Nor is the sermon of death the sermon which the minister of Christ is set here to preach. Nature preaches the sermon of death. The first Adam preaches the sermon of death. All who have sprung from the loins of the first Adam, have gone on from age to age, and from generation to generation, preaching the sermon of death. But the Gospel preaches a different sermon, even the sermon of life, of life springing out of death, bursting the bonds of death, conquering death, and casting death away from it. As you pass through the field of death to this the house of God, so do those pass through death, and out of death, who come to the Gospel. The house of God is indeed girt round by the tokens and remembrances of death, these being fitted above all other things to tune the soul for the solemn strains which are there to sweep over it. But it rises out of them; it soars above them it points, not toward them, but away from them, with its uplifted moveless finger, to heaven, to the abode of everlasting life. The Gospel does indeed tell us likewise that all die: it tells us that in Adam all die, that in him who brought sin into the world, and from whom the taint has flowed into our blood, we too all of us die. But it does not stop here: it does not tell us this to leave us in the darkness of death, but that it may add the other half of the tale: it tells us that as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. It tells us, in the words of the text, that to die is gain.

LEONARD AND GERTRUDE.*-PART 3.

HUBEL RUDI, who lived in the same village with Leonard and Gertrude, was sitting with his four children. It was but three months since his wife's death, and now his mother lay dying upon a straw-bed, and said to Rudi: Will you get me some leaves Rudi this afternoon, to stuff my counterpane with? I am sadly cold."

"O, mother! I will go, as soon as ever the fire in the stove is out."

for

Mother. Have you any wood left, Rudi?—I think not, you can't leave me and the children, to go into the forest, -alas, Rudi, I'm a sad burden to you!

Rudi.-Dear mother, don't say that! O, if I could only give you what you want!

* I have made some use of an English translation of the first part of this work. Mawman, 1825.

Mother-Don't make yourself unhappy, Rudi. God be thanked, my pain is not severe :-He will soon relieve it, and my blessing will repay you for what you have done for me. Rudi -O mother, I never felt my poverty as I do now, when I have nothing to give you, and can do nothing for you. Alas! you are sick and in pain, and bear my

Mother.-When we draw near our end, it's little that we want on earth, and what we do want, our heavenly Father supplies. I thank him, Rudi; for he strengthens me as my time draws near.

Rudi.-(in tears.) Do you think then, mother, that you shan't recover?

Mother.-Never, Rudi! it is most certain.

Rudi.-Gracious heaven!

Mother.-Take comfort, Rudi! I am going into a better

world.

Rudi.-(Sobbing.) Alas, alas!

Mother.-Don't grieve, Rudi! You have been the joy of my youth, and the comfort of my old age.—And now, I thank God that your hand will soon close my eyes! Think of me, Rudi.—All the sufferings and all the troubles of this life, work together for good to those who bear them patiently. All that I have suffered is as great a blessing to me now, as any of the pleasures and joys of life. I thank God for the gladsome days of my childhood: but when autumn is come, and the tree is shedding its leaves before its winter sleep,then are the sorrows of life hallowed, and its joys but as a dream.—Think of me, Rudi!—all thy sufferings will end in good.

Rudi.-Oh, mother! dear mother!

Mother. I have one thing more to say, Rudi.
Rudi.-What, mother?

Mother. Ever since yesterday it has lain like a stone on my heart. I must tell you of it, Rudi.

Rudi.-What is it, dear mother?

Mother. Yesterday I saw our little Rudeli creep behind my bed, and eat roasted potatoes out of his bag.-He gave some to his sisters, and they also ate of these potatoes, which must have been stolen. Rudi, they could not be ours!-or the boy would have thrown them upon the table openly, and called his sisters to him; and brought me some of them, as he has done a thousand times. O how it used to gladden

my heart, when he flew towards me with something in his hand, and said so fondly to me: "Here, grandmother, take some!" Rudi, if this darling child should become a thief! O, this thought has been a sad weight upon me since yesterday. Where is he? bring him to me-I will speak to him. Rudi ran quickly, and brought the boy to his mother's

bed-side.

Catharine, with great difficulty, raised herself up or the last time, turned towards the boy, took both his hands in hers, and bent forwards her weak, dying head.

The little fellow wept aloud.-" Grandmother! what do you want? you are not dying yet! O, do not die yet, grandmother."

She answered, in broken words: "Yes, Rudeli, I must certainly die very soon."

"O no, no! do not die, grandmother," said the boy.

The sick woman lost her breath, and was obliged to lie down again.

The boy and his father burst into tears;-but she soon recovered herself, and said:

I am better again, now I lie down."

And Rudeli said; And you won't then die yet grandmother ?"

Mother. Say not so, my darling! I die willingly; for I shall go to a kind Father! If you knew, Rudeli, how glad I am, to go to Him, you would not be so unhappy.

Rudeli.-I will die with you, grandmother, if you must die! Mother.-No, Rudeli, you must not die with me. If it be the will of God, you must live a long time yet, and grow up to be a good man; and when your father is old and weak, you must be his help and comfort.-Tell me, Rudeli, will you walk in his steps, and be a good man, and do what is right? Promise me you will, my love!

Rudeli.-Yes, grandmother, I will do what is right, and walk in his steps.

Mother.--Rudeli, our Father in heaven, to whom I am going, sees and hears all that we do, and what we promise. Tell me, Rudeli, do you know this, and do you believe it ▸

Rudeli.-Yes, grandmother! I know it, and I believe it. Mother. But why then did you eat stolen potatoes, yesterday, behind my bed?

Rudeli.-Forgive me this once, grandmother; I will never