thousand times, I should cancel all the debts of my former life. I accordingly began to repeat the prayers; but one evening, while sitting alone, it came into my mind that I had committed many real sins, and could hardly expect by reciting prayers, without performing a single virtuous action, to obtain forgiveness.

"In the meanwhile I heard the Missionary preach the doctrine of atonement through Jesus, and at my leisure I examined the Scriptures, which forbade uncleanness, deceit, and idolatry. Then, I thought, these are good books, exhorting men to depart from iniquity; moreover, the doctrines are attested by the miracles of Jesus, therefore this book must certainly be true. I then listened to the explanation of the Scriptures, and on the Sabbath-day read the Bible more attentively, requesting the Missionary to explain it to me. I asked what was meant by Jesus making atonement for sin. The Missionary told me that Jesus was the Son of God, sent into the world to suffer for the sins of men, in order that all who believe in Him might obtain salvation. Feeling myself to be a sinner, I asked how I was to obtain pardon? The Missionary said, 'If you believe in Jesus, God will receive you as his adopted son, and in the world to come bestow on you everlasting life.' On returning to my room, I thought within myself, I am a great sinner, and if I do not depend on the merits of Christ how can God forgive me? I then determined to become a disciple of Jesus, and requested baptism. After receiving this rite, I employed my mind diligently in guarding my life and actions, and became more and more fond of reading the Scriptures. I prayed to God to drive all evils thoughts out of my mind, and cherish good desires within me. I now not only refrained from worshipping images myself, but pitied those who did, and sought to instruct them in the way of salvation. With this view, I made a small book, exhorting men to worship God and believe in Jesus: and on my return to my native village in China, I printed a hundred copies, for the purpose of distribution, when one day I was suddenly apprehended by the police, who brought me before the mandarin. He said that my believing in Jesus, and printing Christian books, were both violations

of the law, and ordered me into confinement. While there, I thought with myself, this book contains the true doctrine of Jesus, the Saviour of the world, who exhorted men to become good-why then should I be persecuted for printing it? I suppose it is because my sins have provoked God to punish me. Therefore, I heartily repented, and prayed that God would pity and pardon me.

"The Missionary afterwards interested some persons to speak to the mandarin on my behalf; who, after giving me thirty blows with the bamboo on the souls of my feet, till the blood flowed, liberated me. The police officers also extorted from me seventy dollars. After I had suffered this persecution and loss of property, I did not dare to turn my back on the Lord Jesus, but accounted that I suffered the just punishment due for my sins."

MEMOIR OF PHILIPPA BROAD.

MANY memorials of piety have been lost through neglect, that might have instructed, encouraged, and stimulated young persons in seeking to walk in the ways of the Lord. The following narrative would also have been lost had it not been preserved by our warm friend, Mr. W. Hawker, of Pelynt. It having been by him lately entrusted to our care, we hasten to transmit it for preservation, among the many valuable stores of our "Sunday School Hive." A Poet has said

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene,

The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear:
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air."

But then it may be remarked, that though neglected and unobserved by men, their value, beauty, and fragrance have been regarded by the all-seeing eye of God, and he has recorded the names of departed worth on his book of remembrance, and has said, "They shall be mine in the day when I number up my jewels."

Some flowers emit a fragrance only while they live;

others "scent like a rose," when they are dead. There is a fragrance in the following memorial, which we trust will induce many to seek for themselves, the virtues of an "excellent name" ; and, which we trust will revive in others those gracious emotions which they have formerly experienced.

We well remember visiting the beautiful spot where was situated the residence of Philippa Broad. It was in one of the numerous "coombs" or narrow winding valleys, among the wooded hills in the east of Cornwall. Some of these hills are, on the sides towards the valley, almost perpendicular, rising to a considerable elevation; leaving but a small breadth of land between them; which is covered in most instances, with beautiful verdure and many flowers. Small streams of water run rippling along among stones and rocks, or here and there spread out in little pools, where active trout sport and gambol, or swiftly secrete themselves beneath the overhanging flowery banks. In summer months these situations are lovely indeed; though they have their disadvantages in rugged roads, and distance from the means of grace. The cottage in which Philippa's parents resided, was on the side of a little stream, to which we approached by crossing a path made of stones; a little garden was one side towards the left, a shop in which her father carried on his trade of basket-making, was on the other side, and everything within displayed neatness and taste, though simple and plain. Here lived and died Philippa Broad. She was like a lily of the valley, pale and delicate, yet lovely; but we did not expect she would so soon be gathered by her Heavenly Father to the Paradise above.

Zion chapel, which she attended, was situated at Pelynt, above two miles from her home, but she loved the house of prayer, and distance or weather seldom prevented her attendance in the house of the Lord. Our young friends must now imagine her sitting, in this cottage near a wood, and endeavouring to record her own history. This account was found among her little possessions after her death, and perhaps may be the more interesting, because the story of her early impressions and conversion are related in her own words. She says

"I was born on the 1st of May, 1823. During the years of infancy I was innocent, but since that time I have been a sinner against that God who gave me breath. I can remember feeling the strivings of the Spirit of God at the age of four years. Very often, when I did wrong, I have told my mother, that when I got bigger I would be good. I have often been led to weep when quite a child, by reflecting upon eternity. Hell used to dwell on my mind. Thinking on its dark abode made me shudder; but still I thought, if I was called to die, I should go to heaven, as I was not wicked enough to be sent to hell. I have to be thankful for a praying mother, one who instructed me early in the ways of religion. I have no doubt but I have been the subject of many prayers. In the spring and summer of 1838, as well as I can remember, I became convinced of sin, and had a desire to be on the Lord's side; and I believe if a revival had taken place then, I should have joined with the people of God, and fully have given my heart to the Lord. But, alas! alas! I had no one to take me by the hand, and therefore I went on sinning against God, and sinking deeper "in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity." Having those for my companions who were strangers to God and religion, I had not courage to deny them my company, as I had no other; but I did not make known my mind to any one. On one occasion, however, I did refuse going to a fair, and my companions railed at me, and said, I should live in a nunnery. I then thought I should be happy to live secluded from the world to enjoy peace of mind. But this goodness was as the morning cloud and early dew; it soon passed away, and I again fell into sin. Being of a very high spirit, I gave up to excess of pride, and Satan was dragging me downwards fast to hell; when, bless the Lord! he called aloud by his Spirit, stopped me in my mad career, and rescued me from danger. One Sunday, in the month of January, 1841, Mr. Stanton preached in Zion Chapel, Pelynt. Through inattention and heedlessness, I cannot remember the text, nor the first part of the sermon, but this was the close: 'Angels,' said he, are waiting to carry the news to heaven that sinners are converted! He then asked, with tears in his

eyes, shall the angels return to heaven mute, while devils return in triumph to hell?' Glory to God! these last words sank deep in my heart; the tear found its way down my face; and though I repressed my feelings, yet my heart felt more than I can express. I did not then join with the people of God, but conviction never left me. The Spirit of the Lord strove mightily with me many times when Mr. Sayer has preached at Pelynt. I have been convinced of my undone state, and led to enquire, What should I do, if the Lord were to strike me dead?' But, blessed be the Lord, he did not leave me in this state. On the 16th of February, 1841, after being in a flood of passion and hurry with a friend, I attended a meeting at Pelynt, but not with the thought of giving my heart to God. Mr. Mules was the preacher. He delivered a very alarming sermon, and many were pricked to the heart. I do not know that I felt more under that sermon than under others that I had heard, but my companion was then convinced that she was a sinner, and was led to cry for mercy, and the cries of other penitents reached to heaven. Some were set at liberty, and others were in great distress. The preacher came to me, and asked me, if I intended to give my heart to God. I stood like one thunderstruck. I then thought the Spirit of God was gone from me for ever. I began to be alarmed, for all my companions were giving their hearts to God, whilst I had no call. I wept; but Satan tempted me to think it too mean for me to kneel down, and call aloud for mercy, so I returned home with a wounded conscience. I retired to my chamber, and that night it might have been said, 'Behold, she prayeth.' I attended the means of grace the following evening, and then I could hold out no more. I cried aloud for mercy, and returned home in great distress. In this state I remained for several days, seeking the pardoning mercy of God. I was not alone in my distress, for, of ten young persons in the village of Little Larnick, eight were seeking the Lord. O what a sight it was to see so many young men, and young women, going to the means of grace! My companions, one by one, were made happy in a Saviour's love; and were able to tell to sinners round, what a great Saviour they had found.' About fifty began