flicted relatives and friends, he possessed a perfect calmness and serenity of mind. To his weeping sisters, who were standing by him, he spoke in a very feeling and affecting manner, saying," My dear sisters, I am young to give you counsel; but I want you to do as well as you can. You know what is right; and all that is required of you is, to do as well as you know." This was in the night, and he wished to see his brothers, who were gone to bed. When his little brothers, on coming to him, were unable to refrain from excessive weeping, he looked cheerfully on them, without shedding a tear, and said, "We have spent some time together, and it is not likely we shall be together much more; I want that you should be good boys. Don't keep bad company-don't play with bad boys; and instead of · playing in the streets on first days, be at home reading your books." Then, taking each of them by the hand, and bidding them farewell, such was the affecting sensibility of the moment, that one of the children fainted, and was taken away. Having taken leave of his near relations, kissing them as he took them by the hand, he seemed desirous to fall asleep, saying, "I pray the Lord my soul to keep; I pray the Lord my soul to take." It was not thought he would say any more, yet he revived again, and some favourable symptoms appearing, his physicians made some further attempts to raise him, but of no avail. He lived another day-a day of severe bodily pain; during which he said but little; yet at times, when a little more easy, observing his friends mourning for him, he would say, "Do not mourn for me, but give me up." On parting with several, he took them by the hand, and silently looked at them with a countenance as serene and expressive of affection, as at any time in his life.. His pain abated, and he became more easy before he died. As the solemn close -approached, he said, "I am fainting away," and thus quietly breathed his last, on first-day evening, the 25th of the 6th month, 1830, aged fourteen years and four months. His funeral was on third day following, and largely attended by his relatives, friends, and neighbours. Blest spirit! happy in life, and happier in death, -thy language and example teach us, that happiness is only found in innocence and virtue. "You all know what is right," thy comprehensive language, simple,-plain,-yet full of meaning. Let the wise teachers hear, and learn of infancy to speak but what they know, and practise it. Blind leaders of the blind, lay down your worthless dogmas at the feet of this sweet child of grace, and confess his simple expressions to be eloquence divine. Let idle speculators, diving deep in clouded mysteries, return and ask themselves whether they do what they know, and therein find the substance which they vainly weary themselves in overlooking. Come, searchers after happiness in crooked paths, "bent all on pleasure-heedless of its end,"-cease the wild chase for what you cannot find;-pause on this text, and hearing, heed. It is the key to pleasure's richest casket, full of delightful jewels,-gems and pearls,-outshining far the gilded gewgaws you so fondly prize--come, taste the stream, from pleasure's purest fountain flowing free, and own you never knew before, the sweetness it contained. Come, blooming youth! and learn your easy task-a pleasant path is this-for all is plain. Come, manhood! travelled far in ways forbidden, be not ashamed to own yourselves astray but hither turn, and your first steps begin-speed on your way undoubting; all you need is in this short direction-lose it not"do what you know”—all else is but a dream.Come, hoary age, worn down with anxious toil, groping in darkness" you know what is right” "do what you know," and taste the balm of peace. Blest are the dead, thus dying mourn them not. "Mourn not for me," they cry, and worthy are their words to be obeyed, for they are healing. Mourn not your son and brother he is not afar, but in his works still present, talking with you. — He did what he knew"-Immortal truth transmitting to his heirs-what a rich legacy you have received! “Do what you know”—and mourn not!" Oh! improve it-wipe your tears; or rather turn them into tears of joy your son is yet alive! Hasten to meet him, doing what you know. Children, run,-cheerful and constant in the path he went-"do what you know," and every good that you can ask or think, shall be supplied-and more, -for it hath never entered in the heart, the good that is in store for them that simply do just what they know. Mark the demeanour of this child of virtuetender, affectionate, and full of sweetness; patient in suffering, quiet and submissive. These were the gifts bestowed on his obedience to what he knewbeginning with the dawn of life, to live-for what is life? The breathing clod, fast rooted in the earth, all his desires bent downward-all his aim to feed appetites sensual-dead, even while he lives-mere animal existence fast expiring-can he be said to live? Then what is life? 'Tis Love, received from heaven, imparted to our kind. Small its beginnings; little first we know; sufficient for our day is strength supplied-and using this adds to our strength and stature day by day, until a perfect image is impressed of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. This is LIFE-fruits of the spirit, that can never. die-and these we may attain, step after step, by taking for our text and practising, the parting blessing of this "little child," to whom the kingdom is and none can reign until the power to rise from the dead forms and images of life, into the "newness" of the living way is first attained; and none can this attain, who fail to practise it, until the "utmost farthing". is repaid. "Take warning; you all know what is right; and all that is required of you is to do as well as you know.” 9th mo. 1833. R. S. By nature, age brings mortals to the grave, But youth therefrom cannot exemption have. Tho' death is near, yet doth concealed lie; And this is evident-we all must die. Why should the thoughts of death such terror move? Why to our nature should it loathsome prove? J. BALDWIN. THE GARDEN. Addressed to a Friend. Written while sitting in view of an arbour, covered with grape vines, and meditating on the beautiful objects around. The wonderful works of Creation are pronounced to be good, by the adorable Author of all good. Oft to the garden I retire, With deep instruction fraught. Behold! with what delight we see- Crown'd with delicious fruit; It must be sinful in God's eyes, As all Creation's ample plan Claims this acknowledgment from man, Behold the rich, luxuriant vine, With clusters-round the arbour twine,- And safely here reclin'd.. |