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advantages, or so exquisitely enjoy the delights of reciprocal affection. Accordingly the people of God are the sincerest mourners-Jesus, weeping at the grave of Lazarus, sanctioned all the tears, by which his people, on similar occasions, express the tenderness and sorrow of their hearts."

At first view this example may not seem to the point. It was not on a funeral occasion, that Jesus wept. It cannot be supposed, that he felt any grief on account of the death of one, who was immediately to be raised to life. His were tears of sympathy, and teach us to weep with them that weep. Still they may be considered as "sanctioning" the tears of those, who mourned the death of a brother.

"The father of the faithful had liv ed happily with Sarah, his wife, for many years. When she died, how amiable did patriarchal tenderness appear in the melting tenderness of grief."

The "design" of the discourse "is to justify the tears of Abraham at the grave of Sarah, or to show, with what singular propriety a husband mourns the death of a discreet and pious wife."

This he shows generally in few words.

"All that can be said on the excellence and happiness of friendship in general, may, with eminent propriety, be applied to the friendship, which exists in the matrimonial state. It is there that friendship is found in its highest purity and force; there it is productive of its best joys. How highly does the pen of inspiration honour marriage by representing it, as resembling the sacred and holy union between Christ and his church.

The married state is designed by God

as the consummation of human love. Kind heaven has wonderfully combined the interests and feelings, the joys and sorrows of the husband and the wife, so that they are one. If therefore bereavement in any other relation ought to be deeply felt; more so in this. If a man is justified, ør

excused for mourning the loss of any other friend; his sorrow for the death of a discreet and pious wife is commendable and dignified."

He then proceeds to take a more particular survey of her "amiable character and usefulness."

In lively, but not gaudy colours he paints her loveliness.

"What encomium is too high for the character of a wife, uniformly good-Her modest, gentle, and peaceable temper has a never fading beauty, a charm infinitely superior to did apparel. Above all, how ornathat of a fair countenance and splenraises her eyes and her heart to God; mental is the spirit of piety, which which consecrates to him all her affections and all her actions; which prompts her diligently to perform every domestic duty, as unto God, and to seek purity of heart, as well as blameless deportment. Religion im. parts uniformity to her conduct, and the highest excellence to her character. Every person acquainted with her worth. But no person so clearly her, is constrained to acknowledge discerns her amiable temper, or so highly esteems her character, as her partner. He has the nearest survey of those virtuous qualities, which adorn her mind. In her life the graces of Christianity flourish before his eyes. He prizes her above rubies. How grievous, then, his bereavement, when she departs. How affecting the mo ment, when so much loveliness expires. When her heart, so full of kind affection, ceases to beat, and her eyes, which bespoke the sensibilities of her heart, are closed in death; how great must be his sorrow. With what propriety does he weep at the grave of so much excellence."

The author of this excellent discourse is equally happy in describing her usefulness in "domestic concerns," in educating children; in preserving her husband "from the snares of the world;" in his "perplexing cares ;" in "prosperity;" and in "affliction."

"But," continues our author,

"Her influence rises still higher. If he is impenitent, her pious conduct awakens his conscience, and impres sively recommends religion. If he is happily united with her in the love of God, she greatly promotes his moral and religious improvement. How of ten does her piety and engagedness rouse him from spiritual sloth, and render him fervent in family and secret devotion. When she deviates from duty, his heart is melted by the promptitude and tenderness of her

confession....Her undissembled humility often makes him ashamed of his pride, and her meekness and contentment, of his passionate, and repining spirit....Here let me say, that few women have opportunity to be more extensively useful, than the pious partner of a gospel minister..... Other women in the married state, observing her diligence, her econo my, and her charity, are inclined to. excel in the same virtues. By her example they are excited to love their husbands, to discharge, with unremitting care, every conjugal duty, and above all other accomplishments, to seek the precious ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. By her example they are reminded of their obliga: tions to their children, and impressed with the importance of bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. By her example they are led to shun all slander and evil speaking....

She endeavours to banish from friendly society every light and unprofitable topic, and to introduce and support conversation, which is not only enter taining, but serious and edifying. She laments the least appearance of looseness and impiety in the rising age, especially among young women; does all in her power to render them modest in dress and behaviour, and to al

lure them to the practice of Chris tian piety....Religion, in which they

are inclined to think there is something gloomy and forbidding, becomes attractive, when seen in her example. In short, her life conspires with the pastoral labours and prayers of her husband, to promote among the people a solemn attention to the Sabbath, and all the means of grace, and the love of real goodness in its various forms."

He applies the subject in a

manner not likely to disappoint the reader. He observes "that these observations are in a good measure applicable to this solemn occasion." To justify the remark a note is subjoined, containing a valuable sketch of the life of Mrs. Church.

In the course of his solemn and melting address to the mourning husband, he observes,

"In order that your grief be not irregular, or hurtful, you must be careful to mingle with it those joys, which religion furnishes, and which are inseparable from Christian mourning....God...is infinitely better, than the most amiable wife and most affectionate mother....She tarried long enough to receive and communicate much good....Though her body is enclosed in the gloomy coffin....she still lives, lives in the most exalted sense..... Nor is she wholly lost to you. The remembrance of her virtues ought to incite your gratitude and your imita, tion. The remembrance of her death will constantly exercise your submission to the will of God. And henceforth the thought of her will be associated with eternity, and so tend to raise your spirit and produce a heavenly frame... Let not your grief, however sincere and tender, be attended with a single murmuring thought....God is love.”

He concludes with appropriate' addresses to "her aged parents;" to "those, who mourn the loss of a sister;" to "brethren and friends of that society;" and to "hearers...assembled on the oc

casion.”

Such are the outlines of this discourse. We may sometimes find a few good sentences in a very irregular and shallow performance. Extracts in general present a picture much brighter than life, Not so with those taken from this discourse. Who ever would duly estimate its worth must view and review the whole,

The only fault worthy of notice is, not want of method, which is unexceptionable, but want of numerical distinction of heads. It is not contended that all sermons should be thus distinguished. Some subjects seem hardly to admit of it. But this is not one of them. Though numerical distinctions do not constitute method, yet they may greatly assist the hearer and reader in apprehending and retaining it. When a head is distinctly announced, the hearer or reader can scarcely avoid paying peculiar attention to learn what it is. This tends to fix it in his mind. If a leading head is retained, it is generally easy to recall the observations made to prove, illustrate and enforce it. If therefore the heads of a well composed discourse are remem. bered, the substance of the whole is remembered or may be easily recalled. Besides, if the heads are numerically distinguished, the hearer may easily know whether he retains them all; and thus have opportunity to exert all his power of recollection to regain any part that he may have lost. Are not people, who are accustomed to hear dis

courses thus distinguished, generally the most attentive, and the best instructed?

Though such distinctions are not so useful from the press, as from the pulpit, yet it is desirable to retain them here also, partly for reasons above mentioned, but more especially to discourage the pernicious practice of laying them aside in the pulpit.

This discourse is earnestly recommended to the attentive perusal of all, who are bound to perform, and of all, who are concerned to know the duties of a wife.....of all who have lost, of all who possess, and of all who desire pious and amiable companions.

NOTE.

The writer of the foregoing review regrets exceedingly, that he is not able to inform the public where this discourse may be purchased. Without this appendage, reviews of the best works appear defective, and often leave painful impres

sions on the reader's mind. The writers of reviews and the Editors of the Panoplist are requested to pay attention to these little, but very interesting particulars. It is hoped that the "Mourning Husband" will soon be for sale in Boston, if it is not at present.

Religious Intelligence.

LETTER FROM A CORRESPONDENT TO ONE OF THE EDITORS OF THE

PANOPLIST. May 15, 1807.

Sir,

As the Editors of the Panoplist have taken unwearied pains to be.

come acquainted with the state of religion in our country, and as they have been faithful in communicating such information, as they have been able to obtain, to their fellow Christians; I feel it my duty to transmit to

them a short account of a revival of religion, which I have just received in a letter from a respectable clergyman in Newport.

"A most remarkable reformation prevails in Middleborough, Berkley, Arronett, Carver, and Fair Haven. In Fair Haven, religion has been greatly neglected till lately. Most of the people in this town have been violently opposed to reformations. The Lord is now working in a wonderful manner the minister has become a hopeful convert. One hundred are admitted or propounded for admission into the church. As the village is small, this is an astonishing number. A large number have been admitted into Mr. Andrews' church in Berkley. Opposition is still great in Fair Ha ven; but Christ as yet triumphs gloriously. Here a number of old, abandoned sinners, who had for a long time neglected public worship, were present at a conference, and for some time stood together, unmoved and looking on; at length, the minister addressed them with his usual energy in the following words, 'Your children are now waiting for your property, the worms for your bodies, and the devil for your souls.' The divine power accompanied this bold address. In a moment their heads fell, the tears gushed from their eyes, and they became anxious to inquire and hear what they should do to be saved. With what ease can God cause his word to pierce the sinner's soul! The Lord can make his people willing in the day of his power. The reforma. tion is increasing in all the places before mentioned. There is a great call for preaching. The fields are white already to harvest."

In a degenerate and licentious age, when the enemies of religion are straining every nerve to bring the pure doctrines of the gospel into contempt, when the bulk of nominal Christians by their lives and conversation are denying the religion they profess; such information must afford the true followers of the meek and lowly Jesus peculiar pleasure. While Zion prospers, let her sons and her daughters rejoice. May the children of God, encouraged by the recent triumphs of the cross, be fervent in their prayers that this glorious work may extend, that none may say, "The harvest is

past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."

We think it important to the interests of Christianity, to preserve from oblivion the following detection of a base and insidious forgery. We extract it from the Palladium of May 26, 1807.

FORGERY DETECTED.

[Some of our readers may remember's that about the beginning of the present year, we extracted from a Philadel phia paper, a curious account of cer tain writings found in a globe of mar ble, dug up at Aleppo, from which it was inferred, that the Apocalypse or Revelation, was written by CERINTHUS, and not by Saint JoнN. This account was given in a Philadelphia paper, as a translation of an article from the Marseilles Gazette, of the 20th of October, 1806. 4 writer, under the signature of CEPHAS, commented on this narrative in the Palladium; and expressed his fears, that this story was transcribed from a French paper into some of ours by some disciple of TOM PAIN, to discredit the validity of the New Testament. Some gentlemen who knew the circumspection of editors of periodical papers, at this time, in Roman Catholic countries, doubted if such a publication ever appeared in a French Newspaper: Among these was Dr WATERHOUSE, who, being a member of the Marseilles Academy of Sciences, &c. wrote to one of his correspondents in that city, and enclosed the publications on that subject from our paper; and on Friday he received, via Philadelphia, the following letter in answer to his queries:-].

SIR,

MARSEILLES, MARCH 28, 1807.

Immediately on the receipt of your letter of the 12th of January, I went to the printer and editor of the Marseilles Gazette, to inquire agreeably to your wish, respecting the "Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Aleppo, to his friend in this city," said to be printed in the Marseilles Gazette of October 20, 1806. On examining the number of that date, there was not to be found a single word of the

matter! I was accompanied in my researches by M. ACHARD, the Direc tor of our Public Library, and perpetual Secretary to our Academy of Arts and Sciences. This is an old gentleman, endowed with much learning, especially in antiquities, and whose son is actually the printer & editor of the Marseilles Gazette. He assured me that he had no recollection of any such article as appeared in the Philadelphia paper, and in the New England Palladium, purporting to be a translation from the Gazette of this city. We examined with strict attention, all the Gazettes from the 1st of August until this day; and it is our opinion, as well as the opinion of many other gentlemen, that the piece which caused so much alarm in the timorous consciences of your country, is an absolute lie-or has been published in some other paper; but of which, we have no knowledge whatever.

The vessel which carries this, will sail off to-morrow, or I would have annexed a certificate of Mons. ACHARD, and of the Magistracy of this city, to support what I have said. I hope, however, that the minds of your friends of the clergy will be satisfied with what is said above.

You are at liberty to use my letter as you think proper.

I remain, &c. &c.

LOUIS VALENTIN.

Dr. WATERHOUSE, Professor, c. [Dr. Valentin is a learned and respectable physician-has been in the United States; is a member of our American Academy of Arts and Seiences, and well known to some of our most respectable citizens who have travelled in France.]

NEW HAMPSHIRE MISSIONARY SO

CIETY.

From the report of the New Hampshire Missionary Society, (consisting of about 100 Members) published Nov. 1806, it appears that the total amount received by their Treasurer from contributions of members and others, in the years, 1804, 1805 and 1806, was $2167, 83. With this sum they have employed various Missionaries in the northern parts of the State of New York and New Hampshire 174 weeks, who have

distributed 1157 Bibles, Testaments, and other books and tracts.

"As to the benefits arising from the missionary services performed for the Society," say the Trustees, "we hope they will appear to be of some importance in the day when God shall make up his jewels. The journals of our Missionaries contain accounts which encourage such a hope. The Missionaries have found opportunities to oppose that torrent of errors, which threatens to deluge our infant settlements, and there to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.-They have found opportunities to refresh the hearts of many of

God's children, scattered up and down as sheep in the wilderness.

"Under their labours, some have hopefully become the subjects of divine grace. Many have communicated to this Society their grateful acknowledgments for missionary services among them. Being unable to procure, among themselves, the administration of the Gospel, they have solicited further aid."

We are informed that a letter has been received by a gentleman in Baltimore from a respectable correspondent in Wirtemberg, Germany, giving an account of most important occurrences in the religious world.

"Cardinal Fesch," he says, "Bonaparte's uncle, is appointed chief of the church over all the congregations of the Rhenish confederation, and has actually been acknowledged as such by all the Protestant princes, although he is a Roman Catholic. He had scarcely taken his seat at Augsburg, before every thing began to incline towards Catholicism, with the poor betrayed flock of Protestants. Our Protestant clergy, (says the letter) are to lay aside the dress they have hitherto worn, as they commanded neither respect nor made any show in their present mode, and are to wear massweeds; and our prelates actually wear them now, and are obliged to wear on their breasts the order of Maria in a golden cross. A great number of Catholic mass-books have been printed in the German language, which are divided into hours of prayer, and which are now actually read before preaching, at the altar in

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