met some of the relations deeply affected; and I saw some of the friends, careless, cold, and unfeeling spectators-hearts that neither terror nor grief could move. "Lord," said I, "break thou their hardened hearts, if thy will." Instead of noise and clamour, all was quiet, and very decently conducted. The funeral at length moved towards the last abode of departed souls, a beautiful spot, selected as it were for thought and solemnity. The clergyman read the service in a very impressive manner; a service beautiful indeed when solemnizing the death of a soul dying in the Lord. "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes "-how long, I often say, how long? But my Father knoweth my appointed hour, and cheerfully do I desire to wait his time-"it will be well." At the end of the service, one of the brethren of the deceased went and asked the clergyman to allow the friends to sing a hymn, and for their minister to speak a few words, which he very kindly acceded to. They sung that hymn of Dr. Watts :"Oh for an overcoming faith,

To cheer my dying hours;

To triumph o'er the monster death,
With all his frightful powers.

"If sin be pardoned I'm secure,

Death has no sting beside;

The law gives sin its damning power,

But Christ my Saviour died."

I spoke a little from the words, " He is not dead, but sleepeth " (John xi.) My mind was led out on the blessedness of sleep in Jesus. Oh, to rest there in life, then we shall triumph in him through all eternity.

But it is time for me to speak more particularly of the departed saint in glory. H. P. was in many respects an interesting character; of lowly birth, poor parents, and no God-fearing friends, she was sent into the world at a very early age; she drank deep, as she once said to me, of the sinful pleasures of sense; but the Lord who "scourgeth every son whom he receiveth," afflicted her four years before her death with severe illness; and he whose ways are not as our ways, directed her in sovereign mercy to the infirmary at Hereford. Here she was visited by a dear man of God, a worthy clergyman; his conversation and earnest prayers, as she told me, affected her much; but as she afterwards found, it was but fear of death. She recovered from a long illness, and he offered to receive her into his family, to do any little thing she could; knowing that at her mother's house, a poor widow, she could not have what she needed in her circumstances, believing, as she herself did, that she was a truly changed character; but how easy it is for us to deceive ourselves, and be deceived in others, when we judge of an outward change in conduct, a leaving off of old things. After she came out of the hospital, and in the clergyman's family, she lived a life of outward godliness, and being a naturally amiable character, was beloved and esteemed by all in the house but with all that, and though apparently loving the means of grace, as she said, "My heart was not changed, the Lord had not touched me yet, to see my own vileness." How hard it is to know our own hearts! For some months, I believe she said six or seven, she went on satisfied with herself, and fancying herself safe for heaven. But behold the all-seeing eye of God judges not as we do. One morning, at family prayer, her faithful master was intreating the Lord that if there were any in the family who fancied they had the life of God, and were as yet un

changed in heart, who never had felt the power of the Eternal Spirit upon them; and who while outwardly worshipping with them, were yet in danger of being excluded from worshipping at the throne of the Lamb; the Lord might, if it were his blessed will, change their mind, and lead them to himself. "Instantly," she said, "I felt I had never experienced that change, and I was pricked in the heart, and cried as soon as I was alone, Lord, what wilt thou have me do?"" She felt deep contrition, a sense of her sinful state, though living outwardly godly. She went on inwardly mourning before the Lord for some months, without any comfort. Her master oft spoke to her, and endeavoured to encourage her to go to Jesus; all was in vain, till the Lord applied his own powerful voice to her soul, then she felt relieved and happy, though with intervals of deep mourning for her sinfulness; not yet knowing the depth of the depravity of the heart, nor the strivings of the flesh against the Spirit, nor the continuance thereof until death. A twelvemonth after she was taken ill again; she wished to go to her mother, and the doctor advised her going into the country. She went to her native air; but it was never to remove from there. It was at this time I got acquainted with her. Her kind master wished me to visit her, as I went every week that way; and told me to provide everything comfortably for her, and he would repay me, which he faithfully did.

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My first visit to her was very interesting. I saw there, in a poor hut— for it was no better-everything indicating poverty around her, yet an "heir of God," fast going to eternity. She opened her mind freely to me. On my asking her if she thought there was anything within her that could render her fit for heaven? "Oh, no, no," was her answer; "if I must rely on anything I can do, I go to misery." "What is, then, your hope?" My dear Saviour; his finished work alone." "Do you think he loves you because you would love him?" "No, dear Sir," was her answer; "free, everlasting love, made me love him. And he has said, nothing shall be able to pluck me out of my Father's hand." "But do you not think sin would cause him to love you less?" She hesitated; but, after a few moments, she said, "I was doubting; but the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth me from all sin, and all from God's free love in Christ." I prayed with her, and thus ended my first visit. The week after I again went. She was so very weak that she could hardly speak; but, on my asking her whether Christ was present with her, she said, "An ever-present Friend, fighting Satan for me." I spoke a little to her, but she was quite exhausted, and I left her. I heard, during that week, that she was worse, that she wished to see me. On my coming in she seemed quite revived, and said, "I feel blessed, I feel happy; my Lord is very precious to me." I said, "Is he so constantly?" "At times," was her answer, "Satan and worldly things come in; but I know the Lord is mine; the blessed Spirit has shown me that I am his." "You can now say, I have found trials great blessings," said I. Oh, yes; but it is his love that makes them blessings to me. How happy when we can let all thoughts of our own doings go, and cast ourselves wholly upon Christ, on him alone." I sat for a few moments, musing on her blessedness, when she said, "Many clouds pass over me; that old devil, and my own evil heart, make me sometimes think, how can such a wretch as I am find favour with God;

but Christ is the same even in darkness."* Her mother saying to her, "You have always been a very dutiful child to me, and not done so many sins as others," she replied, "Oh, mother, every thought of mine deserves hell; I can only praise the Lord for what he is to me; I am indeed a wretched sinner, but Christ is my all-sufficient Saviour. And oh, did you know, mother, the bliss he has prepared for me." All this was more than she could bear, and she fainted. I afterwards spoke a few words and prayed, hardly thinking I should see her again alive. But the Lord saw differently. I went again a few days after, and found her doctor there, who said she could not last beyond the day. I inquired of her how she got on. "As well as I can wish. Satan buffets me, but the Lord is for me. What a mercy to be hated by Satan. But I believe it is not poor me he hates, but he hates Christ in me;"† and, with much animation she added, "God bless you, if poor Harriet was but of the world, that old enemy would leave me quiet enough; but Christ, by his Father's will, is my everlasting Friend." Saying I did not think I should see her again on earth, she pointed towards heaven, Thanks, thank you; God bless you." She could speak no more. I left her; and I heard the next day that she died a few hours afterwards, without speaking a word more. Truly, "is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" And what a proof, that whilst her everlasting bliss was eternally fixed in Christ, the means to that end were fixed too, and nothing could prevent it. Oh, the wonderful works of God's unchangeable love in Christ; her immutable fixation in Christ's body. Heaven and earth may pass away, but not a word that he has spoken, or an act he has determined, shall ever pass away; nor shall a hoof, no, not a single one, be left behind. "All whom the Father has given me shall come unto me; and he that cometh to me shall in no wise be cast out."

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If you think this worthy to insert in the Magazine you are welcome to do so. The Lord bless you, and guide you and our dear sister D.

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In reply to your remarks on the subject of your connection with the Gospel Magazine Tract Association," allow me to say I entirely agree with you that your position is peculiar, inasmuch as your name stands as one of a committee in the deliberations of which you cannot take part; but this is a position in which some members must of necessity be placed in a committee formed from among a people "scattered and peeled."

Having premised thus much of yourself, permit me to say a few words regarding the objection raised by your correspondents, and also touching those who make them.

What a mercy, dear reader," Christ the same, even in darkness." † Reader, mark this, for it is most true.-ED.

First, you say it is objected that the tracts are "not sufficiently experimental." This is a phrase which we often hear in a sense widely different from its meaning, although I can surmise what is intended. I trust the writers of the tracts have not been making any experiments as to doctrine; and indeed, as one of the committee, I can bear my testimony that no experiment or trial of any "new thing" is made; that all contained in them is the old, out-of-fashion, despised teaching of that book which, considered as a piece of paper, print, and binding, is so fashionable. This may be said to be admitted, no question being raised as to the soundness of the doctrine set forth; and this is no mean testimony to the grace given unto the Association in these days of "old wives' fables and endless genealogies." But although to be faithful even in a little matter is a mark of grace given, which, our Lord says, will receive a crown; yet, blessed be the Author of every good gift, he has poured out his Spirit upon his servants, and out of their weakness he has perfected praise. It is true some of the tracts are doctrinal, but Christ is in them all. The last two issued are especially Christ-magnifying, which is the very end and object of the purpose and grace which was given us in him before the foundation of the world; to wit, that we should be to the praise of the glory of his grace, who hath created us anew unto good works, which he had before prepared, that we should walk in them.

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And now, through you, a short word to those who make to you the complaint that the tracts are not sufficiently experimental." Would you, dear brethren, have us leave the note of praise of which the themethe glorious theme-is SALVATION, in the mystery of "Christ the Lord," "the Lord's Christ," anointed to do the work his Father gave him to do, to fulfil all covenant engagements, and to perfect for ever them that are set apart in him unto glory? Would you have us leave this lofty note to talk to your souls of the corruption, infirmities, lusts, and worldly desires of which they are the subjects; of the frames and feelings they experience (for this is, I presume, what you mean by "experimental ") ? No! so to talk is not to preach Christ and him crucified; it is carnal.

You unwittingly bear testimony to the great grace given unto those who have written for you, in that they have directed you to look out of self and off from all that self experiences, to look up unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, exalted a PRINCE and a SAVIOUR to save to the uttermost those who come unto God by him. In conclusion, we shall be glad indeed to receive tracts for printing from any into whose hearts the Lord has put it to write for the edification and comfort of his people. Very few manuscripts are sent to us; but we have a few in hand, to follow the two issued Nov. 1st, of the same Christ-exalting character.

The Lord has shown us favour; therefore we may not doubt it is his work, and we must do it unto him, not turning aside unto the right hand or the left; nor in carnal wisdom, writing with a view to please our readers, but with a single eye to Christ and his glory, with which they should be pleased.

May he keep his own in the unity of the Spirit. Amen,
Prays yours in Him,

THOMAS WEEdon,

Hon. Sec. G. M. Tract Assoc.

22, Paternoster Row, Nov. 3rd, 1849.

MEMORANDUMS AT SEA.

"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters ; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep."-Ps. cvii.

OCT. 13, 1849.-Having come to the conclusion of leaving my native land, and going, as a missionary, to Canada, I determined to sail in the ship "Brant; and accordingly, all things being prepared, we came on board about seven this morning. It was nearly eleven before we got underweigh, the wind being N.E., and consequently favourable for our voyage; the ship being bound for New York. As we passed down the River Mersey, how many thoughts crowded my mind! "I am now," said I, " upon the waters, leaving home, and friends, and country-my parish, too, where for some years it was my privilege to preach the gospel." I thought how inadequately I had done so. My work with my parishioners was now done. I was separated from them, in all probability never more to meet in this world. How had I preached to them? Had I been instant in season and out of season? It would be well for every minister of the gospel to consider these things when ministering to his people. Should he be called away from them, how would he look upon his past ministry? For my part, I felt deeply cast down; I had done so little. Many opportunities that I might have used to the advantage of my parishioners I had let pass away, and now they never could be recalled. My exclamation was, "I have left undone those things that I ought to have done, and done those things that I ought not to have done, and there is no health in me." In such meditations as these the day passed over, and I lay down at night, commending myself-my soul and body-and all that I possessed, into the hands of the Shepherd of Israel, that never slumbers nor sleeps.

Oct. 14th. We had been most fortunate during the night; the ship made good way with a very favourable breeze. The Tusker Light-house, off the Irish coast, was made within eleven hours from the time we left Liverpool; the breeze still continuing from N.E. to E. This was our first Sabbath at sea. It was the Lord's day. I like that term much more than the Sabbath, because we are not under the law, but under grace. Through the kindness of Capt. Robinson, we had service on the lower deck; the capstan there forming both our reading-desk and pulpit, a flag being tastefully thrown over it. I read the Church-of-England service, and the Rev. S. B. A. preached from Rom. i. 16. His sermon was listened to with much attention, and some Roman Catholics were present. The sermon, the auditory, and the scene, were truly impressive. The man of God, with his head uncovered, his Bible in his hand, his earnest manner and persuasive style of simple yet forcible language-the auditory, emigrants from their native land about to seek a home far over the wide Atlantic, listening to words that pointed them to a home beyond the skies, "a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens "-the scene, the wide and heaving billow every moment raising the vessel up as gradually and gently, that ocean seemed to be her nurse, and that she