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still retained an anxious concern about his brethren."-J. "Why, Sir, we must either suppose that passage to be metaphorical, or hold with many divines, and all the Purgatorians, that departed souls do not all at once arrive at the utmost perfection of which they are capable."B. "I think, Sir, that is a very rational supposition."-J. "Why yes, Sir; but we do not know it is a true one. There is no harm in be

lieving it but you must not compel others to make it an article of faith; for it is not revealed." -B. "Do you think, Sir, it is wrong in a man who holds the doctrine of purgatory to pray for the souls of his deceased friends?"-J. "Why no, Sir."-B. "I have been told, that in the Liturgy of the Episcopal Church of Scotland, there was a form of prayer for the dead."-J. "Sir, it is not in the Liturgy which Laud framed for the Episcopal Church of Scotland: if there is a Liturgy older than that, I should be glad to see it."-B." As to our employment in a future state, the sacred writings say little. The Revelation, however, of St. John gives us many ideas, and particularly mentions music."-J. "Why, Sir, ideas must be given you by means of something which you know: and as to music, there are some philosophers and divines who have maintained that we shall not be spiritualized to such a degree, but that something of matter,

very much refined, will remain. In that case, music may make a part of our future felicity."

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In another conversation, Mr. Boswell mentioned a kind of religious Robinhood Society, which met every Sunday evening at Coachmaker's Hall for free debate; and that the subject for that night was the text which relates, with other miracles, that which happened at our SAVIOUR'S death, And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.'-Mrs. Hall observed, that it was a very curious subject, and she should like to hear it discussed. Johnson (somewhat warmly) said, "One would not go to such a place to hear it,—, one would not be seen in such a place-to give countenance to such a meeting."-" But, Sir (said she to Johnson), I should like to hear you discuss it." He seemed reluctant to engage in it. She talked of the resurrection of the human, race in general, and maintained that we shall be raised with the same bodies.-" Nay, Madam (returned Johnson), we see that it is not to be the same body; for the Scripture uses the illustration of grain sown, and we know that the grain which grows is not the same with what is sown.

cannot suppose

VOL. II.

You

that we shall rise with a diseased

body; it is enough if there be such a sameness as to distinguish identity of person."

The Reader will, no doubt, be desirous of learning how JOHNSON supported that awful crisis, of which he, through life, expressed so much dread.

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In his last illness, with that native fortitude which amidst all his bodily distress and mental sufferings never forsook him, he asked Dr. Brocklesby, as a man in whom he had confidence, to tell him plainly whether he could recover. "Give me (said he) a direct answer.' The Doctor having first asked him, if he could bear the whole truth, which way soever it might lead, and being answered that he could, declared that in his opinion he could not recover without a miracle. "Then (said Johnson) I will take no more physic, not even my opiates for I have prayed that I may render up my soul to GOD unclouded." In this resolution he persevered; and at the same time used only the weakest kinds of sustenance.

For some time before his death, all his fears were calmed and absorbed by the prevalence of his faith, and his trust in the merits and propitiation of our Redeemer. He talked often about the necessity of faith in the sacrifice of the Redeemer, as necessary, beyond all good works whatever, for the salvation of mankind,

The Doctor, from the time that he was certain his death was near, appeared to be perfectly resigned, was seldom or never fretful or out of temper, and often said to his faithful servant, Francis Barber, who gave this account, "Attend, Francis, to the salvation of your soul, which is the object of greatest importance." He also explained to him passages in the Scripture, and seemed to have pleasure in talking upon religious subjects.

On Monday, the thirteenth of December, 1784, the day on which he died, a Miss Morris, daughter to a particular friend of his, called, and said to Francis, that she begged to be permitted to see the Doctor, that she might earnestly request him to give her his blessing. Francis went into the room, followed by the young lady, and delivered the message. The Doctor turned himself in the bed, and said,-" God bless you, my dear!" These were the last words he spoke. His difficulty of breathing increased till about seven o'clock in the evening, when Francis and Mrs. Desmoulins, who were sitting in the room, observing that the noise he made in breathing had ceased, went to the bed side, and found that he was dead.

About two days after his death, the following account was communicated to Mr. Malone, in a letter by the Hon. John Byng:

"I HAVE had a long conversation with Cawston, who sat up with Dr. Johnson, from nine o'clock on Sunday evening, till ten o'clock on Monday morning. And from what I can gather from him, it should seem, that Dr. Johnson was perfectly composed; steady in hope, and resigned to death. At the interval of each hour, they assisted him to sit up in his bed, and move his legs, which were in much pain; when he regularly addressed himself to fervent prayer: and though sometimes his voice failed him, his senses never did during that time. The only sustenance he re: ceived was cyder and water. He said his mind was prepared, and the time to his dissolution seemed long. At six in the morning he enquired the hour, and on being informed, said, that all went on regularly, and he felt he had but a few hours to live.

"At ten o'clock in the morning, he parted from Cawston, saying, 'You should not detain Mr. Windham's servant.-I thank you: bear my remembrance to your master.' Cawston says, that no man could appear more collected, more devout, or less terrified at the thoughts of the approaching minute."

RELIGION.

anxious

MR. BOSWELL one day stated an thought, by which a sincere Christian might be disturbed, even when conscious of having lived a good life, so far as consistent with human infirmity; he might fear that he should afterwards fall away, and be guilty of such crimes as would render all his former religion vain. Could there be, he asked, upon this awful subject, such a thing as balancing of accounts?

Suppose a man

who has led a good life for seven years commits

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