May the reader and writer meet our dear sister in our Father's house above, is the prayer of yours affectionately, W. DENNIS. MEMOIR OF ANN ELIZABETH LEAVERS DUNSTONE. ANN ELIZABETH LEAVERS DUNSTONE was the eldest daughter of JOSEPH and MARY ANN DUNSTONE, born July 11th, 1837, at Portloe, in the parish of Veryan. From her childhood she was strictly moral, and when about three years old was sent to the sabbath school, an institution that ought never to be neglected, but ever supported, because by the blessing of God on good teaching it implants in the tender mind the truths of God's word, which, if nourished by faith and prayer, will lead to the salvation of the soul from eternal death. In Ann's case we see the good effects of such training, for she always feared a lie, or any other wilful breach of God's law, and was often grieved if her sister or brother did anything contrary to God's commands. As soon as she knew what prayer was, she was never known to go to bed without going on her knees, soliciting Divine aid and protection. What her views of heavenly things were at that period, is not fully known, as she was very reserved; but she continued to attend the school, unless sickness prevented, until she was about fifteen years of age, at which time, with great reluctance, she left it to go into service. Whilst in service she became afflicted, and her medical attendant announced that her lungs were delicate, and advised her to go home. On returning home, she appeared to get better, and after some time again went into a situation, and remained eleven months with the clergyman of Ruan, at the end of which she became so ill as to be obliged again to return home. Finding her weakness increasing, attended with much cough, she applied to a physician, who pronounced her case to be dangerous-being far gone in consumption. The physician's views were made known to her in April, 1850, and with calm composure she said it did not alarm her; the Lord's will be done; but still she was without the evidence of her acceptance with God. She was now visited by the minister of the parish, and by several kind friends, who inquired what she thought or felt about her future state. She was also visited by a pious young woman, a sincere friend of hers, who often asked her how she felt; but she gave no decisive answer. Her parents were very desirous that she should find redemption in the blood of Christ, "the forgiveness of sins;" and at their invitation the servants of God visited her, and asked her several questions; but still she was silent. Her mother's mind being greatly pained on account of her silence, she took the opportunity when alone with her, to inquire why she did not answer the questions put to her; and she replied to the effect that she was afraid lest she should deceive herself and others. She was visited through the summer by several friends who conversed freely with her about the concerns of her soul, prayed with her, and manifested a concern for her salvation; but it was not until after the beginning of February, 1855, when she was confined to her bed, that any one could see what they were so anxious to see a deep conviction of sin, and a great concern about her immortal soul. She was now greatly tempted to doubt whether she could be saved, and her mind was often wavering; but at length she believed she should be saved, and determined to wrestle in prayer until the Lord did answer her petiti ons. Her faith increased, and she agonized in prayer one afternoon, and the Lord spoke peace to her soul. She now seemed as if she was lifted above herself; she was satisfied that her sins were all forgiven, and from that moment she was able to rejoice "with joy unspeakable;" she had found the peace which the world can neither give nor take away. Her young friend, who had often and earnestly supplicated in her behalf at a throne of grace, was delighted at the change which had taken place. March 24th, in extreme weakness, she said, I came to Jesus as I was; With great emphasis she exclaimed, "O! what has Jesus done for me." She was in transports, and said, "If I had wings I would fly home. O! how I long to see the God I love!" She often repeated something appropriate, and sang, and praised God as far as her strength would allow. 25th, She said the Lord was good, in that he did not take me out of time, without afflicting me, to bring me to himself, adding: “It is good to be afflicted." 27th, In the evening she said with energy; A few more rising suns at most, And I shall join that happy host. She endeavoured to sing, but her weakness prevented. At midnight she was found engaged in prayer and praise; and as the clock was striking twelve, she praised the Lord while all were asleep but her mother, and to her she said, "The Lord loves me, mother; and I love the Lord, and he is going to take me home. I have not been alone; the Lord has been with me all the night, comforting and sup porting me; although I have been so very weak, he hath strengthened me. Praise his name. Shortly after her young friend came to see her, and after prayer, at her request, continued a little longer, being much delighted to see her so happy. She was full of praise to God, until she became almost exhausted; exclaiming, " what do I feel!" It is impossible to describe the joy she then felt and uttered. Reader, are you a mother? Train up your children in the fear of the Lord. Send them early to the Sabbath school; for in her case, we trust, here the good word was sown. While in service, when in trials and difficulties, she was known to repair to her room, and there she has been found by her Mistress. Are you a Father? Your responsibility to God is great. Jesus says, train them up for me that parents and children may meet in heaven. Glory be to God, while I write my heart rejoices. Praise his name. Are you a brother or a sister? Think on her who is gone to be with Christ which is far better. If you are a stranger, the door is open, enter in at the strait gate; for the feast is provided and all things are now ready. She O may God open your eyes that you may see wondrous things out of his law, that your end may be a glorious one as hers was. was so filled with the love of God, that she triumphed in redeeming love. She often asked some one to pray with her; for that was best of all. She exhorted her brothers and sisters to live to the Lord; requested her father and mother to follow her," and then," said she, 66 we shall meet in heaven." She said she found the road to be narrow. Reader, the road is wide enough for you; are you in the road? "Stop and think, before you further go, Will you sport upon the brink of everlasting woe ?" She said, "I hope mother will bless God for having thus prepared me for himself." The Saturday before she died, she said with a smile, "Mother I have a Father in heaven;" and with great emphasis she exclaimed, "Now I have a view of the promised land!" But at times she was afraid she could not praise the Lord enough. She soon became extremely weak, and could only speak at intervals. At her own request she received the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; and this ordinance she enjoyed greatly, the foretaste of the fulness she now enjoys at his right hand in glory. Thank God. She was then so weak as to be held up by her mother, and many were astonished she survived so long; but she was longing to be gone, "to be with Christ," which she said "was far better." She bore her afflictions throughout with the utmost patience and resignation to the will of the Lord, often saying, "How can I complain! My Saviour suffered more than this for me." She told a friend who came to see her the Sunday before she died, that she hoped to be in heaven before the morning. Is it Seeing her mother in tears on one occasion, she said, "Don't mother! I cannot; for I hope you will soon be coming to me. possible! Shall I not rejoice! Angels will rejoice! O mother, meet me there. Will you not be glad when I am gone home? If you are not, you ought to be. Rejoice and thank God. I have lived in this world almost eighteen years, and would not return back again, nor wish the Lord to restore me to health again." Her parents felt it a great trial to part with her; but she said, "The Lord only lent me to you; and he is only going to take back his own." The day before she died, she said, "Mother, the Lord has given me my desire." Her mother said, "What is that ?" She said, "I desired to be the first of the family to be removed; and the desire of my heart is given me. Praise the Lord, O my soul! I am wholly resigned to suffer all his will below, to gain a crown above." About an hour before she expired, she said, "Mother you must forgive me all I have done." Soon after she became convulsed; getting a little better, a friend came in, she shook hands with her and requested her to join in prayer, in which she herself delightfully joined. She shook hands with those around her bed, and to an old disciple of Christ with rejoicing expressed her delight that the young ones might see her last. She died, triumphantly shouting, "Jesus! Jesus!" lifting her hand as if to grasp her Saviour, and directing her eyes to heaven she breathed her last, and fled to join the blood-washed throng in glory, May 25th, 1855. VOL. XXI. THIRD SERIES. 2 A She was greatly respected by her mistress, and by those with whom she was acquainted, being always affectionate, and dutiful. She was always averse to dress, or fine clothes; it seemed emptiness and vanity. F. TROUNCE. MISCELLANEOUS. GRADUAL AND UNKNOWN CONVERSIONS. Dear Sir.-A few weeks ago whilst great thing necessary for us to know is, that we are new creatures in Christ Jesus, and that a knowledge of the moment of our transition from old to new creatures, though on some accounts desirable, is by no means a necessary element of our safety or happiness. At the close of our meeting an interesting and friendly conversation was held by several of the members on the subject, when divers opinions were expressed. The writer intimated that he was far from being disposed to commend the course pursued by the Preacher who made the remark as above stated, especially without any qualifying or explanatory observations accompanying such an assertion; nevertheless, he was of the opinion that the sentiment contained more truth than some present appeared to imagine. The view of the matter he expressed was just this :— that no person can be the subject of pardon or justification without the exercise of a scriptural, saving, and evangelical faith; that the exercise of such faith must have the concurrence of the will; that before we thus believe we must have seen, felt, and acknowledged our sinful, ruinous, and helpless condition; that the atoning sacrifice, the mediatorial work of Christ, is the only ground of hope for the sinner, the only meritorious cause of pardon, restoration to the Divine favour, and deliverance from perdition; that before we receive Christ as our Saviour we must have seen and felt the deep, inwrought depravity of our hearts, the moral pollution of our spirits, the enor mous turpitude of our crimes, the spirituality and rectitude of God's laws and commandments; that these discoveries will invariably and necessarily produce convictions of guilt, and apprehensions of danger, and lead us with godly sorrow and contrite spirits to acknowledge our transgressions, and seek earnestly and sincerely mercy and pardon at the hand of God; that though the process, through which we pass prior to our believing on Christ to the saving of the soul, may be protracted, and the precise moment of its commencement unknown, yet there must be a time when we renounce ourselves, and all our efforts as being of no worth in procuring our pardon; when we heartily approve of Jehovah's plan of mercy, and when through faith we rest on Christ as the foundation of our hope, as the procuring cause of life, peace, and salvation; and that in that moment, the spirit which had been in us "the Spirit of bondage to fear," became within us "the Spirit of adoption," witnessing to our acceptance and pardon, and enabling us to cry, Abba Father!" Thus it will be at once perceived that I aimed at distinguishing between conviction and justification-sometimes called conversion; between the process carried on in the mind before pardon -and which may be termed a preparatory process-and the exercise of saving faith in Christ, which instrumentally brings salvation to the soul-and which may be called the result of that process. I have no doubt but the confusion and perplexity experienced by many minds on this subject, arises from their confounding justification, with conviction repentance, &c.-the result with the preparatory pro cess. 66 My object in calling the attention of the readers of the Bible Christian Magazine to this subject, is not to bring before them something new in the experience of Christians; for I have frequently heard individuals say when referring to their realising a sense of pardon, that they could not state the exact period when a sense of forgiveness was first experienced; nor is it my intention to inti mate that all persons who have 66 passed from death to life," or have been "born of the Spirit," have been the subject of precisely similar feelings, or that the change has been wrought under precisely similar circumstances- for facts, proving the contrary, are numerous and are patent to all observers; but as I believe that all persons who have been justified through faith in Christ, realise in their jus tification a sense of pardon, by the witness of the Divine Spirit to their conscience; that such witness to, and assurance of pardon follows the exercise of saving faith, so that prior to their believing on Christ, they have not, and cannot have any sense of the Divine approval; that there must necessarily be a moment in the history of their religious experience when they were shut up to faith in Christ; that if they would but carefully examine and analyse the feelings and exercises through which they passed to the enjoyment of pardon and salvation, they might invariably ascertain the period when they renounced their own righteousness, and submitted with their whole hearts to the righteousness of Jesus ; and as two of the correspondents to the Magazine for April appear to hold opinions somewhat differing from mine, I wish to provoke a little friendly discussion on the subject, so that my views, if wrong, may be corrected, or if right confirmed-that the brethren referred to may be induced to show reasons for their opinions and that those whose minds are often perplexed about the matter may be somewhat relieved, if not set completely at rest. Mr. F. MARTIN, in his remarks on the "Witness of the Spirit," which appear in the Magazine for April last, seems to entertain the opinion that the exact period when the assurance of pardon, which comes to the believer in Justification, is first realised, cannot in some cases, be easily, if at all, ascertained, in consequence of its coming so gradually and imperceptibly. He says, "This glorious change pro |