be called Ebenezers, registering the time and place when the Lord graciously appeared on her behalf."* The periodical work from which this account ́is extracted, and of which it is said, the "circulation, continues to enlarge," exhibits in almost every page the grossest specimens of a fanaticism which is gradually undermining both the principles and the practice of the gospel. The delirium of sickness, the ægri somnia, and all the ravings of a distempered mind, are reported as undoubted proofs of a spiritualized and heavenly state."I have not seen Jesus as he is," says the Rev. J. Parkin, "but I have had a sweet interview with him; I have been holding sweet converse with my Saviour-If he does not receive me into his presence, I hope he will into his antichamber." + Mrs. Davey said, with sweet composure of soul, "Jesus I love thy charming name, "Tis music to my ear;" and then turning to her husband, “Ah! how little do I love Jesus,-I don't love him enough." But Mrs. Elizabeth Reeve exulted, saying, 66 My Jesus is all my desire; I long to be with him, that I may see him face to face, without a veil. I am fixed on the rock, I am going to glory! * Evangelical Magazine, May, 1809, p. 201. + Evangelical Magazine, June, 1809, p. 227. G More happy but not more secure I embrace Jesus in my arms," &c.* "Lord's Day Morning, April 16, Elizabeth Portlock was remarkably favoured with the manifestations of her Redeemer's grace and mercy, and was enabled to express the feelings of her heart, to the astonishment and joy of those who were present with her: I never thought dying was like this!' She said, 'Oh! 'tis glorious dying! I am going to heaven-I am going to glory-I shall soon be there. Soon shall I bathe my weary soul In seas of heavenly rest. If I did not believe that my name was written in the Lamb's book of life, this room would not contain me. In a few moments I shall be in glory! Sweet Jesus! Sweet Jesus! He is precious! He is precious!" † “Mrs. Paynter, upon hearing these beautiful lines The soul that on Jesus has lean'd for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes: That soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake appeared in extasies; after this, with considerable difficulty, she spoke as follows: "I am numbered to enter into the feast; I must be * Evangelical Magazine, July, 1809, p. 288. + Evangelical Magazine, October, 1809, p. 419, 420. married this day; I shall be with him, and he with me." * 66 Captain Perry was a gentleman of rank, and what is commonly called a man of pleasure: he entered into the army when young, and almost immediately gave himself up to folly and dissipation; gratifying to the extent of his ability every appetite of fallen nature. The follies of youth, and the sins of riper years, cut short the day of life, and caused his sun to go down at noon. Seeing himself on the verge of the grave, and his soul unfit to stand before God, he attended the preaching of the gospel, which seemed to make some impression upon him; and all hopes of recovery having fled, he sincerely determined to seek the knowledge of salvation from the friend of sinners."† This miserable man, then, who was emaciated by disease, and terrified by approaching death, finding that he could no longer enjoy the pleasures of sin," determined to seek the knowledge of salvation from the friend of sinners;" undoubtedly the best, the only means of comfort to a guilty and despairing soul. But although he might be expected to cry out for mercy, and implore forgiveness, yet that he should "close his mortal career with the language of triumph"-good heavens! what an instance of grace is this. Such, however, is the purport of * Evangelical Magazine, April, 1811, p. 141, 142. Evangelical Magazine, July, 1811, p. 265, 266. the narrative; viz. that Capt. Perry, after he had passed his life in a course of abandoned profligacy, and "belonged to a society or class of men, the members of which, and he among the rest, bound themselves in solemn league against God, and agreed to work all manner of abominations, and to vie with each other who should most grieve the spirit of God"-after all this, became in his last hour a chosen vessel of divine mercy, which was communicated to him by a species of inspiration. "One night he awoke, and broke out in a rapture of praise, saying, Glory, glory for ever be to my redeeming God! Oh, for power to praise the sin-pardoning God! On being asked if he was asleep, he answered, No; but I feel what language cannot express. Were I possessed of the powers of an angel, and the eloquence of all the heavenly host, I could not make known to the sons of men what love and joy I feel within my soul; I can scarce bear in the body what love I feel at present; my tottering frame can scarcely bear these raptures of love;" * with more to the same purpose. The voice of conscience indeed sometimes sounded an aların. "About noon, the fourth day after his conversion, he awoke out of his sleep, deprived of his peace and confidence. Never was such distress seen: he cried aloud, "I have lost my peace! I have lost my peace! I have lost my God! I have lost my all!" But conscience Evangelical Magazine, July, 1811, p. 266. was immediately silenced by some pious friends who attended him, and encouraged him, by saying it was the work of the enemy, and that God would again restore him to peace.' ""* Good creatures! they spoke peace where there was no peace; they would fain have quieted that "troubled sea, which cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." But their endeavours for awhile were ineffectual. 66 They sung and prayed with him; and never did they witness such struggling and agonizing of soul for deliverance. It was now that the sins of his youth stood in dreadful array before his mind, and that the powers of darkness appeared to be let loose against him. In this state he continued from Wednesday till Sunday."t Then, however, his confessor, Mr. Wood, prevailed over the enemy, by telling him "the gospel held forth pardon to the vilest of the human race; that salvation was of grace alone, without money, and without price; and therefore free for every guilty soul," &c. Upon which the dying man "cried aloud in the language of joy and confidence, I do believe it, and I shall never more feel darkness: let all come in now, and I can and will declare what God hath done for my soul.' Thus the prey was taken from the mighty, and the lawful captive delivered. Life now sunk apace; yet while he could articulate, * Evangelical Magazine, July, 1811, p. 267. + Id. p. 267. |