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what I bear, nor what I suffer. I desire to be right now. I may not have my senses just at last. And then not to know the Saviour! oh terrible, terrible!" She felt it to be the basest ingratitude to serve Satan, as long as strength lasted, and then to expect God to forgive and save at the last. She never spoke confidently of her state of mind. She would say "I hope," or, “I believe God has changed my heart, and forgiven my sins."

In looking at the fruits of her life, in the beginning and close of her widowhood, she would scarcely be known to be the same woman. She was as a lion changed to a lamb. For the last few months of her life, those about her said it was a pleasure to be with her, and during her last illness, the young people of the house never went home to their meals, nor to rest at night, without going to her chamber to see her. One of her children said, "If there is any truth in regeneration, we see it in her." And another said, "I have often read of such things, and said, I must see it nearer home before I believe it; and now, I do see it. It came close home."

She had expressed great fear lest she should be long in a helpless state, and be a great trouble to those about her; but when reminded of God's past goodness in answering her prayers, and His mercy to others, who she knew had been spared the trials they so much dreaded at the close of life, she was satisfied, and never afterwards expressed a doubt or a fear. Her last illness was a paralytic stroke. She lay in almost a helpless state about seven days; and for a few days, could neither speak nor hear. The day she was taken ill, and before she took to her bed, she was continually turning round, and kneeling up in her chair for prayer, when she had not strength to turn back again. She was quite sensible, and appeared very happy, quietly waiting her summons. Her death was like a sweet sleep, a breathing of her soul back to God who gave it.

May this narrative encourage the Christian not to neglect the aged; and convince the ignorant, that it is never too late to learn. Bowed down by infirmities, the widow M- - began at the age of sixty-five years the work for which life was given, and in her eightieth year, her once rebellious spirit was heard to bless and praise God for sparing her life, even through years of great suffering, to enjoy the light of gospel truth shining into her mind; and this through very limited means, private teaching, and private reading, for she never heard a gospel sermon.

This is not a solitary case. Others among the aged poor have come under the writer's notice, who have learned to read in old age, and reaped a blessing.

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UPON THE SIGHT OF AN OWL IN THE TWILIGHT.

WHAT a strange melancholy life doth this creature lead, to hide her head all the day long in an ivy bush, and at night, when all other birds are at rest, to fly abroad, and vent her harsh notes; I know not why the ancients have sacred this bird to wisdom, except it be for her safe closeness and singular perspicacity; that when other domestical and airy creatures are blind, she only hath inward light to discern the least objects for her own advantage. Surely thus much wit they have taught us in her, that he is the wisest man that would have least to do with the multitude; that no life is so safe as the obscure; that retiredness, if it have less comfort, yet has less danger and vexation; lastly, that he is truly wise who sees by a light of his own, when the rest of the world sit in an ignorant and confused darkness, unable to apprehend any truth, save by the helps of an outward illu.mination.

Had this fowl come forth in the day time, how had all the little birds flocked wondering about her, to see her uncouth visage, to hear her untuned notes; she likes her estate never the worse, but pleaseth herself in her own quiet TRACT MAG., THIRD SERIES, No. 104, AUG., 1842. I

reservedness. It is not for a wise man to be much affected with the censures of the rude and unskilful vulgar; but to hold fast unto his own well-chosen and well-fixed resolutions. Every fool knows what is wont to be done; but what is best to be done is known only to the wise.

UPON THE SOUND OF A CRACKED BELL.

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WHAT a harsh sound doth this make in every ear! metal is good enough; it is the rift that makes it so unpleasingly jarring. How too like is this bell to a scandalous and ill-lived teacher! His calling is honourable; his noise is heard far enough; but the flaw (which is noted in his life) mars his doctrine, and offends those ears which else would take pleasure in his teaching. It is possible that such a one, even by that discordous noise, may ring in others into the triumphant church of heaven; but there is no remedy for himself but the fire, whether for his reforming or judgment.

UPON THE STINGING OF A WASP.

How small things may annoy the greatest! even a mouse troubles an elephant, a gnat a lion; a very flea may disquiet a giant. What weapon can be nearer to nothing than the sting of this wasp! yet what a painful wound hath it given me! that scarce-visible point how it envenoms and rankles, and swells up the flesh! The tenderness of the part adds much to the grief.

And if I be thus vexed with the touch of an angry fly, Lord, how shall I be able to endure the sting of a tormenting conscience! As that part is both most active, and most sensible, so that wound which it receives from itself, is most intolerably grievous; there were more ease in a nest of hornets than under this one torture. O God, howsoever I speed abroad, give me peace at home; and whatever my flesh suffer, keep my soul free.

Thus pained, wherein do I find ease but in laying honey to the part infected? that medicine only abates the anguish. How near hath nature placed the remedy to the offence! Wheresoever my heart is stung with the remorse for sin, only thy sweet and precious merits, O blessed Saviour, can mitigate and heal the wound; they have virtue to cure me,

give me grace to apply them: that sovereign receipt shall make my pain happy; I shall thus applaud my grief; it was good for me that I was thus afflicted. Bishop Hall.

THE CHRISTIAN IN THE PIT.

OFTEN have I reflected on the thoughts that Joseph must have had when he was in the pit. No doubt he was full of doubts and fears. "Oh! what are become of all my dreams now! Why, they are all come to nothing! I thought my brethren were to bow down to me, lo, they have put me lower than ever they were."

I do not mean to say that Joseph talked in this way, though I think it very likely; for this is just the way the Christian talks, when he gets down into the pit of despondency. Oh," says he, where are all my pleasing prospects? They are all come to nothing!"

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Stop a little, Christian, not so fast! By and by Joseph begins to feel himself drawn up again. Well, Joseph, what now? "Oh! why I can see more of the daylight at the top of the pit, and I can breathe more freely."

To be sure you can! What do you think of your dreams now? "Well, I do not know what to think; who knows but they may be true after all ?”

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Well, Christian, how do you feel yourself now? It is some time since I spoke to you before; you were in a very dark place then? "Oh, why I am better! I begin to feel." "Feel! ah! ah! I know all about it! I know you feel! You can see the blue sky again now, and can breathe more freely. Now, do not be so ready to give it all up in future. You have many a weary mile to go yet, but God's word is an everlasting word; rest firmly upon it, and you will find that His covenant shall stand fast for ever and ever."

THE JUDGMENT DAY.

"We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men," 2 Cor. v. 10, 11. SINNER, what a fearful day will that be! You must then be exposed before God, angels, and men. The terrible

majesty of God will be displayed. He will set your iniquities before him, your secret sins in the light of his countenance. There will be no concealment, the omniscient eye of God will search out every crime: he knows all things; the book of God's remembrance will contain every fault. "The day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" Joel ii. 11. The memory will recollect all your sins, with all their aggravations; and a guilty conscience, which now expostulates in vain, will condemn you with the most bitter reflections; and the terrors of God will take hold of you, and hurry you away to the burning lake. They will be terrors within, Deut. xxxii. 25, within thy bosom, in the deep recesses of thy heart: thy heart will meditate terror, and only terror, for evermore, Isa. xxxiii. 18. While you suffer these terrors a wild distraction will seize you, Psa. lxxxviii. 15, and consume as devouring fire, not your person, but all your false hopes, comforts, and foolish ideas, Psa. lxxiii. 19. This will be the case with all sinners, according to the light they possessed, and the privileges within their reach. This will be their portion, even for ever and ever.

"Knowing, therefore, the terrors of the Lord, we persuade men," 2 Cor. v. 11. We know them from God's word, in which he threatens them; in which he gives us instances of his terrible displeasure. Look at the destruction of the old world by the flood; see rich and poor, young and old, moral and immoral, alike swept away with the besom of destruction. Ah sinner! where was then the mercy on which you now presume? how did God show mercy then? Look at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, what a fearful overthrow! and yet the destruction of those cities was more tolerable than will be the terrors of the Lord on the last great day. See Korah and all his company swallowed up by an earthquake: see Pharaoh and his host cast into the Red Sea see Nadab and Abihu consumed with fire in the tabernacle; and remember this is the God with whom you have to do. Oh, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Heb. x. 31. We know something of the terrors of the Lord from the convictions we have felt in our own minds, and from what we have seen in others on sick and dying beds; and knowing the terrors of the Lord we persuade men.

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