longer beheld, till they should be raised again at the day of resurrection. She was to be attended to the grave by her school-fellows. It was a solemn moment. Two years before, she was blooming and cheerful as they now were. Her coffin became a monitor, and the silent clay even yet seemed to admonish them to seek their happiness in the ways of true religion. No longer could she walk with them to church, a place in which she so much delighted, and where during her illness she longed to go; but now she was to be carried there for the last time, and her young associates were to see her laid in yonder grave. May they follow her example, so far as she followed Christ!

Her relations, who mourned her loss, or, more properly, their loss, which to her, I trust, was gain, have placed at the head of Ann's grave the following inscription, on

a neat stone:

"In memory of
Ann, the daughter of
Thomas and Mary Rowell,
who departed this life,
aged 14 years.

In early life she wisely sought her God,

cheer'd;

While faith in Christ her dying moments Thus blest with grace which heaven alone could give,

She learn'd to die ere thousands learn to live."

Aged reader, hast thou considered the value of thy soul, and sought redemption at the foot of the cross? If not, let the epitaph of so young a person teach thee from the silent grave! O, that they were wise! that they unstood this! that they would consider their latter end!

Since the departure of Ann, two more, over whom I have watched in love to their souls, have been transplanted from this lower scene to expand their lovely blossoms in the paradise of God. Perhaps it may be allowed me, at some future time, to give some account of their happy deaths, particularly of one of them, who gave peculiar joy to the writer when she drew near the confines of the eternal world. Such death-bed scenes should urge us on to greater diligence in training young souls for heaven, and truly to behold if it were but one escape to eternal glory, would, and does, amply repay the many fatiguing hours

rod; Taught by his Spirit, she his truths rever'd,

their service.

M. W.

in my heart, It is less than he deserved; nay, I was secretly pleased. This feeling was murder. The very displacency of the heart is so too. It is a rejoicing in iniquity. How contrary to that divine spirit, 2 Cor. xii. 15.

I used in early life to long to be a martyr-to have some grand opportunity of honouring God-of renouncing all for him. I would hope there was some piety in the feeling, but there was certainly more pride and ignorance. Well, this opportunity occurs every moment. To subdue the lusts of the heart requires more true heroism than to die at the stake.

Ah! but there is no one to see, to admire, to talk about it. Yes, there is; the great God and all the host of heaven are witnesses. Be ambitious, not of human, but divine powers. Seek not the praise of men, but the approval of Him whose favour is worth having. When I preach a bad sermon, I am more distressed for myself than concerned for God and souls. Horrible pride and selfishness! I am sometimes thankful to be humbled in this way, and then I am proud at my humility-still more horrible! A virtuous feeling bringing forth iniquity. Who shall deliver me from this body of death?

To be admitted to the kingdom of Christ-to eat bread there! Why, I am content to be a dog, and pick up one of the children's crumbs. It is enough, to shrink into a corner, and witness their honours-their joys; to hear but a murmuring over the breeze of one of Zion's songs. What, and will the Lord say to me, Sit down to meat with them; join the chorus? The thought affects me to sobs and weeping. My mouth is closed. Lord, thou knowest thy servant. What I feel! what I would say, if the immensity of thy love did not hinder utterance!

People give me credit for more learning than I have. A little goes a great way with those who have none. If I were more virtuous, such a mistake would distress me. I should be ashamed if my ignorance were discovered, and yet I am not displeased to be unknown. Ah, Lord, thou hatest deception! Make me to hate it too: make me an Israelite in whom is no guile.

It is a proof of our corruption, that we learn our mercies by their loss; to bear with others because I need forbearance myself: this is a poor affair. How far from that pu

rity of character which bears though it needs no allowance itself. Lord, I long to resemble thee!

What will be the horror of a soul awakened only in eternity! The condition of brutes is a mighty mystery! they suffer, yet have never sinned. Shall they not be delivered, and partake of the liberty of the sons of God?

It is not safe to look too muchto look only-to pore on our corruptions. Sin defiles and depresses. Connect it with the source of purity and strength. Peter, with his eye on Christ, trod the waves; he sank when he looked away to the billows raging around him.,

It is not safe to reason with sin; we must tear ourselves away from it.

There is a virtuous indignation, but it closes the mouth and opens fountains of tears. " Mine eye runs down with water, because men keep not thy law." There is nothing of personality in holy anger. It is not, who has done it; but what is done, and who is dishonoured.

Every man is the best judge of his own case. Be honest, and you will seldom have occasion to go out of your own bosom to determine. I remember being present many years ago at a discussion of several divines. The subject was this: How are we to understand, and conscientiously to pay to Government the income tax? One started a difficulty; another offered an opinion, and so on. At last, Henry Foster was asked his opinion; than whom, a more upright man never breathed. " Brethren," said he, " I thought last night, I shall have something to say on this subject to-morrow. Conscience put in a word. "H. F. if you had as much money to receive of the Go vernment as you are required to pay, should you meet with any difficulty in interpreting the Act of Parliament?" I said, No."

"Then be honest, H. Foster, and there will be no difficulty for solution or learned discussion."

I am often crushed and bruised by combinations of thoughts strange and horrible! It is almost as if I heard Satan whispering in my ear-saw him standing at my right hand. In they come, fast and thick. I resist and loath them. It is worse and worse. From whence they come, I cannot doubt. They are not my own thoughts; I hate them. They are Satan's, for his image is stamped on them. Yet I am not guiltless. They arise out of former sins, and are suffered to humble me; to teach me to abhor myself and repent afresh-to bring to my remembrance former transgressions; yet Satan shall help me on. He may torment and tease me, but it is because Christ loves me. My league with sin is broken, and hell is in an uproar. "Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have thee, that he may sift thee as wheat; but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not." I believe it, and rejoice while I groan, being burdened.

I have no pleasure in any thing out of God. I am no cynic. I love and use his creatures; but, unconnected with him, they administer no comfort to me: without him all is empty and void.

Afflictions are the waters of Marah-they are wormwood and gall; they wear out the poor body, fret and sour the spirit. The tree of life thrown into them changes their character. It is a sweet bitter; I rejoice in my pain-it is the pledge of my election. One said, in great agony, "Not one pain less." So say I; I am pleased in being bruised. Affliction rends the vail, and I am brought into contact with eternity.

I beat my child, but I groan and weep all the while. O that it were unnecessary!

Has my Master less love than his sinful creature? No; but he takes

MAY 1824.

the rod. Must I correct thee? I must correct. He gives me a stroke, weeping over me. I submit myself; I bless him with tears and looks of thankfulness. He relents, he falls on my neck; " Is Ephraim my dear child: I do remember him still." He lifts me up; he heals my wounds: my heart cries out, Lord, do with me as seemeth good in thy sight. I am quite content to be or suffer as thou pleasest.

The most exquisite feeling of delight I ever experienced, was imparted to me in the midst of pain and suffering. Many and great have been the mercies of my life:.. but my afflictions have been the greatest. There is a secret in these words which none but afflicted be-, lievers can understand: "Shall we receive good at the hands of God, and shall we not receive evil?" Job. ii. 10.

No,

Poh! what affectation! it is not. I am not so senseless as to love pain and sickness; but I welcome every mean which God employs to teach and purify my. nature. I can kiss the rod which destroys sin, though it destroy me also.

It is a great sin to glory in another's weakness. This sin they. commit who amuse themselves and others by relating and dwelling on the folly of a brother.

I want more patience with the dull, and more kindness in my manner, while I am instructing my children.

I observe, the less holy a man is the more closely he cleaves to his own supposed righteousness, and pleads it before God. Strange paradox! But uniform observation confirms the fact.

New converts have sometimes been accused of neglecting their business. To neglect any duty is not right; yet I am not surprized that men but lately brought into a new world should grudge the time spent on the trifles of the old one,,

If men of learning are unwilling to be broken in on, and seem to think every moment lost out of their study, let some allowance be made for those who wish to redeem the time and save their souls. I defend nothing wrong, but in rash and severe censure we seldom take a fair view of the case. It is hatred of religion, and not zeal for

God, which lies at the bottom of such censures.

The cry of nature is, What shall I do? The inquiry of an awakened soul is, What wilt thou have me to do?

We must be wise ourselves before we can understand or duly estimate the sayings of wise men. CLERICUS OXONIENSIS.

MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,

I SCARCELY know how to address you, or indeed what to say, and yet I wish to address you on your all-important eternal interests. I know you are aware of your own state with respect to spiritual things. May the God of all power and grace give you " repentance unto life!" This is, indeed, an ensnaring world; where every thing tends to lead us astray from the Fountain of all good. But recollect, my dearest brother, we shall not live here for ever; we may be called into eternity at a moment's notice, and at " a time when we are not aware." When you rise up in the morning, how can you know whether you shall outlive the day? Some accident may befal you, and sudden sickness may overtake you; or the omnipotent hand of your offended God may send you hence without any warning. "What manner of persons ought we to be?" You may perhaps reply, I know all this as well as you. True; but if you know and do not practice, it will only add to your condemnation. O defer not to seek after God in your early days! If you seek not the Lord now, when he calls to you by his holy word, by religious books, by sermons, by the advice of friends, or even by this letter, how know you but he may shut the door of mercy on you for ever, even in this life? My dear brother, you cannot even seek after God, or

desire good things, without the special assistance of his Holy Spirit; but this, so far from discouraging you, ought to excite your diligence in pursuit of eternal things. None ever waited upon the Lord in vain. If you seek him with all your heart, and plead the merits and death of Christ as your only hope-if you beseech him for Christ's sake to grant you his Holy Spirit, that you may be enabled to strive against sin, and to grow in grace, depend upon it " he will be found of you." Be importunate then, and cease not, day by day, to call upon God; for though he may not answer your prayers immediately (and there may be wise and gracious purposes in this delay), yet surely he will in due time satisfy the desires of your soul. Sooner shall heaven and earth pass away than one soul, who seeks for grace and mercy in the name of Jesus should be unanwered. Christ has said, "I am the way; by me if any man enter in he shall be saved;"-" him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." And St. Paul, by divine inspiration, saith, "Where. fore he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them:" and can they be cast away, for whom Jesus intercedes? Let it, my beloved brother, be amongst your first petitions, that the Lord would give you a relish for spiritual things, and make you, with full purpose of heart, seek after those eternal blessings. The chief means of grace are the word of God and prayer; let me then entreat you to read at least one chapter in the Holy Scriptures every day. And before you begin to read, beseech Almighty God, for Jesus Christ's sake, to make you understand his law-to give you grace to apply what you read, and enable you to profit by it. We have no reason to expect a blessing, even in holy acts, unless we seek it by prayer. It is written, "for this thing I will be inquired of, saith the Lord."

I have heard from yourself, my dear brother, that you not unfrequently neglect private devotion. Let me entreat you, now, to strive earnestly that nothing may prevent your daily attention to this duty. Strive against every feeling of reluctance; and, notwithstanding difficulties, still persevere. The divine blessing will rest upon you while in the path of duty. Let no feeling of disinclination-no idea that your mind is not in a fit state -that you are too wicked-or any similar suggestion of the great enemy, lead you to postpone this duty. It is a great point with the enemy of souls, if he can by any possible device keep us from prayer. He will often make us feel sleepy at the hour of devotion, or lead our wandering thoughts to subjects of earthly interest. So very subtle is he; and except we resist him in "the strength of the Lord," we are sure to be taken captive. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you; draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." Satan well knows that prayer is his most powerful enemy, for thereby we gather grace and strength from on high to resist him. We have God on our side also, who will not suffer him to prevail. No wonder, then, that Satan should use all his artitice to keep us from prayer. And even if he cannot deter us, or entice us, from praying or reading

the word of God, he will endeavour to make our thoughts wander far away. He may, perhaps, even fill our minds with blasphemous ideas, and do us all the mischief in his power. But, blessed be God! the believer in Jesus is safe, though exposed to assaults and temptations. But then he is "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation;" he is in the arms of that Redeemer, who " will not suffer him to be tempted above that he is able, but will with the temptation, make him a way of escape." We know not how long we may enjoy our present privileges. Should we not, then, seek the Lord while we may, while peace and safety are vouchsafed; that when times of trouble come, we may be more established in the right, and be better able " earnestly to contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints." O may the Lord grant you, myself, and all we love on earth, grace to repent truly of our sins, and believe on his Son Jesus Christ! May we be enabled to mortify all our corrupt affections, and abound more and more in every fruit of the Spirit! May we glorify his holy name on earth; be "faithful unto death; and at length receive " the crown of life!" It is, indeed, a fearful thing if we refuse to embrace the offered Saviour. "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Better will it be in the day of judgment for those poor heathens, who have died in their ignorance, than for those who, having heard of Jesus, despise him. O, my muchloved brother, who has been better instructed in the way of righteousness than you? God grant the bread may be found, though "after many days!"

My earnest desire is, to lead you to serious repentance and seeking after God; but be upon your guard against despair. That is another great device of Satan. Never let us presume, upon the mercy