The Cabinet.

THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR.

READERS not a few, who received with pleasure the first Number of the CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE for the year now drawing to a close, will not look on that which we are about to issue. They have finished their course, and are far removed from earth with its cares, and the circle in which they moved, loving and beloved. The thought is affecting; but there is another thought which comes home still more closely to the feeling heart-some of those whose eyes will rest on the page we are now inditing, before the end of the present year, notwithstanding its nearness, will have exchanged worlds! It is but too probable that amongst these there will be those young in years, in the enjoyment of perfect health, counting on life and length of days, but who are altogether unprepared for the solemn event which awaits them. To these, therefore, we would address ourselves, if possible, with increased earnestness, and beseech them to consider their latter end! Amidst uncertainty so awful, there is no safety but in each being ready to meet his God.

The following facts, which have been transmitted to us are, therefore, set forth at this period, in the hope that the Eternal Spirit, which brought again from the dead the Lord Jesus, will render them instrumental in awakening the attention of the thoughtless and secure.

I am induced to pen the following account in the hope that a more extended knowledge of the series of sudden deaths which have recently occurred, most of which were of scholars in the schools connected with Albion-street Chapel, Ashton-underLyne, will not be without its due influence in illustrating the brevity of life, and urging the living, while they have opportunity, to prepare for death.

The first we have thus to notice was Miss J. A. W—, who, in the bloom of womanhood, only twenty-four years of age, while preparing to go out on the evening of the 20th September last, was seized with a fit of apoplexy, and in less than four short hours ceased to exist. From the time of her seizure to her death she remained speechless, except a request to be placed in

an easier position; and the following week saw her remains, on the day that she had looked forward to as her bridal day, carried to the tomb. So sudden and so solemn an event, it is to be hoped, produced serious impressions on the hearts of her acquaintances.

One Sunday, some short time since, a young man, who had been a teacher in Albion-street school, but who had removed to a distance, had occasion to visit the town, and while wending his way through the street, saw a group of idlers standing at a corner he had to pass. It was one of those knots of young men too frequently met with in our large towns on the Sabbath-day, and who seem to have no object in view except the mere killing of its sacred hours in sauntering about the streets, unwashed, and in their working clothes. Among this group this late teacher detected a youth, about sixteen years of age, who attended the class which he once taught. He stopped, and spoke to them, and more particularly to him, seriously urging him to continue his regular attendance at the Sabbath-school, and not thus waste his precious time in idleness and sin, with wicked companions; and, at parting, this teacher gave him a tract with the title, "How long have you to live?" Whether the youth read it or not is not known. It is to be hoped that he did, and thought upon its serious admonitions; for in seven short weeks from that time, on the 22nd September, while at his employment in a colliery in Dukinfield, he, through his own carelessness, got crushed between some wagons, and so severely as to cause his death while being carried home.

The week following, on the 30th September, in the same colliery, a number of men went to work in the morning as usual, without suspecting any danger, but had not been long engaged at their laborious employment, when a portion of the roof fell, and buried six unfortunate men beneath its mass, four of whom were doubtless instantaneously killed by the crushing weight, one seriously injured, and the other almost miraculously es caping with only some slight injuries. Of these four killed, all young men, two were also connected with the same school as the other previously noticed.

These mournful and impressive events formed the subject of an address to the scholars on the ensuing Sabbath, by their pastor, the Rev. J. G. Rogers, B.A., from Prov. xvii. 8: “They that seek me early shall find me."

Reader, have you ever asked yourself the question, “How long have I to live?" May be, you are young, and calculating on twenty, thirty, forty, perhaps fifty years of the future, thus looking forward to a long life. Ah, so were these. You are probably in the enjoyment of good health; so were these. Health and youth availed them not in the presence of the king of terrors. Death came to each unexpected, unlooked for, and would take no denial; but, giving no time for preparation, hurried them into eternity. Oh, if you should be called away so suddenly, how would it be with you? Are you prepared to die? If not prepared to die, you are hardly prepared to live; for he that is prepared for this, the greatest change in his history, only is really prepared for life and whatever may befall him. If you have not yet given your heart to Christ, do so now. These providences are warning calls to each to make their final decision-Now, whilst you are young, before the evil days come, while the deceitful, unsatisfying pleasures of the world have you not as yet entirely within their dire influence; while as yet the cares of this life and the pursuit of riches have not steeled your heart against the entreaties of mercy; while you continue in life, and as yet justice has not met you in eternity, at the bar of God, demanding the execution of vengeance upon your guilty soul for the violation of God's eternal righteous laws of moral government. Listen now while you are urged to "seek the Lord while he may be found," to "call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, for he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Whilst you are young, we earnestly call upon you to decide for Christ.

And ye also, whom mercy has spared to years of maturity, but who have not yet made this final decision, not yet chosen whom ye will serve, God or Baal, let these many calls impress your heart with the all, the overwhelming importance of eternal realities, and of you yourself having soon to take your position for ever in one of two states in that coming eternity. Oh, be wise, and consider your latter end; make your peace with God, through faith in the merits of a suffering Redeemer, who died that we might live. Devote yourselves to him now, while life and health are continued; for, “Behold, now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation."

C. T.