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LIFE AND DEATH OF MRS. MORRIS.

She then spoke of sin as the cause of suffering and death, and immediately added, “But there is a fountain of atoning blood opened by the Savior for sin, and I feel that my heart is cleansed from it in that fountain." She referred to the grave consecrated by the body of Jesus, which could not be holden by it, and said, "My flesh will rest in hope. For me I feel that death has no sting, and the grave will have no victory.”

who are most devoted, and whose influence is most || feel delightful. Jesus is my everlasting friend, and injurious to his kingdom. On the 6th of May, the will bear me safely through the dark valley of death." accuser of the brethren came with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, and in the midst of her painful affliction suggested to her that if she was the Lord's child, he would take her to himself at once, and terminate her bodily suffering; and then raised the question whether it was not possible after all that she never knew what religion was? The conflict was short. She lifted her heart in prayer to God. The answer came immediately. The Spirit itself bore witness with her spirit that she was a child of God, and the enemy was rebuked in such a signal manner that he returned

no more.

The next evening, she told the family she had felt very happy that afternoon. But they had already read it in her countenance, as she told some of her friends who had called in that she was almost home, and would soon be released from all her sufferings, and if it was the Lord's will, she would rejoice if that should be the night of her final deliverance.

On the afternoon of this day, Mr. Swormstedt called to see her. He found her failing rapidly. She remarked to him, "My work is done-I have given my family into the hands of God." On leaving her, he said, "It is probable I shall not see you again in this world." She then said, "Before you go I have one request to make of you, and it is my last. I want you to attend my funeral; adding, I have spoken to Mr. Morris on the subject." She then proceeded to remark, "Tell sinners there is a reality in religion-but you tell them that all the time." He replied, "I will tell them again as coming from your dying lips." She then added, "Tell them, and tell all my friends, that I am gone to heaven."

In this state of mind she generally continued during the last week of her life. On one occasion, while silently meditating, raptures of love were enkindled in her heart, and glowed in her countenance; and she broke forth in acclamations of oy, saying, “Good news from Zion. Halleluiah! halleluiah!" &c.

On Saturday morning, May 14th, in the midst of great agony, she prayed for patience to suffer all the will of God. After severe coughing and strangling, she said, "It will soon be over; blessed be God for it; and I pray that the chariot of salvation may not be delayed." In the afternoon of that day her physician, Dr. Judkin, to whom she was much attached, called to see her for the last time. She asked him if he did not think the struggle would soon be over? He answered affirmatively. She replied with a smile, "That is good news." When about to depart, he took her by the hand to bid her farewell. She said, "O doctor, we shall meet in heaven-the Lord bless you and all yours." He was deeply affected, and silently withdrew. The next morning, it being the Sabbath, she was heard to say, "O Lord, thou art so good; I wish to have no will of my own, but to sink entirely into thine." In the after part of that day she said, "Precious Savior! blessed Redeemer! O the rich fountain of redeeming love in which I shall soon bathe my weary soul for ever."

On the morning of Sabbath, she said, "I am feeble in body, but rejoice in spirit." She then knew it to be the general opinion of her friends that she could not live more than a day or two longer, and lest her strength might leave her, she that day had the family called to her one at a time and gave her blessing to each, accompanied by suitable advice and encouragement, charging them severally to live for God and meet her in heaven. This was probably one of the most moving scenes of the kind ever witnessed. Had an infidel been there with a heart as hard as adamant, that heart it seems would have been broken by the influence of religion as manifested in her under such circumstances. She said, among other things, the Lord had often blessed her in health and in sickness, and he then blessed her in prospect of death; that for her, death had no sting; that she had never felt such a sense of the goodness of God before; that she had often feared the affection she had for her family would render it difficult for her at the last to give them up, but she thanked God that his grace that day enabled her to do it willingly and cheerfully, and leave them in his hands, who would provide for them all needful blessings. In the evening she continued in the same happy frame of mind, and observed, that she never before felt so confident of getting to heaven as she had that day; and that she had a comfortable hope of meeting all her family in heaven. "Sweet heaven, my happy home-O how I long to be there! But my Father's will be done." On the morning of the 10th, as the periodical chill came on, she said, "I think the Sabbath night her mind became wandering, in Master is about to come and call for me; but I have which state, for the most part, she continued till spoken to all the family-my work is done, and I feel Tuesday morning, May 17th, at 11 o'clock, when she that the Lord is very precious to me this morning." expired. She retained the knowledge of her friends to On the 12th, at 3 o'clock in the morning, there was the last, and sometimes spake rationally. During a such a sinking, coldness, and difficulty of breathing, lucid interval, she said to her class-leader, "Tell my that she herself believed death had commenced its class-mates I die with bright prospects of heaven, and work; and when asked how she felt under the impres-with the hope of meeting them there." She continued sion that she was so near her end, the reply was, "I to speak till within a very few minutes of her death.

LIFE AND DEATH OF MRS. MORRIS.

191

Her last words, which she distinctly articulated, were, and how severely she suffered, and in what circum“Jesus is precious." stances-her husband far away, her son in a foreign Thus died this godly woman, leaving a husband, son | land, and she almost in despair of beholding either and daughter, and many relatives and friends, to lament again on earth: withal possessed of the liveliest sensia loss which falls heavily on the family and the Church.bility, and her affections gathering around these absent Her funeral was on Thursday, May 19th, at 10 o'clock. || objects with a solicitude and an affection indescribable, Her remains were conveyed to the Fourth-street while her bodily sufferings were excruciating. Yet was church, and a sermon, well suited to the occasion, was she patient. She behaved and quieted herself as a preached by Rev. Leroy Swormstedt, from the 5th weaned child. There were sometimes outbursts of verse of the 31st Psalm. grief, but her soul soon returned to its rest in God. In conclusion, let us glance at those traits of her On one occasion, when a friend suggested the probacharacter which are worthy of special notice. As ability of her decease without seeing her husband and wife and a mother, she was faithfully devoted to the in- son, she was so overwhelmed with sorrow that she covterests of her family. She sought the temporal com-ered her face with the drapery of the bed, and gave free fort of its members. To feel the full force of this vent to her feelings. But after a struggle she became remark, one must have been an observer of the exact composed, and looking up, said, in a subdued tone, order of her household. There was a remarkable pro-" Well, if Mr. Morris can do more labor for the Church priety manifest in every thing which fell under her cognizance. A stranger of good taste, acquainted with the station which she filled, would at a glance, on entering her dwelling, say, “All is right." This may seem to some like merely serving tables; but it is one important office of every matron, and without due attention to it, she is derelict in domestic duty. For public reasons as well as for private comfort, a minister's dwelling should be well kept, and arranged with sober taste. And the necessity will always be sufficiently pressing that strict economy be practiced in expenditures.

She was domestic in her habits. The apostle's phrase, "gadders abroad," could not be applied to her. No place, except the sanctuary, was so inviting to her as home. This is a virtue. Sometimes the itinerant life has broken up a love of retirement. Not so with her. The house of no friend, however valued, was so pleasant as her own habitation. There, with her closet, her Bible, and her children, she was happy.

She was consistent. Her manners, her conversation, her apparel, her conduct in every relation, and her treatment of all ranks and persons, bore the same stamp of humility, meekness, and benevolence. Probably no person ever succeeded better than she did in suiting her dress to her professions, and to the station she filled in the Church. There was a peculiar plainness and comeliness in her apparel, and happy were it for the Church if in this-what some will deem a small particular-all "women professing godliness" could imitate her.

As already affirmed, she had the most humble views of herself. This was indicated not by her expressions merely, but by all her actions. Yet blended with the meekness of her carriage was a natural dignity, which secured respect, while at the same time it attracted rather than repelled the worthy. She reminded one of the beloved disciple, and a student of the Bible could scarcely be in her company an hour without instituting a comparison between her and him who said, "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us." Her patience has come under the notice of the reader, but may be again adverted to. It was truly wonderful. To judge of it aright, it must be recollected how long

by my deprivation, I shall try to be resigned." And she was resigned to his long absence; pleading only that she might behold both her husband and her son once more on earth.

She was an intelligent Christian. She studied the holy Scriptures. She not only gave her Bible the preference to all other books, but made it a matter of conscience to read it every day in the year, times of sickness excepted. And if any thing unusual occurred to prevent reading the ordinary lessons of the day, she made it up at night, frequently by curtailing the period of sleep. This duty she performed with uncommon delight and profit. There are very few private Christians so familiar with the Bible as she was, being able to turn at once, without a Concordance, to almost any prominent text in the Old or New Testament, and to quote hundreds of passages from memory. Her recollection of even the historical parts was clear and extensive. When unable to read on account of ill health, she had the promises of God's word in her memory. She was a sanctified Christian. More than 17 years ago she did, while agonizing for the blessing in her own chamber, experience that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin. For months after not a cloud arose to darken her sky. And though she did not always enjoy a clear evidence of full salvation subsequently, yet she often felt that "perfect love casteth out all fear that hath torment." It is true, such were the views she entertained of her own unworthiness, and such her fear of not living up to her profession, that she never made any public declaration of the grace of sanctification. This was an error, and was probably one reason why she did not enjoy it more fully. But in death her testimony was explicit, and she sent an affectionate message by her leader, urging her classmates to seek this full salvation.

Finally, she was useful to others. Of this there are living witnesses, who trace their conversion to her pious conversation. Such will be stars in her crown.

And now, reader, the grace which made her holy, can train you for the same useful career on earth--the same happy death-the same glorious heaven. May you follow her as she followed Christ!

192

NOTICES.-EDITOR'S TABLE.

NOTICES.

"As I have studied more what appertains to the ladies than the gentlemen, I will satisfy you how it came to pass that women of fortune were called ladies, even before their husbands had any title to convey that mark of distinction to them. You must know that heretofore it was the fashion for a lady of afflu

of bread to her poor neighbors, with her own hands, and she was called by them the Leff day, i. e., the bread giver. These two words were in time corrupted, and the meaning is now as little known as the practice which gave rise to it."

EDITOR'S TABLE. SERMON ON THE MILLENIUM, with an Appendix. By J. S. LADY.-This is a very significant word. Those to whom it is Tomlinson, D. D., President of Augusta College. Cincin-applied ought in all conscience to be what Mrs. Sigourney (see nati: Wright & Swormstedt.-This neat little volume, (much || April number) entreats her young readers to become, in acts of in the form of Harris' "Witnessing Church,") discusses, in a benevolence. By tracing the history of the word lady, we brief but lucid manner, the questions, what is the millenium- shall find that it originated in the charity of woman's deeds. the time of its commencement-and the events by which it will In an old work, the following account is given of this matter. be introduced. The first question is merely glanced at. The We are indebted for it to the Cabinet Magazine: author inclines to the opinion that the millenial period consists of a thousand years proper, and not of what is called a thousand "prophetic years." The second question is considered more at length. The author contends that the "little horn" of Daniel is the "man of sin" spoken of by the apostle Paul; and that both refer to the Roman pontiff, or Roman Catholic Church.ence, once a week, or oftener, to distribute a certain quantity He furthermore shows that the "beast" spoken of by John in the 13th chapter of the Apocalypse, is the same as the "little horn" and the "man of sin," all referring to Rome. He claims that the destruction of this power, and the introduction of the millenium, will be contemporaneous events. He shows, that in twelve hundred and forty-two years from the establishment of this power the millenium will commence. Its establishment he considers to be at the time of the acquisition of the political, not of the ecclesiastical power of Rome, which was A. D., 755. This will bring the commencement of the millenium down to the year 1997, whereas the usual reckoning is from the commencement of the Pope's universal spiritual dominion in 606, which brings the millenial jubilee down to the year 1848. We cannot extend our notice of this admirable discourse; and have already, we trust, given the reader such hints concerning it as will induce her to consult its pages. May its publication rouse the zeal of the Church, and enlighten its mind in matters of so sacred and high a moment as are those of which it treats. We are pleased to learn, that possibly its author will furnish another discourse on a kindred theme. This will be

desirable.

The concluding remark may have a general application; but we believe there are several Christian ladies in the world, who not only weekly, but daily, distribute bread to the poor with their own hands, and what is a diviner charity, they point their beneficiaries to the "Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."

FEMALE FIDELITY.-The following anecdote, by Mrs. Ellis, strikingly illustrates the fidelity of woman:

"Sir Robert Barclay, who commanded the British squadrom in the battle of Lake Erie, was horribly mutilated by the wounds he received in that action, having lost his right arm and one of his legs. Previously to his leaving England he was engaged to a young lady to whom he was tenderly attached. Feeling acutely, on his return, that he was a mere wreck, he sent a friend to the lady, informing her of his mutilated condition, and generously offering to release her from her engagement. 'Tell him,' replied the noble girl, 'that I will joyfully marry him if he has only enough of body to hold his soul.""

NEW INVENTION.-The following notice from the Richmond Enquirer will interest those of our readers who cultivate music. "Of all the eccentric fruits of the inventive age, we had the pleasure on Saturday evening of witnessing one of the most

AN ADDRESS delivered in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Newbury, Vermont, November 17, 1841, before the Ladies' Literary Society of Newbury Seminary, on the Moral Power of Female Education. By Rev. C. T. Hinman, Teacher of Mathematics and the Greek Language.-This Address commences by noticing the exact order which reigns in the physi-curious. It is nothing more nor less than a hybrid monster—a cal, and the disorder that prevails in the moral world. This disorder has ejected man from his proper sphere. Two questions are proposed for discussion, viz: "What is my sphere of action? and how shall I prepare myself for that sphere ?" From the remarks made on these topics we select the follow. ing extract:

We

complete blending of two musical instruments of entirely dif ferent construction and antagonistic principles-in a word, a piece of wonderful mechanism, that produces perfect combination of the notes of the violin, and piano forte. The inventor, Col. A. S. Wood, is a Virginian-a resident of Buchanan, on James River. His curiosity was aroused some eight years ago, by some newspaper allusion to a similar attempt in Europe; and his mechanical genius, unaided by a scientific knowledge of music, but kept alive and strengthened by perseverance, has achieved a work, that baffled the skill of the first mechanics and artists of the Old World. The instrument consists of a piano, of the usual construction and played in the usual manner. A pedal, touched by the foot of the performer, turns a flywheel, which regulates the movements of the machinery. As each peculiar key of the piano is touched, a corresponding key within the box is acted on-brings down on the proper string one of the four bows, (which are constantly moving on grooves,) at the same time presses on the string a finger corresponding to the human finger, thus forming a perfect note, in every respect similar to a note of the piano. We heard a variety of music, andantes and allegros, admirably executed by Mrs. Watson-and we came to the conclusion that it was a remarkable compound. Some of the Scotch airs in imitation of the bagpipes in particular, exhibited the power of the instrument."

"There is a directing influence within the power of the fe. male. This depends mainly on the character of the sex. refer not now to the directing influence, given by a proper youthful bias; but rather to that produced by her presence-her society in after life. It is not the direction first given to the bark, as it is cut loose from its moorings, and committed to the winds and waves, that guides it through unknown seas: it must needs have a helmsman, who through the long voyage stands at his post, with his eye on the star and his hand on the wheel. "Such is woman, when properly educated. Not merely is. her influence felt when we start on the voyage of life, but through its whole course she is with us, to counsel, to comfort, to aid. Nor is it less true that her skill depends on her knowledge, than that the pilot's depends on his. It is not hers merely to give cheerfulness for an hour, to wipe away the falling tear, or heal a broken heart: she should be able to point to danger in advance, and turn us from its path-way-to descry the joys of the future and, as Fenelon's rosy-fingered morning opens the portals of the east, heralding the king of day, so should she, TO CORRESPONDENTS.-Several articles in prose and verse heralding the reign of peace, open the portals of that bright lie over for our next number. Were it not the fact that articles world, where hope dips his golden wings in the laver of the unsuitable for the pages of the Repository are poured in upon cherubim, and consecrates the hours to happiness and virtue. us almost without number, we should take it upon us to name Thus she not only brings contentment, but has a powerful influ- them, and point out their defects. As it is, the task were intol ence in smoothing the asperities of man's nature; in melting erable. Correspondents, therefore, must wait patiently. They down the natural hardness of his heart, and in infusing the ten-will in time ascertain the disposition which may have been derness of her own."

made of their articles.