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VOCAL MUSIC.

CONVERSION OF LADY HUNTINGDON.

VOCAL MUSIC.-Vocal music should never be neglected in the educa tion of a young lady. Beside preparing her to join in that part of public worship which consists in psalmody, it will enable her to soothe the cares of domestic life; and even the sorrows which will sometimes intrude into her own bosom may all be relieved by a song, where sound and sentiment unite to act upon the mind. 1 here introduce a fact, which has been suggested to me by my profession, and that is, that the exercise of the organs of the breast by singing, contributes very much to defend them from those diseases to which the climate and other causes expose them. The Germans are seldom afflicted with consumptions; nor have I ever known but one instance of spitting blood among them. This, I believe, is in part occasioned by the strength which their lungs acquire by exercising them frequently in vocal music, for this constitutes an essential branch of their education. The music master of our academy has furnished me with an observation still more in favor of this opinion. He informed me that he had known several instances of persons who were strongly disposed to consumption, who were restored to health by the exercise of their lungs in singing. Dr. Rush.

The following interesting narrative, describing the conversion of Lady Huntingdon, is from Philip's "Life and Times of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon," an English work, not republished in this country. The circumstances which led to her conversion must carry strong conviction to the mind of every Christian of the duty of faithful personal conversation with their friends on the subject of religion. -ED.

CONVERSION OF LADY HUNTINGDON.

Lady Margaret Hastings, sister of the Earl of Huntingdon, was the first of that family "who received the truth as it is in Jesus;" and the change effected by the power of the Holy Spirit soon became visible to all. Considering the obligation she was under to the sovereign grace of God, she felt herself called upon to seek the salvation of her fellow-creatures, and the promotion of their best and eternal interests. Next to her own soul, the salvation of her own family and friends became her care. She exhorted them faithfully and affectionately, one by one, to flee from the wrath to come; and the Lord was pleased to make her the honored instrument of Lady Huntingdon's conversion, as well as of many others of her family.

Conversing with Lady Margaret on this subject, Lady Huntingdon was exceedingly struck with a sentiment she uttered, — that since she had known and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation, she had been as happy as an angel! To any such sensation Lady Huntingdon felt that she was an utter stranger. The more she examined herself, the more she was

CONVERSION OF LADY HUNTINGDON.

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convinced of the momentous truth. That conviction caused many reflections to arise in her mind; and beginning also to see her sinfulness and guilt, and the entire depravity of her nature, her hope of being able to reconcile herself to God by her own works and deservings, began to die away. She sought, by the most rigorous austerities, to conquer her evil nature, and dispel the distressing thoughts which continually engrossed her mind. But, alas! the more she strove, the more she saw and felt that all her thoughts, words, and works, however specious before men, were utterly sinful before him "who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity."

A dangerous illness having brought her to the brink of the grave, the fear of death fell terribly upon her, and her conscience was greatly distressed. She now perceived that she had beguiled herself with prospects of a visionary nature; was entirely blinded to her own real character; had long placed her happiness in mere chimeras, and grounded her vain hopes upon an imaginary foundation. It was to no purpose that she reminded herself of the morality of her conduct; in vain did she recollect the many encomiums which had been passed upon her early piety and virtue. Her best righteousness now appeared to her to be but "filthy rags," which, so far from justifying her before God, increased her condemnation. The remorse which before attended her conscience, on account of sin, respected only the outward actions of her life; but then she saw her heart was "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked," — that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," and that "the thoughts of man's heart are only evil,

and that continually." When upon the point of perishing, in her own apprehension, the words of Lady Margaret returned strongly to her recollection, and she felt an earnest desire, renouncing every other hope, to cast herself wholly upon Christ for life and salvation. From her bed she lifted up her heart to the Savior, with that important prayer; and immediately all her distress and fears were removed, and she was filled with peace and joy in believing. Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, arose, and burst in meridian splendor on her benighted soul! The scales fell from her eyes, and opened a passage for the light of life, which sprang in, and death and darkness fled before it. Viewing herself as a brand plucked from the burning, she could not but stand astonished, at the mighty power of that grace which saved her from eternal destruction, just when she stood upon its very brink, and raised her from the gates of hell to the confines of heaven. The "sorrow of the world, which worketh death," was exchanged for that "godly sorrow that worketh repentance unto life;" and joy unspeakable and full of glory succeeded that bitterness which comes of the conviction of sin. She enjoyed a delightful foretaste of heaven.

Her disorder from that moment took a favorable turn. She was restored to perfect health, and to newness of life. She determined, thenceforward, to present herself to God, as "a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable,” which she was convinced was her "reasonable service."

The change wrought in her views was soon known, and persons were not wanting to urge the earl to interpose. Recourse was had to one of the prelates; and the following is the account of the interview, which took place between the "elect lady" and the episcopal dignitary.

The earl "recommended her to converse with Bishop Benson, who had been his tutor, and with his request she readily complied. That prelate was ac

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A SISTER'S LOVE.

EVENING THOUGHTS.

cordingly sent for, and he attempted to convince the countess of the unnecessary strictness of her sentiments and conduct. But she pressed him so hard with Scripture, brought so many arguments from the Articles and Homilies, and so plainly and faithfully urged upon him the awful responsibility of his station, under the great Head of the Church, that his temper was ruffled, and he rose up in haste to depart, bitterly lamenting that he had ever laid his hands upon George Whitefield, to whom he attributed the change wrought in her ladyship. 'My lord,' said the countess, mark my words: when you are on your dying bed, that will be one of the few ordinations you will reflect upon with complacence.'

"The prelate's conduct at that solemn season verified her prediction; for when near his death, he sent ten guineas to Mr. Whitefield, as a token of regard and veneration, and begged to be remembered by him in his prayers!"

A SISTER'S LOVE. -There is no purer feeling kindled upon the altar of human affections, than a sister's pure, uncontaminated love for her brother. It is unlike all other affections; so disconnected with selfish sensuality; so feminine in its development; so dignified, and yet, withal, so fond, so devoted. Nothing can alter it, nothing can suppress it. The world may revolve, and its revolutions effect changes in the fortunes, in the character, and in the disposition of her brother; yet, if he wants, whose hand will so readily stretch out as that of his sister? and if his character is maligned, whose voice will so readily swell in his advocacy?

Next to a mother's unquenchable love, a sister's is preeminent. It rests so exclusively on the tie of consanguinity for its substance, it is so wholly divested of passion, and springs from such a deep recess in the human bosom, that when a sister once fondly and deeply regards her brother, that affection is blended with her existence, and the lamp that nourishes it expires only with that existence.

Written for the Young Lady's Friend.

EVENING THOUGHTS.

BY MISS H. M. THOMPSON.

Night comes again, and silence, and deep thoughts, and sacred memories. Now are here the treasured images of the past, which fly from the jostling crowd of cares and busy life's employments, and returning with the evening shadows, flit a moment round in forms so lovely and so real, that we forget they are but shadows with the rest; and as the heart, delighted, seeks to retain the charm, a train of deep thought rises within, and they are gone. For while the chill and darkness of night prevail over the broad domain of day, from the point where the new light first beamed in rosy beauty, to that where its latest gleam expired, we remember, in fear, the clouds which may darken life's morning, the changes which

may obscure its meridian effulgence, and that night of death which must at last so surely seal, in long eclipse, the springing hopes and ever-forming schemes of man.

It is silence all; yet a voice holds eloquent converse with the spirit. The winds seem hushed to listen, and the stars, in their high spheres, to sparkle with new consciousness of a glorious Presence; as if He, who "walked in the garden in the cool of the day," now again more manifestly reveals Himself, scattering from the fair earth and sky the pollutions which day has gathered, and imparting to the lowly heart which thus awaits His coming, new and tenderest tokens of His love a Father's love! Humility, then, may bow the spirit down, and tears suffuse the eye; but not in grief. Like the dews of evening, they but testify that His purifying breath has passed, and called them forth; for, in the secret chambers of the soul there is a song of gladness waking, and a softly-breathed petition still repeated-Thy will be done."

Then, thanks for the night, with its silence, filled with spirit melodies; for its deep thoughts, which warn us of uncertain joys, and chasten the too presuming plans of life by remembrance of a certain death! Thanks, too, for those welcome visitants which come when the full tide of business and excitement has subsided, briefly to restore the past, and brighten the beautiful links which hold us to each other; but, more than all, thanks for the grace which, in the contemplation of earth's changes, and clouds of gathering darkness, brings submission and assurance from on high!

To one sustained by this gift from the Spirit, earth has no real change, no hours of gloomy darkness. He may see dear hopes destroyed; and all the ills which wreck, forever, the heart's human dependences, may beat upon him, yet, ever calm and sweet amid the storm and danger, rises the whisper of His praises. Far above the wild turmoil of concurring griefs, and sins, and death, his portion is. He casts an eye upward to its steady glory, and feels a strength of soul which wavers not. He fixes his enraptured gaze upon its sure foundation, and exults in peace.

Not alone a vision of the fadeless beauty, and robe of white, and glittering crown, and harp of gold, reserved for him; nor the trees of undying verdure there, and sapphire thrones, and golden streets, and pearly gates, awake his bursts of rapturous joy; nor that the celestial choirs, and all the innumerable hosts above, are waiting to give harmonious welcome to his kindred spirit, and bow responsive as he swells his first immortal song. No; there is a glory brighter far, a heavenly light, which gives their purest radiance to these holy

scenes.

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SWEETNESS OF TEMPER.

WOMAN.

Child of earthly hope, canst thou tell what is that unseen essence which yet adds ineffable glory to this wealth of blessedness? Hast thou, within thine own bosom, an unfathomable thought of bliss, which resolves to dust the highest pride of earth, and casts forgetfulness upon the songs and beatific abode of angels? It is a thought all immortal, all divine; yet clothed to dwell on human tongue, and form and strengthen in the heart; to touch with purity its every word and aim; to burn in all its hopes; and, tending upward to its uncreated source, present soul, body, and spirit, faultless before the throne. It is the love of God.

SWEETNESS OF TEMPER.-There is, perhaps, no quality which so effectively smoothes our journey through life, as sweetness of temper, and which is, withal, so rarely acquired. To be able to bear the various vicissitudes of life with mildness of temper, is essential to true happiness, and procures for us kind treatment from those with whom we have intercourse in life; and yet how few of us ever make the necessary exertions to subdue an irritable disposition! So great is the esteem in which it is generally held, that a good disposition, whatever may be one's other qualifications, is almost a sure passport to good society; and, on the contrary, who does not know with what avidity any one, who is known to possess an evil temper, however great may be his endowments, is shunned by all?

WOMAN. -To the honor, to the eternal honor of the sex, be it said, that in the path of duty, no sacrifice is with them too high or too dear. Nothing is with them impossible, but to shrink from what love, honor, innocence and religion require. The voice of pleasure, or of power, may pass them unheeded: but the voice of affliction, never. The chamber of the sick, the pillows of the dying, the vigils of the dead, the altars of religion, never missed the presence or sympathies of Woman! Timid though she be, and so delicate that the winds of heaven may not too roughly visit her, on such occasions she loses all sense of danger, and assumes a preternatural courage, which knows not and fears not consequences. Then she displays that undaunted spirit which neither courts difficulties, nor evades them; the resignation which utters neither murmur nor regret; and that patience in suffering, which seems victorious even over death itself. — Judge Story.

WOMEN are the only beings who have not been degraded by slavery. In bondage, they are not sordid; under persecution, they are still generous. They preserve their faith to the faithless; they employ kindness to soften the cruel; in suffering, they lose not benevolence; in the most afflictive trials, they possess magnanimity; their love of glory is founded on sympathy; excluded from power, privilege, and distinction, they have enthusiasm for every great design, for every splendid achievement; their affections are purified from selfishness; they rejoice in diffusing joy; and are grateful for blessings in which they are not allowed to participate.