culations for help, amid sighs and groans, were easily perceptible by others; but it was in solitude she obtained the needed succour. She departed gloomy, or nearly overwhelmed, she re-appeared with a sweet composure; not seldom with an heavenly smile.

That principle which influenced her in personal, actuated her also in relative life. As a Christian help. mate to her husband in the ministry, she would be ever exciting him to diligence, pressing him to greater exertions, and encouraging him under the toils of his profes. sion. Happy those ministers who, in so near a relation, have such fellow-helpers to the truth!—Nor less happy those children who have such a parent. Her natural temper was peculiarly gentle and affectionate; but, as a Christian parent, her na tural tenderness did not confine itself to the present interests of her children. She watched the first openings of reason, and took the little one by the hand, discoursing on the authority and goodness of God, the love and redemption of Christ, the blessedness of Heaven, and the way which leads to it; teaching with so much simplicity, admonishing with so much seriousness, reproving with so much gentleness, as to be almost irresistible. Opportunities of instruction were daily embraced, common incidents improved, every advisable method of success pursued on with patience. Her heart was set upon success; and God gave her the desire of her heart. Of six children, four must, in a judgment of candour, be considered as united with their Parents on high. Her affection extended to an only grandchild, now preparing for the ministry. He had been favoured with her teachings, and with her prayers, for many years. On her return from the table of communion, about two years since, she mentioned, with lively pleasure, that, having there requested of her God his covenant blessing on him, the following words were immediately and deeply impressed upon her mind: "I will be a God to thee, and to thy secd's seed." May this promise be fulfilled in all

its precious meaning! In the churches with which she was con nected, she studied the things which make for peace. The far greater part of her public like was spent in a town which has two congrega tional societies of the same evangelical principles. It was her con cern to maintain harmony between the ministers and congregations. Careful of what dropped from her own lips, she frowned on tale bear. ers; and if a report appeared to be well founded, she would suggest palliation, or be silent. Harmony and peace were not all she sought: she wished to forward all in the life of God; counselling the perplexed, animating the fearful, cheering the mourner, quickening the slothful, and, by serious converse on the truths and precepts of the gospel, aiming to render all more holy and happy. But her chief aim was to impress the youthful heart with sen. timents of piety. The young of both sexes, just entering on the world, she seized every opportunity of acquainting with the realities of eternity, the nature and necessity of the gospel-salvation, the felicity of a religious course; and these gene. rous endeavors were conducted with so much ease and sweetness, that even the gayest and most dissi. pated would not shun her company; would even hear with attention, and express themselves concerning her in the highest terms of esteem and veneration. Her love was not confined to those of her own party: possessed of genuine Catholicism, Conformists and Nonconformists, Presbyterians, Independents, Baptists, Methodists, were to her names of no importance; modes of admi nistering divine institutions, and modes of discipline were, in her view, comparatively trifling. la the capacious bosom of her charity she embraced, with equal warmth, all of every denomination, who dis covered a vital knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus; and, devoted to her beloved Saviour, she cordially wished, prayed for, and rejoiced in the success of all missions for the spread of his kingdom, at home and abroad. All who knew her, beheld the eminence of her

character; she saw in herself nothing but sincerity; she acknow. ledged herself an unprofitable servant. Humility shone, with distin. guished lustre, in the whole of her conversation. She often remarked, that her many affictions had been designed to mortify her pride; and seemed to recollect them with pleasure, under that consideration.

As death is the end of all, it was an event which she steadily kept in view : — she wished to be actually ready whenever the summons should arrive. Returning from the house of God on Sabbath-evening, March 11, she complained of illness. Her illness contined her to her bed. Here, her whole attention was fixed on the great transition before her: she surveyed it with sedateness, resting on the promises of God. These, which had been her support through the whole of her pilgrim. age, were now more than ever precious. Amidst continual and very acute pain, she passed the hours away in repeating and enjoying them. As the period of her dismision approached, she desired her Christian friends not to pray for her continuance; she longed to depart, and to be with Christ. The last words which she was heard to utter, Wednesday evening, March 14 (and they were uttered with unusual ardour) were," Mercies! mercies! great mercies!-worlds! worlds!" After this strength departed, pain gradually ceased, the tongue faltered, and, at nine of the following morning, she fell asleep.

Some, perhaps, may be tempted to consider the above rather a display of what a Christian should be, than as a picture taken from life. To the circumstantial truth of this narrative, her family, her relatives, and the churches in and near the the town where she long resided, can bear ample testimony. It is presented to the eye of the public, as affording an additional instance of the reality and power of the gospel. May Jesus, by whose Spirit alone she was made thus to differ even from the most depraved, be eminently glorified in her! May he render it a mean of exciting many who are slothful, though sincere, to a faith, a love, an active, persevering zeal becoming their glorious destiny! Ottery, St. Mary. W. E. B.

MR. SAMUEL ETHERIDGE.

ON April 27th last died Mr. Samuel Etheridge, of Hackney, in the eighty-first year of his age. He had been an active and useful servant in the Bank of England above half a century; but, what will be more interesting to the readers of the Evangelical Magazine, he had been an honourable member of the Church of Christ (now, and for a long period) under the pastoral care of the Rev. A. Booth, more than sixty-four years; having been baptized and received into it in Sept. 1739. He was also a deacon upwards of forty years. He was, very early in life, a trophy of divine grace. Led, from motives of curiosity, to hear that faithful servant of Christ the Rev. Geo. Whitfield,' God was pleased to reveal to him the knowledge of his great salvation. Though enabled, from so early a period, to give himself up to the Lord, and, through his grace, to persevere in an honourable course, adorning the doctrine of God his Saviour, yet, from his conversation with intimate friends, as well as from some manuscripts that have been preserved, it appears he was very much a stranger to those rapturous enjoyments which some of God's people have been indelged with. A disposition to doubt seems to have been very prevaient, added to some degree of bondage, through fear of death. But the word of truth says, “The righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger;" his life and death adds another proof of this cheering declaration.

and

On the evening previous to that attack which issued in his death, in conversation with his nearest relation, he expressed a wish (it is supposed for the first time in his life) that if any notice should be taken of his death, it might be from Philippians i. 23, "Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better." Little did that relation think the period was so near which would give that wish effect..

In the night he was seized with a violent attack upon his breath; and early in the morning medical aid was sent for. Annearances indi

cated a speedy dissolution; but he was spared nearly two months, this happening ou the 29th of February. His disorder, which was a dropsy in the chest, gave no ground to expect an entire recovery; yet there was a strength of constitution, which led to the hope that he might be spared through the approaching summer. This, however desirable to his friends, did not seem at all to enter into his wishes, as he neither expected nor desired a continuance of lite. The doubts and apprehensions which had harassed him thro' life, had now, in a great degree, been removed; and but in a single instance, during his confinement, did he meet with any considerable interruption to the enjoyment of a calm and steady reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ as his all-suffi cient Saviour, and a comfortable hope of interest in him. His intellects failed him at different periods of his illness; but when he was the least conscious of the true state of things about him, on religious sub. jects he was collected, and repeated passages of Scripture with considerable accuracy:

On the 23d of April he altered materially. Sleep had, in a consi derable degree, been denied him during his confinement; and this, with the progress of his disorder, had very much weakened him, so that when he went to bed that evening, it was expected he would hardly get up again; which proved to be the case, except once or twice only to have it made.

The next morning (Tuesday) when his relation took leave of him to go to town, he seemed to have no knowledge of him. Calling on his return, he met a neighbouring minister coming down stairs; and it gave him much pleasure to learn that, both in conversation and prayer, the deceased had consider. able enjoyment, as well as the knowledge who had conversed and pray. ed with him. He then went to his bed-side, took his hand, and asked how he found himself: his reply was, "Breathing atter Heaven." Leaving him soon after this, he returned again in the evening, and found him sensible; but with a mind evidently detached from all earthly objects. After praying by him,

he pretty distinctly pronounced "Amen" at the close; and soon after talked much of the importance of believing and trusting in, and loving, and obeying the Lord Jesus" Christ; thus evidencing, "That out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Before leav ing him for the night, the wife of his relation asked him how he did : to which he made this animating reply: ، Waiting for an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." These were nearly the last words he was heard distinctly to speak. Although he lived two days beyond this, little was seen but the strong and ineffectual struggles of nature, painful in the extreme to those about him; but probably he was unconscious of pain himself. About half past twelve o'clock on the Thursday night the struggle ceased; and he was, no doubt, introduced into the presence of his Redeemer - an enjoyment earnestly longed for; now never to be interrupted more. The affectionate conversations and prayers of his pastor, and other Christian friends, in his illness, were supporting and comforting to him; but he is got above these; and, in the society of former pastors, and former Christian friends, is deriving his blessedness from the fountainhead,-an everflowing and an overflowing supply.

On the 4th of May he was buried under the meeting-house, Butt Lane, Deptford; and on the 13th Mr. Booth improved the occasion from the words he had previously chosen. The Rev. Mr. Rance also, from an affectionate regard to his memory, improved the solemn event from Isaiah xlvi. 4. ،، And even to your old age I ani he; and even to hoar hairs I will carry you.”

The deceased was one who truly feared God from his youth, and he was not an unprofitable servant. God gave him a hand and a heart to do good, and he delighted in it, not ostentatiously. Many have experienced his bounty, who never knew the source of it; nor at his death has he forgotten the poor of the flock, the advancement of useful institutions, or the cause of his God and Saviour. J.

RECENT DEATHS. About the end of March died the Rev. Thos. Green, of Middleton Cheneys. In early life he was a member of the Tabernaale, London; and was one of four young men who, about the same time, gave themselves to reading and the study of the Scriptures in a sinall society, of whom one only remains living. His temporal prospects were promising, and his friend's adverse to his religious views. He sacrificed all, however, for what he judged to be the path of duty. He went to Lady Huntingdon's college, Trevecka, and preached, for some time, in her connexion, till at length he joined the Baptist denomination, among whom he was esteemed a pious, scriptural, and judicious mi.

mister.

May 21, 1804, died suddenly, aged seventy-eight, the Rev. B. Whitmore, nearly fifty years pastor of the Particular Baptist church at Hook-Norton, in Oxfordshire. The Friday preceding his death, he walked some distance to visit a dear and intimate friend (Mrs. G~~) to whom he observed, that he was considerably better than for months before; and the next morning he was capable of calling upon part of his flock, which he did in his usually

affectionate manner. His concern

for the salvation of sinners appeared to increase with his years; and he was never more happy than when engaged in publishing the good news of redemption through a crucified Jesus. It may, with propriety, be said of this good man, he never was tired of the good work of the minis try, tho', sometimes, he was tired in it. His remains were deposited the chapel-yard; and, on the following Sabbath, the providence was improved in a very appropriate sermon, preached by the Rev. William Harris of that place.

in

July 2, 1804, died of the dropsy, at Poole, the Rev. and venerable Edward Ashburner, aged sixtynine, and thirty-eight years the indefatigable pastor of the Independ. ent church in that town, now under the care of the Rev, Thos. Durant. He was buried on the Friday follow: ing. Mr. Adams, of Salisbury, delivered the oration at the grave.

-

The ministers who paid their last token of respect to the deceased, as pall-bearers, were, Mr. Field, of Blandford; Mr. Lewis, of Ringwood; Mr. Adams, and Mr. Sed. cole, of Swanage; Mr. Hopkins, of Christchurch; and Mr. Banister, of Wareham. Mr. Kingsbury, of Southampton, at Mr. A.'s own request, preached the funeral.sermon. Text, Zech. i. 5.

On Monday the 9th of July, died the Rev. John Towers, for many years minister of the Independent meeting, Barbican, and formerly of Bartholomew Close, London, aged he was interred in Bunhill Fields fifty-seven. On Tuesday the 17th, burying-ground. The funeral ora. tion was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Waugh. The pall was supported by the Rev. Messrs. Nicholson, Townsend, Thorpe, Jones, Buck, and Hockley. Many of the members of his church followed as mourners; and a prodigious concourse of people attended in the ground. On the Sabbath following, a funeral-sermon was preached by the Rev. W. F. Platt, of Holy. · well Mount chapel. Mr. Towers began his ministerial labours early in life. (being commonly called "The London Apprentice,") and in circumstances of great popularity; and he continued his labours among the same people, by whom he was highly respected, till his death, a period of thirty-three years. The followed him to the grave, being great multitude of the poor who noticed by one of the ministers, it was justly remarked, that this excited no wonder, as there was scarce a cellar or a garret round the neighbourhood where human misery resided, that he had not visited, relieving the indigent and distressed to the utmost of his power.

Lately died at Craven, Yorkshire, the Rev. Mr. Gawber, an eminent minister, near eighty, who has been, by bodily infirmity, disabled from exercising his ministry near fifteen years.

Died lately, at Birmingham, after a severe illness of a few days, Mrs. Pearce, widow of the late Rev. and truly.excellent Mr. Pearce, whose praise is in all the churches.

THE public are informed by the Editor of the volume before us, the Rev. Sir H. M. Wellwood, one of the Ministers of St. Cuthbert's, Edinburgh, that, through the decline of health and advanced age, Dr. Erskine was prevented from executing his purpose of publishing a second volume of sermons in his own life-time, yet he signified to him, that a volume might be printed from his manuscripts after his death. Agreeably to this suggestion, the Editor has selected two-and-twenty discourses, on very interesting subjects; and given some ground to hope that the religious public may be favoured also with a life of this great and good man. The Sermons treat of the following subjects: The Riches of the Poor; Rev. ii. 9. Selfdenial; John xii. 26.-Lukewarmness in Religion; Rev. iii. 15. Public Spirit; Phil. ii. 21.—Good ness and Fidelity; Prov. xx. 6. The Ostentation of False Good ness; ditto. The Want of Love to God; John v. 42. - The un principled Contempt of Religion; Ps. x. 13. The Views of the Glory of Christ, which produce Humiliation and Penitence; Isa. vi. 5. An open and intrepid Adherence to Vital Christianity; Rom. i. 16. Infant baptism; Mat. xxviii. 19. - Christ bearing Witness to the Truth; John xviii. 37. Fidelity in Personal Duties; Heb. ii. z. The Influence of Religion on National Happiness; Isa. Iv. 3. The Education of Poor Children; Ps. cxliv. 12. Prayer for Men in Public-Offices; Josh. i. 17.-The Sources and the Consequences of Anarchy; Isa. xxiv. 1-5.Sorrow for the Death of Friends; Ps. lxxviii. 18. Death; Isa. xxv. 8,

The discourses discover the same bold and unblushing attachment to the peculiar doctrines of Chris, tianity, accompanied with the same zeal for the interest of morals, which, during a long life, and in great eminence of station, so strongly marked the character of the ve nerable author. The eleventh Sermon, entitled, "An open and intrepid Adherence to Vital Christi anity," may be fairly selected as at once an illustration of the spirit of the author, of the manner of arranging his thoughts, and of his language. He considers, first, The profession made by the apostle :

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." These words, our author conceives, imply that the apostle saw in the gospel, or, in a strict adherence to it, no ground of shame that he thought the cause of the gospel so glorious and excel. lent, that any shame which it might bring upon him, was honourable and advantageous: that he would, in no instance, allow himself to act as if he were ashamed of the gos pel; that the shame to which he knew himself to be exposed, so far from discouraging him, spurred him on to greater earnestness in the service of the gospel; and that he gloried in, and made his boast of the gospel. He considers, secondly, The reason which the apostle as. signs in vindication of the profes sion he made, viz." It is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." The particular reasons which animated the apostle's mind to make his boast of the gospel, the Doctor states to be brought from the nature of the gospel itself, as bringing life and immortality to light; from its being the gospel of Christ; from its being the power of God unto salvation; from the extent of the sal vation of which it is the hallowed instrument, reaching to the Jew first, and also to the Greek; and from the infallible connection be