mediately to the inculcation of spiritual instructions, from a loss apparently ruinous in its immediate results to individual comfort and to domestic welfare; and yet with such spiritual lessons as would, if properly conned and applied, lead directly to the most important and advantageous results to the soul of the sufferer, every depriving dispensation of Divine Providence is unquestionably charged.

MRS. HOWELL was possessed of a superior understanding,-she had the acquirements of an excellent education,--and superadded the qualities of sterling piety. With these attractive and imposing advantages, she presented to her family the admonitions of a consistent example;-she controlled them by her authoritative influence;-and succeeded in restraining them from the vices which degrade, and the follies which injure, and the vanities which seduce very many whom prosperous circumstances surround, and dissipated connections attend. The sudden death of this excellent Lady removed the restraints which her presence and precaution imposed upon the inexperienced inclinations of her children; while it bore at once away the almost only barrier which could effectually check their progressive advances for indulgence.

The occurrences of her death were alarming and impressive. Some presentiment of approaching dissolution had fixed itself strongly on her mind; and this was much strengthened when, in the latter

part of the last week of her life, as she was in the effort of turning a heavy cheese on a high shelf in her dairy, something suddenly bursted internally, with a noise, as she expressed it, equal to the report of a gun when discharging. On several occasions she expressed her persuasion that she should not long live; but especially on Saturday, the day previous to that on which she died; her youngest child was brought by the nurse to the arms of its mother, she pressed it fondly, for some minutes, in silence to her bosom, and as she returned it, exclaimed repeatedly-"I shall never see thee again; -no-I shall never see thee again."

Twice during the following day, Mrs. Howell, though in very imperfect health, attended divine service at the parish church,—a considerable distance from home. In the evening, she called as usual her family together, catechised her children, -read a portion of the Scriptures,-and engaged in prayer.

Every incident is remarkable which will never be repeated; every moment memorable which will be numbered near the last. That evening was rendered remarkable by Mrs.H.'s administering to a servant boy, whose conduct had been irregular or vicious, some faithful reproofs, and salutary counsels; at that moment of solemn assembling around the altar of family worship, she expressed to him, with the fidelity of a Christian mistress, and the feelings of

deep spiritual concern, her fears that his conduct would exclude him from heaven, and bring upon him the curses and the vengeance of a justly offended God. She adverted, with affecting interest -still fresh in the memory of her family, after the lapse of thirteen years-to the state of her own children, and especially to the mode which had been adopted of educating her eldest son at a distance from home, where his principles were liable to corruption, and his heart to alienation from the affections and interests of his nearest relatives. According to her usual practice, she saw her whole family consigned to rest, before she retired herself. About midnight, in perfect darkness, her husband was alarmed by her sudden illness; but dismay and confusion, the most appalling and terrific, prevailed and spread, when, before a light could be procured, or other assistance afforded-without uttering a word -she expired.

The situation of the husband was one of indescribable distress; bereaved,-of such a wife,-in such a way, without the consolations of experimental piety,-in the midst, too, of ten children, of whom the eldest daughter was quite too young to assume the office and the reins of management, and the youngest daughter, though only eight years of age, had five brothers yet younger than herself. How unsearchable are the judgements of the Most High, and His ways past finding out!

Such occurrences, afflictive as they were, might have been expected to produce some lasting moral benefits; for they spring not out of the ground'-but are forced from the hand of a tender and reluctant Parent, who inflicts onc pain to prevent many greater pains-a momentary chastisement, to preclude the need of eternal alienation. That in the case now recorded affliction produced no moral benefits, it would be impious to assert;-for though the prayers of the pious mother had seemed to be offered in vain,-and her eyes closed in death without having been delighted with the sight of one instance among her family of the efficaciousness of Divine Grace,-and her heart ceased to throb without ever being dilated with that glowing pleasure which burns within,' while members of one household talk of Jesus by the way,'-and years subsequently rolled away, without presenting any symptoms of spiritual vegetation from the seed which had been sown with assiduous carc, and repeatedly watered with tears;-yet, at length, has the energy of God produced a pleasing verdure of moral reformation, and to a dreary winter of disappointed waiting, has there succeeded a rapid ripening of abundant hopes. Death has presented Mrs. Barber as the very first fruits of the motherless family to the Lord of Life and Glory-and the glorified parent has thus received the pledge of many relatives who remain stationed as yet in a field which the Lord hath blessed.

The junior members of the family were too young to perceive extensively their own privationor to retain the impressions, which might, perhaps, under more fostering circumstances, have resulted immediately in the most enduring good. Some years passed away of indulgence in walking after the course of this world: but, from the vanities of life, the wants of souls demand more than can be supplied; a round of dissipations is repeatedly trodden, only to weary more easily by more fruitless labour;-and the provisions of pleasure are served up with new forms and new splendour, only to pall upon the appetite for them, and fill, even to loathing, the satiated taste. In the case of the Howells, the enjoyments of trifles, and attempts to settle down in worldly satisfaction, were followed by the vexation of disappointment, and the weakening struggles of enfeebled hope. Thus, in the wisdom of God, were the minds of a numerous family prepared for the reception of that free grace of God, which, it is presumed, already accomplishes, in differing stages of realization-the salvation of eight or ten of its members; which has introduced the gospel, with its saving power, into several familics of the neighbourhood; and established the regular Ministry of the Word among the surrounding villagers ;-and formed, chiefly from among them, a society of professing Christians, as a Church of the Living God; -and issued in the erection of a Place of Worship