He so studiously avoided all religious conversation, that from the death of his wife, which was thirteen years previous, he was never known to say a word about his own feelings, till, in his dying moments, he made the communication above given. on this course, than my anxieties | to his son's religious feelings, and left me, the strivings of the Spirit never whilst able to move about the ceased in my bosom, and ceased for house, did he remain in the room ever. When sickness warned me during family prayers, nor till his of approaching death, I sought to fix dying hour was a prayer offered in my feelings on this subject, but it his hearing at his request. was in vain. There was a gloom and terror drawn around religion at which my soul shuddered. I felt that I was forsaken of God, but it did not move me. I had no love to God, no repentance for sin, nor wish to forsake it. I felt nothing but the sullen gloom of despair I knew I was in the hands of a justly offended Dear youth, whose eye may glance God, from whom I expected no mer-over this brief narrative, did you ever cy and could ask none. With these feel any anxiety about eternity?— feelings I am about to enter the eter- any of the strivings of God's Spirit? nal world. To you, my children, IIf you did, I pray you to suffer a can only say, profit by my example-word of entreaty from one who dequench not the Spirit-seek religion sires your everlasting peace. Quench now, if you would avoid a miserable not the Spirit. Say not to the heaeternity; put not off the concerns of venly messenger, when I am old I your souls till”. -The sentence will hear, lest in old age you lie died upon his lips; his strength, down in sorrow and despair; lest which had been all summoned to God should say of you, "he is joinmake this last effort, suddenly failed;ed to his idols, let him alone." he fell back upon his bed, and with a groan seemed to speak the pains of another world; the immortal spirit took its flight from that body, which it had inhabited nearly fourscore years, to receive according to that it had done. From the Mirror and Observer. THE LAST CAKE. "It tastes very well, mother, I'm sure it does," said little Jane Cadwell, as she broke off a bit of a small cake, made from the remnants of a peck of meal. Although our bread is coarse, Jane, it is better to live so, than to possess all the riches of this world, and to be strangers to that God who careth for the poor, and forsakes not those who put their trust in him.” This little narrative I had from a grandson of the old man, who stood by his dying bed. He was a minister of the gospel, and dated his first permanent conviction from the solemnities of that awful scene. The descendants of the old man were numerous, most of whom became hopefully pious. Two, who are now preachers, and several others, were first awakened by his dying charge. A few particulars in the last years of this aged sinner are perhaps wor-dreamed not that dark days and cloudy thy of remark. Mrs. Cadwell was now encompassed with affliction. But she had seen better days. Once she was encircled by friends, and sorrow was a strange word with her; and then she skies would so soon shroud the fairThree years before his death, there est prospects of her life. On a kind was revival in the place where he husband and an infant daughter, she resided, and the son with whom he lavished her warmest affections-she lived was a subject of its influence. loved them as life; but in an unexpectHe made the most violent opposition[ed hour, Mr. Cadwell was removed us." Now from her forever, and little Jane and goodness of that Being, who knowherself left to mourn the loss of their eth the secrets of all hearts. sole comfort and support. He had let us worship him and retire to rest not been wealthy; but the little he and if our lives are preserved to anpossessed was in a few years expen-other day, the Lord will provide for ded for their frugal necessities. And then by the labor of her own hands, Mrs. C. supported herself and daughter. But at the time of which I am speaking, her busy wheel was idle -no one, not even her best employers could supply her with work; but as the good woman was accustomed to trust and obey her Father above, she did not despond. "Mother," said Jane, "if you have no work soon, and this last cake is gone, what shall be done?" "Forget not, child, what I have often told you, that God will not forsake those who put their trust in him. Let us go to our closet, and there humbly bow before the Lord, who heareth prayer." They rested, and peaceful were their slumbers, and in the morning they were greatly refreshed. They read a chapter in the word of God, then bowed themselves in fervent prayer. When they arose from their devotions, a faint knock was heard at the door. On opening it, a young woman presented Mrs. C. a warm loaf of bread, and work sufficient to last her a whole week, with the promise of more as soon as that was finished, "Come now, my child," said the good woman, "let us praise the Lord, with our whole hearts; for scarcely had we cast our burden upon him, before our prayers were anBless the Lord, O our souls and all that is within us, bless his holy name." "I fear not for myself, I am wil-swered. ling to die; or if I ever shrink from death, it is at the thought of leaving you without a guardian in this dangerous world. I almost wish to go to heaven, for your papa is there he died rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord." ; "I trust, Jane, that you never go to rest at night, or arise in the morning, without praying for the forgiveness of your sins, and blessing God for all his kindness towards us, day by day." "Not to my recollection, ma; I should much rather go without food." my "Nothing could give me so much joy as to see in you indications of devotedness to God." They kneeled again in humble devotion. Tell me not of the palaces of the rich, or the courts of the esteemed among men; but in the poor and lowly cottage-there, O there, true pleasures are to be found, when parents teach, their children the fear of the God whom they serve, and walk together in the footsteps of piety. In sorrows they are comforted; in distresses and trials they rejoice; and poverty itself cannot exclude them from a rich inheritance in the care and friendship of God. D. C. C. ""Twas you, my mother, who From the Evangelical Luth. Intelligencer. first taught me thus to pray, and give my tender heart to God. And should I live a hundred years I could nevei forget you, my dearest mother. "If I knew you had the spirit, as well as form of devotion, I could say, tho' in poverty, I am rich. Every day, I am more convinced of the A NEW ENGLISH LUTHERAN Mr. Editor:-Knowing that you and many of your readers take a deep interest in the progress of our dear Zion, I have thought it would not be an unacceptable service to communicate the agreeable intelli A New English Lutheran Church. 141 gence that on Lordsday the 18th inst. || and pews, it is confidently believed a new church was dedicated in Phil- that every disposable part of the adelphia, (Pa.) under the appella- church will be taken up and occupition of "The Evangelical Lutheran |ed in a very short time. Church of St. Matthew." The religious exercises of the day were conducted by the Pastor of the congregation, the Rev. Mr. Krauth, (who performed the ceremony of dedication,) Mr. Morris of Baltimore, Mr. Keller of Germantown, and Mr. Kurtz of Hagerstown, Md. The audiences were numerous and there is good reason to indulge the hope that the word spoken was profitable to them that heard it, and will bring forth fruit unto life eternal. Thus we perceive that nothing is wanting to insure a rapid and successful extension of our little Zion in this land of free inquiry, but a plain and faithful promulgation of its truly evangelic principles. What a noble contrast does this little band of Lutheran worthies, present to those faithless individuals, who, instead of consenting to make any sacrifice and endeavoring to surmount any obstacles for the sake of the church of their fathers, have rather seized with avidity upon every trifling occasion and sought for an opportunity to desert it; and in the day of her trial, like Esau, have willingly bartered away their birthright for a contemptible mess of pottage. Numerous have been the pretexts assigned by various persons for their denial of the faith of their ancestors The local position of this beautiful and commodious house of God, evinces the good sense and forecast of those who selected the site. It is situated in New Street, between 3d and 4th streets;-a most pleasant and convenient section of the city for a christian sanctuary. It was erected by an English Lutheran congregation, collected and organized for their inglorious and reprehenwithin the last few years, mainly sible flight from the mother of protthrough the pious and active instru- estantism; and while we admit the mentality of our highly esteemed plea of a few, whose peculiar cirand beloved brother Krauth; and is cumstances may have justified their designed chiefly for the benefit of retreat, we are bold to say, that in those descendants of Lutherans who most instances, pride, self-conceit, do not understand the German lan- and an itching desire to effect the guage, and whose laudable partiality company of "the high and the rich," for the form of worship and doctrine and associate with those for whose peculiar to the Lutheran church, has intercourse neither nature nor naled them to continue faithful to that ture's God ever designed them, lay church, amidst all the discouraging at the foundation of their treachery. difficulties they had to encounter, for What should induce a member of want of a convenient place of wor- that church which is designated by ship, and a knowledge of the lan- the name of the immortal Reformer, guage of their fathers. But as the to turn his back against it, or to bring tenets of that church, and its usages up his children in a different departalso, when its discipline is judicious- ment of Christ's visible kingdom? ly administered, commend them- an absence of talent and spirituality selves so forcibly to the conscience of zeal and faithfulness in our minisof almost every one that is made ac-ters?-we challenge so groundless quainted with them, a considerable an imputation;-a want of purity in number of strangers have already at- our doctrines and discipline?-we tached themselves to it, and from the fearlessly bid defiance to such a numerous applications that have at||charge;-a departure from the faith this early period been made for seats once delivered to the Saints or a cold heartless display of the princi- to the eyes of the spectator. The ples of that faith? Who that un-tone of evangelical feelings and senderstands that faith, and is acquaint- timents, is, I think, improving. I ed with the ministers in our church, hope some good has been done in the will dare to insinuate such an accu- name of the " Holy Child Jesus," sation? We hazard nothing when and I flatter myself that much will we declare that no class of ministers yet be done in this part of Zion.labor harder than those of the Lu- Amidst much opposition, and in the theran community, and at the same face of the most bitter and unrelenttime are required to put up with a ing sectarianism, and zeal without more disproportionate remuneration knowledge, ay, and love too, we for their unwearied exertions. Let commenced the building of a church, those then, who with sinister views, about five miles, N. E. from this for worldly purposes, or actuated by place, in a flourishing little village, any other ignoble motive, have for- called Mountjoy. This was an exsaken the church of their pious an-treme part of the Maytown congrecestors, and have fled among a strange gation; but as those members lived people and living at a strange table, remote from this place, and could singing the songs of Zion as it were not well attend service here; hence in a strange land, blush and be asha- we determined to build a house for med, and learn from that faithful lit-worship. It was commenced last tle band in Philadelphia, to appre- summer and finished this spring.— ciate more highly that system of The house is built of brick, one stochristian doctrine, which stands pre-ry of 18 feet, and its dimensions 40 eminent for its conformity to the gos- by 46. The inside was handsomely pel and its efficacy in changing and furnished, with convenient pews and renewing the hearts of those who are practically acquainted with it. To our brethren of the faith in Philadelphia we say with all the cordiality of our soul: "God speed you." May the Great Head of the Church constantly keep his everwatchful eye for good upon your house of prayer, and meet you and your children, and children's children, as often as you assemble there, and make you richly and abundantly the participants of his divine favor, and thus prepare you for a glorious entrance into that building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. From the same. Z. a pulpit of modern form. The con gregation consists of about 90 or 100 members, of whom about 60 are regular communicants. There is a visible change for the better in our church here-a goodly number are anxiously seeking the pearl of great price, and a good many are truly devoted to the Saviour of sinners, whom they have found to be precious to their souls. These are also very desirous of seeing Jerusalem made a praise in the Earth and souls brought under the saving influence of the blessed Spirit. We have our hindrances too; for our spiritual children are sought after by the various sectaries, who would persuade them that "Ichabod" has been inscribed Extract from a letter to the Editor.—upon the walls of our Temple. But The writer is one of our zealous and useful Ministers, within the jurisdiction of the E. Pennsylvania Synod.-[Ed. Ev. Luth. Int. "Though there is much desolation in Zion here to weep over; yet there are also some good features in the sad picture, which afford some relief the God of our fore-fathers, I hope will never suffer the hands of those new sects, to desolate what has thus far engaged his fostering care. It is true, dear brother in the patience of Christ, we have cause to weep over the slain daughters of our people- Tract Anecdote.-Obituary. over the desolation of sin in our church, over the listless indifference of many who bear the name of the great Saxon Reformer; and tho' we are reproached with the fact, that many among us have only the form, but lack the power of godliness.Yet those are not Lutherans-they are spurious ones-they scandalize by their walk, the worthy name they bear. Still the Lord has his people amongst us, though they have no religion to boast of or talk about, yet are they renewed in the spirit of their minds and evince it in a more substantial way than boastful profession, viz. by fruits, worthy of repentance, and faith which worketh by love. But I am digressing; to return, the church at Mountjoy was dedicated to the service of the God of salvation, on the 16th of May last and was called "Trinity Church." On that occasion, my Father and Brother B- -assisted me in the service of dedication. There was present an immense concourse of people. The attention that was given to the discourses, proved that they were highly spiritual and edifying to the people. 143 tract called the Swearer's Prayer, and continued on to school. On Monday morning, when the man came to his plough, he found the tract, but was unable to tell how it came there; and surprised at the singular circumstance, took it home, and read it carefully again and again. Conviction fastened upon his conscience-he begun to attend places of public worship. His anxiety after truth continued, until (as he trusts) he found peace in a Saviour's blood, and has since connected himself with a christian church. Another man in the neighborhood, who could not read, hearing of the effect produced upon the mind of the other by the reading of a tract, went to a house where they had a number of these silent preachers, and expressed great anxiety to hear some of these tracts read.--[Charleston Obs. OBITUARY. "In the midst of life, we are in death." Onondaga co., on the 2d of SeptemDeparted this life, in Manlius, ber last, SAMUEL J. LAPE, late of Greenbush, Rensselaer county, aged "Here I would merely add, that 31 years. He was a communicant since the dedication, our new church member, and formerly a deacon in has been well visited when open for Zion's Church, Sandlake. On the service, and though there have fre- above named date, he left his home quently been meetings held quite in good health and cheerfulness, but near to us by various sects, at the before he had proceeded far on his same hour, yet we always have away, his horse became fractious and large number of hearers. I hope to ungovernable, his wagon was oversee our church increasing in this turned, and he prostrated a lifeless place more and more. AN ORIGINAL TRACT ANECDOTE. In the district of A, one Sabbath morning, as some Sunday school children were going to their school, having with them a little bundle of tracts, they passed by the field of a man who had long neglected the sanctuary and ordinary means of grace. One of them passed over the fence, and fastened to the plough beam the corpse to the earth. Thus in a mo- [Communicated. |