clothes. But, more than all else, let your chamber be well ventilated. Knock in a hole somewhere, to give your escaping breath exit, and another to give fresh air to your lungs, in place of what they have respired. So shall you have pleasant dreams at night, and in the morning cheerfulness, sweet breath, and a good appetite. These blessings

combined will secure to healthful parents a household of bright, rosycheeked memorials of rich and fruitful affection.

A PIOUS WIFE.

"I WOULD not," said one who was not himself pious, " marry any one who was not a Christian. I would feel it such an honour to share a heart in which God dwelt." It was a fine thought, and deserves to be specially remembered.

You want a friend in whom you

can have entire and unlimited confidence-one who can be your counsellor in all circumstances of difficulty or trial-one who is to be identified with you through life, in hope and fear, in joy and sorrow. She is to be a sort of presiding divinity at thy family board, and her countenance the mirror in which must be reflected the faithful image of thy domestic bliss or woe; one who will be discreet, affectionate, and firm in governing her children; in short, who will love you for your own sake, be happy with you in a cabin, and when the storm of adversity or persecution shall have swept away or withered every vestige of earthly comfort about you. Now, bear these things in mind, and then to your prayers and the exercise of a becoming prudence, and you will not be likely to fail.-Bishop Andrew.

ELIZABETH MILLS was born at Wednesbury. Her mother was a pious woman, a class-leader in the Wesleyan church. Mrs. Mills frequently referred to the example of her parent, as exerting a salutary influence upon her mind. Although she died when the subject of this sketch was a child, yet did she not forget the steady piety of her excellent mother, especially her scrupulous observance of the Lord's day. Frequently did she mention the early services on the Sabbath morning, when her widowed parent took

all the members of the household to worship God; sometimes, as when Mr. Wesley visited Wednesbury, at the hour of five o'clock, one of the elder children on dark mornings leading the way, lantern in hand. She loved to mention one lesson, namely, the faithfulness of God, which her mother, then declining in health, and feeling that she must soon leave her children orphans, endeavoured to impress upon the mind of a younger brother and herself, as, on one occasion, she called them to the door, to see a

beautiful rainbow. "Yes," said she, "my mother's faith was not misplaced; for God did take care of us after he had removed our earthly parent."

It was in a Wesleyan chapel that Mrs. Mills received her first saving impressions; and where she was enabled to believe on the Son of God. The Gospel invitation was by the minister compared to a golden chain, suspended from heaven to earth; and sinners were urged to avail themselves of the opportunity granted to seize it. She said, "I believe that I was enabled by Divine grace to lay hold of the chain at that time." This she often mentioned, to encourage others to a similar course, or to perseverance in the good ways of the Lord. Referring to it, to a friend, during one of the last years of her life, she remarked, "Blessed be God, I have never, from that moment to this, let go my hold!

On her first marriage she removed to Birmingham, where she attended the ministry of the Rev. J. Brewer, of Livery-street Chapel. Here she was called to pass through deep waters, one of the most painful of which was the somewhat sudden death of her husband, to whom she had been only for a short time united.

At her second marriage she came to Walsall, and joined the church under the pastoral care of the Rev. T. Grove. His ministry was of great importance in building her on her most holy faith, and often did she refer to it as having been a great blessing to her.

There was little incident in the

life of Mrs. Mills. She was unobtrusive. Home was her centre of attraction. Here she was known and appreciated. Actively engaged in business for many years, she was, at the same time, " fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." She never forgot that she was a Christian, never conformed to the more than questionable habits and fashions of the world. She had no taste for these follies.

Whilst at the head of her household, she was scrupulously exact in the discharge of the duties of family religion. Her natural timidity struggled against the publicity of family worship, but duty overcame. Never will some of the family circle forget her intercessions at the throne of grace. She had a great gift in prayer.

The faith of Mrs. Mills was simple. She took God at his word, in an unquestioning manner. "Thus saith the Scriptures," was her motto in these matters. This childlike confidence was the means of sustentation to her soul during her long pilgrimage. The Atonement was the rock upon which she built. Here she rested immoveably. The old truths were the stay of her soul. "The work of Christ," said she, "is all my salvation and all my desire. I have no other hope. "If I am found in Jesu's hands,

My soul can ne'er be lost." This confession of her faith she often made to the Christian friends who came to see her. Of it she was not ashamed. Not unfrequently did she mention it to those who did not make a profession of attachment to the Saviour, and that

in terms indicating surprise at their position.

Her love to the house of God was strong. Through a long life her place was seldom vacant except when indisposition interfered. For the last year and a half of her life lameness prevented her from uniting with the people of God in the great congregation. Sorely did she lament her inability to be there. As she sat confined at home, she looked forward to the time when she should enter the Canaan above, where, as she said,—

"Congregations ne'er break up, And Sabbaths have no end." Mrs. Mills loved the simple truth. Often have her eyes sparkled as she listened to it. She fed upon it. As a new-born babe, she desired the sincere milk of the word. It was always a welcome and a joyful sound. She was refreshed thereby. Mrs. Mills was a humble-minded Christian. She had no false fancies of herself. Whilst not ashamed of her piety, she made no parade of it. Often the subject of praise, she seemed surprised at the mention of her doings. She preferred the shade; so did not obtrude herself on the notice of any one. But those who did know her highly esteemed her for the sincerity, generosity, and disinterestedness, with other excellent qualities, so visible in her character.

She was pre-eminently a peacemaker, always putting the most favourable construction upon any matter. For this Christian characteristic she was known amongst her friends; and not unfrequently was her advice solicited when mis

understandings had occurred. One who long lived with her declared, "I never knew her speak evil of any person."

Mrs. Mills lived, in a great measure, for the good of others. She distributed of her property. "The blessing of the poor " and of "him that was ready to perish came upon her," and she "caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." The cause of God was not forgotten. As a parent she was exemplary. By word and deed she was a pattern. To quote the words of a venerable neighbouring minister, who wrote of her since her decease, "she was such a guide as falls to the lot of few." Kind, affectionate, and ever anxious for the good of her offspring, she thought no sacrifice too great to make for their benefit.

The period drew near when she was to be removed to her eternal reward. It was unexpected. Her health seemed improving. A day before her seizure, an unusual restlessness was noticed, but was attributed to a bilious attack coming on. This supposed biliousness could not be subdued, and it proved to be ossification of the brain, a disease to which persons in advanced years are liable, and which her medical attendant at once pronounced incurable.

During the last three weeks of her life her screams and groans were almost constant. The slightest movement of position was painful. Intervals of relief, however, occurred. The mind, too, was at times composed. These seasons were a great comfort to those around her. On such occasions she ex

pressed confidence in God, and faith in her Saviour. "It will be a glorious change to me," she said; "I am not afraid to die; I've a good home to go to." She repeated portions of psalms and hymns to those who sat by her bedside, Psa. xlvi. being a special favourite. During one of these seasons, a friend who sat watching by her bed (in order to soothe the irritation of her frame) sang some of the verses of that sweet hymn, "Here we suffer grief and pain, Here we meet to part again,

In heaven we part no more," &c. She greatly enjoyed this; and in her turn repeated several verses of the hymn,

"Let me but hear my Saviour say," &c. These she more than once repeated, and that with unwonted energy, especially the verse commencing, "I glory in infirmity."

She shouted the words,

"When I am weak, then am I strong; Grace is my shield, and Christ my song."

Ay, it was the triumph of faith, as she lifted the veil, and revealed to the dying saint a glimpse of what was in reserve, beyond this world and time. Her daughter-in-law remarked, "I shall never forget the triumphant tones in which these lines were repeated."

To another friend she repeated some verses of the hymn commencing,

"There is a land of pure delight;" and the one,

emancipated spirit would so soon be engaged:

and,

46

"Welcome, sweet day of rest;"

"Come, we that love the Lord." She often said, "Absent from the body, present with the Lord;" 'My hope is a good hope, through grace; it is worth a thousand worlds;" "I have never lost my confidence in God from the moment when I first believed."

The last night of her life was one of intense suffering. Her labour for breath was distressing. She could not remain in one position many minutes together. "I am dying," was her repeated exclamation; but her mind was composed. Not a word or sign indicative of impatience escaped her. Her Lord and Master was with her in the last struggle, and his kind hand supported her through the dark river.

A short time before her dismissal, the pain appeared to cease, and she was tranquil. She then quietly and calmly breathed her spirit into the arms of Him whom for so many years she had consistently and uninterruptedly served, and exchanged a scene of suffering for one of repose and joy, in that place where "they go no more out, and where every tear is for ever wiped from the eye," March 26, 1856. "The memory of the just is blessed."

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."

MR. EDITOR,-Should the following letter be of any use for the CHRISTIAN'S PENNY, it is at your service. It is from a young man in London who was formerly a teacher in Argyle School, to his sister in Bath, on the sudden death of Mr. Lemon, the Superintendent, in Argyle Vestry. Yours, &c.,

W. NICHOLLS.

Bristol, Dec. 11, 1857.

London, Nov. 5, 1857. MY DEAR SISTER,-The contents of your letter did indeed very much surprise me; but what must have been mine compared with yours! To stand so close to one so much respected and beloved, and to see him expire so suddenly, must indeed have been a severe shock to those who witnessed it, and a sight very long to be remembered. One moment pleading with and for his brethren here below, beholding Christ by the eye of faith; the next seeing him face to face, without a veil between! standing before his presence almost before his fervent prayer had died away! What a prayer it must have been to those who heard it! Every word should be engraven deeply upon the heart. A prayer offered by one on the very threshold of glory! A prayer offered by one who was allowed to finish that prayer, and then called up higher! His work having been finished here, the Master called him home. His death certainly was but a step from the church militant to the church triumphant. Oh, what a church-meeting he was that night called upon to attend,even the meeting of the church of the first-born above! And doubtless that soul, ransomed by the blood of Christ, while his friends

are mourning below, is now singing in sweetest strains the harmony of heaven! Oh, what a change he felt! The communion of saints on earth was sweet, and while in the midst of them the silver thread was broken, and the soul, while yet the breath of prayer was on the lip, took its flight amid a convoy of angels; and there was rejoicing in heaven amongst the angels over that one soul brought to worship the Lamb, and swell the praises of Paradise.

May this solemn event not pass away without the lesson intended to be taught, and thoroughly impressed upon the mind. The scene is doubtless deeply impressed upon the minds of those who witnessed it; may the lessons be as deeply!

How very pleasing to think that God is working with you, and that he hath brought his truth home to the hearts of so many young men who are now determined to live to Christ, and avow his name, and make a public profession. That prayer-meeting of young men I attended is, I am certain, very much calculated to do good; and I doubt not these are some of its fruits, and that dear man, Mr. V., shall have some of the honour. May God bless him in his work, and make him eminently useful in winning souls to Christ!

Please send me a paper with all particulars of the case in it, and the various meetings that are being held this month. I am sure such an event must have cast a gloom over the city, to have one so generally beloved removed so suddenly from your midst; and poor Mr. Dyer has lost a sincere friend. Please to remember me very kindly to him when you have an opportunity, also to Mr. and Mrs. V. and family, and other friends.

I am very glad to hear of the success so far of your Mental Im