truth, has even planted thorns in their dying pillow; yet God has not been unmindful of their work of faith and labour of love. The important principles of religion may be obscured by the darkness of error, and the heart may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, but early religious instruction-the consistent godly example of the pious father-his daily earnest prayers for the salvation of his child cannot be obliterated; careless as your son may seem to be, I am convinced, that he has intervals of serious reflection, and who can tell".

"Oh, my dear sir, this encourages me said the amiable mother, "Who can tell? Perhaps my death may be the spiritual life of my son! I will not despair-I will still hope. Did you ever know an instance of the kind?" "I have," replied the minister, and he drew out his handkerchief, and wiped the falling tear- -and paused for some minutes to give vent to his feelings.

CHAP. IV.

"What grave prescribes the best?--A friend's; and yet
From a friend's grave how soon we disengage!
E'en to the dearest, as his marble, cold."
Why are friends ravish'd from us? 'tis to bind
By soft affection's ties, on human hearts

The thought of death, which reason too supine
Or misemploy'd, so rarely fastens there."

-Death of his

Rev. Mr. Singleton's account of his sonwifeHappy conversion- -Old habits not relinquished Borrowing money- -Conscience not always dumb-A bill presented for paymentForgery, a tremendous crime—Followed by most destructive consequences.

"EXCUSE me, dear madam," said the venerable Mr. Singleton, " for not answering your interesting question immediately; a thousand occurrences have rushed into my mind, and past scenes of the most affecting nature presented themselves to my view. God blessed me and my late dear partner with a son, whose early years promised much future happiness. His disposition was truly amiable, and his attention to his various studies constant and unremitted. We brought him up tenderly, without indulging him improperly, for we strove to correct what was unruly, and to commend what was lovely and of good report. As he advanced to the age of twenty, we per

ceived an alteration in his conduct, and thought we discovered a propensity to a vice which renders a man inferior to the brute creation, I mean he was fond of drinking. Not that

he ever drank to excess so as to be intoxicated; but he was always thirsty, and took every opportunity of gratifying his inclination. I reasoned with him frequently upon the folly and dangerous tendency of his conduct, and he as constantly promised amendment. By degrees I discovered that his feelings in favour of religion declined; and that he avoided the company of his sisters, preferring to walk alone. His conduct affected us extremely, and preyed visibly upon the constitution of my dear partner. He saw this-but yet he continued to pursue the same course. Meantime his dear sisters were our comfort, and proved better to us than the son on whom we had fix

ed our fond affections. I must say briefly, that my dear wife died, after having given the most pleasing evidences that her son had been made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light.' Her last interview with my son was affecting beyond what I can express. Oh madain, she addressed him so tenderly, so faithfully, that every eye was suffused with tears, nor did his eye lack moisture. Promise your mother,' said she, 'promise her before she departs, that you will pray against this

sin, that you will watch against it, and that you will let your sisters be your companions in your walks. Promise your dying mother, that in the strength of the Almighty you will forsake those places which have been the scenes of your frailty and disgrace.' Charles (for that was his name) was silent-the tears rolled down his cheeks-all was still, Oh! it was the solemnity of death indeed-nothing was heard except the vibration of the clock, which seemed to second the request of the dying mother. 'Hark! continued she 'hark! the clock tells you Time is hastening on, and bearing us, and especially me, into Eternity! Speak, Charles-my son-I cannot quit this world till I have your promise.' 'I will, dear mother,' said the deeply afflicted youth, and he sobbed aloud. Record it,' said the departing woman, 'record it, O thou blessed Saviour. Let his name be enrolled amongst thy followers, Let their people be his people, and their God his God.' And she suck in my arms and expired."

Mrs. Elworthy-(greatly affected) But your son, where is he? How has he acted since?

Rev. Mr. Singleton-He continued for a long time very pensive, and even melancholy, frequently exclaiming, What will become of murderers of mothers? At length he opened

his mind to his dear sisters, and then to myself. I directed him to the Son of God, whose blood cleanseth from all sin. He found pardon and comfort. He is since happily united to a pious lady, walks in the fear of God, and often exclaims, "Oh! it was my mother's death that brought life to my soul."

Mrs. Elworthy.-Astonishing instance of the Lord's mysterious dealings indeed! You have revived my spirits, and imparted to my mind a hope of the most cheering nature.

Rev. Mr. Singleton.-Cowper's remark is striking, 'God moves in a mysterious way.' Do not cease to pray for your son, and may Jehovah grant you the desires of your heart, and fulfil all your petitions.' Farewell.

Notwithstanding the recent event in which Freeman was so conspicuous, it made no permanent alteration in his conduct. Dissipation leads to poverty, and his frequent excesses reduced him to so great a want of money, that he was not only constantly applying to his friends for assistance, but he adopted the ruinous practice of borrowing money from every young friend that he considered likely to answer his purpose. He had already drained Elworthy, and his next application was to Robert Melville. 66 My dear Melville," said he, one morning, "Can you lend me a pound note for an hour or two? I came out without