able loss; the rich have lost a fearless monitor to remind them of their duties; and the poor have lost an affectionate adviser and helper; the widow has lost that kind friend, who had so often made the "widow's heart sing for joy;" and the fatherless orphan has lost one, who might almost be said to have been in the place of a father to him. He told me too, that he, who had so often and so kindly felt for others, had had his own domestic afflictions too, to bear him down. I understood him to say, that he had lost several children; indeed, I believe, he said, as many as eight out of fourteen, and in distant lands too; some from the ravages of disease, and some slain in battle; and that, within the last two years, he had been bereaved of a beloved and affectionate wife. Such were the particulars which I learnt from my new acquaintance.

The road now separated; and I pursued my journey to my resting-place for the night, but not without shaking him most cordially by the hand, and thanking him for the interesting account he had given me of him whose loss had occupied the attention of the whole neighbourhood. I then walked on quietly, reflecting on all that I had this day seen and heard; and I could not help saying to myself, and rejoicing too, that there was a feeling in the country, that would estimate rightly the Christian Pastor; and that the good opinion of those whose praise was worth possessing, would not be withheld from them while life continued, and that its close would be embalmed by the tears of cordial affection; and that they would still live in their memories for many years to come. The sun was just setting as I reached the door of the little Inn, which was to be my place of abode for the night, and I felt an inward satisfaction in thinking, that the sun had not set on a day that had been altogether unprofitably employed.-From a Correspondent.

THE WIDOW.

"Be content with such things as ye have, for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." HEB. xiii. 5.

MR. EDITOR,

It was during a tour made through part of North Wales last summer, that we visited Corwen; a quiet, pleasant

1839.]

little town, where there is a most comfortable Hotel,which perhaps some of your readers who have occasion to travel in that part of the country, may be glad to hear. After our breakfast we sallied forth with our sketch books, feeling sure, in that neighbourhood, we should find some subject for our pencil; the Church was our first attraction; and, after we had seen that, and had been shown. an ancient tomb, said to be erected to the memory of the first vicar of Corwen, and a pillar in the Church-yard under which we were told the remains of Owen Glyndwr were laid, our attention was called to a row of neat cottages on the opposite side of the Church-yard, which, from their style and from having an arched gateway in the centre, looked very like almshouses. On approaching the gateway, we saw over it an inscription, which informed us, that the building was "a cottage for the widows of incumbents belonging to Merionethshire, founded by William Eyton, Esq. of Plas-Warren, 1750." We found there were two dwellings on each side a gateway; through which we walked, as the entrance doors appeared to be on the other side, where there was a neat paved path the whole length of the cottages, and between this and the mountain, which rose immediately at the back, were vegetable gardens, appropriated to each dwelling. One door at the end rather attracted our particular attention, as the ascent to it was by a short flight of steps under a porch covered with the white scented clematis. One of our party, more enterprising than the rest, approached the door, where she was met by an old lady dressed in mourning, who we found was the occupant of that cottage; we apologized for our intrusion, but pleaded, in excuse, that we were drawn thither by the neatness and prettiness of her porch. With true Welsh hospitable feeling, she begged we would enter her cottage, and "sit for a while in her 'parlour,' though it was very small." There we found her grandchild, who, she said, was her companion, a nice, intelligent girl, who was constantly referred to for dates, and the names of places, which occurred during our conversation. She told us her family history; and likewise that the charity by which she

benefitted, was intended for four widows, that the building originally was meant for six, but had never been completed and that "now, the cottage was only tenanted by two, which was a very good thing for her, as the whole legacy was divided between them," and " she thanked God for this, and all his goodness to her during her long life, but more particularly for this comfortable refuge in her old age." We rejoiced indeed with her that such a provision had been made by the good founder, and also that there were only two widows in the county who required such aid and assistance in the decline of life. The little parlour in which we sat was very neatly, and simply furnished. The old lady's knitting lay on the table, and a large Bible and Prayer Book were laid on a small table at the side of the room. She then said, she would show us her kitchen, which was also a perfect picture of neatness, and comfort: she opened another door, and said laughingly "this is my larder," "and that is my meat for the week," pointing to a loin of mutton which was hung up: "indeed," she added, "I have all I can want or wish for; I am very thankful, very content, and very happy; and I thank God my sight is so good I can see to read my Bible. I am eighty years of age; so ladies, you see, I have good reason to be grateful." We then observed; "You have learnt from that good book, you just now mentioned, that godliness with contentment is great gain.' "Ah!" she feelingly rejoined, "that is true, that is true, indeed!" Our time being limited, we were obliged to say 'good bye"-to the old lady; which we did with much reluctance; and to her contented, grateful spirit, this short narrative has barely done justice.

66

On our return to the Hotel, we could not but reflect that, although we began our walk merely for the purpose of self-amusement, it had been productive of much solid gratification and instruction, for, though we may admire such a cheerful old age, and perhaps say to ourselves, "when we are old, we should like to be just as cheerful and grateful as that old lady; "we must also remember, that such cheerfulness is not to be gained in old age, the foundation must be laid in youth; the seed that is to produce such

15

1839.]

ON PRAYER.

fruit must be sown while we are young. The love of God must then be implanted; His holy Word must then be studied; submission to His holy will who ordains all things for our good, however severe the trial may appear to the youthful mind, must then be practised :—and then, as we advance through life, and at last reach the old age to which this widow had attained, resting with a sole and entire trust on the merits of the Saviour;-then, and then only, may we hope to reap "the plentiful fruit of righteousness," in that " perfect peace "which He has promised to all those "whose minds are stayed on Him, because they trusted in Him."

F.

ON PRAYER.

LUKE xi. 1.

"Lord teach us to pray."

I HOPE there are few persons so utterly regardless of God, and so careless about the state of their immortal souls, as to live without prayer: it is, however, to be feared, there are many who neglect the constant performance of this great duty. Now, if we consider for a moment, how weak and sinful we are by nature, and then reflect on what the Gospel requires of us, we must soon. be convinced that nothing can be done towards working out our salvation, unless we daily ask for God's blessing to assist us in subduing our evil tempers, and cleansing our sinful hearts. Remember, we are told, that repentance, conversion, faith, gratitude, are all required of us here, if we would be prepared and fitted for the happiness of heaven. And can we repent? can we forsake our sins? can we firmly believe God's promises, and love Him with our whole hearts, if we are not strengthened by His divine power? Surely not. We must know, if we read our Bibles, that repentance is the gift of God; and must be sought for by prayer. The apostles themselves prayed that the Lord would increase their faith; and we must all confess that our sinful hearts are but too much disposed to forget God, instead of humbly thanking Him for

His great goodness and His multiplied mercies to us. Again, this world is full of trials; we are often brought low by sickness, by sorrow, by disappointment, by the loss of those nearest and dearest to us. And will the world speak comfort to us at such times? will earthly friends console us? Alas! they could not if they would; and too often those who smile on us in prosperity are the first to forsake us in the hour of adversity. To" whom then shall we go, but to Him who has the words of eternal life." We cannot, however, expect or hope for comfort from our God and Saviour in the hour of darkness and sorrow, if we neglect Him when we are prosperous and happy. But, if we cannot live in peace and comfort without prayer, much less can we expect to die in peace, unless we are able to look in humble confidence to God for the consoling influence of His Holy Spirit. We cannot live the lives of sinners and hope to die the death of saints. It is an awful thing to die; but how greatly will the agony of that hour be increased, if we have to look back on a life spent without prayer; and if without prayer, then without repentance, without faith, without love to God. How then can we be fit for heaven, for that blessed state where unnumbered angels and saints are singing eternal hallelujahs to their God? Should any of my readers be conscious that they have too long neglected this great duty and privilege:-oh! let them learn to pray without delay; let them learn to pray in their Saviour's name, and let them ask for every blessing through Him; they can expect nothing but through His mercy; they may hope for all things through His mediation. He has said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.' If we require any further motive to induce us to seek for divine strength and comfort by prayer, we should think of our Saviour's own example; and if He who was free from all sin, yet, in his human nature, required his heavenly Father's aid, who the sinful children of Adam can presume, for among a moment, to suppose that his own strength is sufficient? May then the hearts of those, who have hitherto thought little on this subject, be disposed by the Holy Spirit to make the trial; and let them be assured, that the practice