DIED, Oct. 18th 1826 at Wigan, Mrs. Anne Brown, who had been a Member of the New Church Society in that town for many years. Her life was distinguished by meekness and simplicity. She was held in very high esteem by the friends of the Church. On Sunday Evening, Oct. 29, Mr. Sheldon of Liverpool preached a most impressive Funeral Sermon, from Rev. xxi, 7. to a crowded and serious audience.
In November last, Mr. J. W. Salmon of Nantwich, in, we belive, the 74th year of his age. This gentleman was a most warm and cordial receiver of the doctrines of the New Church, and we doubt not, but that he is gone to enjoy an everlasting state of bliss in the realms of light and life.
ON Wednesday, the 22nd Nov. at Handsworth, Mrs. Proud, widow of the late Rev. J. Proud.
GIVEN UP TO THE DIVINE WILL OF JESUS CHRIST HIS ONLY GOD AND LORD.
[This poem, we believe, is the last production of the late Rev. J. Proud, and it shows, that although he was, at the time of writing it, at the advanced age of 82 years, yet "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated."]
THE Christian man, devoted to his Lord,
Who loves the truths and doctrines of his Word;
Enlighten'd by the beams of Light Divine,
To whom eternal subjects clearly shine,
His heart impress'd with a celestial flame,
Who knows the Lord; rejoices in His name :
This man to Jesu's will is ever giv❜n,
He sojourns here on earth, but lives in heav'n!
He knows within himself he's vile and blind,
And nothing good in his corrupted mind.
To guide himself through life, would be as vain,
As to command the clouds to give us rain,
Or stop the Nile's vast torrent with his hand,
Or turn the might ocean into land.
So conscious he no real good can do,
Or of himself distinguish false from true;
Prone as a little child to err and stray,
He humbly seeks the Lord to teach his way;
Gives up his intellect to heav'nly light,
His heart and will to be directed right!
Resigns himself to Jesus Christ alone,
And looks for every blessing from his throne.
He knows his Providence rules all below,
And orders ev'ry step his feet should go.
Adverse or prosperous they still shall prove,
His resignation and increase his love;
Whate'er events take place, he'll surely find,
Are blessings, while to Jesus he's resign'd.
Assur'd of this to all of self he dies,
And as a child at Jesu's footstool lies;
Gives up his understanding and his will,
In every state, or seeming good or ill;
No more he lives, but to his God alone,
Obeys his will and mortifies his own.
Thus led, assisted, govern'd day by day,
He joyful takes to heaven his happy way;
Has no undue concern what comes to-morrow,
But meets with quiet mind, or joy or sorrow.
If poor or rich in temporals while here,
Or rich or poor his spirituals appear;
Still to his Father's will he is resign'd,
Calm and compos'd he feels his stedfast mind;
He ne'er complains if God withhold or gives,
He knows 'tis best, and he contented lives.
"Thy will be done on earth as done above!"
His ardent pray'r, because his ardent love.
Thus will and understanding, thought and ways,
And all the soul devote to Jesu's praise!
In him, his Father and his God, believes,
And from his hand his ev'ry good receives;
He lives beneath the beams of heaven's sun,
And all his works in love and faith are done.
Beneath his Father's watchful eye he dwells,
Nor fears the pow'r of self, the world, or hells!
Secure he stands, secure pursues his way,
Each moment nearer brings to realms of day.
When death assails, he joyfully removes,
To his dear Saviour, and the heav'n he loves;
Receiv'd a favour'd child, by Love divine,
In glory there, he shall for ever shine!
The crown of life and joy eternal wear,
And live, an angel bless'd, for ever there!
Jehovah Jesus may thy will divine,
In ev'ry state and stage of life be mine:
In me and by me, be obey'd thy laws,
Thy Word my rule, and stedfast in thy cause!
Another moment may I never stray,
But walk with perfect heart the narrow way,
Till well prepar'd by thee to dwell above,
I rise to share in heav'n thy boundless love.
Handsworth, April 20th. 1826.
TO THE GLOW-WORM.
When Sol resigns the world to night,
Behold! thou shedst thy feeble ray;
And, twinkling with a borrow'd light,
Dost all thou canst to make it day.
Thee, glimmering in the bank, I view,
And own thy worth surpassing mine;
Thou giv'st to Nature all her due
. While I conceal a light divine.
Did man, like thee, dispense around
Each beam that heavenly suns* impart,
Less moral darkness would be found,
And Virtue shine in every heart.
In Heston Church Yard, Middlesex. Farewell, dear youth, farewell, till we above Meet in the peaceful realms of light, and love; Grain, hid in earth, repays the peasant's care, And evening suns but set to rise more fair.
Goyder, Printer, Dartmouth Street, Westminster.
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