altogether cheerful. She looked on her wasted and enfeebled arms, and smiled, and said to me, “There will be plenty for the worms. Now, Sir," she added, "you may have the hymn sung at my funeral." So great was her sense of those fears and sorrows from which the Lord had now delivered her, that she requested I would preach from these words; "Unless thy law had been my delight, I should have perished in mine affliction." Ps. cxix. 92. My last interview with her was about six hours before she expired. She conversed very cheerfully; her soul was sweetly stayed on the Redeemer as the Lord her righteousness and strength, and she lay waiting his coming, not in raptures, but in perfect peace. After I had left her, she asked her aunt, whether she thought her dying? To which the other replied, "Yes." Margaret smiled, and blessed the Lord, and said, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." She then blessed and bid them farewell; and shortly after departed with such a smile on her countenance as remained imprinted on the clay-cold cheeks as long as they were within our sight. She had wept, and groaned, and sighed, and feared, because the cloud was for a season over her soul; but lo, it came to pass that at even time it was light. ALIQUIS. EIGHTH ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE PARISHIONERS OF ST. MARY'S, KILKENNY. MY DEAR FRIENDS, Ir is at all times gratifying to me, to bring to your remembrance those precious truths and important duties, in the nature and necessity of which I have for so many years been labouring, "in weakness, and fear, and much trembling," to instruct you. At the present moment, my gratification is very much increased by the conviction, that "the faith once delivered to the saints" is dearer to 1 many of you than it ever was; that you have suffered no argument, or sign, or wonder, to shake your confidence in the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures-that you have allowed no sophistry to delude you into the opinion, that there are errors in the word, or defects in the administration of God; and that you are thankful for being members of a church, scriptural in her creed, tolerant in her spirit, instructive in her liturgy, and beneficent in her works. In seeking to be directed by the word of God, there is not the slightest fear that you are following "a cunningly devised fable," or are embracing that which will spread a cloud of uncertainty over the mind, or lead it astray by a delusive light. If his wisdom be discernible in the regular and unceasing motion of the heavenly bodies-if his power be discernible in "making the clouds his chariot, and riding upon the wings of the wind"-if his love be discernible in the rich and constant supply of the innumerable wants of animated nature-all shine forth with inconceivable brightness in the Scriptures, which testify of Jesus Christ, "the one Mediator between God and men," partaking of the nature of both; that having perfectly fulfilled all righteousness, he might be "such an High Priest as became us;" might stand between the living and the dead, to stay the plague of divine wrath by his one offering once for all," and "become the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him." His visit to this lost world was one of mercy; work glorious in its plan, and in its progress was finished in the sight " his of angels, and in opposition to the united efforts of men and devils. The effects of that work, by which a full and perfect atonement has been made for the sins of a lost world, have been a fruitful source of comfort, joy, and peace, from that day to this, and promise ere long to bring a rich harvest of blessings to all the nations of the earth. Infidelity, ignorance, and superstition, have had a long and too undisturbed a reign over the human mind; but a great year of Jubilee approaches! The prisondoors are opening, the chains are breaking; information concerning the character and dispensations of God is sought for by those who had long sat in darkness, and in the region of the shadow of death; knowledge of divine things is increasing; the all-important question, "What must I do to be saved?" is now heard in the four quarters of the earth: and we have reason to hope, that the day is not very far distant, when "the vail which has been spread over all nations," will be effectually reremoved; when "the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in ;" when all Israel shall be saved, and "there shall be one fold and one Shepherd." These considerations call upon you to improve the great and distinguished privileges you enjoy, that you may in your own persons exhibit "the power of godliness," by your victory over sin and the world; that you may be made instrumental in commending the truth to the consciences of all around you, and assist in sending the word which contains it to all who have it not; that they "may hear in their own tongues wherein they were born, the wonderful works of God." Great privileges involve great responsibility; and our gracious Redeemer speaks upon this subject in very awakening language, when he says, "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." MAY 1824. "Examine yourselves, then, whether ye be in the faith." You may have a name to live-you may have "the form of godliness"—you may be "fair without"-you may be attentive hearers of the word-you may say, Lord! Lord! you may respect consistency of character, and approve of useful labours in others you may be actively engaged in works of benevolence yourselves, and yet neglect the one thing needful," the " great salvation" of the Lord Jesus Christ. The history of the church furnishes too many striking instances of the fact, that it is not every hearer who is a "doer of the word." It is when that " ingrafted word is received with meekness" that it 66 66 a saves the soul." Given by inspiration of God, it speaks to you with unquestionable authority; it conveys to you and to all people, from his mercy-seat, "glad tidings of great joy;" it announces the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of " Saviour, and a great one," who was Immanuel, God with us;" who in fulfilment of a long line of prophecy, undertook, by his obedience unto death, to reconcile guilty creatures to their offended Creator. It is impossible to believe such a testimony as this without being influenced by it; because, in the belief of it the mind is directed by the Spirit, who is a Spirit of holiness as well as of wisdom, and never fails to purify where he enlightens. Jesus Christ" came by water and blood," and those who are true believers in him are "washed, and sanctified, and justified." Never attempt to separate in your judgment, or experience, or conduct, what God has joined together in his purpose and in his word; but remembering, that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord:"-" be ye holy, for God is holy.' Let your estimate of the Christian faith and the Christian character be drawn, not from tradition, or from the prevailing 2 A opinions of the world, but from the Holy Scriptures, which "contain all things necessary to salvation;" and regard it as a singular favour from the Almighty, that the church to which we have the privilege to belong teaches you, that "whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation." Let these holy records be your constant study; read therein by day, meditate therein by night; "praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, that your minds may be enlightened; that your evil dispositions may be subdued;"" that every thought may be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;" and that you may show your love to God by your love to man, and by your unceasing efforts to promote the temporal and spiritual welfare, even of your enemies. Your blessed Saviour has left you an example, that you should follow his steps; and the assistance of the Holy Spirit given from day to day, in answer to the prayer of faith, will not only enable you to admire, but imitate that example. You are also " compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses," who, drawing wisdom, and strength, and comfort from the revealed promises of God, were enabled to 66 lay aside every weight" and "the sin which did so easily beset them". ran with patience the race set before them," and have entered upon the possession of their heavenly inheritance; "whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." 66 Those of you who are parents, lie under a solemn obligation to bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and if he declared it to be the duty of a Jewish parent, to "teach his words diligently unto his children, and to talk of them when he sat in his house, when he walked by the way, when he lay down, and when he rose up," it is impossible that the obligation can be less weighty under the Christian dispensation; when the whole canon of Scripture is completed, and when we have the commands and the example of the Lord Jesus Christ himself. If, then, you love your children-if you would promote their present and eternal happiness, recommend to them, by your precept and example, the regular perusal of the word of God, and encourage them to commit to memory judicious selections of it. Family prayer is another duty, to which I am anxious to call your attention. Renewed mercies call for renewed expressions of gratitude; and those mercies are strikingly visible every morning and night. How delightful would it be, if those of you who are heads of families were led by the good Spirit of God, from a deep conviction of your own wants and of his manifold and great mercies, to assemble them around a family altar, that they might hear of the loving-kindness of the Lord; and with one heart and mind, seek at his hand pardon, peace, contentment, and every other blessing. May the resolution of pious Joshua soon become yours! "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." -"Grace be with you all." Your very affectionate Pastor, And faithful friend, PETER ROE. THE PILGRIM. THERE is a path pursu'd by few, But many a river flows between, At times, the distant landscape bright, And glistens in the beam; Yet here and there a spot appears, And now to ford the stream he bends, And is the Christian thus bereft, To labour, strive, and fight; To turn in vain for light? No-He who call'd him forth to tread Salvation's helmet high he bears, His breast-plate, faith and love, he wears Gird up thy strength, thou trembling heart, The thorns once form'd a crown; Then shalt thou in his presence rest, For, more than conqueror at last, O Thou, the Christian pilgrim's Lord, Thou great supreme 1 AM; A STRANGER. CONTEMPLATIONS ON P-N CHURCH YARD. From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.-2 Timothy, iii. 15. How inestimable is the word of God, since it conveys to our souls the most invaluable instruction and the most essential blessings! In that precious book we are shown, that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; and we also read of an almighty Saviour, the way, the truth, and the life, who alone can deliver us from the wrath to come. There He, himself, has left it upon record, that whosoever comes unto him, he "will in no wise cast out." These reflections lead to the recollection of a young person (late a Sunday scholar in this place), whose knowledge of the Scriptures was remarkable. The reader may, perhaps, be ready to inquire, What effect did her knowledge of the Scriptures produce on her conduct? and how was the state of her mind affected thereby? A short memoir of this departed child is therefore attempted to be given, in the humble hope, that God may, of his great goodness, condescend to bless it to some who may peruse the account. The Spirit of God can alone render it profitable; and that it may be so, is the earnest desire of her who writes it. Ann Rowell entered the Sunday school at P-n when she was about six years of age. She learned with diligence, for she soon began to read in the Testament. She next began to get the Scripture by heart, and repeated the four Gospels, besides innumerable hymns, &c. which she had committed to memory. When she had heard the subject given out on Sunday evenings, on which the children were to find passages of Scripture during the week, she constantly was en abled to furnish a number of appropriate texts, which she repeated correctly and audibly before the congregation in the church, on the succeeding Sabbath evenings. O what a fund had she thus laid up for the lingering, painful days of affliction she was afterwards called to endure! In those trying circumstances, which she was soon called to pass through, she was enabled to find support, consolation, and hope. Nor was she ever weary of reading the sacred page. During her illness, she daily read and searched the word of God, even till within a few hours of her departure from this world of sin and sorrow, At school, she was constant in her attendance, and also at church. She behaved well, loved the house of God and the means of instruction. When about ten years old, she appeared desirous to attend my Saturday meeting for female children. She was admitted with great pleasure on my part; for I could not but feel an attachment to so interesting a scholar. On Saturday afternoons she was also a constant attendant, unless some good reason prevented. Her example was useful, and truly encouraging. There was no need to reprove her, for she gave no trouble, but conferred much pleasure. Ever devout and serious in her manner at such seasons, while a peculiarly sweet and affectionate smile played on her lips, and forcibly appealed to the hearts of those who instructed her for an interest in their regard, and such a child could not fail to insure it. When her late Sunday school teacher died, in the blessed hope of eternal life, she deeply felt the loss, and never forgot it. The same kind regard she ever preserved for her minister and myself, as she was particularly pleased with our visits to the last. She |