Question and Answer; and the pious Bishop of St. David's has composed a series of such catechisms, particularly adapted to the Members of the Established Church. The hand of a Watts, however, is wanted, to reduce the subject to the comprehension of the infant mind. Dr. Doddridge's Evidences of Christianity' is a tract which merits every encomium we can bestow; for lucid statement, strength, and compres sion of argument, it is perhaps hardly capable of improvement. On this account. the late Bishop of London strongly recommended it to the clergy, and to all candidates for the sacred office. There are other tracts, however, which must by no means be overlooked. Mr. Fawcett's, on the same subject, is certainly very excellent and rendered particularly interesting by the hints on the external evidences, borrowed from antiquity. As many of the arguments differ materially from those of Dr. Doddridge, these tracts may be considered as suitable companions and coadjutors. For general circalation, in a very compressed form, the late Mr. Ryland wrote a very impressive small tract, on the Evidences of the Christian Religion, which we are glad to find is just reprinted. But young people of inquisitive minds will hardly rest satisfied with the perusal of these brief tracts. They will wish to pursue the subject farther. To such, the small volume of Grotius, De veritate (of which there are several English editions); and the Evidences of Mr. Addison, first preent themselves. The former is a compact system, supported by the prodigious learning of one of the greatest scholars of the 16th century; and the latter sufficiently recommends itself, as the production of one of the most elegant and accomplished writers of the 17th; and certainly, in this cause, a most disinterested witness. Mr. Bogue, in his Essay on the New Testament,' has thrown so much novelty into the subject, and illustrated it with so much genius, that te a young man of taste, it affords as much entertainment as instruction. Mr. Fuler has placed the subject in another point of view; and, in his Gospel its own Witness, done ample justice to the internal Evidences of Christianity. His appeal is both to the understanding and to the heart Bis arguments are like arrows. not only pointed, but barbed; and the unbeliever, who can tead his books without agitation and trembling, moust bave a heart long hardened in the career of sin. Among the advocates of Christianity, it would be unpardonable to omit the names of Watson and Paley. The Apologies of the former are masterly replies to Gibbon and to Paine; but we do not think it necessary for young people to enter into all the objections of Deistical writers. Should any of our readers be particularly assailed by them, the writer of this article would be happy in directing him to the ablest answers: but it is of more importance to be well grounded in the arguments on which Christianity is founded. Here Dr. Paley's Evidences stand unrivalled, both for perspicuity of style and strength of reasoning; and he has reudered the out works of Christianity so impregnable, that the man must be a bero indeed in the cause of Infidelity, who dare now attack them. It would be endless to enumerate all the able advocates for Christianity during the last 50 years. To Dr. Beattie, whose Essay was honoured with royal ap probation, should be added the honoured names of Campbell, Douglas, Haller, Bryant, Newton, Porteus, and many others. We conclude this article, with an Anecdote we have lately met with, and which may be useful to our young readers, whose ruinds may be at any fine disturbed with doubts on the divinity of our religion:-A gentleman once applied to Dr. Foster (an able advocate for Christianity in the last century) for a resolution of some doubts which troubled him on this subject.Have you prayed this morning,' said the Doctor, to the Father of Lights for divine illumination? “No, Sir." Then, Sir, I must be excused enter ing into your doubts on Revelation, while you neglect the first duty of Natural Religion' MISS ANN LUCRAFT, Obituary. Tur subject of this Obituary, was born in London, in the year 1784; and though it does not appear that her conduct during her childhood was other than what is generally esteemed moral, yet, until her last illness, she was totally destitute of vital religion; and was of course living without scriptural hope, and without God in the world. It how ever pleased Him who does not without cause afflict the children of men, to visit her, in the month of October, 1807, with a nervous and intermittent fever, which ultimately brought on a consumption. About seven months ago, she was visited by some persons from Silver Street Chapel, and from a Society in connection with Christ Church, Newgate Street, who found her in a very weak and low state of body; but ignorant respecting the concerns of her soul, tho' a person of good natural understanding and considerable acquirements. Being questioned concerning the foundation of her hope of happiness bereafter, she the answered, That God was merciful; and she hoped he would forgive her. This led to an explanation of the universal and total depravity of our nature, and our consequent inability to obtain happiness by our own works or deservings. It was observed to her, that no natural endowments, no apparent difference in the moral characters of mankind, would be of avail to obtain the approbation of God, who seeth not as man seeth, but who looketh upon the heart; and consequently none could be justified and accepted in his sight, but those who found mercy through Jesus Christ. This was proved from Scriplure to be the state of her soul; and the appeared so much disgusted with the representation, as to be inclined to forbid the visitors coming any more to see her. Her prejudices were very great respecting the Church of England: and until she learnt that ona of the visitors was connected with that church, she never cordially received them. Upon learning this, she observed to the visitor, that she did not like his manner of reading the Bible; and noticed that he had omitted to say the Lord's Prayer when he had prayed; which circumstance occasioned her to shed tears after he was gone. This was about three week after she was first visited; and ever after this, she received the visitors with thankfulness. the now became very attentive, her prejudices gradually wore off, and she began to enquire whether these things were so. An enquiring spirit war soon followed by deep convictions in her mind that she was wrong; and she sorrowfully deplored that she had not attended to her soul's concerns while in health. At first she appeared to be careful about many things; and questioned how it would be with her mother, &c. after she was gone; but from this time she was enabled to give all into the hands of God, while her whole concern was about the one thing Recdful.' She remained under strong convictions of sin for some weeks, when the Lord was pleased to bless an explanation of some Scripturos, particularly Job xxxiii, and Lamentations iii; and, through them, to reveal himself to her, as the Lord, who had blotted out her transgressions for his own name's sake; and her joy on that occasion, she said, was unutterable. Before that, when the Bible was opened. she began to tremble, lest there should be any sentence which would condemn her; but afterwards she had no relish for any thing but the Scriptures. She would often read herself, and request others to read them; and one day engaged in prayer extempore, to the great surprize of her mother, who was with her. Being sometimes exercised with doubts and fears about her state, she would often express her desires, by repeating Mr. Newton's Hymn, Tis a point I long to know,' &c. "She was thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ, who, by his death, had become her surety. The progress in religious experience which she was enabled to make in the course of a few weeks, was truly surprizing; and though her pain was incessant, and frequently excruciating, yet she was endued with much patience. She would say. My pain is very great; but I pray for patience, from the recollection of what my Saviour underwent for me! I am very thankful that God has afflicted me; and the more so, as I trust he has made it the means of bringing me to himself. She felt sensible that God had wrought a great change in her soul; insomuch, that the things she once loved, she now esteemed of no value; and the objects which had become of the highest importance in her esteem, were the things which she had before despised and neglected. It was observed by her, That she would not make an exchange (even considering all her pain) with those who possessed, and were attached to the ease, honours, and pleasures of the world. Having obtained mercy herself, she now began to be anxious for the welfare of her relatives; and entreated her sister, as her dying request, to attend to the means of grace, she herself being an iustance of the uncertainty of life. She was afterwards asked whether she should like to be restored to health; and her reply was, If it is the will of God I would rather not, as I am afraid I should get into the world and imbibe its spirit again: I would rather depart, and be with Christ, which is far better.' About this time her disorder began to increase; and, through grace, she could see death approach and contemplate it with pleasure, saying, How happy shall we be when we arrive in Heaven! Frequently did she repeat that hymn, O Zion, afflicted with wave upon wave,' &c. She would thank God that ever she was visited, on account of her illness, by the abovementioned Societies. seing her mother weep, she observed, Can you wish me to stay when I am going to be happy? God will provide for you.' Being . asked whether Christ was preciou she answered,' He is very precious as I have no other dependence Indeed, she appeared remarkably di vested of every thing but Christ, as her only hope! The week before she died, a female friend sat up with her a few nights, when it appeared that the enemy of souls was again permitted to harrass her mind with doubts and fears; for she said to this friend, I feel myself a sinner and I feel very impatient, do you think that Jesus will cast me off for it? This was answered in the ne gative; and Christ's own words were referred to, in John xxviii. 29, &c.] At hearing these scriptures read, she said, Well, this is comfortable 1. I am sure I have come to Him: I am very sure I am right. It is very profitable for me to hear the proinises of the gospel and its consolotary parts, but I like that my sins should be brought to my mind. Please to read the 51st Psalm. From this time she expressed herself confident; and it was pleasing to observe her composure. She was visited a few hours before her departure: her mental faculties were preserved to the last; but she was so weak she could scarcely speak. She was asked how she fell hersel in the near prospect of death; and replied, I have no doubt; I have no fear! She enquired of the visitor, - How long do you think I shall be here yet and when she received for answer, that it was thought a few hours would terminate the conflict. she appeared greatly rejoiced; and said Thank God!' She was now fast approaching the verge of Jordan, possessing a calm and rooted faith in the Lord Jesus. Her last words, which were noticed, were, When wilt thou send to fetch me away, blessed Jesus?'-Her Jesus heard her; and took her happy spirit to himself shortly after, on Sunday Sept. 11, 1808, in the 24th your of her age. Her remains were interred in the burial-ground connected with Elim Chapel, on the following Sabbath; and the event was suitably improved by the Rev. Mr. Austin, from 2 Cor. v. 5, 6, who had visited her during her illness, and expressed himself satisfied that an MRS. MARGARET ANWYL, WIFE of E. Anwyl, Esq. of Monmouthshire, died the 11th day of October, 1808. We have every reason to believe she was a sincere Christian, of unaffected piety. She was for the space of ten years a real crnament to that religion of which ste was a humble professor; for no grace shone more in her than humility and self-denial, especially in matters of religion. She was certainly possessed of very strong mental powers, beyond most of her sex; and perhaps none thought less of lum. When she first joined the people of God, in a small society of the Independents at Pennal, within four miles of Machynlleth, she particularly requested them to be faithful towards her, in reminding her of her duty, and reproving her for what should be improper in her. Some years after that, she complained to the writer that she was afraid the friends might overlook me things in her, on account of ser situation in the world, that Tould not be overlooked in a other; adding, that it was hard if The Lord's goodness towards her Ladered them from being faithful ober in the concerns of her own soul. — O that all in like circum- ́. stances were disposed to make the like request, and afterwards to need eproof as little as Mrs. A.! Upon the whole, Mrs. A.'s religion was such as enabled her to bear a number of severe trials with a great degree of resignation, resting upon teat precious declaration, AH things work together for good,' &c. -made her zealous without ostcntation to promote the interest of the Redeemer, and enabled her to meet the king of terrors without dismay. In a conversation with a friend (being just returned from the Lord's Tase the last time) she observed, that she had been, for a long time, much perplexed in her mind, on account of her eternal state. But, said she, blessed be God, that is now altogether removed. Let death come when it may, I have nothing to fear! When visited with a new trial, she said, in a language that bespoke the sincerity of her heart, Merciful God! and shall I ever see a better country! When? She used to say, that if it should be the Lord's will, to which she would wish to be resigned, that a sudden death would be preferred by her. Her desire was granted; for she was as well as usual going to bed on Friday night; and, early on Tuesday, at her eternal home! Her disorder was deceiving so much so, that none of the family were sensible of the solemp scene that was now approaching. Nor did she, indeed, seem to think that her dissolution was SO She got up several times on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Tuesday morning, between twelve and one o'clock, she altered; and about two, the blissful period arrived, when she was to leave a world of affiction, and her pious spirit to fly to the embraces of the Redeemer! Reader, truly, godliness is profitable for all things. Eternal things will employ thy mind as well as that of the writer soon! Live entirely upon Christ, and it will make thee exult in the view of death and eternity! J. G. near. RECENT DEATH. We are concerned to hear that the Rev. Mr. Violet, who had been preaching, for a few years past, at St. John's, Newfoundland, and was on his passage to England, was, in one of the late dreadful storms. wrecked on the coast of the Isle of Man. Mr.V. with most of the crew, were drowned. His body was afterwards found, and decently interred. His property was afterwards taken care of, and information sent to his friends in London. REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. A Second Letter to Lord Teign elining to become a Subscriber' to the Bible Society. By Chr.Words worth, D. D. Dean and Rector of Backing, and Domestic Chaplain to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. Dated from Lambeth Palace. 3s. 61. Vindication of the Bible Society, in a Letter is Dr. Wordsworth, chiefly in Reply to his Letter to Ford Teigun.buch By William Besltry, Examining Chaplain to The Bishop of Bristol, and Chuplain to the Earl of Leven and Melville, Frofessor of Mrthematics in the Fast India College, Herts, and hellors of Trinity College, Cambridge. 18. of argumentation, had resolved to fling off all influence of rational sen timent, in order that their bigotry might go forth unincumbered, to harrass or demolish every object inflexible to its measure, on which it should happen to alight: but the cause is too powerful to be injured by efforts like these. Knowing, as suredly, that the brightness of divine truth shall continue to illuminate and bless; and that the kedeemer's name must, in the end, universally be known, we exult in hostility shall ever furnish, can be the happy certainty, that all that but as the chips or straws contending with the mighty current, whose channel will be constantly extending its limits, till at length overwhelmfilled with the knowledge of the ing all resistance, the earth shall be Lord, as the waters cover the sea; and we see in this trivial stir but another small example of his causing the wrath of man to praise Him, by the exhibition of its impotence, displaying the power of his arm, and the sure ascendency of his cause: but we hasten to lay before our readers some very curious information, which it will be highly becoming in them to notice, and to treasure in their minds for the service of any future emergency. WE should really feel some apology due to our readers for further employing their time and our pages in noticing this futile opposition, We are admonished by the Counwere it not that the perplexity in try Clergyman, That the Society which the discussion has been in- consigns them (the Bibles) to a cirvolved, in conjunction with the as- culation, by which they know be pect of the quarter where it was fore hand, that the word of God will moved, may probably have some be depraved to all sort of heretical effect in rendering all the folly uses' (p. 21). Again: Your Socie flowing from thence important, and ty, when they deliver Bibles to their the nonsense respectable. It is, heretical members (who they know however, so evidently furnished by will not confine themselves to the a spirit of the most unchristian ri- sole act of distributing them) delivalry and nalevolence, that we ver, as I conceive, the holy Scriptruly are now compelled to consider ture, the blessed word of God, to be it as an unmasked foe to the great in an hundred ways corrupted, adulwork which we hope animates allterated, and prostituted to the purour hearts, and to treat it accordingly. A temper so vile pervades such despicable trifling, one might suspect that these complainers, wearied with the old toilsome course poses of every sect and schism in the kingdom' (p. 22). Further (p. 45) You call the Society An Assemblage of (hristians; whereas it is an assemblage of any persons who are |