Not that kind for fruit renowned, But such as at this day to Indians known, "WE DO NOT KNOW WHO WILL DIE THIS HALF-YEAR." "Now, cousin Anna, we must make the most of our time this evening; for, if all be well, I shall return to school to-morrow, for the last time, you know; then, if we are both spared, how pleasant it will be to share our Sabbathschool duties together. I shall look forward to this with so much pleasure during the coming half-year." "And I also, dear Minnie, anticipate, with great pleasure, the time when you will have left school, and we shall be able more frequently to 'take sweet counsel together.' You are to have the class which was cousin Lucy's, so we shall be close together in the school." I 66 Anna, you must be frequently with me in prayer, that may be fitted to succeed so pious and diligent a teacher as was our dear cousin Lucy. How I longed to see her once again before she died! but it could not be. I remember, in one letter I received from her, she said, "Through all my long illness I have been graciously delivered from temptation, by "Our Father who is in heaven." "He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." I think of death daily, not as the king of terrors, but as a kind friend, by whose agency I shall speedily be released from this frail house of clay, and enter into the celestial city. Minnie, we shall meet no more on earth, but I look to see you in heaven. The messenger may be soon at your door, or his visit may be delayed for years. Dear cousin, 'so run that you may obtain.' My strength is failing fast; I shall probably not be able to write to you again; but I now give you my last, my dying testimony to the power of the blood of Jesus; it is all-powerful; it will save to the uttermost. Farewell; I shall soon be in the city of our God, the 'New Jerusalem." A fortnight after writing this, she died, and ever since I have prayed more fervently, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." Truly, Minnie, it is indeed necessary that we should ever be watching; we should remember that all do not have a long illness like cousin Lucy, but many die suddenly. We know neither the day, nor the hour when the Son of Man cometh.' How delightful to walk hand in hand through this world, in the pleasant paths of wisdom and of God, and meet at last around His throne, to spend a happy eternity together.” 6 “Delightful, indeed, dear cousin; but, Anna, it is very true that we know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man cometh; we do not know who will die this half-year; we, too, may never meet again on earth. 'Prepare to meet thy God,' should be engraved on every heart." "We do not know who will die this half-year," said Minnie. Here, dear reader, is a pretty country churchyard. A lovely spot, worthy of the name given by the Saxons to the last resting-place of man's wearied body— "God's Acre." Here, under the far-spreading branches of aged trees, we may sit and quietly moralize on the uncertainty of life. Let us enter. “All flesh is grass," is the inscription placed over a man, cut down in the prime of life. Over an old man," aged 89," we find that soothing verse of Montgomery's "There is a calm for those who weep; A rest for weary pilgrims found : They softly lie, and sweetly sleep, Poor old man! perhaps his life was stormy; we sincerely hope he at last found that haven secure from the blasts of life's tempestuous sea, "where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." But why do you start, reader? What inscription is it that so rivets your gaze? Come, and read," is your answer. 66 SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF MINNIE GREY, Who died August 29th, 18-. Aged Fifteen Years. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." Around the grave, according to the sweet country custom, are planted flowers, roses, and lilies, meet emblems of our dear Minnie's character while living. But when these flowers fade and fall to the ground, Minnie will still be in the eternal presence of "the Rose of Sharon," and "the Lily of the valley." 66 Happy Minnie! She chose "that good part, which shall not be taken from her." Happy Minnie! She placed her treasure in heaven, "where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt." Happy Minnie! She was a wise virgin, and took oil in her vessel with her lamp." A malignant fever seized her, when she had left home only a fortnight, and until a few minutes before her death she was speechless. Then her loving and sorrowful parents who had come to her, seeing her lips move, bent closer and heard, faintly murmured, the words, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Then all was still, and Minnie's released spirit returned to God who gave it. Dear reader, is it not true that we know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man cometh? Which of us will die this half-year? One may-perhaps both. O! let us prepare to meet our God. Can you quietly say, "Death's but a path that must be trod, If man would ever pass to God; A port of calms, a state of ease, From the rough rage of swelling seas;" or does death appear to you the king of terrors, a dreadful reality of which you do not desire to think? You may have a long illness, and time to reflect; but then it is just possible that you will be cut down in the midst of health and youth, as was Minnie Grey. But then Minnie had been led by the Holy Spirit of God to remember her Creator in the days of her youth; will you follow her example, or will you precipitate yourself into the presence of an angry God? "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." "Grieve not the holy Spirit of God." Quench not the Spirit." This may be the last Magazine we shall ever receive. Before the next month comes round, we may be in the house appointed for all living; then there will be no more Sabbath-school instruction, no more listening to earnest and affectionate addresses, and faithful sermons, no more praising God in singing our sweet hymns, for "the dead praise not the Lord; neither any that go down into silence." "There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest." But if we never again on earth sing praise to God for the gift of his dear Son, let us be found in heaven, singing,-" Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." Rochdale, August 7th, 1855. TO THE TEACHERS AND SCHOLARS Of the Wesleyan Methodist Association Sabbath Schools in the Mother Country. MY VERY DEAR Friends, You will doubtless be pleased to hear from your friends in this distant colony. I am glad to inform you that our Sabbath-schools and Societies, both in Collingwood and Geelong, are in a very healthful and hopeful state. Our school at Collingwood is very much improved, and the unity and affection manifested among the teachers is very balmy and encouraging. We suffer much from the migratory state of society, and the general depression of trade; but still we are encouraged by the timely aid of others who join our little bands. The Collingwood Band of Hope is doing very well indeed. And what with singing, speeches, and the magic-lantern, our Tuesday evening meetings are very well attended. I have a very interesting Bible class, which meets in the chapel on Friday nights, in which work I feel much pleasure. My dear young friends, you have conferred on this colony a most valuable boon, in sending out to us the Rev. M. W. Bradney, with his truly valuable wife. He is eminently qualified for the great work; and the cause at Geelong, under his watchful care, bids fare to become a great blessing to the neighbourhood. It was truly gratifying to see so many Christian ministers and friends of other denominations rallying round him at the tea festival, on the occasion of the laying of the stone of our second chapel in the vicinity of Geelong. Geelong is a most beautiful place, overlooking the blue waters of the noble bay. O, how delightful the thought that here, at the antipodes of our native land, the scene is gladdened by the song of praise and the voice of prayer. In this country, the weather is generally very dry, the atmosphere buoyant, and the light strong and clear. O, how cheering on a Sabbath morn, to witness hundreds of Britain's sons and daughters winding their way to the insti |