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a lively faith of the mercies and all-sufficient merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, as his Redeemer and Saviour. When Mr. Woodd made many useful observations on the afflictions of the body, "What are my sufferings," said the poor child,"compared to those my Saviour endured!"-" Unequalled sufferings, my dear child," said Mr. Woodd, "were those."-" Yes, Sir," returned Joseph; "but, you know, with those his stripes we are healed. Sir, I am often thinking, that he is the fairest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely. He is merciful and gracious, and his truth endureth from generation to generation.' I hope and pray that he will give me faith and patience, that I may not offend so good a God."

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The first time Joseph was visited by Mr. Bull, after some inquiries of his spiritual state, Mr. Bull said, "I am informed, my dear, by Mr. Woodd, that you were much affected by a sermon you heard me preach ?"-" Yes, I was indeed," answered Joseph;" and so, Sir, I have by many that I have heard from you." Mr. Bull inquired if he had any fear of death. "I had once," said Joseph, "but I thank God I have not now."-"What was it that then made you afraid?" asked Mr. Bull. "Because, Sir, I felt I was a sinner; but now, I hope and believe, I am by Jesus washed in his precious blood; and that cleanseth from all sin."

But Mr. Bull conversed with Joseph in the most kind and tender manner; encouraged him greatly to put his trust in the Lord Jesus; and told him he had no doubts but that, when he had left this world of sin and affiction, he would ascend to his blessed Saviour, and see his face, and sing his praise for ever and ever. Before he bad him farewell, Mr. Bull prayed most sweetly for him; and it was indeed a divine refreshment to his soul. After he was gone, Joseph said, "How very kind is it in the Ministers of Christ to come and see a poor dying boy as I am! I shall always love Bentinck School and the PhiJological School. The masters were very kind to me. I hope many of my schoolfellows will learn to fear God, and that we shall meet in heaven. I dearly love Bentinck Chapel. O how happy have I been there! it was like a little heaven to me. I don't think I ever missed going when I was able: but I am not able now. O what a mercy I was taken into the schools, and taught to read my Bible, and the catechisms, and to serve God!"

Again he said: "How I used to love to hear Mr. Woodd preach to the children!-those little short sermons, when he catechised us; I loved to see and hear him, but I cannot now. Well, I hope we shall meet in heaven. O Lord, bless him! Bless all the schools! Bless all the children, and bring many of them to heaven! What a merey if we meet there!"

After a time, he entreated that they would read to him the 55th chapter of Isaiah, and the 5th chapter of the First Epistle General of St. John. At this time his soul seemed entirely filled with holy love. At another time he said to his mother, "The Lord deals very gently with me." On her answering, My dear, he will lay no more upon you than in his goodness and mercy he will enable you to bear;" Joseph, with more than usual quickness, eagerly replied, "He has promised that?

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In the last week of his mortal life, his bodily pains were very severe; but his faith and strength in the Lord increased with his sufferings; and very often he was heard to say, not as if under fretful impatience, but as if humbly breathing forth affectionate entreaty, “O come, blessed Jesus! come quickly." At other times he would say, "The Lord will come." On the Thursday night before his departure, he was seized with inward convulsions, and his mother, thinking that he was about to leave this world, sent for a neighbour to be with her. Joseph, observing her in the room, inquired why she came, and said to her, “I hope you remember me in your prayers?" She seeming rather to hesitate in her reply, Joseph added, as if to encourage her, "The Lord is merciful; knock, and it shall be opened." He afterwards desired his mother would read to him the 17th chapter of St John's Gospel, and the 45th Psalm,

saying, “I wish I could see to read." After this, he appeared sweetly composed; and, when he was left for a while, as they were going down stairs, they heard him in most fervent prayer and praise. The following day the inward convulsions increased, and every now and then he wandered in his mind, although, when spoken to, he, to the last, always returned sensible replies. On that day he was visited by one of his schoolmasters; Joseph was unable to converse with him; but, on the conclusion of a prayer, which his master put up for him, Joseph, with a sweet and solemn earnestness, exclaimed "Amen." Some little time afterwards, his mother asked him, if he found his mind comfortable. He answered, "O yes!" then softly added, "I hope the Lord Jesus will soon come." She said, "My dear, I hope I shall meet you at the right hand of God.". He answered, in a tone of holy love and strong confidence," There is no fear of that." When he was seemingly unable to speak, his mother desired him to signify by a sign if his happy state of spirit continued; at which he held up his hand and softly whispered, "Yes." For the last twelve hours he remained speechless, with the exception of being now and then heard very softly to say, "Jesus!" and, "Lord, help!" But it was evident that his mind had most blessed support to the very last; and his countenance expressed a happy composed cheerfulness after his spirit had taken its flight. He died on the 9th December, aged thirteen years and nearly five months. Joseph's body was followed to its grave by two of his schoolmasters, and by nearly one hundred of his schoolfellows, who sung over his grave the following hymn:

Life now is past! the hour is come!
My Saviour calls-he calls me home!
Now, O my Lord! let conflict cease,
And grant me to depart in peace.

Not in my righteousness I trust;
I bow before thee in the dúst:
And through my Saviour's blood alone
I look for mercy at thy throne.

Farewell, vain world! without a tear,
Save for the friends I hold so dear;

To heal their sorrows, Lord descend,
And to the friendless prove a friend.

I come-I come at thy command,
I trust my spirit to thy hand;
Hold forth thine everlasting arms,
And shield me in the last alarms.

Receive, receive me, O my God,
Pardon'd thro' my Redeemer's blood;
My glory this, my hope, my plca,
In life, in death-ETERNITY.

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[Our obliging friend at Bristol, (England) has communicated to us the following interesting incidents respecting the Bath Sunday School Union.]

To the honour of the Teachers of the Bath Sunday School Union, it was stated that in addition to their stated work of teaching, at home in rotation, each went to some dark village in the vicinity to open or conduct Schools, and the total of their united walks last year, exceeded twenty thousand miles! Can any one doubt their love to Souls, or to the Shepherd of these neglected Lambs ?

The Sunday School Union being in debt, the Superintendant of Hope Chapel School, (whose 'report of last quarter I sent you in Manuscript) went home, mentioned the fact to the Teachers, who are themselves poor and unable to keep their own School out of debt-he proposed they should subscribe one half-penny per week, being nineteen-they would contribute 21. 1s. 2d. per annum ; they consented, and he came forward last night with this practical hint, saying there are 1,700 Teachers belonging to the Union,

let all do so, and we shall contribute 72l. 18s. 4d.; a proof what small amounts and large numbers can accomplish!

About two years since one of the Secretaries of the Bath Sunday School Union saw a Sand Boy lying, lingering about in the sun, on a bank-he got into conversation with him, and tried to induce him to accompany him to one of the Schools, finding him ignorant, rude and ragged: he could not prevail; he took him up suddenly on his back, and carried him to one of those Seminaries, to the great astonishment of the Boy and the Scholars. When there, the novelty of the scene struck him: kindness, persuasion and curiosity, induced him to come again; he became a constant attendant, evidencing a good capacity; he took a delight in learning; his morals became correct, the baleful habit of swearing he left off; diligent in his business, civil to every body, he soon became the favourite among the servants, and his Sand business increased to a degree he was unable with all his diligence, to accomplish. It was recommended to him as a less laborious employment, to deal in old bottles; which he finds very profitable. He is well clothed, become truly respectable, if not pious; and to his honour be it mentioned, he supports an aged mother, while he is foremost in every good and liberal work!

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The Poughkeepsie Female Bible Society has recently become Auxiliary to the National Institution. Officers for the present year, Mrs. James Slater, President; Mrs. James Tallmadge, Secretary.

The Milford Branch Bible Society, (Connecticut) Auxiliary to the Bible Society of the county of New-Haven, was instituted 28th October last. Rev. Bezaleel Pinneo, President; Rev. Erastus Scranton, Secretary; Mr. Nathan Nettleton, Treasurer.-All the funds of the Society are to be paid over to the Bible Society of the county, with the reservation of such amount as may be sufficient to constitute the ministers of that town life members of the American Bible Society. The Society passed a vote, ordering so much of their present funds as should be necessary for this last mentioned purpose, to be paid over to the National Institution.

A Female Bible Society was formed the 30th October at Green's Farms, Fairfield (Con.) Auxiliary to the American Bible Society. Mrs. Eben. Jessup, President; Mrs. Simon Couch, Treasurer; Miss Eleanor Hyde, Secretary.

The Female Beneficent Society of Windham, (Con.) recently established, has appropriated 30 dollars to constitute the Rev. Cornelius B. Everest, a life member of the American B. Society.

Deaf and Dumb.-Measures are taking to ascertain the number of deaf and dumb persons in New Hampshire. A notice has been published in the New Hampshire papers signed S. Sparhawk, requesting the members of the Hon. Legislature to ascertain the precise number of deaf and dumb pereons living in their respective towns, and leave information thereof at the Secretary's of "fice in Concord, at the next session of the General Court.

VOL. II.]

CHRISTIAN HERALD.

Saturday, December 14, 1816.

[No. 12.

A COSTUME BECOMING EVERY SEASON, AGE, SEX, AND CONDITION.

"Be ye clothed with humility," and have "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." This is the most graceful, becoming, and at the same time, novel costume that has ever solicited public patronage. The mantle is of the most exquisite hue and delicate texture, tastefully decorated with the above mentioned costly brilliants, and will be found to unite every advantage of utility and elegance. This dress is suitable to all seasons, and is considered equally becoming to the young and the old. It possesses extraordinary durability; is less liable to take a soil than any other material, and retains its freshness and novelty to the last. It falls over the person in the most graceful folds; and is so adjusted as to veil every blemish, and set off the least favourable figure to the best possible advantage. The colour usually preferred for this costume is invisible green, which casts the most delicate shade upon the whole form, and produces an effect altogether indescribably agreeable and prepossessing. Nothing can be more tastefully imagined, than the ornament with which this mantle is finished, and although pronounced by the best judges to be of immense value, they may be obtained upon very reasonable terms. The jewel is so delicate in its hue, and so chaste and simple in its workmanship, that it has been mistaken by unskilful observers for an ordinary pebble: but connoisseurs instantly recognize it, and allow it to be "more precious than rubies." Notwithstanding the many recommendations it possesses, this dress has never become common, although universally approved. It was once worn as a royal robe, and has ever since been held in high estimation and general use, among the true subjects of the great Prince who first introduced it.

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The figurative language of the Bible will always allow of the most plain, practical, and literal interpretation. When our Lord, for instance, relates the parable of the merchantman seeking goodly pearls, who sold all that he had to obtain one of great price, we are not to regard it as a fable with which we have no concern. intimately regards us all; and the meaning is simply this, that eternal life is of such incalculable value, that it is infinitely worth our while to part with every thing that must be sacrificed to its attainment. The merchant sold his all to gain one pearl; but, VOL. II.-No. 12.

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by this means, he would ultimately enrich himself; he acted wisely, for the children of this world are, in their generation, wiser than the children of light." In like manner, whatever we may resign of present pleasure or advantage with a view to our eternal welfare, will prove so unspeakably advantageous in the end, that nothing but the grossest blindness and inattention to our interests, could make us unwilling to do so.

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The language of the apostle Peter, quoted above, is no less plain and practical in its import. The apparel he recommends, is no fancy dress which we are not really expected to wear. On the contrary, we may, we must, if we are Christians, be thus clothed with humility, and have this ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. Some of our young readers would probably hear with considerable interest, that the most becoming dress and brilliant jewels ever worn, were offered for their acceptance. Now, this is truly the case. Clothed with humility, and adorned with a meek and quiet spirit, they would be more beautifully attired than with richest and most costly array. It might then be said of them also, that "Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Who then will turn away disappointed from such a gift, and think some sparkling bauble more desirable! remember in whose sight this ornament is of " great price." is well to pause and reflect closely upon such an assertion as this. Many such passages of Scripture are, it is to be feared, passed over with slight attention, and their force and beauty little perceived. Many, perhaps, who spend some precious hours every day in reflection upon their outward decorations, have never stopped to meditate upon this striking declaration, in the sight of God of great price: He who forms the most accurate and impartial estimate of the true and comparative value of all things. He who formed and gave their lustre to those shining gems we so greatly admire, is fully aware of whatever beauty and value they possess. Yet, He who created all these things, says, "not with gold, and pearls, and costly array, " but "with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." It is not our present intention, to enter upon that part of the subject to which the words just quoted would afford so suitable a text; nor to inquire how far the expression " not with gold and pearls, &c." may be supposed to imply a direct prohibition of that showy style of attire. That they condemn the excessive attention paid to appearance which so greatly prevails among professing Christians, cannot, however, be doubted. But our present purpose is to recommend that "inward adorning of the mind,” which is here described. Indeed, there is little fear, that they who eminently shine with these inward graces, will be prone to excess in external decoration. Humility, whose chief characteristic it is to be contented to pass without observation, will surely. seldom be found arrayed in those ornaments which expressly ask for it. There may be some, however, who, though not destitute of this Christian grace, yet conform too much to the customs of

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