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singing the 98th Psalm; and [ London, on the best means to be the attention of the congregation adopted in future. But the was relieved by verses, inter- greater part of the people who spersed, of the Hymn" O Zi-had continued with me from the "on's King, God's only Son," beginning, came to me daily, ex&c.* pressing their earnest desire of receiving this token of the Cove

On the next day, at ten o'clock,

wished to be the servants of Jesus, declaring that they saw no other way of escaping from the

rious sacrifice of the Son of God. Having selected from among them such as appeared to me most fit to receive this seal of Covenant love, I baptized, on the 15th of January, 1803, three men, seven women, and twentyfour of their children. The joy

the solemn service began. Thenant, for, they said, they also Christians vied with each other, in offering to stand witnesses to the Baptism of the children of this new congregation. I preach-wrath to come, but by the vicaed on Rom. v. 1, 2, concluding with an appropriate address, in which I called on the adults to put off the old man, or the corrupt principles of their sinful nature, and to put on the Lord Jesus. The sacrament of Baptism | was then administered, first to the adults, and next to the chil-was great and sincere. Those dren, (twenty-seven in number) who had formerly been baptized, the fathers holding them on their were exhorted to reconsider knees, and the mothers bringing their obligations, as well as their their babes in their arms. We privileges. This took place only then sang our favorite Hymn-two days before my departure "O Zion's King, &c." In the from Zak River, so that we had evening we sat down to a Love-not opportunity of rendering it feast, and afterwards to the Holy Communion. I concluded the day by preaching on Rom. viii. 1, 2. It was a blessed season, our young Christians joining with us in brotherly fellowship, and partaking in our blessings.ment, the whole population beI was much fatigued, but the ing about six hundred.-So far Lord strengthened me. the Dutch Account.

It was my intention not to baptize any more persons, till II should return from Europe; for I had now resolved upon going thither, partly for the sake of my drooping health, partly on account of some important domestic concerns, and also with a view of consulting the Directors of the Missionary Society in

* See a Translation of this Hymn, from the Dutch, in the Evangelical Magazine for December, 1803.

so public, or so solemn, as in the former instances; nevertheless, the impression it left on all minds was very deep and desirable. Thus I left eighty-three baptized Heathen at the Settle

In the course of the year 1802, had an agreeable visit from Brother Jolin Kock, who, with three of his Bootsuannas, (one of them a Chief, called Perry) and their families, had travelled to Cape Town. John Kock related a fact, which is certainly remarkable. He preached to the natives, (who are a more intelligent race of men than the Hottentots) the leading doctrines of the Christian faith; but, for some time, to no visible purpose.

I took leave of my dear affectionate people at Zak River,* and proceeded to Cape Town, in order to take my passage for Europe. After trying in vain, for some time, to procure a passage

But on a certain night, which was very rainy, a Bootsuanna being in the fields, and not succeeding in making a fire, by the usual method of rubbing two sticks together, it came into his mind that he would pray to, Je-in a Dutch vessel, I was obliged, sus, whom he had heard could answer the petitions of his people; when, to his great surprise, the very next attempt proved successful. This singular circumstance impressed his mind, and induced him to become more attentive to the preaching of the Gospel; he began to discover the necessity of experimental religion, and there was reason to hope that the spark which was kindled in his mind would never be extinguished. Oh, the condescending love of God to poor blind creatures!

Perry conceived a strong affection for me, and asked a number of pertinent questions, such as, Whether the baptismal water differed in its nature from that of the rivers of Caffraria? Whether Jesus was the Saviour of Caffres as well as of Hottentots? How he could be God and man at the same time? He pressed me hard to go with him to his own country, promising that he would prepare every thing for my reception, and assuring me that he should esteem that day the happiest of his life when he should see me arrive at his Kraal. He even offered to go with me over the Great Wa

ter.

About the same time, I enjoyed an agreeable visit from Brother Anderson, who informed me that every thing went on well at the Great River, and that the work of the Lord prospered much in those parts.

On the 17th of January, 1803,
VOL. V. NO. 12.

at last, to go on board a Dane. On the south of the Equinoctial, the wind was generally favorable; but after we had crossed it, we met with adverse winds which took us far out of our proper course. At length, we spoke with a ship, which communicated to us the distressing news that the war had again broken out; in consequence of this information we steered round Scotland, towards Norway, where we made a harbor, in which we were glad to find a shelter from the very heavy gales. From

* Mr. K.'s parting was very affecting. The poor people wept bitterly. They laid hold on his hands and said they could not let him go. They said they would pray to God to bring him back soon; they thought they should die if he did not return. They expressed their apprehension that it was on account of their guilt, and because they had not sufficiently prized the ministry of the Gospel, that they must be deprived of it. A gentleman who saw them after Mr. K.'s departure said that no person must now mention his name to them, and that

if any one happened to do so they would be extremely affected and weep much.

Mr. K. left the congregation under the care of Mr. Botman, a worthy pious man, a native who had been a Farmer. But being determined to devote himself to the service of Christ and souls, he had sold all his goods and become a preacher of the Gospel.

Mr. K. left them with the assurance that he would return to them, if little more. possible, in the course of a year, or He left London, Dec. 21, for Holland, expecting a passage from thence to the Cape very shortly. L11

and strict attention to diet, he, after some time, seemed, if not gaining strength, at least not getting worse; and his friends fondly hoped that his health would continue to improve as the season advanced. He, however, con

thence we proceeded, July 16th, | dle of January, 1804, his comto the Texel, in the very en-plaint grew more serious; yet trance of which we were exam-by judicious medical treatment, ined by an English Cruiser. I committed myself to Him, who never failed to be a refuge for me in the day of trouble, and he delivered us; for though the captain of the vessel examined our papers, which certainly proved us the fairest prize imagina-sidered his life as very precarible, he suffered us to proceed. ous. Even at this time, besides We knew not how to account his miscellaneous reading, which for his generosity, as every fish- was at all times very extensive, ing boat was taken by the Brit- he read through all the works ish: however, we were thankful quoted in his "Comparison of to the Lord who had brought us the different Systems of the Gresafely to the place of our desti- cian Philosophers with Christination, we being the only ship ofanity;" composed that work, and all those which left the Cape with us, that reached the Mother Country.

Death of Dr. Priestly.

transcribed the whole of it, in less than three months; so that he has left it ready for the press. During this period he composed, in one day, his Second Reply to Dr. Linn.

"In the last fortnight of January, his fits of indigestion beThe following account of the came more alarming, his legs death of this well known char-swelled and his weakness increasacter, has been inserted in the ed. Philadelphia Gazette.

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INCE his illness at Phila

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Within two days of his death, he became so weak that he could walk but a little way, and that with great difficulty: for some time he found himself unable to speak; but, on recov[ering a little, he told his friends that he had never felt more pleasantly during his whole life-time, than during the time he was unable to speak. He was fully sensible that he had not long to live, yet talked with cheerfulness to all who called on him. In the course of the day, he expressed his thankfulness at being permitted to die quietly in his fam

delphia, in the year 1801, Dr. Priestly never regained his former state of health. His complaint was constant indigestion, and a difficulty of swallowing food of any kind. But during this period of general debility, he was busily employed in printing his Church History, and the first volume of his notes on the scriptures, and in making new and original experiments. During this period, likewise, he wrote his pamphlet of Jesus and Soc-ily without pain, and with every rates compared, and reprinted convenience and comfort that he his Essay on Phlogiston. could wish for. He dwelt upon the peculiarly happy situation in which it had pleased the Di

"From about the beginning of November, 1805, to the mid

vine Being to place him in life, and the great advantage he had enjoyed in the acquaintance and friendship of some of the best and wisest of men of the age in which he lived, and the satisfaction he derived from having led an useful as well as happy life. He this day gave directions about printing the remainder of his notes on the Scriptures (a work, in the completion of which he was much interested,) and looked over the first sheet of the third volume, after it was corrected by those who were to attend to its completion, and expressed his satisfaction at the manner of its being executed.

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the grave, and we shall meet again.'

"On Monday morning, the 9th of February, on being asked how he did, he answered in a faint voice, that he had no pain, but appeared fainting away gradually. About eight o'clock he desired to have three pamphlets which had been looked out by his directions the evening before. He then dictated as clearly and distinctly as he had ever done in his life, the additions and alterations which he wished to have done in each. Mtook down the substance of what he said, which was read to him. He observed, "Sir, you have "On Sunday the 5th he was put in your own language; I much weaker, but sat up in an wish it to be mine." He then arm chair for a few minutes. He repeated over again, nearly word desired that John, ch. xi. might for word, what he had before be read to him; he stopped the said, and when it was transcribreader at the forty-fifth verse, ed, and read over to him, he said, dwelt for some time on the ad-"That is right; I have now vantage he had derived from done." reading the scriptures daily, and recommended this practice."We shall all (said he) meet finally; we only require different degrees of discipline suited to our different tempers, to prepare us for final happiness.' Mr. coming into his room, he said, "You see, Sir, I am still living." Mr. observed, "that he would always live.— "Yes, I believe I shall ; we shall meet again in another and a better world." He said this with great animation, laying hold of Mr.'s hand in both his own. After evening prayers, when his grand-children were brought to his bed-side, he spake to them separately, and exhorted them to continue to love each other, &c. "I am going (added he) to sleep as well as you; for death is only a good long sound sleep in

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"About half an hour after he desired that he might be removed to a cot. About ten minutes after he was removed to it, he died; but breathed his last so easily that those who were sitting close to him did not immediately perceive it. He had put his hand to his face, which prevented them from observing it.

"He was born March 24, 1733.

The following remarks on the pre

ceding account of Dr. Priestly, are extracted from the Christian Observer.

SUCH is the account inserted, as it should seem, by the Doctor's friends, of his las moments. It evinces great composure and tranquillity, a vigor of mind and industry unabated by disease, and a confidence in the truth of

the religious principles he pro- | tion with pleasure. It is remarkfessed. We think it our duty, ❘ able, that the scripture no where however, to caution the younger lays any stress upon the feelpart of our readers against con- ings which distinguish the hour founding the soundness of prin- of death, or holds up any remarciples with the sincerity with kable example of a death-bed which they are believed, or con- scene, as a model for imitation, sidering the composure which or a proof of true religion. In any principles inspire as a proof fact, its great aim is to direct of their truth. Too much stress the attention to a proof far less has, we apprehend, been laid by equivocal than feelings dependail parties on the firmness with ent upon circumstances; the which their respective adherents tenor of a holy life spent in conhave met their last hour. Com-formity to the word of God. An posure in that awful moment erroneous idea is also frequentmay arise from various and evenly entertained concerning the opposite causes. Natural forti- true nature of a Christian detude, a habit of great submission parture. Mere tranquillity, nay, to what is inevitable, a morbid abounding hope and triumphant insensibility, a regard to deco-assurance, form, of themselves, rum, and even to posthumous no just and clear indication of character, will produce it. Still the right state of the soul. A more frequently will it originate different standard of excellence, in ignorance of the guilt of sin, or proof of the reality of reliand of the purity of the divine gion, must not be assumed for nature, in habitual insensibility the hour of death from that of conscience, or in a self-right- which was justly laid down for eous confidence. In a word, let the vigor of health. In both seaa high idea of the mercy of God, sons it is not the excellence of without regard to his justice, be one grace or virtue, which stamps combined with a low standard the character, but rather the posof morals, and the result, in al- session of all, the uniform and most every case, will be an ex- complete conformity of the tememption from uneasiness res-pers and conduct to the delinepecting a future state. Hence ation of them exhibited in the we may account for the similar scripture. Upon a death-bed, indifference which persons of therefore, no peculiar or new very different religious systems have exhibited at the prospect of death. The soldier braves its approach, the savage exults in its tortures, the enthusiast greets it with rapture. Hume was spor tive in his last hours, and Rousseau* contemplated his dissolu

Rousseau, the hardened villany of whose life is almost without parallel in modern times, and who seems to have assumed the mask of virtue for no other purpose, than that of propagating, with more success, the

blackest vice, says, in that very work
which contains a confession of his
crimes, that no man can come to the
throne of God, and say, I am a better
man than Rousseau,
he expired, he observed to his mis-
And just before
tress, "Ah! my dear, how happy a
thing it is to die when one has no
reason for remorse or self-reproach!"
Then addressing himself to the Al-
mighty, he said, "Eternal Being!
the soul that I am going to give thee
back, is as pure, at this moment, as
it was when it proceeded from thee
render it partaker of thy felicity."

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