narrow staircase, we entered a low and dreary room, in which were three persons:-a young man stretched upon a rude bed placed upon the floor, while beside him sat an old woman, apparently his mother, clasping his hand in hers, and looking towards the third, a Bible reader-one of those noble-minded men, whom neither death, nor disease, nor dirt, nor ignorance, nor indifference, nor repulse, can hinder in their work, nor dry up the streams of their affection. As the fever parched the sufferer, and his mother, with difficulty, forced the window a little open, and as there entered, not the fresh air which might have brought healing, but the pernicious atmosphere of the court, worse even than the infected vapours of that sick chamber, no look of disappointment crossed his faceno thoughts of the unkindness of his fellow-men mingled with the peace of that dying hour; but with a faint smile he said, "Mother, it is not for long now." And then, in that sad chamber, the sacred words were uttered, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." And love, and joy, and peace-peace which passeth mortal understandinglighted up that fevered face, as, with the words, "I come," his spirit passed into eternity. Oh! what now to him that room of misery! What now to him the foul air and pestilential breath! What now to him the voice of wickedness echoing up that dark staircase, and sounding all around! Aye, what indeed! "Even so it is," said the Spirit, "and I have brought you here that you may plainly see how independent the highest happiness of all is, of either sanitary or other laws. Were not this the case how sad would be the lot of man! Yet, let me not for a moment, be supposed for a moment, to think that a proper observance of these laws may not lead to some degree of happiness. If you cannot create virtue, let it suffice that you can prepare houses where virtue would love to dwell, and no such endeavour will at any time go unrewarded. If you cannot thoroughly destroy vice, yet you may remove all these hot-beds and nurseries of it; and may possess the satisfaction of knowing that you have done much to check it, and further its eradication. You have it in your power to give to those who have never yet known them, the blessings and comforts of a quiet home. You have it in your power to make some enjoyment in lives, which are now but a continuation of misery. You have it in your power to comfort the afflicted, and to heal the broken-hearted. You have it in your power to pour the balm of love into hearts which have never known kindness." And, lo! she was gone; I awoke, and, behold, it was a dream! Yet Elihu declares that, "when deep sleep falleth upon men, the ears of men may be opened, and their instruction sealed." G. A GLANCE AT "TOPSY'S" HOME. BY AN AMERICAN. AMID the exciting scenes of the day, and the objects of attraction scattered around us, while the eye is turning with anxious gaze to Cuba, California, and thence to the "Old World," there is danger of our overlooking a quiet little Republic, far over the waters, one whose independence we have not even acknowledged, but one, nevertheless, which is connected with our own destiny, and soon to wield an influence among the nations of which we have not dreamed "in our philosophy." In a sunny clime, amid orange and palm groves, the "lone starred flag" of Liberia waves in the breeze. A free and independent people, having unloosed the chain that fettered them, and cast for ever from their brow the badge of shame and disgrace which we have placed thereon, enjoy the honours and privileges of the new Republic, make their own laws, and enforce them, and stand up before the world to falsify for ever the assertion "they are neither capable of governing or supporting themselves." If any one doubts the reality of this fact, let him enter the thriving town of Monrovia, walk through its wide, well-shaded streets, look at the school-houses, churches, court-house, and even pass into the "Government Buildings." Casting a glance upon the English consul on one hand, and the Brazilian" chargé d'affaires " on the other, let him listen to the Inaugural address of the President, surrounded by his coloured cabinet. Leaving the capital, let him go up the clear, beautiful river, St. Paul's. At one village, strains of martial music fall upon the ear, and a gathered throng are seen in an orange grove. It is only an entertainment given by the "ladies," to the military. Pleasant residences are seen along the river, homes of independent scientific farmers, commodious brick dwellings, the lawns ornamented with flowers; sugar-cane and coffee waving in the distance. Let our doubting traveller enter one of these homes, and sit down to the plentiful table loaded with luxuries, the product of this new country, and listen to the conversation of the sensible, well-informed men who have thus, with their own hand, turned the wilderness into a fruitful field. Let him walk over the grounds, hear how many pounds of sugar have been manufactured, how much coffee exported, see the yards filled with cattle, and the barns stored with rice. Returning to the well-furnished parlour to recover from his fatigue, let him entertain himself with the "Liberia Herald," read the notices of the commerce, the new 'High School," the " Literary Institute," the "Act to incorporate a college," the "recognition of the independence of the Republic by the Prussian envoy," &c., &c. ; then, let him seriously and with consideration, ask himself the question-" Are these the 'goods and chattels' which are scarcely removed above the brutes? Are these the people who are so low in the scale of creation; many profess to believe they have no souls ?' Is this the way the problem is solved-Can they take care of themselves?"" Let him still ponder, if his doubts are not removed. Slowly and surely the work is going on. Not with uproar and fanaticism, but with judgment and moderation, have the Colonization Society pursued their course for many years, and are now seeing the fruit of their labours; a small gleaning it is true, but one which promises a most plentiful harvest. More than 7,000 emigrants have been sent out from the land of their bondage, and every packet to Liberia is now freighted with hundreds more. Who shall tell the influence they will exert, when they reach the home of the freeman, and become officers, judges, and statesmen ? 66 When the last chain shall be broken, the last slave be borne away from our shores, the sun of Liberty, no longer obscured, shall shine forth with noonday splendour; the banner of our stars and stripes," no longer significant, shall wave proudly in the breeze, and a shout, long, loud, and universal, arise to heaven"the victory is gained, and the bondman is free." EGOMET. GATHERING FLOWERS. GATHERING flowers! gathering flowers! All the sunny day In thy rose-encircled and thick-leaved bowers; Calling thee forth to toil and strife ; With an earnest heart To fulfil thy part In a world with sin and with sorrow rife; Enjoyment is not wrong; oh, no! Each rough pathway here, And brighten up many a scene of woe; But thou must not cull them from morn till night; Those who for pleasure chiefly care, He who stooped to drink At the river's brink A full deep draught of the waters there,* Thy life is brief; its glowing sun In gathering flowers, When thou hast an arduous race to run; H. M. W. A DAY ON MOUNT CARMEL. THE Monastery or Convent of Mount Carmel is one of the largest and best in Syria. It is built in the form of an oblong square, in the centre of which is the Church or Chapel, surrounded by numerous cells for the monks, and chambers for the accomodation of pilgrims and travellers, who, without respect of creed or country, are allowed to remain three days, during which they receive everything free for the love of God. Protestants, however, generally make a present at parting, equivalent to what they would have paid at an ordinary inn. The Convent of Mount Carmel, which has more the appearance of a palace than a place of monkish seclusion, was the work of a single monk, John Baptista, who, in 1820, commenced his travels throughout Europe, and in the course of a few years, with, as has been said, nothing but an empty hand and an energetic head, col Judges vii. 6, 7. |