in its qualities or essence, is so like the blessedness of heaven, that it produces a natural longing for the full possession of its unmingled enjoyment. Hence the soul, having drunk, as it were, at the stream of pure, unsullied joy, pants to reach the fount, there to refresh and gladden its every power, without restraint and without intermission. This is the great secret of a young Christian being willing to depart at a season when there is every thing in life to render its continuance desirable. And, moreover, as it is the supreme desire of every renewed mind to glorify God, there cannot fail to be something indescribably delightful in the prospect of being advanced to a state of perfect purity, wherein sin will never more defile the homage that is rendered to His majesty, or check for a moment the current of willing and grateful obedience to his will. To be with Christ-to be morally like him-and that for ever-is a consummation, the persuasion of which sheds the sweetest and most fragrant ingredients into the otherwise bitter cup of suffering and death. The pulse is faint, but hope is strong; the cheek is pale, but glory irradiates the spirit; heart and flesh fail, but the Lord is the strength of the sufferer's heart, and her portion for ever. Who would not be a Christian in the prime of youth-to live unto the Lord, or to die unto the Lord!

Canonbury Square,

Dec. 15, 1837.

S. HENDERSON.

MEMORIALS

OF

A BELOVED FRIEND.

THE garden of the Lord is rich with many tender and lovely plants, which, though hidden from public gaze by the retirement of their situation, are watched with interest and care by the great Husbandman. Their influence spreads around imperceptibly, and mingles with the general perfume; and though, by the careless observer, their fragrance may not be distinguished from that of the rest, yet it is correctly known and estimated by Him, before whom it comes up as acceptable incense. Fair and tender plants! too tender to bloom in this earthly soil. The Lord sometimes removes them early, that they may flourish in the heavenly paradise. While yet in the bud, love transplants them to a more genial clime, there to unfold and blossom for

ever.

When a young Christian, lovely as one of these, 1s, after long affliction, removed by the hand of death

B

from our circle and from our side, it becomes the pleasing and yet painful task of affection, to mark the power and the progress of Divine grace, in renewing and sanctifying the soul, in sustaining the spirit through protracted suffering, and in upholding the failing heart in the hour of departure.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee." Cheering promise for the people of God;-a promise verified in every instance of its true application, and peculiarly so in the experience of the beloved young saint, who forms the subject of the following brief memoir.

Oh! how many names, unknown amongst men, stand recorded in the Lamb's book of life, and shall ere long be published with honour to the listening earth and heaven! And how many names, unknown save to a private circle, remain even on earth, embalmed in the hearts of the bereaved survivors, acting as a stimulus to holy diligence, and a constant incitement to praise, long after their possessors rest beneath "the clods of the valley!" "The memory of the just is blessed." It is sweet to linger round the tombs of our loved ones, who have fallen asleep in Jesus ;-to dwell on what they once were to us, and on what they now are in the mansions of the redeemed; for the one quickens our piety, and the other enkindles our joy. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." We know that they are blessed, for our Saviour has received them to himself; and their life is the joyful consequence of his own.

Mary Napier Lincolne was born at Halesworth, Jan. 19th, 1818. Her parents devoted her to God, and in her infancy those prayers were laid up on her behalf in heaven, which have been since so fully answered. It is needless to dwell on the early years of her childhood; they passed away in childhood's common pursuits and pleasures. She was reckoned an exceedingly high-spirited girl, of very quick apprehension and good understanding. When about ten or eleven years old, her character materially altered. She became quiet and reserved in her manners, a deep thinker, and passionately fond of study. Her disposition was remarkably affectionate, and her filial and sisterly feelings were the most lively and refined that can well be imagined. A note which she wrote to her eldest brother at this early age, is interesting on two accounts ;- -as being the first of her epistolary productions now in existence; and as containing the first written indications of religious feeling.

"Halesworth, Sept. 18th, 1829.

"My dearly beloved Brother,

*

We are all very much pleased with your letter, and papa was glad to hear you liked your situation, only it caused a sigh on my part because you were not here instead of the letter. * When you write to me, tell me almost every thought of your heart, that is, tell me every thing of your proceedings, whether you are pretty comfortable or not; which, although I do not doubt, having such a kind

you;

master as Mr. B- -, yet I like to know every particular. And now, my W, I am come to a more serious part of my letter, and to make an earnest request of which is, that you will daily pray to the Lord, that he will give you grace to walk in the ways of righteousness, that you may follow the same all the days of life. Adieu, my dearest brother,

your

I should rejoice were you now present, but as this is not the case, I must be content with telling you by letter, that I wish you many happy returns of your birth-day. I dare say you would like to be at home now, in the company of your parents, brothers, and sisters; and we should equally enjoy the sight of your good-natured face; but, my dear W- all the adventures of this life are not to be as we choose, but as God ordains it." *

*

*

From this time her mind speedily matured; her talents were of a high order, and her habits of study were certainly what might be called severe. Much could be said of the intense eagerness with which she sought after knowledge; of the indefatigable industry