ix God;" and a precious volume it is! It is also equally strange that, as the sad dispensations of which this little work treats are so rife in the families of men, no author has given his attention to the subject in all its bearings, and made a small and cheap book expressly for the benefit and consolation of bereaved parents. It is true that in many of the works coming under the head of the consolatory, the theme of the Author has been adverted to; but this is all, as far as he could learn. He has, therefore, sought to fill up a vacuum in religious literature which must have been often and severely felt by those whose homes have been desolated by the Great Destroyer. How far he has been successful, he leaves it with the Christian public to decide. The Author has dwelt only on those great truths concerning which Christians of all denominations are unanimously agreed, and has studiously avoided introducing any and every disputed point in divinity. His design was not to stir up controversy on those things on which Christians agree to differ, but to write a book abounding with heavenly comfort, and which every true believer, of whatever sect or party, might, without the least prejudice, peruse. He has gladly passed by the arena of theological strife, and hastened to "the house of mourning" to "bind up the broken-hearted," and to maintain the charac ter of a "son of consolation." He has written in simple and devout language, with a warm and sympathising heart, and often with a tearful eye: and though X he is aware he falls far short of what he ought to have written, as his motive was pure, he trusts that his "labour will not be in vain in the Lord." Thanking the Christian public for the kind reception given to "The Hope of the Bereaved," the Author hopes his second effort will be none the less welcome to the homes and hearts of those who have waded through the deep and dark waters of bereaving trial. With unfeigned gratitude to the God of Love, he lays his little book on "the altar that sanctifieth the gift," and most fervently prays that His benediction, "which maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow with it," may accompany it wherever it goes. OCTOBER, 1854. E. D. CONTENTS. Little Children God's Jewels-Man's Conduct towards them-Their Influence upon the Heart-Lord Byron - Rev. T. Binney-Infidelity-Children's Souls-Life a Sublime Mystery-Discoveries of Chemical Science-Heathenism-Human Sacri- fices-The Christian Parent-Strength of Parental Death in the World-A Profound Mystery-The late Dr. Chalmers-Different Theories of Death-The Bible Theory-Sin the Cause-A Beautiful Epi- taph-Dr. Candlish's Views-Divine Retribution- The Millennium-Children do not die too soon- Dying Contrasts-Dying Support-A Touching Mysteries in Religion, and Nature, and Providence- Perplexing Queries-Abraham's Offering-Chil- dren die for Man's benefit-Heart Idolatry-Rival Competitors-Dr. Judson-Forgotten Mortality- Little Coffins and Little Graves-Inordinate At- tachment-The Weaning Process-Preparing for Heaven-A beautiful Simile-Dr. Payson and a CHAPTER IV. A Holy Exclamation-Sanctified Effects of Bereave- CHAPTER V. An Outline-Picture-An Interesting Enquiry-The Great Change-The Way of Salvation -Dr. Dwight and Faith-Dr. Buchanan-Rev. T. Scott-Rev. J. Gilbert-Westminster Confession- The Loving Conduct of Jesus-Little Children in HeavenMontgomery-Matthew Henry and his Hope Sceptical Questioning-Dr. Harris-Martin Luther -Lord Byron-Celestial Employments-Choristers in Heaven-The Sabbath-School-The late Rev. W. Jay and the Poet Montgomery-A Celestial Vision,... .87 to 110. CHAPTER VI. The Influence of Sanctified Afflictions-The Passage from Egypt to Canaan-The Banished Disciple of Patmos Murmuring-Job and Jonah-A Bereaved Mother-Second Causes-The Great First Cause -The Gardener-Difference between Submission and Resignation-The Black Mask-Dead Children not Lost-Wordsworth's beautiful Ballad-All not Lost-Still Ours-The Dying Wish-Spiritual Fellowship-Reunion in Heaven-Jehovah Inter preter, 111 to 141. CHILDREN IN HEAVEN; OR, Comfort for Bereaved Parents. CHAPTER I. STRIKING CONTRASTS. "I asked them why the verdant turf was riven LITTLE children are God's natural jewels. They are the most attractive objects in His wide creation. True, they are not universally acknowledged to be such; but it does not there |