of death comes irresistibly home to the soul, when we behold the clods falling upon the coffin which encloses one who was but yesterday with us upon the earth--mingling with the same friends with whom we mingledone who attended with us at the same sanctuary; who has rejoiced when we were glad-who has wept when we have wept, and who shared with us the sympathies of nature and the endearments of society; it is impossible when such an one dies, not to feel the bereavement, and to have the thoughts of our own frailty crowd upon us, and the awful realities of an untried existence have a place in our minds.

It would perhaps be useless to inquire why these impressions are not generally more lasting: why they do not sink deeper and remain longer impressed in the heart, The infatuation of the world-the plans of individual success in business or in pleasure-the concerns of a mortality which must soon be thrown by for a state which is eternal, are the chief influences which turn the channel of the thoughts, almost before the step of the pall-bearer is beyond the gates of the church-yard. One goes to his farm, and another to his merchandise; the dead are forgotten, and man plods on his way, full of dreams, until he too must lie down to his repose in the dust. Then the same ceremony is again performed, and like those who have gone before him, he is soon forgotA kindred tear may occasionally be shed above his humble bed; but time and the chances and changes of the world soon wash his name from record and recollection.

ten.

It is the coldness of the world when one of its number sinks away into the grave, that creates in the human breast such an instinctive dread of death, and such a desire to live in the memory of our friends and our country. Alas, how delusive is the hope to perpetuate our memory in the thoughts of our descendants. The ashes decay in the sepulchral urn-the rose planted by the hand of affection sheds and renews its pale blossoms for a few fleeting years: anon, the hand that planted it is palsied by death-"life withereth and the flower fadeth." The world holds out its blandishments—and those who have loved seek after new pleasures and new friends,

and forget the departed spirit which gave gladness to the past. Such is the state of man; and it is the good alone, who may go down to the grave in peace. It is he who, when his silver-gray hair is smoothed for the last time upon his aged brow, sinks to its quiet slumber-he who has toiled in the service of a heavenly king, and has gone to receive his reward in heaven.

INTERESTING AND USEFUL EXTRACTS.

PERSEVERANCE.

An ancient and distinguished individual used to say I owe my wealth and elevation to the neglect with which I used to be treated by the proud. It was a real benefit to me, though not so intended. It awakened a zeal which did its duty, and was crowned with success. I determined, if this neglect was owing to my want of learning, I would be studious to acquire it. I determined, if it was owing to my poverty, if extreme vigilance, industry, prudence and self-denial, would do it, (which will not always) I should certainly succeed, for I would not give up until I obtained my object. I determined, if it was owing to my manners, I would be more circumspect. I was anxious, also, to show those who had so treated me, that I was undeserving of such coldness. I was also warmed by a desire that the proud should see me on a level with, or elevated above themselves. And I was resolved, above all things, never to lose the consolation of being conscious of not deserving the hauteur which was displayed over me.

THE CALIPH RECLAIMED.

During the dominion of the Moorish Caliphs in Spain, HAKKAM, the son and successor of Abdourahman III. wanting to enlarge his palace, proposed to purchase from a poor woman a piece of ground that lay contiguous to it; and when she could not be prevailed on to part with the inheritance of her ancestors, Hakkam's officers took by force what they could not otherwise obtain. The poor woman applied to Ibn Bechir, the chief magistrate of Corduba, for justice. The case was delicate and

*See Kings, chap. xxi.

dangerous, and Bechir concluded that the ordinary legal methods of proceeding would be ineffectual if not fatal. He mounted his ass, and taking a large sack with him, rode to the palace of the caliph. The prince happened to be sitting in a pavilion that had been erected in the poor woman's garden; Bechir with his sack in his hand advanced towards him, and after prostrating himself, desired the caliph would permit him to fill his sack with earth in that garden. Hakkam showed some surprise at his appearance and request, but allowed him to fill his sack. When this was done the magistrate entreated the prince to assist him in laying the burden on his ass. This extraordinary request surprised Hakkam still more, but he only told the judge it was too heavy, he could not bear it, "Yet this sack," replied Bechir, "which you think too heavy to bear, contains but a small portion of that ground which you took by violence from the right owner. How then will you be able at the day of judgment to support the weight of the whole ?" The remonstrance was effectual, and Hakkam without delay restored the ground with the buildings upon it to the former pro prietor.

VIRTUE.

Virtue sheds a lustre over the mind of its possessor, which none can appreciate but those who have tasted of its sweets. The calm and contented mind generally has it for its chief aim-the christian holds it higher than his life-the wicked may scoff and deride, but their own actions bespeak its command in their hearts. In females it always shines brighter than any other ornament: it has a command over the heart of man which is always reverenced through life, it bespeaks a soul above all meanness, and while it is held, cares, and other vexations of life are lost in the sweet knowledge of doing right-yet why is it that we so often see it thrown aside as if worthless; and trouble, iniquity and sorrow, taken in its place; is it because they give man happiness? the lips may answer yes, but our actions eventually say no. There is a feeling in virtue, which none but those who have tasted of its sweets can describe.-How lovely, after the fatigues of a day to contemplate the going down of the

sun, and say to ourselves, even, as thou hast revived us by thy genial rays, so am I rejoiced in the knowledge of my having spent this past day well.

CHILDHOOD.

Is there in nature a more.beautiful study than that of childhood? Even the most obdurate hearts, callous to every other tender impression, have been known to yield to the fascinations of an artless innocent child. What lovelier subject can employ the pencil of the painter? and what theme can be more charming for the pen of the poet? It is indeed a most interesting contemplation to view a creature just emerging from infancy, who, retaining all the innocence, purity, and cherub-like loveliness of that attractive age, is beginning to think, and reason, and act from the impulses of its own heart and judgment. It is even more pleasing to witness the expansion of intellect, the dawn of those virtues and energies which are to give a hue to its future life and character than it is to mark the developement of those personal graces, which though they may excite our admiration, act not so powerfully upon the sympathies of the heart as the former. We look upon a fine child with the same feeling which we experience in viewing a rose-bud unsevered from its parent tree; we acknowledge it is beautiful, even now, yet still we look forward to a period of higher perfection, when all its graces shall be matured, and all its latent charms expanded.

ROWLAND HILL.

When ROWLAND HILL, was in Ireland, in the year 1798, the papists resolved to murder him the next time he should preach out of doors. He was apprised of it, and his friends wished him to decline preaching. It was all to no purpose; come life or death he declared he would preach. At the appointed time, thousands were assembled vowing his destruction as soon as he should begin. They waited-no preacher appeared-their patience was almost exhausted. At last a man ih a large coachman's coat mixed with the crowd inquiring what they were waiting for, told them he was sorry they should be disappointed-would try if he could preach;

but perhaps they would kill him? They applauded him -assured him of protection-and he began.-It was Rowland Hill himself! And it is believed that many at that time were brought to the knowledge of the truth. Thus the devil was outdone.

MRS. HOWARD.

The philanthropic Howard was blest with a wife of a similar congenial disposition. On settling his accounts one year, he found a balance in his favor, and proposed to his wife to spend the money on a visit to the metropolis for her gratification. "What a beautiful cottage for a poor family might be built with that money," was her benevolent reply. The hint was immediately taken, and the worthy couple enjoyed that greatest of all gratifications, the satisfaction of having done good for its own sake.

HONESTY AND BRAVERY.

The Prince of Conti being highly pleased with the intrepid behavior of a grenadier at the siege of Phillipsburg, in 1734, threw him his purse, excusing the smallness of the sum it contained, as being too poor a reward for his courage. Next morning the grenadier went to the Prince with a couple of diamond rings and other jewels of considerable value. "Sir," said he," the gold I found in your purse I suppose your highness intended for me; out these I bring back to you as having no claim on them.” "You have, soldier," answered the Prince, "doubly deserved them by your bravery and by your honestv. Therefore they are yours."

RELIGION.

Religion has planted itself, in all the purity of its image, and sufficiency of its strength, at the threshold of human misery; and is empowered to recall the wanderers from their pilgrimage of wo, and to direct them in the path to heaven. It has diffused a sacred joy in the abodes of poverty and wretchedness; it has effaced the wrinkles from the brow of care-shed a gleam of sacred and tranquil joy in the chamber of death, gladdened the countenance of the dying with a triumphant hope, and