thing, too, in the manner in which books address us, which makes them more readily received and listened to than individuals. They address themselves to classes, and are therefore exempt from the invidiousness of personality. There is no assumption of superiority. They flatter our pride by calling upon us to judge them, and do not offer to judge us. Hence, while argument seldom ends without irritation, reading is a soothing employment. Error makes its way undisputed, for this very reason, that those powers of the mind, whose peculiar province it is to watch for, and to resist it, are not in active exercise. Stone after stone is laid, and a structure is raised without the sound of the hammer being heard. The moral is, to watch books as you watch men, or rather with more carefulness, as the danger is greater. It is desirable, in our intercourse with our fellow-men, that we should have good ground for believing that those with whom we associate are deeply convinced of the importance of living to God. Without this preliminary point being settled, there will be continual jarring of views and difference of tastes, not on minor, but on the most important and fundamental questions. And what is more, we shall be exposed, unconsciously, to be drawn away from the principles and practices we have been wont to prize, that is, if we have any love or respect for their persons or judgments. And, for the same reason, is it not equally necessary for our moral well-being, that we shall be well assured before we yield ourselves to the influence of an author, that we are listening to one who is thoroughly convinced of the truth of the great doctrines of the Gospel, beside which, every other subject, in the eye of enlightened reason, must be viewed as insignificant? If the importance of this be denied, true consistency should make us also argue, that there is no call upon us to scrutinize the principles of those with whom we mingle in society, that our intercourse may not be injurious. It is admitted that some, in order that they may be acquainted with the present state of society, and make advancement in knowledge connected with their particular calling, require to consult books which offer no pretensions to be under the influence of Christian principle. To shut ourselves out entirely from such literature would bring us to the alternative of which the apostle speaks, in reference to those who would decline all intercourse with unbelievers, "we must needs go out of the world." Yet, with this admission, it can scarcely be disputed, that generally, even among serious Christians, there is more dedication to literature uninfluenced by a Christian spirit, than is necessary for performing their part in life intelligently. To render such reading safe at all, it will become us to bear upon our mind, that it has a tendency to secularise; and to diminish, in the eyes of the Christian, what ought to be an abiding conviction, the supreme importance of divine things; and where an author has failed to connect facts in nature or in providence with God, it will lie with us to supply the deficiency. In this way alone can Christians be safe in perusing books not of a religious character. Some have found the influence of such works so prejudicial, so apt to blunt the sensibility of religious feeling, that they have abandoned all literature that was not strictly Christian. In his communications with his fellow-men, how often is the Christian compelled to cease from making even the best he meets, his pattern in all things; for God, in his wisdom, has left some marks of imperfection, some remains of a sinful nature upon all, which death only will remove; and how often then does he turn to Him, in whom dwelleth all wisdom! Words are the representatives of conceptions, and human conceptions are more conversant with finite imperfection than with infinite excellence; and we imperceptibly, and often without being able to help it, make heavenly things nothing more than an enlargement of earthly things. How great a matter of thankfulness, then, that God, in mercy, has given us, for our daily and prayerful perusal, A Book, wherein is set forth the perfect exhibition of his own wisdom, and power, and holiness, having no error intermingled,-able, through his blessing, to make us wise unto salvation,-transforming every soul, which yields itself to its influence, into a likeness to God himself,—which tells the earth's eventful history,-which discourses of angels, and which records the transactions of heaven,-even HIS OWN WORD. To its guidance let us commit ourselves without hesitation; and the more we are imbued with its spirit, the more meet will we become for a higher and more blessed state of being. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF CAROLINE ELIZABETH SMELT. EARLY piety is peculiarly engaging, lending, as it does, a lustre, a beauty, and a grace, to the character of the remark be more strikingly exemplified than in the young. And in no instance could the truth of this amiable and accomplished young lady whose life we are about to sketch. Her career was short, but it was long enough to exhibit the brightest and most beautiful traits of the mature Christian. She lived in faith, and died in the joyful hope of a glorious immortality. Miss Caroline Elizabeth Smelt was born in the city of Augusta, in the State of Georgia, North America, on the 28th December 1800. Her parents were of the highest respectability, and affluent in worldly circumstances. Dr Smelt, her father, was a practising physician of considerable eminence in Augusta, and having realized an independent fortune, he retired from active business to spend the remainder of his days in the bosom of his family. Caroline was much beloved by her parents, and, in very early life, began to exhibit marks of intelligence beyond her years. Her dispositions, too, were remarkably tender and winning. At the age of four she was sent to school, where she made the most satisfactory progress. As soon as she could read she took a peculiar delight in the employment, and shewed a ready understanding of what she read. "Mrs Smelt, although her symptoms were favourable, yet felt great depression of spirits. Caroline perceived it, and tried every way to comfort her. She would say, 'My dear mamma, you will get well; I feel a happy assurance that you will recover.' To this Mrs Smelt replied, You may be mistaken, and you are one of my greatest causes of distress.' Why so, my dear mamma!' said Caroline. Because,' said Mrs Smelt, I have never discharged my duty as a responsible mother, in the way in which I ought to have done it; and I fear that at the bar of God I shall be found awfully When Caroline was in her eighth year, her little heart | the most devoted attention during her illness, and she was grieved by the death of a sister only three years could scarcely be prevailed upon to quit her bed-side. younger than herself. The afflictive dispensation pro- A conversation which took place between them we duced a deep impression upon her mind, and from that extract from the published memoir. period she was accustomed to date her first serious thoughts of religion. She was observed now to lend greater attention to the instructions which her parents sedulously endeavoured to impart, and when her mother, as was frequently her practice, invited her to retire along with her for private prayer, Caroline evinced a readiness to engage in the exercise which was remarkably pleasing. In the beauties of nature she felt an inexpressible enjoyment. She was an enthusiastic lover of flowers, both on account of their beauty, and as bearing the stamp of the divine perfections. In the acquisition of knowledge she spent much of her time, so that before she had reached her sixteenth year, though her bodily constitution was weak, her mind was stored with much valuable information. The time had now arrived when Caroline, having completed her education, was about to be ushered into society. This was, of course, a season of much anxiety to her affectionate mother, who was naturally afraid lest the allurements of a vain and fascinating world should prove injurious to the spiritual interests of her dear child. Resorting, therefore, to a throne of grace, Mrs Smelt prayed earnestly that Caroline's tender mind might be kept in the fear of God. And her prayers were heard. Caroline took no delight in fashionable parties; her chief enjoyment was found at home amid the peaceful comforts of domestic life. Though cheerful, she seemed to have a peculiar relish for retirement, and her mind seemed to be more than ever occupied with the great objects which concern an immortal being. Her mother often tried to lead her into conversation on matters of religion, but whenever reference was made to her own experience, Caroline would invariably weep, without giving her kind and anxious parent any definite information upon the subject. In the course of the winter of 1815, Caroline engaged in a Scripture class, composed of young ladies, for improvement in their knowledge of divine truth. About this time Mrs Smelt felt more than usually anxious about the eternal interests of her dear child, and frequently retired with her to secret prayer. She was apprehensive that the naturally delicate frame of Caroline would, ere long, yield, and to many of her friends she expressed a fear that she would soon lose her. "I fear that the worm," she said, on one occasion, "is already at the root of my gourd; I feel an awful presentiment that my Caroline will descend to an early tomb." A feeling of this kind led her mother to be doubly solicitous about her spiritual condition. Caroline, however, still preserved the same invariable reserve, in reference to her own personal experience. At length, when her mother urged her, on one occasion, to be more communicative on a point so important, she replied, My dear mamma, I have no confidence in myself; I hope to do that which is right when I shall have more experience. I desire to belong to the little flock, but I am too unstable " 66 Some time after this interview Mrs Smelt was seized with a severe attack of fever, in consequence of waiting by the bed-side of an orphan child, who had died of fever in their neighbourhood. Caroline paid her mother · delinquent; I have not been as much engaged for your eternal welfare as for the perishing things of time. And now, should I be removed, how soon may you forget the feeble instructions I have given you! whereas had I been more zealously engaged in pointing out to you the way that leads to eternal happiness, I might have hoped that the Lord would not only acquit me, but take you under his special care in this life, and in his own good time receive you to himself.' 6 I have "Caroline then burst into tears, drew near to her mother, and with great feeling said, My dear mamma, you will stand acquitted. What could you have done that you have not done, to bring me to Christ? If I have been inflexible, that is not your fault. I am truly distressed to think I should occasion you one uneasy moment. I desire to comfort you. Oh! tell me not that you feel any condemnation on my account; indeed you are clear of my blood; and I hope you will live to see all you so earnestly desire. I am not so graceless, perhaps, as you may suppose. The Lord has been striving with me for many years, and I have not been entirely thoughtless. No, indeed; for I have long wished for an interest in the great atonement. long desired to become one of the little flock; but I feared I was too inexperienced, too ignorant, too unstable, and too unworthy, to make a public profession of my faith in Christ. O mamma! I have long wished to tell you what was passing in my heart; but I feared to excite hopes in your affectionate breast which might never be realized, and the greater condemnation would be my portion. But I have now come to a decided stand. It may give you some comfort to hear some of my late exercises. I feel as if I could no longer keep them a secret from you. I ought to have told you them before, and you would have strengthened me. I felt this the other night, when I thought I should lose you; and I then determined, that if the Lord spared your life, you should know all. Oh! I see in the hour of sore distress, that all created comforts are but broken is the help of man.' reeds; that if we have not God for our friend, vain This I realized in the night when you were taken sick. It was the first time I ever tasted the bitterness of real sorrow. I had been that afternoon and evening much exercised, at the dying bed of our little friend. I never had such feelings all my life; I viewed with horror the change in her countenance-I saw her struggles-the sight was more than I could bear: I said, is this death? He is indeed the king of terrors. I was about to hasten home. I stopped a little longer; I thought I would summon fortitude to stay and see the end a convulsion came on-I was exceedingly alarmed-I thought I must retire; but in an instant it occurred to me, that I too would have to die; and if every one who might be around my dying couch, should act towards me as I was about to do towards her, not one would have firmness enough to see my end; and how should I feel, to be deserted at such an awful moment? I prayed for strength to enable me to stay and be useful, and that not. began to dread the worst. Mrs Smelt was frequently engaged in prayer for the dear child, not so much for her recovery, as for the salvation of her soul. A few passages from the dying experience of this interesting young woman will no doubt be acceptable to our readers:— "In the course of the day, Mrs Smelt said to her, My dear Caroline, you are now on the bed of afflic tion; I hope you do not neglect to call upon the Lord.' She replied, "Oh! mamma, do you think I could neglect so important a duty?' the whole scene might be sanctified to my soul. I felt more composed, and strove to do some acts of kindness to the poor little girl. I tried to fan her, and to wipe the cold drops from her face; but my nerves were too feeble, and my agitation too great to do anything. I sat down and meditated on what was passing. I felt concerned for the soul of the child. She had entered on her fourteenth year-I thought her at an accountable age. She had been brought up in Christian principles; but during her tedious illness, had not uttered one pious expression, one holy desire, but had manifested great alarm at the idea of death; and until deprived of speech, "In the afternoon, some friends called to see her. She did not converse much, but was to appearance enhad expressed strong hopes, or a firm belief, that she should recover. I felt deep regret that this was the tirely calm. When they were about to leave the house, case with too many that were older than she. I then Mrs Smelt accompanied them to the door. Having felt asked myself this question, Had you been called to such an unusual degree of peace and comfort all that day, she detained one of the ladies for a few moments, to a bed as this, would you have been ready or willing to go? The answer was, No. I felt at that moment as converse about Caroline's case, and her own views of if death were armed with ten thousand terrors. Oh ! the subject. They had not stood long, before she was how fervently did I desire that the Lord would not call informed by a servant, that her daughter wanted her. me till I was made fit for his acceptance. I wanted to She hastened to her; and as she approached her bedfeel that love casteth out fear; but I was tempest-side, Caroline addressed her in these words: My dear tossed, and could realize nothing that was comfortable. mamma! I do not want you to leave me at all; you are I returned home melancholy and oppressed, and found such a rich blessing to me, that I wish you constantly you had retired to bed with a high fever. My heart in view.' was overwhelmed with apprehensions for your life, and for my own soul. I could not conceal my distress. Papa thought I would alarm you, and insisted on my going to bed. I was compelled to retire, but sleep I could When I entered my room, I prostrated myself at the footstool of mercy. Oh! how I entreated the Lord to spare your precious life, and to seal me his own for ever. I felt as if no power on earth could relieve me. Some such reflections as these then passed through my mind:You see now what a vain bauble this world is. What a change have a few hours made in your feelings! and a few more may produce still greater. You may lose your mother, and what will become of you then? who will guide your erring footsteps? who will give you sweet counsel? who will soothe and comfort you in the hour of sickness, as she has done? with a bursting heart, I answered, No one. My agitation increased violently, I could not lay my troubles before you. I was alone, and, for the first time in my life, I felt deserted. The fear that I should lose you was uppermost. I saw that I deserved chastisement, and felt the frowns of Providence which I had deserved. At this moment I thought I heard you groan-I could no longer keep from you-I ran down stairs, and entreated papa to let me remain with you. He kindly consented; and the residue of the night was spent in prayer to God, and serious reflections; for I could not sleep. I sometime thought I would give worlds, if I possessed them, to know that the Lord was my friend. I clearly saw that no power but his could deliver me, and that it was vain to expect relief from any other quarter. I felt as if the world would contain nothing that could afford me any consolation, if you were removed; and particularly, I should never forgive myself for not having improved, as I ought, the many lessons of useful instruction you have given me.' This was the first free, unrestrained communication of her religious views and feelings, which Caroline had made to her mother, and from that hour she conversed readily on experimental religion. Mrs Smelt's recovery was rapid, and Caroline felt grateful to the Almighty in having prolonged the life of so valuable a parent. The days, however, of the amiable Caroline herself were fast drawing to a close. On the morning of the 28th of August 1816, little more than a fortnight after she had been so alarmed on account of her mother's illness, she was seized with a violent and dangerous fever. The disease advanced with singular rapidity, and her parents "Mrs Smelt then sat down, and was requested by her to read a portion of Scripture; which was done. She then said, 'My dear mamina, I have been much disturbed in mind to-day; but I felt reluctant to oppress you with more trouble than you have already, and therefore forebore telling you. But I cannot conceal it any longer.' Her mother then invited her to tell her all. She said, that she had all day been disturbed by this passage of Scripture, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." It is continually in my mind, and fills me with dreadful apprehensions.' Mrs Smelt then observed, if that passage gives my darling distress, let your mother direct you to a few of the precious promises: Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and 'She said she felt opit shall be opened unto you.' pressed with a sense of sin.' Her mother then repeated, • Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.' "Mrs Smelt observing her to be much agitated at that time, was enabled, with great energy, to say to her, My beloved daughter, the Lord says, Turn ye to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope; even to-day do I declare that I will render double unto thee.' This promise is sent to you, my child, as certainly as it was sent to me many years ago.' She replied, 'Do you indeed think so, my mother?' Her mother assured her that it was her belief. She then requested her mother to pray with her. A female friend being present, they kneeled by her bedside, and addressed the throne of grace in her behalf. The necessity of exercising a lively faith in the merits of a Redeemer was then strongly urged upon her. She said she wanted to feel that she had an interest in Christ-that she feared she had never been regenerated; repeating, Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." O that I could know that I had passed through the new birth!' Her mother begged her to look to the compassionate Saviour, and be comforted." The resignation and calm serenity which Caroline evinced during her illness, were truly remarkable. She was not only resigned to the will of God, but spent much of her time in consoling her afflicted parents, adducing such arguments, and such passages of Scripture, as she considered suitable to their situation. Thus, on the 8th of September, we find the following description given of her frame of mind : "Several dear friends sat up with her that night. | A little before midnight she became silent; and it was hoped that she had fallen asleep. She lay very quiet for some time-perhaps an hour. She then spoke, and asked for her mother. Mrs Smelt was sitting by her; but the room had been somewhat darkened to favour sleep, and she did not at first distinguish her from her other friends. "She then said, My beloved mother, I have been praying that your faith may be strengthened, and that the Lord would comfort you and my dear father. Her mother then embraced her, and desired her to try, if possible, to get a little sleep. To this request Caroline readily yielded obedience; and lay for a considerable time as if asleep. She then spoke audibly, and said, Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego, passed through the fiery furnace, and not a hair of their heads was singed; for they loved God, and he was with them. I love him also, and he is with me. Oh! my mother, the fever is high; but the Lord will sustain me, and will bring me through like gold tried and purified. He has been very gracious to me to-night. I calculated on a very painful one; but I said nothing, knowing that my heavenly Father would not inflict one unnecessary pain, but would order all things well. Notwithstanding my faith was strong, I felt my feeble nature shrink from the idea of fresh blisters to my body, and cataplasms to my feet. And when my medical friends suggested the necessity of their immediate application, I made no resistance; for I had resolved, when I was first taken sick, to be a submissive patient, if the Lord would strengthen me to improve the visitation to his honour. I knew that my dear father and mother would be much distressed,that they would feel anxious that every effort should be made for my relief. How unkind! how undutiful, then, would it appear in me, to disappoint their wishes, and increase their anxiety, by refusing to use the appointed means! But when I heard the plan for the night, my heart sunk within me. In a few moments, I was enabled to raise my soul in prayer to my heavenly Father. I petitioned for grace, divine grace, to sustain I immediately had such a view of my Redeemer's sufferings, that I felt willing, yea happy, to submit to any pain. When the blisters began to draw, I felt the anguish most sensibly. I raised my heart again in prayer; and in a very short time was enabled to say, with great sincerity, Not my will, O heavenly Parent, but thine be done. I soon felt not only comfortable, but such a sweet composure of mind,-so heavenly, so entirely peaceful, that I fell into a delightful sleep. When I awoke, I found those precious lines of Dr Watts present to my memory:— ine. "Jesus can make a dying bed turned away my prayer from him, nor his mercy from "She did not finish the hymn, but addressed some young friends who had just entered the room :- You see before you,' said she, a young, timid, delicate female, not seventeen years old-the only child of my beloved parents surrounded with all the comforts of life-nurtured with peculiar tenderness, in the bosom of parental affection, from my earliest infancy, and always sheltered from the rude blasts of misfortune-blessed with the friendship of an extensive acquaintance, and beloved by all my dear relations. I could add many other considerations calculated to attach me to this world; but I can say, with holy joy, farewell to all! yea, I desire to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better. I am going to my Redeemer's kingdom; his arms are open to receive me. O! the incalculable benefits resulting from the religion of Jesus, the once crucified, but now gloriously exalted Son of God. What but this, my friends, could sustain me in this trying hour? My sensibility is not blunted. My heart was formed for sympathy and the sweets of friendship. I am sensible of the sorrow which my departure will occasion in the breasts of those whom I tenderly love; but I commit them to the care of One who is able to console them, and who will, I trust, prepare them to join me in the regions of eternal glory, where we shall part no more. O! my dear young friends, allow me to entreat you to embrace this religion. To a bed of death you will all have to come; and at the bar of judgment you will have to give an account of all the deeds done by you in this world; and if the Saviour is not then your friend, I tremble to think of your fate. O! close with the offers of mercy. Now is the accepted time; to-day is the day of salvation. When I am gone, will you ever think of me? Will you strive to remember the displays of God's mercy to me? and, will you endeavour to obtain his favour also, that you may finish your course, as I hope to finish mine, redeathjoicing in redeeming love, comforted and sustained against every fear? I feel peace in my heart, and joy unspeakable and full of glory.' The next morning she spoke as if she felt that was at hand. She admonished her friends who came to visit her, to strive above all things after an interest in the Redeemer; and upon her mother she enforced that holy submission to the divine will, by which we most effectually glorify God. An entire and unreserved acquiescence in all the dispensations of Providence, Caroline knew to be the privilege, no less than the duty, of the true Christian. And while, therefore, she manifested in her own department, a readiness to say in all things, "Thy will be done," she felt that her beloved parents were about to endure a trial in which faith and patience were peculiarly requisite:— "With a countenance beaming with divine love, and a voice most harmonious, she said to her mother, 'O my beloved mother! weep not for me. My sufferings will soon terminate. Blessed be God! who hath not | He "After being some time silent, she said to Mrs Smelt, My mother, let me see you put on the Christian's beautiful robe-holy submission. You will not be left alone, for the Lord is your friend, and he can be more to you than ten sons and daughters. Your case is by no means a new one. Recollect the trials of the mother of our blessed Redeemer. She was called upon to give up her only child she did so. died a most cruel and ignominious death. He had none of the temporal comforts which I enjoy,-no friends to soothe his sorrows,-no bed on which to rest his weary limbs,-no kind attendants to administer a cooling draught to quench a parching thirst; no, he had to drink vinegar and gall. His blessed mother was not allowed to sit by him, as you sit by me, and receive divine comfort from his sacred lips. O my dear mo 'The finest flower that ever blow'd Open'd on Calvary's tree, Its deepest hue, its sweetest smell, ther! think of these things, and believe yourself blessed. I sent them to my mother; but other hands will now Let your faith rise in lively exercise, to the sufferings gather your blossoms. Farewell, my tree; I long to of the Son of God. View him in the garden; go with be in the garden above. him to Pilate. See his patient meekness! Like a lamb dumb before his shearers, so he opened not his mouth. He suffered, the just for the unjust, and by his stripes I am healed. He died that we might live. He bore our sins in his own body. He was God over all, blessed for ever, and yet he submitted to the death of the cross, that a perishing world might be saved. When I take a view of his compassionate mercy to rebellious sinners, I am lost in wonder. When I see his sacred temples perforated, and encircled with a crown of thorns, I am ready to cry out, And did my Saviour suffer thus ? for whom and for what was he thus afflicted and scourged? In a moment, I answer, For me-poor unworthy me; and not only for sinful me, but for you, my mother, and for as many as will believe in his allsufficient atonement. When, with the eye of faith, I see my immaculate Saviour extended on the cross, my heart dissolves with tenderness and gratitude. I feel humble and submissive-ready and willing to suffer anything; yea, feel happy in being thought worthy to suffer, for you know, whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth."" To her young friends she spoke with the utmost freedom, calling upon them to seek the Lord early, and they would assuredly find him. On the subject of worldly amusement she thus expressed herself: "Let no person, endowed with rational powers, call them innocent or harmless. How can that be innocent, which leads to a prodigal waste of precious time? How can that thing be called harmless, which leads to an unnecessary exposure of health? How can that amusement be innocent, which has not the glory of God for its object? How can that amusement be harmless, which has a direct tendency to unfit the mind for devotional exercises? We are such frail creatures that we constantly require some excitement to lead us to God, and not to estrange us from him. Will any venture to say, that they have been brought to love the Lord Jesus better, by having attended a theatre or a ball-room? I presume not. I can say, from my own experience, that I never derived solid improvement, or real pleasure, from either. From neither of them have I ever derived anything which could afford my mind the least satisfaction in hours devoted to self-examination, nor anything to strengthen the soul against the terrors of death and judgment. I consider them worse than vanity they are exceedingly sinful." For a time she appeared to rally, and hopes of her recovery were entertained. But these, alas! were fallacious and delusive. She felt that, ere long, she would be called to cross the Jordan of death. Her last farewell to her flowers and little garden is peculiarly beautiful and affecting. "It was near sunset, and a most beautiful evening. As soon as she saw her flowering shrubs, (several of which were loaded with rich flowers,) she broke forth in the most exalted strains of admiration, and adoring ejaculations, to the Great Architect of the universe. She commented sweetly on the particular time of the evening, it was admirably adapted to sacred contemplation; then on the serenity of the azure vault of heaven; then on a floating white cloud, and remarked the harmony which subsisted, and was apparent, in all the works of God. She then asked, Why do frail mortals seek pleasure in noisy, tumultuous amusements, when such an ample volume lies open to their view?' She then took leave of a favourite shrub, saying, 'Farewell, my innocent friend; your fragrant blossoms have often regaled my senses, while my thoughts have ascended to Him that made both you and me. I have often plucked your flowers, and ran with delight to pre "Her countenance beamed with radiance, when she said, Farewell, garden, delightful spot for innocent and smiling when she repeated, they will never walk amusement! My infant feet have often trod your walks;' them again.' She then listened, with apparent rapture, to the notes of a little bird, that was perched on a tree near her window, until her soul seemed transported to heaven. She soon afterwards desired her moPsalm, the whole of which she was enabled to apply to ther to bring the Bible to her, and read the 121st herself. Mrs Smelt then read to her some passages in Isaiah. Caroline exclaimed, 'It is the word of God; I feel it in my very soul. Isaiah is a divine prophet; he is my prophet!' "A friend entered soon afterwards, to whom Caroline said, My dear aunt, I have taken leave of the garden this evening, and have felt so happy, so entirely filled with divine love, that my room has appeared like a little Bethel, or the gate of heaven.' She then desired her mother to read to her aunt the same psalm over again, saying, 'Every word of that psalm is applicable to me, for the Lord has preserved, and will keep me to the end, even for ever and ever.' She then repeated to her friend many of the sentiments which she had just before uttered to her mother, on the subject of the garden. After which she said, she had never before seen nature dressed in so beautiful a robe, that a peculiar brightness or lustre appeared to rest upon every flower, and upon every leaf-that the whole sky, and even the little cloud, seemed to bear a strong impress of her Maker's glory, and concluded with the following beautiful lines: The spacious firmament on high, And spangled heavens, a shining frame, "Her father, during the remission of his fever, was enabled to visit her chamber, in company with her mother, during the time of her sleep, which immediately preceded her decease. They saw that it was the sleep of death; for to their repeated calls she made no answer. Once, and only once, when standing by her bed side, they united their voices in calling Caroline, oh Caroline! our beloved daughter, shall we never more hear the sound of your harmonious voice? It is your father and mother that thus call you.' She made an effort to open her eyes, and to move her lips to speak, but could not. However, she was enabled to smile. She lay like one reposing in health, perfectly calm. They impressed a kiss of affection on her lips, repeating, It is your father-it is your mother.' She made no signal of sensibility except another smile. Mrs Smelt repeated her visits again and again to her, before she departed. She viewed her dying daughter with a solemn pleasure, and found herself frequently breathing, O may my last end be like her's!' The fervent prayers of two friends, who called in a little before she fell asleep in Jesus, contributed much to her |