bluish gray, heavy and languid to appearance. His common appearance was gloomy: the approach of a friend or an acquaintance immediately changed his spirits; when his conversation would become very animating, and his wit and humour then flowed in copious torrents. He was very fond of the company of young people. Indeed persons of his cast generally are. It produces a kind of reaction on the animal system, and transfuses the youthful glow to the aged. Taylor is gone, but his memory lives. That very gloom that depressed him is a secret in the human heart, that interests mankind in our behalf, and has long remained entwined, as an affectionate tie, round the heart of every surviving friend. The expressions of a friend of a sorrowful heart always make deep impressions on our minds. I'll hazard a conjec ture;-perhaps be was an orphan, and the first gloomy thoughts of a mother may have been imbibed. This thought affects my heart. I believe it possible. I have good reason to believe that cases of this kind often occur-but seldom noticed. I have reason to believe that it often happens, that the agonies of death in a bloody battle, or the perishing at sea amidst the boisterous tempests, have so filled the thoughts of the mother of groans and desponding cries, as to transfuse those feelings to the tender offspring. Hence this constitutional melancholy gloom. Ah! tender plant, who can dry thy tears! None but Jesus. From 1798 our Methodist Arminian Magazine had been discontinued. We had no periodical publication in the WHOLE UNITED STATES! I fully believe in the powerful effects resulting from such publications-conducted in a proper manner, that they would be calculated to diffuse religious information, revive vital piety, and more powerful engines in the hands of the Christians of battering the walls of error, superstition, and infidelity, at assailable points that could not be reached by the pulpit. The general conference indeed, in this interval, made some attempts to revive the Magazine, but it failed in the hands of the agency. A new era has at length commenced, and we are not now confined to a meagre schedule of ten or fifteen sets of books. Before this era arrived, the writer of these very humble memoirs felt deeply concerned on this subject, and frequently pressed it on the mind of his venerable friend Asbury. Seeing no prospect that ever any such publication would commence, before my friend the Rev. William Beauchamp commenced his Western Christian Monitor in 1816, in 1814 I had urged brother Taylor to conduct a monthly publication, and to prepare essays accordingly. This movement gave rise to the Monitor. I received from him the following letter : DEAR BROTHER,-I received your letter and subscription. I am pleased with your design, and hope you will succeed in its accomplishment. I wish it was in my power to furnish the requisite number of subscribers; but, alas! the Methodists in my contracted bounds are generally poor, and few of them read much. I am happy to hear that your design has the approbation of the Rev. Messrs. Parker and Quinn. Their sanction with me amounts to a very strong recommendation; but you request my aid by advisary remarks, &c. Is my dear Th. S. serious? but I know the goodness of your heart, and dare not suspect you. "It is only an instance of that partiality which the best and kindest of families has manifested to me, ever since our earliest acquaintance, and by which they have laid me under unspeakable obligations. But, my dear friend, you little know the weakness of your unworthy correspondent.Were my abilities equal to my wishes, I would gladly exert them for your satisfaction, and the advancement of the cause to which your future labours are to be devoted. But I have little judgment, little talent for communication, little leisure, and indeed little of any thing which would be agreeable or advantageous to my friends, except it be a grateful heart. You kindly invite me to the state of Ohio, and generously offer me your assistance for that purpose. Ah! my dear brother, were it in my power to come, you would probably be laying a very heavy tax on your own liberality. But I have purchased a little farm on the hills of Licking, where (was it paid for) I think I could raise my family. There is no preacher near me; and the people being generally as ignorant as myself, I suit them tolerably well in that capacity. I have but little time to spend in this world; and to get safe out of it, is at present my principal concern; and having little more judgment in the things of the world than a child of 14 years old, 1 wish to encounter as few difficulties as possible. I had hoped to see you in Newport this summer; but the scarcity in our country has compelled me to decline teaching there, and try my fortune in teaching music for the present season, at which I shall probably make more, but with more difficulty. You propose republishing the Sentimental Deist. I wished to have seen it in a pamphlet form, but have not been able to succeed in my wishes. I have some other little pieces, which had I time to correct them, I would gladly see them in print; but as I do not possess the means, I shall have to leave them as they are. Should you feel disposed to favour me by printing any of these which you think would be saleable, and sending me a few copies, retaining the rest for your own use, you would lay me under additional obligations. Be so kind as to write to me when convenient, and inform me how you succeed. You may rest assured I will exert myself to procure subscribers, or do any thing I can to promote the design. Accept my best wishes for the welfare of yourself and family, and remember in prayer, "CALEB JARVIS TAYLOR. "April 1, 1814." STATE OF THE MISSIONS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Canada Mission.-Letter from the Rev. Wm. Case, dated Grape Island, May 15, 1828: "On our arrival at Grape Island the 12th inst., we were happy to find all in health, and persevering in the ways of the Lord. In the chapel we met our native brethren, who had assembled to receive us, and we all kneeled down together, and gave thanks and praises to God. This was a season of blessing to us all, and for some time. After we had shaken hands and parted, we could scarcely restrain our feelings, and we continued for some time to praise the Lord for his protecting care, and preserving us all in his holy fear. In these feelings the mission family deeply participated. The school contains nearly sixty children, ten of whom are reading in easy lessons. Some are writing, and many of the girls are knitting. The next day the communion was received by about eighty of our native brethren. The scene was refreshing both in love feast and at the table. "Our cares are now renewed. Preparations are making for putting up more buildings, among which is a hospital and a building for a female school. Gardens are laying out for forty families, planting, &c, &c. But in the midst of these concerns I reflect with delight on many pleasing circumstances in our late tour. The hundreds and thousands who every where crowd the places of worship, and listen to truth with deep and silent attention,* the many circles of pious and well instructed Christians with whom we have enjoyed the pleasure and profit of conversing; the numerous and friendly attentions to me and my native associates; the benevolence of feeling in the cause of suffering humanity; the liberality shown in behalf of missions; and above all, the spirit of devotion to God, and of zeal in his service. Bible societies, free schools, widows and orphans' asylums, infant schools, house of refuge, deaf * I must beg you will add this note, to say, that some inaccuracies have appeared to my address on the anniversary occasion in some public papers of your city, relative of the 18th of April. I did not say that the Indians were in the habit of bringing to me wampum to declare they would drink no more. But that the Kingston Indians sent by the hand of Sunday, wampum to their brethren at Grape Island, to say they would drink no more. Nor did I state that I preached on the subject of the gospel feast when the Tuscaroras were met for an annual festival. It was William Doxtader who addressed them on the occasion, and on that subject. Nor was the aged chief converted at that time. His conversion was some years before. These are the principal errors which escaped the writers on the occasion. Those who are acquainted with the difficulties of taking down addresses from rapid speakers, and especially at times of deep feeling and amid responses, will easily account for any inaccuracies of this nature. W.C. and dumb asylums, and sabbath schools that, in some places, include, it would seem, almost all the infant community. These, with many other benevolent associations too numerous to mention, show how much is done by the principles of the gospel; and the cheerful countenances and animated exertions of the labourers show how great a sum of happiness may be enjoyed in the delightful labour of doing good to men. And in this work the wealthy, too, are taking an important part. It reminds me of a remark of one of the native brethren, John Sunday: . When I look on their fine houses, and other riches and great conveniences, I have feared that the hearts of Christians here are set on this world, and that they are not prepared to leave it. But when I hear them pray, and see their concern for the poor, the children, and the Indians, I must think them good Christians, and hope to meet them in heaven.' These are the blessings and privileges of the gospel! Oh England, America, Canada, how great your felicity! and how large a field of labour lies before you for doing good to the family of man! "It may be a pleasure to some of our friends to know that on our arrival at Kingston, U. C., the 8th instant, we found that our boxes from Philadelphia had arrived the day before, and having entered them, we took them on immediately with us to the island. Yesterday we gave our ticking for about twenty straw beds. These are the first and the only beds of the kind this people ever had. They are now fitting them up on bedsteads, (rudely made, to be sure,) but will be comfortable, and something in the style of civilized life. I have also the pleasure to state that information is received from most of the mission stations, that the societies and schools are still prospering and progressing in religion and learning. Two more female schools will soon be added to the number, making in all twelve schools, and that a spirit of benevolence, already considerable, is strengthening in all parts of the province. "Very respectfully, "W. CASE." Salem Mission.-Letter from the Rev. John Dew, dated Pittsburg, April 29, 1828: "Not having had it in my power to visit the Salem mis sion, I have to rely, in making out my second quarterly report, on the report of brother Walker, the missionary, which, it is presumed, is correct. "The following is his account of the school : 'Our school has increased to seven boys, from six to twelve years of age, four of whom are reading and writing; the other three are spelling in two syllables. We have four girls over eight and under fifteen years of age, who are spelling in four or five sylla bles, and learning to read the easy lessons in the spelling book, and two small girls learning their alphabetmaking at this time thirteen in all, with an expectation of three or four more shortly.' * "Of the Indians generally he says: 'The Indians seem to understand me and my plans better than they have ever done. This, probably, is owing to the interpreter. As to religion, I am sorry to say that I do not see that blessed work of God rising among them, as I have long prayed for; yet I think there is some reformation. They have brought four packs of cards and burnt them in my fire. Some of them have promised to quit their drinking, and go to work this spring. The Indians are ordered off the government lands, and are returning to their sugar camps in very low spirits. This, I hope, will be a blessing to them, for while they can follow the chase, they will not be disposed to cultivate the soil.' "Brother Walker informs me that he had united in marriage George Furkee, (the present interpreter, who is a half breed,) and Kit-a-ko-kish-noquah, one of his female scholars, which is the first Christian marriage ever celebrated in the nation. They have both learned to read and write. The mission is in great want of a smith. At present their farming utensils cannot be kept in order without one, and as yet every effort to obtain one has proved unavailing. None are to be found who are willing to engage at the price I am authorized to give. And as to obtaining female help, it is out of the question for the same reason. "Since our last conference we have paid off nearly two hundred dollars of the debt against the mission, and have *The former interpreter had been discarded as unworthy of confidence, and a new one employed. means in prospect to liquidate nearly one hundred dollars more; and should my health be spared, I hope, in the balance of the year, to be able to reduce the debt at least one half. And I trust it shall not be iny fault if the whole is not extinguished. Notwithstanding the strong claims which this establishment has upon the patronage of the government, nothing as yet has been appropriated. Early last winter I opened a correspondence with the secretary of war on this subject, which was responded to with promptness, informing me that the fund at the disposal of the department for this purpose, had already been exhausted by previous appropriations." OBITUARY. From the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine. DEATH OF MRS. BLACK, Of Halifax, Nova Scotia. DIED, Aug. 11, 1827, at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the seventy-second year of her age, MARY, wife of the Rev. William Black. She was born in Boston, state of Massachusetts, Jan. 7, 1755. Her father, Mr. Martin Gay, who was for many years a deacon in a congregational church, was a prudent, moral man, extensively engaged in business. Her mother was a lover of evangelical religion, and of the people of God; by whom, when a child, she was frequently taken to hear the Rev. George Whitefield preach, in that part of North America. Upon the evacuation of Boston, she removed with her parents, and accompanied the British troops to Nova Scotia, and settled in that province at a place called Fort Cumberland. It was here, in the summer of 1781, that she was led to attend the ministry of Mr. Black, who afterwards became her husband; and though, from a child, she was of a serious turn of mind, and was favoured with gracious impressions and drawings from above, it was not until this time that she was fully and deeply convinced of her lost and sinful state. The word reached her heart, she was brought into great distress of soul; and after seeking the pardoning mercy of God, in a diligent use of all the means of grace, her distress and condemnation were removed. She retired from the place where she had been waiting upon God, filled with peace and joy through believing. Her views becoming clearer and more enlarged, as to the nature and extent of gospel salvation, and of the privileges and enjoyments to which she was called as a Christian, she "reached forth unto those things which were before, and pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." She hungered and thirsted after a full conformity to the image and will of her adorable Lord. She walked by faith, not by sight; and intimate was that communion with God which she frequently enjoyed; while the graces of the Spirit, and the virtues of the female character, shone forth in her with a pure and steady lustre. As a Christian, she was diligent and exemplary in the exercise and discharge of every duty; and as a tender and affectionate mother, and a kind friend, she endeared herself to a very extensive circle of acquaintance, To mitigate the sufferings of the poor, always afforded the richest gratification to her feeling heart, until the period when her slender frame, depressed beneath the influence of disease, could no longer follow the impulse of her beneficent disposition. For several years she filled the office of treasurer, and was one of the most active members of the "Female Benevolent Society." Nor is it probable that Dorcas of Philippi made more garments for the poor than she did. "Few persons" (observes Mr. A. Anderson, for many years her class leader) "have had a better opportunity of forming a just estimate of the character and worth of our late excellent sister than I have had, after an intimate acquaintance of many years, several of which were spent in her family. In truth, she shone with no ordinary lustre in every capacity, as a wife, a mother, a relative, a Christian, and a friend. She gave valuable lessons of practical economy and industry in her family. Her venerable partner, the father of Methodism in Nova Scotia, being necessarily from home, frequently for weeks together, in the discharge of his itinerant ministerial duties, the charge of five children devolved upon her. She felt the responsibility of her situation; and conscious that it was her duty to bring up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, she was induced to retire with them, individually, to the throne of grace; to commend them in prayer to the mercy of God; and to implore the divine blessing upon them, and upon the instructions which she gave them." Through the progress of a gradual decline, during the last fifteen or sixteen months, she manifested the most profound submission to the divine will. In her, "patience had its perfect work." Fearful lest any one should think better of her than she deserved, she was always ready to acknowledge the sense she felt of her unworthiness and unprofitableness. This she was particuJarly led to do at the beginning of her sickness; and observed, that though she felt a humble and unshaken con fidence in God, as her God and Saviour, yet, in the solemn prospect of entering into the Divine presence as a disembodied spirit, she felt that she needed a holier frame of mind. For this she prayed, and in this she was ་་ heard. She was favoured with mast gracious manifestations of the divine goodness; so that it was evident to all around her, that, as "the outward man perished, the inner man was renewed day by day," and that she was fast maturing for the heavenly world. She was enabled to contemplate the approach of the "last enemy" with undisturbed serenity and unshaken fortitude. Death, divested of his terrors, appeared to her in a friendly form, ready to introduce her into the mansion of her heavenly Father. Christ," said she, "is exceedingly precious; he is glorious in all his offices. I shall soon be with him." Feeling that the hour of her departure was at hand, she took an affectionate farewell of her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends; but when her pious and faithful black servant approached her, to receive her last counsel and blessing, she was unable to articulate any more; and, raising her hands to heaven, in token of the joy she felt, and of the prospects of glory which seemed to be opening to her view, she yielded her spirit into the hands of her Redeemer. Thus did this eminently pious, hea venly minded, and most exemplary woman, finish her course with joy, "And pass through death triumphant home." R. L. LUSHER. POETRY. TO A LADY, On the sudden decease of her Infant. THOUGH I had power to touch the tender theme In worthier strains, melodious, soft, and slow; Though, like the music of some gliding stream, My numbers with my thoughts had learnt to flow; What spell of song shall calm a troubled breast, I can but breathe, in harmony with thine, For only he, who wounds thee, knows to heal. Into thy bitterest cup his sweets infused; Lighten'd thy labouring spirit's heaviest load, And kindly propp'd the reed himself had bruised: Aud often hath his secret, "still, small voice," Unearthly music! made thy heart rejoice. And though thou mourn-not murmur-thus to lose Thy babe, nor bid it, ere 'twas fled, adieu; Sweet babe! well emblem'd by the summer's As fair, as fragrant, and as fragile too; [rose, There is a thought will charm thy greatest grief, And bring thee, childless mother, rich relief. Thy darling "was not, for God took" her home, Ere e'en the guardians of her infancy Could bear to think the parting hour was come, Or dreamt the haze of death was on her eye; Without one pang, her spirit to Him was given: She did but sleep on earth, and wake in heaven! Thy lamb the "Shepherd gather'd with his arm;" "And in his bosom" he shall ever "bear," And hide it, as thou never couldst, from harm; For harm, and dread, and death, intrude not there: And there, when this world's woes and joys are o'er, Mother and babe shall meet, nor sep'rate more ALEC. |