founded, that Religion and the State were both in danger, all ranks of men were called upon to oppofe the spreading evil. In this cafe the Methodifts (whether Epifcopalians or Diffenters) thought the greateft fervice they could render their country, was to aim, under the Divine Bleffing, at the converfion of the adult and the instruction of the rifing generation.— They have eminently fucceeded: and, befide the good refulting to individuals from their own converfion, and to fociety, from the amelioration of the public morals, they have rendered an effential service to the State, by turning the attention of the people from political debates to fubjects of higher importance, and of everlasting intereit. And to this, under God, the tranquillity of the country, in exifting circumstances muft, in a great meafure, be attributed. For it has been observed, by a refpectable writer, who appears to be well acquainted with the importance of Religion to the State, that he who worthips God in spirit and in truth, will love the government and the laws which protect him, without asking by whom they are administered."-Mr. Arthur Young's Enquiry into the State of the Public Mind, &c. p. 25. So far is the fact from countenancing his Lordship's idea, that metho difin is a tool of the jacobins-it is in direct oppofition to their views; and the leading men among the Methodists are known to be as inveterate ene mies to it as any Prelate on the Bench. We hope, therefore, that the Legislature, fhould his Lordship bring the matter before them as he intimates in this discourse, will be too much alive to the interefts of the country, to stop the activity of the only men who appear willing to inftru&t the ignorant and teach the children of the poor. Not that we with to check the exertions of his Lordship's clergy, to whom, it is a little remarkable, that he recommends the preaching of the fame truths by which the Calviniftic Method:fts happen to be diftinguished, namely, the doctrinal Articles of the Church of England. At any rate we hope the Reverend Bench themselves will fill the Churches with these truths, and then we believe they will think it unneceffary to requeft the Legislature to prohibit the Sectaries from preaching them in Conventicles: "Thin congregations," fays Mr. Young, "whether in town or coun. try, are always the fault of the clergy. I never heard a really good impreffive preacher, who delivered the doctrines of the Gofpel, and not thole of fo many modern divines, and who seemed truly to feel the truth and importance of what he uttered, without finding a numerous and at. tentive aflembly.” But is it not a little extraordinary, that in these times of abounding infidelity, any real friend to primitive Chriftianity fhould be fuspicious of the Methodists, after what is faid of them by a dignified churchman and able defender of Chriftianity?" After men became Chriftians," fays Dr. PaJey, much of their time was spent in prayer and devotion, in religious meetings, in celebrating the Eucharift, in conferences, in exhortations, in preaching, in an affectionate intercourfe with one another, and correfponding with other focieties. Perhaps their mode of life, in its form and habit, was not very unlike the Unitas Fratrum, or of modern Methodifts.” -Evidences of Chriflianity, p. 38, 2d edit, But after all, if the enemy ftill continue to work by ftratagem, we cannot help thinking him too crafty to adopt the ftratagem of his Lordship. Surely infidels were never famous for devoting their time and talents to the gratuitous inftruction of the poor; and if they wanted a covert for carrying on their pernicious defign, they would be more likely to feek it in the bofom of a wealthy establishment than a fectarian barn. Certainly this was the cafe in France, where the atheists not only afcended the higher departments of of the government, but also the fuperior offices of the Church, from whencę they diffused their poison through all the inferior orders. We would hope nothing like this will take place in the British Hierarchy; but if our information he correct there are Bishops now on the Bench who are known to have been formerly Socinians; and we have unquestionable authority for afferting, that a oft reverend Prelate thanked, by letter, the late Dr. Price, for his Sermons, written in exprefs oppofition to the established religion of the country. Of this, however, we are confident, that there is not an atheistical apoftle upon earth, but would prefer a thug ftall in a Cathedral, or a warm living in the Church, to the hard fare and harder labours of an itinerant Methodift. NEW PUBLICATIONS IN MARCH. CALMET'S Dictionary of the Holy Bible, Hiftorical, Critical, Geogra phical, and Etymological. Revited, corrected, and augmented. With an entirely new fet of Plates, explanatory, illuftrative, and ornamental. Alfo fragments, illuftrative of the manners, incidents, and phrafeology of the Holy Scriptures: principally felected from voyages and travels in the Eaft, with additional Remarks and Obfervations, intended as an Appendix to Calmet. 4to. 21 Parts, at 5s. each; or 3 vols. boards, 51. 5s. C. Taylor. Annotations on the Bible, with the Sacred Text, Parallel Scriptures, &c. &c. by the late Reverend and learned Matthew Pool. 4to. vol. I. (from Genefis to Kings) price 158. to be completed in 5 vols. Williams. An Introduction to the Study of the Bible; being the fourth edition of the first volume of the Elements of Christian Theology; by G. Prettyman, D.D. F. R. S. Lord Bishop of Lincoin. 12mo. 5s. boards. Cadell and Davis. Confiderations on the Nature and Efficacy of the Lord's Supper, abridged from the larger volume by V. Knox, D.D. 2d edition. 2s. bound. Mawman. The Book of Common Prayer, &c. with an introduction by J. Reeves, Efq. 12mo. 7s, 6s. bound. Wright. A few plan Reafons why we thould believe in Chrift and adhere to his religion addreffed to the patrons and profeffors of the new Philofophy. By R. Cumberland, Efq. 1s. 6d. Lackington and Co. Sermons, by the Rev. Sydney Smith, A. M. 2d edition with additions, 12mo. Vol. 1. 35. 6d. vol. 2. 4s. 6d. boards. Longman and Rees. Continuation of a Difcourfe on the Jewish and Christian Difpenfations, compared with other Inftitutions, by W. Craven, M. D. 2s. 6d. fewed. Hurit. Nuptiæ Sacræ or an Inquiry into the Scriptural Doctrine of Marriage and Divorce, addreffed to the two Houfes of Parliament. Price 3s. 6d. Wright. Sael. Sermons for the Ufe of Schools and Families. By John Naphta, D. D. Canon Refidentiary of Hertford, &c. 8vo. 6s. A Memoir of the Life of the late Henry Booker, Minifter of the Gofpel of the particular Baptift Denomination in Suffex. In Letters to a Friend, chiefly written by himself. 12mo. fewed, Is. Matthews. The Gospel worthy of all acceptation, or the Duty of Sinners to believe in Jefus Chrift. 2d edition, with corrections and additions; to which is added, an Appendix on the Queftion, Whether the Existence of any Holy Difpofition of Heart be neceffary in order to believe in Chrift. By A. Fuller. 12mo, 2s, fewed, Button and Son, The The Beauties of Sentiment, or Extracts from the best Authors, Divine, Moral, &c. 12mo. 2 vols. gs. bound. Symonds. History of the Otaheitan Iflands, from their firft discovery, defigned to aid the endeavours of the Miffionary Societies, 12mo. 38. Ogic. Olam Hanethamoth; or a view of the intermediate State, as it appears in the Old and New Tellament, the Apocrypha, Heathen Authors, and the Greek and Latin Fathers. With Notes. By the Rev. G. Bennet, Carlife. 8vo. 6s. Richardfon. Sermons on various practical subjects, by Alexander Shanks, late Minif ter of the Affociate Congregation at Jedburgh, Svo. 6s. Ogle. SINGLE SERMONS. A SERMON on the Love of God, delivered at the Baptift Meeting, Great Yarmouth. By W. W. Home. 12mo. Button and Son. Our Father which art in Heaven. A Sermon at the Baptist Monthly exercife. By Jofeph Jenkins, D, D. 8vo. gd. Darton and Harvey, Compaffion to the Children of Calamity; a Sermon before the Society for relief of the fick at Leith, by the Rev. Mr. Aitchifon. 94. Ogle. A Practical Improvement of the Divine Countel and Conduct; a fermon occafioned by the deceafe of W. Cowper, Efq. by S. Greatheed. 28. edition, revifed and corrected. Is. Williams. Midnight Prayer and Morning Praile, by T. Davies, 8vo. 1s. Grif fiths. RELIGIOUS TRACTS. The Force and Worth of True Religion in a Dying Hour exemplified. To which are added, two original Letters of the late Rev. W. Romaine, 12mo. 6d. Matthews. A brief Explanation of the Church Catechifm, by the Rev. B. Woodde, M. A. 4d. or 3s. 6d. per dozen., Watts and Co. No. 55. Five Minutes ferious Contideration. 12mo. one halfpenny or 3s. per 100. Williams. 56. Two Village Dialogues between Farmer Littleworth and his Man Thomas Newman. 12mo. Id. or 5. 6d. per 100. Williams. 57. A third Village Dialogue between Farmer Littleworth and his Man Thomas Newman. 12mo. Id. or gs. 6d. per 100. Williams. (Thefe three by the Religious Tract Society.) Thoughts on the Duty of Mercy and Sin of Cruelty to the Brute Creation. id.. or 10s. 6d. per 100. Crosby and Co. The celebrated Sayings of old Mr. Doid. The Church Catechiim, rd. Williams id. Williams, An Addrefs to True Chriftians on the Signs and Duties of the Times, 12mo. 58. pri 100. Matthews. LITERARY NOTICES. P A new and uniform octavo edition of the Works of the learned and excellent Dr. Owen is in contemplation to be published by fubfcription. Rev. Mr, Palmer, of Hackney, is preparing an Improved Edition of his Nonconformitt's Memorial, for the prefs, to be embellished with more than twenty-four capital Portraits, to be engraved on purpoic by the firit artists, The fecond volume of Poole's Annotations, and the third Vol. of Dr. Watts's Works, are expected in the course of the refent month. OBITUARY. OBITUARY. MISS ACHSAH BOWERING. THE fubject of this memoir left this vale of tears April 27th, 1800, aged 29 years. The complaint which occafioned her removal was a pulmonary confumption, fymptoms of which were difcovered for years, but ther fatal confequences were not much apprehended till October 1799; and in the month following the writer of thefe lines was first called to vitit the deceased. For fome days he talked of recovery, and feemed to expect it, which was natural, confidering the flattering nature of her complaint. She, however, foon felt that he was verging faft to the eternal world; but through all her illness the evidenced fuch a frame of 'mind as excited the admiration and gratitude of her Chriftian friends. What appeared mot worthy of notice, was her fteady reliance on the Lord Jefus Chrift--the patience with which the endured a tedious afflic, tion--and the calmnefs and familiarity with which the converfed about her expected change, and at length underwent it. During her illnets the often spoke with confiderable freedom, both to her relations with her, and to Chriftian friends who called to vifit her; and Jefus was the theme of her tongue, and, we truft, the joy and fupport of her heart. No paffage of fcripture was more frequently on her lips, or expreffed in a more interefting manner, than 1 Tim. i. 15. "This is a faithful faying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Chrift Jefus came into the world to fave finners, of whom I am chief." It may be worthy of remark, that it was that fhort, but well known paper, entitled "Poor Jofeph," founded on fact, in the converfion of a perfon under a fermon by the late Dr. Calamy from the above text, which was, under God, the means of first leading her to a ferious concern about her foul. For fonie weeks before her death her weakness and cough so much increased that the was obliged to be fupported in bed; a friend entering the room for this purpose, the exclaimed, “ Oh !- I have been held better than you can hold me! I have been held by Jefus, and he holds ine best.” The laft words which the writer of thefe lines heard from her lips were "Not for our duties or deferts, "But of his own abounding grace." Her ftrength failed her, and the was unable to compleat the ftanza. Indeed the hope which he had, during her illness in the Lord Jefus, as her all and in all, was almost uninterrupted; he was not, however, free from diftreffing doubts: one evening in particular her mind was greatly exercifed for fome hours, and the tempter feemed to attack her faith with unufual boldness; her fears were, left she had never been properly convinced of the evil of fin; and experienced that godly forrow for fin, which affords a true mark of a child of God; however, by the feasonable conversation and prayers of an efteemed friend, her comfort was again restored, and from that time Jefus and his falvation feemed increasingly precious to her. Her patience deferves to be noticed; though on the whole the Lord dealt gently with her; at feafons her pain was exceffive; yet I know not that he was heard to utter a murmuring word. To her friends entering the room, the once observed, "Why did you disturb me? I have been in fuch a fweet meditation that I conceived myfelf at heaven's gate, and Jefus ftanding with open arms to receive me. I have been fo happy it has taken away all my pain; I feel not the leaft of it." And more than once the obferved obferved in a very impreffive manner, "All the pain I feel is nothing when compared with what Jefus endured for my foul." Nor were the calmnefs and familiary with which the viewed her ap. proaching change lefs remarkable. She never feemed agitated at the mention of death; it was what the long expected to realize. She did not feem fo much as to wish to live, but the contrary. It was frequently her express defire rather "to depart and be with Chrift, which is far better." And particularly fhe would repeat, as the fentiment and defire of her heart, these lines: “Oh, may I live to reach the place The morning of the day on which he died, being reminded that the Lord had fpared her to fee another fabbath, the replied " yes," and then prayed that he would that day take her to himself, that the might fleep in the arms of Jefus. Accordingly at eight o'clock that evening her fummons came, and she was released from the body in the moft gentle manner, and entered, we truft, that heavenly fabbath, which is perfect and without end. At her defire, a funeral fermon was preached, May 18th, in Marth-Chapel, Newcattle-under-lyne, from a paffage chofen by herfelt five months be fore her death, Col. iii. 4. " When Chrift who is our life, &c." Young reader, it was the exprefs with of the deceafed, that in her funeral fermon young perfons might be particularly addrefied; permit me, therefore, to clofe with a word to you. She was, like you, in the bloom of youth, but the is gone; every earthly profpect has vanished; her body lies in the filent grave, and her foul is gone to God who gave it. Your's muft shortly follow. Prepare to meet thy God." Take it as from her own lips; it is what the frequently expreffed on her death-bed-" a time of fickness is a very improper feafon to prepare for death! Seek the Lord, therefore, while he may be found. that feek me early, fall find me.” They T.K.. RECENT DEATHS OF MINISTERS. Jan. 12, 1801, died, in a very advanced age, the Rev. Mr. Tomms, of Hadley, in Effex, of whom a portrait and biography will be given in our next Magazine. On Thursday, March 5, at Sunderland, the Rev. John Somerville, in the 64th year of his age. He had long been ill, but on the day of his death thought himself fo much better as to be able to vifit feveral of his friends. In the evening, as he was converfing with one in his parlour, he rose to ftir the fire, fat down in his chair, and expired. He had long laboured among an affectionate people, and has left behind him the favour of the knowledge of Christ in the hearts of many. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. Alfo lately died, at Tavistock, the Rev. Mr. Hill, a pious Evangelical Clergyman of the established Church, of whom we hope to give farther par. ticulars in a future Number. RELIGIOUS |