144 THE HINDOO'S DEATH-BED. THE HINDOO'S DEATH-BED. TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN. "Salvation! O salvation! that has felt the power of Jesus' love can recite with indifference the circumstances connected with the new creation? Her heart warmed, as she talked of Jesus; and while her tears flowed, all were more or less affected. Perceiving the effect, she sung a hymn, then asked them to join her in prayer and praise. She found access to a throne of grace, and wrestled in prayer for each one present. She sung again, and then asked her sister to pray. This was a cross so heavy as to drive A HINDOO widow, Tugudumba, who was converted her sister to God for help; and he did help, for the to Christ, died in the year 1821, fifty-three years old. heart-searching and convincing spirit was there. Be-Nine years before her death she had been baptized, and The joyful sound proclaim! Till earth's remotest nation, Has learned Messiah's name." she was so happy as to see, before she left this world, four of her sons, two daughters, and two daughters-inlaw, give their hearts to Christ, receiving the holy bath of baptism. Her husband lived and died a strong idol fore they parted she requested them all to seek the Lord, and asked the privilege of spending an evening with them at the house of one of the company then present. This was agreed to, the arrangement was made, and all went to their homes reflecting on theater, who would not accept in the last moments of his scenes and circumstances of the day. The time between the appointments was employed by the pious woman in doing her Master's work whereever she happened to be. When the time appointed for the second meeting arrived, their numbers were increased; and to all, a recital of the circumstances of my friend's conversion, and of her subsequent peace and joy, seemed interesting and affecting. She again exhorted them to try the Savior, and to "try him now," and after speaking to each, she joined the weeping company in prayer. All felt like praying, and in great earnestness called upon the Lord for mercy. Then the good work was manifest-prayer after prayer was offered up to Him whose ear is open to our cry. Pardoning mercy was vouchsafed to one or two present. These in turn began to tell of the wondrous love of Jesus. The pastor heard of their meetings, and was led to attend the third, where God most powerfully blest several penitents. His heart too was touched, and he joined the praying circle. The neighborhood became interested, and a precious revival of religion was the result-embracing many of the relatives and friends of the western missionary—for missionary she may be truly called. In looking back to the past, how pleasant must it have been for her to dwell on such events as that here narrated. Each lover of Jesus may do some good. The woman of Samaria, by her efforts, brought out of her native city hundreds that heard Jesus, many of whom said, "Now we believe; not because of what thou sayest, but of what Jesus hath said." Females have influence-O that they may employ it to glorify God! A FRIEND. "FEAR deliberates and lowers, but hope animates and revives; therefore rulers and magistrates should attempt to operate on the minds of their respective subjects, if possible, by reward, rather than punishment. And this principle will be strengthened by another consideration: he that is punished or rewarded while he falls or rises in the estimation of others, cannot fail to do so likewise in his own." life any nourishment, because he had once become a Christian. In her last sickness she consoled her children, saying they should not afflict themselves for her sake, but rejoice with her, that she was going to her Master; and when any of them had time, she wanted them to read for her out of the Bible. Formerly she was of a very passionate temper, but the death of two of her sons humbled her very much. She exhorted her children to bear with injustice, and to pardon it; to avoid bad company; to live sober, and never neglect the service of God. When she saw that one of her sons was overtaken with grief, she said unto him, "Why dost thou grieve in such a way? What are my sufferings? Look up to Christ and behold what he suffered for us." When then the tears of both flowed together, the youngest daughter entered and said, “O my dear mother, before this thou always didst trouble thyself about us; now it seems, however, as if thou hadst lost attachment for all earthly things." She replied, "I deliver you into the hands of Him, who loves you more, and takes better care for you, than I am able to do." When the dying mother saw that all the family allowed their tears to flow, she said, “Why do you cry in this way? You will lay a stone of stumbling in my way to heaven. It is better for you to read in your Bible, and pray much, and in particular, pray for awoke, one and another of her relations prayed with me." In the night of her departing this life, when she her; and in the course of the night, five or six Hindoo brethren prayed and sung hymns. Before she died she of all, and with the rising of the sun, her spirit rose to gave her hand to every one, took an affecting farewell the habitation of everlasting salvation. INFERENCE. How rich are the rewards of the missionary, consisting not of silver and gold, but of immortal jewelry, polished by his unworthy hand. How excellent are the rewards of that benevolence which flows from selfdenying poverty, or pious affluence, into the treasury of the Lord, enabling the missionary to visit the realms of heathenism, and call such as Tugudumba out of darkness into marvelous light. It is enough to transform misers into philanthropists, to read of such a woman as this turning from idols unto the true God. H. STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 145 Original. STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. BY REV. S. COMFORT. question. And to settle down on fallacious ground, making its prominent features of character disproportionate or distorted, will manifestly be to destroy the symmetry and elegance of the portrait. Here lies the great danger-an evil scarcely inferior to total indifferMAN is a creature endowed with reason and conence. To this point, therefore, attention the most unscience. All his faculties admit of almost unlimited wavering, enlightened, discriminating, and judicious, improvement. To an intellectual and moral being, should be directed. And after all, little, very little, will some authentic rule of action, and some common meas- be gained till the proper standard of excellence is desigure or criterion of excellence, are obviously indispensa-nated, to the attainment of which education is chiefly ble. Hence all ranks, professions, and stations in soci- called into requisition. ety, must have their rules of conduct, and their acknowledged standard of greatness and perfection. This standard of excellence will of course vary with the education, the taste, the circumstances, the vocation, the time and the place in which we live; because nothing To accomplish this object two things may be regarded standard of female excellence; next, to bring this stanas being indispensable-to determine what is the correct dard into uniform regard and adoption. This done, to sustain and perpetuate the system will be all that will remain. Both are attended with great, but we hope, not with insuperable difficulties. They have their origin, at least in part, in the various and often conflicting views and tastes of parents, which lead them to pursue a different course, and to aim at different ends in the education of their daughters. Thus it is quite con exerts a more sovereign influence upon both our principles and our practices than popular and arbitrary custom. And the vast importance of a correct standard cannot but be obvious from the fact, that as a rational and voluntary being, every man must and does give a permanent molding to his own character. He not only stamps it with its moral features, but with its intellec-ceivable that while receiving their education at the same tual and social. By nature he has constitutional capacity for astonishing improvement and almost unmeas institution, the varying views and tastes of parents may give a corresponding bias and molding to the governing sentiments, and the controling principles of action which are to form the constituents of that personal character which must distinguish the pupil much longer, possibly, than during the present life. But let the same standard each other must follow in exact proportion. And let of excellence be adopted by all, and the conformity to this standard be what it should be, and we have nothing to fear for female education. The former must and will govern the latter. It will not only have its influence on the parent mind, whose taste and judgment, as we have seen, impress their indelible image on the youthful, plastic mind of the child; but as far as the formation of character and the attainment of excellence ured excellence and greatness; but the development of this capacity, and the cultivation of his faculties, depend almost entirely on himself. Hence we cannot conceive any thing relative to our present or eternal interests, of greater importance than the adoption of a correct standard of excellence. Upon this our manners and our character both depend. This fact is established by arguments the most convincing and conclusive. But the importance of such standard is nowhere more obvious than in female education. That this subject has become one of great triteness, we frankly concede, cannot be denied. And to such an objection we reply-let the sentiment once obtain that its triteness has divested it of its deep and thrilling interest, or has rendered it repulsive to the taste, and made it no longer worthy of the attention of the community, under pretext that due light has been shed on the system, and due improvement made in the mode of conducting it, and it will soon be found that but little has been gained towards applying the desired corrective to the various errors and evils which have hitherto encumbered the subject. Should it not rather be constantly kept before the parent mind; turned over and over until it is seen in all its aspects and bearings; till every error and defect in the prevailing system shall have been substituted by something more excellent? We know much has been said and written on the subject, and much was needful; because the interest is one of vast magnitude to the Church and to the world. And allowing that public sentiment has undergone a great and encouraging change amounting almost to a revolution-much remains to be done before the desired consummation is attained. Differences of opinion must be harmonized What, then, constitutes the true standard of female as to what should constitute the nature and extent of excellence? Will any be so rash as to make it consist female education. To feel its mere importance is not in the most refined and elegant external personal accomenough. What should be its character is still the grand plishments? A mere modish etiquet? A symmetri 19 depend on self-exertion, the influence must be still greater. Because, when character may be said to be formed by ourselves at all, it strikes us the instances are few in which it is not formed with more or less conformity to some model referred to, real or ideal. Some measure or degree of excellence, real or imaginary, model be incorrect, or the standard too low, and the must be regarded as the object to be attained. Let such result is obvious-the character thus formed cannot be expected to be more perfect than the model, or the excellence rise above or reach beyond the standard. Here, then, lies the secret of a correct system of female education. Here is the correct and solid basis of pure and elevated female character. And if in searching for a satisfactory answer to the first question, we find it necessary to investigate a principle lying still back of this, and which in fact covers the whole ground, to that let yet us direct our fixed and earnest attention. 146 STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. cal and elegant form; or whatever else is merely orna-|| equality of the sexes, we shall assume that in her appromental? Strange as it may appear, doubtless it has priate station, relations, and duties, woman is the peer often been made to consist in nothing better. But if such a standard would not give superiority to physical over mental and moral attainments, it would be at least to prefer the superficial to the solid, the light and transient to the useful and the lasting. After all that has been written, can it be denied that a false taste still but too generally prevails-that the standard has not been,|| and is not even now sufficiently elevated, or it does not stand erect? The personal and the ornamental preponderate over the solid and the useful, the intellectual and the moral. But we conceive a correct answer to one or two inquiries will reflect sufficient light on the subject to guide the unbiased with almost infallible certainty to the right conclusion. What are the stations woman is destined to fill? the relations she must sustain? the duties to be performed? whose companion and associate will she become? from whose affection and esteem are her own interests and happiness inseparable? We can be at no loss for the answer. of man. This will not be denied; nor, indeed, can it be, without faulting the Author of our being, at the thought of which we are shocked. Or if with regard to some mental endowments she is man's inferior, must it not be admitted that in some she is his equal, and in others his superior? Has she not a fancy as vivid and lively, an imagination which soars as boldly and loftily? Is not her discrimination as clear and as acute, her reasoning powers as strong, and her judgment as correct as his? We speak only of native, original capacity. With regard to the affections-do not the gentler and the sweeter make their permanent lodgment in her bosom, rather than in his who fondly and proudly dreams of his own native superiority? As to the moral capacity, including both an aptitude for the attainment of moral excellence, and the pleasures arising therefrom, is she at all man's inferior? Here, at least, both occupy common ground. But in a moral view, equality is not all we claim. She is not only a successful competitor for superior purity and moral goodness, but Though by Divine appointment her station is subor- also for superior usefulness. To oppose this claim with dinate; nor is her voice heard in Legislative halls, in success, it must be met from the time her insinuating the forum of forensic conflict and disputation, or on the smile and her inspiring influence begin to exert themwaves of political strife and agitation, nor yet in the selves, like the gentle showers of spring on the enlargsanctuary as a teacher' of religion; yet is it more eleva-ing bud, or like the genial sun-rays on the opening ted than that of any potentate that ever filled a throne, and more commanding than that of any monarch that ever swayed a scepter. The relations which she sustains and must sustain are the most tender, endearing, sacred, and important in human society. We can scarcely designate them without exciting emotions the most thrilling our bosoms ever felt: instance daughter, sister, wife, mother! The very terms are associated with "thoughts which breathe," only to be expressed in "words which burn." She is to be the associate of man, whose society must be made agreeable to be secured, whose esteem must be deserved to be continued, whose affection must be cherished to be enjoyed; which can only be done by the possession of real merit, or qualities truly estimable. On this foundation all rational esteem must be based. And to maintain domin-back directly to our starting point-the importance of a ion over the empire of his affections, she must be truly amiable. Without these traits of character indelibly engraven upon her heart and mind, for what more can she reasonably hope than his compassion and endurance? And if this is all, it is an inheritance not to be coveted for the happiness it will afford. We frankly confess we are not of the number of those who can look with indifference on this subject, or who wish to see the mind of man cultivated, expanded, and disciplined, and the mind of woman neglected, stinted, and undeveloped. By no means. Let both be improved with equal solicitude, and with equal pains. Suppose a comparative view be taken of the native susceptibilities of both, and make this the criterion by which to estimate the amount of culture to be bestowed on each. Disclaiming all desire to enter the lists with those who are disposed to deny or dispute the mental flower-on the intellectual being which rests on her bosom, or gambols around her feet. Here it begins. But where does it end, and what is its measure? To see these, it must be viewed in all its operations and bearings, instilling principles, forming habits, controlling in the choice of pursuits in life, and stamping its influ ence on the character and manners. The amount of usefulness, and strength and extent of the influence exerted, must be estimated, not in an individual or family only; but in a community, a nation, the world, before her claims to rivalship in usefulness can be surrendered. But let it not be forgotten, that while it is contended she is equal in capacity, the result depends almost entirely on its improvement. This, we conceive, is the true cause of her inferiority. Thus we are brought correct and elevated standard of excellence, intellectual and moral, that woman's education, her taste, her aims, her principles and standing, may be that in nature and elevation to which she is justly entitled in view of her endowments, relations, obligations, and capacities, as a social, intellectual, and moral being. As true excellence, therefore, must consist in a highly cultivated state of our intellectual and moral faculties; and as the cultivation of the former without the latter, leaves us destitute of the power both to enjoy and to do good, we can be at no loss for the true—the only true standard of excellence: the combination of high intellectual and moral culture. The former without the latter is like a giant without discretion; wasting his strength in sluggish inactivity or misguided and fruitless effort, or employing his strength only for his own injury and that of others. The latter without the former loses CHRISTIAN PORTRAIT. half its present advantage, both to its possessor and to others. Such an one is like a man laboring to do good| with but one hand, while one whose mind and heart are both duly cultivated and improved, has the full exercise of all his powers, securing to himself a revenue of joy and usefulness here, and an eternity of bliss and fruition hereafter. St. Charles, Mo., April 8, 1841. ཁ་མ Original. BEAUTIES OF NATURE. To a mind alive to a delicate sense of the beautiful, nature presents various charms, either sublime and terrible, or in more mild and placid forms. Some minds are entertained by the wild fury of the elements, and the roar of cataracts; others delight to gaze at the setting sun, or watch the budding flower, and mark its progress from one stage of being to another. Who, at the approach of a storm, has noted the clouds hanging in huge masses over head, frowning in dark displeasure, and then listened to the peals of thunder reverberating along the sky, as the lightning's play scathed the heavens, without being moved by the sublimity of the scene, and awed into reverence for that God who is the author of these awful phenomena ? But the more mild and placid scenes are also capable of entertaining. Sun-set is a lovely scene. At the close of the day, when the muscles and chords of the mind (if you will allow me the expression) are all relaxed, it is pleasant to watch the king of day gradually sinking to repose, painting the clouds with more variegated and gorgeous tints, than the most vivid imagination could conceive. His rising, too, is no less beautiful. Peter the Great expressed his wonder that men should be so stupid as not to rise every morning to behold one of the most glorious sights in the universe. "They take delight," said he, "in gazing on a picture, the trifling work of a mortal, and at the same time, neglect one painted by the hand of the Deity himself." The landscape, the majestic river, or the mighty deep, are all subjects which ought to excite in us feelings of the deepest humility, and also lead us to adore that God who so causes nature to tend to the gratification of our minds. Night is another state of nature that ought not to be overlooked. What pleasure there is in contemplating the moon, and the stars and planets, in their nightly courses! These objects should not fail to induce forgetfulness of the things of time, and cause us to look beyond its bounds, and soar in thought to "fairer worlds." The contemplation of the charms of nature ought to inspire us with devotion. God made all these things; we should therefore look through nature to her Architect. We should trace in the heavens and in the earth-in their fields of ether and of light-in their fixed or changing forms of beauty and of glory, the tokens of His supreme wisdom and power, who "stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and hangs the earth over the empty space." W. Original. HELEN IN HEAVEN. BY MISS M. B. BAKER. O! WEEP no more for thine innocent child- But now, while the storm of grief is chill, And thy heart is with anguish riven; Content thee to think, how calm and still Is the rest of thy Helen in heaven. The scorching noon, the dampning shade, For she blooms with the flowers of heaven. The sorrow, the toil, the strife and woe, That to mourners of earth are given; And the many ills that are thine below, Disturb not her rest in heaven. Prepare thee for those pure realms above, 041110 CHRISTIAN PORTRAIT. 147 Hamilton, and of the great Jefferson, on whom he passed some severe criticisms. At length I asked for his views respecting the millenium. His answer awakened my deepest interest. He thought that the period was approaching, and believed it would be gradual. The revivals of religion, which were taking place throughout the length and breadth of the land, were the sure precursors of some great moral revolution. In confirmation of this, he re On a lowering and murky Saturday evening in December, my horse stopped at the residence of an aged Congregational minister, who resided in the neighbor-ferred to the prophecies, and spoke particularly of the hood of one of my regular Sabbath appointments, in the northern part of Michigan. I gently tapped at the door, having my portmanteaus resting on my left arm. I was immediately ushered in by the amiable hostess of the house, the daughter-in-law of the old gentleman, by whom I was introduced to him. I found him to be "An aged man, a man of cares, Wrinkled and curved, and white with hoary hairs." calculations made upon the mystical periods in the Book of Daniel. He had lived when revivals were almost unknown to the people of New England; and in two instances, when they commenced in his Church, they were not understood, and were discouraged. In speaking of the evident changes in religious feelings and societies, as evidences of the approach of this longexpected period, he remarked with emotion, "There is something important at our doors; and I apprehend that the day of the battle of God Almighty is at hand. Some great events are about bursting upon us. Fire thrown from the altar into the world will produce commotion. The political appearance of Europe and Asia, He had transcended the period allotted to the children of men as pilgrims on earth; and, to be released from the buzz of the world, had taken up his residence in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood, waiting the call of his Master to enter the upper sanctuary. His features were those of the aged pilgrim. I was reminded of Abra-at this time, indicate mighty conflicts and revolution." ham, the friend of God and of Israel, ready to gather up his feet and depart. The old gentleman had accompanied his son to this country eight or ten years ago, and had since then gathered around him a small, but interesting flock, consisting, principally, of Scotch Presbyterians, and his own countrymen, New Englanders. To these, he ministered each succeeding Sabbath the treasures of the Gospel, from his well stored and deeply pious mind. The hours of the evening passed with interest until the clock struck nine, when he observed that the time for retirement had come. He arose and went to the book-case, and took down a large Family Bible, and read the third chapter of the 1st Book of Samuel, which gives the account of Samuel's call to the office of a prophet. This was the chapter in regular order of family devotion. I was invited to attend the services of the altar. This done, we retired with the most interesting and pleasant feelings for our nightly repose. days was full. How uncertain is life! It was even so. His last hour was just expiring. I arose the next morning and found him communing with the "holy Book divine." The services of the morning were unusually solemn, just as they should be in the chamber of death. He read the chapter in order, and assisted by his grand-daughter, a girl about twelve years of age, who stood by his chair and rested her arm around his neck, sung one of Watts' beautiful hymns; after which, he offered his last audible prayer. He retired to his room to prepare for Church; and while there, fell to the floor. I assisted to raise and place him on the bed. But his labors were closed. He was gathered as fruit, fully ripe, into the garner of the Lord. Then fell one of Zion's polished pillars. I had not been in his company long before I found Little did any of us think that this aged minister's myself sitting at the feet of a teacher, who, in his con-end was so near at hand, or that the measure of his versation, was remarkably interesting and instructive. He had been educated in one of the New England colleges expressly for the ministry; and this was the fiftythird year of his attendance at the altar. It was like talking with past ages. He had been a close observer of transpiring events. He spoke of religion as it existed sixty years since in the land of steady habits, and of the wonderful changes which had come over the face of things since that period. He vividly described the progress of the French infidelity, and the danger which many supposed religion was in of receiving a final overthrow. Said he, "I am truly astonished at the contrast presented between the sermons written in those days, and sermons written after the storm had subsided." He then adverted to the rapid rise, in immediate succession, of Unitarianism, which had made its appearance but a short time before the age of infidelity, and seemed to think that the latter was aided in its progress by the former. After mentioning these things with great apparent interest, a flash of joy beamed in his countenance as he spoke of the final triumph of religion and vital piety. Our conversation gradually changed from one subject to another. He was familiar with the early politicians of our country. He spoke of the elder Adams, and of -བ》 བ་་་- "GoD's vast existence ne'er decays, Soon shall th' appointed angel stand |