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Dbituary.

Mr. LILLEY EATON.

Died at South Reading, (Mass.) March 12, 1822, Mr. LILLEY EATON, in the 54th year of his age. During the early part of his youth, Mr. Eaton was the subject of no serious impressions of a relig ious nature. But at the age of 20, becoming very weak and debilitated, he was led to reflect on the unsatisfying nature of all sublunary enjoyments, the brevity and uncertainty of life, and the infinite importance of preparation for eternity. At first, however, he indulged some hope of preparing himself by a series of good deeds for the felicity of heaven. But the more he reflected, the more correct his ideas became. He saw at length the moral pollution of his heart, the criminality of his life, and his utter inability to commend himself to the favour of Jehovah. In about two years he was enabled to fix all his hopes in the atonement of Christ, and found peace in believing on Him who is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

May 12, 1794, Mr. Eaton was baptized in his native town, by the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, and united with the second Baptist Church in Boston,under his pastoral care. A few years afterward, he was dismissed to the Baptist Church in Woburu. In 1804, when a Baptist Church was constituted in his own town, he was embodied with it, and continued one of its most active and useful members to the day of his death.

During his last illness, which continued but eight days, he was for the greater part of the time bereaved of his reason, so that he had little opportunity of exhibiting those traits of character which often adorn and render enviable the dying bed of a real Christian. But from the whole tenour of his religious life, the best evidence we can possibly have, we cannot doubt that he fell asleep in the arms of Jesus.

On the Lord's day following his decease, a discourse was delivered on the occasion, by the Rev. Gustavus F. Davis, Pastor of the church, to a crowded and deeply affected auditory, from Psa. 12, 1. "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men." From that discourse, the following extracts are made,

which will serve to give some of the out. lines of his character.

"Mr. Eaton was emphatically a godly and a faithful man. It is unnecessary for me in my station and under my circumstances, to expatiate on bis mildness of disposition; his almost unparalleled equanimity; his kind and condescending affability towards all classes of men ;these were excellencies in his character which will linger in the fond recollection of all who knew him. But there were some traits in his religious character, on which I beg leave to make a few remarks.

Mr. Eaton was a man of ardent piety. From his conversion to God, he adhered with becoming fidelity to the grand and fundamental principles of the gospel. Nor did he hold them merely in theory; speculative notions of divinity formed a small part of his religion. Every sentiment which he embraced, exerted a powerful influence on his heart and life. When the distinguishing features of Christianity were exhibited to his view, his cheeks were often seen suffused with tears of penitence and joy.

Mr. Eaton was a man of prayer. He not unfrequently led the devotions of his brethren in the social circle. He not only bowed at the family altar, morning and evening, but in obedience to the commands of his Lord, he entered into his closet, and shut to his door, and prayed to his Father in secret.

The following rules in relation to the proper seasons for attention to Christian duties, drawn up by himself, will give some idea of his views on this subject.

1. Pray in secret before breakfast in the morning.

2. Pray in secret before dark in the evening.

3. Observe a season for the express purpose of consideration and meditation, between sunset and dark.

4. If the head of a family, read the scriptures and pray with the family immediately after breakfast.

5. At meals give thanks or ask God's blessing on his provision.

6. At evening, with as many as convenient of the family, read the holy scrip tures and pray as in the morning.

As far as his most intimate friends can judge, he scrupulously and constantly observed these rules. His attachment to prayer continued with him to the last. His family will always remember the peculiar fervency with which he addressed the throne of grace on their behalf, on the evening before the commencement of bis last illness. And just before he expired, he appeared to revive a little, and with an audible voice offered, as nearly as can be recollected by those who were present, the following sup. plication.

"I rejoice in the God of my salvation. Thou art the portion of my soul. Hare mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, O cleanse me from my sin. Heal me of my backslidings; for I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. O Lord, revive thy work in this place. Make bare thine holy arm in the sight of all the people. May fearfulness surprise the hypocrite, and sinners be converted to thee.

I commit myself, O Lord, into thy hands, and all my numerous concerns both for time and eternity. Amen."

Mr. Eaton was a man of great hospitality. He seemed to consider his earthly possessions committed to him as to a steward, and acted like one conscious of the fact, that it is required of stewards that a man be found faithful. He believed that the silver and gold in his hands were the Lord's, and subject to the calls of his word and providence. He ! therefore heard these calls with cheerfulness, and answered them with prompt

ness.

His local situation and pecuniary resources, made his house a general resort of ministers and private Christians from all parts of the country, and gave him an ample opportunity of distributing to the necessitous, and contributing to the support of benevolent institutions. Nor was he regardless of the wants and distresses of those around him, who needed the aid of his manificent hand. Of the truth of this, many of you are witnesses. "He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth forever."

But he has gone, no more to return, no more to engage in those acts of piety and benevolence in which he so much delighted; and for which he was so highly distinguished. His work is finished, and ere this he has received that blissful plaudit, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

It may not be improper here to introduce one or two extracts from a letter which he wrote to his daughter E- at that time in the academy at Bradford, dated May 30, 1820; as they will serve to confirm some parts of the above description of his character.

"This is my birth day. O that I might suitably consider the goodness of God to me, all the way the Lord has led me these 52 years. Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all my days. But my leanness! My sins would sink me in despair, were it not that I have a little hope in Jesus Christ the Saviour."

"Be watchful every hour, live near to God, and pray for me and for us all, that we may do likewise; for time is short, and it seems very precious. May we live every day as those who expect soon to die."

When such a man is taken away, the event is inscrutable, and our only consolation is, that it has taken place in conformity to His will and purpose, who is "too wise to err, and too good to be unkind." In his death, an afflicted widow has lost a kind husband; six orphan children, an excellent father; the church of Christ a firm pillar; and community a worthy citizen.

May all make a suitable improvement of this afflictive visitation, and be prepared to meet the deceased in heaven, where the inhabitants "diè no more,"

Mrs. LYDIA ALLEN.

DIED at Lisbon, Connecticut, January 7th, 1821, Mrs. Lydia Allen, wife of deacon Ebenezer Allen, aged 32 years. She was the daughter of Capt. Ebenezer, and Mrs. Ruth Bass, of WindBlest with pious ham, Connecticut. parents, she was early instructed in the principles of the Christian religion. She possessed a strong mind, and was frequently the subject of serious impressions. She had from time to time, oppor tunities of attending upon the ministry of Rev. Abel Palmer, formerly of Hampton. Under his preaching she often found herself greatly affected, and thought that if she were ever converted, it must be through In 1811, being his instrumentality.

about to remove to the State of NewYork, he came into the neighbourhood to preach. As she expected it was the last time she should ever hear him, she made much dependence upon the meeting, and thought that she should then feel just as she wished. But instead of being melted under the word, she found herself extremely insensible, and nothing seemed in the least to affect her. She

returned home stupid, (as she thought,) and concluded that she should never become a Christian; but before night a sense of her lost condition returned, and tears began to flow. She retired to pray, and several times poured out her soul to God. At length her distress left her, and she became composed The next morning she appeared to have a sense of the glory of God in the wonderful works of creation, and wondered that she had never before seen what she

then saw. After family worship she confessed to her parents her sinfulness, and asked their forgiveness. From that time she appeared to have just views of the character of God, the nature of his Jaw, and the way of salvation by Jesus Christ. About three years after, she was led to examine the subject of baptism, and became convinced that it was her duty to be immersed on a profession of her faith. In 1815, she was baptized by Elder Putnam, and united with the Baptist church in Hampton. At the water side, after addressing the spectators, and telling them the reason why she could not be satisfied with her Infant baptism, she repeated with a peculjar emphasis the hymn,

"Jesus, and shall it ever be,

A mortal man asham'd of thee!" &c.

Soon after she obtained a hope in the mercy of God, she becaine anxious for the salvation of others, and often warned them to flee from the wrath to come. Her desires were not confined to those of her immediate acquaintance, but extended to souls in heathen lands, who were perishing for lack of knowledge; and when the Windham and Hampton Female Mite Society was formed to aid in translating the scriptures, she became a member, and acted as their Secretary until she was married to deacon Ebene

zer Allen, in 1818, and removed to Lis

bon; but she remained a member till her death. She was ever ready to bear her proportion in supporting the gospel at home, and at her death, bequeathed one hundred and twenty dollars, one half of which sum is for the education of Indian children, the other half for the support of Foreign Missions.

In the summer of 1820, she was attacked with an inflammation on the lungs, which ended her active and useful life Her cough and alarming symptoms began about the last of July, although she attended meeting in Hampton on the first sabbath in August, which was the last she ever attended. From the first, she seemed to be impressed with an idea that she should not recover. Some

part of the time her cough was less distressing, but even then she was afflicted with a great degree of hoarseness. Her friends indulged hopes that she would again recover her health, and thought her spirits low, when she said she did not wish to know what was going on even in the other part of the house. I have nothing more to do with my work of a temporal nature; but wish to examine my evidence of a title to that mansion which is prepared for the children of God. In the commencement of her sickness, her mind seemed to be filled with doubts and fears, which she often expressed to her friends; but in the midst of this distress and anxiety, she had a hope which she could not give up; yea, her faith appeared unshaken But still she seemed to have a strong desire that the Lord would reveal himself in such a manner as to give her that comfort she so greatly desired. She all this time manifested a resignation to the will of God, and said, I would not murmur against the will of my Heavenly Father for all this world. Frequently did she say, I would not complain; and spoke of the goodness of God to her, in that she did not endure such pain as many of her fellow creatures.

One morning, the Lord in great mercy revealed himself to her in a wonderful manner. Then she had something to say to all her family. She entreated her husband to live more devoted to God. To one she said, "Do prepare for death! how can I endure the thought of being separated from you in another world, should I be saved and you lost?" To another, "I feel as though I had never given you any reason to think me a Christian, and asked him if he was prepared for death." He gave her to understand that he did not consider himself to have passed the great change of regeneration. She enjoined on him to attend to it immediately. At that time she seemed to take her leave, and give her last advice, although she lived many

months. Ever after that time she felt more calm and strong in the Lord; her evidences seemed to brighten to the last. She appeared in an eminent degree to possess the temper of a child, often saying to her friends," sit down by me, instruct and admonish me." On the morning of her death, she enquired if she were dying, then said, Oh! yes, this is death, and asked if it would be wrong for her to say, Come, Lord Jesus, cone quickly? Being answered in the negative, she said, "Oh! I wish I was there," and soon closed her eyes in death.

Drdinations, &c.

CHURCH CONSTITUted.

THE meeting house formerly occupi ed by the German Reformed Church, in New-York, was purchased in April last by two enterprising gentlemen in this city, (not members of any particular church) and offered for the accommodation of the Baptist denomination. The providence of God having thus plainly indicated the duty of our brethren in New-York, several members of Baptist churches obtained regular letters of dismission, for the express purpose of organizing a new church, to be called the South Baptist church in New-York. The Rev. Charles G. Sommers was unani

mously invited to take the charge of the contemplated church, and having accepted the call, and removed to this city, the church was publickly constituted on the 24th of April.

The Rev. John Williams introduced the services by an appropriate prayer. A sermon was preached by Rev A. Maclay, after which, the pastor of the church gave to the council of ministers convened, a succinct statement of the doctrinal sentiments and order of the church. The hand of fellowship was then presented to the pastor of the new church, by Rev. John Stanford; followed by a most solemn and impressive charge to the pastor and members of the church. The concluding prayer was offered by Rev. Amasa Smith. The services were interspersed and enlivened by appropriate sacred musick.

CHURCH CONSTITUTED AND MINISTER

ORDAINED.

By the request of a number of brethren residing in Rhinebeck Flats, N. Y. a council was called July third, 1821, for the purpose of constituting a church, and ordaining Mr. Robert Scott, to the work of the ministry. The following composed the council: from Northeast, N. Y. elders Freeman Hopkins, and John Buttolph, with two brethren; and from 1st Sandisfield, Mass. elder Jesse Hartwell, with three brethren.

1. In the evening the council formed, elder Jesse Hartwell, Moderator, John Buttolph, Scribe.

2. Examined the brethren and sisters

respecting their experience, Christian and covenant, and being satisfied there. character, doctrines, articles of faith, with, it was agreed to give them the right hand of fellowship as a church? which was done in behalf of the coun

cil by the Moderator.

3. Brother Robert Scott, one of the

constituted members, who had been labouring for a considerable time in that place, and has been the principal instrument in gathering the church, was presented as a candidate for ordination. After due examination, the council resolved to proceed in the ordination to-morrow. After which, four persons presented themselves for baptism. They gave satisfactory evidence of their Christian experience, and were received. Adjourned till 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.

July 4. Met pursuant to adjournment. 4. Elder J. Hartwell preached from Acts xx. 28.

5. The candidate made a formal and solemn dedication of himself to the work of the gospel ministry.

6. Elder J. Buttolph made the ordaining prayer.

7. Elder J. Hartwell gave the charge. 8. Elder J. Buttolph presented the right hand of fellowship.

9. Elder F. Hopkins made the concluding prayer.

10. Repaired to the water, accompanied by a numerous assembly, where the four candidates were baptized by elder Hopkins,

11. Having returned to the house, a number more related their experience, and joined the newly formed church.

12. In the most pleasing union, the church for the first time, together with the members of the council, partook of the Lord's Supper. Thus in peace and love closed this solemn and pleasing

scene.

ORDAINED June 28th, 1820, in the Welch Association, at their session in Steuben, Oneida county, Rev. Thomas Morgan. Sermon by elder David Grif fith; ordaining prayer by elder John Stevens; elder David Griffith gave the charge; elder John Stevens the right hand of fellowship: concluding prayes by elder Abraham Williams,

February 28th, 1821. Norman Gitteau was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry in the Baptist church of Christ in Denmark, county of Lewis, as their pastor. After the usual examination, Elder Emory Osgood preached the sermon from 2 Corinthians, Chap iv. verse 7. Elder John Blogget made the consecrating prayer; elder Martin E, Cook gave the charge; elder Emory Osgood gave the right hand of fellowship; elder Palmer Cross made the concluding prayer; the candidate gave out the concluding hymn, and dismissed the assembly. The solemnity of a crowded audience, and excellent musick added much to the gratification of the Christian.

March 15th, 1821. Asa Averill was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry in the Baptist meeting house in Ellisburgh. Elder Norman Gitteau preached the Sermon; elder Emory Osgood made the consecrating prayer; elder Martin E. Cook gave the charge; elder Joshua Freeman gave the right hand of fellowship, and made the concluding

prayer. The scene was solemn and interesting.

November 8th, 1821. Hiram Cornell was ordained to the pastoral charge of the Baptist church in Rodman. The usual examination being past, in which the candidate gave entire satisfaction, elder Elisha Morgan preached the sermon; elder John Blogget made the consecrating prayer; elder Emory Osgood gave the charge, from 1 Timothy, chapter iv. verse 16. elder Martin E. Cook gave the right hand of fellowship; elder Joseph Cornell, (grandfather to the candidate,) gave the charge to the church: elder Norman Gitteau made the concluding prayer. On the same day, brother J. Beard was set apart as a deacon. The Congregational church kindly gave the loan of their meeting house. The season was solemn and interesting.

November 9th, 1821. Benjamin M. Danielson was ordained to the pastoral charge of the first Baptist church of

Christ in Rutland.

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Theophilus arrived too late for insertion in this Number. Obituary of Deacon S. B. has been received.

Account of Revival in Sedgwick shall appear in our next

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