Total, Collections, &c. by Rev. Mr. Bogue Collections in Scotland, &c. by the Rev. Dr. Collyer. 560 19 5 Glasgow, Rev. Mr. Wardlaw Mr. Ewing Paisley, Rev. Mr. Smart Falkirk, Rev. Mr. Belfrage Largs, Rev. Mr. Leech Irvine, Rev. Mr. Campbell Kilmarnock, Rev. Mr. Jeffreys Dumfries, Rev. Mr. Dunlop Ditto, Missionary Society there 10 1 1 12 0 0 Whitburn, Contributions of a few Friends there, by Legacy by late Mr. Gillespie, Farmer, near Down, Donations Total Collections, &c. by Rev. Dr. Collyer Northern Missionary Society, by the Rev. Mr. Angus M'Intosh 100 413 7 2 0 0 A Friend, by Mrs. Hill Collected at Union Chapel, Islington, Mr. Lewis and Dr. Collyer 91 7 0 The names of Individual Donors and Subscribers are printed in the Annual Accounts of the Society; but not in this Magazine. The Collections during a Second Tour of Mr. Townsend, and the Contributions from Cumberland, &c. are unavoidably deferred, EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE. OCTOBER, 1811. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. EBENEZER WHITE; OF CHESTER. [Concluded from our last.] WE have already adverted to a feature in the character of Mr. White, which gave at times a mournful complexion to all his feelings, and naturally tended to form many of those peculiarities which, directly or indirectly, undermined the peace of his mind. It cannot be said that Melancholy marked him as her own,' because this would have been obviously incompatible with the discharge of the principal duties of his station; but to a melancholy view of things affecting himself in any way whatever, he was invariably prone. He had the unhappy faculty of too often creating around him an atmosphere of clouds and darkness. In this tabernacle he groaned, being burthened' but though feelings so tremendously agonizing were by no means habitual, yet their excitement at any period, was too evident an indication of the gloomy propensity of his mind. It is a part of the mystery of Providence, which eternity alone can explain, that some of the most devoted and eminent saints should have been permitted to undergo the most tormenting apprehensions of their character and destination. There were several striking points of resemblance be tween Mr. White and Cowper,-The once mournful, but now glorified bard.' Alike in their religious principles, their nervous habits, their intense filial affection, and the gloomy impres sion of their views, they both found their greatest alleviation in the gospel of Christ; and soothed the sorrows they felt by the tranquillizing exercises of Poetical Composition*. Reli * No comparison as to Poetical Talent is intended by this allusion. Quis post Jovem? Amongst the papers of Mr. White there has been found a great variety of Miscellaneous Compositions, in Prose and Verse. Many of the Poetical Articles discover a taste highly refined, and consecrated to the best of purposes; and occasional effusions of genius, far above that mediocrity of talent which obtrudes on the world so much vapid Prose in the shape of Rhyme. The modesty of Mr. White would not permit him to publish any of his Poetical Compositions, though the circle of his friends was often gratified by perusing them. It is intended to make a Selection of the best pieces for publication, with a prefixed Memoir of his Life, Extracts from his Correspondence, and some valuable Theological Articles, found among his manuscripts. -The volume is expected to appear in the course of the present year. 3 € gion was not the cause of their dejection; from constitutional temperament they were prone to indulge it, and it became, in some measure, necessarily modified by the influence of their principles; but its existence was in spite of them, and not their natural consequence. Gloomy as they were, they would have been much more so, but for the cheering consolations which, at intervals truly lucid, animated and sustained their minds. These remarks will enable us to understand some passages which we shall now select from his correspondence, and which will serve to develope the peculiarities of his character in a more interesting manner than any expanded account of them. They will discover the piety, humility, and resignation of his heart, amidst all the sorrows he endured. In a letter to his father he says, 'Give me a commodious study, and a few necessaries, and I can prosecute the high business of my station with pleasure and profit. God is pleased to continue to me the faculties of reflection and meditation, and I am enabled to deliver his word in public to the edification and comfort of his people. These things make a great demand on my gratitude; and while I relish the truths I utter, and behold their renovating effects on others, with these I hope I shall be contented. May I ever keep the end of my calling in view, and at length receive the reward of a faithful servant!' In another of a later date, to his mother, he thus writes: If I had any thing new or interesting I should be happy, and eager to make it known. The ordinary goodness of God, indeed, is enough to astonish every heart that knows itself; and it is lamentable that the mercies of God should be unobserved, merely because they flow in such constant succession! I am aware that the 'calm I now enjoy may possibly be only the commencement of a new series of disasters.' If so, I hope I should in patience possess my soul,' and 'commit my way to the Lord;' but nothing in my nature generates such a hope; feeble, sinful, and constitutionally melancholy, without refreshments from the Fountain of Mercy I should sink under a despondency, to which many vigorous minds have fallen a prey.'-In a subsequent letter he says, 'The best news I have to communicate is, that the Lord strikes me off every creature-dependence, and obliges me to live upon himself.' You know that in some respects' I have been sore broken in the place of dragons.' Indeed, every place has been to me, more or less, a place of trial. I think that now I have more insight into the design of the general and particular dealings of God with me I certainly see that the creature is not to be my heaven, that God is aiming to bring me down at his fees. He makes me learn that I have nothing wherein to glory. May every lesson sink deep, and make me truly wise to salvation! You are not to interpret this as if any thing unpleasant than ever. - |