to pay her one of my usual visits, and I live upon thy truth; Cast me not off, if strength decline, And hoary hairs arise ; “Amen, and Amen." She now seemed fast hastening to the close of life; but with her heart and hopes fixed upon heaven. The day before she died I went to see her ; she appeared to be sensible, but could scarcely speak. The only expression I could hear was, “ Christ, be merciful to my soul !” She seemed in a truly prayerful frame; and when I repeated the Lord's Prayer, I could perceive the motion of her lips following me. She then appeared to feel but little pain, and lingered without much suffering during the night; and about two o'clock in the morning, June 2, 1817, in the 109th year of her age, quietly departed to enter into that 6 rest which remaineth for the people of God." Whilst she was living, the Rev. C. W. Ethelston had kindly promised her a grave in St. Mark's churchyard, Cheetham; and on the 7th of June her mortal remains were followed to it by her relatives, by several visitors and teachers of the Sunday-school, and by others who wished to testify their respect for the memory of one who had always discharged her relative duties faithfully, and who had given evidence, as they humbly believed, that she was the servant of time who hath redeemed us to God by his blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” A BOOK BETTER TAAN A NECKLACE. A lady who was in the habit of visiting the Sunday School at A-, one day observed a little girl in a necklace; though otherwise neatly and properly dressed. She had at former times been remarked as an attentive and obedient child. The lady expressed some surprise at seeing this foolish finery; and said to her, “ I do not allow the children of my school to wear necklaces.” She made no reply. The next day the Clergyman along with this lady, visited the school to read “ The Children's Friend ;' when this little girl being present, the lady asked who gave her her necklace; and what it cost ? She answered, that it cost three-pence; that her cousin had bought it, and had also given her sister one. The lady then asked which she would rather have, a nice little book, or :. a necklace ? She said, “a little book, Ma'am." The lady said, “ wilt you give me your necklace, if I send you one ?”. She at once turned round to have it untied, with. out shewin any reluctance ; relying on the lady's promise. In a few days the book (Watts' hymns) was sent ; on the blank leaf was written, “ for M. C. a good little girl, who was so wise as to prefer having a book which would teach her to be good and happy, to wearing a necklace, which made her appeare like a vain and silly child." She was much pleased with it. The next Sunday, her little sister, who was too young to be admitted into the school, brought her necklace, and laying it on the table requested that she likewise might have a book. The Clergyman's wife, with much pleasure, gave her one, like that which her sister had received. SUDDEN DEATH. In the midst of life we are in death: but if the soul is only made ready, through grace, for heaven, death can never come wrong, however sudden, or however early. Some time ago, a young man was called away in a very awful and sudden manner, by a kick from a horse; of which he died in three days. He received the summons, not only with patience, but with joy and triumph: as long as he had strength, he expressed the firmest trust in the merits, love, and faithfulness of his Saviour; and exhorted all his friends to flee unto him for refuge, as the only hope set before sinners in the Gospel. After thus speaking to his friends, he said; " the cold hand of death is upon me, but the gates are not yet open : in one hour they will be thrown wide, and the Lord will receive me." At the end of the hour he raised himself, and exclaimed; “Now is the accepted time where I am-Lord Jesus, take me now!" He then expired with such a smile of heavenly rapture, that even his poor wi. dowed mother, whose joy and blessing he had been, said to the writer of this, that she “ dared not weep for him." |