the death of your excellent young friend, you will know where to seek for resignation and comfort; and you will be consoled by him who

broken in heart."

healeth the "F. L.

Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

BEFORE the month of June had closed, Fanny was again confined to the house by increasing indisposition, and it was become evident to all, even herself was convinced of it, that she would never again leave it until she was borne to her "last, long home."

Her brother was with her, and by his kind attentions, and his spiritual conversation, cheered her bed of sickness; while Mrs. Gordon's tenderness, and the interest with which she seemed to listen to Henry's observations to his sister, shed a ray of hope over Fanny's thoughts of that dear mother, and rendered the few last days which she spent upon earth, the happiest of her life.

1

Emily frequently went to see her, dreading that each visit would be the last; and she found it impossible for her to listen to her young friend's con→ versation, and to witness the patience with which she bore her sufferings, and the happy composure with which she anticipated death, and not to feel that there was a reality in religion of which she was unpossessed.

One evening, just as Emily had put on her bonnet, intending to walk out for a short time with her father, Mr. Gordon's footman appeared at the gate, with a message to request her to go over to H— as Fanny was considerably worse, and had expressed a wish to see her. Mr. Landor immediately ordered the carriage to be brought out, and accompanied his daughter to H; and after setting her down at Mr. Gordon's door, he proceeded to the house of Mr. Percy, which was in the same street, with the intention of calling again for Emily when he left the town.

Her

She was met in the hall by Henry Gordon, whose evident agitation conveyed the apprehension to her mind that his sister was already dead. countenance betrayed her fears, and Henry, understanding its expression, informed her in a voice trembling with suppressed emotion, that Fanny was yet alive; he then left her to inquire if she might be admitted into the sick chamber. few minutes Mrs. Gordon came to conduct her to her friend, who though scarcely able to speak, ex

In a

pressed herself very anxious to see Emily once more; and she immediately followed her to the apartment of the dying girl. Fanny recognized her by a faint smile, and a slight pressure of the hand, but she did not speak; and Emily stood by her side, and wept in silence. She felt that she now saw her friend for the last time in life; she knew that when she next gazed upon that sweet and placid face, the eye would not return her look of love, the lips would not endeavour to pronounce her name, but life and consciousness would be gone; and, above all, she thought of their future meeting, when one might be on the right hand, the other on the left; when one might be among the blessed, the other among the cursed.

She felt, too, how valueless is every thing which earth can bestow, since a few short years roll on, and then that enemy comes whom nothing earthly can resist. Neither riches, nor strength, nor beauty, can conquer death! Oh no! his riches are the mouldering form, the rayless eye, the unbeating heart; and strength and beauty must bow down before him. Who then would devote himself to the things of time, when he believed that a moment might hurry him into eternity? who would content himself with aught but that sure support, an unchanging Redeemer? who, in life or in death, would trust to any friend but One who is Almighty? But these things are not thought of, or if they are ever forced upon the mind, sin and the

world have gained such dominion there, that the all-important subject is regarded as an idle tale, and makes no lasting impression on the memory or the heart. Yet the time will come, when all this shall be seen in its proper light; when the neglecters of God shall find that the man would be nothing profited had he gained the whole world and lost his own soul; when it will be seen who has chosen the better part, that immortal being who lived without God, died without hope, and entered eternity without having prepared for it— or the "meek and lowly" christian, who, after having been scorned and despised by his fellow men, finds that upon him is bestowed the kingdom of heaven.

"Oh! that all the gay and the worldly could stand by this dying bed!" thought Emily; "surely when they saw such youth and goodness become the prey of the spoiler, for once at least they must think of death, and of judgment; of heaven and of hell! But why do I think of others only," she continued, "when I myself am so nearly concern_ ed? Alas! I need a warning like this, to awake me from my sinful unconcern, and to call my thoughts from vanity and foolishness to the awful truth that I also must die, and that my first care should be to escape that 'second death' which awaits the impenitent.”

Emily staid nearly half an hour with her dying friend, and then on being informed that Mr. Lan

dor had called for her, she dried her tears, and with all the calmness she could command, bent over her beloved Fanny, and pressing her lips to her icy forehead, attempted to say farewell; but her voice faltered, and refused to pronounce the word, while Fanny faintly whispered, "It is not for ever!"

Early the next morning Emily was told that all was over, and that Fanny was no longer a being of this world. That day was spent in weeping and sorrow, unmixed with that only effectual consolation-the hope of a re-union in the happier world

"Where life is not a breath;

Nor life's affections transient fire,

Whose sparks fly upwards, and expire."

That sweet hope, which has been the comfort of many who were sorrowing for friends that, earlier than themselves, had been clothed with the robe of immortality, and admitted into the blessed "mansions" of their "Father's house," offered no consolation to the mourner who had forsaken God. Emily knew that her departed friend "slept in Jesus," but she felt that it would be most presumptuous for her in her present frame of mind to anticipate a joyful meeting with Fanny, when she also should be summoned into an eternal world. She knew that her lot would be far different; for while Fanny Gordon, whose faithfulness had continued until death, would receive from her Re