claimed a right to think on this subject the christian temper, in which she was for herself, so she readily granted others completely successful. the same privilege which she claimed. She had heard of a sister's illness and Her own children were baptized, and her hastened to her relief. Her attentions niece whom she had adopted as a daugh- were unremitting day and night. Anxiety ter. In habits of intimacy with her for and fatigue made dangerous inroads upon many years, a subject upon which we her own health. She indeed fell a martyr could not agree was never once introduc. to humanity, and none can fall in a better ed, wbilst other subjects, the hope and cause. Falling in battle, men are said to triumph of christians, were cheerfully dis. fall in the bed of honour, this is true in an cussed. Party would lose its virulency, equal, or even in a higher degree of those were the same temper always cherishwho fall doing good to their fellow creaed, and the same conduct pursued. Con- tures. sidering the different constitutions of The disease, at first, was not supposed mind, the power of habit, and the imper- to be just cause of alarm, but soon it as. fect knowledge which is now enjoyed, sumed a fatal appearance. She felt as it is impossible to think always alike even she had never felt before. Of the issue on religious subjects. On great essential she was not ignorant, but trusting in the points, there is frequently much less dif- Saviour of mankind she was prepared for ference of sentiment among christians, the worst. The turn which her disease than on those of secondary or even in- took for the eight last days of her life, ferior importance. Forbearance is ex- incapacitated her, both from saying any pressly enjoined by our great master. thing, and from being benefitted from Leaving out of view the peculiarities of what could be said, but from the whole this, or that denomination, it is, and must tenor of her life, of which I have taken be, the leading, and indeed the only de- a short review, there is every reason to sire of every follower of Jesus, to recome conclude that she fell asleep in Jesus, mend in every possible way, our common after having sojourned on earth near fifty christianity, loving all who love our Lord, years. let that love be expressed in modes never so multiplied, and never so various. From the Evangelical Magazine. Our dear friend is removed to a world where names, even the most respected of MISS ANN WRANGHAM. Paul, of Apollos, or Cephas, are lost and On Thursday, October 11, 1804, died, forgotten in the name of Christ. All wor- aged 21, after a lingering and painful inship in one sanctuary. Among the count. disposition, which she bore with a patiless multitude a discordant thought does ence truly christiani, Miss Ann Wrangnot exist. The infirmities of the mortal bam, of Thorp Basset, Yorkshire. She state, a fertile source of irritation and had an interesting appearance and gendisagreement, if remembered at all, are teel address; to which were added a conremembered with shame, rendering an duct strictly moral, a temper remarkably union of hearts, through eternity, wel. sweet, and a mind naturally lively. These come in the highest degree. admired excellencies, however, left this Frequent attacks of sickness for some young lady destitute of spiritual religion, years past, 'were indications, which the till about eighteen months before her deceased could not overlook, that the death, when it pleased the Lord to call period of her departure was at hand. It her by his grace. This work of the Etercannot be forgotten that mid-night silence nal Spirit was effected under a discourse, had of late often been broken, expressing the report of which excited her curiosity an assurance that she should not long be on account of its being delivered in a an inhabitant of this world, and a dread barn, and by a clergyman of the establishlest the restraint occasioned by her pre- ment. The simple and affecting account sence being taken away, her friends of her conversion is given in her own might forget her advice, and venture to language:-" What a wandering wretch their ruin upon forbidden ground. was I before my God's converting grace! The buddings of immortality began to I was driven away with every wavering open, a happy presage, that they should blast; yet, when I have promised myself soon blossom in a more favourable cli- pleasure, something has always occurred mate. to my mind which has cast a sadness over Among the last acts of her health was my heart. How different that peaceful an attempt to reconcile a difference which breast where Jesus dwells! Oh happy had unhappily arisen, and to secure the people, who are publishing the glad tid. continuance of that peace so congenial to ings of the gospel! how many hearts do vou set free! I was anxious to hear Mr. despise the things of this rain world! all M-4, at Rilington; zeal and love for that I have known of what the world calls Jesus beamed in his eyes! I heard him pleasures, now look to me like dreams or with stupid amazement; my heart beat empty shadow's! and though my licart with a thousand fears; how earnestly did was twisted round with the cords of tenI wish I was the meanest wretch, if I only der affections for my dear parents, and could feel the love of which he spake! I brothers, and sisters, yet these my bes. returned with the gay ones whom I ac- venly Father is loosening fast. I may sa companied; I spoke cheerfully to them; with the amiable Young, but my heart was urung with anguisb; When shall I die to vanity, pain, death? it was dark, and my tears flowed unseen; When shall I die?-when shall I live for I retired to bed and to prav, but arose ever? unrefreshed; my heart was hard; I thought Monday, July 16. “ Satan would fain it would remain so; I feared the miseries persuade me, I yet shall fail at the last of hell.": Yet in thee, my all-conquering Saviour, I From this time she became a new crea- will trust. Lord increase my fath, fr I ture, which was manifest in her total dis. am weak! O my heart, why art thou so relish to vain amusements, by the dili- distrustful! is he not able to save to the gence with which she perused religious uttermost?" authors, especially the sacred volume, The following letter she wrote to a mi. and from the pleasure she always appear. nister, a few days before her dismission ed to enjoy in the company of those who from the body, with instructions that it were born from above. Her fears were should be delivered immediately after gradually removed, and her faith in Jesus her death: “ Ere this reach my everconfirmed by the use of such private valued friend, I shall have ceased to means; the only ones to which long indis. groan under this body of sin and pain I position would allow her to attend. If long for death, wbich will, I trust, reever she murmured, it was on account of lease me from both. I may truly say with her not being able to be present at public David, “It is good for me that I hare worslin. But her meditation in private been afflicted.” Has not the Lord, with was so constant, and her prayer for divine all the tender compassion of a long-sufteaching so fervent, that her knowledge fering Father, caused me to feel his of the plan of salvation became so cor. chastening rod, since nothing but that rect as far to exceed that which some ap- could move my hardened breast? Oh the pear to possess who have heard the gosgoodness of God to so vile a sinner! I pel pieached for years together. As her would not part with my hopes in my bless. body decayed, her mind daily was renewed Redeemer for all that this vain world ed. This will best appear by a few ex- can give! Oh, if the world knew the calm, tracts from her papers. the real pleasures of religion, they would March 17, 1804. “ To-day I am twen. make it their first instead of their last ty-one; and Oh, 1 hope next year I shall concern!" --At the close of the letter she celebrate my birth-day in my Father's trus writes: “Give my dying love to Mr. kingdom! shall I, O God, spend an eter- M- , and pray tell him, that he once nity of joy for these earthly sutterings? made a sinner tremble. And now, my Then blessed be thy fatherly hand that dear sir, I must cease. I need not ask for draw's me by them to thyself! last year I your prayers: when you receive this I did not think to see another birth-day; shall be beyond them. Adieu! adieu! we but wonderful are thy ways, thou King shall soon meet again to sing the praises of Saints! why do I go mourning all the of him who was slain!” day? thou wilt be my Saviour; thou wiltThe friend to whom this letter was adraise my head in my last agony!” dressed, was in the habit of visiting the In a letter to a female friend, dated pious writer during her illness, as ofieu April 15th, she writes: “ It may seem as a distant residence would admit. There strange, but it is true, that from the be- is reason to believe that his conrersation ginning of my illness (near two years was much blessed for the fortifying the ago) I have never firmly believed that I young Christian against the powertid asshould recover. Although my friends saults of the great enemy of souls, and would flatter me with the prospect, and I for arming her for her final conflict with have, to appearance, been getting better the king of terrors. On October 10, he fast, yet this idea never left my mind: visited her for the last time; when he “ An angel's hand cannot save thee from found her a good deal barrassed by temp. the grave,” And are they friends, my tation. She said she was under no aj predear So, who would drag me back to hension as to the result of death, but life and all its painful miseries I? who feared exceedingly lest Satan should gain any advantage over her in the moments took a long, a last farewel of each. Then, of dissolution. Her friend having that with a countenance expressive of the morning read a memoir in the Evangeli- sweet serenity of her mind, and which cal Magazine, of an eminent minister also demonstrated that her former fears whose experience was, in this respect, the were only the suggestions of that great same, but who died triumphing in the adversary of souls who seeks to distress Lord, related this circumstance to her. whom he cannot destroy, she lifted up She seemed to be much comforted by it; her eyes and said, “ Lord Jesus now reand he left her in a more happy frame. ceive my spirit, for I am ready!” Her She was able to go down stairs till the friends and attendants witnessed her de. day of her death, when she found herself parture with mingled sorrow and admiraso weak, as left no doubt in her mind that tion. According to her request, the solier end was come. She had previously lemn occasion was improved by the above arranged her little valuables, to which she friend, in a sermon delivered in the Melad affixed marks how they were to be thodist Chapel, at Relington, on Sunday, disposed of, and now gave directions ac- October 21, 1804, from Rer. xiv. 13. cordingly. After having had her dear Green Hammerton. J. JACKSON. parents, and brothers, and sisters called We understand that a pamphlet will to her bedside, she very affectionately ad- shortly appear, containing the diary of dressed them upon the vanity of the this lady for the last nine months of her world, the importance of religion, &c. and life, together with outlines of hercharacter. rever'd, POETRY. AN ELEGY OR EPITAPH ON ST. BASIL. With all thy pow'r of wond'rous eloWritten by St. Gregory Nazianzen, most quence! probably, some years after that prelate's In evil times, thou did'st alone display, death. He died, d. D. 378. A life responsive to the truths thou SERVANT of Jesus! Shade belov’d, taughtst. One Pow'r supreme, all nature speaks, I thought a body sooner could have liv'd and Thee Without its soul, than I bereav'd of thee. Alone, assemblied nations have confest, And yet I bore thy loss-I meekly bow'd, A worthy minister, that God to serve! And own'd the heav'ns were just. Ah The dauntless herald of behests divine, why delay? The christian's eye, in all thy native grace O raise me, waft me on thy orient wings, Of soul effulgent, and Cæsarea's pride, Place me amidst th’angelic chorus high, E'en now when happier realms ihy preWhere martyrs triumph, and where sence shares. Basil reigns ! BASIL. When deatli, stern minister of power Beneath this tomb, the dust of Basil sleeps, divine, Who whilst he tarried in this transcient Ravish'd my Basil's godlike spirit hence, scene, The heav'nly liost receiv'd the saint with Rul'd his Cæsarea with a parent's care, joy, And lov'd his Gregory with a brother's Whilst all Cæsarea wept its prelate lost. love. Said I Cæsarea? nay each favour'd clime, Ah me! thy griefs would pierce an anWhere Christ is worshipp'd, and where gel's breast, God is known. And lure e'en heav'nly minds to melt like The peopled earth one common grief pro thine. claim: View, O my God, that sad, and tear-worn Rent is the bond of peace; her herald cheek, That anguish'd heart, that feeble tottring The world is fill'd with disputations vain, frame, And sirife of clam'rous tongues, which Those eyes for ever fix'd on heav'n and madly dare, thee! To call in question heav'n-taught mys. When shall he join thy blest adorers here, teries, And shine, amidst immortal saints, a saint? Anxl bid defiance to the Tri-une God! Poor lonely tenant of a frame decay'd, Error, impiety, profaneness rage, Thy shatter'd prison cannot hold thee Yet Basil's lips the hand of death hath long. seal’d!" The months unwearied roll; the hour will Wake, sleeper, wake, and from the yawn. come: ing tomb, Thou must endure and Basil must submit. Awe the proud whirlwind, calm th’ im GREGORY. petulus wave, Yet thou wert wafted to the land of peace, gone. pair, Or 'ere thy soul had mourn'd its dearest Did not grief then grow romande, friend, Raving on remember'd bliss! Or Time had silver'd o'er thy rey'rent Did you not, with fervour frantic, head Kiss the lips that felt no kiss To Christ, thy life, thy doctrine, all was Yes! but, when you had resign'd het. giv'n, Life and you were reconciled; For him thou wish'd to live, to die for Anna left-she left behind her, bim; The Priesthood's noblest Champion when One, one dear, one only child. But before the green moss peeping on earth, His poor mother's grave array'd, And now the Bulwark of Eternal Truth! In that grave, the infant sleeping Ye studies, which engag'd our earlier On the mother's lap was laid. years; Ye walls which once contain'd the truest Horror then, your heart congealing, Chill'd you with intense despair; That ever rais'd or envy or esteem; Can you recollect the feeling? Beloved Athens, hear, and weep my woes! Tweep mywoes! No! there was no feeling there! Basilhath gained his wish-for place of rest; From that gloomy trace of sorror, Amidst ti exulting choir, august he When you woke to pangs unknown shines; How unwelcome was the morrow, Whilst Gregory lingers, like a with'ring For it rose on YOU ALONE! corse, Sunk in self-consuming anguish, His soul awake, no more to Friendship's Can the poor heart always ache! call. No, the tortured nerve will languish, Well might men hail thee, great Cæsa. Or the strings of life must break. rea's pride! O’er the yielding brow of sadness, Thy speech was awful as the thunder's | as the thunder's One faint smile of comfort stole; voice! . One soft pang of tender gladness Thy life refulgent as the lightnings blaze! Exquisitely thrillid your soul. And if that chair, ennobled once by thee, While the wounds of woe are healing, Forsaken now, depl. re its widow'd state; If the chaste virgins, to the hallow'd While the heart is all resign'd, shrine 'Tis the solemn feast of feeling, No longer now attend their prelate's 'Tis the sabbath of the mind. steps; Pensive memory then retraces If Death's keen blast hath rent the lofti. Scenes of bliss for ever fled, est tree, Lives in former times and places, That ever toster'din its spread’ning shade Holds communion with the dead. A gladden'd realm, this was the glorious And, when night's prophetic slumbers cause: Rend the veil to mortal eves, The angels sigh'd for fellowship with thee: From their tombs, the sainted numbers Christ willid and rais'd his Basil to the Of our lost companions rise. skies! You have seen a friend, a brother, Heard a dear dead father speak; “THE JOY OF GRIEF.” Proved the fondness of a mother, OSSIAN Felt her tears upon your cheek! From Montgomery's Poems. Dreams of love vour griefbeguiling, Sweet the hour of tribulation, You have clasp'd a consort's charms, Wlien the heart can freely sigh: And received your infant smiling From his mother's sacred arms. Trembling, pale, and agonising, Tremble through your troubled breast; While you mourn’d the vision gone, Soft as evening o'er the ocean, Bright the morning star arising When she charms the waves to rest? Open'd heaven, from whence it shone Have you lost a friend, a brother? Thither all your wishes bending Heard a father's parting breath? Rose in extacy sublime, Gazed upon a lifeless mother, Thither all your hopes ascending Till she seem'd to wake from death? Triumph'd over death and time. Have you felt a spouse expiring Thus afflicted, bruised and broken, In your arms, before your view? Have you known such sweet relief: Watch'd the lovely soul retiring Yes, my friend! and, by this token, From her eyes, that broke on you? You have felt “ THE JOY OF GRIEF." INDE X. 40 ib. 449 ib. 103 ib. ANECDOTES, BIOGRAPHY, The life of Rev. William Ten- nent, 97, 146, 202 Memoirs of the Rev. John Ers- kine, D. D. 250 the Rev. William Grim- 135 346 136 the Rev. George White- field 401 Clemens Romanus, 408 ib. David Brainard, Rev. Andrew Rivet, D.D.497, 546 287 Series of lives taken from the scrip- 333 tures, Life of Simon Peter, continued 335 6, 49 James and John, the 440 apostles, 488 the apostle Paul, 207, 257, 305, 351 119 590 236 Chronology (from the Christian Ob. 473 476 Charge on the ordination of the Rev. Clerical office, excellency of, 12 Catholicism, modern, observations respecting, 417 114 DEATH of Voltaire, 167 David Hume, 215 Dissertation on Genesis ii. 17, con- 274 nected with chap. ii. 4. Dialogue on the influence of religion on the affairs of the world, 268 4 E 18 ' 227 471 525 25 - 63 ! |