of making their peace with God, and then prayed with them; but my mind was afterward pained because I had done the work so inefficiently.—­The last fortnight I have several times visited a little boy, sinking in decline.  When first I saw him, he appeared quite ignorant of his sinful condition; but divine light has gradually beamed upon his soul.  The last time, he expressed a confidence I had not observed before.  His mother tells me, she has often heard him engaged in earnest prayer; and once, perceiving him much worse, she said, ’Bill, thou’s very ill.’  ‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘but I shall soon be better.’  When near death, he asked, ‘Do you see who’s come for me?’ she said, ‘No, who is it?’ He answered, ‘Jesus;’ and clasping his hands, said repeatedly, ‘Lord, help me!’ then placing them together, under his head, gently passed away.—­While endeavouring to do my Master’s will, I carry my heaven about with me.  My soul enjoys peace, with a deep sense of my own nothingness.  ’Christ is all; other refuge have I none.’”

  All praise to God, whose sleepless eye,
    Observed my tender years;
  And blessed me with parental love,
    Parental prayers and tears.

  Through every lane of life I trace
    His providential care;
  In many a time of need, His grace
    And guardian hand were there.

  His still small voice of love I heard,
    When in the blush of youth;
  I paused, and listened to the word
    Of everlasting truth.

  Resolved I was, and re-resolved,
    But many a conflict knew;
  Till God, in Christ, my sins absolved,
    And unbelief o’erthrew.

  What shall I render to the Lord? 
    What can a sinner do? 
  I’ll rest upon His precious word,
    And take His grace anew.

XIX.

THE INWARD MONITOR.

  “THE LORD SHALL GUIDE THEE CONTINUALLY.”—­Isaiah lviii. 11.

Who, that is conscious of the solemn responsibility of life, and of the perils by which it is beset, but feels the necessity of continual direction?  How many emergencies daily arise, in which there is need of wisdom superior to our own?  Oh for a Mentor, whose constant presence and unerring counsels might always guide us aright!  The aspiration is not in vain.  God himself, offers to be the guide of His people.  He will put His Spirit in them, who shall abide with them always, and guide them in the way of all truth.  But how?  Not by some irresistible impulse, which overpowers the action of human will, or by some new revelation, which would render unnecessary the ordinary means of religious instruction; but by the lessons of His holy word, which is brought to the mind in the moment of requirement; for the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance whatsoever is there revealed for our comfort and instruction.  This shows the importance, not only of the constant and diligent study of the Word of God, but of storing the memory, while it is yet fresh and vigorous, with Scripture truth:  for it is obvious, that cannot be brought to our remembrance, which was never known.  Further, we must ask for direction, committing all our ways to Him; and when He graciously indicates the path of duty, at once obey.  He who acts upon these principles will never