THE LITTLE TEACHER.

At a Sunday school in the country, Doddridge's Rise and Progress of religion in the soul was offered as a reward to every child that should teach one grownup person to read. Among others who got the reward was a little boy, whose father, although 57 years old, did not know his letters. The boy taught his father to read as far as the first spelling, and then taught him further as he himself learnt at the school, and the father was soon able to read in the New Testament.

M

MEMOIR OF SARAH BICKER.

On the 28th of last September, died in the Clergy School at Cowen Bridge, Sarah Bicker, aged 11 years. Her death was very sudden. She was in perfect health till the Sunday before. Her complaint was inflammation in the bowels, and her sufferings were very great; but we have the comfort of thinking, from her conduct both before and during her illness, that God has taken her in mercy from the evil to come to that better world, where there is no more pain or sickness, and where the righteous rest from their labours.

The afternoon before she died, she seemed so much better, that I could not help thinking her complaint had taken a hopeful turn, and that she would be spared to us. Never shall I forget the simple, earnest way in which she gave me the reason of the hope that was in her. There was a lively, supporting faith in her Redeemer, and yet she was so meek and humble, that I could not help thinking that she was indeed receiving the kingdom of heaven as a little child, in spirit as well as in character. I had heard from the teachers that she had expressed a desire to depart and to be with Christ, and I was anxious to assure myself, that her hopes were well founded.

The following conversation took place. "Sarah, are you happy?" "Yes, very happy, Sir."

"And what is it that makes you happy?"

Because Jesus Christ died to save me, and he will take me to heaven." "And will he save all men?"

"No, Sir, only those that trust in him."

"And do you trust in him?"
"I hope I do, Sir.”

She was in much pain; so much so, that just before I went in, her cries could be heard down stairs; but when I knelt down to pray with her, she put her little hand before her face, and her lips followed every petition which was offered up to the throne of grace, in the most fervent manner.

I will now give my readers some account of her previous to her death.

One of the teachers says, "she has been in the school more than two years and a half; and in my class nearly all the time; and her conduct during this time has been most exemplary. Her lessons were always perfect; she was very industrious at her work, and very tidy in her person. I never remember to have had to punish her for idleness but once. She always seemed good tempered and happy. It has often been

remarked by her teachers, that Sarah Bicker never gave them any trouble." For the same reason she was much liked by the servants, who followed her to her grave with the tears of very sincere sorrow and regret.

It seems that she and three other girls wrote a letter sometime ago to an older schoolfellow.

The following is a copy, and it was composed and written by little Sarah.

Cowen Bridge, February 25, 1826.

DEAR GIRL,-We can assure you that it is with the greatest pleasure we again sit down to write to you, hoping to find you quite happy. We hope you will excuse our boldness in writing to you, for we are so very ignorant ourselves of the light of the Gospel. We were talking the other night, how we should like you to talk to us some day, when you have any time to spare. We can assure you, that we often think of that precious promise in John xv. 7. If ye

abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." And again, "whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, believing, ye shall receive." Let us then without murmuring, receive the bitter with the sweet, for it would be very ungrateful if we complained, and despised what a gracious and kind Father hath mercifully sent us. Let us then receive what we have with grateful hearts: as every day brings its trials, losses, and crosses, so there is the greater need to live on Jesus, who says,

cast thy burden on me, and I

will sustain thee." His word never fails. He never leaves his people, nor forsakes them. He supplies all their wants, he speaks out his whole heart to them "Those that seek me early, shall find me." God has indeed been our kindest and best friend; God in Christ Jesus is our rock, the portion of our souls: he hath been mindful of his promise to a thousand generations. That is a beautiful and sweet passage in St. Matthew; "come unto me, all ye that labour and and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." We remember that dear Mr. gave us a lecture on it one night; and it was a very beautiful one.

It quite makes our hearts ache, when we think of so many poor children that have not the light of the Gospel: it is our hearty desire, that good ministers may be sent amongst them, to tell them of that Saviour, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom we are the chief. We have only to watch in spirit, and to keep love in exercise, and go to work in prayer, and God will bless us. We hope you will excuse our blots and mistakes, and also our talking so freely to you. We hope to remain your most affectionate and loving schoolfellows,

&c. &c. &c. &c.

Two of her school-fellows say, that dear Sarah used to talk to them, chiefly on a Saturday night, and pray with them. Sometimes she offered up very long pray

ers.

She used to pray for three of the most naughty girls, and for all her school-fellows, but particularly for them, that they might be turned to the Lord.