where the whole of the church service is not read, would alarm the congregation if they were to get to their pews before the second lesson was finished: indeed, it must be imputed to the speed of their clock at home, or the drawling of the reader, it in general they hear above one-third of the Litany. Mr. Goodman himself, it is true, goes in time for the service; but then Mrs. Goodman does not always accompany him; and his daughters never. His conduct, indeed, in this instance, much as I respect him, is not exactly to my mind, as it tacitly throws the blame somewhere.

I know, Sir, that some persons will censure us for not being in time to hear the Scriptures read at the beginning of the service; but you know we can read them at home; - and pray, Sir, make a little allowance for our sex, who have always so much to do, even now our dress is so much simpler than in former days: indeed, I cannot conceive, if we had as much to put on as formerly, how we could go at all, or at least to the morning-service.

But, Sir, give me leave to ask, How it is, if going after the commencement of service be so reprehensible, that Ministers so rarely notice this irregularity? It is true, I have heard our Minister (but not often) rebuke his hearers for late attendance; but I concluded that he meant the censure for those who came in after he began his sermon; and could not suppose he intended that those who generally arrive about the middle of his prayer should feel it.

I must, however, confess that many persons, especially gentlemen, might attend public worship earlier than they do, and such I think ought, as far as convenient to themselves, to endeavour to lessen the inconveniences complained of; yet I think that those who have wives or daughters may be excused, as the early attendance of such might excite reflections not a little invidious.

But some may say, that of our sex, there are many who do attend public worship early. I allow it, Sir; but do you not suppose, that they plume themselves thereupon? and are not such very liable to what we so often hear spoken against, I mean Pharisaism? Now, I presume, Sir, that at present, I am not in much danger from that quarter; and you see, no doubt, how willing I am to steer clear of it."

It may be, Sir, that some of your readers may not have observed, that the Petitioners do not confine themselves to the morning-service, but speak generally, without making allowances for any detentions by friends, who may dine or take tea with us; and whom to hurry away would be rude, except on a particular occasion. Besides, Sir, as it is genteel to make our ineals as late as can be, I think some indulgence ought to be granted, as I do not suppose that you would have us, on ordi

nary occasions, always watching the clock; and when there is any service out of the usual way, you may depend upon it there shall be no occasion for rebuke against,

Sir, yours very respectfully,
LUCY LOVESELF.

LETTER FROM THE REV. ARCHIBALD HALL (late of Wells Street, Oxford Road)

My dear Friend,

To Mrs. A.

I HAVE been rather long in fulfilling my purpose in writing you a few lines; but what is delayed is not always forgotten. I suppose you have heard we have had a journey to Margate, and that the bathing, walking, and country air have agreed with us, and I hope have been of service to our health. These things are pleasant to nature, but must be abundantly more delightful, when viewed by faith, as the indulgent avours of the Father of Lights; and as bearing their place, though it be only an inferior place, among the sure mercies of David. The crazy tabernacle may be patched and propped, but the leprosy having infected it throughout, it must be pulled down." But let us be glad, and rejoice in the prospect of "an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, and of an undefiled inheritance, purchased by the blood of Jesus, and prepared by God's own Son, the heir of all things." The best of this world is only a wilderness, a pilgrimage, and a condition of absence from the Lord. Should we not look forward with desire and expectation to the better country, that blessed rest which remains for the people of God? Happy days, when sin shall be expelled, death destroyed, the tempter for ever bruised under foot, and, what is the sum of all felicity, the glory of God and the Lamb shall beam forth with such radiant lustre, as to set the soul at an unchangeable and everlasting distance from all darkness, from all discouragement, and from every appearance of spiritual death. Till that day break, and till the present shadows flee away, let us study to live and walk by faith. A bank-note is worth its value either in gold or goods to a man in business ; and surely the precious promises of a faithful God are a sufficient equivalent to all the glories of Heaven! O let us be ambitious to honour the word of God, by depending upon it in the most discouraging circumstances. Who can comprehend the abundance of consolation wrapt up in that word abideth *! He abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself. Let unbelief, the devil, and flesh and blood, be liars; but God abideth faithful; and he is ever mindful of his covenant. Here let us drop our anchor, and let our only enquiries be, What

2 Tim. ii, 19.

hath God spoken and promised in his word? and what does his gracious promise exhibit to us? But let us never presume to put away or reject the counsel of God against ourselves. I remain with affection and esteem, my dear friend,

Margate, Aug. 29th, 1772.

yours with regard,

ARCHIBALD HALL.

ANECDOTES.

DANGER OF DRINKING SPIRITS.

A GENTLEMAN travelling in Essex some years ago, called at the house of a friend, where he met with a young minister who was just going to preach in the neighbourhood. The good lady of the house kindly offered him a glass of spirits before he entered upon his work; which offer he accepted. Au elderly man, who was present, thus addressed him:-"My young friend, let me offer you a word of advice respecting the use of liquors. There was a time when I was as acceptable a preacher as you now may be; but by too frequently accepting of the well-designed favours of my friends, I contracted a habit of drinking, so that now I never go to bed sober, if I can get liquor. I am, indeed, just as miserable as a creature can be on this side Hell!"- About two years after this, the traveller just mentioned had occasion to call again at the same house, and made enquiry concerning the unhappy drinker; when he learnt that he had been some time dead; and, no doubt, in consequence of his intemperance. He was informed, that towards the close of life, he had not drank to the same excess; but it was only because he could not obtain spirituous liquors.

This awful fact loudly says, " Beware of indulging in strong liquors;" the habit of which insensibly steals on a man, and who is too often not aware of the danger," till a dart strikes through his liver." Prov. vii. 93.

MR. WHITFIELD relates, in one of his sermons, the conversion of a Mr. Crane, who was afterwards appointed Steward of the Orphan-house in Georgia. Being determined to spend an evening at the phy-house, he went first to Drury Lane; but the house being quite full, he resolved to go to Covent Garden: having got thither, he found that house full also, so that he could not gain admittance. He was determined, however, to get entertainment some how or other; and therefore set off to hear Mr. Whitfield. It pleased God to set the sermon Home on his heart; he was truly converted, and became an eminent Christian," am found of them that sought me pot," Isaiah.

Obituary.

MR. S. BRIDGMAN, jun.

He was, from his infancy, brought under the sound of the gospel by his parents, and had the advantage of early instruction in the fear of God, bat gave no evidence of seriousness till the spring of the year 1800. when he was attending at Spa-Fields Chapel, to hear Mr. Glasscot preach a Sermon to young people from the words of Solomon," Remember now thy Creator," &c. It pleased the Lord to seal the word upon his conscience: he from that time began to manifest deep seriousness; tho' he did not appear to experience alarm and terror, but was wrought upon by the secret drawings of the love of God. But as a work of this nature is best known by the effe&t it produceth on the life and conduct, it may be observed that his conversation and pursuits manifested a deep change. He was found searching the Scriptures daily, and attended to hear the word of God with great seriousness. This vital principle, now formed within, gave him a desire to be useful to his fellow creatures; and he shortly after engaged as a teacher in the Sunday School, established in Golden Lane, Old Street. This duty he followed with great zeal; and devoted the principal part of the Sabbath to the employ. Some time after this, however, unhap. pily giving way to indifference, he lost his seriousness, and became negligent of every means of grace. He continued in a backsliding state till the 3d of May 1801, when at tending with his parents at Spa Fields Chapel, Mr. Roby was preaching a sermon from 1 Sam. ii. 25." Notwithstanding, they heark. ened not unto the voice of their Father." The Lord was pleased again to accompany the word preached with power to his conscience. He returned to his home full of grief and sorrow, on account of his having backsliden from the

ways of God. He was brought, like Peter, when he had denied his Lord, to weep bitterly; and his comforts were in a short time restored. A few days after this, in a Letter to a Christian friend, who manifested great concern for the welfare of his soul, he says, "On Sunday evening last, the Lord was pleased graciously to awaken me to a sense of my sinfulness, in having so long strayed from him. —

ay the precious blood of Christ cleanse my heart from all my sin, and carry on the work which he has so graciously begun!"

In the latter end of that year, during an interval of his father's absence from town, he regularly prayed with the family with great propriety and devotion. But in the early part of the following year, he formed a connection with seve ral gay and irreligious young men, whose commipt influence soon drew him again into the world. During the time he was thus living at a distance from God, a succession of violent colds brought on a consumptive complaint, which eventually carried him to the grave. No marks of returning seriousness could be observed till about nine months before his death; at which time he began first to think his life in danger; and he evinced some concern for the salvation of his soul. He was naturally of a very reserved disposition; which will account, perhaps, for his not disclosing the feelings of his mind to his family; but he was frequently (when he thought himself in secret) over. heard pouring out his supplications at a throne of grace and mercy, in the most fervent manner. Some time in July 1804, he went in the country to try a change of air; but, in a short time, he was obliged to return home worse,

Upon his return to town he was visited by Dr. B-, a gentleman ot the faculty (as a friend); who having seen, and had some conversation with him, one morning

in the latter end of September, closed the discourse, by saying, "Samuel, if you was my son, I should wish you to consider your self as a dying young man." This faithful declaration of the doctor made a deep impression upon his mind; and he was shortly after seen ia tears on the account. However painful such a circumstance might at that time have been to himself and friends, those who had his best interests at heart, now find abundant cause for thankfulness on the account, as it was the means, in the hands of God, of creating in his mind a greater earnestness to make his "calling and election sure." From that time his seriousness and devotedness much increased; and peace and an assurance of salvation, through Christ, were soon after. wards communicated to his mind. His affliction gained fast upon him, and was attended with the most acute pain of body; but those only who saw and were with him, can forin an adequate idea of the patience and serenity of his mind. His affections now appeared to be weaned from the world; every thing captivating and alluring that it contained, he could yield into the hands of his Divine Master, saying, "Not my will, O Lord, but thine be done." Thus he died to things temporal, and waited patiently for the moments when he should depart to be with Jesus.

On Tuesday, November the 27th, in the evening, whilst sitting with his family, he was obliged to be carried up to his chamber,- from whence he never returned. Being visited by a friend on the Saturday evening following, he appeared particularly impressed with the thought of his approaching dissolution, and declared he longed to be dissolved, that he might be with Christ; and then repeated, with particular fervour,

"Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly." On the following morning he said he was still looking up to Jesus, who was all his hope. At this time, in the prospect of death, those beautiful words of the psalmist," Though I walk through the

valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me," appeared very precious to him; and he more than once repeated them, after a conversation of nearly half an hour, in which he spoke much of the Lord's gracious dealings towards him, and his assurance of his love.

Between this time and his death he was several times visited by the Rev. Mr. Foster and the Rev. Mr. Charles; the latter he requested to preach his funeral-sermon, from the words of Solomon, which were first blessed to his soul. He changed again for the worse, towards the latter end of December, and lingered till the 1st of January last, when his happy spirit took its flight Far from a world of grief and sin; With God, eternally shut in." E. F.

ANN COLBOURNE. [In a Letter from Mr. Hillyard, Missionary at Newfoundland.] Rev. and dear Sir,

AT the close of the last year I wrote to you and Mr. Hardcastle, informing you that, by the advice of friends in this place, I had removed from Harbour Grace to St. John's, with a view of supplying three out- harbours occasionally, the nearest of which is nine miles distant; and with divine assistance I was enabled to accomplish this work, and was generally pretty well attended.

In April I wrote to you, by way of Boston, an account of my proceedings the other part of the winter; and shortly after I wrote that letter, I set out to visit Twillingate, the place of my former destination, where I met with a cordial reception from that people; and hope that my labours among them were not entirely in vain. I am happy to say that the members of the small church which the Lord enabled me to plant in that place,. appear to be walking worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called; and I hope an impression made upon the minds of several of them, by the death of a young woman in the last winter, who, though not