vants. May you be sensible of this in time; and learn that the beginning of these things is sorrow and vexation, no less surely than "their end is death;" before you feel it by sad experience, and are forced to lament it in vain, for ever and ever. Sumner's Sermons.

SUDDEN DEATH,

A Warning to Survivors.

(See p. 311, in the last Number.)

How truly is it said in the Burial Service of the Church- in the midst of life we are in death!"The experience of the town of B- has of late furnished numerous confirmations of this solemn truth; a very recent and a very striking one has occurred in the awfully sudden death of who rose from bed in his usual good health last Wednesday morning, and in a few minutes was found a lifeless corpse.

Of the deceased it is not intended, in this paper to speak. To speculate on what is now his state, would be neither profitable nor becoming. He is gone to the tribunal of that God who will judge every man according to his works.-The last solemn office has been performed over his earthly remains, and the writer sincerely says "Peace to his shades."-He cannot however suffer an event which addresses itself alike to all ranks and to all ages of people to pass unnoticed. While the state of the dead is unalterably fixed, he feels himself constrained to drop a word of advice and exhortation to the living, especially to the friends and neighbours of our departed brother.-On them, as on himself, he would press the lesson which such an event as the death of a neighbour, without a moment's previous sickness, and without the slightest warning, is calcu

lated to teach, and which he prays God to imprint deep upon every heart.

Whatever be your age, whatever your rank in life, this event speaks to you. It warns you of your frail and mortal texture.-It shows you that you have not a moment which you can with certainty call your own. And it calls upon each of you in the language of the Prophet and of the Saviour himself, "Prepare to meet thy God."-" Be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

Ah! Let not this loud warning be lost upon you!! -Think seriously upon the subject, my friends! Give yourselves, for one moment, to sober reflection. -Ask your own hearts-suppose my turn should be the next, suppose I should receive such a summons, am I ready? Is my house in order? Am I striving, through the grace of God, to become fit for that blessed place, where, it is said, nothing that is impure shall enter?-Are my conduct,-my conversation, and my inward thoughts such as become a person who, for aught he knows, may be called into eternity the next moment?-Am I really God's servant or not?-Do I pray to God in private?-Do I worship him in public?-What do I know of the Holy Scriptures of God-of Jesus Christ-of the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit?-What is my present course of life likely to end in?—Am I walking in the way that leadeth to everlasting life, or am I hurrying on in that wide path which leadeth to destruction and woe?

My fellow Christians! put these questions honestly to your conscience.-Be true to your best interests. Deceive not your ownselves-The consequence is tremendous, viz. happiness or misery, unspeakable, unchangeable, and eternal!!!-To one or other of these states, come when it will, death will certainly introduce you.-That you must die sometime you well know;-that you may die soon,

or die suddenly, you are equally convinced. But how or when you shall actually die,-whether early or late in life,-whether by a sudden stroke, or by lingering illness, you do NoT know.-What then is your wisdom? What your duty in such a case? It is this Think of your latter end."-" Acquaint yourself with God" through Jesus Christ your Redeemer." Be sober and watch unto prayer."

Redeem thy mis-spent moments past,
And live each day as if thy last ;
Thy talents to improve take care;
For the Great Day thyself prepare. `

A LANCASHIRE CURATE.

INDIAN KINDNESS.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor. SIR,

BEING an advocate for the abolition of slavery, and the subject having been lately discussed in Parliament, I send you an extract from the Morning Herald of May 19, 1823; to shew that an Indian is a reasonable being, as well as ourselves, and has some understanding; therefore ought not to be treated as a slave or like an animal, who is devoid of that faculty.

"A short time before the war between the English and the Indians in Pennyslvania broke out, an English gentleman, who lived on the borders of the province, was standing at his own door one evening, when an Indian came and desired a little food; he answered I have none for you. Upon his asking for a little small beer, he received the same answer. He desired a little water, but was bade 'get you gone for an Indian dog.' He then fixed his eyes for a moment on the Englishman and went away.

Some time after, this gentleman, who was very

fond of shooting, pursued his game till he was lost in the woods. After wandering awhile he saw an Indian hut, and made towards it to inquire his way to a certain plantation. The Indian said It is a great way off, and the sun is going down, you cannot reach it to night, but if you have a mind to lodge with me, you may.' The Englishman gladly accepted the invitation, and went in. The Indian boiled a little venison for him, mixed some rum and water, and spread some deer skins for him to lie upon,himself and another Indian lying at the opposite side of the hut. He called him in the morning, telling him the sun is up, and you have a good way to go to that plantation; but I will shew you the way. So the two Indians, taking their guns, walked before, and he followed after. When they had gone several miles, the Indian told him, now you are within two miles of that plantation.' He then stepped before him, and said, do you know me?' In great confusion he answered I have seen you.' The Indian replied, Yes, you have seen me at your own door : and I will give you a piece of advice;-when a poor Indian that is hungry and dry and faint, asks you again for a little meat or drink, don't bid him be gone for an Indian dog.' So saying he turned and went away." R. R.

AFRICAN SONG,

(By the late Duchess of Devonshire) shewing the Kindness of the African Negro Women to the Traveller, Mungo Park, in his Distresses.

I.

THE loud wind roar'd, the rain fell fast,
The white man yielded to the blast;
He came and sat beneath our tree,
For weary, sad, and faint was he.
And ah! no wife, no mother's care
For him the milk or corn prepare.

Chorus.

The white man shall our pity share,
Alas! no wife, nor mother's care,
The milk or corn for him prepare.

II.

The storm is o'er, the tempest past,
And mercy's voice has hush'd the blast.
The wind is heard in whispers low,
The white man far away must go,
But ever in his heart will bear
Remembrance of the Negro's care.

Chorus.

Go white man go, but with thee bear
The negro's wish, the negro's pray'r,
Remembrance of the negro's care.

THE FOOTMAN'S DIRECTORY, AND BUTLER'S REMEMBRANCER. (HATCHARD.)

A BOOK, with the above title, has just been published. It appears to be full of useful instructions for young men, in service, who are desirous of making themselves fully acquainted with their business. We may, perhaps, take an opportunity of laying some of these instructions before our readers, for we have many in servants halls and kitchens, as well as in cottages. One circumstance, which makes the above publication particularly valuable, is, that it is actually written by a real footman, who has been many years in that capacity, and who therefore knows the difficulties and perplexities of such situations, and the way to avoid them, much better than any person, without practical experience, could be expected to do. He seems, too, to have been a truly industrious and conscientious servant. The following heads of the subjects treated of, will shew the attention which he bestowed on his business, and will give the result of his pains and experience to others in the same situation, and furnish them with instructions well worthy of their notice.