Denomina tion

Denomina- Recommended

Recommended

Cases

M. M.

ditto

Wilks

Parsons

5

Townsend 5

Hinton

5

REMARKABLE CONVERSION. On the first day of every new year the Benevolent Society for visiting and relieving the Sick and Afflicted Poor at their own habitations, have a public meeting at Surry Chapel ; when some of the most remarkable cases which have occurred during the year preceding are read. The following, which was read January 1, 1807, deserves particular notice, and affords strong encouragement to all societies of this description, to persevere in their laudable and useful labours. Rev. Sir,

"A very extraordinary case has lately occurred; I cannot enter fully into it, for it would fill a volume; but that it may be rightly understood, it is necessary to mention something of the man's character before his illness. He was of a loose disposition, an enemy to government, to all good order, and particularly to religion. He was one of those unhappy wretches that joined Col. Despard, and took his trial with him. He was sworn to keep their secrets, and assist in their diabolical designs. Being destitute of any remorse of conscience, he was

athirst for the destruction of his fellow-creatures, expecting thereby to make his fortune. But God in mercy frustrated their design. He had a book put into his hands that mentioned all the sins ascribed to Scripturecharacters, that he might ridicule the Bible; and such was the degree of his prejudice, that when he passed by any place of worship, he felt hatred against it, and all who attended it. Through the providence of God he was acquitted, though he deserved punishment. When he obtained his liberty, not knowing what to do with himself, he entered on board a ship. But the Lord laid his afflicting hand upon him, and visited him with a lingering sickness, that brought him down to the border of the grave, and he was put on shore. He was then under the necessity of returning home to his mother, who supported herself by washing; and as she was kept fron her employment to look after him, they were brought to very distressing circumstances. In this state the Society found, and gave them relief. As his illness increased, his conscience was alarmed. His cry was, "send for some one to pray for me; I shall be lost: I am in Hell already." Such

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were his cries and groans, that he terriffed all about him. In this wretched state of mind was he when we were sent for. It was on Sunday morning, between seven and eight o'clock. We sent word that we would call as we came to chapel. They desired us to come immediately, for they feared he would die very soon. We, therefore, went immediately, and found him in a deplorable state, sitting in a chair, covered over with a sheet. We asked him why he sent for us? He replied, to pray for him, for the wicked one was within him, and that he would soon drag him into Hell. His cries* were so loud, that some of his neighbours came in, one of whom pretended to faint. As we saw what sort of people were about him, we began to think it might be a deception. So we told him that he must pray for himself, or all the prayers that could be made would do him no good. He said he could do nothing but curse and swear. We said, then he must be eternally lost; for the Lord received none but penitent sinners; and what he then felt was an earnest of the torments due to sinners; and which they must suffer to all eternity. He then swore at us; and said that we were come to torment him. He seemed, however, at times to pay attention to what we said, but often cried and groaned in a most de plorable manner. We continued talking to him, prayed with him, and left him.

On the evening of the same day, as we came from chapel, we mentioned the case to a friend, and desired him to go with us. We found him worse than he was in the morning. He said, that we were come to make him worse, and that we were as bad as the wicked one. He then exclaimed violently against all his former companions, and cursed the time that he ever knew them; adding, that he was the greatest sinner that ever lived, - that he bould not pray, that there was something within him that told him to curse God, and that he was such a sinner that there was no mercy for him. The visitor then told him that, in his opinion, his state was worse than he could imagine; and that he was then committing a greater sin than ever he di before, which was refecting Christ, his mercy, and his salvation; assuring him that the Scriptures declared, that all manner of sins and blasphemies should be forgivep, through faith in the blood of the Redeemer; and that he came to save the chief of sinners.

We then endeavoured to set forth the efficacy and infinite value of his blood to cleanse from sin, and to relieve the consciences of heavy laden sinners; and that if the blessed Spirit was pleased to open the eyes of his understanding, and enable him to receive Christ, he might obtain the. pardon of all his sins, great as they were. We endeavoured to set before him what a blessed refuge Christ is to all who fly to him; and the infinite love of Christ who stood in the place of believers, to bear the punishments due to their sins.

All this seemed to no purpose: he continued crying that there was no mercy for him, and that he should be lost for ever. The horrors and distress that appeared upon his countenance cannot be described. We asked him if we should pray with him; he desired we would, and, after prayer, begged we would come again soon.

We went again the next day, and having asked him how he was, he answered, in a low tone of voice, "I bless God, I am a great deal better." We asked him how long he had been better. In the night, he said, his distress left him, and he did earnestly pray that the Lord would keep the devil from him; for no one, he said, could imagine what he had gone through. All his cry now was, “O! pray, pray, pray for me, that the Lord may have mercy on me!"

At another time, when we approached the room, we heard a voice, and opening the door a little, found him praying very earnestly. Waiting some time, at last we spoke te him of his state of mind. He said, he was afraid of the return of those dreadful sensations he endured when we first saw him; and that he found relief when he kept praying for the pardon of his sins, and that God would give him faith and save his soul.

Calling one morning on him, we found he had sent for the Rev. Mr. Winkworth, the minister who had attended him in the prison; but he was then dead. We then spake to him of our dear Lord's grace and love, as suited to his case, if he felt himself ruined and lost, and had 10 hope in himelf. We mentioned several Scriptures, which seemed to relieve him a little. He entertained some hopes of recovery, yet was not anxious; but thought that if the Lord should spare him, he could never return to the ways of sin, for he now hated his sins. By degrees, he enjoyed the visits which

Were paid him very much; was thankful, and said, "Oh! how kind is the Lord in sending his children to see me, and to instruct me!"

In the many visits we paid him for eight weeks, the work of the Lord upon his soul was very evident. He was deeply convinced of sin, and brought to hate it from love to God.. He honoured the divine justice of God in his condemnation, while he trusted in the righteousness of Christ.for pardon and justification

Oct. 21.

The Members of the West

Kent Union held their Half - yearly Assembly at Mr. Slatterie's Meeting, in Chatham. Mr. Stanger preached from Judges vi. 9. The Members of the

Union met in the afternoon for business. In the evening, Mr. Ralph preached from Col. i. 28. Messrs.

Beaufoy, Bentliff, Slatterie, Rogers, and Knott, engaged in the other parts of the service. The next Meeting is to be held at Mr. Popperwell's Meeting, Marden, April 21, when Messrs. Knott and Drew are to preach.

Oct. 30. Mr. Chapman was ordained to the pastoral office over the Independent church at Sandwich. Mr. Vincent began the service with prayer, &c.; Mr. Gurteen delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Sloper, of Devires, offered the ordination prayer; Mr.G. Townsend gave the charge, from 2 Tim. i. 13; Mr. Elliot, of Devizes, addressed the people from 1 Thess. v. 18; and Mr. Ralph concluded.

Dec. 25. A New Baptist Meeting was opened in the city of Chester. Three sermons were preached on the Occasion, by Mr. Davis, of Liverpool, from Exod. xx. 24; Mr. Lister, of Liverpool, from Matt. vi. 33: and Mr. Price, of Wrexham, from Heb. x. 12, 13; Mr. White, of Chester, and Mr. Stennet, engaged in prayer.

Jan. 22, 1807. The Rev. S. Hatch was ordained pastor of the church at Tollesbury, in Essex. The following ministers engaged in the service: Prayer, Mr. Taylor, of Colchester; introduction, &c. Mr. Forster, of Malden: ordination-prayer, Mr. Merchant, of Layer Bretton; charge, Mr. Fielding, of Coggeshall; sermon to the People, Mr. Newton, of Witham; concluding-prayer, Mr. Pritchard, of Col

chester.

The Dorset Independent Association is postponed to April 20: Mess. Morten and Rogers to preach.

LONDON.

LONDON FEMALE PENITENTIARY. WE rejoice to learn, that this excellent institution meets with considerable encouragement; and, as it is to be wholly under the management of persous of piety and evangelical sentiments, we entertain the warmest hopes of its success. The List of the Committee, which we promised to give in this Number is not yet completed; but we understand it consists of Ministers and Gentlemen of various religious denominations. A peculiar and muchapproved trait of this new institution is, that all its internal affairs are to be under the direction of a Committee of Ladies, of decided piety, solid judgment, and active zeal; who, together with the Matron, will daily visit and superintend the different wards. part of the house will be appropriated to divine worship (but not open to the public) in which the gospel is to be preached every Lord's Day, and probably, at other times, by ministers suecessively appointed to that service.

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Subscriptions are received by the following bankers: Mess. Down, Thoraton, and Co. Bartholomew Lane, Mess. Forster, Lubbock, and Co. Mansion House Street; Messrs. Fuller and Co. Lombard Street; Mess. Hoares, Fleet Street; Messrs. Smith and Holt, Broad Street; Messrs. Ransom and Co. Pall Mall.

Dr. Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion, translated into French, is now printing, at the expence of the Missionary Society, for the benevolent purpose of distribution among the French prisoners in England, who, it may be hoped, will not only derive benefit from it themselves, but carry it into their own country hereafter, for the benefit of many others.

A few months ago, a Committee was appointed by the Board of Andependent Ministers in London, to draw up the outlines of a Plan, for a more general Union of the Ministers and Churches of that Denomination throughout the Country. On the 3d of February the proposed plan was presented by the Committee to the Board, by them approved, and ordered to be sent to their brethren in the country for their consideration. A General Meeting, we understand, is to be held in London, on Monday, May 18, for the purpose of maturing the plau..