never again employ pen or tongue in thy service, I leave this as a testimony of the blesse ness of having a God to whom we can go in the day of trial. And now I desire to express upon paper, what I never dared to utter, that I beg, I entreat my relatives and friends will not immoderately weep, if I should be taken from them, as the thought of such an event has often been pleasing to me, and but for their sorrow, I seem to have little wish to live longer. O my God, be very, very near unto me; without thee, what am I? Less than nothing; by grace am I saved. Amen."

In answer to my inquiry respecting the state of her soul, about this time, she said, "I can see the hand of a father, in God's dealings with me in this affliction."

On Monday, September 11th, a change for the worse was evident, and it was gently intimated to her. On the visit of the surgeon, she said to him: "My mother thinks that I shall not live long; what is your opinion?" Her parents and relatives present, knowing what kind of answer must be given, were rather afraid that, the announcement might occasion the patient a temporary agitation of mind, as she had all along considered her case not portending death; but when the gentleman told her that all he could now do, was to mitigate her sufferings, and smooth her dying pillow, her countenance did not undergo the least change, nor were her spirits apparently in any way perturbed. On the other hand, the dying saint thanked God that she had not religion now to seek, or evidence of her future happiness to obtain, knowing that her Redeemer lived for her and in her: “ Not," says she, "that I despise life; I have enjoyed life in the works and ways of its Author; how often have I walked alone in my uncle's fields, and found in the paths and under the trees, a Bethel to my soul! For the last two or three years I have enjoyed religion much, and found my soul happy in God alone, as the result of living near unto him."

She passed through the valley and shadow of death with no fear of evil, the rod and staff of God comforting her. Her short observations about her brothers and sisters, were peculiarly appropriate and touching, and all tending to show how much she loved them, and how ardently she felt for their everlasting peace, to the last moment of her life. The two younger boys stood near her bedside, as the vital current was gradually ebbing to its final bound, and received her dying wishes, through the medium of broken sentences, and expressive looks, "The God which fed me all my life long to this day, the Angel which redeemed me, bless the lads," Gen. lviii. 15, 16. Almost the last words which her father

spoke to her were, "Is Christ precious to your soul?" and the last word which she uttered was, Yes."

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Still retaining her consciousness, religious exercises were not closed; various passages of Scripture suitable to her case were cited; and prayer was renewed, that "her final hour might bring glory to her God."

At six o'clock, on Tuesday, September 12, 1837, her spirit was delivered from the burden of the flesh, and fled to the mansions which the Redeemer hath gone to prepare for his friends. During her sickness, she one morning awoke with that sweet Scripture in her thoughts, And there shall be no night there," Rev. xxii. 5. And now has come to pass the saying which is written; "Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw herself; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."

ST. SULPICE.

IN Paris, near the Luxembourg, stands the fine church of St. Sulpice. On each side of the portico (which was the work of Servandoni) a tower rises two hundred and ten feet high, producing a grand effect, while the interior, which is chiefly of the Corinthian order, is equally imposing. It was a bright morning, the sun darted his dazzling rays through the clear sky of Paris upon her mighty and majestic buildings; the doors of St. Sulpice stood open, and the low toned voice of the priest uttering his monotonous prayers in Latin, led us to the spot where the usual assembly of devotees (chiefly female) were most intently following their blind guide.

At the door nearest the altar, on a rush chair, sate a miserable looking old man with a brush dipped in holy water for the worshippers to touch as they passed. The gay Parisian lady, the decrepit beggar, the busy market woman as she sets down her basket of merchandise and leads her almost infant child to the altar, and the officers of the church, all of them attend to this ceremony.

Clusters of white roses decorated the pillars of the altar, and here a scene presented itself, touching indeed to the heart of the enlightened Christian, who considers how many havebeen led astray into blind superstition by the almost ma-gical effect of this splendid altarpiece, so artfully constructed as to take captive the senses, and destroy that spirituality of worship which God requires, and will alone accept.

The reader who has not visited St. Sulpice, may fancy snow white marble so beautifully carved as to represent the

rounded fleecy clouds in all their fantastic forms and perspective proportions; from above this an intense light falls, giving the silvery tone of nature, and bringing out in full relief, a portion of an immense globe to represent our world, round which a huge serpent has coiled itself. With exquisite lightness and grace the spotless figure of the Virgin is descending, bearing in her outstretched arms the infant Saviour, and setting her foot upon the head of the shrinking monster, the popish perverted interpretation of the promise that the Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head, thus putting a mere woman in the place of the Lord and Saviour! So imposing is the effect of this very beautiful representation, that we could scarcely wonder should the deep and cautious reasoner mistake his admiration for devotion, and while he admires, fancy that he adores. How much less that the common mind of the way-faring man, led away from the simplicity and spirituality of true worship, should rest deluded into false peace, by prayers and offerings to these artfully constructed idols. How truly has it been said that popery is "the master-piece of Satan!" how carefully should we seek to avoid being led away with its enticements! but also let us recollect that the principles of popery, of will-worship, of seeking salvation by other means than those pointed out in the Bible, exist under other forms, and even in other communions. Whatever may be propounded to us, remember that human traditions and human authority may deceive.

Should not a people seek unto their God?—

To the law and to the testimony:

If they speak not according to this word,

It is because there is no light in them, Isa. viii. 19, 20.

GAMING AND SELF-MURDER.

ONE evening in July 1838, an inquest was held at the sign of the Cherry Tree, Bromley, Middlesex, before Mr. Baker, the coroner, on view of the body of George -aged twenty-one years. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased, who had been an industrious young man, went to Fairlop Fair a few days before, and having seen several persons, strangers as he believed, but who were mere confederates of the party, win sums varying from 5s. to 57. from the "thimble rig" men, he unfortunately made up his mind to " try his luck." He at first staked alí the money he had about him, which was seven shillings and sixpence, and having lost that, he next played his watch against ten shillings, which he also lost; and these being gone he staked his coat, and afterwards his waistcoat against small sums,

and, as may be anticipated, all fell into the hands of the sharpers. Bereft of his money, watch, and clothes, he wandered about for some time, and ashamed, no doubt, to return home, he was seen by a boy at about eight o'clock the same evening to throw himself into the river Lea, after walking on the bank for some time. The drags were speedily procured, but the body was not found until the following morning. The father of the deceased, who appeared overwhelmed with affliction, expressed a hope that the circumstances attendant on the death of his son would obtain publicity, that they might prove an example and caution to others to avoid gambling.

THE BEER HOUSE.

IF you are desirous to see a set of heartless and unnatural men, who are expending on themselves what ought to be devoted to the support of their half-starved wives and children, go to the beer house; its inmates are for the most part of this class, or in danger of becoming so. If you wish to witness drunkenness in all its deformity, to listen to swearing, blasphemy, and filthy conversation, go to the beer house. If you would gaze on a class of persons who are setting God at defiance, madly braving the threatenings of his word, hurrying on in the road to hell, and heaping up wrath against the day of wrath, go to the beer house; you will find it is the chosen resort of many such characters. If you are curious to see a house, many of the inhabitants of which are actively doing their part to ruin both the bodies and souls of their fellow men, look at a beer house. Should these lines be read by a person who has been in the habit of frequenting these places, so often made resorts for sin and wicked devices, be entreated as you value your own welfare, both temporal and spiritual, to turn your feet from the paths of the destroyer. Thousands have been ruined both for time and eternity. Avoid the guilty inmates as you would those infected by a deadly fever or plague. Pray sincerely and earnestly to God to forgive you all your sins for the sake of Jesus Christ. Ask him to give you a new heart that you may hate every sinful way. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved," Acts xvi. 31. Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God," John iii. 3. "Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God,” 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10.

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HAMAN DISRESPECTED BY MORDECAI; MORDECAI'S MESSAGE TO ESTHER.

WHEN the sun shines on the dial, every passenger will be looking at it. There needed no command of reverence, where Ahasuerus was pleased to countenance. All knees will bow even to forbidden idols of honour; how much more where royal authority enjoins obeisance! All the servants, all the subjects of king Ahasuerus are willingly prostrate before this great minion of their sovereign. Only Mordecai stands stiff, as if he saw nothing more than a man in that proud Haman the Agagite.

Mordecai foresees his danger, and contemns it: no frowns, no threats can supple those joints: he may break; he will not bow. What shall we say to this confirmed resolution of Mordecai? What is it, what can it be, that so stiffens the knees of Mordecai, that death is more easy to him than their bending? Certainly, if mere civility were in question, this wilful irreverence to so great a peer could not pass without the just censure of a rude perverseness. But it is religion that forbids this obeisance; and tells him, that such courtesy could not be free from sin: whether it were, TRACT MAGAZINE, NO. 71. NOVEMBER, 1839.

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