He was unable to proceed.

about to enter eternity; and such conversation invariably soothed and com- A friend present having continued, that forted him. To one of his correspon- if the heart was attuned to sing God's dents he said, "Write to me on the praise, the voice was of little conseall-important matters of faith and love." quence, he laid his hand on his breast To another he proposed the question, and smiled. "How shall I best get weak faith strengthened, and love to God increased?"

In bed, he generally had beside him one or more of the letters he had received, which he read in such portions as his strength would permit. But what he most delighted in were the direct

As his father was one day conversing with him regarding his condition and prospects, he remarked, "It is long communications of God himself, as consince the world has lost its charms for tained in the bible, which, along with me; I have long prayed to be deadened Dr Clarke's Selection of Scripture Proto it." A fortnight before his death, he mises, lay constantly by his side. The pencilled on a slip of paper to a beloved latter little volume may be considered companion, "I am on a bed of great as furnishing an index to his feelings weakness, but I trust God is the strength and prospects. On the margin there of my heart, and my portion for ever." are a considerable number of markings A week afterwards he wrote to another of particular passages, which refer chiefly friend, "I think I can say I am resting to the greatness of divine love, and the my all upon Jesus, casting myself at his glories of the heavenly inheritance. feet, and hoping for mercy. Farewell, When he was so weak as to be unable dear friend, though we never meet be- to consult the scriptures himself, he had low, I trust we shall meet with joy in some favourite portions read to him. heaven." It is worthy of remark, that Such were the 6th and 17th chapters in this note he appears to have had part of John; 2 Corinthians xii. 1-4; and of the word "confidently written, the 7th, 21st, and 22d chapters of Revemaking the sentence read," I think I lations. One day as his sister was readcan confidently say," &c, but had drawn ing the chapter first mentioned, and had his pencil through the word, thus con- finished the thirty-fifth verse, Jesus siderably softening the expression, and said unto them I am the bread of life, exhibiting the caution with which he he that cometh to me shall never invariably expressed himself respecting hunger, and he that believeth on me his relation to the unseen world. It was shall never thirst," he said, emphatically, indeed his own habitual prayer, and he" That's beautiful, read a few verses urgently requested his relatives and back." friends to make it the subject of their prayers, that he might attain to a much greater degree of certainty respecting his eternal state. And God, out of the riches of infinite grace, at length heard and answered these supplications. Gradually his hopes of heaven became brighter and brighter, until they shone with unclouded splendour.

Throughout his illness, and especially during the week preceding his death, he was exceedingly fond of sacred music, though he could not join in singing it. Among the psalms which he selected to be sung were the 23d, 46th, 63d, 103d, and 121st; of the paraphrases, the 30th, 63d, and 66th. On one occasion, after the last mentioned paraphrase had been sung, he took the book from his father, and, pointing to the fourth stanza, requested it to be again sung. On another occasion, after a psalm had been sung, he remarked, "I think praise is the nearest approach on earth to the heavenly exercise. My poor lungs have been ill fitted for singing God's praises here, but

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Such were a few of the indications of his meetness for heaven, afforded during the earlier part of his illness, but as his spirit appeared to ripen rapidly for glory during the few latter days of his existence here, these may be somewhat more particularly noticed.

[August 7th.]-On the evening of this day, Thursday, he was seized with violent expectorations of blood, which were repeated during the night, leaving him so weak that his dissolution was constantly looked for. After one severe attack, he made a sign to his father to come near, and, taking him by the hand, whispered in his ear, "What could I do without Christ now?" His father said, "I hope you see him to be altogether lovely, and that your faith in him is strengthening." "Yes, yes," was the ready reply.

[August 8th].-On Friday he was so weak that he did not attempt to speak much, but his father having said, "I hope you will meet with your mother, and many other dear friends in heaven,"

he added," and with Christ which is far | inheritance was the more valuable as we better." Conscious of his weakness, he turned up the last hymn, and pointing to the fourth verse,―

"I leave this world without a tear, Save for the friends I hold so dear, To heal their sorrows, Lord, descend, And to the friendless prove a frlend," he said, "These are my feelings."

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could do nothing to purchase it, he exclaimed with intense rapture, "Grace, grace!" At a later period of the day he said, "This has been a happy affliction to me, and I hope it will prove the furnace in which God was purifying me. It is a wonderful process I have come through, by which I have been brought to my [August 9th.]-On Saturday he was present state of mind: I thank Him for more than usually fond of conversing, it." In the evening, after recruiting a and spoke more unreservedly, than little from several severe attacks of hitherto, of the change which he felt agonising pain, he said, "I have had a was rapidly approaching. He stated to heard struggle with Satan;" and on his his father that he had spent two happy father remarking, "I hope you trampled days in thinking of the joys of heaven; him under your feet," he triumphantly and, in answer to the question, "Have replied, "O yes! God assisted me, and you now an assurance of your eternal I gained the victory." He appeared to happiness?" he replied, "I can scarcely attach great importance to this conflict, say that yet, but I have a strong hope, for as he again referred to it on the succeedI think God would never have given me ing day; and well he might, for it would such happy thoughts of heaven, unless appear that God, as a reward of grace for he had intended to take me there." his faithfulness in wielding the weapons Then lying quietly for a little, he said, furnished to him, gave him, during its "My face is now Sionward." A friend progress, the full and abiding assurance who visited him in the morning, and of everlasting life. In the course of the remained with him during the day, evening he was repeatedly heard to say, expressing sorrow at his illness, and the "Blessed Saviour, thou wilt not leave hope that he was resigned to the will of me now." "Peace, peace, all is peace." Him who doeth all things well," he said His father having once added, "Perfect "O yes! for He has afflicted me in love, peace?" he instantly answered "O yes, and I have a strong hope. I know that yes!" After a severe attack, his sister my Redeemer liveth, and HE IS A ROCK." said he was suffering a great deal; he In the course of the interview with this replied, "But Christ is sympathising with friend he repeatedly declared his as- me, isn't that great comfort;" and again, tonishment at the love of God, especially when seized with excruciating pain, "O as exhibited towards himself. His friend what agony Christ must have suffered quoted the verse, "That ye may be able before he died, and for me!" In the to comprehend with all saints what is midst of these sufferings, he expressed the length, and breadth, and depth, and a strong desire to be spared till the folheight, and to know the love of God lowing day had begun, that he might which passeth knowledge," on hearing leave a Sabbath on earth to enter an which the glow upon his countenance everlasting Sabbath in heaven. During brightened up into a smile; and he said the evening he repeatedly asked how late he hoped to know more about it here- it was, and when the clock was striking after. This remark introduced an in- twelve, he hurriedly raised his hand and teresting conversation regarding the exclaimed, "There's my desire." heavenly world, during which he remarked that it was a cheering thought that Christ was there in our nature. On his asking whether his friend thought that departed spirits took an interest in things below, it was answered that many were of opinion that they did, in which view he concurred, quoting in proof the passage, "There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth." The idea also that friends would there know one another rejoiced him exceedingly, and he stated how happy he should feel in the company of the patriarchs, and prophets, and apostles, and reformers. On his friend remarking that the heavenly

[August 10.]-His distress continued with little intermission throughout the Sabbath. During a short cessation of pain his father said, "James, you have got another severe turn over." He im. mediately answered, "O no! not severe, God is with me, and it is His pleasure." In these intervals of relief, he was heard repeating such passages as,-"I am now in the swellings of Jordan." "Death's pangs have laid hold on me," &c. By far the most severe attack was in the evening, yet when his sufferings were the most intense, he was frequently observed to smile, and when several passages of scripture were repeated to him, he gave

signs of recognising them, especially the following, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

with love, and every tongue with song." He then asked for a drink; after which, his father remarked to him how wonderful it was that he had been able to speak as he had done, having been so weak before. He replied, "It is really astonishing; but God has strengthened me. O God, strengthen me still, that I may say a little more! And what shall I say?" After a short pause, he resumed, "Be not taken up with the vanities of this world, whose enjoyments are apparent rather than real. And O be wary whom you choose as companions. You, my dear brothers, John and Thomas, from your circumstances in life, may be subjected to greater temptation in this way than my dear sisters. I have great reason to bless God for the companions with whom I have associated. They

[August 11.]-On Monday morning he was very low, but calm. About halfpast ten o'clock his medical attendant arrived, who, seeing that he was dying, took him by the hand, and bade him farewell. In return, he said, with much difficulty, "Great peace." About eleven o'clock prayer was offered up, and a portion of the 118th Psalm, commencing at the 19th verse, was sung; during the singing of which, he twice or thrice made signs expressive of his heartfelt satisfaction. Two letters having arrived for him, and the names of the writers, as conjectured from the addresses, being mentioned, he said, "These are two of my best friends on earth, keep them [the letters], and improve upon them were one great means, by his blessing, yourselves, I have done with these of benefiting me; and by these means now." Then, to the astonishment of being blessed to you, you may attain the all present, and of those who hastened kingdom of glory." His father here obinto the apartment on hearing him served, "Where I hope you will soon speak, he commenced an address which be;" on hearing which he smiled, and cannot be adequately described. It was stretching out his hands and looking updelivered with such a modulation of wards, he exclaimed, "O yes, O yes! I voice, as bespoke its coming from his will soon join the blessed company there inmost soul. The time that elapsed from its commencement to its close was about half an hour; but although it was heard by no fewer than twelve individuals, so deeply were they affected, that only the few following fragments have been recalled to recollection:

angels and archangels, the hoary headed prophets and apostles, and martyrs, and all the saints, from Adam down to the present time, who have gone there

in singing the praises of our Redeemer; for every heart there will be filled with his love, and every mouth with song." "O my dear brothers and sisters, and His father having added, "And Christ, father, and uncle (who has been a friend James," his countenance instantly brighto me beyond what I can express), allow tened, and he said emphatically, "O yes, me to give a word of advice to you. Be O yes! Christ in the centre. I have close students of your Bible. In it, God, sometimes felt so much of the love of in his infinite condescension and love, God as is almost too much for flesh to has revealed his will to us. The best think of; but now I shall see my Saviour way, in my opinion, is to get portions of face to face. There I shall worship him it by heart, so that you may easily recall with growing perfection through the them in a time of need. Ŏ do this in a endless ages of eternity-for there is no day of health, and do not put off till the standing still there; and looking down, bed I am now in. Dying has enough to I shall feel an interest in what is going do with itself: the body becomes en-on in this world, particularly in the feebled, the mind languid, and little fitted for preparation for eternity. You know, when persons are going into a far country, they are anxious to know something of the country they are going to, and, for that purpose, get a map to guide them; so the Bible is the map to guide to heaven. And O sanctify the Sabbath, that blessed day on which our Saviour burst the bands of death and the grave, in testimony of having finished the work the Father gave him to do, and ascended up into glory, where he is clothed in our nature, and where every heart is filled ' NO. I. VOL. HI

spread of the gospel, and the increase and extension of the Church. Where are my dear little brother and sister?" On their being brought to the bedside, he said, "May the blessing of God rest on you both. Come away, my wee Helen;" and, taking her by the hand, he proceeded with a short address to her, of which nothing more is remem bered than that it was remarkable for simplicity and propriety. He afterwards took William by the hand, and said, "My dear little brother, be kind and affectionate to your little sister; never

speak a cross word to her; and both obey | with it all over England, and in other your parent. Attend to your Bible, be parts of the British isles and colonies. a good student at school, and you may The number of these in England and become a blessing to society and an or- Wales is nearly 3000. The society has nament to the Church, and at last arrive printed the scriptures, or portions of in glory." Then taking his father by the them, in 138 languages. The whole hand, he addressed him thus-"My dear number of versions (there being someand honoured parent, what shall I say times two or three in the same language) to you? I do not wish to hurt your is 160, and in 108 of these versions the feelings by speaking of you in the terms scriptures had never been previously I am disposed to do; but this much I printed. The society has put into cirmay say, that few sons have been so culation, since its commencement, nearly highly favoured in having parents as I seventeen millions of copies of the holy have had, whose delight it has been to scriptures, and above ten millions more instruct their children in the knowledge have been circulated by other societies of the Bible. I have sometimes been a which originated in its example, thus rebellious son, but I hope you will for- making the whole number distributed give me. My dear sisters, if I have of by it, directly and indirectly, about fended you at any time, hope you will twenty-seven millions and a half. The forgive me. I have sometimes thought, society has expended, in the translation since I came last home, and from my and printing of these copies of the scripstate of health, that I was rather trouble-tures, three millions one hundred and some to you. I have been trying to re- twenty-two thousand five hundred and fifcollect all my departed friends, and think teen pounds. The receipts of the society, most of them have gone to heaven; in from various sources, during the past particular, my dear mother, your beloved year, amount to L.97,755, 10s. 10d. wife, your sister, and your old acquaint-There is no other society besides this ance."-[Looking successively at his father, his uncle, and his father's cousin.] -"I wished to say something about my companions, whom I also expect to meet there; but my time is over. Father, sing the last hymn." While his father was turning it up, he calmly said, “Mind it's long metre." Though he had not been in the habit of singing during family worship since his lungs were thought affected, he now joined audibly, till the last eight lines, when his voice began to falter; and about noon, just as those present had concluded singing the final

that is occupied with the circulation of the scriptures over all the world; and for accomplishing this, its great object, it has very extensive means, in the shape of versions, agents, and correspondents. Were its funds greater, more extensive good might be done with all these means which it enjoys. During the last year, the society has put into circulation 915,811 copies of the scriptures, and extending over the great variety of tongues above mentioned.

In France alone, during the past year, the circulation has been to the amount of 150,562 copies; and many and very encouraging testimonies are given in the reports of the society, of the good effects produced by the use of the books thus circulated, in turning Roman Catholics to Protestants in great numbers, and in many real conversions unto God; and these effects have been chiefly made by a version from the Vulgate, of which some complain. The whole number of copies put into circulation by the society in France, within the last twelve years, is 1,399,467, and previously, through this institution and others aided by it, more than a million and a half were circulated, making in all about three millions.

In Belgium, there have been issued during the year, 11,562 copies; and in the last ten years, 135,550. In Holland, 46,155 copies have been circulated in the past year; and in ten years, 570,000. In Germany, the number for the year is 53,472; in Hungary, 11,751; in Russia,

Africa, too, that outcast part of the earth, with its outcast sons, shares of the bounty of this society, in the furnishing of the scriptures for that continent, and for its people elsewhere, through all the means and versions within the society's reach. About 70,000 copies of the scrip- In short, the world-the wide and potures, or portions of them, in various pulous world-in all its extent, is the tongues, have been furnished for the na- field of operations of this bible institution. tive population of that continent and The scriptures are sent by it into every Madagascar; and new translations are nation and country that are accessible; being made for Africa by missionaries, whilst, on the other hand, efforts also are