the time while with us, which retarded her considerably in her education."

It will be recollected, that it was ten months after she was met with at Caneycreek, before she was brought to Brainerd;-and judging from some facts which have since been disclosed, it is probable that she had been taken captive two months before. So that when she fell into the hands of the Cherokees, she could not have been older than four years. This was a tender period of life, to undertake such a journey through the wilderness as she had to perform. Nor will it appear strange that it should have injured her health for a long time after, when we consider, that she travelled eight hundred miles, at a most unpleasant season of the year, and through a country which afforded only a scanty supply of food.

Notwithstanding her health was so poor she still made considerable progress in learning. She could read in easy lessons, and recite a number of hymns, beside giving answers to questions in the catechism. The hymns she had learned to sing, as well as to repeat.

Her mind was early instructed in the things of religion and although she gave no decisive evidence of possessing a new heart, her feelings were so serious and tender, that it seemed as if the Divine Spirit had begun to operate upon her mind. Mr. Chamberlain, speaking of her character in this respect, says, "When Lydia first began to speak our language, and hear something about God, she would sometimes be almost lost in thought; and would frequently show the depth of her mind, by her pertinent questions. When her mother told her that God made her, she mentioned over several other things, and wanted to

know if God made them also. On being answered in the affirmative, she wanted to know what God was, where he lived, and who made him. She never appeared satisfied until she understood what was told her. She frequently asked things of another world; and what would become of people when they die." It is added; "she was particular to say her prayers morning and evening."

In her feelings, she was remarkably affectionate and kind. "I think I never saw a child," says Mr. Chamberlain, "who was more fond of its parents, than she was of her's." She was unwilling to stay from them, even for a night. And nothing could be more painful to her, than the idea that she might, one day, have to leave them to return to her own tribe. The same affection was exhibited by her towards her little sister, Catherine Chamberlain, whom she greatly loved, though she was much younger than herself.

To her parents and superiors, she was obedient, and respectful, as well as affectionate.

(To be continued.)

DEPRAVITY OF HUMAN NATURE.

If it is good reasoning to conclude that a tree which, under all circumstances, and every variety of management, does nevertheless invariably continue to bring forth bad fruit, is itself essentially corrupt and bad, surely it is no less consistent with reason to infer, judging from the general quality of his actions, that "man is, of his own nature, inclined to evil"-that he is indeed "the

degenerate plant of a strange vine !"-moreover, that it requires nothing less than the entire renovation of his nature to enable him to bring forth fruit pleasing and acceptable to God. If, then, this representation of the real condition of man is true—and that it is true in its principal features the voice of revelation and the evidence of facts incontrovertibly testify-it can answer no beneficial purpose to quarrel and object against it; rather, is it not our wisdom, frankly and without debate, to admit, in all its force, and to the fullest extent, the humiliating account, in order that we may be thereby led cordially to embrace that wonderful scheme of redemption which is freely proposed to our acceptance, submitting ourselves wholly to that all-sufficient Saviour, "who waiteth to be gracious."

"What better can we do

than prostrate fall

Before him reverent, and there confess
Humbly our faults, and pardon beg with tears."

Mandell.

If God should make us an offer thus large, "Search all the generations of men, since the fall of our first father Adam; find one man that has done one action which hath passed from him pure, without any stain or blemish at all; and, for that one man's only action, neither man nor angel shall feel the torments prepared for both." Do you think that this ransom, to deliver men and angels, could be found to be among the sons of men?-Hooker.

We are sinners by the corruption of the heart, and it is a fatal mistake to suppose that we are so

only by the commission of sin. Our guilt does not then begin to exist when it is brought into action, but to appear; and what was always manifest to God is now become so to ourselves and others.-Adam.

EFFICACY OF CHRIST'S BLOOD.

The prevailing efficacy of the blood of Christ ariseth from his dignity and character, and its being shed by divine appointment. Consider the dignity of his person and the excellency of his character. His dignity, as the Son of God, and one with the Father, enhances his condescension in dying for us, and at the same time gives a high value and merit to his blood. Reflect likewise on his character. Abel's works were righteous, but not perfect. No doubt, as a son of fallen Adam, there were many defects in his character; yet God had a regard to the voice of his blood. How much more will he regard what the blood of Christ speaketh, "who was holy, harmless, and without spot! He was the first favourite of heaven, and died "the just for the unjust." He was not, like Abel, incapable of resistance. He could have delivered himself from his murderers ; but he voluntarily laid down his life for us. Therefore the Father loveth him, and heareth his pleading blood.-Farther, it was shed by divine appointment. Had it been only shed in the common course of things, as the blood of Abel or any other martyr, it would indeed have cried more loudly against the wicked Jews who shed it, but have been of no avail to our redemption. But

D

"it pleased the Lord to bruise him; and God's sword awakened against the man that was his fellow," that he might make an atonement for sin. God set him forth as a propitiation for our sins; and therefore no doubt the voice of his blood will be heard. The efficacy of it extends to all penitent sinners. It cleanseth from all sin. His atonement is as extensive as our iniquities; and the whole church of the redeemed are "washed from their sins in this precious blood of the Lamb."-Orton.

The whole election of grace; all the children of God, scattered about in the world; all the Lord's people that ever have been, are, or shall be, may truly be said to be the pearl of great price, which Christ came into this world to seek for, and found; and, finding it, sold all that he had, shed his blood, parted with his life, and gave himself for it, and bought it.-Dr. Gill.

LETTERS ON SABBATH SCHOOLS.

LETTER I.-INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

Mr. Editor,-Doubtless most of your readers are, to a greater or less degree, conversant with those precious institutions, which are rising up in such numbers in our land and throughout christendom, and gathering within their pale the early blossoms of intellect and immortality from the rising generation,-like moral stars, whose hitherto dispersed rays of light are rapidly becoming concentrated to dissipate the darkness, which hangs over, and to beautify the moral creation of