Bereaved Parents Consoled. "The springs of comfort opened in the Gospel;" extracted from an affectionate address, by John Thornton. READER, do you lament a son or a daughter torn from your tender embrace? Have immediate recourse to the volume of inspira tion. There you will not fail to find topics of the deepest interest, and themes of potent efficacy to assuage your pain and revive your spirit. You look with intense interest on the remains of that dear child, reposing in the coffin, or you fondly call up its image when those remains rest in the silent grave. But are you so enamoured of the casket as to forget the precious jewel? Does the frail tenement of clay so engross your thoughts as to render you unmindful of the now emancipated and blessed inhabitant? The spark of intelligence, which animated your beloved child, will continue to burn and shine when the natural sun shall be extinguished. In the world of spirits every injurious bar, every chilling blast, every cause of distraction or discouragement, will be entirely removed. There the immortal mind will unfold and exert its noble faculties with a freedom and delight unknown to the boldest and the brightest genius on earth. That such as die in childhood are admitted into the regions of immortal glory, is a point so clear, as scarcely to require an argument. "It is not the will of your heavenly Father, that one of these little ones should perish." This is the language of the compassionate Saviour, referring to the universal Father, whose tender mercies are over all his works. They are the words of Him, who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The doctrine he has here taught us is replete with heavenly consolation. We need only look to Christ with a steady eye, and contemplate the excellency of his character, the faithfulness of his truth, and the riches of his mercy, to find a tranquillity, which is above all price. Examples of Suffering. MOTIVES to resignation may be drawn from the spirit and conduct of good men placed in similar circumstances of trial. Some of God's sincere servants have lost their children under awfully severe circumstances, and yet have meekly bowed to the stroke of the divine hand. A more severe calamity, a more overwhelming judgment can hardly be conceived, than that, which fell upon Aaron, or Eli, or the venerable patriarch Job. Yet were these humbled parents silent and submissive. No frantic cries, no bitter complaints, no fretful murmurs, escaped their lips. Doubtless their hearts were pierced with the keenest pangs; but they owned and adored the justice of a righteous God. Compare your trial with theirs, and you will see many circumstances of alleviation, which you had perhaps overlooked. Octavia, the sister of the emperor Augustus, was said to be greatly distinguished for her virtues and accomplishments. But the untimely death of her son Marcellus threw her into a state of depression and despair, from which she never recovered. The anecdote, recorded by Servius of the effect upon her of Virgil's beautiful lines in commemoration of that lamented youth, is highly characteristic of a mother's feelings. When the poet, reciting them in her presence, came to the name of Marcellus, so artfully supplied to make the close and climax of the passage, Octavia fainted away. On her recovery she gave a most munificent present to him, who had consecrated to her sorrows so noble an effort of his genius. She survived the loss twelve years, the whole of which she spent in mourning, receiving no consolation from her other children, though nobly allied, and the mothers of flourishing families, but remained plunged in darkness and solitude. Had she possessed the solace and support of true religion, her exquisite sensibility would have been tempered with patience, and turned into the course of active duty. The far-famed Cicero lost all self-command, when his favorite daughter Tullia was torn from him by the hand of death. In vain did his friends labor to assuage his anguish. He In vain did they refer him to that philosophy, which he had so often himself recommended as the best guide and comforter of man. gave himself up to the violence of sorrow: and was so infatuated as to form the project of erecting a temple to Tullia, and worshipping her as a goddess. As a contrast to the instances here given, I will adduce an example from a better school. How unreasonable and extravagant does the conduct of Octavia appear, compared with that of the viscountess Falkland, when placed in like circumstances. This christian lady lost a son in the blooming spring of life, who was just beginning to manifest the most brilliant talents and amiable dispositions. She keenly felt the rending stroke, and yet kissed the rod in the hand of her heavenly Father. After mourning during the day, and by night watering her couch with tears, she would check herself, and say, "Ah! this immoderate sorrow must be repented of, these tears wept over again." Her fear of displeasing God allayed the violence of grief. She be took herself to the Bible and to the throne of grace; she listened to the kind counsel of her worthy pastor and of faithful friends, and like Hannah of old, exchanged gloom and |