Metaphors, except of the most fa- | are by far the more important requisites. A florid style is very inappropriate; yet it sometimes passes for a gift. After all, though divines distinguish between the gift and the grace of prayer, and assuredly a devotional spirit may warm the heart of one who has but indifferent powers of utterance, yet, we incline to believe, that what is termed the exercise of the gift, is much more closely allied to the exercise of the grace, than is sometimes suspected, the heart, when properly influenced, is the best directory, and that alone can teach us how to pray." miliar kind, and even the figurative language of scripture, when the allusion is obscure, or not easily recognized, ought to be carefully ab- | stained from. A minister ought not, at least in prayer, to disdain being understood by men of the plainest understanding. Such expressions as Give them the valley of Achor for a door of hope'-' May he reign from the river to the end of the earth'-' rush on the thick bosses of thy buckler'-' count thy love better than wine'—and others which might | be particularized, are wholly improper, because forced, unnatural, and, to a large proportion of the audience, unintelligible. We never find the apostles praying in this style; and it is an abuse of the word to term it scriptural, merely because such phrases occur in scripture. There are figures in the Old Testament which no one would venture to employ, and some which no one understands; but the use of figurative language, which we are adverting to, is properly technical. We cannot conceive of a pious man adopting such a mode of expression in the unreserved effusions of his closet; yet it is even less suitable to the public service. A person not accustomed to the current phrases and figures of the particular school of theology, is apt to be utterly perplexed by this artificial language, which is, for the same reason, the most unaffecting. "Broad assertions are seldom proper in public devotion; we do not, of course, mean either confessions or thanksgivings, which are a species of assertion, but those which affirm respecting the state, character, or feelings of the worshippers, more than is likely to be true of even the majority. The language of supplication all may join in; that of declaration is scarcely to be called prayer, and yet it is often copiously, and, we think, injudiciously, employed. "The exclusive study of living models is disadvantageous to those who would cultivate a simple, chaste, and affecting devotional style. All that is aimed at, very usually, is facility and copiousness. Conciseness, purity, and selection, Eclectic Review, for AN INDIAN EQUIPAGE. From Mackworth's Tour through India. "ITs interior is a double sofa for six persons, covered with dark green velvet and gold, surmounted by an awning of cloth of gold, in the shape of two small scolloped domes, meeting over the centre, and surrounded with a richly-ornamented verandah, supported by light, elegant, fluted gilt pillars: the whole is capable of containing sixty persons, and is about twenty-two feet in height. It moves on four wheels; the binder ones eight feet in diameter, with a breadth of twelve feet between them. It is drawn by six immense elephants, (with a driver on each,) harnessed to the carriage by traces, as in England, and their hugh heads covered with a sort of cap, made of richly embroidered cloth. The pace at which they moved was a slow trot of about seven miles an hour: they were very steady, and the springs of the carriage particularly easy. As it is crane-necked, the elephants turned round with it, on coming back, with the greatest facility. The shape of the body is extremely elegant, resembling a flat scollop-shell, and painted dark green and gold. The elephants are an exact match, but, as stated, of an enormous size. The whole was constructed by native workmen, assisted by one half-caste Frenchman, under the immediate directions of the Rajah.” Obituary and Recent Deaths. REV. JOHN SYKES. in the cause of his Lord that he received his death-wound; having, upon an itinerant expedition, caught cold, of which he never wholly recovered. In February, 1822, he was very much afflicted with the rheu an inflammation of the lungs, by which affliction he was rendered incapable of attending to the duties of the pastoral office. During the period of nine months, little or no expectation of his recovery was afforded; yet he endured his long affliction with Christian patience, and with a lively hope of immortality. It pleased God that, early in 1823, he was enabled partly to resume the duties of his office, but never wholly obtained his former strength. On the 12th of October he was seized with the typhus fever, which he caught through visiting a family on a benevolent object; and, on the 26th of the same month, he finished his mortal career, and entered into the joy of his Lord. OCTOBER 26, 1823, died, in the thirtieth year of his age, the Rev. John Sykes, pastor of the Baptist Church at Scarborough, where he laboured with much success for up-matic fever, which was followed by wards of seven years; during which period several persons were added to the church, (particularly young people,) who, it is hoped, will be the ornament of the church while they continue on earth, and his joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Sykes received his first serious impressions under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Symons, pastor of the Baptist Church at Acrington, in Lancashire, where he was baptized, and received into the church. After he had continued with them sometime, and given proof of his real piety, and apparent gifts for the ministry, he was put under the care of Dr. Steadman, tutor of the Baptist Academy at Bradford. Here he continued to prosecute his studies during the period of three years and a half. After which he was invited to visit Scarborough, and, having there preached to the people for a few months, he was unanimously called to take the pastoral office of the Baptist Church at that place. In December, 1816, he was publicly set apart over the church, and the year following he married. In all his public labours, and private intercourse, he manifested a heart warm with devout zeal and affection for the Redeemer, sincere love for the souls of men, and an ardent desire for the conversion of poor sinners; the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom in general, and particularly that church over which he presided. If, on some occasions, his zeal, in the estimation of others, appeared to run too high, he might have said, with the apostle, "Whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause, for the love of Christ constraineth us." It was VOL. XVI. He observed, a little before his death, that, although his feelings were not of so high an order as some, yet he had such a hope in Jesus, that he would not part with for the world. And he rejoiced that he could say, he knew in whom he had believed, and he was persuaded that he was able to keep all that he had committed unto him unto that day, &c. The Lord's-day before his departure, he seemed to have a premonitory dream: he dreamed that a certain person, whom he well knew, came to him, and addressed him thus:-" Mr. Sykes, by this day week you will be no more; but it will be well with you," and immediately disappeared. Itis remarkable that he died about the same hour that very day week. He was not very collected for a few days before his death, yet, even in his wanderings, the whole of his conversation was of a religious cast. One time he seemed as though he was giving advice to the church; at other times exhorting one young person | which were, in a great measure, deor other (whom he supposed pre-pendent on his industry: and, if the sent,) to watchfulness and prayer, ↑ industry, Christian cheerfulness and and to various Christian duties. His remains were interred in the Baptist Chapel at Scarborough, on the 29th, by the Rev. Messrs. Rouse of Kilham, and Morrell of Malton. His death was improved in a sermon from Rom. viii. 10, on the Lord'sday but one following, to a numerous and attentive congregation, by │| the Rev. R. Harness of Bridlington. He has left a widow with the charge of three small children, wholly without support; it is, therefore, hoped that her condition will excite the compassion and sympathy of the lovers of Jesus Christ, and incline them to afford her timely aid. MR. THOMAS WHILES. H. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. SIR, Mr. Thomas Whiles, a respectable farmer of Southmills, near Blunham, Bedfordshire, returning from Kingstone Wood farm on the evening of October 10, 1823, rode his horse to water, according to his usual custom, to the river Ivel, which was about forty yards from his own stable. About ten o'clock the horse was found near the premises, without its rider, which caused great alarm. He left Sandy, a village two miles distant from Southmills, about eight o'clock in the evening, as well as usual: persons were sent to search the road. A boat was near at hand, by the assistance of which the river was searched, and about two o'clock in the morning he was found dead in the river, in about two feet depth of water: of course it would be reported that he was drowned; but on the Doctor examining his body, in order for the Jury to pass their verdict, he said, that it was his opinion an apoplectic fit was the cause of his death, and that he would have been a dead man though he had not gone into the water. The deceased was forty years of age, and has left a widow and seven children, | benevolence of a kind and tender husband, and affectionate father, made his continuance desirable, these amiable qualities were united in Thomas Whiles. But those things which weigh most with men, appear to have but little influence with him before whom all the nations of the earth are but as the drop of a bucket: it is right that he who works all things after the counsel of his own will, should have his own glory constantly in view. Mr. Whiles was just about to enter upon a larger farm; and, if his life had been continued, there was a prospect of his doing well for his family. All things were preparing for their removal, but, in one bour, the prospect is blasted: a striking instance this of the utter uncertainty of all human projects. "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth: in that very day his thoughts perish.-Therefore be ye also ready: for, in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh." The following letter, from the pastor of the deceased, contains a concise and modest statement of his character, and his friends will be much obliged by its insertion. Staughton, Beds, Nov. 25, 1823. DEAR SIR, The melancholy tidings of the sudden and alarming death of our brother Whiles, produced a very painful effect on my mind: in giving vent to my feelings, I found no language more appropriate than those pathetic expressions of David, when mourning the loss of his beloved friend and brother. "O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places: I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou been unto me." But, "It is the Lord," and it becomes us to bow, with silent submission, to his sovereign controul. "Clouds and darkness are round about him, while righteousness and judgment are the habitations of his throne;" and, though sometimes he hath "his way in the whirlwind," and "his path in the great waters," so that we cannot comprehend "his footsteps," the period is fast approaching when the most mysterious parts of his conduct will be explained, to our complete and eternal satisfaction: "What I do (said our divine Master,) thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." Amidst the gloom which surrounds this awful event, it is a cheering consideration, that there is every reason to conclude, our dear brother is happy. "One gentle stroke," emancipated the immortal spirit from all the evils of this vale of tears, and ushered it into the immediate presence, and full fruition, of the ever blessed God; and, while it is impossible to withhold our sympathy from the bereaved widow, and her orphan children, let us bless the Lord, that there is no cause whatever to grieve on his account-their irreparable loss, is his unspeakable gain. And they may rest assured, that as "God, in his holy habitation, is the Father of the fatherless, and the Judge of the widow," he will neither fail, nor forsake them, in their present destitute and afflictive situation. deemer. of a similar stamp, and like-minded JAMES KNIGHT. His remains were interred at Blunham, Oct. 15. Mr. Hawkins of Keysoe, addressed the people at the grave side, when a funeral sermon was preached to a very crowded and solemn audience, from Psal. xlvi. 10. "Be still and know that I am God." Also, a funeral sermon was preached at Staughton, by Mr. Knight, his highly esteemed pastor, Oct. 26, from Psalm xxxix. 9. “I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it." MRS. MARY HENWOOD. THE subject of this paper, Mrs. Mary Henwood, was impressed with eternal things in the early part of life, through the instruction and example of a pious mother; she had a deep sense of sin, and felt that she needed a Saviour; but her mind was ignorant of God's righteousness, and she sought to establish her own, until she was led, by clearer views of the gospel, to see that "it is not As to the character of the deceased, there was, I believe, but one opinion, and that of the most honourable kind; he was highly esteemed by his Christian brethren, as the sincere friend, and humble follower of the meek and lowly Re-by works of righteousness which we have done, but through the mercy His devotedness to God, of God in Christ Jesus that we are and his cause were ardent and exemplary. His carriage towards his saved:" after this she was enabled to believe the record God has given brethren, was peaceable, affable, and of his Son, and experienced that joy affectionate; and his general deand portment corresponded with his pro- faith in Jesus Christ. which flow from a lively peace fession, tending, in no small degree, to adorn the doctrines of the gospel of Christ. By a reference to the church book, it appears, he was baptized and received into communion Oct. 7, 1804, and continued an honourable member until removed to the church triumphant above, which took place, Oct. 10, 1823, having been a member nineteen years and three days. That the great Head of the church, may sanctify the loss we are called to sustain, and raise up and add to our churches, many more At length she felt it her duty to profess her love to the Saviour, by conforming to his precepts, and by attending to the institutions of his house; she was consequently baptized, and united in the fellowship of the gospel with the church at Exeter, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Clark. After this, she removed to Walworth, and was dismissed to the church over which Doctor Jentry of the word was greatly blesskins then presided; here the minis ed to her soul: her residence at Walworth, however, was not long, and she was removed to Gosport, in Hampshire. In 1811, a church was formed at Forton, near Gosport, and she, with twelve other persons, constituted the new church there; during her connexion with the church at Forton she exemplified much of the Christian character: her deep experience of divine things, her regular attendance on the ordinances of the church, her strong faith,-genuine humility, Christian meekness and simplicity, her spirituality of mind, and uniform conduct, rendered her an example worthy of imitation. In the course of her pilgrimage she frequently wrote down the feelings of her mind, and by her writings we find that she was often painfully exercised; her Diary abounds with such expressions as the following: "Blessed be God for such an High-priest, that can be touched with the feeling of my infirmities; for he was in all points tempted as I am, yet without sin. I can, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need. Many have been my trials and afflictions, many my mercies and comforts. "On taking a retrospect of my past life, I might well say, with Newton, through grace the merciful Lord has not suffered me to make any considerable blot in my profession during the time I have been numbered among his people; but I have nothing to boast of herein: it has not been owing to my wisdom, watchfulness, or spirituality: though, in the main, he has not permitted me to live in the neglect of his appointed means, yet, Oh! the multiplied instances of stupidity, ingratitude, impatience, and rebellion, to which my conscience has been witness.' O for a broken heart, and a contrite spirit; blessed be God, "There is a fountain fill'd with blood, Drawn from Immanuel's veins; And sinners plung'd beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains: "Dear, dying Lamb! thy precious blood Shall never lose its power; Till all the ransom'd church of God, Be sav'd, to sin no more." The last affliction of this excellent woman was sudden and unexpected; she was out spending the evening with a few serious friends, December 23, 1823; after tea it was proposed to spend the evening in prayer, and she, with several others, engaged in the interesting service. She was then in good health, and her prayer, on that occasion, was earnest and impressive; she prayed particularly for the church, and that none might be permitted to join it but those who had first given themselves to the Lord, and for her friends present, that they might be "prepared for death and a blessed eternity." In the morning of that day she was in a very happy frame of mind, admiring the goodness of God, and said, she should be glad if the time ofher departure were come; and, though there was no sign of such an event, the anticipations of her mind were soon realized; for, immediately after the prayers had closed, she retired from the room, and it was soon announced that she was very ill. Medical aid was called, and it was the opinion of the physician that she would not survive mány hours. Her speech was much altered, and she appeared almost insensible; at this moment she was heard indistinctly repeating the words of the poet, "These lively hopes we owe And sing his power above." She was taken home, and, contrary to all expectation, lived three weeks, but in such a state as not to be able to converse; she, however, indicated the happy state of her mind by various signs, until her immortal spirit took its flight to the glorious regions of immortality. REV. WILLIAM ATWOOD. DIED at Farningham, Kent, February 28th, the REV. WILLIAM ATWOOD; for more than thirty years the faithful and successful pastor of the Baptist Church at Folkestone in the above county. |