No. 14. Religious Miscellany. "Say ye to the daughter of Zion, behold, thy salvation cometh ” CARLISLE, APRIL 25, 1823. OBITUARY OF MRS. SUSAN POOR, Wife of the Rev. Daniel Poor, one of the American Missionaries in Ceylon, who died at Tillipally, May 7, 1821. Continued from page 205. As we were about to kneel down by her bedside, Mr. Carter observed, "Let us not pray but praise." He then gave most hearty thanks to God, for his special manifestations of his grace to this dying child, in which she evidently joined with great delight. "I have much," said she, "for which to praise God; but the victory is not yet complete. I am still on the enemy's ground, and we must watch unto prayer." About eleven o'clock, Mr. Meigs, and Mr. Knight, Church Missionary from Nellore, came to see us. After leading in prayer, at her request, we sung the hymn, Vol. I. In order to prevent repetition, and to give some just idea of Mrs. Poor's almost the whole season of her illness, case it may be observed, that during her bodily sufferings were great. It rarely happens that a sick person requires so great and constant attention as she required. Four watchers, besides native attendants, were requisite every night. It also rarely happens, that it is practicable for a sick person to be so constantly attended by so many beloved brethren and sisters, as were with her on this occasion. The means of contributing to her comfort were in proportion to her wants. Two skilful physicians belonging to our own mission were almost constantly with her; and many articles of bedding and clothing, which were greatly needed, were furnished from our several stations. Nor were her spiritual necessities less numerous, or less abundantly supplied. She needed to be fed almost constantly with the milk of the Word-with the Mrs. Poor's feelings strongly prompbread and water of life. She very ted her to join in singing, which she frequently spoke to herself, to those several times attempted to do, but her around her, and to God, in psalms, and strength would not permit. At 12 hymns and spiritual songs-and reo'clock we thought her departing; quested those present to read to her but she again revived, and at four select portions of the word of God, o'clock, P. M. her symptoms became to which she directed. Her mind more favorable. We had a gleam of never appeared to be more active and hope that she would be spared to us. energetic. She spoke freely on a When she understood that this was great variety of subjects, and her reher case, she expressed by her coun-marks, though often in a whisper, were tenance much disappointment and re-emphatic and impressive. gret; but soon observed, that she had On Sabbath morning she observed, given herself to the Lord, and would "This is a delightful day. I think I endeavor to be resigned to his will. shall go to-day, and that my everlastIn the evening, our kind friend Mr. ing Sabbath will begin." After layMooyart, came, to whom she madeing some time in a low and sinking several remarks expressive of the state she exclaimed, with much exjoyful state of her mind, in prospect pression of feeling, "Now I see my of a speedy departure. Jesus." Do you see him? said I. “O "And let this feeble body fail, "And let it faint and die." 210 Obituary of Mrs. Poor. yes-all bright and glorious;" and would show her wherefore he conthen repeated; "all bright and glori-tended with her. 'Has not Jesus sufShe then covered her eyes fered enough? Why then should I thus suffer? O Lord, look down upon thy languishing, dying child. But if it be necessary for me to be conformed to my suffering Saviour, O Lord, grant me patience to endure it. I and said, "O keep me from beholding these earthly things. I wish to see only spiritual objects." After a little renose, "Perfect love," said she, 'caste h out fear. I have not perfect love, and yet fear is almost and some-fly to thee, O my beloved. 'Other times quite cast out." In the course of the forenoon, she spoke Tamul with the native female servants around her, and said, 'I am now going, I am very happy, I am going to be with Jesus. You also must prepare to die. If you would die happy, you must receive Jesus.' refuge have I none.' I seek no other. Thou art my beloved. O take me from this suffering state. Receive me to those mansions of peace, and joy, where the Father dwelleth; where the Son dwelleth; where the Holy Ghost dwelleth; where the four-and twenty elders dwell; where, with united. heart and voice, they sing, Unto him that loved us and washed us in his own blood,' &c. These were but a part of her expressions. Soon after, she was almost entirely relieved from her distress, and slept quietly till morning. After being a little refreshed, she repeated, or rather adapted as her own, most of the Apostle's prayer in Ephesians, iii. 16, &c. Strengthen me with might, by thy Spirit, &c. &c. then forcibly added, 'Strengthen me, O Lord, by thy word-thine own precious word that blessed word, which Monday. She lay in a weak and this people desp se, but in which thou languishing state, having a desire to hast caused thy servant to hope. On depart. It appeared, from her occaher waking from sleep, I asked her, sional remarks, and quotations from whether she still kept her hold on Je-Scripture, that her thoughts were disus? Oyes' said she, I have a sweet rected, with interest, to divine subframe. I think it will be continued jects, particularly to the doctrine of to the end. It appears but a very the resurrection. Several times, dulittle way across the river.' ring her sickness, she repeated the verse, "Corruption, earth, and worms In the evening, Mr. Mooyart came into the room, and asked her if she still trusted in Christ. 'I am resting,' said she, 'in his arms.-Some sinful thoughts;-much bodily distress.' Several times, in the course of the day and evening, she observed, faintly, Why this lingering-why this lingering-hush-patience, patience.' Her sufferings greatly increased. She seemed, however, to have remarkably clear and lively views of divine truth. About twelve o'clock at night, while lying in a state of ex-sions for passing Jordon, which Mrs. treme sufferings, almost insensible to every thing around her, she broke out with a loud voice, in a long prayer. She began by praying that the Lord About one o'clock P. M. she roused from a slumbering state, and appeared to have an unusual degree of vigor, both of body and mind. She requested me to read to her from the word of God. I told her she doubtless recollected the rich provi Graham made, and that I would read those extracts from Scripture, which are contained in her life. She was pleased with the proposal; and as I read and paused at short intervals, 'Love to the brethern.' said I, 'is she made many short but striking another evidence much insisted on by comments upon the passages read. the inspired writers.' 'Here,' said Her remarks at this time, were indic-she, 'I must think. I cannot say that ative of a mind exquisitely alive to I have loved all who are in reality perceive the moral beauty, and to feel the diciples of Christ. I can conthe supreme importance of divine || ceive that the image of Christ may truth. Those passages which most often be obscured in a real Christian; clearly brought to view the atoning or owing, it may be, to some fault in sacrifice for sin, by the blood of us, perhaps for the want of proper Christ, attracted her attention with knowledge or intercourse, we may the deepest interest. She regarded not clearly see the image which really them as the foundation stones of that exists. But examining myself on building, in which she had taken re- this point, I can with confidence sav, fuge, and in which she could quietly that I have considered the saints to rest, even in view of the great day be the excellent of the earth; and, that of the wrath of the Lamb. in them has been all my delight; and that those in whom I have seen the brightest evidences of piety, have been the friends dearest to my heart." In the course of this reading and conversation, which continued some hours, 'We all are, I think,' said she, 'deficient in our thanksgiving to God, in not particularly remembering those exhibitions of his character which were made in his devising and commencing the_wonderful plan of redemption. We appear to regard it as a thing of course; and to have our thoughts occupied mainly with the consequences of the plan." but I then asked her whether she could adopt the language of the Psalmist, Whom have I'in heaven but thee, &c. 'Here,' said she, 'I cannot doubt." She then repeated those words in the form of an address, or rather as an appeal to God. Several times during her sickness, when perfectly quiet, both in body and mind, she observed, After I had read nearly all the ex-Much as I have loved, and do still tracts from Scripture which Mrs. love my dear husband and children, Graham made, Mrs. Poor observed, I wish to remain with them no longer.' "Brethren, do again examine me. As I was removing her from one bed For is it not possible that I may be to another, she gave me a kiss, and under a mistake? I wish you to re-observed, with an affectionate peat what you consider real eviden- solemn tone of voice, 'I wish to be in ces of grace, or proper qualifications your arms no more, but to rest in the for Heaven.' As she and I had re- arms of my Saviour." Her mind cently read Dr. Dwight's Sermons on often turned with much interest to the evidences of regeneration, I fol- the subject of our being re-united in lowed nearly his order, in bringing to the worship and service of God aher view the evidences she wished to bove. hear stated. As they were proposed After remaining quiet for a short to her one by one, she, with great dis- time, she said, 'I have a great degree crimination, as in the light of eterni- of calmness and peace of mind, but ty, and tremblingly alive to the dan-no ecstacies. Did he promise to give ger of being deceived, applied them ecstacies in this hour? I feel that I to herself, and drew the conclusion, am near Heaven.' often with confidence, in her own favor. The following is a specimen of the manner in which she treated this subject: Between nine and ten o'clock, both Mrs. P. and all present, thought she was about to depart. Her whole deportment was that of a person held head and smiling, May the Lord give you the spirit of Caleb and This question concerning the grapes was asked in reference to the habit of mind, which in a remarkable manner attended her during her sickness, of making use of the objects around her to bring to remembrance divine truths. The following are specimens of this: between this and the Heavenly state. 'Last Sabbath,' she observed, (meaning the sabbath preceding the last, when the first fruits from the heathen in this place were received into the Church) With desire, I desire to eat the passover once more, and God permitted me to do it. I thought it would be the last time. I wish now to have a glass of wine with you, and to take my leave of you all." As she repeatedly made this request, we improved the first favorable opportunity. The brethren and sisters present, being seven in number, besides myself, stood around her bed, and brother Richards invoked a blessing. On being raised up in the night to Being then raised up, by several per- take medicine in front of a window sons, she took the glass, and said, which was open, 'Surely,' said she, This wine, emblematical of that with much solemnity, there is outer blood which was shed for the remis- darkness, but I think I shall not dwell sion of sins, I now share with you there. On seeing the dry leaves fall for the last time, till we meet in our from a tree near the house, "That Father's kingdom.' After her, each tree, whose leaves are for the healing of the brethren and sisters drank, of the nations, shall never wither. and exchanged with her the parting On bathing her feet in water, 'Soon I kiss. As she embraced us, she in- shall bathe in the pure fountain.' On voked a blessing upon each, or made drinking water, 'Shortly, I shall not some pertinent remark by way of ex-need this-there will be in me a well hortation. Perceiving that she was of water springing up into everlastfailing, we were obliged to hasten. ing life.' At another time, 'He giveth Her last words at this time, and the water of life.' Many times on which we thought would be the last receiving wine, or other drink, 'These she would utter, were "thanks for are not the cordials that I shall soon all-thanks for all." She then lay have.' He will give me more for some time, unable to speak. Soon freshing cordials. after she revived a little, and it be-nature were numerous. ing between twelve and one o'clock, most of the company retired to rest. She became more wakeful, and was much inclined to converse. Her conversation and whole deportment were unusually interesting." On seeing some one eating grapes, she asked, whether she might be permitted to taste one. A cluster was then brought, from which she took some. Do you know,' we inquired, of what you should be reminded by these clusters?' O yes,' she replied, nodding her re Allusions of this She slept at short intervals. Her mind, when she was awake, was very active, both on temporal and spiritual subjects. She conversed with great particularity respecting persons and things, and gave many directions on various subjects. I think,' said she, I ought to do every thing I possibly can do, that may, in any way, tend to promote friendship-the welfare of the mission--or the future comfort of my dear husband.' She whispered several things to me relative to the My Grace is sufficient for thee.-Objection to Missions. 318 present, who had lived in an almost continual state of enmity, and whose habitation exhibited a terrifying scene of discord and confusion. In one of those unhappy intervals of sullen silence, which both parties were accustomed to maintain after their quarrels, the wife came to the dreadful determination of drowning herself. She accordingly left her house for that purpose and approached the river; but owing to its being too light she state of my affairs, after her departure. Several times during the night, after settling some small matters, she|| composed herself to rest, saying, That is all. I have now done with this world; I have done with it.' But after lying a few moments, I have one other thought. I have one or two things more which I must mention, then I have done.' Thus she continued speaking on a variety of subjects, during the greater part of the night. Once on waking, she re-apprehended she should be detected peated the verse, "This life's a dream, an empty show;" and then added, 'I am now dreaming but soon I shall see realities.' [To be Concluded.] "My Grace is sufficient for thee." The late Rev.T.W- as appears from some memoirs of his life, was one evening preaching in Bristol from these words-" My grace is sufficient for thee;" when he took occasion to relate the circumstance of a pious young woman's laboring under a strong temptation to put a period to her life by drowning herself, from which she was delivered in a manner strikingly providential. She had gone to the river in order to comply with the enemy's suggestions: but as she was adjusting her clothes to prevent her from floating, she felt something in her pocket which proved to be her Bible. She thought she would take it out, and look in it for the last time. She did so, and the above mentioned text caught her eye. Through the Divine blessing attending them, the words struck her with peculiar force, when the snare was instantly broken, the temptation vanished, and she returned home, blessing and praising Him who had given her the victory. It is stated, that the relation of this circumstance was blest to the conversion of a man and his wife who were before she could accomplish her design. She therefore deferred the fatal act till it should have grown dark; and in the interim wandered about not knowing whither to go. At length, she espied a place of worship open, and thought she would go in to pass away the time. Mr. W. was preach ing, and she listened to him with attention, especially when he related the matter above-mentioned. Instead of drowning herself, she returned home after the sermon, with a countenance, which however expressive before of a malevolent disposition; now indicated that a spirit of gentleness had taken possession of her breast. Struck with her appearance her husband asked where she had been. On her telling him, he immediately said, "And did you see me there ?" She replied, "No." He rejoined, "But I was; and blessed be God I found his grace sufficient for me also!" A POPULAR OBJECTION TO MISSIONS. At a meeting for the formation of a one of the speakers said, "It was obMissionary Association,at Bekenham, served to me, that we ought to convert all the ignorant and unbelieving abroad." at home, before we send missionaries with, as a very common objection. I "This I have been surprised to meet Christians in the early ages of the therefore beg leave to remark, that if |