Now, Mr. Campbell, the next time that you and I meet we shall be walking the streets of the New Jerusalem. The paper which came on Monday from your house informed me of her departure for that holy, happy, and heavenly city. Though the local distance from here to there may be greater than we can conceive, yet, depend upon it, the journey appears neither long nor tedious. In respect to rapidity of movement, the rate of steamers and rail-roads is snail travelling. By this time she indeed must feel at home. I think I see her walking arm-in-arm with Enoch and Elijah, talking of the glories of Immanuel; and as she proceeds, do you not see her, with the mind's eye, nodding to Moses, and Abraham, and Paul? Not that every inhabitant there exhibits his name, like keepers of toll-bar-gates in our country, but it is known probably by intuition. No two inhabitants there are strangers to each other. No old inhabitant will have any occasion to say, I have the pleasure to introduce to you who have lately arrived my beloved fellow-heirs, Isaiah and Jere miah!' When I came first to London, I was often losing my way among its multiplicity of streets, from ignorance of the geography of that world of streets, as a foreigner called it, from not having a correct map of it drawn upon my mind; but depend upon it, there is no such lack in the New Jerusalem; you will find your way in a moment to the throne of God and of the Lamb, which, without doubt, is the centre of that admirable city of God, that general assembly of the firstborn. Though its inhabitants rest not day nor night, they never tire nor yawn. If sent on messages to what we should call distant worlds, yet they are never from home; for Gabriel said to Zacharias at Jerusalem, the metropolis of Canaan, ‘I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God.' "There was a little girl at your friend's, Mrs. Mwas born in a West India island. I asked her many questions, but obtained little information about it, for she had only a child's mind, and therefore spake as a child. Were Elijah to read my fancies of heaven which I have just recorded above, I think I see him smile, and putting his hand on my head, clapping it, then turning to you, saying, 'Poor fellow, he is but a child, and spake like a child on that glorious subject; but what you childish travellers know not now, ye shall know by-and-bye; till that time comes, in patience possess your souls.'"

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April 22, 1839.-My dear friend: The first thing I look to in the Scotch paper (which, through the kind punctuality of your brother, always reaches me at noon on Monday) is the list of deaths, to see if any of my friends have been removed. I sometimes think that if a newspaper were published in heaven, none of its readers would ever think of

looking for such a list in it, nor even for a chapter of accidents. It might contain lists of conversions to God on earth, and the exclamations of ecstatic joy in every district of the metropolis of the universe which succeeded the announcement; and lists of fresh arrivals in the haven of everlasting rest, and how these new comers expressed their wonder, astonishment, and triumphant transport when they first beheld the blaze of the glory, and felt the blessedness of the New Jerusalem, and the rapture with which they cast their crowns of glory at the foot of the Lamb's throne, and how they were affected when Abraham whispered to them, 'You are to be here for ever! to go no more out!' and when crowds of old fellow pilgrims, when on earth, flew to congratulate them on their arrival at the centre of glory; and how all were affected by the marvellous loving-kindness of Jesus, when he invited them to sit with him on his throne. When on earth, Jesus said unto them, · Look unto me, and be ye saved.' They hesitated, and were slow of heart to believe that Christ meant what he said; now, upon his bare invitation even to sit with him on his throne, they would act as his willing people by instant compliance.

"About a week before your letter came, I received the Edinburgh paper, and on looking to the list of deaths, I found that of Mrs. James Wallace mentioned, which struck Mrs. Campbell and me very much. The mind's eye immediately looked to Leith. I saw your brother feeling acutely the loss of such a partner, with whom for years he had enjoyed so much comfort, humbly submitting to the stroke, because the Lord had done it, and because there was hope in her death. I then turned to her mother, to whom I could not say, 'Weep not,' to whom it must have appeared like an astounding dream. It is like taking up her last anchor but one, preparing to sail to another continent. She will now have less attraction to detain her here. I then travelled to Pibrig-street, and saw your mother leaning her head upon her hand, and her elbow leaning on the table, in silent grief, but wondering that the destroying angel had been so long prevented from touching any of so large a family, except in the case of her own sister; and then I thought how much I myself should miss her were I ever to visit Leith, though I do not at present think I ever shall. No man can tell which of you shall move next; but would there be any impropriety in each saying, like the apostles on another occasion, 'Lord, is it I ?' To those who believe and bring forth the fruits of righteousness, death is a delightful subject to contemplate; but otherwise, it is tremendously awful; let us therefore think for eternity, hear for eternity, write for eternity, read for eternity, and speak for eternity."

THE AGED SCHOLAR; OR, NEVER TOO LATE TO

LEARN.

WIDOW M went to school for a few months when a child, where she learned little more than the alphabet; and at a very early age, she was sent to service to earn her daily bread. After a few years she married and had a family; when deeply feeling the want of education, she determined to strain every nerve to put her children to school. Neither trouble nor expense was spared, to give them a good plain education.

At the death of her husband, though she was left to the care of a kind and dutiful son; her spirit could hardly submit to the consequent loss of power; she felt herself dependent on the bounty of a child. Under this trial, when disappointment and discontent sat heavily on her brow, a friend called to sympathize with her, and endeavoured to direct her attention to the state and wants of her long-neglected soul: advising her no longer to neglect public worship. She said, It's of no use for me to go; my deafness is so great, that I can't hear a word." Then said her friend, "You can read the Scriptures at home;" when she said, "I can't read." This confession grieved, confounded, and for a time silenced her friend, who scarcely believed she could, in her circumstances, be so ignorant. The age of this poor widow, (being much above sixty years,) her bodily diseases, decayed sight, and almost total deafness, seemed to say, she is on the verge of eternity, and beyond the reach of help; while her good understanding, and unconquerable perseverance invited the attempt. Knowing that God can bless the feeblest means, and the weakest instruments, and save a soul even at the close of the eleventh hour, her friend offered to become her teacher, and she promised to try and learn to read. Arrangements were soon made with her relations for her to spend a long day with her teacher, that a fair and complete trial might be made. Faithful to her engagement, her friend had the pleasure of seeing her aged pupil, hobbling to her door, supported by her stick, and prepared with an ear-trumpet and spectacles. After resting awhile, and exchanging the usual kind inquiries, the great work was begun; and at intervals pursued through the day. The exertion of body and mind was so great, that her face was often wet with perspiration; which obliged her frequently to take off her spectacles, and wipe them. By giving one or two lessons in the week, besides the sabbath, the Bristol Adult Spelling-Book was soon gone through; and before a year had passed, she had made the Testament her daily reading book. As St. John's Gospel appeared the easiest, the most suitable portions of it were first chosen.

Her attention began now to be powerfully awakened; especially in reading the third chapter, which made known to her, for the first time, the necessity of the new birth. She read-she paused-she doubted, and inquired whether she read it correctly; (for she could not think what it could mean.) On being assured she had, and that none can enter heaven without that change, not even herself, she sat some minutes, dumb with astonishment, and surprised that she should have lived so many years, and never heard it before. Her next inquiry was, "What am I to do?" When she was directed to the Saviour, as the only refuge for perishing sinners. She had been accustomed to offer the words of prayer in His name, but never had she offered the prayer of faith, looking to Christ as the only way of salvation for all sinners. It was difficult to keep her mind fixed on this truth, for she was continually going back to her long-neglected life; and the deep impression she had received, that as her ignorance was not her fault, (having never been taught by her parents,) and as her extreme deafness put it out of her power to hear at a place of worship, God would not require a strict account from her at the judgment day. This delusion, so agreeable to her fallen nature, she had readily cherished; and thus charged God foolishly.

This glimmering of light did little more than unsettle her dark mind. As she grew in acquaintance with the Scriptures, her understanding became more and more enlightened, and violent were the struggles between light and darkness. Malice and revenge often seemed her master-passions, ready for action, when real or fancied provocations cease; which made it necessary to direct her to the example of Christ, when suffering from his enemies. To this she said, "He had power to stop them if he liked." "True," said her friend, "but Jesus chose rather to do the will of his Father, and save sinners like yourself. His own people, the Jews, were his betrayers and murderers, and to them first, He offered pardon and salvation after His resurrection." She then said, "If I had been living then, I would not have done as they did." "I think," said her friend, "you would have been as bad as any of them, perhaps one of the first to cry Crucify him.' God has often appeared for you, and you have stood out in open rebellion against Him. The more I look at your conduct, the more I see your heart is as bad as any of the Jews." She was so entirely satisfied, that the Scriptures were the law of God, that she would not defend herself, when they condemned her. By choosing a lesson that was applicable to her, with her own ponderings at home, the Scriptures became profitable to her for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

Feeling the word of God to have such a mighty influence on her own mind and temper, she expected to find the same in others, and often expressed her surprise that those who could read the Bible, should so often forsake its laws. It was some years before she could fully see that all were so blinded by sin, as to need the influences of the Spirit, to enlighten the understanding, and sanctify the heart. The wicked thoughts of her heart being a trouble to her, she would ask if they were her own sins; and what she could do when they came suddenly into her mind. Her friend told her, if she went into the way of temptation, or did things which brought the wicked thought, it was her own sin; or, if she encouraged wicked thoughts, for the Scriptures say, if you regard iniquity in your heart, the Lord will not hear you, Psa. lxvi. 18. If she were at any time tempted to sin, in thought, in temper, or with the tongue, she would go up stairs, and pray for the Holy Spirit, to help her to overcome the sin. Often in the course of the day did she retire for prayer. As her mind be

came impressed with the importance of the duty, she was anxious to have the help of printed prayers. Fearing she might be led to rest in the form, her friend, in giving her a few, told her, they were only the signs or expression of prayer; that real prayer was the earnest desires of the heart. Jesus Christ was ever ready to receive such, whether expressed in words, sighs, or groans, and present them at the throne of God.

Her reading was not confined to the Scriptures, the publications of the Religious Tract Society were a great means of improvement and employment. She received a tract every sabbath day, which, after being read in her family, she lent to her friends and acquaintance. She had very different classes of readers; the tradesman and the labourer, the old and the young.

The full effects of Divine truth did not appear in this aged widow, till within the last two or three years of her life, when she was very anxious to know that her heart was changed. In reply to questions put to her, she said, "Before I knew that book," (meaning her Testament) "my troubles seemed so heavy, I thought I should go out of my mind; and I do not know what I might have done. But thank God and you,” (referring to her friend)" that I know that book. I would not part with it for thousands and thousands of pounds. I want but little in this world, and yet every thing I do want. You were right-God knew best what was right for me; I would not wish it otherwise. I would not speak a word, nor give a look, that would offend Him: I hope He will forgive me all. I think He has. I believe Jesus Christ is my Saviour. I trust in Him only. If I be but right at last, I don't care