will make one request, and I am sure tinued visiting from house to house, the whole nation would speak the same, attended by an interpreter. In these let our brother Finley continue with visits experimental and practical relius. If he should be taken away, the gion were the subjects of inquiry and wicked would grow strong, and the conversation. Questions embracing weak members would be discouraged. conviction, conversion, and the eviThe school would be weak, and the dence of acceptance with God, were little children would come round him answered clearly, readily, and satisand weep as if their father was leaving factorily. In several of the families thus them. We ask that he may be con- visited, there were sick persons. In tinued with us. Death will soon part these the blessed effects of the grace us-we shall not live long. But I of God in changing their hearts, were hope we shall all meet in heaven, and clearly manifested. Patience, confibe happy forever. I thank the good dence, and peace in their afflictions, people every where who have been with humble triumph in prospect of kind in helping us, and sending the death and immortality, were as evident good word to us; and those who have in these Indians, so recently converted fed, clothed, and taught our children, to the Christian faith, as in others who And I pray that the work of the Lord have lived and died happy in God, in may continue and increase, and that lands long illuminated by the light of all the children of the wilderness may the gospel. They appear to have emreceive the blessed word." braced the gospel in its simplicity and Here closed this dignified chief; but purity, uniting faith, experience, and his noble soul was full and overflowing practice. Considering the circumwith his subject. Never did feelings stances under which they have been more pure animate the heart of man; placed, it is matter of pleasing astofor they were evangelical. With a nishment, that they have so clear and countenance beaming with all he felt, consistent ideas of the fundamental and with eyes flowing with tears, he doctrines of the gospel, as, from varileft his seat and flew to embrace us. ous sources of evidence, we found them The scene was indescribable. After to possess. Of the Trinity in unity; of they had closed their talk we address- the fall and depravity of man; of reed them collectively, expressing our demption by the death of Christ; of satisfaction and pleasure in meeting justification, or the pardon of sin by them, and in hearing from them the virtue of the atonement through faith, things which they had communicated, and of regeneration and sanctification and especially in visiting the school, by the agency of the Holy Spirit; of and noticing the improvement of their all these they have such ideas as, assochildren. At the same time they were ciated with the effects, authorize the encouraged to persevere both in reli- belief that the Spirit of God has writgion and civilization. This truly in- ten them on their hearts. In their reteresting and profitable interview be- ligious conversation, in their public ing closed, we dined together in the instructions and exhortations; but esdining room of the Missionary family, pecially in their prayers, they use the and then parted with those feelings of names of the three persons in the TriChristian fellowship, which are not nity with peculiar solemnity, offering often experienced in the circle of the their petitions to each. "O! Homrich and the gay. It is the order in men-dez-zuh. O! Jesus. O! Suck-ca-sah," the missionary establishment, for the frequently occur in their prayers. The Missionaries, their wives, the hired men and women attached to the mission, the Indian children, with visiters of every colour and every rank, to sit down at table together, and no subordination is known but what arises from age or office. Wednesday,-We commenced visiting private families, and were not a little gratified with their cleanliness, order and decorum in their domestic affairs. Thursday,-Bishop M'Kendree con true import is, O God the Father, O God the Son, O God the Holy Spirit. These titles do not often occur united, but various petitions and thanksgivings are addressed to each. This may be considered as a digression from the path of narrative, but I thought it too important to be overlooked, and knew not where to introduce it more suitably. To return. While the bishop was employed in visiting and instructing the Indians, I visited, ac companied by brother Finley, a new settlement of whites, about ten miles seemed to increase with our continufrom the mission establishment, near ance with them. the western boundary of the reserva- After spending such a week, every tion. Verily these people were like day of which developed new and intesheep without a shepherd. About sixty resting subjects,-a week in which, for collected to hear the word, and I have the first time, I became an eye and ear seldom preached the gospel with great- witness of the power of the gospel over er satisfaction to my own soul, in the savage man-in which, for the first spacious churches of our most splendid time, I heard the praises of JEHOVAH, and populous cities. They seemed to from lips which had never pronounced be hungry for the bread of life. The a written language. I shall never old and young appeared to wait on the think of Sandusky without pleasing relips of the speaker with fixed attention, collections. Before I close this already while tears and sighs evinced the in- protracted communication, I will obterest they felt in the subject. O what serve that the talk of the Indians ás a field for the Missionary of Jesus. previously noticed, was taken down as Calls are repeated from the white po- the interpreter gave it, and as nearly pulation of these vast frontiers, as well in his words, as his imperfect knowas from the Indian tribes, to come and ledge and use of the English language help them. Lo! the fields are ripe, would admit. The whole talk of Suand ready for the harvest, but where menduwat, of Driver, and of Two Logs, is are the willing labourers? Lord raise almost verbatim as delivered. After them up and send them forth into thy the talk was closed, the two interpretharvest. O! that the spirit of Wesley, ers were invited to a room, and the of Coke, of Asbury, names of precious whole was carefully read over to them memory, may remain with us their sons for the purpose of examination, and in the gospel. they pronounced it to be correct. I am Friday was chiefly employed in con- however confident, that many valuable versations with the family, and with ideas and figurative beauties are lost visiters, and in making necessary pre- by the translation, especially as the parations for leaving the establishment. interpreters have but a very imperfect Saturday morning we set out, after acquaintance with our language. If an affectionate parting with a family rendered dear to us, not only by the importance of the work in which they are engaged, and their truly laudable zeal in the prosecution of it, but also by the kindness and cordiality with which we were received, and which the whole, or any part of this commu- Yours in the gospel of Christ, STATE OF RELIGION ON SULLIVAN CIRCUIT. Montecello, N. Y., November 12, 1824. Dear Brethren,-I am persuaded that that situation I could wish. Since the it is no new thing at this day, to hear revival some years ago, a long calm of revivals. Scarcely a day passes succeeded, and few had been the without telling us of the prosperity of subjects of awakening or converting the Redeemer's kingdom: and you grace. But during the last year the may have more of this pleasing intelli- work had particularly declined. Disgence than you can well publish. But affection against the order and discias those who have been the subjects of pline of the church, had found its way the divine blessing think themselves into many of the societies; and in the peculiarly favoured, and feel happy in strife about rule and government much telling what the Lord has done for of the Christian spirit was lost. Some them, you may give this a place, if you had turned back to folly, others behave room, in your useful miscellany. came discouraged, or had been stumShortly after the rise of Conference bled in their progress, while the faithI reached my circuit, and by this sud- ful silently held on their course, mournden transition from south to north, ing at this general declension. found myself in quite a new state of Feeling that our resource was only things. Nor did I find the circuit in on high, myself and colleague, brother Ira Ferris, sat down to the great work seeking that blessing. Our classes of immediately mending ourselves and and prayer meetings soon became betothers. As new and discordant opi- ter attended, and more spiritual in their nions were afloat, and had tended exercises. Since that time the work much to the injury of vital religion, we has been regularly progressing in most studiously avoided controversy, and of the societies, so that in little more preached upon holy living and the ob- than the last quarter between seventy servance of our general rules. In ex- and eighty have been received on trial. amining the classes, we found much The good work is still going on, and at delinquency. Those who did not at- nearly every meeting we find some intend were searched out, and brought quiring what they must do to be saved. to a more regular attendance, or were But we do not consider this addition of formally dismissed. The good effects probationers the only blessing which of this course were soon visible, and we have received. The recovery of about the time of our first quarterly the backslidden in heart, the general meeting in August, we began to look engagedness excited among our memup for better times. The brethren bers, and the happy adjustment of discame together in faith; and the exer- putes and dissentions, form prominent cises of this meeting were owned of the features in this revival. May the Lord Lord, and rendered a blessing to the continue the work, and fill the earth whole circuit. Believers were quick- with his knowledge and glory. ened, backsliders reclaimed, and sinYours sincerely, ners awakened. Many returned home, either happy in the Lord, or earnestly DANIEL DE VINNE. STATE OF RELIGION ON THE MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT. Extract of a letter from the Rev. William Winans. OUR prospects in this part of the Some of our general meetings have field of our labours are not very flat- been instrumental of much apparent tering this year. The labourers, even good; and our ordinary means of grace were they all in health, are too few for in some places, have been successful the extent of the field which they cul- in awakening and quickening souls. tivate; and this year sickness has pre- I do think that the march of piety, both vented them from rendering efficient as to an increase of subjects, and to service. There has been but one death depth and solidity, is still onward. among the travelling preachers, NI- There is manifestly a growth in CHOLAS M'INTYRE; but in my own grace, an improvement in religious district two of our most useful local character, as well as an increase in preachers have gone to their eternal stability among our societies in this reward; one of whom, MARK MOORE, Country. The work, as well as the was, I presume, known to you, if not doctrine of sanctification, in Wesley's personally, from character. He died sense, is reviving among us. Five at in peace and assurance, on the first one camp-meeting professed to expeday of this month, after an illness of rience it, and others seem to be pressconsiderable duration; which, howe- ing on toward that "mark of the prize." ver, terminated his mortal life by a sud- The preachers generally are becoming den paroxysm of only a few days. It more earnest in urging their hearis my intention to furnish you with a memoir of this man of God, for the Magazine, though I fear from the scantiness of the materials, and the incompetency of the compiler, it will want much of that interest which such a record ought to possess. ers to "go on to perfection;" and I Centreville, Amite county, EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE REV. JOHN HANNAH, Dated, Leeds, (Eng.) Oct. 14th, 1824. My very dear sir,-You have no June, and of the proceedings of our late doubt heard from Mr. Reece of our safe Conference. I have no particular inarrival at Liverpool on the 20th of formation to communicate, but I can not resist the inclination I feel to write rejoice in your prosperity, and affecjust a few lines. tionately wish that the "Lord God of To you, and all our friends in the your fathers may make you a thousand United States, with whom I had any times so many more as you are; and intercourse, I feel myself placed under bless you, as he hath promised you." great obligations for the uniform kind- You are indeed employed in a most ness I experienced. I think of my important field of labour, and while American brethren with growing af- you "go forth" into all its length and fection and regard. Most sincerely do breadth "bearing" the "precious seed" I pray that they may all partake large- of evangelical truth, and scattering it ly of "spiritual blessings in heavenly into the opening furrows, the Lord will, places in Christ," and may, with every I trust, favour you with the special part of the widely extended Methodist dew of his blessing, and enable you to Church in America, be made a bless- "come again with rejoicing, bringing ing to people of all colours and de- your sheaves with you." scriptions. I have often had occasion Since my landing in England, I have at our Missionary anniversaries, as tasted of the cup of sorrow. One of well as at other times, to mention the my children died during my absence remarkable work of God which pre- in America. Death has also made a vails on your side of the Atlantic, and fearful breach in the circle of my have always been heard by our British friends; but all things are under the brethren with much interest. They direction of infinite wisdom and love. OBITUARY. A short Memoir of Mrs. Margaret BEARD, of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. THE subject of this memoir was the daughter of Thomas and Ann Rutland. When a child, she was deprived of her father by the stroke of death, but she was blessed with an affectionate mother, who educated her in habits of morality and industry. She was amiable in her disposition, and affectionate in her deportment to her mother and her relatives. In the nineteenth year of her age she was married to Mr. Stephen Beard, with whom she lived about twenty years, and became the mother of ten children; nine of whom she left to mourn the loss of an affectionate and pious mother. In the year 1817, her husband was awakened to a sense of his danger, by the preaching of a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church; whereupon he resolved to seek the salvation of his soul, and immediately joined the Methodist church. Of this act his wife heard before his return from the place of worship; and it so much displeased her, that on his return, she told him that she had rather see him dead than to see him numbered with the Methodists: "for," said she "you have disgraced yourself and family, and if I can rid myself of this disgrace, and of you, and the Methodists, in no other way, I am resolved to end my exist ence!" He had pursued this better course but a few days, when his before inflexible companion, came to him suffused in tears of compunction, and professed unfeigned sorrow for what she had said and done, to wound his feelings; adding, "I feel that you cannot forgive me, and I fear God will not." Her rejoiced husband gladly gave her the hand of assistance, and the counsel of encouragement; and in six weeks had the pleasure of seeing her attach herself to the church and people of his choice, and of his dearest affection. After she and her companion had retired to bed, she still seemed wretched, and continued to utter terrible declarations like the above, until filled with her awful purpose of suicide, she hastily arose from her bed, apparently resolved on the immediate execution of her horrible design; but on opening the door, she precipitately retired, as in terror, to her bed; but she continued miserable all night on her husband's account: and he, in turn, continued all night in prayerful distress on her account. Finding she so inflexibly opposed his purpose of serving God among the people of his choice, her husband determined on a withdrawal of his membership in the M. E. Church; but finally resolved to defer the execution of his rash design until he should make further and more persevering experiment, of the efficacy of faith and fervent prayer in her behalf. Not long after this, at a camp-meeting on Severn Circuit, she obtained a satisfactory testimony of her acceptance with God. She became an exemplary Christian, regular in her attendance on the public ordinances of the sanctuary of God, faithful in her practical observance of all her private duties, and punctual in the discharge of her family devotions, when, by the inability or absence of her husband, this duty devolved on her. The prosperity of the church was her desire and delight; for this she lived, in this she rejoiced. After her espousal to God, she lived four years in his service; lived to see many of her neighbours and four of her children embrace the religion of Jesus, and then was seized with a sickness which was unto death. She believed her end was at hand, and expressed herself submissively to the divine will. She said she had enjoyed much happiness in the service of her God; but not all her enlarged desires craved, though she felt that God was with her, and was her friend. On the morning of the day on which she left the world, she clapped her hands in rapture, and shouted aloud in triumphant prospect of a glorious immortality, upon which she was about to enter. A short time before her death, her reason failed, and on the 16th day of August, 1822, she fell sweetly asleep on the bosom of her Saviour, leaving behind the most consoling evidence, that while her friends mourn her loss, she breathes the melodies of an eternal song in Paradise. NO. 2.1 FOR FEBRUARY, 1825. [VOL. 8. DIVINITY. REV. DR. ADAM CLARKE'S SERMON ON 1 TIMOTHY ii. 3-6 (Concluded from page 12.) 4. What he did as Mediator, in order to save man, is another principle in the system of revealed truth: "He gave himself a ransom for all." His incarnation might by some have been supposed sufficient to answer all the purposes of reconciling men to God. "Could it be supposed that the good and benevolent God would look on those with indifference, who were represented by so august a person;-one who shared their nature, who assumed it for the very purpose of recommending them to God, who, while he felt the sympathies and charities of humanity, was equally concerned for the honour and justice of God, and who, from the perfection of his nature, could feel no partialities, nor maintain, nor advocate the interests of one, against the honour of the other ?" I believe the reason of man could not have gone further than this. And had revelation stopped here, reason would have thought that the incarnation was sufficient; and that even divine justice could not have withheld any favour from such an intercessor. Even this would have appeared a noble expedient, worthy of the benevolence of God; and a sufficient reason why he should receive into his favour the beings who were united to Him, who from eternity lay in his bosom, and in whom he ever delighted. But God's ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts. Had man never sinned, and needed only to be recommended to the divine notice, in order to receive favours, or even to obtain eternal life, this might have been sufficient. But when he had sinned, and become a rebel and traitor against his maker and sovereign, the case was widely different: atonement for the offence was indispensably requisite, in default of which, the penalty (fully known to him previously to the offence) must be exacted. "In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die;" for "the soul that sinneth, it shall die." On this account, the incarnation alone could not be sufficient: nor did it take place in reference to this, but in reference to his bearing the penalty due to man for his transgression; for, without being incarnated, he could not have suffered, nor died. Hence the text adds, "Who gave himself a ransom for all :" that is,who suffered death upon the cross for the redemption of the |