tendant, whom I could select for county infirmary, within some my own little ones. I assured miles of which I reside, and was her of the friendship and parental informed that in an adjoining protection which her circum-ward there lay a very good old stances and conduct so justly en- man, confined by a mortification titled her to. in his foot, who would take particular satisfaction in any Christian conversation, which my time would allow me to afford him.

She expressed her gratitude in the properest manner, and referred me to the clergyman of the parish, for any inquiries I might wish to make respecting her.

The nurse conducted me into a room, where I found him alone on a bed. The character of

"How are you, my friend?" I said.

"Very well, Sir, very well. Never better in all my life. Thank God for all his mercies:" replied the man, with so cheerful a tone of voice, as at once surprised and delighted me.

Instead of returning home, I took up my lodging for that night his countenance was venerable, at the little village inn, and the cheerful, contented, and pious. next morning obtained the most His hoary hairs proclaimed him satisfactory accounts of the girl. to be aged, although the liveliness She has now lived three years in his eye was equal to that of the in my family, and conducted her- most vigorous youth. self as a most faithful, affectionate, and grateful servant. Twice in the year I have indulged her with the desired and most acceptable permission of going to her native place, to visit her parents' graves, and, I am persuaded, it has been attended with the happiest effect on her disposition and conduct. She honoured them when living: and when dead, she reveres their memory. The principles of true religion have taken deep root in "Yes, Sir, that is true her heart, and she is a living wit- am very well for all that. For ness to the power and grace of God is so good to my soul; and Christ. In him alone she evident- he provides every thing needful ly rests her whole hope, and for my body. The people in accompanies it with an humble, the house are very kind; and modest, and grateful behaviour. friends come to see me, and talk I often reflect on the interest- and pray with me. Sir, I want ing scene which the village nothing, but more grace, to praise churchyard first presented: and the Lord for all his goodness." as often rejoice in thinking, that the fatherless has found a father, and the orphan's woes have been pitied and relieved.

A VISIT TO THE INFIRMARY.

I went a few months since to visit a parishioner, then in the VOL. II....No. 5.

"Very well? How so? I thought, from what I heard, you were in much pain and weakness?" said I.

but I

Why, my friend, you are an old pilgrim, and I am glad to see that you have learned thankfulness, as you travel through the wilderness."

"Thankfulness!" quickly returned he; "No, Sir: 1 never did thank the Lord, I never could thank him; no, nor I never shall thank him, as I ought, till I get

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to glory. And then-O! then- to hold our peace, the very stones how I will thank him for what he would cry out." has done for me." Tears of affection filled his eyes, as he spoke.

"Ay, and well they might, Sir, cry shame, shame upon us, if we refused to speak of his

"That's right, Sir, so he is." "Jesus Christ has taken care of you, and watched over you all the days of your life, and he will be your guide and portion in death."

"What a good Master you goodness;" said the old man. serve," I added. "Jesus Christ," I continued, "Ay, Sir, if the servant was" is a sure refuge, and a present but as good as the Master. But help in time of trouble." here I am, a poor old sinner, deserving nothing, and receiving every thing which I need. Sir, I want nothing, but more grace, to serve him better. I lie here on this bed, and pray and sing by night and day. Sir, you must let me sing you my hymn, I always begin it about four o'clock in the morning, and it keeps my spirits alive all the day through."

"That's right again, Sir, so he will."

"You have committed your soul into his keeping long since, have you not?"

Without waiting for my reply,| "Above forty years ago, Sir; ne raised himself up, and in an above forty years ago, when I aged and broken, but very affect-first used to hear good Mr. Venn, ing tone of voice, he sang two or and Mr. Berridge,) he came to three verses, expressive of God's seek and to save me, a vile sinner, goodness to him, and his own de- who deserved nothing but his sire to live to God's glory. The wrath. I can never praise him simplicity, serenity, and heartfelt enough." consolation, with which this vene- "Well, my friend, and this rable disciple went through it, very Saviour, Jesus Christ, whom gave a colouring to the whole, you love, and in whom you trust, and left an impression on my lived for you, and died for you; mind, which it would be impossi- he rose again for you, and has ble to convey to the reader. sanctified you by his Holy Spirit,

As soon as he had finished his and now lives to make daily inhymn, he said, "Do not be of- tercession for you; and having fended, Sir, at my boldness: you done all this, do you think he love the Lord too, I hope; and will leave you to perish at then I am sure you won't be last?"

angry to hear me praise him.- "No, Sir," said the old man, But now, Sir, talk to me about" faithful is he that hath proJesus Christ. You are his Minis-mised, and will do it. Mine, alack, ter, and he has sent you here to- is a changing heart, but he changday to see a poor unworthy soul, eth not. I believe that he hath

that does not deserve the least of laid up a crown of glory for me; his mercies. Talk to me, Sir, if and though the old enemy of souls you please, about Jesus Christ." sometimes tells me I shan't have

"Neither you, nor I, are able it, I believe in Christ sooner than to talk of him, as we ought," I in him, and I trust I shall have it answered: "and yet, if we were at last."

"And do you not find by ex-[know nor love him. The Lord perience," I added, "that his have mercy upon them, and show yoke is easy, and his burthen them the right way. I should light? His commandments are never have known that good way, not grievous, are they?" Sir, if he had not taken compassion upon me, when I had none upon myself." Tears ran down his aged cheeks, as he spoke these last words. Here, thought I, is a poor man, that is very rich, and a weak man, that is very strong.

No, Sir, no: it is a man's meat and drink, if he loves the Lord, to do what he bids him." "Where were you, before you came into this infirmary ?" "In the parish workhouse at S"

"Have you a wife?"

"She died some years since, and got to her heavenly home before me?"

At this moment the nurse brought in his dinner.

"There, Sir, you see, more and more mercies! The Lord takes care of me, and sends me plenty of food for this poor old worn-out body."

"Have you any children ?" "Yes, Sir, I have two sons married, and settled in the world with families. One of them has "And yet,' "said I, "that poor been here to see me lately, and I old worn-out body will one day hope he is in a good way for his be renewed and become a gloriown soul, and brings up his chil-fied body, and live along with dren in the fear of God." your soul in the presence of God for ever."

"Have you any worldly cares upon your mind?"

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"That's right, Sir," said the "Not one, Sir. I am come to good old man, so it will:" this house, I plainly see, to end though after my skin worms demy days; for this mortification in stroy this body, yet in my flesh my leg must, before it be very shall I see God." "But come, long, bring me to the grave. And Sir," seeing me look at my watch, I am quite willing, Sir, to go, or" you must speak a word to your to wait the Lord's own time. I Master, if you please, as well as want nothing, Sir, but more grace for him. I will put down my to praise him.” Which last dinner, while you pray with me.' words he often repeated in the course of the conversation.

"You have reason," I said, "to feel thankful that there is such a house as this, for poor and sick people to be brought to, both for food, lodging, and medicine."

I did so, the man often adding his confirmation of what I offered up, by voice, gesture, and countenance, in a manner highly expressive of the agreement of his heart, with the language of the prayer.

Having ended, he said, "God "That I have indeed, Sir; it be with you, Sir, and bless your is a house of mercies to me, and labours to many poor souls: I I am ashamed to hear, how un- hope you will come to see me thankful many of the patients again, if my life be spared. I seem to be for the benefits which am so glad to see those who will the Lord provides for them here. talk to me about Jesus Christ, But, poor creatures, they neither and his precious salvation."

DISCOVERY OF A MURDER.

I replied, "May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who carried them through the days of The truth of this relation is their pilgrimage, and brought unquestionable; it was given by them safe to a city which hath the clergyman of the place where foundations, bring you there too, it happened, and many people and bless you all the remaining there remember very particudays of your journey till you get larly every minute circumstance home. I am going to see several of it. serious friends this evening, who About the year 1766, John would be glad, I know, to receive Andrew Gordier, a gentleman of a message from one, who has French extraction, and considerhad so much experience of a able fortune, in the island of JerSaviour's mercies. What shall I sey, was upon the point of marrysay to them?" ing the daughter of a wealthy

"Tell them, Sir, with my merchant of Guernsey; but, on Christian love and respects, that a sudden, he was lost to his friends you have been to see a poor and relations, as well as to the dying old man, who wants nothing lady who was to have been his at all in this world, but more bride; and, notwithstanding the grace to praise the Lord with." most diligent inquiry in both islands, with every possible

So ended our first interview. search that could be made, not I could not help reflecting, as I the least intelligence could be returned homewards, that as the obtained either of his death or of object of my journey to the in- his retreat.

firmary had been to carry in- It happened, however, that struction and consolation myself after a time, when all discourse to the poor and the sick; so the concerning him had subsided, his poor and the sick was made in- body was accidentally found in strumental to the conveying of Guernsey, by some boys, in traboth instruction and consolation versing the beach, with two to my own heart in a very supe- wounds on the back, and one on rior degree. the head, thrust into the cavity of a rock, whose mouth was so small I saw him four or five times that it must have been with diffiafterward, and always found him culty that the body could be in the same happy, patient, thrust into it. This discovery, thankful, and edifying state of with those evident proofs of murmind and conversation. The last der, alarmed the two families; time I was with him, he said, the former inquiries were in vain "Sir, I long to be at my heaven- renewed; not the least light ly home, but I am willing to could be gathered to trace out remain a traveller, as long as my the murderer; and all that could Lord and Master sees good." be done was to pay the last duty to the remains of the unfortunate

He died not long after my last youth, by solemnizing his funeral sight of him, in the steadfast as-with all the marks of unaffected surance of faith, and with a hope sorrow. The mother of the full of immortality. young gentleman remained incon

solable: and the lady, to whom he every little circumstance that atwas soon to have been wedded, tended the last interview of the pined in secret for the loss of the two lovers, and of all that had only man in the world whom she passed since the discovery of the could love. She was, indeed, murder of her son; and the young courted by a young merchant; but lady was no less earnest to prothough she was in a manner con- long the conversation; but her strained by her parents to admit fits returned at almost every pehis addresses, she was inwardly riod, and she could only say how resolved never to give him her tenderly they parted, and with hand. The mother of Gordier, who what ardency she expected his never ceased to ruminate on the promised return the next day. It sad catastrophe which had befallen was no small concern to the afher son, was not a little solicitous flicted mother to see the poor for the welfare of the young lady, lady in this weak state, dying, as whom she looked upon as her she plainly perceived she was, of daughter-in-law, and whom she a broken heart; and the company regarded with the greater ten-present could not forbear vehederness, as she heard how se- ment execrations against the auverely she was affected by the thor of this double distress. Mrs. sudden disappearance of her in- Gordier, all on a sudden, burst tended husband. into a flood of tears, on seeing a Some years afterward, being jewel pendant to the young lady's told that the young lady's life was watch, which she knew her son in danger, she resolved to cross had purchased as

a present to the sea that divides the islands, her before he left the island of in order to afford her every con- Jersey. The violence of her solation in her power, by condol- grief was observed by the young ing with her, sharing her griefs, lady, who had just spirits enough and thereby endeavouring to alle- to ask her the immediate cause. viate the sorrows of her heart. Being told that the sight of the As attendants on her voyage, Mrs. jewel, the presentation of which Gordier took with her a beloved to his beloved bride, was to be brother and her only surviving the pledge of their mutual happison. When they arrived, they ness, revived in her mind her were advised by the apothecary irreparable loss; the young lady who attended the young lady, not was seemingly struck with horror to surprise her by an unlooked- and astonishment at the declarafor visit, till she was prepared by tion, and touching the jewel, as degrees to receive it; but, not- with an expression of contempt, withstanding all the care that was sunk into the arms of her weeptaken, the sight of the mother ing visiter; and, without uttering brought to her mind the full re- a single word, except only membrance of the son, and the cl-e-r-, breathed her last. shock was too great for her weak The manner of her expiring spirits to bear. She fainted upon seemed to involve a mystery. All the first approach of Mrs. Gor- present were astonished. The dier, and it was with difficulty confusion which her death occathat she was brought to herself. sioned, stopped, for some time, The mother was curious to know all further utterance; but, when