one room, and in the next, father, mother, brothers," and sisters hung weeping round the couch of the suffering Henry. Acute, indeed, were the pains with which it pleased God to visit the youthful saint; and saint-like indeed was the resignation with which those pains were borne. But about midnight his agonies were suddenly calmed, and hope fluttered for a moment in the heavy hearts of those who loved him. It was but for a moment. The physician announced that the process of mortification had begun, and death was drawing nigh. All at once the voice of the blind boy was heard, calling his mother in a faint but calm voice. She came to his bedside, and he took hold of her hand. Then he asked for his father, brothers, and sisters. They all came. He touched each, and said, "Mary is not here."

No one spoke, but he felt his mother's hand quiver in his.

"Mary is drowned," said he ; "God has taken her to be an angel. Do not sob, mother, because she and I are to be so much happier than we ever could be on earth. Let me tell you of what Mary and I were talking this very morning, and you will see that God has kindly called us away, at the very time when we were most willing, perhaps most fit, to die.

Then he told them briefly all that had passed that day, and, after a moment's pause, added ;

"Father and mother! I thank God for taking me away so young; and so too did Mary. You will be saved much trouble, much care; and we shall find no temptation, no sin, where we are going. Mary will

never suffer pain and sickness again; and I, the poor blind boy, that never saw even your dear face, mother, I shall behold God. My eyes will be opened, and I shall go from a world of darkness into a world of light. Promise me, all of you, that you will not sit down and mourn for me when I am dead; you will observe how wise and good it was that Mary and I should both die young. I have been a happy boy. God gave you a sick child and a blind one to try your patience and virtue, and you have borne the trial well. You have been very kind to us both; you never said a harsh thing to your blind boy. We have lived just long enough to try your submission, but not long enough to be a heavy burden all your lives to you; and now God has taken us away, just as we could have wished, together, and at the best of times to die - the best for you, the best for us. Sometimes it is hard to see why things should be as they are; but this is an easy matter to understand. I am sure it is right, and I am happy!"

r

Henry Halleck never spoke again; but his last words had breathed comfort into the hearts of his parents, which dwelt there enduringly with his memory.

He lingered till morning. The first red beams of that sun he had never seen, fell on his pale features and sightless eyes. He felt his mother drawing open

the curtain of the little window at his bedside, that she might behold his face more plainly. With a faint smile on his lips, he turned towards her; it became fixed, and with a short spasm, his innocent spirit passed suddenly and peacefully into the world he had panted to know.

Death had at last come under the roof of William

Halleck, and summoned the young, fair, and good; but he had come in visible kindness.

When the dispensation is dark, dreadful, and mysterious, latent good is still there; and the true christian seeks for it and if he finds it not, still adores without doubting.

PHILANTHROPY.

PHILANTHROPY is a great and benevolent, a kind, generous disposition of soul, which, soaring above narrow and selfish views, and dark and malevolent passions, takes pleasure in the happiness and prosperity of mankind. No private views, nor selfish motives, nor personal resentments, can induce it to sacrifice the great interests of mankind to its own, or to violate the sacred obligations which bind society together.

Justice and truth, fidelity and integrity, humanity and compassion are weighty considerations, infinitely paramount to every private satisfaction, and could it invariably regulate the world by its dictates, it would soon become a kind of celestial habitation, where every mean, selfish, 'and malevolent passion would cease to exist.

LINES TO A YOUNG LADY READING THE BIBLE.

OH! thus let every hour of life afford

Deeds worthy for your conscience to record;
Duties perform'd, time zealously employ'd,
Talents improved, and happiness enjoy'd;
Errors corrected, sins and failings mourn'd,

Blessings received and grateful praise return'd.

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COUNTRY.

LIGHTS AND SHADES.

LOVE OF COUNTRY.

THE Abbé de Lille relates of an Indian, who, amid the splendor of Paris, beholding a Banana tree in the Jardin des Plantes, bathed it with tears, and seemed for a moment to be transported to his own land.

The Ethiopian imagines that God made his sands and deserts, while angels only were employed in forming the rest of the world.

The Maltese, insulated on a rock, distinguish their island by the appellation of "The Flower of the World.”

The Javanese have such an affection for the place of their nativity, that no advantages can induce them, the agricultural tribes in particular, to quit the tombs of their fathers.

The Norwegians, proud of their barren summits, inscribe upon their rix dollars, "spirit, loyalty, valor, and whatever is honorable, let the world learn among the rocks of Norway."

The Caribbees esteem their country a paradise, and themselves alone entitled to the name of men.

LIGHTS AND SHADES.

THE gloomiest day has gleams of light;
The darkest wave hath bright foam near it;
And twinkles through the cloudiest night,
Some solitary star to cheer it.

The gloomiest soul is not all gloom;

The saddest heart is not all sadness;

And sweetly o'er the darkest gloom,

There shines some lingering beam of gladness.

Despair is never quite despair;

Nor life, nor death the future closes ;
And round the shadowy brow of care,
Will Hope and Fancy twine their roses.

PURITY OF HEART.

PURITY of heart must proceed from the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. It is one of the most exalted virtues that can dignify human nature. It gives strength, vigor, and masculine firmness to the mind, which is the foundation of everything great and excellent.

He who combats his daily passions, and gives up the fondest wishes of his soul; who keeps a constant guard upon his thoughts, words, and actions, and takes up his cross to follow Christ; this man cannot well be influenced by anything but a strong sense of duty, and an undissembled conviction that he is bound to obey even the severest precepts of the gospel.

ARTIFICE.

The

THE most innocent dissimulation is never without disadvantages; whether criminal or not, artifice is always dangerous, and almost invariably productive of misery. best and soundest policy is, in no case to employ artifice, or to practise the slightest deception, but to be, in every circumstance of life, upright and sincere. This is the natural system of virtuous minds, and superiority of talents and of understanding is alone sufficient to lead to its adoption.