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We find also, in Rev. xxi. and xxiv, that the holy city, the New Jerusalem, had twelve foundations; and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb:" and, no doubt, the apostle, in this passage, had this ancient custom in view; so that his design is to represent to us not a seal on the foundation of God, but an inscription or device, to assure us of its strength, permanency, and solidity.

E. II.

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As we have heard frequent and just complaints of the pernicious habit in which some professors indulge themselves of speaking against ministers, to the great injury of their usefulness, may we not hope to lay the axe to the root of this evil, by cautioning ministers themselves against setting the wretched example. If you think the following extract from a Sermon by Mr. David Some, on the methods to be taken by ministers for the revival of religion, will promote this end, you will oblige, by its insertion, Yours,

J. B.

"OUR treatment of each other, says the preacher to his fellow-labourers, ought to be generous and kind, sincere and friendly; remembering that we are engaged in a cause which will require the strictest union to support it. If we are divided among ourselves, and make it our business, by little stories, to lessen one another in the eyes of the people, the common interests of serious piety will suffer very much by it. Are our hearers such strangers to the arts of backbiting and defamation. that they need to be taught them by our example? Or is it a thing so reputable, that we should desire it may appear to be a part of our character? Are we secure that, after all, the reproach will not turn upon ourselves; or that the very persons we are speaking to will not despise us, as actuated by principles of envy and ill-nature? Or, if we are sure the reflection would fix where we intended it, is the usefulness of ministers so great that we should desire to hinder it? Is an attachment to one minister, to the neglect of all others, so amiable a temper that we should attempt to infuse it into those committed to our care? Should we endeavour to revive that carnality which the apostle condemns in the Corinthians, "While one said, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos?" should we not rather make the most vigorous efforts to suppress every thing of this sort, as that which will always be prejudicial to Christianity? The prevalence of these evils bas led me to mention them with a warmth and severity which their malignant nature does require, since I never yet saw religiou Hourish where there was not harmony and friendship among the ministers." 3 N

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On the mode of preventing infection in sick rooms, recom mended in our last, a Medical Correspondent observes, "It is most undoubtedly of inestimable value." He adds, "It should be remembered, however, that the fumes which issue from the mixture, materially irritate the lungs of many people. It is better, if possible, to remove the sick person, for the time, to another apartment, giving an opportunity of changing the bed-linen; to let the cup, containing the mixture, be put into the room, which should then for some time be kept close shut; after which, air should be re-admitted as freely as possible. It should also be remembered, that this is the remedy for which Dr. Carmichael Smith obtained a parliamentary reward."

QUERIES.

I. N. N. enquires, Is it possible for a Christian not to know what is his most easily besetting sin? and, What sign is it when, after close examination, he cannot discover which, out of many sins, appears to be most predominant?

II. In Acts ix. 7, we are informed, That the men who journied with Saul towards Damascus, "heard the voice, but saw no man" and in chap. xxii. 9, Saul himself, relating this miraculous event, says, "They that were with me saw indeed the light, but heard not the voice." How are these texts reconcileable?

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III. In 1 Tim. iv. 10, our translation reads, "We trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe." The variantes lectiones, in notes to my Testament, observe," That instead of the word rig, the New College manuscript, Oxon. has warng. What antiquity and authority has that manuscript and this last reading? Does it not best agree with the context and the general sense of the Bible?

IV. Is it the duty of a bankrupt to consider himself bound, in the sight of God, to make up his dividend 20s. in the pound, if, after setting up in business again, he prospers, and is able to do it? or, May he retire from business without making up his dividend, when he finds himself possessed of sufficient property; and consider himself an honourable Christian, eligible for any public station in the church?

Other Correspondents beg solutions or illustrations of the following passages of Scripture, viz. Ezek. xviii. 24.-1 Thess. v. 12, 13. Eccles. viii. 16.

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Dbituary.

FRANCIS WALKER. On the 27th of September, 1803, died Francis Walker, of Leeds, a respected member of the church under the pastoral care of the Rev. E. Parsons. He was a man of an excellent spirit. By the influence of the religion of Jesus, his temper, which was naturally mild, was rendered uncommonly engaging. He always spake of himself in the most humiliating terms; and whenever his opinion was asked, he gave it with the greatest diffidence.

The disorder (the scrofula) which at length proved mortal, he considered as the means of first leading him to reflect upon the necessity of attention to religion, at about the age of sixteen. As such, he regarded it as one of the greatest blessings of his life. He loved the ordinances of religion. This was strikingly evinced by his frequent appearance in the house of God, when his weakness was such as rendered his attendance extremely difficult and paintul. Indeed, his love of public worship, and especially of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, evidently increased as he drew nearer to the eternal Sabbath. Often did he mention the uncommon pleasure with which he attended some of the last sermons he was permitted to hear. At those seasons he was favoured with the most delightful foretastes of that happiness, the fulness of which, it is confidently hoped, he is now enjoying. He was particularly fond of those more private, religious meetings, at which the mere professor is seldom seen.

"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his," must have been the petition of all who had an opportunity of observing his faith and patience throughout his last sickness.

"The chamber where the good man meets his fate

Is privileg'd beyond the common walk
Of virtuous life, quite on the verge of

Heav'n."

He possessed a hope full of immortality. This did not, however,

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arise from ignorance of himself: he was deeply sensible of his sinful. ness. "I suffer," said he, while the writer was one evening sitting by him, "as a sinner; and yet,' added he, "I trust I am a saint in some small degree, though altoge ther unworthy of that name." His hopes of future happiness were built solely upon the rock Christ Jesus. "Mine eyes," said he, at another time," are fixed upon Christ, not upon myself." A friend asking him if he found his recollection fail him, he answered, "Not so much but that I still remember the promises "-Upon another observing that he hoped he found them as breasts of consolation to his soul, he said, "Yes, yes," with such a degree of earnestness, that indicated the deep interest he felt in them.

His patience was almost astonishing. Though his last illness was long and severe, yet was he never heard to utter a murmuring expres sion. Indeed, in general, he was even cheerful in the midst of all his sufferings. Often did the pleasant manner in which he spoke extort a smile from those who were around him.

His gratitude was also re. markable. The most trivial fa vour always met with his grateful acknowledgment. Indeed, to mention all the pleasing evidences he gave of a gracious state, would far exceed the limits of this paper. Lt is hoped that the many pious expressions, and earnest exhortations which proceeded from his dying lips, will leave a lasting impression upon the minds of his surviving relations.

The last time I saw him was the evening before his dissolution. He then seemed to take no notice of those who were around him; yet, while his brother was engaged in prayer, though unable to speak, he evidently joined in that solemn exercise. The next morning, about seven o'clock, he bid a final adieu to all his sufferings, and entered in to the joy of his Lord, aged 22. Leeds. W. E.

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MRS. E. ALLEN.

FEB. 13, 1804, died Mrs. E. Allen. She was trained up in the paths of religion; and, from her earliest days, sat under the sound of the gospel; but it was not, till about seven years ago, that she felt the power of the truth. After a declaration of her experience, she was received into the church where she first drew the breath of life; and, from that period, adorned her profession. In the former part of the illness by which she was re. moved, her minister being absent on a journey, she expressed an earnest desire to see him. "He has been," said she, "blessed to my soul. I was decent and moral, and, being brought up strictly, I constantly attended the preaching of the gospel; but I never understood or felt any thing until I heard him preach on the work of the Holy Spirit. I then saw what a change must be wrought on me; and, by the influences of that good Spirit, was led to Jesus for salvation. I wish I could see the instrument of that happy change now; but if I do not see him any more in this world, we shall meet in Heaven." On his entering the room after his return, she said, "I never expect. ed to see you again in this world; but if I had not, I should have blessed God to eternity for having heard you. I have been brought very low, but God has been wonderfully gracious to me. I have enjoyed more than I can express." Some one said, You have suffered a great deal within and without;' but she replied, with much einotion, "It has been all without;— within, I have had nothing but joy and peace; the tempter has not been suffered to come near me once. I am astonished at the goodness of God." She frequently repeated, with pleasure, parts of the hymn commencing, Jesus, lover of my soul," and gave much emphasis to the words," Other refuge have I none." Reviving once from a kind of swooning or dosing state, she said to her father, "I have been to the top of Mount Zion, and saw the

glorious company. I thought of you, and interceded for you and many others." But she afterwards said, "I think there was something delirious in my frame then, which shews the rational, discriminating state of mind she generally possessed; and thus gives more weight to her last sentiments and expressions. When some of her Christian friends called upon her, at their return from the house of God, she shewed where her heart was, by asking what was the text. When inform ed that it was 1 Cor. xv. 10, "By the grace of God I am what I am," "Ah!" said she, " It is all of pure grace. What was I! a poor, vain, thoughtless, worldly creature! What could Jesus see in me to merit any thing, at his hands? It was his own grace that saved me!

When her minister asked her once what he should pray for on her behalf, she replied, "That I may honour my profession, and glorify God in my death; especially that my death may be a means of doing good to my family. I do not wish that my children may have any of the great things of this world, but that they may be partakers of the grace of God." She had, some time before her death, been asked if she would have her children called; but she declined, saying, "At a proper time I will call for them." Within about an hour be. fore her departure, she desired her husband and children to come round her. Having cast a most expres. sive look upon her husband, as he sat by her, she desired each of the children to come and kiss her. She observed the order of their ages, and would not suffer a younger to come before an elder. Having had occasion to order one of them to be corrected during the day, she kissed that one twice with peculiar emotion, giving a dying testimony that a parent's corrections spring from tenderest affection. Her mi nister then asked her if he should commend her spirit into the hands of Christ? She intimated her con sent, and, clasping her hands, discovered a lively interest in each pe, tition. The powers of speech

seemed to have failed, but her mental faculties were in the fullest exercise. Shortly a ter, she sweetly slept in Jesus.-On beholding such a death, who could refrain from exclaiming, "What symptoms of immortality!" While the mortal

frame was dissolving, and just on the point of dropping into dust, the soul discovered no signs of decay; seemed conscious that it had nothing to do with death; went thro' the work of departure with entire self-possession, in full enjoyment of immortal vigour.

Here the Christian might stand and say, "Oh death, where is thy sting?" Though conscious that her departure was at hand, and alive to all the awful importance of eternity, far from shrinking with fear, every look seemed to say, "Nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed." Let these things endear to us the principles of the gospel, whence she derived her victory. Let it in duce ministers frequently to preach on the work of the Holy Spirit, which was blessed to her conver. sion, and with which she always declared herself peculiarly delight. ed. As she expressed some regret on her dying-bed for having been, as she thought, too remiss in keeping her children under the minister's instruction in catechism, let parents

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acquaintance with literary subjects and the best authors. In the latter part of his collegiate life his mind was deeply impressed with divine truth; and he was led to an experimental knowledge of the glory of the Redeemer.

As a Christian, he was humble, exemplary, and submissive, particularly on the loss of his only son, in the seventeenth year of his age, while a student at Yale college.

As a Minister, he was faithful, evangelical, and indefatigable in his pastoral services, being filled with love to the souls of his people. Under his ministry there were tour seasons of remarkable revivals of religion.

As a Theologian, he was eminent, and was twice elected Professor of Divinity, both which elections he declined. But his superiority as an instructor, drew around him many who were designed for the ministry. Nearly fifty had been members of his Theological school, most of whom are now pastors of Christian churches.

The first attack of disease, which disabled him from his public work, was on Aug 31, 1801, and terminated in his death, Dec. 30, 1803. In this long sickness he enjoyed much of the divine presence; and the last words he was heard to whisper were, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards mer.."

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The friends of Zion, in the neighbourhood where he aved, deeply feel on this occasion, being sensible that a luminary of great magnitude in their churches is now extinguished.

RECENT DEATH.

September 11, 1804, died, much esteemed and lamented, the Rev. J ADAMS. of Salisbury, after a short illness of only three days. Of this excellent and useful man, as well as ot several others lately taken to their eternal rest, we hope to give a more full account in our biographical department ;-for the memory of the just is blessed.

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