several could not refrain from weeping. The prize book awarded to her was called Food for Lambs. In this book she took the greatest interest, her dear mother informed me, particularly in the two following verses : "Around the throne of God in heaven Children whose sins are all forgiven, "On earth they sought their Saviour's grace, So now they see His blessed face, This book was quite her companion. She often remarked to her dear mother how she should like to be an angel. She was naturally a restless and impatient child; but, when taken suddenly ill with diphtheria, she manifested the greatest patience, nor did she express the least wish to get better. When asked by her mother if she would not like to get well, she replied that she would like to feel well (not to get well). A few days before she was taken ill she had a new pair of boots, when her mother remarked she hoped they would last her a long time, to which she replied, "Perhaps I shall die, mother, and then I shall not want any more"; and she did die about four days afterwards. I cannot do otherwise than trust she is with the Lord. If this account, with the following lines, is likely to prove useful to your young readers, you can insert them in the GLEANER, as the school children read it. THOUGHTS ON THE DEATH OF MARY JANE, FAREWELL, dear little maid, farewell, In glory now with Jesus dwell, Much lov'd by thy dear parents here, They each one drop the parting tear But thou art gather'd, tender lamb, In Paradise, at God's right hand, Thou dost no sin nor sorrow know, The Judge of all the earth does right; Doth walk with Jesus now. Yes, round the Throne of God above, Stands Mary Jane all wash'd in blood; 'Tis God who gives and takes away; In faith may we His will obey; T. E., Salem. RUTH PEIRCE. IN the report of the Wiltshire Archæological Society's Meeting, held at Chippenham, it is stated that the original inquisition on the body of Ruth to Witt. Peirce had been presented to the Society by Mr. Perry Keene. We have obtained a copy of this interesting document, and append it hereto :January 26, 1752. WILTSHIRE, AN INQUISITION Indented, Taken at the Burrough of Devizes, in the County of Wilts aforesaid, on the Twenty-sixth day of January, in the Twentysixth of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second, by the Grace of God of Great Brittan, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c., before me, JOHN CLARE, Gent., one of the Coroners of our said Lord the King for the County aforesaid, Upon View of the Body of Ruth Peirce, (late of Pottern in the said County, Widdow,) then and there lying Dead, and upon the Oath of Richard Anstie Richard Williams William Hillier William Slade John Williams Robert Hayward Gabriel Bartlett Ambrose Portch Joseph Chandler Robert Phipp Joseph Akers William Lewis (LS) Good and Lawfull men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn and charged to inquire how, in what manner, when, and where the aforesaid Ruth Peirce died and came by her death, upon their Oaths aforesaid do say and present, that on the Twenty-ffifth day of January, in the Twenty-sixth year aforesaid, between the hours of Ten and Eleven of the Clock in the fforenoon of the said Day, a Great Quarrell arose between ffour Women, in the Market Place at the Burrough of Devizes aforesaid, Whose Names was Elizabeth Slade, Sarah Slade, Mary Parker, and the aforesaid Ruth Peirce,who joined togather and bought one sack of wheat of one ffarmer Nathaniel Alexander, at the Price of Seventeen Shillings, which makes ffour Shillings and Three Pence each; when the ffarmer summ'd up the Dividends it wanted three pence of the price agreed, for which by Evidence it appeared to be this Ruth Peirce's right to pay; she, the said Ruth, was accused with it, she declared she had paid it, and called upon the Almighty for Wittness, and wished she might drop down dead that Minnet if she had not paid it. The Raish Wish was repeated a second Time, and immediately, from the Visitation of the Great and Almighty God, was struck dead upon the Same, and as no marks of Violence appeared upon View of the Body, the aforesaid Jurors do present that the aforesaid Ruth Peirce died as aforesaid and not otherwise. IN WITNESS whereof, as well I, the aforesaid Coroner, as the Jurors aforesaid, have interchangably set our Hands to this Inquisition, the Day, Year, and Place ffirst above written. FIDELITY OF LITTLE CHILDREN. MARK X. 14. IN the ninth persecution, at Cæsarea, in Cappadocia, a child named Cyril showed uncommon fortitude. Neither threats nor blows could prevent his praying to Jesus Christ continually. His father turned him out of doors, and brought him before the judge, who said, "My child, I will pardon your faults, and your father shall receive you again, if you will worship Jupiter!" "No," said the child; "God will receive me. I am not sorry I have been turned out of our house; I shall have a better mansion. I fear not death; it will introduce me to a better life!" He was bound and led to execution, with orders to bring him back if the sight of the fire conquered him. "Your fire and your sword," said the young martyr, are naught to me; I go to a better house, and to more excellent riches. Dispatch me, presently, that I may enjoy them." BIBLE SUBJECTS FOR EACH SUNDAY IN NOVEMBER. 186. Nov. 3. Texts on mercy as an attribute of God. 187. Nov. 10. Texts on justice as an attribute of God. 188. Nov. 17. Texts on truth as an attribute of God. 189. Nov. 24. Texts on righteousness as an attribute of God. BIBLE ENIGMA. A BROTHER of Joseph beloved. May each Little Gleaner try, With a blessing from the Lord. |