r
Christ's sake. Amen.

8. He was not a little concerned for the whole nation, and begged that
God would pardon the sins of this land, and bring it nearer to himself.

9. About the beginning of November, this child was smote with the
distemper, but he behaved with admirable patience under the hand of God.

10. These were some of his last expressions. "The Lord shall be my
physician, for he will cure both soul and body. Heaven is the best
hospital. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth good in his eyes."
Again, "It is the Lord that taketh away my health; but I will say as Job
did, 'Blessed be the name of the Lord.' If I should live longer, I
should but sin against God." Looking upon his father, he said, "If the
Lord will but lend me the least finger of his hand to lead me through
the dark entry of death, I will rejoice in him."

11. When a minister came to him, among other things, he spake something
of life. He answered, "This is a wicked world: it is better to live in
heaven."

12. An hour and a half before his death, the same minister came again to
visit him, and asked him, "John, art thou not afraid to die?" He
answered, "No, if the Lord will comfort me in that hour." "But," said
the minister, "how canst thou expect comfort, seeing we deserve none?"
He answered, "No, if I had my deserts, I had been in hell long ago."
"But," replied the minister, "which way dost thou expect comfort and
salvation, seeing that thou art a sinner?" He answered, "In Christ
alone." In whom, about an hour and a half after, he fell asleep.

THE MINISTER'S DAUGHTER.

TABITHA ALDER was the daughter of a minister in Kent, who lived near
Gravesend. She was instructed in the Holy Scriptures by her father and
mother; but there appeared nothing extraordinary in her till she was
between seven and eight years old:

2. About which time, when she was sick, one asked her what she thought
would become of her if she should die? She answered that she was greatly
afraid she should go to hell.

3. Being asked why she was afraid she should go to hell? She answered,
because she did not love God.

4. Again, being asked how she knew that she did not love God? she
replied, "What have I done for God ever since I was born? And beside
this, I have been taught that he that loves God keeps his commandments;
but I have kept none of them."

5. Being farther demanded if she would not fain love God? she answered,
"Yes, with all my heart, if I could, but