sighted, narrow-minded, unwise tion. men are bowing themselves beneath a burden, to gather up grains from the earth, while the angel of religious hope is hovering over them with an extended arm, and offering to wing them up to the skies. The ambitious and aspiring amongst them, are struggling to encircle their heads with honors, as poor and trifling in comparison with the glories that ought to be theirs as the grass wreaths with which children entwine their brows in their sports-while Jesus himself is calling to these deluded men of earth-and offering them a crown wrought with more than angelic hands, and which can never fade away. Ye abusers of time! look up and behold its purpose. Ye who are so anxious and studious of your own interests! look up and see where your true interest lies. There is the object for which you live. If you have never considered it till now, your life is wrong, your plans are wrong, your designs are wrong, you are all wrong-you have mistaken the purpose of time. MARIA STEPHENSON, AGED TWELVE YEARS. THIS short notice of Maria Stephenson is intended simply to exhibit the triumph of faith, and the power of true religion. She was what the grace of God had made her. From a very early age, she was remarkable for a sedateness of manner, industrious, domestic habits, and an obliging disposition. She could read her Bible before she was five years old-was fond of reading in general-but before she commenced the perusal of a book, always asked if it were true, else, she said, it would be of no use. Her love for her Bible, for private prayer, and attendance on other means of grace, grew with her growth; and it would be difficult to fix the period of her new crea The Spirit bore witness with her spirit; and there was evidence, too strong to be mistaken by others, that she was really born again. At the age of nine years, her health being delicate, she was placed at school, at the sea side, for a few months. In reference to that period, she said, 'I do not know what I should have done then without a God to go to. I have often felt miserable, till I could get into my own room, or to bed. They were all very kind, and religion in the family was the only thing wanting to make me perfectly happy.' She felt a yet deeper concern for the state of religion in the minds of those that were dear to her, and in a letter, addressed to her younger sister, on occasion of her birthday, she urges the necessity of a saving change, and a new heart. It was about ten months ago, that suspicion was awakened as to the state of her health. The seeds of consumption were detected. For five months she was affectionately cared for by a relative at Bath-returned home, to all appearance, greatly benefitted, although the malady was still making insiduous progress. The earliest information was given her of the dangerous nature of her complaint. In December last, she received the intimation without dismay, and expressed perfect resignation to the will of her heavenly Father. In a letter, about this time, she writes, "I feel that I am a great sinner, but know that there is a Saviour for sinners, and that He will save all those that believe on Him, even the chief, and, therefore, I am happy. I have given myself to Jesus to be saved, and made holy by his Spirit. I have asked him to make me his child, and to pardon my sins; and I know he will hear the prayers of the youngest child, when they come from the heart.' Thus had the sacred fire been burning long in the temple of her soul, and the cloudy and dark day served but to make it more distinctly visible. She was much attached to the sanctuary, and, it is believed, profited not a little by the public means of grace. She had enjoyed Mr. Jay's ministry, during her stay at Bath, but said she valued none so highly as that of her own pastor. She ex: pressed great anxiety to attend at York-street; on a recent occasion, when a sermon was preached after the death of Mr. Holmes. She though; his a similar case to her Her friends felt anxious to know the effect produced then on her mind, bet were soon relieved, as de service was no sooner over, than she turned to her mamma, and St. What a nice evening! we have hat; and referring to De I'm sung, Vica spark, etc." she remarked, she could sit and bear that sing a night. The songs a Zion were indeed hambar The were kept in rememrine i reating them in het til she fel sey. ૧૯: જ્યો was quite made up. She felt that "There is a fountain filled with blood, That fountain in his day; And with a slight alteration, which And there have I, though vile as he, Disease had preyed so exten sively on the vital organs, that he bones were filled with strong pain She had no fearful apprehension of dying, and with unruffled calm ness would often say, "Shortly this prison of my clay Must be dissolved and fall; Then oh, my soul, with joy obey Thy Heavenly Father's call.' Her nights were those of restlessness and suffering: but Christhan submission was a duty she much esteemed. She often said "Pray that I may have patience. The visits of her much loved minister were highly valued, and greatly cheered her, in seasons of extreme weakness. She expressed concern that from the effect of composing medicine, she could not is her attention long on any subje er pray at any length; but being reminded of the sermon she er heard on the Spirit's helping zur nirmities, she was comforted. The Bed Psaim she specially seJacmed to be borne in mind. Early m the morning of the 15th, it was event that her summons would shortly be received; as she was 3 amet cut in the arms of a inchin servant from one room to aucher iming it a poor relief Hemi Eshange the place but keep the pain." •For he was slain for us.' Glory was thus in the soul, while the countenance was profusely bathed in the cold damps of death. Finding it painful to articulate, her words were few and well selected. On her brothers making their appearance she affectionately embraced them, and charged them to meet in heaven: when she noticed the flowing tears, she said, 'Don't cry, heaven is a happy home,' and again addressing her papa, 'Don't cry papa, when I am so happy,' Presently when the whole family was assembled, she asked them to kneel down and prayer was offered. With great collectedness, she gave very minute directions about herself: called for a little warm vinegar, and begged some one to rub her feet-to rub them hard; after a while she requested them to disist; called the family in order, and gave her dying hand to each: then clasped both hers together, as if in the act of a solemn committal and expired in the arms of her parents, at the age of twelve years and ten months. Brought down to the banks of the Jordan, it seemed as though the dark, cold waters had received a special commission to be 'very still,' while the angel of the covenant himself takes her from the frail support of a mother's arm to his own bosom, bearing her so gently over, that almost ere we were aware, she was on the other side, joining the sweeter, louder song of •Angels round the throne.' "Thanks be to God,' who hath given her the victory. SKETCH OF A CLASS OF BOYS. It has been truly said that the Sabbath school is the nursery of the church. When the Sabbath school 1917, there were five small boys was first formed in D- —, in who came in and formed a class. It was a new thing, and boys were not very willing to attend; but these boys became deeply interested. At that time there were no question books; and they used to commit fifty or sixty verses from of Watts' Hymns, to recite every the Testament, besides a number sabbath. Three of them used to see which would get the greatest number, and most perfectly; and they would commit sometimes over a hundred verses, besides a number of hymns, he had to work hard all the week; I well knew one of those boys; every spare moment he would take his Testament and study his lesson, and what he could not commit in the week, he would rise early on the Sabbath morning and finish. By this devoted industry, he learned the gospel of Luke, and a great part of Matthew and John. His teacher would often tell him, that he could not have time to say all his lesson. The eldest of them is now a minister in a large city; the seThe Rev. G. Clayton, her pas-cond is a missionary in Asia; the tor, preached her funeral sermon, third has entered the ministry; on the Sunday morning following the fourth is a popular teacher; her funeral, from Luke x. 21: In and the fifth is a merchant. burning long in the temple of her soul, and the cloudy and dark day served but to make it more distinctly visible. She was much attached to the sanctuary, and, it is believed, profited not a little by the public means of grace. She had enjoyed Mr. Jay's ministry, during her stay at Bath, but said she valued none so highly as that of her own pastor. She expressed great anxiety to attend at York-street; on a recent occasion, when a sermon was preached after the death of Mr. Holmes. She thought his a similar case to her own. Her friends felt anxious to know the effect produced then on her mind, but were soon relieved, as the service was no sooner over, than she turned to her mamma, and said, 'What a nice evening we have had;' and referring to the hymn sung, 'Vital spark, etc.' she remarked, she could sit and hear that sung all night. The songs of Zion were indeed familiar to her. They were kept in remembrance by repeating them in bed, till she fell asleep. "When I can read my title clear,' Was one of the last she recited with lively pleasure. She was very partial to Watts', and among the suitable presents she purchased with her little all, as last tokens of remembrance, she gave a copy to each of her parents, selecting with kind consideration, a good type, and inscribing in the title page, though with a trembling hand, her filial love. She spoke often of the joys of heaven, and said, I suppose you believe we shall know each other there. The physician who prescribed for her was struck with her composure, and asked (aside) if she could be aware of her real situation. It was, however, the effect of early religious decision. It seemed to illustrate that passage of holy writ,' He that believeth shall not make haste.' Her mind was quite made up. She felt that the gospel was the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. On this sure foundation she found a settled rest. Once she said her sins had given her great uneasiness, but she believed they were all forgiven, and then repeated, "There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel's veins, And sinners plung'd beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains. "The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And with a slight alteration, which she preferred, as best expressing her own feelings, added— 'And there have I, though vile as he, Washed all my sins away.' Disease had preyed so extensively on the vital organs, that her bones were filled with strong pain. She had no fearful apprehension of dying, and with unruffled calmness would often say, 'Shortly this prison of my clay Her nights were those of restlessness and suffering: but Christian submission was a duty she much esteemed. She often said 'Pray that I may have patience.' The visits of her much loved minister were highly valued, and greatly cheered her, in seasons of extreme weakness. She expressed concern that from the effect of composing medicine, she could not fix her attention long on any subject, or pray at any length; but being reminded of the sermon she lately heard on the Spirit's helping our infirmities, she was comforted. The 23rd Psalm she specially selected to be borne in mind. Early on the morning of the 15th, it was evident that her summons would shortly be received; as she was carried about in the arms of a faithful servant from one room to another finding it a poor relief To change the place but keep the pain.' •For he was slain for us.' Glory was thus in the soul, while the countenance was profusely bathed in the cold damps of death. Finding it painful to articulate, her words were few and well selected. On her brothers making their appearance she affectionately embraced them, and charged them to meet in heaven: when she noticed the flowing tears, she said, 'Don't cry, heaven is a happy home,' and again addressing her papa, 'Don't cry papa, when I am so happy,' Presently when the whole family was assembled, she asked them to kneel down and prayer was offered. With great collectedness, she gave very minute directions about herself: called for a little warm vinegar, and begged some one to rub her feet to rub them hard; after a while she requested them to disist; called the family in order, and gave her dying hand to each : then clasped both hers together, as if in the act of a solemn committal and expired in the arms of her parents, at the age of twelve years and ten months. Brought down to the banks of the Jordan, it seemed as though the dark, cold waters had received a special commission to be very still,' while the angel of the covenant himself takes her from the frail support of a mother's arm to his own bosom, bearing her so gently over, that almost ere we were aware, she was on the other side, joining the sweeter, louder song of 'Angels round the throne.' "Thanks be to God,' who hath given her the victory. that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that 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;" Young reader! will you not love the Saviour? See how happy this little girl was in his love. You her life! Love God as she did! Pray as she did! wish to die her death! Oh live Walworth. SKETCH OF A CLASS OF BOYS. It has been truly said that the Sabbath school is the nursery of the church. When the Sabbath school was first formed in D in 1817, there were five small boys who came in and formed a class. not very willing to attend; but It was a new thing, and boys were these boys became deeply interested. At that time there were no question books; and they used to commit fifty or sixty verses from of Watts' Hymns, to recite every the Testament, besides a number sabbath. Three of them used to see which would get the greatest number, and most perfectly; and they would commit sometimes over a hundred verses, besides a number of hymns, he had to work hard all the week; I well knew one of those boys; every spare moment he would take his Testament and study his lesson, and what he could not commit in the week, he would rise early on the Sabbath morning and finish. By this devoted industry, he learned the gospel of Luke, and a great part of Matthew and John. His teacher would often tell him, that he could not have time to say all his lesson. The eldest of them is now a minister in a large city; the se The Rev. G. Clayton, her pas-cond is a missionary in Asia; the tor, preached her funeral sermon, on the Sunday morning following her funeral, from Luke x. 21: In third has entered the ministry; the fourth is a popular teacher; and the fifth is a merchant. |