and distress became very extreme. He desired some select passages of Scripture might be read to him. Among others, the 14th chapter of John was read, some part of which he repeated with great emphasis, and expressed much inward satisfaction. In broken accents he prayed with much ardour, for resignation to the divine will, and for support in his last struggles, that his passage from time into eternity might, if consistent with the will of heaven, be speedy and easy. He began to repeat Watts' Hymn, "Oh! if my Lord would come and meet."-His hiccup interrupting him so much, he could proceed no further than this line, he desired a friend to repeat it for him. He appeared almost in transport with the following verse :—

"Jesus can make a dying bed

"Feel soft as downy pillows are,
"While on his breast I lean my head,

"And breathe my life out sweetly there."

In the course of the night he desired his attendants would sing a hymn. He made several attempts to join them. His voice, however, being broken, and much interrupted by hiccup, he could not proceed, but appeared delighted by the singing of others. He afterwards desired a friend to pray with him. He considered his last moments to be drawing near, and requested his family should be called up. He addressed each, individually, as they drew round his bed, and in a strain of piety and devotion adapted to the solemnity of the occasion, earnestly importuned them to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, assuring them that every other needed blessing would be added to them. The scene was indeed a most interesting one, more readily conceived than described.

Toward the close of the day, on Saturday, being in very great distress, and apprehensive that his dissolution was rapidly approaching, after requesting his family should be called in, and they, with a number of his friends, were seated around him, he called for a sermon which he had partly committed to paper just before his confinement, intending to have delivered it the next Lord's day. The subject was the Faithfulness of God: he desired a part of it should be read, which being done, he addressed them in these words:

"These sentiments, (alluding to what had been read,) my dear children, I desire you to cherish in your memory, and let them sink deeply into the hearts of each one of you, as the

sincere sentiments of your dying father; who, in his last moments, can testify to the faithfulness of his God. You have heard, that he will faithfully reward, with the joys of heaven and eternal life, all those who love him, and diligently seek him. Remember, also, that he has threatened eternaldeath and everlasting misery, to all those who know not God, and desire not the knowledge of his ways. Let me assure you, his faithfulness is equally pledged for the execution of his awful threatenings and righteous judgments, as for his promises of everlasting happiness to those who love him. True, he is a God of mercy; but remember, he is also a God of justice: and whilst he rewards the righteous, will also punish the wicked. Accept the pardon which he tenders you in the gospel of his Son; embrace the Lord Jesus, who suffered and died on the cross, that you might be ransomed from your sins; no longer slight the offers of salvation; delay not the concerns of your precious souls to a dying hour; presume not too much on the forbearance of God: his mercy, though infinite, cannot extend to the impenitent."-After closing his admonition, he requested a near and dear friend, who had been much with him, to pray with him. This being done, he raised his hands, and with uplifted countenance, and voice much interrupted by hiccup, addressed the throne of grace in a most ardent and affectionate prayer. First he commended his fellow creatures generally to God; next his dear congregation; then his wife and children; and last, his own soul. The following are a part of his closing words:

"O blessed Jesus! wholly and confidently relying on thine atoning blood, I come to thee, dear Jesus; I have nothing to bring; no merits to plead, but thine! I come, presenting thee my naked, naked soul; take it, O my God! take it to thyself, for Jesus' sake!"

A short time after this, he asked one of his physicians if he thought it likely he would continue through the night? the doctor replied, I think it not improbable. He then said, ""Tis my desire, if consistent with God's will, to depart on the Lord's day."

On the sabbath before his death, he requested his daughter to turn to Watts' 189th Hymn, B. 1. entitled, Hope in the Covenant. As she read, he repeated with much emphasis, and especially the last verse. He frequently, through his illness, desired to have passages of Scripture read, sometimes selected by himself, sometimes by others, and always expressed much comfort in them.

Being asked if he feared to meet death, he replied, "I fear only its pangs, which have been a dread to me through life." He frequently charged his physicians to conceal nothing from him, and when they discovered his last change approaching, not to fail announcing it to him. He often inquired of them, "have you no good news to communicate to me?"—" Do you see any prospect of my speedy release?" Frequently he observed, "I desire I may have patience to wait the time appointed for me; yet I cannot but long to depart, that I may be with Christ." The evening previous to his departure, when his pulse began to falter, one of his physicians asked him, " Would it afford you comfort, if you could consider this as the last night of your sufferings here?” He eagerly caught the import of the question, and apparently almost transported, exclaimed,-" Oh, I should rejoice in the prospect! Come, Lord Jesus, O come quickly!"-Early the next morning his room was thronged with his friends and parishioners of both sexes, most of them in tears; he readily recognized each individual, and when he could no longer speak, he tenderly embraced several of them in his dying arms, and kissing each, bade them adieu.

He evidently retained his recollection and reason, until a few moments of his last gasp, and while his hands or lips could move, he appeared to be in prayer.

1810.

He expired at 12 in the morning, of Tuesday, 13th March, His congregation at all times were affectionate and kind to him; were deeply impressed with his last sickness, and peculiarly attentive to him during the whole course of it. After his death, they requested the family to permit them to pay their last solemn respects to his memory, by interring his remains at their own charge.

A sermon was delivered at his interment, by Dr. Milledoler, from Matthew, 24th chapter, 45, 46, and 47th verses, to a very crouded audience.

P

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

SANSOM STREET

FEMALE BIBLE ASSOCIATION,

PHILADELPHIA.

PRESENTED OCTOBER 29, 1834.

Philadelphia:

PRINTED BY T. W. USTICK, 49 PRUNE STREET.