A RAPID DECLINE.

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Finding me, however, inexorable, she yielded, 'put away the accursed thing' and retained her place in the church. She soon became more humble and thoughtful; sincerely lamented and bewailed her backslidden state, and prayed that she might again be restored to the favor of God. But the Lord was preparing to remove her from the church militant. Early in the spring she fell into a rapid decline, and it was soon apparent that whatsoever her hand found to do, must be done quickly, and with her might. She earnestly besought the Lord to restore her lost peace, and heal all her backslidings. It was not long until the Lord lifted upon her again the light of his countenance and made her drooping heart rejoice. It was a beautiful morning in the month of June, that I was called from my bed to visit Mary for the last time. Her extremities were cold, and for several hours she had been grapling with the monster death. We knelt around her bed and commended her departing spirit into the hands of God. She was perfectly conscious, and could speak,

though very indistinctly. She thought that she would live for weeks yet. We however assured her that she was dying. She suffered greatly from thirst and a suffocating feeling, and at first manifiested some impatience at being gazed upon by those around her bed. However, in answer to my inquiries, and with a smile that attested her sincerity, she assured me that she was happy-that she felt the love. of God in her heart, that she was going to heaven and had no fear of death. A mortal death sickness soon came over her, and as she lay gasping for breath in much pain, I felt that I had power to lift up my heart to God to mitigate her sufferings. In a moment a smile lit up the brow of death. Blessed be God, from that moment her sufferings apparently ceased; and while we were gazing upon her as she was sinking beneath the horizon of mortality, the dark cloud was suddenly lifted up, and the evening of her earthly existence became all luminious with the glory of her departing spirit. Thus she ceased to breathe, and the heavenly smile

PROFITABLE REFLECTIONS.

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which had overspread her countenance, continued to light it up with an unearthly brightness, and to give animation to her features after every trace of life had become extinct. Truly it is written 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.'

"A few reflections suggest themselves to my mind. Had Mary T. been left to herself, she certainly would not have united with the church at the time she did, and perhaps never afterwards. Ah! how many have been left to themselves, who were wounded and stricken - but never healed for 'the want of some kind hand to apply the healing balm.' Had she remained unconnected with the church, without its fostering care and disciplinary restraints there would have been nothing to have kept her from the trifling amusements and vanities of the world. The good seed would have fallen by the wayside, and never been brought to perfection. We may also learn from this narrativethat at the time she had forsaken the Lord and lost her 'first love,' faithful warning and good

advice, proved highly salutary in her reformation. In conclusion, I would ask, who can meet death with a smile but the christian? Philosophers have sometimes died with firmness and composure, in reviewing the past, but what of their triumphs in view of the future? Has the eye of their faith ever penetrated the curtain of destiny, and kindled with the glories that were opening around them? No! no! They have taken a 'leap into the dark.' The christian alone can say, 'My heart and my flesh faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.""

I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE.

CHAPTER XXIII.

IN July 1833, Mr. Baldwin commenced calling sinners to repentance, in Charleston and its vicinity. In the fall of the same year he was sent by the P. E., to travel Galliopolis circuit. In the fall of 1834 he was "duly recommended" and received into the Ohio Annual Conference and appointed to Guyandotte circuit, with our excellent friend and fellow laborer, Rev. Levi P. Miller for his colleague, whom he often mentions with affectionate regard. In 1835 he was appointed to Charleston circuit, with Rev. Wm. Young and Rev. A. M. Alexander for colleagues.

The reader will be able to learn something of the state of his feelings at this period, from the following extract from his journal:

August 14.

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Met Mr. A. T. Laidly, Esq., 18