SOPHIA LEECE.

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may be useful and interesting to trace the beginning and progress of the all-important change which took place in her character as related by herself. The particulars of it would probably never have been disclosed to any human being, had not her feelings of gratitude towards the honoured instrument of her conversion constrained her to dictate the following letter to the Rev. T. H-, at a period when the pulse of life moved slow, and her hand was no longer able to trace the sentiments of her heart. Dublin, Feb. 8, 1819.

Father in Christ,

You will be surprised at being addressed by this title, but I cannot forbear letting you have the pleasure of knowing, that it was while listening to a sermon of yours that I first received any serious impressions. You may recollect one Wednesday evening, preaching from 2 Cor. iv. 18. "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." You described the torments of the damned and the glory of the redeemed in such a forcible manner, as quite struck me with a sense of my own blindness, that I had not con sidered these things in this light before. I retired to my room; I threw myself at the feet of my Saviour, and earnestly sought for pardon through his blood, and immediately obtained joy and peace in believing. With love to all your family, I remain,

Yours most affectionately,

SOPHIA LEECE.

In conversation with her aunt, a short time before her death, she entered into a detail of the circumstances attending her entrance on the divine life; amongst other things she mentioned that the morning after she had heard Mr. H's sermon, she felt an almost irresistable desire to engage in secret prayer. It was in her closet and on her knees that she found that peace which passeth all understanding. Prayer now became her favourite employment. At first she was almost constantly at prayer throughout the day. Let not this be called enthusiasm; it was the fervour of an immortal spirit holding high converse with God her Saviour. It was the earnest devotion of one who was deeply convinced that "the things which are seen are temporal, but that the things which are not seen are eternal." If this be enthusiasm, it is the enthusiasm of the Patriarchs and Prophets, of Apostles and Martyrs, It was the enthusiasm of Him in whom all the treasures of wisdom dwell.

Her friends remarked, that from the period in which she became renewed in the spirit of her mind, they never heard her speak an unkind word of any absent person, but whenever the faults and infirmities of others were mentioned in her hearing, she discovered evident symptoms of pain; and, instead of joining in the censure, she was sure to say al she could with truth in their favour.

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She regarded all levity of behaviour as inconsistent with the Christian character, and expressed marked disapprobation of that “foolish jesting,” which the Apostle says is "not convenient." On one occasion, when in company with some young companions who were indulging in trifling and light conversation, she gently endeavoured two or three times to direct their attention to better subjects, but not succeeding in her endeavours, she at last said to them, This is not suitable conversation for us, we shall not remember it with pleasure in eternity.'

Her Bible furnished her with an answer to every inquiry; it guided her through life, it comforted her in sickness, it supported her in death. One who was intimately acquainted with her, says, 'Her Bible was her chief delight, she read it with earnest attention, and studied every verse.' In the beginning of September, 1818, whilst in the Isle of Man, Sophia caught cold, which brought on a severe cough, and she was sent into the country for change of air. But not finding any improvement in her health, she expressed a desire to return and remain at home. Shortly after her return, she said to her aunt,'If it be God's will, I would rather die than recover, as I have no great talents for usefulness, and there are so many temptations in the world to draw me off from God.' From this time her eyes were continually fixed on the eternal world; she seemed to hear the voice of her Saviour, urging her to "watch and be ready."

'As her disorder increased,' observed a pious lady who attended her during her illness, her bodily pain became extreme, and all her friends greatly desired her release. When I got up to leave her, she thanked me, regretted that she was unable to say much, and begged I would pray for her. She had me called back when I had left the room, to request that I would not pray that she should be taken out of pain, but that God would give her patience to bear her pain, and sanctify her sufferings to her. She was as severely tried the next day, but was full of submission, assured, as she said herself, that "whom the Lord loves he rebukes and chastens." She was passing through deep waters, but she experienced the reality of the promises in Isaiah xliii. 2. and "though her heart and flesh failed her, yet God was the strength of her heart and her portion for ever."

'I remarked to her the great cheerfulness of her countenance the Friday before she died; Is it any wonder,' she answered, that I should be animated, when Dr. Percival has said, that I have probably not four days to live?' I remained with her until half-past four o'clock. She asked me if I thought her worthy of being ranked among those who came out of great tribulation, and had "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." On my replying that I did, she said, 'Then welcome suffering, if such will be its glorious termination.' A few minutes before her death, when her aunt knelt down by her

A SUNDAY SCHOLAR AND THE BIBLE.

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bed-side, she turned her head as if she wished to speak, but could not. She then clasped her hands together, as if in prayer, and with sweet composure yielded her happy spirit into the hands of her Redeemer,

A short time after her death, a sermon was preached on the occasion within those walls where she received her first religious impressions, and from the lips of the same preacher who had been the happy instrument of her conversion. The sermon concluded with an interesting description of the departed saint, of which the following is an extract.

"From the time of her conversion she had no will but the will of her Creator. She renounced every thing which she saw to be inconsistent with his will, and lived with a single eye to his glory. She was solicitous to do good to her fellow-creatures to the utmost of her ability, and with this view became an assistant in superintending a Sunday School. She took great delight in assisting the little ones who attended there to read the word of life, and in teaching the infant tongue to lisp its Saviour's praise. The hearts of many of those little ones will, I am persuaded, be filled with sorrow when they know that they shall see her face no more. She is this evening engaged in nobler exercises in her Father's house above; and yet, I am convinced, the recollections of the Sabbath evenings she passed in these labours of love, will afford her pleasure throughout eternity.'

Such is the "good report" which " through faith,” this pious orphan "obtained." She was beloved in life, and lamented in death.

Let every reader learn from the foregoing narrative, the unspeakable value of real piety. Are you in full vigour of youth, and health, and strength? consecrate the first fruits of your life to God, and wisely improve the morning of your days. Whatever your condition may be, know that it is your duty, your interest, your happiness to "glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are his." If you would enjoy a settled peace and calm composure in the near views of death, prepare now for that awful period, and ever bear in mind that a holy life is the best security for a happy death.

ANECDOTE.

A Sunday Scholar's value for the Bible.

A little boy, a Sunday Scholar, was one day sent by his mother to a shop for some soap; when the shop-woman, having weighed it, took a leaf from a Bible that was placed on the counter for waste paper; at which the boy was greatly astonished, and vehemently exclaimed, Why, mistress! that is the Bible! Well, what if it be?' replied the woman. 'It is the Bible,' repeated the boy, and what are you going to do with it? To wrap up the soap,' was the answer. But mistress, you should

not tear up that book, for it is the Bible! cried the boy, with peculiar emphasis: What does that signify?' said the woman sharply; 'I bought it for waste paper, to use in the shop.' The boy with still increasing energy, exclaimed, • What the Bible! I wish it was mine; I would not tear it up like that.' 'Well,' said the woman, 'If you will pay me what I gave for it, you shall have it.' 'Thank you,' replied the boy, 'I will go home, and ask my mother for some money.' Away he went, and said, 'Mother, mother, please to give me some money?' 'What for?' said his mother, 'To buy a Bible,' he replied, for the woman at the shop was tearing up the Bible, and I told her she should not do it; then she said, she would sell it to me; O mother, do give me some money to buy it, that it may not be torn up! His mother said, 'I cannot, my dear boy, I have none.' The child cried; still begged for some money, but in vain. Then sobbing, he went back to the shop, and said, 'My mother is poor, and cannot give me any money; but oh, mistress, don't tear up the Bible, for my teachers have told me that it is the word of God!"

The woman perceiving the boy greatly concerned, said, 'Well, don't cry, for you shall have the Bible, if you will go and get its weight in waste paper.' At this unexpected but joyful proposal, the boy dried up his tears, saying, 'that I will mistress, and thank you too.' Away he ran to his mother, and asked her for some paper: she gave him all she had; and then he went to all his neighbour's houses, and begged more; and, having, as he hoped, collected enough, he hastened with the bundle under his arm to the shop, and on entering it, exclaimed, Now mistress I have got the paper!' 'Very well,' said the woman, 'let me weigh it' the paper was put into one scale, and the Bible into the other. The scale turned in the boy's favour, and he cried out, with tears of joy sparkling in his eyes, the Bible is mine! and seizing it, exclaimed, 'I have got it! I have got it and away he ran home to his mother, crying as he went, 'I have got the Bible! I have got the Bible !**

INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE.

Extract from Prince Leopold's Speech at the establishment of a School at Oxshot, Surry.

The present establishment, in the central situation in which it stands, will, doubtless, prove highly beneficial, as the children have shewn great anxiety to profit by the means of information, which a Sunday School had before offered them, I, therefore, beg leave to recommend mast earnestly, this new Institution to the warm support of this Meeting. The greatest benefit of the British system of education, is, in my humble

* This anecdote has been communicated to the Editors by a respectable Minister, who assures us of its authenticity.

MISSIONARY SUBSCRIPTION, &c.

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opinion, the opportunity it gives the teachers of early instilling in the minds of the children the truths of our holy religion. If they succeed in this, the children will become good and virtuous as they advance in knowledge. And, surely, that country will be the most powerful and happy, whose people are the most virtuous. Besides, real piety is the only support in adversity, which never fails, when no other consolation can avail. I speak from sad experience, and may say, that without the support of religion, I could never have borne the unexampled calamities with which it has pleased Providence to visit me.

Plunkett Street (Dublin) Sunday School.

The collection for Missionary purposes, begun amongst the children in May, 1818, still goes on with considerable spirit. There are at present 75 Subscribers, at one halfpenny per week. The total amount collected is 67. 1s. 4d. The Committee rejoice to see the spirit in which these children have begun and carried on this infant cause; and they sincerely pray that He who has said, "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not," will graciously own their endeavours to extend the blessings of salvation to the utmost ends of the earth.

From New South Wales.

A Teacher one evening hearing a boy was lying in wait for the purpose of beating another, who had spread some unpleasant report against him, sent for them, and inquired into the causes of complaint; after which he shewed them the great evil of spreading tales (however true they might be) that would tend to injure their fellow creatures. Both appeared obstinate the elder boy seemed determined to have his revenge, and the younger persisted in stating what he heard to be true. Another boy was soon after brought as being the founder of the report; he al tered the case materially in favour of the elder; who, to our great astonishment, burst into tears and cried, 'O Sir, I might have done these things, and worse, before I came to the Sunday School; but I am sure I have never done so since.' The teacher then shewed the evil of sin as manifested in our wicked tempers, more especially in that of anger and revenge; pointed to the Saviour, who said, "Bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you; and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you," Matt. v. 44; and led them to the Saviour's dying words, "Father forgive them," &c. The elder boy again came forward, burst into a fresh flood of tears, stretched forth his hand, and asked his school-fellow's pardon; while the younger lad, melted with the scene, readily begged forgiveness in his turn; and the third joined in shaking hands, and entreated that they might be firm friends for the time There were two other teachers present, who could not but feel sensibly on the occasion.

-to come.