12 Memoir of a young person, named Matilda, The more I see of the ignorance of the Heathen, and the difficulty they find in understanding the truths of the Gospel, so much the more am i convinced of the vast importance of Religious Tracts, written in the simplest possible style; and so much more clearly does the magnitude of the Religious Tract Society's object appear. The lively interest which the Religious Tract Society has taken in promoting the conversion of the Chinese, and the liberal assistance afforded for the extensive circulation of divine truth among that people, make me often almost wish for a body of brass, the wings of an eagle, and the heart of an angel, that I might cooperate more extensively and effectually with you. I résolve that I will do what I can. The Lord help me to do it from a pure principle, and in a prudent manner. Our field is indeed immense ! But how little can be effected by the efforts of one or two individuals! From some intercourse lately had with persons belonging to Cochin China, I have had an opportunity of satisfying myself, by writing and conversation, that the written language of that country, of Tung-king, and of Hai-nan, is the same, in all respects, (in form and idiom,) with that of China. This is pretty generally known; but I was not so well convinced of it before. open a wide door for the word of God. May it have free course, and be glorified! I am, &c. JUVENILE DEPARTMENT. It will A short Memoir of a YOUNG PERSON, who died February 26th, 1816, in the 15th year of her age. Our journey through the world is short, but important. We move upon the swift wing of time, which rapidly hurries on the traveller, and suffers him not to rest till he arrives at home in the bosom of eternity. As we proceed along the road, we pass through a variety of prospects, which quickly change. Every stage brings new scenes to our view, while others vanish out of sight, and are seen no more for ever. We just look at them, and they are gone as a shadow, and return not again. At some periods all is light and sunshine: all is gratifying and delightful, while the candle of the Lord is shining on our dwelling. In these days of prosperity, our hearts are ready to dance for joy, and vainly to hope that this may always last. We are too prone to assign perpetuity to what is présent, be it pain or pleasure, light or darkness; but who hath found it so? All things must quickly change, for so hath God-decreed; tears turn to joy, and joy to sorrow; pleasures turn to pain, and pain to pleasures; so all below the sun go on in a constant round of vicissitude, and never continue in one state. Generally the sources of our highest earthly delights are in their turn the fountains of our bitterest lamentations: so uncertain are all our creature comforts! They alone are wise who seek their enjoyment and rest in the unchangeable God, in that Saviour who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. In our thoughtless moments we forget the nature of the world we are now. passing 64 who died in the 15th year of her age. 66 13 through. When we go forward with a full tide of prosperity we cry, My mountain shall stand fast for ever, and I shall know misery no more.' But, at an hour when we least expect, our sky darkens, the storm gathers and bursts; all our pleasant prospects are moved aside; the whole scene is changed: we descend at once from the mount of joy to the dark valley of mourning and sorrow. Thus exactly has it happened to the family in which I reside: A very little while ago, few of the families on earth had a larger share of comforts and enjoyments, or fewer evils blended with their pleasures. A family of children, under the care of a prudent affectionate mother, with other friends, formed a little society, joined together in love and harmony, in full enjoyment of health and all that can make life desirable. They then little thought that the moment was so nigh at hand when their number should be lessened. The time is come when one is to be taken, and the rest left to mourn the loss which they so deeply feel. The lot fell on our much beloved Matilda, It pleased God to move her out of this happy domestic circle to join the hosts above. We are for a time left to weep in a world of wo, while the dear departed soul, we hope and trust, is singing with joy unspeakable in the temple above. Could that lovely soul now address us, doubtless her voice would be, Weep not for me; I have done for ever with sin and sorrow, and have gained the height of all my desires, in arriving safe in glory to be for ever with the Lord." May the survivors trim their lamps, and prepare to meet their God; the time is coming, the day is fixed, and cannot be distant. - If, in describing characters, strong affections must necessarily lead to error, I am in danger: yet, as I regard truth, I shall faithfully endeavour to adhere strictly to it in giving to the young a short memoir of my dear Matilda. God, who giveth unto every one severally, as he will, was liberal in his gifts to this dear child. She had unquestionably, a fine mind, quick, comprehensive, and solid, and rather a retentive memory. I am not afraid of erring when I say that few of the children of men are blessed with a more happy temper and disposition than she possessed; meek, mild, affectionate, peaceable, and forgiving. In nothing did she excel more than in contentment and self-denial pleased with every thing that was appointed for her without murmuring or disputing. This did not proceed from insensibility, for few had finer feelings and, more sprightliness. I have had the fairest opportunity of observing her from her infancy, and always observed that it was her constant study and delight to make all happy around her; and when she had an idea that she had caused pain to any, it was greater pain to herself, and she could not rest till all was rectified. In a review of her life I can recollect next to nothing that I could wish had been otherwise. For a child, she was remarkaoly thoughtful, orderly, and correct. She conducted herself towards every body with the greatest affability, and with the strongest affection to her friends. We need not wonder that so amiable a character should be greatly beloved, which certainly was her case. 14 A short Memoir of Matilda, When this amiable girl came to lie down on a death-bed, did she ground her hope of salvation on the excellency of her character, on her good understanding, amiable tempers, and correct morals ? No, verily far, very far from it. She had no idea of human merit, and had no confidence in the flesh, but knew that a sinner must be saved by grace. One day early in her affliction, when conversing with her on this subject, she exclaimed, with considerable earnestness, "I am a great sinner." Her life, however, in the eyes of the world appeared to be the most correct and spotless that could easily be found. One of the grand mistakes and fatal errors of a blind unbelieving world is resting their hopes of happiness on human merit, which in fact has no existence. When they behold an amiable youth, possessing sweet dispositions, and a virtuous life, they conclude without doubt or examination, that this must procure the favour of God, and secure heaven. They never stop to ask how the soul is affected towards God; and they forget that some youth, of the most amiable manners towards their fellowbeings, may yet hate God, reject Christ, and neglect the great salvation. Great pains should be taken to instruct the young ones to know the way they are to be saved; to prove to them that they merit nothing but death; that there is a new way to the father; that "Christ is the way, the truth, and the life," and "that no man cometh to the father but by him." These radical truths were familiar to the mind, and I trust stamped on the heart of the subject of this memoir. She appeared to me to have not the least expectation of salvation but in and through Christ Jesus, and to count all things else but dross in comparison of him. In no one instance did she discover the least confidence in any excellence in herself as the ground of hope, but lamented her sinfulness and guilt, and earnestly prayed for mercy and forgiveness of sins. I have not here to describe any extraordinary character, nor to record any remarkable experience, nor yet to repeat some wonderful sayings, to surprise the reader; but what is to me at least full as satisfactory, I have to speak of a young Christian, who practised holiness in the fear of the Lord, and I trust died in the faith. To see godliness living habitually in characters, is of all others the most satisfactory proof of its reality and power. This dear child always carried about her strong marks of one sanctified from the womb, grew in holiness as she grew in years, and died in the exercise of true religion. Being extremely modest, she said but little, yet evidently appeared to fear God, and love His holy ways. Her whole life was truly consistent with the rules of Christianity few were less under the power of self-will, or obeyed the dictates of conscience more correctly. She took pleasure in doing her duty, and grieved where she failed. Such was her life: a review of it gladdens our hearts, while we deeply mourn our loss in her removal. Her example, I trust. will be long kept in view, and imitated by her surviving and affectionate relatives. : We shall now follow this dear object of our affections to her sick chamber and dying bed, where she was confined about two months. who died at the age of 15. 15 It was indeed a lovely death-bed. It pleased God in mercy and loving-kindness to allow her and us time for reflection and prayer, before the painful hour of separation arrived And not a day pass ed but we prayed with much earnestness and shed many tears together. The moment we fell on our knees around her bed, she would join her hands together, and lift up her eyes to heaven, and with all earnestness sought communion with God. And frequently, when prayer was over, she was observed by those that attended her to be full of spirits and joy. A considerable portion of her time was spent in reading such books as were suitable to her present situation, chiefly the following,-The Sick Man's Friend, by the Rev. Mr. Fry; The Sick Man's Pious Assistant, by the Rev. J. Rennals; Baxter's Dying Thoughts; The Young Cottager, by the Rev. L. Richmond; Janeway's Token for Children; The Leicester and the Moravian Hymns; and Songs in the Night. But the Bible of God was of all others her chief delight; this she would not suffer to be moved from her bed, from the day she was first confined to it, to the day she closed her eyes in death.-A book she was no stranger to before her illness; she, as well as her sisters, had committed to memory, so as to be able to repeat at the time, the whole book of Psalms, the Proverbs, the Gospel of St. John, and the Epistle to the Romans. After this they studied with attention the Scripture Directory, a book that was written professedly for their instruction, especially on the Old Testament, without the least intention at the time of ever offering it to the public. This dear girl seemed to prefer the Psalms to all other parts of Scripture, and the 103d Psalm in particular. Every day I gave her some select portion of Scripture to assist her meditation; and towards the last, when memory declined with the frame, I gave her only expressions, or short texts, some of which were these, « Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved ;" "As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God;" "God is become my salvation, therefore will I hope;""Trust in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength;" "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world;"" I have said unto the Lord, thou art my God;" "Fear not, I am with thee;" "God all-sufficient ;" "And there shall be no night there;" which was the last, on the day she departed. Her sufferings were very considerable, as is often the case in consumptions, having constant pains, and sleepless wearisome nights, and her wasted frame torn with a violent cough; yet not one murmur, not a word of complaint, not a symptom of discontent, not one look that discovered impatience, have we witnessed in her. She continued meek, patient, resigned, cheerful, and thankful to the very last. In her acutest pain she would say, "It is nothing to what my Saviour suffered for me." She had no desire to remain longer on the earth; but, from the commencement of her illness her longing was to depart, and she repeatedly said, "It is far better to be in heaven than here ;" and frequently, when I spoke to her of the happiness of heaven, her 16 Revival in Mecklinburgh county, Virginia. countenance would brighten with joy. I said to her one day, "We have spent many a happy hour together." She replied, "Yes:" and when I added, What then will it be when those hours are turned to ages?" instantly her eyes sparkled with peculiar joy and gladness at the prospect. Now she understands the subject better. Nothing could exceed the kind attention and affection of her relatives and friends; yet all the while her longing was to be above: and on Monday, February 26, 1816, God took her to Himself. She was released on a sudden, without a struggle, and entered into rest. On the Monday following, she was interred at the side of her late worthy father, in the church-yard at S―. The Rev. Mr. D preached at the time a very impressive sermon from Isa. lxiv. 6, “ And we all do fade as a leaf ” Youth's Mag. REVIVAL IN MECKLINBURGH COUNTY, VIRGINIA. The following is an extract of a letter to the Editor, from a gentleman in Caswell county, North Carolina, dated July 22d, 1817. "It has pleased God to pour out his Holy Spirit in a very remarkable manner in Mecklinburgh county, Virginia. The convincing influences of the Holy Spirit began to be witnessed in August or September of the last year; since which time more than one hundred persons have been made the hopeful subjects of converting grace, and enrolled amongst the followers of Christ in the various denominations. The blessed work is still progressing with undiminished vigour. It is not confined to any particular rank. The high and the low, the rich and the poor, are convinced of sin, of righteousness, and a judgment to come,' and are made to fly to Christ, the ark of safety, the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. "The amount of the above statement I received from a pious gentleman, who lives where the revival is experienced. The distance from this place is about forty miles. I expected to visit them myself; but hitherto my designs have been frustrated. If I should visit them, or otherwise obtain more particular information respecting the revival, I will endeavour to communicate it to you." Weekly Recorder. COMPLAINT TO JAVA ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. T. TROWT. Thou sickly isle and was thy burning breath The traitor's kiss upon the lip of love? Where his last accents breath'd their living lore. Bap. Mag. |