by the same breath which so long had nourished it; fell quietly, so ripe for the blow, that nothing is disordered around it there is no rent, no chasm: a vacancy indeed there will be when its frame is removed and out of sight-a vacancy felt by many a one, who in the stormy or sultry hour will habitually turn hither, say ing-house are valuable auxiliaries; but in the hour of relief from the pressure of occupation, whether the bent of the mind be to joy or sorrow, expectation or disappointment, to meditation or devotion, give me my beloved haunt-the garden-and 1 cannot fail of finding that which, in the absence of all human sympathy and companionship, shall charm away the loneli-ing, Where is our ancient friend, our ness of feeling; shall heighten my joy, or soothe my grief, with sweet tales of One who is never far from the heart that desires, to acknowledge his sovereignty. The season is bleak; and what between the unlooked-for snows that heralded November, and the hurricane that marked his exit, few indeed are the flowers left to bide the blasts of the closing year. But flowers I need not: my steps are arrested in the search by an object more suitable to my purpose, and near it I linger, absorbed in thoughts as sweetly solemn as ever followed the flight of a glorified spirit to its Father's bosom. A noble oak, seemingly arrived at the last stage of its natural existence, had been, I cannot say torn up, but rather broken off with scarely a discomposure of the earth around its roots, and there it lay, recumbent on the sod which had yielded to its pressure without apparent injury to either. Majestic when last I saw it full of life, and loaded with its leafy honours, it looked to me no less majestic in its wintry state, leafless, and unadorned, stretched peacefully on the earth, so long overshadowed by its spreading boughs. "Here, then," I mentally said, "here let me stay my steps; for what spot so meet can I find whereon to pause and think over my pleasant reminiscences of that beloved man of God, CHARLES SIMEON?" There is not one feeling of a spiritualized mind that may not flow on unchecked, in full luxury of enjoyment, while tracing the work of God in and by that blessed servant of His. There lives not a flower, a shrub, or a plant that could so exquisitely typify the man as this fallen king of the forest, by whose trunk I seat myself, to follow up the resemblance. Here it first shot forth the young roots of its growing strength here it attained a vigorous maturity, while succeeding crowds sat under its pleasant shadow and rejoiced. Here it faded into venerable age, and fell at last pleasant shelter ? But who can tell how many of the noble trees extending all around owe their being to this parent stock? For an uncomputed period, it has flourished here: and perhaps those stately buildings-perhaps yon gallant vessel that may be bearing seaward a freight of missionary treasures, owe their frame-work to the progeny of this tree. Sure I am that its prolific boughs have yielded seed for many an acre of forest plantation; while every little leaf that fell assisted to fertilize that rich and smiling sward that carpets the spot. And so it was with Simeon: where he first vegetated in spiritual existence, there he flourished, and there, honoured with more of reverential love and regret than usually falls to the lot of man, he calmly reposes. Generations have successively sat under the teaching of his faithful ministry, acknowledging him to be indeed like a tree planted by the water-side, bringing forth his fruit in due season, while his leaf withered not; and in a most singular manner was fulfilled the promise-" Look, whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper." Oh, if all the rich ones of this world, or even the rich ones of the Lord's own fold, would so consecrate themselves and what they have to the service of their master as did that highly-favoured man, what a blossoming Eden we should have in many and many a spot where the howling desert now meets our shrinking sight! The recollections of what he was, and what he did, come crowding with overpowering force. So eminently did he act upon the solemn charge, "Go, work to day in my vineyard," that no one can be pointed out, since the times of inspiration, better worthy of the too-much-neglected title of a working Christian. His was not the faith that dances like a moth about the candle, doing nothing but dazzling its own eyes, and perhaps endangering its own wings by too presumptuous an approach: no, he used every beam of that shining light as | now together with Abraham, Isaac, and a help to read his master's will, and to do Jacob, in the kingdom of God, and the his master's work, and to illuminate the cup, not of cold water, but cordial wine of darkness of those who were yet afar off, Christian love, so freely ministered to a and to whom his incessant, fervent, perse- fainting pilgrim, is not forgotten now. No vering invitation, given as largely, as fully, sooner did dear Mr. Simeon understand as universally as the need of a Saviour the cause of my sable weeds and tearful exists, was blessed to an extent only to be looks, than he set himself to comfort and revealed at the last day. to cheer me. "Blessed is he that blesseth thee" reiterates the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, to them; and with an undoubted reference to their now outcast race. Of this blessing our beloved brother now knows the value and extent. I passed not many days in his honoured company, but some three or four at one time I did: and truly can I testify that of these days scarcely an hour fleeted by without bearing on its wings some record of his heart's desire and prayer for the conversion of God's ancient people. For many years I had especially loved his name, as standing so conspicuously forth among the actual pityers of Zion, who longed to raise her from the dust: and very sweet it was to be so circumstanced as to time and place, when sojourning under the same roof with Mr. Simeon, as to see his warmest zeal called forth in this sacred cause. He was so active, so earnest, so open, and withal so very playful, that had he been an utter stranger in name and character I should have marked him among a thousand, as one to whom the statutes and work of the Lord were the very joy of his heart. But he was no stranger, though I was one to him; and a weeping stranger too, whose peculiar trial, just then, appealing to all the sympathies of his warm and generous heart, brought me more within the influence of his personal attention than otherwise I could have hoped to be admitted. There was something so peculiar in the physiognomy and manner of the venerable good man; he was so long and extensively known among Christian people, that many will be able to realize the very look and gesture with which he used to beckon me to sit close beside him on the sofa, and then opening a large bible, resting one half of it on his own knee, the other on mine, he would say, "Now let me hear something of your happy dumb boy." The subject was too near my heart to be strange to my lips, and he had not long to wait. Ere I had proceeded far, one hand was laid on my wrist, the fore-finger of the other held up, and, "Stop-stop" articulated in a leisurely manner. Then he would turn over the blessed pages, until he found some scripture most beautifully, most exquisitely illustrative of the thing I was relating; and then he would require me to read aloud to him, keeping his finger under the line, carefully pausing at the respective stops. When it was done, he would look in my face with a gentle inclination of the head, saying, "Now”—and so continue, until something else called for another reference to the word of God. All around were smiling at the scene: it was so quaint, so perfectly characteristic of the man: but none can tell how delicious was the soothing to my really lacerated heart, as I felt the pressure of his fatherly hand on my wrist, met the complacent look of his intelligent eye, marked the interest excited in his mind by the turns of his singularly expressive mouth, and followed the movement of his finger along the precious lines of inspired consolation, and knew that whither the "happy dumb boy" was gone, there should his own bright spirit follow ere long. I re A few weeks-not a month-had elapsed since I buried my precious dumb boy: and the debility occasioned by long, anxious attendance on him, joined to the grief of such a loss, and other afflictions just then accumulated upon me, rendered me an object of even more than usual tenderness to the fond friends whose guest I was. The master of the house was in-member too, that I was never more anxdeed a devoted brother in the faith and the ministry with Simeon, still more endeared by long friendship, and by fellowship in the work for Israel. They are ious to read correctly than when reading those short passages to him, and yet never in my life was man's applause or censure more utterly indifferent to me. Although there was eccentricity enough in Mr. | human nature of our spotless Immanuel, Simeon's character to force a smile from the most devoted of his reverential followers, there was enough of authority, deciEion, and confidence in his own powers of guiding, to compel respect from the most giddy and inconsiderate. Our parting breakfast was very delightful: there were present a son and daughter of God's ancient Israel, both become doubly the children of Abraham by faith in Christ Jesus-the one a zealous preacher of his adored Messiah; the other a fond and faithful wife, rejoicing that he, the best beloved of her heart, had been made also the means of saving her soul. Towards them every feeling of our venerable friend seemed to set in, so to speak, with a spring-tide, strong enough to overthrow every thing before it. He quite sparkled; and often did he speak to me and bid me rejoice, as I sat beside him, in the joy of those children of Jacob. It was one of the special privileges allowed me in that house to take every day a glass of wine actually made from the grapes that grew on the mountain of Lebanon. Of this my beloved host had a supply: and never did he fail of filling my glass from it. I drank that wine of Lebanon with Wolff, and with many a son and daughter of the chosen seed; but never with greater relish than when Mr. Simeon pledged me in the draught. It is so solemn-so sweetto know, that he, and our dear brother whose hospitality had no bounds, have indeed sat down together to sup with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We cannot quite realize the mighty truth: but now and then a glimpse seems to be given into that presence-chamber where THEY ARE; and what are the puny thorns and idle pebbles that somewhat discomfort our path thitherward, when we dwell upon the glorious fact that they ARE there! Once more I saw, and spoke to, Mr. Simeon. He recognized me in a meeting, not very large, held in a room in Regent street, for one of our dear Irish educational societies. He ran to me: and sorrowfully told me that our dear friend H. above referred to, was ill, very ill. He then seated himself near me and I shall not soon forget the sequel. At that time Mr. Irving had not long been led to propound his fearful heresy respecting the but he had said and done enough to startle all thinking Christians; and I suppose the various errors and delusions set forth by him and his followers never had a more determined, uncompromising enemy than in Simeon. Contrary to all expectation, Mr. Irving chose to address the meeting: and in the midst of a speech unexceptionable enough, he called on the assembly to pray with him: then turning to the noble chairman, requested him to second the proposal. Lord B.-quite taken by surprise-rose, not with a very well satisfied air, and silently bowing round, intimated in that way that we should also rise. I confess that I was one who felt exceedingly disinclined to obey; not knowing what that gifted, but most erring individual might think proper to utter, as the mouthpiece of the party. But the expression of Simeon's countenance who can pourtray! he rested his elbows on his knees, firmly clasped his hands together, placed his chin against his knuckles: and every line in his face, where the lines where neither few nor faintly marked, bespoke a fixed resolve to say Amen to nothing that he had not well sifted, and deliberately approved. It was an extraordinary scene altogether, and I made my exit as soon as this episode came to an end. I never more beheld Mr. Simeon; but I shall hope never to forget his look that day. There was in it as much of sober reproof, exhortation, and caution as a look could convey. He was the marked reverse of a theorist; his speculations touched not the unrevealed mysteries of God, but bought churches, and entailed pulpits on such ministers as should faithfully set forth the known word and will of the Most High. I should say that the motto of his life was, "Let him that heareth, say, Come." I hardly think he ever folded a bank-note, or fingered a guinea, without pondering how it could be made available in spreading the gospel. And then he had such a downright, hardworking, pains-taking, unceremonious way with him, that he seemed to go about such things with the same matter-of-fact sort of sober earnestness that a carpenter would exhibit when planning a piece of furniture, resolved it should be the best of its kind. He had a very summary and somewhat annoying way of disposing of subjects that seemed | earnestly trading with it. Oh, for a comto him impertinent: with no small infu- pany of working Christians like Simeon! sion of acidity, if he thought them anti- the armies of the aliens should soon be scriptural and few men might better put to flight, and the church, clothed in her judge of that than he could. beautiful garments, become a glory and praise in the whole earth! But how wretchedly poor is this sketch! I have rested and refreshed my mind on the few personal reminiscences of that blessed man, even as my body is rested and refreshed by a temporary seat near this noble oak: but how shall I send my mind abroad, to gather into one view the innumerable, wide-spread, ever-multiplying fruits of his active holiness! Confined in his stated ministry to one beloved spot, and mounting for half a century the same endeared pulpit, to what quarter of Christ's militant church on earth has his voice of love not penetrated, his helping hand not reached? This tree may have planted many a forest, lent its aid to works of art, manufacture, and commerce, beyond the possibility of computation, though here it lies, too completely worn with age to yield even a plank from its own trunk: but in the sod under my feet how many even of its this year's acorns are at present germinating, to break forth next spring in beautiful abundance for culture here, and transplantation to other soils. Yet accord to it, as a tree, the utmost limit of usefulness in its generation, our dear brother, as a Christian, far oversteps it in the multitude and magnitude of his fruits. Oh, that we may be quickened by the consideration, to bear in mind the words of our Lord, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit!" Fireside piety, closet piety, are of such moment that without them all the rest is nothing; but we are too prone to think they alone will suffice. Regard, then, Charles Simeon, who after a long-very long life passed in the most laborious, public service of his Master, would have told you that he was an unprofitable servant, a miserable offender, leaving undone what he ought to have done, and thrown on the sparing mercy of God in Christ to pardon the iniquity of his holiest things, the fearful short-comings of his most diligent services. Ponder on this, and ask what will be your feeling, if you wrap up your talent in a napkin, only to be taken out to refresh your own gaze, and barely to exhibit before the Lord, when you ought to be CHAPTER XIX. THE WHITE CHRYSANTHEMUM. UNDER all circumstances, sickness is trying; but the extent to which its painful concomitants may be alleviated or aggravated, is very great. I would not dwell upon the wide distinction drawn between the cherished individual whose every want is foreseen, whose every wish anticipated by watchful friends, while no earthly care is allowed to burthen the mind, nor an anxious thought required to be taken-and the mother of a young family who has no efficient substitute to fill her arduous sphere during the hours of languishing; but who must rouse her weary spirits and exert her bewildered faculties on behalf of others when both require undisturbed repose; nor will I dwell upon the contrast presented by the child of abundance, amply provided with this world's good, free from that corroding thought for the morrow, which asks, "What shall we eat, and what shall we drink, and wherewithal shall we be clothed ?" and one whose daily effort supplies the daily expenditure, and who, during the long hours of reluctant inaction, cannot but calculate by how many of premature and harassing exertion must the ground thus lost be regained. These are obvious distinctions and no one can fail to recognize them: but there are others, little reckoned of by many, though placing a gulf of unmeasurable distance between the actual experience of individuals precisely alike in external circumstances, and visited perhaps with just the same measure of bodily ailment. The sick-bed of believers in Christ is a place where the Lord for a moment dims his jewels, in order to give them a brighter burnish; and this they know, and struggle to lie still, for they feel that they are in his hand and desire to be nowhere else. The couch of | oft been braided with gold and pearl, a person wrapt in thoughtless security, for the express purpose of ensnaring those has also a peace of its own; the false whom he came to deliver. And I bless peace of a blind man, who walks on in His holy name, he has so far taught me smiling contentment towards the brink of that I dare not pass a poor lost sister of a pit that he sees not. But there is an- my own vile race without remembering other sick-bed, alas! there are hundreds that touching scene, and feeling as though and thousands of such in this privileged to me was addressed the comprehensive land, where, even now while I write, now, appeal, "Seest thou this woman?" I while the severity of winter has barbed the have in my garden a flower that bears on dart of disease, and a mysterious hand di- its leaves a memento I would not willingly rected it to strike deep into many a strong forget; and when I see the long, pale, frame: the sick-bed of the helpless, hope- dishevelled, petals of the white Chryless sinner, whose guilty deeds appear in santhemum shaken wildly by the gale, all their crimson dye, with a certain fear- while its slender stem is bowed, and its ful looking-for of judgment and fiery in- sickly-looking leaves hang down, in helpdignation beyond the grave that is evi- less resignation to its comfortless lot, I dently yawning to receive him. This is think of the little cottage where it stood a wide and varied class; not a few such hard by the door, to plead with me as it are writhing in pangs that they conceal were, for one within, of whom it seemed from others, who little suspect their exist- the most affecting type that could have ence there; not a few are battling with been devised. conscience in desperate hardihood of purpose, or swallowing the poison of delusion from lips too ready to speak peace where there is no peace: but I am now, in thought, dwelling on a single though most awfully numerous branch of that wide class of unequivocal transgressors who .cross our daily path in all the successive gradations of their sad career: from the bloom of youthful beauty, gaudily tricked out in flaunting display, to the squalid spectral object whose pale cheek, hollow eyes, trembling limbs, and tottering gait, proclaim for how very short a period she has yet to drag that wasted half-clad form along ere it must sink where ours shall mingle with it. Yes, however high we may toss the disdainful head, however far avert the loathing eye, however cautiously protect the utmost verge of our garment from coming into contact with her defiling tatters, we shall mingle at last-mingle here in one common mass of corruption, and mingle hereafter in one mighty throng of animated existences, gathered for judg-friend, ever ready to the work of Chrisment before the eternal throne. It was marvellous in the eyes of Simon the Pharisee that Jesus suffered a woman of the city, who was a known sinner, to touch him! Tear after tear dropped unrebuked upon those holy feet, from eyes that had lured many a soul into the paths of death; and tress after tress was applied to dry those drops away, that had It was then winter, comparatively mild, but still winter, and very few of the flowers had survived even in that sheltered spot. The white Chrysanthemum, however, was not quite alone; but so accompanied as to throw out its peculiarly fading and forlorn character in more striking relief. Close behind it on the cottage-wall, peeped forth a few glowing china-roses, with a cluster of vigorous buds; and some double marigolds spread their rich, deep, golden hues at its root. Not far away stood a dwarf holly, be-dropped with scarlet berries; and whatever remained of flowers and foliage partook so largely of that firm texture and decided tint which conveys the idea of health and enjoyment, that the poor Chrysanthemum looked the very personification of a sick, sorrowful, trembling stranger, in a circle where sickness, sorrow, or fear might rarely intrude. The place was one where my assigned duty would have called me, but I had been ill; and a dear young tian love and pity, had supplied my lack of service by a prompt response to the summons that she received. Deeply affected by the account she gave me, I now accompanied her, not to interfere, but to witness her efforts; and very rarely have my feelings been more painfully excited, or my indignation more strongly provoked. Ascending to a very small neat |