he had little hope of success, for in travelling through the settlements he found that great ignorance of the nature of religion pervaded all ranks, and in some places the grossest immoralities were practised. A view of these things afforded but a gloomy prospect, and the heart of our Missionary was greatly affected with the moral condition of the people. Prejudices too, had been formed by various false reports unfavourable to the Methodists, so that in the commencement he had no small difficulties to encounter. But by a patient perseverance in duty, and by a conciliatory address, prejudices gave way, and the friendship and affection of the people generally were gained. Mrs. Dolson, however, with some others, remained prepossessed against the Methodists, and she supposed it wrong (from the reports she had heard) to shew them any countenance. At length she was prevailed on to hear for herself. The doctrine of the preacher she could not but assent to: it was the language of scripture, and the advice was suited to her case. From this time her prejudices gave way, she became more and more alarmed at her sinfulness. Her awakened mind now felt the importance of this question, and the inquiry became her own, "What shall I do to be saved?" This question was soon solved, Jesus Christ was set forth as the only Mediator, and as one altogether willing and able to save to the uttermost. Having given up the mediation of saints and angels, she now began earnestly to pray to God for his mercy through Jesus Christ who died for sinners. She did not long mourn for him who was waiting to be gracious. She was soon enabled to cast her burden on the Lord. In his all-sufficiency to save from guilt and sin, she found that "peace which is like a river," and her joy in the Holy Ghost became unspeakable. Thus, notwithstanding the strong prejudices she had imbibed, the impressions which the first discourse made upon her mind were lasting and led to a happy conversion. She now remembered her former desire and prayer that God would show her all her errors, and lead her into the way of truth. She believed her petitions were answered, and that her heavenly father would now guide her in a scriptural and consistent way of serving Him. After her conversion the Bible became her closet companion, and she read the blessed truths of her salvation with tears of gratitude and joy.

The change which was wrought on the mind of sister Dolson was remarkably manifest in her whole deportment. Her conscientious observance of all the duties of religion-the advances she made in Christian experience, as well as the Christian benevolence she always shewed towards the poor and the suffering, were highly creditable to religion, and tended much to establish and confirm the truths of the gospel among her neighbours and friends. Our Missionary having fulfilled his VOL. IV.

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station for the year, returned to his Conference and received his appointment to another station; and being myself appointed to the Detroit circuit, as it was then called, I became intimately acquainted with Mrs. Dolson, and had the best opportunity of witnessing those Christian excellencies which rendered her so deservedly beloved and esteemed by her pious friends, and which shone conspicuously through a course of painful af fliction. After her conversion she began to prove the truth of our Saviour's words to his disciples, "In the world ye shall have tribulation," but she endured as seeing him who is invisible, and at last overcame with a triumphant victory.

(To be concluded in the next.)

THE CONVERTED JEW.

We heard the following affecting anecdote related at a religious meeting, a few days since, and have no doubt of its authenticity.-Religious Intelligencer.

TRAVELLING lately through the western part of Virginia, I was much interested in hearing an old and highly respectable clergyman give a short account of a Jew with whom he had lately become acquainted. He was preaching to a large and attentive audience, when his attention was arrested by seeing a man enter having every mark of a Jew on the lineaments of his countenance. He was well dressed, his countenance was noble; I thought it was evident his heart had lately been the habitation of sorrow. He took his seat and was all attention, while an unconscious tear was often seen to wet his manly cheek. After service the clergyman fixed his eye steadily upon him, and the stranger reciprocated the stare. The good minister goes up to him—" Sir, am I correct? am I not addressing one of the children of Abraham ?" "You are." "But how is it that I meet a Jew in a Christian assembly ?" The substance of his narrative was as follows.

He was a very respectable man, of a superior education, who had lately come from London; and with his books, his riches, and a lovely daughter of seventeen, had found a charming re treat on the fertile banks of the Ohio. He had buried the companion of his bosom before he left Europe, and he now knew no pleasure but the company of his endeared child. She was, indeed, worthy of a parent's love. She was surrounded by beauty as a mantle; but her cultivated mind, and her amiable disposition, threw around her a charm superior to any of the tinselled decorations of the body. No pains had been spared on her education. She could read and speak with fluency several different languages; and her manners charmed every be-holder. No wonder, then, that a doting father, whose head had

now become sprinkled with gray, should place his whole affections on this only child of his love, especially as he knew no source of happiness beyond this world. Being a strict Jew, he educated her in the strictest principles of his religion, and he thought he had presented it with an ornament.

It was not long ago that this daughter was taken sick. The rose faded from her cheek, her eye lost its fire, her strength decayed, and it was soen apparent that the werm of disease was rioting in the core of her vitals. The father hung over the bed of his daughter with a heart ready to burst with anguish. He often attempted to converse with her, but seldom spoke but by the language of tears. He spared no trouble or expense in procuring medical assistance, but no human skill could extract the sorrow of death now fixed in her heart. The father was walking in a small grove near his house, wetting his steps with his tears, when he was sent for by the dying daughter. With a heavy heart he entered the door of the chamber, which he feared would soon be the entrance of death. He was now to take a last farewell of his child, and his religion gave but a feeble hope of meeting her hereafter.

The child grasped the hand of her parent with a death-cold hand-"My father, do you love me?"" My child, you know I love you that you are more dear to me than the whole world beside!" "But, father, do you love me?" "Why, my child, will you give me pain so exquisite? have I never given you any proofs of my love?" "But, my dearest father, do you love me?" The father could not answer; the child added, "I know, my dear father, you have ever loved me-you have been the kindest of parents, and I tenderly love you. Will you grant me one request-0, my father, it is the dying request of your daughterwill you grant it?" "My dearest child, ask what you will, though it take every cent of my property, whatever it may be, it shall be granted: 1 will grant it." "My dear father, I beg you never again to speak against Jesus of Nazareth!" The father was dumb with astonishment. "I know," continued the dying girl, "I know but little about this Jesus, for I was never taught. But 1 know that he is a Saviour, for he has manifested himself to me since I have been sick, even for the salvation of my soul. I believe he will save me, although I have never before loved him. I feel that I am going to him-that I shall ever be with him. And now, my father, do not deny me; I beg that you will never again speak against this Jesus of Nazareth! I entreat you to obtain a Testament that tells of him; and I pray you may know him; and when I am no more, you may bestow on him, the love that was formerly mine!"

The exertion here overcame the weakness of her feeble body. She stopped; and the father's heart was too full even for tears.

He left the room in great horror of mind, and ere he could again summon sufficient fortitude, the spirit of his accomplished daughter had taken its flight, as I trust, to that Saviour whom she loved and honoured, without seeing or knowing. The first thing the parent did after committing to the earth his last earthly joy, was to procure a New Testament. This he read; and, taught by the Spirit from above, is now numbered among the meek and humble followers of the Lamb!

Miscellaneous.

For the Methodist Magazine.

ON THE RIGHT USE OF WORDS.

How many disputes have originated from a misunderstanding, and a misapplication of terms! In every art and science, there are terms used which may be considered the technicals of the art or science, and therefore have an appropriate and fixed meaning. When the sense affixed to these terms is generally understood, and they are so used by every writer and speaker, ambiguity and perplexity are avoided. If, however, any of these terms is used in a peculiar sense, that sense ought to be accurately defined.

In Divinity, how many controversies have arisen from the use of the words, Predestination, Election, ordination, condition, perseverance, justification, and Perfection, principally because the authors have not accurately defined the sense in which they have used those very emphatical words? As all these terms are scriptural, but are used by different writers on theology in a variety of senses, to avoid verbal disputations, every writer should, not only have clear and definite ideas of such like terms himself, but he should inform his readers what those ideas are; and, to avoid ambiguity on the one hand, and error on the other, he should ascertain their scriptural meaning, and then express that meaning in clear and unequivocal language; or if he use any term in a sense peculiar to himself, let him define, in unambiguous language, the sense in which he uses it. But a needless departure from the common and established acceptation of words, is an anomaly which ought not to be tolerated.

Perhaps among the various terms, which have been used in Divinity, no one has given greater offence, nor been more frequently misapplied, when used as an emphatical term, than Perfection. But let us examine the meaning of this word, and then see if we cannot find a definition which will justify its use.

Tea, from reños, signifies to end, to fulfil, to complete, and to finish, and in its various applications in scripture, where it is justly rendered to perfect, it signifies the completion, perfection, or fin ishing of the things or subjects under consideration.

Having thus ascertained the primary signification of this most expressive term, let us see if we can find such a definition as will admit of a general application. Suppose then we say that any thing is perfect which answers the end for which it was made. It is believed that this definition will apply universally. Thus, it is said, when God finished, completed, or perfected the work of creation, He saw that it was all very good-that is, He saw every part of His work was so complete, so perfectly finished, that it answered the end for which he had brought it into existence.

We may apply this definition to any subject, and it will hold good. The pen with which I write, answering its end, is a perfect pen. Those members of my body, which answer the end for which they were given me, are perfect. A government, formed for the preservation of the good order of society, answering that end, is a perfect government. Any particular law, accomplishing the end for which it was enacted, is a perfect law. Hence the law of God is denominated perfect, because it perfectly accomplishes the designs of God in making it known. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a complete system, perfect in all its parts, because it fully answers the great and benevolent intentions of its sacred Author. The sun, moon, and stars, all answering the great designs of their Creator, are all perfect in their order. And so you may apply the above definition to whatever subject you please, and it will hold good. The only inquiry, therefore, in order to ascertain whether any thing be perfect or not, is to find out for what end it exists, and if it answer that end, you may then pronounce it perfect. But if, on exam ination, you find any thing that does not answer its end,-and this is the case with many things of man's make-you must pronounce it imperfect; and hence infer some defect in the maker. (To be Continued.)

Extract of a Letter from Miss S. to her friend in the Country. New-York, June 1, 1821.

MY DEAR FRIend,

THE sensible pleasure realized in communicating thoughts with freedom to a friend, is better felt than described; but the heart that reciprocates with equal warmth understands each delicate emotion: and my friend will not be surprised to hear me say this reciprocal pleasure constitutes the highest of earth