1 mative, and that it could not be | ness; nor did she ever require to long, she said: "This cannot be death; surely this is not dying," then, putting her hand over her face, already covered with the drops of death, she said: "This is death. Come, Lord Jesus, why are thy chariot wheels so long in coming." She continued in this happy frame of mind, until half past eight o'clock of the morning of March 10th, 1815; when she entered into the joy of her Lord, to possess the rest which remains for the people of God. Her funeral sermon was preached, at her request, from 1 Tim. i. xv. Forton. T. T. MISS SARAH BISLEY. MISS Sarah Bisley was a native of Cholsey, in the county of Berks. She was born of pious parents, who were anxious for the spiritual welfare of their family; but, by what means she was first brought to the knowledge of the truth, I have not been able to ascertain. God is not confined to any, and he always adopts those which are most calculated to glorify his name, in the experience of the individual himself. But the question of the greatest importance is not, I conceive, By "what means was I brought to believe in Jesus?" but, "Do I believe in him?" On examining the church book, I find, she was baptized, by my predecessor, in the year 1796; and, during the whole period of her Christian profession, her conduct was uniformly such as reflected honour upon the society with which she was united. In no period of it was there ever any thing that occurred to give them a moment's uneasi be admonished of her duty, as a Christian, and as a member of a Christian church. She exhibited, in a striking degree, what, in the sight of God, is of great price, "the ornament of a meek, and quiet spirit." And, as she loved the peace of Jerusalem, so she sought it, and her tender and affectionate spirit was grieved, whenever it was obstructed. In conversation, she was always edifying, for she had diligently studied the apostle's exhortation, "Let your speech be always with grace." Indeed, the things of God flowed as freely from her lips, as water from the fountain : they seemed always uppermost in her heart, and, when things are in their places, the best things will be uppermost. And, as her religion was not that of the gloomy ascetic, but of the cheerful saint, who has felt the love of God shed abroad in the heart, so her pious discourse seldom failed to raise the depressed, and to comfort the mourners in Zion. She felt a deep concern for the church's prosperity; and, when, in her affliction, she was informed of a recent addition to our number, she blessed God, and hoped it would soon be followed by another. And, when a plan was mentioned to her, of aiding the funds of the India mission, she entered into it with all her soul, and only regretted that her means were too contracted to enable her to do what she desired. It was upwards of twelve months since, that she was seized with the affliction which terminated in her death; and though, I believe, she was not at first aware that it would procure her dissolution, she was prepared for the event; and, when she was fully apprized of it, it gave her no uneasiness for she desired "to depart, and to be with Christ." nity?" "How would the mind be filled with terror and distraction, if it had not for its support the word of God?" She felt much comfort from Rom. viii. 33, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth," &c. When parting from her, at another time, I observed, "I was thankful her mind was so peaceful and comfortable;" to which she replied, after saying, what a debt of gratitude we owed to God for his redeeming mercy, she answered, "O, I am a poor, ungrateful creature." On being interrogated by a friend as to the state of her mind in prospect of death, she replied, "I am safe, resting on the promises of a faithful God to poor sinners. I am a sinner, and Christ came to save such." At one time, when suffering the most acute pain, she desired a hymn to be read, which began For some time previous to her illness, the words, addressed by Peter to our Lord, (Matt. xv. 28.) "Lord, bid me come unto thee," were much impressed upon her mind, as were those in Isaiah, xxvi. 3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon thee, because he trusteth in thee." She then considered them as designed to sup-" It is all through Jesus!" And port her under some approaching trial, or affliction; and no Christian, that ever I was acquainted with, better understood, or knew by experience, what "the fear of God" was, than she did. Her countenance and her conversation, plainly indicated, that all through her long affliction, it" ruled in her heart." Sometimes, when greatly distressed by bodily pains, she would observe, "I view it as coming from the hand of a kind Father, and only pray for patience, and resignation to his will. I de-withsire not to have any will of my own, but to be able, in all things, to say, "Thy will be done." and, while it was reading, she But she was not exempt from several times exclaimed, "Yes! sharp and painful conflicts with 'tis all of grace, free grace." the enemy, in her affliction. At The last week, owing to her exone time, when I visited her, I cessive debility, she could speak found her very happy, though but little, yet, what she did say, her mind had just been sharply evidenced that she was patiently exercised. "Satan had sug- waiting for her dismission. She gested to her," she said, "the frequently exclaimed, “How long, folly of thinking that there was Lord, ere thou wilt take me to such a place as heaven, and such thyself." One of her attendants a person as Christ, as she had observing her repeat those words, never seen either." When that the evening before her dissoluscripture afforded her instant re- tion, said, "What a mercy it is lief, "Blessed is he that hath not to be enabled to say so:" " Yes, seen, and yet hath believed." it is a mercy, to unworthy me." At another time, she expressed a When the time of her depardeep sense of the value of the ture seemed fast approaching, word of God, and the sweetness she said to those around her, of the divine promises, saying, "This is not being stoned to "What should we do without a death, or being crucified;" al promise, in the prospect of eter-luding to the manner of her "Free grace to every heaven-born soul," departure, it seemed so calm and easy. She then inquired, "Do you think I shall go to-night? What if I should spend the sabbath in heaven!" The 17th of John being read, she was exalted by it, and then repeated the last verse of the 3d of Philippians, "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be made like unto his glorious body," &c. Afterwards, looking up, she added, "I am going; I hope the Lord will be with you." She continued to speak some time afterwards, but not so as to be understood, excepting the words, "Sing! sing!" and, in a short time, fell asleep in Jesus, on Lord's-day, March 17, 1816; and, on the evening of the following sabbath, the event was endeavoured to be improved, by a discourse from Hebrews, vi. 12, which was addressed to a very numerous and respectable auditory. Thus her family have lost a valuable relative, and the Christian society with which she was united, an honourable and highly exemplary member. May we prepare to follow her to those regions of unclouded day, where the tree of life eternal stands, and death hath no dominion. J. T. DOBNEY. Wallingford, April 5, 1816. LYDIA MANNING, DIED at Stratford, Essex, April 25, 1816. She had been drawn up out of a horrible pit, and was made a monument of mercy. Many times she acknowledged to a friend, "I have committed every sin, except murder!" On Lord's-day, March 5, 1809, she was baptized; and on the same day was received into the communion of the church, at Bow. It was very gratifying to observe, that, after she became a Christian, there was a striking change for the better, in the appearance of her dress, and her cottage. Simplicity, sincerity, and warm affection, were her chief characteristics. In some persons, much of the appearance of affection has been seen, where there was but little of the reality: and some have had much of the reality, though they did not show it to advantage. But this poor widow had both the appearance and the reality, to a very high degree. A sweet odour of Christ attended her common conversation. The writer of these lines will not soon forget her simple talk on heavenly themes, warm from the heart, and worth more than the finest volumes of artificial rhetoric. Her love to her pastor, and to the church of which she was a member, was uncommonly fervent; and every one admired her uniform and regular attendance on the ordinances of public worship. Her maintenance was derived from a little basket of small wares, which she carried about to the neighbouring villages. Religious tracts, too, she sold; but no profane songs. Many respectable persons, of different denominations, were pleased with an opportunity of giving her encouragement. Her husband died many years ago, and her son and her daughter were removed from her, she knew not where; but, by her industrious and frugal habits, she provided for herself, and assisted some that were poorer than she was, and deposited with a good man, in the neighbourhood, a little money, to defray the expenses of her funeral! She was interred in the new burial-ground, belonging to the Baptist meeting-house, at Bow, April the 29th. Many of the lence of the night, by crying out, with a loud voice, "Dear Jesus! surely I have loved thee." "I am afraid," she added, "my friends members attended as mourners, and many other friends came to her grave, to testify the very high esteem in which she was held. She had, doubtless, her imper-will think I do not love him, befections. Let those who saw cause my breath will not let me them, make the right use of them. speak much! but blessed be his And let them remember, that she name, I hope I do love him." is now "without fault," before Then, turning to her Redeemer the throne of the Lamb. again, she cried: "Shew thy face to a poor unworthy sinner, that longs to be with thee, and see thee as thou art." If this paper fall under the notice of her children, they are hereby exhorted to cherish the memory of their mother with grateful affection-to recollect her manner of life, her prayers and her tears on their accountand to assure themselves, that they must truly repent, and believe the gospel, or they cannot expect to be associated with their mother in the heavenly world! Lydia Manning was visited by many friends, during her last long and distressing affliction. One of them reports, that when it was intimated to her, that her friends indulged a hope that she would be permitted again to worship with them at Bow, she replied: "The Lord's will be done! I had rather depart, and be with my blessed Lord. When I think of what my blessed Lord Jesus has done for me, and the happiness I am going to enjoy, I can hardly contain myself; my soul is ready to leap out of this poor body, and be gone." To another friend, who kindly inquired into the state of her mind, she exclaimed, with a strong and cheerful tone, "I want to depart, and be with Jesus, which is far better: I am waiting my heavenly father's call." Another friend, who sometimes sat up with her, states, that on one occasion, several months before her death, she broke the si To another Christian friend, she declared repeatedly, "Twice I have heard music, as if it were the heavenly hosts, playing on their instruments; the sound was so sweet." She was, in her own estimation, the worst of sinners. This made her weep; but she would say, "Though Peter denied his Lord, yet he found mercy; so, I hope, I shall." During her last illness, she was sometimes quite cast down; all appeared dark. But when this friend opened the Bible, and read a few verses, she revived again, and, on one occasion, cried out, "Come, my dear Lord, fetch my weary soul, and place me in thy bosom." To those who waited upon her, she would often say, "I am afraid of giving you too much trouble; but never mind: if I am not able to satisfy you for it, the Lord will pay you all." After much pain, which she endured without murmuring, her gentle dismission was at length. granted. Having been much forgiven, she loved much. Mr. Newman preached her funeral sermon, from words selected by herself: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Cor. xv. 55; and, according to her request, Mr. Pope's Ode for the dying Christian, was sung.at the close of the service. Review. Twenty Short Discourses, adapted to | Village Worship, or the Devotions of the Family Vol. IV. Pub lished from the Manuscripts of the late Rev. B. Beddome, A. M. Button and Son, and Hamilton. 8vo. pp. 175. Price 3s. WE are persuaded, that many of our readers, perhaps the greater number of them, know, that three volumes of admirable sermons have already been printed, from the manuscript copies of the late venerable Beddome; and we entertain the hope, that not a few have them in their possession, and that they have read them with pleasure and advantage. The bare intimation, that this volume is in no respect inferior to either of the three preceding ones, will, we presume, be quite sufficient to induce those who have seen the former, to procure this; in doing which, they will furnish themselves with a fresh store of excellent family reading, for twenty succeeding sabbath evenings. They will probably conclude, and they may do it with perfect safety, that these discourses are too good to need any eulogium, and that the errors are too few, and too trivial, to require correction. But, as all our readers have not seen the former volumes, there must be some who cannot anticipate the merit of the present. It is principally for their information, that we proceed, in the following remarks, to give some account of this additional volume. Though we cannot honestly allow it to be supposed, that we consider these sermons free from mistakes, or that they could not have been better than they are, much less that they are the best we have ever seen; yet, in re viewing a posthumous work, particularly one which was not designed by the author for public inspection, we think, there can be no apology for criticising its faults, unless, either from their number, or magnitude, they possess a dangerous tendency, against which our readers should be put on their guard; and as, in the present instance, we conceive, this is not the case, we shall content ourselves with a brief notice of the general properties and excellencies of the discourses under consideration. Suffice it, then, to say, they are neither complex in their form, nor tedious in their extent; on the contrary, they are simple and natural in their plan, and short and pointed in their execution. In both these respects, they are select; so much so, as to render it very evident, that the author's mind was more occupied in choosing, than merely in collecting, his materials. They abound with scripture quotation, interesting thought, sound divinity, deep experience, and pious feeling. They are plain, but not common-place; intellectual, but not abstruse; clear, but not cold; devotional, but not enthusiastic. The general cast of sentiment, and the prevailing turn of thought, are at a considerable distance from what is termed moderate Calvinism, though they do not, by any means, compass the length and breadth of the hyper-calvin |