of man universally. But, if there be one class which more than another requires this periodical interval of sacred rest, it is surely that which includes " Thy man-servant and thy maid-servant," who are particularly specified in the divine precept. See Deut. v. 14, 15. And sure I am of this that those know not how to appreciate the public means of grace for themselves who deprive their servants of the advantage of them, and that they require to be warned to flee from the wrath to come. J. S.

Review Bepartment.

Brief Memoir of the Life and Death of MRS. KEMP, of Hoxton, Middlesex. 18mo. pp. 66. Painter, 342, Strand. THERE is much in this small publication that will be read with interest and with profit. The details which it gives of the pilgrimage of one whose life was lengthened out beyond the ordinary period allotted to humanity afford cheering evidence that whilst there is much in this world to try the faith and exercise the patience of the Lord's people there is also much to gladden their hearts even in the midst of bereavement and affliction. Mrs. Mary Kemp was the child of a pious mother, who laboured with diligence to instil into the minds of her children those principles which were the support of her soul and the guide of her footsteps. Of this excellent parent however Mary was soon deprived, and for a time her instructions were forgotten and her prayers remained unanswered. Though moral in her deportment she was nevertheless strongly influenced by that enmity to the gospel which is natural to the unrenewed heart of man. The parting address of a minister of the gospel, who had manifested much

interest in her welfare, was however blest as the means of leading her to serious reflection and self-examination. Her soul was for some time filled with anguish from a deep sense of her own vileness, but she was at length brought to enjoy peace through believing, and by the grace of God held fast her faith even to the end.

It is a little remarkable that a friendship which terminated in her marriage commenced at a funeral. Here she met Mr. Kemp, a man eminent for Christian devotedness, and with whom for forty-five years she laboured to glorify that God whom they both loved.

Many interesting particulars in the life of Mr. Kemp are incidentally disclosed, particularly his zealous and patient efforts in establishing and superintending the Hoxton Sunday School, and his lively interest in the welfare of the despised African, in those days scarcely considered human. The volume also contains some other brief but interesting biographical sketches, but we must content ourselves with recommending its perusal to our readers, instead of entering into any analysis of its contents. One feature in Mrs. Kemp's character, as bearing in a more direct and intimate manner upon the design of "The Females' Advocate," we must not however omit to mention. In her zeal and activity on behalf of the children of the poor, she did not forget to govern and instruct her own; nor were her labours on their behalf in vain. Her biographer observes,

"Mrs. Kemp thought (and very justly) that the greatest tenderness a mother could show to her child was never to overlook its faults. Nursery lessons, too generally slighted as a minor concern, are, of all lessons, the most important. How have I trembled at a mother's foolish fondness, in suf

fering her babe to give way to unrestrained passions, coolly saying, 'It will know better by-and-by!' Such a mother is an unprofitable servant-totally unfit for the performance of those arduous duties which God, in his infinite goodness, has assigned her. Our venerable friend loved her children too well to spoil them-she was aware that the seed must be sown in the genial season of spring, that it must be watered by the tears of maternal solicitude, and fanned by the breath of prayer. Thus might she reasonably hope for an abundant harvest, even though years elapse ere the fruit blossom to the eye. This tender, this indefatigable solicitude, is, in a high degree, the prerogative of the mother. Her sphere of usefulness is by the domestic fireside-happy, supremely happy, if she finds her choicest earthly comforts springing up there."

The narrative is written in a clear and perspicuous style, and is evidently the production of a fondly attached friend. To this circumstance may perhaps be attributed a fault which is common to almost all biography-a want of discrimination, which we think tends to suppress some of the most valuable lessons which a faithful portraiture would convey. Had the venerable saint recorded her own experience, we have no doubt she would have described and deplored the disturbing influence of the "old leaven "the law in her members warring against the law of her mind, and bringing her into captivity to the law of sin. An epistle of Jesus Christ, known and read by all around her, she unquestionably was; but, dwelling exclusively on the excellences of her character, her biographer's account would lead us to consider her exempt from human frailty. We know that it is a delicate and a difficult task to touch those weak points in the character of a departed friend which the eye of affection sees only as specks in the sun. There is too a morbid sensitiveness which hesitates to say any thing but what is favourable of the dead. ever we cannot but deem wrong.

This howOf the dead, as of

the living, we should set down nought in malice; but of the dead, as of the living, we have the highest authority for speaking even in terms of censure, provided we do so in the spirit of Christian love. The inspired penmen of scripture certainly present to us the best specimens of biography; but, in delineating the character of some of the holiest and best of men, they do not conceal those occasional outbreakings of human nature which marked them as the descendants of fallen Adam. Noah, and Abraham, and Moses, and David, and Paul, and Barnabas, and Peter, are not exhibited as specimens of perfection, but as men of like passions with ourselves, and their faults are mentioned in a manner which makes us feel that the portraits were drawn from the life, while we are warned of the dangers to which we are ourselves constantly exposed. Such, we think, should be the style of all biography.

Upon the whole we are however much pleased with this little work, and cordially recommend it to the perusal of those who delight to trace the dealings of God with his people and to observe how much may be accomplished for the cause of God with comparatively small resources, if the heart be set upon his glory.

Miscellaneous Bepartment.

NOTHING LOST BY SERVING GOD.

A POOR old woman, who kept a chandler's shop, was kindly admonished by a Christian lady for selling on the Sabbath day. She acknowledged that it was wrong to do so and that conscience often reproved her, but pleaded that she was a poor, infirm, old widow, without any support except what she derived from her shop, that her business on the week-days would not maintain her, and that she took as much money on the Sabbath as on the other six days together. The lady endea

voured to convince her that nothing was gained by sin, nor any thing lost by obedience, urging that she professed to trust God with her eternal well-being, and surely she might trust him with her temporal concerns,-that he had promised to provide for his people if they served him, but, by breaking the Sabbath, she took her affairs out of his hands, and it was therefore no wonder if she suffered distress,--that she lived in the violation of God's express command, and was doing the service of Satan, but by-and-by the day of reckoning would come, and then, as she had served the wicked one, of course she would expect her wages from him, and she would certainly have them. She seemed alarmed at her own position, and promised to close her shop for the future, which she accordingly did. Some time afterwards the lady called upon her again and enquired whether she was poorer since she left off selling on Sundays. t No," said she, "God has shown me (blessed be his holy name) that he can provide for me abundantly. I am doing better than I have done for these many, many years. Now I am sure there is nothing lost by serving God."

MADAM,

LETTER OF ADVICE,

To whoever will apply it to herself.

I am in an odd idle humour, but, if what I write be not for your instruction, it may be for my own. Are you young? Why then be wise and be a wonder. Are you old? Be cheerfully prudent and decently agreeable; as for your opinions be consistent in all and obstinate in none, and rejoice that you have got so far in safety through a dangerous world. Are you naturally gay? Why then never go out of your way to seek for pleasure, and you will constantly enjoy it. Are you serious? Remember that not to be happy is not to be grateful. Are you melancholy? Beware of romance. Are you handsome? Be unaffected, and charm. Are you plain? Be easy, and outshine all beauties. Are you rich? Make use of your fortune with a generous economy; beware equally of trifling and indolence; keep your money out of a purse and a toyshop; make other people happy and yourself considerable. Do you want employment? Choose it well before you begin, and then pursue it. Do you want amusement? Take the first you meet with that is harmless, and never be attached to any.