tees, and to their successors in that trust forever, for the uses which in such instrument shall be expressed and the said Trustees shall be capable of having, holding and taking in fee simple, by gift, grant, devise or otherwise, any lands, tenements, and other estate, real or personal: Provided the annual income of the same shall not exceed the sum of twenty thousand dollars; and shall apply the profits thereof so, as most effectually, to promote the designs of the Institution. SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the said Trustees for the time being shall be the Governors of said Institution, shall have full power from time to time to elect such officers thereof as they shall judge necessary and convenient, and fix the tenure of their respective offices; to remove from office, any Trustee, when from age or otherwise he shall become incapable of discharging the duties of his office, or when in the judgment of a majority of the Trustees, he is an improper person to hold such office; to fill all vacancies that may happen in the Board of Trustees; to determine the time and place for holding their meetings; the manner of notifying the Trustees ; the method of electing members of the Board; to elect instructers and prescribe their duties; to make all such rules and regulations, as they may from time to time consider expedient for the management of the Institution, provided the same be not repugnant to the laws of this Commonwealth. SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That the Trustees of said Institution may have a common seal, which they may change at pleasure; and all deeds sealed with said seal, and delivered and acknowledged by the Treasurer of said Trustees by their order, shall be good and valid in law; and said Trustees may sue and be sued in all actions, and prosecute and defend the same to final judgment and execution, by the name of the Trustees of the Newton Theological Institution. SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That the number of said Trustees shall never exceed twenty-five, nor be less than nine; and one third of the existing number of Trustees shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for doing business; but a less number may from time to time adjourn until a quorum can be constituted. SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That Lucius Bolles and Daniel Sharp be and they are hereby authorized and empowered to fix the time and place for holding the first meeting of the Trustees, and to notify them thereof, by serving each of them with personal notice six days before the time appointed for the first meeting. In House of Representatives, Feb. 20, 1826. This Bill having had three several readings, passed to be enacted. TIMOTHY FULLER, Speaker. having had two several readings, passed In Senate, Feb. 21, 1826. This Bill to be enacted. OBITUARY. MISS ELIZA LINCOLN. DIED in this city, July 7, 1825, Miss ELIZA LINCOLN, eldest sister of Heman Lincoln, Esq. in the forty-fifth year of her age. In the personal history of a secluded female, it cannot be expected that many events should occur which could interest a bustling and out-of-doors world. It is, however, proper to remark concerning the subject of this notice, that her mother being always in feeble health, on her, the eldest sister, the principal care of the family devolved; and to the discharge of the complicated duties of sister and daughter, the whole of her youth was devoted. No sooner were her sisters grown beyond the want of her immediate attention, than the increasing illness of her mother confined her for several years to the bedside of an afflicted parent. After death had relieved her from this pleasing but melancholy duty, she devoted herself exclusively to labours of benevolence. Denying herself of every superfluity, that she might administer to the wants of the poor, overcoming her natural diffidence, which was distressing almost to a fault, she visited constantly the Almshouse, House of Correction, and the abodes of suffering wretchedness in every part of the city; and in the hovels of poverty, and by the bedside of age and infirmity, a great part of her time during the last years of her life was consumed. In very early years she had been made a subject of divine grace. She frequently said, that she did not recollect the time when she was not in the habit of secret prayer. At the age of three or four years, she seems to have had real convictions of the evil of sin, and remembered at that || tion with its accomplishment. She sought early age to have longed sincerely to be prepared for heaven. At the age of 13, she made a public profession of religion, her attention having been particularly devoted to this subject by reading Henry on Communion. At this time, as she afterwards remarked, she had no doubt that her heart had been renewed; but her views of sin were much fainter, and her consolations in piety much less animating, than at a subsequent period In the early part of her life, she seems not to have enjoyed the consolations of religion in so great a degree as many who have been eminent for piety. For several years, her attention was particularly directed to the native sinfulness of her heart, and the spotless purity of the law of God. These views, though distressing and self-abasing, were of peculiar use in the formation of her Christian character. It was hence she derived that deep acquaintance with the human heart for which she was so much remarked; hence also sprung her unfeigned humility, and hence did her faith learn habitually to flee to, and to trust in, the blood of that atonement, which cleanseth from all sin. She had tried the efficacy of the cross of Christ so frequently when burdened with guilt, that she knew always where to go for pardon and for peace; and hence her later years were marked with calm serenity and unwavering assurance of her interest in Christ. out the most obscure and the most friend. less, as the objects of her benevolence. And her charity was not confined to ad. vice and consolation. She knew that these were most likely to take effect when accompanied by a token of good will, which would leave her motives without the shadow of ambiguity. Hence in visiting the poor and the irreligious, she was in the habit of leaving them little presents of clothing, of medicine, or of food, that thus she might allure them to think favourably of religion, and hearken to the admonition which told them of a better world. And in these visits she generally went alone. In this she consulted her own feelings, and her deliberate opinions upon the nature of benevolence. Her natural diffidence was so great, that she rarely took part in a mixed conversation. Nothing but a conviction of duty could have nerved her with resolution to enter the houses of the poor, to converse with them upon religious subjects. But, while thus doing what she believed to be her duty, she chose to do it in that manner which should expose her to the least embarrassment from this, which she considered, the natural weakness of her character. Besides, she conceived that the charity of the gospel was distinguished from that of the world by nothing more than its aversion to publicity. So jealous was she of her own heart, and so fearful lest selfishness should mingle itself with her deeds of mercy, that she dared not expose herself even to the admiration of her friends. She desired to acquire the habit of acting for the day of judgment, and to exclude from influence upon herself, as much as possible, every principle derived from inferior and sublunary considerations. Acting from these motives, even her nearest relatives were never, until after her death, fully apprised of the extent of her charities. It was not until the widows and the orphans, whom she had relieved by her self-denying liberality, were mourning over their loss, and showing the coats and the garments which she had made while she was with them," that it was known how wide had been the range of her benevolence. For nothing was she more remarkable through life, than for her conscientious discharge of the duties of secret devotion. We have already mentioned that she could not remember when she commenced this practice. With every year, she spent a greater and greater portion of her time in her closet. And when in youth the incessant labours of the day had allowed her no time for retirement, she was frequently known to arise at midnight, and pour out her soul before God. In her last illness, when asked why she had spent so long a time in secret prayer, she said, "I have generally tried to pray till I felt enough to weep. If I have felt much, I have wept much. In pleading with the blessed Saviour to grant me communion with him, I have been most led to use the strong language of solemn entreaty." We have mentioned that the latter part of Miss Lincoln's life was spent almost entirely in the active duties of charity. But it is proper to remark, that hers was a charity as disinterested and self-denying as it is rare. Her opinion of her own talent for usefulness was singularly low. Hence she relinquished those walks of benevolence in which distinction may be acquired; she even retired from the active In the following, under the date of May management of those institutions where a 2d, 1814, every Christian will recognise multitude of names gives eclat to a plan, the most affecting exhibition of deep conand public observation associates reputa-trition and penitence. The Christian reader will doubtless be solicitous to know somewhat more concerning the peculiar type of the piety of one, whose actions exhibited so much of the spirit of Christ. We are happy to have it in our power to gratify this solici tude. Miss Lincoln left some brief notices of the state of her religious feeling at different times, from which we will now make a few extracts. May 2. O my soul, what shall I do?itude the great goodness of the Lord to me, that in this time of trouble I have been kept from utterly sinking. This sister, that has been removed, was so exceedingly dear, I knew not how to live without her. But Thou hast kept me from perishing in my affliction. Thou hast always been better to me than my fears. And O how unspeakable a blessing, to have so good a hope; a hope worth thousands of worlds. I have not a doubt, that whilst I am groaning away my time in sin and sorrow, her happy spirit is with Jesus, singing redeeming love. And can I wish her back again? O no! O that I could be a follower of her, who through faith and patience in'herited the promises." I have been for many weeks exceedingly stupid. O my soul, dost thou know what it is to feel peace in believing? I greatly fear I have been deceiving myself. My heart is harder than a rock. I cannot pray. Mine iniquities have separated between me and my God. I fear I have sinned away all my mercies. O what an evil and bitter thing is sin! and yet when my mind is so dark as it has been for a long time, I have no power to resist it. In this distressing condition I am, and must remain, until an Almighty arm is stretched out for my help. O Friend of friendless sinners, wilt Thou pity me? Wilt Thou help me? O leave me not in this deplorable condition, I humble pray Thee. If thou dost, I am lost forever. I cry unto thee, Lord; save, or I perish O may I never forget what I suffer, by my great folly and wickedness, in departing from thee. May I never forget what I have suffered this evening; the darkness, the grief, and the awful fears that I have sinned away all thy mercies. May I never again think lightly of sin. May I be enabled in future to watch and strive against it more successfully. In doing this, I beg that Thou, O God, wouldst strengthen me; and I here take this paper to witness against me, if ever I break these resolutions." Sept. 27. My heart continues exceedingly hard; and I am so stupid, that 1 have reason to fear that I am indeed dead in sin. But I cannot yet give up all hope. O Thou, who hast promised that him that cometh unto Thee, Thou wilt in no wise cast out, help me to come; for without Thee I can do nothing. "I have lately been reading the life of Mr. B. who says, that in the time of temptation he was glad to lay hold on a promise to keep him from sinking. He had once been afraid to take any comfort from a promise, unless he could feel it applied to himself; but in time of distress, like a person that was drowning, he was glad of|| any thing to uphold him from despair. This I think I have of late in some degree felt. How long was I in so stupid a situation, that not one of all the precious promises was any comfort to me, because I thought they were not for me. But in my distress, when I knew not what to do, when I looked on the right hand || and on the left, but no man could help me, then, O my soul, did not the precious promises keep thee from sinking! I had no where else to go, and necessity drove me to thy word, O my God. But, O my soul, where art thou now? O how hast thou forsaken the Fountain of living waters, and hast been following after lying vanities. O may I now repent, and return to Thee, my God, with all my heart." Under the date of May 5, after mentioning the death of a very dear sister, she writes" I desire to remember with grat-" "March, 1821. I think I have felt of late something of that peace which God only can give. I have sensibly felt my soul thirsting and longing for God, for the enjoyment of his presence, for real com, munion with him. I think the language of my heart has been, O Lord, if I may not enjoy thy presence, suffer me not to enjoy any thing; but may I go mourning for Thee to the grave." 66 April 20. Sabbath day. I have had some happy reflections to-day of the blessed Saviour in his rising from the grave, and most gloriously triumphing not only over the powers of darkness, but over death and the grave, so that to those who now believe on him, death is gain. O blessed, forever blessed be thy name, dearest Saviour, for what Thou hast done and suffered, that poor wretched sinners may live." "August. Although I have been for a long time exceedingly stupid, yet I have now some comfort in praying for others, even when I cannot pray for myself; and I have also some comfort in the belief that my soul is united to the blessed Redeemer; and that although, by reason of the great weakness of my faith, I take faint hold on him, yet that he takes strong and unconquerable hold upon my soul. Forever blessed be his name for the com fort which I trust he has given me. may I live entirely to him." 66 Sept. 12. I think I can truly say, that I have felt this morning a most earnest desire to give myself away entirely to the Lord, to be his wholly, unreservedly, and forever; praying that my time, my talents, my influence over others, and all that I am and have, may be entirely devoted to his service. Having thus given myself away, may I never forget that I am under everlasting obligations to be the Lord's. O Lord, help me. I do most humbly entreat Thee, help the weakest and vilest of all thy children. I know that without Thee I can do nothing; but unless Thou keep me, I shall forget all these desires and resolutions. But I do most earnestly beg and pray that Thou, O blessed Saviour, wilt keep me." We We will close this notice with a reflection, which it naturally awakens. have seen that Miss Lincoln spent much of the early part of her life without eu The Christian reader of these extracts cannot fail to observe in them the breathings of a soul deeply humbled and penitent for sin, and most ardently longing for -conformity to God. They recal to re-joying a large share of the comforts of re membrance in some degree, the experience of Brainerd and Edwards, with whose writings Miss Lincoln was habitually familiar. Her last sickness was long and distressing. It seemed a gradual decay of the powers of nature, the taking down of a tabernacle, which had been long tottering under the pressure of lingering consump tion. During the whole period of her illness, she enjoyed the utmost tranquillity, and at times triumph, in the prospect of death. | Her chosen subject of conversation was the happiness of heaven, and sometimes her soul was enraptured with a foretaste of the glories that awaited her. Her Christian friends she consoled with the hope, that they would soon meet again. The impenitent she warned of their danger, told of the excellency and the happiness of religion, and urged them to flee from the wrath to come. At last, on the 7th of July, the earthly house of her tabernacle was dissolved, and she entered a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Sometime in March of the year in which she died, she seemed aware that the time of her departure was at hand, and wrote some directions, which were found after her decease, concerning the manner in which she wished her property to be appropriated. It was all devoted to the cause of Christ, to charity, and to affection, in the following manner: To her youngest sister, To a beloved friend, To the poor of the Church to which $250 60 100 30 ligion. Her latter end, and especially her death, were however triumphant. During her whole sickness, she had not a doubt of her interest in Christ. Let this encourage those who walk in darkness, having no light, and let them learn to trust in the faithfulness of God. But let them keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith, and in the active and faithful discharge of the public and private duties of religion, wait for the salvation of the Lord. God will give grace according to our day. Let us be found doing his will, and humbly trusting upon the promises of his word, and in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Account of Monies received on account of the Baptist General Convention of the United States. 1826. March 1. From the Widow Lois Button, of 6. From a friend of Missions, Ashfield, Mass. by Enos Harvey, From an unknown hand, being amount of saving resulting from the use of ardent spirits for a limited time, by hand of B. F. Farnsworth, 7. From Rev. Josiah Houghton, for the services of Mr. Boardinan, six Sabbath days at Newburyport in 1825. by E. Lincoln, From the Society in Fairfield, Vt. auxiliary to the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, by the hand of Daniel Bailey, From G. Valentine, Esq. Northboro', Mass. being commissions for collecting for Christian Watchman, 15. From Mission Society connected with the Fairfield Association for Foreign Mission, by hand of Rev. A. Sabine, Sec. 6,00 11,00 4,00 30,00 5,75 30 41,28 50 20 18. From the York Maine Baptist Association, the following sums :--From the Buxton Female Missionary Soc. for Burman Mission, From the Cornish do. do. 4,00 14,57 7,68 From Miss Sally Johnson of Cor nish, for do. 1,00 From a friend in Kennebunk, 1,00 A Contribution, 6,45 Received by hand of Rev. T. B. Ripley, of Portland. 24. Cash, a bequest from Miss Eliza Lincoln, deceased, for the For eign Mission, to be equally divided between the Burman Mission and the Carey Station, From "The General Committee of the Charleston, S. C. Baptist Association," it being the half of the amount contributed by that body for Missionary and Educational purposes,--by hand of Josiah B. Furman, Esq. Treas. 1200,00 450,00 HEMAN LINCOLN, Treas. 81783,03 To Correspondents.....The Poetry of "Newton," will find an insertion in our next No.We hope to be favoured with frequent communications from him. MEMOIR OF MRS. MARY FREEMAN. OUR pages have seldom been enriched with the Memoirs of pious women. This has been partly owing to circumstances beyond our control, and partly to a fear, lest we might unintentionally exert an unfavourable influence on that meekness and modesty of character, and those unostentatious virtues, which are the chief ornaments of the sex. Buston, October 1, 1794. It was her happiness to be favoured with parents who were both pious. Of her mother, as she has long since deceased, it may be proper to say, that an uncommon sweetness of disposition was associated with eminent and uniform piety. This amiable woman watched the expanding minds of her children with We think, however, maternal solicitude; and in conthat in the exercise of a wise dis-junction with her husband imparted cretion, the Biography of Females may be rendered highly subservient to the cause of morality and religion. We would not, therefore, deprive our readers of the advantages which may be derived from a contemplation of whatsoever was true, and pure, and lovely, and of good report in those holy women,ly affected, and that she was in the who have adorned Christianity in their lives, and enjoyed its consolations in their death. If we are not mistaken, the following sketch of the character, and religious experience of Mrs. Mary Freeman, will amply requite an attentive perusal. She was the eldest child of Dea. Thomas Kendall, and was born in MAY, 1826. to them religious instruction. It is. practice of retiring for secret pray- |