REV. GEORGE BURDER.

On the 29th of May last died the Rev. George Burder. We know not that since the commencement of this Magazine it has ever fallen to the lot of the Editor, for the time being, to record the death of a man more generally known, or more justly dear to the Christian world. By the readers, and especially by the elder readers, of this Periodical, his name is held in affectionate remembrance, on account of his having been one of the originators of the work, and for many years its final editor. Missionaries, in all parts of the world, will read the announcement of his death with no ordinary feelings, for with no inconsiderable number of them was he personally acquainted; nor can they ever forget the fatherly advice he gave them on their departure for a foreign land, and the deep interest he manifested in their comfort and success. The myriads of readers of the "Village Sermons," including, it is believed, some thousands of persons who have received spiritual advantage from "the truth as it is in Jesus," which is so simply and beautifully delineated in those discourses, will be ready to exclaim, when they hear of his departure, 'My father, my father!" When to all these we add his family, and relatives, and personal friends, the church at Fetter Lane, London, to whom he had ministered in holy things for twenty-nine years, the congregation at West Orchard, Coventry, to whom he had preached the gospel for nearly twenty preceding years, and the surviving persons in Lancaster and Lancashire generally, who enjoyed his earliest labours, it is obvious that the number of mourners, on occasion of his removal from our world, must be unusually great.

Joy and gratitude, however, must, in this case, be blended with lamentation. Let us thank God for "the grace which was bestowed on him," and which assuredly was "not in vain." For fifty-five years he was

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a preacher of righteousness," during the whole of which period it pleased God so constantly to " preserve his feet from falling," that in no one instance did he bring a reproach on "that holy name by which he was called." And let us thank God, also, that his valuable life was prolonged to the age of fourscore years, and that his powers, both of body and of mind, were so graciously continued as to enable him, with comfort to himself, and advantage to his greatly-attached hearers, to preach almost every Lord'sday morning till within three months of his decease. As, for more than two years, he had totally lost the precious sense of sight, it was a matter of admiration to his family and friends, that, considering he had been

accustomed, during the whole of his life, to make use of notes in preaching, he should be able, in advanced age, to express himself in an orderly and connected manner without such aid.

They who had the privilege of attending his pulpit labours, during the last years of his life, will never lose the impression which those labours have made on their hearts. His appearance, always dignified, was now most truly venerable; and if his countenance had lost something of its youthful animation, it retained an expression of placidity, mildness, and benignity, which could not fail deeply to interest every spectator. His voice, always melodious, was now tender and pathetic in no common degree. There were associations, moreover, in the minds of his hearers, which deepened the impression. They were aware of the honour which God had put upon him by making him an instrument of most extensive good in his church; they knew the loveliness of his character in private life; they were acquainted with the many relative and personal afflictions through which, of late years, he had passed; and they knew that, in the natural course of events, the day of his removal from earth to heaven could not be distant. He was himself a most striking example of that patient suffering of affliction which he was exhorting them to manifest. He was himself on the very threshold of that glory which he besought them to seek. He spoke as a dying man to dying men.

His last discourse, which was shorter than usual, was delivered on the first Sabbath in March last, from the text, "He was a man of sorrows. After sermon, with difficulty he assisted the junior pastor of the church, the Rev. Caleb Morris, in administering the Lord's Supper. It was a solemn and affecting service, at the conclusion of which the members of the church remained for some time in mournful silence, fully anticipating, what proved to be the fact, "that they should see his face no more."

From that time his strength declined rather rapidly. Almost every day brought with it some such fresh indication of the approach of the last hour, as was like the loosening of another pin of the mortal tabernacle. His memory also very greatly failed him. Yet, twelve days only before his death, he was able to pray aloud with the family. This was in the evening of May 17th. He had, for some time, ceased to desire that the newspaper should be read to him, as he wished to withdraw his mind, as much as possible, from worldly things; but being aware, in some measure, of the critical situation of public affairs, he manifested, in the few petitions which his remaining strength allowed

him to offer, his characteristic patriotism, by praying for the king and queen, and government, and that we might be preserved from anarchy and commotion. Then, having prayed for divine protection, and for spriritual blessings, he concluded with imploring, in tones (as his family, who were present, state) sweet and pathetic beyond description, that "our poor, poor, poor prayers might be accepted through the blessed Redeemer."

All labour, both of body and of mind, seemed now to be painful to him. He conversed but little, and could not comfortably listen to much conversation. He desired rest, and frequently appeared to anticipate heaven under that view. The circumstances which attended his last days and hours scarcely allowed the utterance of those expressions of joyful hope which fall from the lips of some dying Christians. He was able, however, to pronounce an audible amen to a short prayer which one of his sons offered at the side of his bed above six hours before his Ideath. That solemn event occurred at a quarter before ten o'clock in the evening. His family were all with him. During the day he had manifested much of that restlessness which often precedes dissolution; but, before he expired, he placed his arms in an easy posture, with his hands extended, his countenance, at the same time, indicating the absence of pain both of body and mind. His departure was so tranquil that it was difficult to ascertain the precise moment when it occurred. It was merely ceasing to breathe. Thus, having "served his generation by the will of God, he fell asleep."

His mortal remains were deposited in the family vault in Bunhill-fields on the 5th of June, the eightieth anniversary of his birth. His three sons, the four eldest of his grandsons, with other relatives and friends, together with the deacons and many of the members of his church, and the ministers who officiated on the solemn occasion, accompanied the body from the house of his youngest son, in Brunswick-square, where his last years had been spent, to the Cityroad Chapel, where a large body of Directors of the London Missionary Society, with some of the members of the church at St. Thomas'square, Hackney, were waiting to receive the mournful procession. The coffin having been placed in the chapel, the Rev. Caleb Morris read appropriate Scriptures and hymns, and Dr. Winter offered prayer and delivered a funeral address. The whole body of mourners then proceeded to the grave, where the Rev. George Collison offered the concluding prayer. More than a thousand people were present both in the chapel and on the ground; and, among them all, there seemed not to be one who was unmoved by the affecting solemnity.

Dr. Fletcher, of Stepney, preached the funeral sermon, at Fetter Lane Chapel, on

the morning of the following Sabbath; and, it is scarcely necessary to state, that on that occasion also many tears of grateful affection were shed.

We are glad to learn that Dr. Fletcher's sermon, with Dr. Winter's address, will be immediately printed; and that the eldest son of the venerable deceased, at the request of his brothers, will prepare an extended memoir of their beloved parent. The last forty years of Mr. Burder's life have been so much identified with the origin and progress of most of those noble institutions which are the glory of our age and country, and which are destined, we trust, to effect the moral renovation of the world, that the history of his life will be, in fact, the history of religion for the interesting period which it embraces. We understand that the papers and memoranda of the deceased will furnish ample materials for such a memoir. But as some months, at least, must of course elapse before this work can be completed, our readers will be happy to learn that we have great hopes of being able, in our next number, to present them with a sketch of the life of this estimable man.

MRS. ODY.

Mrs. Ody, wife of Thomas Ody, Esq., was the daughter of the late Rev. James Webb, twenty-four years pastor of the church at Fetter Lane, previous to the late Rev. Dr. Davies. She died on the 23rd of May last, in the eighty-second year of her age, being the oldest member of the church, and having been connected with it for sixtythree years, as she joined the same in her nineteenth year. Her end was peace; and notwithstanding she had long walked in darkness, and at certain periods could see no light, yet the Lord, by his Spirit, did bring light into her soul at even-tide, so that she could, indeed, rejoice in Christ Jesus, as the chief of ten thousand to her soul, and altogether lovely. Her mind appeared full of prayer and praise during the last few days of her life; and she was enabled to pour forth some very sweet petitions for her children's children, her domestics, and the friends who surrounded her dying bed. She was an intimate and early acquaintance of the late Rev. George Burder, as they were brought up together as children in the same neighbourhood, and were accustomed to attend the same place of worship.

It is somewhat remarkable, that Mrs. Ody and Mr. Burder were children together, were members of the same church, sickened at the same time, and died within one week of each other. Mrs. Ody's funeral sermon preached on the same day, and in the same place of worship, with that of the Rev. G. Burder, by the Rev. Caleb Morris, from Gen. xv. 15.

was

EAST INDIES.

NEYOOR.

Extracts of a letter from Rev. C. Mead, dated Neyoor, August 22nd, 1831, addressed to the Foreign Secretary.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

Yesterday I visited Kallymatory, the village where several families have recently abandoned idolatry. The principal man in this place is a Nadan (a title given to the head of the Shanar tribe); he possesses a great abundance of "the good things of this life," and is much respected for his peaceable behaviour by all classes. The premises he occupies are very extensive for a person of his caste. His wealth consists in lands and cattle. He insisted upon our taking a sheep from his flock for ourselves and followers. Mrs. Mead accompanied me on this occasion, and had an interesting conversation with the women. They were, of course, found lamentably ignorant, but very teachable. The Inverkeithing reader assisted me in the service. Great order prevailed, considering the recent formation of the congregation and the confined place of worship. The children of several schools were examined; and the progress in reading the Scriptures is evident since my last visit about a month ago. There is every appearance of a large harvest in these parts. The Inverkeithing reader, John Oldfield's reader, and W. Bushy's reader, remain at the village for the purpose of visiting some other places where we have been invited to send teachers. The Nadan will accompany them and introduce them to some of his relations, who are friendly to the reception of the gospel.

One of the images buried in the river* has

*Kallymatory is situated near the banks of the Neyattangherry River, which lately overflowed, whereby several devil pagodas were destroyed. Some of the people who had renounced idolatry, afterwards carried those idols, that had not been destroyed, to the river, and sunk them there. It is to this circumstance the passage in the letter has a reference.

been taken out for the purpose of being sent to the Directors, and will be forwarded to Madras for that purpose in the course of the week, together with some other things formerly used in idolatrous sacrifices and worship by the people of Kallymatory, who are turning from their vanities to the service of the living and true God." I remain, Yours in the gospel, C. MEAD.

SOUTH AMERICA.

BRITISH GUIANA.

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE ILLNESS AND DEATH OF THE LATE REV. MICHAEL LEWIS, MISSIONARY AT THE WEST COAST, DEMERARA. (Extracted from a Letter of the Rev. Joseph Ketley, Missionary at George Town, in that colony, dated 20th April, 1832; addressed to the Directors.)

My last communication to you, of the 23rd of January, bore the painful intelligence of the decease of dear brother Lewis. It might be unimportant that I should state the several reasons of my delay in following up that letter with further particulars relative to his labours and rest. I will, therefore, proceed to state, that on my arrival at Berbice, on the Wednesday following that event, I found it literally "a place of weeping." His death produced a deep impression on the greater part of the community, arising from that high esteem in which he was held by almost every class and grade of society. This appears the more surprising, from the very short period of his residence at Berbice, and affords the best comment on the prudent manner in which he conducted himself; especially when we consider the faithfulness with which he fulfilled his ministry, the bold intrepedity with which he reproved vice, and the severe opposition which, on these very accounts, he had to encounter.

Mr. Lewis, deeply feeling as he did the responsibility of his situation, was the more vigorous in his almost undivided attention to the many engagements which already crowded too thickly upon him. I need scarcely remark

here, that not only was he ardent in his attention to the school, but was unremitting in the duties of the station, whether they related to pulpit labours, attendance on the classes (of which some were formed by himself), his pastoral visits, or his necessary superintendence of the enlargement of Providence Chapel. Strong as was his constitution, and capable as he had been of enduring fatigues, these labours were too much for him to bear without sustaining injury. By frequent attacks of fever, and incessant application to his engagements, his strength began to decline, and his constitution, at length, gave way. This more particularly manifested itself about the end of December, when affliction made it necessary to desist from labour, at which time I received a very pressing invitation to go to Berbice. Hearing that his life had been despaired of, I went thither the first week in January, and remained about a fortnight, during which time he seemed to be fast recovering.

In conversation, he made some observations on the Directors' last report, particularly as related to the circumstance of no intelligence having been received, the preceding year, of the death of any of the Society's missionaries. The Monthly Chronicle, containing information of the death of our mutual friend, Mr. Jennings, also of Mr. Adam, and three others, coming to hand at that time, produced deep feeling, and he made some remarks on the mysterious ways of Providence. He then said he had expected to have been himself added to the number of those whose death the Directors might have to record during the present year. He also said, that in the prospect of dying he had not those raptures with which some appear to have been privileged, but felt a calm, settled, peaceful composure of mind. He also told me that, previous to his severe illness, he had taken for his text, "Ye are not yet come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lord your God giveth you." And, during his dying prospects, thought what a fine text his brother Ketley would have, to improve his decease-There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God," and which he himself had designed taking next in course; this, however, he was not permitted to do.

As he now appeared convalescent, I returned to Demerara; but, to our utter astonishment and grief, not a week had elapsed before I received information of my dear brother's happy exit, and an urgent request for me to return to Berbice. My brother's conversation, mentioned above, flashed on my mind, and I determined on improving his death the following Sabbath, from the text he had mentioned.

On my arrival again at Berbice, I learned that he had considered it to be an imperative duty to go into the country, if possible to difficulty which existed as to a

remove a

Logie that he had purchased.* The day was rainy; being on horseback, he was thoroughly wet, the distance being, I think, about eight miles. When he arrived at the place he felt his complaint return. Having changed his clothes, and made the arrangements he thought necessary, he hastened back, but did not apprehend danger. That was on Thursday. On Friday morning he became very ill. On Lord's-day morning he was pronounced beyond hope; at eleven o'clock, mortification having taken place, he seemed free from pain. The people were flocking to chapel, ignorant of his perilous situation, and many of the people went to see him. He requested they would sing. He chose the hymn "Salvation! O the joyful sound!" &c., and sang the last verse by himself, with surprising emphasis, and then repeatedly exclaimed, "Let it fly!" dwelling on the word "salvation." He then exhorted the people standing by, with great earnestness, to seek salvation in Christ, in the midst of which he gave signs of a momentary aberration, of a pleasing character, which soon passed away. Salvation was still bis theme-to be with Christ, and like Christ, was his expressed desire. He requested that the people might be told that he died in the faith of the gospel he had preached. In the midst of exhorting, charging, rejoicing, and longing to depart and to be with Christ, his voice became faint. One present engaged in prayer. As the "Amen " was about to be pronounced, another near him bent the ear to catch his dying accents, and heard the last words he could articulate in a whisper, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" And thus, as they were rising from their knees, at exactly twelve o'clock, on Lord's-day, 22nd January, his happy spirit, in triumphant victory through faith in his dying and risen Lord, entered into the "rest that remaineth for the people of God." "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; yea, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

I improved his death on the following Lord's-day morning at Berbice, and in the evening gave a consolatory address to the people. On the following Sabbath, also, at George Town, to my own congregation, morning and evening. He was followed to his grave on the day after his decease (the usual time of keeping a corpse in Berbice) by a long retinue. The peculiar attachment of the children manifested itself in lamentations; and at the grave they sang a hymn, taught them by Mr. Lewis in the infant school. Long will he be remembered at Berbice. Nor will he soon be forgotten in Demerara.

Mrs. Lewis has been surprisingly sup

* With a view to convert it into a place of worship.