look back on the scenes of his past distress, and rejoice to ascribe the glory of his deliverance to the sovereign grace of God. As he drew nearer the close of life, though in perfect health, his affections were evidently more and more weaned from the world, and his desire to depart and be with Christ sensibly increased. For several months before his last sickness he seemed to look by faith beyond this vale of tears, and draw his comforts from the fountain of life and blessedness. His conversation, which was tempered with a cheerfulness inspired by a lively hope in Christ, evinced the deep interest he felt in the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, and the salvation of souls; while his whole conduct testified to the sincerity with which he spoke, on these interesting and important subjects. Was the worth of religion exhibited in his life? It was preeminently so in his death. For it was then apparent, that to the real Christian in the most trying circumstances Christ is "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother;" that religion can raise the soul above the fears of death, and rob the monster of his sting, Soon after the commencement of his last sickness and while his symptoms did not yet appear alarming, Deacon Lovell suggested to some one of the family, that he thought his recovery doubtful. His case was not looked upon by his friends or physician as dangerous, but viewing his own life uncertain, he could speak of death with composure. "I think," said he, "I feel resigned. Nothing short of king Jesus will ever satisfy my mind. I desire the prayers of all God's people." When he was asked how Jesus appeared to him, he raised his eyes in an expressive manner and said, "Jesus! nothing short of King Jesus, for he is King of kings and Lord of lords." At a time when his life was despaired of by his friends and his physicians had just left him, he observed, "the doctors think I am quite sick, don't they?" Not being answered directly, he said, "you need not be afraid to tell me what they think about If they think I am very sick, I want you should tell me; for I am not afraid to die. I am willing to die, if it be God's will.” me. The night before his death, being asked whether he expected to recover, he answered, "O no; I expect God is about to take me home to his heavenly kingdom of glory. I expect I shall soon be where I shall see king Jesus face to face. I bless God for the bright and morning Star, that first shed the glorious light of the gospel in my soul; and I want you should all bless God for it." He then requested the watchers to call the family together, that he might 'pray with them all once more before he left the world.' They were called. He desired to kneel; and though he was told, that he was too weak to endure the fatigue, and his prayers would be as acceptable in his present posture; still he urged that God would support him. He knew the particular position was not essential to render the prayer acceptable, but he had a great desire to kneel. This was his usual practice in the family and uniformly in secret. He was raised on his knees in bed, and prayed nearly fifteen minutes, with great fervor and the strictest propriety. He prayed for himself, for his family, for the church of Christ, for graceless sinners; he thanked God for having begotten him again to a lively hope through grace, for the consolations he then enjoyed, for what he had reason to hope God by his holy Spirit had wrought for his family.* Indeed he prayed as one standing on the threshold of eternity, in full view of the glories of the upper world and expecting soon to be admitted to the full enjoyment of all its blessedness; and at the same time looking with wonder and amazement into that gulf of perdition, from which he had been rescued by sovereign grace, and into which he saw multitudes exposed every moment to be plunged. What a comfort to the Christian, that in death he may look up with confidence to an Almighty Friend, whom he has served affectionately, and with whom he has had familiar intercourse through life. At one time observing the anxiety, that marked the countenances of his friends, "you don't do right," said he, "you importune the Lord, that I may live; you ought to be willing, that the Lord's will should be done. I am willing to go, when the Lord calls." The next morning he asked what day it was. Being told it His whole family, composed of the widow and seven children, belonged to the church, and most of them had then but lately professed religion. was the Sabbath, he exclaimed, "O blessed day! This is the day that Christ arose. What reason have we to bless God, that we have been brought to see another of the days of the Son of man!" At one time after a long silence he said, "I have been thinking of the foundation." Being asked if he meant the foundation of the Christian's hope, he replied; "yes, the foundation of our hope. It is no less than king Jesus in heaven. He is the foundation of every Christian's hope." How does it ap pear? "O glorious; there is no other foundation to build our hopes upon." Again he said, "the warfare is all over. I want you should all rejoice with me. I feel as though I could wing away and be with Jesus forever." He then desired the family might be called together, that he might again pray with them. When one of his daughters, who lived at a little distance, was taking leave to return to her family, he said to her, "don't you think I shall get to my home before you reach yours? In a little time I shall be home to glory. I shall soon be with king Jesuswhat would heaven be if Jesus was not there! It would be no heaven to me." His strength gradually failed through the day; but he continued to enjoy the use of his reasoning faculties, except at short intervals, to the last. A few hours before his death, referring undoubtedly to the trials and deliverances before mentioned, he said in a most expressive manner, "I have had hard fighting-hard fighting;" and soon after exclaimed as in the triumphs of unshaken faith in Christ his great deliverer, "but I have conquered him, I have conquered him; king Jesus keeps the field!" He seemed much concerned for the prosperity of the church, and almost with his dying breath, and while scarcely able to speak, he said with a faultering voice, "I pray God to take care of the family. The last words were so feebly uttered, they seemed to die upon his lips; and a person, who sat by, supposing he had particular reference to his own family, asked whether it were so. He then exerted himself and spoke with an emphasis, "I pray God to take care of all his family." And added in a manner expressive of great confidence in God: "He will take care of all his family. He will take care of his family." He continued to travel downward towards the dark valley till about twelve o'clock, Sabbath night, when almost without a struggle or a groan he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus! At behold ing such a scene as this, who would not say with Balaam, let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his. DIED, in Quebec, Col. MALCOM FRASER, aged 82. He was an officer in the victorious army of Wolte, and resided in the country from the conquest to the period of his death. In Saxony, the veteran Prime Minister M. de FRANKENBERG, aged 87. In Bavaria, 1st of June, ALEXANDER BERTHIER, Prince of Neufchatel, aged 62, by suicide. He was for a long time the favorite and premier Lieutenant of Napoleon; was Vice Coustable of the French Empire; and a sovereign Prince of Germany. He married the niece of the King of Bavaria; at whose court he resided after having accompanied Louis XVIIIth from Paris to Brussels. For some days previous to his death, a remarkable change was apparent in his deportment. On the preceding day, while dining at his father-in-law's, he was much disconcerted by a remark which fell from Gen. Sacken, who said he was ashamed mained faithful to their King. He passed to find him among the few that had rethe morning of the 1st at his window,. observing, with a perspective glass, the Russian troops as they were marching in. He went afterwards up to the third story, to the apartment of his children; dismissed his servants; and threw himself from the window. His son, a child, endeavored to grasp his foot, and was nearly drawn out with him. His head was so severely fractured by the fall, that he died on the spot. In Belgium, the celebrated Duke of Belluno, Marshal VICTOR. In New York, Mr. ISAAC GOVERNEUR, murdered in a duel. In Madras, on the 3d of Oct. last, Capt. DAVID WOODWARD, of Charlestown, master of ship Meridian. He sailed from Boston in Oct. 1811, in quest of the specic lost in the ship Rapid the year be fore. In this object he was so successful as to find and recover the greater part of the money lost, ard was preparing to leave Madras for Canton, when seized by tion of the liver, and terminated fatally. an illness which proved to be an induraCapt. Woodward was a very valuable member of society, a man of amiable manners, and of uncommon seriousness neighbor, a faithful friend, an affectionate for a person in his profession, a good husband and parent. He was an enemy to all profaneness, and every immorality; and proved by his own example and authority how practicable it is to restrain the evil habits but too prevalent among seamen. There is reason to believe he died the death of a Christian. He left a bereaved wife, three adopted children, and a large circle of friends to lament his loss. At Raymond, (N. H.) on the 3d ult. Miss FANNY MC CLURE, aged 31 years. While very young she became a member of the church, and uniformly supported the character of a real Christian. She had the good of the cause of Christ near her heart, even to the day of her death; and bequeathed $200 to the Congregational Society in Raymond, for the support of the Gospel, which was about two thirds of all the worldly property that she possessed. This was a noble act of Christian benevolence, and ought to be told as a memorial of her. At Salem, (Mass.) Mr. ENOCH GOODALE, the oldest man in that town, aged 89. In London, Mrs. WEST, wife of the celebrated Benjamin West, Esq. President of the Royal Academy. At Auburn, (N. Y.) Mr. JOSEPH N. Roon, killed by his brother-in-law, in a quarrel. POETRY. THE PRAYER OF AN AFRICAN SERVANT. To the Editor of the Panoplist. Sir, The sentiments contained in the following lines were from the lips of an African Servant in Charleston, (S. C.) A Gentleman who accidentally overheard him at his devotions, gave them the dress in which they now appear. Noth ing essential is added to the thoughts which were uttered, and nothing taken from them. BLEST be thy name, O God of grace, Where darkness and the shades of death, There I first drew my native breath, Nor rising day, nor setting sun, Nor stars that gild the night; Nor streams that through the vallies run, Nor all the wonders of thy hand, No Gospel there thy grace declares, Blest be the day that brought me thence Here, slavery, thy soften'd chain And yoke I gladly wear; Thy burdens yield no grief nor pain, For here, blest Savior, I have learn'd THE NEW BORN CHRISTIAN. WHAT strange delight is this I feel, Sure nature wears a lovelier face, The laudscape smiles as Eden fair; What throbs of tender sympathy, A brother and a friend. But oh, thro' all this smiling scene, O'er all I gaze, and with delight; Oh, bleeding Savior! Mighty God! This is the secret charm I feel, TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. THE Minutes of the General Association of Massachusetts, and the important re ports accompanying them, have solicited a large share of our pages. The important bearing which these reports have on the interests of the churches concerned, will excuse us for inserting them, and demand for them an attentive perusal. Much original matter has been neces sarily excluded. Lines on B and H-N-are under consideration. An Exhortation to Christian Benefi cence, has been received. Our Correspondents must wait pa tiently for a decision on their pieces. Our readers will observe that this number of the Panoplist contains 8 pages more than usual; a future number will contain 8 pages less. For the Panoplist. ON THE INTERMEDIATE STATE: OF RESURRECTION. THE Bible is a practical book. This testimony of Jesus was written, that men might believe on him, and believing, might have life through his name. Its chief aim is, through the influence of the Spirit, to excite the faith of the elect in the Redeemer, and to nourish in them a holy life, preparatory to their admission into heaven. Respecting the intermediate state, therefore, a subject admitting much vain speculation, we need not expect to find a very full account. The Scriptures treat it only in a practical view. They give not all the information that might be gratifying to idle curiosity. Several allusions to it are incidentally made, and by these we are enabled to establish respecting it a few general conclusions; sufficiently valid and particular to comfort the people of God. These allusions are made chiefly respecting departed believers; one or two only occur respecting the impenitent dead. A similar fact is noticeable, also, VOL XI. respecting the future resurrection of the body. The Scriptures oftener mention it as the privilege of the believer, than as an indiscriminate event to all, or as the rising up of the impenitent to condemnation; evidently aiming at establishing the faith and animating the joys of the pious. The Scriptures authorize us to make the following conclusions respecting the intermediate state. 1. The soul in this state is ac• tive: or, man continues to be, after death, an active intelligent existence. He remains in the exercise of his intellectual pow ers and moral affections. This truth is evident from the following passages of Scripture. First: the crucified thief, Luke xxiii, 43. 'He said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.' That day, Jesus and the penitent thief both expired. The departed penitent remained still an active intelligent being; for the promise of Christ was verified. was capable of perception and enjoyment; for he knew Christ and tasted the joys of paradise. He Secondly: the wish of Paul to 50 |