triumphant entrance of Christ! Thus Christ is the strength of every believer's soul both in life and in death, and our God can reign as much in the one as in the other. And thus He does to the righteous according to His word by the mouth of His apostle Paul thus: "All things are yours, whether life or death," &c., all included in the "gift of righteousness," and all of which therefore" work together" for our "good." Death then is yours, dear believer, not to sport or trifle with, but to rejoice in and triumph over. May it be the happiness of both reader and writer when they come to die, still then to "reign in life by one Jesus Christ."

Now, these were some of the blessed truths that the Lord, in so much love and mercy, was opening the mind of my Josiah to receive, and therefore he entered into our Scripture readings, and prayerful meditations therein, with all his heart. He was fully persuaded that the last dark valley could not be passed without the presence, protection, and inwrought reigning power of Christ. Also that the same Lord who had taught him how to live, must in like manner teach him how to die; as Peter said, "Knowing that shortly I must put off this, my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. So that our blessed Lord must show us how to "die unto Him,' as well as how to "live unto Him!" that whether living or dying, we may be manifestly, experimentally, consecratively, and rejoicingly, the Lord's.

But these triumphant blessings, pertaining to the end of time to us, we must patiently wait to receive. For "now," as the Apostle said, "we see not all things put under Him." No, nor do we really need the sight till the "last enemy 29 comes as the King of terrors unto us. But the fact remains the same- -faith's truths abide, founded on the promises of God; and there is no doubt, in my mind, that at the needed moment, whether in life, or in death, we shall see that very enemy destroyed that then torments us most. For our God, who afflicts, but never persecutes or forsakes, will be sure to speak some strength-imparting truth to the soul, as one "having authority" over all flesh, men, and devils. Until when, may we live in sweet persuasion of the fact that, though we must die, as our Lord said to Martha, "Lazarus is dead," yet shall it be with us also as Jesus furthermore declared, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth." For "they who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." Here, then, let us rest in the prospect of dissolution though dark may be the path that leads us to the tomb. Thus I proceed.

Dec. 24th, 1868.-My dear son was very ill, and, being now so weak and prostrate, he could neither move, or be moved, in bed. Oh, what a sight was thus presented to our view! whilst to the poor helpless sufferer it seemed to be the severest part of his long and weary trial. Indeed, he found it to be hard work now to retain his quiet integrity before God. Thus so sorely was he tried on this point that, through his extreme bodily weakness, and great inward suffering, he did once cry out, "Oh, dear! and said, "he began to get tired of it." But the little cloud that thus overshadowed him for a time was soon removed, and again with him it was a suffering the will of God in submission and silence. With the sympathizing household it was as if all our powers were paralyzed. Awestricken as we were, we could inwardly groan and pray, but could not speak. Nature and life seemed brought to a solemn pause. As for myself I could only commune with my own heart, and be still. Prayer seemed the only resource, and Christ the only refuge. The God to whom power belongeth still commanded the strength of my dear wife, who felt

now sustained by that Scripture which He gave her concerning him, "I have created him for my glory." Whereas my poor heart this Christmas Eve, 1868, poured forth its prayer in plaintive strains, of which the following forms a part:

Come, dearest Lord, to his bedside,

And open all thine heart;
That he may in Thy love confide,
And in Thy strength depart.
Bear him away, on angels' wings,
To heaven's eternal bliss;
And take him, O Thou King of kings,
From such a world as this.

Put him to sleep in Jesus arms,
That he may die in peace;

And we will lay his case of bones,

Where all life's troubles cease.

Christmas-day, 1868.-Our once highly-favoured home, with its cheerful fireside, and happy surrounding group! now all was still, cold, and dull. What a changing scene is life! Perhaps with our former hilarity there was much folly, but it seemed now as if God would not let us have even the innocent pleasures of family life. We therefore felt called upon to accept our wisely-appointed measure of life's evils; this evidently being with us, by the will of God, a "time to kill," a "time to break down," a "time to rend," and a "time to keep silence." Does the reader know anything of these heaven-ordained "times?" They are the certain forerunners of those "healing," "planting," "building up," and "embracing times," that God most surely brings in their season to all His tried and exercised people.

Dec. 26th.-Felt impressed with the importance of putting some close and solemn questions to my son, founded upon the subjects we had then been reading and talking about. Thus I said, "I hope, my dear boy, the Lord is with you, and that amidst all your afflictions it is faith in Christ Jesus?" He smiled, and nodded assent. I then said, "Is Jesus all your hope and trust ?" He replied, firmly, He replied, firmly, "Yes, father." I then added, "In the face of all you have gone through and suffered, can you justify God, and say it is well' ?" He answered, "I hope I can." Immediately after this it was just as if Satan had heard all that had passed between us, and full of fury came in to shake his confidence and disturb his repose. Thus the poor sufferer was seized with a violent attack of his heart, which made him gasp for breath. Oh, it was a fearful sight! at the foot of the bed sat my wife and the nurse, with their eyes fixed on the ground and deep in thought, my choking self at the bedside with a painfully-heaving breast, and so oppressed, that I felt constrained to cry out for relief, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly; into Thy hands I commend his spirit.' But it was not yet his "time to die," though we each, and the poor sufferer too, thought it was. But he was, nevertheless, the least disturbed of us all; the good Lord, though He this once (as He does mostly to them that are His) permitted Satan to touch all but his life, yet He did not suffer the enemy to "exact" upon him. As God did not plead against him with His great power, the strength of the "waster" to destroy, was weak and in vain. Thus my poor dear son soon regained his wonted composure, and on his placid countenance was his accustomed smile. Our faithful nurse (who, with our sympathizing domestic servant, seemed to profit

much by this afflictive dispensation) said "she had waited on many persons in sickness, and death, but never saw one so peaceful and calm;" adding, "I am glad I was there, 'twill be a lesson to me as long as I live.' Thus who can tell the blessing that may grow out of this afflictive event? But to God be all the praise, for He it was who wrought the whole. It was of the Lord's mercies that my son was consumed. On the contrary, the God of salvation so covered him with His feathers of protection, and preserved him under the shadow of His wings, that he was neither afraid of the "terror by night," nor of the " arrow that flieth by day." The "pestilence that walketh in darkness" did not disturb him, and the "destruction that wasteth at noonday" did not distress him. Though he found trouble and sorrow in his measure, and had his days of adversity in their season, yet now it was 'peace" in the presence of war, and "life" in the midst of death. "And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den: they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord." Just so it was with my weaned, wise-made son, who made glad his heavenly Father, and earthly father too. Indeed, he has outrun me to the sepulchre completely, and supplanted me by maturity entirely. And thus it is, "a child shall die an hundred years old;" for God reckons not age by time, but ripeness for eternal glory.

The dawning of the year 1869 was the opening of the portals of heaven to his soul. The poor body was somewhat disturbed in the morning, and a little agitation seized his mind, but his greatest fear was lest he should lose his senses, and say things he ought not. But this was mercifully prevented, for he retained his full consciousness to the last. His kind and much interested doctor being sent for (who immediately saw how he was) the following conversation took place. Mr. O. C.: "Now, Josiah, I must tell you that your time is but short on the earth; in this extremity, can you say you are still trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation?" To which Josiah firmly replied, "Yes, sir, I can."

I

This last interview seemed to afford the dear patient much relief; indeed, we really believe he was glad to be told that "the time of his departure was at hand." For he received the announcement with all resignedness and composure, and seemed to be so "ready to depart" that on being offered a little stimulant by the nurse, he said, "No more, thank you." The fact is he had now done with all earthly things, his house was in order, and being "called to die," calmly waited for the welcome summons. His endearing associations with us also being ended, he asked for nothing and for no one, not even for me, his fond father, who was asleep on the sofa below. His desire seemed to be to depart in peace, and not to be disturbed. Thus upon making a slight moaning sound, that at once caught the listening ear of my ever-watchful wife, and who said, "What is the matter, my dear? can I do anything for you?" he immediately put up his finger, as if to impose silence in the presence of death! And the solemn stillness was only broken after this by the faint cry of the departing one, "Lord, Lord, Lord," when he gently turned his head aside, and sweetly fell asleep.

Chelmsford, Jan. 1st, 1869.

Believers are as safe in the hands of God at the lowest ebb, as at the highest spring-tide of sensible comfort.

"M. S."

WITHOUT doubt most of our readers are familiar with the initials "M. S," of Northampton. For little short of twenty years she was among our correspondents, and we believe, without exception, she was the most desponding about her state. Her letters were very concise, but almost invariably expressive of fear and dread as to what would be the final issue. Many years ago, the Lord of a sudden laid her upon a sick-bed, and she wrote to us immediately stating the fact, at the same time saying she knew not what the Lord was about to do. It pleased Him, however, to raise her up again, and then she wrote apprizing us of the calm and peaceful state in which her mind had been kept during that attack. In reply, we expressed our conviction, that her "perfect peace" was only the earnest of what it would most assuredly be when she came to die. She lapsed, however, into her previous state of fear and dark and gloomy apprehensions. Each and every argument failed to bring her real and lasting peace and enjoyment. "The days of darkness were indeed many with our beloved friend; and we felt from time to time that it was the Lord, and the Lord alone, who could liberate her poor captive soul. The words of man were valueless. It was the Lord, and the Lord only, who could effectually say, "Deliver her from going down into the pit. I have found a ransom." Her kindness and generosity to such as she believed to be the Lord's people will only be known at the last great day. "Her works follow her;" but she placed not the weight of a feather upon anything she ever did or could do. She was one who would gladly crouch-the lowest and the humblest-at the dear Redeemer's feet, if so be she could but find mercy.

When recently about to write a line of sympathy to our dear friend,— she having about the time been much upon the mind, we received most unexpectedly the mourning card, announcing her death at the age of 71 years. Upon this, we immediately wrote to our dear mutual friend, Mrs. MOENS, of Birmingham, asking for any particulars she might possess of her latter end. In reply, we received the following, written in our dear friend's usual sympathy and kindness:

47, Bath Row, Birmingham, June 17, 1869. MY DEAR BROTHER BELOVED IN THE LORD,-Many thanks for your very precious note received this morning, although it touched me much to hear of the gloomy clouds which are hovering over your path. It is easy to labour in the vineyard when all is sunshine; but oh! in the midnight darkness, when the Master hides his face, and the accuser of the brethren is roaring, it is hard work to speak of those precious truths of which no sweet enjoyment is given. Your various outward trials and perplexities of late have been many, my dear brother, and have weighed heavily upon you. No doubt the influence of these things has had a depressing influence upon mind and body. I am often led to lift up my heart for you in earnest breathings to our dear Lord. How often He "leads the blind by a way we know not," yet all His leadings, even when most dark and mysterious to us, are ordered in love and wisdom, for the accomplishment of His own purposes to His Church and people. Hence it is, dear brother, that you are called to pass through these seasons of distressing gloom, that you may have a heart to feel for the tried and tempted, and be able to "speak a word in season to him that is weary.

I am just in your position, dear brother, with regard to our dear departed sisters Mrs. SThe last note I received from her was a few lines on the 6th of May, which I enclose. I have written her a few lines of comfort several times since, and, from having no reply, I was quite prepared to hear of her death. When I received the mourning card, I felt so anxious to hear a few particulars, and did not know any one in Northampton to whom I could write, that I wrote to the servant who had lived many years with our dear friend, and received the reply enclosed. Blessed be God for her dying testimony! after groaning so many years in bondage and distress, at eventide it was light.'

I am thankful to find, dear brother, that the Lord has given you a help-meet in your dear wife; you are a highly-favoured man to have had such wives as yours. May the Lord bless you more and more, you and your children. In reply to your kind inquires about myself, dear brother, I am getting very feeble and infirm, and often find the very "grasshopper a burden," but the Lord is very gracious to me, and, when I am realizing much of my own weakness, supports me with His strength, and leads me on with calm anticipation to the rest that remains. I often long for the power to praise Him more in heart, lip, and life. But, if I had it, no doubt my treacherous heart would be lifted up with pride: my Father knows what a worm I am.

Please to give my Christian love to your dear wife, dear brother in the Lord, and believe me

Yours, in much Christian sympathy and affection,

E. B. MOENS. Upon receipt of the foregoing, we wrote to the domestic in question, and to this letter received the following reply :—

Northampton, June 30, 1869.

REV. SIR,-Having received your affectionate letter on the 26th, I hope you will excuse this delay. I will endeavour to give a brief outline of our dear Mrs. S's last illness. Mrs. S- was gradually sinking for six months or more: having a presentiment given her that she should die and not live, she "set her house in order" and " gave me commandment concerning her bones," and made every possible arrangement for the appointed time.

Not being able to attend Divine Service in the sanctuary for three months prior to her death, the Rev. S. G- waited upon her at home to administer the sacrament, and Mrs. S- -'s own words were, "Sir, you will be pleased to hear that the promise is fulfilled, that 'at evening time there shall be light,' my fears are all gone." During nine weeks confinement Mrs. S said little; her sufferings were great; the enemy was kept at a distance. On Thursday before her death I entered her room; after a few preliminaries I asked her if she was on the rock. Her reply was, 66 none but Jesus." She trusted alone in the merits of Christ.

On Friday she was taken worse, and continued sinking until half-past two on Sunday morning, when she entered upon her eternal Sabbath. Her last words were," Happy, happy! the end draws near.' She was conscious to the last. Sir, having given you this sketch, I thank you for your kindness on my behalf, and my prayer to God is, that the Lord will bless you in your own soul and your ministry more and more. Hoping this will find you and yours, through the blessing of God, in good health.

From yours respectfully,

S. C.