Imatges de pàgina
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peculiarly necessary for the faithful dis-
charge of the ministerial function-not in
his study, searching the sacred oracles of
divine truth for materials wherewith to
prepare for his public exercises and feed
the flock under his care,-not in pastoral
visits to that flock, to inquire into the state
of their souls, and endeavour, by his pious
and affectionate conversation, to conciliate
their esteem, and promote their edification,
-but at the card table."-After stating
that when it was his turn to deal, he dropt
down dead," It is worthy of remark (says
the writer), that within a very few years
this was the third character in the neigh-
bourhood which had been summoned from
the card table to the bar of God."-Ev.
Mag. p. 262.

Interference respecting Swearing,—a
Bee the instrument.

"A young man is stung by a bee, upon which he buffets the bees with his hat, uttering at the same time the most dreadful oaths and imprecations. In the midst of his fury, one of these little combatants stung him upon the tip of that unruly member (his tongue), which was then employed in blaspheming his Maker. Thus can the Lord engage one of the meanest of His creatures in reproving the bold transgressor who dares to take His name in vain."-Ev. Mag. p. 363.

Interference with respect to David
Wright, who was cured of Atheism
and Scrofula by one Sermon of Mr.
Coles.

This case is too long to quote in the language and with the evidences of the writers. The substance of it is what our title implies.-David Wright was a man with scrofulous legs and atheistical principles;-being with difficulty persuaded to hear one sermon from Mr. Coles, he limped to the church in extreme pain, and arrived there after great exertions;-during church time he was entirely converted, walked home with the greatest ease, and never after experienced the slightest return of scrofula or infidelity.-Ev. Mag. p.

just as he came into town.-Ev. Mag.
p. 537.

Interference with respect to an Innkeeper,
who was destroyed for having ap
pointed a cock-fight at the very time
that the service was beginning at the
Methodist Chapel.

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'Never mind,' says the innkeeper, 'I'll get a greater congregation than the Methodist parson;-we'll have a cock-fight.' But what is man! how insignificant his designs, how impotent his strength, how ill-fated his plans, when opposed to that Being who is infinite in wisdom, boundless in power, terrible in judgment, and who frequently reverses, and suddenly renders abortive, the projects of the wicked! A few days after the avowal of his intention, the innkeeper sickened," &c. &c. And then corpse was carried by the meeting-house the narrator goes on to state, that his "on the day and exactly at the time, the deceased had fixed for the cock-fight."— Meth. Mag. p. 126.

In p. 167. Meth. Mag., a father, mother, three sons, and a sister, are destroyed by particular interposition.

In p. 222. Meth. Mag., a dancingmaster is destroyed for irreligion, another person for swearing at a cockfight, and a third for pretending to be deaf and dumb. These are called recent and authentic accounts of God's avenging providence.

So much for the miraculous inter

position of Providence in cases where

shall now proceed to a few specimens of
the energy of their religious feelings.

the Methodists are concerned : we

Mr. Roberts's feelings in the month of
May, 1793.

"But, all this time, my soul was stayed upon God: my desires increased, and my mind was kept in a sweet praying frame, a going out of myself, as it were, and taking shelter in him. Every breath I drew, ended infant, dependent upon God for all things. in a prayer. I felt myself helpless as an I was in a constant daily expectation of receiving all I wanted; and, on Friday, May 31st, under Mr. Rutherford's sermon, though entirely independent of it (for I could not give any account of what he had been preaching about), I was given to feel that God was waiting to be very gracious to me; the spirit of prayer and supplication The sign of this displeasure is a vio- was given me, and such an assurance that lent storm of thunder and lightning | I was accepted in the Beloved, as I cannot

444.

The displeasure of Providence is expressed at Captain Scott's going to preach in Mr. Romaine's Chapel.

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describe, but which I shall never forget."- itself forth in groans: 'Oh that I had never Meth. Mag. p. 35.

Mrs. Elizabeth Price and her attendants hear sacred music on a sudden.

"A few nights before her death, while some neighbours and her husband were sitting up with her, a sudden and joyful sound of music was heard by all present, although some of them were carnal people; at which time she thought she saw her crucified Saviour before her, speaking these words with power to her soul, Thy sins are forgiven thee, and I love thee freely. After this she never doubted of her acceptance with God; and on Christmas day following vas taken to celebrate the Redeemer's birth in the Paradise of God. MICHAEL COUSIN."-Meth. Mag. p. 137.

T. L., a Sailor on board the Stag frigate, has a special revelation from our Saviour.

* October 26th, being the Lord's day, he had a remarkable manifestation of God's love to his soul. That blessed morning he was much grieved by hearing the wicked use profane language, when Jesus revealed himself to him, and impressed on his mind those words, 'Follow Me.' This was a precious day to him."-Meth. Mag. p. 140. The manner in which Mr. Thomas Cook was accustomed to accost S. B. "Whenever he met me in the street, his salutation used to be 'Have you free and lively intercourse with God to day? Are you giving your whole heart to God? I have known him on such occasions speak in 80 pertinent a manner, that I have been astonished at his knowledge of my state. Metting me one morning, he said, I have been praying for you; you have had a sore conflict, though all is well now. At another time he asked, 'Have you been much exercised these few days, for I have been led to pray that you might especially have suf fering grace?'"-Meth. Mag. p. 247.

Mr. John Kestin on his death-bed. "Oh, my dear, am now going to glory, happy, happy, happy. I am going to sing Prases to God and the Lamb: I am going to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I think I can see my Jesus without a glass between. I can, I feel I can, discern my title clear to mansions in the skies.' Come, Lord Jesus come! why are thy chariot-wheels so long delaying?""-Ev. Mag. p. 124.

The Rev. Mr. Mead's sorrow for his sins. "This wrought him up to temporary desperation; his inexpressible grief poured

sinned against God! I have a hell here upon earth, and there is a hell for me in eternity!' One Lord's day, very early in the morning, he was awoke by a tempest of thunder and lightning: and, imagining it to be the end of the world, his agony was great, supposing the great day of divine wrath was come, and he unprepared; but happy to find it not so."-Ev. Mag. p. 147.

Similar case of Mr. John Robinson. "About two hours before he died, he was in great agony of body and mind: it appeared that the enemy was permitted to struggle with him; and being greatly agitated, he cried out, 'Ye powers of darkness begone!' This, however, did not last long: 'the prey was taken from the mighty, and the lawful captive delivered,' although he was not permitted to tell of his deliverance, but lay quite still and composed." - Ev. Mag. p. 177.

The Reverend William Tennant in a heavenly trance.

"While I was conversing with my brother,' said he, 'on the state of my soul, and the fears 1 had entertained for my future welfare, I found myself in an instant in another state of existence, under the direction of a superior being, who ordered me to follow him. I was accordingly wafted along, I know not how, till I beheld at a distance an ineffable glory, the impression of which on my mind it is impossible to communicate to mortal man. I immediately reflected on my happy change; and thought, Well, blessed be God! I am safe at last, notwithstanding all my fears. I saw an innumerable host of happy beings surrounding the inexpressible glory in acts of adoration and joyous worship; but I did not see any bodily shape or representation in the glorious appearance. I heard things unutterable. I heard their songs and hallelujahs of thanksgiving and praise with unspeakable rapture. I felt joy unutterable, and full of glory. I then applied to my conductor and requested leave to join the happy throng." Ev. Mag. p. 251.

The following we consider to be one of the most shocking histories we ever read. such scenes take place in the gloomy God only knows how many

annals of Methodism.

"A young man of the name of S—C—, grandson to a late eminent dissenting minister, and brought up by him, came to reside at K- -g, about the year 1808. He attended at the Baptist place of worship, not only on the Lord's day, but frequently at the week

day lectures and prayer meetings. He was supposed by some to be seriously inclined; but his opinion of himself was, that he had never experienced that divine change, without which no man can be saved.

"However that might be, there is reason to believe he had been for some years under powerful convictions of his miserable condition as a sinner. In June, 1806, these convictions were observed to increase, and that in a more than common degree. From that time he went into no company, but, when he was not at work, kept in his chamber, where he was employed in singing plaintive hymns, and bewailing his lost and perishing state.

"He had about him several religious people; but could not be induced to open his mind to them, or to impart to any one the cause of his distress. Whether this contributed to increase it or not, it did increase, till his health was greatly affected by it, and he was scarcely able to work at his business.

"While he was at meeting on Lord's day, September 14th, he was observed to labour under very great emotion of mind, especially when he heard the following words: 'Sinner, if you die without an interest in Christ, you will sink into the regions of eternal death.'

"On the Saturday evening following, he intimated to the mistress of the house where he lodged, that some awful judgment was about to come upon him; and as he should not be able to be at meeting next day, requested that an attendant might be procured to stay with him. She replied that she would herself stay at home, and wait upon him which she did.

"Though he had no feverish heat, yet his pulse beat above 150 in a minute. To abate the mania, a quantity of blood was taken from him, a blister was applied, his head was shaved, cold water was copiously poured over him, and fox-glove was administered. By these means his fury was abated; but his mental agony continued, and all the symptoms of madness, which his bodily strength, thus reduced, would allow, till the following Thursday. On that day he seemed to have recovered his reason, and to be calm in his mind. In the evening he sent for the apothecary, and wished to speak with him by himself. The latter, on his coming, desired every one to leave the room, and thus addressed him: Chave you not something on your mind? Ay,' answered he, that is it!' He then acknowledged that, early in the month of June, he had gone to a fair in the neighhourhood, in company with a number of wicked young men; that they drank at a public house together, till he was in a measure intoxicated; and that from thence they went into other company, where he was criminally connected with a harlot. 'I have been a miserable creature,' continued he, ever since; but during the last three days and three nights, I have been in a state of desperation.' He intimated to the apothecary, that he could not bear to tell this story to the minister: 'But,' said he, do you inform him that I shall not die in despair: for light has broken in upon me: I have been led to the great Sacrifice for sin, and I now hope in him for salvation.'

"From this time his mental distress ceased, his countenance became placid, and his conversation, instead of being taken up "On the Lord's day he was in great agony as before with fearful exclamations conof mind. His mother was sent for, and some cerning devils and the wrath to come, was religious friends visited him; but all was now confined to the dying love of Jesus! of no avail. That night was a night dread- The apothecary was of opinion, that if his ful beyond conception. The horror which strength had not been so much exhausted, he endured brought on all the symptoms he would now have been in a state of reliof raging madness. He desired the atten-gious transport. His nervous system, howdants not to come near him, lest they should be burnt. He said that the bed curtains were in flames.- that he sinelt the brimstone, that devils were come to fetch him, that there was no hope for him, for that he had sinned against light and conviction, and that he should certainly go to hell.' It was with difficulty he could be kept in bed.

"An apothecary being sent for, as soon as he entered the house, and heard his dreadful howlings, he inquired if he had not been bitten by a mad dog. His appearance, like wise, seemed to justify such a suspicion, his countenance resembling that of a wild beast more than that of a man.

ever, had received such a shock, that his recovery was doubttal; and it seemed certain, that it he did recover, he would sink into a state of idiocy. He survived this interview but a few days."-Ev. Mag. pp. 412, 413.

A religious observer stands at a turnpike-gate on a Sunday, to witness the profane crowd passing by; he sees a man driving very clumsily in a gig; the inexperience of the driver provokes the following pious observations.

"What (I said to myself) if a single untoward circumstance should happen!

Should the horse take fright, or the wheel on either side get entangled, or the gig upset,-in either case what can preserve them? And should a morning so fair and promising bring on evil before night,should death on his pale horse appear,what follows?' My mind shuddered at the images I had raised."-Ev. Mag. pp. 558, 559.

Miss Louisa Cook's rapturous state. "From this period she lived chiefly in retirement, either in reading the sacred volume on her knees, or in pouring out her soul in prayer to God. While thus employed, she was not unfrequently indulged with visits from her gracious Lord; and

sometimes felt herself to be surrounded, as it were, by his glorious presence. After her return to Bristol, her frame of mind became so heavenly, that she seemed often to be dissolved in the love of God her Saviour." -Ee. Mag. pp. 576, 577.

Objection to Almanacks.

insert the following case of conscience. I frequently find in Scripture, that Usury is particularly condemned; and that it is represented as the character of a good man. that he hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase,' Ezek. xviii. 8., &c. I wish, therefore, to know how such passages are to be understood; and whether the taking of interest for money, as is universally practised among us, can be reconciled with the word and will of God? Q."- Ev. Mag. p. 74.

Dancing ill-suited to a creature on trial for eternity.

"If dancing be a waste of time; if the

precious hours devoted to it may be better employed; if it be a species of trifling ill suited to a creature on trial for eternity, and hastening towards it on the swift wings of time; if it be incompatible with genuine repentance, true faith in Christ, supreme love to God, and a state of entire devotedness to him, then is dancing a practice utterly opposed to the whole spirit and temper of Christianity, and subversive of the best interest of the rising generation." in-Meth. Mag. pp. 127, 128.

"Let those who have been partial to such vain productions only read Isaiah xlvii. 13, and Daniel ii. 27; and they will there see what they are to be accounted of, and what company they are to be found; and let them learn to despise their equivocal and artful insinuations, which are too frequently blended with profanity; for is it not profanity in them to attempt to palm their frauds upon mankind by Scripture quotations, which they seldom fail to do, especially Judges v. 20, and Job xxxviii. 31? neither of which teaches nor warrants any such practice. Had Baruch or Deborah consulted the stars? No such thing." Er. Mag. p. 600.

This energy of feeling will be found occasionally to meddle with and disturb the ordinary occupations and amusements of life, and to raise up little qualms of conscience, which, instead of exciting respect, border, we fear, somewhat too closely upon the ludicrous.

A Methodist Footman.

"A gentleman's servant, who has left a good place because he was ordered to deny his master when actually at home, wishes something on this subject may be introduced into this work, that persons who are in the habit of denying themselves in the above manner may be convinced of its evil." -Ev. Mag.

Doubts if it is right to take any interest
for money.
"Usury.-Sir, I beg the favour of you to

The Methodists consider themselves as constituting a chosen and separate people, living in a land of atheists and voluptuaries. The expressions by which they designate their own sects, are the dear people-the elect-the people of God. The rest of mankind are carnal people—the people of this world, &c. &c. The children of Israel were not more separated, through the favour of God, from the Egyptians, than the Methodists are, in their own estimation, from the rest of mankind. We had hitherto supposed that the disciples of the Established churches in England and Scotland had been Christians; and that after baptism duly performed by the appointed minister, and participation in the customary worship of these two churches, Christianity was the religion of which they were to be considered as members. We see, however, in these publications, men of twenty or thirty years of age first called to a knowledge of Christ under a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Venn,-or first admitted into the church of Christ under a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Romaine. The apparent admission turns out to have been a mere mockery; and the pseudo-christian to have had no religion

at all, till the business was really and effectually done under these sermons by Mr. Venn and Mr. Romaine.

An awful and general departure from the Christian faith in the Church of England.

able pleasure to see upon the cover of your Magazine for the present month, an advertisement, announcing the establishment of a packet, to sail weekly between London and Margate, during the season, which appears to have been set on foot for the

accommodation of religious characters; and in which no profane conversation is to be allowed.'

concern,

"A second volume of Mr. Cooper's sermons is before us, stamped with the same broad seal of truth and excellence as the cified Redeemer, who are in the habit of "To those among the followers of a cruformer. Amidst the awful and general de- visiting the Isle of Thanet in the summer, parture from the faith, as once delivered to and who, for the sea air, or from other conthe saints in the Church of England, and sealed by the blood of our Reformers, it is siderations, prefer travelling by water, such pleasing to observe that there is a remnant, deratum, especially if they have experienced a conveyance must certainly be a desiaccording to the election of grace, who continue rising up to testify the gospel of in the course of the last summer, when a mortification similar to that of the writer, the grace of God, and to call back their shut up in a cabin with a mixed multitude, fellows to the consideration of the great and who spake almost all languages but that of leading doctrines on which the Reformation Canaan. Totally unconnected with the was built, and the Church of England by law established. The author of these ser- worthy owner, I take the liberty of recomand personally a stranger to the mons, avoiding all matters of more doubtful mending this vessel to the notice of my disputation, avowedly attaches himself to fellow-Christians; persuaded that they will the great fundamental truths; and on the think themselves bound to patronise and two substantial pillars, the Jachin and Boaz of the living temple, erects his super-honour of the dear Redeemer for its proencourage an undertaking that has the structure. 1. Justification by faith, without fessed object. It ought ever to be rememworks, free and full, by grace alone, through bered, that every talent we possess, whether the redemption which is in Jesus Christ, large or small, is given us in trust to be stands at the commencement of the first laid out for God;-and I have often thought volume; and on its side rises in the beauty that Christians act inconsistently with their of holiness," &c.-Ev. Mag. p. 79. high profession, when they omit, even in Mr. Robinson called to the knowledge of their most common and trivial expenditures, to give a decided preference to the friends of their Lord. I do not, however, anticipate any such ground of complaint in this instance, but rather believe, that the religious world in general will cheerfully unite with me, while I most cordially wish success to the Princess of Wales Yacht, and pray that she may ever sail under the divine protection and blessing;-that the humble followers of Him who spoke the storm into a calm, when crossing the lake of Gennesareth, may often feel their hearts glowing with sacred ardour while in her cabins they enjoy sweet communion with their Lord and with each other;-and that strangers, who may be providentially brought among them, may see so much of the beauty and excellency of the religion of versation, that they may be constrained to Jesus exemplified in their conduct and consay, 'We will go with you, for we perceive that God is with you.-Your God shall be our God, and his people shall henceforth be our chosen companions and associates." A religious Hoy sets off every week for I am, Mr. Editor, your obliged friend and

Christ under Mr. Venn's sermon. "Mr. Robinson was called in early life to the knowledge of Christ, under a sermon at St. Dunstan's, by the late Rev. Mr. Venn, from Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26; the remembrance of which greatly refreshed his soul upon his deathbed."-Ev. Mag. p. 176.

Christianity introduced into the Parish of Launton near Bicester, in the year 1807.

"A very general spirit of inquiry having appeared for some time in the village of Launton, near Bicester, some serious persons were excited to communicate to them the word of life."-Ev. Mag. p. 380.

We learn in page 128, Meth. Mag. that twelve months had elapsed from the time of Mrs. Cocker's joining the people of God, before she obtained a elear sense of forgiveness.

Margate.

66 Religious Passengers accommodated.To the Editor.-Sir, it afforded me consider

sister in the gospel, E. T."-Ev. Mag. p. 268. A religious newspaper is announced in the Ev. M. for September. It is

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