ing the Scriptures was increased by remembering, that her Mary had taught her even her letters. She at length sunk under the infirmities and sorrows of this vale of tears-died in the faith and hope of the Gospel: and is now, we trust, rejoicing with her dear child before the throne. Oh! may my young readers be stirred up to choose Mary's better part, which shall never be taken from them; and may those who through grace have obtained it, be encouraged by her example, to seek and to pray for the salvation of their relatives and friends!

EPITAPH ON AN OLD LADY,
Buried in Hendon Church Yard, Middlesex.

Reader! she wandered all this desart thro'
In search of happiness: nor found repose
Till she had reach'd the borders of the waste.
Full many a flower that blossom'd in her path
She stopt to gather; and the fruit she pluck'd
That hung from many a tempting bough: all but
The Rose of Sharon, and the Tree of Life.
This flung its fragrance to the gale, and spread
Its blushing beauties; that its healing leaves
Displayed, and fruit immortal-all in vain.
She neither tasted, nor admir'd; and found
All that she chose and tasted, fair-but false:
The flowers no sooner gather'd, than they faded:
The fruits enchanting, dust and bitterness:
And all the world a wilderness of care.
Wearied, dispirited, and at the close

Of this eventful course, she sought the plant,
Which long her heedless haste o'erlook'd: and prov'd
Its' sovereign virtues: underneath its shade
Outstretch'd, drew from her wounded feet the thorns,
Breath'd the last sigh-shed the last tear-

And here the aged pilgrim rests in trembling hope.

This little subscription is now closed. An intimate friend of the Editor's, who is going to Paris in a few days, will put Bibles and Tracts to the above amount into the hands of the merchant, for the use of the French Villagers.

Printed and sold by A. FOSTER, Kirkby Lonsdale.

Price 7s. per hundred.

FRIENDLY VISITOR.

No. L.]

NOVEMBER, 1822.

PRICE ONE PENNY.

[VOL. IV.

PRINTED AND SOLD BY A. FOSTER, KIRKBY LONSDALE; And sold by L. B. Seeley, 169 Fleet Street London; by R. M. Timms, 85 Grafton Street, Dublin; and by the Edinburgh Religious Tract Society, at their Depository in East Register Street, Edinburgh:

Of whom may be had, in neat, stiff, printed covers, Vols. 1, 2, and 3; price one shilling and fourpence each: also the two first volumes bound together in sheep; price three shillings and fourpence.

HOOKER'S LAST MOMENTS.

"I have lived (said he) to see this world is made up of perturbations; and I have been long preparing to leave it; and gathering comfort for the dreadful hour of making my account with God, which I now apprehend to be near: and though I have, by his grace, loved him in my youth, and feared him in mine age, and laboured to have a conscience void of offence to him, and to all men; yet, if thou, O Lord, be extreme to mark what I have done amiss, who can abide it? And therefore, where I have failed, Lord, shew mercy unto me; for I plead not my righteousness, but the forgiveness of my unrighteousness, for his merits, who died to purchase pardon for penitent sinners: and since I owe thee a death, Lord, let it not be terrible, and then take thine own time; 1 submit to it; let not mine, O Lord, but thy will be done :"-with which expression he fell into a dangerous slumber; dangerous as to his recovery, yet recover he did; but it was to speak only these few words; "Good doctor, God hath heard my daily petitions; for I

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am at peace with all men, and he is at peace with me; and from that blessed assurance, I feel that inward joy, which this world can neither give, nor take from me: my conscience beareth me this witness, and this witness makes the thoughts of death joyful. I could wish to live to do the church more service, but cannot hope it; for my days are past as a shadow that returns not."-More he would have spoken, but his spirits failed him; and after a short conflict betwixt nature and death, a quiet sigh put a period to his last breath, aud so he fell asleep.

ON SALVATION.

How affecting are the words of good old Jacob, when lying on his dying bed he exclaimed, "I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord!"

Jacob had passed a troublesome and turbulent life, yet his end was peaceful and serene; his sun set gloriously and without a cloud. So it is with many believers in Jesus; doubts and fears often spoil their peace and joy, and prevent their present comfort; but if, like good old Jacob, they maintain their faith and integrity, their end will be blessed; and should they even pass through death without any rapture, or exultation over their last enemy, yet shall they rejoice in heaven with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

The experience and faith of believers in all ages, as to the foundation of their hope, have been the

same.

If you go back to the patriarchal age,—if you look to the prophetical age;-if you examine the apostolical age; or if you advert to the present times, and survey the near or distant parts of the earth; you will find all true believers united in the

same fundamental views, and building on the same foundation, the Rock Christ Jesus.

"I have waited for thy salvation, O! Lord."This was the dying testimony of Jacob to his surrounding children, of his faith and trust in the covenant of grace.

O! ye parents, live like Jacob, a life of faith in the promises of your God; that like him, when you come to die, you may tell your children the ground of your hope; and shew them in your own example and experience, the power and comfort of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The dying words of an affectionate parent are not soon forgotten: when your bones lie mouldering in the grave, your departing words and dying advice, your faith in Christ, your joy in God, your victory over death, may leave an impression, which may be felt for many succeeding generations.

Let us for a few moments consider this salvation. It is a righteous salvation; herein the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. By it, God can be just and yet the justifier of them who believe in Jesus. At the cross of Christ, mercy and truth meet together-righteousness and peace kiss each other; all the divine attributes harmonize together, and the Godhead is eminently glorified.

It is a free salvation; freely wrought out and freely offered to every thirsting soul, without money and without price. No one can demand it of the Almighty as a right; not all the works of men could purchase it. And yet, none are excluded, none are forbidden, however vile, who seek for it through faith in Christ. The invitation is universal-" Look unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be ye saved," "Him that cometh unto me 1 will in no wise cast out." "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."