sharpest pang of all. When the history of David's guilt was read to her, she realised it as identical with her own; and while conscience said, 'Thou art the man,' seemed to drink in, with equal wonder and humble gratitude, the assurance, The Lord also hath put away thy sin.' "The day after, the third chapter of St. John's Gospel was read, with the reference in the 14th and 15th verses to the history of HINTS, HELPFUL TO THE HUMBLE. 49 I re the brazen serpent, as recorded in Numbers | peated also, Whosoever believeth shall not xxi. And when it was plain and clear to perish, but shall have everlasting life,' she her mind that looking unto Jesus' she was said, 'I desire that the last words of the safe, however deeply wounded by sin, she thief on the cross may be mine too.' clasped her hands, exclaiming, That is beautiful.' After prayer, in which there had been allusion to the hope of the hypocrite,' she enquired, with startling earnestness, what that false hope was? Indeed, fear of ill-grounded hope, of speaking peace to herself where there was no peace, of not feeling her sinfulness as she could desire, oppressed her greatly at this time. On her referring on a subsequent occasion to this false hope, which she had been warned against by a clergyman who had kindly read with her in consequence of the illness of the Ordinary, and asking why this should be so pressed on her, she was told, that as the genuineness of her repentance could not be tested by her after life, and as a change of heart, as well as pardon of sin, was indispensable to render her meet for heaven, it was urgent upon her to pray that God would send his Holy Spirit to try and search her, that she might see whether she felt any such dislike and horror of sin as would lead her to strive against it, though there were neither prison nor death to fear,-whether she had any desire or pleasure in the thought of the employments of heaven, the serving and praising God, &c. "A day or two before the last she expressed great fear lest the calmness which she had felt till now should not last through the awful hours drawing so near. minded her of God's promise of being with his people in the waters,' the flames, and in the valley of the shadow of death, and I entreated her to pray that her thoughts might be fixed on those 'exceeding great and precious promises, and on what is beyond the grave, rather than on those things of earth.' She exclaimed, in a tone of firm confidence, I can bear to look to the end a great deal better than I can at the past. To think of the mercy that did not cut me off when I was cursing and swearing, and living in sin! I never knew peace till I came here.' This day I had found her distressed by her inability to pray during wakeful hours of the night,and when trying to comfort her by the assurance that to him who knoweth all the desire'— that very desire is the life and soul of prayershe said, I do indeed desire to pray, and more urgently too-I would pray with every nerve!' "The last day I was with her, I was struck by the expansion of her mind to grasp the truths of Scripture. To the Scripture, "The history of Gethsemane, of the cruci-Except ye receive the kingdom of God as a fixion, and the penitent thief, she was never tired of listening to these were frequently read to her. Her attention was not at all distracted by any expectations of reprieve, When she was informed of the rejection of her petition, her resignation was unshaken and most touching. 'It will be but a struggle,' said she, a short struggle, and my Saviour hung upon the cross six hours for me.' little child, ye shall in no wise enter therein.' she said, 'That's just as I take it; just as a little child-just so;' and so I believe she did, with the simplicity and earnest faith of a child-neither doubting nor wavering. She repeated, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;' with reference to her coming urgent need, in the most earnest manner, she said, the composure she felt could only be from above, and trusted to it being continued to her, as it was. Her shrinking now was not from death, so much as from the disturbance she anticipated in her last moments from the tumults and insults of the mob. "Her faith failed not. She spent the next day, Sunday, in receiving the kind instructions of the Ordinary; and before she was summoned to suffer the last sad penalty of her crime, sang a hymn, and then walked firmly through the passage. Her last words were, Lord, have mercy on my guilty soul !' Reader, nothing can soften the heart but the application of the blood of Christ, which is the work of the Spirit." "The latter part of the seventh chapter of Luke, the woman to whom much was forgiven, she kept turned down also, and had it frequently read to her. Indeed, this and the history of Gethsemane with the pardoned thief, were quite her favourite portions, the agony particularly. It seemed to tear up the depths of her own soul. She speaks of comfort as her usual frame, but sometimes all the sins and wickednesses of my past life come before me, and then I am afraid.' I asked her on what she then was enabled to stay her heart? She replied, On the hope of forgiveness in Christ.' But that hope must be grounded on some warrant, some promise of Scripture: is there, then, no text that occurs to you at such times?' I had read the 1st Epistle of MY DEAR BROTHER BANKS :-I trust we St. John i. 7, hoping she might commit it have the inward witness,-the living testo memory, but she had not been able; and timony,-and the written record in our when she again said, I pray that these bad hearts, that God, of his grace, hath made us thoughts may not come at the last,' I re-ministers of the New Testament, and not of Hints, Helpful to the Humble. 50 HINTS HELPFUL TO THE HUMBLE. the old covenant,-of the spirit, and not of the letter, of simplicity, and not of subtilty,-of power, and not of form,-of peace, and not of wrath,-of kindness, and not of malice, of plainness, and not of deceit,of purity, and not of corruption,-of reconciliation, and not of confusion,-therefore, let us be deeply concerned that the ministry be not blamed through our conduct, and that the way of truth be not evil spoken of through our conversation. It is laid upon my mind to pen a few remarks to you, touching the things which have grieved my spirit, as also the things which have gladdened my heart, in connection with the Earthen Vessel. It sorely grieves me that a publication evidently calculated to be useful, (under the blessing of the Holy Ghost,) to the church of God, as bearing truth's testimony, bringing forth hidden treasures, breaking down satan's ramparts, building up Zion's travellers, &c., should still have so many enemies, and has met with so much opposition, as to render it marvellous that it has made its way thus far; yet I am glad that it has many warmhearted friends, who not only give it a welcome reception, but are witnessing to others of its worth, as experienced by them from time to time, according to the power of God resting upon it and them. It grieves me much that the responsibility you have taken upon you, in publishing the Vessel, has involved you in considerable difficulties; I have long feared that you have been publishing too many works, both of your own and others, at a loss. My firm opinion is, that all speculation should be carefully avoided by the servants of God, and that we have no right to risk the property of others in attempting to advantage ourselves. I have often said, and again say, that poverty is neither a sin nor disgrace, but dishonesty is both. Therefore, seeing we have so holy a ministry committed unto us, we are called upon to renounce the hidden things of dishonesty. I know some, calling themselves ministers of Christ, who have twice or thrice compounded with their creditors, and who now assume the character of generous gentlemen, giving liberally to charitable institutions, &c., but have not discharged their solemn obligations to their creditors, which, in my judgment, is to defraud men of their due, and surely a righteous God will visit for such things. As regards the Vessel itself; I am glad that your correspondents generally give their name, and do not attempt to conceal themselves under fictitious signatures, for if they are not ashamed of their production, nor of their name, let them invariably add the latter to the former. tending to the last solemn duty that affection demands towards a deceased servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dear Denham has done With this world of deceit, Th' IMMACULATE ONE! While I, and many more, regret exceedingly that our brother Bonner has prevented the full account of his ordination (which was so anxiously looked for) from appearing in the Vessel, I greatly rejoice in the manner and spirit you noticed the same, avoiding all railing accusations,-not rendering evil for evil,-nor rashly imputing motives to a brother who has, doubtless, acted consistently with the dictates of his own conscience. I am glad to find that friend Felton has ventured to set his foot on board the Vessel, and was not afraid to fix his name to his well-sealed packet. The Lord teach, lead, keep, and bless him. And how did my heart rejoice, when my eye caught the name of J. A. Jones;' with holy joy, I exclaimed, We have now father Jones with us, whose writings are as his words,-weighty pnd powerful;' I hope oft to see our father's name appear in the Vessel, attached to his contributions, which, doubtless will be acceptable to your many readers. Peace be with him, and with all your correspondents, in whose hearts love lives, grace reigns, and truth triumphs. But now, my dear brother, I have a word or two more to say, relative to the Appeal,' which appeared in the January number;our good brother Wigmore, of Crudwell, spent the last night of the past year with us at Carmel, when mentioning the Vessel, he said, Ah; when I saw what you wrote, I said, 'that does my heart good, I feel knit to you more than ever, for I dearly love sympathy among the children of God.' One of our deacons, whose liberality is neither regulated nor bounded by the carnal reasonings of worldly prudence, told me, that he was attracted by the smallness of the print which followed your appeal, and when he had read it and noticed the name, he exclaimed, Bravo, John, bravo!' and, at the same time, promised me a sovereign towards your case, adding, he should not like to see the Vessel sink.' · My wife asked me to shew her what I had written, which when she had read, she very warmly said, 'Well, after all that you have there written, what are you going to give?— I was truly glad at heart, to find you were for words alone are of very little use; I anassociated with other godly ministers in at-swered, Leave that to me, I shall do what |