third, I was summoned to her dear C. you are quite feverish, do dying bed! She received me with go to bed, I will be sure to call for an affectionate smile, and said, you in time.” To satisfy her, we • My dear C. the last time you left her a short time. She had taken were here, I talked of going to see leave of an aged relative, and now you, I shall go out no more, but I desired to take leave of her father, am going to a better place, there who had said (and it seemed she I shall meet you again. Her knew it) that he could not bear to mother interrupted her by saying see her die. She had, during the to me, Poor child, she had re- day, continued to ask for him, quested me to get a frock, altered whenever he had left the room. I for her to wear when she could sit do not know what she said to him up a little. A. immediately an. at parting, but she never mentioned swered, “I shall not wear it now, his name afterwards. From about my dear mother, for I shall be four to six her pains increased, but clothed in the garment of my Sa- about six the struggle was over, viour's righteousness, with a crown disease had gained the victory and a of glory. I said, “ It is delightful calm ensued. The sweet child lay to see you so happy, though it is tranquil until nearly eight, but she distressing to witness your suffer- did not speak until a few minutes ings. She replied, “Indeed I am before the immortal spirit gained happy, and my afflictions are good, its glad release. I was standing for God appoints them, I hope he close to her bed, she drew me to will give me patience, and if it her, and with a voice faultering in please him, take me soon, but His death, she said, “Kiss me, C. I am will be done. Her medicine be going, I am going.' I felt at that ing offered her, she at first mildly moment more of joy than grief, refused it, saying, “It is of no use ;' but the pangs of separation were but seeming to recollect herself, afterwards indeed severe. she said, “But it is right to take There are some important things it.' She shortly after took leave to be mentioned, as illustrative of of her medical attendant, whom the grace of God in the soul of the she thanked for his kind attentions dear departed; and also of his saying, it was the Lord's will to fatherly tenderness towards her take her. Her pains were most under her bodily afflictions. Her severe, so that she frequently ex- exemplary patience I have already pressed apprehension lest she should spoken of. She was naturally be impatient, and when in agony of impatient, and somewhat irritable. pain would cry, “Lord give me Before her illness she had never patience." In the evening she seemed to take pleasure in religious was somewhat easier, and on the duties, and though she was attenlights being brought into the room, tive to the wishes of her mother she lifted up her eyes, and with a in all things, yet ber liveliness was look almost angelic, said, “No a frequent cause of anxiety, her night there. A friend having mother fearing that she never recalled to see her, said to her on flected seriously. She was, howleaving the room, 'Good night, ever, far from being irreverent in Miss T. I hope to find you better her conduct respecting persons or to-morrow;' to which she answer things; her gaiety was that of ed, 'I hope to be in glory before innocence and simplicity; por to-morrow. About the hour of would she knowingly have grieved eleven, she requested me with her or offended any one ; but even mother to retire to rest, for she in this there was a remarkable knew we needed it; and taking my change after she had been ill; hand, she said, “You will be ill, my some days her countenance, which had always been the index of her given particular orders respecting heart, wore the impress of heavenly her funeral, in which her affection tranquillity; humility, love, and to her parents, and care for their devout resignation, were sweetly sorrow on her account, were truly delineated in her placid features, surprising, considering her own and were daily manifested in all she personal sufferings and weakness. said or did ; her chief, and I may She desired to spare her dear mother say her only care, was to glorify all the care she could, and requested the God of her salvation. When that no unnecessary expence might it was told her that it was thought be incurred, selecting some elderly she might recover, she expressed men who were her poor neighbours neither pleasure nor regret, but to carry her to the grave; and that spoke of what she intended to do, some young women whom she by which she might hope to glorify named, and to whose mothers or God, and be an instrument of good fathers, or to themselves, she to the souls of others. I have not thought some gratitude was due for mentioned the visits of her minister, services they had done her should who is truly evangelical ; they bear her pall, expressing her hope were frequent, and she delighted in that the scene might be impresthem, though she spoke very little. sive and productive of good to Her mother informed me that Mr. some of them, as she was herself - had never conversed particularly so young. It was indeed an imwith her, and when he asked her pressive scene, she was greatly any questions, she merely replied in beloved, and she was “no more.” the affirmative or negative; but this I next observe that the pity of is sufficiently accounted for without the Lord was strikingly shown in any imputation on his zeal or faith- her conversion, as she appears to fulness, for A. was always modest have been at once brought to the and diffident, and I have heard knowledge of sin, and the way of her express both esteem and re- salvation; but she was in the furverence for Mr. —, she was affec- nace of affliction, and needed all the tionately attached to his family, but support of divine peace, which was could not herself talk to him. He shown in her patience under the was informed of her state both of most excruciating pains of body, mind and body by her mother and and which enabled her to glorify myself, in whose judgment he had God in the agony of them ; for all confidence; and was more than who witnessed were astonished, and once sent for at A's request, though many glorified God in her. she could scarcely speak when he I might add much more. One reached her ; but she observed his thing I cannot omit. On opening words comforted her, and his prayers a Bible, several beautiful passages did her good. I was once present were found marked by herself; and when he was with her, and on his on a blank leaf is written a prayer mentioning the wonderful dealings taken from Ephesians 3d chapter, of God with his people, she an- beginning with the 16th verse, swered in the words of the Psalmist, which proves that the work of “ His way is in the sea, his path in divine grace was begun in her, the great waters, and his footsteps previous to her illness. Methinks are not known.” She requested of I see her beckoning me to press her mother to ask Mr. — to preach forward, methinks I hear her say, a sermon to young people after her 'Come onward, nor heed the toils death, from Eccles. xii. and she of the way.' I come, my beloved, I choose a hymn to be sung at her fune. haste to meet thee, I long to join ral, from Dr. Watts, · Why do we thy happy spirit in the paradise mourn departing friends. She had of rest. ON APPOINTING CHAPLAINS TO CONVICT SHIPS. Sin,-Being situated in one of our Government, they were most overgreat sea ports, and having an looked. It may then be asked, anxious desire to supply the word What plan appears eligible to meet of God, both to His Majesty's ships the question ? I am aware the and those engaged in commerce; ground on which I am treading is I often am led on board of all sorts difficult to pass over; still I do of vessels, and among others, two think it can be overcome. Sup. of late have come under my notice posing, for instance, the Church employed in conveying convicts. Missionary Society, by the perThe one the Coromandel, bound to mission of His Majesty's GovernBermuda, the other the Bengal ment, should take these vessels Merchant, for New South Wales. beneath their especial care ; and The temporal wants of the poor surely in no quarter of the world prisoners appeared well attended to could they find a more important in every respect; and a certain field of labour ; and let them approportion of books had been wisely point, as chaplain of such convict granted by Government to each ships, a self-denying Missionary : mess. On board the Coromandel one who feels, and in some measure there were no Prayer Buoks, I knows the value of the soul. Let supplied each mess with one, and him be the pastor of this outcast the Bengal merchant having no flock-and under the blessing of Homilies, I also assisted them as God's Holy Spirit the happiest refar as my stock went. On leaving sults may be expected. Should any the last of these vessels my mind of the readers of your valuable ruminated on the strangeness of miscellany offer any mature plan, the scene just left; and the thought I shall be most happy, and feel presented itself, that of all people deeply grateful to have been the least these poor creatures most needed instrumental in furthering so desirreligious instruction, and yet per. able an object, and in the mean time haps, of all beneath the eye of remain your humble servant, W. TO MY SAVIOUR. Night hath no wings to him that cannot sleep, ROBERT HERRICK, 1620. ON DEALING SINCERELY WITH CHILDREN. The subject of education has been estimate of their own powers, that to use a homely phrase, almost they may attempt whatever is worn thread-bare, yet there is one likely to succeed, and avoid such point, which though it may be employments as may more protheoretically allowed by all, is not bably fail. Does not then a system by all carried into effect. The of deception in the management writer of this is anxious to lead the of children; by which is here more attention of others to it, having particularly meant, such a system often perceived and experienced as aims to repress the vanity of the the injurious tendency of a line more gifted, by false views of the of conduct opposed to that here talents bestowed on him, &c. tend recommended. It must be admit- gradually to prepare him for misted by such as take the Holy Scrip- takes in his future course of life? tures for their standard of principle It is not, for a moment, intended and action, that “the way of to recommend any plan which is truth” is the course invariably likely to lead children to act for recommended, indeed plainly de- themselves, or think independently, clared to be the only one which before they are able to form their God will bless. Is it not then own judgment, or before it would consistent with this infallible guide, be good for them to choose their as well as with common sense, own path; all desired is to plead that in the treatment of children, for them to be treated as friendsin which God's blessing should to be allowed to see that the hearts be peculiarly sought, this obvious of their parents are full of " love” duty should constantly be kept in to them, and for them, to be conview? vinced that they are “ the words It has been said, that in early of truth” which are “ breathed childhood the parent or teacher from their lips.” It is suggested stands in the place of God; and is that varieties of natural talents are he not a God of truth, to whom in some respects like bodily differguile is an abomination ? Till we ences of figure and stature, and feel confidence and firm reliance on surely we should never expect to our heavenly Father, we do not be believed, if we endeavoured to heartily devote ourselves to His persuade several children of unequal service, or love his commandments, heights, that they were all of a so as to find them "s perfect free. size. Will not the wonderful disdom.” Surely then that child will cernment, peculiar to childhood most delight to obey the parent immediately detect a sentiment who, he is certain, never deceives assumed to answer a particular him; and who, though he may purpose; and will not such a diskeep from him such knowledge, covery give a stab, perhaps with as is unsuitable to his age or capa. some tempers, a stab for life, to city, and may give that reason for that tender, confiding, ingenuous doing so, will in all he does and disposition, which is the loveliest says act simply for his child's good, characteristic of childhood, and and that in the way commanded perhaps next to the fear of God, in the Bible, never for a moment the greatest safe-guard of youth, allowing the shadow of the hollow while the blessing of a parent's maxim, “Let us do evil that good guidance is continued. may come.” These ideas have been suggested, It appears that the usefulness as most probably is generally the of characters depends upon a just case in papers of this kind, by particular circumstances. Should of daily occurrence to that unerring they meet the eye of any person standard, (from which, in trifles, candid enough to consider them too many are apt to deviate, who, even though they may be at vari- in great points, make it the busiance with some parts of his own ness of their lives to act upon its conduct, the writer's object will be precepts) and to remember in their attained : as it is confidently be- rejection or acceptance of every lieved, that an investigation of the opinion the injunction “ To the subject will conduct all who desire law, and to the testimony. If they to be guided by the pure light speak not according to this word, of the scriptures to the same it is because there is no light in conclusion. Perhaps no one would them. Isa. viii. 20. be injured by referring every thing A FRIEND TO ALL. “ CHRIST IS ALL,” COLOSSIANS III. 11. “ Christ is all,” He is all to me objects, through the medium of the as the end of the law for righte- outward senses, preclude the possiousness, the substance of prophecy, bility of doing justice to this most the sum of the gospel, the life amazing subject. But though the of the promises : my wisdom to mortal weighs down the immortal direct me, my righteousness to part at present; ere long, I trust, justify me, my sanctification to I shall arrive where, amidst the make me holy, and my redemption innumerable hosts of heaven, I to make me completely happy in shall know Him more fully, and worlds of unutterable joy. He is to all eternity adore his name, and the perfection of glory, the standard proclaim his praise. Reader, 0, of holiness, truth without any de Reader ! study the excellencies of fect of error, holiness without the the Person of Jesus, and the riches least taint of pollution, the chief of his grace ;-flee for refuge to among ten thousand! Whatever him ;-cast your burdens upon is desirable on earth, whatever is Him, trust entirely in Him. May attractive in heaven, all the graces His Eternal Spirit glorify Him in of time, all the glories of eternity, you, in the dignity of His person, meet in Him their proper centre, the perfection of His righteousnes, flow from Him their original source, the suitableness of His character, are resolved into Him their final the mysteries of his love ;-may end. His promises, how precious! you live upon his fulness, draw His work, how perfect! His love, continually out of it, abound in His how yast! His mercy, how bound work, find Him your all, in all, less! His truth, how immutable ! amidst the changing scenes of life, His power, how omnipotent! His and in the hour of death; in that grace, how sovereign! His coun- solemn hour, may you rise on the sels, how profound! His people supporting wings of angels to the how secure! His presence, how climes of bliss, your soul he preblissful! His smiles how trans- sented faultless before the throne, porting! His gospel, how free! complete in Him, and be swallowed His law, how holy! His precepts up in all the ravisbing fulness of how pure! His threatenings, how God. And at the resurrection tremendous ! But how little of of the just, may your body rise in Him who in all things has the pre- all the glories of incorruption ;eminence can be known ! the pover. may it then be beautiful as the ty of mortal language, the con- temple of heaven, and animated tracted nature of the human intel- with a life, pure as the life of lect, the necessity of receiving all God. our ideas of spiritual and eternal R. L. |