people, whose situation, as the night advanced, became every moment more dreadful and alarming. Signal guns of distress were fired for assistance, in the hope of getting boats to save the crew, passengers, King's and Company's troops. At ten, while all were anxiously looking toward the shore, it was found the water had reached the orlop-deck; and no expectation remained of saving the ship. In this afflictive moment of horror and despair, she suddenly swung off the shoal into deep water; and the chief mate observing her going down, called aloud to the captain, a man remarkable for temper and fortitude, that it was impossible to save her. He instantly replied, "It cannot be helped: God's will be done!" In a few moments she was buried in the remorseless waves, which swept into eternity 263 human beings, who had scarcely time to call for mercy. The highest part of the hull was thirty feet under water; and of 139 saved out of 401, nearly the whole got upon the topmast rigging, and were taken up by boats from the Jand. It is pretty evident, that the officers had no idea the ship was so much damaged as she really was; which ac counts for their not getting out the long-boat; and her sinking so suddenly in twelve fathoms water was very unexpected. Several ladies were passengers on board; all of whom were saved, except one of the name of Blair. The chief mate, Mr. Bagot, observing her struggling in the waves, endeavoured, by swimming, to save her; but in this generous attempt lost his own life, and both sunk down nearly at the same instant. Before boats from the shore could reach those who, by flying to the rigging, hoped they had saved their lives, many among them being totally exhausted, sunk into the waves (the swell and roaring of which were horrible) to rise no more! The captain, most of the officers, and twenty-five passengers, out of forty, all of respectable fanniies, perished on this melancholy occasion; and not a single article, out of the immense property on board, was savet. The value of the ship alone, with her stores, excceded 5,000 1. Dropping a tear over this sad scene, with those who mourn the untimely end of their departed relatives, this cut off from all the joys and hopes of life, and buried amidst countless myriads of the human race in a watery grave, we sincerely hope that an incident so alarming will not be without its use to our fellow-mortals. Nothing was ever more truly uttered than that," in the midst of life we are in death." It is highly probable that, on the morning of the fatal day, which saw this stately ship consigned to the devouring deep, not one on board entertained the smallest idea, that cre midnight he should visit "That country, From whose bourne nq traveller re turns." May the living lay it to heart! Dark, indeed, and intricate are the ways of Providence to man in the present stage of his existence; but when Death shall draw the curtain aside, which hides the bright world of spirits from our view, then we shall see as we are seen, and know even as we are known; then we shall admire and adore what we cannot now comprehend; and be fully satisfied that all the dispensations of Providence are just and right: that God is the all-wise and sovereign Disposer of every event: that nothing happeneth by chance; and, however it might have appeared to us that clouds and darkness were round about him, yet fighteousness and judgment are the habitation of his Oct. 24, 1804, the East Kent Association held their Half-yearly Meeting at Mr. Gurteen's, in Canterbury.' Mr. White, of Ashford, preached in the morning, from Isa. Iv. 4, 5; Mr. Gore, of Sandwich, in the evening, from Eph. i. 13, 14; Mr. Townsend, of Ramsgate, the preceding evening, from Acts xvii. 13, 14. The whole was piously pleasant, and spiritually profitable. The next meeting is to be held at Sandwich, October 9, 1805. Preachers, Messrs. Gurteen, Brown, and Giles. Nov. 13, 1804, the Associated Ministers of the West Kent District met at Mr. Ralph's Meeting-house, Maidstone. The object of their union and the state of the Society were considered; and 15. Mr. Beaufoy preached from 2 Cor. ix. the south side of the City of Dublin, Several other brethren en- for the preaching of the Gospel, At gaged in prayer. Their next Meeting that period exertions were made to obis appointed to be at Mr. Slatterie's, attain ground for the purpose; but, unChatham, April the 9th, and Mr. Poppewell, or Mr. Beutliff, to preach, and Mr. Ralph on the preceding evening. expected difficulties arising, the excou-, tion of the plan was suspended, though still kept in view. It increasingly became a subject of discussion, and, the more it was discussed, the inore it appeared an object of general desire and anxious expectation. After much diligent enquiry, a lot of ground in York Street, adjoining Stephen's Green, eli Ma. John Campbell, formerly pastor of the church which meets in the Tabernacle, Dunkeld, was solemnly designated to the pastoral charge of the church at West Port, in this town, on the 28th Nov. last. Mr. Thomson, of Loshee, began by reading the Scrip- gible in every respect for the building, tures, &c.; Mr. Maxton, of Burial Lane, Dundee, delivered the introductory discourse, from John xv. I, 2.Mr. Innes, Tabernacle, Dundee, called on Mr. C. to state his views of divine truth; which he did in a satisfactory manner; and the church having ratified their call, Mr. Innes engaged in the prayer, and then gave the charge from Colos. i. 27, 28. Mr. Little, Tabernacle, Perth, addressed the church from Colos. i. 9, 12; and also preached in the evening from Heb. xii. 28, 29. The whole of the exercises were very impressive, and much calculated to promote the edification of the audience. The North Wilts Religious Society held their third meeting at the Rev. W. Friend's, Highworth, the 10th of Jan. last. Mr. Barclay, of Malmsbury, preached in the morning, and Mr. Mantell, of Swindon, in the evening. Mr. Frome (now supplying Farringdon) preached in the afternoon, while the members of the Society only met for business. A collection to defray the expences of the institution was made, which was thought liberal, considering the situation of Highworth. The next meeting will be held at Marlborough on April 16th. Since the first formation of this Society in June last, many hundreds have heard the gospel, who never before had opportunity; and numerous openings present themselves to invite the preaching of it to others.The ministers, finding this work increase upon their hands beyond the possibility of personal attention, have resolved to educate a few young men among themselves for the service, who, while receiving a course of instruction, should, under the direction of the Society, occasionally supply their pulpits, and itinerate in the adjacent neighbourhood, depending upon the liberality of the religious public for their support. DUBLIN, IT is now five years since the idea was suggested of erecting a chapel on was purchased in 180, by the trustees of the institution, at their own private risk, for the sum of 30col. Since that period, by letting and selling a part thereof, they now hold the chapel rentfree for ever. They have, distinct from the original purchase, expended on the building the sum of about 15col. and the subscriptions hitherto amount to only roool.→→ The plan is on a far more extensive scale than any place of worship in Dublin (being 86 feet by 72) and, from its centrical situation, there is every reason to hope, that, when finished, it will not be found too large for the congregations that may attend; but the very extensiveness of it, though essential to the object, compels the trustees to solicit the aid of their more opulent Christian brethren in Great Britain, as the number who zealously promote the gospel of God our Saviour in this city, are very few, comparatively speaking, and those few not in general affluent, while the expence of erecting so large a place is very great indeed. The trustees avow, in the most explicit manner, that they have not in view the advancement of any party in the church of Christ more than another, or the formation of any new sect; their sole object, of which they hope never to lose sight. is the diffusion of the knowledge of God our Saviour, and the conversion of sinners to himself. They pledge themselves to the public, and to each other, that they will never, as far as in them lies, permit the intended chapel to become the property of any individual, or of any particular sect or denomination of professing Christians, nor a source of pecuniary advantage to themselves, or any person in trust for them, but that its pulpit shall be open to ministers of every reformed church who hold and faithfully preach the doctrines contained in the Articles of the Church of England and Westminster Confession of Faith, and whose conduct shall be consistent with their profession. Subscriptions will be received in RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. London by the Rev. Rowland Hill, and The following gentlemen are trus- LONDON. DREADFUL FIRE! ON Sunday morning, the 27th Jan, about three o'clock, a fire broke out at the house of Mr. Barr, a tallow-chandler, Upper Adam Street, Edgeware Road, which burnt so furiously as soon to consume the house and, awful to relate, seven of the inhabitants! Mr. and Mrs. Burr, with two infants, and two other persons who got into the balcony of the first floor, were delivered from their perilous situation by the help of ladders. A coachman and his wife were also escaping from a back room of the second story; but the latter, urged by her humanity to return back to awake the other lodgers, tho' repeatedly warned of the danger by -her husband, appeared at the window surrounded by flames and smoke, and, by leaping out, was killed on the spot. All the rest perished in the fire; and the appearance of their mangled bodies, when dug out of the ruins, was too shocking to be described. How awful an event! Little did these persons imagine, when they retired to rest, that they should rise no more till the great day of accounts, when" the elements themselves shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up." While every reader will think himself called upon, by this sad providence, to guard against such a caJamity in his own habitation, let him also watch and pray, knowing that "the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night." "What manner of persons then ought we to be in all manner of holy conversation and godliness!" (2 Pet. iii. 10, &c.) lament his loss, to revere his memory, and to imitate his example. He lived much respected, and died much regret. ted by his numerous friends. On Saturday, Feb. 9, died at his house, in Tottenham Street, London, Samuel Foyster, Esq. one of his MaJesty's Justices of the Peace, and one of the Managers of the Tabernacle and Tottenham Court Chapel. He was a humble, pious, and peaceable Christian, and an ornament to his religious profession. He also, like Mr. Baker, has left a numerous family to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and father. : He The 11th Feb, died at Peckham, in Surry, aged 51, the Rev. Martin Ready, of the Baptist denomination. was formerly pastor of a church in Snow's Fields, but, for some years past, he had presided over a flourishing school at Peckham, occasionally preaching, and was subject to extreme dejecing. He had been for some time droop disorder, which proved to be water in tion of spirits, in consequence of his the chest. He expired rather suddenly the exertion of stooping to dress himself, causing a sudden overflow of the water, occasioned his death almost immediately. On the evening preceding, he appeared to be much better; and prayed in the school-room with the boys and his family, with a fervour that was remarked by every one; intreating, that if God was about to remove any one by sudden death, that sudden death might be sudden glory; and that the minds of all might be prepared for the awful change." He seemed to have had some presentiment of his approach. ing dissolution, while all around him were flattering themselves with the hope of his amendment, since he said to one or two of the elder scholars, when he left the room, that "they would see him no more!" He had observed, in reference to his great change in the afternoon of the Sabbath, to Mrs. Ready, that "God was about to be very gracious to him." The import of these words were not understood by her, till the event too sadly interpreted them. He waited the arrival of the Angel of Death, as a Father's Messenger; and expired as a Christian is desirous to die, Feb. 1, in Bunhill Fields, the dust was rendered back to its parent earth. Dr. Jenkins (of whose church he was a member) spoke over the grave. Feb. 24th, two funeral-sermons were preached at Peckham Meeting by Mr. Collyer and Dr. Jenkins. and relieved: Ar a Meeting of the Editors, Jan. 22, the following Cases were admitted 1. Wid. nation. E. Baptist R. ditto 3 M. T. ditto ditto M. ditto M. Wilks ditto 5 J. ditto S. Greatheed 5 E. M. ditto W.Kingsbury 5 ditto ditto J. C. ditto C. Buck Dr. Williams 5 D. B. ditto M. Wilks ditto 5 M. C. ditto W. F. Platt 5 A. Waugh 5 M. ditto A. Fuller ditto ditto B. 5 S. ditto J. Smart 5 G. S. N. s. Ir. ditto W.Kingsbury 5 W. G. Burder 5555 5 List of Lectures in and near London, for March. 3. LORD'S DAY Ev. Broad Street, Mr. Brooksbank; Hare Court, Mr. 4. Mon. Ev. Missionary Prayer-Meet- 3. Tu. M. Broad Street, Mr. Barber. [Th. M.Monthly Meeting (Indep.) TO THE MEMORY OF MR. JAMES MARRIOTT, Witney. OF WITNEY, OXON. who died Nov. 28, 1803, sincerely regretted. SOON as the Sun withdrew the glare of day, And drop, good Marriott, drop a tear to thee! How well he knew, with patriarchal grace, While pleasure spoke thro' all his brighten'd face! Averse to censure human frailties he! How oft the veil of Charity he drew, To hide from Scandal what she fain would see! And thou, Religion, offspring of the skies! And own, in every form, thy sweet controul? Exalt, enrich, and dignify the man; Smooth furrow'd checks, teach dimmest eyes to shine, Still, still reflection, to his mem❜ry just, Saves the bright pattern from corrupting dust, His mortal chains, and wrapt him into bliss! Lo, Faith clears up the dark mysterious way; Printed by G. AULD, Greville Street, London. J. B. |