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MRS. BULKLEY.

Dbituary:

On Friday, April 24, died at West Bromwich, in Staffordshire, Ein the 87th year of her age, Mrs. Esther Bulkley. This lady was granddaughter, and the last survivor of the immediate descendants of the Rev. Matt. Henry, "whose praise is in all the churches." Her great-grandfather, Philip Henry, was educated and settled in the Church of England; and was one of those excellent mon whom she ejected from her bosom in the year 1662. He was a man of exemplary piety, learning, and talents; and his rank and connection in society were of the most respectable order. Matthew also, the celebrated Commentator on the Bible, had the edu cation of a scholar and a gentlemaq. Indeed, the family of the Henrys were scarcely more distin guished by their religious character, than by their engaging courteousness and urbanity of manners. In all these respects, and in whatever was appropriate to the female character, the deceased was the faithful and amiable representati.e

of her ancestors.

decorous, but animated and affec tionate; timid, and tremblingly conscientious, yet affable; and, to her near acquaintances, friendly and confidential.

The qualities of her mind are such as would naturally be sought for under this exterior. They were the produce of divine cultivation, in a soil divinely prepared and rendered favourable to their growth: the fruits which are brought forth an hundred fold from good seed sown in good ground. Her early connections were scarcely more propitious to genuine religion, than were the future circumstances and habits of her life to its growth and improvement. Mrs. Bulkley was born in London, Nov. 16, 1720. Her father, Mr. Thomas Bulkley, a native of Lymington, in Hamp shire, was a silk mercer in Ludgate Street, and died when she was very young. The conduct of her education, therefore, devolved upon her mother; and ti ose who have observed the influence of the maternal character, and of maternal cares, when assiduously employed in the formation of the youthful mind, will not be surprized that the child of the daughter of Matthew. Henry should be successfully trained in the footsteps of her forefathers.

In a brief record of the changes of her residence, which she calls "An account of her various wander

To delineate with even tolerable fidelity this excelleut woman, would be to produce, in some degree, the effect of a personal acquaintance with her which, however slight, never failed of procuring for her the tribule of esteem. Her person was interesting. Diminutive; deli-ings during an abode of 45 years in cate, and valetudinary; yet indicative of charming vivacity. Her countenance exhibited a set of strik ing features, iluminated by intelligence and benevolence, yet full of dignity; grave, approaching to solemniy; but placid, cheerful, serene, and happy. Her manners, though not without a mixture of that punctilious precision which is thought to characterize those of her sex who are less connected than others by social and domestic afihties (for she lived unmarried) were yet highly engaging. Strikingly

this wilderness," it appears, that at the age of ten, when she was.rcsiding with her mother, in the family of Sir John Hartopp, at Epsom, "divine grace directed the wanderer to take the first feeble and too oft remitting steps toward Canaan:" these are her own words. At fifteen, having by the death of her mother become an orphan, she returned into her family, and went to reside with three aunis, the Miss Henrys, at Chester. Two of these ladies marrying, she removed frour Chester to Wem, in Shropshire;

and from thence, in 1748, to West Bromwich; where she passed nearly the whole of the remainder of her life. The paper just now mentioned, concludes thus: "Oct. 13, 1770. Removed to Hill Top (a part of West Bromwich) from whence I wait any last remove:" and thence, in fact, it was made, but not till a period which little entered into the writer's contemplation: Her constitution was delicate, and her health so extremely precarious, as to afford reasonable ground for her constant expectation of her final change: — an expectation entertained with a calmness of mind, which displayed, in a striking degree, the influence ef evangelical religion. At West Bromwich she was still amongst her family connections. Her two aunts had been married to two respectable gentlemen, brothers, of the name of Brett, who resided in this village; - and there also these amiable women exchanged their earthly for an heavenly abode.

The life of a single lady spent in the retirement of a village, can offer but few incidents requiring particular notice; but the features of such a character as Mrs. Bulkley's, must create some degree of general interest. The sweetness of her manners, her vivacity, and her active beneficence, procured her the esteem of persons in all ranks. Her humility and diffidence were only equalled by her actual proficiency in the graces of the Christ.aa tenper and life. Her attachment to the ordinances of religion, and her diligent improvement of them, discovered the secret of her attainments. Devotion was her clement: he had a lively zeal for public worship, and for the purity and prosperity of the ministry, and the church universally. She was fond of reading. Her Bible was her companion, her friend, and her connsellor. Her grandfather's Exposition, and the manuscript notes of sermons, &c which had been preserved in the family, were m her constant perusal. Upon these, and the oder writers ou practical religion, she employed much of her Biography and history of

time,

eventful periods, interested her oven in a very advanced period of her life. These, and other kinds of compositions in which there was a mixture of anecdote, she used to call her " cager reading ;" and she often pursued it beyond the limits of her strength. Her conversation was interesting and instructive, and her epistolary communications renarkably so. The talent for writing which she possessed, rendered her correspondence easy and pleasant, to her latest years. The liveliness of her conceptions, and peculiar felicity of expression, imparted to her familiar letters an irresistible charm; whilst the warmth of her affection, her solicitude for the happiness of her friends, and her exalted piety, rendered them lessons of sound morality and religious instruction.

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In adverting to herself, and her own experience and history, her predominating sentiments were those of gratitude to the Preserver of a life so long protracted beyond her utmost expectations; and so highly distinguished, as she considered it, by undeserved mercies. To a friend, who was in the habit of writing to her on every anniversary of her birth, she thus commences one of her answers, having then entered on her 86th year : — "So it pleases the Amighty to permit me once more to take up my pen, in a thankful acknowledgment of the reception of your favours of the 15th and 18th instant. I am ashamed to think that,

the lengthening out of so unprofitable a life as mine, should engage so much of your attention: that it should occupy much of my ow i with serious renection is right, both in hamiliation and thankfulness.

"Still has my life new wonders seeu

·.

Repeated every year; "Behold, my days that yet remain, "I trust to that Almighty care!"

"I have abundant cause for daily and hourly thanksgiving, that these days of old age are not as yet at teuded with extreme pam or violeat iness. Under all my infir mities, it is a constant and standing consolation to me, that my God knows my frame,

"And does no heavy load impose, Beyond the strength that he bestows;"

and, by divine assistance, I endeavour, by faith, to look beyond the present scene, and excite myself to be a patient waiting servant; trust. ing, through the hope the gospel gives, that he who has hitherio so mercifully guided me by his counsel, will conduct me through death's gloomy shades, gilded by his presence, to that world where there is fulness of joy," &c.

She suffered no sensible declension of her powers through several of her last years. For some months before her decease, the faculties of sight and hearing were impaired; but she remained the same lively, intelligent, and pleasant companion. Her departure was an easy and quiet transition from earth to Heaven. I cannot relate it so well as in the words of her intimate associale : — " You will be affected with the contents of this letter, which is to inform you of the change that has taken place in the removal of our dear Mrs. Bulkley, whose happy spirit took its flight from the decayed tabernacle of flesh, at five this morning. She

had a seizure of the paralytic kind yesterday noon; but so gentle in its attack, as to affect only her left hand. She ate her dinner afterwards much as usual, and sat in the easy-chair, wishing me to read to her; which I did till near 4 o'clock, when she evidently grew worse. Her voice and whole frame were affected; and it became necessary to carry her up to bod, where she quietly fell into a dose, and neither spake nor opened her eyes more. Her mind was exceedingly calm at the first approach of the disorder. She said, "God was doing his own work: welcome the will of God! with a few other short sentences which we could with difficully understand."

Her remains were interred in the burying-ground belonging to the Dissenters old Meeting-house, West Bromwich, on Wednesday, the 29th of April, 1807.

DR. SAMUEL STILLMAN. DR. Samuel Stillman was born at Philadelphia, Feb. 27, 1737; was educated at Charleston, South Carolina, and ordained there in Feb. 1759. He first settled in the ministry near Charleston; but soon left it, on account of his health; and was fixed over the First Baptist church in Boston, in Jan. 1765,

He was endowed with a good capacity, and an uncommon quick ness of apprehension. His feelings were peculiarly strong and lively, and he entered with his whole soul into every object which engaged his attention. With this constitutional ardour, he united a remarkable delicacy and sense of propriety. Such were the sprightli ness of his conversation, the politeness of his manners, combined with a peculiar glow of pious zeal and affection, that he was enabled to mingle with all ranks of people, and to discharge all his duties as a Christian minister, and as a citizen, with dignity, acceptance, and usefulness. He retained his popularity to old age; and his congregation which, on his first connection with it, was the smallest in the town, was, at the time of his death, among the most numerous.

As a minister of Christ, his praise was in all the churches. For this great work he was prepared by the grace of God in his early conver sion; and a diligent improvement of his natural talents in a course of theological studies, under the direction of the late excellent Mr. Hart. He embraced, the distiuguishing doctrines of the gospel, which he explained with clearness, and enforced with apostolical zeal and in repidity. He was favoured with a pleasant and commanding voice, which he managed with great success; and his manner was so interesting, that he never preached to an inattentive audience.

His habit of body was weakly, which occasioned frequent interrup tions of his labours; yet he survived all his clerical contemporaries in the town. It was his constant prazer that his life and usefulness might run parallel; and in this as desires

were gratified. After a slight indisposition, he was attacked by a paralytic stroke, which carried him off in a few hours, on the 13th of March 1807, in the 70th year of his age.

Dr. Baldwyn, pastor of the Second Baptist church, delivered a discourse on the occasion of his funeral, from 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8, to an immensely thronged and deeply affected assembly; after which, his remains were carried to the tomb amidst the regrets of a numerous concourse of people, to whom he was once so dear. His loss will long be felt, not only by his own immediate society, but by all his numerous friends.

which occurred at different times during her illness, and which I have numbered in the order in which they took place.

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1. I said to her, "Do you know you are a sinner, my dear?” Yes, I do.' I said, "Christ died for sinners," She replied, with great expression, Yes, he did;' she added, I have been thinking a good deal about these things, and when my head is a little better, I will tell you what I have been thinking. I hope to go to Heaven if I should die.' 'I said, "Do you think you should like to be with Jesus, and enjoy him for ever?" She answered, interestingly, Yes. I have thought,' said she, a good deal about being serious before I was ill, though I did

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An Account of the Death of Miss, not mention it. I was struck on
LUCY STAMFORD PERCY, daugh-reading the obituary in the Evan-
ter of the Rev. J. W. Percy, of
Woolwich, in a Letter to a Friend,
My dear Friend,

I Now sit down to fulfil my promise, in giving you a few particulars respecting my daughter, who was lately taken from us. lt has been one of the sharpest trials I have ever experienced, tho' mingled with much mercy. But, painful and distressing as I have found the dispensation, I hope, I have not been allowed either to murmur or complain; but to say with the Psalinist, "I was dumb; I opened pot my mouth, because thou didst it," I have, however, felt most deeply on the occasion, as she was an interesting, affectionate child, and most unexpectedly taken away in the very bloom of youth. Of all my numerous family, she appeared the most healthy; indeed she was the very picture of health: but every man in his best estate is altogether vanity. On Christmas-day she was observed to look remarkably well; the day following she complained of a cold; and, for several days, we all thought it was nothing else; but, in little more than a fortnight after, it was appa. rent she had got a typhus fever; and, shortly after, very alarming symptoms appeared, so as to leave no hope of her recovery. The following are some of the particulars

gelical Magazine of young children; and when 1 found that such little bits of things knew Jesus Christ, I thought what a shame it was that such a great girl as I did not know him. I read one three times over; Catherine Anderson, Nov. 1806.'

2. I have been praying to the Lord. I wish I had known the Lord sooner.'

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3. In the morning she said, I am very ill; but I shall be dead before to-morrow night.' In the afternoon, I went to her bed-side to read to her and pray with her. She said she would be set up; for, if she lay down, she could not hear so well; - and I wish,' said she, to hear every word.' I said to her," Where shall I read, my dear?" She replied, Where you please, papa.' I said, “Do you say where you should like to have me read ?" She answered, Where you think it is most striking.' I read the 39th Psalm, and select portions from the word of God on afflictions and death, as collected by Mr. Burder, in a little piece, entitled, "Precious Promises;" to which she paid the most marked attention.

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4 She said to her younger sister, Jessey, Do you desire to be serious? I long wished to Know Jesus Christ, and in crucified.' I said to her, “Do you know him now, my dear?" "Yes, I hope I do; and I wish I had known him before.'

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6. About two hours before she died, I said to her," Do you know me, my dear?" She answered, 'Yes, papa. Pray for me.'

7. The last words that she was heard to speak were, 'I am going, I am going to Jesus.'

About two hours before she died, her countenance was inexpressibly interesting; and her whole appear

ance indicated that her soul was with God; and that, though she could no longer converse with us, she was holding converse with Hea

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year.

It was a remarkable circumstance that, though so young, she never once expressed a desire to live; nor

did she ever discover the least fear

of death; but appeared as though she had done with this world, and was going to be the everlasting inhabitant of a better. For some time before her illness, and when in perfect health, she was strongly impressed with the idea that she should not live long; and, under that impression, which never forsook her altogether, she disposed of all her little matters to her younger sister; and chose the spot where she

should like to be buried.

Contrary to all expectation, I was enabled to attempt to improve her death in a funeral-decourse, on Lord's Day evening, Feb. 1, from Phii. i. 21, "To die is gain." I was mercifully carried above and beyond nature, and found truly that the Lord was able to make all grace abound; yea, able to do "exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think." And, blessed be the Lord! I

have reason to believe that what was said at that time, was not spoken in vain;-and to his holy name be all the praise and all the glory! I remain

your affectionate Friend,

J.W. P.

REV. JONATHAN SCOTT.

ON Thursday, May 28, died at Nantwich, in Cheshire, the Rev. J. Scott, well known in the religious world as a zealous preacher of the He was originally a capgospel. tain of dragoons; but, being called by the grace of God, he felt an earnest desire to preach that word to others, which he had felt to be the power of God to his own salvation. For a considerable time after he commenced the ministry, he remained in the army, and preached in his regimentals; but, for many years past, he has devoted himself wholly to the work, and has been exceedingly useful. especially by introducing the preach ing of the gospel into several places which were destitute of it, in Staffordshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire, and Cheshire.

He was highly favoured in his the fear of death was last hours; entirely removed from the time he began to be confined to his bed (about a fortnight before his decease); and his soul was so happy in the cajoyment of the gracious pre sence of his Lord and Saviour, that he was constantly, when his bodily strength would admit, speaking to those around him of his precious

name

and great salvation; and giving the most affectionate and faithful exhortations to all, in a very impressive manuer. The last words he was heard to utter were, My God!"

His mortal remains were com mitted to the earth, at Chester, on Tuesday, June the 9th.

We hope to be favoured with materials for a Memoir of this excellent man; which cannot fail of being highly interesting to our readers.

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