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and evil habits; the habit of telling lies-and then by taking that which was not their own-by breaking the Sabbath-day-by keeping wicked company-and then they ran into sin of almost every kind. You may dread the road which they travelled with ease. They were afraid to sin at first, but afterwards they did sin; and one sin opened the door to admit another. Then Satan grew very busy with his temptations; they yielded by degrees until every means which was used for their salvation was treated with contempt. The loving tears of a mother fell plenteously for that wicked man, her heart-strings were strung to their utmost stretch, and perhaps it was that which sent her so swiftly to the grave. His life has been one of most degrading slavery, and if he turn not to God, his death will be horrifying in the extreme;-and he was once a child!

Dear children, do not follow such a man, but imitate the example of Christ,-live as he lived. Be Bible readers, then you will become Bible lovers; and if you love the Bible you will obey its commandments; if you do that you will please God, and if such be the case he will receive you into glory. E. W. STEPHENS.

Wallaroo, South Australia.

A SUDDEN DEATH!

WHAT a solemn sentence! what impressive words! How often we hear them; how soon forget them. In every city, town and village, are to be found families who have been suddenly bereaved of their loved ones. A brother, a sister, a father, or a mother, has been taken away at a stroke. Sometimes not a soul has been aware of what had happened, till wondering why the absent one was not in his accustomed place at the usual time, some one has entered a bed-room, and there, for ever silent in death, was seen the startling corpse. The sight, the feeling, defy description. The words "How sudden! What a sudden death!" pass through the neighbourhood. At another time, the countenance of a dear one has suddenly changed; the signs of death have been seen, and ere medical aid could be secured, the spirit was departed; life was extinct. In this case as in the other, men, women, and children are talking fluently over the sudden death, and the words "How sudden," are heard everywhere.

But how often has a husband in apparently perfect health, left his wife and family, and gone to his daily labour; and ere the day has closed, been brought to them

a stiffened corpse, no more to see them, no longer to comfort them. The wife and family are overwhelmed in grief; kind friends would render assistance, but what can they do? how can they repair the breach? the mainstay is gone, all is a blank; friends will soon forget them; the sudden death will soon be forgotten; hence, nought of earthly things can check the falling tear, or still the troubled mind.-Jesus alone

"Can comfort grant and needful aid.”

A sudden death occurred January 1st, 1863. A poor man, by name R. B., left his home, a wife and five children, on the morning of that day, to work on the railroad that is being constructed in this neighbourhood; during the day, the earth gave way, and pressing him against a truck, he was severely crushed. The doctor was sent for, but when he came he found the poor man could not recover. He was conveyed to Colchester in a wagon. Soon the report went through the town; the poor woman-the wife heard of it; the children caught the words, and such a scene presented itself, as is hardly ever witnessed; the woman, almost frantic, rushed to the spot, and notwithstanding the efforts of strong men succeeded in getting into the wagon that conveyed her husband's body; the people gathered round, and the whole neighbourhood was aroused at the unexpected occurrence. Kind friends sought to comfort the woman, but they could not pacify her, and notwithstanding all that was done for her, she continued unmanageable and "refused to be comforted."

How accidental, how sudden the death; how distressing a case. The family is in the greatest straits, scarcely anything in the house by way of furniture or clothing. I pray that friends may be raised up to help the fatherless and widow. The natural inquiry that may now be made by the reader is this: Was this man on the Lord's side ? Were his sins pardoned? Did he die in the faith, &c.? To these important questions I cannot give satisfactory an

swers.

Unconverted reader, I affectionately address you. You may be in the bloom of youth; strong, robust, healthy but what is your life?-a vapour. What is your condition? A sinner before God, a slave to Satan, an enemy to your own soul. How dangerous your state.

"He who spake a world from nought,
At once could crush you down.

Oh! consider the uncertainty of life.
of the future?

You go out in the

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What do you know morning, leave your

friends, you can't tell that you will see them again; you may not die as did the one of whom we have been speaking: but one of a thousand accidents may remove you; think of this, and for a moment consider the safety of the righteous. Had R. B. been a God-fearing man, how different the feelings of all men respecting him; the wicked at the sudden departure of the good man, are found extolling his character, and honouring his name; they believe it is well with the righteous. God's children are assured of it, they believe their Bibles; they feel, they know death to them is gain they have thrones to sit upon, mansions to occupy, crowns to wear, and the Redeemer's presence for ever and ever. Herce, with them ali is well. O, let me persuade you to prepare for death. Die you must; you know it; but you have a soul that is immortal, of infinite value. You have sinned against God; you can't save yourself; but Christ has died for you, God will save you for His sake. You are in danger; prepare immediately, no time is to be lost; flee to the cross, cling to it for pardon, there is pardon for you.

"Pardon for all flows from His side,
My Lord, my Love was crucified."

"The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin." Blest with pardon and purity, you need not fear a sudden death, for to you it would be sudden glory.

H. T.

"I lay my sins on Jesus,

THE SUBSTITUTE.

The spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all and frees us From the accursed load.

I bring my guilt to Jesus,

To wash my crimson stains White in His blood most precious,

Till not a spot remains.

I lay my wants on Jesus;
All fulness dwells in Him;
He heals all my diseases,

He doth my soul redeem.
I lay my griefs on Jesus,
My burdens and my cares;
Me from them all releases,
He all my sorrows shares.

I rest my soul on Jesus,
This weary soul of mine;
His right hand me embraces,
I on His breast recline.
I love the name of Jesus,

Immanuel, Christ, the Lord:
Like fragrance on the breezes,
His name abroad is poured.
I long to be like Jesus,
Meek, loving, lowly, mild.
I long to be like Jesus,

The Father's holy child.
I long to be with Jesus,

Amid the heavenly throng,
To sing with saints His praises,

To learn the angels' song."

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reading, hearing, and talking about heaven, and, though young, she had some forebodings of the near approach of death. It is remarkable that the day before she was attacked by her fatal illness, she gathered together all her school tickets, packed them carefully up, and deposited them where they were found after her death. She was taken off by a fever in a few days, during which she spoke of heaven and of her assurance of entering into it. "Mother," she said, "take hold of both my hands, and lead me home to Jesus and heaven." A few minutes before her death she took her parents by the hand, and bid them good bye, and seeing them weep, she requested them not to cry, and

ELIZABETH ANN KING RILEY, the daughter of Primitive Methodist parents at Harold-bridge, in the Wisbeach Circuit, who died Oct. 10th, 1862, in the seventh year of her age. She came forth like a flower and is cut down. This fair flower was a distinguished scholar in our Sabbathschool, and a subscriber to our Juvenile Magazine: she was dutiful to her parents and be loved by her teachers. Her faith in Christ, her love to God, and hope of heaven, were displayed in her conversation. Her heart was open to Divine instruction, and she delighted in the company of pious persons. She would often say to her mother in a whisper, "Ask the preacher to go home with us to tea." She took great delight in singing, then sang her favourite hymn

"Children, would not you all like to from the lips of his teachers.

go?"

After which her happy spirit calmly ascended to heaven, to be with Jesus whom she wished to see. For the benefit of the school her death was improved by Brother T. Oswin.

W. WARD.

They told him over and over again the sweet story of the cross, and he was interested; they explained the Scriptures, and he was edified; they made known to his youthful mind the truths which make wise unto salvation, and he rejoiced.

He went to the Sabbath-school as usual on Sunday, October 19th, 1862, and was noticed more than before for the marked attention and proper manner with which he conducted himself. On the day following, fever took hold of him, and for nineteen days successively he suffered the most excruciating pain, but he meekly and patiently bore it all. For the last fourteen days he was hardly able to take any food at all. He gradually sank, and became weaker and weaker; but though his body was sinking, his spirit was rising into the real life of blessedness.

WILLIAM NUTT, the subject of the following memoir, was born of humble, poor, but pious parents, at Wolverhampton, in the county of Stafford, February 21st, 1853. When very young he was sent by his parents to the Sabbath-school in connection with the Primitive Methodists of Swan Gardens. While under the kind influence and care of our teachers he manifested a thirst for knowledge, and was exceedingly attentive to his books so much so that in a very short time he made his way up from the lower to the higher classes, and soon succeeded in becoming a scholar of the Testament class, which was under the care of Brothers Samuel Stacey and David Eynon. While in that class, he was particularly noticed by his teachers for his inquiring mind and extraordidary attention. The happiest moments he spent in the class were those when, with upturned face, listening ear, and eager mind, he was drinking in the blessed information which fell overhearing the conversation,

Being visited by several of his friends and teachers, he earnestly wished and requested them to let their conversation be about heaven and Jesus. The last Sunday morning this lovely boy spent on earth, he spoke to the person attending him, and said, "Oh, how I should like to see Jesus and to see George" (referring to a younger brother who had departed this life about a fortnight before). His mother,

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