to truth displayed by many who lately belonged to Arian congregations, their brethren, in more favoured circumstances, deeply sympathize. The struggles of men for their religious rights have never been viewed with apathy; and when a people are struggling against the domination of a corrupt ministry, they merit the sympathy and the prayers of the Christian community. It may be cheering to those in such circumstances to know that they have enlisted on their side the approval of the great body of Orthodox Christians in Scotland, England, and America. The Orthodox Presbyterians of Ulster, therefore, have a conspicuous part to act in the present time. The eye of the Christian world is upon them. By their adherence to the Synod of Ulster, many of them lose their property in their former houses of worship. They may incur the hatred of those of their acquaintances who have embraced the prevalent erroneous doctrines. They have, therefore, no temporal motives to urge them forward. But how glorious is it to have the prayers of millions for their success! How honourable to be instrumental in transmitting the blessings of pure religion to posterity! And how becoming Christians to testify their love to Him who died for them, by contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints! [TO BE CONTINUED.] A DEATH-BED. WE seldom pay a visit to the house of affliction without receiving an instructive lesson. Nothing is better calculated to impress the mind with seriousness, and to show the vanity of worldly things, than to see a fellow-mortal stretched on a bed of sickness, about to take a farewell of every thing earthly. When looking upon such a scene, we are naturally led to identify the circumstances of the sufferer with what may yet be our own case, and to consider that our race upon earth will also shortly be run. I have no doubt God has frequently made death-bed scenes instrumental in the hands of the Divine Spirit to awaken sinners from their spiritual slumber. Let one of those votaries of pleasure who mock at religion, attend the chamber of a dying Christian: let him see a person lately in the bloom of youth and vigour, full of pleasing anticipations-now suffering under pain and langour, the victim of a lingering disease: who, whilst his strength is decaying whilst he is fast sinking to the tomb, can contemplate the dark hour of death with a mind calm and serene-can submit with patience to the Divine will, and bless his God from the depth of sufferings. Such scenes there are: and will not such a scene convince the infidel that religion is not a fable? Yes, it must convince him, though he do not acknowledge it, and compel him in his heart to join in the prayer,-Oh! may I die the death of the righteous, and my last end be like his! To the mind of faith, the removal of one of Christ's flock from an earthly to a heavenly fold, can furnish no cause of real sorrow. If angels in heaven rejoice at the repentance of a sinner, how much more when they receive a new companion in their heavenly abodes. To die in peace to feel that death has no sting, the grave no victory-to be enabled to say, for me to die is gain--and to experience, in the last moments of this life, the cheering presence of the Holy Spirit assuring of life eternal: these are the unspeakable privileges of every believer. Precious privileges! most glorious prospects! Hasten, O Lord, we beseech thee, the time, when the number of thy chosen people shall be accomplished, and brought home to eternal glory! Mary Hwas a Presbyterian, attending the ministry of the Rev. David Gilkey; her parents, who are yet living, move in the humble walks of society; but although poor, are, I trust, rich in faith. By her industry in sewing, she not only supported herself, but contributed in a great measure to the support of the family. Her illness commenced about November last, brought on by having caught cold. Previous to that time, her mind had not been much concerned about the things belonging to her everlasting peace. She had indeed been a female of the strictest propriety in morals-had been respected as a modest unassuming character-and bad maintained an outward respect for religion; yet, until it pleased the Lord to afflict her, she had not those clear views of salvation through the atonement of Christ, which she subsequently experienced. From the beginning of her illness, there was a presage in her mind that it would terminate in death: this led her to read the Word of God; and she read it with earnestress and prayer, as if seeking for hidden treasure. From the Bible she discovered her lost state by nature, her helplessness and incapacity to do any thing effectual to her recovery from sin. With this sense of her own sinfulness, was imparted to her the knowledge of that gracious remedy God has provided in his Son; to this refuge for sinners, she was enabled to fly by faith, laying hold of the promises. From that time forward she seemed to dwell with delight upon the things of the invisible world, to long after the time when, freed from the body, she should see no longer as through a glass darkly, but see God face to face. There was in her case not an instantaneous, but a gradual change of mind-a progressive advance in the divine life. The first time I visited this daughter of affliction, was on a Sabbath morning. Before entering the house, I perceived through the window, that the aged father of this little family, was kneeling with them at prayer. The circumstance struck me with feelings of pleasure; and although (I trust) this is not an unusual exercise with the heads of families in this neighbourhood, yet with the practice of many of the more immediate neighbours, it formed a strong contrast. On being admitted, and shown up to the little chamber, or rather loft, in which the sick female lay, I found her much worse than I had anticipated. Her body had been much wasted before she became con. fined to bed, and now her sight was almost gone, although to appearance the eyes were as well as usual; her utterance also was imperfect, (owing to phlegm in the throat;) and there seemed to be no hope of recovery entertained. She spoke freely to me of the state of her mind: “O it was good for me," said she," to be afflicted. I am every day getting more enlightened." I endeavoured to impress upon her mind, that not by any works or merit on our part, but solely through the blood and righteousness of the Redeemer, are we reconciled to God. Of this she seemed fully sensible, exclaiming, "I am nothing, but Christ is all." From the great error of going about to establish her own righteousness, she seemed totally free; and it appears to me a solid proof of the teaching which comes from above, when a person is driven from this refuge of lies, to take refuge in Christ. She spoke of her approaching dissolution with calmness: "When I first became ill," she said, "I was unwilling to die; I wished to recover, although I had no idea that that would be the case; but now, I have no desire of living." She frequently expressed her desire to die, and go to her Saviour, saying, "Come, Lord Jesus." At some times her pains were great, especially in her limbs and head: she seemed thankful when she received any respite from them, saying, that in all her affliction God was her comfort, and her pains would not continue long. Through the whole of her illness she was a pattern of patience and resignation; no murmur or complaint escaping her lips, but rather blessing God. At one time she said, "O how shall I find words to express the goodness of God." The continuance of her illness, from the time she became confined to bed, was twenty weeks: during that time, she had been visited by many friends of religion, some of them in that sphere of life which is apt to make men look down upon the poor with contempt. But it is not so with those who have, in their union with Christ, become united also to the poorer members of his body-bave learned to look upon and acknowledge even the meanest as their brethren in the Lord, and to love them as the loved of the Saviour. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love another." And this love was evidenced in the present case by various ways-by endeavouring to contribute to her comfort-by softening the pillow of affliction with the promises of the Gospel, and pointing her hopes to light, and life, and immortality. She The last time I visited her, a few days before her death, she was unable to speak. The tide of life was fast ebbing, and it was evident that a few days must close the scene of suffering mortality. When taking leave, I asked her, "Do you still feel peace with God in your mind?" attempted to answer, but was unable; the words died away on her tongue; yet I could draw the evidence of her hope and trust from her earnest endeavour to assent to my inquiry; her look also and gesture showed how much she wished to express the peace of her soul. She died on the 16th September, 1830, aged 22. It is. sweet to reflect that the body, though now committed to corruption, is still dear to Christ.-It rests in the grave till the resurrection, but shall then arise glorious and incorruptible. The hand which is now motionless, shall then be raised high in triumph, bearing a palm of victory; and the tongue now silent shall join the chorus of the redeemed," Unto him that loved us, and washed us from B our sins in his own blood, unto him be glory both now and evermore. Amen." "Go, child of darkness, see a Christian die, ОМАСИ, 1830. V. V. SYNOD OF ULSTER. We promised, in a former Number, to lay before our readers some important proceedings at the late meeting of the Synod of Ulster at Omagh, and we now hasten to redeem our pledge. It is the less necessary to give a minute detail as copies of the Minutes are now for the first time accessible to the public, and at a very moderate price. To the Presbyterian, and religious public in general, we doubt not the following Overtures will be particularly interesting: I. "Overtured and agreed to, That a Committee be appointed and empowered to enter into a correspondence with the Presbyterian Churches in Europe and America, professing the same doctrines with the Church of Scotland; with a view to ascertain how far it may be practicable to establish ecclesiastical intercourse, by letter or delegation, between these Churches and the Synod." We presume it is already known to many of our readers that, by the friends of evangelical truth both at home and abroad, there has been felt and expressed the deepest in. terest in the late struggles of the Synod for the promotion of truth. The most encouraging letters have been received from England, Scotland, and America. Strangers who have visited our country, from all these places, have assured us of the warmest sympathy of the Churches with which they are connected. And already arrangements have been made by a Presbyterian Synod in the North of England, and by the General Assembly in America, to enter into correspondence with the Synod of Ulster.Indeed they have anticipated us in the proposal of this friendly intercourse. From time to time we hope to enjoy |
