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Juvenile Department.

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There is reason to believe that Silver is found in each quarter of the world, but it is in Peru and Mexico that it abounds. The mountain of Potosi, in the former of these countries, since its discovery in 1545, is said to have afforded a mass of silver equal in value to £234,293,840. Humboldt has said, that "these mines in the space of three centuries afforded 316,023,883 pounds of pure silver; and remarks, that this quantity would form a globe of silver 91,206 English feet in diameter." This rich mountain is about 480 yards in height, and 18 miles in circumference. Its form resembles that of a sugar-loaf. Some writers are of opinion, that “ the Andes, if proper | ly examined, would afford silver enough to overturn our present commercial system, by making silver as common as copper."

Great Britain is not destitute of such internal riches. Considerable quantities of this metal have been procured from the lead mines. It is also said, that the county of Antrim, in Ireland, possesses a mine

VOL. XII.

so rich, that thirty pounds of its lead yield one pound of silver. In the reign of Edward I. 1600lbs. of this metal were obtained in about three years, from a mine in Derbyshire. The lead mines in Cardiganshire have yielded considerable quantities of this metal; a fact, which acquires additional interest from the circumstance, that Sir Hugh Middleton was enabled, by these resources, to bring the New River from Ware to London: he is said to have realized from them £2000 per month. In the reign of Charles I. these mines yielded eighty ounces of silver in every ton of lead. Part of his army was paid with this silver.

But we proceed to notice some of its distinguishing qualities. It is very interesting, in viewing the metals, to observe the various characteristics by which they are known. Although corresponding in general qualities, yet all differ in their minute properties, and thus proclaim a supreme and superintending intelligence.

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There is an observable analogy between gold and silver in several of their properties, but their colours | alone sufficiently identify them. Sil ver is well known to be of a white colour, and of a beautiful brilliancy, only exceeded by highly polished | steel. Like gold, it is without taste or smell, and is exceedingly ductile and malleable. A grain of silver may be beaten into a leaf that will cover fifty-one square inches, or be drawn into wire of not more than half the diameter of a human hair: indeed a grain of this metal may be so extended, as to form a vessel capable of containing an ounce of water. It is harder and more tenacious than gold: such is its tenacity, that a wire of only one-tenth of an inch in diameter will sustain a weight of 270lb. Who but the Al

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mighty could have conceived and created substances so curious and wonderful? What power but his could perpetuate their formation, and preserve their qualities?

The Deity makes nothing in vain. While the metals are distinguished | by indescribable beauty, their utility is as great as their beauty; nor is there a department of his works to which this remark will not apply. There are many substances, and ́even animals, besides many operations, whose utility is yet undiscovered by man; but this is not because they are useless, but because he is blind. The little knowledge we possess has cost the learned years of unwearied application; and 'yet it is more than probable that we are not half acquainted with the utility of any of the Creator's works. May our young friends be clothed with humility! Among the virtues, there is not one more becoming to

man.

Silver is highly useful. Many of its uses, like those of gold, are so obvious as scarcely to nced enumeration, as its extensive employment in jewellery and coining, in which cases a proportion of copper is mixed with it to increase its durability. Copper gives additional solidity, stiffness, and elasticity to it, but decreases its ductility. Silver plate is usually alloyed with a twentyfourth part of copper; and in our coin a proportion of one-twelfth part of copper is incorporated. Silver likewise enters into the texture of rich silks; and it is abundantly used to cover other metals, forming what are called plated goods, which are in great request, both from their cheapness and elegance.

It is no inconsiderable recommendation to the employment of this metal, that it cannot be oxidized by atmospheric air, unless in a situation of intense heat. The brown oxide of this metal is the only one known with any certainty.

It has several useful salts. Nitrate of silver is well known. It is much used in chemistry as a test, and when melted, and poured into moulds, it forms the lunar caustic of the apothecary, so called from Luna, one of the terms by which this metal was denominated among the ancients. When dissolved in water, the solution, though very pale, stains animal substances with an indelible black. It is used for staining marble, and silvering ornamental work. Dr. Black also assigns to it this very remarkable property, that if one ounce of it be dissolved in 12,000 ounces of water, it will preserve the liquid from putrefaction for ever, while it may be separated from it, at any time, by the addition of a little common salt. This solution, with the assistance of an alkali, and a little gum water, forms the useful indelible ink for marking linen. A variety of other salts are known; but such is the imperfection of our faculties, and the slow progress of our knowledge, that the possibility of forming some of them has but recently been discovered, and their uses are not yet ascertained.

The cautions with which we closed our last paper, would also apply on this subject. Through the grace of God may those cautions be less and less necessary! May our young friends guard against the destructive influence of vanity, luxury, and avarice! Luxury has still its devoted victims; but it is gratifying that Europe does not now present a Nero and his wife, whose very horses were shod with silver; and to the pious youth it must be delightful to reflect, that every passing day hastens that interesting period, whose approach is happily announced by many pleasing indications, when religious principle and pious feeling shall very generally exert their correcting and transforming influence!

N. N.

Obituary.

MISS RUTH EMERY,

AGED 17.

THERE can scarcely be a more incontestable evidence of the excellence and reality of the religion of Jesus, than the consolation and support it affords in a dying hour. It would be excellent, though limited in its effects by duration: but it will not only stand the test of all the vicissitudes of time with confidence, but will endure the wreck of nature with triumph, and will finally introduce its subject into ineffable delight and perfect day. That religion will afford consolation, when "all other comforts fail," the aged Christian's experiencewill give ample testimony; and the passing events of every day, in this uncertain state, give the fullest assurance that

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" 'Tis religion can supply,
Solid comforts when we die."

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friends, and especially the family in which she resided. Such promising appearances, with a blooming healthy constitution, encouraged the hope of her becoming a lasting comfort and blessing to her connexions. But alas too true is the heart-affecting declaration,

"We should suspect some danger nigh, Where we possess delight."

About the latter end of May, 1820, she was visited with an attack of cold and fever, which, though it did not prevent her engaging in her accustomed avocations, yet so imperceptibly increased, that in about a month, the hopes entertained of her amendment were blasted by every symptom of rapid consumption. The morning after the ed, (Friday, July 7,) she was obphysician's opinion was ascertainserved in tears. Various questions were asked, in order to ascertain the cause of her grief; her replies to which gave satisfactory evidence that she was by no means so anxious about recovering, as of not going to heaven if she died. She had been reading Memoirs of Mrs. Newell, which she held in her hand, having her finger fixed on those pathetic expressions, My friend, there is a rest for the weary pilgrim in yonder world. Shall we meet there, when the long sabbath of the tomb is past?" In the course of a long and affecting conversation, she expressed herself as being a great sinner, the very chief of sinners, and greater than Manassah, Paul, or Magdalen. For her encouragement, some peculiar traits in each of these characters were expatiated on, as well as the narrative of the dying thief; and many scripture promises suited to her cir

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But the finger of God and the influence of this sacred principle, cannot fail to be recognized, when the youthful mind, naturally accustomed to anticipate years of delight in worldly enjoyments, can re-nounce its earthly hopes, and esteem the pleasures of the world as dross and dung compared with the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ"--nor count its own life dear, SO that it may win Christ, and be found in him." Such was the happiness of the subject of this memoir. She was born at Wibaston in Bedfordshire of pious parents, who watched over her growing years with tender solicitude, and on her account made earnest supplications at the throne of grace. How far these means were effectual was proved by the morality of her conduct, the re-cumstances, were recited. To these spect she manifested for divine things, and the regard she felt for the ways and people of God, when grown up and entered on the world. She conducted herself in such a manner as to increase the regard of all her

she listened with great attention; yet from the fear of having sinned beyond the reach of mercy, she scarcely dared to venture a hope.

From her own account, she had been under strong convictions for

several months; but, a few weeks |
before her affliction, she was led
more earnestly and seriously to con-
sider her state, and, (to use her own
words,)" tried to pray;"-and in
this state she was enabled to make
application to the Friend of sinners,
deriving great encouragement from
the 355th Hymn of Dr. Rippon's,
particularly those lines,

"I can but perish if I go;
I am resolv'd to try;
For if I stay away, I know,

I must for ever die."

From that period it appears, (whatever she might have done previously,) she maintained constant intercourse with God by prayer, though with but little comfort. She "sought the Lord sorrowing." From her own confession, what she most desired in her prayers was, the forgiveness of her sins, and the salvation of her soul. She seemed indifferent as to getting well, expressing it to be her whole concern to "be

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him, and expressed her willingness to die, upon the conditions prescribed by the poet,

"O if my Lord would come and meet, My soul would stretch her wings in haste."

She became gradually weaned from worldly objects, and enjoyed occasionally somewhat lively anticipations of approaching glory; yet she had very humble views of herself, from a deep sense of her innate depravity, and exceeding sinfulness; and on these accounts" abhorred

herself, and repented as in dust and ashes."

She was exceedingly impressed with the value, importance, and necessity of salvation by Jesus Christ -and with a firm conviction of her unworthiness of it, and her insufficiency by her own merits to obtain it; and this led her feelingly to repeat the verse,

"A guilty, weak, and helpless worm,
thou my strength and righteousness,
On thy kind arms I fall;
My Jesus, and my alk"

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found in Christ;"-and on being asked which she should prefer, could she have her choice," to live without an interest in Christ, or die, and go She derived much comfort from to enjoy his presence in heaven?"reading; she carefully improved every she replied very emphatically, "I convenient opportunity, when in would rather die." At her urgent health, for this purpose; and when so request, her father and a friend pre-exhausted in her sickness as not to be sent engaged in prayer; which, being complied with, proved a melting season to those present; "sorrowing most of all that they would so soon see her face no more.' She continued in the present state after this day, only a fortnight, and was only three days confined to her room; so rapidly did she " go down to the house appointed for all living." At times she felt rather reluctant to leave her relatives; but the hope of meeting them in heaven, never to suffer separation, greatly reconciled her mind. All her fear was, that at an interview so blissful, she should be absent; her sinfulness operating rather, (in her view,) to awaken Di-"Here's fruit, the like never in Paradise vine wrath, than Divine compassion. For sinners the vilest, and why not for The Redeemer's language, "Him

able to read herself, she was much pleased that others should read by her. The books to which she gave a decided preference, next to the Bible and various Hymn-books, were, Memoirs of Mrs. Newell, and Miss Anna Emery; many expressions in which were precious to her in her affliction; and several times she expressed a wish to meet them in heaven. She frequently enjoyed much from hymns, to enumerate which would exceed the proper limits. She was much delighted with those lines of Kent's Hymn on the Gospel Feast:

grew,

And frequently repeated,

that cometh unto me, I will in no you."
wise cast out," was frequently re-
peated to her, to her great encou-
ragement. At one time she was
enabled to hope, she had come to

"O'tis a heaven worth dying for,
To see a smiling God!"

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where there is no more sickness, SOFrow, pain, or death; and by her looks and expressions gave ample proof of her increasing "desire to depart, and to be with Christ;"-and this passage she frequently repeated with great pleasure. The nature of her disorder was such as to pre

“When Thou, my righteous Judge, shalt vent her speaking much; yet the

come."

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To see thy smiling face: Then loudest of the crowd, I'll sing, While heaven's resounding mansions ring

With shouts of sov'reign grace."

remarking, that this hymn was expressive of her heart's desire, which, should it please the Lord to grant her, she hoped in return to praise him" loudest of the crowd." A little time after, with the most perfect composure, she made a selection of those hymns she wished to be sung at her funeral.

She was extremely anxious for the company of good people, and never allowed them, if possible, to leave her before they had engaged in prayer, from the conviction of the avail of effectual, fervent prayer; nor did she forget to pray herself. She was visited by the Rev. Mr. Knight of Staughton, to whom, with great earnestness and freedom, she communicated her feelings. After having a very affecting interview, he asked, on leaving, what message she had to the young people of her acquaintance. With great earnestness, and many tears, she replied, "Tell them to remember now their Creator in the days of their youth." From this passage she requested he would preach her funeral sermon, desiring him particularly to address young persons. Amidst all her sufferings, she was never heard to utter one complaining word-she seemed convinced that her sins deserved much more than she endured: and she acquiesced in the dealings of infinite Wisdom, adopting the Shunammite's language, "It is well." She was much animated one evening in some conversation with a friend, on the nature of that blessed state,

VOL. XII.

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expressions which dropped from her lips gave satisfactory evidence of a work of grace being begun in her heart; and though unable to say, with the assurance of the apostle, "I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded, &c." yet she could say with one of old, "Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief." Her appearance and conversation became so interesting, as almost to dissolve the "earthly charm" in the minds of her attendants, and lead them to exclaim, "Let us also go and die with her." And, in her own breast, she evidently felt a strange pleasure mingled with her pain." She greatly delighted that the happiness of heaven consisted, not merely in deliverance from affliction, but in seeing Jesus, and being like him. This was all her “salvation, and all her desire." So completely did this absorb every other consideration, that she could view her grieving relatives with apparent ease. Her regard for them, and concern for their distress, now no longer placed her in "a strait betwixt two;" it being her determined "desire to depart and be with Christ," esteeming this "far better."

The last two days of her life were spent in great pain and exhaustion. Yet her mind was very composed and tranquil, excepting once, when raising herself up in great distress and agitation, she exclaimed, “O, I fear I shall not see Jesus; I fear 1 shall not go to Jesus." The 23d Psalm, and other parts of scripture, were read, which were blessed to her encouragement; and not long after she was heard to say, "The Lord will open the door; he will cast out none; no, not one." And some time after she whispered,

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My Jesus, my Lord, and my Rock!" As a proof of her composure in the anticipation of death, she said to her parent, "Mother, if I 3 M

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