particular study is requisite in order to understand the Bible. Some persons, it may be, having been accustomed to read it at school, in their early years, or under the immediate care of their parents, think that they knew all about its contents long ago, and, under the vain idea of the superior progress which they have made in wisdom and knowledge, leave the examination of it to more youthful, or less intelligent minds than their own. Others there may be, probably, who never once read the Scriptures throughout in any regular and careful way, and so can never have any conception of the majesty, purity, power, and harmony of all, and the several parts of the sacred books. Some, it is likely there may be, who, from ignorance and prejudice, entertain doubts of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, or are enemies to their peculiar doctrines, and, of course, either carelessly read them or wholly neglect them; while, thinking it a good thing, upon the whole, for society to encourage the circulation of the Bible, they do yet concur with the truly benevolent in their endeavours to promote that object. The practice of such persons, and of all others who neglect the study of the Bible, from mere indolence and lukewarmness of feeling, is most unsuitable, and indefensible, and wholly at variance with the acknowledged and legitimate mode of proceeding in every other case that is of the smallest degree of importance. It is not that easy and trivial thing to an a competent acquaintance with the Scriptures, of which many ignorantly dream. While the great doctrines and duties which they contain are expessed in few, simple, and intelligible terms, so that persons of the meanest capacities may receive, believe, and obey the truth, the whole compass of revelation, in all its parts, relations, and connexions, forms a field of inquiry and sublime gratification to minds of the very highest and most cultivated order.

No man ever yet acquired a sound and extensive acquaintance with the things of religion, without bestowing great, laborious, and long continued exertion, in the study of the Bible. It is, indeed, difficult to conceive the character of a real Christian, who does not make the book of God his daily companion, counsellor, and guide; who does not love it more than all other books in the world put together, or, who does not derive his principal satisfaction from other writings and pursuits, only in so far as they tend to illustrate and esta

blish its genuine meaning and importance. How incongruous, how inconsistent is it, then, for professing Christians to feel languor and insupportable weariness of spirit, when custom, or a sense of propriety, induces them to open the sacred volume, while their hearts flutter with joy, and their eyes sparkle with vivacity, at the prospect of procuring the pleasure of a perusal of some new and fashionable novel or romance! This disposition of things indicates a diseased and dangerous state of religious and moral feeling, and is perhaps more frequently to be found than may at first view be imagined. Here, we may ask, can any individual, who is conscious of neglecting the study of the book of God, consistently advocate the cause, and promote the interests of those Societies, whose object it is to convey the Scriptures to every nation under heaven? Instances of this inconsistency are not very rare, and it is probable that the persons who stand chargeable with this offence, do really prove of little utility to the great cause in which they profess to embark. The man who seriously wishes to advance the progress of true religion and knowledge in the world, must, in order to be successful in his endeavours, give unquestionable evidence that he is himself a lover and reader of the Bible, and a person who, in the whole tenor of his conduct, acts on the principles which it inculcates, and feels the sentiments which it inspires. One principal advantage likely to accrue from the general interest now taken in the proceedings of Bible Societies, is the reflection that naturally arises in the minds of the thoughtless and inconsiderate, on the importance attached to the knowledge of the Scriptures by so large and honourable a body of persons of all classes throughout Christendom, and which may produce an impression on their feelings that will ultimately lead them to a more accurate examination of the sacred book than they ever undertook before.

The Bible has much to recommend it in a general point of view, to persons of capacity, intelligence, and taste, independently of the consideration of its divine origin, and paramount importance to every reasonable and immortal being. In the interesting study of the sacred volume, the admirer of the sublime and beautiful, in sentiment and expression, will find his taste fully gratified. The most splendid and fascinating fictions of ancient poetry, the most animated historics of important events in Pagan antiquity, and the most alluring

works of modern imagination and fancy, sink into insignifi cance and insipidity, when compared with the noble and naked simplicity of Scripture truths and descriptions. It argues an utter perversion of real taste, and gross ignorance of the subject, to conclude, as too many do, that the study of the Bible tends to subdue the intellectual faculties, and to introduce a low and vulgar commonness of spirit into well educated and genteel life. To convince every one that this is a mistaken notion, it is only necessary for him to make the experiment: and it might also be disproved, by a reference to the examples of some of the most powerful and cultivated intellects that ever illumined and adorned the world. Volumes might be written on this subject, and the materials yet remain unexhausted. The improvement of the understanding, the cultivation of the taste, and the gratification which the history, the poetry, and the beautiful and perfect system of morality contained in the Bible, are calculated to yield to the man of refined and elegant literature, cannot, however, be viewed as the most important object which ought to be pursued in the prosecution of the sacred study of the Scrip

tures.

Such remarks are made, only with a design, if possible, to remove the prejudice which is so strongly felt by men of taste and learning against the study of the Bible, though indeed the real cause of this dislike to the Holy Scriptures of truth, is much more deeply seated than either in the understanding, or the fancy.

JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

MEMOIR OF THE DEATH OF MISS S H, AGED THIRTEEN YEARS AND TEN MONTHS, DAUGHTER OF A DISTINGUISHED CLERGYMAN OF IRELAND.

Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John xii. 24.

During the time that persecution raged against the Church of Christ, it was well observed, that "the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the Church :" but now that "the Churches have rest, and are established," it pleases God in his manifold wisdom still to try his people by various afflictions, and to make the heirs of salvation partakers of the sufferings of their crucified Redeemer. But these afflictions are for the most salutary purposes. Thus, while we see the bereaved parent, husband, friend, brethren, or sisters, weeping over the tomb of one dear to them as their own life, may we not behold from that tomb children raised unto Abraham? The present Memoir, being the substance of a letter written by the be

reaved mother, it is ardently hoped will illustrate this truth. The precious seed now deposited in the silent grave, abideth not alone, but will bring forth much fruit to the praise of the glory of His grace who chose her in the furnace of affliction. For her brethren and sisters her fervent petitions will, we trust, be answered; and all who read will say, "What hath God wrought!" May many be led by it to seek that Jesus who giveth such victory over death and the grave, and such an abundant entrance into his everlasting kingdom; and thus experience the blessedness of the people who have the Lord for their God!

"I had long traced in my beloved child the sweet and silent influence of divine grace. Silent, modest, and gentle, she made no profession: but I witnessed her simplicity of character, her meek resignation, her entire submission to the divine appointment. When I was inclined to grieve that my beloved child was deprived of the gratifications of youth, and too often lamented that she could not partake of the active amusements of her brothers and sisters, my sweet and patient child bore all these privations with perfect calmness of mind, finding all her pleasure in sitting by me with her book or work. Since the month of July I painfully observed her constitu tion sinking, and her strength daily decreasing. In vain was medical aid; the decree was gone forth-her months were numbered; and therefore her disease baffled the power of medicine. My darling found some enjoyment in exercise, and in removing to the house of a friend for some time. Still, a desire to improve her mind, and acquire knowledge, gave her a motive for exertion, notwithstanding the great languor produced by extreme debility. The time drew nigh when I was to surrender the beloved object of my care and most tender anxiety. I marked the progress of disease with much inward conflict; I desired strength to yield her up with resignation to my God and her God: I sought opportunity to lay open to my child the danger she was in, but it often died upon my lips, and my heart shrunk from the disclosure of the solemn truth. My God, thou knewest my weakness: thou didst not leave her to my teaching, but didst sweetly teach her thyself-didst lead her into all truth-and, at the last, thou didst enlarge her heart, and unloose her tongue, to declare all thy praise, and to magnify the exceeding grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: so that the closing scene of my beloved child's life became to me an hour of inward joy and thankfulness: to her dear brothers and sisters, who surrounded her dying bed, a deep, solemn, and edifying sight; such as, I trust, through the divine blessing, may never, never be erased from their minds: and to the friends who witnessed it, a most affecting and deeply interesting scene. In removing from my own house, my darling child had directed several books to be packed up, observing, she should have much time to read to me when in the country; and particularly enjoying the idea that she should spend the Sabbath alone with me, which was always the object of her wishes, having been in the habit of selecting texts of Scripture for me, during the week, on various subjects. I had

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often had occasion to wonder at the rapid progress my child made in scriptural knowledge, doctrinal truths, and the practical influence they should have on her life. Her quick discernment of right and wrong, the maturity of her judgment, the enlargement of her mind, and, above all, that measure of divine wisdom, which only God can impart which, coming from above, is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, and which is without hypocrisy;-all these lovely graces I observed in my sweet child, brightening as she drew towards the close of her earthly career. What hath God wrought! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! How has he perfected His praise out of the mouth of this my child, ordaining her to bring forth fruit, and that her fruit should remain! For by her death she still speaketh. I draw near the closing scene, and nature mourns, while my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. Very sweet and pleasant wast thou to thy mother, my sainted child, in the days of thy sojourneying here; and O how precious is thy remembrance, now thou art removed from my desiring eyes! Thy poor, worn-out tabernacle is laid in the cold and silent grave! No more can thy anxious mother watch thy bed, smooth thy pillow, dress thy tender limbs, seek to nourish thy delicate frame, cheer thy drooping spirits, or instil into thy tender mind the sacred principles of divine truth. No; my child is now emancipated from all care, and pain, and sickness, equal to the angels which excel in strength. The Lamb, who is in the midst of the Paradise of God, has wiped away all her tears, clothed her with the garments of salvation, crowned her with a glorious diadem; he feeds her with the living bread, and gives her to drink of the fountain of life. She shall thirst no more; no more feel weariness or painfulness; but, filled with the divine fulness, she beholds God as he is, and is made like unto him. Blessed be the Lord, who hath done for us great things, whereof we rejoice! My heart yields this darling object of its tender affection to her dear Saviour. Desiring to record his goodness and mercy, I would note down the last words of my sainted child. Some nights previous to that which terminated her short course here below, my darling awoke, and turning to me, said, "Was not that a quiet sleep, mamma?

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,

Praise him all creatures here below," &c.

Again she said," Mamma, I have a great deal to say to you, but am not able; but I love to hear you talk." Many sweet words came from her, expressive of patient resignation and perfect calmness of spirit; often desiring me not to grieve, and reminding me I had many other children: spoke gratefully and affectionately of the attention and love she met from her brothers and sisters, and other friends; often particularizing them to me. At one time she threw her arms

round my neck, and, sobbing, said, "O, my dear mamma, I hope I shall not grow up and be unkind to you." Many such sweet expressions of grateful love and tender affection called forth my tears, which she always endeavoured to suppress. In the morning of that last sad. day, she opened her eyes, and looking earnestly at me, she said,