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All now retired to take dinner, excepting her mother, who was left alone with her. She requested to be turned with her face to the front of the bed. To aid in effecting this her mother directed her to put her arms round her neck, by which means she might raise herself easily; but this she declined, as causing unnecessary trouble, and said that she could turn without any help; which she accordingly did.

So soon as a view of her face was obtained, her mother saw that death was very near; the melancholy fact was too truly inscribed on every feature. Just as the doctor, who had been immediately recalled, entered the room, she was seized with a dreadful spasm, accompanied with most acute pain at the heart. With an imploring look she asked for something to relieve her, and offered to take any medicine, however bitter. The only reply was the melancholy communination, made with tears, that nothing could relieve her.

Her mother then declared, aside, to the medical attendant, that she could no longer defer telling her child that her end was near. He had formerly dissuaded from this course, with the humane intention of sparing his patient's feelings; but the time now was evidently short, and he gave his ready

assent.

"My darling Matilda," her mother then said aloud to her, "Jesus is coming to take you to himself—the hand of death is on you!"

For a moment she seemed startled and alarmed, but speedily recovered her composure.

"Does the doctor think me dying?" she asked. "Yes, he does," was the heart-rending reply.

MATILDA.

"How long do you think, doctor, I can live?"

"I cannot say how long, my dear, the God who gave your life alone knows."

On this she turned to her mother, and with a look of earnestness and solemnity, the most striking, which awed, and went to the hearts of all present, she said,—

"Mother, I have concealed nothing from you-you know the whole state of my mind and all about me-do you think that I am resting on Christ?"

are.

"Yes, my dear," was the answer, "I do believe that you You know that you have often told me that you felt and were assured there is no other salvation but to be washed in his blood."

"O yes, I have," she said, and, lifting up her hands with great solemnity, added, "well, then, I am not afraid to die; I love Jesus, and I know that he loves me!"

Another spasm ensued, and she was in great anguish. The other children had been introduced at her request, that she might see them, but they were soon withdrawn, as the room became overheated. Her mother's grief, which she laboured to conceal, compelled her to retire for a few minutes. When she again appeared, the sweet child said, "Come near me, my dear mother, till I tell you how much I love Jesus. Yes," she said in an under tone, when her mother sat down beside her, "yes, I love Him!"

When she had recovered breath partially, she said, "I should like to see the rest; perhaps I could say something to them now."

The children were accordingly brought in again. When

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they were all arranged near her, she said to them, with a tone and manner full of affection, "Children, I am going to die, and I am not afraid to die; for I know that Jesus loves me, and I love him. O, see that you be good children, and love him too."

The doctor after this expressed a desire that the children should be removed. As they were retiring from the room, she called back the youngest of her sisters, who had been present, and, as if she feared her first address had not been comprehended, she repeated it, saying,

"I am going to die, and they will put me in a big black hole, but I am not afraid, for I love Jesus, and see you that you will love him too."

She then said to them all, as they lingered about the door and wept, "Don't cry for me,-farewell."

The servants on this came into the room, when she addressed them much in the same strain, informing them that she was dying; that she had no fear; and that her confidence arose from depending upon Christ alone. One of them who, she knew, did not understand English, she addressed in Gaelic, solemnly warning and entreating her and all of them to go to Christ.

When they had quitted the room, her mother asked, "What shall I say to your dear father from you when he comes home?"

After a short pause, during which she was much affected, she replied with great tenderness of manner, "You will tell him that I think I am united to Christ; that I love Jesus, and know he loves me."

"Shall I give him your love? "O yes," was the reply. She then said, "Mother, I am not sorry to leave the world, but I am sorry to leave you all;" on uttering which her heart seemed bursting. The last, the only tie which bound her to earth was breaking. The enemy could not destroy her, but this one opportunity more was left to inflict a passing wound ere she entered into endless joy. The wound was given, but it was as quickly cured. Her Saviour was at hand, and peace could not be distant.

"You remember, my dear," her mother said, "the chapter I read you lately, about Christ's second coming, and how we shall all meet then?"

She was instantly comforted, and her countenance bright ened,—“O yes," she answered, "we shall all meet again." A dreadful spasm ensued. "Oh!" she cried, after a short interval, "I am in great pain; how I desire that he would come and take me to himself!"

After a few moments' silence she made a sign with her finger, saying, “Doctor!" as if wishing to speak to him. On his approaching she could only add, "speech-less; " and breathed her last; her redeemed soul quitting its frail tabernacle, and entering into the joy of its Lord. Her mother laid her hand on her eyes, and they were closed on this world for ever!

So Matilda died! Would not you so wish to depart, feeling that you loved Jesus, and that Jesus loved you? Seek him and love him now, and he will be with you too when you die, and take you to himself as he did Matilda.

RETIREMENT.

"The cool retreat, the silent shade, With prayer and praise agree."

I LOVE to steal awhile away

From every cumbering care,
And spend the hours of parting day
In humble, grateful prayer.

I love in solitude to shed
The penitential tear,
And all His promises to plead,

Where none but God can hear.

I love to think on mercies past,
And future good implore,
And all my sorrows on Him cast
Who all my sorrows bore.

I love by faith to take a view
Of brighter scenes in heaven;
Such prospects oft my strength renew,
While here by tempests driven.

Thus, when life's toilsome day is o'er,
May its departing ray

Be calm as this impressive hour,

And lead to endless day.

TO THE SAVIOUR.

JESUS! be thou by day, by night,
My Saviour from all sin;
Be thou my life, my love, my light;
Oh keep me pure within!

So may my soul, upon the wings
Of faith and hope arise,

Till at the gate of heaven it sings
The songs of paradise!

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