purchased, is called, "A Mother's Journal." This book I read with a considerable degree of pleasure, and cannot but wish it may be extensively circulated, and greatly blessed. But to my surprise and regret, when I came to the end of the Narrative, I found a long Catalogue of foolish plays bound up with it. Now, Sir, I wish to ask, if such trash as this is not calculated to vitiate the taste, and to counteract the serious impressions which may have been made upon the youthful mind, by reading this interesting little volume. And is there no remedy for this evil? Is it not in the power of the author to prohibit and prevent it? terms of great familiarity and at- "How rare that toil a prosp'rous issue finds, This yields too little, and that claims too much; Each wishes each with others' eyes to see, But if publishers do not think fit to discontinue this practice, I beg leave respectfully to request all pious parents, and Sundayschool teachers, to examine all the books which they purchase for their children, before they put them into their hands; and when-lines were sent, had no sooner ever they find such a Catalogue as the above inserted with the publication, to cut it out, and reduce it to ashes. The person to whom these read them than he seized his hat, called upon his offended brother, and eagerly renewed that friendship and harmony which had formerly subsisted between them!— Matt. v. 24, "Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."-Theological Repository, Vol. I. 1806. QUERY BY P. "HAVING failed in business, and obtained a legal discharge, is a person nevertheless under a moral obligation to do his utmost in future to meet the full demands of his Creditors?" Most undoubtedly, Principal and Interest. A. B. "And that, even if his pro perty has been reduced, and he has been deprived wantonly and oppressively of the means of discharging his Debts?" P. cannot mean to ask this with respect to those of his Creditors who have not acted thus wantonly and oppressively. And with respect to the others, a Debtor is very liable to call that wantonness and oppression which does not deserve those names. A Creditor is often called wanton and oppressive, when he only endeavours to protect himself and his family from the rapacity, carelessness, or imprudence, of a Debtor. But if a Creditor QUERY. WHAT are the needful qualifications and state of mind a person should possess to be baptized and become a member of a christian church? Obituary and Recent Deaths. MR. JOHN SKILLETER. DIED, September 12, 1822, Mr. John Skilleter, of Sandy, Bedfordshire, aged ninety. He was born July 16, 1732, of an ancient family of Dissenters by the female line, whose names appear in the minutes of the church book of Stevington. He was converted upwards of sixty years ago under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Berridge, and met with great opposition from his own relatives, as well as from his wife; but the more he was persecuted, the more he was supported with the comforts of religion. "For the space of two full years I lived," said he, "amidst the cares of the world, and an increasing family, but far above bours. The consciences of the most profane were on the side of the good man, and it has been said by not a few, that if there was a good man in the town, John Skilleter lowed themselves to revile religion was the man. Those that have alin health, have deliberately said, they wished they might die as safe as he. About this time the celebrated George Whitefield came to preach at Everton: the sermon was so blessed to him, that he came home after the morning service, a distance of about three miles, to entreat his wife to go with him in the that a little before this time, she afternoon. It may be observed, had been greatly distressed by a dream. She thought the last great day was come; that the surrounding nations were summoned to the awful bar, and that the Judge of all life to many; but coming near where pronounced the blessing of eternal she stood, he took no notice of her, which she construed into an indication of his displeasure. The agitation of her mind occasioned by this, awakened her out of sleep; and with much terror she told it to her affectionate busband, concluding, that this would be her painful case. Mr. Whitefield preached from Matt. 2 X ، In my xxv. 10. “ And they that were ready | the prospects he enjoyed. Blessed went in with him to the marriage, with the use of his faculties to the and the door was shut." This brought last, he conversed as long as he to her mind her painful feelings, and could articulate; saying, sad distress was succeeded by hope Father's house there are many manand joy. The rest of their days sions. I am just at home." Being they spent together, through a diver- asked if he had any doubts, he said, sity of troubles and triumphs. Both “ No, no; why should I? the prowere communicants with their be- mises of my God have long been, and loved minister, the Rev. Mr. Ber- still are my support. I have lived ridge; they parted after having been upon them. This God is my God companions in sorrow and joy, the for ever, he will be my guide unto space of fifty-two years, being pa- | death. Come, Lord Jesus, Come, rents of seven sons and three dangh- Lord Jesus." Requesting one of ters. After the decease of Mr. Ber- his sons to kneel down by his ridge, Mr. Skilleter united with the | bed-side, he said, “I cannot hear church at Blunham. He was a man you; but Jesus Christ can." After frequent and fervent in prayer. His commending his family to God, exconversation generally turned on horting them to live in love and spiritual subjects. It will be long peace with one another, and exbefore he is forgotten in the village pressing his gratitude for what God where he had so long lived. A had done for some of them, his prayer meeting was begun by him tongue moved in prayer to heaven about thirty years since in the vil- when his voice was lost on earth. lage, and there was a great revival His foot was set beyond the grave, of religion, and awakening among and though there was no extacy, many young people. Some of whom yet trusting to and in his covenant are now, and have been long in the God, he went as a child to his ministry, and others members of Father's house, and as a labourer different churches. The meeting is to enjoy sweet rest. He slept still continued. Blessed with a sweetly in Jesus, having neither healthful body, and fruitful miud, he want nor wish to distress him. Mark ceased not to teach by his example the perfect, and behold the upright; and precept, from house to house, for the end of that man is peace. the religion of Jesus Christ. Fre- By unperceived degrees he wore quently he has been heard to say for away; yet like the sun seemed the last fourteen years, since the largest at the setting. death of his dear wife; "I am every day looking for the coming of my God. I am waiting for him, ready if it please the Lord to send for me.' The first thing in the morning was to look up to him, and the last at night. Most of his time for the last several years was spent in reading the word of God; and as he was very deaf, he used to express himself with much gratitude, for the comfort and pleasure he experienced in the holy scriptures. The Lord gave him his desire, and it was but a few days that he was confined to his chamber. He said to a friend, "I shall soon leave the old man." And the day he died, he said, "This is the day I have been long, very long, looking for. He possessed a steady hope, and with a deliberate view conversed most pleasantly of A sermon was delivered at Blunham by Mr, Tandy, from Psalm xlviii. 14. which he himself had chosen, and at Sandy, by Mr. Beetham. Also, the Rev. Richard Wittingham, vicar of Potton, delivered a very impressive discourse from Rev. xxi. 25.“ For there shall be no night there." MR. JOHN BAYLEY. JANUARY 17, 1823, died Mr. John Bayley, many years a deacon of the Baptist church at Whitchurch, Salop. He was born at Market Drayton about 1744, and was brought to a sense of his state as a lost sinner when twenty years of age. He was inclined to Arminianism, till being in company with a friend, he was convinced of his error, and became a particular friend of the late Mr. Scott, (better known by the name of Captain Scott,) with whom he was a particular favourite. In the year 1776, having changed his views concerning baptism, he was baptized at Shrewsbury, and became a member of the Baptist church there. In 1778 he removed to Whitchurch, and opened his house for worship, which he conducted by reading the scriptures, and speaking from a chapter to a few of his neighbours, who met with him. Thus began the Baptist church at Whitchurch. After this he procured preaching once a month at Tilstock and Whitchurch. The ministers who attended these places were Mr. Price, formerly of Wrexham, and the late Mr. Palmer of Shrewsbury; by their labours the Baptist cause was introduced and established here, to which our departed brother was a great blessing and ornament. A friend of his speaks thus of him. "I never met with any christian whose mind was better informed, or at whose feet I could sit with more pleasure to hear him converse of the great doctrines of free and sovereign grace. These were the doctrines he loved, and on which he lived, and lived so as to constrain, even their opposers to say, that they were according to godliness." His friend says further, "That he never met with any of God's people, in whom he could more visibly see the character of Abraham, the father of the faithful." He seemed to have such exalted views of the divine method of salvation, and of the finished work of Christ, that he could always say, he knew in whom he had believed, and that he was able to keep that which he had committed unto him against that day. He was distinguished for his liberality on all occasions for the cause of Christ. He fitted up a small place of worship in this town at his own expense, (which cost him fifty pounds,) and when that became too small, he built a larger one, without receiving any interest for the money whilst he lived. As he was in life, so he was in death. Constantly rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, he had neither doubts nor fears, but looked to the atoning sacrifice of Christ, from whence he derived all his joy, and peace, and comfort. After a short illness, he died without a struggle or a groan, at the age of seventy-eight. His mortal remains were interred in the burying ground belonging to the meetinghouse. His death was improved to a crowded audience from Phil. i. 21. MR. JOSEPH GOODMAN. JUNE 23, 1823, died at Towcester, after three days illness, Mr. Joseph Goodman, (late of Bradden,) in the sixty-sixth year of his age. For more than half a century, he had been acquainted with the truth as it is in Jesus, and about twentyfive years had filled the office of deacon in the Baptist church at Towcester. In 1770, he was at school at Northampton, under the tuition of the Rev. J. Ryland, M. A. There he caught the small pox. During his illness, Mrs. Ryland took an opportunity to talk with him on the day of judgment, and the awful consequences of being separated from his pious parents, &c. which was the means of exciting him to begin to pray. This circumstance So awakened his attention to his condition as a perishing sinner, that he began to seek in earnest an interest in the salvation of Jesus Christ. At this time there were several others in the same school under serious impressions, who used to meet together in a separate place for social prayer. One of this number was the late Rev. Wm. Button, The deceased, when about seventeen years of age, joined the Baptist church at Weston-by-Weedon; but when a church was formed at Towcester, of which the Rev. T. Skinner was pastor, he became a member here. The subject of the present remarks, was a man of reading and reflection. He possessed, in no small degree, a discriminating judgment: hence he was highly valued in his connections, for the advice and instruction he was capable of affording. Such was his gift in prayer, that he excelled alt around him. And often there ap peared a sacred unction which produced a kindred feeling in those that united with him. In his character were combined many excelJencies, yet he was as remarkable on the one hand for natural timidity, as he was distinguished on the other, for his mental attainments. He had his imperfections; he was sensible he was not what he ought to be, nor what he wished to be. This is manifest from many expressions in a short diary he left behind him. On one occasion he writes thus, What is my own experience now? What a wanderer have I been from the Lord! I often feel condemned under the preaching of the word. I feel so much hardness of heart, and insensibility of mind; so much back- | wardness to duty; that these evils rush upon the mind as so many sins. It sometimes appears to me, that we do not consider our sins of omission in such a light as they require -as they are not criminal in the sight of the ungodly. Being unknown, we seem to think too lightly of them." On another occasion he thus writes, "O! to grace how great a debtor! and a debtor shall be to all eternity! Nothing but free grace shall resound through Immanuel's land. And if ever I reach the blissful seats of heaven, (which I hope through grace to do,) my songs shall rise higher than those of angels, for they never tasted of redeeming grace, or dying love. Their happy spirits may sing the power that has kept them in their first estate, but those who are redeemed will have to sing of pardon and forgiveness." His conflict with the king of terrors was short. On the Saturday he was confined to his bed; on the Sabbath was quite delirious; and early on Monday morning expired. On the following Lord's-day, his death was improved to a crowded and affected audience, from 1 Sam. xx. 18. "Thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty." J. B. T. HANNAH SIMMONS. AUGUST 6, 1822, died, in the thirty-second year of her age, Han nah Simmons of Middleton Cheney, Northamptonshire. Her mind having been visited (probably at an early age) by the regenerating grace of God, her natural kindness and amiable disposition, shone with a brighter lustre. Her life was extended much beyond the period which the fears and forebodings of her parents and friends had apprehended. Having attended the preaching of the gospel among a Methodist congregation, in Middleton Cheney, and having hoped that she had obtained some essential benefit, she became a member of their society in March 1815. For several years previous to her connection with them, as well as till the time of her decease, she was a much esteemed teacher in the Sabbath school connected with the Baptist congregation. Her punctual and regular attendance at the school, her serious and becoming manner before the children, her affectionate, simple, and pious addresses to them, and the fervent prayers which she offered on their behalf in private, are among the considerations which have made her removal most deeply and painfully to be felt by her companions in teaching, and also by all the children. The means of religious instruction at the Baptist chapel having become more agreeable to the views of our friend, she, in 1819, became a regular worshipper at that place. The church being for some time destitute of a pastor, she did not enjoy what had occupied so large a portion of the fervent desires of her heart, till the first Sabbath in July, 1822. On that day, she, with seven others, made a public profession of her faith in Christ, and was received a member of the church, and sat down at the holy Supper of the Lord. Her health for some months previous to her union with the church, had been in so declining a state, that it was deemed right to recommend a delay in her obedience to her Lord's command, respecting baptism. But the deep conviction of her mind as to her duty, led to its administration on the day above |