Queen, and durst not venture on a direct application to his majesty on behalf of the missionaries.

She next ventured to petition Bundoolah, the commander-in-chief of the Burman forces. He gave her the promise, with a haughty air, that when he returned from victory over the strangers, he would release the missionaries. These exertions on behalf of her husband, and other members of the misson, were made during seMeanven months without success. time, the prisoners were confined in the Burman prison, and loaded with irons.

Mrs. Judson in the meantime was indefatigable in bringing food to them daily, and also medicine, and in comforting them by cheering communications of the progress of the English arms; for they had now no hope of release from any other quarter. She contrived to see them twice a day; and for better concealment she adopted the Burman dress. And when denied access to them, she contrived to make her communications to the afflicted missionaries, by writing on canes which were concealed in their rice; and by slips of paper thrust into the spout of the coffee-pot, in which she brought their tea.

In the midst of these exertions and deep sorrows, which this distinguished lady was, by the special grace of God, enabled to sustain, for a long period, she was at last laid down by a typhus fever. She was delirious many days. Her little child, just recovered from the small-pox, had been nearly starved to death, as she could obtain neither nurse nor milk in the village. But the God of Missionaries never forsook her or hers.

The state of affairs of the King of Ava was now desperate. The English arms were on the march of triumph to Ava. They were within forty miles. The Burman troops had been overthrown. The King of Ava took Mr. Judson out of prison, to be his interpreter. For six weeks he was in

his camp, translating. At the end of these services, as his reward, the King sent him back into prison. But it

was necessary to send to the British camp one who could speak English. The missionary, Price, was sent. Having returned without success, the King sent Dr. Judson along with Dr. Price. At this time the missionaries explained their real situation and their treatment.

The British general, Sir Archibald Campbell, treated them with affection and sympathy. He demanded them and their families to be given up by the king of Ava. He consented with reluctance, aud with hearts full of gratitude and praise for their wonderful preservation, they set forward to Rangoon.

The Subscriber acknowledges with gratitude, the payment of 25 dollars, by the Consistory of the Collegiate Churches, to our Treasurer, to coustitute him a member for life of the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church. The manner in which it was done, enhances the compliment in his estimation. And he prays that this other act of their liberality, may draw down on them blessings from Heaven, from those destitute parts of our Reformed Zion to which their liberality has aided the Board in sending forth their missionaries.-W. C. BROWNLEE.

The undersigned, through the medium of your Magazine, begs leave to return his grateful acknowledgements to the Ladies of the congregation of Flatbush, L. I. for their liberal donation of one hundred dollars, for the purpose of constituting their Pastor a Director for life of the Missionary Society of the Reformed D. Church. As this is the fourth similar token of their esteem, it would be ungrateful to suffer it to pass without notice. The importance of such contributions cannot be questioned. They not only afford a pleasing evi

dence of that affection which should ever exist between a Pastor and his people, but of a suitable regard for the privileges of the gospel, and an ardent desire that they be extended to those who, in the providence of God, are deprived of them. Were all the congregations within our bounds, who are blessed with the regular ministrations of the gospel, to contribute with even ordinary liberality to the hallowed work of missionary enterprise, we should soon see our Reformed Zion, pre-eminently distinguished, as she is for her steadfast adherance to the truth in its purity, extending her benign influence to regions long overshadowed with the clouds of ignorance, error,

sin.

and

Many who now are doomed to spend silent Sabbaths, and that too in our own favoured land, would be blessed with the stated ministrations of those who, commissioned by the King and Head of his Church, do "preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things."

THOS. M. STRONG.

RECEIPTS INTO THE TREASURY OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, FOR THE MONTH ENDING ON THE TWENTIETH INSTANT.

From the Church at W. N. Hampstead, $ 5 00
From the ladies of New-Brunswick, to con-
stitute their pastor, the Rev. Mr. James
B. Hardenbergh, a life member of the
Parent Society,

30 00

45 00 24 75

From Miss Henrietta Vethake, Treasurer
of the Female Auxiliary Missionary So-
ciety of New-Brunswick
Collected in the Church at Hopewell,
From the Benevolent Sewing Society of
the Reformed Dutch Church, Albany 30 00
From the Auxiliary Missionary Society at
Belleville, New-Jersey

From the Auxiliary Missionary Society at
Spring Garden, Philadelphia

From the Pennsylvania Miss. Soc.
Collected in the Reformed Dutch Church
at Acquackanonck, after service, by the
Rev. Mr. Stryker, agent of the Miss.
Society

Collected in the Church at Fordham
From Mr. Richard Duyckinck, embracing
in part the dues of the Missionary Socie-
ty of Bedminster; and a collection
made in the Reformed Dutch Church
there, last Thanksgiving day
From Mrs. Euphemia P. Knox, Trea-
surer of the Female Miss. Soc. of
the Ref. D. Churches in New-York
embracing $97 89 cents, from the
Fancy Article Society of the Colle-
giate Churches

And at that hour when with devotion warm,
They tread his courts; they crowd his temple
gates,

To all the orders of his house conform,
And each for blessings on a Father waits.
In full assurance of his boundless grace,
The hoary sire, the blooming youth draws nigh,
And finds in sunshine of that Father's face
Communion sweet, communion large and high.
To God, their God, with cheerful, grateful songs
They bring their off'rings-at his altar bow,
Give all the glory that to him belongs;
Record each mercy, and renew each vow.
And 'mong those saints who witness for their

Lord,
Who spread the honours of their Saviour King;
His love, his goodness, and his grace record,
His boundless mercy, his salvation sing.
Among that throng I see the man of
The slow sojourner o'er life's dreary maze;
The way worn pilgrim in this vale of tears,
Whose falt'ring accents yet respond to praise.

years,

17 00

11 50 25 00

15 00 4 50

21.00

412 01

$640 76

He comes to bless the God he chose in youth,
To claim the promise of that covenant friend; ¦
He trusts his faithfulness, believes the truth,
That he will keep him, guide, support, defend.
And while reviewing scenes for ever past,
The Spring of life, and manhood's summer sky,
The chill of autumn, and misfortune's blast,
And thinks of sorrows that now multiply.
'Tis even then, amidst the sad decay
Of worn-out nature, that he feels and knows
His strength is equal to the tedious day,
And with his Father there is sweet repose.
This blest assurance gilds his dreary way.
With sweet delight he views the prospect round.
To Pisgah's summit faith presents the way;
And, oh! the Canaan that his hope has found!
But let me view him, as he leaves the place
Where in communion he has often met;
Has oft been feasted on a Saviour's grace,
Enjoy'd refreshments he can ne'er forget.
As slow retiring from these courts so dear,
He breathes his thanks, conjures his soul to bless;

While o'er each thought he drops some hallow'd tear,

The Lord his strength, the Lord his righteousSome lisping infant, as it views the tear, [ness. And hears the rapture of this aged sire, Seemswond'ring why th' strange reverse appears, And looking suppliant would the cause inquire. With trem❜lous grasp, he takes the much lov'd child,

And clasps it fondly to his aged breast,

Tells what he mourns-a Saviour once revil'd,
And tells the bounty that his soul refresh'd.
He tells of mercy and of Judgment too;
And oft in anguish heaves the full-drawn sigh;
The sigh extorted by a sad review
Of hopes dejected, joys that buried lie.
That quick suppress'd he bends th' grateful knee,
And humbly cries, "My Maker's will is just!"
And oh! my children, let Jehovah be
Your only refuge, and your only trust!
My gracious Saviour! and my cov'nant God!
Who all the wretched, with compassion, hears;
Who wounds to heal, who blesses with his rod-
Will sooth your anguish, dissipate your fears.
Trust him in all things-Make his arm your stay,
His love is boundless-His compassion great;
He'll keep you-bless you-mark your devious
way,

And give you grace for every changing state.
Amen! he cries; Amen! each heart responds;
And loud hosannas they together raise.
Melodious anthems swell their blissful sounds,
While every accent, every breath is praise.
Oh! could the fervour of their spirits live!
Would God to me such precious grace impart ;
Such firm assurance; holy rapture give;
To cheer and strengthen this dejected heart!
Then, while their praise upon this listening ear
Still sweetly lingers-I, with them, would raise,
With holy reverence, and with godly fear,
My Ebenezer to his sacred praise.

But thought and fancy must awhile forbear,
Nor longer muse on this enrapturing scene;
Yet, humbly trusting their Redeemer's care,
I'll ask his presence-on his promise lean.
When done with Sabbath's, freed from earth and
pains,

We too shall join with that triumphant throng,
Who, wash'd and sanctified in Jesus' name,
For endless ages shout Salvation's Song.
Yes! with those myriads that surround the throne,
And there the honours of their Saviour sing,
We'll join our anthems, and adoring own
That He is worthy of the praise we bring.
A. R. of New-Jersey.

ISAAC HEYER, Esq. closed a life of distinguished usefulness, and entered into the joy of his Lord, on the 6th of April last.

In the death of Mr. Heyer, a large and interesting family are bereaved of all the support and endearments of a husband and parent, most affectionate, kind, indulgent, and exemplary. The Church in which he was an officer, has lost a pillar, and one of its fairest ornaments. Our denomination, a member, always among the foremost in every work of munificence and mercy; one whose mind, and means, and labours were devoted with unsparing liberality to the promotion of its interests. The Christian cause at large, in all its efforts of benevolence, has lost a zealous and efficient friend. And the whole community has lost one of its soundest and most valued citizens. There are few such men to lose. More splendid men remain; but one more pure and blameless is not left behind. He has passed through an active, busy life; and retired to his with a character unsullied by a spot. grave

Mr. Heyer was gifted with a sound and discreet mind; a temper calm, uniform, and amiable. He was a man, wise in counsel, and efficient in action. A man eminently guileless. One who filled up the measure of his duties in all the relations which he sustained, with a perfectness that is seldom attained. And he is gone from the midst of us; called away, not in the decrepitude of age, but in the maturity and ripeness of his mind and experience, and the zenith of his usefulness. But our loss is his unspeakable gain. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." In life, our friend served the Redeemer; and in death, he was not forsaken. When heart and flesh fainted and failed, God was the strength of his heart, and his portion. For several years his health gradually declined. During several of the last weeks of his life, the hand of death was evident

ly upon him, leading him irresistibly and gently down towards the house appointed for all the living. But, there was no terror in the scene;neither was there transport. A calm, abiding, peaceful hope prevailed; a satisfying assurance that all was well. My soul,' said he, 'is at rest. It rests upon Jesus the rock of ages. The promises are brought to my mind with a refreshing influence. Sometimes I can say that I taste their sweetness. Sometimes I feel that I do indeed rejoice in the Lord. As the outer man waxes feebler and feebler, the inner man is strengthened." Mr. Heyer's life had been actively, and devotedly employed in doing good. But his entire reliance for acceptance with God was upon the merits and mercy of the Redeemer. "In looking back," said he, "I find much neglected that might have been accomplished. I find frequent occasion to resort to the blood of Christ for forgiveness."

Mr. Heyer's bodily sufferings were not acute; and the calm collected confidence of his soul never forsook him. A few hours before his spirit took its flight, he seemed to have a short conflict with the last enemy, after which, he quietly, and without a struggle, breathed his last. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." Mr. Heyer had for a number of years been an efficient member of the Board of Corporation of General Synod. And as Treasurer of General Synod, and of the Trustees of Rutgers College, he gave his gratuitous and unwearied attention to all the details of duty belonging to the office. To the numerous benefactions of his life, he has added the bequest of $2500 to our Theological College; $1000 to the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church; and $1000 to the American Bible Society. Living and dying, he has left an example worthy of imitation. The memory of the just is blessed.”

OF

VOL. II. ]

Religious Communications.

THE LAST MOMENTS OF MRS. CATHARINE VAN WYCK VAN VECHTEN. Mrs. Van Vechten, was the youngest daughter of the Rev. Dr. Mason. She was born in the city of New-York, on the 20th of February 1797. On the 15th day of June 1816, she became the wife of the Rev. Jacob Van Vechten, Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church in the city of Schenectady: where the remainder of her days were spent; and where she terminated her mortal life on the 4th day of August 1822.

Mrs. Van Vechten possessed a mind highly gifted by nature, and enriched, and adorned by varied, and well directed culture. Her manners were sprightly, but unobtrusive, and eminently attractive. She was altogether one well calculated to adorn and shine in the more splendid circles of human society. But hers was a higher ambition, hers a nobler destiny. Her piety was devoted: and during the last years of her life, her whole conversation, deportment, and correspondence were such as exhibited a soul fast ripening for glory.

The following particulars of her last moments were communicated immediately after her decease, by one who witnessed them, to a friend in this city.

"When she perceived that the awful change was taking place, she seemed, for several minutes, to miss her Saviour, and to be earnestly looking around to find him. There was no dismay, but the deepest seriousness. Addressing her husband, she said, "My husband, this is a little sudden, but not unexpected. I cannot say that ĺ have any clear views of Christ, such as I have had. To be deceived in such an hour as this, Oh how dreadful! Who can dwell with devouring fire? who can dwell with everlasting burnings? I wish I could say with more confidence, that all is well.0! for a clear, a distinct view, so that I might be perfectly sure of having laid hold of eternal life in Christ Jesus." During her continuance in this state, it was suggested to her, that here we at best see through a glass darkly. That we must live by faith not by sight. That the Saviour must be viewed by VOL. II.-9.

[ NO. 3.

faith, as he is revealed in the gospel. That he is often near, without being perceived.― That she might at all events, now lift up her eyes unto the hills from whence cometh her help. That like sinking Peter, she could now cry. "Help, Lord." She repeated here, our Lord's reply, "wherefore didst thou doubt? O thou of little faith!" The 27th Psalm, from the 4th verse was then read, and the throne of grace addressed. Not long after this she seemed to pass through the cloud up into a brighter region. Her heart was filled with confidence and triumph. The elevation of her soul shone conspicuous through her countenance, and her speech rose, says one who stood by, to a strain of holy eloquence, superior to any thing I ever heard. The glory of her God, and the love of her Saviour were all her theme. The emphasis, the power and the expression of countenance with which she repeated these words of Isaiah, seemed almost more than human; "O Lord! I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation." So also Ps. 73. 26. and Isa. 26. 4. One time she asked, "Do I talk extravagance? Am I ranting? Am I ranting?" Being assured, that whatever the world might think, she had spoken nothing but truth and soberness; after a moments pause, she resumed her discourse, but in a rather more subdued tone. "I wish," said she," I had strength and opportunity to say something to Professors of Religion.I would urge upon them the importance of greater faithfulness, of greater watchfulness, and of being less conformed to the world." Here she quoted Luke 12, 40. and spoke of many who are "saved so as by fire." She spake to her friends around the bed, among other things, of those little cares and vexations in life, which we are apt to view as too trifling to bring to the throne of grace, to which females are peculiarly exposed, and which tend very much to estrange the heart from God. After awhile she asked, "What if, after all, I should be de ceived! Is it possible that this can be a de

lusion of Satan?" Being answered that Satan never made any one love Christ, she exclaimed with a smile of satisfaction, "That is true that is true-Edwards makes that remark-what a sweet writer Edwards is! And, addressing her husband, she said, "I love you, my husband, but I love my Saviour a great deal more." This was accompa nied by a look full of earnestness and meaning. Indeed, all this time her countenance seemed more eloquent, than even her language. "Husband" said she, "preach the gospel faithfully. Be in earnest; Preach what you feel; preach from the heart to the heart-Do not turn aside to trifles; (meaning probably literary trifles,) but labour diligently for the salvation of souls in preaching the plain gospel."

To an aged pious friend, who approached the bed, she said among other things, "My dear Mrs. O. you will soon follow me; Your time cannot be far off. I trust we shall meet in a better world."

To the Physician she said: "I thank you, Doctor, for your kind attentions to me, this morning, you see that here is a case, wherein all human help fails. And in no instance can you do any thing without a blessing from above. Doctor, always look up to God for a blessing upon the remedies which you prescribe. And especially look to HIM for the salvation of your soul."

To Miss she said very feelingly, "O that when you come to die, you may feel as I do now." In the early part of her affliction she raised her eyes towards heaven, in prayer, to her heavenly Fath

er.

She seemed to speak as if the object of her adoration was visibly before her.

"That I may be with those ancient worthies who are now in thy presence on highwhose lives I have so often read in the scriptures; and whose characters I have so often contemplated with delight."--In the conclusion, she declared that all her hope of these blessings was founded on the merits of Christ, and quoted Ps. cxv. 1. "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name, give glory, for thy truth's sake." After this she dwelt a good deal on the glory and blessedness of heaven; quoting these among other passages from the scriptures, "Eye hath not seen; nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." "God is our refuge, and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." She repeated a few verses of John, chap. xiv. & xvii.

To a member of the family whom she highly esteemed, she said, "My dear Maria, if you do not go to Christ, and follow him, you will have no support on your bed of death."

At another time, "I feel no anxiety about

my children, except that they may be trained up in God's service. Worldy possessions and distinctions are nothing."

When her speech began to fail, she waved both her hands to her friends standing around the bed, bidding them adieu, accompanied with a smile, in which there was such a union of dignity, sweetness, and peace, as is impossible to conceive, without having seen it. Becoming at length much exhausted, she closed her eyes awhile. When she opened them again, she appeared a good deal distressed in body, and seemed to have some hard struggling with the last enemy. During this time she said but little that could be understood. Several times, however, she exclaimed, "The Lord reigneth;" and once or twice, alluding probably to her bodily distress, "Oh! Doctor, is it always so?" Presently she became almost insensible, and continued so for more than two hours. Then with a few audible gasps, she breathed her holy soul into the arms of the Lord Jesus.

Thus died Mrs. Van Vechten, aged twenty-five years, five months, and fifteen days.

This closing scene of a Christian, young in years, but old and ripe in grace, exhibits many solemn and affecting lessons. How uncertain is human life! "O vanity! O nothing! O mortals! ever prone to keep out of view what is surely awaiting you." It is the christian only who can meet death, and welcome death, not only fearlessly, but with a holy cheerfulness! Behold what a testimony is here given to the sufficiency of the religion of Jesus Christ!

See here, ye blooming youth! an individual in the midst of the years of life, which are the fullest of pleasing hopes and desires; one eminently accomplished in mind, and person; one fitted to enjoy life; and to diffuse around her the enjoyments of life, among all connected with her; one useful, and beloved, full of sweet promise, and expectation; snatched away from weeping parents, husband, children, friends, when every earthly tie was strongly intertwining itself around her heart. And, yet, see how with heavenly peace, she bids all of them farewell. Her regrets and sorrows are swallowed up in joy. Her soul exults in God: and her lips are eloquent in the praises of the Redeemer, even while the pains of dying are being endured. How eloquent and touching are the words of a Christian in affliction! How superior in eloquence must be the Christian's serene and cheerful parting, and the triumphant act of his dying! "This word spake Jesus, signifying by what death he should glorify God!" The last act of glorification offered up to God, by the Christian on earth, is the act of dying in the faith triumphantly. And it is often so ordered, in the providence of God, that it is truly the most impressively instructing of all the acts of his life. It