You request me, my dear friend, to give you some account of my dear sister, who has so recently been removed by death, from that dwelling wherein we have passed so many happy hours together, and the task, though melancholy, will indeed prove a pleasing one; for I know not any thing more congenial to my feelings, than to dwell upon the recollection of an object so much beloved. The sweetness of her disposition, and the many amiable qualities she possessed, had endeared her to all our hearts; and our loss we shall not soon cease to lament but she is far happier, and better provided for, than if she were here.

Yes, my friend, she is now in the enjoyment of that society, for which she had long been preparing. Her Bible was her constant companion, and her heart was devoted to Christ. She bore a long illness without a murmur, or even a complaining look; and her placid countenance ever seemed to say, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." And he hath now in mercy seen good to call her away from this world, and all its fleeting and perishable joys and sorrows, to live and reign with him, and with the Lamb for ever.

She was not aware, until a few days previous to her death, that she was so near her everlasting home : and, when I undertook the painful task, of telling her our fears, that she could not continue long, she seemed unmoved, except at my distress, which I felt it impossible to conceal. She begged me to be resigned to whatever was the will of God-assured me that her mind was perfectly happy, and that she should be thankful and willing to go, whenever it might please him to take her. 'Oh,' she continued, it is but going home a little sooner; and my affections are wean

ed from every thing in this world, but my friends; and I hope to meet them in a better place than this. Do not grieve, man cannot snatch from death, nor would I wish it if he could. God is very merciful in having brought me to this state of weakness. If he had not done so, I might have been unwilling to go: but now it is otherwise, and His strength is made perfect in my weakness." My dear father used frequently to read the scriptures to her, and would generally select some chapter or passage which he thought most calculated to afford comfort to her mind in the prospect of death. And her countenance would beam with joy, while he unfolded to her the love of God in Christ Jesus. Her Bible, that book which she prized above all others, she was now become too weak to read; so that she often requested some of us to do this for her and it was ever evident in her manner, that she derived the sweetest consolation from listening to the precious promises which it contains. The night before she died, on my expressing a wish that we could give her something that would strengthen and do her good; she shook her head, assuring me that she had far brighter prospects before her than earth could afford, begged me to be resigned, and then closed her eyes to sleep. She slept a good deal of the night, but her rest was frequently disturbed by her cough, which was indeed a very distressing one; yet she never seemed otherwise than composed and happy. About four o'clock in the morning, we were alarmed by those symptoms which convinced us that her departure was near at hand. She saw our distress, and endeavoured to comfort us, saying, 'Oh, be not too anxious about me, for I am very comfortable. Do not grieve, but think that I shall be far happier,

since God will take me to heaven in his own appointed time. Give my kind love to all my dear brothers and sisters, who are absent;' and then naming them separately, she said, They know that I love them, but give my love expressly to them, and tell them, that I hope they will all be as happy when they come to die, as I am. Well might dear Hannah say, "That she longed to depart and be with Christ," for indeed it is far better.' Soon after, one of my brothers coming into the room, she looked at him affectionately, inquiring how he did, and saying to him, 'I hope you will be as happy when you come to die, as I am.' On seeing him affected, she added, 'Do not weep; I shall soon be in glory.' She again expressed an affectionate regard for her dear parents, brothers, and sisters, together with a very tender anxiety for the welfare and happiness of each of us. And then, though labouring under excessive weakness, and extreme difficulty of breathing, with a look which will never be erased from my memory, a look of indescribable tranquillity and joy, she said, 'How merciful is Jesus! Oh, beyond any thing I ever could have thought! Oh, trust in him, trust in him, and you will never be deceived. Trust in him, Oh, trust in him, and we shall all

meet again. On being told that her soul was fixed on him, she replied, Ah, but he fixed his love on me before I thought of him. He is very merciful-He is now interceding with God for us.' Seeing us affected, she said, 'Be resigned, be resigned; for I am very happy and comfortable.' A little while after, she threw back her headlooked up to Heaven-one parting tear rolled down her cheek-and she expired.

While memory lasts, the trying, the heart-rending scene I shall never, never forget: but, oh, how much was our grief alleviated by reflecting on the happiness which we knew she was gone to enjoy. And, though the trial was great at parting with one so dear and amiable, yet, I thank our Heavenly Father, that we were enabled to feel something like resignation to his will. It was, I know, in mercy that he called her home. And oh, my friend, when we are summoned hence, may we be equally prepared for such a change; and then,

No lingering here our hearts shall know,
No pang of sorrow, pain, or woe;
For we shall bid, with parting breath,
Adieu to sorrow, pain, and death.

Farewel, my friend, and believe me ever your's sincerely,

MARY.

No more the torrent-rains we dread,

Nor fear the threatening dearth; Faith views the symbol o'er her head, And points to teeming earth. 'Tis thus when guilt be-clouds our sky, And griefs defy control, The "precious promise" meets our eye, And stays the sinking soul.

A peace divine spreads o'er the breast, ("Twas bought with Jesu's blood) Pledge and sweet foretaste of the rest Which waits the child of God.

JABEZ

ance.

SIR, I was glad to perceive in your Number for the present month that you had noticed the order recently issued by the Lord High Admiral, viz. that no religious books, tracts, &c. should be admitted into our ships of war, but such as were approved of by the Rev. Coles, Chaplain to Greenwich Hospital. I could, however, have wished that, as a Christian Guardian, you had taken up the subject more largely, and called the attention of your readers to it, as a point of considerable importI know nothing of the reverend gentleman who has been invested with somewhat of the power and authority of a Pope: but if I may form an opinion from a recent occurrence in this port, I fear that our pious naval chaplains will not only be subject to a tribunal partaking largely of an inquisitorial nature-for attempting to disseminate sound religious principles among the ship's company over which they have been appointedbut also for helping to send the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified Redeemer to the heathen nations that are sitting in the regions of the shadow of death.*

* A naval chaplain in this port attended, some short time since, a meeting of an auxiliary association to the Church Missionary Society, and either made or seconded a motion, and that without adding scarcely a single observation of his own; not considering he was acting out of character as a minister of the Gospel, or as a minister of the Church of England in particular. But, behold! a few days only had intervened ere the reverend gentleman received a letter from the Rev. Mr. Coles, as under the authority of the Lord High Admiral, expressing his disapprobation at his having attended such a meeting, and enjoining him to abstain for the future in taking part in the proceedings of such society. Whether the reverend gentleman was expressly directed to write the letter in question, or whe

And is it indeed to be the case, that men expressly set apart by the laying on of hands for the preaching of the Gospel of Christ, and the promoting in every lawful and possible way the extension of his kingdom throughout the world -with the fear of God before their eyes, and the love of God in their hearts-who are alive to the spirit of those vows which they made when ordained ministers of Christ's flock, and impressed by the solemn consideration that the soul of man is of more value than the whole world;-are these men to be enslaved in their consciences, and fettered in their exertions to save souls-and for which purpose little, very little comparatively, is doingfrom the condemnation of hell? Alas! that our rulers are so little sensible of their awful responsibility, and so little concerned for the spiritual interests of our seamen! But look at the situations of our pious chaplains, and then consider the nature of the prohibition. There are no ministers who labour under greater difficulties and disadvantages, and who more need to be upheld by the prayers of God's people. Not only do they constantly inhale an atmosphere of irreligion, to call it by no stronger name, and are almost, if not entirely destitute of those helps and assistances by the way, which ministers on shore meet with from their brethren, or the pious

ther he availed himself of the power put into his hands, I cannot say. Such, however, is the fact, and, as may be supposed, has been much commented on. Query-Had the reverend gentleman in question attended a horse race, a gambling table, or a theatre, or engaged in any amusement derogatory to his character as a public minister of religion, would such conduct have been censured-would it even have been no

ticed?

members of their congregations; but how are they straightened and opposed in the discharge of those public duties by those who not only have it in their power, but frequently make use of that power, to effect their purposes.

Every one at all conversant with naval affairs, is well aware that excuses can be, and oftentimes are, made to prevent the men's assembling together for divine worship once on the Lord's Day; and if the minister shuns not to declare the whole counsel of God, those pleas and excuses are not only multiplied, but in some instances a flat denial is given to the exercise of his religious functions. Under circumstances such as these, he can only by the circulation of small religious publications among the crew, hope to gain their attention to subjects of infinite importance. And that the circulation of tracts combining matter of an interesting and instructive kind, have often produced reflection and concern for the well-being of the soul needs no further proof. But publications of this nature are especially needful on board of ship, where the men, when at leisure, leaning over her sides, or sitting about, will take and read a small book of this sort, when they would scarcely touch

the Word of God.

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It has been observed that no pious clergyman could conscientiously become chaplain of a man of war; and if we may judge from the small number there are in our naval service, there appears considerable truth in the observation: but if the few, who, from love to the souls of our sailors, and from a desire to prove useful to them, have entered on the arduous and trying duties of a naval chaplain, notwithstanding the difficulties and obstacles that are in their way, are to be increasingly fettered in their exertions, the numbers will of necessity be lessened; for what minister who holds himself accountable for the

faithful discharge of his ministry, could remain content under such circumstances? Frequently, however, blessed be God, we hear pious officers in command in the navy, complain of the difficulty they have to obtain pious chaplains: which we cannot but look upon as a good sign, inasmuch as it evinces what kind of feeling is spreading among our naval officers; and on the other hand, when a clergyman is willing to labour among our hardy and weather-beaten, but thoughtless tars, if perhaps he may catch some of them; his inquiry naturally is for a ship whose commander is one that fears God; and where both are of the same mind, considerable good, under the divine blessing, may be expected.

It is indeed a subject of regret that our naval chaplains are not under episcopal government; I mean that the appointment, or confirmation of such appointment lies not with our Archbishops and Bishops. I do not see why such should not be the case; and notwithstanding matters are not what they ought to be in all cases on shore; yet they would then be under the cognizance of those who are set apart for the more immediate promotion of the interests of religion. There is something not only repugnant to that sense of moral feeling which we possess, but diametrically opposed to the Word of God, in any man or men whose business or employment is altogether of a secular nature, being allowed to appoint a minister of God's Word over a ship's company, with authority to exercise all the functions and duties of his ministry, and then dictating to him what he may do, and what he must not do. He may drink and sing and take God's holy name in vain, and neglect his duties, and not be called to any account. But if he exhort the people of his charge to repent and turn to God, to forsake their evil ways and live;-if he tell

them that "the wages of sin is death," and that "neither fornicators, nor adulterers, nor swearers, shall inherit the kingdom of God, but have their portion in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." If he presses upon them the duty of prayer and reading the scriptures, and distributes among them the truths of the Bible embodied in a small compass in the shape of a tract; he is not only opposed by the ungodly around him, but his conduct is laid before the deputed keeper of his conscience, and he is henceforth ordered to abstain from such proceedings under pain of royal displeasure. I cannot consider this order to have originated with his Royal Highness: but that an enemy to evangelical religion, and to those institutions which are labouring for the moral and spiritual benefit of mankind hath done this. Yet let not the friends of seamen be discouraged. Other channels are yet open of doing them good; nor will a pious chaplain, or pious officers or men, be at any loss to benefit those around them. Opportunities are not lacking so much as the disposition to embrace them. Various ways and means will readily

suggest themselves to the pious mind; nor is God confined in his operations. To him then let more earnest importunate prayer be made, that events of this kind may be overruled, as undoubtedly they will, for the furtherance of divine truth, and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. The time is rapidly approaching when "the abundance of the sea," and "the uttermost parts of the earth shall be given to Jesus;" when from the rising to the setting of the sun, his name shall be magnified, and his glory shine forth in all nations. Let his followers and friends slack not their hands, but be strong and faint not. Let them, by holding fast that which is good, and by diligence in every good word and work, show that they are not to be intimidated by the fear of man; but committing their "works of faith and labours of love" to Him whose glory they are seeking, and who reigneth over all the earth as the Lord God Omnipotent, "go forward;" and rest assured that the promise shall be fulfilled be fulfilled" That the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of God and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.” AN OBSERVER.

O when hath uttered prayer of heart
Unheard or slighted been?
The Saviour touched the blighted part,
And said, "I will-be clean!"
'Twas but a touch-'twas but a word,
Yet he was cleansed that felt and heard!

But-am not I, and are not all
Heirs of our first-sire's fault and fall-
In soul debased with stain of hue
As dark as o'er the Leper grew ?—
From God accursed-as he from man-
What hand will aid that might and can?
NOV. 1827.

The self-same Saviour came and brought
For those redemption nigh,
Who work his will, and would be taught
In spirit from on high:
He bled, and in his blood we may
Wash crimes of deepest dye away!
Enough-and I will henceforth not,
As hopeless, mourn a heavenly lot,
Secure that I one day may be
From guilt and sin divinely free,
And rise and reign where pleasures
spring,

And bloom, but know no withering!
"Till then, be this my thought and care,
The gulph of guile within

To search, and buried treasures there
Refine from filth of sin,
And-like the cleansed Leper-be
In all transformed to purity!

3 G

G. B.