Martin sat up with Anna that night; and in the morning, her account was such, as gave no hope of her continuance in this world till the next day. Her aunt and sister perceived a sensible alteration; but still she appeared composed, and happy. Remember me to the good Mr. Herbert," said she faintly, "and to all our poor neighbours, especially the Forbes's;—tell them I have prayed for them all:-I can scarcely see you, my dear Ellen;-but this is your hand,” added she, pressing it to her lips :-" Farewell, my dear, my only sister!...may we meet in Heaven!"

She then continued silent for some time, while Ellen sat by her bed, her eyes were fixed upon her and upon her aunt by turns." This weak breath of mine," said she, putting her hand on her heart," is just expiring!--Thank God, I leave the world in peace!"

Martin approached the bed; Anna knew her; and in faltering accents thanked her for all her care, from infancy till now.

"Farewell, all my friends!" said she;-and casting a languishing, dying look on all around her, she closed her eyes: and it was by her faint breathings only, that they still perceived she had life remaining.

All was silent; no tears were shed; and though this was the hour Ellen had so much dreaded,

she was enabled to contemplate her sister's dying countenance with calm composure; till, with a gentle sigh, she expired, peaceful as the tender infant sinks to rest on the breast of its mother!

Her much-lovedfriends continued silently standing found the bed: and as they marked the livid hue of death gradually possessing her pale and emaciated features;-" She is now an immortal spirit," said Mrs. Irvin; " let us give GoD thanks for the blessed death of one so young, yet so resigned, and pray that our latter end may be like hers!"

Struck by her words and example, Ellen and Martin sunk on their knees; when this excellent woman read a prayer suited to their situation, and in which they fervently joined. After this act of devotion, Ellen and her aunt kissed the cheek of the departed saint, and left the room,

SUCH was the life and death of Anna Stanley, who, at the early age of sixteen, had attained such a knowledge of her Gon and SAVIOUR, as alone can render a death-bed happy: and may it be the wish of all my readers to follow her example, as far as may be in their power! The circumstances of her life were favourable to piety: but even in situations most opposite o hers, time for reflection and devotion may be

found. If some of the frivolous employments of life were given up, what a store of comfort might be discovered for a dying hour! and if death were more often made the subject of contemplation, it would, on its arrival, be much less the object of terror. Instead of thinking what it closes to us of this world; let us reflect on the eternal scenes it opens to our view, and ask our hearts what we ourselves have to expect from it? If we have fixed our hopes on a right foundation, we may then look forward to our approaching end, as something more than a release from worldly cares: but without a true knowledge of RELIGION, have we not reason to fear it will be but the prelude to much greate and everlasting sorrows?

CHAPTER VII.

"FATHER of Heaven!

"Eternal KING! DISPOSER great and good
"Of life and death, of happiness and woe!
"Teach me, whate'er may be my portion here,
"To prove myself thy servant! May conceit,
"Self-love, and pride, be strangers to my heart!"

THE moment Mr. Herbert heard of the death of his young friend, he came to offer consolation to the survivors: but he found them, as he wished, composed, and resigned to their loss. The whole village were grieved at her death; and on the day of her funeral, the church-yard was crouded with its inhabitants, who each repeated the good she had done.-One recollected her kindness to her, when all her family was ill; another talked of the clothes she had made for her children; and a third mentioned a book which she had given her, and which now appeared of double value,-and the poor woman shed tears, while she declared," she would never part with it, but keep it for her sake."

Mr. Herbert spent that day with Mrs. Irvin, and Ellen, who now appeared to feel the loss of

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ber sister more than she thought: but she was careful of falling into the error she so earnestly prayed to be kept from; and though, when she went into the room in which she had been used to see one so much loved, she could not help a secret regret arising, she would immediately condemn it as selfish sorrow, and, recollecting her sister's happiness, endeavour to employ her mind in such pursuits as would encourage her to hope for a participation of it....But Ellen was soon to experience a change of situation, which nothing but the excellent principles she had imbibed could have prevented from causing an alteration of sentiments also, which, in an hour of serious reflection, she would have had reason to regret. Yet I hope to shew my readers, that, though her mode of living was altered, her heart retained the same desire of approving herself to God, as when, in the quiet village of Milwood, she had no temptation, from opposite example, to do otherwise.

EARLY in the Spring of the following year, Ellen's father and mother arrived in England, after an absence of nearly twelve years.—Mr. Stanley had considerably enlarged his fortune, and he determined to spend it in such a manner as should convince the world he had not lost that