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wait until almost the last sand was run through her glass; she was blessed with this truly happy and enviable state of soul for several weeks before her death. These weeks were not passed in vain, for in them she exhorted all who came near her; and from her sick and dying bed taught her aged mother the doctrines of the Gospel, and urged and encouraged her to seek the Lord while he might be found. As to those Christian friends who now visited her, they will not soon or easily forget either her placid and sweet temper, her deadness to the world, or her spirituality of soul and conversation; much less will the pastor forget what God did for this once thoughtless, but afterwards almost despairing sheep of his flock.

In the natural world, we not only sometimes see a dark and stormy day concluded by a cheering evening, but we now and then behold the western sky illuminated with such bright splendour, and clad in something so like the hues of heaven as the sun goes down, that we cannot but gaze and express our delight. So it was with Rebecca C. Having received information that she was much worse, I rode to her cottage, and found her somewhat revived and preparing to take a little refreshment; but evidently hastening to her last hour. It was Saturday; and I told her, that I thought she would keep the next Sabbath, near as it was, in heaven-to which she agreed in opinion, and conversed on the happiness that lay before her. Not willing to fatigue her, and wishing much to proceed to some distant cottages, I rose to depart, promising that I would call again as I came back. She caught my hand, and with more energy and animation than I thought her capable of, said, "You must not

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I particularly wish you to stay." Once more I promised to return that way and see her again

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before I went home. "No," said she, you must not go; you must stay and sing."-" My friend,” I replied, I am a poor singer at the best of times; and now you perceive my cold will hardly suffer me to converse, much less to sing."-"O, Sir, but you must sing, and I shall sing too." She added this with such a sweetness of manner and earnestness of expression, that I again took off my hat, sat down by her bed-side, and inquired whether there was any particular psalm or hymn which then interested her mind, and which she wished to have brought forward? "Yes, Sir, the one in the twenty-fourth page of the Ap-. pendix." On turning to that part of our church selection, I found the one expressive of the desires of a soul to depart and be with Christ.

"O most delightful hour by man

Experienced here below;
The hour that terminates his span,
His folly, and his woe.
Worlds should not bribe me back to tread
Again life's dreary waste:

To see my days again o'erspread
With all the gloomy past.

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My home is henceforth in the skies;
Earth, seas, and sun adieu!
All heaven unfolding to my eyes,
I have no sight for you.
May I till death he firm possess'd

Of faith's supporting rod;
Then breathe my soul into her rest,

The bosom of her God."

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There was a kind 'neighbouring woman in the room, who assisted me to go through these verses; and to my astonishment Rebecca did join us, and sung in a manner that at once showed how the joys of the soul can at times surmount the weakness of the body. poor old mother sat on the foot of the bed and looked at her daughter with amazement, and wept all the while, under the impression that her child was too happy to remain long here, and was singing her last strains on earth previous to resuming them in heaven; and so

it proved. I did, indeed, expect she would spend her morrow in a better world; but I quite calculated on seeing and conversing with her once more before she bid us farewell. Here, however, I was to be disappointed; for very soon after I had quitted her chamber, she said to the neighbour before noticed, "Mrs. C. I am going. Is not this the rattles in my throat?" The other answered that she thought it was. This was welcome tidings to her who longed to depart; and as she was bolstered up in bed and became faint, she expressed a wish to lean her head on this kind woman's bosom, and in that attitude she gently expired, with no other individual but her aged mother present to witness how placid and easy are sometimes the last moments, how cheering the eventime, of those whose previous days have been full of trouble, and whose souls have groaned amidst fears and darkness in the morning of life. As I drew near her cottage again on my return, I figured to myself the painful scene of bidding this humble, interesting pilgrim adieu until we met in our heavenly Father's kingdom; but the Lord had spared me the trial, for her spirit had already fled, and only the body remained. That happy spirit was now an associate with angels of light, and strains, such as the redeemed in heaven pour forth were the notes of her song. I felt thankful for our last interview; and while I could not but sorrow that I had lost another of my flock whose daily prayers ascended to heaven in my behalf, I blessed God for the consolations with which he had cheered her last days, and for the glory which I felt confident she was then admitted to share.

Here then, reader, I will conclude my illustrations of the text, that "at eventide it shall be light;" not because I could not produce more, but because these are sufficient. And now should it be inquired, wherefore does it arise that so inany people are found who, though they fear the Lord, and are desirous of obeying the voice of his servants, yet walk in darkness through much of their day? It may be replied, that this is partly owing to a want of faith; partly to indistinct views of the freeness and fulness of the Gospel; often to constitutional nervous depression and bodily infirmities acting on the spirits; and partly from the power of the enemy of souls, when he is permitted to harass and perplex humble-minded pilgrims in this way. From some, or from all of these causes, many a soul now in heaven was led for months or years. by a dark and gloomy path. While others were rejoicing, these were weeping; while others could trust and not be afraid, these walked in fear all the day long; while others had light and comfort in their dwelling, these had darkness and sometimes almost despair. But, blessed be God, in thousands of cases it hath come to pass, that at eventime it has been light; the clouds have broken away; the Sun of Righteousness has arisen upon them; they have been enabled to trust, and not be afraid to rejoice in hope of the glory of God-to die in the Lord-and to become kings and priests unto God, and the Father, with whom they shall reign for ever and ever. O that He who records this, and they who read it, may be added to the number! Then, indeed, will our sorrows be turned into joy, and the days of our mourning be for ever ended.

ALIQUIS.

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AN ADDRESS TO THE PARISHIONERS OF
ST. ALKMOND'S, SHREWSBURY.

MY DEAR FRIENDS,

AFTER the very favourable manner in which my last attempt to recall to your recollection things of unutterable moment was received, I am encouraged to renew the pleasing task, animated by the hope, that what has been delivered in public, by being thus brought home to you as individuals, may become the true concern of many hearts. Contentment in the merely formal discharge of the outward duties of the sanctuary, while the piety of the heart, of the closet, and of the family, is neglected, is a state so really alarming, as to justify the use of every measure which the tenderest compassion can employ for its correction. This, with the sincerest regret is it named, is no uncommon state; our churches being thronged by those, whose religion has nothing better to recommend it than an outward profession; while every thing which goes to constitute true Christian excellence is despised as the pitiful accompaniment of misguided zealots, or as the offspring of weak heads and unsound hearts. Every effort to tear away the mask which conceals the character of such from themselves, is resisted as an unpardonable aggression; and torrents of invective are not unfrequently poured on those, whose hand is stretched out for this truly noble and benevolent purpose. All innovation on the favourite creeds, opinions, and dependencies of those, who, preferring the guilty quiet of an unawakened conscience to the renouncing of a delusion most fatal in its consequences, dream away their lives in the expectation of heavenly happiness on the very verge of eternal ruin, is guarded against with the utmost caution. One especial intention, my dear friends, of this communi

cation is, to warn you of this popular and dangerous error; which is the less likely to excite your apprehensions, on account of the vast multitudes who stand forward in its support.

Pharisaism and Antinomianism, as they are both palpably opposed to the interests of genuine morality, should be watched against with unceasing vigilance. These are as remote from the spirit and practice of vital Christianity, as they are removed from the plainest dictates of the inspired pages, the invariable tendency of which is, to secure glory to God in the highest, by leading convinced sinners to a simple dependence on the merits of his Son for acceptance; and to evince the truth of this dependence by the humility, holiness, spirituality, and usefulness of their lives. True justifying faith purifieth the heart, worketh by love, and overcometh the world. Real believers in Jesus Christ are known by their fruits; which appear so conspicuously in their attention to "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are puré, whatsoever things are lovely, and whatsoever things are of good report," that as the Epistles of Christ, they are known and read of all men. The best preservative from these and all similar errors, is to be much employed in reading the Scriptures, and in prayer; resolved to make the word of God the rule of our actions. As all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, take your religion immediately from it. Human systems might mislead you, as they have done others; but the records of eternal truth, if you search them

with a child-like temper of mind, and in humble dependence on the teachings of the Holy Spirit, never can; God having promised, that the meek he will guide in judgement, and the meek he will teach his ways.

you

no time in fleeing to the Saviour of sinners, in whose blood there is a medicine capable of healing all your diseases; in whose merits there is a righteousness sufficient to cover all your transgressions; in whose grace there is power to subdue all your iniquities; and in whose love there is all that can tranquillize, satisfy, and delight "He is head over all your souls. things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all."

As it is the uniform practice of the Scriptures to exalt the Saviour of mankind, be careful, I beseech you, that do not detract from the dignity of his person, or depreciate his redeeming work. Who is worthy, let me ask, to wear the crown of salvation, but that blessed Jesus who died the just for the unjust, to bring them to God? Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, is the song of the redeemed in heaven; and this doubtless should be the song of the redeemed on earth. Not the least portion of merit have we to plead in his presence, who chargeth angels with folly, and the heavens with being unclean before him. Naturally guilty and depraved, alienated from the life of God, and enemies to him in our minds by wicked works, what have we to urge as deserving of his favour, in extenuation of our sins, or as a reason why judgement should not be executed to the utmost? While, then, in the exercise of every repentant feeling, we draw nigh to the Almighty, taking as our due, shame and confusion of face to ourselves; let us direct the eye of our faith to Jesus Christ, who, having expiated our guilt by his death, has entered into heaven, with his own blood having obtained eternal redemption Reflect on this bleeding sacrifice, till the tears of genuine contrition start from your eyes, and your souls rise into holy indignation against sin; till you have some comfortable assurance of your offences being pardoned, and of your reconciliation to that gracious Being whose anger you have been so industrious to provoke. Let me solemnly entreat you, as you would escape the wrath to come, to lose

for us.

In this advice, whatsoever may be objected to it by pride, prejudice, long-established custom, or popular opinion, there is nothing novel, nothing unscriptural, nothing which does not go most effectually to secure the observance of moral obligations, and nothing which has not received the countenance of some of the most enlightened characters for learning and for piety, which this nation or any other could ever boast. I feel happily persuaded also, that there is nothing in it but what is in accordance with the sentiments of some of you, who having been convinced of sin have come to Christ, and found in him every thing to suit your indigent circumstances; to warrant your unshaken confidence; to call forth your warmest affection; to excite your highest expec· tations; and to impart the most solid and substantial enjoyments to your minds. Knowing in whom you have believed, and having committed yourselves, and all your interests both for time and eternity into his hands, it is your delight to follow him in his kingdom of regeneration; his presence being your companion; his promises your consolation and support; his revealed will the rule of your actions; his dispensations welcomed as trials of your faith and patience; and the heaven of his eternal rest the object of your longing desire, in this the house of your pilgrimage. I know that you have many enemies to

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contend with; discouragements to any emotion, and read of his overcome; corruptions to mortify; dying love without any concern. temptations to withstand; infirmi- Yours is a state so truly perilous, ties to be lamented; and sins to be that it calls for the deepest comconfessed, deplored, and forsaken; miseration. May you be brought and to whom can I direct you for to a proper sense of it; and then, grace to maintain a befitting car- I am sure, you will be glad to flee riage under your numerous and di- to the Redeemer for the blessings versified exercises, but to that Je-of his grace: and it is your mercy sus, who is the rock whence to know, that though you cometh your strength? His ten- long slighted his goodness, he still derness and compassion, blessed waits to be gracious, to receive you be God, are as great as his power; to the arms of his compassion, and and he has assured you, that he to make you eternally happy. Reloves you too well, either to resign pair to him without delay, and he you to the will of your enemies, or will reveal to you his great salvato leave unfinished the work which tion, fill you with joy and peace in he has begun in your hearts. Be- believing, and give you to abound ware then, my dearly beloved in in hope through the power of the the Lord, that you do not faint by Holy Ghost. reason of the difficulties of the way, which, how formidable soever, shall not prevent your arrival at the promised land. Go forward, then, and every impediment to your progress shall be removed; believe, and you shall see the salvation of God; exercise patience a little longer, and the enemies whom you see to-day you shall see no more for ever. The covenant of grace, like the bow in the heavens, that pledge of the world's preservation from a second deluge, assures you of the removal of God's wrath, of the perpetuity of his love, and of the heavenly inheritance being yours. With joy then lift up your heads, for the day of your redemption draweth nigh.

That a tender solicitude for your spiritual prosperity and comfort should influence the breast of him who is set over you in the Lord, is no more than might be expected; and as his prayers are constantly offered up at the throne of grace for you, O let yours never be discontinued for him! May mutual love continue, and our constant endeavour be to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace! Our lives have been graciously spared, while many around us have been summoned into the eternal world. Their destinies are fixed for ever; they can never be reversed. Awful consideration! May it so affect our minds, as to lead us to prepare to meet our God! Some of you to whom I am now writing, will, perhaps before this time next year, have been called to the house appointed for all living. Neglect not then your present opportunities of spiritual improvement, but fight the good fight of faith, and so lay hold on eternal life. And that every blessing of the coyenant of grace may be yours, is the sincere prayer of, my dear friends,

Though it is acknowledged by those who have come to Christ, that there is every thing in him to make them happy; there are others who, continuing at a distance from him, have no perception of his excellencies; and to whom he is without form or comeliness, or any thing that they should desire him: and I fear this is the case with some of you to whom this Address will come. The person, offices, and work of Christ are to you subjects of no interest. You can hear of his incarnation without. 1824.

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Your affectionate
Servant in the Lord,
JOHN RICHARDS.

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