The present writer was led into the foregoing remarks (remarks founded on personal observation), by the perusal of the following most interesting and affecting narrative of facts, and to which he deems it incumbent upon him to give more general publicity here. With a body wearied by fatigue, and my mind deeply impressed with the scenes I had witnessed at the late Old-Bailey Sessions, (January 1810), I retired to bed on the evening they terminated,' affirms our author, according to my usual custom, about eleven o'clock; nor was it long before my eyes were fast sealed in sleep. The occurrences of that day, however, will never be forgotten; they are of consequence to the living, and excite serious concern for the dead. A figure resembling a man, of middle stature, appeared to my mind's eye, whose countenance seemed to indicate an impatience to address me. Interested in what I had already beheld, I listened with anxiety for that which he evidently was preparing to communicate; when, at length, in faint accents, now and then interrupted by groans which pierced my soul, he addressed me in nearly the following terms.. "I am the shade of one, who, in life, was not altogether unknown to yourself and family; but, as my present form may baffle your recollection, I would remind you of Almond-the unhappy Almond !—who suffered the sentence of death, as you must remember, without the walls of N****** for the crime of forgery. Why I appear to your imagination, why now I obtrude upon your slumbering hours, must briefly be declared. It was not till within a few days of my execution, that I began to feel any concern for my condition after death, having laboured to persuade myself that I should soon be in the land where all things are forgotten!' But, about four or five days before my mortal existence was terminated, horror seized my mind,-I trembled for the consequences of death, and felt a fearful foreboding of eternal torments! In this state of mind, the Reverend Monitor visited me; he discovered my agony, and I disclosed the inward workings of my heart. I told him I was but too conscious that what I had endeavoured to persuade myself into heretofore was only fabulous; that there was a hell -a hell of endless torture, and that I had every reason to expect to share its misery. Oh, had these feelings been improved; and I been led to Him whose blood cleanseth from all sin, I might have been *****! But, now, the thoughts of what I might have been, tend only to aggravate my present sufferings! My reverend Monitor (alas, for me!) instead of cherishing such convictions, stifled them; and ultimately ensured my damnation, with this interrogatory. What, can you believe that God is so unjust as to punish you to all eternity for the sins you have committed in a life of forty years? It cannot be!' Swift as the deadly poison spreads through the system, this fatal speech flew to my heart. Surely (I thought) this Minister must know better than myself; my fears are groundless-I will doubt no more! My carelessness returned; I summoned up, what I thought was, fortitude: the awful hour arrived my reverend misleader left me at the D***** Door; and I was launched into that eternity of torments where the worm dieth not, and the fire is never quenched! Such is my sad history. If you have any pity for souls; if you can compassionate my sufferings -exert your influence to save others from a similar state. Warn the ***** ** of *******; pray for his conversion; lest he, also, come to this place of torment!' With these last words, which were uttered in a tone of voice that bespoke the horror of his feelings, the Shade of Almond vanished; and the agitation of my mind was so great (continues our informant) as to arouse me from my sleep. The remainder of the night was spent by me in ruminating on this strange occurrence; and, when I arose, I determined to send an account of it to the Editor of some periodical publication. As your miscellany purports to be of a religious tendency, I thought the Watchman* was not an improper character to consign it to. Should you give it publicity, and should it fall into the hands of the worthy O*******, he, no doubt, will conclude this to be another fulfilment of the adage, that dreams are just the reverse of what really takes place. • I remain, 6 Dormitory, 'January 16, 1810.' • Mr. Editor, Your humble Servant, 'SOLICITOR.' ; Vide a monthly miscellany which was entitled 'The Watchman or Theological Inspector.' The preceding narrative is to be found at pp. 151 to 153. AMERICAN PREACHING. You happy souls who feed on Angels' fare, WESLEY'S LIFE OF CHRIST. 66 ABOUT four years have elapsed since the writer of this work was favoured with the perusal of a Letter, dated Charleston, America, February the 12th, 1805, written by a Gentleman to his Son-in-Law, at Drogheda, in Ireland, but containing, besides private details, a grave, but very singular, and interesting adventure, in the obscure parts of the State of Virginia;" since, subjoins the writer, "to minds, my Children, informed as yours are, I make no apology for thus filling up my letter." This portion of the gentleman's letter, and only this, the Author of the Pulpit thought he should now have been exclusively privileged to communicate to the British Public, when, just as he prepared it for press, he found his design forestalled by the appearance of a work entitled The Letters of the British Spy'-originally printed at Baltimore, but reprinted for Messrs. Sharpe and Hailes, at the Museum, in Piccadilly. After maturely reflecting upon the nature of the extract which he first purposed to have made, the present writer is satisfied that he still ought, under all the disadvantages of the moment, to assign to it a niche in The Pulpit;' and he, therefore, has assumed to himself the responsibility of extracting it, and, he would hope, of extending and preserving it, in this place. ONESIMUS. 'It was one Sunday,' says the Author of the Letters of the British Spy, as I travelled through the county of Orange, that my eye was caught by a cluster of horses tied near a ruinous, old, wooden house in the forest, not far from the road side. Having frequently seen such objects before, in travelling through these states, I had no difficulty in understanding that this was a place of religious worship. 'Devotion alone should have stopped me to join in the duties of the congregation; but I must confess, that curiosity to hear the preacher of such a wilderness was not the least of my motives. On entering, I was struck with his preternatural appearance. He was a tall and very spare old man; his head, which was covered with a white linen cap, his shrivelled hands, and his voice, were all shaking under the influence of a palsy; and a few moments ascertained to me that he was perfectly blind! The first emotions which touched my breast were those of mingled pity and veneration. But ah! sacred God! how soon were all my feelings changed! The lips of Plato were never more worthy of a prognostic swarm of bees, than were the lips of this holy man! It was a day of the administration of the sacrament; and |