518 OBITUARY. MRS. MARTHA PRATT. quently stated in the Scripture. The On the 9th of August, 1828, died all-sufficient atonement for sin, by the Mrs. Martha Pratt, the third wife of substitutionary sacrifice of Him who Mr. Thomas Pratt, of Ilford, in Essex. was "God manifest in the flesh," was The following statement was publicly the sole ground of her dependence for read to a numerous congregation, at the acceptance before the divine throne. close of her funeral sermon. This is frequently introduced in her Of the first twenty-five years of her diary, and has often been expressed in life we know but little. She has been conversation and letters, in the most heard to speak with deep regret of the scriptural and decisive language. But gaiety, vanity, and folly to which she while confidently expecting her justifiwas most decidedly attached, and in cation by the imputed righteousness of which she would have gone much greater Jesus, she was evidently as anxious for lengths, had it not been for the re- the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spistraints of christian instruction, godly rit, and conformity to the example of On the Saviour; for her conscious defects example, and family devotion. Aug. 20, 1809, she says, “It is now five and imperfections were assuredly her years since we lost our father. That greatest burden. On referring to cerour loss proved his gain, we have no tain sentiments, about which her mind doubt. May we, his children, so far had been exercised, but from which it follow his steps, as he followed Christ. | finally revolted, she exclaims, "Blessed He walked before his family with up-be the God of grace, who prevented rightness of heart. Prayer was attend-me from turning infidel, and delivered ed to once a day in the family; his me from the horrid paths of scepticounsel was valued by most of his cism!" Her exertions in originating, friends. Oh, that his advice to his and for many years labouring in the Ilchildren may never be forgotten by ford Sunday school, are well known to them! I shall have reason to bless God many. Deeply impressed with the imto all eternity for it, as it was his coun-portance of the object, she says, "I sel which first fixed serious impressions may thus be useful to those who shall on my mind." Feb. 4, 1810, she says, fill the church and serve the cause of "This day two years I made a public God when my blood shall cease to flow." "This is profession of my attachment to Christ In January, 1810, she says, and his cause." To this event she fre- the conclusion of the fourth year since quently referred, and repeatedly de- the school was instituted, and I have clared, that she never repented of not fainted." This was the first Sunday having taken that important step. The school established in the neighbourhood, primary articles of her faith appear to and it has instrumentally led to the have been embraced from a conviction establishment of at least four others. of their being truly scriptural, and es- The frequent reference in her diary to sentially important. A deep conviction the state of the school-the manner in of the total depravity of human nature, which it was often introduced in conand the insufficiency of all human righ-versation-her anxiety to have her own teousness to justify the soul before God, pervades almost every page of her diary. The doctrine of three equal Persons in the Godhead she most decidedly embraced, without attempting to explain, because she saw it so clearly and so fre family employed in it—and her frequent attendance there, for years after her domestic engagements and increasing deafness would have fully justified her absence-plainly evince the deep inte. rest she felt in its prosperity. Many and example, have been induced to begin, and encouraged to persevere in the labours of the school. May the remembrance of Mrs. Pratt's labours and successes encourage the present teachers to steady perseverance, and provoke others to join their ranks ! young people, through her influence versations, and by entries in her diary, her concern for the peace, purity, and prosperity of the church was decidedly manifest. It was but seldom she could enjoy social meetings on account of her deafness. If she attended them and the conversation was unheard or uninteresting, she deeply lamented it as a lost opportunity; but if otherwise, she remarks with feelings of the liveliest interest, the "Sweet savour thereof remained for many days." She often anticipated her dissolution, and when making memorandums of the decease of Christian friends and relatives, she seldom omitted expressing her faith and hope of immortal blessedness, through the mediation of Jesus, and commending her husband and children to the It was not to Sabbath schools alone that her influence was given. The Mother and Infant's Friend—the Helpin Trouble-the Religious Tract and Missionary Societies, and several other insititutions, will cheerfully bear testimony to her readiness to help them, in any way which prudence and piety might dictate. The loss of her hearing was a great affliction to her mind, and her frequent allusions to it in her diary are most affecting; but she seldom neg-providence and grace of a covenant lected attending the means, when she had no expectation of hearing a word. If now and then she heard part of a discourse, she was exceedingly delighted. On one of these occasions, she says, "I hope I am truly thankful for what I have this day heard and enjoyed. I changed my seat to front the minister, and heard greatest part of the sermon, from How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?' After many appropriate remarks on singing in general, he explained the Lord's song and the strange land, and the lamentable inquiry. For some time past I have mourned indeed for want of hearing, but this one sermon has revived me. My thoughts scarcely wandered. I hope I shall sing the Lord's song for many days to come. It seemed almost as if my hearing was recovered." Two reflections dwelt frequently on her mind in relation to this afflictionfirst, a consciousness of many defects in improving the other senses which she enjoyed; secondly, a fear that she should have made an improper use of this faculty, and therefore the denial of it was probably a preventing mercy. In Sept. 1811, she was cordially received into the church at Ilford by virtue of an honourable dismission from the church at Bow, where she had made her public profession three years and a half before. By her frequent con God. On her last birth-day she writes as follows:- "Dec. 16, 1827-Fortyseven years this day have I lived in the world; to what purpose I may well enquire, always busy, yet doing nothingtime flies before me, I can neither stay it nor improve it as I wish, yet, I perhaps am near my home-I long to be free from infirmity and sin, and am ready to say, "When shall the day dear Lord appear, That I shall mount to dwell above." A continual sinner, I could that blood which cleanseth from all sin. Surely in this I may trust; the sins of my heart are more than I can bear to look at; yet that sacrifice is all-sufficient; and now, as at my conversion "My faith would lay her hand On that dear head of thine; And there confess my sin." The last entry in her diary is as follows: "June 8th 1828,—I have nothing to record but an ungrateful heart, a coldness to spiritual objects, and a want of that spirituality of mind which constitutes the best evidence of real religion. Oh that I could dismiss the world from my heart, if it were only in the house of God! It would be, indeed, a relief. My time seems filled up, and my thoughts engaged with worldly things continually. 'Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew within me a right spirit! Oh, them, and strive to excel her in every take possession of my whole soul, I beseech thee, O Lord!" On the 7th of August, she left home to visit Margate and Ramsgate for a little change, which on account of her health seemed necessary. On the 9th, after bathing, she went to the market and provided dinner, which she apparently enjoyed; but about an hour afterwards a fit of apoplexy came insensibly upon her, which, notwithstanding the best medical assistance, terminated in death, about eight o'clock in the evening. The corpse was brought to Ilford for interment, in the ground belonging to the church of which she had been an honourable and useful member for nearly seventeen years. thing belonging to personal piety, do- "When shall I feel a glowing flame Or promises on which I rest? Not till this weak, this mortal frame, Not till my soul is clothed in white, And walks among the just. Now, when my willing spirit seeks Its praises to present, But then, ah! then, the perfect soul Shall no such hindrance feel; The bereaved husband and a numerous family will necessarily feel and mourn their loss. Domestic concerns occupied much of her time and attention for several of the last years of her life, and she frequently laments in her diary, that, like Martha, she was careful and cumbered about many things, which, however, she could neither conscientiously neglect nor impose upon others. She had her imperfections, and so far as she was sensible of them, no she is now clothed in white, and walks one could more deeply lament them. among the spirits of the just who are As they are not for imitation, let all made perfect. who knew them endeavour to avoid Nor mourn a heart of steel." We trust these hopes are realized, these desires accomplished, and that J. SMITH. INTELLIGENCE. DOMESTIC. Recent Death. Died, Sept. 17, 1828, in the parish of North Walsham, in the county of Norfolk, Mr. John Barcham, in his 80th year. He was baptized and received into the Baptist church in Worstead, July 5, 1775, by the Rev. E. Trivett, then its pastor. He was afterwards chosen a deacon, which office he sustained nearly forty years, so that in him was fulfilled what the Psalmist saith, "Those who are planted in the courts of the Lord, shall flourish in the house of our God; they shall be fat and flourishing, and bring forth fruit in old age." He was firmly attached to the interests of Zion, both at home and abroad. His last Sabbath on earth witnessed him a Sunday school teacher, according to his habit, at an early hour. Mr. Barcham's death was sudden; he leaned against his beloved wife, and without a word or a struggle yielded up his spirit to bis Maker. It may be said of him, that he was an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no allowed guile. His remains were interred in the Baptist burial ground at Worstead, attended by his numerous family, friends, and a large concourse of spectators, who came to pay their last token of esteem; when the Rev. R. Clark addressed the congregation from Ps. xxxix. 9, 10. The following Lord's day he preached (by request of the deceased) a funeral sermon, from 2 Cor. xiii. 11. "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you." -"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." Worstead, Norfolk, Oct. 9. BUILDING OR ENLARGING PLACES OF RE LIGIOUS WORSHIP. At a public meeting of the principal members of the congregation of Protestant Dissenters of the Baptist Denomination at Abingdon, Bucks, it was unanimously resolved 1. That we account it a privilege, as well as a duty, to aid, according to our ability, in the propagation of the Gospel, by affording pecuniary assistance to those congregations of Protestant dissenters who are small, to defray the whole expence of erecting or of enlarging meeting houses for religious worship. 2. That having been convinced, by long experience, that numerous inconveniences, and some absolute evils, arise from ministers leaving their respective charges, and travelling far from home, in order to present their cases personally; and considering also that more efficient help may be rendered to the cause of Christianity by acting on a different plan; it is our full determination not to grant any further assistance, except to such cases as are sent us by letter. 3. That a fund shall be raised by subscriptions and congregational collections, the amount of which shall from time to time be divided among the cases presented, according to their respective merits. 4. That all subscribers of £1 1s. and upwards per annum, shall constitute a Com mittee, to whose examination the cases shall be submitted, and by whom the pecuniary grants to each shall be fixed. Signed by, on behalf of the rest, J. KERSHAW, Pastor. W. TOMKINS, J. TOMKINS, Deacons. RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE OF Cornwall Auxiliary to the Baptist Missionary Society, held at Falmouth, Sept. 23, 1828, the following resolutions were passed unanimously : 1. That having felt an anxious interest in the painful discussions in which the Parent Society has long been occupied with the Serampore Missionaries, and several pamphlets on both sides of the controversy having been for some time submitted to the public; the Committee of the Cornwall Auxiliary Society, consider themselves called upon by their relation to the Parent Society, to express with humility, and as in the sight of God, their opinion on the principal points of the case before them. 2. That while all who engage in promoting the kingdom of Christ by means of Missionary Societies, must regard the revealed will of their Lord and master as the priof such Societies have a right to agree on mary rule of their proceedings, the members subordinate regulations in the constitution of their union, and in the prosecution of their designs; that, in the execution of such recontributors, and Missionaries to Commitgulations, Committees are responsible to tees; that love to Christ, to each other, and to their fellow men, is the bond of this union and responsibility; and that it is necessary to the success and even the existence of such institutions, that the various agents engaged in them should thus submit themselves ons to another in the fear of God. which occur at pages 34, 88, 90, 97, 302, 3. That it appears evident from passages 517 and 518 of the first volume of the Periodical Accounts, that the senior Missionaries of the Baptist Missionary Society, were sent out under its "patronage" and "instructions" in the same manner as those the field of labour; and that the Society who have subsequently been sent forth into supplies at the commencement of their Misnot only engaged to afford them pecuniary sionary career, and whenever afterwards they might be required, but did actually contribute large sums to their support. of the Serampore Missionaries, in after4. That greatly as they venerate the zeal wards supporting themselves and otherwise promoting the objects of the Society by the product of their industry and learning, this Committee cannot consider them, on that ground, warranted in abandoning their original relation to the Society at home; a measure which there is abundant reason for believing they themselves for many years never contemplated from that or any other cause. -See Periodical Accounts, Vol. I. MISSIONARIES AND THE BAPTIST MIS-P. 88, 90, 302, and vol. II. p. 286. SIONARY SOCIETY. 5. That the Serampore Missionaries having been sent out in the manner expressed At a Meeting of the Committee of the in the third resolution, and having volun M M tarily and disinterestedly devoted the pro-rampore Missionaries, so far from having been domineering and oppressive, has been uniformly characterized by esteem, affection, tenderness, concession, forbearance and conciliation. 10. That the course adopted by the Parent Committee on the application for pecuniary assistance for the Missionary stations connected with Serampore, has the entire and cordial approbation of this Com duct of their labour as "a contribution to the Society," and having afterwards by the memorable Form of Agreement" of 1805 solemnly renewed this consecration "to God and his cause" in connexion with the Society, it was incumbent on them, in the event of their considering any arrangement necessary which should involve a departure from the literal and obvious meaning of their previous acts, to confer with the So-mittee; and at the same time it is the conciety at home; especially as they could not be ignorant that their "Form of Agreement" had been widely promulgated, and, without information to the contrary, would be still considered, as the rule of their benevolent exertions: but that it now appears, that without any communication with the Society, the Serampore Missionaries have in some important particulars departed from their "Form of Agreement;" whereby the operations of the Society have been perplexed, and the disinterestedness of the Missionaries, has received the admiration of the Christian world to a degree which, for many years, has not been really merited. 6. That if the Serampore Missionaries saw reason to constitute themselves independent of the Society in England, it be hoved them to consult with that Society, and promptly avow the alteration of their plan; a proceeding by which unhappy and protracted misunderstandings would have been effectually prevented. 7. That it is the decided opinion of this Committee, from the express language of the deeds of conveyance, the correspondence of the Missionaries and numerous passages in the Periodical Accounts, that the mission premises at Serampore are the property of the Society; that funds were furnished by the Society for the payment of the purchase money of such premises; and that the Explanatory Declaration" of 1817 and other kindred acts of the Missionaries, even if designed only to exclude the right of administration, form a most unjustifiable invasion of the proprietorship of the Society. 8. That this committee perceive in the present constitution of the Serampore establishment, not only a departure from the original system of the Missionaries, but an opening to all the evils and abuses of an irresponsible and self-perpetuating corporation, whose members are elected for life; against which the Society's ultimate right of interference referred to in Dr. Marshman's Brief Memoir, p. 66, could form but a very precarious and ineffectual remedy. 9. That judging from the resolutions and correspondence of the managing Committee of the Society, and notwithstanding any allegations to the contrary, it is the full conviction of this Committee that the conduct of the Parent Committee towards the Se viction of this Committee that the Parent Committee could not with propriety surrender any portion of their income for the support of stations from the direction or management of which they were excluded; and which were to remain under the government of a self-elected and irresponsible council of a semi-missionary college; especially while that body avowed an intention to make a further and separate appeal for the same object to those by whom the Society itself is supported; and that consequently, as the subject embraced in this resolution became the immediate occasion of the dissolution of the connexion between the Serampore Missionaries and the Parent Institution, the blame of that event must be ascribed to the measures and demands of the former, to which the Committee of the latter could not possibly accede without betraying the trust confided to them by their constituents, and violating the principles on which the Society is founded. 11. That for missionaries to be under the necessity of engaging in secular pursuits in order partly or wholly to maintain themselves, through the deficiency of pecuniary supplies from home, being in the opinion of this Committee a matter of sincere regret, this Committee earnestly hope that the increased liberality of the Christian public will render the continuance of this evil no longer necessary; and that consequently the valuable lives of Christian Missionaries may be exclusively devoted to their allimportant work. 12. That this Committee renew, with great pleasure, the expression of their warm attachment to the excellent, and now long and severely tried principles of the Baptist Missionary Society, and of their cordial affection for the conductors of its affairs :and while they rejoice in the cheering success which God has granted to its operations, they unfeignedly trust that all its trials will be rendered conducive to its prosperity; and that henceforth there will be, on the part of its friends, a cautious abstinence from all glorying in men, and a more entire dependence on divine aid; so that while Missionaries are esteemed very highly in love for their work's sake, the exhortation may never be forgotten, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. |