Let Christian parents, who are anxious to live up to the duties, and to share richly in the blessings of their high calling be less dependant for encouragement on the equivocal experience of unfaithful man, and more on the sure promises of God. It is true in religion, as in agriculture, that "whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." The good seed of the word, sown to the Spirit in faith, nurtured in love, watched unto prayer, must be expected to yield the fruits of the Spirit. The rule is a general one. Apparent exceptions it has bad, and may be expected to have, as trials of faith; but the great day which shall "bring to light the hidden things of darkness," will show that they were only apparent exceptions. Their explanation is now "the secret of the Lord." But were it as universal in this field to sow only good seed, in the right way, and to carry on aright the whole process of nurture and admonition, so that, as a general rule, it should be "in the Lord," according to his word, and by his word; in his Spirit, and relying on his Spirit; were this as common as it is to do all things well in the field of the husbandman; and were it as unusual in the spiritual as in the natural, for the faithful work of one labourer to be spoiled by the unfaithful work of another for the wheat of the diligent to be mixed up with tares and thistles from the field of the slothful; we have reason to believe that the rewarding harvest would be as invariable, and the disappointments of reasonable expectation quite as few, in one case, as in the other. EXPERIMENTAL RELIGION. 66 Is experimental Christianity, then, the one thing needful? Is it the one thing needful to the perishing sinner, of whom Inspiration hath said, that he "must be born again," or never enter into the kingdom of God?" Is it the one thing needful to the prosperity of Zion, to the strengthening of her stakes, and the lengthening of her cords, and the beauty of her appearance? Is it the one thing needful to the joy of angels, when they descend from their native heavens to witness what is passing among the dwellers on the earth? Is it the one thing needful to the ultimate triumph of the Redeemer's mediation, to the preparation for that jubilee which shall be kept when the ransomed are all gathered home? Then let the Church fall upon her knees, and unitedly supplicate a revival of experimental Christianity. While she clings to the truth with undiminished pertinacity, and labours to the extent of her power to promote sound doctrines, let her regard all this as subsidiary to the interests of vital godliness. Let her renew her zeal to send the gospel abroad to earth's remotest bounds; but with every effort in this ballowed cause, let her connect a prayer that the power of the gospel may spread with its light, till the last moral desert on earth shall disappear, and the angels shall again take up the song of Glory to God in the highest," because Christianity, daughter of the skies, has done her perfect work.-W. B. SPRAGUE. MEMORIALS OF THE PIOUS POOR. THE following sketch is offered with an earnest desire "to show to the generations to come the praises of the Lord, and his wonderful works that He hath done. That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments." (Psalm lxxviii. 4, 7.) New life, vigour and energy are imparted to prayer, when we read that others "wrestled and prevailed." Fresh confidence in God springs up in the heart, as we find from the experience of others, that the Lord hath not forsaken them that seek him." (Ps. ix. 10.) Mary Taylor, the subject of the following simple Memorial, has been dead for a considerable period. More than twenty years, indeed, have now elapsed since in her case was accomplished the sentence passed upon all men, "Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return. But concerning her too has hitherto been fulfilled the assurance of Scripture, "The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance." (Ps. cxii. 6.) Many of the inhabitants of North and South Collingham still dwell with delight upon her joyful, animated and sensible conversation, as well as her bright example, while she walked so many years among them as became " a child of light." In early life Mary had been a faithful and attached servant in a family in the village; but, a sister's health failing, she, with much affection, left her place, took a small cottage near her late master's house, and devoted herself to the care and maintenance of her sister, whom she nursed until her death. She quilted petticoats and bedcovers for the support of herself and her sister, and as she excelled in this art, she readily found plenty of work. About the time of her sister's decease, Mary Taylor was afflicted with a most distressing disease in the back-an affection of the spinewhich for a considerable time rendered it impossible for her to walk. When she did manage to get about again, it was only to slip one foot before the other so very slowly, that although she lived half way between the two Churches, (a distance of only a quarter of a mile,) it took her an hour and a half, to reach either of them! Yet she did "not forsake the assembling of herself together" with God's people "as the manner of some is." Heb. x. 25. Though the exertion was doubtless very painful, she "was glad when they said unto her, Let us go into the house of the Lord." "A day in his courts" she esteemed "better than a thousand." There she experienced the truth of the promise, "To him that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance;" she derived encouragement from the exhortation, "Hear and your soul shall live; " and was warned by such solemn declarations as, "The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding, shall remain in the congregation of the dead." (Prov. xxi. 16.) From her regular attendance in the Sanctuary, and the length of time she was in going to and fro, Mary Taylor's Sunday dress was well known, and is remembered with pleasing associations. It consisted of a large black silk bonnet, short red cloak, and a chintz MAY, 1843, 2 A glazed gown of large pattern. Her appearance was very respectable, and even dignified. She was a spiritual worshipper who went to "the house of God," "hungering and thirsting after righteousness," and returned "filled with good things." Mary had been invited to attend a Dissenting chapel which was near her cottage; but, after some deliberation, fearing her mind might become unsettled, she declined, and she said she had never repented so doing. It might be emphatically said that her state of mind was depicted in our blessed Saviour's words, "The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John iv. 23, 24.) She was one of the first subscribers to the Collingham Church Missionary Association, and "of her penury," joyfully gave a penny a-week to its funds. In order to accomplish this she resolved to make her puddings of barley instead of rice. She always laid aside the penny weekly, to be ready when called for. "The Lord loved this cheerful giver," and it was a treat to the collector to call at Mary's little cottage for her small subscription. Her lips "dispersed knowledge," and her simple faith and confidence in God cheered and stimulated, and encouraged, all who went near her and truly He was faithful who had promised" to guide and carry her." (Isaiah xlvi. 4.) : Next to the Bible, Mary's favourite books were Beveridge's Private Thoughts,' and one or two of Bishop Wilson's. She used his book for the sacrament, and when she could not attend that sacred ordinance at the Church, she would seek, according to his directions, to unite in spirit with those with whom she was necessarily prevented from being personally present. Mary "did not exercise herself in great matters, or in things too high for her." She was content to "enter the kingdom of heaven as a little child," believing all that God has said, simply because He said it: "she was a sinner, and Jesus was a Saviour of sinners." She saw that sufficient, and was without fear of "going down to the pit," because He hath "found a ransom." Job xxxiii. 24. It had pleased her heavenly Father to visit her with much bodily infirmity, and it was thought by her Christian friends that "He who stays his rough wind in the day of his east wind " shielded her from any severe spiritual trials. The tenderness of her conscience is evinced by the following little incident; when the Rev. J. J. became her minister, and visited her, she showed him her large Bible; and when he pointed out to her the Socinian tendency of some of the notes, Mary was quite shocked that she had not discovered it before, and could not sleep for grief. He afterwards gave her Baxter's Saint's Rest, which proved a balm to the wound. Mary lived quite alone, and though unable to stand without two sticks, she managed to wash her clothes, and clean her house as she sat-sledging her low chair about, when she wished to move, and still earning her living by her quilting. Her appearance was so neat and respectable as she sat at her frame, that she would not have disgraced any station. She was quite one of the old school of sensible matrons. Her manner was always respectful, though perfectly unreserved and confiding. Mary had half-a-pint of ale from her old Master's every night; and 6 she warmed a brick to wrap in flannel for her poor back when she went to bed in her clean little parlour. With all this constant pain, she spoke of nothing but mercy and loving kindness.' She said, that ⚫ her friends provided her with work, and her neighbours fetched water for her; and that all her wants were thus supplied. I have nothing to complain of,' she would add, except a very wicked heart that will not let me serve God as I wish.' Mary was a dear, affectionate, cheerful, and thankful creature, under circumstances that in many would have caused discontent; and she "held fast the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end" (Heb. iii. 6). When her health began to sink, a young neighbour slept and spent good part of the day with her; but when Sunday came, and she offered to remain at home with her, Mary refused, saying,' If I cannot go, I will not prevent others.' On this young person's return from Church, on one occasion, she found Mary Taylor senseless on the floor. On raising her up, she came to herself, and asked to have the Evening Hymn read, Glory to thee my God this night,' &c.; but she could give no account of what had happened. She was put to bed, and slept constantly three or four days, excepting once when she was roused by her much-loved minister. On this occasion she spoke and answered some questions which he put to her. On being asked, why she expected to go to Heaven? she replied, Because God has prepared me for Heaven.' She could appeal to the great searcher of hearts and say, "Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee." "Lord, I have loved the habitation of thine house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men." After this she took no further notice, but slept quietly, and died the same day. "So He giveth his beloved sleep." 66 the It was observed by a pious dissenter of Mary's acquaintance, when she heard of her lying unable to take any notice, But she lived a Christian, that's better evidence than a dying bed.' Mary left a testimony with all, that she was "of the seed which the Lord hath blessed." He blessed her by " turning her away from her iniquities.' He blessed her with "godliness and contentment," which is great gain." She found, by happy experience, that " In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge." On the contemplation of such a case may we not well take up joyous strain of Moses of old, and say, "Happy art thou, O Israel; who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thine excellency." (Deut. xxxiii. 29.) And with Solomon we may add in the humble but unhesitating confidence of faith, Surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him. But it shall not be well with the wicked, because he feareth not before God." Then," Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundautly pardon." (Isa. Iv. 7.) 66 Mary Taylor had to contend with poverty and affliction from without, and an evil heart of unbelief' and deceitfulness from within, continually tempted by the malice and machinations of the great enemy of souls, who, one while "goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour," and at another, is "transformed into an angel of light," to deceive. But she was "not ignorant of his devices;" and "the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus ;" and she was "a pattern to them which should hereafter believe in Him to life everlasting." The same grace is offered to all; "the fountain for sin and uncleanness is still open. God "waits to be gracious." He is no respecter of persons. "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely," (Rev. xxii. 17). S. S. WHEN IS THE TIME TO DIE? From the Christian Reflector.' I ASKED a glad and happy child, 'Not yet! not yet!' the child replied, I asked a maiden; back she threw Grief's traces o'er her cheeks I knew, A flush passed o'er her lily brow, 'Not now,' she cried, O no! not now, I asked a mother, as she pressed As gently on her tender breast She hushed her babe's alarms; In quivering tones her answer came,— I questioned one in manhood's prime, His brow was furrowed not by time, Or dimmed by woe and care. In angry accents he replied, And flashed with scorn his eye; Talk not to me of death,' he cried, For only age should die.' I questioned age; for him the tomb Had long been all prepared; But death, who withers youth and bloom, This man of years had spared. Once more his nature's dying fire Flashed high, as thus he cried: 'Life! only life is my desire!' Then gasped, and groaned, and died. A holy calm was on his brow, And sweetly o'er his features stole He spake the language of his soul,- A.M.C. |