網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版
[blocks in formation]

JAMES CLUNIE,

of Castle Street, St. Mary-le-Bone...

ON Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1803, died, in his fifty-sixth year, Mr. J. Clunie, who had been thirty-one years a Member of the Associate Congregation, Wells Street, London; during twenty-one years of which he filled the office of an Elder.

He was born near Forres, in Scetland, of pious parents; for whose instructions and example he ever expressed the highest grati. tude. These instructions were blessed to his soul; and, at an early period, he sought the Lord God of his fathers. Though, like Jacob, he early left his father's house, God, who preserved the patriarch, watched over him also; and protected him from the evil tendency of the ungodly company with which his business sometimes obliged him to intermingle; so that impressions of divine truths were not erased from his mind, but cherished and increased.

Constant in his attendance on public ordinances, the delight of his soul, he could say with the Psalmist, "A day in thy courts is better than a thousand:" but in this he did not rest satisfied; for the word of God was the subject of his daily study and devout meditation.

When placed at the head of a family, he studied to conduct himself as a Christian husband and father. He erected the altar of God

in his house, enforced a strict observance of the Lord's Day; and his grand aim was, in the most engaging manner, to bring up his children in the fear of God.

In public, he was active and diligent in the discharge of his office: he guided his affairs with such dis cretion, that he always found time for visiting the afflicted, and going after the wanderer from the fold. He took every opportunity of im pressing religion on the minds of his friends, especially of the young.Feeling an ardent desire for the welfare of Zion, and rejoicing in every effort to promote her cause, the prosperity of the churches, and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom among the Heathen, were the subjects of his daily and fervent prayer.

Ás in his life he gave abundant proof of his unaffected piety, it pleased him, whose dispensations to his people are mercy and love, to take him so suddenly to himself, that his friends did not enjoy the satisfaction of receiving his last testimony to the truths he had so long belived. The following extracts from some of his papers will, however, express the pious feelings of his soul on different occasions: In one paper he thus expresses himself: "I, last Sabbath, heard the love of Christ preached on, from Songi. 4. Alas! that I have heard so much of this ravishing subject, and have been so little inspired with it! I hope, however, I have felt something of its divine influence ! O lovely and loving Saviour! I think I have had, and now have, some love to thee. Draw me, and I will run after thee! I put my heart into thy hand, O form it for thyself! Keep me in the love of God, and patient waiting for the coming of Christ! I thank thee, that last Sabbath I had an opportu nity of sitting down at thy table i Thy name, O Jesus! was as ointment poured forth; therefore do I love thee. O let the passion of love no longer warm my breast than this breast is warmed with love to him who loved me, and gave himself for me!” — In an

other paper (dated Nov. 1789) he hath these words: "It is now more than twenty years since the word, O my God, came with much sweetness and, I hope, divine power! "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." What is this? I know not what to say or think of it. What am I? But so it seemed good in thy sight. Surely, wonder and praise become me!" On the death of a child he thus wrote: "O help me, my heavenly Father, rightly to conceive of and improve this stroke of thy heavenly hand! Make the mother and me to profit by this visitation! Lord, have mercy upon the sufferer! Wash him with the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost! Heal the bone which thou hast broken! Grant patience to his parent Lord, I am thine, by my own voluntary dedication; and nuine have I, in like manner, dedicated to thee! Help me to think and act accordingly." Jan. 3, 1802, he thus expresses himselt,: 1 bless thee, O God, for thy patience and long suffering! I have, this first Sabbath of a new year, been permitted, in thy great mercy, to worship thee with thy people. O teach me to double my diligence as a Christian and an Elder! I am clothed with the memorials of the death of a brother-elder (Mr. Hastie) with whom, for upwards of twenty years, I have had the most intimate friendship. The church hath lost one of its most distinguished helps. Help me, O most merciful God and Saviour, to do my duty, in the view of my being soon called to give in my account." He enjoyed good health until about five years before his death, when he was attacked with some symptoms of that disorder which afterwards terminated his valuable life. From that time, it was evident that his constitution was considerably weakened: his zeal and activity, in the ways of God, ne. vertheless, seemed to increase: his mind appeared gradually taking leave of the world; and his conversation clearly manifested that his thoughts and affections were much

engaged about divine things, and especially the blessedness of Hea

ven.

As it was his earnest desire to abide in the tabernacle of his God, the manner of his death was so or dered, that he was permitted to worship in public the whole of the preceding Sabbath. Two of the discourses were peculiary suited to his near approach to the eter nal state that in the morning, `on the Song of the Angels, in Rev. v. 11, 12; and that in the evening, on Lazarus being carried by the Angels into Abraham's Bosom, in Luke xvi. 22. In the former it was observed, that the great teacher, Death, would inform the believer, in one moment, more of the na ture of the work of praise in Heaven, than he had learned by all the sermons heard about it on earth. A blessed truth, which he was soon to experience! Being much impressed with these discourses, he, in the most feeling manner, spake of them that even ing and the two following morn ings; on the latter of which, he mentioned to his beloved partner these lines of the pious Craig:

"O'er to the New Jerusalem,

Where I with Christ may dwell;
And ever hear his own dear lips
His own dear story tell.

"Where, in his presence, I shall find
The Heav'n that I desire;
And the sweet glories of his face
Eternally admire !”

and then spake of those delightful words recorded in Isaiah xxxv. 3, 9, 10. To those who believe that the most minute circumstances are directed by Him to whom nothing is contingent, it will not be unworthy of observation, that, as it appeared by a mark in his Bible, which lay before him when taken ill, the sixteenth Psalm was the last passage he had read; the lat ter verses of which he had repeatedly spoken of, for some time preceding.

He was in his usual health and spirits, at dinner, on Tuesday; but was soon after, while alone, seized with an apoplectic fit, which de

prived him of speech, and almost of the use of one side: he had, however, recollection sufficient to come to the door of the room in which Mrs. C.was, without alarming any other person. When she spoke to him, he smiled, as he did also when one of his sons entered the apartment, thereby, apparently, intimating that all was well. Tho' speechless, it was evident that he was sensible of his situation; for his countenance remained tranquil and placid, except when he perceived his dear partner, who sat near him, agitated through the alarm. About five o'clock he fell into a slumbering state; from which, as the event proved, he was not to awake until the morning of the resurrection. About twelve at night, without a struggle, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace!" His pastor, the Rev. A. Waugh, spoke at his grave; and on the Sabbath, the 27th of Nov. improved the afflicting dispensation by a sermon, from Ps. xxxix. 9. May this trying dispensation be sanctified to the church, and especially to his aged widow and her sons! May they follow the pious example of their friend and relative; finish their course with joy; and, at last, join with him and all the redeemed, in ascribing "Sal. vation to our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb" Amen. W. C.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

tended with tenfold aggravations. If, in addition to religious instruc tions, the grace of God should make a conquest of their hearts, how eminently conspicuous will their advantages appear! Initiated, in early life, info the principles of our holy religion; acquainted with its doctrines and precepts; and brought to experience their superlative excellency, they will be. come burning and shining lights in the world. Such was the character of our deceased friend. She enjoyed those advantages; and discovered, in a great degree, the evidences of divine grace, both in her life and death.

--

She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grafton, near Stanbridge, who have had the pleasure of liv ing to see their pious labours and earnest prayers crowned with success. Mrs. Hurst was married at. an early age to a respectable me chanic in Foleshill; by whom she had seven children; two died in their infancy; and the remaining five are left to deplore the loss of

a serious and affectionate mother.May divine grace be as conspicuous in them as in their deceased parent; and her dying prayers for their salvation be answered! Her affliction was short, but severe: a pulmonary complaint, which, in the course of a few days, removed her from this world of sin and sorrow. No fatal symptoms appear ed until the day preceding her death; when expectation suddenly ceased, and her breathing became very laborious, attended with every symptom of a speedy dissolution. At this period, having attended my ministry several years, she sent for me, that I might have (as she expressed it) the satisfaction of seeing the happiness arising froin an interest in Christ; and a good hope, through grace, in the important ar ticle of death. I found her mind perfectly tranquil, a mortal pale ness in her face, but glory in her soul! I never witnessed greater submission to the will of God, abstractedness from the world, nor a more settled peace of mind!

1st, Her patience under affliction,

and submission to the will of God. "The passage," said she, "is sharp; but, I trust, it will be short. Pray that I may have an easy dismission, if it be the will of my God; but if not, his will be done: his grace is sufficient for me! It will soon be over!" Not a murmuring word escaped her lips; but all was serenity and acquiescence in the will of God.

2dly, Her abstractedness from the world. She was strongly attached to her children: they were the objects of her constant and anxious care; but she was enabled entirely to resign them into the hands of God. She once said, "I should like to see my children before I die;" but almost instantly added, "I had better decline it; it will heither do them nor me any good: I have committed them into the hands of my covenant God; and there I can safely leave them!"

[merged small][ocr errors]

As a wife, she was affectionate. Observing her husband sitting on the side of the bed, much agitated and distressed, she said to him, My dear, do not grieve; the Lord does all things well! There is mercy mixed with the present affliction! It is far better the Lord should remove me than you: it is in your power to provide better for the dear children than I could; - God will take care of them and you!"

said, "I know in whom I have be lieved," &c.

I requested her to spare herself, as her exertions injured her, by increasing the difficulty of breathing: she replied, "Do not hinder me from doing all I can for the glory of God in death, I have done so little for him while I had health and strength. I am naturally diffident; but now I am bold for Christ!"

[ocr errors]

Her husband once gave her similar advice; but she replied, "My dear, you would not wish me to leave the world without saying something for your comfort. I am greatly supported: the Lord is more precious than ever!" I said to her, It is a mercy you was enabled to seek the Lord in early lite: you have now the comforts of religion when they are so necessary' she replied to this, "Rather say, the Lord sought me; or I had never sought him. He came to seek and to save that which was lost!" She exhorted all who came to see her, agreeably to the state she supposed they were in; and she particularly warned against an abuse of their privileges.

[ocr errors]

some

When I took leave of her, she said, "Farewell! we shall meet in a better world. Give my love to Miss E-y: I love her, because she loves Jesus Christ! My best love to Mrs. E-." She then said, As a daughter, she felt tenderly I long to depart, and to be with for her parents. She said, "How Christ! Come, Lord Jesus, come distressed will my dear father and quickly!" Her last act was remother be, when they hear of my peating that precious Hymn, death, an event so unexpected by them; but they have a God to go to in their trouble, who can and will support them; and they will have the consolation of reflecting, that they have another child in glory!"

[ocr errors]

-

of

3dly, The happy state of her mind in the immediate prospect eternity. She mentioned many suitable promises, which were the support of her soul; among the rest,"Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God," &c. "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee;" and often

[ocr errors]

"Jesus, lover of my soul,
"Let me to thy bosom fly," &c.

She then sweetly slept in that Je-
from her sins in his own blood, and
sus who loved her, and washed her
was translated from an earthly Sab-
bath to spend an eternal one in his

presence!

neral-sermon for the benefit of the At her request, I preached a fuliving, to a crowded and attentive congregation, from Heb. ii. 11, 17. which I conceived peculiarly applicable to her case.

J. E.

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

Letters on the Evidences of the Christian Religion. By An Inquirer. First printed in the Oriental Star, afterwards reprinted at Serampore. A new Edition, corrected and enlarged. Price 35.

We have been told, that the great body of Europeans in the East Indies are Deists, paying no manner of regard to the Scriptures, and frequenting no place of Christian worship. If it be so, it is not very surprizing. Young gentle. men, who leave their native country without the possession of any thing like Christian principle, are not very likely to be proof against the insinuations of Infidelity in a foreign land. We have heard of late, however, and with no small pleasure, that the state of things in that part of the world, is much more promising than formerly. It has been lately stated in a periodical publication*, that "A very considerable amelioration in the man

ners of Calcutta has been gradually taking place since the adminis. tration of Lord Cornwallis, when a new tone was given to the general sentiment on the subject of religion. The influence of religious principles has become much more predominant. The churches are well attended; and the decorum and attention of the congregations strike new comers with surprize. Family. worship has been established in several houses; and a great comparative degree of regularity and correctness of conduct has, very generally, taken place of the dissipation for which the capital of our Indian empire was formerly distin. guished. In Calcutta there are neither plays nor masquerades; and gaming is absolutely put down. As a proof of the growing regard of the people of that place to reli. gion, it is stated, that no less than forty-two thousand rupees (between 5 and 6000l.) were raised among

1

them in one year, for religious and charitable purposes."

Whether the above statement be perfectly accurate, or not, it is certain that there are, in that city and country, a goodly number of serious Christians, from whom Infidelity has met with some bold and decided resistance. Among other attempts to sap its foundations, and to establish the Christian faith upon its ruins, we may reckon these "Letters on the Evidences of the Christian Religion." They are said to have been written by a gentleman who for some years resided in India, in the service of the Company; and were first printed in a Calcutta newspaper, called “The Oriental Star." In 1802 they were reprinted at Serampore; and now, at the desire of some friends, have undergone a third impression in England, with additions, by the

author.

This able writer, if we be net misinformed, was himself once en. tangled in the snares from which he labours to extricate others. We congratulate Bengal in having such a

production as this written and circulated in it. It has acquired much deserved fame by its literary researches; and, we hope, these will be followed by many decided attempts to defend and propagate the gospel.

The work consists of twelve letters; to which is now added. AC-no clusion, "On the Effects of Christianity on the Minds of those who embrace it."

We shall content ourselves with

selecting a passage or two as instances of his calm but acute manner of overturning, as by a single stroke, the writings of some of our

most noted Infidels.

"Mr. Gibbon makes use of much of that indirect insituation, and masked ridicule, which have so often been eraployed by his coadjutors in the ministry

* The Christian Observer,

« 上一頁繼續 »