A SUNDAY EVENING'S RECOLLECTION.

EVENING devotion had been performed for the first time, in our new Church, and the congregation, in different little groups, had turned homeward, when on turning the corner leading to the village, my attention was arrested by the earnest expression of pity, which pervaded the countenance of one of our Sunday school scholars. She was listening attentively to some communication made by a companion, whom she several times interrupted by exclaiming, with evident commiseration, 'Poor Mary Deans,poor Mary!' The name she mentioned was familiar to me. Mary Deans was the eldest of three orphans. She was about sixteen years of age, and had formerly been pointed out to me, as one whose head was turned with religion. But such was far from being the case in the sense indicated. Mary's heart, indeed, had been turned from the foolishness of the world, by the power of God; but it had been turned to the "wisdom that maketh not ashamed." From being rude and boisterous she had become gentle and obliging: but as this was to their own advantage, her neighbours made no exception to the change. It was only when Mary forsook her old places of resort, when she ceased to be a tale-bearer,-when, instead of leaving her sisters to their own guidance, she remained at home with them, diligently employing her needle, or teaching them to read and under

stand the Bible,—when, instead of depending on the parish, she rose early and toiled late,-when each returning Sabbath, wet or fair, she walked five miles to the nearest church, and was even known to attend the weekly lectures delivered by a neighbouring rector to all willing bearers,—it was then they shook their heads dubiously, and wished that all might be right with the poor girl! Why,' they asked, ' should she be so strict? was she not young and healthy? Why then should she pretend to more sanctity than her acquaintance?—it was quite unnecessary, quite?' So apt is the world to judge harshly of what it does not comprehend, more especially when it feels itself reproved!

Hearing Mary's name so unexpectedly mentioned by the Sunday scholar, I waited and made some enquiries. Their result impressed me with the conviction that the poor orphan was dying; and without further delay I hastened to her abode. When I entered, the rector of the neighbouring parish was kneeling by her bed-side, together with a woman and two children; but my appearance did not interrupt their devotion. Mary was indeed dying: yet she still endeavoured to follow the words of the priest as he repeated our beautiful service for the sick. At its conclusion she thanked him with much sweetness. She then spoke affectionately to her sisters. 'When I am gone,' she said, 'you will have to part and go to place. O be faithful: be diligent in the service of your earthly masters! O keep the door of your mouth! O do not answer when you are reproved! If you are tempted to do so, pray: if you are tempted with any temptation, pray!-never, never, forget to pray to God!' She then clasped her hands, and

looking up, exclaimed, 'O Lord God, for Christ's sake, help them!' Her sufferings now became painful even to behold; but, in the midst of all, she was still enabled to pray. And during a momentary cessation of agony, alluding to the newly-erected church, opened that day for the first time, she remarked,— 'that she had long looked forward to that morning with the hope of being able to worship God in his own house, in their own village, but now,' she solemnly continued, 'I go to a house not made with hands. I feel that I am dying; but through Jesus, I hope-O I hope-it is better for me to die than to live.' She soon after slept in Jesus, repeating with her last breath, "I know that my Redeemer liveth!" When I left, the rector accompanied me, and as we went, related many interesting particulars concerning Mary; but I forbear mentioning them, lest I should be thought to glorify the creature more than the Creator. I may, however, repeat his parting words. I had just observed that, on my first acquaintance with Mary, I had thought her almost too good to live. 'Can any creature be too good for God?' he asked. I was silent, for I felt myself reproved. We were then at the turning of the road, where he parted from me, with the hope that God would grant such grace to each of us, that our life of Christianity might be as consistent as that led by the humble Mary Deans, during the last few years of her existence !'

E. SCAIFE.

THE REV. HUGH M'NEILE.

MANY of our readers are aware that it has been for some time past in contemplation to present to this honoured Champion of Protestantism some testimonial of the grateful affection and respect in which he is held in the principal scene of his home labours, Liverpool. After due, and we doubt not prayerful, deliberation, consultation, and comparison of plans, the Christian gentlemen forming the Committee of management have decided upon a mode of testifying their regard, the most admirably appropriate that could have been devised. No costly gift, to be locked up in a mahogany case, exhibited on state occasions, and handed down as an heir-loom, unless "thieves break through and steal," consigning to some obscure melting-pot what was intended to excite the admiration of posterity-No: these Liverpool gentlemen have better estimated the character, the deserts, the wishes of their beloved friend; and in the following series of resolutions they have proved it.

"AT a Meeting of Gentlemen who have long watched with interest the varied and indefatigable exertions of the Rev. Hugh M'Neile in promoting the cause of true religion and the best interests of the country, especially in connection with Scriptural Education,

It was unanimously Resolved:→

"That the time had arrived when some Public Testimonial should be given, expressive of the high esteem in which he is held, and of the value attached to his eminent services.

"A Committee, appointed to consider the best mode of carrying the object into effect, suggested a plan similar to that which has been adopted in other cases, namely, THE FOUNDATION OF SCHOLARSHIPS bearing the name of the individual whom it was intended to honour; and, having found, by communication with Mr. M'Neile, that it would be most agreeable to his feelings that the Testimonial should be made to confer a benefit on the noble Institution recently erected in this town, it has been determined to endow Exhibitions and Prizes, in connection with the LIVERPOOL COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION.

"In accordance with this plan, it is proposed to apply the funds in the following order :—

"1st. To the endowment of an Exhibition, tenable at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, or Dublin, to be competed for by the Boys of the Upper School.

"2nd. To the endowment of Two Prizes, equal in value to the free admission of two Scholars in the Middle School, to be competed for every year by the Boys of that School.

"3rd. To the endowment of Five Prizes, equal in APRIL, 1843.

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