grass, glanced on the slender shafts of the tall pines, rested on their summits, and faintly glowed upon the water; the dark wood on the right became deepened in shade, awakening a feeling of grandeur and gloom. The deer were still in motion, starting from behind the trees, and becoming visible from the contrast of their colour. Short stunted thorn-bushes grew upon the nearer ground, and their roots afforded a place of repose for the quiet sheep. The light moved on across the valley to the left, and resting on the trunks of the nearer larch and Scotch firs, faintly died away. Mary had sat watching its progress for some time, for she perceived that Mrs. Gray's countenance bore the traces of recent sorrow, and not wishing to seem to notice it, she remained silent until her friend addressed her : "This is a favourite retreat of mine, Mary, especially about this time; the sunsets are generally very lovely in fine weather; owing to the nature of the ground and the variety of the outline. I have spent many a happy hour here; and," she added, sighing, "sometimes a melancholy one; but peace and happiness greatly preponderate. I was thinking, just before you came, what blessed promises there were treasured up for us in God's word, suited to every situation and feeling in life. I happened to take up the newspaper, about an hour ago, and my eye caught some verses descriptive of a mother awakening from sleep, after the death of her infant. Perhaps none but a mother can tell the anguish that such a sensation gives. Mrs. Gray pointed to one of the verses. 66 To feel (half conscious why) Flashes the painful whole,- "Desolate indeed!" she added, "if we knew not that the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort had taken the infant spirit into His own keeping. Rutherford says, that the child is not sent away, but only sent before, a star which, going out of sight, does not die and vanish, but shines in another hemisphere;' and I have no doubt, that my dear infant is now shining in the Redeemer's presence. I can, and I trust I do rejoice, that it is called away from evil to the enjoyment of heaven; but there are moments when the flesh is weak, and sees nothing but the departed object in all its endearments: yet the gracious Saviour Himself sympathizes in our infirmities, as He did with His disciples, the spirit indeed 6 is willing, but the flesh is weak.' I find nothing will bring any help, but going at once with my helplessness and sorrows to Him, waiting upon Him in patient expectation. I can get relief in no other way, it is altogether vain to attempt reasoning on such a subject; the more one tries, the less one finds it possible; nature is too strong for us, but grace is all-sufficient, and our blessed Lord knows our feebleness, and instantly hears our cry, saying, it is my child, I will go down and help it.' Oh! my dear friend, they are blessed indeed, who, knowing their election of God,' can at all times look to him in confidence, exclaiming, Thou art my Father!' How gently does His fatherly correction fall upon the believing child's head;-how sweetly flow the words of consolation into his bosom! how strong the voice of pardon and reconciliation! how joyful the assurance, that every step is ordered in mercy! and that all things are working together for good. Oh, my dear Mary, would that it were possible for the mind to remain in one unvarying tone of gratitude and praise, and that we could in some way glorify a Saviour who has thus ransomed us from the power of the grave! But this can never be on earth, and we must learn to bear with ourselves and our infirmities: a hard lesson this, but a needful one to the rendering honour unto God; if we could find one point of good in self to lay the finger on, we should instantly exalt it into an idol; and as quickly undervalue the exceeding great and precious atonement, already offered up for us. How the worthless creature, man, loves to seek for something that will help him in making out a kind of righteousness to add to the Saviour's work! I am often astonished to see how people burden their minds, and distress themselves in this attempt; they do not consider, that in looking to self, they shamefully dishonour Christ; palming upon the scriptures doctrines of their own, which neither the prophets or the apostles ever taught. Oh, how blind we are! and how we rob ourselves of happiness, when it lies at our very door. I have no doubt, that thousands of believers who are now groaning under a feeling of unremitted sin, and find themselves utterly unable to conquer it, would be different characters if they studied their Bibles more than they do; but they read a few chapters, and sigh over their deadness, and grieve over their unprofitableness, and then look for some directions from the precepts and advice of men! while if they would but search the word of life diligently, remembering what our Lord said,- Search the scriptures, for they testify of me,'-how soon would they reap the benefit. But they read them to see what they testify of self, not what they testify of Jesus; and keeping their joyless eyes fixed on self and its deformity, they have no thought of raising them to Christ the divine Physician! All the multitudes that followed Him were healed; but they seem to love to cherish their diseases, and Satan finding this, holds them in legal subjection, and lends them all his aid to keep them so; and thus, poor tempted Christians pass their life, some in sorrow and bitterness, some in a state of depression, not unfrequently terminating in spiritual deadness. And yet there is life abundantly given in the Saviour, and offers of abiding peace ;-consolations unnumbered;-and not one threatening of condemnation; but on the contrary, sure and positive assurances of eternal life to all who believe, with remission of sins, and justifying righteousness. I cannot understand it! I cannot see how believers should wilfully remain under the yoke of bondage, when they are so constantly told that want of faith is the sin of the deepest die. And yet it is as impossible to convince a person, who does not deeply study his Bible, searching for the Saviour,-that his sins are all blotted out, and that his name is in the book of life, as if there were no such |