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can support in a dying hour, it is the religion of your wife."

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The elevated and blissful character of her thoughts cannot be better illustrated than by the reply she made to her sister, who, coming into her room early one morning, inquired how she had passed the night. "I have passed it," she said, "without sleep, but not without comfort. My mind has been engaged in dwelling upon one thought, which was suggested by the hymn you kindly read before you quitted my side last night. The thought was, that when my liberated soul enters the heavenly world, although at the very entrance, and through all the distance I may have to pass, I shall be surrounded by ten thousand objects of unutterable glory and attraction, I shall not for a moment be detained by the contemplation of them, but shall eagerly press on till I reach the throne of the Lamb that was slain, and, falling down at his feet, give him all the praise and honour of my salvation." In this manner did she, through her declining days, evidence her saving acquaintance with God, not only as her Maker, but also as her Redeemer, "who giveth songs in the night.",

19 2 9am z'a' ProdA The last time I enjoyed the privilege of seeing this excellent woman, was in the evening of one of the longest days of that summer of which she just saw the close. After a wet and lowering day, the weather

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cleared up, and the descending sun was pouring the full stream of his light through the chamber window, and on the bed of Mrs. B. Our brief conversation was of the most affecting cast. All was peace within. The outward frame scarcely retained its immortal tenant, who was ready to depart. At her request I read the last nine verses of the seventh chapter of that sublime book which terminates the volume of inspiration. She listened with all the lively attention of one who was already familiar with the picture, and who was daily expecting to see, the original. Nor would she allow me to leave her without first bending at her side in prayer. When I rose from my knees, the sun's last ray fell upon her countenance, which already seemed to shine with light sent down from above. She grasped my hand with a strength which I deemed her incapable of exerting. Calmly and firmly she said, "We shall again see each other before the throne."

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I had no opportunity of revisiting G until its amiable and pious mistress had been some months in heaven. The short remainder of her earthly pilgrimage was of the same tenor with that part which I have described, and which, till the end of my own sojourn upon earth, will afford me the sweetest and most sacred recollections.

Saw you that light which glow'd upon the sky?
Heard you that echo from the courts on high?
'Twas more than solar light: a radiant beam
That 'scap'd heav'n's portal-a bright stream
From glory's fount: it cloth'd in living light
The 'spirit of the saint, now pure and bright
As shine the stars that gem the crown of night.
Disburthen'd of the flesh, she left the bed
Of languor and of pain: she sigh'd, and fled,
On wings of seraphim, to life and bliss.
That echo! Sweeter that when breezes kiss
Eolian strings, charming the ravish'd ears
Of trav'lers. 'Twas the music of the spheres
Hymning high themes of praise: no-sweeter far
Than when the sons of God-each morning star-
Together sang, shouting for joy. The sound
Was the mix'd song of saints and angels round

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The throne of God. "All hail! All hail!" they

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THE PENITENT.

1

MR. R

was a tradesman, who, by persevering industry and economy, amassed very considerable property. But till very late in life he remained destitute of the true riches. So neglected and uncultivated was his mind, that he had passed the common boundary of human existence, three score years and ten, before he gained possession of that key of knowledge, the art of reading. Moved by some measure of solicitude for his eternal welfare, he at that advanced age taught himself to read by the aid of a Common Prayer Book, printed in a very large type. That solicitude, however, was not sufficiently strong to bring him regularly to the house of God. I have observed him constantly attend public worship for a few weeks, and then I saw no more of him for as many months. Yet, though himself not governed by religious principle, he always entertained a sincere respect for those whom he knew to live under its power. He once told me, that he never could join in the scoffs he sometimes heard vented against pious persons, and that he was accustomed to rebuke, rather than encourage, such

impiety. But the influence of his general example upon his family may be readily conceived. They habitually stood aloof from all that bore the form and semblance of religion. I often sighed as I passed by his dwelling, viewing it as inaccessible to my pastoral labours.

One Sunday I was greatly surprised by a pressing request to visit Mr. R, who was seized with his last sickness. I hastened to his chamber; and when I entered, he was sitting on the side of his bed undressed, and in evident perturbation of mind. I begged him to be composed, and he lay down. "You come," said he, "to see a wretched man who has spent a long life in scraping together a heap of mucka heap of money. That has had all my thoughts. I have cared about nothing else. Now I am a dying man; and I would give ten times all that I possess if it was in my power to get any good for my soul. O! I am a poor miserable wretch. What must I do?" Again I entreated him to be calm. I commented on what he had told me, the truth of which I too well knew, endeavouring to probe the wound to the bottom, to see whether it had reached the heart. His tears flowed abundantly as I spoke, and he listened with all the intentness of a man who felt himself perishing, and was eager for deliverance. I then directed his attention to the cross, and to him who hung upon it, as

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