ment of schools; but only such an outline as was suited to their general ignorance of the state of what is called the religious world. And when he had concluded, they all joined in the prayer.-Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven. Anxious as was Mto pursue his journey, he devoted three hours to this interview. He exhorted them to receive and practice only what they found in the scriptures, to cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and promised to use his influence to obtain for them, a pastor who should feed them with knowledge and understanding. The termination of this extraordinary meeting, was procrastinated and affecting, tears of pleasure, gratitude, and regret, streamed from the eyes of the mountaineers, and the traveller, though more deeply moved by having seen the grace of God, than by all the scenes through which he had passed, went on his way rejoicing, and following the directions of the good widow, he arrived at the town of S. In this town he had commercial relations, with the principal inhabitants and authorities, and under the impression of all he had witnessed, he inquired, as if with the curios, ity of a traveller, the name of the hamlet he had passed on the mountain, and the nature of the employment and the character of its inhabitants. The men, said the mayor, work in the mines, drive the teams, and labour in the fields; and the women and children weave. They are a very curious people outres illumines, but the most honest work-people of the country. Probity itself;— we have no occasion to weigh our silk, either when we give it out or take it in, for we are sure not to lose the value of an obole, and the kindest creatures in the world; they will take their shirts off their backs to give to any one in distress; indeed, there is no wretchedness among them, for though poor, they are industrious, temperate, and charitable, and always assist each other; but touch them on their religion, and they are almost idiots. They never go to mass, nor confession, in fact they are not Christians, though the most worthy people in the world, and so droll-imagine those poor people, after working all the week, instead of enjoying the Sunday and going to fetes and balls to amuse themselves, they meet in each other's houses, and sometimes in the mountains, to read some book, and pray and sing hymns. They are very clever work people, but they pass their Sundays and holidays stupidly enough. This testimony, so honourable to his new acquaintance, was confirmed to M.from several quarters; and he learnt from others, what he had not been told by themselves, that besides their honesty and charity, so great is their zeal, that they flock from the different hamlets, and meet in the mountains in cold and bad weather at 8 or 9 o'clock at night, to avoid the interruption of their priestly enemies, and to sing and pray. These accounts were not calculated to lessen the interest excited in the breast of M. and immediately on his arrival at Lyons, he dispatched six copies of the New-Testament and some copies of a tract entitled, Les Dieux viellards," written by M. Nolan of Geneva. Shortly after his return to Paris, M. received through one of his correspondents of Lyons, a letter from the excellent widow with whom he had conversed from the window of the second story. The modesty, dignity, and piety of the composition, has induced me to subjoin a literal translation, not only to evince the influence of true religion, but to satisfy the reader, that in this narration no exaggerated statement has been made of the characters of the mountaineers of St.. "Sir, I have the honour to write to you, to assure you of my very humble respects and at the same time to acknowledge the reception of the six copies of the New-Testament, which you had the goodness and the generosity to send us. My family, myself, and my neighbours, know not how adequately to express our sincere gratiude; for we have nothing in the world so precious as that sacred volume, which is the best food of our souls, and our certain guide to the heavenly Jerusalem. "As we believe and are assured that the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ could alone have inspired you with the desire to distribute the Sacred Scriptures to those who are disposed to make a holy use of them, we hope and believe that the Divine Saviour will be himself your recompence; and that he will give to you, as well as to all of us, the grace to understand, and to seek a part in his second coming; for this ought to be our only and constant desire in the times of darkness and tribulation in which we live. "It is with this view, Sir, that I entreat you to have the goodness to send six more copies of the sacred volume, for several of my friends, who are de lighted, not only with the beauty of the type, but especially with the purity of the edition; for it is sufficient to see the name of Monsieur le Maitre de Sacey, to be assured that this edition is strictly conformable to the sacred text. Sir, as the persons who have charged me to entreat you to send six more copies of the New-Testament would be sorry to abuse your generosity, they also charge me to say, that if you accomplish their wishes, as your truly Christian kindness induces them to hope, and will mark the price on the books, they shall feel it to be a pleasure and a duty to remit you the amount when 1 acknowledge the arrival of the parcel. Could you also add six copies of the little tract, entitled, "Les Deux Viellards ?" "I entreat you, Sir, to excuse the liberty I have taken, and to believe that, while life remains, I am, in the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your very humble servant, The WIDOW Mhastened to gratify and exceed the wishes expressed in this letter. Instead of six copies, twenty copies of the New-Testament were now presented to the widow and her friends, and a dozen instead of six of the Deux Viellards. The parcel was enlarged with copies of the Archives du Christianisme, The Report of the Bible Society of Paris, The History of Missions, lately published by M. Gaussin, of Sartigoy, the French edition of the Report of the London Missionary Society, Dr. Bogue's Essay on the New Testament, The Young Cottager, of which a Freach edition has been published, at the expense of a young gentleman at Paris. The Sermons of Nardin, which I have reprinted, The Dairyman's Daughter, the French translation, pub ished in London, my last copy, and also my only remaining copy of Doddrige's Rise and Progress, in French. We wait for the correspondence, to inform us of the impression produced by the arrival of such an unexpected supply. Among those who may read this account, I hope there may be some who will resolve that we shall not want funds to reprint, immediately, a large edition of Doddridge, of the Dairyman's Daughter, and other books and tracts, which are exceedingly wanted, thankfully received, and extensively useful. RISE AND PROGRESS OF METHODISM IN SAVANNAH. Charleston, South-Carolina, September 10, 1821. To the Editor of the Methodist Magazine. DEAR BROTHER, I take the liberty of sending you a sketch of the rise of Methodism, in the city of Savannah, Georgia. For many years the visits of Methodist Ministers, were rather irregular, as the place was tolerably well supplied by those of other denominations. At length, by a number of our friends in the country, we were charged with a culpable neglect of the capital of the state, and were given to understand that there were sinners in Savannah who needed rousing by the gospel. In 1807, the Rev. Samuel Dunwoody was regularly stationed there: and from that time it has been annually supplied with a stationed preacher. The attempt, at first, appeared very discouraging; but as the people became acquainted with us, the prospect brightened. In 1812, we commenced preaching in our own meeting house, which Bishop Asbury dedicated, and named WESLEY CHAPEL. In the same year, the stationed minister raised a small society, including Lydia Myers, who had been a member of our church forty years ago in Philadelphia, and near thirty years a resident in Savannah and also, a black man and his wife, (Billy and Peggy) who had been taken into society about twenty years previous, by the Rev. Hope Hull. These were the first members in that place. For two years past, the attention of the people became more excited to hear the word, and their minds began to yield to the force of truth. At the commencement of this year, their hearts were affected by that godly sorrow, which produces "repentance to salvation not to be repented of." The house became crowded and overflowing. All hands were ready to enlarge it, and in less than three days one thousand dollars were subscribed. The addition has since been completed, and the money nearly all paid. The house is now eighty by forty feet, and a gallery on each side and in front. God hath graciously wrought, and the work is still going on. Brother Howard has, I suppose, given you a more full account of the late work in this place. Nor is our church alone benefited by this gracious out-pouring of the Spirit. Numbers in other churches have been stirred up to double their diligence in their christian course. Several have been added to the Baptist church. : Here I would remark, that we had to contend with some serious and trying difficulties but in the midst of all, God was with us, and raised up friends. And I would express my gratitude, (which has all along been lying on my heart) to our distant friends, in Georgia, Carolinas, Baltimore, the Rev. James Smith, sen. of Philadelphia Conference, with several members of the General Conference of 1812 in New-York, who liberally aided us in building our meeting-house. I express it because I feel it, and because I am confident that we could not have succeeded at that time without such aid. The nemory of the late J. Millen, member of the Presbyterian church, in whose house our ministers had a home from the beginning to his death, merits a grateful acknowledgement. Dr. G. Harrall also, a distinguished member of that church, with Mr. E. Stark (since deceased) were active in aiding our building. Nor has the late, and much lamented Dr. H. Kollock, acted otherwise than as our real and warm friend. May the good providence of God direct in the choice of such a successor as shall be a faithful and successful instrument in promoting the spiritual and eternal interest of his afflicted congregation. Yours in Christian bonds. L. MYERS. Obituary. DEATH OF ERASTUS N. HYDE, Eldest son of Erastus and Fanny Hyde, of Bozrah, Connecticut. THE subject of the following me otherwise, there was no apparent unmoir from his early years, was an af- easiness or complaint, but a firm trust fectionate, tender, and dutiful child, in the' Providence of God, an humble beloved by his acquaintance and reliance on the merits of Christ for friends, who were the more fondly at- pardon and salvation, and a full pertached to him for his early piety and suasion of the truth and faithfulness of exemplary life. He first became seri- God to fulfil his gracious promisesous when he was between the age of These were to him a source of consofourteen and fifteen years. Early in lation through all bis suffering. The the spring of 1819 be left the family word of God was the subject of his to reside in New York, where he con- constant perusal and meditation, and tinued until the first December, 1820 it was with much satisfaction that he (except a few weeks visit to his friends listened to its truth from others; and esin 1819.) In the mean time he became pecially such parts of Baxter's Saints' greatly debilitated with a lingering Rest, Kempis' Imitation of Christ, and disorder. Though slow in its progress, selections of other religious books it laid the foundation of a complaint which baffled the skill of physicians, and terminated in an affection of the lungs. His strength gradually failed, until nature sunk under the weight of disease. What was most worthy of notice in the course of his sickness, was the patience, resignation, and submission to the will of God which he manifested. Not being sensible that nature was so much exhausted, it was bis expectation that changes of air and employment, on his return from NewYork, would soon be the means of his restoration to health; but finding it which were thought suitable to his situation. The nature of his complaint had a tendency to depress his spirits, and at times he seemed to be "in heaviness through manifold temptations;" but as he drew near to the close of life, the clouds seemed to disperse, the prospects to brighten, and the sun of righteousness arose in his soul with healing in his wings. It being evident that his natural life must soon end, it was thought proper to apprize him of his approaching dissolution. He seemed sensible of his situation, and not in the least intimidated with the near ap proach of the King of Terrors, fre- had in remembrance a mother's tender quently conversing on the death of his care, for which he could not find lansisters, and their exercises in the last guage to express his thankfulness.— stages of life. In reply to an inquiry Oh, said he, how I love my dear of his evidence of his interest in the brothers and sisters. I hope to meet Saviour, he remarked, that he had them all in heaven." His strength been an unworthy follower of Christ, failing, he could no longer express the but thought he could say, "though I heaven he already enjoyed, and the the chief of sinners am, yet Jesus died anticipation of that everlasting rest for me." Early on Sabbath morning, which he soon expected to be in posApril 8th, I went to him, and saw that session of. Brother Peter Griffing, he was failing. After some free con- who has been a local preacher upwards versation, I asked him if he thought of twenty years, and whom a gracious beaven would be his home when he providence had directed to visit him left this world be answered, "I have the evening before, was now present, not a doubt of it"-These words have and with whom we joined in solemn been of comfort to me, "He that com- prayer. Such a sense of the Divine eth unto me I will in no wise cast out." presence, he said, he had never witHe wished me to pray with him, that nessed on such an occasion-We could his faith might hold out. Not long af but rejoice, even while we wept, from ter which, while the family were most- a grateful sense of divine mercy and ly collected around him, he observed, love. He said but little more. Afthat he thought we should have a house ter lying in an insensible state a few of mourning to-day. On speaking hours, without much apparent distress, these words, it seemed as if the glory he awoke, and was raised up, and of the invisible world was unfolded to his view, heaven beamed in his countenance, and joys unspeakable filled his enraptured soul. I may attempt but cannot delineate the parting scene of this dear child, this heir of glory, while he took an affectionate leave of his parents, brothers and sisters, and weeeping friends around him saying to them, "Farewell, I am going home!"-and embracing them individually. In a peculiar manner, he took some notice of objects around him, and said, "Jesus is precious.” Soon after, about twelve o'clock, he breathed his last without the least struggle, leaving an earthly tabernacle for a "building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," in the nineteenth year of his age. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." ERASTUS HYDE. Poetry. From the Imperial Magaxine. By the Rev. Thomas Raffles. ABIDE with us, the evening shades And damp and cheerless is the air: Has well beguil'd the tedious way; Thy skill to cheer the gloomy hour, What wond'rous things of Jesus told! We thought that Israel he'd restore; That binds us to our unknown friend: The Stranger bows, with smiles divine; Abide with us-amaz'd they cry, As suddenly, whilst breaking bread, THE METHODIST MAGAZINE, FOR DECEMBER, 1821. Divinity. From the London Methodist Magazine. By the late Rev. JOHN FLETCHER, of Madeley. "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him: then said JESUS unto the twelve, will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." (Concluded from page 405.) II. HAVING thus showed what offended so much many of our SAVIOUR's disciples, that they departed and walked no more with him; by the assistance of the LORD, I am to prove next, that as, out of CHRIST, there is nothing but eternal death for sinners, so in CHRIST there is eternal life for the chief of sinners. Both these points of doctrine are contained in St. Peter's answer to our LORD. When JESUS saw that many of his disciples were gone, he said unto the twelve, "Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of everlasting life." That expression-"To whom shall we go?"-shows that man is helpless as well as wretched, and that he is both spiritually dead, and incapable to raise himself to spiritual life, since he must go to another for it. "To whom shall we go?"-here also appears an utter despair of finding relief, not only in one's self, but also in any creature, thing, or means under heaven, but in JESUS CHRIST. To instance in some particulars :- 1. To whom shall we go for salvation and eternal life? Shall we go to Bishops, Priests, or Deacons? Shall we go to the Apostles themselves? No, no: they can only point us to CHRIST the Way, the Truth, and the Life: they are neither the way, the truth, nor the life: they are but men, and what says the VOL. IV. 56 |
