the character of a voice from the tomb. It may be expressed as if the mouldering body of the deceased, or his soul from the world beyond the grave, were addressing his living friends, or the stranger visiting his tomb. In this case "he admonishes," says Wordsworth, "with the voice of one experienced in the vanity of those affections which are confined to earthly objects, and gives a verdict like a superior being performing the office of a judge, who has no temptations to mislead him, and whose decision cannot but be dispassionate." But it is more natural, and therefore preferable, for an epitaph to express the feelings of surviving friends. The relatives of the deceased, moved by affectionate sorrow, would thus interest others in one who was so dear to themselves; or the recipients of the kindness or benevolence of the deceased, influenced by esteem and gratitude, pay this deserved tribute to his memory. An epitaph, inscribed

under such circumstances, if a cold, artificial composition, would at once strike every reader as unnatural, and would fail to engage his interest. Resignation and calmness are to be expected in a Christian epitaph, but coldness and studied effect are perfectly inconsistent with sepulchral commemoration.

4. It should be adapted for a standing memorial. Though plainly indicative of the tender

feelings of the bereaved, yet this should not constitute its whole characteristic. It is designed to meet the eye of every wanderer in the churchyard, and should therefore be calculated to interest his attention. By containing some monitory lesson, naturally drawn from the life or death of the person commemorated, it should offer encouragement to the faithful Christian, and awaken the thoughtless to serious reflection.

5. It should be plain and simple. This will be best given in the beautiful language of Wordsworth" An epitaph is not a proud writing shut up for the studious; it is exposed to all, to the wise and the most ignorant; it is condescending, perspicuous, and lovingly solicits regard its story and admonitions are brief, that the thoughtless, the busy, and indolent may not be deterred nor the impatient tired: the stooping old man cons the engraven record like a second horn-book ;-the child is proud that he can read it ;—and the stranger is introduced by its mediation to the company of a friend: it is concerning all, and for all-in the churchyard it is open to the day; the sun looks down upon the stone, and the rains of heaven beat against it."

If these suggestions were followed, epitaphs would no longer disgrace our churchyards, but

invest them with more general interest, and become an effective and a popular medium of conveying religious instruction and improvement.

So far, therefore, from desiring to check this favourite mode of sepulchral commemoration, we would rather see it even more extensively practised, but always under the guidance and authority of the parochial clergy.

EPITAPH S.

MANY of the following epitaphs will be found too long for use, but they may easily be shortened, and the others altered to suit individual cases. Those marked with an asterisk * were given by the authors for this Collection.

Infancy.
1.

While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept ; for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me that he may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. 2 Sam. xii. 22, 23.

2.

He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom. Isaiah xl. 11.

3.

Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt. xviii. 3.

4.

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark x.

14.

F

5.

It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Matt. xviii. 14.

An heir of God through Christ.

6.

Galatians iv. 7.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus iii. 5.

7.

As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians xv. 22.

8.

*E'en cold in death he wore the cherub smile,
That oft could all a parent's cares beguile;
You might have deemed him in such placid rest,
Just sunk to slumber on his mother's breast!
Delightful thought! sweet Babe, that smile may be
Token of vision bright vouchsafed to thee,
When thy young spirit saw the angels come
To guide it to its everlasting home!

While weeping Parents watched thy parting breath
A Saviour's love had ta'en the sting from death.
REV. J. EVANS.

9.

Our child is now a child of bliss!
Why should we weep for joy like this?

10.

I look around, and see

The evil ways of men;

And, O beloved child,
I'm more than reconcil'd

To thy departure, then.