Poetry. THE PARTING SCENE: Lines written on the sailing of Messrs. Wheelock and Colman for TO CORRESPONDENTS. Want of room obliges us to omit several articles intended for this number. Gaius on prayer has been received. A correspondent wishes to suggest "to our churches the propriety of procur ing suitable Baptizing Gowns, that the ordinance of Baptism may be performed among them with all possible decency and order." We shall be happy to receive frequent communications from Theophilus, and Philanthropos. Our correspondents generally will accept our thanks for the encouragement they have given us. MRS. SALLY, late consort of the Rev. George Phippen, of Lynn, Mass. was born in Middletown, Conn. Jan. 3, 1795. Her parents, Capt. Timothy, and Mrs. Sarah Savage, lived in the North Parish in that town, and having been among the first who publickly embraced the sentiment of believers' baptism in the place,were chiefly instrumental in procuring the consitution of the Baptist church, and the erection of a neat and commodious house for public worship in the years 1800 -1. To their pious labours in the cause of Christ, as the means, may be attributed the first serious impressions which were felt by the subject of this memoir. After they viewed religion to be a divine reality, and felt its influence on their own souls, her parents became tenderly solicitous for the salvation of their children. They taught them to kneel at the family altar, and to lisp the praises of Gon in hymns appropriate to morning, and evening devotion. The love of Christ in submitting to death to effect the salvation of sinners, and the necessity of a change of heart, in order an interest in that salvation, were subjects frequently conversed on in the family, and perhaps not less frequently urged upon the Vol. I. 40 children as deserving their most solemn attention. Nor were these efforts on the part of the parents to promote the eternal welfare of their offspring, unavailing. It was not long before they had the hap piness to see their eldest daughter under deep concern for her soul, and shortly after inexpressibly joyful in believing in Jesus Christ. The subject of this memoir, who was then about 7 or 8 years old, was deeply affected with the change wrought in her sister, and felt in no inconsiderable degree,for a child of her age, the necessity of a similar change in her own heart, in order to be happy. She would often weep when conversing on religion with her parents and associates, and sometimes would vent her feelings in prayer to GOD. The day on which her sister was baptized, she has ever considered as one of the most interesting days of her life. On that occasion, impressions were wrought on her soul which were not effaced in the day of her death. To the writer of this, she has often spoken of that day, and never to his recollection, but with feelings of the deepest interest. There is one circumstance in the early life of the deceased, which ought to be particularly noticed; the more so as it may serve for an example to others in similar circumstances. In the neighbourhood where she lived, there were several children nearly of the same age with herself, who regularly met together for prayer. These meetings were conducted with that order and solemnity, which would not disgrace the assemblies of aged Christians. They were held at the house of her father, and she usually took an active part in them. How interesting the scene, to view a group of young immortals engaged in the worship of their Maker! "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, God hath perfected praise!" From this time, until she was 14 years of age, nothing particularly interesting took place in her feelings, unless we consider of particular interest those changes of opinjon and feeling, to which persons are constantly subject, who are under the teachings of the Spirit of Gon. Her deportment was uniform and engaging. Meetings, whether for prayer, conference, or preaching, she numbered among her richest privileges, and always appeared to be happy, when in the company of Christians, and in listening to their conversation. The advantages of religious instruction which she enjoyed, were far above what is the common lot of children. Her father's house was a place of resort for Christian pilgrims. His doors were ever open to receive the friends of Jesus, and especially the ministers of the gospel. When they are religiously improved, the advantages to children to be derived from a free and affectionate intercourse with the saints, "the excellent of the earth," are incalculable. With the blessing of the LORD, such an intercourse may be instrumental in forming the character for eminent usefulness in fu ture life. At the age of 14, Mrs. Phippen's mind was impressed to an unusual degree with her lost state as a sin ner. She saw that the law was holy, just and good; that she had broken it in innumerable instances; that God would be perfectly just, in ber condemnation. Her only plea was mercy, through Jesus Christ. But the distressed feelings of which she was then the subject, gradually wore away, leaving only some faint glimmerings of hope, that her heart was changed; and even these were transient as the "morning cloud, or the early dew." She did not say that she had any hope; but such was the change wrought in her, that her parents, and some of her Christians friends, saw that the arm of God was made bare for her salvation, and cherished the hope, that in due time it would be made manifest to herself, that she was a child of God. Her feelings for ma ny months, were deeply interested in religion, nor did she at any time wholly lose the impressions of which she had been the happy subject. Sometimes the affections of the most devout Christian are chilled. The soul is strangely indifferent to the cause of Christ, and even to its own felicity. The deceptive ob jects of the world, allure the believer away from God. His privileges cease to afford the happiness he once found in them. His duties become burdensome, and the evidences of an interest in Christ, which be once possessed, are lost. Alas! to what changes, to what conflicts, are the best of men exposed! How com pletely inadequate are they to their own safe keeping! Let us cease then, to wonder that it is as it often is, with the doubting, trembling soul! Mrs. P. retained an affectionate regard for Christians, and was sensible that religion is the only thing which can make the soul truly happy. But for many months, the world shared too largely in her affections, and its objects were pur sued with an avidity, which in her retired, and more serious moments, she heartily condemned. During the winter of 1812, her mind was much exercised on differ ent religious subjects. Among others, the doctrine of divine sovereignty in the election of grace, particularly interested her feelings. She was not opposed to the doctrine, but she could not comprehend it; she could not withhold her assent to its truth, for she found it in the Bible; though to her it was enveloped in a cloud of mystery. Her distressed feelings, arising from the perplexity in which she found herself, induced her to converse with some particular friends on the subject. They endeavoured to explain it, and possibly were some times impatient that she was so dull to learn, or that she could not view it in the same light with themselves. Unquestionably it is as much the prerogative of the Holy Spirit to lead the sinner into clear and discriminating views of divine truth, as it is to awaken him while dead in sin, to a sense of his danger, or beget in his soul a thirst for the waters of life. That which could not be made to appear clear, and consistent with the benevolence of Deity to her view, by the light which her friends had endeavoured to throw upon the subject, was made perfectly so by the teachings of the Spirit of God. If the doctrine of election be true, thought Mrs. Phippen, my end, and all the means which are to bring me to it, are unalterably fixed. The effect of this reflection was, to rouse her from the stupor in which she had been living her soul was in deep distress. It became a subject of solemn concern with her, to know if her peace was made with GOD. Her distress continued for some weeks she frequently poured out her soul to GoD in prayer, and under an awful sense of her just deserts, supplicated his divine mercy. The LORD was gracious. He appeared for her, and caused her to hope in his name. It was toward the close of the winter, in the year 1812, that she spoke publickly of the state of her mind, and of the hope she had in Jesus Christ. Never, however, did she speak on this subject with that assurance which is observable in the conversation of some persons, who appear to be more eminently blessed of GOD with devout affections, and elevated joys. She ever exercised a godly jealousy over her own heart; for she knew it to be "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." In conversing on religious subjects, and particularly on Christian experience, she was always cautious, sometimes perhaps even to a fault, lest she should go beyond what she had actually experienced of the LORD's goodness in her own soul;-and yet to her most intimate friends, she would open her whole heart, and tell them her joys and sorrows-the reasons of her fears, and the ground of her hope;-a hope she had, which was more precious to her than worlds. Mrs. Phippen was married in the autumn of 1812. She made a public profession of religion in the summer of 1816, and at the same time, joined the Baptist church in the city of Middletown, of which her husband was then Pastor. She continued her relation with this church, until her removal to Lynn; when she connected herself with the Baptist church in that place. The numerous concerns of an increasing family so much engrossed her attention, that she did not keep a regular diary of her religious exercises. On detached papers, however, she frequently penned her thoughts, and sometimes wrote her feelings at full length; and in letters to her friends, she would often mention the dealings of GoD with her soul. It may not be uninteresting to the reader of this article, to see a few extracts from her papers and letters. The following is from a letter to a sister, dated Nov. 23, 1816. 66 "I fear, and I have reason to fear, my dear sister, that I am not sufficiently humbled under the blessings and privileges I enjoy ; but at times, I think, if I am not deceived, I have meat to eat that the world knows not of, and hope I am enabled to give God the glory. I never knew Mr. P. more engaged than he is at present. His preaching is very solemn. O pray with me for him, that he may be strengthened, and ever be found faithful in the great work in which he is engaged...........Religion, my dear sister, is of the first importance. Let me entreat you to be engaged in it. Though I am too stupid, I hope I can say in the darkest hours, Jan. 5th. May this day's opportunity make a solemn impression on my mind. Unworthy as I am, I have been privileged with meeting with the people of GoD, and have been permitted to meet at the table of the LORD. The season was solemn and affecting; but alas! my stupidity and coldness,rob me of my comfort. "O LORD, search me, and know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there is any evil way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Jan. 25. I fear that God has given me over to hardness of heart, and blindness of mind. O that the "My soul doth wish mount Zion well, LORD would again appear precious Whate'er becomes of me." I hope all our Christian friends in Middletown will be more engaged than they have been, be up and doing, working while the day lasts, for the night will shortly come in which no man can work. I do wish the sisters there, would have a stated prayer-meeting once a week. Hope you, and will make it a point to attend. If the elder sisters don't feel the immediate Importance of it, do meet by your selves. You all profess to have a hope in Christ. He has promised that where two or three are met in his name, he is in the midst of them, and will bless them. I think of you, and trust I am enabled to look to "the Father of all good, to send you a blessing." Jan. 1st, 1817, she thus writes. This day commences another year. Have renewedly given myself up to God. O may I live more than ever devoted to that Being whom I profess to love! Jan. 4th. I have just entered my 23d year. O how little have I done for God the past year! how little engaged have I been in his service. I have a wretched, wandering heart and mind! O that I might mourn over them, as God requires, and have that repentance which is unto life, which needeth not to be repented of! to my soul, and once more cause my heart to rejoice. Jan. 26. Expect to go to the house of prayer this afternoonmay I go with a praying heart. I sometimes say, "O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night," for my own sins, and for the sins of my fellow-creatures. For some years, the Baptist church in Middletown, North Parish, or as it is commonly called, Upper Houses, had been destitute of stated preaching; in consequence of which, the society had become much scattered, and the church was in a low and declining state. In the fall of 1816, the few remaining brethren and sisters exerted themselves to obtain a preached gospel. They soon succeeded in their wishes, and were again favoured with the stated ministry of the word. On this subject, in a letter to her mother, dated January 26, 1817, Mrs. Phippen writes as follows: To expect a blessing, Christians ought to be much engaged in prayer, and let me, my dear mother, though I am but a child, entreat you and our dear Christian friends, to be earnest in your supplications for your minister, that a blessing may attend his labours. Ministers are but earthen vessels. Let us think a moment on the great, the solemn |