and faithful servant!'

We should suffer no

day to pass without thinking of and acting for that day when we shall be 'judged according to our works,' as the evidences of our faith; and very encouraging is that kind and considerate expression of our Lord concerning a poor woman, showing that he is no hard master, and not unreasonable in his requisitions, 'She hath done what she could.' But how few of us deserve this praise! I am persuaded you would find useful activity one of the best preservatives against the innumerable temptations to which, as youth advances, you will be exposed. How many young persons have blessed God that ever they were led to engage in Sunday-school teaching. It profitably occupies the time which, if wasted in frivolity and indulgence, leads to the worst consequences; and in teaching others, a double blessing often descends upon the teacher......

"With regard to our conduct, whether at home or abroad, we cannot mistake if we will but follow the precepts of Scripture in their plain and literal sense. This is too much neglectedstrangely neglected, even by those who profess

to make the Bible their rule. If we had no other directions whatever for our conduct than those contained in that beautiful chapter, the twelfth of Romans, it would make a heaven of earth were they but attended to. It is an excellent chapter to read very often, and deeply and daily to study. It would make a little paradise of any society or family where its spirit was imbibed; and after all, it is at home-in the bosom of our families, in our daily and hourly tempers and conduct that we have the best opportunity of practising holy obedience to the commandments of Christ. Keeping these commandments, which are not grievous'—though we are prone to think they are till we tryimplies a continual exercise of self-denial; and if we are conscious that we make no such sacrifices that we are not in the habit of denying ourselves-it is plain that we are not following Him at all; for those who do must bear some cross. There is, indeed, something in the very sound of the word self-denial which alarms our indolence, indulgence, pride, and wilfulness. But it is a false alarm; for these very qualities-indolence, indulgence, pride,

and wilfulness-are the greatest enemies to our peace and happiness; and one day's experience is enough to show that, in proportion as they are resisted and mortified, we are comfortable, tranquil, and happy.

"May God bless you all, and lead every one of you safely through this dangerous world to his eternal rest! This is the earnest hope, and will be the frequent prayer, of your sincere and affectionate friend,

J. T."

CHAPTER IX.

LIFE'S SUNSET.

ANE'S interests and affections centred very much in Ongar during the rest of her life, though frequent visits and journeys drew her away, chiefly at the solicitation of friends, who urged that change of scenes and social pleasures were among the best means of recruiting, if not recovering, her health.

"But I find," she says, "that home is the place which suits me best."

Amid all the usual alternations of hope and fear, her disease slowly and steadily gained on her.

"And it requires much," she says, "utterly to extinguish the hope of recovery."

Yet her chief anxiety related to a hope of

the better life beyond. The doubts which now cast their shadows on her, if doubts they were, arose from her high standard of Christian character. A full and free salvation she clearly apprehended; but from want of a sufficiently explicit and authoritative exposition of the law of Christ, she felt the gospel was often fatally abused by the professedly Christian world. And she rejoiced in the glad tidings with trembling, unless accompanied with a fearless and uncompromising declaration of the truth, that every one shall receive “according to his works."

"I have no doubt," she often said to her brother, "as to the way of salvation; it lies upon the surface of the Scriptures; but those who shall receive the benefit of this free salvation, and who shall be accounted worthy to stand before the throne, are those who on earth are meet for heaven by being truly like Christ. And am I- -are the mass of those of whom we are accustomed to think well-are they like Christ?"

And who will not say, if this be error, it is at least erring on the safe side?