These quotations may serve as a specimen of the Professor's sentiments on doctrinal and practical subjects. We rejoice to find that a divine so universally beloved, and so highly celebrated by all descriptions of men for his candour, knowledge, and piety, harmonized in sentiment with the fathers of New England, with the framers of the excellent catechism, and with the host of worthies, who have blessed the church of God in different ages.

From the Christian Observer. THE annexed Memoir of that eminently pious woman, Mrs. SAVAGE, is extracted chiefly from her Diary, and though in an imperfect state, I transmit it to you, that you may judge whether its probable utility gives it any claim to insertion in the Christian Observer. The well known character of both her father and brother (Philip and Matthew Henry) may render it interesting to your readYours,

ers.

also taught her to write, and at ten years old she used to write the sermons which he preached with tolerable exactness. She mentions in her Diary, that she afterwards read these sermons with great comfort and edification at the distant period of sixty years. She was remarkably happy in her natural temper, which was cheerful, easy, and affectionate. She was piously disposed even from her childhood, and very sensible of the religious advantages which she enjoyed in the instructions and example of her excellent parents; and she was careful to profit by them. She continued to write down the sermons of the ministers whom she attended, even to old age; and she was in the habit of carefully reading over what she had written, endeavouring to fix on her memory such particulars as related to practice, and frequently praying over them in her closet.

In her fifteenth year she partook, for the first time, of the Lord's Supper, and on that occasion she devoted herself to God with a sincerity and solemnity which proved a source of satisfaction to her in after life. She was accustomed to take an exact account of her frame and temper, whenever she joined in that ordinance, a circumstance which fully evinced the high value and esteem she entertained for it.

At the age of twenty three she was married to Mr. John Savage, of Wrenbury Wood, in the county of Salop. In this

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relation it was her uniform desire and endeavour to discharge its peculiar duties as well as to adorn, in all things, the doct rine of God her Saviour. She and her husband made it their constant practice to pray with each other morning and evening, beside engaging in family and private devotion. Providence continued them long together, no less than forty years, blessings to each other and to all around them, so far as their influence and ability extended. Mrs. Savage was the mother of nine children, many of whom died in their infancy: four daughters survived her, who rose up to call her blessed. She was remarkable for her care and tenderness toward her children in their infancy, but still more for the concern which she manifested for their souls as they grew up and became capable of receiving instruction. Not only was a considerable part of the sabbath evenings devoted to the important duty of instructing them, but it was her daily endeavour, both by precept and example, to train them in the way wherein they ought to go. She had a happy method of rendering religion interesting to young people, by encouraging them to ask questions and to converse freely on the subject; and she was careful not to represent it in a forbidding light by any thing harsh or severe in her manners or temper: and to these means of improving their minds she daily added the most affectionate prayers

both with them and for them. Many instances might be adduced of her pious care over them, both in the serious advice which she gave them, and in the letters which she wrote to them when abroad. Whenever she saw it needful to give them reproof it was always done in a manner which shewed that she had nothing in view but their real welfare.

Mrs. Savage had much pleasure in the company and converse of her friends, and particularly of pious ministers; but her chief delight was in her closet: she was constant in her retirements morning and evening, and in the latter part of her life at noon also; in reading the Scriptures; singing a psalm or hymn and praying; and though these exercises were so frequent and fervent, yet she suffered them not to interfere with her domestic duties. She had recourse also to the duty of prayer upon any remarkable tidings, or occurrence, either merciful or afflictive, usually retiring to her closet on such occasions, to pour out her heart before God: and in her old age she was still more abundant in this duty. If left alone at her work she was often found by her family on their return in a praying posture. Her first words when she awoke in the morning consisted generally of some petition or ejaculation, and in the same manner did she close the day. Her love to the word of God was no less remarkable than her spirit of prayer. She

might truly be said "to meditate therein day and night." She had treasured in her memory psalms, hymns, and catechisms which she could repeat to herself with pleasure and profit during the waking hours of night; and by frequent reading of the book of Psalms, she had learned the greatest part of them by heart. In some of the last years of her life, she usually kept her Bible within her reach while she was at work, that she might readily turn to such texts as were the subjects of her thoughts and meditations. She also delighted much in reading books of practical divinity, as "Bennett's Christian Oratory, Rowe's Devout Exercises, Watts's Sermons, and Baxter's Saint's Rest; but especially her father's Expositions of Scripture, with the reading of which she usually began the day. Biograph ical accounts of eminently pious persons were likewise a favourite study with her: from these it was her practice to make extracts for the use of. herself and her family. NotNot withstanding the variety of those occupations which have been already mentioned, she was remarkably diligent in business, carefully redeeming the time,so that those who lived the longest with her think she was scarcely chargeable with the loss of an hour. The pleasure with which she gave alms, or did any kind offices to the poor or afflicted, is not to be described. She willingly employed herself in making

garments for them, and she always gratefully acknowledg ed the goodness of God in giving her ability to supply their wants. She was observed to be most cheerful on those days in which she had most calls upon her charity.

The submission to the will of God manifested by this lady on the death of her only son, was extraordinary, and satisfactorily evinced the excellency and reality of her religious principles. She received on that melancholy occasion, many consolatory letters from her friends, particularly one from the Rev. Mr. Finch, of Warwick; a part of her answer to that gentleman is as follows:

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

"I esteem it a high favour that you should take so much time from your weighty employments to write to me: and for all your kind expressions of tender sympathy; it is a demonstration that you are qual ified (as every minister should be) to bind up broken hearts, and to speak a word in season to them that need it. It has pleased our heavenly Father,in wisdom to chastise us, by taking away the desire of our eyes with a stroke; yet I desire to justify him in all his dealings. From his good hand nothing can come amiss. I was ready to say this same shall comfort us, and that he would be serv、 · ing God on earth, when we are silent in the dust; but infinite wisdom hath ordered otherwise, and shall human folly dispute? Our wise and.

tender physician knows what is best for us. We were too easy, too happy, ready to think our mountain stood strong; but, alas! we were soon convinced of the contrary. I would now make it my greatest care to improve the providence. To lose such a dear child, and not be benefited by the affliction, would double the loss. You well apply the words of David, 'I shall go to him, &c.' not only to him to the grave, but to him in heaven, to be joined to that blessed choir of which he spoke a few hours before his death. Though we are much at a loss as to the particular meaning of this providence, yet in general we are sure it is well. I have now one less tie to draw me downward, and shall have so much less care in my dying moments.

SARAH SAVAGE." Wrenbury Wood, March, 1720. Mrs. Savage died, February 27, 1752, in a good old age: her death was sudden she dropt mortality without being herself sensible of the change, till she found herself amongst the blessed spirits of just men made perfect in the world of light; the world to which she was allied; being already formed by a perseverance in holiness, to the temper and disposition of it. She had lived a holy cheerful life; she had made religion her business, her early' choice; and she was an ornament to her profession through all the different scenes and periods of life. Useful, beloved, meek, humble, and

charitable while on earth; she is now to receive the reward of the inheritance, which is incorruptible, and undefiled, and which fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for them who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

ON

For the Panoplist.

THE NATURE, USES, AND EFFECTS OF PRAYER. No. 1. PRAYER is a leading part of that worship, which we render to God. It ever implies cordial belief in his moral perfections, trust in his goodness, and a full persuasion, that he will hear and answer us in a way consonant to the designs of his moral government.

The only object of prayer is the supreme God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. To him only are we permitted to offer up our religious supplications and thanksgivings.

To understand the true nature of prayer, we must well consider what dispositions and exercises of heart are requisite for the right performance of it. St. James assures us,

that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. This passage desig nates the moral character of him, who prays with acceptance. His heart is right with God. He is sanctified by the Spirit. His affections are conformed to the divine will. He has a portion in the temper, and righteousness of Christ, and is justified in him. A person thus sanctified in the spir

it of his mind, and justified through Christ, does truly come to God. His prayers are effectual, and avail much. As there is but one God, the sole object of prayer; so there is but one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. He is the door, He is the door, the instituted channel of access to the Father, and the only name given among men, through which we can obtain audience and acceptance with God. It is the divine injunction, that all prayers, supplications, and thanksgivings be of fered unto God in his name. Him the Father heareth; and he will hear no one, who presumes to approach him in any other name. When, therefore, we come to God in prayer, we must come expressly in the name of Christ.

Prayer to God must be sincere. God desireth the heart, and looketh on the heart. The matter of our prayer must be holy affections and desires. We must express to God the sincere emotions of our souls. The language of the real sup pliant is; Hear the right, oh Lord, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

Our prayer must be fervent. Sluggish prayers, heedless of ferings will never gain the ear and approbation of him, who demands the whole strength and vigour of our souls. By our pious fervour we must prove, that we love and adore

God, and entirely confide in his power and faithfulness.

The true suppliant is not only sincere and fervent, but constant and persevering in his addresses to God. He is not unequal in his devotions, now abounding much in them, and presently remiss and negligent. To be heard and accepted, we must pray daily, pray always ; that is, always maintain a suppliant frame of mind, that upon every occasion we may breathe out some sincere and humble petition to God.Prayer is the breath of a christian. Without prayer his spiritual powers would be impair ed, his graces languish, and his comforts die. By prayer he maintains nearness to God, and happy communion with his blessed Redeemer. Can you say, that a human body whose blood does not flow, whose pulse beats not, whose respiration has ceased, is in an animated, healthful state? As well may you call that man a child of God, and a disciple of Jesus, who restrains prayer and ceases to call on the name of the Lord.

Our prayers must be offered up in faith, and accompanied with repentance. Without faith our prayers do not arise from any good motive; our petitions have no proper foundation on which to rest. He, who cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them, who diligently seek him. If we would be heard and obtain the matter of our requests, we must pray in faith, nothing wavering.

To our faith in Christ must