Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

ident of the United States. Written in the year 1800. New Edition, with a Preface. Boston, E. G. House. 1809.

Letters addressed to Clarinda, &c. never before published in America; with a choice Selection of Poems and Songs. By Robert Burns, the Scottish Bard. To which is prefixed, a Sketch of his Life and Character. Philadelphia, Jane Aitkin. 1809.

Self Knowledge, a Treatise shew. ing the nature and benefit of that important science, and the way to attain it. Intermixed with various reflections and observations on human nature. By John Mason, A. M. Boston, Farrand, Mallory, & Co.

1809.

IN THE PRESS. Farrand, Mallory, & Co. Boston, have in the press The Scripture Doctrine of the Atonement examined, by John Taylor of Norwich.

Το

which is added, candid remarks upon Mr. Taylor's Discourse, entitled Scripture Doctrine, &c. By George Hampton, M.A.

Farrand, Mallory, & Co. Boston, and William P. Farrand, & Co. Philadelphia, have in the press, A New Abridgment of the Law, by Matthew Bacon, of the Middle Temple, Esq. with considerable additions, by Henry Guillim, of the Middle Temple, Esq. Barrister at law. The first American from the last London edi

tion, with large additions incorporated; comprising all the late English Law compiled from decisions since Mr. Gwillim's edition. And also, a complete Abridgment of American Law compiled from all the American Decisions now extant, in six volumes. WORKS PROPOSED.

Williams & Whiting of New York, propose to republish that new and interesting work, Thornton Abbey; a series of Letters on Religious Subjects; in one large volume duodecimo, at 1,25, in boards, or 1,38 bound.

Samuel T. Armstrong of Charlestown, presents to the citizens of the United States of America, and friends of religion in particular, Proposals for publishing by subscription, Sermons on various Subjects, Divine and Moral. Designed for the use of Christian Families, as well as for the hours of devout retirement. By Isaac Watts, D.D. To which will be added Memoirs of the Author, by an eminent hand, in 2 vols. 8vo. price to subscribers 2 dolls. per volume.

Thomas & Whipple, Newburyport, have in press The Military Companion: being a system of Company Discipline, founded on the Regulations of baron Steuben. Designed for the use of the Militia. Third edition, improved. Ornamented with handsome Copperplates.

OBITUARY.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

that habitually governed her conduct. Though possessed of superior judgment and lively sensibilities, they were so far under the influence of grace, which reigned in her soul, that even the profligate and profane were constrained to acknowledge the excellency and power of true religion. The gentleness of her temper, the meekness of her mind, the cheerful sobriety of her deportment, the cor. rectness of her sentiments, the piety of her conversation, her devout attendance on the institutions of the gospel, and unwearied exertions to do good, proved her a follower of Jesus Christ, and gained her the es teem and applause of every person, who enjoyed her acquaintance.

In the education of her children, she exhibited equal wisdom and assiduity. Recognizing her covenant engagements, when she gave up her children in the sacred ordinance of baptism, she was faithful to that covenant by "training them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." She was a mother, who not only gave her children the best counsel and examples, but carried them on her heart to the throne of grace; and, in answer to her prayers and labors, the blessing of Abraham descended upon them. Of nine children, who were spared to adult age, eight of whom survive; she had the satisfaction, several years before her death, to see five come forward and publicly profess their faith in that divine Redeemer, whom she had long embraced as her only portion.

In no situation is a pious female more amiable, useful, or respectable, than in rearing a numerous family in the principles of true religion, and guiding them in the paths of vir

tue.

Mrs. E. did not deem it a service too arduous, or an office too low, to take the religious part of her children's education into her own hands. Too well she loved them; too much she regarded the welfare of their souls, to neglect a concern of such infinite moment. While she possessed their love, respect and obedience to an unusual degree, she was no less happy in keeping their consciences awake to an abhorrence of sin in every form, and to a regard to every branch of religion, by affectionately instilling into their minds the most important truths in a manner adapted to their capacities. A suitable proportion of every Sabbath day was devoted to this object. That day she taught her chil dren by precept, and by the devout manner in which she spent it herself,

to reverence as a holy sabbath to the Lord. The manner in which she taught them the Assembly's Catechism and explained the Scriptures, was peculiarly tender and engaging, and the salutary effects produced, proved that the high estimation in which she held the practice was judi. ciously placed. After closing the business of the day, instead of per mitting her children to go into vain or dissolute company, she would of ten call them round her and spend the evening in conversing with them on the great things of religion, and particularly on the various dangers and duties peculiar to their age. Noble exception from prevailing practice! In administering correc tion, she pursued a practice worthy of imitation. She first retired into her closet to examine the state of her mind, and then prefaced the punishment with some calm, affectionate observations on the guilt of disobe dience, especially as an offence against God.

Her last

Mrs. E. had, several times, been reduced to the brink of the grave, and more than once had taken an af fecting leave of her family and friends, in expectation of a speedy departure. In that situation, a situation which tries the hopes of men, she manifested the utmost calmness and confi dence in God, and patiently waited the expected summons. lingering illness she bore with christian fortitude and submission. That grace which sanctified her heart and life, softened her dying pillow. In the calm triumphs of faith, she yield. ed her spirit into the arms of that Savior whom she had often recommended to others, and entered into her rest on the 21st of December, 1808, in the 65th year of her age.

DONATION.

1809, Aug. 3. To the Massachusetts Missionary Society, from the Ladies' Cent Society in Newburyport, by the hands of Rev. Dr. Spring, $97, 36.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

SEVERAL Biographical Sketches, Obituary Notices, and Reviews, are on hand, and which shall be early inserted. We thank our correspondents for To give room for the proceedings of the General Association, we have given a half sheet extra, for this month.

these communications.

[blocks in formation]

Gentlemen,

YOUR readers were gratified the last year, with memoirs of the Rev. JOHN NEWTON. Every thing which relates to so extraordinary a man, is interesting to the religious world. I therefore transmit some further particulars of his character, selected from his life, written by the Rev. Richard Cecil; together with some remarks which fell from him in familiar conversation. The whole is submitted to your disposal. Yours, &c.

REV. JOHN NEWTON.

MR. NEWTON was unquestionably the child of a peculiar providence in every step of his prog

ress;

and his deep sense of the extraordinary dispensations through which he had passed, was the prominent topic of his Conversation. Those who personally knew the man, could have no doubt of the probity with which his narrative, singu. lar as it may appear, was written. They, however, who could not view the subject of these memoirs so nearly, as his particular friends did, may wish to learn something farther of the early part of his life, and of his character with respect to his literary attainments his ministry-bis family habits his writings--and his familiar conversation.

To the early part of his life, as circumstantially related by himself, and widely circulated, little could be added.

VOL. II. New Series.

Such was the early attention which his mother paid to his religious education, that, at four years old, he was not only able to read the Bible, but had learnt by heart Dr. Watts' little hymns and catechisms, together with the answers in the Assembly's Catechism; and she flattered herself with the hope that, in a future period, he might be sent to St. Andrew's, in Scotland, to be educated for the ministry; but the Lord had designed him for anoth. er school.

We have omitted a circumstance, during the early part of his life, of some importance to the narrative. Having made an appointment to go one Sunday on board a man of war, but coming too late, his companion went without him, and was drowned, with several others, by the over. setting of the boat; but he was much alarmed and affected to

U

think that his life should have been preserved, by a circumstance apparently so trivial and accidental. About this time he also derived some serious impressions from reading Bennet's Christian Orator, and the Family Instructor; but these impressions went no farther than externals, and left him open to the temptations of infidelity, which followed.

Mr. N. had an unexpected call to London; and on his return, when within a few miles of Liverpool, he mistook a marle pit for a pond, and, in attempting to water his horse, both the horse and his rider plunged into it overhead. He was afterwards told, that, near the same time, three persons had lost their lives by a mistake of a similar kind.

While he was in his office of tide-surveyor at Liverpool, he had another singular preservation, through being a few minutes too late (though in general remarkably punctual;) for, during that time, the ship which he was going to inspect, blew up, before he could reach her, and all on board perished.

Of his literature, we learn from his Narrative, what he attained in the learned languages, and that by almost incredible efforts. Few men have undertaken such 'difficulties under such disadvan tages. It therefore seems more extraordinary that he should have attained so much, than that he should not have acquired more. Nor did he quit his pursuits of this kind, but in order to gain that knowledge which he deemed much more important. Whatev. er he conceived had a tendency to qualify him, as a scribe well in structed in the kingdom of God, bringing out of his treasury things

new and old-I say, in pursuit of this point, he might have adopted the apostle's expression, "One thing I do." By a prin. ciple so simply and firmly directed, he furnished his mind with much information. He had con. sulted the best old divines-had read the moderns of reputation with avidity; and was continu. ally watching whatever might serve for analogies or illustrations,in religion. "A minister," he used to say, "wherever he is, should be always in his study. He should look at every man, and at every thing, as capable of affording him some instruction." His mind, therefore, was ever intent on his calling; ever extract. ing something, even from the basest materials, which he could turn into gold.

In consequence of his incessant attention to this object, while many whose early advan. tages greatly exceeded his, were found excelling Mr. N. in the knowledge and investigation of some curious, abstract, but very unimportant points; he was found vastly excelling them in points of infinitely higher importance to man. In the knowledge of God, of his word, and of the human heart in its wants and resources, Newton would have stood among mere scholars, as his namesake, the philosopher, stood in science among ordinary men. I might say the same of some others who have set out late in the profes sion, but who, with a portion Mr. N.'s piety and ardor, have greatly outstripped those who have had every early advantage and encouragement: men with specious titles and high connexions have received the rewards; while men, like Newton, without

of

them, have done the work. With respect to his ministry he appeared perhaps to least advantage in the pulpit; as he did not generally aim at accuracy.in the composition of his sermons, nor at any address in their deliv. ery. His utterance was far from clear, and his attitudes un. graceful. He possessed, however so much affection for his people, and zeal for their best interests, that the defect of his manner was of little consideration with his constant hearers: at the same time his capacity and habit of entering into their trials and experience, gave the highest interest to his ministry among them. Beside which, he frequently interspersed the most brilliant allusions, and brought forward such happy illustrations of his subject, and those with so much unction on his own heart, as melted and enlarged theirs. The parent-like tenderness and affection which

accompanied his instruction, made them prefer him to preach. ers who, on other accounts, were much more generally popular. It ought also to be noted, that amidst the extravagant notions and unscriptural positions, which have sometimes disgraced the religious world, Mr. N. never de parted, in any instance, from soundly and seriously promulgating the faith once delivered to the saints, of which his writings will remain the best evidence. His doctrine was strictly that of the church of England, urged on the consciences of men in the most practical and experimental manner. "I hope," said he to me one day smiling, 66 I hope I am upon the whole a scriptural preacher; for I find I am considered as an Arminian among

[ocr errors]

the high Calvinists, and as a Calvinist among the strenuous Arminians." I never observed any thing like bigotry in his ministerial character; though he seemed at all times to appreciate the beauty of order, and its good effects in the ministry.

He had formerly taken much pains in composing his sermons, as I could perceive in one manu. script which I looked through; and even latterly I have known him, whenever he felt it necessary, produce admirable plans for the pulpit. I own I thought his judgment deficient in not deeming such preparation necessary at all times. I have sat in pain when he has spoken unguardedly in this way before young ministers; men who, with but comparatively slight degrees of his information and experience, would draw encouragement to ascend the pulpit with but little previous study of their subject.

Mr. N. regularly preached on the Sunday morning and evening at St. Mary Woolnoth, and also on the Wednesday morning. After he was turned of seventy he often undertook to assist other clergymen ; sometimes even to the preaching six sermons in the space of a week. What was more extraordinary he continued his usual course of preaching at his own church, after he was fourscore years old; and that when he could no longer see to read his text! His memory and voice sometimes failed him; but it was remarked, that, at his great age, he was no where more recollected or lively, than in the pulpit. He was punctual, as to time, with his congregation; and preached every first Sunday evening in the month, on relative duties. Mr.

« FöregåendeFortsätt »