that miserable being was the loved, the envied, the happy Edith? Where was now that fervor of feeling, that warmth of heart, that depth of sensibility, that exquisite perception of the beautiful? Alas! they only served to make the death-bed more dreary, the soul's agony more severe. Did they not tell of talents perverted, of feelings misapplied, of idols on earth? Did they not speak of duties neglected, of warnings despised, of God forgotten? Alas! they did; and though the earthly condition of the last days of Edith was ameliorated by friends, to the immortal soul none could speak peace; remorse came with all its stings, but not after it repentance; the heart seared and worldly, felt only additional pangs by the presence of those feelings it once believed would support and sooth it; and those who watched the last sigh of Edith, were uncheered by the remembrance of one word to which they could cling in hope, she died," and made no sign."

In commenting on the above melancholy sketch, let it not be supposed that I am condemning feeling or fervor, far from it; neither is it incompatible with principle; on the contrary, they both beautify and strengthen it. No, I only wish to caution my young reader against substituting feeling for principle; without the former we should become the mere formal observers of a series of useless ceremonies; with it alone we have neither support for the day of trial, nor strength against the hour of temptation. Edith went into the world to dwell amidst its turmoils, to be assailed by its temptations, to be captivated by its pleasures, with a heart whose corruptions she dreamt not of, and a spirit undoubting of its strength ;-feeling reigned in all its power, and to that alone she trusted, for principle was not there-what wonder then that she fell? Scripture and experience both declare-" he that trusteth his OMEGA.

own heart is a fool."

THE BLESSEDNESS OF PIETY Exemplified in the experience of Miss Mary Hodgson, who departed this life, Oct. 29, 1831, aged 14 years and 5 months.

EVERY instance of the power of religion is valuable, as it not only confirms the believer in its reality and importance; but has also a tendency to excite others to seek and enjoy it. The testimony of a

young disciple is peculiarly encouraging; it removes the objection sometimes made, that attention to religion induces melancholy; and illustrates the statement of the word of God, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace;" while at the same time it casts a censure upon those who mingle with the gay and the dissipated, and seek happiness where it cannot be found.

The subject of this narrative exemplifies the influence of Divine Grace on the heart, and the powerful support derived from it through a protracted and trying affliction. The leading parts of the conversations here given, were written down at the time. The deceased was a constant and attentive peruser of this Magazine, and derived benefit from its pages. Our juvenile readers will, doubtless, receive much gratification, and we trust profit, from the following account of her early piety and happy departure to the realms of bliss.

Miss Mary Hodgson was the daughter of Samuel Hodgson, Esq., of Halifax. It was her happiness to receive a religious education, which, under the Divine blessing, produced an earnest desire for instruction in the ways of God, and a growing attachment to His Holy Word. She stored her memory with considerable portions of the scriptures, and hymns by different authors. Her papers contain various meditations as well as texts, selected apparently under the providential circumstances in which she was placed. She arranged a devotional meditation from seven or eight verses of scripture, to be repeated before she read the bible, and from the extensive notes which she made in her testament, which was her daily companion, it may be inferred that she read that holy book with great seriousness. Her remarks on what she read were appropriate, and her inquiries interesting and important.

It was the lot of this beloved child to be thrown into the furnace of affliction. In her eleventh year she was brought to the borders of the grave; it was not, however, until her subsequent protracted illness, that much was elicited as to the influence of religion upon her heart. She passed through a series of sufferings and trial before she overcame her natural timidity and disclosed her great concern for her eternal welfare.

When she became a prisoner to her couch, she frequently requested her father to engage in prayer. The manner in which she expressed herself, and the seasons she chose for these supplications, frequently excited his tenderest sensibilities.

One evening while he stood by her bedside, she said, "father, I wish to have some conversation on religious subjects. You have sometimes told me I was named after your grandfather's mother; that she on her death-bed delighted in the exclamation, Christ, the hope of glory;' and often have you intimated that many prayers have been offered on my behalf, that like her, I might know and rejoice in Christ. Jesus is my hope-as a poor sinner I am resting on Him for pardon

and as the ground of my hope of glory. I now think my affliction will issue in death we are near another sabbath; but in all probability I shall not see its dawn; if not, I shall enjoy an eternal sabbath above."

"My dear child," said her father, " you recollect that you were raised from the verge of the grave on another occasion."

"I do recollect," she replied, "that interposition of God's mercy; for although I had not then much fear of death, yet having since experienced much of a Saviour's love, I view it as a wonder of mercy that I have not been cut off destitute of the blessedness of those who know Christ. Since that period, a brother has been removed, whom we all dearly loved. That trying dispensation was sanctified to me. I was led to ask myself the question, who amongst us, as brothers and sisters, will die next?' For months I never laid my head on the pillow without the occurrence of this question to my mind, and under the full impression that I should die first, I was led to pray fervently that I might know Christ as my Saviour, that I might enjoy the sense of pardoned sin, and be prepared for death. I can look back to the exercise of my mind at that period with great thankfulness."

She was in the habit of transcribing any particular portions of scripture or sentences that impressed her mind. Her papers record the following, written soon after her brother's decease. Hosea vi. 1. "Come and let us return unto the Lord, for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up." Psalm xci. 9, 10, 11. "Because thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge, even the Most High thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling; for He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." On another occasion she said, "My heavenly Father has greatly sanctified my present afflictions. Feeling my own unworthiness I have been led to look to Christ as all-sufficient, and when cast down, I have had such precious promises brought to my mind for consolation, that I can truly say, 'It has been good for me that I have been afflicted.' On my removal, I should like our dear minister to preach from the words, I love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me.' I feel deeply concerned for the spiritual welfare, not only of my brothers and sisters, and all I know and love; but I think it will be well that a word should be said to the congregation, as an encouragement to all of my own age. I dare say Mr. Pridie will cheerfully speak as to the importance of knowing Christ in early years, and I should like them to be told what it would be to be placed on a bed of sickness and death, destitute of an interest in Christ. My pain and my affliction would indeed be insupportable, had I not the presence of my Saviour; and what should I do had I now to seek Christ, when I have neither strength nor breath to speak His praise as my soul ardently longs to do? But I shall soon unite in a song without weariness, and what is still more delightful, without sin!"

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138

The Blessedness of Piety.

On another occasion, she observed to her mother, after a profuse perspiration, occasioned by great pain, "I perspire water, not blood," (alluding to the Saviour's agony in the garden.) When under great suffering, she said, "I feel, my dear mamma, that I must leave you; but I am not afraid to die, nay, indeed, I often think I should like to die, for in heaven there will be no sin. Oh! how much I am supported by the promises, I will never leave thee, I will never forsake thee,' and I love them that love me,' &c. &c. I have often scrutinized my mind as to my loving the Saviour, I believe I don't deceive myself when I say I am sure I love Him, and that He loves me. Oh! and what a blessed promise is annexed, they that seek me early shall find me."" She requested that Dr. Watts's hymn- Desiring to love Christ'— might be read.

6

Come let me love, or is my mind

Harden'd to stone, or froze to ice?
I see the blessed fair-one bend,
And stoop to embrace me from the skies.

Oh! 'tis a thought would melt a rock,
And make a heart of iron move;

That those sweet lips, that heavenly look,

Should seek and wish a mortal love, &c. &c.

Lyric Poems.

With a peculiar emphasis she repeated the two lines, which were almost daily upon her lips,

I see the blessed fair-one bend,

And stoop to embrace me from the skies.

About a fortnight after, her mother being obliged to rest during the day, she said to her father-" There are some thoughts upon my mind which I wish to express to you, that you may communicate them to my brothers;"-but she could proceed no farther without giving vent to her tears, and to expressions of deep concern for her dear mamma, and a request that her sister should be sent for from school. She closed what she wished to be mentioned to her brothers, by observing that not long ago, she had a conversation with one of them on the doctrines of grace-" When you write," said she, "transcribe a paragraph from Pike's Persuasives to early Piety-you will find the leaf folded—I do hope that it will have a favorable influence on his mind. Grace is a delightful theme. It is by grace we are saved - it humbles us as sinners; and I am sure when it is rightly enjoyed in the mind, it will not lead to licentiousness. Oh! as I now lie, and as I now feel, I think I can in some measure imagine what must be the solicitude of pious parents for the salvation of their children—and what their distress when any take the paths which lead to destruction!! Oh! I earnestly pray, that there may be no separation; but as they succeed me in going down to the grave, they may be prepared for death."

In the course of two or three days, she said "Contrary to all expectation, I am yet spared. I have had another visit from our dear pastor; he prayed for the blessings which I most needed; it was a season of similar enjoyment to that I had with you last evening. I don't say much in these visits; it is proper that I should wait to receive instruction from our dear minister; if I be spared I dare say he will call again."

On the succeeding sabbath she said—" Whilst you have been at chapel, I have been on Pisgah's top. My Jesus has been with me. I expected every moment that my faith would be turned to sight. I had a most distinct perception of the presence of Christ-He sweetly called me'Come away.' In this state the thought passed my mind-how can give up my dear mamma? My Saviour then led my contemplations to heavenly bliss, so that I longed to depart; yet I am left to linger on! I have just been thinking, whether or not I sinned in casting one thought to an earthly parent; for it is written, he that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.' It is my earnest prayer, that my faith may be strengthened for the last great conflict. I should like to depart without the least lingering emotion."

Such was the rapturous state of her mind. She was heard to say, "I am a wonder to myself that I should thus continue! I am thankful I am easier, yet I don't think I am better; I have had two delightful days as to the state of my mind." For a few days she had a comparative intermission to her sufferings, on which she expressed herself thus: "I am much easier, and having my mamma and sister so much with me, the many happy hours we have spent together, in reading and spiritual instruction, are so strongly brought to my recollection, that I feel as if I could be quite happy to live or to die: yet I have not one anxious wish; I leave all to my heavenly Father; He will do all things well."

The day previous to her death, she said, "I see Him! I see Jesus." Her mother supposing she had been asleep, observed, "I think you have had some comfortable repose, my love." She replied, "I have had too much enjoyment to sleep since you gave up reading."

About the middle of the day she was worse, and continued to suffer much till three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Early on the morning of that day, she had observed, "I have had scarcely any sleep through the night; I shall soon sleep the sleep of death, but I must wait my appointed time."

In the afternoon and evening she had some comfortable sleep. At nine o'clock psalm 131 was read, and prayer offered up.

Some one observed to her, " you say but little, are your spirits cast down?"

"Oh no! I am all joy within."

"Are you apprehensive you will have a poor night?"