A CHURCH IN THE GRANITE STATE. God, the following fact occurred :— and over many others in the town. A young lady, in making a visit to She was the first awakened in a reone of her acquaintance, took an un-vival. frequented path through a deeply shaded grove, and as the day was very warm, after pursuing her walk some distance up a somewhat steep acclivity, she stopped to rest her on a beautiful mossy bank. While seat- The church of P is not a large ed there, the tones of a human voice church, nor can it be considered very very unexpectedly broke upon her wealthy when compared with many ear. On turning her eye the way other churches in this state, yet, for from whence it came, she saw Deacon the last six years, it has not only Mon horse-back, making his way contributed more to the cause of up the same hill. The thought oc- Home Missions in proportion to its curred to her that she would retire wealth, but actually more in dollars from the sight of the road, let him and cents than any other church in pass, and remain undiscovered. This the state. One individual in this she did. As Dea. M-approached church has made himself, wife, moleisurely on his horse, she was won-ther, and four children, life members dering what could be his object in being so busily employed in talking to himself, as she could distinctly discover that no fellow mortal accompanied him. As he drew nearer and she could here his voice more plainly, she ascertained that he was engaged in prayer. The only sentence that left a distinct impression on her mind was, "O Lord, have mercy on the dear youth in this place." He passed on praying, till the sounds which came from his lips died away on her ear. But an impression was made upon her heart, as it may be hoped, which will never die away, but prepare her to mingle in the symphonies of the redeemed in ascribing salvation to God and the Lamb. A new discovery respecting Christians was at this instant made to her. "Is this the manner," she reflected with herself, "in which they live, and pass on their way about the town? Do they thus pray for the youth? How unlike to a Christian have I lived? I have never prayed in this manner, I have seldom thought of the souls of others, and cared but very little for my own. While others pray for me, I live without prayer for myself." Her sins, particularly her neglect of prayer to Him who is every where, now became a distressing burden to her. Soon, we have had reason to hope, there was joy among the angels of God over her as a penitent, of the A. H. M. S. In addition to this, he has subscribed, at different times, for the last three years, $200 to the Society, and has paid all but $50 which is not yet due. This man is not forgetful of the claims of other kindred objects. His contributions of all kinds to the cause of Christian benevolence have amounted, if I am correctly informed, to $500 annually. He is a country merchant, but far from being as rich as many of his calling in the churches, who give comparatively nothing, because they are not able. His deeds of benevolence exert a happy reflex influence upon his heart. He feels as well as acts for the needy and the perishing. Nor does his liberality impoverish him; it seems rather to return to him again in "good measure pressed down and running over." He is highly prosperous in business. In the year 1838, he informed me that he had unexpectedly realized from absconded debtors several hundred dollars, which he had long considered as lost. In that year his contributions to our cause amounted to $140. We would not trumpet this man's benevolence, he has done no more than his duty as a follower of the benevolent, suffering Jesus; but we would speak of it as an example for others. If but a few only in all our churches would go and do likewise, this holy cause would not lan guish for want of funds-the work of repairing the wastes of Zion would go forward, and God would bless it to the glory of his name and the salvation of thousands. DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN MOTHER. [Furnished by a Missionary.] Christ. Who can tell where the blessed influence of this pious elder, and his faithful daughter, will end? This mother lived not in vain. What though her lot may have been obscure, her life a scene of toil and trials, she has been a blessing to her family and to her race. Nine children educated for heaven! nine fountains of influence opened, to send forth streams of mercy throughout this desert world! O let the mothers Eight have been added to our little of our land all live for such results as church, and three have been removed this, and it can't be lost. All the by death. One of these died last combined powers of infidelity and week. She was the daughter of the popery, of foreign and homebred aged elder of the church. It was in- evils, and even "the gates of hell" teresting to us, that among the mourn- shall not prevail to hinder its becomers, nearly all, to the number of being a nation which the Lord will detween thirty and forty, were the pro-light to bless! fessed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Her children, to the number of nine, are all professors of religion but one, and he is now, since his mother's death, rejoicing in the hope ENCOURAGEMENT TO MATERNAL ASSO of having passed from death into life. The time in which he thinks that he experienced this change, was in the interval between his mother's death and burial. He was a son for whom she had felt much anxiety, and had offered many prayers. Such was the interest which his friends had taken in his case, that at the funeral they hardly knew whether they had most reason to weep or to rejoice. REMARKS. CIATIONS. Mrs. G. has long been known as a very pious, anxious mother. She has been one of the most constant and interested attendants at the Maternal Association, although she has resided more than a mile from the usual place of meeting. In her prayers with the mothers, she has always manifested great fervency, and strong faith, especially when interceding for their impenitent husbands and children. Nor did she seek the Lord in vain. During a revival, about a year or a year and a half ago, the blessing for which she had so earnestly sought and patiently waited, for her own family, came. Her husband and three children, two sons and a daughter, were among the fruits of that revival, and made a public profession of their faith in the Redeemer. Another child, and a young These facts illustrate the privilege of having a pious ancestry. Here we see a devout woman, whose whole family, probably through her influence, are brought to Christ. Even the one whom she was not permitted when alive, to number among her saved ones, is rescued before her remains are laid in the tomb. And, all this, no doubt, is connected with the fact, that she was herself the daugh-friend in the family, also became ter of a servant of God, whose prayers and instructions were the good seed from which this fruitful harvest of good has come. And then the circle of mourners, relatives of the deceased, who had, more or less, shared in the same influences, were likewise the professed followers of pious; making six individuals in one family who were hopefully converted. Salvation has indeed come to her dwelling. And this unspeakable blessing, there is reason to believe, was bestowed in answer to that mo ther's prayers. S. S. Visiter. |