carefully note down her father's conversation and her mother's reply, thus laying up a treasure for those days when all that delighted them should be silent in the dust. Not that the dear child thought thus, for she could not have penned a word under such an impression. These dear parents frequently trembled as they looked upon their rising offspring, and Mrs. Lascelles would say, "O, my love, I can enter into the feelings of poor Rebecca, when she says, Should Jacob take a wife of the daughters of the land, what good would my life do me;' and I cannot help thinking sometimes, if my dear children were to form worldly connexions, my life would indeed become wearisome.". It was just after a conversation of this sort that Edmund Walker came on a visit, bringing tidings of his father and his mother, and kind greeting; and Mr. and Mrs. Lascelles exchanged a look which both understood, but neither explained. It said thus much, "If such a thing were proposed, I should not object, should you?" The thought had passed Edmund's mind, and he came with an observing eye on both the young ladies: he saw the elder, the very transcript of her mother, like her in person, only in the bloom of health and youth, and still more like her in mind, moving so very

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quietly, that you would suppose she did nothing, yet so punctually and orderly, that she accomplished far more than a bustling character could perform; she was a listener of the intelligent kind, her eye shewed an interest in all that passed. There was a look of breathless intelligence about her when the conversation was interesting, as if she feared to lose a word; and when she spoke, it was so to the point, so calm and judicious, that the little Maria would often call her Mamma playfully, intimating that she was as sententious and grave as became the maternal character; while Miss Lascelles would softly stroke her cheek, and only say, Fairy, whither next?" Nothing more severe passed between these devoted sisters, whose contrast of character rather increased than diminished the general happiness. How they were beloved by both parents may be conceived better than described; they saw them carefully pursuing all that pointed to peace and blessedness, avoiding the broad road with fear and trembling, and the line over which they passed from the fallen state to the renewed inward purity was scarcely perceptible; yet the mother, who daily watched with anxious hope for the divine impress, thought she saw somewhat more than poor unassisted nature could produce

in each of their treasures. And how this hope and this perception cheered the heart of each parent is more easily felt than described; for what is all this world can bestow, how poor, how unsatisfactory; at that hour when this mortal must be laid down in the grave; and indeed at no moment can it be said to satisfy a mind of any compass; no, there is a craving desire, a longing after immortality. Edmund Walker saw and admired both the young ladies, and at one moment really hesitated which he should prefer. At length the age of the elder, her steadiness, and many fascinating qualities, determined him, though it may truly be said he could have liked either, had either stood single. It is not my intention to enter at any length on this subject, but we thought the reader would feel an interest in young persons whom he had known so long;-and how different is the manner in which a modest Christian girl receives a declaration of preference to that in which vain worldlyminded young persons look for admiration: the one is calm, and self-possessed, and tranquil; the other full of flutter and restlessness, exalted by mortal preference, seems almost to forget that she is mortal; and we are pleased to say, that during the period of probation these well-trained young

persons forgot no friend, no dependant, but filled with an anxious desire to perform every duty of their little day, they travelled calmly, rationally, and peacefully through that period which is but too commonly marked as a period of selfishness. Dear Mr. Walker's eye flashed delight, when he heard of his son's proposal and his son's acceptance; and indeed we may say, that the families on both sides were equally pleased; and as for Sophy Walker, to whom her brother was inestimably dear, her eyes overflowed with delight, as she said, "Oh Edmund, Matilda Lascelles is the very girl for you. But happiness is not the lot of mortal beings, at least happiness unmixed; for just at this period, when all that was earthly combined to please them, and the smile of heaven was upon them, the disorder of dear Mr. Walker became decidedly worse; hope could no longer flatter those who loved him. His departure was at hand, and the saint was about to enter the presence of his Saviour. His disease became acute, and at first bore hard on the distressed body. It was greatly to be feared, though no doubt could remain to those around him that he was a happy blessed spirit, still it was feared that the clay tenement would press upon the immortal inhabitant, so as to deaden the power of expressing its

hopes. His weeping partner was bowing submissively to the will of God, when this unhoped for gratification, the delight of seeing him depart joyfully was nearly resigned. At this very moment the utmost wishes of her heart were granted, and he spoke of things immortal as one whose lip had been touched by a coal from off the altar.

It is not for me, reader, to attempt to do justice to the expression of that blessedness which a saint on the confines of glory is sometimes permitted to describe, but a few faint recollections I will attempt. It was after a paroxysm of severe pain, when the exquisite relief of ease gives a sense of delight which no one but those who have suffered acutely can conceive; it was at a moment like this that our sainted friend exclaimed, "O, what an awful declaration is this! I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not nigh.' O heavenly Father, I thank thee, this is not my case. Oh, Sophia, you who have seen me in all my weakness, you who have known me in a state of doubt and trembling; hearken, my beloved, my precious partner; come near while I tell you what he has done for my soul. I have the most perfect sense of security; "I know in whom I have believed; and I also know that he is not only able,

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