wish anticipated, by the most tender and affectionate solicitude;* He had nothing but a manger. * Let the pious reader imitate her example, and compare his present situation with the Redeemer's when he was on earth. His birth place was a stable; his cradle a manger! When he appeared amongst his countrymen, he was despised and rejected; insulted and spit upon; smote by the rude hand of violence; and taken to Calvary, where he was executed as a traitor against Cæsar, and a blasphemer against God; and when in his last moments he said, I thirst, the people gave him vinegar mixed with gall to drink. But even these indignities and the sufferings which he endured from the nails that pierced his hands and his feet, and the thorns that lacerated his temple, were "light afflictions" when compared with the anguish of his spirit, "when it pleased the Lord to bruise him, and put him to grief." Under reproach, and contempt, and every kind of torturous cruelty, he was dumb and opened not his mouth; but when God forsook him, he asked in agony, "Why? Why hust thou forsaken me ?" Compare the circumstances attendant on your death, with those which attended his. You are not dragged into public notice, and made a spectacle of ignominy, but permitted to rest on your bed, surrounded by your kind and affectionate friends-no tortures are inflicted on your body by the malignity of your enemies, but every expedient which kindness can devise is employed to abate the sufferings you endure--if you thirst some refreshing draught is given to refresh you when in pain, the voice of friendship is heard dropping its animating expressions of sympathy; and though you may have some darkening clouds pass over your mind, yet you are not without your spiritual consolations. Is not the disciple placed in a more enviable situation than the Master? The heir of salvation more highly favoured than its illustrious Author! Why should I complain of want or distress, of affliction or pain? He told me no less "The heirs of salvation Must follow their Lord." O no! after this I will not-my hands were not pierced for him—his were for me.” On January 22, she expressed great uneasiness lest, after all, she should have been deceiving herself, and should not be found on the right foundation. She was asked upon what foundation she wou d be, she eagerly replied—“ Jesus Christ to be sure is all I want; he alone can afford me any hope!" She was asked if that was not fleeing to him for refuge? after a short pause she said, "Why yes, it must be, it must be; then I am entitled to strong consolation:" as to the plea she used before God, she said nothing but mercy would do for her, adding "Thy mercy my God, Is the theme of my song, The joy of my heart, And the boast of my tongue." She was then reminded "The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, and in those who hope in his mercy," when she was enabled to lay hold on that consolatory passage. January 23, She said, to a friend," I want to tell you how happy I am; I am sure all is well -how I wish you enjoyed what I do; pray do not grieve for me, I am secure for eternity 'More happy, but not more secure, So delightful and rapturous was her frame throughout this day, that it was feared she would exhaust herself too much, her weakness was so great: she said, "I can never say enough of the mercy afforded; how 'Sweet on his faithfulness to rest, And trust his firm decrees; And know no will but his.' she said, to On recovering from a fainting fit some of her family, "I have had all that was good for me on earth, and now I am going to the full enjoyment of bliss in heaven, where 1 shall see the King in his beauty, Mr. Forster too, and Mr. Cecil, and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: O who could have thought I should die so happy? what a miracle! 'Jesus can make a dying bed and how soft are mine! I have been fearing death fifty years, and now all my fears are gone; and one step more will land me where all the ship's company meet 'Who sail'd with the Saviour beneath!' “O," said she, "I shall soon sing in heaven, Worthy the Lamb to receive riches, and power, and honour, and glory, and blessing;' and why me, dear Lord? O, why me? Is it possiblewhat shall I? I shall his precious blood was shed for me! Jesus Christ is a friend in health and sickness, in prosperity and adversity, in the hour of death and the day of judgment." January 29, she said I am happy, happy, happy, happy! Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Victory, victory, through the blood of the Lamb!" She then lay a very long time insensible; but when again collected and able to speak, she said 66 "Death cannot make our souls afraid, If God be with us there;" Dying is only like walking home." She soon after this went off again, but was once more sensible; and said very distinctly, but with a long pause," Chained, foe." On February 1, her happy spirit took its flight, in the fifty-fifth year of her age. DEATH-BED SCENES. FOURTH CLASS. JOHN DICKINSON, Esq. OF BIRMINGHAM. I heard a voice from heaven Of them whose trust is in the Lord, The Holy Spirit spake And I his words repeat "Blessed are they," for after toil To mortals, rest is sweet. Mr. Dickinson was born at Chester, July 21, 1762. His father who was a respectable tradesman in that city, died when he was very young and left him under the care of his uncle Mr. T. Jones. At the age of fifteen he removed to Birmingham, and was apprenticed to Mr. Samuel Hammond, who carried on the trade of a button |