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loud ring at the bell, and, on opening the window to know who was at the door, a man asked for me, and begged that I would come over with him at once to Mrs. Harvey, as a dreadful accident had happened, and he was one of four men who had just brought her daughter home in an insensible state; and that he had been sent to ask me to come as quickly as I could. I dressed myself quickly, and went with the man. I learned from him by the way that the boat containing these unhappy excursionists, coming home late, had been run down by barge, and that the whole party had been thrown into the water. As the tide was low, and the young men were able to swim, they saved themselves, and did all they could to rescue their companions. Fortunately no lives were lost; but the shock was too much for poor Susan's tender frame. She was

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some time in the water, and with difficulty was got out. She had never stirred on her way home, and she was now lying quite insensible.

On arriving at the house, I found a distressing scene. The mother sat below, frantically tearing her hair, and rocking herself to and fro as one bereft of reason. Above, in Susan's chamber, I found the doctor and some kind friends doing all they could to restore animation to poor Susan. I gladly rendered all the assistance I could. The efforts of the doctor were in a measure successful. Presently there was some little movement of her lips; but then came a short cough, and Susan's bosom was covered with blood. She had broken a blood-vessel, and we all felt that there was no more hope; that in all human probability a short time would end her life. All that was possible was done for her; but apparently

in vain.

At last we perceived a slight flush come over Susan's face; and soon after this, half lifting her head from her pillow, she looked earnestly at her mother, who sat beside her, and said in a low voice, "Mother, am I dying?" Stepping Stepping a little forward, and taking Susan's hand in mine, I endeavoured to tell this dying girl the truth; and, in words of earnest entreaty, I asked her to cast all her hopes upon Jesus, the Saviour who died for her, and to pray for forgiveness of her sins.

Suddenly, with a look of reproach, Susan turned her eyes on her mother, and exclaimed with energy, "O mother, mother! why did you not teach me to die?" The exertion was too much for her, and a fresh gush of blood flowed from her lips. Only once more could I speak to her, and then I said, "If you have faith in Jesus, give us some token of your trust." We saw a faint smile on her lips, and she tried to raise her poor trembling hand, as if responding to my appeal; but the hand soon fell, and the last sad change came quickly over her face. Her spirit had departed. Oh that there was evidence to be relied on that God's mercy had touched her poor heart!

COMMON MERCIES.

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GENTLEMAN mentioned to a friend, that in passing over a narrow and dangerous road on horseback, his horse stumbled, and had he not wonderfully recovered himself, he and his rider would have been thrown over a steep precipice. This, said he, was a special manifestation of God's mercy.

"It was," said his friend," and I experienced a similar display of God's goodness, for I lately passed over the same road on horseback, and my horse did not stumble at all."

Thus it is, that while some marked interposition of Providence stirs our grateful feelings, we are apt to overlook the multiplied instances of God's care, because they are so common. A signal escap from shipwreck, flood, or conflagration, will be apt to produce a thankful acknowledgment to God; but is not His hand as much concerned in the thousand safe voyages which are made, and in the thousand exemptions we enjoy from flood, fire, and innumerable other dangers?

The mercy is as great which preserves us from sickness as that which restores us from its attacks. One may be choked by a mouthful of food, but who is it that so regulates the nice and delicate machinery of swallowing that millions eat without accident? God may signally rescue a household or neighbourhood from famine, and yet it is the same Divine providence which so orders the seasons and the growth of plants as to produce plenty and avert

famine. Common mercies are no less mercies because they are of hourly occurrence, and hence should not pass unrecognised. Nay, they are, because more frequent and beneficent, deserving of more profound gratitude. Shall we bless the Hand which snatches us from a sudden danger, and forget it when hourly ministering to our safety and comfort? So if we gratefully acknowledge God's grace in delivering us from habits of vice, we should thank Him still more for preventing us from contracting such habits.

A DYING TESTIMONY.-The martyr Cargill, on the scaffold, 1681, as he handed his well-used Bible to one of his friends that stood near, gave this testimony:-"I bless the Lord that these thirty years and more I have been at peace with God, and was never shaken loose of it. And now I am as sure of my interest in Christ and peace with God as all within this Bible and the Spirit of God can make me. And I am no more terrified at death, nor afraid of hell, because of sin, than if I never had sin; for all my sins are freely pardoned, and washed thoroughly away, through the precious blood and intercession of Jesus Christ."

PREACH CHRIST.- Bishop Lavington, addressing the clergy, somewhere about 1750, says: "My brethren, I beg you will rise up with me against moral preaching. We have long been attempting the reformation of the nation by discourses of this kind. With what success? None at all. On the contrary, we have dexterously preached the people into downright infidelity. We must change our voice. We must preach Christ and Him crucified. Nothing but the Gospel is-nothing besides will be found to be-the power of God unto salvation. Let me therefore again and again requestmay I not add, let me charge you-to preach Jesus, and salvation. through His name."

"CHRIST crucified is God's grand ordinance for doing good to men. Whenever a Church keeps back Christ crucified, or puts anything whatever in that foremost place which Christ crucified should have, from that moment a Church ceases to be useful. Without Christ crucified in her pulpits, a Church is little better than a cumberer of the ground, a dead carcase, a well without water, a barren fig-tree, a sleeping watchman, a silent trumpet, a dumb witness, an ambassador without terms of peace, a messenger without tidings, a lighthouse without fire, a stumbling-block to weak believers, a comfort to infidels, a hotbed for formalism, a joy to the devil, and an offence to God.”—J. C. Ryle.

CHRIST A LADDER.-Christ is Jacob's ladder that reacheth up to heaven, and he that refuseth to go by this Ladder thither, cannot by any other means get up so high. 'There is none other name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved.' There is none other sacrifice for sin than this; He also, and He only, is the Mediator that reconcileth men to God.”—Bunyan.

HINTS FOR THE HOUSEHOLD.

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING A WILL.

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The will must be signed at the foot or end of it by the testator, or by some other person in his presence and by his direction. The signature must be made or acknowledged by the testator, in the presence of two or more witnesses present at the same time. The witnesses must attest and subscribe the will in the presence of the testator. A gift to an attesting witness, or to the wife or husband of an attesting witness, is void; therefore neither legatee, nor the wife or husband of any legatee, should be made an attesting witness to the will. No particular form of attestation is necessary, but the following may be used. If used, it must be copied and written at the end of the will, below the signature of the testator:-" Signed by the said the testator, in the presence of us present at the same time, who in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses." The testator should appoint one or more executors. If after the execution of the will any alteration be made in it, by obliteration, interlineation, or otherwise, care must be taken that such alteration be executed in like manner as the will itself. And it will be desirable also that the names of the testator and witnesses be written

on the margin of the will, opposite every such obliteration, interlineation, or other alteration. Wills

may at any time be revoked; but wills made by single persons or widowers are absolutely void on their marriages after the date of the wills.

“SILKS AND SATINS put out the kitchen fire."

PICKLING EGGS.

If the following pickle were generally known it would be more generally used. The eggs should be boiled hard (say ten minutes) and then divested of their shells; when quite cold put them in jars, and pour over them vinegar (sufficient to quite cover them), in which has been previously boiled the usual spices for pickling; tie the jars down tight with bladder, and keep them till they begin to change colour.

SHELLAC CEMENT.

When knives or forks have come out of handles from being put in hot water or otherwise, a cement made as follows will refasten them:

Gum shellac two parts, prepared chalk one part; reduce them to powder, and mix thoroughly. Fill the opening in the handle with the mixture, heat the shank of the knife, and press it in. Keep the

handle out of hot water for the future.

TO LOOSEN A GLASS STOPPER.

Pour round it a little sweet oil close to the mouth of the bottle, and lay it near the fire; afterwards wrap a thick cloth round the end of a stick and strike the stopper gently.

THE oftener carpets are shaken, the longer they wear: the dirt that collects under them grinds out the threads.

ALL FLANNELS should be soaked before they are made up, first in cold, then in hot water, in order to shrink them.

TO SOFTEN HARD WATER, or purify river water, simply boil it, and then leave it to atmospheric exposure.

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THE pastor of a young mother who had recently joined his Church was talking with her about her maternal responsibilities, and urged the duty of constant and believing prayer for the early conversion of her children. She assured him that it was her daily practice her little ones in supplication to the throne of grace, yet complained of a want of faith and of definiteness in asking for them the special influences of the Holy Spirit.

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"Do you pray for each child separately, and by name?" inquired the pastor.

"No, that has never been my habit," was the reply.

"I think it of much importance, Mrs. Huston, especially as a help to our faith, and to the clearness and intensity of our desires on their behalf. You pray with them, I trust, as well as for: them ?"

"Sometimes I do, but not often. They seem a little restless, and inclined to whisper together while my eyes are closed; and so I have felt less embarrassment and more freedom in supplication to be alone at such seasons."

"Let me persuade you, dear Mrs. Huston, to try a different plan. Take your little son and daughter each separately to the place of prayer, and kneeling with them before the Lord, tell Him [AUGUST, 1868.

VOL. V. No. 8.]

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