me, knowing I had visited the dear boy before alluded to, and that I had written his memoir. Her father had been afflicted about seven years previous to her death, which so much injured his eyesight as to prevent him from following his occupation, which made their means very small, On my first visit to dear Jane, I found her sitting up and trying to do a little needlework; but her eyesight was so bad, even from childhood, that she could not learn at school, as she otherwise would have done, therefore she could read but very little, which was a great discomfort to her, especially after a change had been wrought in her soul. I sought to speak to her in a very solemn manner about her soul, though I cannot now recollect exactly the words I then uttered. When I spoke to her of her condition, she began to weep. I told her of her state by nature, and the way of salvation-that Christ was the only way to God. I was very plain with her, for I could see no change of heart then. Her mother was in the room all the while. The good seed was sown, and the Lord was pleased to bless it. And, oh, what a change was wrought in her precious soul. I never visit a case without asking the Lord's blessing, and He was pleased, in this case, to hear my prayer and grant my request. She was a modest young person, and very retiring in her manners. I left her with a promise I would come again. I little thought such a blessed result would so soon follow this visit. Indeed, I did not fully know the result till after her death. Jane told me, some little time previous to her departure, how dreadful were her feelings that day after I left. Her mother told me, the day after her death, her feelings of horror were indescribable. I visited dear Jane every week from this time (excepting one, when I was ill and could not go), and sometimes twice a week, till the day of her death, rather more than four months. The next week I found her downstairs; took her some little nourishing things I thought she would like. She especially enjoyed anything cold to her parched mouth. This time she appeared more calm; but it was about three weeks before she became truly happy. On the first of April I saw her again, she said to me, "I do not feel I am saved, but must go on praying." I warned her against looking to herself, or trusting to anything she could do for salvation. On the third of April, she told me her sins were forgiven. She now began to be very happy. I think, from this time till the day of her departure, I never heard her express a doubt of her safety. Her faith was simple, but strong. After spending some time with her in reading, prayer, and spiritual conversation, I said, Have I tired you?" She replied, "No, I could bear you here all night." Oh, what a relish had this dear girl for divine things. She ate the word. Her mother told me that she heard her praying in a most earnest way, at midnight, and told her husband of it. After visiting her for about five weeks, I thought it advisable to put her on the sick society in connection with Arthur Street Chapel, Camberwell. She required much nourishment. Mr. W. commenced his visits on April 5, and continued them for two months. He was very pleased with what she said to him; he considered there had been a change wrought in her from the time he first saw her. Yes, I believe there was a change wrought_upon her soul from the first time I saw her. I was anxious to have the opinion of others as well as my own with regard to her conversion. Many Christian friends saw her, and conversed with 66 her concerning spiritual things; though she was one of few words, being shy, not one doubted of her safety. On April 8, she told me she was happy; speaking of her memory being bad, she But I do not forget looked in my face, and said, Jesus." I said to her, "If it were the Lord's will, which would you prefer to live or to die?" She replied, "If it were the Lord's will, I would rather die; for this world is a world of wickedness and trouble." Her mother told me her daughter had been singing some of the hymns she had learnt at school. Jane said, "I have been thinking of and sometimes, when what you said to me; alone in the night, she would be praying. And now, dear girl, she began to think about the salvation of others. She had been talking to her father about his soul, and had expressed to me regret at the thought of dying, and leaving her family behind. To-day I saw her father, and spoke to him on the subject of religion. Oh, may the Lord be pleased to humble him, and change his heart. (To be continued.) BIBLE SUBJECTS FOR EACH 7. April 4. Find texts to prove that God is holy. 8. April 11. Find texts to prove that God is just. 9. April 18. Find texts to prove that God is true. 10. April 25. Find texts to prove that God is unchangeable. *We regret that by a strange oversight the above was omitted in the March number. It is quite our intention (D.V.) to continue these subjects. HISTORY OF THE JEWS. FROM NEHEMIAH TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. CHAPTER XIV. WE concluded our last chapter with some account of Herod; following his reign, we have yet to add he made a proposition to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem (year of world 3985), which he carried out with great energy, preparing and collecting all the materials for the purpose before it was commenced, so that it took but a year and a half to construct the main portion of it; the remaining parts of the building were completed in eight years more, when it was solemnly dedicated to God. Though the grand design was executed according to the plan proposed, within the above period, yet it was continually receiving some additions, either to the outworks belonging to it, or the decorations with which it was ornamented, down to the time of the Saviour's public ministry. Hence it is said (John ii. 20), "Forty and six years was this temple in building." After this many quarrels arose in Herod's family; the court became a scene of intrigue, one plotting against the other. At length Antipater persuaded his father that Alexander and Aristobulus had conspired to take away his life. This was not proved, yet they were both executed. We are now, in the course of our history, arrived at the period when our blessed Lord made his appearance in the world; the Roman empire, under Augustus, being in the height of its glory, and that of the Jewish state and true religion almost at the lowest ebb (year of the world 4000). The birth of this glorious Babe was noticed only by a few of the godly who waited for the coming of the Messiah. F When the wise men went to inquire where He was to be found who was born King of the Jews. Herod immediately ordered search to be made in the sacred records, by which it appeared that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem; he sent them thither, charging them, when they had found the young child, to return to him, that he might come and worship him. This he did in subtlety, intending to slay the infant; but the wise men were warned of God not to return to Herod, but to go home another way. When Herod found they did not return, he determined to execute the diabolical plan he had conceived, which was nothing less than to murder all the male infants of the town, that were under two years of age, in order that the child Jesus How vain might perish in the general massacre. it is for man to think of defeating the purposes of God! Joseph and Mary, under divine direction, took the young child and went into Egypt, by which means they escaped the rage of Herod. Not long after, the Almighty inflicted signal punishment upon this monster of cruelty, smiting him with a distemper the most loathsome and tormenting that can be imagined. At the same time, his subjects, whose hearts had been alienated by the atrociousness of his conduct, embraced the opportunity of discovering their indignation. Some persons in the city, having heard a report of his death, which proved premature, pulled down the large golden eagle which he had profanely set up on the portal of the temple. This being done in a tumultuous manner, the soldiers were called out, and many spectators were slain; others were apprehended, and suffered the most cruel of deaths. His disease increasing, Herod sent for physicians from all places, but they could not help him; so, |
