sations of pleasure. I make it a rule to lose as little as I can of this blessed season, and accordingly rise early, and wander through the fields. It is at this time that prospects excel in beauty. The creation is a perpetual feast to a good man; and every thing he sees in the vernal season may cheer and delight him. Such an habitual disposition of mind consecrates every field, garden, and wood, and turns an ordinary walk into a morning or evening sacrifice." Buckingham. G. G. S. DEATH OF THOMAS PAINE, always so engaged; or in prayer, in the attitude of which she more than once saw him, when he thought himself alone. One day he enquired of her whether she had ever read his "Age of Reason ;" and being answered in the affirmative, desired to know her opinion of that book. She replied, that she was but a child when she read it; and he, probably, would not like to hear what she thought of it. On which he said, if old enough to read, she was capable of forming some opinion; and that from her he expected a candid statement of what that opinion had been. She then acknowledged that she thought it Author of the Age of Reason, &c. the most dangerous, insinuating I LATELY saw a letter from America, of which I was permitted to make an abstract, which nothing less than a perfect confidence in the integrity of the writer, and the authenticity of the circumstances related, would induce me to offer for insertion in your Miscellany. The narrator, a young female, resided in the family of a gentleman, a near neighbour of the celebrated Thomas Paine, during his last illness, at Greenwich, near New York; who occasionally visited him, and sent from his own table refreshments more adapted to his comfort than those he usually enjoyed; and of these the narrator, impelled by curiosity, or a better motive, requested to be the bearer to his bed-side, although the air of his chamber could scarcely be endured. The opportunities of conversation which the performance of this humane office afforded, authorized the writer's belief, that the poor sufferer exhibited another proof of Dr. Young's assertion, that " Men may live fools; but fools they cannot die." The letter proceeds to say, that She found him frequently writing; and believed, from what she saw and heard, that when his pains permitted, he was almost book she had ever seen; that the more she read the more she wished to read, and the more she found her mind estranged from all that is good; and that, from a conviction of its evil tendency, she had burnt it, without knowing to whom it belonged. To this Paine replied, that he wished all who had read it had been as wise as she; adding, If ever the Devil had an agent on earth, I have been one. At another time when she was in his chamber, and the master of her family was sitting by his bed-side, one of Paine's former companions came in; but, on seeing them with him, hastily retired, drawing the door after him with violence, and saying, 'Mr. Paine, you have lived like a man; I hope you will die like one.' Upon which Paine, turning to his principal visitor, said, "You see, Sir, what miserable comforters I have !"-An unhappy female, who had accompanied him from France, lamented her sad fate; observing, For this man I have given up my family and friends, my property and my religion; judge then of my distress, when he tells me that the principles he has taught me will not bear me out.' AMICUS.* with his name, will not refuse to answer any proper enquiries. *The writer, who has favoured us When Paganism was the established religion of the world, Christianity was considered as a system of infidelity, and the freedom of our remarks on Oracles would have exposed us to the charge of Atheism, the common opprobrium of all who rejected the divinities of Greece and Rome. How then would they have execrated such travellers and writers as Dr. E. D. Clarke! What! discover the very approaches to the secrets of the oracular shrine! - Enter the adytum, and thunder out, I warrant in rumbling Greek, - 6. were already too powerful, by After all, the true cause must be ascribed to a secret divine power attending a certain book called the New Testament: a work which, notwithstanding the suspicions it may subject me to with this supporter of "genuine religion," and of true theology," I shall venture to recommend to the hearts, the consciences, and the most affectionate study of all your readers,—nd of all the world. him, a mock response from the residence of the God, to his trembling votaries, waiting at humble distance, to catch the unit liigible syllables! What profanation! He points out the private way; he shews the means employed; nor is he singular! for the private ways of access in other temples, as I have already observed, tell the same tale, and equally violate the sanctity of their ancient charge. The author from whom I quote, observes, that "most of the Oracles ceased when the Christian religion made its appearance;" - this is very extraordinary, surely; whereas, he adds, "there was a much greater necessity than ever for the exercise of such tricks, when a new religion started up diametrically opposite to the old one." Why truly, so there was; what then, must we infer from the fact, that every one, at length, sunk into disrepute? Not the most favoured haunts of Apollo, or of Jupiter himself, stood their ground against the feeble endeavours of then apologist, a few, Jewish fishermen; against greater part of men of the prethe disciples of one who expired sent day, believe the ancient oraon a cross! If the divine power, cles to have been nothing more impulse, afflatus, of Apollo, were than the tricks of designing priests; really superior to that of Jesus, and the remaining part, which is why were the ancient temples long certainly a very small one, will, as established, long confirmed by hait appears to me, ascribe them to - if it bits of reverence, forsaken? the influence of evil spirits. Howwere really superior, why have recourse to the civil authorities?—ever, as it is a well-known fact that why resort to murder and mas- most of the oracles ceased when the sacre to support principles which Christian religion made its appear 1 am, Sir, yours, &c. "There cannot be the least doubt," says this modern Hea"but that the ance, it is impossible that they the reality of oracular prediction should have been nothing more than fraudulent tricks; for, if this had been the case, there was a much greater necessity than ever for the exercise of such tricks when a new religion started up, diametrically opposite to the old one; nor can any reason be assigned why on this hypothesis the oracles should cease. On the other hand, to say they were produced by the influence of evil spirits, is just as absurd as to assert that evil is naturally the source of good; for the tendency of the oracles was evidently directed to the good both of individuals and cities, which in numberless instances they were the means of procuring. It may there But fore be safely concluded that they because the best things always have been, and always will be, perverted, through the weakness and viciousness of the bulk of mankind." INTREPIDITY OF A Roman-Catholic Missionary. CHRISTIANITY was introduced into excluded all Christian missionaries. One individual, however, has made the attempt, and has, no doubt, followed the noble army of martyrs in Japan. The particulars as related by Father Faure, in the "Travels of the Jesuits," are as follow : In the year 1709, M. de Sidoti, an ecclesiastic, and a native of Rome, having devoted himself to and the protection of so many mar the office of a Missionary to Japan, tyrs who, in the preceding century, left Manilla on board a vessel be- shed their blood in defence of his longing to Don Michael de Elo- name." The captain was very wilriaga, a very experienced officer, ling to acquiesce with Sidoti's dewho had offered to carry him to the sires; he nevertheless endeavoured place of his destination. They ar- to persuade him to postpone his rived in sight of Japan on the 9th of landing a little while, or at least, October. Coming as near the shore to let them seek out some other as possible, they perceived a fish- place where they might land in ing vessel; and dispatched a Ja- safety: but the abbot replied, "That panese (who accompanied Abbot having a favourable wind, they Sidoti, and had promised the go- ought to take advantage of it, since vernor to get into Japan with the the longer they delayed, the greater Missionary, and keep him conceal- hazard they would run of being dised in the empire, if necessary) to covered; and that, as his resolution get intelligence. This man being was fixed, he besought him not to returned on board, Abbot Sidoti throw any obstacle in the way of examined him; when the only an- God's work. The captain yielded swer he made was, "That it would to the entreaties of the Missionary, be impossible for them to get into and got every thing ready in order Japan without running manifest to set him ashore in the night. hazard of being discovered; that During this interval the abbot the instant they should go on shore wrote several letters; he said over they would be seized and carried his beads with the whole ship's before the emperor, and put to a company; after which he asked most cruel death." It was judged, pardon for the ill example he might from the confusion which appeared have set, and particularly of the in his countenance, and from some children, for not having instructed words he let drop, that he had ac- them with due care in the Chrisquainted the Japanese fishermen tian religion. Lastly, he kissed the with Sidoti's design; upon which feet of the officers, the soldiers, and the latter went aside to beg Hea- slaves on board. It was near midven to inspire him with resolution night when he went into the long on that occasion, and afterwards boat, with the captain and seven spent some time in meditation. others, who desired to accompany His prayers being ended, about him. He continued in prayer durfive o'clock in the evening he came ing the whole passage. The into the captain to inform him of his stant he was landed he fell proslast resolution. "The happy mo- trate, kissed the earth, and blessed ment which I panted for so many God's goodness in enabling him years, is at last come. We are now to surmount the many difficulties upon the shores of Japan; and it is which opposed his entrance. The high time that I prepare to land in persons who accompanied him dethis wished-for country. You have sired to go a little way up the coun been so generous as to conduct me try with him. After walking toge through a sea unknown to yourself, ther some time they were obliged a sea signalized by shipwreck; be to separate. With great difficulty so good therefore as to crown your the captain prevailed on him to work. Leave me in the midst of a accept, by way of alms, of a few people, who, though they abhor the Christian name, yet I hope to win them over to Christ. I do not rely on my own strength, but on the all-powerful grace of our Saviour, pieces of gold, in order to procure the favour of the Japanese, if necessary. Whilst he was advancing up the country, his companions were returning towards the long confessed, he leaves his readers athirst for more information. Should Aged 22 years, died at Kingsland, December 16, 1815. His body became a prey to a slow, but resistless consumption. In him appeared the vanity of human beauty, which withered under the influence of disease, as the flower at noon-day; but divine grace had imparted to his mind ornaments which revolving ages shall not diminish, and which cannot languish amidst the unveiled splendor of Jehovah's glory in the heavenly Paradise. In very early life, he became the subject of religious impressions. He was deeply affected, when a child, by a sermon, delivered in Kingsland Chapel, on God's breaking the hardened heart. Once being observed weeping bitterly, he was asked the reason; he replied, "I am poisoned with sin." By attending the ministry of the Rev. A. Fletcher, of Miles's Lane, he acknowledged God had shewn him much kindness. He often looked backward to those days with affectionate interest. - On his death-bed he was for a season awfully distressed with the remembrance of partial backsliding, which appeared to him a sin of the deepest die. He was afraid to open the Bible; every page seemed to condemn him. The Tempter told him it was vain to expect mercy; and that he was doomed to misery. Satan appeared like a lion roaring for his prey. When passing through that gloomy valley, rivers of waters ran down his cheeks; but his sky opened, and the thunder-cloud disappeared at the remembrance of these words, " Why art thou cast down, O my soul! and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." He exclaimed, "My sins are great; but the mercy of God is greater! I hope the justice of God is on my side, for Christ has satisfied its demands!" 66 He encouraged his father to persevere in the observance of familyworship, stating that God had blessed that ordinance to him. He added, with modesty, "I am no better than the chief of sinners: the Lord has made me what I am, and taught me what I know." A short while before his removal, when all the family were weeping around him, he said, emphatically, Weep not for me, I am almost home."" Spreading out his hands, he said, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." In the afternoon of December 16th, he affectionately embraced his father, lifted up his longing eyes to Heaven, and died without a struggle or a groan. Blessed departure! he exchanged the mortal tabernacle for the house not made with hands; weeping relatives for the general assembly and church of the first born ;-and the bed of death for the throne of glory. He was buried in Hackney churchyard. The following inscription on his tomb-stone expresses what grace did for him on earth, and to what it advanced him in Heaven : "The Father broke my stony heart, The Son took all my sins away; |