we may give in our account with joy. This is a light to our path.

For about two years before the death of Ann, there were unfavourable symptoms of consumption. Her friends feared the flower would fade, and now their fears are realized, and the beautiful flower is gone, but we trust to bloom in the better land, where the flowers are immortal, and where they live in perpetual sunshine. Means were of course used to restore the fading flower to health and vigour, and at times hope was encouraged; but time proved that all means were unavailing. There was a worm at the root, and it worked its way deeper and deeper, until the fair flower faded away, and now the place which once knew it knows it no more. The flower is gone.

While our young friend was gradually sinking under the power of an incurable disease, her mind seems quietly, gradually, but_we trust effectually, to have opened to the reception of the Saviour. She never said much respecting her state of mind, not even when questions on the subject were put to her, but there was an evident change in her whole behaviour. There was manifest seriousness of mind, more quiet thoughtfulness, a greater disposition to attend to words of counsel, kindness, and salvation. Though she would always speak as hopefully as possible of her illness, and even with cheerfulness, there is no doubt she felt that her recovery was very doubtful, and that the night of her life was far spent, and that it was all-important for her to turn her attention to the only Friend who could heal her soul, save her from the wrath of God, and fit her for the glory of an eternal day.

There is reason to hope she was gradually brought to see that religion is the one thing needful, and was led by a Divine hand to choose the good part which shall never be taken away. The truths of the Gospel she had been taught from her infancy were silently impressed on her heart by the loving Spirit of God, and made her feel her sinfulness

and need of Jesus. Thus she was led to commune with her own heart and with Jesus, and with the realities of an eternal world. There was more felt than was said. The weakness of her body did not allow her to come much to the house of God, and often, when she wished to come, she was prevented by the weather and her feeble frame. The last time she was in the house of God was on Sabbath evening, June 28th, 1857. The subject of the discourse was, "I will surely do thee good." This precious promise we trust was fulfilled in her experience, and we hope that the good begun on earth is now perfected in heaven.

During the last few weeks of her life, she rapidly sank under the power of her malady, and a few days before her death she gave directions concerning a few small matters, and in a way which showed that her mind was anticipating the close of her days. On Wednesday morning, July 29th, after a painful struggle with the last enemy, she closed her eyes in death; and we hope and believe that through the mercy of God and the merits of the Saviour, her spirit, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and sanctified by the Divine Spirit, entered the better land, and joined her sainted mother and aunt, and other friends who died in the Lord. Her mortal remains were committed to the burial-ground adjoining Sion Chapel, Ashbourne.

There are a few points in reference to the change seen in the spirit and conduct of our young friend, which we would briefly notice as tokens of good. There was a readiness and delight in giving instruction to the young, a work for which she was well fitted, for her Father in heaven had endowed her with excellent abilities. She had a remarkable aptness to receive instruction, and what to some young persons would be a serious task was to her a pleasant occupation. Hence she was capable of making rapid advances in useful knowledge, and when the half-year closed always

we may give in our account with joy. This is a light to our path.

For about two years before the death of Ann, there were unfavourable symptoms of consumption. Her friends feared the flower would fade, and now their fears are realized, and the beautiful flower is gone, but we trust to bloom in the better land, where the flowers are immortal, and where they live in perpetual sunshine. Means were of course used to restore the fading flower to health and vigour, and at times hope was encouraged; but time proved that all means were unavailing. There was a worm at the root, and it worked its way deeper and deeper, until the fair flower faded away, and now the place which once knew it knows it no more. The flower is gone.

While our young friend was gradually sinking under the power of an incurable disease, her mind seems quietly, gradually, but we trust effectually, to have opened to the reception of the Saviour. She never said much respecting her state of mind, not even when questions on the subject were put to her, but there was an evident change in her whole behaviour. There was manifest seriousness of mind, more quiet thoughtfulness, a greater disposition to attend to words of counsel, kindness, and salvation. Though she would always speak as hopefully as possible of her illness, and even with cheerfulness, there is no doubt she felt that her recovery was very doubtful, and that the night of her life was far spent, and that it was all-important for her to turn her attention to the only Friend who could heal her soul, save her from the wrath of God, and fit her for the glory of an eternal day.

There is reason to hope she was gradually brought to see that religion is the one thing needful, and was led by a Divine hand to choose the good part which shall never be taken away. The truths of the Gospel she had been taught from her infancy were silently impressed on her heart by the loving Spirit of God, and made her feel her sinfulness

and need of Jesus. Thus she was led to commune with her own heart and with Jesus, and with the realities of an eternal world. There was more felt than was said. The weakness of her body did not allow her to come much to the house of God, and often, when she wished to come, she was prevented by the weather and her feeble frame. The last time she was in the house of God was on Sabbath evening, June 28th, 1857. The subject of the discourse was, "I will surely do thee good.' This precious promise we trust was fulfilled in her experience, and we hope that the good begun on earth is now perfected in heaven.

During the last few weeks of her life, she rapidly sank under the power of her malady, and a few days before her death she gave directions concerning a few small matters, and in a way which showed that her mind was anticipating the close of her days. On Wednesday morning, July 29th, after a painful struggle with the last enemy, she closed her eyes in death; and we hope and believe that through the mercy of God and the merits of the Saviour, her spirit, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and sanctified by the Divine Spirit, entered the better land, and joined her sainted mother and aunt, and other friends who died in the Lord. Her mortal remains were committed to the burial-ground adjoining Sion Chapel, Ashbourne.

There are a few points in reference to the change seen in the spirit and conduct of our young friend, which we would briefly notice as tokens of good. There was a readiness and delight in giving instruction to the young, a work for which she was well fitted, for her Father in heaven had endowed her with excellent abilities. She had a remarkable aptness to receive instruction, and what to some young persons would be a serious task was to her a pleasant occupation. Hence she was capable of making rapid advances in useful knowledge, and when the half-year closed always

carried away a prize. Had her life been spared, there is every probability she would have become an intelligent and well-informed woman. Her readiness to attend the Sabbath-school and to help in this good work is an example worthy of imitation.

There is also another point worthy of observation; namely, her enlightened appreciation of the worth of family prayer, in which she found increasing pleasure until within a few hours of her departure. There is reason to hope she had a truly humbling and correct view of herself as a sinner, and that she was willing freely to confess her guilt to God, and to seek mercy through faith in the only Saviour. There was a time when she thought herself rich and had need of nothing, but it was pleasing to her friends to see the proud humbled, and to hear her confess her sinfulness and need of mercy.

She

She had scriptural views of the great atonement for sin. Her language was, "I look for salvation through the blood of Christ." said to her uncle the Monday evening before her death, "Jesus is my only hope." She was very patient during her long affliction, which was borne in a way equal to the calmness of many a veteran in the service of God. She was very careful in her affliction not to give unnecessary trouble to her friends. She manifested full satisfaction of mind with the will of God in the prospect of an early death. Not one repining word ever escaped her lips. Her only desire was to be fully certain of her acceptance with God through the merits of the Saviour. She desired clearer evidences

that her faith was genuine, and that she was not self-deceived in reference to the safety of her state. She was also very earnest in her request to her companions to continue in the Sabbath-school, and to do all in their power to bring the children to Jesus.

Her early death should impress on the minds of the teachers in the school the importance of patient

perseverance in their arduous yet delightful work. The period for labour, as in the case of Ann Peach, may be short, and it is well to work while it is called day. There are other flowers in our Sabbath-school as liable to fade as our departed friend, and the Proprietor of our life requires us to use the precious talent until he come. He says, "Occupy till I come.'

The death of our young friend should lead us all to cultivate the friendship of the Saviour, and to do it with increasing ardour. Then, if we are spared for years to come, we shall always have a Friend at hand to give counsel, comfort, and all needful help; and if we are soon called away, we shall have a Friend in heaven, who will fill us with joy for ever.

Would you be safe, happy, and useful? Then, if undecided, now decide for Jesus. Now give your heart to him, now take his yoke; and then, when the Master comes and calls for you, you will be found ready to die, ready to leave this scene of conflict, ready to join Ann in the better land. This will give joy to angels, this will comfort the hearts of mourning friends, and this will soften your dying pillow, and give you evidence that when absent from the body you will be present with the Lord.

The words of Jesus should comfort her father and friends: "He said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth."

The Rev. H. Hollis improved the death of Miss Peach in Sion Chapel, Ashbourne, in a sermon to young persons, from the words of the prophet, "The flower fadeth, but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

Since the death of Ann, her only brother, and only remaining child of her father, has been removed by death, after a short illness. Thus it is that we are often reminded of the brevity of life, and are called upon to redeem our time, and to prepare to meet our God. What folly to defer our attention to the vast interests of the immortal soul!