infinite mercy, has savingly called some, that we may know that the sacrifice of his Son is equally needful for rich and for poor, for great and for humble.

After her marriage, the time of Madame Rumph was divided between Paris, where her husband's duties kept him during most of the year, and Switzerland, where she enjoyed a retirement more suited to her taste. In these two widely different spheres, she laboured for many years, with untiring energy and enlightened liberality, but always with the greatest modesty, and in the most retired manner, to spread around her the influence of the Gospel, and to impart to others that peace which she had herself found.

At Paris, she was a member of most of the female committees, which labour to sustain our religious institutions; and she contributed to their progress, not only by her prayers and her active and generous co-operation, but also by anonymous gifts, often larger than those avowed. We happen to know that once, on the very day when a friend had suggested that perhaps she had given too much to some religious object, she had contributed even more, so secretly, that the person who acted as the medium of her gift, did not know from whom it had come. In this manner she has given several thousand francs at once, with such precautions that those who received them were never able to learn the source of their relief.

But she did not confine her Christian efforts to subscribing to and assisting religious societies; she was herself active in visiting the poor and the sick, and in carrying to them at once that bread which cannot stay the hand of death, and the heavenly bread of eternal life. Full of love for souls and devotedness to Him who came to seek and save them, she was ingenious in her contrivances to adapt her own means to the ends she had in view, and to multiply the resources and excite the activity of others. Among other philanthropic projects, she deposited with a bookseller, at her own cost, and even with her own hands, a large collection of books, for the purpose of forming a popular and Christian library for the use of strangers visiting the capital. To be able thus to contribute in so many ways to the temporal and eternal good of her fellowcreatures, she kept a careful watch over her personal expenses, and learned, without neglecting what was due to her station in society, to sacrifice nothing to luxury or vanity.

While attending with great care to her domestic duties, she found time to attend, regularly, to all the means of grace within her reach; the faithful preaching of the Gospel having been one of the first means of her awakening and instruction in the

truth, she felt all its importance. Frequent reading of the word of God, meditation, and prayer, constant attendance on the ministry of the Gospel, and on Christian meetings, and a cordial participation in the efforts of her friends, for the advancement of the reign of Christ, gave, under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, such a maturity and solidity to her piety that, in a few years, she was looked on as "a mother in Israel."

Her reserve, which almost approached timidity, neither weakened her energy, nor lessened her zeal; with a simplicity, a tact, and a courage impossible to describe, she spoke of the things of God to persons the most difficult of approach, and in places where many, even older Christians, would have considered silence to be quite justifiable. "She knew," writes he who best knew her, "that without Christ she could do nothing, but that with Him she could do all things." This gave her an energy, a perseverance, and a force of character which placed her above all human considerations.

On leaving the capital she sought not ease or idleness. Her thoughts all turned to the good to be done, and the evils to be overcome in the country, where she so loved to contemplate, with her husband, the works of God, and the beauties of nature. She felt, in recalling the impressions made on her own mind in her earliest infancy, by the pious lessons of a Christian mother, the importance of religious instruction, suited to the capacity of little children, and she founded, in the cantons of Vaud and Geneva, three charity schools, over which she placed Christian masters: one of these schools was at Versoix, another at Beircins, and the third at Genthod. Their success has, by the blessing of God, answered the pious designs of their founder.

We may here mention à circumstance which shows her ingenuity and perseverance in the accomplishment of her cha ritable projects. Finding that many poor families could not profit by her schools, on account of the distance which their little ones had to go, she provided a little donkeycarriage to go from village to village, and fetch the children in the morning, and take them home in the evening. We cannot omit to record also, that, notwithstanding her very bad health, for a considerable time, she herself managed a school established in her neighbourhood by a friend, in order that the master might have time to improve himself in a more advanced school. Here she cheerfully passed her days, though fatigued by the heat and the noise, and surrounded by children often dirty and

tiresome.

She was in the midst of occupations, at once so delightful and so useful; and, enjoying the most complete domestic happi

ness, and surrounded with every good that earth could offer, was just forming new plans of benevolence, when this rare happiness was disturbed by illness, long, painful, and mortal.

It seems that, from the beginning of her illness, Madame Rumph believed that it would end fatally. But this feeling sprung from a cause very different from that which often makes the sick think themselves in danger-the terror, namely, which they feel. Death, which had formerly been to her also the king of terrors, now no more inspired fear; and, assured of her reconciliation with God, she awaited calmly the moment when he should think fit to take her to himself. Nevertheless, though death had lost his sting, her faith, her patience, her love, were to be tried as by fire. Her disease early took an extraordinary character, and its malignity showed itself in pain and suffering of which no idea can be formed. During eight weeks of suffering so intense, as often to draw from her the most heart-rending cries and groans, never, (thanks to Him who had permitted her furnace to be thus heated!) never did a murmur escape her lips. Once, having asked her surgeon if he thought there was any hope of her recovery, and having received an answer in the affirmative, she said "It is impossible; this cannot last long; I suffer too much; but no! not too much, since God does not think it too much; but it is very painful. O God! in thy great mercy, have pity on me."

Her great sufferings having led her to speak impatiently to one of her nurses, she was much distressed by it, and although she had begged her forgiveness directly afterwards, she desired a pious woman, who was attending on her, to pray for her, that God would pardon this fault; and, afterwards, sent her again to ask the astonished nurse to forgive her.

In her moments of ease, or when pain was less violent, she expressed herself very clearly as to her state and feelings. "I see," said she, "death's approach without anxiety, and yet who has more to regret than I? I have all that I can desire; happy as I am in a husband such as mine: 0 that God may give him strength to sustain the blow, and follow me! I have every thing that can be desired here below, and yet, you see, I leave the world without regret." A few days before her death, she entreated one of her domestics, saying to him, among other things, "Seek the Lord while you are well, and while you are able, for if God deprive you of health, and lay you, as he has done me, on a bed of suffering, you will not always be able to think and pray." Another time, speaking to the person who was sitting up with her, she

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said, "Tell me, as a Christian, what you think of my state, whether my disease is likely to be fatal." Madame," answered her friend," humanly judging, I think death is more likely than recovery; but God is all-powerful; with him are the issues of life and death." "Yes," replied the invalid, "but I do not fear death, I shall be with God. May the Saviour subdue me entirely to his will!"'

Madame Rumph also, with that spirit of order which was so remarkably shown in her, in these moments mentioned the arrangements she wished as to her funeral; desiring to be buried, with the greatest simplicity, in the cemetery of the village of Gilly. She spoke also of the carrying on of her schools after her death. Afterwards she thought, as often as her state permitted, of all the objects dear to her heart, and besought the prayers of the pious persons who were around her. But these moments of ease became very rare towards the end of her sufferings, she was often delirious, but even then the heavenward tendency of her mind showed itself still. In that state she sang whole hymns in a clear and touching tone: thus she sang the hymn beginning,

"Perfect is every work of Jacob's rock ;"

and the 65th of the "Chaunts Chrétiens," ending thus,

"How good to have thee, Christ! for sacrifice, For shield, for king, for sun, for righteousness! How sweet the peace with which thou fill'st the heart!

Rejoice, my soul! thy Saviour is the Lord!"

The last day of her life, (October 25,) she appeared exhausted and incapable of all effort; but her chamber was not deserted. All the day her attendants pressed around her, and prayers arose from many hearts that God, if such were his will, would permit his servant once more to speak, and bear testimony to his grace. The death-pang commenced at noon, and the contest was long and terrible. Her cold forehead and hands certified that death had already begun to lay hold on her feeble body; her lips seemed as though they were never to speak again. Her husband and attendants were melted in tears; they had no hope of again hearing the voice of her whom they had so loved. What then was the emotion of all when they heard her, a few moments before her death, ask distinctly who were around her, for her sight was so beclouded that she could not see them. Then, as her domestics were named, she addressed to each exhortations, affectionate, urgent, and appropriate to their respective dispositions; but it was to them no longer the voice of a feeble woman, but of one speaking under the powerful inspiration of

U

the Spirit of God! The first who was mentioned was her oldest servant, to whom she was much attached. "Thank you," said she, addressing him by name, "for all you have done for us; promise me never to leave your master :" then, placing on her heart that cold hand, which death had already seized, she added, "Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. Live for the Lord; seek the Saviour in the Bible, and you shall find him. Happy will you be, if you can say, like me, at your last hour, I am going to the Saviour. Love this Saviour; take hold of him; seek him till you find him; read your Bible daily." To another she said, "I have hoped much of you, but, perhaps, I have counted too much on your good disposition."

"Ah, madam," said he, "I hope

I am not so far off as you think, and for the future, I will follow all your counsels." She answered, "Now, now! do not delay, for death cometh as a thief in the night." To a third she said, "I have already spoken to you;" reminding him, in that solemn hour, of the conversation ahe had had with him some days before; then, addressing herself to the Christian women around her, she added, "As to you, you have already chosen the good part, the one thing needful; pray for me." Her husband then coming near her, said, "What for me, Eliza? Have you nothing for me "Oh," she answered, " you are not ignorant of him; I speak to those who know him not."

It became very difficult to catch all the words which fell from her mouth: but she was heard distinctly to say: "I die happy -I die in Christ-I have been, a stranger here below, but I am returning to my own country." She could not continue, though she made many painful efforts to speak. At last, in a very sweet, and most touching and plaintive tone, she said, "I am so tired."

Her husband kissed her forehead, covered with the cold sweat of death, and said to her, "Dear Eliza, I shall soon rejoin you, I shall endeavour to follow in your steps." She uttered twice the word, "Amen! Amen!" An expression of delight spread over her features, and then she added, "Now, Lord, deliver me! Amen!"

These were her last words: her mission on earth was ended. But how lovely a mission had it been! No one ever conjectured the good which she did, nor the discernment with which she did it. Her disinterestedness was singular. She took high ground; keeping alone in view the advancement of Christ's kingdom in the earth. Therefore, is her memory so blessed wherever she was known in her short life. Her death produced an indescribable sensa

tion in the country, and especially around St. Vincent. Rich and poor met, from all parts, to assist in her funeral, and bedewed with their tears the ground which covers her mortal remains.

It has been justly remarked, that so prompt an appreciation of the character and piety of her whom we weep, forms an eulogium, not only of her, but of the country where she lived so few years, and where she died at the age of thirty-seven.

At the sad ceremony of her interment, the pastor Martignies, suffragan of Gilly, Canton of Vaud, delivered a discourse, from which we have taken most of the preceding details. We borrow from it the following sentences.

"We are sure that we are conforming to her desires, in aiming not so much to record what may contribute to her fame, as what may serve to glorify Him, whom she had chosen as her master, and whose power has been fulfilled in her weakness.

"Her greatest joys on earth were the country where she was in the presence of the great works of God; and also especially the retirement of the family. There she divided her time between the husband of her love and the education of a niece whom she had brought up as a daughter, and whom she laboured to bring to the Saviour. Although it was evident that her mind was seriously devoted to the paramount claims of the eternal world, she was always cheerful, and often gave way to all her natural gaiety. Her conversation was animated, and when she spoke of the affairs of salvation, it was with admirable singleness of heart and mind: it was from the abundance of the heart that the mouth spoke. The influence of her Christian spirit was remarked and felt by all around her.

"The preaching which she loved, was that where the Gospel is presented in all its aspects; where the wretchedness of man and his recovery by faith, are the cornerstone of the building. She required, in the preacher, neither laboured style nor elegant action, but a profound knowledge of Scrip ture, and a natural and feeling display of

the truths of salvation.

"Christians! in every part of the account which we have given you, there is set forth an important truth, which we pray God to impress on all your minds and on all your hearts: it is, that even in this present world, there is a blessing greater than fortune, or reputation, or rank, or healtha blessing, which the torments of the most painful disease cannot take away from the happy soul which possesses it a blessing which renders us happy in death, and will render us yet more happy in eternity-this blessing is, the love of God-the peace of

God.

"Let us all from this moment, labour to obtain that peace which passeth understanding!"

CHINA.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

DEAR SR,-The long extract from Dr. Parker's interesting and candid letter, which you kindly inserted in the Magazine for March, could not, I think, fail, in connexion with the striking appeal of Mr. Legge's which preceded it, to excite in the minds of all who carefully perused them, a deep and permanent interest in, and prayerful importunity for, the advancement of our Saviour's kingdom in China. To impress still farther upon the Christian public "the surpassing claims of this empire as a field for missionary exertion," and to afford information respecting the nature and objects of the Medical Missionary Society, which was alluded to in Dr. P.'s letter, and regularly organised at a public meeting, held in the rooms of the General Chambers of Commerce, at Canton, on the 21st of Feb., 1838, I enclose to you an abstract of the address which was ably drawn up by the chief founders of it, and which, if you can insert in either the next or following number of your excellent Magazine, you will greatly oblige me and my Christian friends, and, I hope, confer benefit upon the Chinese Mission.

We

The object of this society is to encourage the practice of medicine and surgery among the Chinese, and to extend to them some of those benefits which Christianity and science have conferred upon ourselves. To restore health, to ease pain, or, in any way, to diminish the sum of human misery, forms an object worthy of the philanthropist; but, in the prosecution of our views, we look forward to far higher results than the mere relief of human suffering. hope that our endeavours will tend to break down the walls of prejudice and longcherished nationality of feeling, and to teach the Chinese, that those whom they affect to despise, are both able and willing to become their benefactors. They shut the door against the teachers of the Gospel;* they find our books often written in idioms which they cannot readily understand; and they have laid such restrictions upon com• Meaning that more force is necessary to open it.

Fa

merce, that it does not awaken amongst them that love of science, that spirit of invention, and that freedom of thought, which it uniformly excites and fosters, whenever it is allowed to take its own course without limit or interference. vourable results have hitherto followed the practising of medicine and surgery, and will continue to do so. It is a department of benevolence peculiarly adapted to China. "Heal the sick," is our motto, constituting alike the injunction under which we act, and the object at which we aim, and which, with the blessing of God, we hope to accomplish by means of scientific practice in the exercise of an unbought and untiring kindness. We have called ours a Missionary Society, because, we trust, it will advance the cause of missions; and because we want men to fill our institutions who, to requisite skill and experience, add the self-denial and the high moral qualities, which are usually looked for in a missionary. For the agents by whom we are to carry our object into execution, we must look to the missionary boards in Great Britain and the United States. They have it in their power to help us, and are best qualified to select men that are fitted to execute our designs. We do not engage to support such individuals, but we offer them hospitals with every other necessary and suitable accommodation and means of effecting good. Men of eminent qualifications and tried character are indispensable for the successful prosecution of the work, for on them the destinies of the society are suspended. If they fail, it fails. Their success is its success. By the employment of such an agency, the way will be paved to a higher place in the confidence and esteem of the Chinese, which will tend to put our commerce and all our intercourse with this nation upon a more desirable footing, and to open avenues for the introduction of those sciences, and that religion to which we owe our greatness, by which we are enabled to act a useful part in this life, and which fit us for the enjoyment of a better life hereafter. And it will not be denied, that these form desiderata of no ordinary interest and importance. There are other advantages which, though they be of a subordinate kind, are not without their value.

Among the first, we would refer to the benefits which are likely to result to medical science, by cultivating it in China. Different countries are characterised by the prevalence of certain maladies, and a partial or complete exemption from others; and Providence has displayed, in a striking manner, a corresponding variety in the distribution of remedies. The contemplation of disease, as influenced by the cli

nate, position, inland, or maritime locality of this country, and the general habits of the people, together with an examination into their extensive materia medica, must, therefore, necessarily be attended with considerable advantage to practical medicine.

Secondly. Information will be obtained, in this way, of the highest value to the missionary, and the man of commercial enterprise; for, by such an intercourse as these institutions will afford, the truth will be learned, in some measure, as to the general state of feeling really existing among the people, and the wants and resources of a territory so diversified and extensive, which are only known to us by reports.

Another advantage will be, in the education of Chinese youths in the medical art. Facts show that Chinese parents are not altogether blind to the desirableness of placing their sons in our hospitals, as three are already under tuition in the institution at Canton. Young men, thus instructed, will gradually be dispersed over the empire, and will dispense the benefits of the art which they have learned, wherever they go. The effect of such influences will be silent but powerful.

The state of medical science in China shows the value of our efforts. Their doctors are usually unsuccessful literati, and almost all adopt the common vagaries regarding the pulse-their infallible key to every ailment and concerning the influence of the elements in causing and affecting disease. They admit their ignorance of medical science, especially of anatomy and surgery. An amusing and ridiculous compound of astrological dogmas, and dissertations on the influence of the elements, takes the place of the well-established principles of physiology and chemistry now received in the west. The Chinese, though exclusive in all their policy, come in crowds to our institutions, submitting to operations and medical treatment with unbounded confidence, and with every mark of unfeigned respect and thankfulness.

It has been sometimes objected, that to attend to diseases of men is not the proper business of a missionary. The objection may be shortly answered by a reference to the conduct of our Saviour and his apostles -what he was pleased to do by his divine power, and what they did by miraculous endowments, no one, in these days, can pretend to effect. But we are commanded and encouraged to imitate them, by the use of such means as knowledge and the exercise of a genuine charity will furnish. The importance of education has long been admitted, and none regard its requisite expense as a perversion of sacred funds; not that education can make the Pagan a Christian, but because it is one of the best auxi

liaries, Neither has it been considered a misapplication of money, or of the missionary's talent, to employ science as an instrument wherewith to sweep away the foundations of idolatrous systems; not that science can convert a heathen, but that, by demonstrating to him the falsity of his religion, it may prepare the way for him to seek the truth. A similar rank and equal consideration are what we ask for the healing science and practice.

A peculiarity of the Medical Missionary Society in China is, that it addresses itself to the consideration of all. The man of science and the philanthropist, who look especially to immediate benefits, are here interested. And to the sympathies of those who, while they equally appreciate the desirableness of contributing, in every feasible manner, to the welfare of the species for time, contemplate with unspeakably more solicitude those interests which are eternal, it presents an irresistible and overwhelming claim.

When we survey the vastness of the field, the good to be effected, and when reflecting upon the immense resources of the western hemisphere, we compare these with the small portion of wealth required to secure the desired object, we are confident that benevolence, disinterested like its author, and as expansive as the woes of man are extensive, will not withhold the means. A rare opportunity is here afforded to the philanthropist of doing good. He is invited to unite in accomplishing a great, immediate, and positive good, and to aid in introducing among this people, not only the healing art, but, in its train, the sciences, and all the blessings of Christianity. the various missionary boards, whose cooperation is sought, we would respectfully say, imitate Him whose Gospel you desire to publish to every land. Like him, regard not as beneath your notice the opening of the eyes of the blind, and the ears of the deaf, and the healing of all manner of diseases. Until permitted to publish openly and without restraint the truths of the Gospel, neglect not the opportunity afforded of freely practising its spirit. Scatter to the utmost its fruits, until welcomed to plant the tree that produces them-the "tree of life."

To

Subscriptions and donations in aid of the above object will be thankfully received at the Mission House, Blomfield-street, Finsbury; and at Messrs. Hankey and Co., No. 7, Fenchurch-street, London.