for the worse in his bodily health, but the outward decay was accompanied with increasing inward strength. He said he had had much comfort, in the night, in reflecting upon what had been read to him the evening before, and that he had also thought much of the resurrection. He awoke (his father said) at four o'clock in the morning singing hymns in a loud and clear voice; and was full of conversation, speaking as strongly, or more so, than he ever did in his health. He told his mother, that (except a little wine) he had no wish for any thing in this world but for Mr. to come and read and pray with him. At another time, he said, "It is great comfort for me to see Mr. When he is praying and talking to me, I feel as if I had no pain; and I try afterwards to think over what he said, and to pray with my heart when I am in too much pain to pray with my lips. On one occasion being asked if he felt comfort, he answered, "O yes, Sir.". "Are you ready to go to heaven?" "Yes, quite ready to depart." "And are you willing to stay and suffer longer, if it be the will of God?"-"O yes, quite willing to stay. God's own time is the best time!" He was now evidently hovering on the brink of eternity, and ready to take his flight. I was deprived of the solemn gratification of witnessing his last hours, by a call of duty requiring my absence from home. A friend who visited him shortly before his departure, gives the following account of the closing interview.

"On my entering the room," says the friend referred to, "he appeared to wake up from a doze, uttering an ejaculation of surprise and pleasure at seeing a friend by his bedside. He was much altered. After a few words, it was proposed to read; and he said, Let me have my medicine, that it may stop the cough for me to hear;

and let me sit up in the bed, that I may hear better. A few verses from 1 John, v. were read to him. On being asked, if he knew what was meant by overcoming the world, he answered, It is to believe in Christ; to follow his works, and to forsake all sin.' He appeared to be very near death, and was asked, if he would exchange his present situation for one of earthly prosperity or greatness. With remarkable animation he exclaimed, no! no! I would not exchange with a king, nor a thousand kings and kingdoms!' His approaching dissolution being spoken of, under the idea of passing the waters of Jordan, he said, "I am quite ready to pass over;' and on part of Psalm xxiii. being read, he again repeated that verse; Though I walk through the valley, &c.' 'Are you happy?"Yes, very happy!""

When my friend was about to leave the room he manifested a desire to make a parting request, though through weakness he could scarcely make himself heard. With the assistance of his mother, his wish was interpreted. The request he had to make was, that his little sister might be taken into the Sunday school. The friend replied, that if it was his desire, an application should certainly be made to the ladies who conduct the school. "I do earnestly desire it," he replied, " in order that she may there be taught what is right, and learn the way to heaven. ven. On being told that, as being his dying request, there could be no doubt but it would be complied with, he replied," It is my dying request, and I do thank you." On taking leave of him, he shook hands and smiled very affectionately, and in a few hours afterwards his happy spirit went to its eternal home.

The anxiety which he so evidently manifested for the spiritual welfare of those he left behind, is an

additional proof of his having been made a subject of divine grace; and this evidence shone forth with increasing brightness as he was entering into the dark valley, his last strength being employed (as his father testifies) in offering up fervent prayers for the Lord's blessing to descend upon his parents and friends.

Such was the happy end of little Benjamin. How forcibly does the language and conduct of this dying child illustrate that of the Scripture; "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise. His case is replete with instruction; but I will only beg leave to point out two lessons which it inculcates. And in the first place we may remark, that the instance before us affords much encouragement to parents and instructors. Benjamin's parent does not appear to have any particular ability more than others, for the instruction of his children, neither has he much time to devote to it, having his bread to earn by his daily labour; but, through God's blessing, his instructions, simple as they may have been, were manifestly useful to his dear little boy, and truly consolatory to him must be the testimony of his dying child that he had taught him as well as he could. Do you, my readers, desire, you that are parents, that if it should please God to take from you one of your offspring, the dying child may have to bear the like testimony for you? O then lay the foundation for such a testimony, by doing all you can for the spiritual benefit of your children. How awful will it be, if, when you stand by the dying bed of your children, or when they are called to stand by yours, you have to reflect, I have taken abundant pains to train up my child in the ways of this world, but have taken no care to train him up for heaven. And as the duty of endeavouring to instruct children is enforced by

this instance, and the attempt encouraged, so one of the most effectual means is pointed out, viz. that of questioning them, in a simple familiar manner, respecting what they hear or read, and thus prompting them to be attentive, and leading them to reflect and think for themselves. Let no parent plead incapacity for such an undertaking. The simplest questions are the best; and in questioning your children you will imperceptibly advance yourselves in the knowledge of God's word.

The subject also conveys a striking lesson to children and young persons. To such the case of little Benjamin is calculated to be particularly impressive. It not only teaches them that they must die, but it teaches them in what way alone they can die happy. I pray you, my young friends, not to reckon upon length of days because you are young, no, nor because you are well and lively. Little Benjamin was young and as lively as yourselves a few months ago, and now he is laid in the grave! Do you say poor child? No! happy child! for he has exchanged a world of sin and suffering for a mansion of eternal blessedness. Do you desire to be where he is when you die? Then you must seek salvation in the way he sought it. Do not think that because you go to church, and are in some respects not so openly wicked as some others, that therefore you must be going the right way to heaven. It has been already stated, that little Benjamin was a remarkably dutiful wellbehaved child; but he knew better than to think his goodness was such as to deserve God's favour; he felt that though he had been dutiful to his parents, yet he had not loved and served God "with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength," as he ought to have done; and, therefore, he was deeply humbled and sorry for not having

loved and served God as he ought, and he put his whole trust in Jesus Christ, who died for sinners; and he prayed to God to give him a new heart, and God heard his prayers, and taught him by his holy Spirit, and strengthened him, so that he did not fear death, but was enabled to rejoice in the hope of going to heaven. Now, if you would live holy and die happy, like little Benjamin, you must seek unto God through Jesus Christ, as he did. You must pray to God to give you a new heart and renew a right spirit within you; and, if you do so, God will hear you and bless and pardon all your sins for the sake of Jesus Christ, and will fill your hearts with his love, and will make you peaceful in life, joyful in death, and blessed for ever.

you

One other thing. I particularly beg you to imitate in little Benjamin read your Bibles, and listen to what you hear at church; and when you read or hear any thing which you cannot understand, ask those who can instruct you. Thus, through divine grace, you will increase in spiritual wisdom as you advance in years. I pray God that the happy death of this dear child may be the means of exciting us all, both old and young, to give more earnest heed to those things which belong unto our everlasting peace; that fleeing to the same Saviour in whom this little child found refuge, we may at length attain to that glory of which he is the blissful partaker. Bristol, Dec. 1824.

T. F. J.

1

FRIENDS.

FRIEND after friend departs;
Who hath not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts
That finds not here an end;
Were this frail world our final rest,
Living nor dying none were blest.

Beyond the flight of time,

Beyond the reign of death,

There surely is some blessed clime

Where life is not a breath;

Nor life's affections transient fire,

Whose sparks fly upwards and expire !

There is a world above,

Where parting is unknown;

A long eternity of love

Formed for the good alone;

And faith beholds the dying here
Translated to that glorious sphere!

Thus star by star declines,
Till all are past away:

As morning high and higher shines,
To pure and perfect day:

Nor sink those stars in empty night,

But hide themselves in Heaven's own light.

MONTGOMERY.

THE COTTAGE VISITOR.-No. II.