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SOME ACCOUNT OF JAMES HUNT, Late of Kingsessing, Philadelphia county, in his last illness, and at his close.

Written by his He died of pulmonary consumption, 5th mo. 28th, 1832, in the fifty-third year of

mother.

his age.

I had been anxious, for some time, to know the state of his mind, as I perceived he was fast hastening towards the final change. But not feeling sufficient evidence, that it was my duty to say much, I forbore, until he opened the way himself. After being confined to his bed several days, I went to him, and took him by the hand, to inquire how he was; he, perceiving me to be affected, said, "don't be concerned about me. I am not afraid of death; not afraid to die, no more than I should be to cross the river." I replied, I am thankful to hear these expressions, and I hope the Lord will be merciful to thee. He exclaimed, "Oh! he has been merciful to me. I have been favoured above thousands; and have thought from the first, this would be my end. I love God above all; and we must all die." At another time, as his brother was sitting with him through the night, he heard him say, "Where shall I begin or where shall I end, in praising my Maker, for his many favours and mercies to me! I can say as Jacob Lindley did, I would be willing to lay any where, or any how, in gratitude to him." Again, he observed, "Some say the world came by chance; but I can say, it is full of Him, and I can see Him every where, and in other

worlds beside." After a little pause he said, "in the world, ye shall have tribulation, but in me, peace."

He appeared at times to be in solemn supplication, and at other times, praising his Creator. The evening before his departure, as we were sitting round his room, he turned toward the right side, then breathed forth, in a low voice, "O Lord, receive my spirit." About four o'clock, one of his brothers heard him say, "I bid my parents and family farewell. They can do nothing for me, nor can I do any thing for them. In a few more years,

they must follow, to where moth and rust do not corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal.”. Much more he expressed in such a low voice as not to be fully understood; but one of his daughters heard him say, "those that are with me at my decease, may bear witness that I have borne my sufferings with resignation and fortitude, and can praise and glorify my Creator for ever. Amen."

After six o'clock, I went to the bed side, when he grasped my hand, and drew me towards him, then uttered some expressions which I could not distinctly hear-and added, "Be still. It must be

So.

Dear mother, resign me up, to go and praise and glorify my Redeemer, and my God, for ever." Then quietly breathed his last in a very short time.

And now I can with reverence say, this is a memorable instance of the matchless mercy and loving kindness of a gracious God, to his creature, man. Oh! it was, and is, and ever will remain to be, his own works that can livingly praise him, and his own works only. R. H.

29th of 5th mo. 1832.

LETTER FROM EDWARD STABLER.

Alexandria, 3d mo. 14th, 1829.

MY DEAR C.-The tender, parental affection, I have ever felt for thee, since I first became acquainted with thee, prepared me to form one of the rejoicers, at the arrival of thy letter to my dear A. When I heard of thy increased indisposition, though I sorrowed, yet it was not without hope, on thy behalf. My spirit had become acquainted with thine; and in the features of innocence which I saw impressed upon it, I read the assurance, that He, whose infinite goodness had thus far delineated his blessed image upon thee, would not leave the hea-, venly portrait unfinished. I still feel the same persuasion, and look forward, with confidence and rejoicing, to the certainty, that the divine law of love which is legibly written upon thy heart, will go on to enlarge thy perfections and enjoyments. I think thou knowest its powers, for these purposes. Thou hast witnessed its living influences, to calm thy agitated mind, in times of trial and suffering; when all external assistance was vain and fruitless; when even the sovereignty of the world, its riches and powers, and friendships, could have done nothing

for thee.

These realities, my dear child, form the true ground of the Christian's hope: not that he is wise in theories, and skilful in doctrines; not that he is learned in the opinions of men, ancient or modern; but, because the finger of the living God" has written upon his heart the characters of "love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, truth, meekness, faith,

patience, temperance," &c. These are all vital, and will produce their natural effects, as certainly as the fig tree produces figs, or the grape vine, grapes. I have often felt it to be cause for unspeakable gratitude to the Father of mercies, that he has not made our present or eternal happiness dependant upon the uncertain and variable opinions of men; but upon this living law, of his own writing upon our hearts. For the characters which constitute it are all appropriate to our several necessities: they are the means of his appointment for carrying us through, and bringing us out of "great tribulation;" and without their influence " no flesh would be saved." These are "the elect," for whose sake, and by whose operations, the days of tribulation are "shortened." They are the Lord's household; and thou, and I, and all our fellow-creatures, are made "rulers over them, to give them their meat in due season;" and we are "blessed," in proportion to our diligence in "so doing." We feel, and know, that power is bestowed upon us, to feed the elect principles of goodness; that we can give to "faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity," or divine love, the food they require, and call for, in order to be sustained and multiplied in our minds. And if they "be in us and abound, they make us," as the apostle says, "that we shall be neither barren, nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I speak in this language to thee, my beloved young friend, with much confidence, from a full persuasion that much of it has been realized in thy experience. Thou mayest be assured of it, beyond all questioning, by contrasting the state of thy feel

ings, during thy long protracted sickness, with what would have been thy condition, hadst thou nurtured and cultivated the reprobated principles of evil. If thou hadst gratified the hunger of infidelity,-vice, ignorance,—intemperance,—impatience,―ungodliness, enmity, and hatred; how awful and distressing, beyond all the powers of description, would have been the state of thy mind, when associated with the sorrows of bodily disease!

Ah! my dear child, "by their fruits, thou mayest know them," more infallibly than by any, or all human teaching. And these will demonstrate, and they have always demonstrated, that the flames of hell are the powers of evil;-and that nothing will extinguish, or prevent their burning, but the principles of righteousness,—the "good and perfect gifts which come from above, from the Father of lights," who is also our heavenly Father: and these are infallible, for the gracious purpose. The heavenly life, the "Christ within,"-"the well of water, springing up" within us, "unto everlasting life," is the eternal fountain, from which all the streams of righteousness forever flow. And it would be more possible for a building on fire, to continue burning, when immersed in the ocean, or to be kindled there,—than for the flames of wickedness to burn in the soul that is immersed in "the river of the water of life," and washed by its pure and crystalline streams,

All my family remember thee with great affection, and send thee their cordial salutations; but from no heart among them does such a salutation issue, with more fervour and sincerity, than from thy affectionate friend, EDWARD STABLER

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