joy at our arrival. "Well, mother," inquired my friend," and how is your daughter to day?" "I thank you, Sir: the stuff you sent her keeps off her pains a good deal; but she gets weaker and weaker: she cannnot hold it long. Pray go up and see her." Ascending a very crazy and awkward flight of steps, we entered the sick room, where all bespoke the humble station of the inhabitants; but the order and decency of the room shewed that poor people may be neat and cleanly in their apartment, as well as in their persons, if there is the desire to be

So.

The sick person was a young married woman, about twenty-five years of age, and was the mother of the little boy we found at the door. A deep consumption had now confined her to her bed, and extinguished every hope of a recovery. The appearance of my friend was evidently most welcome. A chair stood near her bedside; it held a little pot of flowers, a Testament, and hymn book, with some currantjelly: these being removed by the old woman, Erastus sat down, and, after putting a few questions of a medical nature, he began to inquire into the state of her mind since he last saw her. I shall not, because it would be in vain, attempt to particularize much that passed. There was so much of a placid, humble, intelligent state of mind about her, that I could not but envy her situation. Her soul appeared to enjoy very much of a heavenly calm, and a good and firm hope through grace. Death had certainly lost its sting, and her whole

thoughts appeared to rest in anticipation on those joys which were soon to be revealed. During a long and edifying conversation between my friend and the sick woman, the aged mother sat on the foot of the daughter's bed, with her eyes fixed on the floor, in thoughtful sorrow. In the course of conversation, the sick woman pointed out two or three passages in the New Testament to my friend, as having afforded her instruction and comfort since his last visit. They were now read over, and a few remarks made on them: my friend then went to prayer, and we took up our hats to leave the room, when the sick woman said, "O, Sir, I had almost forgot to tell you, that I have had Mrs.

calling on me since you were here. She seems a very kind lady, and was a good deal affected at what she called my distressing situation." Indeed," said my friend, a little surprised; "and did she converse with you on religious subjects?" "Yes, Sir; she read two or three chapters to me, and then she talked to me about them; but I am afraid, Sir, she does not quite understand the meaning." "Why do you think so?" replied Erastus. "Because Sir, when I had remarked what a mercy and comfort it was that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, she said, "Yes, but then you have very few sins to answer for, and may make yourself quite easy." "Well," replied my friend, "and what did you think of such consolation as that?" "Oh, Sir," said the poor woman, “I know I am a great sinner, and I told Mrs. so: but she would have it, that I was so

young, and had led such a good life, that I had very few sins to answer for. I told her again, that though I had not run into such open and scandalous sins as many have done, yet that I was born in sin, and was by nature a child of wrath, even as others, and could never be saved but in and through the merits and sacrifice of Christ. But, after all, Sir, she did not seem to think me the sort of person I said I was. She, however, is a very kind lady, and has promised to come again.' "I doubt not her kind intentions," said Erastus; "but kind intentions. are not always accompanied with wise counsel and prudent actions. She thinks you are a great sufferer, and that you must soon die; and hence, that the thoughts of death must distress your mind; and she is desirous of mitigating your sufferings, and cheering your spirits, as the world terms it. But, my friend, had you no better foundation of hope, no higher views, no surer prospects than those she placed before you, this room, under its present circumstances, would be a melancholy place, and your approaching state most gloomy indeed. I bless God, that he has taught you a better creed. I rejoice that his cheering presence supports you under all your pains and trials, and that he has given you to look at death as a disarmed foe. It is your duty to be thankful for this lady's kindness; and the best return you can make, is to pray to that Saviour whom your soul trusts and delights in, to open the eyes of her understanding, that she may see and feel her need of his salvation for herself."

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"Indeed, Sir, I do," said she," and I should be so glad if you should happen to come one of these days when she is here; for though she does not go to our church, she says she should like to hear you converse. Well, be that as it may," said Erastus, "I hope you will be thankful to the Giver of every good and perfect gift, for your own mercies, and that you will pray for her. I must now leave you for the present. God bless you. Send, if you want any more medicine; and let me know, mother, if your daughter should be taken worse.' "Yes, Sir; and I return you a thousand thanks for all your kindness; and do, Sir, come again," added the happy grateful daughter; "do come again before the week is out." Erastus nodded consent, and we descended the old stairs, and ،، We proceeded on our way along the lane. have certainly left a real and a happy Christian," said I, as we rode along. "We have," replied my friend;“ her soul is blessed with that steady scriptural peace-with that simplicity of faith, and that tranquil humble hope, which makes her case at once enviable and interesting. But, though her sky is now so clear and serene, it was not always so. The Lord was pleased to lead her through deep waters, and to permit no small share of trials to fall in her and to increase her afflictions, her husband is a surly brutish fellow. Even now, seeing, as he does, how rapidly she is hastening to the grave, his unfeeling heart remains unsoftened. He actually comes home in the evening, and proceeds to work in the morning, for days together, without

way;

shewing the smallest sympathy or affection, or even asking her how she is. The Lord, however, has given her peace; and in his gracious providence has enabled that neat old woman, her mother, to come from a distant parish, and attend upon her; and now and then, some of our serious young women, and some of our older Christian friends, go and pass an hour or two with her."

"And what," inquired I, "do you think of the old woman?" "I have great hopes," said Erastus," that the Lord is blessing her daughter's words and prayers to her soul's good. She came here a very self-righteous character, and for a while would neither believe herself nor her daughter a sinner; but the conversations, and example, and prayers of the latter have not been in vain in the Lord. The old woman is much subdued, and I hope will be born again in her old age. This is very often the way the Lord takes to bring souls home to himself, especially those who are called in their old age. Many a parent will have to bless the Lord for ever that he was graciously pleased to make some one of their children the instrument of their salvation." "I think," said I, "that this is one

of your favourite subjects." "It is," replied Erastus; "and a very cheering one it is to all those who delight in administering Christian instruction to the rising generation; and surely it ought to be so to me, since I have been permitted to see it exemplified in several instances."

By this time our conversation was interrupted.