sent paper better than by affectionately intreating such of my young readers who are still blessed with fond and affectionate parents, to remember what they owe to God for such a favour; in every respect to pay them due honour; and thus enjoy His favour, who hath enjoined the duty, and has connected no small share of happiness with its performance. X 239 THE DYING ALBERT. ALBERT fell a victim to the influenza, which brought on a rapid consumption, and sent him to an early grave. He was in the prime of life. Providence had sent him prosperity in abundance. Few could have stronger inducements to cleave to the present state. The summons to depart was quite sudden and unexpected. He heard it without the least tremor, settled all his worldly concerns, so that none should perplex his mind, disposed of such property as he thought it his duty to spare for benevolent purposes, ardently kissed his prattling infant whom he loved, and whose mother had gone to her rest a few years before, and retiring to a rural spot where he might meditate more freely and breathe out his spirit undisturbed into the bosom of his Saviour and his God, he awaited his dismissal. All who saw him testified to the happy state of his soul. He had loved the way to heaven, and now evidently had nearly reached the end of his journey. It was at this period that the writer of this article went to visit him. He was exhausted by conversation with a relative, and requested a short interval of rest. During the time, the writer took up a book lying in an ante-chamber. On its first fly-leaf was written, "To a beloved Sister, A Gift of Affection, In prospect of soon entering into the JOY from ALBERT." There was food here for delightful meditation, and the mind was sweetly prepared to see the friend already winged for the blessed regions of immortality. It was impossible to feel grief where death had so completely lost his sting. Calmness indeed has been witnessed where the dying man has had but a tottering ground of hope, but not such a confident and triumphant state of mind as is here indicated. The volume was opened, and gave a surer proof of the grounds on which this hope rested. It was, Bridges on the 119th Psalm. The devotional and practical spirit of this evangelical writer shewed that the donor rested his hope on no vain presumption. But the chamber door was opened, and Albert appeared, gasping for breath, and reclining in a large easy chair. How altered in a few weeks! The bloom of health had faded away; the eye was sinking in the socket, and the whole frame had become a skeleton. But while the death brand of consumption was on the cheek, there was "glory in the soul." He was absorbed in one grand object. The usual question as to health being asked, was replied to by an answer which shewed the health of the soul, and passed by the perishing body. "CHRIST," said the dying Albert, "is all and in all-He is my rock-my strength my support" and then pausing, probably for breath, he added, "he is my peace!" He did not talk of making his peace with God, as some ignorantly do, as if the sinner could himself be the peace-maker, and Y there were no propitiation-no advocate-no "Though worlds conspire to drive me hence, Resolved, for that's my last defence, If I must perish, there to die." |