not find that so painful a death as many rich people feel, who live in great plenty. I am in his hands, and he will do what is right,' or to that purpose. There were several genteel families upon the Green; and, as her general conduct was striking, and she had not been in the way of being marked with the stigma of Methodism, she was much respected. They often sent her a plate of victuals fiom their tables. At last, two ladies called on lier, and said, That they and some of their acquaintance had agreed to make her as easy as possible for her few remaining days; and asked her how much a year she would have. She said, 'I am old, and live quite by myself; but I believe I could get a room in a house not far off (to which she pointed); if you will please to pay the rent of my room, and allow me live pounds a year, it will suffice.' They offered to double it; but she declined, and said, Five pounds will be quite enough. I knew both the ladies; and have no doubt but that, if she had asked thirty pounds per year, she might have had it. She did not live long after her removal into her new lodging. She went to bed one night in usual health, and was found dead in the morning. She seemed to have died in her sleep, for there was no appearance of any struggle, nor any feature in her countenance ruffled. Thus she died alone at last; for, though there were several people in the house ready and willing to assist her, she needed no help from them. Such care did the great Lord, who humbles himself to notice the worship of angels, take of a poor old woman, who was enabled to put her trust in bim, and to acquiesce in his dispensations. 'I believe it is now forty years since she exchanged Earth for Heaven. I cannot pretend, at this distance of time, to perfect accuracy in recording all her expressions, though several of them affected me so much at the time, that they were deeply impressed upon my memory; and, I believe, you have them from me verbatim, as I had them from her own mouth. However, you may depend upon it, that the substance of what I have written is strictly true. Much more I could have added, if my memory did not fail me.' I REG leave to suggest, through the medium of your Magazine, whether evangelical knowledge might not be considerably promoted, by the establishment of Free Circulating Libraries, in different situations of the metropolis, and in every town and village? These institutions, it should seem, would XV111. D aid the exertions of the Religious Tract Society, by placing books of approved worth within the reach of persons desirous of religious instruction, but who are uninformed what books are proper to be read, and unable to procure them by purchase. A library of this description was established at Macclesfield, by the late Rev. David Simpson, which had the desired effect of promoting a spirit of religious enquiry and concern. In his 'Plea for Religion,' he has pointed out a number of books which, he says, are calculated to advance the spirit of religion in the soul, which he has had an opportunity of perusing, and can recommend them every one, as containing much that is valuable.' The utility of the plan seems obvious. Surely, there are individuals in every town and village throughout the kingdom, desirous of promoting the best interests of their fellowmortals. Let such step forward, recollecting, for their encouragement, the words of St. James:-Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.' No one need be discouraged from the attempt by the expense. It may be commenced upon a small scale, with the publications of the Religious Tract Society, and enlarged as assistance may be received, with the books recommended by Mr. Simpson, or others; which are to be met with secondhand, for a small sum. JUVENIS I am, &c. Rev. Sir, A REMARKABLE DREAM. To the Editor. Should the following Anecdote of R. L-, of U- (as related to me by himself) meet your approbation, its insertion in your Periodical Miscellany, will much oblige your constant reader, Hales Owen. T. D. 'I HAVE known the grace of God for nearly 30 years; but, in spite of all my advice, my five sons and two daughters, all grown up, ran on in the broad way to destruction. This cost me many a prayer, and many a tear; yet I saw no fruit of all my labour. In January last, I dreamed that the day of judgment was come. I saw the Judge on his great white throne, the holy angels sat around him, and all nations were gathered before him. I and my wife were on the right hand; but I could not see any of my children. I said, I cannot bear this; I must go and seek them; so I went to the left hand, and found them all seven standing together, tearing their hair, beating their breasts, and oursing the day that ever they were born. ▲ REMARKABLE DREAM. 15 As soon as they saw me, they all caught hold of me, and said, "O, father! we will part no more!" I said, 'My dear children, I am come to try, if possible, to get you out of this dismal situation;' so I took them all with me: but, when we were come within a bow-shot of the Judge, I thought he cast an angry look, and said, 'What do thy children with thee now? They would not take thy warning when upon earth: they shall not share the crown with thee, Depart, ye cursed!' - At these words I awoke, bathed in sweat and tears. 'Awhile after this, as we were sitting all together, on a Sunday evening, I related my dream to them. No sooner did I begin, but first one, then another, yea, all of them, burst into tears, and God fastened conviction on their hearts. Five of them are now rejoicing in God their Saviour; and, I believe, God is at work with the other two: so that I doubt not but he will give them also to my prayers." The remainder of his children have since been converted, and walk according to the truth as it is in Jesus. Sir, AN ORIGINAL LETTER. To the Editor. About twelve years since, I became acquainted with Mr. Joshua Bretherton, of the city of Gloucester, one of the first fruits of Mr. Whitfield's ministry in that city. Being in conversation one evening on the privilege of the fellowship of saints, he said he would furnish me with a treat, and immediately produced a box, containing some hundreds of letters, which he had received in the course of many years, being a correspondence from different ministers and private characters in the church, The principal part of them were in the hand-writing of that eminent servant of God, Mr. Whitfield; and many from Mr. Bedggood, a copy of one of whose I have now sent you. Of this person, Mr. Bretherton gave me the following remarkable account:-He had been a very wild, diss pated youth, and in the course of his carreer formed a connection with similar characters. He and another of his companions agreed to break open a house; for which crime they were apprehended, tried at the Assizes at Gloucester, and condemned to die. While under sentence of death, Mr. Bretherton frequently visited them; and it pleased Him, who had mercy on the penitent thief on the cross, to make Mr. B. the instrument of good to his soul. He was reprieved for fourteen years transportation to America; and his companion, I believe, suffered death. After his arrival on the continent, he had the privilege of attending the ministry of Mr. Whitfield, and other gospel divines. Under the former th Lord was graciously pleased to reveal his love to his soul, and to show him, by happy experience, that whom the Son maketh free, they are free indeed. Thus happy in redeeming love, he earnestly desired to publish * abroad that gospel, whose salutary effects he had experienced; and Divine Providence soon opened a way, Mr. B. informed me that his labours had been greatly blessed in America; and, indeed, this appeared from many of his letters. A mutual attachment long subsisted between these two friends. Mr. Bedggood had been dead a few years when the circumstances were related to me, and Mr. Bretherton, a veteran in the camp of Jesus, went home soon after I enjoyed this interview with him. The mighty acts of the Lord should he recorded: -Mr. Bedggood stands in the annals of the Church as a monument of distinguishing grace. Rev. Mr B My dear and ever valued Friend, J. F. I am, Sir, yours, &c. Ir would afford satisfaction to my mind, were I certainly in formed that you are yet resident among mortals, or could I know what deprives me of your endeared correspondence; but I am involved in uncertainty, and afflicted with uneasiness. If you are still living, remember you have attracted my esteem, and grappled my soul to yours by the indissoluble ties of friendship, and you must not punish me by a wilful silence. I wrote you formerly several letters, intimating my suspence as to the course I should steer, supposing I saw it my duty to leave Carolina. I had a strong propensity to return to England; and had your letters afforded me any degree of conviction that I might have been useful there, it is probable I should, before this, have seen my much-loved friend; but you wrote as be came you, and I endeavoured to act conscientiously, I am now again amongst the people of my first charge, at the Welch Tract, where I have much work upon my hands, a large congregation at home, and many calls to preach the gospel abroad. My work is my delight; and my warmest desires with regard to time are, that my labours may be blest to the recovery of immortals out of the suares of death. I would humbly hope my prayers will be answered; but my rod don't blossom much as yet. O! for a firmer faith, - a larger degree of patience, with an honest, resolute perseverance! I have gone through many trials since I accepted the call from Charlestown. If I could give you a detail of the whole, it would lead you to pity and to rejoice with ine; but my heaviest and most afflictive trials are from my temptations and my sins, - the invisible, but fiery darts of Satan, and the depravity of my nature: the former I am frequently molested with; the latter gives me perpetual disturbance. While I write, I feel its awful influence; but the precious 'gospel supports my : hope, with oaths, and promises, and blood." Here I find a cordial for my heart, food for my soul, wisdom, righteousness, and strength, - Jesus, and in him all I want! O, my brother! the gospel should be ever precious, and very precious to us! It is the chariot of salvation, in which the Saviour of sinners rides! it is the power of God, and the wisdom of God to every one that believes! Lord, I believe! help thou my unbelief! Were it not for a free, benevolent, liberal, just, merciful, and generous gospel; -were it not for an all-accomplished Saviour, Jesus, God in my own nature, whom it so abundantly reveals, my soul would sink into the most abject, forlorn, and miserable state; but by this I rise, by this I live, 一 in this I make my boast! In this glorious Saviour I trust! I am complete! Oh! how vast the idea!-how wonderous the plan of redemption! how salutary the doctrines of boundless grace! They cheer my drooping spirits, - they rouze and animate my soul, they give a charming eloquence and amiable glory, even to the dreadful thunders and amazing lightnings of Sinai! They represent, with an overcoming dignity and beauty, the justice and mercy of God in harmony! Charlestown, Oct. 28. YESTERDAY I came to town, and found your welcome letters, - a cluster of blessings and benefits, for which I thank you, my dearest friend; and, as I sympathized with you in your affliction, I now rejoice in your comfort. Glory, glory, glory to our God in the highest, for such attention manifested, such peace given to man, - rebellious man! I am indignant against my ungrateful heart, this poor, degenerate breast, that I do not burn with love, overflow with gratitude, and kindle with a seraph's zeal, at the repeated experience of his marvellous grace! O! how vile am 1!- how excellent the Lord, my Saviour! When shall I be more like him in holiness? When make more grateful returns to the God of my salvation? Pray for me, my dear brother, and praise him for me too! Since I wrote the former part of this letter, some souls have been awakened, and I find fresh encouragement thereby; but, alas! my love is too languid! What, then, shall I repine? shall I despair? - give up? No: I will trust in an Almighty Saviour, and confide in his faithful promises. My love awaits my Gloucester friends. I am hurried, and my paper almost filled; but whether in hurry or leisure, in sorrow or joy, in life or death, |