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I have been most concerned for the things of this world, and they have most deeply affected me.

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In such a state then as this, it is impossible for me to say that I am prepared for death, or to stand before the judgment seat of a just God, who searches the inmost thoughts, and will judge of me by what I am, not by what I appear to be.

Turn then, O my soul, and think what it is to die !-prepare for that awful day which it is impossible for thee to escape, and which may come before the morning dawn: thou hast too long neglected the means of salvation offered thee by a kind and merciful God.

To render me fit to be saved, I must become a new man, and shew, by my works, my true and lively faith, for a dead faith the devils also have; they "believe and tremble;" but, if I would be better than they, I must have a living faith, such as was in the holy Apostles of old, such as becomes a follower of the holy Jesus, and one who would profit by the gracious offers freely made to him in the Gospel.

But, of myself, I can do nothing. I am willing, and must beseech the Almighty to assist me with his Grace and Holy Spirit, to enable me to cast off the old man, and put on such a new man, as becomes one who has an immortal soul which he would wish to be saved. I must act as before One, who knoweth the inmost recesses of my mind:-and, after all, I can be but an unprofitable servant, and undeserving a place in heaven; though this, I trust, may be obtained by true believers through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, who died to save us from the punishment which we have deserved, and who ever liveth to make intercession for us; who said to the faithful, that he went before, "to prepare a place for them."

Be strenuous then, O my soul, in thy exertions to reach heaven, for narrow is the road that leadeth to it, and few there be that find it, while broad is the

way that leadeth to destruction, and many are there who walk in it. Remember" many are called, but few chosen."

T.

UNGUARDED EXPRESSIONS, AND AWFUL
EVENT IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRË.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

SIR,

IN a former Number, you cautioned us against the use of unguarded expressions, and especially such as introduce the irreverent use of the name of the Almighty. It is common for persons to express their intention of doing such and such things, if it be the Divine will. Now, if this be really done from a humble dependence on, and submission to, the will of the Almighty, it is good, and proper, and has the authority of Scripturė, (James iv. 15.)-But it is too often done carelessly and irreverently, and it is then nothing better than profaneness, and is, indeed, generally a proof that the mind is little influenced by any just sentiments of religion. It is, however, certainly right, that, in all our plans and projects, we should look to the divine help, and protection, and blessing. This will teach us to undertake what is good, and to undertake it in a proper spirit. Though we do not, then, in our common discourse, actually make use of the name of the Almighty, yet a sense of our dependence on his will should always be within us. That no one should speak in positive terms of future events, daily experience teaches us; and some striking events, (which, perhaps, were mere accidents, if we may ever use such a term) have taught me caution in this respect. I select and send you the following instance, observing, at the same time, that though I would not say we are to look for

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the immediate judgments of God in this world, since we know that his dispensations are not completed here, yet still we see enough, every day, to make us watchful.

A farmer's boy, in this Village, a few years ago, used an expression which he had heard, with some addition of his own," If I live, and be well, as I know I shall--I shall be at Nottingham races.next Tuesday." The addition was laughed at by his companions, as a sort of wit: their mouths, however, were stopped. Before the races came, the boy stumbled, and fell down, without any apparent cause and a cart wheel ran over his head, and killed him on the spot! R. S.

Barton.

LETTER FROM A FATHER TO HIS SON, AN APPRENTICE BOY.

MY DEAR BOY, W

Jan. 8th, 1824.

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AFTER the death of Queen Mary, her sister Elizabeth became Queen. The people had suffered so much under the cruel Mary, that they received Elizabeth with real delight. Elizabeth was a very thoughtful and considerate person, and she saw plainly, that her sister Mary's notions about religion had been entirely wrong; and she therefore determined to encourage the Protestant religion, which she well understood, and which she felt to be right. Through her means, therefore, the Roman Catholic religion was laid aside, and the Protestant religion established in its place, nearly in the same manner as we have it at present.

Queen Elizabeth soon experienced, that the highest station in this life is not without its troubles. There were many persons in England who still favoured the Roman Catholic religion, and these were desirous of getting rid of Elizabeth, and of putting

Mary Queen of Scots upon the English throne. This Mary was a near relation of Elizabeth, and was in truth the rightful heiress to the throne, in case Elizabeth should not marry, and have children. Mary was a Catholic, and she listened to the proposals of those who were plotting against Elizabeth; and she became engaged in their conspiracies. A battle was fought, which went wholly against Mary. She surrendered herself up to Elizabeth, who ordered her to be secured, that she might be prevented from engaging in any more schemes to disturb the kingdom. It appears, however, that, even during her confinement, she secretly encouraged those who were plotting against the Queen. She was brought to her trial, and was condemned. We are told that Elizabeth was very unwilling to sign the death warrant, and that the persons around her took great pains to persuade her to do it, knowing that they should find no favour if Mary should ever become queen. They are said to have alarmed the Queen with rumours of plots and conspiracies, so that she one day signed the warrant, and sent it to the Chancellor to have the seal put upon it, intending to keep it by her, and not to have it executed unless Mary should attempt to escape from Fotheringay castle +, where she was then confined. Her Secretary went to the Chancellor, got the warrant sealed, and, instead of bringing it back to the Queen, laid it before the Council, who resolved that it should be immediately put in execution. It was accordingly directed to four noblemen, who immediately set out for Fotheringay castle, accompanied by two executioners.

As soon as they arrived, they ordered Mary to prepare for death, by eight o'clock the next morning, She was ready at the appointed time, dressed in a

Margaret, sister of Henry VIII, married James IV. of Scotland; their son, James V. was the father of Mary.

In Northamptonshire.

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rich babit of silk and velvet, with a long veil on her head, and a crucifix in her hand. The scaffold was covered with black. The two executioners kneeled down, and asked her to forgive them. She said she forgave them, and all who were concerned in her death. She declared that she was innocent; she then repeated a psalm, and some pious expressions; and her head was then severed from her body by two strokes of the executioner. Whatever were the faults of Mary, we cannot help grieving for her tragical end, especially when we think that it was ordered by a near relation, a female, and a Queen. Soon after this, Elizabeth was exposed to further troubles. Philip, king of Spain, was a bigoted Catholic, and he could not bear to see the Protestant religion flourishing in England. Accordingly, he fitted out a vast fleet of ships, and so large an army, that he thought nothing could withstand him. English people, however, are not very fond of being invaded; and, therefore, instead of being frightened at the King of Spain's preparations, they set about opposing him, with all the power they could muster. The Queen herself went down to Tilbury Fort, and, mounted on horseback, rode amongst her soldiers and sailors, and encouraged them to oppose the invaders manfully, declaring that though she was a woman, she would fight, like a man, for her country, before an inch of it should fall into the hands of the King of Spain. The Spaniards had such confidence in their immense fleet, that they called it the Invincible Armada +. However, the English soon shewed them that their fleet was not invincible, for, as it came up the English channel, with its ships, in size and number enough to frighten any body but Bri

A little image of our Saviour on the Cross, muck used by Roman Catholics.

↑ "Unconquerable,”"-" not to be overcome."

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