by their friends, and introduced into his presence-upon those he put his hands and blessed them. Both were welcome to Jesus, and engaged his attention and regard.

Since Christ has removed to the invisible world, the command"suffer the little children to come to me," suggests ideas somewhat different, although in effect the same, which receive various modifications, according to the progress made in life, until that limit be passed which marks the term, by which child. hood is prescribed.

Let the infant be devoted to the divine mercy and care.Christ the unspeakable gift of God, is the Savior of the child, and of the parent; both have been considered in the covenant of grace, and provision has been made for the renovation and happiness of both; of this baptism is an expressive emblem. When a parent gives himself first to God, and then his child, this solemn act becomes highly beneficial-the parent hereby renews his own profession of faith and obedience, and lends his child, as Samuel was lent, all the days of his life, to the Lord.

By Baptism, children are initiated to Christ's family-By a religious education, they are formed to the dispositions and conduct, becoming in the high and honorable station which they fill. Let them be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, which include, the one, all the branches of discipline-the other, all the branches of instruction. Is fol. ly bound up in the heart of a child? the rod of correction must drive it from him. Is man born like a wild ass's colt? Deficient

in every kind of knowledge and improvement. By the greatest care and patience, must he be in. structed and improved. Discipline roots out the noxious weed.-Instruction nourishes the useful plant. Instruction without Discipline, is throwing seed on ground where the pernicious weed is permitted to grow luxuriant and Discipline without Instruction is as ineffectual; it may root out the weed, but it endangers the grain.-Let the sons of Abraham instruct their children with authority and care, they shall receive pleasure in them, for Christ loves those who in their youth, are brought up in his service, and marks them out for future honor.

This world is a nursery, where seeds are sown, and plants are raised, but they are brought to maturity in other ground-when our children whom we devoted to God; over whom we watched; whose instruction and improvement we anxiously studied; when such are cut off in youth, what shall we conclude?-That our labor has been in vain, and our hopes all disappointed. By no means-Let us rather concludethat our labor has been effectual, and our hopes completely realized.

The plant is removed from this nursery, where our expectations from it might all have been blasted, to the paradise of God above, where it flourishes, and shall for ever flourish, in the highest maturity.

Of such is the kingdom of God,"-remarkable assurance. It means-such as these belong to Christ's kingdom on earth, and are the heirs of heaven. Their simple and modest appear. ance, their meek and innocent

conduct, their teachable temper and indifference to the things of life, are worthy of imitation; nay destitute of a character in which these qualities principally prevail, you are none of Christ's disciples but the expression seems immediately to intimate, that into the kingdom of heaven these children themselves are received. Christ views them with delight, as osiers which are easily bent; as wax susceptible 'of any impression, and he has left it in charge with parents to give the osier the proper bend, the wax a good impression. The directions on this subject are plain, urgent, and express, repeated again and again, in the holy scriptures-when followed, the parent may be assured of the approbation of his Savior, who will reward his obedience, the reward sometimes is-The child is taken from him-The world has a thousand charms adapted to the corrupt inclinations natural to us all. Some minds from their Constitution are more exposed than others. It may be in pity to mankind in general, and perhaps in some instances, it may be the reward of the diligence, and answer of the prayer of the pious parent, for the welfare of the child-that such a proportion of the human race are cut off in early life. But be this as it will-since children are capable of being members of Christ's kingdom on earth, and afterwards of admission into the heavenly kingdom, let parents do every thing in their power to prepare them for heaven-and let them rejoice when their Savior is pleased to take them to himself.

That children are capable of

religious impressions, and some. times give evidence of a disposition and conduct, which the spirit of Jesus alone could inspire, appears to me plain from the affecting narrative, which has suggested these reflections, and will I hope be read with interest and advantage.

THE NARRATIVE.

CHARLOTTE LENOX, was a daughter of Robert Lenox, Esq. of New-York. The family are numerous and promising-and enjoy advantages which few enjoy. The manner in which the Lord's day is improved by all its members I state with pleasure, not doubting but to this, under the blessing of God, may be as cribed the religious impressions which have supported some of them in the most trying moments. The family assemble in the morning to hear the word read, and to join in prayer. Public worship during both parts of the day is regularly attended. The evening hours are sacred to instruction at home. Private duties are not absorbed in public duties, each has its time, which in pleasing succession, dispose the mind for serious impressions, and render them deep and lasting. A day thus spent is happiness beyond what the sensualist can boast, and it is attended with an enriching blessing. Thus happy was the family of my friend, when I saw them. They were all in health, and tasted the do mestic cup overflowing with good. A few short weeks and a bitter cup went round. "Alethea," a young lady of eighteen, whom none saw without being pleased; with whom none con

versed without being charmed d; whose amiable manners conciliated the affection of all; was the boast of her parents, but her days were numbered. She took her leave of mortal things, and left her friends in tears, her parents in an agony of grief.

Afflictions seldom come alone, the wound inflicted by this stroke still bled, when the heart receiv. ed a new wound from a stroke equally heavy, and equally severe. Such the steps of providence, they are wise, although to us a great deep. Joseph is not, and must Benjamin also be taken from me? Should nature agonize, faith acknowledges, that the Judge of all has done right.

That our sufferings are not singular, although it cannot throw off the burthen, yet it may ease its weight. The reverend Dr. Hunter, of London, looked round on a family he had raised with care, and beheld them filling with honor and ability, stations of usefulness and profit in different parts of the world, he reaped the fruit of many painful hours, when that fruit grate ful to a parent, as the fruit of paradise, was suddenly destroyed. One son died in the East, and another in the West-Indies; a third died at home; a daughter also, the joy of his heart, at the moment too of her entering life with the fairest prospects, fol. lowed her brothers to the tomb. These events succeeded in quick succession.

The thunder roared in repeat. ed peals. A firm mind was shak. en, and knawed with grief, but it bowed in silence, having learn. ed of Job to say, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him," and of a greater than Job, "The VOL. II. New Series.

cup my father giveth me, shall I not drink it: Not my will, thine be done."

The little Charlotte had entwined herself by a thousand charms round the beart. Her disposition was sedate and thoughtful, beyond what at her time of life, is usual. A famil. iar anecdote gives insight into her character. Some time ago I was supping with the family when the family were alone. The conversation was cheerful, but innocent. The children took their part; it was indeed a feast of love. Alethea, described a party of pleasure, many of them had shone in sprightliness and gazety, one of them, whose distinction was not of this kind, was pleasingly but with perfect innocence, spoken of by Alethea, who concluded a striking picture, declaring with a smile, "For all the world she is like our Charlotte." The characteristic of the child is marked, in this anecdote with a strong hand. Frivolous and showy traits attract the inconsiderate, but traits, in which solidity and thoughtfulness appear, stamp a value on the character.

The

What may be expected of a child twelve years old? Little generally may be expected, and little is 'realized; but the present instance is an exception. child was sick unto death. She was a child indeed, but her words and conduct were the words and conduct of mature years, and of a mind exercised to godliness. Take them from the pen of a sister, and their father has assured me that "the description is not by any means high color. ed."

"She appeared to have seri. 2Q

ous impressions of her dissolution for several days before it happened, which was on Saturday morning at twelve o'clock, the 16th of May.” "On Thursday she asked her father the hour, she was told it was twelve o'clock, on repeating the question some time afterwards, she was told it was one. She said, I am one hour nearer my end, and during the intermission of the violent paroxysms, she was generally in prayer with some of the family, praying that the Lord would have mercy upon her, though a little one, and that he would forgive an infant sinner.”

That the world lies in wickedness is too evident for the boldest offender to deny, but a sense of the malignity of sin, which de. praves our nature, and renders us a prey to sickness and death, is peculiar to those who have received the spirit of grace, he draws the soul to God for relief, and teaches us to number the hours as they pass, that they may be improved, providing for eternity, under the direction of that spirit this child is seen to act, she needed help, and applied with the certainty of receiving help, to her, heavenly Father.

"On the morning of her death, she took leave of the family one by one, embracing them, praying the Lord to bless and have mercy upon them, and hoped she might meet them all in heaven.

She

then called for all the domestics and prayed for them in the ame manner; she begged that her friends whom she could not see, might be told that she prayed for them, and wished to meet them all in heaven."

The spirit of Jesus is a spirit of love, and I question whether

it ever appeared more evident. She embraced her parents, sisters, and brother, this others might have done, but she felt an interest in the meanest domestic, and in all her acquaintance though absent; she looked to heaven where she was hastening as the seat of blessedness, and desired and prayed, that they might all attain the same happiness, and in that thought her own arose to its full completion. The world never kindled such a flame, it descended from above, to refine the soul, that pure and spiritual it might immediately be united to angels, and to the spirits made perfect.

"She wished to see a child to whom she was much attached, who had been at the same school with her, and being sent for told her that she had been ill, and suffered a great deal since they had parted, but that was nothing; that they had their little quarrels, but she hoped that God would forgive them both, and mind, Frances, said she, mind your duty to God, say your prayers morning and evening on your knees, and then you will die as I do. Come and kiss me, may God bless you, and may we meet in heaven."

Well, may we believe that when the gospel shall exert its full energy, it will eradicate enmity from the heart, men shall no more bite and devour one another, but live in unity as brethren, over this babe that gospel had an entire influence, who shews in her dying hour what all would be, were all Christians.

"She asked all the family to come close to her, and prayed for them, that the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the

God of Jacob, your God, my God, every person's God may bless you. If I have enemies may God forgive them; I would even pray that the Almighty might forgive Satan if possible; and O, God! forgive an infant sinner. I know that thy Son same down from Heaven, and died on the cross for my sins, it was God, for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one, there are not three Gods, but one God. I am now going to meet my Savior in Heaven, to meet the disciples of Christ, my beloved sister Alethea, and all my friends who have gone before me."

The presumption of those who deal damnation with a lavish tongue, when others come not up to their standard, is checked by a babe, who far from think. ing harshly of any, was anxious that the mercy on which her own hopes rested might extend to all. An infant tongue proclaimed the Godhead of the Son-an infant heart committed its eternal safe. ty into his hand, and thereby exposed the insult offered to his character, by those who degrade him to a mere man. The thought of meeting the disciples of her Lord, and all her departed friends, her sister in particular, put her all on fire to be gone to a better world, and to join au innumerable company of hap. py immortals.

Having gone through this scene which occupied a considerable time, and feeling her elf exhausted, she finished by say ing-Lord Jesus receive my Spirit."

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Seeing her friends very much affected she said, why do you

cry? How I wish you could all die with me, it is so sweet!"

"After she was unable to speak, her father prayed with her for some time, and desired if she understood what he said to squeeze his hand, which she did immediately, he then said repeat your last prayer once more, she lifted up her eyes to heaven, and said Lord Jesus-no more could be understood, although her lips continued to move.

"This was all done without shedding one tear, on the contrary her countenance shone like that of an angel, and had something in it supernatural.

"She was a most affectionate child and sister, and in the course of her life never gave pain to any one, but was beloved by every person that knew her. She bad a strong and a discerning mind, cultivated far beyond her years, extremely warm in her friend. ships which she formed with discretion and judgment. In short she was a woman, and scholar in miniature-but a Christian grown to full maturity. She has left a blank in our family and affections which can never be filled up with a lesson to us all to go and do likewise."

Some question the truth of christianity and its good tendency, God himself is pleased to plead its cause, and to give them in. struction, but as the pride of the heart must be reduced, an infant is his advocate, in whom we see both what christianity is and to what it tends. It is a living principle laying the guilty crea ture in the dust, and exalting the Creator. The mysteries of the Godhead in as far as they are revealed, flash with such evi,