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Immediately after my dear husband's death, Walter | fore her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth,' became alarmingly ill; and about two months later, while he was still in imminent danger, John received a severe blow on the back part of the head, from a fall on the stone lobby, and shortly after another on the forehead, from a similar cause. Alarming symptoms in the head shortly after appeared, which were subdued by the prompt and judicious application of suitable remedies; his constitution, however, had received a severe shock, and at that time I believe was laid the foundation of the accumulated sufferings which so severely tried his faith and patience. An abscess on the forehead soon made its appearance, which was speedily followed by one on the back part of the head, and many others on various parts of the body,-blisters, caustic, and other painful remedies were applied, which he endured with the most exemplary fortitude.

upon which she had such an overwhelming view of the Saviour's sufferings, that her own appeared inconceivably light, and she endured the laying open of her hand with a degree of fortitude which astonished all who saw her.

From the lengthened domestic affliction which preceded his illness, my time had been so much occupied, that I had only been able to teach him the alphabet; in | a very short time, however, he, by diligent application, taught himself entirely, without assistance, to read the Scriptures, in which he took great delight.

Besides many beautiful hymns which he received from his kind Christian medical attendant, he selected and learned a variety of others, from different books, especially the Child's Companion.' At six years of age he composed the following verses, which, however small their poetical merit, breathe such a Christian spirit, that I think it would be improper to suppress them:

We look not in this wilderness
For happiness, but woe;
And from the world without a tear,
To heavenly bliss we go.

O! think upon your change to come,
That lovely dwelling-place;
And think on Zion's happy home,

And run the Christian race.

If God should take you up to heaven,
And if your sins should be forgiven;
Then though your bodies mould'ring lie,
Your souls shall live with Him on high.

This circumstance I repeated to John, and added a few remarks. He listened with the deepest attention, and immediately dried up his tears; and so soon as the doctor entered the room, he laid himself quietly across my arms, and not only submitted to the puncturing of the abscess, but lay without shrinking till the last drop of matter was pressed out; an operation which, though it was performed with the utmost tenderness, occupied a considerable time, and must have occasioned much suffering.

From this period my dear child's illness continued to increase, and an abscess under the knee-joint shortly afterwards rendered him quite lame; for some months, however, he was able to go out daily in a little carriage, till his debility became so excessive, and his suffering from an affection of the spine so great, that he could not sit upright, or bear any motion whatever.

During all this period he occasionally amused himself by drawing a little; his time, however, was chiefly employed in reading, or hearing others read; and during the long summer mornings, when from bodily anguish he could not lie in bed, he would frequently, as early as four o'clock, request me to lift him into a sofa near the window, when, occupied with his Bible or hymn-book, he would appear to forget his sufferings.

But although he spoke with singular intelligence and feeling on religious subjects, he always shrunk from speaking of his own views and prospects; and more than once, when I tried gently to lead him to the subject, he became so much agitated that I was obliged to desist.

Being at length convinced that the Lord did not design to bless the means used for his recovery, my petitions were turned into entreaties that I might be enabled to resign him; that, if consistent with the will of God, I might have the comfort of hearing from his own lips, that his heart was firmly stayed on his Redeemer; and that his passage might be quiet and easy. In all these particulars, blessed be God! my prayers were more than answered.

A circumstance occurs to my recollection, which bears pleasing testimony that the uncommon patience with which John endured his lengthened sufferings, proceeded from something more than mere strength of mind. In the summer of 1834, Dr H. thought it necessary that a very large abscess in the back should be opened; my poor child had, however, already suffered so much from similar operations, that I knew not how My beloved child's rapidly increasing sufferings, to mention it, and for a time thought it should be done though endured with what I must call the most unwhile the doctor was examining the back, without giv-shaken Christian fortitude, were so heart.rending to ing John any previous notice. After Dr H. was in the house, however, it occurred to me that this was a species of deception; I, therefore, as cautiously as I could, made the necessary communication-my poor boy was much overcome, and wept bitterly.

When a little girl, I had read in the Christian Monitor a memoir of Janet Ramsay, a circumstance in whose life was at this moment providentially brought to my recollection. It was as follows: When in the infirmary, on account of a severe bruise on the hand, for which an operation was deemed necessary, she felt her mind exceedingly overwhelmed by the prospect of what she was to suffer; but in passing from the ward into the room where the operation was to be performed, the words were forcibly impressed on her mind, "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep be

witness, that I almost longed for the time when he should be set at liberty; and thus was my first petition answered.

With regard to the second, when I had almost begun to despair, and endeavoured to rest satisfied with the beautiful evidences I daily witnessed of his having received a new heart, and a right spirit-exactly three weeks before his death, my utmost wishes were fulfilled.

I had been in the habit of praying and conversing with John, after the other children had gone to rest; s season he seemed peculiarly to prize, often reminding me of it, and after prayer, saying, "Now, mamma, let us have some conversation." On the evening alluded to, immediately after the doctor's visit, he said, "Mamma, could you conveniently pray with me now, lest I

get drowsy?" On my assuring him that it would afford me much pleasure to do so, he put his little wasted hand into mine, and fixed his eyes with much earnestness on my face; when the idea was immediately suggested to me, "it may be that God has heard my prayers, and this dear child may now be more communicative than he has hitherto been."

I sat down by him, and endeavoured gently to draw him into conversation, regarding his hopes and feelings in the near prospect of death; when the following short but satisfactory answers were given, to several of the questions I put. After pointing out to him some of the mercies which were mingled with his affliction, I said, "Do you not love the gracious God, who, besides sending his Son to die for your sins, has granted you so many temporal blessings?" He answered, "O, yes." "Had you always the same love for Christ which you "No." "Who do you think implanted the now have? love of Christ in your heart?""God's Holy Spirit." "Have you any thing in which you can trust to recommend you to God?" "Nothing but the righteousness of Christ." "Do you not still feel yourself a sinner?" "Yes; and my sin is exceedingly hateful and burdensome to me." Tell me, my beloved child, what is it that makes sin so hateful to you; is it because God punishes sinners?" "No, it is not that so much, as because God hates sin." "Have you any other reasons?" "Yes; because it made Christ suffer." I now said, "You are aware my dear boy, that you and I must shortly part; have you no fear of death, nor any doubt of your eternal happiness?" He answered, "None." 64 Had you never any fear lest you might not be a child of God?" "O, yes." "At what time was that?" " Since my illness." And what, my darling, did you do when those fears oppressed your mind?" "I just prayed to God."

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Observing that he was greatly exhausted, I did not talk much more with him at this time, but obtained a promise, that in future, he would speak to me without reserve; I likewise had the satisfaction to learn, that he was fully aware of the near approach of death, of which he spoke with as much composure as of going to sleep; and that he felt himself privileged in being thus carly removed from a world of sin and suffering.

Subsequently, I had many delightful conversations with him. On one occasion, while speaking of the perfection of the Redeemer's character, I asked him whether he had ever experienced that feeling so common to childhood, and even to maturer age, as if the character of God the Father were more awful, and less lovely than that of God the Son. His answer was striking, "No, I cannot say I have ever experienced that feeling; how could I, when he sent his Son to die for me?" At another time, expecting he would name his beloved father, I said, "When you get to heaven, my darling, whom will you first wish to see?" He answered, "Christ."

About this time he composed and repeated to me the following incomplete verses, which he said he would finish and correct some day when he was able,—a period, however, which he did not live to see :

When Moses raised the serpent high,
The wounded looked, and all were healed;

They that refused to look did die,

And thus the Saviour was revealed,

When on the cross, uplifted high,

A sinful race to save.

Whene'er a guilty sinner turns
To seek his Father's grace,
The gracious God will not refuse,
He will not hide his face.

My dear boy's love of reading never forsook him. Till within three days of his death, although he had for some months been deprived of the sight of one eye, and from extreme debility, and the natural length of the eye-lashes, the other had become comparatively useless, he contrived, by holding it open with his finger and thumb, to read with apparent pleasure and profit. No. did his delight in prayer ever know any abatement.

Two nights before his death, he fell asleep earlier than usual, and, being much exhausted, I lay down be side him. Shortly after he awoke, and said, “You did not pray with me to-night, mamma." I answered, "I remembered you, my love, both in the family and in private." "But do, mamma," he replied, "just sit up a few minutes and pray with me; and, on his request being complied with, he bade me good night, and, with my hand clasped in his, quietly composed himself to sleep.

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His sufferings for two months previous had been unspeakably intense. The spine had become quite curved, and the whole back was covered with abscesses; the bones, too, being for many inches entirely bare, protruded frightfully through the flesh, exciting the most violent irritation and profuse discharge. Notwithstanding every precaution, the skin had also sloughed off both thigh joints, so that he could scarcely lie five minutes on one side; but, except the frequently repeated expression, "I am weary, weary," and the constant request, "O turn me, mamma," no complaint ever escaped his lips.

On the last evening which he spent on earth, after the other children were in bed, he pointed out two or three beautiful psalms and paraphrases, which he wished me to read; but immediately recollecting that I had been spitting a little blood, he added, “but not unless you are perfectly able." The reading being concluded, he made no remark; and on my asking him if he wished to join with me in prayer, he looked at me, but did not answer. I added, "If you wish me to pray with you, love, but are unable to say so, press my hand." The signal was immediately given, and he appeared to join in the exercise with his wonted fervour. After receiving his customary draught, he revived, and was able to converse a little; then addressing those of the family, who were present, by name, he bade each of them good night, and shortly after fell into a quiet slumber. About five o'clock in the morning, I observed that his breathing had acquired a slight moaning sound; and, on approaching him with a light, his eye was fixed on me with its usual calm, steady expression, but he could not swallow nor articulate. Shortly after I went to another part of the room, to procure some restorative to wet his lips. During my absence I observed that the moaning had ceased; and ere I could reach his bed-side he had closed his eyes, and fallen asleep in Jesus, so gently, that it was some time before we were aware that his spirit had indeed fled!

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THE

SCOTTISH CHRISTIAN HERALD,

CONDUCTED UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH.

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PERSONAL ADORNMENT VIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF CHRISTIANITY.
BY THE REV. ROBERT JAMIESON,
Minister of Currie, Mid-Lothian.

CHRISTIANITY does not require its disciples to | rit, which is in the sight of God of great price."
observe any singularities in their personal appear- 1 Pet. iii. 3, 4. The reason of these pointed
ance. Without interfering with the matter of exhortations of the apostles is to be sought for in
dress, it leaves them at liberty to have their habili- the habits of their contemporaries, who were uni-
ments made and worn in the ordinary fashion of versally noted for their grossly effeminate and
the time and place where they live, and all Chris- superstitious attention to personal ornament. The
tians, whether they are found in the high, the garments, both of Jews and Gentiles, were over-
middle, or the lower ranks, to equip themselves in loaded with devices and figures of embroidery,
a manner suitable to the decencies of the state or which were worn by all ranks, partly from the love
profession to which they belong. But against the of show, partly because they were wrought into
prevailing vice of studying excessive finery, the those shapes deemed most efficacious in resisting
sacred penmen of the Scriptures frequently enter the assaults of magic, and the influence of the evil
their protest; and, considering the moral influence eye. The one had their tunics richly fringed with
of such a luxurious taste in dress,-its tendency to scraps of Scripture in letters of gold, and the other
foster vanity, and lead the wearer to forget, in had theirs decorated with various emblems of their
attending to the outward man, the ornaments of worship, which with both classes were used for
moral and spiritual excellence, they condemn all the double purpose of amulets to protect them
elaborate decoration of the person as unbecoming from danger, and of ornaments to gratify an in-
the humility of the Christian character, and recom- satiable appetite for splendour and extravagance.
mend a style of clothing free from all approach to Besides, both the men and women were extrava-
gaudiness and pomp,-betraying no symptoms of a gantly fond of jewels, and carried their passion
luxurious or effeminate taste, and conspicuous only for these gewgaws to so great an excess, that the
for its neat, cleanly, and simple appearance. The interference of the State became occasionally ne-
two most remarkable passages that are to be found cessary to restrict the use of them. The most
in the New Testament, bearing on this subject, conspicuous in the list of personal ornaments
are by Paul; "Doth not even nature herself teach worn by the Greek and Roman ladies of those
you that if a man have long hair it is a shame un- days were ear-rings of gold,-sometimes a single
to him." 1 Cor. xi. 14. "That women adorn large one, sometimes two or three attached to one
themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness another, and hanging down on the shoulders ;-
and sobriety, not with broidered hair, or gold, or necklaces, set with gems, in three or four rows,
pearls, or costly array." 1 Tim. xi. 9. The writ- which were worn by men as well as women, and
ings of Peter contain an exhortation so strikingly so very precious in some instances, that an ancient
similar to this latter passage, that it may be pro- satirist accuses the fashionable belles of his day
per to subjoin it here, that it may be before the as bearing the value of whole forests and estates
eye of the reader while he is perusing this illus- on their necks. The rage for this species of or-
tration.
"Whose adorning, let it not be that out-nament was so strong and universal, that women
ward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing in the middle ranks of life would have made the
of gold, or putting on of apparel; but let it be the greatest sacrifices of personal and domestic con-
hidden man of the heart, in that which is not cor- venience, rather than have allowed themselves, their
ruptible, the ornament of a meek and quiet spi- husbands, or their daughters, to appear without the
No. 16. APRIL 20, 1839.-1d.]
[SECOND SERIES. VOL. I.

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The same observa- | well was this known to be a distinguished feature in the practice of the early followers of Jesus, that the first public tokens of a heathen's conversion to Christianity, were frequently given by the change on his outward man; and a criminal who once came to trial under the assumed character of a Christian, was shown, to the satisfaction of the judge, to have been an impostor, by the luxuriant and frizzled appearance of his hair.

Although the taste of modern times may not lead to those excesses of fantastic decorations which were the objects of female ambition in the days of Peter and Paul, the moral of the apostle's exhortation still points to a becoming simplicity of dress,-admonishing "the fairest of creation," not to expose their form, and minister to their vanity, by indecorous, gaudy, and sumptuous attire, and thereby sink the Christian in the woman; as those do of whom it is said, that

Together lie their Bible and their paint,
At once l'improve the sinner and the saint."

necessary mark of gentility. tion is applicable to finger-rings, which were of various forms and devices, and several of which were worn on every finger. In other parts of their dress they were no less luxurious and fond of display. The men studied all the arts of effeminacy by painting their beards, besmearing their clothes with fragrant perfumes, and covering their temples and shoulders with artificial curls, in imitation of women. The false locks of Caligula, which he fastened to his forehead whenever he appeared abroad or in full dress, are particularly mentioned by his biographer; and in the elaborate work of Meursius on the luxury of the Romans, he describes it as scarcely possible to distinguish, on the public streets, gentlemen from ladies, the faces of the unmanly sons of Romulus were so effeminately disguised by the attributes of the softer part of human kind. The embellishment of their headdress was the greatest pride of the Greek and Roman ladies. Wearing their hair universally of a great length, they bestowed infinite pains on its It is not unlikely, that there were some Christian arrangement. They had instruments for this pur-women in the immediate eye of the apostles, who pose, of various sizes and uses; and some of the busts and portraits that have come down from antiquity, display a degree of care, ingenuity, and skill, that would baffle," to use the words of an American writer, "the most accomplished hairdresser of Paris at the present day." The hair was disposed into the most elaborate and captivating forms, by plaiting or twisting. Wreaths, diadems, baskets of flowers, clusters of grapes, coronets, harps, violins, emblems of public temples, and conquered cities, were represented in mimic form by the art of the ancient hair-dresser. The conquest of Britain introduced a new element of beauty into the coiffure. The light auburn locks of the ancient British maidens excited the envy of the ladies of Greece and Italy, and the defects of nature in the dark colour of their own hair were anxiously supplied by strewing their heads with gold dust. Silver filings were used in a later age by those who could not afford the costlier metal. But the ladies in the days of Paul preferred to adorn their "broidered hair with gold."

Enough has been said for the purposes of this paper, without entering into any further detail of the various cosmetics anciently in use, and the ostentatious display they made of white and red paint.* It was against these meretricious ornaments, that the apostles cautioned the primitive believers; and we find many of the fathers also discharging the most vehement invectives against the same vice, which seems to have increased in the declining age of the empire. While they affected no peculiarities in the form and style of their clothing, they urged on their Christian brethren the propriety and obligation of showing the superior excellence of their principles and taste, by attiring themselves in a manner equally removed from the extremes of elaborate decoration and sordid negligence. So Some old people, in those days, resorted to the mean artifice

of concealing their age, by dyeing their gray hairs with black. This was alleged of Herod the Great.-Josephus' Antiq. xvi. 8,

had betrayed an anxiety to rival the pagan ladies in the richness of their garb, and who had attracted attention in the primitive Church by the elaborate. disposition and the dazzling splendour of their head-dress. To them the counsel of the apostles was intended to convey a timely reproof. But it is no less applicable to many of the sex in the present day, who set a value on the appearance and state of their apparel greater than seems becoming in women professing godliness. Some absent themselves from ordinances altogether, if they cannot obtain, or have not got ready a dress in the fashionable style of the day; some present themselves at church, attired in so gaudy and ostentatious a manner, as provokes the uncharitable suspicion that they repair to the house of Godless to worship than to be admired. And others entertain their family and their friends, on their return, with such minute details of the materials, the colour, the make, what is neat, or what sat awry in the dress of their fellow-worshippers, as shows that their eyes were not always directed towards the preacher, nor their attention exclusively given to the service. It is not possible, and it would not be wise, if it were possible, to prescribe any rules for regulating the habit of a sex to whom nature herself seems to have granted the privilege of artificial decoration. Nor does the spirit of the apostolic admonition lay Christian women under any restriction as to the use of "the gold, pearls, or costly array" that is becoming their rank, or suited to their circumstances. It only condemns any departure from sobriety which leads to prodigality and extravagance in expense, and fosters a disposition to study that immoderate care and display of the person which is not very consistent with attention to the higher duty of improving the state of the mind and the heart. The propriety of this limitation will be apparent to every one, and if the Christian principle of observing moderation in dress be extended to furniture, and every

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other branch of personal and household expenditure, the beneficial effects of following the precept would be discernible throughout the whole economy of life.

A CALL TO GRATITUDE.

BY THE REV. GEORGE BURNS, D.D., -
Minister of Tweedsmuir, Peebles-shire.

SELF-LOVE is one of the most powerful principles of
human conduct. Its influence is equally conspicuous
in the means which are employed to avert dangers
which threaten to disturb or annihilate our peace, to
alleviate the pressure of calamities with which we are
actually visited, and to increase the enjoyments of per-
sonal affluence and ease. Even benevolence itself, which
is certainly the most disinterested of all our feelings,
has been thought by some moralists not altogether free
from the influence of the selfish principles, because there
is a luxury in doing good to others which men may be
led to taste from a regard to their own individual en-
joyment. But, whatever truth there may be in such
speculations, certain it is, that fear has a more power-
ful influence on human conduct than gratitude. When
disease invades the frame, when adversity clouds the
domestic scene, and when a succession of calamities
combines to destroy the happiness of life, then we be-
gin to reflect, to recognise a providence, and to call
upon God. But when the scene comes to be changed,
when health is restored, and when prosperity surrounds
us with its smiles, then serious thought is banished,
impressions of a providence are effaced, and the Author
of our renewed enjoyments is forgotten. The same
features of deformity mark the face of nations. When
the designs of an inveterate foe have been signally
frustrated, when an expedition has been crowned with
success, and when victory has rested on the banners of
a nation, exultation becomes the general feeling, seasons
and modes of rejoicing are publicly countenanced and
enjoined. But how seldom is the providence of heaven
recognised! Human skill, military prowess, and a
combination of fortunate incidents are commonly as
signed as the causes of success. When, on the con-
trary, there has been a succession of public calamities,
when promising schemes have been thwarted, and when
a country has been threatened with all the horrors
which mark the career of an invading enemy, then men
begin to recognise the hand which seems to write their
doom.

This tendency to acknowledge God as the source of calamities and to neglect him as the author of blessings, bas always proclaimed the perversity and desperate wickedness of our hearts, and while human nature continues the same, we have reason to fear that it will thus be perpetually deformed. Of ten lepers that were cleansed, only one returned to give thanks to the generous author of their deliverance. Our mercies we record on the sea-shore, and the returning tide quickly effaces the perishable memorial. Calamity we engrave on the rock, and the inscription is preserved from age Whilst the pestilence was raging in all its deadly violence; whilst the hand of the destroying angel" was doing its appointed work, and our fellowmortals were falling by our side, on the right hand and

to age.

the left, I willingly admit that there was in almost
every class a seriousness of demeanour befitting the
awfulness of our situation, and how could it be other-
wise under such an appalling visitation. The mariner,
when the stormy ocean rages around him, when thunder
rolls, and lightnings flash, and death stares him in the
face, whatever may have been his former life, calls
upon God for mercy and deliverance. Bending his
knees before that God who was not in all his thoughts
when the scene was peaceful and serene, it may now
be said of him with perfect truth, and in the full
emphasis of its meaning, "Behold he prayeth." But
when the Lord rebukes the wind and the sea and there
is a great calm, then the tempest and the ruler of the
tempest are alike forgotten. And so it was in the case
of the deadly pestilence. The fearfulness which sur-
prised the hypocrite gave place to thoughtlessness and
inconsideration, as soon as it seemed to have spent its
violence ;-the God who sent it in his wrath, and re-
moved it in his mercy, was no longer regarded by
thousands who had quailed before the mysteriousness
of its way, and the mightiness of its force. Much as
the soil has been ploughed by the share of adversity,
has the proper harvest not been produced.
David says, "I will sing of mercy and of judgment,"
and his resolution should be ours. "Bless the Lord,
O my soul, and forget not all his benefits," was his
fervent expostulation, and its spirit, as well as lan-
guage, should be ours. For, is not ingratitude to God
as unreasonable as it is ungenerous? Every blessing,
even the most inconsiderable, is wholly unmerited on
our part, and evinces infinite condescension and love in
the great Benefactor. And when we reflect on the
number and magnitude of those favours which all of
us have received from God, how numerous and how
powerful must our obligations appear! Can you re-
fleet, reader, on the gifts of creation, the powers both
of body and mind with which you have been formed,
while others have been born to feebleness and disease,
or to the still greater misfortune, weakness and imper-
fection of mind? Can you reflect on the escapes which
preserving goodness has enabled you to make from
dangers unforeseen, and from diseases which have car,
ried others to their long home? And do you feel no
emotions of gratitude to the best of benefactors rising
in your breast? Behold that ghastly look-these
shivering limbs-that form which seems bending to
the dust, under a load of disease and sorrows,-and
ask yourself, Why is not his situation mine? Why
was not I born, like him, the victim of misfortune?
Why am not I, instead of him, exhibited to the world
a spectacle of disease and of wretchedness? Behold,
in yonder cell the companion of thy former days, sunk
in solitude and gloom; mark the eye which used to
beam intelligence, as it casts upon you the vacant
stare; observe the hands which used to earn the re-
wards of industry, or to perform deeds of enlightened
beneficence, now waving a straw as if they wielded a
sceptre; listen to that tongue which used to edify and
to delight, now muttering the language of incoherent
reproach, unmeaning applause, or disgusting profanity!
And while you contemplate the melancholy spectacle,
ask yourself, Why is not his situation mine? Why am
not I doomed to share in the same calamity? Ques-
tions like these, addressed by cach of us to himself,

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