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you know that it hath pleased the Great Disposer of all events to lay me under deep affliction for two months past, and still I am so weak as not to be able to write for myself, therefore I have employ ed one of the boys to do it for me. Yet I hope it will please our heavenly Father, in his own due time, to restore me to perfect health again; but if not, I am resigned to his will, and hope you will all be of the same mind. We know that when the Almighty is pleased to afflict, it is that we hay receive good at the last; for he chastiseth like a kind father. I hope you will not grieve and become fretful at this uncomfortable news. I do not mean to cause you any sorrow, and if I thought it would answer no other purpose, I should not, at present, acquaint you with it; but I rather hope that, when you get this intelligance, you will be moved to earnest prayer both on my behalf and in behalf of your own immortal souls. However, that you may not despair, I am happy to inform you that, at the time of writing this letter, I am in a quite easy condition, and have all done for me that the help of medicine can do.

"I remain,

"Your's, most affectionately,

66 WILLIAM SMALL."

From what has been said above, it may be supposed he could give a rational account of the foundation of a Christian's hope; and those who were near him can have little reason to doubt that this hope was his great support, and the chief source of consolation to him during the time of his affliction. He had a strong persuasion of the efficacy of prayer, but complained that he could not always pray so fervently as he wished. He was frequently employed in seriously examining himself, and, more than once, sent for his tutor into his room to acknowledge to him some faults which he had coinmitted, and which he thought it right to divulge. He expressed much gratitude to the physician who attended him, and to all about him for any thing they contributed to his comfort. If an impatient or unkind word dropped from him, he would immediately ask to be forgiven. At one time, feeling restless, "I wish," said he, "but no-why should I wish for any thing more-let me not sin without occasion." While he was thankful to those around him for any favour shewn him, he never forgot to acknowledge the great author of all his mercies. In general, his mind was much composed, but whenever he felt any impatient thoughts arising, he would strive to check them with some short ejaculation.

A few days before his death, not knowing that any one was near him, he was heard to offer up the following petition with much earnestness.-"O God, forgive my fretfulness on account of what thou

hast been pleased to bring upon me, and give me more faith and patience, for the sake of Jesus Christ, my Saviour."

Many useful remarks were made by him, and hints of good advice given to several of his school-fellows during his illness, which, though they may not be very important to others, will, it is hoped, be long remembered by those to whom they were addressed.

One day he desired a boy to read to him the fourteenth and fifteenth chapters of St. John's Gospel, many parts of which he explained as well as he was able: he dwelt with peculiar pleasure on the character of the Comforter, as applied to the Holy Spirit. He asked his companion if he understood, in general, what he read; the boy told him there were many things of which he did not know the meaning: "then," says he, "you must pray earnestly that God would give you understanding; for, without that, reading the Bible will do you no good." At chapter fifteenth, verse second, he inquired what meaning was to be applied to the word branch; the youth not being very ready in his answer, he added, "You see me-I am a branch, which has yet borne little fruit; but our heavenly father is purging me, that I may bring forth more fruit; and if it please God I should recover, it is my determination, through his gracious help, to devote myself more to his service, and if you, Abraham, will keep company with me, I shall take a pleasure in telling you the little I understand about religion."

At another time he was overheard privately conversing with one of his companions, and earnestly exhorting him to improve his time and his privileges in the best manner. "If I am restored, it shall be my endeavour to aim at this more than I have done. I shall now, probably, forget a great deal of what I have learnt, for which I shall be very sorry; but even if I should forget all, I shall have no reason to complain. I know very well I have deserved, for my sins, to have been deprived of every privilege long ago. As I lay on my bed here yesterday, it came into my mind, that I had broken every commandment, according to the manner in which our Saviour has taught us to understand them. So I began to repeat them to my self, and I found I could make the appli cation almost as fast as I could speak the words." Here he repeated, apparently with much contrition, what had occupied his thoughts; how he had incurred the charge of idolatry by setting his affections on trifling things when he had no love to God; how he had taken the name of God in vain even when he pretended to worship him, because he had often prayed without meaning; that he had been a sabbathbreaker in the very worst sense, mentioning, particularly, that one sabbath-day,

which he should never forget, he had run about with one of his companions, at Freetown, throwing stones, and doing various acts of mischief, while the people were all at Church. So far from honouring his pavents, he had not only been guilty of numberless acts of disobedience, but had, on many occasions, which he could well remember, despised the good advice his mother had given him. Thus he went through the whole, and concluded by saying, it was well Christ had died for sinners, for it would have been a sad account at last, if he must have answered for all he had done.

As his strength declined his disorder increased, and brought on a delirium, which continued, with little intermission, during the two last days and nights. He was now more eager to converse with those around him, and did it apparently with less painfal exertion than before. It would scarcely be proper to mention the expressions he used, with any other view, than to infer from them the strength of some of his former habits and principles.

He would sometimes refuse to taste any thing offered him, however small the quantity, till he had asked a blessing upon it as he had used to do at meals. He made repeated inquiries whether any intelligence had been received from Africa since we had been with him before, and remarked (in allusion to the late attacks made on the colony by the natives) "how strange it is that, after the great war* is ended, the little war should begin, so that my poor countrymen have no rest. We had better examine ourselves before we go to fight, it is an awful thing to appear before the judgment seat of God!"

Seeing a small book lying near him in the room, he asked whether it was a good book, and being told it was, "Then," he says, "be so good as to read a little to me." He listened attentively till about half a page was read, and said, "Now you may stop, that is enough. I must bid you good by; death has laid hold of me. I hope you will take care of my sister."

Most of his expressions afterwards were quite incoherent, and his voice more feeble. He continued in a languishing state, but without any signs of extreme suffering, till about 10 o'clock on Saturday morning, May 29th, 1802, where he expired almost without a struggle or a groan.

the disturbances which have arisen in the colony since I left it; and to hear too from one, who had been an eye-witness, that people are become so negligent in attending to the public and private worship of almighty God.

"I assure you my love towards you is great, and I am very glad to hear that yours towards me is not decreased. I often think what a disobedient son I have been to you, notwithstanding your love to me. Oh, that it would please God to spare our lives, till I return to pay you that obedienee, which the laws of God and of nature enjoin! but I hope you can pardon me, as well as my dear sister whom I have often offended without cause.

"I am sensible I ought to be of some use to you, and, for that reason, am anxious to make improvement in all useful knowledge. I hope you will not forget to pray to our Heavenly Father, both for me and yourself.

"Be so good as to inform me what is the state of the colony in general; whether a number of ships lie in the harbour; how the slave trade goes on, and what they say about the abolition of it. I would advise you to avoid all possible connection with them, for it gives me a good deal of pain. One day, as I was wishing for the abolition, a person present said: “Ah! but your Mother would not say so."-You must think how those words cut me. Pray tell me how many public or private buildings have been erected since I left; whether any mills, bridges, &c. have been built; how many new trades and mannfactures have been introduced. In a word, inform me of every thing that you think will be amusing or instuctive.

"I should make many more inquiries, if time and room would permit, but shall content myself at present with requesting a very speedy answer, which will much oblige

"Your most obedient son
"WILLIAM SMALL,”

DEAR SISTER,

May 27th 1801.

"I received your letter on the 5th of March, by the favour of Mr. ———, with the money you were pleased to send me; I thank you for it, and hope I shall make a good use of it as you desired me. You may think how glad I was to receive your letter, and to see Mr. If I have missThe following are copies of letters written ed any opportunity of writing, I am sorry to his friends at different times:

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for it. I believe it was because I wrote at the same time to my Mother, and, as I supposed you were still living together, I thought you would thus know of my welfare. I hope you will not be in the least uneasy because I am far from you. You know that the end for which I came over to England was to endeavour to get more knowledge than I had before, and I hope it will please the Almighty, that the end

for which we came here may be answered.

"With respect to the care taken of us, I hope you will not be in the least doubt. It seems astonishing to me, to think how many people there are in England, who are so anxious about our welfare; and that there should go over so many to Africa from the very same place to tyrannize over those unfortunate persons who fall victims to their avarice.

"I hope, dear sister that you may experience the blessing of God in all your undertakings, and that you will always bear him in remembrance, steadily adhere to his cause, and renounce adherence to all others who oppose him. If I were in your place, with the same mind that I now have, by the help of God, (for the heart of man is deceitful, neither can we do any thing of ourselves) I would strive to keep up to that command, which says: "Do to others as you would they should do unto you." The chief way in which persons in your station are apt to break the command, is by overcharging things, and sometimes having divers weights, which are an abomination to the Lord: but I trust, (and I think on good grounds too) that you will not stoop down to such mean and sinful actions. You know also that getting eustomers depends on your desire to please them, and serving them in the best manner. In so doing you enjoy the blessing of God, while you are promoting your own interest.

"I am, your affectionate brother,
"WILLIAM SMALL."

Letter to one of his school-fellows, who had been removed to a distance:

"December 8th, 1801.

"MY DEAR FRIEND, "I was very happy to find, by your letter, which I received yesterday, that you are well. We have had the pleasure of reading your letters to Mr. , and were sorry to hear that you have had the misfortune of cutting your foot. I hope both you and D. E. are perfectly recovered, and I hope also that these little obstacles will not deter you in your progress, but that the thought of the benefit you will receive from attending to your business will inspire you with fresh vigour ; and we all join in our wishes that you with all the rest of us may be made useful to our country. We join with you in rejoicing that -peace has once more returned, after so long an absence.

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"We hope that our friend, and that of Africa in general, Mr. Wwill soon have the pleasure of seeing that iniquitous trade abolished; the long continuance of which has been one of the greatest blots on English History.

"All the boys desire to be kindly re

membered to you, and will be very glad to
hear from you at any time."

"I am, dear Thomas,
"Your true friend,

"WILLIAM SMALL."

On Tuesday, Oct. 11th, died at Chedden, aged 31 years, the Reverend TsoMAS DREWITT, M. A. many years curate of that parish. Endowed with talents which would have supported and adorned a much higher station, his active piety and distinguished humility eminently qua lified him for that humble but important sphere, which he was called by Providence to fill. While a student at Christ Church, Oxford, he had cultivated that taste for polite literature for which that college is justly distinguished. His singular modesty and native gentleness of manners, joined to a pleasing vivacity and a sparkling but most inoffensive wit, rendered his conversation peculiarly engaging. His acquirements were considered by him, not as objects of display or of amusement, but as additional means for promoting the glory of his Creator and Redeemer. His love of letters, his fondness for music (in which he possessed considerable skill) were all rendered subservient to the great cause which it was the main object of his life to promote, ner did he suffer any subordinate pursuits to intrench on that time which was conscientiously devoted to the spiritual interests of a large parish. He was the diligent shepherd of a numerous and affectionate flock, nor did the sufferings arising from an infirm constitution, ever lead him to omnit or lessen his labours. His zeal was enlightened by knowledge; his warm affections were tempered by a sound judgment and a sober discretion. Sincerely attached to our excellent ecclesiastical establishment, he equally revered her discipline and maintained her doctrines. Zealous without any tincture of enthusiasm, and correctly regular without lukewarmuess, he was a faithful preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He closed his short, but useful life, by preaching, a few days before he died, a very loyal and impressive sermon, suited to the times, to the numerous volunteers of his parish, whom he had been very instrumental in raising. To conclude, with nearly the words of Mr. Addison on a similar occasion, many have I known more serious, some more knowing, not one more virtuous.

DEATHS.

A.

At the Moravian School, in Mirfield, near Leeds, CHRISTIAN MYDOWE, a native of the Island of Otaheite, in the South Seas, in the seventeenth or eighteenth year of、 his age, The day before his death, 'he

was, at his own request, initiated into the Church by baptism, expressing his faith and confidence in the animating hopes inspired by the Christian Religion.

Lately, at Ardsalla, county of Meath, the Right Honourable EDWARD LUDLOW: he is succeeded in his honours by his eldest son, Lord Preston.

Oct. 1. At Barrowgill Castle, of a fever, in her 17th year, the Honourable Lady HELEN SINCLAIR, second daughter of the Earl of Caithness.

Lately, near Gadleish, Devon, Mr. J. PEARCE, aged 90. In a concealed part of the house were found 6000 guineas and half guineas. He always pleaded want of money,

Oct. 4. EVERHARD FAWKENER, Esq. one of the commissioners of stamps. He was found dead in his bed, at his seat at Mistley, near Manningtree, in Essex. He was in perfect health the preceding evening.

Same day, the Rev. ROBERT WILMOT, Rector of Morley, in Derbyshire, aged

53.

July 18. At Barbadoes, in the 26th year, Major Sir GEORGE RICHARDSON, Bart. of the 64th regiment. His death was occasioned by a wound received whilst storming the Morne in St. Lucia, the 22nd of June.

Sept. 13. At Nine Elms, Surrey, in his 84th year, THOMAS DENHAM. Esq. formerly of Foster-lane, Cheapside.

Sept. 17. At Huntingdon, the Reverend CASTEL SHERARD.

Same day, the Rev. THOMAS PRESLAND, of Walford, and Vicar of Baschurch, Shrop shire.

Sept. 22. At Badminton, Gloucester

shire, aged 17, Lady Ann Elizabeth SOMERSET, youngest daughter of the Duks of Beaufort.

Sept. 28. At his house on TurnhamGreen, in the 83rd year of his age, RALPH GRIFFITHS, Esq. LL. D. the well known editor of a celebrated fiterary journal, the Monthly Review.

Sept. 27. Mrs. MILNER, relict of the late Rev. Dr. Milner, late of Preston Hall, in Kent.

Sept. 29. At Hammersmith, in his 74th year, LAWRENCE Laforest, Esq.

Lately, the Honourable ANNE BRUDENELL, relict of the Honourable Colonel Brudenell, and one of the bed-chamber women to her Majesty, aged 75.

Lately, at Horndean, aged 84, Colonel MONROE, of the Royal Marines.

At Epsom, Surrey, aged 98, Mrs. NiCHOLLS, relict of Dr. Frank Nicholls, mother of John Nicholls, Esq. late M.P. and daughter of the late Dr. Mead.

Lately, aged 84, Joseph Elliott, Esq. senior alderman of Exeter.

At Longford, Somersetshire, aged 65, ROBERT BURLAND, Esq. youngest brother of the late Sir John Burland, Baron of the Exchequer, and uncle of John Berkeley Burland, Esq. Member for Totness.

Oct. 3. At a very advanced age, the Rev. WILLIAM Oakɛley, Vicar of Holy Cross, Shrewsbury, and Rector of Forton in Staffordshire.

Oct. 5. At Sutton in Lincolnshire, the Rev. TIMOTHY MANGLES.

Oct. 6. At Islington, in his 73d year, Mr. JAMES WILSON, formerly a Seedsman in West Smithfield.

At her house at Epsom, in the 75th year of her age, Mrs. Wood.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

D. I.. A. A. M.'s favour is thankfully acknowledged, and will be attended to in due time.

The Lines of RUSTICULUS are considerably below mediocrity.

We have seen the work to which L. W. refers, but in the multiplicity of religious publications which issue from the press, it did not strike us as particularly deserving of notice.

We are sorry that we should have caused so much trouble to BENEVOLUS. Had the paper, to which he alludes, been judged in all respects suited to our publication, the intention of inserting it would, in some way, have been hinted to him.

An ENQUIRER and CROIX have been received.

S. C. and C. L.'s communications will have a place.

The ingenious paper of AMBIDEXTER has come to hand.

ERRATA.

Number 21, page 545, col. 2, line 37, and page 546, col. 1, line 7, for îmbrued read

imbued.

577, col. 2, line 43, for placed read planted.

The last page is numbered 510 instead of 580.

col 1, line 25, for department read deportment.

CHRISTIAN OBSERVER.

No. 23.

NOVEMBER, 1803. [No. 11. VOL. II.

Religious Communications.

RELATION OF THE PENITENT DEATH OF BISHOP ATHERTON.

(Concluded from p. 589.)

ND now we are drawing nigh both considering what he had been

A the saddest part of the story for and what he was to suffer: with this

his body, but yet the most comfortable for his soul. His sowing time in tears ye have heard; now follows his reaping in joy, of which some sheaves he carried with him hence, which is the most memorable thing in the whole relation.

After he had with great industry and watchfulness obtained some testimony unto himself of his repentance, and so hope of mercy, all his earnest desire was, that God would but give him some token for good by the comforts of his spirit. He had read much of that joy unspeakable and glorious, of the light of God's countenance, which David valued above all the world; heard much of the consolations and refreshments of the soul by the inward witness of the spirit: but now, how he thirsted (the day before his execution), to have some taste of them, which he con ceived would fully arm him against the fear of death! He said, he could remember in his youth, before his soul was stained with sin, when he lived for a time in a certain religious family, he had once some short enlightning that was of more worth than all the joy he had since. He acknowledged he was not worthy of it, and that if God did deny it him, yet the course he had begun he would hold; that he would never give over begging till he had some degree [to use his own words] were it but as imperfect a sight as the blind man's in the Gospel, who saw men walking like trees; and he was encouraged by a promise that God would not deny his holy spirit to those that ask him. And he said, that if he might expect the fulness of joy not many hours after, why might he not hope to get some first fruits or earnest for the assurance of it here; and he conceived of all men living he had most need, CHRIST. OBSERY, No. 23.

his thoughts were filled, and for this he desired me to pray with him often, and to help him with the prayers of others; and after eleven of the clock that night, I was witness of a most affectionate prayer of his own, which a hearer would have thought could not but arise from some apprehension already.

The next morning [which was the day of his execution] his first salutation to me was, God hath heard me; about four or five of the clock this morning, for the space of an hour and a half, I have had that sweetness in my soul, those refreshments in my heart, that I am not able to express. I had such a weaning from this world, might I have enjoyed all the contents of it, such a trust and relying upon God in committing my wife and children to his care, such confidence of God's love and assurance of pardon, such a longing to be dissolved and to be with Christ, such joy and inward consolation, as if he had been in the suburbs of heaven already, that (saith he) "I felt where my heart lay, I arose out of my bed and gave God thanks and praise upon my knees in the place where I had begged it;" and so fell into abundance of tears, adding, "whereas before I wept for sorrow, now I weep for joy;" [of all which divers others were witnesses besides myself,] and so desired me, (who had been a petitioner with him) to kneel down with others present, and solemnly give God thanks with him for it, and pray. for a continuance of it to his last; which tears of his, coming from so cheerful a countenance (when we expected the most sadness) moved us more than all before. And his man's testimony is observable, who coming that morning by break of the day to the chamber door, and before he knocked, looking through 4 N

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