4. In process of time, our hero had completed his third year, and arrived at the dignity of going to school. He went through the spelling book, and then attacked the catechism; went through with it in a fortnight, and at last came home in great delight, to tell his father that he had got to "Amen.” 5. After this, he made a regular business of saying over the whole every Sunday evening, standing with his hands folded in front, occasionally glancing around to see if pussy gave proper attention. And being of a practically benevolent turn of mind, he made several commendable efforts to teach Bose the catechism, in which he succeeded as well as might have been expected. In short, without further detail, Master Edward bade fair to become a literary wonder. 6. But alas for poor little Edward! his merry dance was soon over. A day came when he sickened. Aunt Betsey tried all her simple remedies, but in vain; he grew rapidly worse and worse. His father's heart was torn with sorrow, but he said nothing; he only staid by his child's bedside day and night, trying all means to save him, with affecting pertinacity'. 7. "Can't you think of any thing more, doctor?" said he to the physician, when all had been tried in vain. "Nothing," answered the physician. 8. A momentary convulsion passed over my uncle's face. "The will of the Lord be done," said he, almost with a groan of anguish. 9. Just at this moment, a ray of the setting sun pierced the checked curtains, and gleamed like an angel's smile across the face of the little sufferer. He woke from troubled sleep. 10. "O dear! I am so sick!" he gasped feebly. His father raised him in his arms; he breathed easier, and looked up with a grateful smile. Just then his old play mate, the cat, crossed the room. "There goes pussy," said he: "O dear, I shall never play any more." 11. At that moment, a deadly change passed over his countenance. He looked up in his father's face with an imploring expression, and put out his hand as if for help. There was one moment of agony, and then the sweet features all settled into a smile of peace, and "mortality was swallowed up of life." My uncle laid him down, and looked one moment at his beautiful face. It was too much for his principles, too much for his consistency?, and he "lifted up his voice and wept." 12. The next morning was the Sabbath. the funeral day; and it rose with "breath all incense, and with cheek all bloom." Uncle Abel was as calm and collected as ever; but in his face there was a sorrow-stricken expression touching to behold. I remember him at family prayers, as he bent over the great Bible, and began the psalm, "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations." Apparently he was touched by the melancholy splendor of the poetry, for, after reading a few verses, he stopped. 13. There was a dead silence, interrupted only by the ticking of the clock. He cleared his voice repeatedly, and tried to go on, but in vain. He closed the book, and kneeled down to pray. The energy of sorrow broke through his usual formal reverence, and his language flowed forth with a deep and sorrowful pathos which I shall never forget. The God so much reverenced, so much feared, seemed to draw near to him as a friend and comforter, his refuge and strength, "a very present help in time of trouble." 14. My uncle rose, and I saw him walk to the room of the departed one. He uncovered the face. It was set with the seal of death; but O, how surpassingly lovely! The brilliancy of life was gone, but that pure, transparent face was touched with a mysterious, triumphant brightness, which seemed like the dawning of heaven. 15. My uncle looked long and earnestly. He felt the beauty of what he gazed on; his heart was softened, but he had no words for his feelings. He left the room unconsciously, and sat in the front door. The morning was bright, the bells were ringing for church, the birds were singing merrily, and little Edward's pet squirrel was frolicking about the door. My uncle watched him as he ran up one tree and then down, and up another, and then over the fence, whisking his brush, and chattering just as if nothing was the matter. With a deep sigh uncle Abel broke forth: "How happy that creature is! Well, the Lord's will be done." 16. That day the dust was committed to dust, amid the lamentations of all who had known him. Years have passed since then, and all that is mortal of my uncle has long since been gathered to his fathers; but his just and upright spirit has entered the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Yes, the good man may have had opinions which the philosophical scorn, and weaknesses at which the thoughtless smile; but death shall change him into all that is enlightened, wise, and refined; for he shall awake in "His likeness," and "be satisfied." 1 PËR-TI-NAÇ'I-TY. Firm or unyield- | 8 PA'THŎS. That which excites deep ing adherence to opinion or purpose; steadiness; constancy. 2 CON-SIS'TEN-CY. Agreement or uni feeling; tender emotion. 4 MYS-TE'RI-OUS. Hidden; obscure; not understood. formity of principle or conduct; 5 PHIL-Q-SŎPH'I-CAL. Men skilled in state of being consistent. philosophy; deeply learned men. [James Gates Percival was born in Connecticut, in September, 1795, and died in May, 1856. He was a brilliant and imaginative poet, and also distinguished as a man of science.] 1. DEEP in the wave is a coral' grove, Where the purpłe mullet and goldfish rove, Where the sea-flower spreads its leaves of blue, 2. The floor is of sand, like the mountain's drift', Their boughs where the tides and billows flow. For the winds and waves are absent there; There, with its waving blade of green, The sea-flag streams through the silent water, And the crimson leaf of the dulse" is seen To blush like a banner bathed in slaughter. 3. There, with a light and easy motion, The fan-coral sweeps through the clear, deep sea; Is sporting amid those bowers of stone, 4. And when the ship from his fury flies, 6 Where the myriad' voices of ocean roar; The purple mullet and goldfish rove, Through the bending twigs of the coral grove. CORAL. A hard substance found in the ocean, supposed to be the remains of very small sea animals. 2 DRIFT. Any matter driven together by wind or water; earthy or rocky matter, carried by water from one place to another. siderable quantities on the coast of Scotland. It adheres to the rocks, in strips of ten or twelve inches long and about half an inch broad. 4 LEA. Grass or sward land. 5 MYR'I-AD. Too numerous to be counted; immensely numerous. DULSE. A species of seaweed, of a reddish brown color, found in con- 6 MUR'Kỵ. Dark; gloomy; cloudy. XXIII. -SONG OF REBECCA, THE JEWESS. SIR WALTER SCOTT. [Sir Walter Scott, one of the most eminent names in English literature, was born in Edinburgh, August 15, 1771, and died September 21, 1832. He is the author of a great many works, comprising poems, novels, and miscellanies. This poem is from his novel called "Ivanhoe."] 1. WHEN Israel,* of the Lord beloved, Returned the fiery column's glow. * ISRAEL. Israel and Judah are terms used to designate the Jewish people. |