dulged, the pleasures she pursued, and the scoffs she uttered against religion, would not support her on a dying pillow; she would then need the religion she used to ridicule." "Ah! my dear sir," replied my friend, “these are the things that make religion appear important. I cannot learn that she uttered anything on which our hopes may rest. She does not seem to have been fully aware of her danger. When the clergyman was sent for, he was forbidden to ask her any questions, or to tell her that she was dying; and I hear that he only read prayers, and departed." "Cruel friends!" I could not forbear exclaiming, "that would rob a soul, just entering an eternal state, of the solemn warning, the serious admonition of danger, and would hinder the minister of Christ from inviting her to the Saviour; and cruel, cruel minister, who could be called to such a scene and be silent when duty commanded him to speak." We indulged in silent meditation, no one seeming disposed to utter his musings. The breakfast cloth was removed, and we read the "Prayer of Moses,

the man of God," contained in the 90th Psalm, when he witnessed the dreadful mortality of the Israelites, and presented our petitions to the throne of mercy, that, at the solemn hour of death, we might be enabled to rejoice in Jesus as our friend, and bid defiance to the king of terrors.

This affecting occurrence excited, through the whole neighbourhood, an extraordinary sensation. Many seemed deeply impressed with the importance of religion. Oh, that it may be found that her death led to the spiritual life of survivors.

A few days after, the mournful procession was formed to convey the mortal remains of this once beautiful and accomplished young lady to the tomb, to become food for worms. What a multitude were assembled! Sorrow sat on every countenance, while the sun still shone, as though it would shadow forth the immutability of its great Creator, "who changes not with changing time;" though men perish, he remaineth the same," and of his years there is no end." I joined the crowd, and followed the corpse to "the house appointed

for all living." I could not forbear dropping the tear of sympathy for the young man who appeared as chief mourner, and who had hoped to have pressed her to his bosom as his bride; but, no! she was snatched from his embraces. My sympathy was increased when my friend informed me that this was the second time in which the disconsolate mourner had been placed in precisely the same circumstances. Ah! how loudly did this Providence proclaim to him, "Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

When the funeral procession began to move, the sun, as I have remarked, shone forth in its glory, and nature appeared all gay and lively. But, as we approached the churchyard, the heavens gathered blackness, the lightnings flashed, and the rain descended in torrents. Never did I witness so sudden a change, never was I more forcibly reminded of the dissolution of all things, and never did I ask myself with more seriousness, where shall I be found at that great and solemn day?

My reader, it may be your lot and mine to

be ushered, in a sudden manner, into the presence of God. Are we ready?-Ready for death?-Ready for judgment?-Ready for

- awful thought!

we are

heaven? If not ready for-hell! "Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" Forgive, reader, my plainness; it is the plainness that results from ardent affection; knowing the terror of the Lord, I would persuade men. I would fain urge you to "flee from the wrath to come;" I long to see you travelling in the way to heaven. May God grant, both to the writer and reader, that when these bodies are consigned to the grave, our souls may BE WITH CHRIST, WHICH IS FAR BETTER."

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UNEXPECTED USEFULNESS.

Let those that sow in sadness wait

Till the fair harvest come :

They shall confess their sheaves are great
And shout the blessings home.

WATTS.

No feature in the character of the Lord Jesus was more striking than his constant affection for the souls of men. How ardently did he desire their salvation; how faithfully did he warn them of their danger; and with what fervent love did he invite them to the paths of happiness! And when the messages of his mercy were disregarded, when his admonitions were slighted, and when sinners chose rather to walk in the paths of perdition than to enter his fold, how would he retire from the crowd to vent his sorrows in secret, over the pride and depravity of their hearts!

In these respects, the Christian Pastor resembles the great Shepherd and Bishop of