Towards the end of 1822 he returned to England, and united himself with the Baptist church in Little Prescot Street, London. In the kind affections of many of its members he still lives. He often rejoiced in spirit that God had called nearly all his children, and made them partakers with himself of like precious faith.
The Lord was pleased to remove by death, July 16, 1833, the partner of his life, after a union of thirty-seven years, which he severely felt; from which period he rapidly declined. He was not fond of speaking of himself; but feeling a lively sense of love to his Redeemer, he was constrained to speak of it, and would often say he could appeal to his Saviour as Peter did, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee." About a month before his decease, he observed to a minister, "Though the earthly house of this my tabernacle be dissolved, I have a building of God," &c.
He was seized with epileptic fits on Tuesday, August 26, 1834, while on a visit to his daughter at Aylesbury. After the first fit, he became sensible for a few minutes, when a pious friend, sitting at his bed-side, asked him if he was happy. To which he replied, "Yes." The friend expressed a hope that the gospel, which had been his support through life, would be his comfort in his extremity. To which he emphatically returned the same answer. On being asked if he would give up his hope for ten thousand worlds, he replied, "No, Sir." On referring to a sermon he had heard on the Sabbath previous, the good man said, "You know Christ is an ever-present Friend. He will not leave you now. I hope you will still look to him." He said, "There is no other refuge." These were his last words. A return of the fits came on; and, after lying until Thursday morning, the 28th, at 5 o'clock he fell asleep in Jesus, to wake no more until the morning of the resurrection.
He was removed to London, and interred in a vault under Wycliffe Chapel, September 2nd, and his funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Stovel the following Sabbath, from the portion of sacred writ blessed to his conversion.
FOREIGN.
CANADA.
Extract of a Letter from Mr. John Edwards.
Clarence, Jan. 5, 1835.
In alluding to the work of grace in Breadalbane referred to in Mr. Fraser's letter, inserted in April number, he says: "Since (it began) the work has been progressing in a manner quite unprecedented in these parts. From August to November nine persons who had been in a backsliding state were restored, and eight new converts were baptized and added to the church. During last month (December) forty-one have also been baptized, making a total of fifty-eight, added since August. I left the settlement last Friday, when Mr. Fraser assured me there were twenty-two, in addition to the above number, whom he had good reason to believe were converted characters; besides a number under convictions. Among the subjects of this work is the man of grey hairs nearly eighty years of age, and the child of thirteen, and many younger, under deep convictions. The most astonishing feature in this work of grace appears amongst the youth at school. There are more than forty children attending it, and instead of vanity and trifling, sedateness and seriousness now mark their behaviour. When spoken to of divine things, they are all attention, and so eager to be instructed, that it is with difficulty they can be prevailed on to leave school. Mr. F. told me, that when passing the school one evening at ten o'clock, he found a number of the boys holding a religious meeting; it was the second time they had met for this purpose, unknown to any body. He now devotes one evening of the week to their peculiar benefit. He farther assured me, that he was satisfied six of these dear youths had experienced a change of mind, and nearly all the scholars seem deeply concerned for the salvation of their souls. So general has been the awakening, that very few of the hearers remain unconcerned about their souls.
Referring to the means of this awakening, he says,—"They set apart a day for fasting and prayer: they humbled themselves before God, and he was entreated of them. In the month of November one of their number went to Montreal, and told our brother the state of things. He immediately wrote to a devoted and worthy brother, who is pastor of the Baptist church at Fort Covington, New York (near the boundary line). They met, the following week, at Breadalbane, and spent four days faithfully and affectionately stating the truth. All secular affairs were laid aside, and one concern occupied the attention of old and young, which was the "one thing needful."