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On Thursday, the 19th inst. the Rev. JAMES P. WILSON was installed pastor of the first presbyterian church in this city, which has been vacant since the death of Dr. JOHN B. LINN.

Upon this occasion, the Rev. JAMES

BoYD, of Newtown, presided; the Rev Dr. WILLIAM M. TENNENT, of Abingdon, preached the sermon; and the Rev. JONATHAN FREEMAN, of Bridgetown, (N. J.) delivered the charge to the minister and people.

OBITUARY.

DIED, on the 3d ult. at Portsmouth in New-Hampshire, in the 79th year of his age, the Rev. SAMUEL HAVEN, D. D. pastor of the church in the south parish of that town.

And on the 5th ult. in the 60th year of her age, Mrs.. HAVEN, the late consort of Dr. HAVEN. Her health had been such as to enable her to afford him unremitted attention during his sickness: and whilst her mourning garments were preparing, she received HER summons, and in a few hours was separated from earth and its enjoyments. She and her late husband were taken together to the tomb. Dr. HAVEN had been pastor of the South Church for FIFTY-FOUR years.

MISS MARY ANN DAVIES. MISS DAVIES, eldest daughter of Mr. Robert Davies, of Shoreditch, London, when under two years of age, became an object of the peculiar affection of two aunts, a few miles from the metropolis, who took her under their care at that tender age, and with whom, from that period she almost constantly resided. When a mere child, she was the happy subject of serious impression; which appears to have acquired a considerable degree of strength as she advanced in years.

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Having heard a sermon, occasioned by the death of Miss Bowyer, of Pall Mall, preached by the Rev. Dr. Rippon, from Proverbs viii. 17, I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me," she made the following memorandum: "I was much affected with the discourse, and it was much impressed upon my mind afterwards; and very desirous was I that the impression might not be erased." But, for several years prior to this event, religion was evidently the business of her life, the principal subject which occupied her attention, and the great object of her pursuit.

In the month of May, 1798, she was em boldened to make a public profession; and was received, with her two younger sisters, into communion by the church under the care of Dr. Rippon; a circumstance highly gratifying to her affectionate pa

rents, and to her father more particularly, who was himself a member of the same christian society; and who now enjoyed the unspeakable satisfaction of realizing an answer to his many fervent supplications, that he might live to see his dear children devoting themselves to God in an everlasting covenant.

Immediately after this solemn engagement, Miss Davies, conscious that the vows of God were upon her, became unusually circumspect with regard to the operations of her mind and her daily deportment: and as a mean of invigorating her christian graces, of preserving a tenderness of conscience, and promoting the divine life in her heart, she adopted the very commendable resolution of making daily remarks upon her employment, her conduct, and her experience. Her diary, which contains a large quantity of excellent matter, at the same time that it expresses in every page, in every line almost, the fears and discouragements to which she was subject, discovers that tenderness of disposition, that holy, heavenly, patient temper, that zeal for the divine glory, and that affectionate concern for the best interests of her dearest connexions, which eminently characterize a genuine disciple of the blessed Jesus.

There have been, it is probable, but few serious christians whose spiritual exercises have been more painful than her's. But she was enabled under all, at some happy seasons, "to encourage herself in the Lord her God;" and in the most sor rowful intervals had reason to say, as her tribulation abounded, her consolation did much more abound.”

that

While greatly valued by all her acquaintance, and in the enjoyment of every blessing which this world could afford, for several years her habit of body was evidently consumptive; and, to the no small grief of her friends, her health appeared to be gradually declining. But the consolations which the gospel is so admirably calculated to communicate, were, in a great measure, withheld during this the season of her increasing weakness and pain, till within about six weeks of her dissolution; when the Lord was gracious

ly pleased to deliver her from all her fears, and inspire her with all joy and peace in believing.

From this time she was enabled to express the feelings of her mind in the most cheerful manner, and assured her sur rounding friends, that she did not wish her consolations to be increased; for that, in her present feeble state, she should not be able to support them. At the last visit but one which her father paid her, he thus addressed her, "Seeing the Lord has been so very gracious to you, I can only beg the Holy Spirit to continue these consolations, and, if it be his will, to increase them." "O no, father!" she immediately replied, "not increase them; for if I had more comfort I should certainly lose the exercise of my reason." In another conversation she enjoyed with her dear parent, she said, "Father, your prayers have been the means of my conversion." What powerful incentive should this be to all parents daily to supplicate the throne of mercy in behalf of their children and domestics!

In a visit made her by Dr. Rippon, he was greatly instrumental in helping her joy. After praying with her, she said, "Sir, I approve of every thing in your prayer but one, your praying for my life; for I think it is a privilege to die young." At one time she said to her sister," I die triumphantly, and in the full assurance of faith, all my sins are forgiven, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth me from all my sins! Oh I feel such felicity, such joy! Heaven is come down to my view; I have a full view of it. My sufferings are very great, but my joys are likewise very great; I have not the least shadow of a doubt upon my mind! I am triumphing, I am washed in Christ's blood, and clothed in his righteousness; to God be ascribed all the glory!"Not unto us, O Lord, not

unto us, but unto thy name give glory for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake." Being at another time in great pain, she said, "It is the Lord, let him do as it seemeth him good." Referring to Mr.Toplady's essay, entitled "Life a Journey;" in which he observes, that the nearer the believer approaches to heaven, the clearer frequently are his views of it, she then added with him,

"Divinely fair, and full in sight,

"The shining turrets rise.” Some time after, the adversary was permitted, for a short season, to gain an advantage over her; upon which, with a sorrowful countenance, she addressed her sister, "I am afraid that my religion is all a delusion." But the Lord, in infinite compassion, soon appeared for her relief; and, after a few minutes, she expressed herself with a pathos which will not be soon forgotten: "I can tread Satan under my feet: help me to praise, help me to praise. Pray, my dear sister, live near to the Lord; for I feel it to have been of the utmost importance now I am in the near prospect of eternity.

A short time before her dissolution, looking at a Bible, she exclaimed, "I am interested in all the precious promises contained in that blessed book." And in the night previous to her departure, she expressed herself to her aunt," I am very bad, and do not know what the Lord is about to do with me; but all is well; I am going to heaven."

In this most delightful frame of mind did my beloved child exchange this world for a better, on the 21st of June, 1805, in her 33d year.

From the commencement of her conversion to the closing scene, her behaviour was uniformly exemplary in the highest degree: it may be justly admired, but will not be easily imitated.

R. D.

POETRY.

THE MISSIONARY. As when the fiery steeds the Tish bite bore, Sublime to heaven, from Jordan's sacred shore,

His useless mantle down the prophet threw,

And vanish'd from his great disciple's view;

The falling robe Elijah used to wear,
Elisha caught, and treasured up with care;
And God (apostate Israel still to save)
The master's Spirit to the pupil gave:
His pow'rful voice obedient nature heard,
Chang'd and suspended by a mortal's word.

Just so the old apostles live again ;
Their ardent zeal transferr'd to other men'
Touch'd with a tender sense of human

woe,

To distant lands and barb'rous climes
they go,

To polar regions of eternal snow,
Where sulien winter holds his horrid reign,
And frighted summer flies his white
domain:

Well pleas'd, endure the cheerles dismal night,

Nor see for months a ray of heav'nly light: Or dauntless plough the angry foaming seas,

Scorning inglorious rest and sluggish ease: Escap'd from harm, tho' oft with tempest toss'd,

At length they land upon some unknown

coast:

Then o'er vast plains, huge rocks, and fo

rests gray,

And trackless deserts urge their weary way;

And brave the fury of the torrid zone, Nor heed the lion's growl, or fell hyena's moan!

How mean the trophies are, by Cæsar won!

How fade the laurels of proud Philip's son! From land to land th' insatiate victor flies; His aim destruction, infamy his prize! Before him rumours march, and pallid fear, And well-fed vultures hover o'er his rear! Curs'd be his mem'ry! this shall be his lot: His name and carcase shall together rot! Illustrious heroes! friends to God and

man!

Go on to execute your noble plan! Descending bands of angels are your guard,

Heav'n and eternal life your great reward! Go tell the heathen that Messiah died (That glorious personage to God allied) His sacred blood on Calvary was spilt, To cleanse the vilest of the vile from guilt: Wash'd in his blood, and sanctified by grace,

The last and meanest of the human race; The squalid Hottentot, with filth be. smear'd,

Rose from his den, and like a man appear'd.

O wondrous power, the gospel here displays!

O glorious prelude of more happy days! Look up to heaven, my muse! What seest thou there?

Draw back the veil, and what thou seest declare.

There sits the Saviour on a throne of grace,
Soft love and mercy beaming in his face!
Behold the crimson torrent flowing wide
From his pierc'd hands and feet and
wounded side;

The vital river of celestial blood,
Vast is the stream, and deep the swelling

flood!

Not Nile itself so large a tide can boast, When yearly it o'erflows the Memphian coast:

Not Nile itself such boundless riches yields,

The fertilizer of th' Egyptian fields;
Nor stately Thames, Britannia's pride,

that laves

A thousand navies with its silver waves;

Which waft the treasures of a thousand lands,

And load with with affluence the groaning strands!

Poor are the treasures of terrestrial mold, And small the worth of perishable gold! Salvation in the purple current rolls, Complete redemption for degen'rate souls; Blessings for ev'ry age and ev'ry clime, For vast eternity and fleeting time! Blessings for every circumstance and state, The young, the old, th' ignoble and the great!

Whatever God can give or man receive, Grace to repent, love, suffer, and believe, And crowns of life, with heav'nly lustre

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LIFE OF PRESIDENT DAVIES.

THE REV. Mr. Samuel Davies, late president of the college of New-Jersey, was born on the 3d day of November, A. D. 1724, in the county of Newcastle, on Delaware. His father was a planter, who lived with great plainness and simplicity, and supported the character of an honest and pious man to his death. His mother, who was greatly distinguished for her eminent piety, some time before the conception of this favourite only son, earnestly desired such a blessing; and as she then had only born a daughter, who was nearly five years old, she had special occasion for the exercise of her faith, in waiting for the divine answer to her petition. In this situation she took example from the mother of the prophet Samuel, and "Vowed a vow unto the Lord; that if he would indeed give her a man-child, she would devote him to his service all the days of his life." 1 Sam. i. 11.

It may well be supposed, that the parents received this child as from God, and that the mother especially, who had reason to look upon him as a token of the divine favour, and an express answer to her prayers, would, with the greatest tenderness, begin the rearing of this beloved plant. As there was no school in the neighbourhood, she herself taught him to read: and, although he was then very young, he is said to have made such proficiency as surprised every person who heard of it.

He continued at home with his parents till he was about ten years old, during which time he appeared to have no remarkable impressions of a religious kind; but behaving himself as is com VOL. II.

Pp

mon for a sprightly towardly child, under the influence of pious example and instruction. He was then sent to an English school, at some distance from his father's, where he continued two years, and made great progress in his learning; but, for want of the pious instruction with which he was favoured at home, he grew somewhat more careless of the things of religion.

It appears, that about this time of life, careless as he was, he made a practice of secret prayer, especially in the evening. The reason (as he tells it in his diary) why he was so punctual in the evening was, that "he feared lest he should perhaps die before morning." What is farther observable in his prayers at this time is, that " he was more ardent in his supplications for being introduced into the gospel-ministry, than for any other thing."

Mr. Davies speaks, in a letter to the Rev. Mr. J. Bellamy on the state of religion in Virginia, of a glorious display of divine grace in and about Somerset county in Maryland, of its beginning, as he thinks, in the year 1745, by the ministry of Mr. Robinson, and of its being carried on by sundry ministers that preached transiently there. "I was there (says he) about two months, when the work was at its height, and I never saw such a deep and spreading concern among people in my life as then appeared among them. The assemblies were numerous, though it was in the extremity of a cold winter; and frequently there were very few among them that did not give some plain indications of distress or joy. O! these were the happiest days that ever my eyes saw, or are, I fear, like to see." If Mr. Davies was there (and I suppose he was there as a minister) in the year 1745, he was but twenty-one years of age. However, he was sent by the presbytery of Newcastle to Virginia, in the year 1747, when he was but twenty-three years of age. Here he continued till the year 1753, when he was chosen by the synod of New-York, at the instance of the trustees of New-Jersey college, as a fit person to accompany the Rev. Mr. Gilbert Tennent to Great-Britain and Ireland, with a view of soliciting benefactions for the said college. In this mission he was highly successful; for to his services, added to the pious and liberal charity of the friends of religion and learning in Great-Britain, received upon that occasion, does the college of New-Jersey, in a great degree, owe its present flourishing condition.

On his return home, he again entered on his laborious and beloved task of preaching the gospel to his several congregations; and continued in this work until the year 1759, when he was elected president of the college of New-Jersey, in the room

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