reverential fear, a filial awe, that was, alike distant from the unfounded fearlessness of the self-deceiver, and the desponding dread of the alarmed but impenitent transgressor. Our dying friend was enabled to enfold herself in that perfect and satisfactory righteousness of the Mediator and surety of his people, which "is unto all, and upon all, them that believe." That "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth :" that, on her behalf, he had answered all its requisitions by his own obedience, and endured its curse to atone for her disobedience, was the consideration that delivered her from the dread of condemnation, and confirmed her inward peace. So simple and calm was her repose on the grace of the Holy Spirit, and the promises of the Saviour, and so abidingly did her thoughts rest where her treasure was, that as I before hinted

Oft converse with heav'nly habitants
Began to cast a beam on th' outward shape,
The unpolluted temple of the mind,

And turn'd it by degrees into the soul's essence,
Till all was made immortal.

יד*

་ ་ Thus was she being rendered meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. Her soul daily advanced in preparedness to enjoy intimate communion with Abel and all the martyrs, with Abraham and all the patriarchs, with Moses and all the prophets, with

St. Paul and all the apostles, with Luke and all the saints, and, above all, with Jesus himself, the Mediator of that new covenant which secured her brightening hopes. She eyed the world of glorified spirits, through the dim glass of Revelation, with eager desire to mingle with its inhabitants. That desire was not the languid wish of the unregenerate and ignorant, who neither relish nor know ought of heavenly things; nor was the end of her desire, in her estimation, a mére refuge from the wrath to come, and more desirable for the shelter it affords from the direst of evils, than for its rich provision of every spiritual good.

The next time I saw Mrs. B- she appeared to be sitting at the gate of the holy city, quietly waiting to hear Come in, thou blessed of the Lord." Her affectionate pastor esteemed it both an enjoyment and a privilege to tarry for hours at her side, either listening to her unaffected disclosure of her feelings, as she drew nearer to death and the grave, or as the helper of her faith and joy. After that interview I suffered but few days to pass before I retraced a road, which I never trod but with pleasure and benefit. My friend P, who is now in a far distant clime, helping forward the chariot of salvation over lands peopled with them that are lost, whom the god of this world hath blinded, accompanied me. Our hearts were as cheerful as the day was bright, and we hastened along

our path, recalling to mind our absent living friends, of the memory of those whose sojourn upon earth was ended, and who were become inhabitants of an abiding city. P, "the son of parents passed into the skies," was emulous of their brilliant example, and panted for what was denied to his beloved father,a dwelling on the banks of the Ganges, from whence he might diffuse around him the knowledge of "the river of life," whose waters effectually cleanse and save the humble and believing pilgrim. Pointing to the neat and modest mansion of a village pastor, my companion said, "Such will be your abode when I am on the other side of the globe: but I would infinitely prefer for myself the meanest hut on the shores of the sacred river. May you turn many to righteousness in this land of light, while I am directing my poor efforts to reclaim and recover a few of those who have reached the farthest point of departure from God, in regions covered with darkness that may be felt.” ↑ : ན Êq; On reaching the Farm-House, we found that still the afflicted saint was lingering; but it was just on the verge of glory. Resigned, without unconcernedness; cheerful, without affectation; weaned from the world, without being unconscious of the strong ties of a husband, an infant family, and many domestic and relative enjoyments, she was sinking to the tomb with unperceived decay. One thing, and only one thing,

"

at this time disturbed the serenity of her mind, the unavoidable departure of that beloved sister, whom imperative duties forced away. Gladly would she have retained her by her side to receive her last breath. But meek submission to the divine will suse tained her under the privation; and an assurance of his presence, who has said to his people, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world,” restored the prevailing tranquillity of her soul. ...It is comparatively easy for them, whose affections were never kindled into fervent love, and never ardently fixed on any earthly connexions, coolly to contemplate the disruption of every temporal relationship; but for one who enjoys the warmest and tenderest regard of many hearts, and who is reciprocally sus ceptible of the strongest affection, to descend into the grave unattended by any of the beloved companions of life, and alone to enter the unseen world, is truly appalling to feeble nature. The spectacle of an emaciated female, in the prime of her days, with every temporal consideration to make life desirable, not only without dismay, nor merely with that acquiescence which protracted sorrow may produce, or that weariness of acute suffering which makes some eager to escape into the narrow house, as a refuge from misery; but with a cheerful and longing soul, contemplating. the approach of death, not as an inevitable evil, but

as the door of admission to every good, was to me a scene of greater glory than the warrior risking life on the field of battle. In her chamber and situation every external circumstance had a direct tendency to augment the native horrors of the grave, and to clothe, in the most direful garb, the king of terrors. She was advancing towards them with a slow and measured pace, which gave her time to view and dwell upon every object that could alarm and depress her mind. But in the field, where the soldier seeks a bloodstained laurel to wither on his haughty brow, or on his untimely grave, all "the pomp and circumstance of glorious war," as it is termed, conspire to give a false colouring and a delusive form to man's last enemies. It is forgotten that the costly monument, which a grateful country may raise over its defenders, hides but a grave; and that the plaudits of admiring crowds reach not, or, if they reach, avail not at the throne of God. In most cases, the valour of the warrior is but a species of mental inebriation, which urges him into the thickest of the fight, without fear, because without reflection, as in tud‚19d84 190 2£

About this time a gentleman, whose religious sentiments were very different from Mrs. B's, being at the farm, went up to see her. On leaving her chamber and joining her husband, he wept, and said, "Mr. B, I am now persuaded, that if any thing