Page images
PDF
EPUB

ed the utmost gratitude; and that, at his own request and importunity, no persons sat up with him on the night in which he died. It appears, however, that he died

with great composure, for he placed himself, his hands, his feet, and his whole body, in a proper posture to be laid in his coffin, and so expired.

From the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine.

ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE LATE REV. JOSEPH BENSON. To MR. W. CHURCHEY, Attorney, near the Hay, in Brecknockshire, S. Wales.

MY VERY DEAR FRIEND-It is time for me to acknowledge the receipt of your last kind favour, and to thank you for the useful information contained in it. This I should have done before now, had I not waited, in vain I perceive, for an opportunity of writing to you without putting you to the expense of postage. But if I delay any longer you will doubtless begin to entertain hard thoughts of me, and impute my not writing to some other cause-to forgetfulness or disaffection; and you must know I do not wish to be suspected of either, especially respecting you, my friend, my benefactor, my brother. I wish still to behave, and to be thought by you to behave, in a manner suitable to these relations: I wish still to be, both in reality and appearance, faithful, grateful and loving, and that with purity, constancy and perseverance; exercising these dispositions from a pure and disinterested principle, and without any interruption. But even for this I am not sufficient of myself my sufficiency is of God. May his holy inspiration be the source of every human as well as divine virtue in me! Away with those virtues (so called, though they ill deserve the name) which do not spring from the love of God and the influence of the Holy Ghost!

Mr. Wesley has been with us in this kingdom since I wrote to you last, and he gave me a very good account of the loving and catholic spirit of Lady H. I hope with you that she will yet join zeal with Mr. Wesley. 0, what a pity it is that all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity do not freely and heartily, without any suspicious jealousy or reluctance, unite together against the common enemy of all, I mean sin, that Apollyon sin! O, what a pity it is that they should ever provoke one another to any thing else but to love and good works! Let us show others the way by our example, and help them as much as possible by our prayers and advice!

I never was more taken with Mr. Wesley than when he was last here. Being constantly with him a week, I had an opportunity of examining narrowly his spirit and conduct; and I assure you I am more than ever persuaded he is a nonesuch. I know not his fellow, first, for abilities, natural and acquired; and, secondly, for his incomparable diligence in the application of those abilities to the best of employments. His lively fancy, tenacious memory, clear understanding, ready elocution, manly courage, indefatigable and active industry, really amaze me. I admire, but wish in vain to imi

the sentiments which you say you
have "broached, new to the Cal-
vinists, and half new to the Me-
thodists." If you mean to deny or
enfeeble the doctrine of our origi-
nal and universal depravity, guilt
and helplessness, defended, illus-
trated and proved at large in Mr.
Fletcher's late Appeal, I fully dis-
approve, and vehemently reclaim:
but if you only intend to maintain
that "the true light enlighteneth
every man that cometh into the
world," and that "the saving grace
of God hath appeared to all men,"
through whose influence all men
ungodliness and
may renounce
worldly desires, and live soberly,
righteously and godly in this pre-
sent world," I have nothing to ob-
ject, as I see nothing here but what
I have firmly believed and preach-
ed from the beginning. I know
not that we have ever said, "there
is no grace (i. e. no favour of God
towards us, nor influences of his
Spirit upon us) before justification."
But sure I am the Scripture gives
no reason to think we are entitled
to heaven before justification.-
Think soberly, and take care of
affecting singularity.

66

tate his diligent improvement of every moment of time; his wonderful exactness, even in little things; the order and regularity wherewith he does and treats every thing he takes in hand; toge ther with his quick despatch of business, and calm, cheerful serenity of soul. I ought not to omit mentioning here, what is very manifest to all who know him, his resolution, which no shocks of opposition can shake; his patience, which no length of trials can weary; his zeal for the glory of God and the good of man, which no waters of persecution or tribulation have yet been able to quench. Happy man! Thy time of temptation and affliction is almost come to a period, and joy and quietude await thee! Long hast thou borne the burden and heat of the day, amidst the insults of foes and the base treachery of seeming friends; but thou shalt now rest from thy labours, and thy works shall follow thee! In despite of thine enemies, who have long enviously slandered and maligned thee, nay, to their utter and everlasting confusion, God will "bring forth thy I am glad you are in a comfortrighteousness as the light, and thy just dealing as the noonday!"able state of soul. This is owing Thou shalt receive honour and to that justification which "imglory at the appearance of the plies a sense of pardon." May the Chief Shepherd, whose flock thou Lord continue it! He will, if you hast faithfully fed. Yes, having continue to live by faith. I bless turned many to righteousness, thou God, I hope I improve in grace shalt shine as the stars for ever and knowledge, and also in bodily health, which I am enabled to emand ever! ploy wholly in his service. We are at present prospering much here; our congregations being very good, and the society very lively, and several added to our number. To His name be the praise ! I have been in Edinburgh about five weeks since I left Glasgow, and shall stay till conference, if not longer; for I stay in this cir

If I did not know my friend to be (like myself) a little too sanguine, I should wonder at some parts of your last. But knowing you generally conceive, talk and write in hyperboles, I can make all proper allowance for some apparently extravagant expressions in your last. I do not fully understand what you mean or aim at by

cuit (I understand) another year. I am vastly in love with this city and Glasgow. I assure you, you are no despicable poet: your Ode on Easter-day I shall gladly receive.

Mr. Wesley tells me that Mr. I. is master at Lady H.'s college. I know him well, and beg you will give my very kind love to him, and tell him I shall be glad to hear from him. My love to Mrs. Churchey, Mr. and Mrs. Bold, and all inquiring friends at Brecon and every where: especially and particularly remember me to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, of Penkerrig,

and all the family, and tell me how they do, and Mrs. Phillips, a Builth.

I lately received a very kind and improving letter from Mr. Fletcher. Blessed man! Your observations upon the married preachers, with great families, small fortunes and gifts, are very just. I wish you would write a fair representation of their case to Mr. Wesley, or any preacher of weight, whom you know. I shall not be at conference. Adieu. Write to me soon. I am, &c. J. BENSON.

(No date.)

From the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine.
THE CEYLON CROW.

THE name of this bird in Tamul is an evident attempt to imitate the noise which it makes, Kaakam, or Kaa-kai; and this attempt is often made by the Tamuller with considerable success. The crow in size resembles the English jackdaw, but is far more cunning and useful. In Ceylon there is perhaps no animal of the same size that is of equal importance; a wise and kind Providence having evidently sent it to prevent fever and disease. In such a climate, where putrid substances so soon taint the air, its great value may in some degree be appreciated, as it scarcely allows any impure substance to remain long on the ground; and there is no animal, except its own species, on which it will not prey. The crows of Ceylon, instead of taking up their abode in fields and woods, live in villages and towns, and are as familiar with us as common sparrows are in England. In the jungle we now and then see a straggler, particularly if there be a dead elephant, or any other ani

mal near. There are few things
which excite more of the attention
of a newly-arrived Englishman
than these birds, perched on the
doors and windows, or entering
into the houses in search of food.
An English sailor, who is not very
delicate about his conduct in the
streets, no sooner sees them than
he commences an attack; but the
crow is far too active and cunning
for him. It has often been said
that a certain number of them oc-
cupy, as a kind of right, one per-
son's premises; and I know that
one crow, with a broken beak, was
a daily visiter for more than twelve
months at the Mission-House of
Trincomalee. The natives of Cey
lon generally carry their burdens
on the head: thus, when they re-
turn from market with fish, rice or
fruit, they take a stick in one hand
to keep off these impudent depre-
dators, or they would have nothing
left before they arrived at home.
Young chickens and ducks are
with them an easy prey they
pounce down upon them, and car

ry them off like a hawk; and there an hour he returned, but his skins is nothing weaker than themselves were gone. The gardener was that they will not attack, and, if called, and accused of having tapossible, destroy. In the wet sea- ken them away. "No, Sir," said son there are hundreds of frogs the poor man, "they are there;" croaking on every hand; (which pointing to a tree where the crows to a stranger is very disagreeable;) were pulling them to pieces.and these reptiles often come into Stones were thrown at them, but the house in great numbers: but it was too late: the feathers were to them also the crow is a formi- all gone. The gentleman said, “I dable enemy. When the frog per- will punish you for this." He went ceives his foe approaching, he into the house, and mixed a large bloats himself with wind, and en- quantity of tartar emetic with some deavours to secure amongst the boiled rice and milk, which he plagrass those parts which are most ced in the garden; and the crows, penetrable; but the crow hops after some hesitation, consumed it. round the victim, and every now In the course of a few minutes they and then gives a peck, until he began to look at each other, seemhas perforated the skin: after ing to think that all was not right, this, the frog, by fruitless attempts and then became dreadfully sick; to inflate himself, becomes exhaust- but, after drinking plentifully of ed, and the crow carries off his water, they soon recovered. This lesson made a deep impression on prey to the top of a tree. them, and for a few days nothing could induce them to come near the house. At last, however, hunger overcame all their scruples, and they resumed their former practices; and I doubt not but that, if other skins had been placed there, they would have met with the same fate.

The instinct of this bird seems occasionally to border on reason, as its actions are apparently adapted to circumstances of an accidental nature. If there be any plot suspected, an old crow lights upon the eave of the verandah, puts his head so far down as to be able to discover what is going forward, and if there be any thing new, any thing he cannot comprehend, the alarm is given, and they all betake themselves to a place of safety. It is truly amusing to see them assist each other to get rid of the insects which live in their down: one crow bows his head, and the other takes them out with his bill. I once remember to have seen some of these cunning creatures greatly overreached, and in a way quite novel to them. A gentleman, who had been preparing the skins of some beautiful birds, in order to send them home, after having deposited the necessary drugs to preserve them from insects, placed them in the sun to dry. In the course of

But, cunning as this bird is, there is not perhaps a greater coward in creation. The least thing imaginable excites his suspicion and fear. I have seen a bird about the size of a sparrow make him fly off with the greatest precipitation. The sympathy they bear for each other is really strikingIf one of their number be wounded, or shot, or in the possession of a man, vast numbers will come from every quarter, and disturb the whole neighbourhood.

From the perusal of this account some may have been inclined to smile at the varied traits of character manifested by this bird.— They may, however, see an ad

mirable arrangement of Divine pure substances would unavoida Providence. First, let it be re- bly remain on the ground. Lastly, membered that in Ceylon every the peculiar cunning of these birds family must kill something daily; preserves them from being taken, and if the offal were not buried, although they are always about the (which it never would be unless houses; and to shoot them is exthe master of the house looked ceedingly difficult, unless both the after it himself,) it would prove person and gun be concealed.— highly injurious to health in that Here then we see, in what some warm climate. Secondly, the kite, would call a little thing, a striking though very useful in this respect, display of the wisdom and goodyet not being a quarter so nume- ness of God. rous, and at the same time being far more shy than the crow, im

Jos. ROBERTS.

Jaffna, Oct. 8, 1824.

"DOCTRINES OF GRACE."

PERHAPS no words have been ple would conclude that the epimore abused than these. They thet, "doctrines of wrath," might have been made to designate, by as justly and appropriately distinsome theological writers, almost guish the system as "doctrines of exclusively the doctrines taught grace." by Mr. John Calvin-thereby insinuating that all those who have dissented from his peculiar and distinguishing tenets were deniers of the doctrine of salvation by grace alone. But perhaps it is not generally known, or, if known, not duly considered, that when it is said such a one held to the "doctrines of grace," he not only believed in salvation by grace, but also in the predetermined and fixed purpose of Almighty God to exclude a part (one half, or more) of the human family from the grace of salvation altogether; and that this fixed and unalterable purpose was formed before the foundation of the world, without any respect to, and entirely independent of any conditions performed or to be performed by the unhappy objects of this "dire decree." Were this counterpart of those beloved "doctrines of grace" brought into view as often and with the same prominence as are the other parts of the system, it is thought that considerate peo

Grace signifies favour-a favour bestowed on a person who cannot either claim it on the principle of justice, or deserve it on account of his worthiness; and hence, by the "doctrines of grace," when used to designate the system of truth as revealed in the gospel, we ought to understand as signifying the unbounded and unmerited favour of God, manifested to a fallen world in Christ Jesus, by which a way has been opened, in consistency with the divine perfections, for the present and eternal salvation of sinners; and therefore the "free grace of God" is that grace which is freely and sincerely offered in the name of Christ to every child of fallen Adam, and which they are invited to accept "without money and without price," and, on condition of their accepting and faithfully improving, saves them from their sins here, and fits them for an everlasting inheritance. The "doctrines of grace," therefore, ac

« PreviousContinue »