vived, and Christians generally aroused from their slumbers, and awoke to righteousness, lest the blood of souls be required at their hands. The most of those who have joined us, seem to be steadfast. Pray for us, that we may have persevering as well as convicting grace. Westport, N. Y.- Extract of a letter from the Rev. Orris Pier, dated March 19, 1827:-" With pleasure I inform you of the revival of God's work in this place. Clouds of darkness have long hung around about us, iniquity has abounded, and the love of many waxed cold. But, blessed be God, those clouds have at length disappeared, and showers of divine grace Our have been poured out upon us. ears have witnessed the groans of the wounded and the songs of the redeemed. It is not unfrequently the case, that from thirty to fifty arise to request an interest in the prayers of God's people.-About thirty profess to have experienced the pardoning love of God, and others are anxiously inquiring the way to Zion. In Elizabethtown, also, we have had refreshing showers of divine grace. Numbers have been brought from darkness into the marvellous light of God. In Moriah, too, the Lord has commenced a work of reformation. Oh! that it may spread, until the earth be wrapt in one general flame of piety." CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. $11.00 Since our last number went to press, the following sums have been received: rom the Rev. J. Waller, of Virginia, to constitute him a member for Donation from Mr. Peter Crosswait, 2.00 10 00 20 00 56 From Baltimore Conference Aux. Soc., by Mr. Ro. Armstrong, Tr., 500 00 OBITUARY. For the Methodist Magazine. MRS. DRUMGOOLE, the subject of the following memoir, was born January 5, 1753, in the county of Brunswick and state of Virginia. She was the daughter of Mr. John Walton, a very respectable citizen of that county. Under his care and protection she continued until the 24th year of her age. Her conduct and uniform deportment were such as engaged the affections of the parent, and the respect of her acquaintances. Alive to all those fine feelings which the various connexions of improved society afford, she was effectually guarded against whatever would betray the confidence or forfeit the esteem of any with whom the intercourse of life was deservedly cultivated. In 1775 she was convinced of sin, through the instrumentality of the Methodist ministers, who, at this time, were dispensing the words of life and 20.00 30.00 salvation over this section of country. Being convinced of sin and its ruinous consequences, she fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope which the gospel affords. She embraced the means which, by infinite wisdom, are ordained for the use of all who are seeking life; and continued in their diligent exercise, until God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shone into her soul, to give her the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Perceiving through this, the way of salvation, she entered into it, and was made alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Having tasted of the good word of God, and felt the powers of the world to come, her attention was next turned to the various Christian denominations which were then common to that part of the country; that, after a due investigation of their tenets and principles of doctrine, she might make a choice consonant with those sentiments which the Scriptures warranted and supported. Having done so, she concluded to unite herself to the Methodist church, of which she continued a worthy member until her exit from time. March 7th, 1777, she was united in marriage to the Rev. Edward Drumgoole, a native of Ireland, and one of the first Methodist preachers known in this country. Their union was protracted to a considerable length of time, viz. forty-nine years and eleven days. She was the mother of ten children; and, in the course of an inscrutable but wise providence, she was called to witness the death bed, heartrending scene of six of them;-four when young; one as he had just attained to the years of maturity; and the other in the 40th year of his age. Mrs. Drumgoole, in the relation of wife, mother, and mistress, sustained the character of a Christian. Educing from the word of God, which she most ardently loved and cordially embraced, the principles and regulations of domestic economy and general conduct, she was punctual in the discharge of her duty, and exemplary in the various avocations of life. That word, which she so much loved, was diligently read; the means it pointed out were constantly used; and the duties it enjoined were the delight of her soul. To private devotion she was uniform and steady, and endeavoured daily to cherish a communion with God. The circumstances of the poor waked up the feelings of the highest sympathy, and found in her the means of comfort and relief. Her house was ever open to the reception of God's ministers, and afforded, unsparingly, whatever was essential to refreshment and pious cheerfulness. To them she was a ready, willing, and diligent servant; and the more so, doubtless, from the gra cious reward promised even the gift of a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple. This humble follower of the Lord Jesus Christ was a child of affliction for far the greater part of her life. A few weeks before her death, she was severely afflicted with the influenza. On the 17th of March she indeed appeared, as she said she felt she was, fast going. Her husband, a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, was much concerned to know the state of her mind; and therefore asked how she felt. She replied, "Not as happy as I have been." Her family was an object of much concern and prayer; and many a petition did she put up for their peace and religious enjoyment. Her speech failed on Friday night; and it was thought more than probable that she would die before morning; but, in mercy, she was both relieved and spared. Saturday morning, the approach of her dissolution was both more apparent and certain. Though her speech was restored, she seemed humbly waiting the approaching change. She professed to be happy, and to have a solid hope of everlasting life. "I cannot forget," says her husband, "her looks the last time she sent for me to come into her room, and called her youngest son, who was not a professor of religion. When we came before her with all her living children, she said, I have sent for you once more to pray with me.' We kneeled down, and my son Edward addressed the throne of grace. Her hand was in mine; but alas! she never more spoke. While thus praying, her precious soul took its flight to the arms of her blessed Saviour." She died on the 18th of March, 1826, being in the 74th year of her age; and on the afternoon of the following day she was buried in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to everlasting life. H. G. LEIGH. POETRY. CHRISTIAN DILIGENCE THEIR daily task who fail to do, Neglect their heavenly business too; Nor know what faith and duty mean, Who use religion as a screen, Asunder put what God hath join'd, A diligent and pious mind. Full well the labour of our hands With fervency of spirit stands; For God, who all our days hath given, BY THE REV. C. WESLEY. Our hands with work, our hearts with zeal: And like the blessed spirits above, The more we serve, the more we love. NO. 6.] FOR JUNE, 1827. [VOL. 10. DIVINITY. A SERMON, PREACHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE DORCAS SOCIETY, OF NEW-BRUNS WICK, N. J., JANUARY 21, 1827. BY THE REV. SAMUEL DOUGHTY, OF THE PHILADELPHIA CONFERENCE. I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how' he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.—Acts xx, 35. THESE words are a part of the instructions of St. Paul given to the elders of the Ephesian church a few moments before his final separation from them. They are highly expressive of his benevolence, and show the deep solicitude of his heart for the welfare of the poor and the needy. A good and holy minister will not be unmindful of the poor of his flock. They will be the subjects of his repeated instructions, counsel, and care. His benevolent heart will mingle its feelings with theirs, and they will share his sympathy and love. His lips will be eloquent in fervent prayer for them; and his heart and hands will be fertile in expedients for their relief. The poor, indeed, are too apt to be neglected even by good men. Their obscure and homely habitations; their uncultivated minds, and uncouth manners, possess but few attractions: and their very misfortunes, which should recommend them to our notice, render them the subjects of neglect. But Christians, and especially Christian ministers, should act from better principles, from nobler motives,-the loftiest that can rule the heart or regulate the conduct,—even the love of souls and the glory of God. And where there is no other quality of the heart to be affected by these visits to the poor, surely its benevolence will be gratified-rewarded. The benevolent heart of Paul was not satisfied with his own solitary administrations of charity to the poor, but he was ever forward to recommend their case to the care and compassion of others. The church at Ephesus had sprung up under his fostering care, and he regarded it with more than parental love. All its members were dear to him, but more particularly his bowels of compassion yearned over its suffering poor: and now that he was passing onward to Jerusalem to return to Ephesus no more, and fearing lest they should be neglected, he enjoined the elders to superintend and supply their wants. To the performance of this duty he urged them by the threefold motive in the text, namely, his own example, the authority and precepts of the Lord Jesus, and the blessedness which results from benevolent deeds. "I VOL. X. June, 1827. 22 have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” It is to the doctrine contained in this sentiment of the blessed Saviour, that, at this time, I would call the attention of this audience. When these words were delivered; whether they should be considered as containing the spirit and substance of what Christ taught; or whether delivered in the form in which they are here presented to us; whether Paul received them from the disciples of Christ as being among his unwritten sayings; or whether he received them from the Lord Jesus by immediate revelation; are all matters of uncertainty, and of little importance, since the doctrine itself, not only in this passage, but also in many other passages of Scripture, has been handed down to us by the infallible inspiration of God. The doctrine contained in this brief sentence may be reduced into one proposition, and seems to be simply as follows, viz. Greater happiness is to be derived from doing good to others, than can be derived from receiving good from others. We do not expect this doctrine to obtain a very cordial reception from those whose hearts are taught to vibrate only to the impulses of selfishness. Indeed it seems to be contrary to the general sentiment of mankind, if general practice be admitted as a criterion of opinion. How we shall become rich, or wise, or honourable; or "who shall show us any good?" is the general inquiry of men. They ransack with diligence the sources of wealth; they studiously contrive, and industriously develope plans whereby their earthly possessions may be increased; and in the reception and the enjoyment of their gains, they place the secret of their happiYet every man, whose heart has felt the glow of generous feeling, will cheerfully acknowledge, that for his richest feelings and purest joys, he is indebted to his benevolent deeds. ness. Virtuous, delicate, and independent minds, readily admit the justness of this sentiment. When necessity compels them to receive favours which they cannot requite, they feel that there is indeed very little blessedness in receiving. Such persons will feel the sanctuary of their dearest sentiments, principles, and feelings, violated by the gentlest approaches of gratuitous charity. Kindness will more oppress them than cruelty; and they find it easier to grapple unaided with their woes, than to bow beneath the humbling charities of men. Again. Habitual charity, or, at least, habitual dependance, is often finally injurious to the amiable and virtuous dispositions of the heart. Habit, it will be admitted, possesses great power over It teaches him to become reconciled to any means of subsistence, and to any mode of life. It causes man to forget his degradation, and makes the knave familiar with his fetters. man. It will banish gloom from a dungeon, and enliven its dismal scenes. And under the most humbling and degrading circumstances it will face the scorn, the contumely, and the oppressions of the world. The most delicate mind, from being long accustomed to the reception of gratuitous favours, may at length lose its scruples; its modesty, and even its sense of shame, may finally depart. And the sentiment may not be unjust, that those who have been the most largely indebted to the charities of men, are among neither the most benevolent, nor the most grateful of mankind. And when the spirit of virtuous gratitude and honourable independence has taken its flight from the bosom of man, it often leaves behind it an idle, worthless, abandoned heart. And because these effects have been sometimes produced, the benevolent hands of some individuals have been led to withhold their supplies; and selfishness has availed itself of the specious though unjust excuse, to fortify with greater security its idol treasures. But if these things authorized the extinction of benevolent feelings, or the cessation of charitable deeds, O, how soon would the ingratitude and the baseness of man drive the mercy of God from the world! But we would not be understood to insinuate that these are the invariable, or the common effects of charity. We only assert that they are sometimes produced. Neither do we mean that there are no instances in which the reception of favours is attended with good. On the contrary, all those benevolent efforts which alleviate the condition of the afflicted, are, in this respect, blessings, and often excite emotions of gratitude in the bosom of the receiver. And if piety have made its abode in such hearts, they will speed many a grateful prayer,-many a holy thanksgiving, to the Father of mercies. But we do mean, that the greatest happiness which the most enlarged beneficence can bestow, must and will fall far short of the blessedness that remains in the hearts of the benevolent. Benevolence opens in the heart of man a source of the purest and most ample happiness. But here perhaps it may be asked what is benevolence? does every pittance bestowed upon the needy, every deed seemingly good, flow from this principle, and deserve this character? It is indeed greatly to be feared that many an act apparently generous, and which attracts the notice and the praises of the world, will be found to possess but little of true benevolence. Benevolence belongs to the disposition: this is its seat and fountain; it dwells in the heart. No action, whatever good it may do, is strictly benevolent, that springs not from benevolent affections. Benevolence is good will,-kind feeling nay more, it is pity and compassion: it is love; it is all these put into exercise. A benevolent heart is one that feels for the miseries of men, and that hastens to relieve them. To be benevolent is to feel, as well as to act; and it is the feeling or affection which should |