Page images
PDF
EPUB

slumbered, "in thoughts from the vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon man," I was mentally concerned in a scene of deep interest. I imagined myself still adding link after link to the chain of reflection, the progress of which they had interrupted; and, while thus engaged, I was aware that there remained but a few moments to complete the year. I heard the clock as it tolled the knell of another year; and, as it rung slowly the appointed number, each note was followed by a sting of conscience bitterly reproaching me for my neglect of precious time. The last stroke was ringing in my ears-painful as the groan announcing the departure of a valuable friend-when, notwithstanding the meditative posture in which I was sitting, I perceived that the dimness of the apartment became brighter; and, on lifting my eyes to discover the cause, I was terrified at perceiving that another being was with me in my seclusion. I saw one before me whose form indeed was human; but the bright beaming glance of his eyes, and the splendour which beamed forth from every part of his beautifully proportioned form, convinced me at a glance that it was no mortal being I saw. The elevation of his brow gave dignity of the highest order to his countenance, but the most acute observation was indicated by his piercing eye, and inexorable justice was imprinted on his majestic features. A glittering phylactery encircled his head, upon which was written, as in letters of fire, "The Faithful One." Under one arm he bore two volumes; in his hand he held a pen. I instantly knew the recording angelthe secretary of the terrible tribunal of heaven. With a trembling which convulsed my frame, I heard his unearthly accents. Mortal," he said, "thou wast

[ocr errors]

longing to recal the events of the past year; thou art permitted to gaze upon the records of the book of God-peruse and be wise." As he spoke thus, he opened before me one of the volumes which he had brought. In fearful apprehensions. I read in it my own name, and recognized the history of my own life during the past year, with all its minutest particulars. Burning words were those which that volume contained. All the actions and circumstances of my life were registered under their respective heads in that dreadful book. I was first struck by the title "Mercies received." Some were there the remembrance of which I had retained, more which had been recalled after having been forgotten; but the far greater part had never been noticed at all. Oh! what a detail of preservations and deliverances, and invitations and warnings, and privileges and bestowments! I remember that " Sabbaths stood out in very prominent characters, as if they had been among the greatest benefits. In observing the recapitulation, I could not but be struck with one circumstance; it was this, that many dispensations which I had considered curses were enumerated here as blessings. Many a woe which had riven the heart, many a cup whose bitterness seemed to designate it as poison was there, verifying the language of the poet

"Even crosses from his sovereign hand

Are blessings in disguise."

Another catalogue was there; it was the enumeration of transgressions. My hands tremble as I remember them. What an immense variety of classes! Indifference, thoughtlessness, formality, ingratitude, unbelief, sins against the world, against the church, against the Father, against the Saviour, against the

Sanctifier, stood at the head of their crowded battalions, as if for the purpose of driving me to despair. Not one sin was forgotten there: neglected Sabbaths, abused ordinances, misimproved time, encouraged temptation-there they stood, with no excuse, no extenuation. There was one very long class, I remember well--"Idle words ;" and then the passage flashed like lightning across my mind," For every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account in the day of judgment." My supernatural visitant here addressed me: "Dost thou observe how small a proportion thy sins of commission bear to those of omission?" As he spoke he pointed me to instances in the page like the following "I was hungry and thou gavest me no meat; I was thirsty and thou gavest me no drink ; I was sick and thou didst not visit me," &c. I was conscience-stricken. In another part of the record I read the title, "Duties performed." Alas! how small was their number! I tremble; for, much as I had been accustomed to think of the estimate of my good works, I was greatly disappointed to perceive that many performances on which I had looked back with pride were omitted, because, as my visitor informed me, "the motive was impure." It was, however, with feelings of the most affecting gratification I read beneath this record, small as it was, the following passage: "Whoever shall give a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, he shall in nowise lose his reward." While I gazed on many other similar records, such were the intense feelings which seemed to be awakened within me that my brain grew dizzy and my eyes became dim. I was awakened from this state by a touch of my supernatural instructor, who pointed me to the

volume in which I had read my own terrible history, now closed, and bearing a seal, on which, with sickening heart, I read the inscription "Reserved until the day of judgment." "And now," said the angel, "my commission is completed! Thou hast been permitted what was never granted to man before. What thinkest thou of the record? Dost thou not justly tremble? How many a line is here which, when dying, you could wish to blot! I see you already shudder at the thought of the disclosure of the volume at the day of judgment, when an assembled world shall listen to its contents. But, if such be the record of one year, what must be the guilt of your whole life? Seek, then, an interest in the blood of Christ, justified by which you shall indeed hear the repetition, but not to condemnation. Pray that when the other books are opened your name may be found in the book of life. And see the volume prepared for the history of another year. As yet its page is unsullied; may you remember this, and redeem the time, because the days are evil. "O God! our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home!

A thousand ages in thy sight

Are like an evening gone,

Short as the watch that ends the night

Before the rising dawn.

Time, like an everlasting stream,

Bears all his sons away;

They fly forgotten as a dream

Dies at the opening day."

[ESTABLISHED NOV. 14, 1836.]

To promote the moral and spiritual improvement of Woman, and to assist in giving a proper direction to her powerful and extensive influence, are the high, yet simple, ends of the London Female Mission; and, to attain these ends, the following means are proposed :

1. To use every practicable method of making known to her the way of salvation, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To publish a monthly Magazine exclusively devoted to the benefit of females, and entitled " The Female's Advocate."

3. To form Maternal Associations, for the purpose of instructing Mothers in the nature of their relative and domestic duties.

4. To form Associations of Young Women of good character, for mutual protection, improvement, and usefulness.

5. To form Associations for the purpose of elevating the moral character, and promoting the efficiency, comfort, and respectability of domestic Servants.

6. To form Associations for the purpose of imparting useful knowledge to Girls under 14 years of age, and to train them to habits of industry.

7. To encourage Women who have fallen from virtue to repent of their wickedness; and, when necessary, to intercede with Parents or Guardians to receive their returning Prodigals. Asylums will be provided for the temporary accommodation of such of these women as are Orphans, or whose Parents will not receive them, with a view to their ultimate restoration to society. Each Asylum is intended

« PreviousContinue »