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in the hand of God of bringing her, as she expressed it, "to the bleeding Lamb!" Her husband had partially forgotten the circumstance to which she aHuded; but after recovering from the exhaustion which this effort produced, she explained, that the first time they ever met, Mr. Horrabin was led, in consequence of some profane expressions used by a person present, to make some remarks on the sinfulness of profaning the holy name of God, and of the deep reverence and sincere devotedness of heart which were justly due to the Great Supreme. These remarks made an impression on her mind so deep and powerful as to produce a decided change in her general character and deportment. So vivid was her remembrance of this incidental conversation, that amidst the sufferings of a death-bed she could distinctly refer to it, after an interval of so many years, as constituting the turning point in her moral history.

In the course of God's providence Mrs. H. was called to pass through many and severe afflictions, both personal and relative. With a constitution naturally delicate, and a heart in no ordinary degree susceptible, she had to sustain the cares and solicitudes necessarily devolving on the mother of a numerous family. Her strong feelings of maternal affection had been put to trying tests by successive bereavements, having had to follow six of her children to the grave. Amidst all these trials, it may be truly said that Mrs. H. maintained an unwavering faith in the wisdom and goodness of Divine Providence. Her entire confidence in all God's providential arrangements, and the cheerful hope she entertained amidst the darkest clouds of a brighter

She

day, may be regarded as being prominent features in her moral character. As time advanced, and her Christian experience became more matured, it was very observable how this confidence in God's providence became, so to speak, more spiritualized, more evangelical-as including within its ample range the welfare of the soul and the interests of eternity, as well as the care of the body and temporal affairs. was thus enabled to confide into her heavenly Father's hand the interests of her immortal spirit and the momentous destinies of eternity with the same childlike trust with which she depended on him for hourly protection and daily bread. A trifling incident occurred, which may be mentioned as illustrative of this habitual state of her mind. One morning, a few weeks ago, many persons were alarmed by an unexpected and tremendous clap of thunder. On a neighbour inquiring of Mrs. H. if she had not been terrified, she sweetly replied, "O no! I throw myself into the hands of that God

'Who plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm."" Mrs. Horrabin was remarkable for that habit which is essential to the cultivation of eminent piety, viz., regular attention to the reading and study of the Scriptures, and to the exercises of private devotion. Besides joining in family worship, she had certain easons of the day for reading the Scriptures and prayer; which neither the urgent claims of household affairs, or the temptations of other books, could ever induce her to omit. The "word of God" was "sweeter to her taste than honey, and more precious than thousands of gold and silver." By thus drinking daily at the pure streams of the "water

"O glorious hour! O bless'd abode !

of life" her spirit was refreshed, and attack, since which time all was a she was enabled, .with invigorated gradual and downward progress. She strength, to "go on her way rejoicing." had little expectation and no wish to Besides the Bible, her favourite authors recover. A few days before her death were the "Pilgrim's Progress," the Life she made every arrangement, even to and Sermons of the distinguished Sootch the most minute particulars, for the Covenanter, the Rev. Mr. Welsh, to- coming event, the shadows of which gether with ". Cowper's Poems." She were, alas! too visible. This she did much delighted in the public worship with the utmost composure and colof God, and though often prevented by lectedness of mind, with a heart enbodily indisposition from attendance, tirely weaned from every worldly obyet her heart was ever present in the ject; and, raised above the fear of sanctuary, and especially at the ordi- death, she concluded by saying, "I'm nance of the Lord's supper. She en- going to my Father's house." On the tertained a high esteem for her pastor, Saturday morning, (being the day preand derived much instruction and com- vious to her death,) on her estimable fort under the ministry of the gospel at physician asking her how she did; she Nether chapel, during the many years replied, "I'm going to my Redeemer; she had been connected with the church blessed be his holy name!" On the and congregation. Her last illness was doctor remarking it would be a happy long and painful. Nearly four months change, she exclaimed, ago she was visited with a violent attack, which prostrated her vital energies, and threatened the immediate termination of life. Contrary, however, to the expectations of the physician, she rallied a little, so that after some six weeks' confinement to her room, she was enabled to come down stairs again. Hopes were entertained of her recovery, but she was never able to get out of doors or be exposed to the open air. During the whole of this period her mind was kept in "perfect peace," being "stayed upon God." She entertained clear and impressive views of the evil of sin, as existing in her own heart, but in connection with the infinite freeness and sufficiency of the atonement of Christ. Under the united influence of these views, she was privileged during the season of her affliction to possess a rich portion of "joy and peace in believing." About six weeks ago she was visited with another and final

I shall be near, and like my God." A friend, who visited Mrs. H. every day during the week previous to her decease, could have wished, had circumstances permitted, to have preserved a record of the pious and interesting remarks she made. That is now impossible, with the exception of one or two observations; and, therefore, he can only refer to the general impression upon his own mind by what was witnessed. The deep interest and ecstatic feeling with which the dear departed listened to the remarks of pious friends, or to the repetition of her favourite hymns, or responded to the prayers which were offered up, must have been seen in order to have been fully understood. She was especially comforted and cheered by the following well-known pieces of our sacred poetry :

"There is a fountain fill'd with blood

Drawn from Emmanuel's veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood

Lose all their guilty stains," &c.

"Rock of Ages! cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee," &c.

"Jesus, Refuge of my soul!

Let me to thy bosom fly, While the nearer waters roll,

While the tempest still is high," &c.

When the friend above alluded to called to see Mrs. H. on the day before her death, she had been for some time in a state of lethargic insensibility. On entering the room, he found her in a condition from which he never expected that she would so far recover as to be able to recognise him again. On engaging in prayer with the family, she awoke in the midst of it to a state of consciousness, and joined in the exercise of devotion. After a few words of conversation, with a countenance beaming with the light of inward joy, she fixed her eyes with a stedfast gaze, and then slowly lifting her enfeebled hand, she pointed upwards, and, with her utmost energy, exclaimed, "Oh that glorious hope!" On asking her how she felt, she replied, that she experienced a "joy unspeakable and full of glory." The sting of death was brokenall fear was removed-and a hope blooming with immortality shed its life-giving influence over her waiting spirit.

The same friend visited her again the next morning, being Sunday, July 12th, and found her fast sinking into the arms of death. The cold dews of death were on her mortal frame, but all within was peace and hope, love and joy; joy not experienced as a sudden

gush of passion, or a transient gleam which soon fades away, but a deep, continued stream of holy delight. After praying with her, he took his final farewell, remarking to her, that she was in the very act of passing through "Jordan's stream" and "death's cold flood," but that the Saviour would take care of her, and help her safely through; and that the "shining ones" were waiting to receive her on the other side. To this she replied, "Yes; for he hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."" Her state of mind, with reference to the approaching solemn event, is beautifully expressed by the poet, when he says,

"Safe is the expanded wave;
Gentle as a summer's eve:
Not an object of his care

Ever suffer'd shipwreck there."

The state of Mrs. Horrabin's dying experience was similar to that of one of England's greatest heroes and statesmen, who exclaimed, "The Lord has filled me with as much assurance of his pardon and his love as my soul can hold."

On the Sunday afternoon another Christian friend visited Mrs. H. and prayed with her twice, from which she said she derived great comfort. Her husband prayed twice with her during the evening, and was engaged in that holy exercise when he perceived that the last moment was just at hand. Her breathing became less and less, until, without a struggle or a sigh, it finally ceased, and she "sleptin Jesus." Her latter "end was peace;" and not only "peace," but joy and triumph ;a beautiful and appropriate close of a holy and consistent course, in the last moments realizing Montgomery's inimitable lines,

'Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,

The Christian's native air; His watchword at the gates of death: He enters heaven with prayer."

S. H.

ECCLESIASTICAL QUESTIONS.

Church Discipline.

1. IN speaking of church government, you have said that one of the departments of discipline respects the receiving of members; how is this to be done?-The Scriptures are silent as to any particular mode, leaving it to the discretion of pastors and churches.

2. What, then, is the great thing to be attended to in this matter?-Evidence of personal piety on the part of the applicant; the means and manner of obtaining which are left undefined.

3. What seems proper as a general rule? That the pastor judge of the applicant's views of doctrine and experience; and that some of the officers or members of the church investigate character.

4. Again; you have said that the second department regards offences: into what classes may these be distributed?-Into two,-private and public offences.

5. What is meant by a private of fence?-An injury done to a brother, or any offence against God, known only to one or two persons.

6. How is an offence of this kind to be treated?-Always according to Christ's direction, Matt. xviii. 15-17.

whatever, Titus iii. 10; Gal. v. 12; Rom. xvi. 17; 2 Thess. iii. 6.

8. Does anything besides that come under the rule ?—Yes; such as suffering near relations who have a claim upon us to want the necessaries of life, 1 Tim. v. 8.

9. Is this all ?-No: living in a state of irreconcilable enmity with any other member, and refusing to make suitable concessions and reparation for an injury inflicted, Matt. xviii. 17.

10. How are these offences to be treated ?-Highly scandalous and notorious offences, as soon as clearly proved, are to be followed by the excommunication of the offender: the credit of the church, the honour of religion, and the good of the offender, equally require this serious measure, 1 Cor. v. 1, 5, 13; 2 Tim. iii. 1—5.

11. What is to be done in less heinous and aggravated cases ?-Every means must be used to bring him to repentance; and on his professing to be penitent, and submitting to reproof, he is to be restored to the confidence of the brethren and the privileges of membership, Gal. vi. 1; 1 Tim. v. 20. | But if he remain impenitent, then, all means of reclaiming him having failed, the extreme measure already mentioned must be adopted in obedience to Jesus Christ.

12. What are the great objects to be kept in view in all matters of discipline? -The good of the offender and purity of the church, Matt. xviii. 15; 1 Cor. v. 5-7.

13. In what spirit is discipline to be conducted ?-With as much tenderness as consists with fidelity to God and man; but purity and the glory of Christ must never be sacrificed to a sinful and

7. What is meant by a public offence? -An evil committed against the church at large; such as scandalous vices and immoralities, 1 Cor. v. 11-13; disturbing the peace of the church in any way | ruinous tranquillity, 1 Cor. iii. 11—17;

Heb. xii. 15-17; Matt. xviii. 7-9; port of the gospel in their own place of Rom. xvi. 17, 18; 1 Cor. i. 10; 2 Cor. | worship. xii. 20, 21; Rev. ii. 1, 2.

The Support of Gospel Institutions.

1. Is individual contribution for the support and spread of the gospel a positive institution of Christ's kingdom? -Yes; this appears to be the import of the term fellowship, Acts ii. 42, as the same word is undoubtedly used in this sense, and so translated, Rom. xv. 26; 2 Cor. ix. 13. It is also particularly enjoined on the church of Corinth, 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2.

6. Has this a prior claim on every church and congregation ?—Yes, prior to any other subscription or contribution towards the same cause in any other direction at home, or as intended for the promotion of any foreign object.

7. Is the principle one of universal obligation ?—Yes; and it applies as much to the common artizan and the industrious labourer in their proportions as to the wealthier members of congregations.

8. If a man, overlooking this principle, befriend other objects, but neglect his own place of worship, what is he

2. Why is it called the fellowship? -Because there is a special giving on the one part and receiving on the other, by which the comfort, love, and com-chargeable with?-With forgetting, first, munion of the people of Christ are promoted, 2 Cor. viii. 9; Heb. xiii. 6.

3. Have the poor of the Lord's flock especial claims on their more affluent brethren ?—Yes; it is at once their duty and their privilege to care for the poor, and to help those who have none to help them.

4. Is that which is contributed to support the ministry of the gospel, whether at home or abroad, to be looked upon simply as bounty?-No; it is a just debt, which Christ requires his people to pay to those who serve him in the ministry of the word; they have relinquished the pursuits and gains of trade, and those for whose welfare they consecrate soul, body, and spirit, are in justice bound to give them bread, Luke x. 4-8; 1 Cor. ix. 1-14.

to "show piety at home," and with bringing "robbery for a burnt-offering."

9. What may be deemed the causes of this prevailing evil?-Apathy, and covetousness, and the want of thought in the case of many who are not covetous; and the difficulty which ministers find in teaching the duty without violating the laws of a false propriety and a spurious delicacy.

10. What is the effect of this prevalent evil? There is more than one effect; its effects are various; and all bad, both as it regards the charities and schools attached to places of worship; the comfort and improvement, the cheerful exertion and usefulness of pastors, as well as their permanent residence with one charge, as the hurtful changes of many good men originate in crushing poverty, whereas they ought to be " without carefulness."

5. Are young people required to bear their share in aiding the aged poor, in supporting and diffusing the gospel ?— Yes; all, according to their means, are under just and pressing obligation to contribute somewhat towards the sup-imposes on ministers the disagreeable

11. Does any other special evil attend it?—Yes; where the neglect obtains even in smaller measures, it often

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