ill, lay on a sofa opposite her; her father sat at her feet. As the twilight deepened, the red firelight shone on the three.. It was a scene too impressive ever to be erased from the memory of those who witnessed it. The conversation was in accordance with it. At such times Gertrude appeared more able to conquer her reserve. Her mother remarked with thankfulness on the peace of her child, and her hopes in looking forward to her home in heaven. She smiled, and said with deep affection, "I owe it all to you, Mama." Her mother answered with a trembling voice, "You are in far higher hands now than your poor mother's." To her joy and surprise her child replied, "Yes, but you began it all." This from so truthful and humble a spirit, was a plain acknowledgment that she felt her union with her Saviour.

After a silence of some minutes she said gently, "I find it so much easier to think of Jesus than to think of God. What proof can I have that I love God? I do not want it proved that I love Jesus. I know that well enough." Her mother then told her how God had sent her that Saviour, and was her Creator and Preserver. During this conversation her Aunt A- came into the room. On her entering, Gertrude's question was repeated to her. She also

attempted to answer it. But the child did not seem satisfied. At last her father said, "There is no better proof that we love God than our keeping his commandments." This at once contented her; and her mother afterwards remembered the text, "For this is the LOVE OF GOD, that we keep his commandments," 1 John v. 3; and felt that the same Spirit that was in the word was teaching her dear child, so that nothing satisfied her but what could be proved by the word.

This evening Gertrude conversed most wonderfully on heavenly things; and the three sat listening with surprise and delight. Her mother quoted the passage from Malachi; "They that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name:" and then remarked, "Why should we doubt that God is now hearing us, and that Jesus is with us now in this very room, strengthening and helping us; for He has said, 'Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them'?" This thought was delightful to her. After a pause she turned to her father and said, "Mama wants me to have a clergyman; do you think

it necessary, Papa ?" Then, resting her loving eyes on her mother, she added, "All Mama has taught me is so clear, and true, and simple; it seems quite enough."

Her delight in and affection for her family was constantly manifesting itself. She sweetly displayed it on this occasion. Reverting to the thought previously expressed by her, of its being easier to think of Jesus than of God, she said, "How am I to imagine God's love to me? Am I to think of it as anything like mine to my dear family?" her by saying, "You must

Her mother answered think of heaven, my There will be God your sister, and grandpapa,

darling, as one large family. Father, and your own little and grandmama, and all the holy patriarchs." Here her father added, "And Jesus Christ our Elder Brother." She seemed much gratified by this idea; and continued, "I think so much of heaven and Christ, that I forget to think about death. But it is a very solemn thing to die. I wonder people talk so lightly of the dead."

She had mentioned once or twice the difficulty she felt concerning the doctrine of the Trinity. And either on this evening, or some little time previously, she said to her mother, “Mama, there are some things I am

not quite clear about. Now the Trinity! I think in my prayers I separate the Persons too much: yet you see they are distinct, because Scripture says Christ is our intercessor with the Father. They must be distinct; or how could He intercede? Then the Spirit helps our infirmities. Do you think I need puzzle myself about this subject, Mama? It must be a very important one; or why should we have such a creed as the Athanasian Creed?"

Soon after she said suddenly, "Mother, can you find me that verse which says, 'I and my Father are one ?"" Her mother read it to her; and she replied, "Thank you, that will do ;" and did not mention the subject again. The word of God invariably satisfied her,

At another time she observed to her mother; "I have been quite astonished how I have been led to think of heavenly things since I have been ill. Mama, I am so afraid, if it should please God to make me well again, and I should go into the world, that I should not keep these things in my mind. What do you think about this, Mama ?”

CHAPTER XI.

The Last Week.

"She dares not grudge to leave them there,

Where to behold them was her heart's first prayer.

She dares not grieve; but she must weep

As her pale placid martyr sinks to sleep,

Teaching so well and silently,

How at the Shepherd's call the lamb should die:

How happier far than life the end

Of souls that infant-like beneath their burthen bend."

CHRISTIAN YEAR.

ON Sunday, June the 10th, we all assembled round

her bed in the afternoon (for now she did not attempt to rise till late in the evening), to read to her the Psalms and Lessons. She would have her Bible and Prayer-book, and followed us throughout; and to our surprise, when the first clause in the last doxology had been repeated, she lifted up her head, and in clear musical tones added, "As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen." We had all noticed the marked alteration