expression, so that she seemed five or six years older than she was.

Another letter about this time. comforted our sorrowing hearts.

66

'My dearly beloved Children,

"Your last letter caused my poor heart to

sink. Oh! my sweet little Caro!

May a mer

I know not

ciful Saviour deal kindly with her! her present state. Sometimes I hope she is more comfortable and likely to recover. Sometimes I fear she is no more. Well, God knows all, and his heart is full of love. And the heart of Jesus, oh how tender towards little children. He took just such in his arms. And if he were now here, he would take yours in his arms and say, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." It seems to me, I should be very happy to be in the paradise of God, with a company of children, such as my grandchildren who died so long since, and with dear little Caro, if she is called away so young. It seems to me the company of such darling children would be more delightful to me than that of Newton and Locke.

"But I come back to your afflicted family. I long to hear again from that dear child. And

yet I fear sorrowful tidings. But I will pray and hope so long as I may. The Lord comfort your hearts, my dear children. These are heartrending scenes, at present not joyous, but grievous. But in a little while, all will be cleared up, and you will see what love was in the heart of Christ towards you during these visitations-and what love towards the dear child,-for the blessed Saviour who rules in heaven, does not look upon little Caro as beneath his regard. He loves her as truly as He loves an angel. He knows how easy it is to make her as pure and holy and happy as an angel. And if she dies so young, I think it will be because He wishes to see her among the angels now."

"God looked among his cherub-band

And one was wanting there

To swell along the holy land

The hymns of praise and prayer.

The world was all too bleak and cold To yield it quiet rest.

God brought it to his shepherd-fold,

And laid it on his breast.

There, mother, in thy Saviour's arms,

Forever undefiled,

Amid the little cherub-band,

Is thy beloved child."

The Last Gifts.

"Send down thy wingéd angel, God!
Amidst our sorrow wild;

And bid him come where now we watch,
And breathe upon our child!

We love, we watch beside her bed,

To aid when need there be;

We hope we have despaired at times,
But now we turn to thee!

Send down thy sweet souled angel, God!

Amidst our sorrow wild!

Oh! bid him soothe our mourning souls,

And heal our gentle child!"

BARRY CORNWALL.

How soothing is sympathy to the afflicted heart! Of this we had comforting experience during our season of trial in the kind attentions of friends. One of these, who came in at first for a night, remained with us till all was over, ministering to our dear one with the tenderness of a sister, and sharing our cares, our vigils, and our sorrow. Her untiring kindness Carrie repaid with warm affection, and the memory of it will live forever in the grateful hearts of her parents.

The dear child continued to fail, and at length, with emotions that none can conceive but those who have passed through similar scenes, we stood looking, as we supposed, upon our dying daughter.

"Oh the child, in its hours of health and bloom, that is dear as thou wert then,

Grows far more prized-more fondly loved,—in sickness and in pain;

And thus 'twas thine to prove, dear child, when every hope was lost,

Ten times more precious to our soul for all that thou hadst cost!"

Her sister held one of her cold hands and tried