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"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the Word of
our God shall stand for ever."

NEW-YORK:

D. APPLETON & CO.,

200, BROADWAY.

1838.

24815

J 3

NEW-YORK:

HENRY LUDWIG, PRINTER, Corner of Greenwich and Vesey-sts.

на

DEDICATION.

MY DEAR S. A.

You cannot have forgotten, that during one of those seasons of severe illness, with which it is the will of our Heavenly Father so often to afflict you, I selected for your perusal, the short but exquisitely beautiful memoir of CLEMENTINE CUVIER, drawn up by the Rev. MARK WILKS, and inserted in the Evangelical Magazine, for February, 1828. You professed to admire her character, and wished to resemble her. Such a desire was commendable, and both on your part and on mine, ought to be assiduously cherished. I determined, therefore, to present to you the narrative, accompanied by a short account of her illustrious

father, and some reflections suggested by her early removal from the brilliant scenes by which she was surrounded, and the bright prospects which expanded before her. Although I dedicate this book in an especial manner to you, I design it of course, for general circulation, and for that reason, have adopted a form of address suited to young persons of your own sex.

You were not born to the prospects and the hopes of CLEMENTINE CUVIER, nor like her have you been called to see their growing brightness suddenly obscured by the fogs that rise from the dark valley of the shadow of death; but the scenes of opening life have for you been shaded by the clouds of personal affliction. May you learn more impressively than ever, from this touching narrative, to what source to apply for consolation, and in what manner to obtain it. "It is good," said the prophet, "for a man

to bear the yoke in his youth," and the sentiment has been confirmed by the experience of multitudes of young persons of both sexes; who, to the surprise of their gay companions, have uttered amidst the scenes of their sorrow, the following strange and grateful testimony :—

Father, I bless thy gentle hand;
How kind was thy chastising rod,
That forced my conscience to a stand,
And brought my wand'ring soul to God!
Foolish and vain, I went astray;
Ere I had felt thy scourges, Lord,
I left my guide and lost my way;
But now I love and keep thy word.
'Tis good for me to wear the yoke,
For pride is apt to rise and swell;
'Tis good to bear my Father's stroke,
That I might learn his statutes well.

Youth is a time eminently favourable to the cultivation and enjoyment of religion; the body is then vigorous, the mind lively,

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