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The human science of geography, for example, should but lead us, if we can allow it to precede at all, to the contemplation of the metes and boundaries of that glorious empire which lies beyond the limits of earth. The science of human learning should but conduct us to that divine knowledge which aspires to a heavenly inheritance. The mechanical sciences should but teach us how to construct a moral lever that should open the gates of heaven to our aspiring faith. While, lastly, the noble science of astronomy, which contemplates but the portals of the heavenly Jerusalem, should but direct us how we may enter that magnificent temple of the great Jehovah, whose vestibule, so resplendent with light and beauty, presents such a sublime approach to the divine sanctuary, where "God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away."*

* Rev. xxi. 4.

CHAPTER V.

AT the period when this chapter opens, the happy domestic circle at Derwent Cottage were thrown into deep affliction by the death of Mr. Gracelove's sister, whose residence had been in one of the adjoining counties. She was a lady whose sincere piety, and exemplary fulfilment of the responsible duties of a Christian mother, in the tender care, and love, and education of her children,—had greatly endeared her to her family. They could not but truly mourn, for themselves, the loss they had experienced; while, at the same time, they could spiritually rejoice in the infinite gain which was now her happy portion. She had" fought a good fight;" she had "finished her course;" she had "kept the faith." Thenceforth there was laid up for her "a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give her at that day.”*

If anything could mitigate the grief of the survivors for their dear departed relative, and pluck the sting from death, it was the perfect peace, the unclouded serenity of mind, the more than submission to the will of her heavenly Father, with which she breathed forth her spirit into his hands. Full of the faith of the apostle, she had "a desire to depart, and to be with Christ." To her, indeed, " to live was Christ, and to die was gain."+

*

2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.

+ Phil. i. 21-23.

"How bless'd the righteous when she dies!
When sinks a weary soul to rest,

How mildly beam the closing eyes,

How gently heaves the' expiring breast!

So fades a summer-cloud away,

So sinks the gale when storms are o'er,

So gently shuts the eye of day,

So dies a wave along the shore.

A holy quiet reigns around,

A calm which life nor death destroys ;
Nothing disturbs that peace profound,
Which her unfetter'd soul enjoys.

Farewell, conflicting hopes and fears,
Where lights and shades alternate dwell;
How bright the' unchanging morn appears :
Farewell, inconstant world, farewell!

Life's duty done, as sinks the clay,

Light from its load the spirit flies;

While heaven and earth combine to say,

'How bless'd the righteous when she dies !' ”*

Mr. and Mrs. Gracelove had just returned home, after paying the last mournful rites to their lamented relative; on which melancholy occasion they had been accompanied by the youthful Laura. It was the first time she had witnessed the solemnities of a death-bed scene; and which, as might well be supposed, had called forth all the sensibilities of her young and tender heart.

Overflowing, nevertheless, as were her emotions, she felt not the slightest influence of terror, which, in one of so juvenile an age, naturally possesses and startles the imagination, on first beholding the stern tyrant of the human race. The happy

* Mrs. Barbauld.

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truth was, there was such a heavenly calm, such a holy tranquillity and resignation suffused around that redeemed spirit, just ready to depart and be with Christ," that there was no place for terror. The only other sentiment, mingled with the grief of all who had assembled around that dying bed, was that of praise and adoration. They praised the loving-kindness of God in thus sustaining his expiring servant; they adored Him for the beneficent tokens of his grace in thus accepting her at the hands of her redeeming Lord.

"What a sad, sad feeling oppresses the heart," said the weeping Laura to her mamma, on the morning after their return home," when we take a long, last leave of one we have so much loved, and whom we shall see no more for ever!"

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"Say not for ever,' my beloved child," replied her parent. "The separation is but an earthly one. Thanks be to Him who hath triumphed over death and the grave! we shall meet again where sorrow and parting are not known; when the veil of mortality shall be drawn aside, and reveal the glories of eternity. Yes! we shall meet again! where the fondly-cherished daughter of her who is now no more, and who was separated from her, in her last moments, under such touching circumstances, shall see her loved face again in the mansions of the blessed."

"It was, indeed, a touching circumstance, my dear mamma," said Laura. "How truly affecting it was, that while my beloved aunt was breathing forth her spirit unto God who gave it,' in the chamber of death, her daughter should be giving birth -in tears of anguish for her departing mother-to an heir of immortality, in the very chamber adjoining. Thus the departing saint could neither see nor know the precious little being -ushered into life amid such thrilling emotions, and whom it would have delighted her so much to behold-though drawing its first infant breath within a few yards of her dying couch."

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And yet," rejoined Mrs. Gracelove," what a dispensation of mercy was here exhibited! God took the parent, and left the child in her place! And think what a spiritual joy shall pervade their souls hereafter, in the kingdom of heaven, when that dear child shall be presented to her who is "not lostbut gone before.”

"I cannot but feel," observed the sympathizing and affectionate Laura, "that much as we grieve for ourselves, we have nothing to lament for her who is now no more."

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Nothing whatever," responded the pious guardian of her youth. Every dispensation of God, however painful, is a mercy towards those who are found in Christ. Remember, my dear child, what is written of those who die in the Lord:

The righteous is taken away from the evil to come."* Remember, also, the consolation that is afforded to the mourning survivors, as it was to the bereaved king of Israel, each of whom can say in the faith of the Saviour,' I shall go to her, but she shall not return to me,'t-each of whom may say, as I doubt not every one that stood around that dying bed did say, in the silence of the heart, at that solemn scene, and as I myself most emphatically say at this moment, 'Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like hers.' No, my child, there is nothing to lament but for ourselves. My valued sister had finished her course.' She had seen her children happily settled in life, whom she had brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;' and those children now rise up and call her blessed.' What more was wanting? What more could surviving hearts wish for? when her last happy prayer was that of the just and devout Simeon, waiting for the consolation of Israel-" Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. "S

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* Isa. lvii. 1.

† 2 Sam. xii. 23.

Numb. xxiii. 10.

§ Luke ii. 29, 30.

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