James used to take the bitterest medicines without any reluctance. He folded his hands, shut his eyes, and asked God to bless it to him. “Ah! Margaret, if God do not bless it to me, it will do me no good.” Often she asked, “Is it not bitter?” He would say, “Yes, but Jesus had a bitterer cup to drink for me.”

In the summer of 1841, another remarkable boy, named James Wallace, had died in the Lord. He was one whom God taught in a wonderful manner. He had a singular gift of prayer, and was made useful to many, both old and young. James Laing had known him well in former days. In 1839, a younger brother of James Laing, named Patrick, had died also, not without pleasing marks of having undergone a divine change. It is needful to know these things, to nnderstand the following dream of our little pilgrim.

A short time after he believed, he said, “ Margaret, I will tell you my dream.” Margaret was afraid of some fancy leading him astray, and asked what it was. James—" I thought there was a ladder, the foot of it on earth, and the top of it reached to heaven, I thcught it was heaven I saw. There was a great multitude of people, but I knew none of them but Patrick and Jamsie Wallace. When I was standing on the first or second step of the ladder, Jamsie Wallace looked down and said, “Ay, here's another one coming stepping up,'” He explained it by referring to Jacob's ladder, and that Jesus is the ladder. Margaret said, “Ay, and you are just on the first step."

He was very fond of the life of John Ross, and nearly had it by heart. He said he was in the same mind. Another little book he loved was, “ A Dying Thief and a Dying Saviour.” He left it to his father. The hymn at the end of it, “ There is a fountain filled with blood," often fed his soul.

He could write a little, and, like John Ross, he used that talent in writing down precious sentences. One of his little papers is now before me: “ Stand fast in the Lord. Be ye faithful unto death. Abide in Him, abide in Him. Pray without ceasing. This is the

end."

In the latter part of his illress he was used as an instrument in awakening another boy, whose impressions I earnestly hope may never wear away. D. G. had been a very wild boy-so much so, that he was expelled from the Sabbath school. He found his way into James' cottage, and there saw exemplified the truths he would not listen to in school. From that day till James died, David regularly visited him, and learned from him with deepest interest the things that belonged to his peace. James often prayed with him

alone. Sometimes both prayed at the same time for a new heart. Margaret was always made to withdraw at these times. He pleaded with this boy to seek Jesus when young, “ for it's easier to find Jesus when we are young. Look at Annie (a grown-up person, who had been long under concern), she has been long in seeking Christ, and she is long in finding. Mind what I told you, for I will soon be in heaven.” Boy—“Will you get to heaven ? " James—" Oh yes! all that believe in Christ get to heaven, and I believe that Jesus died for me. Now, David, if I see you on the left hand, you will mind that I often bade you come to Christ.” Boy—“I'll have naebody to pray with me, and tell me about my soul, when you are dead.” James—"I have bidden Margaret pray for you, and I have told the minister ; and go you to our kirk, and he will tell you the way to come to Christ.”

Three times a-day did this anxious inquirer seek the prayers and counsels of his youthful instructor, till James' strength gave way, and he could talk no more. The day before he died the boy canie in ; James could hardly speak, but he looked steadily at liim, and said, “ Seek on, David.”

The last visit I paid to this young Christian was on the Tuesday before he died, in company with Mr Miller of Wallacetown, and Mr Smith, one of our Jewish missionaries at Pesth, who was that same day to sail from his native land. After speaking a little wo prayed, and I asked what I would pray for him. James said,

Dying grace.” He shook hands with us all. When the missionary held his hand, he said, “God's people have much need to pray for you, and for them there.” When we had gone out he said, “Maybe I'll never see the minister again.”

On the Thursday he said, “ Ah! Margaret, mind it's no easy to die. You know nothing about it. Even though you have Christ, it is dark.” The same day he bade her give D. G. his Sunday trousers and new boots, that he might go to the church. He gave his father The Dying Thief; and said, “I am going to give Alick my Bible” (meaning Dew-Drops). There was a piece of money under his pillow. He said it was to buy Bibles to them that never heard of Jesus.

His aunt came in on the Friday morning. He said, "Ol, aunt, don't put off seeking Christ to a death-bed, for if I had Christ to seek to-day, what would have become of me? but I have given my heart to Christ.” Margaret asked him, “What will I do? I will miss your company in the house." James answered, “You maun just go the mair to Jesus. Do not be ill about me now, when I am dead, Margaret If I thought that, I would be sorry; and more than that, God would be angry at you, for I would be far happier. It is better to depart and be with Christ. Ask grace to keep you from it."

All that day he spoke very little. In the evening he grew much worse. His sister wished to sit up with him that night, but lie would not allow her. She said, “ These eyes will soon see Ilim whom your soul loves." James said, “Ay.” After midnight Margaret, seeing him worse, arose and woke her father. She tried to conceal her tears; but James saw them, and said, with a look of solemn earnestness, “Oh, woman, I wonder to see you do the like of that !” He spoke little after this, and about one o'clock on the Saturday morning, 11th June 1842, fell asleep in Jesus.

From this affecting history, all children, and especially the dear children committed to my care, should learn an impressive lesson. What is said of Abel is true of this dear boy: "He, being dead, yet speaketh.” He warned many of you when he was on his dying bed; he prayed for you, and longed for your conversion; and now that he has gone to the world of praise, and holiness, and love, the history of his dying hours is a warning and an invitation to each of you. You see here that you are not too young to have the Holy Spirit striving with you. You are not too young to resist the Holy Ghost. You are not too young to be converted and brought to Christ. If you die without Christ, you will surely perish. The most of you are wicked, idle, profane, prayerless, ungodly children. Many of you are open Sabbath-breakers, liars, and swearers. If you die thus, you will have your part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. You will see this little boy, and others whom you know, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Oh, repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out! You may die very soon. Oh that your latter end may be like kis!

Parents also may learn from this to seek the salvation of their children. Alas! most parents in our day are like the cruel ostrich in the wilderness," which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in the dust; and forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them : She is hardened against her young ones as though they were not hers,” Job xxxix. 14-16. How many of you hold up your children before God and the congregation, and solemnly vow to bring them up for God, to pray for them and in your family with them, and then return to your house with the guilt of perjury upon your soul! Alas, are not the family altars of Scotland for the most part broken down, and lying desolate? Is not family government in most of your houses an empty name? Do not family quarrels, and unholy companies, and profane jests, and sordid worldliness, prevail in most of your tabernacles? What can you expect but that your children shall grow up in your image, formalists, sacrament-breakers, loose livers, fierce, incontinent, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God? Oh that God would touch your hearts by such a tale as this, that you may repent and turn to the Lord, and yearn over your children in the bowels of Jesus Christ ! Would you not love to see them fall asleep in Jesus? Would you not love to meet them at the right hand of the Judge? Seek their conversion now, if you would meet them in glory hereafter. How will you bear to hear their young voices in the judgment, saying, “ This father never prayed for me; this mother never warned me to flee from the wrath to come ?”

Dear brethren in the ministry, and labourers in the Sabbath school, suffer the word of exhortation from one who is “ your brother and companion in tribulation.” May we not learn from this to be more earnest, both in prayers and labours, in seeking the salvation of little children? We have here one bright example more in addition to all those who have been recorded before, that God can convert and edify a child with the same ease with which He can change the heart of a grown man. I have with religious care refrained from embellishing, or in any way exaggerating, the simple record of God's dealings with this boy. We must not “ speak wickedly for God, nor talk deceitfully for Him." All who knew him can bear witness that I have spoken “the words of truth and soberness.” Indeed the half has not been told.

How evident is it, then, that God is willing and able to convert the young! How plain that if God give grace, they can understand and relish divine things as fully as those of mature age! A carnal mind of the first order will evermore despise and reject the way of salvation by Christ; but the mind of a child, quickened by the Holy Spirit, will evermore realize and delight in the rich and glorious mystery of the gospel. “I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.” Let us awake from an unbelieving dream. Let us no more be content to labour without fruit. Let us seek the present conversion to Christ of our little children. Jesus has reason to complain of us that He can do no mighty works in our Sabbath schools because of our unbelief.

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wisą God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME. THE Lord's Supper is the sweetest of all ordinances : 1. Because of the time when it was instituted. “The Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread.” It was the darkest night that ever was in this world, and yet the brightest—the night when his love to sinners was put to the severest test. How amazing that He should remember our comfort at such a time! 2. Because it is the believer's ordinance. It is the duty of all men to pray. God hears even the ravens when they cry, and so He often hears the prayers of unconverted men.-Ps. cvö.; Acts viii. 22. It is the duty of all men to hear the preached gospel. “Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.” But the Lord's Supper is the children's bread; it is intended only for those who know and love the Lord Jesus. 3. Because Christ is the beginning, middle, and end of it. " This do in remembrance of me.” “ Ye do show the Lord's death till He come.” There are many sermons in which Christ is not from beginning to end; many books where you cannot find the fragrance of his name: but there cannot be a sacrament where Christ is not from beginning to end. Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the Lord's Supper; it is all Christ and Hiin crucified. These things give a peculiar sweetness to the broken bread and poured out wine.

I fear the Lord's Supper is profaned in a dreadful manner among you. Many come who are living in positive sins, or in the neglect of positive duties. Many come who know that they were never converted; many who in their hearts ridicule the very thoughts of conversion. Unworthy communicating is a fearful sin ; on account of it God is greatly provoked to withdraw his Spirit from you, to visit you with frowns of providence, and to seal you to the day of perdition. Am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth? Deal honestly with your soul, and pray over what I am now writing; and may He who opened the heart of Lydia open your heart while i explain.

THE ACTIONS OF THE COMMUNICANT. I. He takes the bread and the wine. When the minister offers the bread and wine to those at the table, this represents Christ freely offered to sinners, even the chief. The receiving of the bread and wine means—I do thankfully receive the broken, bleeding Saviour as my Surety. The act of taking that bread and wine is an appro. priating act; it is saying before God, and angels, and men, and