join with her in praifing the Re- | ligious character, who was ftruck deemer. with her piety. She continued an ornament to the religion of Jefus for a number of years, and her children were taught to know and fear the Lord, and her Chriftian friends were delighted in her company. At the age of 42 her conftitution began to decline and it was foon perceived that he was in a confumption. Her friends were diftreffed at the thought, but she fmilingly faid, "it is the Lord let him do what feemeth him good." During the first stages of her diforder, fhe appeared perfectly tranquil and ferene; and as her diffolution approached, her mind feemed to be carried above all earthly things. She was tranfported at the thoughts of death, and would frequently exclaim, "Come Lord Jefus, come quickly." Her countenance brighten After the death of her aunt, fhe returned to her father's, but her conduct was not pleafing to her friends, and they were forry that her aunt's death had made her fo gloomy. Theodocia affured them that she was not gloomy, and that fhe never 'till of late, knew what happiness was. Her filter invited her to spend a feafon in her gay family, intending to laugh her out of her ferioufnefs; fhe accepted the invitation, and there was a large company invited to spend the firft afternoon with her. They were defired to avoid all ferious converfation with her, even if the wifhed it; but in the midst of their mirth, Maria was fuddenly taken ill. Theodocia helped her leave the room, and the company foon difperfed. She had a very diftreffed night, and in the morning med-ed at the approach of thofe whom ical aid was called, which pronounced her diforder a pleurify. Her mind was most of the time deranged, but in intervals of reafon fhe would fhriek out, "where am I going! Oh, that I was TheodoShe would catch hold of her and fay, 66 pray, pray for me, fifter, I am going to mifery," and her words would then be unintelligible. Theodocia kneeled by her bed, and begged God to have mercy on her foul, and told her to look unto the Saviour; but the wretched Maria faid there was no mercy in ftore for her. Thus fhe continued three days, and then died in the arms of Theodocia. It was bitter to part with her thus; but fhe acquiefced in the will of the Lord, who fitteth on the throne doing all things right. After the death of her fifter fhe returned home, and continued with her father about two years, when the was married to a gentleman of re cia." fhe fuppofed to be Chriftians, and fhe would fay, "O help me praise the Lord! how glorious is his character! eternity will be filled with his praises, O joyful thought!" On a certain time, as her young childern gathered by her bed, af ter looking round on them, with a fmile of ineffable pleafure, tears at the fame time rolling from her eyes, fhe faid, "Sweeteft babes, how hard for a mother to part with thefe, but I think God hath enabled me to triumph! Sweet babes, may God blefs and preferve you in this evil world! Farewel my deareft! The ferenity, and fweet inlet of peace to my own mind, that I have felt in praying for I think affures me, that I fhall at leaft meet fome of you in heaven." She continued in ecftacies for feveral days, her joys of mind were great, that the almost forgot her pains of body. At length her triumphant fpirit broke from its fee you, fo Ble manfion and it is hoped afcended to glory. Thus ended the lives of thefe fifters. Maria living with her father, had no opportunity for gaining religious inftruction, (on the contrary fhe was taught to defpife it) and was left to go on in folly to the laft, whilft the pious endeavors of her aunt, were bleft as the means of awakening Theodocia to a fenfe of her duty, and finally of bringing her to a happy end. All parents and inftructors of youth ought to take warning by this, to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is true that parents cannot give grace unto their offspring, but when they do their duty God rarely fails to blefs them. I A FRAGMENT. HAVE made a fine fpeculation to day faid Mifander to his wife as they fat down to dine. I have greatly increased our family convenience: What a good thing it is to have power in one's hands. Poor neighbor Lucon, I can't help but pity him for he has completely put himself into my hands, and I intend within three months to have the deeds of all his property; but it is good enough for him, he has always been whining and canting about religion, and making my confcience accufe me, but with all his piety, he has not been able to keep his property, and I'll make the most of it.. -Alas! poor Mifander, little, little didft thou know that the fentence had gone forth, "Thou fool! This night fhall thy foul be required at thy hands, whofe then fhall thy neighbor's property be?" Mifander are heartily, rofe from the table, and went to a lawyer to draw the attachments for his neighbor. He came home exulting in the thoughts of family convenience, drew a chair and fat down by the fire, and with an eafy fmile faid I have managed them. His wife left the room for a few minutes, and when the returned, found her hufband a breathlefs corpfe on the floor; a fudden fit of the apoplexy had fummoned him before his maker, there to give an account of his intentions to his neighbor.As the melancholy tidings fpread, numbers were drawn to the house, and among the rest Lucon, whose fympathizing heart led him to of fer what confolation he could to the afflicted family. He placed the folds and pins of Mifander's winding fheet, continually faying to himself, "I hope that God, hath had mercy on him." He then retired perfive, and before he furrendered himself to fleep, prayed with more fervency than ever before, for the widow, children and grand-children of Misander. ment. They frequently find that they have spent the prime of life in a useless manner; and wifh, but in vain, to recal thofe golden feafons, which they once enjoyed. and modefty, at all times and in all companies. How many young perfons, render themfelves the proper objects of difguft, by their over forwardnefs and felf-import ance ! Another thing of fingular importance, is that they betake themfelves diligently and faithfully, to The readieft method to prevent this, is for youth to adopt that line of conduct, which others have found by their own experience, and which the word of God in partic-fome lawful calling, in early life. ular points out, to be the only profitable and happy courfe. Generally fpeaking, mankind form their character, for life, if not for eternity, before they have reached the meridian of their days. Youth muft certainly be allowed to be the best feafon, for ftoring the mind with ufeful knowledge, and to lay a foundation for after ufefulness and comfort. The imagination is then much more lively; the memory tenacious; and perfons are far lefs cumbered with thofe cares and with that bufinefs, which crowd upon them when they have arrived to riper years. Several things are to be attended to by young perfons, if they would be prepared to do good, and to be happy in the fucceeding part of their life. Thousands are ruined by idleness and diffipation. The idle lay themselves open to innumerable hurtful temptations. The high tafte, of many, induces them to avoid any laborious bufinefs; hence it happens that the morals of fo many young perfons, of large fortunes, are ruined. Every perfon, whether he be old or young, rich or poor, fhould purfue with diligence, fome lawful calling. The mind of the indolent, may be compared to a rich uncultivated foil, which will foon produce a large growth of noxious weeds. All fuch as are employed, in any bufinefs whatever, ought to improve their leifure hours in the acquifition of useful knowledge. All have, or might have, fome fpare moments. If the young One thing neceffary, is that de- would improve theirs, in reading cent and becoming behavior, which useful books, as well as the facred will render them agrecable to all fcriptures, they would treasure up civil people. This confifts in treat- an important fund of knowledge. ing all according to their characters By fpending one or two hours, and relations in life: Manifefting each day, in fludying fome valuatowards every perfon a kind bency-ble hiftory or their bibles, they olent fpirit; and defpifing that low, would gain a ftore of very imporcontracted difpofition, which diftant ideas. covers itself in too many of our Through the medium of God's youth: Avoiding alfo a haughty word, we learn things moft imair and a fcornful temper: Never portant and glorious. In this the looking with difdain upon fuch, as character of God is clearly exhibthey account their inferiors; ufingited, and the character of man no fly, intruding methods to raife bro't into view. We here find themfelves in the efteem of oth-what man was in his original crea ers Always adhering to the tion, what he is fince the fall, and rules of truth and honefly: De- what he must be in order to be meaning themiclyes with diffidence happy. In this facred book, we have a compendious hiftory of God's providential dealings tomards men, for feveral thoufand years. In this volume, we have alfo a revelation of the leading events which will be brot to pafs, while the world fhall continue. In this, eternity is laid open; and future rewards and punishments are made known. We can read no part of this divine book, but what is profitable either for doctrine, or inftruction, or reproof, or correction. Here, we find our duty to God and man, plainly pointed out. And what completes its worth, is, it brings into view the marvellous work of redemption by Jefus Chrift. "Life and immortality are bro't to light in the gofpel." The offices, character and work of the Saviour, and the way of recovery from the ruins of the apoftacy, are published to a fallen world. This facred volume is, therefore, well worthy of the diligent attention of old and young. No one can read or study it too much. How important, for young perfons, to spend thofe hours in fearching the fcriptures, which they are wont to devote to trifling purfuits. Another thing, to which people ought to accustom themselves in early life, is to think as well as read. They fhould fix their tho'ts on fome leading maxims, by which they may compare what they read or hear. Scattered or undigefted ideas have but a fmall preference to ignorance; they may ferve to puff up, but cannot edify or enrich the mind. But above all other things, they fhould fhun all kinds of vice and error, remember their Creator, and learn to fear the great God, in the days of their youth. Let them get well established, in the belief and practice, of the religion of This, acted the bleffed Saviour. The religion of Jefus Chrift, when embraced and practifed, will prepare you, my young friends, to grace the flage of life, when your fathers are fleeping in the duft. This will qualify you to train up families for God; it will prepare you for a peaceful and comfortable life, and for the folemn hour of death. It will fit you to dwell with Chrift, with Angels, and the redeemed, in the world of glory forever. JETHRO. Religious Intelligence. MISSIONARIES. Extra of a Letter from Mr. Da vid Bacon, Miffionary to the Indians, dated Buffaloe Creek, September 4, 1800. "I HAVE not been unwell fince I left Hartford, but two or three days; and even then I was able to walk feveral miles in a day. I was much fatigued at first, but can now travel 25 miles in a day with eafe. I found opportunities to ride in the whole about 150 miles. Both the friends and enemies of religion have conducted towards me as tho they were commiffioned to help me. When I arrived at Canandarqua, I vifited Captain Chapin, fuperintendant of Indian affairs, and re way "I have had nothing to trouble me fince I left home but a hard and ungrateful heart, which has been like a body of death to me. But tho I have been fo cold and lifelefs at times, that have hardly dared to hope I had any true religion; yet I do not recollect that I have had the leaft defire to turn back, but have felt as though I was going home." quefted of him a fpeech of intro- | ing an interpreter, until I duction to the Seneca Chiefs in Detroit, if I fhould go all the Buffaloe Creek in order that I might round by land. I am now waitget a fpeech from them to the Wefing for a paffage to Detroit. They tern tribes. He treated me in a tell me that the neareft way that very friendly manner, approved of I can go by land is not fhort of the propofal, furnished me with a 400 miles; and by water it is but ftring of wampum, a lengthy and 250. There are feveral fail of fuitable letter to the chiefs, and veffels in this harbour on board of another to his brother a worthy one of which I expect to embark merchant in this place. I arrived as foon as the wind is favorable. here laft Monday, found Captain Chapin's brother, the principal Sachem, and Capt. Johnfon the interpreter. The bufinefs was foon | introduced; the old Sachem approved of the propofal, appeared very friendly, and faid that he would notify the chiefs to meet the next day at 10 o'clock. Six of them met at the time appointed, and Capt. Johnfon with them. The bufinefs was foon explained to them. They heard with attention, made a few pertinent obfervations, and told me they expected to grant my requeft, but that it was customary with them to defer the matter until the fecond day, that they might have an opportunity to confult among themselves. They then shook hands with me, very affectionately wished me the bleffing of the great. Spirit, and retired to their council houfe. The next day, when they were met as they had propofed, their great orator, in the midst of a large concourfe of Indians, delivered a fpeech to me, and another for me to write down, to their western brethren. They also gave me a very curious ftring of wampum to go with their fpeech. "I am now 400 miles from. Hartford, in fight of Lake Erie, juft at the outlet, and within 24 miles of the falls of Niagara. Capt. Johnfon, who is well acquainted with the Indians, fays there is no probability of my find Extract of a letter from one of the Connecticut Miffionaries. "SINCE I wrote you laft, the face of things has appeared quite different to me. The four first weeks of my miffion, I met with many ferious people and found, in feveral places, great attention to religion. Since that time, I have been travelling through a part of the country where the name of God is fcarcely ever mentioned except by way of profanity. The Sabbath is almoft wholly forgotten, or at least unobserved in any other way than in hunting, vifiting and herfe-racing. Many children from ten to twelve and fourteen years old have no knowledge of their Creator. It is aftonithing to behold fuch ignorance and profanity. It often calls to my mind the fituation of juft Lot, while in Sodom, whofe righteous foul was vexed from day to day with their unlawful deeds. But I comfort myfelf with this, God is able to fubdue the proud and stubborn heart; |