to see the culprit every day, to bring him in the way of life, and to do him good for soul and body. For this he begged leave of the commander; which was granted to him, when he had explained his reasons. He got better food for the criminal, and aided in his cure and nursing, during an illness which befel him. On that occasion, he made his spiritual cure, the conversion of his soul, his chief concern. He instructed, he warned, he entreated the sick, to save his poor soul, by turning with a penitent heart to him, who pardoned and saved the murderer on the cross. His tears and entreaties were blest. It pleased the Lord, who receiveth sinners, to touch the hardened heart of the culprit; he wept for mercy, and found mercy. He melted in tears of the deepest repentance, under a prayer, offered up by his kind friend, and prayed afterwards himself with affecting fervour and devotion. The Lord answered the prayers of the contrite sinner, and spoke peace to his soul. He got well, and his conduct proved the sincerity of his conversion. His change into a new man was even observed by the commander; who more and more esteemed him for his peaceable, industrious and obedient behaviour; and strove to make his condition as easy as he could. After the years of his punishment were over, he was set at liberty. His kind friend took him into his own lodging; where they staid together for some months, improving themselves by the word of truth, and strengthening themselves, by daily prayers, in faith, in love, and in perseverance in the grace, they both had obtained. having partaken together of the holy sacrament, Nathan went with his friend to the place where he before lived, and hastened to his wife, who presented to him his first-born son, whom she had brought into the world, during the first year of his confinement. The next day Nathan left them, and returned to his own home; where, after three or four months, he fell sick, and was removed into the kingdom of everlasting bliss and joy. On his sick bed, he often mentioned the name of his friend, with fervent gratitude and intercession, that the Lord would make him faithful until the end, and a shining light to his family. This prayer was not in vain. His friend grew in grace; and was made the blessed instrument of turning his wife and her parents from the world and the service of sin, into the narrow path, which leadeth to life. He was the object of scorn to the worldly-minded; but of gratitude and praise to the true worshippers of God and Christ.. After There are two questions we should be often asking ourselves: 1. What am I? 2. What am I doing? We are well, if we can well answer these two questions, and say, I am a child of God, and I am doing God's will. Methinks sincerity and watchfulness are the chief graces of a Christian: sincerity makes every grace true; watchfulness makes every grace sure. Satan cares not how heavenly our words be, if our thoughts be earthly. Some ground will improve by resting and lying still, but it is not so with our hearts. Ours is the ground that must be stirred, and manured, and quickened, and then some fruit will come. As one sin fits the heart for another, so one duty fits the soul for another. The soul that is sincere is serious. Idle thoughts are best excluded by keeping the heart full of good ones. A HYMN. THE RIGHTEOUS BLESSED IN DEATH. How blest the righteous when he dies!— A holy quiet reigns around, A calm which life nor death destroys; Farewell, conflicting hopes and fears, Life's duty done, as sinks the clay, Light from its load the spirit flies; While heaven and earth combine to say, CONCLUDING ADDRESS. The length of the preceding articles only allows of a very few remarks in concluding the labours of the fifth year. The Editor wishes to offer his best thanks to his Correspondents for their valuable assistance, and to request a continuance of it. It seems only due to them, as well as a proper acknowledgement of gratitude to God, to mention, that various testimonies have come to hand during the last year of the utility of the Friendly Visitor. The Editor is making arrangements for the ensuing year, which he hopes will on many accounts be found beneficial. He has frequently been requested to double the size and price of his work and to devote one half entirely to the young, Instead, however, of adopting this plan, he has determined upon commencing a new Penny Magazine on the first of January, for the purposes of Sunday Schools and the young in general, to be called "The Children's Friend.' The pages of the Friendly Visitor will thus be left entirely at liberty for matter adapted to those of riper years; and it will continue to be published in its present form. 66 Little works, as well as great ones, can only prosper, when begun, continued, and ended" in God our Saviour. But with his blessing, what can they not accomplish? To Him would the Editor look as his only guide and strength: praying that he may have a single eye to the glory of God and the good of souls: and then he may humbly hope, that his whole body will be full of light; even the light of that heavenly wisdom, which can alone prevent error and prosper his labours. May the presence of the Saviour go up with us in the numerous visits that are made to both young old! Then will the Visitor be encouraged in his progress; and those to whom he goes will have reason to regard him as a Friend. and £10 has been received by the M. P. in London from "a Widow indeed." The Editor unites with the M. P. in submitting to her, whether her bounty would not be better bestowed in some other more certain way of doing good: for instance the Bible or Church Missionary Society; or, to either of the objects recommended in the October Friendly Visitor. END OF VOL. V. Printed by A. Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale. |