Reviews. The Lamb gathered into the Fold by the Good Shepherd, and carried in his Bosom. A Memorial of the Lovingkindness of the Lord as manifested in the Experience and happy Departure of M. J. W. By her Father. London: J. Paul, 1, Chapter House Court; Birmingham: T. Ragg. "PRECIOUS in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." How precious no human heart can conceive, nor tongue describe. If they were precious in his foreview ere they had a being-precious when involved in the common ruin, and at enmity with Himself-precious when brought by grace divine to "sit at his feet, clothed, and in their right mind". precious amid all the chequered scenes of the wilderness-oh how precious must they be when clasping his lovely Person, for succour and support, in the midst of the waters of the Jordan! To us it appears as though his very heart vibrated in those moments with a special love and a special sympathy; for (blessed be His name!) we have not an high-priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" and (speaking of the closing up of his eventful and all-glorious mission) He exclaimed, "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened until it be accomplished." 66 Until reminded by a letter just to hand, it had passed from the mind that it was our privilege, on the occasion of our last visit to Nottingham, to visit the dear young person, whose experience and death constitute the subject of the little book before us. Brought thus to mind, however, we remember that deathbed scene. Mary Jane W. presents herself again to our view, as she reclines her lowly bed, far gone in consumpupon tion. Her testimony was (as far as we recollect it) clear, simple, unquestionable. That testimony is confirmed by the sweet account which now lies before us. There is a simplicity and an honesty about many of her expressions, which we delight to meet with: for example— "I have not been comfortable for some days past-have had no feeling in reading or anything. Yet I do not lose my confidence." Upon the question being asked, "Is your confidence so much in what the Lord has done in you, as in Jesus and what He has done for you?" she answered, "I think it cannot be merely in what is done in me, or it would go when I am not comfortable; but it does not." April 28.-"Do you ever feel Jesus precious ??? "Yes," was the reply; once this week I felt Him so precious, that I could have left all to go to Him: I felt so for a little while." May 11.-" On what ground do you feel I will no wise cast out." confidence?" She replied, "Because Jesus says, That was the word which first gave me confidence, and it still does. Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out;' and I think desiring Jesus, and longing for Him, is coming, and I do desire that more than anything besides; so I think I am coming, and He will not cast me out, even if I have not a brighter evidence; but I should like to have; and I do think the Lord will give me more yet." Again she said, "I often enjoy the most alone: when I try to tell any one, I cannot remember, and feel confused.' When asked on one occasion to speak a little more about her experience, she said, "Don't hurry me; I cannot say more than I feel. I do not wish to deceive myself or others by speaking of spiritual things more than I understand." She awoke her mother one night in a transport of joy, and kept her awake an hour or more, telling her of the happy state of her mind. Now," she said, "I know what it is to have joy and peace in believing.” "Mother," she said one day," when you pray, does it seem sometimes as if the Lord He were very near?" were a great way off, and at other times as if Why do you ask Because," she replied, "it is so that ? with me." A few days before her departure, her mother was reading a portion of Paul's epistle to Timothy, when she said, "That does not suit me; read the 14th chapter of John." This had often been a blessed portion to her. 'Father, I used to read the word of God as a lesson or a task; but now I read it, because "Tell Miss B.," said she, at another time, I discover new beauties and wonders in it" that as I come nearer the river, Jesus beevery day that I never saw before it seems comes more and more precious to my soul." quite a new book to me." About three hours before she "slept," says her father, “I went to her bedside; she | upon building a boat principally on the had just before thrown her wasted arms around her mother's neck, and exclaimed, "Hide me, hide me." She could say no more; donbtless she wished to say— Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, Oh receive my soul at last. She then loosed her arms from her mother, and threw them around my neck, saying, "Raise me up," which was the last expression. Reclining on my arm, after about two hours more of suffering She took her flight from sin's abode- on Wednesday evening, the 28th of February, 1855, in the 18th year of her age. And thus closed the earthly career of another sinner saved by rich, free, and sovereign grace! Truly within our short recollection and limited knowledge, Nottingham has been favoured: and at the last great day it shall be said, This and that man were born there." There is the dear Gipsy Girl of Sherwood Forest; the beloved Anthony Hervey, whose conversation was so blessed to this poor outcast; the aged Pilgrim whom we used to see at the Alms' Houses; and now Mary Jane W. These favoured ones have finished their course, kept the faith, and are now seated around the throne, shouting, "Victory, victory through the blood of the Lamb!" Happy songsters! when shall we Your chorus join? We cannot but recommend this little book for the use of schools and families. May Jehovah crown it with his blessing, and make it the means (if it be his blessed will) of leading many a poor sinner, with the departed Mary Jane, to take courage, and to plead his own precious promise, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Lord's day. Upon being remonstrated with by a neighbouring Minister, in a spirit of defiance, and blasphemous bravado, the builder declared he would name her "THE SABBATH-BREAKER !" He did so. The boat was built mostly on the Sabbath-launched on the Sabbath-started in presence of a number of spectators (with her name flying at the mast-head) on the Sabbath-and in four short hours afterwards, having suddenly capsized, the same flag floated over the sunken boat, the godless builder, and forty hapless companions! Hymns composed to be sung on the Fastday. By the Editor of the "Little Gleaner." Paul, Paternoster Row. THE Author says, "he has acceded to the request of his friends in publishing these Hymns, thinking they may be useful in prayer-meetings for the blessing of peace in our time." " From the spirit with which they are imbued, we think them admirably adapted to the object in view, and hence recommend them. ' "Heart Breathings in Soul-travail"--" Heirs of Glory." -By E. B. M. London: W. H. Collingridge; or to be had of the Authoress, 57, Bath Row, Birmingham. "Why weepest thou ?”. THREE precious Gospel gems, by Mrs. Moens, Widow of the late beloved Pilgrim, of Birmingham. We question if any can read these pieces without being struck with the peculiar freedom of expression-their simplicity, their unction. There is such a mellowness about E. B. M.'s writings, that can scarcely fail to touch the heart, and lead up the spirit after Him in holy pantings who is at once both the life and light of his people. We do earnestly recommend these unctious fragments as admirably adapted for enclosures. Now that the war has made such sad havoc, and that there are so many bleeding hearts through the length and breadth of the land, how appropriate are these little Gospel messengers. We hope they will have an immense circulation, for they are well worthy of it. The Prayer for the Comforter. By the Author of "Nathaniel; or, the Israelite indeed." London: J. Groom. MR. GROOм publishes some precious pieces, and we doubt not an eminent blessing will attend this little messen "I will in no wise cast out!" A blessed salvation, and a thrice-blessed Saviour! The Fate of the Sabbath Breaker. London: J. Groom, Bazaar, Soho Square; and 12, Crescent, Birmingham. NoT content with other business or socalled pleasure occupations on the Sab-ger. bath, a certain ungodly man resolves "OH WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM!" My Lord, my God! when wilt thou quell In vain my feeble arm essays To stem the torrent's rise; Satan's fell power is all too much The guilt is mine, and mine alone, Is it perchance, a false deceit Who is it taught me thus to speak? Thee "Abba, Father" call? Who taught me heavenly grace to seek? And at thy feet to fall? 'Tis thou! 'tis thou! Eternal God, No power but thy creating word Jesus my Lord! Omnipotent! Speak to these troubled waves awhile, Calm at thy voice they'll grow! And give thee back the peaceful smile Thou dost on them bestow ! "AND THEY TWO STOOD BY JORDAN."-2 KINGS II. 7. BELOVED, in our last we briefly adverted to the blessed Companionship with which this chapter opens, and touched a little upon the prophets' introduction to each other. That introduction was so significantly of God, that not only did it leave no room to question who or what either of the persons so introduced were, but the impressions attending such an introduction must necessarily be unctious and abiding. Considering the world in which we live-the changes of which we are the subjects-and the temptations to which we are all exposed, it is blessed when the Lord (as in the case of the prophets) stamps a meeting with his own divine signet. In the absence of this, there commonly is, in some of those after-circumstances into which persons are thrown, a standing in doubt, and a calling in question, the real spiritual character and principles; and in very many cases this forms no small part of the trial of faith. Meeting, as some persons do, under auspicious circumstances, in a time of prosperity, or during a season of religious excitement, a favourable opinion is formed, and pleasing impressions are left; but when adversity sets in, or ar temptations assail, or envy and jealousy are encouraged, how then are all sunshine, and, it may be merely selfish, friendships tested-how shallow they prove-how insecure! A friend in need is a friend indeed;" and verily "there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother." 66 Whatever change of position-however adverse circumstances or peculiar those depths of anguish and mental suffering through which some have to pass; there is, notwithstanding, even in this world, sinful as it is, a union of hearts, and a fellowship of soul, which nothing can effectually assail. Earthly friendships may be, and are, for most part superficial; but there is spiritually here and there that true devotedness of heart-that inward, sweet, close, (we had nearly said lovely) sympathy, that, in its entire forgetfulness of self in mingles with the deepest woes and bitterest anguish A recent writer has most sweetly expressed herself upon this subject :— I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, Through constant watching wise, "A heart at leisure from itself!" That's the idea, and a precious one, too. How few such hearts there are. How little of such pure, disinterested friendship. There are instances, however; and such was that which existed between David and Jonathan. Their's was companionship indeed. There are many characters mentioned in the Scriptures between whom there was a kindred spirit; but in none (the Saviour alone excepted) do we discover such sweetness, such loveliness, such perfection of friendship, as that between David and Jonathan. Lovely as were the two characters, we consider that of Jonathan was the most lovely. Such pure unselfishness; such entire indifference to personal considerations; such an all-engrossing interest in the well-being of his friend; so content not to submit to merely, but to welcome personal sacrifices, in order to further David's cause. How affecting this scene: And David sware, moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved; but truly, as the Lord liveth, there is but a step between me and death. Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee." Therefore, thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thee notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father? And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee? Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly? And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field. And Jonathan said unto David, O Lord God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to-morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee; the Lord do so and much more to Jonathan : but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace and the Lord be with thee, as He hath been with my father. And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David's enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul” (1 Sam. xx. 8-17). 66 Another scene: Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath e done ? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. So Jonathan arose |