the bitter waters of recollection. No other feelings but compassion and deep interest were felt by her during the awful prelude to their separation. He asked her to forgive him, he implored her to pray that God would forgive children, and ex

him; he asked pardon of his horted them to be warned by his frightful example; and to imitate that of their excellent mother; and he died with that fearful looking for of judgment which the sinner must ever feel.

Talk not of the sorrows of those who weep over him whom they have ever loved with the deepest and purest affection; they are happiness compared to that deathly feeling with which we contemplate the dying form of one whom we have tenderly loved, and who has made himself the slave of sin, and defaced the image of God in his soul. We will not dwell upon this melancholy scene; Mrs Brown's and her children's industry gave them a comfortable support in their little cabin. Charles was very active and industrious and soon was able to hire a little adjoining farm; her children were an unspeakable blessing to her and her piety was like an inward sun, that irradiated her sorrowful countenance, with an expression of deep serenity, and quiet resignation.

WHAT DAY IS IT?

It is so still, that although it is mid-day one can hear the sound of the soft spring shower as it falls on the young and tender leaves.

The crowing of the cock pierces the ear with its shrill note as it does in the silent watches of the night; the song of the wren is so undisturbed, it is so full, and is heard so distinctly, that it only reminds one with its sweet music, how unusual is the silence; it does indeed seem but the echo of tranquillity.'

There are many people in the streets, but they have a different appearance from usual; they are all dressed in their holiday garments; they look happy, but they are very calm and serious, the gentle shower does not seem to disturb them; it only affords an opportunity for reciprocal kindness.

I see a venerable looking old lady who from infirmity is obliged to walk very slowly; she is supported by a bright rosy cheeked girl, who holds up the umbrella and keeps back her light

and joyous step to the slow time of her aged companion.

An elegant looking woman is leading with great care and tenderness a little girl through the mud; she puts her umbrella so low that the rain is kept from the child, but it falls upon her own gay clothes; it must be her own little daughter; but see she stops at the door of yonder miserable looking house; she cannot live there surely; she gives the child a little book, and the little girl enters alone. I see her now; it is the daughter of the poor sick woman who lives there.

'There is a trembling old man tottering along: he looks a little like tipsy David, as the boys call him; but he has on a clean and respectable suit of black, and a weed in his hat; he is quite sober, but it is he: and one of the very boys that have laughed at, and abused him when he was intoxicated, respectfully offers him an umbrella.

A fashionable young man is gallanting a lady with the greatest care and most delicate respect; she must be his sister or the lady he is engaged to marry, he is so careful to shelter her from a drop of rain. No, I see her enter her door, it is my good neighbor Miss

-; she

is one of the excellent of the earth, but she is poor, old, and forsaken by all, but the few who seek for those whom others forget. She has no beauty, no celebrity, there is no eclat in noticing her; there are those who will even laugh at him for his attention to her.

Stranger than all! there are two men, violent opponents in religion and politics, walking arm in arm with each other. The calvinist extends to him whom he considers his erring and even sinful and lost brother, the same kindness that he would to his dearest friend. He whom he has viewed almost as an enemy, is sick; and he tries to protect him from the shower, while he exposes himself to it; see he takes off his own cloak and puts it on him, he remembers only that he is a sick man.

What does all this mean? is it the festival of charity? Whence is this holy stillness ? What day is it?

It is the Lord's day! All these people are returning from the house of payer. It is this thought that makes the laughing girl restrain her gaiety, and teach her steps to keep time with her infirm old friend. The sinful old man abstains from his vicious habit out of reverence for this holy day; he has lost his son too; and

sorrow, and the weight of an evil conscience have driven him to the mercy seat; and they who despised his drunkenness, reverence his misery. The lady who led the little child so tenderly to her poor mother's door, was a teacher in a Sunday school; the book she gave her tells of the wisdom and goodness of God; she has awakened in her little pupil's soul that principle which shall never die: and taught her how she may be a messenger of peace and joy to her poor sick mother.

It is the influence of this blessed day that makes the usually frivolous and thoughtless prefer a work of charity to the gratification of vanity.

It is the Sabbath day, that in spite of all opposing doctrines, with its calm and elevated duties and holy repose, subdues animosity, lays the restless spirit of vanity, checks habitual vice, and awakens all the charities and sweet courtesies of life.

This is the true rest of the Sabbath; the rest from vanity, from contention, from sin. This is the true preaching, the practice of christian duties, the performance of works of love, the exercise of the holiest affections of our nature; this is the true service of God; doing good to