previously so much neglected. She knew not how her case would terminate, or what the Lord was doing on her behalf; but she applied herself with diligence to the study of the sacred volume, which became eminently blessed unto her. Her views of the Saviour at this time did not apparently produce that delight which many young converts experience, and rather than converse much on the subject of religion, she heard what was said, and imbibed the stores of the precious gospel from the opportunities afforded by the visits of pious friends. As disease increased, her mind evidently became imbued with the power of that word which gives peace within, while the body groaned in pain, and wasted under the grasp of the enemy, which was soon destined to remove her to the grave. She murmured not, but in peaceful tranquillity endured the affliction, which gave but little rest to her weakened frame, and manifested the spirit of Him, who, in obedience to his heavenly Father, could say, "Thy will be done." To a friend who enquired the state of her mind,' she replied, "very happy." You are very low, she remarked, and to all appearance will soon be in eternity. Yes, I hope," was her reply. Death, it was said, is a solemn thought, have you no fear to meet it? not at all, I am enabled to rely on Christ alone for mercy and salvation. He is precious to my soul. Now I feel the good of sabbath school instruction." She hoped that her fellow scholars ere they came on a death bed, would attend to the important lessons they had to learn. "I wish," she said, "I had always gone-I wish I could go now." To a dear relative, she said, "do strive to meet me in heaven-you must strive-you must pray, and you must pray again, and again, and God will hear you if forsake you your sins, and have mercy on you, as he has had mercy on me. Do not be afraid though you feel yourself to be a great sinner, for Christ is a mighty Saviour, and He will save you if you believe on Him." Her teacher said to her one day“Then you still find Christ precious"—" Yes, I do, I would tell all the world, 66 What a dear Saviour I have found." When drawing near to her last moments, she whispered "I'd point to his redeeming blood, And say, Behold the way to God." "No, On being asked if she wished to be restored to health-she replied" No, I would rather depart and be with Christ." She thanked her teacher for the labor she had bestowed on her, and hoped they should meet again at the last day. Soon after she closed her eyes to this world, sleeping in the arms of Jesus. Is there any young reader who, while perusing this brief memorial of one who was removed from this world while yet in the morning of life, will put the important enquiry to the heart-am I a child of God? Think seriously ere you reply, and if your conscience should decide that your heart is not devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and that you prefer the things of this vain and transitory world to the love of Him who died to save you from its sinfulness and folly, then I entreat you, before it be too late, to reflect on the brevity of mortal existence, and seriously to ponder in your mind the awfulness of delaying the all-important work of your salvation. Here is a simple narrative of life's uncertainty, and here too is the display of the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, and which invites the young to prepare for death, and to devote themselves entirely to the Lord in soul and body, that at the last day they may be welcomed into the presence and glory of God their Creator. Nor let the young dare to delay; they may be suddenly cut off while impenitent, and be allowed no time even on a sick bed to think of eternal things. To-day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts. F. S. G. FRIENDS. FRIENDS! oh how few are to be found in the pilgrimage of this world! Though the path of life be rugged and thorny, and though numbers tire with fatigue before they reach the close of it, how few will help with cheering eye and hand the weary way-worn traveller. How often drops he unpitied into his final resting-place, and the whistling of the wild winds, and the screamings of the solitary screech owl are the only wailings made at his departure! Pilgrim of earth!-Traveller to eternity!-Seek you a Friend faithful in all seasons-look you for a Brother whose love will be changelessapply to the Friend who loveth at all times-to the Brother born for adversity. B W. G. B. A VISIT TO A DISTANT PLANET. (A VISION.) As I sat musing for some time after the perusal of an interesting moral tale, written by a young friend, I at length fell into a kind of waking dream, and was carried in imagination far beyond the atmosphere which surrounds our globe, and without experiencing a disagreeable sensation or difficulty of any kind in my aerial journey, I felt myself urged on till I arrived at the confines of a distant Planet. Nothing could be more beautiful than the landscape which was presented to my view, as I approached this new terraqueous globe; for such it was in fact. The grass appeared more verdant, and the trees of loftier growth, larger dimensions, and finer foliage than any I had ever before seen; the sea was more purely azure than that which surrounds our Island, and the rocks were evidently on a much grander scale than those which are to be seen in that ironbound region where I had lately dwelt. I alighted without inconvenience on the sea-coast, at the foot of one of these natural mountains which seemed to pierce the sky, and was finely broken into huge masses, while its bold form was beautifully reflected in the still waters below. Desirous of exploring this new country, I followed a narrow path which led by the side of a river, exhibiting all the varieties of expanse, winding stream, and cascade, till I entered a forest that seemed to have been left in all its native beauty and luxuriance; yet there appeared in it several openings which intersected each other, and branched off in different directions. Wishing, if possible, to discover whether the place was inhabited, I chose that to which my attention was drawn by an inscription affixed to one of the trees, to this effect"The way of holiness: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”(a) This was indeed the only vestige of art that offered itself, for every thing looked easy and natural, as if the whole had lately sprung forth from the hand of the Almighty, prepared for the abode of some happy beings who owed their existence to the same divine source. It appeared remarkable that in this forest, which consisted of the finest trees, calculated both for ornament and use, there were neither thorns, nor thistles, (b) nor noxious weeds to be (a) Isa. xxxv. 8. (b) Gen. iii. 18. VOL. VI. 3d SERIES. P seen in any part. But on each side of the avenue, which now widened considerably, vines hung with rich clusters from the supporting elms, intermixed with elegant climbers, perfuming the air with their fragrance; and underneath the spreading branches of the larger trees, grew a variety of flowering shrubs and odoriferous plants. The path at length opened upon an extensive meadow, through which flowed a rivulet, sheltered by hills partially clothed with wood, and the whole bounded by mountains of Alpine height and grandeur. The scene reminded me of the description given of "The Happy Valley," by one of our eminent writers of the last century. I now discerned a group of tents, placed at short distances from each other, which seemed to answer the purpose of dwellinghouses, and were evidently inhabited by men of peace, for from the one which stood in the centre, there arose a banner, on which was inscribed, "Glory to God in the highest! and on earth, peace, good-will towards men !"(c) And instead of warlike instruments, a pastoral staff was seen here and there at the tent doors. I approached the nearest, and was invited to enter by the owner, who met me with a cordial welcome, saying, "Turn in, I pray thee, turn in," (d) and partake of that hospitality, which it is our custom to offer to all strangers-or rather our privilege-"for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (e) The person who addressed me, appeared somewhat advanced in age, of similar form and stature with men of our own race. His greeting was so kind and friendly, and his looks so ingenuous, that those words of our Lord instantly occurred to my recollection, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile !"(ƒ) There was, moreover, a certain radiance visible in his countenance, which I thought must have resembled the appearance of Moses when descending from the mount, (g) and which seemed to indicate, that my new friend's "conversation" was likewise " in heaven." (h) Alas! thought I, upon contrasting my own feelings with what I conceived must possess his mind, he little knows how unworthy a guest he is now inviting. Yet, willing to ascertain whether they made any exceptions to this rule of kindness, in regard to men's characters, I observed, "you must sometimes find your hospitality misplaced, or (c) Luke ii. 14. (d) Judges iv. 18. (e) Heb. xiii. 2. (f) John i. 47. at least abused, in admitting those under your roof who are guilty of sin?" "Sin," he replied, after a pause, "what is the meaning of that word?" "Sin," I said, "is the transgression of the law, (i) the law of Jehovah."" "What," said he, with a look of astonishment, "is it possible that any being in the universe should break the law of love, and dare to offend the Lord our God? How hateful must such a character be! how ashamed must he be to appear in the presence of his Maker, the enjoyment of which is the greatest delight of our lives, and it will constitute the supreme happiness of heaven!" "Thousands of our race," I replied, "yea, all the inhabitants of our globe have been thus guilty, (j) and yet the same gracious and merciful God, whom you so reverently and devoutly acknowledge, has in his wisdom found a remedy for this dreadful evil. They have destroyed themselves, but in Him is their help; (k) and though sickness and sorrow, and the death of the body, are still our portion, yet since Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of the Father, God manifest in the flesh, has by the sacrifice of himself made atonement for our sins, they who repent and believe will be saved; and when sanctified by the Eternal Spirit, admitted hereafter into the kingdom of heaven." "May we meet there," said he, "my brother, for as such I would regard thee; though once it seems far off, thou art brought nigh by the blood of the incarnate Son; sublime mystery! (1) The partition wall is broken down; and through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.' (m) May we meet and converse of the manifold blessings we have experienced in our respective preparatory states! Blessed be Jehovah for his mercy, which he has not only granted constantly to us, but to those, also, who had so grievously offended! Blessed be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost! But what is that death of the body, which appears to be one of the consequences of sin?" "It is," I replied, "the separation of soul and body, and sometimes attended with much pain and suffering, and then follows the decay of this earthly frame, so that we are constrained to commit the remains of our departed friends to the earth, in order to hide them from our sight.” "Alas!" said he, "what dreadful effects of sin! O, that all God's (i) 1 John iii. 4. (j) Rom. iii. 10, 23. (k) Hosea xiii. 9. (7) 1 Timothy, iii. 16. |
