settlers met with many difficulties and hardships, as is generally the case when a civilized people attempt establishing themselves in a wilderness country. Being men of piety, they sought relief from Heaven, by laying their wants and distresses before the Lord in frequent set days of fasting and prayer. Constant meditation and discourse on their difficulties kept their minds gloomy and discontented; and, Jike the children of Israel, there were many disposed to return to that Egypt, which persecution had induced them to abandon. At length, when it was proposed in one of their assemblies to proclaim a fast, a farmer, of plain sense, rose, and remarked, that the inconveniences they suffered, and concerning which they had so often wearied Heaven with their complaints, were not so great as they might have ex pected; and were diminishing every day as the colony strengthened; that the earth began to reward their toil, and to furnish liberally for their subsistence; that the seas and rivers were full of fish, the air sweet, the climate healthy, and, above all, that they were in the full enjoyment of their civil and religions liberty; he, therefore, thought, that reflecting and conversing on these subjects would be more comfortable, as tending more to make them con tented with their situation; and that it would be more becoming the gratitude they owed to the Divine Being, if, instead of a fast, they should appoint a thanksgiving. His advice was taken, and from that day to this, they have, in every year, observed circumstances of public felicity sufficient to farnish cause for a thanksgiving day; which is, therefore, constantly ordered, and religiously observed. DR. B. FRANKLin. MATT. XIII. 21. "By and by he is offended." A A Hint to Church Members. in these words, a an ox-eye cloud- By and by he is offended." My soul depend ou no present smiles-confide in no present professions, however solemnly averred. CONG. MAG. DEUT. XXIX. 12. “That thou shouldGod." These words in the original est enter into covenant with the Lord thy have have a peculiar energy, and signify &c. thon shouldest pass into covenant," Interpreters think that they refer a ceremony formerly practised in the victims, they divided the flesh into contracting covenants. On immolating the other; the contracting parties then two parts, placing the one opposite to passed each other in the open space consent to be slaughtered, as those between them; thereby testifying their victims were, if they did not religiously confirm the covenant entered into in so solemn a manner. The 15th of Genesis an example of this nature. affords Obituary and Recent Deaths. MRS. LENNY. DIED, at Worlingham, near Beccles, Mrs. Lenny, wife of Mr. S. G. Lenny, on the 14th of March, 1824. Mrs. Lenny, in her early days, entered on the stage of life by a fancied enjoyment of those pleasures and amusements peculiar to her age and situation; but was happily preserved from conduct which too often stains the fair fame of the rising generation. About sixteen years ago she attended the preaching of the gospel at Lax field. She appears to have been gradually brought to a knowledge of her state by nature under the word, and, also, to some degree of enjoyment of the blessings of the gospel; she united with the Baptist Society at Laxfield in 1812. For some time she e continued to enjoy the word of God, and his ordinances, but she had often doubts respecting her spiritual state, because she had not felt those strong convictions which accompany the conversion' of some Christians. It, however, pleased God afterwards to give her such views of her own unworthiness, and the purity of his holy law-as made her exclaim in the language of holy writ, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." During her pilgrimage she had to encounter many fiery trials. The enemy of souls would assail her mind with principles of infidelity; so that she was sometimes tempted to doubt not only her posses sion of Christianity, but the truth of Christianity itself, and even the exist ence of a Supreme Being. These trials brought her with more earnestness to a throne of grace, where she poured out her soul before God in the name of Christ; and not unfrequently found her burdens removed, and her mind stayed on the divine promises. These, and other painful circumstances, caused her graces to take deeper root, and fixed her faith more firmly on the Rock of Ages. After it was known that she was about to leave Laxfield, to reside at Worlingham, her mind was peculiarly tried; the idea of taking a larger business, and the depression of the times, filled her mind with strange forebodings; and her language in prayer was, "If thy presence go not with us, suffer us not to go up hence." After repeatedly wrestling with God, the following passage was consoling to her mind; "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest." With this promise in her heart, she went to Worlingham; but God, whose ways are in the sea, and whose footsteps we cannot trace, wisely concealed from her view the rugged and thorny path in which he was about to lead her. About March, 1823, she was seriously indisposed, and medical aid was procured. After a short time the medical gentleman who attended her apprehended that her complaint was incurable, and it was thought advisable that other opinions should be taken, A consultation took place, and it was the unanimous opinion that no effectual relief could be afforded, and all that could be done would only make' her dying pillow more soft and easy. After the gentlemen had retired, Mr. Lenny entered her room. With a degree of anxiety, she thus addressed him: "What is the doctors' opinion of me?" He hesitated to tell her. "You need not be afraid to tell me," she said; " I am prepared for the worst." He stated their opinion. “Well,” said she, “I should like to have lived to see my children brought up, and settled in life; but as God has determined otherwise, his holy will be done." She then made arrangements for her funeral, and advised respecting the future® management of her family with much composure. Sometimes tears would steal silently down her pale cheeks; and when we inquired the reason, she would say, I feel no anxiety on my own account, but it is hard work for nature to surrender my husband, and my dear children.” 66 Shortly after Mrs. Lenny knew the opinion of the doctors, she said to a female friend, who was much with her, “You remember the promise I have often mentioned to you, which so consoled my mind before we left Laxfield; I trust I have at times enjoyed the PRESENCE of the Lord, but hitherto I have not been able to see in what way he would give me REST; now I know what that rest will be; it will be an eternal rest; a rest that will never be broken by pains, sorrows, or trials." At another time she said, "I feel it indeed a heavy trial to part with my family. Oh! if I could indulge the hope that they would all follow me, how much it would lessen my sorrow at leaving them; but the Lord is all-sufficient: he can turn their hearts, as well as supply all their wants, spiritual and temporal; and should I never live to see that happy change, it may please God to work it in their hearts after I am gone; how often is the death of one made the life of others." She would often have her children with her alone, to speak to them respecting their temporal and eternal interests. After she became so weak that it was fatiguing for her to be dressed, she would, after a few minutes rest, spend a short time in prayer: and at such seasous, her supplications for her husband and children were so earnest and affectionate, that the heart must have been hard indeed which could refuse to sympathize with her. When the seventh chapter of Revelations was read to her, after hearing that verse, "These are they which came out of great tribulation," &c. she said, “Ab! when shall I be one of that number? but I would patiently wait the Lord's time. I have long felt assured that there is a white robe for ME, and when he sees fit, I shall stand before his throne, clothed in it." At one time, when she was about to take some laydanum, the friend who gave it to her said, “This is a bitter draught." "Yes," she replied," but this is not the worst bitter I have; yet, blessed be God, there is no wrath mixed with it. Though painful these trials, On one occasion she said to her husband, "My dear, when you have a shilling to spare, give it to the poor of Christ's Block, they are the excellent of the earth." During her affliction she was visited by many of her neighbours, with whom she freely conversed on the state of their souls. It was said to her, "You are not ashamed to speak of Jesus Christ at Worlingham." She replied, "If I were to hold my peace, the stones would cry out;" and added, "Asham'd of Jesus, that dear friend, I wish to sow the seed; who can tell but God will perfect the harvest when I am dead." On the morning of the 14th instant she was taken worse, and to those about her she appeared to be dying; but she revived again, so as to be able to give her sorrowing partner and friends an assurance of the peace and comfort she then felt. She was sensi ble that her end was fast approaching, and as soon as she could speak, said, "Lord Jesus, into thy hands I commend my spirit-Come, Lord-come quickly. She continued in prayer for some time; but from extreme weakness was not able to speak long so as those around her could distinguish what she said. Shortly after, Mr. Lenny said to her, "You have been praying, I think." She replied, "Yes. He then said, "Did you pray for me?" "Yes; for all:" was her reply. When it was said that her trials and sufferings had been very great, and that nothing but the power of Divine grace could have supported her mind as it had been; to the surprise of all present, who knew not that she was listening to them, or was conscious of what they were saying, she joined the conversation, and said, "Grace all the work performs."" She then inquired if it were not Sabbath morning, and was informed it was. It was then said to her, "Perhaps you will this day begin an eternal Sabbath;" she said, I pray God, I may: I think so. 66 When asked how she felt her mind, she replied, "Comfortable;" and to the question whether it was still fixed on the Rock of Ages! she answered," Blessed be God, it is." A friend coming into the room, inquired if Christ were still precious to her; she answered, "Yes," and scarcely spoke after. Though she appeared to wish to take her leave of those present, she could only give them her hand; and by an affectionate look, took her last farewell of them till time shall be no more. She expired almost immediately.; and nearly without a struggle, her happy spirit took its fight to realms of everlasting blessedness. In conclusion: it is to be remarked that her experience during her afflic tion may justly be compared to that beautiful prediction of Zachariah, 14th chapter, 6th and 7th verses: "And it shall come to pass in that day, (of affiction) that the light shall not be clear nor dark: but it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day nor night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light." Her death was improved at Beccles by the Rev. Mr. Wright; and also at her request by the Rev. R. Robinson, of Cratfield, (Independent,) from 2 Cor. v. 1, a passage chosen by herself. May we be enabled to follow those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. MRS. GRACE HAINES. MRS. Grace Haines, daugliter of Mr. Joseph Waybran, late a cornfactor in Mark-lane, was born December 18, 1783. By her father she was early instructed in the principles of religion, and with him, during her child hood, constantly attended the ministry of the truly Rev. Abraham Booth. In the year 1807, she married Mr. R. J. Haines, of Ratcliff Highway, by whom she had three children, who are left to deplore her loss. After her marriage she attended the ministry of the Rev. Wm. Shenston, in Little Aliestreet, through which the Lord was pleased to bring her to the knowledge of himself. In 1812 she made a good profession before many witnesses; and for twelve years her walk and conversation were uniformly, through grace, as became the gospel. It may, without the least grain of flattery, be said of her, that she was patient, peaceable, prudent, and diligent in following her divine Lord; so that, by her conduct, she daily adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things. The complaint by which her mortal career was terminated, was a decline, the gradual approach of which was, for some years, witnessed with pain by all her friends. On the 2nd of April, 1824, she took to her bed, when, being in violent pain, she said, “Not so great as I deserve, and nothing when compared with what my dear Lord suffered for me." About this time her mind was beclouded, and the Valley of the Shadow of Death appeared truly terrific. A relative, who attended, endeavoured to console her mind by referring her to the faithfulness of God, to his promises, and that he had said, "I will never leave thee," &c. She replied she knew it well, and had been much refreshed by reading Booth's Reign of Grace; particularly that part where pardon and justification are treated on; and added, she saw clearly they could not be separated; they must go together. On one occasion, she lamented not having made the word of God a more constant companion, and said, she thought her present darkness arose, in a great degree, from her not having lived nearer to God than she had done. On the following Lord's-day morn ing, she was much in prayer, and having ceased, she requested her friends to read Rev. xxii. 17, "The Spirit and the Bride, say,, Come," &c. she then exclaimed, "There, Mary, the Lord has given me the whole of what is therein contained, and now I can say, His love in times past, Forbids me to think, He'll leave me at last In trouble to sink."" In the evening one of the Deacons of the Church called, and engaged in prayer, when she expressed herself as being much refreshed. On Monday, when her cough was distressing,a friend remarked, that it was hard work; she Yes, it is; but replied, 66 Jesus can make a dying bed Yes, and he does it for me." And now REV. JOHN HARTNALL. THE Rev. John Hartuall, of Ipswich, died May 21, 1825, leaving four orphan children in destitute circumstances. We rejoice to find, that several clergy men and Independent ministers, at Ipswich, have exerted themselves with great success for the children; the congregation, also, we are informed, have, to their power, if not beyond it, contributed to their support. The three eldest children have been taken into the houses of different persons belonging to the church: the youngest was previously out at nurse. One of the Deacons of the church thus writes: "Mr. Hartnall departed like a good soldier of the cross, in full confidence, supported by the gospel which he had preached: committing his children to God, and encouraged by the promise of the Rev. Mr. R. and other friends, that they would use their best endea vours for them. After this he felt no distress of mind, but prayed earnestly to be released. I heard him challenge Death, exulting in the love of Christ in words somewhat like the following:'Oh! how transporting will be the view of that river to which Jesus will lead his flock. Come, Death, execute thy commission; I dread not the gloomy valley of thy dark shadow! I will not fear thy envenomed dart. Thy dark mansion, the grave, shall be no terror to me. I know whom I have believed. He has conquered thee, and all thy host of terrors.' "He suffered for twelve hours the most extreme pain. The Rev. Mr. Atkinson (Independent) preached his funeral sermon from a text of his own selecting. 1 Peter ii. 6." J. C. The following is the "Case of the Orphan Children of the late Mr. John Hartnall, Minister of the Baptist Meeting-House, Globelane, Ipswich. "An Appeal is made to the friends of religion and humanity on behalf of the children of the late Mr. Hartnall, who are now fatherless and motherless, and without a relative able to render them any support. There are four children, who, by the death of both their parents within the year, are left in this destitute situation: the eldest is a girl fourteen years of age, the second a boy of ten, the third a girl of seven, and the fourth an infant, who lost its mother a few months after its birth. 21st of May, 1825, after a period of "Mr. Hartnall died on Saturday, the cancer. His income had been small; extreme suffering from an internal but to his honour and the credit of reliable to discharge. He felt the keenest gion, he contracted no debts he was not anguish on his death bed, when he rewhich his children would be left; but the burdened heart of the dying Parent friend, who visited him, that exertions was relieved, by the assurance of a should be made on their behalf; which, in conjunction with the assistance afwhich he was a member,) would avert forded by the Benevolent Society, (of the poverty and wretchedness he anticipated for his helpless offspring. flected on the destitute condition in "This affecting case is earnestly recommended by the following gentlemen, who are constituted a Committee, to make a proper application of whom subscriptions will be received, the fund which shall be raised; by and at the Banks of Messrs. Alexanders and Co. "Rev. I. T. Nottidge, N.B. The Rev. Joseph Ivimey, 20, Harpur-street; or the Rev. John Dyer, will receive any Donations for this afMission House, Fen-court, London, fecting Case. The following sums have been already received: Rev. Mr. Hughes A Friend £5 0 0 5 0 0 RECENT DEATHS. REV. JOHN LIDDON. REV. John Liddon, late pastor of the Church at Hemel-Hempstead, died, in a good old age, on Lord's-day morning, the 12th instant. REV. THOMAS RIPPON, A. M. THIS young minister (nephew of the Rev. Dr. Kippou,) who was supplying, with great acceptance, at Two-Waters, near Hemel Hempstead, was suddenly removed by death at the beginning of the present month, |