the concern being nearly allied to the cause of Christianity, whole of its principles and commands being directly against every part of this odious trade, I appeal to the friends of religion and humanity, through the medium of your Magazine, not to be backward in showing some public mark of respect to that worthy individual, whose eloquence has been so powerfully exerted in the senate, to rouse its indignation against it, and urge its abolition; that, to him I think with propriety we may now ascribe its non-existence, under the sincere support of the administration then in power. The means I have to propose, is, That the body of Protestant Dissenters should enter into a Subscription, to present W. Wilberforce, Esq. with a valuable piece of Plate, accompanied with appropriate inscriptions, &c. or some such small but lasting proof of their approbation and esteem. He has already the gratitude of the virtuous part of the nation; but this trifling testimony will last when the present generation is no more, and may induce his successors to follow that path by which their ancestor has gained the esteem of his countrymen. May he, and those who have supported this measure, continue. going forward in this honourable work of ameliorating the state of Africa by civilization, and thereby opening a door for the spread of moral and religious truth, by which we may administer to their present and eternal happiness;- and thus, in some measure, endeavour to redress the wrongs which our country has for ages heaped upon her!-and soon may the glad news be spread from pole to pole, "That Britannia, renown'd o'er the waves, To the black-scepter'd rulers of slaves, P. S. Evangelicana. THE late Thomas, Earl of Kinnoul, a short time before his death, in a long and serious conversation with the Rev. Dr. Kemp of Edinburgh, thus expressed himself" I have always considered the Atonement," said he "to be characteristical of the gospel, as a system of religion: strip it of that doctrine, and you reduce it to a scheme of morality, excelient indeed, and such as the world never saw; but to man, in the present state of his. faculties, absolutely impracticable. The atonement of Christ, and the truths immediately connected with that fundamental principle, provide a remedy for all the wants and weaknesses of cur nature. They who strive to remove those precious doctrines from the word of God, do an irreparable injury to the grand and beautiful system of religion which it contains, as well as to the comforts and hopes of man. For my own purt, I am now an old man, and have experienced the infirmities of advanced years. Of Jate, in the course of severe and dangerous illness, I have been repeatedly brought to the gates of death. My time in this world cannot now be long; but with truth I can declare, that, in the midst of all my past afflictions, my heart was supported and comforted by a firm reliance upou the merits and atonement of my Saviour; and now, in the prospect of entering upon an eternal world, this is the only foundation of my confidence and hope." In these sentiments he steadily persevered, till on the 27th of Dec. 1787, he expired without a struggle or groan. A HINT. THERE is a certain species of imposition which prevails in this country, which, I am persuaded, even many of the genuine professors of Christianity, by far too much countenance; and which, at this season of the year, it may not be improper, or unprofitable, to caution them against. If Amongst the variety of Almanacks annually published, there are those which pretend to foretell future events. It is easy to see the deceit and fallacy of their pretensions, which, at best, are but probable conjectures, founded upon the aspect of past or present existing circumstances. this were all, it perhaps might be tolerated; but surely not worthy to be countenanced by professing Christians. But what should render them eculiarly odious, is, their professing to foretell future events by astrological calculations: a science, if it may be so called, which has neither authority nor countenance from the sacred Scriptures, but which is treated by them as heathenish and superstitious. Let those who have been parfial to such vain productions, only read Isaiah xlvii. 13, and Dan. ii. 27; and they will there see what they are to be accounted of, and in what company they are to be found; and let them icarn to despise their equivocal and artful insiuuations, which are too frequently blended with profanity; for is it not profanity in them to attempt to palm their frauds upon mankind by Scripture quotations, which they seldom fail to do, especially Judges v. 20, and Job xxxviii. 31 neither of which teaches nor warrants any such practice. Had Baruch or Deborah consulted the stars? No such thing. Were not the sweet influences of Pleiades the same in Job's adversity as in his prosperity ? Certainly they were. Shall the sun, moon, and stars, which the Most High has divided, as benefits to all nations under Heaven indiscriminately, have a particular and moral influence attributed to them? What an approach to Heathenism this! Glad should I be if some able pen would effectually expose the abovementioned abuse. G. F. ON THE INCARNATION. No less than a whole choir of angels are worthy to sing the hymn of glory to God, for the Incarnation of his Son! What joy is enough for us, whose nature he took, and whom he came to restore by his incarnation ? If we had the tongues of angels we could not raise this note high enough to the praise of our glorious Redeemer! No sooner do the shepherds hear the news of a Saviour, than they ran to Bethlehem to seek him. Those that left their beds to tend their flocks, leave their flocks to inquire after their Saviour. No earthly thing is too dear to be forsaken for Christ. if we suffer any worldly occasion to stay us from Bethlehem, we care more for our sheep than our souls. It is not possible that a faithful heart should hear where Christ is, and not hasten to the sight, to the fruition of him. Where art thou, O Saviour, but at home in thine own house, in the assembly of thy saints! Where art thou to be found, but in thy word and sacraments! Yea, there thou seekest for us. If there we haste not to seek for thee, we are worthy to want thee; worthy that our want of thee here should make us want the presence of thy face for ever." Bishop Hall. MRS. ANN DRAKE, Obituary. WIFE of the Rev. Joseph Drake, of Newport, Essex, was about 18 years of age when she began to think seriously upon divine things; and from that time had gradual discoveries of her absolute need of Jesus Christ. She joined the church in May 1804, about a month after her marriage. Being naturally diffident, she said but very little; and probably, from fear of saying too much, she said too little. In the time of health she was sorely tried by the Tempter; but not once assaulted in her : dying hours. During the former part of her affliction, she complained much of her stupidity and hardness of heart; and said to her husband, “I fear I never prayed, — I fear I have no religion." But, in the last stage of her sufferings, her fears for ever fled; and she said to a pious friend, "I am just going: I long to be gone! Life is sweet, but Jesus is sweeter! I am happy I have no fear of Death! I can cheerfully give up all ! Let us once again, for the last time, pray toge ther. The next meeting we shall have will be all praise! I have had many sweet refreshing seasons in his courts below; and I am now going to see him without a veil between; and I have no more doubt of it than I have of your sitting here. It rejoices me to think I have many dear Christian friends that pray for me. I love my Newport friends; but I can cheerfully leave them. I hope the cause of God will be very prosperous, that the little one will become a thousand! Live in love and peace! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! He has loved me, and washed me in his own blood! I can give up my husband and child." In smoothing the sleeve of her night-gown, she, with holy indig nation, observed, "Pride is the last thing that leaves us. To which her friend replied, Pride was the first sin that came into the world, and is the last sin that goes out it.' To this just remark she gratefully added, "But the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin " - Another of her godly friends, who wrote the substance of what she heard, thus informs us : — On my first coming into the room, I was struck with the great alteration that appeared in her looks. When I mentioned that she had the prayers of her friends, and, above all, the prayers of Jesus, she said, "He intercedes." This was a proof her senses were clear and quick; and she all at once burst forth in pathetic language to exhort us all to "value the Scriptures; peruse them more, with prayer: and I desire you (turning to her husband) would tell all young people so to do, especially my dear brothers; and not to read them as they would a ballad; and to mind what company they keep. I have neglected the Bible too much; but that is all pardoned, with all the rest of my sins. I long to go home! Come, Lord Jesus,come, Lord Jesus, and take me to thyself. Why are thy chariotwheels so long in coming? I wish I had more patience to wait his time. I have been filled with comfort the last night." When her gladdened friend observed,' We never had such converse together before,' before,' she replied, "No; I could not till now converse so freely upon these things." With great earnestness she asked, "Do you doubt my sincerity?" - but seemed satisfied on being assured we did. not, and continued her conversation: "I am younger than you all; but going to Heaven first, I shall meet you there. I love my New, port friends." It being observed to her, "A feeble saint shall win the day, Tho' Death and Hell obstruct the way!" she, with great pleasure, immediately said, Nay, more than that: "Jesus can make a dying bed," &c. adding, "This head, even my un 4 H worthy head, he suffers to lean on his breast. How admirable his love and condescension!" She then intimated, “If I do not live to see my mother, there is the same God for her that has been so gracious to me." Again addressing her husband, she said, "As soon as our boy can read, give him my Bible, teach him to understand it, and tell him that it was his mother's dying request." Recollecting how exceedingly she had been blessed under a former affliction, which had nearly terminated her life, she said, "I have been twice at Heaven's gate!" Her valuable friend thus concludes, "I shall never forget what we saw and felt! Dr. Young may well say, "A soul in converse with her God is Heaven!" At another time, one of her gracious friends observing, 'You cannot do too much for Jesus,' she said, "I have not done enough; but he has done enough, and God is satisfied. Walk close with God; you cannot walk too close." She left it in charge, that a message from her dying lips should, at her funeral, be delivered to the young; and that they might be earnestly intreated to remember their Creator in the days of their youth. "Oh," said she, if I had all the young people here, how I would talk to them of that lovely Jesus!" 66 Early in the evening before she died, when one of her esteemed friends entered the room, her countenance appeared peculiarly serene and heavenly:- such was the tranquil, or rather triumphant state of her mind. She took him by the hand, and said," Lam puzzled to think that God should look down upon such a wretch as I, I am puzzled!" When he remarked, This is a blest affliction,' she said, "I would not have been without this affliction for ten thousand worlds!" With a transient moan, she then observed, In the course of the night, she said to her husband, “ My dear, I have one thing to request of you, and I beg you will be faithful: Do you think I shall pass through this night?" When he replied, think, my dear, you cannot,' she said, "Then I am easy and happy: I don't wish to come back!" About five hours previous to her departure, she said, "This night will end it all!" She then kissed her father, mother, husband, and a young female relation; to each of whom she gave a most impressive and affectionate address, adding, "Fret not for me, I shall be with Jesus: I am going to my Jesus! I was over anxious last week to go to my father's. O how good is my Jesus, that instead of punishing me for it, he is going to take me to a better home!". When she found she was drawing nearer to the close of life, she requested to see her child. She kissed him; and said, "I am going to leave you: I commend you to Him who has kept me, and to that dear man" (meaning her husband). She then said to Mr. Drake (who, from fear of her being distressed or discomposed, had hesitated to introduce the child) My dear, why did you not wish me to see the child?" After assigning his reason, she replied, "Oh, no; that does not affect me! - I have got beyond all that! I love you all; but I love my Jesus far better!" On being asked, Have you any doubt?'she answered, with an emphasis ever to be remembered, "Doubt! How can I doubt of his goodness, who has done so much for me?" She requested her husband to pray with her; during which she seemed all rapture, and wished for an easy dismission. Shortly after, she again repeated, several times, “Come, Lord Jesus, why is thy chariot so long in coming!" Having lain for a while in a kind of slumber, she awoke, and said, “Where am I? In Heaven! No;" and shrunk back, as though disappointed. Her husband repeated the 7th and sta verses of the 4th chapter of the 2d epistle to Timothy; to which she replied, "I shall soon have that O what a crown! Is aut crown. · -~ } the room very hot?" On being told it was not, she with joy replied, "It is Death's sweat, it is Death's sweat!" Almost the last words she spoke in her last hour, were, "It is the grace of God that must save man." She then reclined her head upon her husband's breast, and there calmly expired, without a struggle, groan, or sigh, early on Wednesday morning, Aug. 19, 1807, in the 29th year of her age. On the Tuesday following, her mortal remains were interred in the burial-ground belonging to the Independent Meeting, Saffron Walden; and on the same day an appropriate sermon, founded on Rev. vii. 13 to 17, was preached at Newport, by the Rev. Mr. Judson. -"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like hers!" MRS. KEYS, W. J. WIDOW of Captain George Keys, exchanged a state of pain and suffer ing for a glorious immortality, Feb. 25th, 1807, aged 56. Her death was occasioned by a cancer, the effect of a fall, in November, 1804. When young, she was in clined to seriousness; but entirely ignorant of her need of a Saviour's righteousness till about the 28th year of her age, when under the preaching of the Rev. Rowland Hill, and other ministers, she began to see the insufficiency of any thing that she could do to obtain acceptance with God; she then closely attended af the means of grace; but clouds hovered round her mind, and she had no clear views of her interest in Christ till about seven years after, when it pleased God, on a Friday morning, at Surry Chapel, under the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Bull, to break in upon her soul in a wonderful manner; the Holy Spirit indeed took of the things of Christ and shewed them to her; entirely removed the veil that bid Christ from her eyes, and shewed her her interest in the covenant. The text was, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen." Onher dying bed, she said "Those words have followed me ever since that day (about 21 years). She often said, "I now know what that passage in Revelations means, that God will give a white stone and a new name written, which none know but he that receives it. If I were to hold my peace, the stones would cry out, I can say, my Lord, and my God! I know whom I have believed.". ti About four years after this, her busband died at sea, soon after be sailed from the Downs. When un der complicated trials, the enemy came upon her like a flood, urging her to destroy herself. The temptation was very great; but the Lord, to whom she belonged, would not suffer the enemy to prevail; but enabled her to cast her burthen on the Lord: upon which the tempter fled. Secret prayer seemed to be her elemeut. For the last six months of her life, her pains were excruciating, under the extremity of which, her groans might be heard in the adjoining house; when she would say, between her cries, "God is my kind, my loving Father; these pains are not for eternity; no, my Saviour is gone to prepare mansions for me; the 66 - yes, for me; and I shall be with him through all eternity." One evening, on taking leave of her to go to our social prayer meeting, she said, Give my love to the good gentlemen, and tell them, their prayers for me are answered; the kingdom of Heaven is open to me; way is all clear; there is no veil between me and Christ.' Being asked to take some nourishment, she said "Do not speak of eating; Í am at Heaven's gate. I long to be gone, I long to be gone. Nevertheless, not my will, Lord, but thine be done. I desire that, as soon as i am gone, you will all kneel down and return thanks to God, and sing praises, for I shall be rejoicing. Oh, what a change will then take place in a moment!" At another time she said, I desire that nothing may be said about me when I am gone. I am a poor defiled sinner: I am unworthy, but oh, what has my dear Lord done for this singer! It is my dying request, that you beg those ministers with whom you are |