which will long be remembered of the island of MANHATTAN of the city of NEW YORK to the death scene of Mr. and Mrs. HINTON.* When amidst public terror and dismay, they saw the signs of personal redemption, and their path closing in gloom opened in full view of heaven, the soft influence of the marriage hour was felt by both, as some favoring breeze bearing them gently into the haven of eternal rest. What else was signified when the dying wife sent her last message to the dying husband, with the wedding ring: and when he welcomed it with his dying prayer, "that he also might depart and be with Christ?" Did we sing amiss? "And love and hope and beauty's bloom Earth glows more bright in heaven." The gentle applications which meet the dawn and morning of human life, fail not amidst the changes of its varied day. Those indeed who seek for enjoyment without God, must, at length, come to the conviction that "earth has no comfort," as they must learn in any condition however blessed, which should engross their mind away from this source of all good. Yet considerate reviewers and observers of the path of life, will perceive, that the gentle applications of Providence far outnumbering the severe, have shown to them a FRIEND, teaching by life's ordinary prosperity, as holy and saving lessons, as by the chastening rod. *The Rev. Mr. Hinton and wife and child died of Cholera at Harlaem. Amidst the cares and toils of life there is much to be remembered with thanksgiving - and from its occasional storms we are delivered, to enjoy our days and weeks of clear skies and bright suns the smiles of a Father, who if we will return to his house will shine upon us a sun that goes not down-in a day that will not cease forever. Even old age itself is encircled with cheerful scenes, not to separate it from Godbut to bring it to God. Around, new plants are springing up, new blossoms putting forth, in all the gaiety of childhood and youth, as so many Apostles to deaf and withering and trembling age, that a God of mercy is still shining over it, that it may flourish like the palm tree and bring forth fruit. Memory, as if quickened by the cheerful scene, ranges the path of life until it rests upon the bright visions of long past youthfulness, and pours forth the prayer of piety in the full stream which mercy mingles from earliest youth and latest age; "Oh God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grey headed, Oh God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come." At this day when we are endeavoring to subvert idolatry abroad, let us try to open a larger way through our own heathenism. What a "door of utterance" might be opened by just views of life's ordinary prosperity! Amidst the cheerful scenes, from childhood to latest age, the goodness of God would be heard, calling to repentance, and unwonted numbers, at that as wide spread and enduring call, might be seen flying "a cloud." The churches too would see in the brightness of every morning, in the blossoms of every spring, in the waving fields of every summer, and in the loaded wains of every harvest, the means of growing holiness. The decays and neglects and even contentions, which until now are cherished alas, "when the spirit is withdrawn," might be turned into the activities, and growth and love of a people under the light of the Sun of righteousness; thriving in holiness, though going forth in the fulness and life of "calves of the stall." THE WALKS OF BUSINESS. We are not to think that the walks of business, from youth to life's end are so many stray paths, where the soul must needs be out of the road to heaven. This were to take our seat under the dark shadow of an accommodated mythology, instead of keeping our happy station amidst the light of the gospel. It is because business is supposed to bring with it unavoidable pollution, that Hindooism presents the GREAT SUPREME, retired from all management of created things; and commits this world to business-deities, as base of course as business-men. This is an extravagance from which we start back with horror. We are willing to follow eastern folly half way, so as to excuse the sin and pre vent the salvation of Christendom. We shall be recompensed ten-fold for our kindness to the heathen if our discovery of their error shall lead us to correct our own. Thus may our efforts abroad open a wider door of utterance, and give the gospel freer scope at home. On this subject revelation is plain: God is the Actor in all the affairs of earth, holy, not by means of secluded and useless contemplation; but while directing at once all the hosts of worlds, and the lighting of the sparrow and the dropping of one hair of the head. Heaven too, is kept holy, not by walling in its inhabitants from earthly affairs, but by sending them abroad amidst all its cares and business, to fly among the families of mankind, and to aid the commencement and the progress of holiness: nay, the ETERNAL SON comes down mysteriously, to live like us, to toil like us; not only to give his blood for us, but to show us how holily life's affairs may be carried on. Let us not hinder the progress of his mercy by charging our delinquencies to our employments-our neglect or rejection of his saving grace, to the channels which he has appointed to communicate it. If we need any farther illustration, we have but to regard the religious history and prospects of the world. The Old Testament seems as if designed expressly to illustrate a heavenly piety, growing amidst the business of life, a religion of this world, fitted to be transferred to the glory of heaven. No doubt Enoch's walking with God was in the midst of business; a life of piety in the midst of men; not in the cell of the monk, nor in the cave of the hermit. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were men of active business, in the employments of their day, growing rich under the blessing of their God yet, as strangers and pilgrims, living in faith, seeking the "better country." Such also, were Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, David, Mordecai, Daniel; in all whose cases we learn that the walks of business are not diversions from the path to heaven. Was Jacob, for instance, diverted from that path, the diligent shepherd, the careful provider for a family, and its watchful gaurdian? Was Daniel diverted from that path-the busy courtier, who stands amongst the Scripture worthies a pre-eminent example of holiness, growing amidst a busy prosperity? - Christianity, when it came, brought in no other doctrine, required not its disciples to "go out of the world," but to improve its leisure and its business in training the soul for heaven. St. Paul gives the Christian summary in this matter: "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Assuredly then, we learn not from the gospel, that leisure from business, is the best school of piety — neither the leisure of retired situations, or of sickness, or of old age, but life in all its right employments, amidst its cares and toils and disappointments and hopes and abundance. The laborer is in it. The farmer, the mechanic, the merchant, the politician, the housewife too, and her daughters and her maidens. No business, which men or women ought to do, lies without the school for heaven, |