The character of the following memoir is thus given, in a letter from a clergyman of the Baptist church.

"This little memoir has recently been written by two young men, who are teachers in my Sabbath-school. I believe that the statement made by them is correct. I visited Hannah several times during her sickness, and am persuaded she was a child of God, She was an only daughter; and her mother is a pious member of my church. The writers are minors, of worthy character-one of them a professor. The publication of the memoir may be an encouragement to them and others to do good.

"I am, respectfully, &c.

"C. P. GROSVENOR.

"Boston, Nov. 13, 1829."

There is a melancholy satisfaction in cherishing the memory of friends who have gone to the world of spirits; and who gave evidence that they were the followers of Christ. For if they were his followers, they have gone to dwell with him in happiness which will VOL. VII.-1

never end; and we know, that if we are prepared to dwell in heaven, we shall meet them there, where sickness and sorrow cannot come; where the Saviour reigns in glory; and where we may join with saints and angels, in praising him for ever.

We are about to give an account of one, who was cut down in the bright morning of her days, but died in the full hope of a blessed immortality, and who, we believe, is now with the redeemed in heaven.

Hannah Ripley was born in Boston, on the 8th of May, 1818. Her father died while she was so young, as scarcely to know the value of a father; but she was blessed with a good mother, who cared for her soul as well as for her body, and who early implanted in her mind the seeds of religion. At about four years of age,

she became connected with the First Baptist Sabbath-School, in Boston; which she ever afterwards regularly attended, till the commencement of her last sickness. In this school she was always remarked for her serious manners, her punctuality, and her strict attention to what her teachers told her; and for these things she was greatly beloved by them, and by her school-mates, before whom she set a bright example, well worthy of their imitation. Not a single instance is recollected of her absence from the

school, during the whole time she was attached to it, unless in case of sick

ness.

At one time, when her teacher asked the members of her class, if they wished to have her pray for them-Hannah, alone, answered in the affirmative, and knelt in prayer with her teacher, while the rest remained standing.

She was very fond of reading, and would frequently take her Sundayschool book, and shut herself up in a room alone, to read it, for hours together. She also delighted much in reading and studying that best of books, the Bible. She was presented with one, by a friend, several months before her death. One evening, about two months before she died, as she was sitting with one of her brothers, reading in her Bible, she said to him, "Robert, this is my Bible, and I am going to write something in it." She then wrote on a blank leaf, the following:

"Holy Bible, book divine!

Precious treasure, thou art mine!"

At the beginning of the present year, she made a little book, in which she said she intended to write all the texts of the sermons she should hear preached, till the next January. She little thought they would be so few; and that in less than four months she should be numbered with the dead. But so it was.

She began to complain of sickness on the 4th of March, 1829; but was not confined to the house till the 6th. Her disorder was a consumption, attended by a distressing cough, and the raising of blood. The progress of the disease was very painful, yet she bore it with a degree of fortitude, and resignation to the will of God, uncommon in one so young. Her situation was not considered dangerous, till within three or four weeks previous to her death. Very frequently, during her illness, she spoke of her Sabbath-school with pleasure, and wished to be able again to attend it. But He "who seeth not as man seeth," saw fit to remove her to a place of higher enjoyment. than can be found in this world-even to a place at his right hand in heaven.

One morning, about three weeks before she died, her mother said to her, "Hannah, you appear to be very

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sick." She replied, "I know I am.' "Do you think you would be willing to die, if it is the will of God?" "I had rather get well; but I will trust my heavenly Father, for he knows what is best for me.' "She then spoke of the privileges she had enjoyed of attending the Sabbath-school, and said they had been made a great blessing to her. She also mentioned one or two others in her class, and said, "Miss H. (her teacher) has talked to me a great deal about religion, and so she has to the others; but all of them have not good mothers to teach them at home, as I have. If those shoes were mine, (pointing to a pair of shoes that had been given to one of her school-mates, to wear to the Sabbath-school, and which hung in sight,) and I was as well as A-, I would not let them hang there so long, without being used; but her mother does not care any thing about religion, nor the Sabbath-school."

Her mind appeared to be employed in thinking about her Sabbath-school and her teacher, a great portion of the time; and her conduct and conversation showed, that they had indeed been to her the greatest of blessings; that they had been instrumental in directing her mind to think of him who died for her, as well as for others, and in enabling her to put her trust in him, when He alone could help her, on her dying bed.

She always expressed the greatest thankfulness for any attention that was shown her, and said that, though she could not repay her friends for their kindness, God would reward them. For the last three weeks, she was sensible that her end was approaching, and once said, "I have been sick so long, I know I shall not get well."

The Wednesday before she died, she expressed some fear of death because of her sin. The next day, a friend asked her if she was willing to die, and she replied, "Yes." She was asked why, and she expressed the hope that Christ had forgiven her sins. She said she had prayed to God, and he had heard her, and forgiven her. This was the last day that she had her reason, and she afterwards said very little. On Saturday, her

teacher called to see her, and when she asked if she knew her, Hannah looked at her as though she did know her, and wished to speak to her, but she could not. On Sunday, when her mother was out of the room, she inquired for her-"Where's mother?" Her mother was immediately called, but the wild and vacant stare of her countenance, showed that she did not recognise her. These were the last words she was heard to speak. After that, she lay apparently insensible, till the next afternoon, about four o'clock, when her spirit returned to God who gave it. She died on the 27th of April, 1829, aged ten years and eleven months.

But though dead, Hannah yet speaks. Her school-mates cannot soon forget the example she set before them, nor the many pleasant seasons they have spent with her, in the Sabbath-school. Then, she bid as fair to live many years, as any of them: now, she is gone, and the places that knew her, will know her no more. companions, she speaks in terms mild, affectionate, and solemn-“You, too, must die; perhaps it may be soon: oh, prepare to meet your God!"

To her

To all Sabbath-school children, her example speaks-"Ye children, hear instruction, and be wise.' Every week you can receive the instructions of your teachers; attend to them; seek the blessing of God on their faithful endeavours to benefit you. 'Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,' that if you should, like me, die while you are young, HE may remember you in mercy."

To every one who may read this. imperfect account of her, does not her early removal say, "Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh!' O seek the Lord now, while he may be found, that when your Lord comes, you may be found watching, and ready to meet him with joy."

Sabbath-school teachers may find, in the foregoing account, much encouragement to be faithful and persevering. Hannah loved her Sabbathschool, and was attentive to the instructions of her teacher. Here she learned the way to heaven, and begun to walk in it; and her teacher

had the satisfaction of seeing her, on her dying bed, trusting in that God of whom she had told her, and to whom she had been instrumental in turning her. What greater encour agement could a teacher desire, than to see such fruits as these attend her labours? We have but to do our duty faithfully, and our labours will be abundantly rewarded.

Finally, we would say to all, who, when their appointed time shall come, would wish to die like Hannah-"Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." She loved to read in the Bible, for she believed it to be the word of God; and in it, she read that all are sinners by nature; but Christ died for us all, that whosoever believeth in him, might not perish, but have everlasting life. Love this blessed book; love its Author; repent of sin, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,-and be assured that death will not come as a king of terrors to you, but as a strong deliverer, to release you from this body of sin, and to conduct you safely home to heaven.

then cautioned them as to their conduct-"You know, children," said she, "that this is God's holy Sabbath. If you take up a plaything, or touch one, you sin. You must not work nor play, lest you offend God, who has commanded you, and me, and all of us, to REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY." She gave them this solemn admonition in language the most simple and affectionate, and to the wonder of her silent and intent visiters. The children went out in a very orderly manner; the matron then turned to her adult class, that had so unexpectedly come under her care. She told them she was sincerely obliged to them for their civility; that they had seen something of the course of proceeding in that house, and she hoped they had been interested; that she should be happy to see them there at any time, but especially upon the Sabbath-when they would always see the same, or similar efforts made to train up children in the knowledge and fear of God, and in obedience to his holy law. They returned to the field, took their hats and coats in the most orderly manner, and returned home.

The next Sabbath, every one of the eighteen persons came to the asylum, decently dressed, and with a becoming deportment, and witnessed the whole course of exercises. One of them was considerably advanced, (supposed 45 or 55 years old,) and the youngest was about 17; and many of them paid a third visit! So effectually did the serious, affectionate, and judicious conduct of this matron, secure the respect and confidence of this company of transgressors.

These circumstances coming indi

ledge, seemed to deserve investiga tion. We accordingly visited the place. Here we found the worthy matron in the discharge of her ac customed duties; and while we had the satisfaction to learn that the facts we have stated were strictly true, we had an opportunity to witness the order and propriety of which we had heard. It was indeed a wise and humane measure, to gather these friendless outcasts (the sons and daughters of poverty and wo) into one common family, apart from the evil example and corrupting influence of the shameless and hardened. And when we heard from that assembly of one hundred and twenty little children, whose fathers and mothers had forsaken them the voice of prayer, and the hymn of praise; and witnessed their orderly conduct; and saw the evidence on every side, that they were trained up in the fear of God, and in a regard to his commandments,-we left the house with a deeper sense of the va lue of that gospel, to whose influence we are indebted for such an institution. And who does more to destroy the influence, and subvert the institutions of the gospel, than the SABBATHBREAKER?

THE EXPLANATORY METHOD OF IN

STRUCTION.

We do long for the time when Sunday-school teachers, and others who have the care of children, (and especially those to whom is committed their religious training,) will study the art of teaching. We shall endeavour to make the facts, theories, and illustrations, connected with this point, at least as prominent as any other class of subjects that may pro