"So fades a summer's cloud away; So sinks the gale when storms are o'er; So dies a wave along the shore, Light from its load, the spirit flies, The character of her whose history has now been slightly traced, was singularly calculated to command esteem and to win affection. This, however, was the consequence, not of any one prominent peculiarity, but of many excellencies in beautiful and harmonious combination. Her distinguishing mental endowment was strong sense. Her judgment was remarkable for the accuracy of its perceptions and the soundness of its conclusions. As if by intuition she seemed to discern, with one bright glance of thought, the truth or error of a representation,-the force or fallacy of an argument. Into the regions of mere speculation, indeed, she rarely strayed, but subjects of practical value awakened her highest interest. And in nothing was this soundness of understanding more obvious than in the regulation of her own conduct. She appeared almost instinctively to discern what was most congruous with her character and with the circumstances in which she was placed. Hence her prudence was such as to preserve from those unguarded utterances and ill-considered acts, by which some sustaining a similar position have distressed their husbands, and disturbed the peace of the societies over which they have presided. Free and frank in a very high degree, her in tercourse with others was so conducted as never to involve her in disputes or expose her to censure. But her pru dence, though extreme, was not that cold, calculating, and repulsive thing which sometimes bears the name. She had a warm and loving heart, full of tender sympathy and formed for closest friendship. Her affections, however, were never discovered by sudden ebullitions or capricious partialities. They were enlightened and well regulated, and, like her entire character, beautifully feminine. These, and, indeed, all her mental manifestations, were marked by a natural refinement and delicacy, with which they were invested as with a graceful and flowing robe. There was, moreover, in her countenance, tones, and manner, a sweet and gentle cheerfulness, like the clear summer brook, which murmurs its pleasant course through verdant meadows, and reflects from its rippled surface the flowers and sunlight of summer. And this was the true index of the habitual serenity of her spirit. But this amiability was not allied to weakness. Her mind and movements were governed, not through her susceptibility, but by her convictions. And having formed her plans, she prosecuted them with that untiring perseverance, that "full purpose of heart," which nothing but fixed principle and fervent piety can secure. Combined with these qualities there was another which "ran through" all her words and actions: it was her love of truth. Of every kind of pretence and every form of exaggeration she had a quick discernment; and these she regarded with the strongest repugnance. Truth, indeed, had a living embodiment in her conduct and character. Hence her professions, friendships, and intercourse were eminently trustworthy, She could not utter feigned words. She could not assume a character or act a part. She ever appeared what she was, "sincere and without rebuke." Her unselfish solicitude, too, for the welfare of others was such as sometimes to lead her too much to disregard her own ease and health. But these and many other ex cellencies which adorned her character were produced and sustained by habitual devotion. The sacred place of prayer was her loved resort. Here, in com munion with Christ and eternity, she became what she was; here she learned how to submit, to suffer, and to "die, trusting in Jesus!" MINISTERS AND MISSIONS. No. IV. THE YOUNG. WHETHER for the present or the future, THE YOUNG, it is generally allowed, constitute an element of power, and when wisely directed, an agency for good, of unappreciable value. It follows, therefore, that one of the best methods by which ministers may promote missions, is to create in this important class an early and enlightened interest in the great work of the world's evangelization. Now that this can be done is certain, from the resistless evidence of numerous facts: facts which clearly show that, by means as simple as they are potent, ministers, whose powers and position are very various, may thus interest the minds of their youthful hearers, and by so doing, shape and determine their future character. Indeed, we are assured that to this end their power is all but absolute, -we had well nigh written omnipotent. Assuming, then, that ministers may interest the minds of the young in missions, it follows that they can enlist their active aid in promoting them. At that unsophisticated period of life, the pleas of a self-indulgent disposition, the maxims of a false expediency, and the temptations to a course of truculent conformity to the world, which, in after years, operate so injuriously, are comparatively powerless. These and other hindrances to useful effort do not dam up, and cannot easily turn aside, the fresh, full, sparkling current of generous feeling from its free and natural course. Then, its channel is seldom dry, or choked up with the sedgy luxuriance which springs from the mud and stagnation of a later period. As yet there are no artificial barriers between the first best dictates of the heart and 1 the corresponding movements of the hand. What, therefore, the one desires, the other is prepared to do. Hence, if the affections of the young are but engaged in missionary objects, their cooperation will follow. And in them we have obtained an agency possessing many of the best working elements,―ardour, leisure, energy, and easy access to all classes; an agency of great efficiency, and that by which he may best accomplish the glorious design,—“ One generation shall praise thy name to another, and shall show forth thy mighty works!" In proof of these assertions, we merely refer to the results of juvenile missionary organizations. For it may be affirmed, without hesitation, that these have, in cases not a few, formed some of the most productive parts of our missionary machinery. But how has this happened? In almost every instance, it may be traced to the influence and activity of the minister. For although it sometimes occurs that devoted members of the church will supply their pastor's lack of service in this important department of usefulness, and so direct and encourage juvenile effort as to insure its success, the general rule is that such success will be in proportion to his endeavours. If he be constantly seen and heard as the patron of the youthful band; if they are cheered on by his animating voice; if his radiant smiles and pleasant sentences fall upon their young hearts like sunshine, then he will not only attach them to himself, but still more strongly to the object they are seeking to promote. But the minister must not only countenance, he must also co-operate in these labours. There must be plan as well as purpose, system as well as spirit. One of his first objects should be, to combine the young in a compact missionary organization. Of this, however, we shall treat more fully in a subsequent paper. Here we must assume that, either such an organization exists, or at least that each congregation contains some who are engaged, or ready to engage, in this good work. Now, in all such cases, there is one means by which ministers may certainly and continuously operate through the young upon evangelical efforts,-it is by meeting them periodically for missionary purposes. Such meetings, to say the least, are indispensable. To expect their progress, or even perseverance, apart from them, is to cherish a vain hope. Left to themselves, their hearts will fail, and their efforts flag. But while none require more pastoral encouragement than the young, by none will such encouragement be more amply repaid. How often such meetings should be held cannot perhaps be determined, but certainly not less frequently than once in every quarter. And surely it is not an unreasonable demand, when we ask ministers to devote four evenings in a year to so important an object as that of guiding this interesting class in the walks of usefulness; and thus promoting, by their agency, the salvation of the world. And such meetings will bring to all who engage in them a large return. They will yield refreshment to the minister, and, by confirming his hold upon the affections of his young people, will eminently conduce to his usefulness. But upon them their power will be as great as it is good. His mere presence in the midst of his youthful coadjutors will exert no slight influence upon them. Though he remain a silent spectator of their proceedings, it will be to them a seen, a felt evidence of his interest in their persons, and his decided approval of their proceedings. They will construe such visits as a testimony of his high regard to the work in which they are 66 a employed, and an evidence of the pleasure he derives from watching their progress. But on these occasions he will not, he cannot hold his peace. Were he disposed to taciturnity, the sparkling eyes, and happy faces gleaming upon him, would speedily cure him of any such propensity, and constrain him to speak word in season." That word may be simple and short, but it is almost sure to be "good." Nor will it be in vain; it will confirm, and probably quicken those who hear it. And even if it be soon forgotten, the feelings thus fostered, and the habits thus strengthened, will show that its influence is abiding. Nor will those who are once and again encouraged to "go forward," soon grow weary in their work. Every such meeting will be a new starting point in the career of usefulness. Nor will the opening prayer and the parting benediction be without their influence. In such seasons, even apart from their immediate purpose, there is a pleasure, and a power which lauguage could but feebly describe. And little does that pastor, who has not shared in these simple services, know how much has been lost of sacred satisfaction to himself, and of solid advantage to others. Though these periodical meetings between the minister and his young people will be in part for business purposes, and should of course be conducted with such seriousness as may comport with their religious design, they should be divested of stiff formality. While order is maintained, they will be more attractive and influential, if they are cheerful. Some experienced pastors, in whose congregations juvenile missionary associations flourish, full of sap and vigour, clothed in leafy verdure and bending with ripe fruit, connect a simple tea service with the graver business of the evening, at which, supported by the deacons and a few active members of the church, they find it both pleasant and profitable to preside. And although some prudish people may demur to the tempered hilarity of such gatherings, and greatly prefer the set measures and dull solemnity which they deem more decorous, there can surely be nothing unsuitable, but the contrary, in an endeavour to render some of our best domestic habits and associations subservient to a religious design; to sanctify a cheerful and refreshing repast to the benevolent purpose of providing a spiritual feast for the famishing heathen. Sometimes, and with the happiest effect, these meetings are held at the pastor's own house, or at that of one of his friends. But however the place and the circumstances of the meeting may vary, the minister should regard it as an established rule, a well-sustained fact, that juvenile efforts will fail without such encouragement. Meetings must be held, or all hope of interesting the young in this service be abandoned. Whilst, on the other hand, by means of them, as great things have been effected, and are being done continually, so may they be accomplished, whenever with skill and earnestness this simple plan is steadily pursued. eternity. Surely, then, the possibility of But there are other seasons when the minister, in the discharge of his ordinary duty, meets many of the young of his flock, which he may render subsidiary to the cause of missions. In the Bible-ployed to interest this class in missions, class, for example, how frequently and how fitly may this subject be introduced. Here the occasions for its admission are so numerous and so favourable, that it is difficult to conceive how it can be shunned or slighted. And, on the other hand, the facts connected with the evangelical efforts of modern days are so adapted to illustrate great truths, and to enforce important duty, that no minister, who would do justice to the subjects which come under his consideration, can consistently avoid them. Now in this way, with comparative ease, may a wise teacher train up many for great usefulness. Much, indeed, may they be constrained to do even now; but present activity, however productive, will be chiefly valuable as a formative power and process, fitting those who are subjected to it for the highest purposes of existence in this world, and throughout the test of their value, or the measure of their success. It is true, indeed, that many Sunday-schools contribute munifi│cently to missions, and in numerous instances, the children of the poor give sums, not only proportionably, but literally larger than the families of the rich. And were the total thus obtained abstracted from the income of the society, a chasm would be formed, which it would not be easy to fill. But although the money value of sabbath-school missionary associations may be great, their moral value is far greater. While, therefore, we ought not to neglect the one, but, on the contrary to do whatever can be wisely done, to draw from this source a yet fuller stream, the other claims our highest regard. These schools are the true training establishments." Here is many a mass, now rude, but yet ready to be moulded into forms of goodness and truth, to be made "vessels of honour meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good word and work." Here are the now tangled warp, and useless woof, capable of being woven into textures of strength, too tenacious for man's hand to rend, and of beauty,-presenting, in many a rich diversity of pattern and picture, the matchless workmanship of God! Here, to change the figure, overlaid, and deeply hidden beneath many a mountain mass of ignorance and evil, are buried veins of precious ore, stores of boundless wealth, which, if once upheaved and laid bare by the Divine agency which Christians can command," will enrich the world. In sabbath-schools, not a few, some may be found who need but the quickening power, which God has connected with man's instrumentality, to make them the "spiritual heroes" of a future age. Minds and hearts are there, shrouded it may be in opaque ignorance, and encrusted with evils early contracted and densely hardened, but as capable of the lofty thought, the generous purpose, the glorious deed, or the noble daring, as those who have fought and fallen in the high-places of the field. That shaggyheaded boy, with patched and manycoloured jacket, who has just laid down his well-thumbed Testament, and is gathering himself up to listen, "all eye, all ear" to the pastor, who has taken his stand at the superintendent's desk, to address the children about missions, is capable of being made a Morrison, or a Milne, a Carey, or a Williams of a coming age. And that meek girl, holding in her hand the Juvenile Missionary Magazine, which she has carefully hoarded her halfpenny to purchase, may not attract greater attention than her schoolfellows, though there is something more than ordinarily expressive in those speaking eyes, as they beam out intelligently upon her minister from beneath her soiled and shabby bonnet, yet has she a heart as large as the world. Let the Lord but open it to the wants of the heathen and the claims of the Saviour, and she may become a Judson or a Newell. Now these, of course, are merely suppositions, but they are possibilities; and such possibilities should suffice to show to ministers the importance of this field of labour, and to stimulate them to "sow beside all waters," the choicest seeds of Christian truth, and world-wide benefi cence. But though the prospective benefits of ministerial visits for missionary purposes to Sunday-schools may be great, the present results are not small. Many there, both teachers and taught, are already "prepared of the Lord" to do something, possibly much, in his service. They await only the pastor's admonition or encouragement, to make them to arise and gird themselves for the work, and then to prosecute it, with a warm heart and a willing hand. And be it remembered, that each individual who drinks in the stirring words of the minister, as he pleads the cause of missions, is the centre of a circle, through which the sentiments thus spoken, and the emotions thus stirred may be soon and widely spread. Many a family, ere that sabbath has closed, will listen to the rehearsal of the school address. Some, whom no persuasives could have drawn to the sanctuary, to hear for themselves, will learn, from loquacious childhood, the wonders God hath wrought. Seeds of things most precious may thus be widely scattered, and effects follow which the speaker did not seek or contemplate. But, whether such specific results spring from these services or not, few can doubt that the occasional address on the great missionary enterprise, from the minister to the Sunday-school, will add a no unimportant item to the total of sentiment and feeling in favour of efforts for the evangelization of all nations. Are we asking, then, from the servants of Christ too much for a perishing world and a gracious Redeemer, when we solicit at their hands an occasional visit, and a short address to the Sunday-school? This is a slight service, when compared |