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THE COTTAGE VISITOR.-No. V.

I HAD procured a young person to wait upon the childless father, and supply the place of his glorified daughter; but he needed not her attendance long-the last tie that had bound him to earth had been snapped asunder, and now his longing spirit was gradually unrobing herself of her burden of mortality, and preparing to wing her way to that "land of pure delight" where the tree of life blooms in immortal verdure, and the "spirits of the just" enjoy the felicity of heaven.

I saw him once before he died; and could the sneering infidel, or the doubting sceptic, have witnessed such a scene, methinks they would have withdrawn their hatred to a system so consolatory when every other consolation fails, so supporting when every other support is worthless and insufficient; that unfolds the brightest prospects to the mind of the departing Christian, and enables him to look forward, through the gloomy shades of the dark valley, to the transcendent glories of the eternal world, and to the incomprehensible delights that await him in the mansions of his Father's house. Never to me had the religion of Jesus appeared so valuable and desirable, never had I seen its practical influence so powerfully demonstrated, as in the case of this venerable Christian. He had been stripped of every earthly relative-not one was left to support his age, and cheer him in

the close of existence-but not

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could not help observing the difference in the appearance both of that and the garden which surrounded it. The jessamine tree hung careless from the walls; weeds occupied the place of flowers; grass sprung upon the path where the feet of industry no longer trod, and every object carried the appearance of neglect, as if in accordance with the sorrow that reigned within.

I had entered unperceived by the old man. He was sat in his usual chair, with his hands folded in each other, and his eyes thoughtfully bent upon the fire; his dog lay at his feet, looking mournfully up into his face, as though sharing in his distress, and willing to sympathize in his afflictions. The chair that Maria had once occupied was situated in the same place: it was empty, the girl who attended the old man being absent. As I contrasted this mournful scene with the one I had there previously witnessed, my bosom heaved with an involuntary sigh. At the sound, the old man raised his eyes: he started as they fell upon mine; but his surprise soon changed into joy.

"Oh, sir," he exclaimed, "I am glad to see you; I have thought about you many times since I saw you last. My poor dear child". he could proceed no farther

"Is released," I continued, "from all her afflictions, and fled to her everlasting rest."

He again summoned his fortitude. "Yes, she is and I shall soon follow her. Oh, happy, happy time! I have done with the world: "There's nothing here demands my joy,

There's nothing like my GOD."

Oh, sir! it would have done any one's heart good to have heard my dear child. She was happy to the very last. Her last words were, 'I am ready.' Yes, dear soul of her "

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-Here his feelings were again too powerful for him. I would have told him to have dried his tears, but my own prevented me.

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I do not repine, sir.-I thank God I am kept from that. "Tis all for the best."

"It is a great comfort for you to be so assured of your daughter's happiness."

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Happiness!-who could doubt it? no one. She is as happy as heaven can make her.-Oh, sir, she was a loving child,-she was never better than when she was doing any thing for me. I miss her very much. But I don't want her back again, for my loss is her gain. But you know, sir, nature is weak, very weak."

"I know it is," I replied, "and the religion of Jesus no where commands its votaries to indulge in apathy and indifference. If the Author and Finisher of our faith' could weep over the grave of his friend, surely it is not only harmless, but virtuous, in his followers to imitate so interesting an example. But they have this advantage, above those who are 'strangers to the covenant of promise,' they sorrow not as those without hope:' they can anticipate the period when the broken tie will be re-united, to separate no more for ever-when all sighs shall be chased from their bosoms, and 'all tears shall be wiped away from their eyes.'"

"I know it, sir, I know it, by experience. I have travelled in the wilderness four-score years; and now the blessed Canaan is in sight

-I have finished my course-come, Lord Jesus!"-Here he clasped his hands and raised his streaming eyes to heaven: the dog, observant of the action, jumped upon his feet, and moaned aloud. "Poor Carlo," said the old man, as he patted his head; "thou too hast lost a friend." The faithful creature, satisfied by the notice he had gained, again extended himself at his master's feet. I now rose to take my last farewell of this afflicted but happy Christian. He grasped my hand with affectionate fervour, as he exclaimed, "If the blessing of an old man can do you any good,-may God Almighty bless you in your goings out and comings in, from this time forth, and for evermore.'"

"Farewell, John-." I could say no more, and I left the venerable believer, to see him no more till my soul shall have passed the impenetrable veil that hides him from my view, and stand with him in the

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'city of God," decked in the garment of salvation, and uniting in the celestial hallelujahs of the redeemed.

Not long after this, all that was mortal of this follower of Jesus, mingled with its fellow-dust, while his spotless spirit returned to the God who gave it, and to the Saviour who redeemed it.

Reader! be thou a follower of them "who through faith and patience inherit the promises," that in life you may be thus supported, in death be thus triumphant, and finally and eternally participate in their blessedness, and share in their felicity.

→. II.

MATT. IX. 15.-CUNNINGHAM'S "MORNING THOUGHTS."
CAN we mourn when the Bridegroom is near;
When He draws the dark veil from his face;

When His voice gently falls on our ear,
And we dwell in the beam of His grace.

Ah, no! Let him mourn whose delight

Is to feed on the husks of the world,

To sport in its pitiful light,.

And in all its fierce eddies be hurled.

He may wander, all dark and forlorn--
Thou hast chased all our mourning away :
Oh! if such be the brightness of morn,
What must be the glories of day!

A SHORT ACCOUNT OF MRS. S. V.

SIR,-Months have now passed away since I committed to the dust the remains of a dear and amiable wife, torn from me by a rapid consumption, which confined her almost entirely to the bed of languishing, from the day she presented me with a smiling and lovely babe, now, with its sainted mother, singing the praises of the dear Redeemer. Though the smooth and gentle hand of time, aided by the consolations of religion, has partly healed the wound inflicted by this heavy and severe bereavement, yet the recollection of my loss will sometimes open the wound, and cause it to bleed afresh; though, at the same time, it brings before me the meekness and patient sufferingsof her who, when "living, lived to the Lord; and when dying, died to the Lord;" and thus pours into my wound the healing balm of consolation; "knowing that, as Jesus died, and rose again; even so them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

In communicating a few circumstances connected with the dying hours of my dear departed partner, I have nothing to record of rapturous and ecstatic joys, which, at best, are of a very doubtful nature; and, alas! too often expressed where little Christian experience has been previously felt; and the walk, if not in many respects outwardly inconsistent, at least careless and lukewarm. Such was not the case with the dear departed object of my affections: "while living, she lived to the Lord," and "walked closely" and "humbly" with him. Never will be effaced from my memory the pious breathings of her soul, in the sacred hours of retirement, when, as an "heir together with myself of the grace of life," her prayers ascended to the Throne of Grace, in behalf of her now sorrowing husband, her relatives and dear friends, the church, and the world. Nor was it only in the closet

that she thus lived to the Lord: in her intercourse with Christians and the world, she exemplified the spirit of her prayers in her daily practice. Meekness and Christian charity were indeed the ornaments of her profession; and whilst she bore a peculiar affection towards those who professed themselves the followers of Christ, she was unwearied in her exertions for the good of all amongst whom she lived; and not a day of her life was suffered to pass away, without calling herself to a strict account as to the manner in which she had spent it and though, to human observation, no omission of duty discovered itself, yet she daily acknowledged herself "an unprofitable servant;" and found, as she used to say, more and more the necessity of renewed acts of repentance towards God, and faith in the blood of sprinkling."

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In the month of April, 1823, the first symptoms of her disease began to make their appearance. Oh ! never shall I forget the first communication made to me that her recovery was doubtful, if not hopeless!Alas, every succeeding day tended to confirm the suspicions of her medical attendants; and in two short months, from the commencement of her disease, she was almost entirely confined to that bed in which she breathed her last. Possessed of a most tender and affectionate disposition, and, as it regarded her afflicted husband, strengthened by the circumstance of her having just presented him with her first-born child; the prospect of so early and unexpected a separation brought, for a time, a damp upon her soul, and disturbed her wonted serenity and peace of mind; nor was it without great conflicts with the enemy of souls, that she was enabled to get the better of her earthly attachments. Weighed down with a sense

of her unworthiness, and too strong attachment to the creature, she refused, almost, to be comforted: a frequent exhibition, however, of Gospel promises, so exceeding great and precious" to believing souls, revived her fainting spirits, and, though no expressions of rapturous or ecstatic joys escaped her lips, she attained to that calm, unruffled serenity and peace of mind, for which she had hitherto been distinguished. The visits of two Christian friends and ministers were particularly blessed to her, especially when one of them, who read to her a portion of the 4th chapter of the Gospel of St. John, spoke of the joys of heaven, and brought to her view many sweet promises made to humble and contrite souls; namely, that "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." "Oh!" she exclaimed, with clasped hands-and never shall I forget the sweet smile that brightened her countenance as she uttered the words-" Oh! that I had wings like a dove, for then I would fly away and be at rest! This makes me long to be gone."-This was about six weeks before her departure; from this time, with but few interruptions, she enjoyed a sweet and composed spirit. She frequentlycomplained of her impatience under suffering (though not a murmur ever escaped her lips), and never permitted me to omit in prayer a petition that she might be more patient." About four or five days before her dissolution took place, it began to

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be evident that her departure was at hand, and that she was rapidly sinking. Having disposed of a few articles to Christian friends, she now dismissed all worldly cares. On the day previous to her death, she expressed herself to me as willing to "depart and to be with Christ, as far better." Upon those who surrounded her dying bed, after having spent a few moments with her in prayer, she earnestly pronounced a blessing, as well as all other Christian friends who had contributed to her comfort. She expressed herself as it regarded her own feelings, in the following words: "Oh! blessed Jesus! thou wilt never leave me nor forsake me.' My dear friends, you will perhaps not think me sincere-I know and feel myself an unworthy servant: oh that I could be more humble! Do not, my dear husband, say any thing to exalt me.

-Satan is very busy now; but Jesus is my Saviour." From this time she was only able to speak a few words. Shortly before she died she expressed a desire "to depart and be with Christ ;" and, beseeching us to kneel down and pray on her behalf, she calmly breathed her last in my arms, and sweetly "fell asleep in Jesus." Yes, dear departed saint! thy sufferings are now exchanged for "a crown of glory that fadeth not away." Thou art now in that happy country, the blessed inhabitants of which shall no more say "I am sick;" and where sorrow and sighing are fled away. W

ON MINISTERIAL UNSUCCESSFULNESS. THE remarks in your last on "Ministerial Unsuccessfulness,"were very sensible, and very much to the purpose; but there are a few things which I wish to say in addition.

One way to know the cause of failure in any undertaking, is to find out whether the means are different in any respect from those used when it was attended with

success, or whether there is any difference in the circumstances connected with it. The Apostles' ministry was crowned with remarkable success; so was the ministry of the Reformers; and so was the ministry of our modern Reformers, that of Whitfield, Walker, Romaine, Newton, Berridge, Milner, Robinson, &c. Now, in what do minis

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ters of the present day differ from those that "turned many to righteousness? Do they preach different doctrines? No; for I believe that most of those called Evangelical, preach the same truths with the Apostles and Reformers, both ancient and modern. Do they preach with the same simplicity, or with the same plainness of speech? Most, I think, do; though, at the same time, there is perhaps a little difference in this respect, but no more, in my view, than what is necessary from the improved state of society. Is their moral conduct the same? As far as exemption from gross sins go, the affirmative is generally true.-Is their Chris tian conduct the same? Is their abstraction from, and deadness to, the world the same? Is their heavenly-mindedness the same? Is their spirit of prayer, and love to souls, and zeal for God, the same? Deem me not uncharitable, I do not mean to exclude myself: we differ, I fear, generally too much from those mentioned above in all these respects. A worldly spirit hath seized us. We are not now persecuted; and we and the world are now on too friendly terms. We enter too much into its views, habits, maxims, and customs; we become too much conformed to it: and hence the cross is avoided, and many can now, without any difficulty, without any self-denial, become doctrinally Evangelical preachers. The world may become reconciled to the speculative part of the Gospel, or rather to its truths speculatively considered; but to its spirit it never

can.

I shall mention another point of difference. We in the present day, I fear, do not feel that deep concern for souls which the Apostles and Reformers did. That expression of St. Paul is a remarkable one; "My dear children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you." (Gal. iv. 19.) Such was his concern for them, so

deep was his anxiety for their salvation, that he compared his pain with that of a woman in travail. We may pray for the conversion of souls: the duty being set before us, we may easily see its reasonableness, and formally comply with it: but to be deeply engaged in it, to pray fervently from the heart, is quite a different thing. The head, in the present day, is greatly enlightened; but the heart is not sufficiently engaged in the business of our office. To labour with the spirit for the salvation of souls; to wrestle as it were with God, like Jacob, until we prevail, is what we want. We should pray, not only for the out-pouring of the Spirit on our congregations, but pray also for the spirit of prayer and supplication for ourselves. We should prosecute our work with the concern and anxiety of those that know the value of souls,

that feel the infinite importance of eternal things. I speak, Sir, from a personal sense of deficiency in this respect, as well as from observation. Hence it is that there is so much of what I may call theatrical preaching. Many of us preach the Gospel as persons acting a part, without appearing to be in any adequate degree concerned in what we preach. We speak very correctly and very fluently of man's lost state; of God's glorious provisions of mercy; of Christ's fulness and sufficiency for our wants; of the miseries of vice, and of the felicity of heaven; but not with that deep seriousness, and intensity of feeling, which would convince all that hear us that we really believe all we say. May the Lord reform us in this respect, and enable us to feel a deep interest in the salvation of souls!

How far our public meetings, and charitable exertions or missionary labours, become, through our corrupt nature, injurious to our own spirit and spiritual improvement, may be the subject of another communication.

Yours truly,

M. S.

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