of age, to remember, that it is the same divine Husbandman, who with one hand applies the sickle of death, that with the other clasps the sheaf in his bosom, to be forever blessed. May such consolation be granted to us all!

After Eliphaz had presented to Job the prospect of an happy death, he, in the next verse made to him a very necessary application. Lo this, we have search'd it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it, for thy good. 27. This forms a necessary directory for us to improve the subject for our personal benefit. Indeed, the dif ference between sincerity and deception, virtue and vice; the death of the wicked and that of the righteous are subjects of such vast importance, that they have been searched, from age to to age; and so it is, and cannot be disputed but by those who criminally abandon themselves to every degree of stupidity and hardness. The salvation of the sinful soul; the change of a man's depraved heart; the practice of religion and virtue; are inseparably connected with an honourable life, a peaceful death, and a glorious immortality! these we ought to know for our good. For certain it is, all the earthly good we may possess, is but a deceiving shadow, when compared with a good hope through grace, the bearing of good fruit, and eventually, being found amongst that number of whom it is recorded-blessed are the dead who die in the

Lord.

The Relatives and Friends of the disceased Mrs. ROOME, cannot but bear in remembrance her religious conduct in life, and her most charming composure in death. Her Children and Grand-Children, it is presumed, will retain in their breasts the many salutary advices they received from those lips which are now closed ; and be anxious to follow those good examples which she has left you, as her best legacy. God has been pleased to spare her to you, to arrive at an age far beyond your expectation. And although you cannot but sensibly feel on her departure, yet, you are not to sorrow even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Attending your venerable Parent in her last stage of life; and having preserved a few notes of her communications to me, I shall take the liberty of reciting some of the most interesting, presuming it may gratify the various branches of the family.

You all know, that Mr Rachel Roome, was one of the oldest members in communion with the Reformed Dutch Church, to which she was strongly attached; and that she maintained her profession with honour.

On my first visit to M" Roome, in her illness, she expressed the feelings of her mind and the advances of mortality. "I must soon leave the world, and I hope my blessed Saviour will not leave me without some comfort. I am very

feeble but without pain. My frame is gradually dissolving, and I am waiting upon the Lord, until my last change shall come." On my next visit, I found her in great composure; and folded down in her Bible, Isa. 46. 3. 4. for her meditation. After prayer, she sat up in her bed, and said, "I know I am a sinner; but I look to my blessed Saviour, and to him alone, for my pardon and acceptance. I do not disbelieve him in the least. He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; and I know, he will be faithful to his promise; this is my hope, and my comfort." At an other time, M Roome expressed more satisfaction in her God, and after prayer, in a solemn manner she exclaimed, "O my God! so let it be, so indeed let it be. Let thy mercy and thy comfort sink deep into my soul. strengthen me to the end. I know thou will not forsake me. I give myself to thee, my blessed Saviour for ever!" On my next visit, she said to me, "there was a time when I thought it enough to do my duty, and I have endeavoured to do it; but now I find that my only comfort and strength are in Christ Jesus; He is my all, in all, and I am waiting every day for him to call me to himself. These things I feel in my very soul, and would not part with them for the whole world." M Roome visibly drew near her end, and ripened fast for the sickle of death. "How good" said she, showing me her hand and arm, which were little better than skeleton," how good is the Lord to me, that I feel only weak

rs.

ness, without pain. And besides this, he keeps my mind and heart so comfortable in himself.I cannot love and praise him enough! I have lately had all my Children to see me, except one, whose engagements absolutely prevented his attendance, and you cannot tell what a satisfaction it gave me. That I should live so many years,

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and be so much blessed of the Lord: I don't know how to express my thankfulness!" One of the last times I visited Mr Roome, she had several of her children and grand-children around her. She took hold of my hand and said, my life is almost gone; but my spiritual life is yet with me, and it cannot be lost, it will be for ever. My God gives me as much comfort as I want. My blessed, Heavenly Father will soon step for me; and it will only be like stepping into his door. I have no dread or fear, I only wait his will, it cannot be long." After I had prayed with her, and her children, she continued in silence a few minutes, and then lifting up her eyes and hands towards heaven, in accent truly solemn, she said, "into thine hand-I commit my spirit-my body-my soul-thou hast redeemed me!" She then expressed her gratitude for my visits, accompanied with those pious wishes, not to be forgotten. On my last visit, the speech of M Roome was much altered; but, sufficient power was left for her to say, "I have assurance, that my dear Saviour bled and died for me. It will not be long before he will come for me." After prayer, she took me

by the hand, and gave her last farewell; "Good bye 'till we meet, where we shall never part again."-She continued composed and charmingly resigned, till the heavenly Husbandman applied the sickle of death, and received her soul to his bosom to be for ever blessed!

AN HYMN.

"Tis finish'd! the conflict is past,
The heav'n born spirit is fled;
Her wish is accomplish'd at last,
And now she's entomb'd with the dead.

The months of affliction are o'er,

The days and the nights of distress,
We see her in anguish no more—
She's gained her happy release.

No sickness, or sorrow, or pain,
Shall ever disquiet her now;
For death to her spirit was gain,
Since Christ was her life when below.

Her soul has now taken its flight,
To mansions of glory above,

To mingle with Angels of light,
And dwell in the kingdom of love.

Then let us forbear to complain,
That she is now gone from our sight;
We soon shall behold her again
With new and reboubled delight.

DOBELL'S COL.

END.