Perhaps, if the ministers of religion were to interest themselves in this matter, and accustom their people to consult them as to the nature of the monumental inscriptions which they wish to introduce into churches and church-yards, a gradual improvement would take place in this respect.

What is offensive, useless, or erroneous, would no longer find admittance, and a succession of valuable warning and consolation to the living would perpetuate the memory of the dead.
What can be more disgusting than the too common spectacle of trifling licentious travellers, wandering about the church-yards of the different places through which they pass, in search of rude, ungrammatical, ill- spelt, and absurd verses among the grave-stones; and this for the gratification of their unholy scorn and ridicule! And yet how much is it to be deplored that such persons are seldom disappointed in finding many instances which too readily afford them the unfeeling satisfaction which they seek! I therefore offer this suggestion to my reverend brethren, that as no monument or stone can be placed in a church or church-yard without their express consent or approbation, whether one condition of that consent being granted, should not be a previous inspection and approval of every inscription which may be so placed within the precincts of the sanctuary?
The reader will pardon this digression, which evidently arose from the peculiar connection established in little Jane's history, between an epitaph inscribed on a grave-stone, and the word of God inscribed on her heart.

When I arrived at Jane's cottage, I found her in bed, reading Dr.
Watts' Hymns for Children, in which she took great pleasure.
"What are you reading this morning, Jane ?" "Sir, I have been thinking very much about some verses in my little book.
Here they are,-- 'There is an hour when I must die, Nor do I know how soon 'twill come; A thousand children young as I Are called by death to hear their doom.
Let me improve the hours I have, Before the day of grace is fled; There's no repentance in the grave, Nor pardon offered to the dead.' "Sir, I feel all that to be very true, and I am afraid I do not improve the hours I have, as I ought to do.

I think I shall not live very long; and when I remember my sins, I say,-- 'Lord, at thy feet ashamed I lie, Upward I dare not look; Pardon my sins before I die, And blot them from thy book.' Do you think he will pardon me, sir ?" "My dear child, I have great hopes that he HAS pardoned you; that he has heard your prayers, and put you into the number of his true children already.

You have had strong proofs of his mercy to your soul." "Yes, sir, I have, and I wish to love and bless him for it.