life here, and he was then before the throne, hymning his Redeemer's praise. The sorrowing parents were still patient and submissive, though none but a mother who has day after day cradled her infant in her arms, and felt his smile chase away every feeling of fatigue, can know the bitterness of that bereavement which Grace Martyn then experienced. I watched them with much anxiety during this time of trial and affliction. Though cast down, they could still rejoice in trouble: they experienced the sweetness of that consolation which none but the Comforter himself can bestow.

In the course of time a daughter was given to them, and with thankfulness and joy her parents saw her carried safely through the period of teething, so often fatal to infants. Months passed away, and little Mary became the constant companion of her father in his garden; standing by him, while every evening he spent an hour or two in keeping it in order, and, as he pruned his trees, or raked the flower-beds, the prayer was often raised, that this his own sweet bud might be kept from every cankering worm, and blossom fully to the glory of her Maker. His prayer was heard: when scarcely five years old, she was attacked by measles, and after a few days' struggle between life and death, she joined her brothers in the heavenly world. Andrew felt most deeply the loss of this dear child; his countenance showed the acuteness of his sufferings, but he said not, like Jonah, “I do well to be angry." He held his peace, and submitted meekly to the will of his Father without a murmur. At the time of Mary's death they had two other infants. These boys grew up in health and strength, together with a sister who was born the following year, and they promised to be the support and comfort of their parents in declining life. I need not say that they were carefully trained, and diligently instructed in the precepts of our holy religion. Both Grace and Andrew rejoicing in the sure hope that their other offspring, through the all-atoning merits of their Saviour, were already partakers of his kingdom, made it their constant endeavour to guide these young ones into those paths which lead to everlasting life: looking forward to the time when they would form one family in heaven; and their labours were blessed; they saw them striving to live according to the will of God; and though depraved by nature as the rest of Adam's race, they trusted each was under the sanctifying

influence of the Holy Spirit, and becoming a true disciple of the Saviour. Michael, the second son, was a boy of passionate temper, but with an open disposition, and the most affectionate feelings. During his early years, his father had much trouble in the attempt to curb his fiery spirit. "I can only pray for him, Sir, at present," he said, but afterwards he told me he prayed with him every morning when he grew older and could understand his meaning, and taught the child to pray aloud, that "he might be kept from falling into a passion that day."

66

The good effects of this system were soon apparent, for Michael became tractable and mild, still possessing great energy of mind, and the liveliest affections. This lad reached his sixteenth year, improving daily in character, but then fell a sacrifice himself in his endeavour to save a young friend from drowning. He was brought home to his mother a corpse. I saw her the next day, sorely afflicted; she yet only spoke of the great mercy it was that he had not thus suddenly been called away while engaged, as many others of his age are too often, in some unkind scuffle with a playmate: "I am sure he loved his Redeemer, Sir, and he is now with him."-Andrew mourned; but in quietness.. Affliction brought forth in him "the peaceable fruits of righteousness." There were many who loudly murmured at this dispensation, impiously remarking, that religious folks were no better off than others, if Andrew, whose life was so spotless, did not escape such heavy afflictions,-not knowing that these trials were among the "all things" which work together for a Christian's good. Some among his own friends trembled for him lest in the moment of trial his faith might fail. But a Christian's strength cannot be estimated by any standard, save that of the grace and power of his almighty Friend and Deliverer. He has said "My strength is perfected in your weakness;" and Andrew, when he asked for help in this time of need to overcome every repining thought, found that the grace of God was indeed sufficient for every emergency.

His eldest son (for I must not make my tale too long) was spared to them for many years. He reached the age of manhood, and was looking forwards to the following May, when he was to be united to a young woman in every respect suited to be the wife of a poor but pious man. That spring, a malignant fever appeared in our village, and Edward was one

among many other victims. He died with expressions of humble trust in his Redeemer, nor seemed to feel that death had any bitterness for him-only charging her who would have been his companion, had his days been lengthened-to meet him in heaven. I must not stop to describe his parent's grief: it was deep, but chastened" Thy will be done," seemed truly the language of their hearts, though it was expressed more by their conduct than their words.

Their only surviving child now, was their last born, a daughter, meek and gentle as a lamb. She had grown up under the constant care of her mother, and rather than subject her to the many temptations to which young females are exposed when they leave their homes to enter service, her parents had kept her with them. She maintained herself, and also assisted them, by sewing for the ladies in our neighbourhood, who were always willing to employ so neat a workwoman, not grudging her the PROPER remuneration for her labour. Ellen's health had never been robust; but till her eighteenth year, she had (never suffered any severe illness. That winter for the first time, her mother noticed a cough, and she began to speak of a pain in her side. I need not detain you to follow all the varying stages of consumption. She lingered a year and a-half, and bore the wearisome days and nights with the patience and submission of one who knew that her Father would not appoint one pain more than

necessary.

I often visited her during her long confinement, and almost envied the humble, joyful confidence with which she awaited her dismissal. One day she repeated the following verses, which seemed to express the fulness of her faith and hope:

The God of Jacob is my Guide,
My Shepherd, Israel's King,
Safely beneath his wings I hide,
Gladly his praise I sing.

His mercy all my wants supplies,
Nor care nor doubt I know;
No needful good his love denies,
Permits no needless woe.

He frees me from the galling chain,
Of Satan's heavy yoke;

Cleansed is each dark and guilty stain,
Each sin-wrought link is broke.

Not the dark passage to the tomb
My spirits shall dismay;
His love shall chase away its gloom,
His arm shall be my stay.

Oh may his spirit guide my way,
While earth's frail form I wear,
Then lead me to the realms of day,
My Father's home to share.

She often watched her mother's countenance to read the thoughts which the certainty of their speedy separation could not fail to produce, and always had a word of comfort to drop into her distressed bosom; dwelling upon the time when there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor sighing,when all the ransomed of the Lord shall meet before his throne, to spend eternity in praise and adoration. In this delightful spirit she continued, suffering her Maker's will, and enduring at last much bodily anguish, till He saw meet to release her, when she quietly fell asleep to wake in glory.

This was the grave at which I have so lately stood with these afflicted parents, and while in Scripture language I poured the richest consolation into their hearts, yet it was in vain that I tried to suppress the tears which flowed in sympathy with theirs. Who could look back upon their repeated bereavements, remembering the sweet and promising offspring they had once possessed, and now see them without one to dry their tears, or whisper comfort, and not feel the deepest commiseration?

The service over, they turned to leave the spot-but no, their six precious ones were all buried in that grave. Once more they looked upon the coffin just lowered, but no repining word escaped. The expression of their faces said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

I have visited their cottage every day since, and every day have I left them with increased esteem. The Lord has enabled them in this last and greatest trial still to speak good of his name, and be thankful. "Ah, Sir, we are getting old now, it cannot be long ere our Master will call for us; may we be as ready as our dear Ellen." "Yes, Mrs. Martyn, that is our true wisdom, let us prepare to meet Him whenever He may summon us. He has taken your dear children to Himself very early; thus sparing them many of those trials

P

which are the lot of his disciples in this life, and you can thank Him for all his dealings. He can be more to you than many sons." "He is all in all to me, Sir; can I ever bless Him enough ?—all my children are with Him." Her husband spoke in the same strain. "We are left alone for a little while, but I thank God for the assurance that my children are safe. In his good time we shall share their bliss, and see our Saviour too."

But I must pause. The retrospection of so many years which I have but just touched upon in this short history, would afford topics for many concluding reflections, but this simple narrative must now speak for itself. May neither the writer nor the reader leave it without some profit.I remain, respectfully, F.P.

THE ELEVATING EFFECT OF TRUE RELIGION. RELIGION is that by which Almighty God, in his infinite goodness, magnifies man, morally magnifies him, and makes him truly great.

1. By the noble and elevating knowledge which it imparts. Is this the effect with us? Do we rest in the barren and illunderstood generalities of doctrine, looking into the perfect law of liberty as a man beholding his natural face in a glass, and going away and forgetting what manner of person he is; or do we "continue therein?" "Do we meditate on these things?" Are we led out by a hallowed curiosity to inquire, "What is that good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God;" and knowing it, do we often return to feed upon the truth in holy musings? Are these the subjects to which our spirits fly with affectionate ardour from the little vanities of life? Do we catch their spirit? Do we take the impress of their sanctity?

2. True religion makes us great by the relation it gives us to God, the relation of "sons." Is this our character? Have we so "believed on his name," that we can claim this "power," right, privilege, "to become the sons of God?" And do we wear in our spirits this abiding testimony, that we are "the children of God?"

3. By the restoration of our nature to the divine image