After an interesting account of the baptism of a young Jewess, Mr. Pauli adds : "Three more children of Abraham will shortly be added to my little flock." DEATH OF A HEBREW GIRL. On the 19th of last month, died Charlotte Rachel Cowen, at the age of eleven, in the Hebrew Girls' school, under the care of the London Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews. Until a month or two before her death she had always the appearance of ruddy health; but disease suddenly made its appearance, which rapidly reduced her strength, and, notwithstanding the best medical advice and attentions, soon brought her to a state which afforded little or no hope of ultimate recovery. She lingered for several weeks, occasionally appearing better, but for the most part gradually growing worse. At first she was, as might be expected at her age, and whilst still able to walk about amongst her schoolfellows, quite incapable of realizing the thought of never getting better; and she seemed to be rather painfully surprised at the attention and anxiety which her case excited. She would say, "I shall soon be better." At length, however, she began to feel that she had the prospect of death before her, and as the awful subject was opened to her with that tenderness which her childhood and her feeble state alike required, she seemed gradually to become familiarized with the thought of approaching eternity, and to derive evident comfort from knowing that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, and that He had said, "Suffer little children to come unto me." This daughter of Abraham had already gained a knowledge of the Gospel of Christ in the school of the Society; she had been baptized and brought up as a member of Christ's fold, and it is the blessed privilege of that Institution to seek the lost and wandering lambs of the fold of Israel, and to bring them back to the Shepherd of Israel. For a few weeks before her death, there is reason to believe that prayer was her great support and consolation; and the prayers that were offered up at her bedside invariably seemed to calm and soothe her mind. She was truly thankful to be prayed with, and on one occasion within a few hours of her death, when those present knelt down to commend her to the care of her Heavenly Father, under the impression that she was not sufficiently sensible to know what was going on, she was roused by the wellknown sound of prayer, and feebly endeavoured to turn herself towards her minister, with signs of satisfaction and gratitude. She was sensible of the comforts which she enjoyed, and of the efforts which were made to alleviate her sufferings; and was thankful for the unremitting attentions of those around her. Her mother was permitted to visit her continually throughout her illness, and during the last few days to remain with her altogether. Her father was at sea, and has yet to know the loss of an affectionate child. For a few hours before her departure, she sunk into a lethargy scarcely distinguished from death itself; after it was supposed that she was gone, she suddenly roused herself, asked to have her parched lips moistened, said a word or two to her mother and those around her, and then quietly composing herself, died without a struggle, falling asleep in Jesus; having come to him as a little child, we have no doubt, but earnestly believe, that He did "favourably receive her. A few days afterwards, she was committed to the grave, followed by a few mourning relatives, and by a considerable number of her schoolfellows. To them, she, being dead, yet speaks. They know that her mind had been much impressed with the little hymn on the words, "Lord, remember me.” May such be their earnest prayer, and now that the tears are wiped away which they sincerely shed over their once beloved companion and play-fellow, may they never lose the more salutary impression of the nearness of eternity and of the necessity of constant preparation for it, even for children, through the grace and mercy of the Redeemer ! May not the death of this Hebrew Christian child be at once a warning and an encouragement to Gentile Christian children to seek God early through that Saviour to whom in baptism they were solemnly dedicated? May not this little narrative awaken a more lively concern for the house of Israel, and lead to the more earnest support of an Institution which, in seeking to bring the children of Israel to serve the Lord, is not content to say with Pharaoh of old, "Go now, ye that are men, and serve the Lord;" but adopts on their behalf the emphatic words of Moses, "We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters?" J. B. C. Palestine Place, London, June 20, 1845. FOLLOWING CHRIST. "Leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps."-1 PETER ii. 21. ON Syria's hills, untrodden now, Or deep within the lonely wild; Amid the pathless waves unseen, The footsteps of the Lord have been. His blessed steps to follow still, Where once had passed the Saviour's tread; Ah! 'tis not thus, O soul, that He, Would have his suppliants follow Him; To trace out steps now worn and dim. Wherever he has placed thy lot; That linger yet on Israel's shore; Those who possessed her gates of yore. Turns thither yet when life burns low? Macintosh, Printer, Great New-street, London. |
