as strangers and pilgrims we may linger awhile, and raise our thoughts onward and upward, to mansions of glory and bliss. We may wonder that, with such hopes set before us, we should ever linger on our way; but by nature we are prone to mind the things of the flesh, and we have need frequently to pray for the aid of the Holy Spirit, who, in addition to His other glorious offices, condescends to be our Remembrancer, in those blessed things which " eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,” but of which we read enough, to make our hearts glow with love and expectation. I saw in a dream two royal courts. There were two monarchs who were to receive their guests. The difference between these monarchs was, one was on earth, and the other was in heaven-one had a kingdom 'made with hands, of this world,'-the other, a 'kingdom made without hands,'—' not of this world.' The head of the one was adorned with a crown of such gold as the fire will melt, of such fashion as may soon be destroyed. The other wore on His head 'many crowns.' -He was to look upon like jasper and a sardine stone. The throne of the former was canopied with scarlet drapery, which the moth might eat ;—a rainbow encircled the seat of the other monarch and it was in sight like an emerald.' I saw also many nobles around that earthly sovereign, with dresses that blazed with jewels and gold ;-round the throne of the heavenly monarch were four and twenty elders, sitting, clothed in white garments, and they had on their heads crowns of gold.' Rev. iv. 4. But I must pass on to enquire who they were who were admitted into the presence→ chamber of these monarchs-and there are two of whom I will tell, as they appeared to me in my vision. They were both to approach these monarchs for the first time; they had both heard their fame, and they both desired to be admitted into their presence. Both were arrayed in white garments.-Let me describe them.-In the small room of a cottage, lay that one, who was then preparing to enter into the presence of the King of kings. Yes, there she was being made meet' for that high honour, in pain, weakness, and distress ; her outward man was decaying, but her inward man was being renewed day by day. She gained brighter views of that glorious court at which she was to appear; daily were her hopes of it enlarged-daily was she learning more of that Monarch who was to receive her, and her love to him increased each day. Methinks, I see her now as she then appeared to me; her wan, pale cheek, and whitened lip, her forehead often furrowed with pain, but her clear blue eye reflecting some of the joy that filled her soul, and sparkling with an unnatural brightness. Yes, her whole body decayed, and those who watched her wept to see her suffer, while she still comforted them with describing the mansion to which she was hastening, and speaking of the love of that Monarch, whom she delighted to call her Father and her Friend. How was she to appear? What were her garments ?-She had read in the letter of her Monarch; "I counsel thee to buy of me white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed." Rev. iii, 18. She had been to Him, and bought, "without money and without price," and now she stood "clothed with white robes." Rev. vii. 9. She had "washed her robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." v. 14. She was all glorious within, her clothing was of wrought gold. Psalm xlv. 13; Isaiah lxi. 10. He, her Friend and King, had "clothed her with broidered work -girded her with fine linen and covered her with silk." He had "decked her with ornaments, and put bracelets on her hands, and a chain on her neck, a jewel on her forehead, and earrings in her ears—a beautiful crown on her head." Thus was she "exceedingly beautiful, perfect through His comeliness, which He had put upon her." Ezek. xvi. 10-14. Now let me look at the other maiden who was to be presented to the earthly monarch. She was surrounded with the luxuries and comforts of life: she was blessed with wealth and many comforts of Providence. She was young, and although she too desired a better portion than was to be found on earth, she wished to be admitted into the presence of her earthly sovereign. She too had heard of her monarch, but it was but a distant report, she did not know her enough to love her, she was her subject and not her friend. John xv. 14. She had never learned the mind of the Potentate in whose presence she was to appear. How did she prepare for her presentation? A tasteful dress was selected, care and labour were expended in fashioning it, and to adorn the outward man; for this was all that was open to the eye of the earthly sovereign, who could not pierce the thoughts and intents of the heart. Thus I have described the two youthful aspirants, to the honour of a presentation of courts of so different a nature. Their preparation too, we have seen, was different. Let us view them each, now, while being led into the presence-chamber of the respective monarchs. The one was brought in with gladness and rejoicing. She advanced with boldness-for she knew Him who was about to receive her, even the thoughts of His heart had been revealed to her. Jer. xxix. 11; Ps. xl. 5; and cxxxix.17. The other approached with fear and timidity. As the one was 66 a great way off," the monarch saw her and ran and kissed her." Luke xv. 20. The other advanced to the presence of her sovereign, and stooped to kiss the proffered hand. The one was "presented faultless before the throne with exceeding joy;" the other could boast of no perfection, and for a while was too much overpowered to feel pleasure. It was the beloved son of the monarch who presented her, whom I had beheld sick and dying ; therefore she could come boldly to her king, she feared Him not, she rejoiced to see Him "in His beauty," whose "well-beloved Son " presented her. The other was introduced to the earthly monarch, by one who was unacquainted with her sovereign, who equally with herself feared to approach the royal presence, and therefore she expected no smile of welcome or approval. But it was for a little while; the pageant was soon at an end, that maiden lingered not near the Sovereign, she dared not approach too close, she soon retired. Then I turned my eyes to her who was also before her Monarch; she was not hurried away; she was to go no more out," nor to leave His presence, where there was "fulness of joy," nor quit His right hand, where there were pleasures for evermore; she was "satisfied with His likeness," and would serve Him day and night in His temple." Rev. xxi. 3. 66 "What manner of persons ought we to be ; " with such hopes, such promises? Let us rise to rejoice in them. Let us desire every day to fix our affections above, our eyes on things that are eternal, and may every event of our life, lead us onwards to that glorious day, and fit us to appear at that heavenly court, and "be presented faultless before His presence with exceeding joy." JULY, 1847. F C. AN APPEAL FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB DEAR FRIENDS :-I take up my pen to address you in behalf of those who cannot plead for themselves, and I do so with mingled feelings of gratitude, and of hope,— of gratitude for the noble and generous manner in which England's sons and daughters have responded to the cry for help, which was borne to them on every breeze from the shores of Ireland; and hope, amounting almost to certainty, that the claims of the deaf and dumb poor of Ireland for aid and sympathy from all who can give, will not be unheeded, unregarded, I take it for granted, that the readers of this Magazine are aware of the deep interest felt by the late Charlotte Elizabeth for this afflicted portion of our race, and that all of them are familiar with the little book penned by her, entitled "The Happy Mute,” in which she narrated so touchingly the blessed results of instruction afforded by her to one of Erin's sons; the profits of which little book were given, by the gifted Authoress, to the Juvenile Association for promoting the education of the Deaf and Dumb poor of Ireland, Were she now on earth, from her intense love and interest in every thing connected with Ireland, we know how much of sorrow would fill her heart, not alone from the accumulated weight of suffering which our people are now enduring, but also from the fact that the prospects of the Juvenile Deaf and Dumb Association are in an especial manner affected, so |