INTERESTING OCCURRENCE.

LIEUT. ASA KENDALL of Ashby, (Mass.) having reached the 80th year of his age, and having a desire to see all his descendants together at his house on his birth day, the 28th ult. gave them an invitation to attend; at which time his sons, sons-infaw, daughters, daughters-in-law, with their offspring to the number of 102, convened, (8 of his descendants being absent.) The Rev. Cornelius Waters, the minister of the place, read the 73rd psalm, 3rd part, which was sung; after which he made a pertinent address to the aged sire and his descendants, and then addressed the throne of grace in a prayer adapted to the occasion. The company next partook of a generous repast. They were then

spread abroad, on a pleasant plat of ground according to the seniority of their families; when the father of the numerous and respectable company took his place in front, addressed them in a solemn and appropriate manner, and pronounced his benediction upon them. On returning to the house they sung another psalm, after which the Rev. Mr. Waters made another affectionate address and prayer. whole was conducted with order and decorum, and was highly gratifying to a num ber of spectators.

PLEASING FACT.

The

THE keeper of the prison in Boston gives notice, that there is not a person confined within the prison walls for debt;-a circumstance which has never before happened since his connexion with the prison.

AWFUL CALAMITY.

Extract of a letter from Smyrna.

"WE have received intelligence of a dreadful calamity having overtaken the largest caravan of the season, on its route from Mecca to Aleppo. The caravan consisted of 2000 souls; merchants and trav lers from the Red Sea and Persian Gulph; pilgrims returning from performing their devotions at Mecca, and a numerous train of attendants, the whole escorted by 400 military. The march was in 3 columns. On the 15th of August last they entered the great Arabian Desert, in which they journeyed seven days, and were already approaching its edge; but, alas! they were not permitted to return in safety.

"On the morning of the 23rd just as they had struck their tents and commenced their march, a wind arose from the northeast, and blew with tremendous

violence. They increased the rapidity of their march to escape the threatening danger; but the fatal Kamsin had set in. On a sudden, dense clouds were observed, whose extremity obscured the horizon, and swept the face of the desert. They approached the columns and obscured the line of march. Both men and beasts,

struck by a sense of common danger, uttered loud cries. The next moment they fell beneath its pestiferous influence lifeless corpses. Of 2000 souls composing the caravan, not more than 20 escaped this calamity. They owed their safety to the swiftnness of their dromedaries."

MEMO OF THE REV. SAMUEL NILES OF

consecrated to the pastoral office in Abington, July 1771; where he continued to discharge the duties of his office, until prevented by a paralytic shock, which took place a little more than two years before his death. From that shock he so far recovered, that he was able to ride, and several times attended public worship; but he was a silent hearer in the midst of that numerous assembly, which he had so often, and with such deep solemnity, addressed on the momentous concerns of eternity. He perfectly recollected all his acquaintances, who visited him during his last sickness; rejoiced to see them; evidently understood and took a deep interest in their conversation, especially on religious subjects; but was unable to articulate more than a few words himself. When his particular friends in the ministry inquired of him respecting the state of his mind, during his last illness, he gave them to understand that he was happily resigned to the dispensations of divine Providence, and enjoyed the consolations of that religion, which he had so many years preached to others. Being asked a short time before his death, whether he should preach the same religious sentiments be had done, should he return to active life again, he answered with peculiar emphais in the affirmative. Though frequently exercised with great bodily pain, he was remarkably patient, meek, and humble, and sensible that he was treated with unmerited kindness by his heavenly Father. The following sentences, with reference

of his heart. With such a submissive, quiet spirit, he close his sufferings on earth. The passage of Scripture, which was chosen as the foundation of the ser mon preached at his funeral, and which was thought to be peculiarly pertinent on that occasion, was the words of the Apos tle Paul to Timothy, (2 Epistle, iv, 7, and 8;) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

The object of the discourse was to exhibit the trials, duties, and rewards of a faithful minister of Christ. From such trials our deceased friend was not exempted: for he preached those doctrines, which are calculated to awaken the resentment of the human heart, and set in motion the tongue of slander. "But none of these things moved him, neither counted he his life dear unto himself, so that he might finish his course with joys and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus to testify the Gospel of the grace of God." The various trials incident to the Christian ministry he endured with exemplary meekness and for titude. He ran with patience the race set before him; looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of his faith. That he, as well as the rest of his brethren, was a subject of much indwelling corrup tion, he was deeply sensible of, and often lamented. Though he was a burning and a shining light in the golden candlestick in which he was placed, and eminently useful as a minister of Christ, yet he often be wailed his own barrenness and unfruitfulness. He had an affecting sense of the evil nature of sin, and ardently strove to gain a conquest over it in his own heart, and to rescue others from its awful dominion. He was always ready to instruct the ignorant; to comfort the disconsolate, and to preach the Gospel to those who de

sired it. His services, on the Lord's day, did not constitute the whole of his ministerial labors. He preached abundantly on other occasions, especially during revivals of religion in his own, and neighboring societies. He was instant in season, and out of season; he reproved, rebuked, exhorted with all long suffering and doctrine.

Among the doctrines, which he preached, the following held a conspicuous place. God from eternity adopted and unalterably fixed a plan of government, which, in its operations, will afford the brightest display of his own character, and bring into existence the highest possible good of the intelligent system. All scripture is given by inspiration of God. Jesus Christ, in his highest character, is the JEHOVAH of the Bible; *co-equal and co-eternal with the Father.* The whole human race, in their fallen state, are totally depraved, and must have eternally perished without an atonement. The atonement made by Jesus Christ, though sufficient for the salvation of the whole world, does not render the situation of a single individual safe, until he becomes interested in it by that repentance and faith which the Gospel requires. To these conditions of salvation sinners are, utterly opposed, and will never comply with them unless made willing by the irresistible influences of the Holy Spirit. All true religion consists in a principle of disinterested benevolence, and its corresponding fruits. A definite number of the human family were given to Jesus Christ in the covenant of redemption, and, before the foundation of the world, predestinated to everlasting glory. Not one of this number will eventually be lost.But all, who are not included in this number, will infallibly abuse the means of instruction they enjoy, and finally be dcomed to a state of endless punishment; to whom all the means of moral instruction they enjoyed in a state of probation will be a savor of death unto death.

These doctrines, in their various connexions and consequences, he well understood, and illustrated and defended with irresistible force of argument. His manner of preaching was peculiarly plain, luminous, solemn and impressive. By the friends of truth he was loved and admired.

And no person could hear him with indif ference. His object was to search the consciences and hearts of his hearers, and to make them feel in some measure, as they will, when standing before the tribunal of their final Judge. Nor did he always fail of success. The profound silence and deep solemnity frequently discovered by his audience evinced, that impressions were made, which could not easily be effaced. His labors were manifestly accompanied with the influences of the Holy Spirit, and unquestionably instrumental of the salvation of many souls. He had the unspeakable pleasure to witness four or five remarkable revivals of religion among the people of his charge; the good fruits of which are yet visible.

With respect to his prayers, it may with strict propriety be said, they were uncommonly full of thoughts, pertinent, comprehensive, fervent, solemn, and impressive, and often produced a powerful effect on those, who had opportunity to unite with him before the throne of mercy. At such seasons, he sometimes appeared to be raised above all earthly scenes, and permitted to look within the vail.

Among other things, he was remarka bly wise in council. Hence his advice and assistance were often sought in the settlement of ecclesiastical difficulties. On such occasions, it is well known to his surviving acquaintances,he was preeminently useful.

To the preceding observations, respecting the character of Mr. Niles, the following may with propriety be subjoined. As a man he was peculiarly interesting and agreeable. In conversation, he was pleasant without levity, facetious without malignity, and serious without austerity. He was thoroughly acquainted with the principles of human nature, and quick to discern the motives by which different characters in society are governed. As a friend, he was distinguished for confi dence and fidelity. His heart was a cabi net, in which the secrets of others might be locked as safely, as in their own. Though not affluent, yet his house was a mansion of hospitality. No man better enjoyed his friends, nor more sincerely sought to make them comfortable and happy. Although, owing to particular circumstances, he was not a man of the most extensive reading, yet he possessed very superior powers of mind. Very few better understood the art of thinking, or profited more by it. His ideas were clear in his own mind, and were generally expressed with uncommon perspicuity. A fair specimen of his talents may seen in a work which he had nearly completed for the press, when arrested with the paralytic shock before mentioned

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