a lively interest in conducting the proceedings of the meeting. All seemed anxious to express their Christian affection towards each other, and discovered their readiness to unite and co-operate in the glorious work of giving universal circulation to the Divine volume.

But a very affecting event took place, just before the meeting commenced; which, while it occasioned a solemn gloom, and was very distressing to many friends, rendered the meeting particularly interesting. It was the sudden and unexpected death of Richard Leaver, Esq. of Mansfield (one of the Society of Friends,) who came, accompanied by several persons of his own connexion, to witness the transactions of the day: one of the party was expected to address the meeting. This interesting company came to the place with high expectations of enjoying a mental repast. But Mr. Leaver had no sooner entered the church, and taken a seat, than he became extremely ill, so that he appeared to be dying. Though many friends, and a medical gentleman, readily tendered their assistance, in less than a quarter of an hour he was a corpse. How soon was the anticipated joy turned into mourning and lamentation! How thin is the partition between life and death!

The deceased was a warm advocate for the Bible Society, and we trust he enjoyed the consolations of that blessed Book he was so anxious to circulate. He was a generous friend to the poor, and distinguished for his Christian candour towards the lovers of Jesus, of all religious communities. His house was always open to admit them, and there they met with a kind and Christian reception. This event is a loud call to serious reflection, and a striking illustration of several appropriate passages of scripture. What is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away! Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth! Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh!'

ON KNOWING EACH OTHER IN HEAVEN.

Or all the afflictions to which we are liable, there is none so painful as the death of our friends; for which the Gospel affords us the only consolation that deserves the name-the prospect of being reunited, at no distant period, to those of them who die in the Lord. I believe, however, that many pious persons bave feared lest they should not recognize their friends in the other world; and that apprehension has rendered the parting pang more exquisitely painful; and prevented the wound inflicted on their hearts from being healed. I shall endeavour, in this Essay, to demonstrate that we shall know our friends in heaven, and that their society will form an important feature in our happiness. I shall draw my proofs from Scrip

ture:

I. 2 Samuel xii. 23. When the child of David died in its infancy, the Psalmist consoled himself with this reflection, I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.' This passage of Scripture proves, 1st. The salvation of those who die in their infancy. 2dly. There

newal in heaven of the delightful intercourse of friendships and af fections which had been suspended by death.

II. 1 Thessalonians ii. 19. For what is our hope, joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not ye even in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.' The knowledge that Christ was awarding glory to a number of persons converted by his instrumentality, could not be so gratifying to St. Paul, as seeing him confer it on those whom he recognized as his former friends and converts. If he knew them not, his success in preaching, abstracted from the persons of his converts, would be his joy and crown of rejoicing: but he speaks of his converts themselves as composing his crown and joy.

III. 1 Thess. iv. 13. Concerning them which are asleep, sorrow not even as others which have no hope.' The belief that our friends exist and are happy, is gratifying, as far as it goes: but the thought of being separated from them for ever is exquisitely painful; and pleasure, strongly tinctured with pain, is inconsistent with the happiness of heaven.

ÍV. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. A parable is truth arrayed in a fictitious dress to render it more striking, pleasing, luminous, instructive, and impressive. The parable in question teaches (among other things) that the inhabitants of heaven and of hell know each other. Is it possible that the inhabitants of heaven should fail of recognizing one another?

V. The sacred writers compare death to sleep. Our recollection of past events, our friendships, and affections, return the moment we awake. The simile is flagrantly incorrect if they do not survive the grave.

⚫ Besides, we cannot remember our redemption and its attendant circumstances, without remembering those who were useful to us, and with whom we took sweet counsel.'

God is laying on earth the foundation of universal love in heaven; ordaining and overruling for this gracious purpose, the inequality of the talents and conditions of men, their mutual wants and good offices, and the ministry of angels. Sympathy strengthens love on one side, and gratitude on the other. But if they are ignorant of each other, this noble, this finely constructed plan, is abortive: it is frail as the life of man, though it might have exerted a commanding influence in eternity.

Peculiarly strong love to individuals is perfectly consistent with that intense universal love which the law of God requires, with absolute perfection, and with the most perfect state of society. It would have existed in Eden, had man continued holy; for Adam declares, that a man would forsake his father and mother, and cleave unto his wife; and our Lord loved John better than his other disciples.

Love and friendship have little scope for action here; indeed they - frequently inflict on us nearly as much pain as they administer plea.sure, for we share the sufferings of our friends, and lament their loss.

་

In heaven they will be sources of pure unmingled joy; for the happi ness of those we love will increase our own felicity in exact proportion to the degree of love we bear them. Ev. Mag.

OXFORD BIBLE SOCIETY. (OHIO.)

An Auxiliary Bible Society has recently been formed at Oxford, in the county of Butler, with prospects of usefulness. Rev. David Monfort is President; John C. Irwin, Vice-President; Pearl Crafts, Secretary; and Charles Robinson, Treasurer. Eight Directors are chosen for the current year. The annual contribution of one dollar entitles to membership; annual meetings are to be held on the first Tuesday of January.

Friends of the Bible have cause to be thankful that a spirit of unanimity prevails among the different religious denominations; that they are disposed to co-operate in the heavenly work of furnishing the means of Divine knowledge; that a laudable zeal is manifested to supply every destitute family with the word of life. We are persuaded that God's book will recommend itself to every candid reader; that by the authority of its Divine Author we are solemnly bound to search the Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation; that we do well to take heed to this sure word of prophecy, and to this Gospel which brings life and inmortality to light. The Bible must be read by every sinner, in every region. The messages of the Saviour's grace must be presented to guilty men, whether they will attend or not. Notwithstanding the hostile front which the infidel has assumed in reproaching Christ, his Gospel ministers, the Christian religion, and its benevolent and salutary institutions, the time is rapidly rolling on when he shall be ashamed and hide his head in dismay. The glorious things which have been spoken in favour of the Church will soon be realized, and Antichrist already trambles in view of the just judgments of Heaven preparing for his destruction. Chil. Rec.

Extracts from the second Annual Report of the Female Union Society (of N. Y.) for the promotion of Sabbath Schools.

SCHOOL NO. 7.
[CONTINUED.]

We have admitted since our last anniversary 130 scholars, between 60 and 70 of these regularly attend, and the number is daily increasing of these 20 are coloured adults, five have a humble hope that they have been born again, and are members of the visible church. They have formed themselves into a Society to meet weekly for prayer. We have distributed 250 tracts, that the parents as well as the children may be benefited by their perusal. 3637 verses of Scripture have been committed to memory, besides the catechisms and hymns used in the schools. Fifteen young ladies are engaged as Teachers, and solicit the prayers of all interested in the work, that they may not only be instrumental in improving the minds, but also in benefiting the souls of those committed to their care.

SCHOOL NO. 8.

The Superintendent reports, that during the last year, 35 have been received, and 20 have left the school. The names of 88 remain on the books; of these 26 are coloured, 11 adults and 15 children. The average number attending is 55. A large majority of the scholars read: 4 of the adults have advanced from the first lesson to reading tolerably well, and 7 of the children. Several of the adults appear to be seriously impressed; two of these regularly attend a prayer meeting conducted by the Teachers of the Male School attached to our churches. The Superintendent trusts, she may speak favourably of at least one of the children, but would do it cautiously, lest she should be deceived.

The majority of the Teachers were professors of religion before they took part in the school, and appear to be sensible of the responsibility of their employment, and anxious to promote the interests of those under their care.

SCHOOL NO. 9.

The present number attending this school, is 281 white children, 92 coloured adults, and 43 coloured children, making a total of 323; of this number 133 read the Bible, many of whom were ignorant of their letters when they entered the school. Several of the coloured adults, from 20 to 70 years of age, have been brought from the alphabet to read the word of God. One of these, turned of fifty, was detained from school by sickness; on being visited by her Teacher, she praised the Lord for answering her prayers: she entered school praying God to assist her in learning to read, and though she then only knew the letters, she could now read the Bible with ease, and found it her chief companion and comfort in her sickness.

The School has been conducted during the past year by four Superintendents, a Secretary, and 30 Teachers. Among both Teachers and Scholars there appear evidences of a serious inquiry after salvation. Two white girls have professed to have experienced the forgiveness of their sins by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we think their general deportment corresponds with their profession. A circulating library has been added to the school.

SCHOOL NO. 10.

No regular Report has been received from this School. It consists of fifty regular attendants, and is under the care of six Teachers.

SCHOOL NO. 11.

The Superintendents and Teachers of School No. 11 report, that the present number of learners is 64; and of these, 27 are white, and 37 are coloured; 42 read in the Bible, many have committed to memory Watts' Divine Songs, several catechisms, and Chapters in the Bible. Of all these, the greater part have been brought from the first principles, since they entered the school; many since the last Annual Report. The School is condnçted by two Superintendents and ten Teachers,

SCHOOL NO. 12.

Since the last anniversary, 104 have been admitted; of these about 80 regularly attend. 30 have been brought from the first class to read in the Bible. During the last year, 300 chapters in the Bible have been committed to memory; 4 of our Teachers have made a profession of their faith in Christ, and several of the scholars appear seriously inclined.

SCHOOL NO. 13.

This School is under the care of 2 Superintendents, a Secretary, and 18 Teachers: 188 have been admitted during the year; 148 are regular attendants. Six aged women who commenced with the alphabet, can now read; nine have committed from 4 to 36 chapters in the Bible, and all the classes who can read, from 240 to 1339 verses of Scripture, M'Dowell's questions, with all the catechisms and hymns used in the school; the number of chapters in the Bible committed during the year, is 728. One white girl and three coloured adults give us every reason to hope, that they have been brought from nature's darkness into the glorious light of the gospel.

Our reward has already been ten fold adequate to our labours, and we trust the Lord will enable us to persevere in strengthening each other's hands, and doing all in our power to promote the welfare and prosperity of the Sabbath School Union.

SCHOOL NO. 14.

During the past year, 96 have been admitted; about 240 regularly attend. From the first section of the Bible class, we have the following specimens of improvement, since our last annual report. A little girl has committed to memory 50 chapters in the Bible, the Westminster and Emerson's Catechisms with proofs; another aged nine years, 109 chapters, 94 hymns, with the above catechisms; another, 60 chapters, and 3 catechisms; another, 72 chapters and the catechisms. In the third section, a little girl has committed the whole of St. John's Gospel, the Book of Proverbs, 41 Pslams, the proofs of the Westminister Catechism, the Heidleburg, and Helenbroeck Cate echisms, Watts' Divine Songs, and 20 Psalms of his version; another, the Book of John, and 22 chapters in the Proverbs, with the catechisms above named. A little girl who commenced with spelling, has within the year committed the whole Book of Proverbs, 37 -psalms, hymns, and catechisms; another only eight years of age, 50 chapters and 80 hymns. According to the statements of the Teach ers, more than 1100 chapters have been committed to memory, beside catechisms and hymns innumerable. The sum of 7 dollars and 6 cents has been contributed by the children towards the education of heathen youth. Three Teachers and one Scholar have made a public profession of their faith in Christ.

We long to be able to state, that multitudes are flocking to Jesus. Sometimes our hopes are raised, and we think we see the buddings of grace. We frequently witness the falling tear, when reproof is administered, or instruction communicated; we frequently notice the attention paid to a sermon, by the account they are able to give of it.