the Word of Christ? "Yes," she said, "but I am afraid I do not love it as I ought, for I have not studied it as I should have done." After seeking to bring before her mind the fact, that her acceptance with Christ did not depend upon perfect love or perfect obedience, I attempted to set Christ before her as the ground of hope and of confidence; and begged her to repose in Him, in the midst of all her unworthiness, for pardon. She said she would-she did. After prayer I left them, to see others who had sent for me.

I was in once or twice afterwards during the afternoon, and inquired of her state of mind, and found her resting placidly upon the bosom of her Saviour. As I remarked, Mr. W. could not say much, and that with a very indistinct enunciation. I was highly gratified with the Christian calmness and serenity, and composure and patience of Mrs. W.

VIII.

Extract from the Christian Intelligencer.

SOLEMN AND AFFECTING SCENE AT AMITY

THE pastor, Rev. George R. Williamson, did not reach home on Saturday evening, according to his known arrangements. On Sabbath morning the congregation assembled; and the absence of the minister, together with the report of a distressing casualty upon the Reindeer, filled the minds of all with great uneasiness. A messenger was dispatched to Albany for particulars as to the steamer; and one also to Niskayuna, to request Mr. Talmage to conduct the afternoon services at Amity. No definite tidings had arrived up to half-past three o'clock, and the fearful apprehensions concerning the fate of Mr. Williamson and family, supposed to be among the passengers, covered every face with gloom. The worship com

menced amid an unbroken stillness like to that of a death-scene. While prayer was being offered in behalf of the absent ones, if they were in a state of suffering and affliction; in behalf of bereaved relatives, from whose embrace dear friends had been suddenly snatched; in behalf of the anxious congregation, that they might be prepared for the approaching tidings, and sanctified in the result, the messenger arrived from Albany. Handing into the pulpit a copy of an extra issue from the press, he took his seat trembling and weeping. The congregation listened most attentively to a discourse, uttered with quivering lips, from the words of Solomon: "Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." The subject was illustrated by allusions to the Henry Clay, the Atlantic, and the Reindeer; especially did God bring home the subject, in this last providence, to the preacher who was now occupying the pulpit, and to the people now listening to him. "It

is no time for a human sermonizer to make an application of this discourse, for a voice from heaven is about to address you in a manner infinitely more impressive. Your beloved pastor is not, for God has taken him. When God is speaking, let man forbear."

Thus ended the services, and the scence which followed may be partially imagined, but cannot be described. t was one universal burst of sorrow and weeping. A short season was spent in humiliation and prayer, and delegates were appointed to attend the funeral, supposed to take place at the city of New York.

Mr. Williamson was indeed a brother beloved. Other pens will pay better tribute to his virtues as a man and his character as a minister of Jesus Christ. It will be trying for the Classis of Schenectady to meet again to fill the place of our Brother, vacated by a stroke so melancholy. A widowed congregation sits in dismay and anguish. The closed parsonage bears an aspect of desola

tion, imparted by the circumstances, most painful to behold. A deep gloom is settled upon the countenances of the whole community around, because of this mysterious providence, which has removed from us so endeared a family :-A minister and father, revered and loved as far as known; a devoted wife, whose cordial receptions and kind hospitality we have so often shared ; a darling boy, whose childish sports have so often attracted our attention and won our love. Many tender sympathies are here expressed for a large circle of relatives whose hearts now bleed profusely by a wound which nothing but the Gospel balm can heal. We seem to hear them exclaim, "All gone! we shall see these dear ones no more!" But listen, bereaved friends. This dark cloud will soon break. This night-dream of earth will soon vanish, and the morning dawn of blissful realities break upon you. The hap

py day of unbroken communings of kindred spirits will ere long begin.