and many other valuable papers. The consequence was, that all her property descended to an infant heir; so that no one had the power to make the slightest change. Thus poor Mrs. Watson saw, not only her own expectations fail, but her father also left almost as destitute as herself. She had no earthly friend to flee to; she felt herself a widow indeed, and desolate; but prayer was her satisfying resource, nor did she pray in vain. A wonderful restoration of health was granted, with an advantageous opportunity of uniting herself to an establishment for the tuition of young ladies, And now was proved the value of that self-renunciation which this meek and lowly saint had learned to practise. Her regulated mind was ready simply to follow where the hand of Providence led, and to acquiesce in changes, which to many would have been most trying; especially the loss of that leisure which she so valued and improved. Alive to every remaining outward comfort, she received all as an unmerited favor, and engaged, with the full ardour of her soul, in the duties to which she had been called; often thanking God for the enlarged and important sphere of usefulness he had opened before her; wrestling earnestly for a blessing on the dear pupils committed to her care, and endeavoring to lead them to the Saviour of sinners. With an energy it had never before known, the spirit of Mrs. Watson rose with the occasion, and not only were herself and Emma comfortably maintained, but her aged parent also found a happy home beneath her roof, and closed his peaceful days attended by her filial love.

Many years have passed, marked by the divine approbation and blessing, and still Mrs. Watson prosecutes her deeply-interesting work. God has given her the highest reward she ever sought, even "many souls for her hire ;" and who can tell how wide the benefit may spread, as these young people pass to their various destinations; or how long it may endure, when their descendants shall look back to them, as the first source of their religious instruction and advantages.

Emma has now nearly reached maturity, and following, by help obtained from on high, her mother's precepts and example, is become a truly valuable assistant. Habituated to self-denial, cheerfully falling in with daily events and duties, they keep the even tenor of their way. Respected, useful, happy, they continue

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trusting in the Lord; and, while to the ungodly and self-willed, under similar circumstances, nothing would have appeared save many sorrows," they can testify to the praise of their heavenly father, that "mercies compass them about." "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth, and shall be refreshed with the multitude of peace." S. S. S.

THE CHILD AND THE PHILOSOPHER.

A LITTLE Grecian boy, when reading a line in Hesiod, which speaks of chaos as having been the origin of the world, started at the sentiment, and asked, “But whence came chaos ?"

This boy grew to be a philosopher, and the founder of a Grecian sect. Yet his reputed wisdom, his fame, his entire character as a sage, rested on his having invented the theory, that the earth owed its origin to a fortuitous concourse of atoms!

Yes, Epicurus, when a child, had wisdom to inquire for a first cause, to look beyond chaos, to a Creator; but when he became a man and a philosopher, he contentedly viewed organic matter as having been made by matter less allied to sentiency than itself! "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" A child who makes simple, teachable, unassuming inquiry, is often wiser than the loftiest explorer of nature's secrets, who wants or despises the book of God. The true sage--the person who obtains genuine, useful, imperishable knowledge-is he who combines the understanding of a man, the docility of a child, and the humble faith of a follower of Jesus. How deeply is unbaptized philosophy abased, and how highly is child-like scholarship exalted, in that expression of the Saviour; "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight!"-Weekly Christian Teacher.

EPICURUS.

WHEN Epicurus maintained that the whole of man consists in the enjoyment of pleasure, it was originally understood that he intended to express the enjoyment of all good.-Cogan.

A VISIT TO THE GRAVES OF THE YOUNG COTTAGER AND DAIRYMAN'S DAUGHTER.

WHAT a variety of motives are presented in the word of God to induce the young to reflection, and allure their hearts to the pursuit of true piety! Are they desiring happiness? There it is to be found. "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Are they desiring length of days, and prosperity in the best sense? These are "in her right hand and in her left." Would they avoid the perils and dangers incident to youth? "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." Would they realize the great end of life? Let them "fear God and keep his commandments." Would they overcome the world? This victory is attained by precious faith in the divine Saviour. Have they true ambition in their hearts? "His work is honorable and glorious." Would they save their souls? The scriptures testify of Christ, who is able and willing to save them with an everlasting salvation. Would they meet death with peace and tranquillity? "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." Would they be esteemed and respected by the wise and good here, and have their memory cherished after death? "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance."

Never was the writer so forcibly impressed with the truth and beauty of this last passage of sacred writ, as during a visit made to the graves of the above mentioned humble disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Who does not feel a melancholy, yet at the same time, a refined, and hallowed pleasure, in visiting the graves of those who have departed in the faith of Jesus? We love to contemplate the sleeping dust, as resting in the grave till the glorious morning of the resurrection, then to be raised and re-united to the glorified spirit, which though now in paradise, is then to be completely blessed in the entire redemption and restoration of all that was lost and forfeited by the sin of the first Adam. Oh! when standing over the ruins of mortality, and musing on the gloom and humiliation of the grave, how does the heart beat with gratitude towards that compassionate and mighty Redeemer, who himself descended to the tomb that he might ABOLISH death, and bring immortality to light! It is surely here that the light of the glorious gospel shines with

transcendant splendor; here, that the pure and uncreated brightness of heaven suffuses and dispels the gloom of earth!

With something allied to these feelings, it was, that the writer in taking a tour through the southern part of England some short time ago, determined to visit the Isle of Wight; endeared by its connection with the interesting narratives recorded by the pen of Legh Richmond. To the writer, these were a source of pleasure, and instruction in by-gone years, nor are they less so now. Indeed, not only to the young but also to teachers of babes they may be exceedingly useful, as affording many very valuable and appropriate lessons of instruction.

We landed on the pier at Ryde on a beautifully fine afternoon in the month of August; and finding on enquiry that Brading was but four miles distant, we resolved on going there at once. This was the village where Legh Richmond first began his ministerial career, and where "Little Jane," the first fruits of that ministry was given him. "She was," he says, "my first spiritual child!" As we walked along, we noticed that the laborers had, in several localities "reaped down the harvest;" and the last load of the precious grain was being leisurely drawn to its appointed storehouse. It was the evening before the Sabbath, and "man having gone forth to his work and to his labor, until the evening," was preparing to rest awhile from his toil. All around us, indeed, seemed to betoken the near approach of the sacred day of rest.

We arrived at the village a little before six o'clock, and soon reached the church; an ancient, though a small and humble building. As we were about to open the wicket gate, leading to the church-yard, a little girl made her appearance, accosting us with the welcome intelligence, "Little Jane's grave is here, sir, would you like to see it?" We answered in the affirmative, and as she conducted us to the interesting spot, we could not help asking her if she loved and obeyed that dear Saviour who was so precious to little Jane? While standing at the grave, our young conductress, at our request, repeated the beautiful Epitaph on the grave stone.

"Ye who delight the power of God to trace,

And mark with joy each monument of grace;
Tread lightly o'er the grave, while you explore,
"The short and simple annals of the poor.'

"A child reposes underneath the sod,

A child to memory dear, and dear to God;
Rejoice, yet shed a tributary tear,

JANE, THE 'YOUNG COTTAGER,' lies buried here."

For our own parts, indeed, we found that we could not withhold "the tributary tear," mingled, however, with joy at the recollection of the power of Divine grace, shewn forth in the experience of this child; and the beneficial result of its publication to the world. We asked ourselves, "Who can tell the number of young persons who have had deep and saving impressions of religion produced on their minds by reading the interesting narrative of little Jane?" More than forty years have passed away since her mortal remains were laid in the dust, yet "she being dead yet speaketh." The children of the village still point the stranger to her grave, and while doing so, must wonder what there could have been in little Jane's history to excite such interest in the passing stranger. The answer, surely, must suggest itself sometimes; and may they remember it,— "her early piety." Yes, it was this that furnished materials for the interesting story, and filled her pastor's soul with gratitude and joy.

Close at hand was the hallowed spot where the faithful servant of God, mindful of his Divine Master's injunction, "Feed my lambs," taught his youthful class on the Saturday evenings. Was it imagination that led us to think it was now the very hour of the evening at which they were accustomed to assemble? Whether it were so or not, the thought heightened the pleasurable emotions of our minds. We turned aside to take a glance at the epitaph which first awakened in the mind of little Jane, spiritual perception and desires, and passing out of the churchyard could not help mentally exclaiming, "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance!"

After walking up the village, and taking a look at the cottage of little Jane, we returned to Ryde, and "rested on the Sabbath day."

On the Monday we took a circuit round part of the island, not forgetting to wend our way towards the village of Arreton, as the next point of attraction. With little difficulty we found the former dwelling of the "Dairyman's Daughter," and called to mind some of the interesting occurrences of that locality.