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account of his profession of religion. He said, he had made this defence on his trial; but the officers thought it so impro. bable, that they paid no attention to it. The Marquis, in order to satisfy himself as to the truth of his defence, observed, that if so, he must have acquired some considerable aptness in this exercise. The poor inan replied, that as to ability, he had nothing to boast of. The Marquis then insisted on his kneeling down and praying aloud before him; which he did, poured forth his soul before God with such copiousness, Huency, and ardour, that the Marquis took him by the hand, and said, he was satisfied that no man could pray in that manner who did not live in the habit of intercourse with his God. He not only revoked the sentence, but received him into his peculiar favour, placing him among his personal attendants; where, it is said, he still continues in the way to promotion.

and

On reading the above, every serious mind will be led to reflect on the remarkable intervention of Providence in behalf of this man of prayer; for this is the most prominent feature in the Christian character. He could not live without prayer, though he thereby exposed himself to the suspicion and hatred of his associates, and even endangered his life; but the God. whom, like Daniel, he served, knew how to deliver him in the perilous hour; and not only heard his prayers, but made the exercise of this duty itself the mean of his deliverance. —O how does this reproach those who live without prayer, though they have every opportunity for retirement, uuseen and unsuspected!

This anecdote also does real honour to the character of the illustrious Marquis and to the British nation; who can boast of commanders warmly attached to that religion and piety, which so many, in the present day, treat with contemptuous

scorn.

B.

CONVERSION OF A DUTCH OFFICER.

DURING the late war, the Ambuscade Dutch frigate lav for a very considerable time in the port of Sheerness, where Capt. Mackay, a pious and well-informed Christian, and six or seven other officers attended, with regularity and seriousness, the ministry of Mr. F. During their stay, Lieut. S., who was a professed Infidel, and a great admirer of Voltaire (having all his works) and who had frequently ridiculed his brotherofficers for their attachment to religion, was prevailed on to accompany them to the house of God; and, the second Sabbath that he attended, it pleased the Lord to apply the word with power to his heart. On his return to the ship, he got rid of Voltaire, purchased a Bible, and some other religious books; and, when he left the port, was an humble enquirer after the truth as it is in Jesus!

T. S. F.

ANSWER TO QUERIES IN OUR LAST, p. 72.

:

THE force of the First Query, seems to rest on the sense attached to the word translated borrow; which appears more properly rendered, in the old translation, ask for although it be a part of the character of the wicked, that he borroweth and payeth not again; yet the transaction referred to in the query, was of a quite different nature. The Egyptians had for a long time oppressed the Israelites, and had doubtless been enriched by their labours, without rendering them an adequate recompense and now, at the critical juncture of their departure, the fear of them, and of that Being who had so wonderfully interposed for them, had so fallen on the Egyptians, that they were ready to give them whatever they required; to which, they were certainly influenced by that God who has immediate access to our spirits, and can dispose of them as he pleases.— Their justification consisted in its being the command of God, who has an undoubted right to the persons and possessions of all his creatures and we are not warranted, from the Scripture account of the matter, to suppose that any criminal view disposed the Israeli tes to require t, or keep what was given them.

The meaning of the passage referred to in the Second Query, must be obvious to every person accustomed either to the language of the Bible, or the course of the world.-Wicked men, through the criminal indulgence of their passions, and their excess and abuse of God's good gifts, evidently shorten (in many instances) the already contracted span of human life! Either anxiety and over-solicitude about those things which perish in the using, corrodes their mind, and drinks up their spirits; or sensuality invites the approach of discase, which undermines their mortal tabernacle, and thus many die in the meridian of life; and their death, though certainly foreknown in the appointments of God, yet is as certainly accelerated by their own wickedness: and they do not live out half the days they might, had they lived soberly, as well as righteously and godly. Another sense may be given to the words.-To live, often signifies to enjoy life; to live to good purpose. Thus, the wicked and ungodly, however long their lives may be, do not truly enjoy half their days!-They live under the frown of God! a dreadful sound is in the sinners ears! terrors are upon him! and though he fare sumptuously every day, and be an * The original verb() signifies in general to ask, beg, request; and in some few inftances only, to borrow. See Deut. x. 12. Josh. xv. 18. Judg. v.. 25. 1 Sam. i. 20, &c. where the same word is used. Ainsworth renders the passage before us exactly literal. They asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and garments. And Jehovah gave the people grace in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they gave thei their asking; and they spoiled the Egyptians."

See old translation, Exod. 11. 2.

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EDITOR.

object of envy to all around him, yet is he a perfect stranger to that tranquillity, that peace of mind, that hope in God,and that bright prospect as to the future, which God's people are favoured with the possession of, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who came into our world, that we might live through him, as to the proper enjoyment of things present, as well as through him, obtain Eternal Life!

Westminster.

S.

STRIKING INTERFERENCES OF PROVIDENCE.

REV. SIR,

To the Editor.

In the month of October last, I was itinerating in different parts of the North Riding of Yorkshire, where Evangelical preaching is much needed; and in some places earnestly desired. In my way home, I called at the residence of the Rev. Mr. M. at K-, a pious and zealous curate in the establishment, who has laboured for many years in this neighbourhood with success. My disappointment was not little, upon being informed that the good old man was not at home. This, however, was compensated by the pleasing conversation I enjoyed with his amiable partner. After entertaining me with the outlines of her husband's life, including his conversion, persecutions, success in the ministry, &c. she particularly informed me how good the Lord had been to them in circumstances of pecuniary distress." Once," she said, "when in great want of the necessaries of life, a five-guinea note was sent us by the carrier; but from whence, or whom, we never could learn." On another occasion, their stock, both of coals and money, was exhausted. Having no prospect of a supply, they retired to rest that evening," Cast down, though not in despair." In the morning, this afflicted pair cried more earnestly to their Hea venly Father, and "were heard, in that they feared." Mr. M. in order to pray and meditate with more composure, took a walk out upon the highway which leads to S. where he was met by the post. He could assign no reason why he felt an impression which led him to ask, "Have you a letter for me?" to which the person replied in the affirmative. Upon receiving the letter, he immediately broke open the seal; and, lo! an anonymous epistle, enclosing a note (I think) of five pounds value! But this was not all; for soon after, a friend brought a cow for their service; and toward evening, another sent them a cart-load of coals. Thus, without making known their case to any one, ex cept the Lord God of Elijah, they received in one day a seasonable supply of money, milk, and coals.

Should you deem this account worthy of a place in your valuable Miscellany, the insertion of it may strengthen the faith and excite the gratitude of many. Yours affectionately,

Green Hammerton.

J. J.

Dbituary.

MRS, SUSANNAH WITHEY,

constant

THE subject of this Memoir, was well known as a hearer, for many years, at Tottenham-court Chapel, where she had attended with her husband, Mr. J. Withey, an intimate friend of the Jate Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. During a widowhood of twentyeight years, Mrs. Withey main. tained a consistently religious character; and taught her children to remember their Creator in the days of their youth. At the commencement of her last illness, she greatly kamented she had not guarded more against that overchargedness of heart, which is but too incident to the providing for a numerous and young family. The retrospect of this (as every heart best knows its own sins and infirmities) caused her to entertain some suspicions as to the sincerity of her Christian pro fession; but it pleased the Lord, after he had Jumbled her soul before him, to afford her strong consolation, and a blessed assurance, that "in the Lord she had righteousness and strength." When her children were around her, she said, "I have no dependence for eternal happiness on any thing I have done;" and added, "Whatever I have been to you, my dear children, as a mother, it was because God so inclined my heart: - Give God the glory!" Then earnestly expressing her desire that God would reveal his mercy to her mind, she appeared to give up her worldly concerns, and possess ed a most cheerful resignation to the divine will, after saying, "I am not afraid to die; I long to depart and to be with Christ!" She requested her children to pray for her; and the Lord indeed heard their prayers, which redounded to their own consolation, in the joyful faith and humble confidence which she manifested in God's abounding mercy. When asked how she did, she would answer, " When this

all

mortal tabernacle is dissolved, I have a building of God; an house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens !" As her debility increased, she would say, "My heart and my flesh fail; but God is the strength of my heart, and will be my portion for ever!" Her religi. ous views were truly evangelical. A person saying to her, 'It was well for her she had made her peace with God,' she instantly replied, with great fervour, "No, I have not; but my Jesus has made it for me!" Two days before her death, she desired that the Hymn, entitled, "The Dying Christian," might be sung by those about her; in which she joined in holy extacy. When the words, "O death, where is thy sting?" were repeated, she exalted her voice, and said, "My Lord' has taken it away." Each of her grand-children she separately and appropriately conversed with respecting eternal things; shewing them, that none were too young to die, or to stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. Being inform ed of the news relative to the preliminaries of peace being signed, she said, "I have a better peace, peace which passeth all understanding !" Often repeating, "Come ve that love the Lord, and let your joys be known," &c. On the morning of her deccase, being told it was the Sabbath Day, she expressed her hope that she was going to begin an eterna! one with her Lord. On the near approach of death, she said, "Come, come, my Heavenly Father, come! -come Lord Jesus, come quickly!" Then thrice added, "Come Holy Ghosts thy sacred witness bear in this glad hour." Being asked, if she then experienced that Christ was precious to her as a Saviour? She re plied, "Very precious indeed! I long to be gone!" Her daughter observing that the Lord would release her in his own good time, – she said, "I know he will; but he is long a coming." A little time

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RHYMING DICK.

On the 1st of August, 1802, died Richard Nancollas, of St. Austell, in Cornwall, commonly known by the name of Rhyming Dick, when out on his rambles; which were frequently repeated, during a long course of years, thro' the western counties of England. His most general practice was to excite sinful merriment among the drunkards, &c. by extempore versification. In this wretched employment he possessed a marvellously fruitful genius; and, if his abilities had been properly employed, he would have made a considerable figure as a poetical character. He was, however, frequently brought home, to the parish of St. Austell, in rags, infected with disease, and covered with vermin. But, concerning this man, we have an opportunity of extolling the marvellous efficacy of Sovereign grace in his conversion. For the space of three or four years previous to the time of his death, he became an example of virtuous conversation and self-denial. His whole delight was to hear gospel sermons, and join with the religious in prayer, &c.; and he was never beiter pleased than when any of God's people would converse with him about the unsearchable riches of Christ, and the perpetuity of his love. His faith was strong in the Redeemer; and, by divine grace, he Jived to the praise and glory of God. He manifested a bitter hatred against all sin; and especially against those sins which did so easily beset him before his conversion. In his departing moments he was exercised in breathing out

prayer to God; but it is not to be understood, or indeed expected, that he was without imperfections in his natural temper. Upon the whole, from this man's example, who is now gone into the joy of his Lord, we have an evidence of these glorious truths, mentioned in the sacred oracles, namely, "That the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin; and that whosoever will, may come and take of the waters of life freely." It is only final im penitency and unbelief that will damn any of the human race. it must always be remembered, to prevent mistakes in religion,-that where there is true repentance and faith, it will be accompanied wit the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God. W. P.

St. Austell.

But

HENRY HITCHCOCK,

(A STROLLING PLAYER) THE subject of this obituary, was a native of Lisbon. His parents gave him a liberal education; but, through giving his mind up to the pomps and vanities of this transitory life, the same, until a few months before his death, appeared to profit him but little. Early in life he commenced a strollingplayer; and continued in that dan gerous and contemptible profession, until God, who is rich in mercy, visited him with the fatal complaint which terminated in his death. This was a cancer in his right side, with which he was ef flicted for upwards of two years; and which baled the skill of the medical gentlemen who, with unremitting diligence, attended him in the various stages of his disorder. About four months before has death the compiler of this account was, by a neighbour of the de. ceased, requested to visit him when a patient in the London Hospita', where he was found very dangeously ill, and a total stranger to those things that make for a poor sinner's eternal welfare, but being of a teachable disposition, the friends, by his earnest desire, curtinued to visit him, and had the

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