"Very soon," he continued, "little Willie became ill, and was confined to bed, and when the dear girl had him no longer to play with, she was aye in the room beside him, and would amuse him with her gambols with the pet lamb, and when she was tired, would creep up beside him, and kissing him gently, would fall asleep by his side. By and by little Willie grew worse, and when she was not allowed to go near him, nor speak to him, she would weep, and stealing into the room would cast a wistful look at the little sufferer; then wandering away to their favorite place in the garden, would weep and sob as if her heart would break. And when, the last time they were together, Alice said to him, 'Willie, what a pretty place heaven will be, would you not like to be there?" how thoughtfully he looked in her sweet face, and whispered 'Yes, but I would like if you were there too, Alice.' "One morning Willie, waking from a pleasant dream, told his mother how he had seen bright angels, and how they wished to take him to heaven, and then he wondered why his mother wept. "Soon little Willie died, and Alice has now no companion to play with; and every forenoon she visits this churchyard, tenderly watering the little rose-bush, and gathering fresh gowans and wild flowers, and strewing them on her brother's grave. And then, seating herself by it, she sings the favorite hymn in which he so often joined, and kneeling down, she folds her hands, and raising her eyes to heaven, breathes her simple prayer. Surely the angels will love the sight, and surely God will bless her, and at last take her to join her happy brother in heaven." Tears ran down the old man's cheeks as he concluded this touching incident, and it was difficult to suppress our own feelings as we pressed his trembling hand, and left him to watch over the object of his love, as she still sweetly slum. bered by her brother's grave. ALERTON. ANSWERS TO ENQUIRIES. Eas 19. Obedience of Servants. (p. 237.) MR. EDITOR,—Will R. . W. accept a faithful remark from an unknown friend. The duties of servants are so clearly defined in the scriptures, that while their conscience must be kept void of offence toward God, the exhortation to "obey in all things" (Col. iii. 22.) would certainly include attending a specified place of worship, unless one where idolatry was tolerated, or the name of Christ blasphemed. Then, the noble captives in the Babylonish court offer an example of courteous, respectful, non-compliance with unrighteous decrees; and the gospel declares (1 John iv. 3.) "Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God." And again, (2 John ii.) "He that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." So many servants are prone to waste their Sabbath time, and abuse the privilege of "going out," that it is not unreasonable that religious masters should require to see their household present in the sanctuary. Doubtless, when time shall have enabled R. W. to evince a trustworthy integrity upon so sacred a part of his personal duty, his prayers will be answered, and a providential way open for him to realize the blessings he now covets. Meantime, "the Lord dwelleth not in temples made with hands," and is ever ready to meet with, and refresh the spirits of all who seek his counsel and his consolation. When a Christian willingly fulfils his duty, God speedily makes his duty agreeable to him. "Obedience as to the Lord" sweetens every order, and brings its own reward. A FELLOW WORKER. 20. Go in peace. (p. 283.) DEAR SIR,-Permit me to say a few words upon the question of Emily, page 283. 1. Respecting the phrase itself there is not much difficulty. The particular form here used was valedictory, or one of taking leave with good wishes, as may be seen by reference to the following passages. 1 Sam. i. 17, xx. 42, xxv. 35. Exodus iv. 18. Judges xviii. 6. In two places in the New Testament the equivalent expression occurs, Mark v. 34; Luke vii. 50. The above, I believe, are the only places in the original Scriptures where this formula is found. 2. But probably the real difficulty is not with the phrase itself, but with its application-its bearing upon the request of Naaman, which is thus expressed, (verses 17, 18) "Thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord. In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing." If this request were right, there could be no harm in granting it; if wrong, there could be no reason for the prophet's withholding an assertion to that effect. It is very clear Naaman himself thought the thing wrong, else why twice express a desire for forgiveness in it? That under the gospel it would have been really wrong, seems clearly to follow, from many precepts such as "Abstain from every appearance, or species of evil." See also 1 Cor. viii. 7, 10, &c. If the Syrian's request, then, were not right, why did Elisha grant it? I answer, we are not told that he did. Then why did he not rebuke it? I reply again, we are not told that he did not. But the prophet seems to pass over in silence, what he knew to be evil, and is not this to see sin upon our brother! First, it is very likely that, with customary brevity, the answer is omitted; and secondly, if no answer were given, but this blessing, we are not bound to approve the prophet's silence. In any case, we ought not to regard the words, "Go in peace," as having any direct bearing upon Naaman's request. It is true that some think otherwise, and regard them as conceding what he asks. Thus Grotius, "Be secure on that head; you will not violate a law which was not directed to you." But he had now taken the obligations of that law upon himself, and whatever his previous relations to it, they were now changed. Others treat the words as a species of dissuasive from the thought of such a thing, and as an assurance that he will be taught and instructed of God in regard to it, and the path of obedience in general. In conclusion then, it is the writer's opinion that the words "Go in peace," are simply a form of valediction, and have no direct reference to the request of Naaman. The reasons for it, among others, are these: 1. It is so employed in other places. 2. It is translated as such in different ancient and modern versions. 3. It is improbable that Elisha would favor mental reservation in any thing, much less in religion. 4. Such mental reservation is always wrong. 5. There is no necessity for understanding the passage in any other sense, and no inconsistency in adopting this. I am, &c. your's truly, NEW ENQUIRIES. B. H. C. 21. Psalm xvi. 10. MY DEAR SIR,-Do the words "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell," Psalm xvi. 10. intimate that Christ was really in hell during the period of time intervening between his death and resurrection? If any kind friend will answer this query, it will greatly oblige, Dear Sir, your's respectfully, GRACE. 22. Obscure Texts. DEAR SIR, Will you oblige me by explaining the meaning of Also, Luke xxi. latter clause of verse 24. Matt. xvi. 28. Your's truly, W. M. POETRY. NEVER DESPAIR! A youthful stranger, worn and sad, Traversed the streets with downcast brow; His friends had each grown cold, and left When penury And of his home and all bereft, He for employment vainly sought; But as he wandered on, there rolled A handsome carriage, just before, Whose arms, emblazon'd as with gold, This all-inspiring motto bore "Never despair!" That magic sentence breath'd fresh life And onwards he with courage went. "Never despair!" Oh, weary Christian! day by day, The mourner treads unto the tomb; And memory mournfully retains The pleasures thou wert wont to share: |