all enemies; resist all temptations; conquer all sin; triumph over all opposition; and gain the victory over all the malice, and craft, and power of the devil," through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.", Faith fights with an arm that is almighty. Its power is, therefore, irresistible; and its conquests are sure and eternal. If, therefore, we fight the good fight of faith," in the "armour of God," and in humble dependence on the power of the Spirit of Christ, it will be,

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V. Finally successful. If we are fighting under the banners of the cross against the world, the flesh, and the devil, we are not fighting" as those that beat the air," or as uncertain of the issue of the conflict. If we fight the Lord's battles in the strength of the Spirit of God, we know beforehand that the victory is ours. "Our sufficiency is of God." "The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge." The Christian may have, and will have, his daily trials, and daily conflicts; but he is only following the great "Captain of his salvation" to a successful termination of his spiritual warfare. If he "follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth," he must partake of his success, and share his triumphs. If, in the struggle, we are in faith " looking to Jesus,' we shall be "kept by his mighty power through faith unto salvation." If we hold fast "the shield of faith," and only use in faith "the sword of the Spirit, nothing shall separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus."

The

"lion may roar;" Satan may rage; trials may abound; temptations may allure; the world may frown; the prospect may be dark; providences may be mysterious; the soul may sometimes doubt, or fear, or almost disbelieve; but the promise, the power, and the faithfulness of God in Christ Jesus, remain unalterably and for ever the same. "I give unto my sheep

eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my Father's hand." To confirm your souls in this blessed and most glorious truth; see that trembling, doubting, fearful believer in Christ Jesus, "going on

his way weeping," amidst dangers, and trials, and opposition. Is such a soul safe? See his face Zion-ward; witness the devotion of heart, with which he cleaves to God; hear his fervent prayers; observe his holy hatred to sin; notice his groans from the burden of indwelling corruption; notice his distress of mind, lest he fall under the power of the enemy, disgrace his profession, and become a castaway." Do you ask, Is such a soul safe? I would rather ask, Can such a soul perish? No: behold, he goes forward; though, at times, halting, doubting, trembling. He makes progress, though he perhaps himself is unconscious of any advancement. One difficulty after another falls before him. Assailed on every side," without by fightings, within by fears," still he goes forward. He is a miracle to himself; he wonders at his success and progress. Behold him at last " coming up out of the wilderness, leaning on his Beloved." See him just entering the " dark valley, supported by the rod and staff” of God's presence; see him entering the gates of glory "with everlasting joy upon his head." Do you now ask, Is such a soul safe? Why, "the everlasting arms" of mercy were beneath him all the way. The God of grace was his guide and sure defence. The Spirit of Christ supported him in every contest; carried him safe through all dangers; and thus proved to all, to us, the most glorious truth, that "no sinner ever perished, who lived or died cleaving to the cross of Christ;" that the weakest believer is safe in Christ Jesus; that He who hath begun a good work in the soul will also

Yes, my dear, I trust, and have every reason to hope, upon scriptural ground, that you are a lamb of Christ's flock."

"But are you sure? This is a point I want to feel certain."

Upon my reassuring her, that I felt completely satisfied myself, that after death her soul would be at rest, she exclaimed, "But I am a very great sinner, my dear mamma."

My beloved child, blessed be God! there is a greater Saviour, who died for our sins."

"O mamma, what a precious Saviour he is to a dying worm! Yes, blessed Redeemer, thy blood cleanseth from all sin! My dear mamma, I am happy, resigned, and contented to die.'

I shall never forget what a smile of serenity and peace shone upon her interesting countenance, when she uttered these last words. They were expressed with such holy resignation, fortitude, and even cheerfulness, as quite astonished

me.

Her papa entered the room. "Papa, I am very ill; and mamma says I am going to die very soon. She says I shall go to heaven. Do you think I shall?"

Yes, my dear, that you will." 66 6 In my Father's house are many mansions,' and if," she exclaimed, “if the least is but prepared for me, how delightful! O what cause for gratitude and praise through all eternity! I long to be

with my heavenly Father; but my poor dear mamma says, she shall lose a comforter and companion in me. O pray, my dear рара, do you be a double husband to her. I know you will."

Her feelings here quite overpowered her, and she fainted. I rubbed her temples with lavenderwater, and she revived. As soon as she was able to speak, she said, My dear mamma, I give you my Bible and Prayer Book. I leave you my work-boxes, &c.; use them every day; handle them. You know it is the way with a great number, as soon as their relations die, immediately to lock up all belonging to them. But this I call false affection, as well as not exercising the proper feeling towards those they once tenderly loved. Do not you mind what others do in this respect. It will make me so happy, if you assure me, that you will daily accustom yourself to use those things in which your poor dear Emma delighted.' She then disposed of her clothes to her different relatives with great collectedness and judgment; and literally, like good Hezekiah, began to set her house in order. From the appearance, as well as the exact neatness of her wardrobe, her latter end must have been contemplated by herself for some time past. Upon her favourite servant coming into the room, she said, "Mary, I am going to die." Seeing the poor girl much affected,

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Pray, what do you cry for? I am very happy. You have been faithful unto me, my true and faithful Mary. Yes, my good Mary, I love you; you have been a great comfort through many a sleepless night: you have read to me, and repeated many a beautiful hymn, so appropriate to my situation and affliction. Pray, my dear mamma, be a friend to her as long as you live; and you, Mary, continue with my dear mamma whilst you remain in service. Pray, be very

kind to her; wait upon her: you know she is often indisposed; be very attentive to her, and to my dear papa also; but never, Onever be impertinent to them. You have always been a good girl. I never caught you in a lie in my life; nor do I ever recollect your committing an action that was sinful. Go on in the path of dutylive more closely to God-and never let the ungodly world turn you aside. Never, Mary, mix with worldly company, nor partake of any of its vain amusements. Keep yourself out of the way of temptation; nothing, I assure you, will do for the support of a death-bed but true religion: it is then that the power of it is felt and wanted. Remember what I say to you, on my dying bed, Mary, never forget me: I hope, I pray that I may see you again in a brighter and better world. I give you my cloak and my bonnet; but take out the feathers, they are very unbecoming to servants. Never dress fine, or what is called smart, but always neat. Mamma, have the kindness to present Mary with respectable mourning for me; talking about death will not hasten it one moment. I love Mary as my second sister. She has been, I repeat it with gratitude and thankfulness to her, very kind and attentive to me throughout the whole of my ill

She then wished her brothers to be called, and after affectionately asking them each how they were, she said, "You are now, my dears, summoned to witness your sister on her dying bed." She then exhorted them in the most affecting manner, to be obedient and dutiful to their parents. "O never grieve them, never fret them by any improper conduct. Always speak the truth; keep close to it. Never be tempted to hide a fault by an untruth. Nothing is so detestable as a liar. Read your Bible daily to yourselves; pray also daily; and

pray for divine grace to assist you to persevere in all that is good. Fear God above every thing. Dread to offend him by any single action that is wrong. We are all, my dears, great sinners by nature. It is the power of God only that changes the heart. Reverence the sabbath; keep it holy. Only think of your privileges; how exceedingly thankful you ought to be for your early instruction. Remember our superior advantages, and what faithful ministers we have *. Look also at our example, as well as the best of advice instilled into our minds. My affectionate little brothers, I pray that God will enable you so to live, that when you come to die, you may follow me to heaven. O that is where I want to go to! where I hope to go to! where I pray to go to! I trust I shall; I feel as if I should. Lord grant I may! This world is a very poor place; so much sin, so much pride and wickedness, I feel quite tired of it. What a large proportion of trifling characters are in it! As you grow older, my dears, shun evil company; avoid worldly companions; and tremble at the swearer and profane, whatever their situation or circumstanees in this life may be. The more prosperous a wicked man is, the more dangerous, in general, is his society. There are but two roads, my dears; the broad and the narrow. Choose the latter; it is that, and that alone, that can lead you to heaven. My dears, you have this day to witness a dying sister. Look at her! She is very young; only fifteen years of age. She might have expected to look forward to many years to come. But my heavenly Father sees fit to take me from you all very early in life. I have not a wish to live. God knows what is best for us. But how has he blessed me whilst on earth! I have

* The family attend St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row.

can say

had every comfort, every enjoyment; kind and indulgent parents; affectionate brothers and relatives; thousands of mercies that many, many of my poor fellow-creatures have never experienced. Nay, I that every wish of my heart has been gratified; and yet, by choice, I would not live any longer here; it is far better to depart and be with Christ. I never thought I should or could be so happy on my death-bed. I still feel myself a great sinner; but there is a plenteous redemption. My dear mamma used to tell me frequently, that when I came to die, I should experience that peace of mind which passeth all understanding; and so I find it. I cannot express what I feel. Once more, my dears, let me assure you, if you would die well you must live well. O never, never forget your dying sister's admonition. O be affectionate and dutiful to dear papa and mamma. A wicked child will never prosper. God has declared this, and he cannot lie. Think of poor Emma when she is gone, and talk of her often one to another." She then presented each of them with a book to keep for her sake; and most tenderly and affectionately embraced them.

I requested her to rest herself for a short time, fearing that she might be again exhausted.

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am not tired, my dear mamma, although I am so weak-so very weak-no outward strength left. I could say much more, but I must think and pray now. I am very wicked, I fear." After a short pause, she said, "Can you think for me, whether I have not committed any bad actions? I have been trying to bring whatever

can

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possibly recollect of my past life; and, through mercy, I have been kept from leading a sinful life. And yet, I feel and know I am a great sinner: but, O my blessed blessed Saviour! There is my hope. He is my pardoning SaFEBRUARY 1823,

viour! What a mercy, I repeat it, that I have been kept all the days of my youth! What is there that I have not to be thankful for? So many mercies, so many comforts! My soul shall declare the loving kindness of the Lord, and what he has done for my soul. My dearest mamma and рара, I love you very much. Yes, most dearly you entwine around me; and each is one half of me-you are both near my heart. How can I, how shall I, ever give up my fond parents? They are all and every thing to me in this world. There is nothing I wish to live for but to do my duty to them; and, as much as a daughter can, to add to their comfort and happiness. Come, my dear mamma, and repose yourself by me. O how I love you! But do not fret or weep on my account; you will be very wicked if you do. Mamma, are departed spirits allowed to pray?" On my answering, that prayer ended on earth, and praise commenced in heaven; “O," she said, because, if it were, your dear Emma would never cease to pray for you: but, if permitted, I should wish to be your guardian angel; and my spirit will always hover around you both. Do not think and dwell upon me as I used to be on earth, your darling Emma. O no, no! then, I am sure you will mourn and grieve for me. But follow me up whither I am going. I shall be far happier with my God and Saviour! I would not exchange my situation for all the riches in the world. I hope, and it is my earnest desire and prayer, that my death may be a warning to all my relatives and friends; and more particularly to my young ones. I trust it will teach them the great uncertainty of all creature comforts; and show them the necessity of preparing to meet their God-to remember their Creator in the days of their youth," [To be concluded.]

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