sumptuously as he swallows the baneful draught, which, if it did not excite, stupify, and brutalize, would be spurned as of little worth. I will borrow the sweet and endearing language of the beloved disciple whose pen was guided and whose heart was prompted by God the Holy Ghost to write to believers these endearing terms and needful cautions: "I write unto you, little children, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and He is the propitiation for our sins" (1 John ii. 1, 2).

I would remind all the readers of the LITTLE GLEANER of the good old proverb, "Do not play with edged tools if you do not wish to be hurt.' If your wee brother or sister who is scarcely able to walk caught up a sharp penknife, would you not be alarmed until, by coaxing, you could induce the baby fingers to restore it to you ere it cut itself? Beware of the beginnings of wilful sin; for "He that breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him." But do not forget, dear children, that through the fall all are bitten with the killing serpent of sin, and that there is but one remedy. Oh, may you be favoured in early life to know the healing power of God's great remedy! "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." You must perish if you die without faith in Jesus. You cannot perish if you are brought truly to be “looking unto Jesus."

THE DOCTOR.

Nottingham Terrace, Regent's Park, N.W.

Christ is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.-Flavel.

THE RAGGED BOY.

DON'T be ashamed, my lad, if you have ragged clothes, if it is not your fault that you have no better. Don't be ashamed of patches at your knees and elbows; they are no marks of disgrace, but rather speak well of a striving and anxious mother. Every good man would rather see a dozen patches on your jacket than hear one bad word come out of your mouth. No right-minded boy will laugh at your appearance; and, if bad boys do so, say nothing, but walk on, and watch for a chance of getting an honest job.

Many a well-to-do man was once as poor as you are; and some who now ride in their own carriages were, in their young days, so poor that they were glad to earn a penny by holding a gentleman's horse in the street, or carrying a bag from the railway station.

Be honest, my boy, and if you are poor and honest you will have more respect from all good people than if you were the son of a rich man, but given to bad and wicked ways.

MEMOIR

OF

JABEZ TOWNSHEND MOUNTFORT, WHO DIED AT WALSALL, FEBRUARY 28, 1864, AGED 19. ABOUT two years before his death he was laid up with a rather severe cold and cough, and showed symptoms of consumption. During this illness his mind became much exercised. The fear of death took hold of him, and from that time he became the subject of much mental grief. At times

he strove much to conceal it, but it was observed by his parents, and we were more disposed to watch and pray for him than force him into a professsion before there was some good ground for it.

He was naturally thoughtful and fond of reading, and had made considerable progress in learning. He had a retentive memory, which has often surprised me, was modest and retiring in his habits, and amiable and generous in his disposition.

He had always attended the means of grace with the family on Lord's-days, and now began to feel much, at times, what he heard. Returning from the services, he would retire to his room, where he could be alone and avoid observation. He also attended our prayer meetings and weekly services, Monday and Wednesday, and continued to do so as long as he was able.

It was observed that he began to confine his reading to the Bible, and was seldom seen with any other book. He would be in his bedroom with his Bible till past midnight before going to rest, which was a trouble to us, knowing the injurious effect it must have upon his delicate health. His one desire appeared to be, to be made what he believed his father was; and I believe the desire and prayer of his soul were expressed by Ruth (i, 16): "Intreat me not to leave thee, nor to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

It was about six months before he made an effort to speak to me of his state. One night, before going to bed, he tried to tell me what a great sinner he was, as he was afraid I did not

know the worst of him, fearing I might form my judgment of him, without knowing the whole truth, be deceived, and confessed some things said and done by him; but his emotion was such he could hardly speak, and he wept much while attempting to relieve himself by utterance, nor could I refrain. His seeking the mercy of God

much affected me. he was made to

He wished me to know what feel as a sinner, and then tell him if I thought such were saved and went to heaven. I endeavoured to speak truthfully to him and encourage him by saying I hoped it was of the Lord, who first makes us sensible sinners, then calls us to repentance, and gives us faith in Jesus Christ; and I trusted the Lord was making him seek his salvation by grace.

Almost his whole concern was the salvation of his soul; for his body he had comparatively little thought.

Twelve months before he died, a vessel of the right lung gave way, and he brought up a quantity of blood. The night in which this occurred is a memorable one. I cannot forget his trembling and fear, nor my own pangs. I hope I knew what it was to wrestle, weep, and pray. Oh, what hold I was helped to take of these words: "Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." The Lord graciously comforted and supported me with the promise, and I believed it would be well. Also the words, Said I not unto thee, If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God ?" with others, kept returning again and again. Oh, how sweet is God's word in affliction !

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The doctor said he might rally for a time, but he would not be a long liver. It pleased the Lord to bless the means used so far partially to restore

him as to enable him to go out for a change of air.

In the summer he went to Dadlington, in Leicestershire, to some kind friends at a farmhouse, for a few weeks, where he seemed to improve a little, and much enjoyed the visit; at this time he seemed to have been favoured in his soul, and somewhat relieved from his slavish fears, as he afterwards said he had peace and love while there.

Although somewhat better when he came home, his weakness was great. He was anxious to be with us at our meetings, and he seemed to receive the word with power at times. He had a great love to the Lord's people, and liked to be in their company and hear their conversation; and it gave him great pleasure to contribute, by any means, to the relief of the poor. I was once sending a small sum in aid of the Aged Pilgrims, and sent him for a post-office order, and be put what pocketmoney he had to it, without naming it to me.

The latter end of the following winter his disease seemed to increase, though neither the doctor nor I thought his end was so near.

About a fortnight before his death, when his mother took up his breakfast, he said, "Mother, I have been thinking of the signification of my name. I think I was rightly named for (1 Chron. iv. 9), you have had a great deal of sorrow and trouble with me." She said, "Ah! and your short life hitherto has been, for the most part, sorrow, trouble, and affliction." Looking earnestly, he replied, "But I am afraid I have never been afflicted enough, in a right way." She said, "It is better to have that fear than be without it." He quietly responded, "Perhaps so."

Some time afterwards he asked her to read part of Psalm cxix. "I will show you where to begin,"