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own selves. I proceed, therefore, now to show in how many ways you also may oppose or hinder the success of the Gospel.

1. Many are so ignorant of the nature of God and of their own souls, that they live without thought or concern," like the beasts that perish."

2. Many desire not the knowledge of God, lest they should lose the gain of the world and the pleasures of sin.

3. Some are wholly indifferent to instruction, or too wise in their own opinion to be instructed.

4. Some are prejudiced against the truth, and will neither hear it in love, nor receive it with simplicity of affection.

5. Many are so engaged in the cares and concerns of this world, that their hearts are too full of the gains and pleasures of this life to admit the entrance and abiding influence of the word.

6. Many prefer sin, and the ways and wages of it, to the sal

vation of God.

7. Many never once think seriously of themselves, as to their state and character before God.

8. Some seldom hear the word, neglect all opportunity for instruction, profane the sabbath, and despise the worship of God.

9. Many are hearers only, and never desire to be doers of the word.

10. Many never pray for a blessing on the word, or on their own souls.

11. Some never reflect or meditate on what they hear, that it may become the food and support of the soul.

12. Many seldom search the Scriptures to be made wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.

13. Some rest satisfied with head knowledge and profession, without grace in the heart.

14. Many try, by every pos

sible way, to stifle conviction, and to silence the voice of conscience.

15. Some harden their hearts against God, and scoff at warnings and the voice of mercy.

16. Some would even rather die in sin, than repent, be converted, and be saved.

With men of such cast of mind, and spirit, and conduct, who can be surprised, that "the word preached does not profit them?” What zeal is necessary for the work of the ministry; what earnestness and unremitting care; what incessant and unwearied prayer; what unconquerable patience and perseverance; what careful and observant watchfulness for opportunities, providences, "in season and out of season," to warn, rebuke, exhort, and teach every man, that we may present every man, by the blessing and grace of God, perfect in Christ Jesus!"

What close and strict examination, my brethren, is required of you; what distrust and holy jealousy of yourselves; what attention to the word; what prayer for its success on your souls; what holy resolution, by the grace of God, to live so as to comfort the heart of your minister, adorn the Gospel, honour Christ, and glorify the God of your salvation!

What a loud call have we, beloved, for mutual forbearance, love, and patience with each other! What need have we of mutual prayer for one another! that we may preach and you may hear, with more profit and greater blessing; that both minister and people may become more truly devoted to the glory of God, more humble, more holy; and that, “ edifying one another in love," we may be "builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit," founded on "the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."Amen.

A JOURNAL OF THE SIX LAST DAYS OF THE ILLNESS OF MISS EMMA E—.

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SHE now requested to have her favourite chapter read to her, the fourteenth of St. John's Gospel; she was also desirous of uniting in prayer. Prayer," she would often say, "is the food of the soul. I could live on prayer. It is every thing. Nothing does me so much good-affords me so much solid comfort. I feel as if I could eat every word of prayer. I am never so happy as when I am praying, or engaged in prayer;

It makes the Christian's armour bright."

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character of the unrighteous; which bears sufficient evidence of its di vine origin."

As soon as she awoke in the morning, she expressed her unfeigned thankfulness to her heavenly Father, for his great goodness to her in suffering her to pass so quiet and undisturbed a night. After thanking, in her usual manner, those who waited upon her, she said, "What mercies, what innumerable mercies do I receive!" She was then read to, and prayed for. Her whole soul After this, she fell into a gentle seemed to be engaged in imploring slumber. When she awoke, I support and strength, only to be desaid to her, "My dearest Emma, I rived from above. She repeated have been thinking your uncle is our blessed Saviour's prayer with gone to be married: but you, I great fervency and devotion. After trust, are going to be clothed in a short time, she said, she felt the wedding garment of your Re- herself so great a sinner, that deemer's righteousness." She ex- she was sure she did not declaimed, with ecstacy and holy serve to enter heaven; and exjoy, Mamma, mine is the wed-pressed some doubt whether she ding! mine is the wedding! O that it is that it is! Is it not, mamma? O yes; O yes; that it is! I would not exchange situations for the world." She here seemed quite overpowered with delight and joy; and her interesting countenance was unusually animated. Her dear papa now read to her the 103d Psalm, which she was particularly partial to, as also the 25th; "So adapted," she would say, "to my spiritual wants, as well as full of supplication. They exactly suit my situation under all circumstances. I have heard it said, mamma, that there are some people in the world so dreadfully wicked as to dare to say, they do not believe the Bible. But I find it to be a book most precious; and that in an hour which, of all others, is the most important." She had also frequently remarked, when in comparative health, on hearing it read, "How truly drawn is the and also a hymn entitled, "The

should ever reach the happy world.
Here the great adversary of souls
threw in his artful suggestions, and
her mind was evidently much dis-
tressed about the safety of her soul.
Her papa read to her immediately
a part of the fifth chapter of St.
Matthew's Gospel; and as he read,
he remarked to her, "My dearest
child, you are convinced, are you
not, that I am reading to you?
"Yes," she said, "certainly."-
"
Then, my dear, these very
words
are true in a more eminent degree,
because they proceeded from the
lips of Him who is truth itself.”
After this, she never expressed an-
other doubt; and her mind instant-
ly recovered its former tranquillity.
She then requested me to repeat to
her that sweet hymn which had
often afforded her so much com-
fort;

"Jesu, lover of my soul," &c.

Lamentation of a Sinner;" in which she joined with great humility and earnest supplication. Perceiving that her moments were now fast wasting away, the great importance of spending time well, struck her mind with much force; and led her to remark, what gratitude she owed to parental care in guarding her youth from places of public amusement, and particularly those nurseries of vice, the theatres, where the sacred name of God was so awfully profaned. And if her friends, especially those about her own age, were present, she would affectionately warn them, as well as her strength permitted, against such fatal delusions. She seemed desirous to mark the progress of death in changing her countenance, by viewing it in a mirror brought at her request for that purpose; and then, with all the composure imaginable, observed, "What, is this poor Emma that once was! you are altered very much; but what does that signify? Mary, take it away: remember it is not pride that induces me to look at myself." Her medical friend now appeared. She said, "Sir, I am very much obliged to you for all you have done for me; and I am certain, as far as medical and kind attention could prove effectual, you have exerted yourself to the utmost. I feel very, very grateful to you, indeed. Receive, Mr. M. my best and heartfelt thanks. I love you very much, Sir." She then put out her hand to him. "O Mr. M. I love you next to my dear papa. I have frequently called you my second father, for such you have uniformly been to me. Nothing has been wanting on your part, as far as means went, to administer to my recovery*; but it pleased God to order it otherwise. I hope I shall be very happy; I

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feel as if I should."-" My dear," he said, "there can be no doubt of your happiness. Your life, as well as your death, compels us all to feel satisfied upon this most important point."" O Sir, but think of my superior advantages. What parents I have been blessed with! Yes, my dear Sir; dear mamma used often to say, we were too happy for earth-though three hearts, they were united in one: and though this union here must be broken by death, yet I trust we shall meet in another world, where we shall never part: and you, Sir, I hope, will make one of that happy number, where no physician will be needed: for the inhabitants there shall no more say, 'I am sick."

After this interview, she seemed to lie as if in deep thought; and the first sentence she uttered was,

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Papa, I have been trying to review my past short life; and one action that I fear I have committed against you, is, I fear, very wicked-yes, very. When I was about seven years old, you told me to take a halfpenny, and I took a penny; which has often, and does even now, pain my mind. I hope I shall be forgiven this great sin." Here she also most deeply lamented, that she had been so deficient in reading the Scriptures"I lament it bitterly now; but really I have been so very weak lately, that many and many a time I have had a strong desire and wish to read, but have not been able. O how wicked I am!"

Upon my saying to her, "My dear, what a mercy it is, that God is so full of compassion to us, that he has declared he will accept even the desires of the heart, when they are connected with a view to serve and glorify him: for instance, when David wished to build the temple, though God did not permit him, yet he evidently approved of the desire of his heart;" she said, "How happy am I to be blessed with pa

rents that can so suitably apply passages of Scripture so well adapted to allay my fears! Now it is that I feel the real value of religion. You have done your duty to me in every respect. Now you behold the happy effects of your instructions in your dying child. Look at her! Here is your reward, and my unspeakable comfort; and what will yield you consolation during your pilgrimage on earth *.”

I cannot help here introducing a short remark upon an occurrence on this last sabbath of her life, which marks the reverence in which she held that sacred day. Having a box that contained some of her private papers, she asked me if it would be wicked to look into it on that day; and being assured by me, after three urgent inquiries, it would not, under such peculiar circumstances, she took out one of the papers, and wished the servant to destroy it immediately. I was anxious to ascertain the reason of her trying to conceal it from me, being a circumstance so contrary to her uniform and most affectionate deportment. She then gave it to me; and on perusing it, I found it to contain a short account of the exercise of her mind, under my own recent affliction, in the sickness and death of her infant sister, which happened ten months before. And she feared it might awaken in my heart those tender feelings that she had so frequently witnessed.

The evening passed very comfortably until about one in the morning (Monday), when her cough was unusually troublesome. When it became more quiet, she exclaimed, "Dear Lord, am I fit to dwell in thy heavenly courts, those blessed courts above? O my dearest

* During the time of her illness, she never would suffer me to keep from the "Go to church, my dear mamma," she would invariably say, "and pray for me. Remaining at home with me, you would be out of your duty, and making me an idol."

sanctuary on the sabbath.

Saviour, purge away the dross that remains, and make me fit! I long to be gone to my heavenly Father's mansion! Yes, in his house are many. The work, I trust, is fast finishing; I am quite tired of earth. But I would not be impatient. Is this murmuring? O, I would not say one word to offend my God. I would not repine, but patiently wait his time; yet I long to be gone:

"Jesu, lover of my soul,

Let me to thy bosom fly." She repeated the whole hymn, and then said, "O pray for me; pray for me! Nothing like prayer; it is all I want." Soon after this, she fell into a most calm and gentle sleep, in which she continued six hours.

When she awoke in the morning, she appeared much refreshed, and evidently better. This, however, did not give her the least ground of encouragement; as she was well aware that her mortal powers were fast giving way. She again wished for the glass, that she might observe, day by day, the gradual inroads of the last enemy; and remarked with a smile upon her countenance, "You are looking worse to-day, Emma. Mamma, I am changing very fast; this corruptible_will soon put on incorruption. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." After this, she fell into a gentle doze, which continued at intervals till the evening.

The next morning, noticing that I was much distressed, and hearing me say, of all the troubles I had yet passed through-great as the loss of my parents had been, together with four sisters, a brother, and two infant children-yet, none had so deeply touched and

Still, blessed be God! her mind was perfectly calm and resigned; and frequently she seemed to be much engaged in prayer and communion with her God. A heavenly joy appeared to beam through her countenance. She passed a quiet night.

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wounded my heart, as the thought that I must so soon part with my dearest and most beloved Emma; she replied in a moment, with a look which combined half a rebuke with great affection, "How can you, my dear mamma, call this a heavy trouble? It neither is nor ought to be, I am so very This morning, the day on which happy. I would not exchange my she expired, she evidently anticisituation for any in the world. pated the arrival of the final hour. What is this world but vanity and She said to the servant, Mary, wickedness? I had rather die than my mamma will want nothing but live. Do not, my dear love, fret black for some time to come." or grieve yourself about your poor And upon a cap being presented Emma. It will be very wicked to her to put on, she said, with a of you if "That will be wanted do. God is doing placid look, you and has done every thing for me by and by, not just yet." This that you can wish or desire. He morning she preferred washing heris going to take me to glory. It is self, which she had not done for not grievous for me to depart. some days past; and when her What I feel, and what I see, my hair was going to be put in order, dear mamma, is indescribable. I she said, "No, thank you, my am so very happy. It is not pos- head is done with for ever; it will sible for earthly words to express never be touched any more. Take heavenly joys. My happiness is my combs, Mary, and brushes, unutterable." Her countenance and put them away as they ought seemed filled with holy transport. to be;" and gave her directions to Truly enviable, indeed, did her whom they were to be presented. state appear to all around her. She Having made this request, she lay again expressed a strong desire with a placid smile, sweetly comthat her friends could have wit- posed and tranquil, and appeared nessed the happiness she now felt to feel little or no pain. I said to as the result of those instructions her, "My dear, I have lived to which they deemed unnecessary, witness in you, that Jesus can,' inand bordering upon enthusiasm, deed, 'make a dying bed feel soft as and then said, "How true is it, downy pillows are,' &c. She rethat the world will and do love plied, Yes, my dear_mamma, their own! I have lived to expe- dying is nothing to what I thought rience this." it would be. I have my God and Saviour for my friend, and every thing to make me happy. Blessed be God! he does not suffer me to feel any of the stings of death. I am only longing to be with my God!"*

On the morning of the following day, seeing me weep on account of her cough appearing so much to distress her, she said, "You need not be distressed, my dear mamma; I do not feel the pain you suppose I do;" and expressed her gratitude to her heavenly Father, who dealt so tenderly with her as to suffer her to feel scarcely any pain. "O how good and merciful is my God to me!" After this, she began to grow so feeble as to be unable to converse much, though she expressed a wish to do so.

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She lay composed after this for a considerable time, in earnest secret prayer. Her countenance was beautiful to behold. She was so calm and collected, that it was difficult to realize the chilling hand of death upon her. It was now about five in the afternoon, and she wished me to repeat to her some

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