his eye as he looked up to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in humble consecration. The trembling accents of the reverend man, and earnest, confiding look of the youthful parents, the sudden stillness of the hushed choir, and solemn interest of the audience, altogether rendered it a scene of uncommon solemnity; and that which had often appeared a mere ceremony now seemed crowded with thrilling associations, full of happy, holy confidence, which was not in the least diminished by the pealing anthem which burst on the ear at that silent moment-" And he shall sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean." Though no baptismal water can cleanse the soul, yet, should that lovely infant be called away in early life, that simple consecration must be remembered by all who witnessed it, with grateful pleasure.

A. B.

Original.

ONLY FOUR YEARS!

WHY is our village shrouded in sadness, and the moistened eye reveals the general sympathy, as the mothers press their little ones more closely to their bosoms? Sarah-the lovely and beautiful one-is no more! It was only the last Sabbath that we saw her with sparkling eyes and rosy check -her dimpled hand in her mother's-sitting with the infant children in the Sabbath school, listening with fixed attention to the address of the speaker, which she carefully remembered and repeated to her father as she sat on his knee that evening. Who would have thought, on entering that group of children, that Sarah King would be the first selected by the angel of death? That round and perfect form and nimble step, with the bright and animated expression which won more sweetly the admiration of all, than even the luxuriant ringlets which so richly graced the brow of the gifted child, spoke not of death-they gave no warning of the fear

ful havoc so speedily made by the relentless destroyer-but of continued freshness, and vigor, and health, and life, and happiness. It was but the work of a moment-the commissioned messenger but touched the beautiful fabric and it fell in ruins. Ah! who could look upon that withered rose-on those features agonized in death, unmoved?

To-day we have laid her away in the grave by the side of her little brother-and her parents are childless. Many were the little ones who wept around the lifeless form-for all loved Sarah.

But do no beams of hope penetrate the deep desolation of that lonely dwelling? Do those parents resign themselves to despair, as they look upon the dwellings around, and behold the clusters of six, eight, or ten blooming ones, while their own arms are stripped of the only one, whose bird-like notes delighted their ear with her soft music? Do they murmur at that hand which has taken this bud of beauty in a moment? Is it hard to think she could stay but only a little more than four years with them?

Four years! a short period truly for such a blessing-but let us look at it now that the thin veil becomes more clear, and through its transparency we may see by the light of heaven what four years may be worth.

Was it an idle ceremony when that little one was placed in its mother's bosom, that upon the altar of her grateful heart she consecrated it to Jesus-an unmeaning rite, when, at the baptismal font, it was publicly committed, for life or death, to His safe keeping, relying with strong confidence on the efficacy of His atoning blood to cleanse it from all sin, to lead its heart by gentle influences to Himself? Was it a vain and useless toil to teach its young affections to cling around the name of Him who loved little children-to imbue its mind with the simple truths of the Bible, and enrich it with that knowledge it was destined so early to need-to acquaint it with God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, with angels and eternity? Was it lost time to lead it directly to the throne, and teach her how to pray, who was so soon to

learn the notes of praise? Are the few short hours now regretted, which were spent in mutual consultation and prayer for aid in fitting that young spirit for her dreadful conflict and final home?

In all the past brief history of these four years, that first dedication and public renewal, the morning and evening prayer, the hymn of praise, the oft-repeated instructions, like sunbeams of light, shall visit the bereaved hearts of those afflicted parents; the remembrance of her beauty and love may die away, but not the dying accents, "I go to heaven. Will you, dear mother-dear father, go with me there?" Such are the remembrances which, like golden links let down from heaven, fasten the heart more firmly to the throne of God. They cheer us who are yet in the toil and heat of the day in our work of love. Four years may not be allotted to us to rear the tender plants; but let us do the work of this. day, this hour, this moment, with increased diligence, in memory of little Sarah.

Rochester, Mass.

AN IMPORTANT SENTIMENT FOR PARENTS.

THE ordination of Providence, says a distinguished writer, is that HOME should form our character. The first object of parents should be to make home interesting. It is a bad sign whenever children have to wander from the parental roof for amusement. Provide pleasure for them around their own fireside, and among themselves. The excellent Leigh Richmond pursued this plan-had a museum in the house, and exerted every nerve to interest his little flock. love of home is one of the greatest safeguards in the world to man. Do you ever see men, who delight in their own firesides, lolling about taverns and oyster-cellars! Implant this sentiment early in a child; it is a mighty preservative against vice.

A

'cry.

Original.

THE BIBLE THE BEST CORRECTIVE.

THE first seven years of life are far more important than parents are aware of. In them are sown the seeds of all that is good and amiable in character, or all, that is evil. The most effective corrector, even at this early period, is the Bible. While yet too young to read its blessed precepts, the child may be taught to repeat, and even to apply texts of Scripture; for the preceptive portions are easily understood. The writer is acquainted with a little girl, not quite four years old, who had been nourished, in this way, on the bread of life, and was desired by her mother to put off her new apron, and put on an old one; this she refused to do, and began to A friend, who witnessed the scene, solemnly said, "The eye that mocketh at his father, and refuseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick out his eyes, and the young eagles eat them." The first six words had not been repeated before she untied the apron, and quietly suffered the other to be tied on. This text she had been ́made to memorise, and no sooner was she reminded of it, than it had its desired effect. In many other instances the child was induced to do that which was right, and to avoid that which was sinful, by simply applying the word of God. She was never known to lie or steal, or play in church, because she had been taught those portions of the Word of God that plainly forbid those sins. I never knew a child who seemed so to fear God, or have a clearer understanding of the nature of sin. When she did wrong, it was sufficient to tell her it was sinful. This example is an illustration of the following passage in Isaiah," Whom shall he teach knowledge, and whom shall he make understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little."

Children are usually taught hymns-and no objections

can be made to this custom. From the hymns of Dr. Watts for children much good may be done and has been; but, as children are not deep thinkers, and may fail in applying them as a rule of practice-as far as my observation goes, I must hold to my position-the most effectual antidote is an early acquaintance with the Word of God. In appropriating preceptive texts of Scripture, there can be no failure-it will not return void. A precept from the Word of God must be more authoritative than that taught in a hymn-one is from God, the other from man. The command of God to his people Israel, relative to this subject, is imperative—“ Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord thy God commanded to teach you, that you might do them in the land, whither ye go to possess it: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up and it shall be our righteousness if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our

God, as he has commanded us." We may learn from this passage what God requires of parents, and the promises made to those who comply. The following incident is not irrelevant to the subject now presented to maternal attention.

A very faithful, but rather injudicious, mother was once conversing with her children on the subject of religion, and as usual was too lengthy. When she had concluded her lecture, one of the little girls observed to her," Mother, you do not teach us as the Bible says." "How so, my child?" "Why, that says, 'here a little, and there a little'-but you give it us all at once." And who would or could dispute the point with the discerning child? Yes, mothers, 'tis the Bible plan, the wisest and the best. Yes, the Word of God must be your text-book. It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, and for instruction, not only in righteousness, but in knowledge, behavior, and for everything needful, for time and for eter nity. Its brevity is the peculiar charm-and it is pre-emi nently what children most love. T. A. W.

Charleston, 1844.