seem to mingle into one blaze of glory, and all nature is hushed in profound adoration. In a bower formed of jessamines and bright roses sat Leila gazing into the profound depths of the fiery splendours, her heart throbbing with impulsive delight. Her thoughts were afar, and she seemed to have forgotten that any one beside herself was present. She began slowly and calmly, and in tones so soft and deep as made it seem an inspiration

"I saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."

And then a soft brightness passed across her face like a shadow from the wing of an angelic spirit; and she continued, “I am going to behold that glory."

It was strange. For she seemed to be regaining her strength, and to be progressing towards health. But the words fell on the heart of one who sat near her with all the certainty of a prophesy. Accepted by her father, he loved Leila, and was beloved in return. And he looked at her white hands and noticed that they were getting longer and thinner, and that her skin was becoming more and more clear and transparent. The shadowy veil of time which hung between her sight and her Saviour was fast dissolving; and even now, that thoughtful eye appeared lit up with an immortal fire. Why did he not observe all this before?

That young saint was passing away in the midst of all the brightness which a promised future of love and peace could bestow. But she felt no regret for all she

was leaving nothing except an absorbing desire to see the salvation of her parent and relatives. She knew— the feeling was an all pervading reality-that she was going to a better home, where every love and beauty is enjoyed in perfection and for ever. And she longed to fly away and be there.

CHAPTER XIII.

EVANISHINGS.

"She pleads,

With angel tongue and mild beseeching eye.

Her heart

Rejoiced to die, for happy visions blessed

Her voyage's last days, and hovering round,
Alighted on her soul, giving presage

That heaven was nigh. Oh, what a burst

Of rapture from her lips! what tears of joy
Her heavenward eye suffused!"

It is a sweet employment to honour the memory of those once dear to us in this life, but whose face we can now behold no more. To trace the bright track which marks their earthly course to view them in the chamber of death, see their last triumphant smile, and hear their latest prayer; and when at last the final victory is completed, to watch their flight to those realms of blessedness where no sigh can ever breathe, to interrupt the harmony of the skies, no pain disturb the repose of the inhabitants.

Thrice hallowed be the memory of the friends who are dead, thrice hallowed be the fondly cherished image of departed love. Come to us, ye gentle daughters, who mourn the loss of a tender father, or a fond, devoted mother;-come to us, thou heart-stricken husband, who weepest the loss of a beloved wife; and come, too, thou inconsolable mother, whose dearest offspring has

drooped away in the cold embrace of death; oh! come and join us, and our tears shall mingle in holy affection for the absent ones, and in spirit we will seek the consecrated remembrances in which these beloved objects repose.

We are not separated eternally. They may not return to us, but we shall go to them. What consolation in the thought! What a holy calm does it diffuse over the spirit! What bliss will it be to rejoin them in "the better land," full of the joy-inspiring conviction that we shall part no more!

Even so, beloved spirits! early have ye left us to be for ever with the Lord. But we shall follow you into his blessed home. We will not weep for you as lost. Your forms are often shadowed to us, and we hear you singing sweetly in our dreams. Resting with a firm reliance on the merits of our Redeemer, Jesus, we know we shall soon awake to rejoin you. Even now you seem to invite us to share with you the society of angels, while you breathe in soft whisperings that we are hastening to you again.

Eternal Father! Fountain of goodness! we praise and adore the love with which thou doest all things. We cease our dishonourable sorrow : "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." "Praise the Lord, let us praise the Lord, and speak good of his name." With tender affection we will recall scenes passed with those who have been called away- -scenes which can return no more. Our tears, the simple offerings of unaffected love, shall testify the emotion of our hearts. And, is it even so, that they who were so dear to us are asleep in the tomb?

Yet by them our sighs are not unheard; nor do our tears fall unheeded.

The illusive hopes of Leila's lengthened stay on earth were passing away. During the buoyancy of these treacherous weeks, she occupied much of her time in writing. Her heart yearned with a sad and thoughtful tenderness towards her nation. The guilt they were contracting, and the happiness they were losing, while denying their Messiah, lay like an icy weight upon her soul; and she cherished fervent longings to do something for them. Most of all was she concerned for her father and her kindred. And as she felt the film of life grow thinner and thinner, the deep workings of her spirit on their behalf became more and more powerful still. Warm-hearted and thoughtful she had always been, but there was a strange loveliness and maturity about her now. Often would she seek her parent, and with her head resting on his bosom, and her arms entwining his neck, whisper to him of the unutterable joys she felt in the love of Jesus, and the bright home to which she knew she was going. It pained him excessively; for his child seemed all that he possessed. He had cherished her with all a tender parent's lavish fondness and she had repaid his affection by expanding into life very beautifully and with ever-increasing loveliness. He felt it impossible that he could consent to her passing away. He shuddered to hear her speak of dying. And while in tones full of deep paternal feeling he begged her not to say anything about leaving him, he would answer evasively respecting his belief in Jesus.

:

The afternoon had declined into the golden brilliance