BOOK FOR MOTHERS. MRS. JOHN HENRY, MOTHER OF THE REV. PHILIP HENRY. MAGDALEN ROCHDALE was born in Westminster, early in the seventeenth century. Little is, however, recorded of her until she became the wife of John Henry, keeper of the orchard at Whitehall, at which period she took up her abode at the lodge by the water-gate, Whitehall stairs-to attend that gate being part of her husband's duty. The Palace was then the town residence of Charles I., and the ground, which now forms the site of the handsome buildings of Parliament Street was, at that time, laid out in beautiful gardens and terraces. The stairs leading from the river into these gardens was the common mode of approach to the palace, for the royal family and their private friends. These water-stairs are connected with historical events of interest, identified with the cause of Protestantism. From this place Henry VIII. stepped into his barge with the papers which accused his favourite Cranmer of heresyfrom this spot the King's physician started in the dead of the night to apprise the primate of the danger which threatened him—and through this gate, at a subsequent period, Bishop Laud paid frequent visits to the unfortunate Charles, and did his part in urging on those measures which led his master to a scaffold. The young man who became the husband of Magdalen Rochdale was the son of a small farmer, in Glamorganshire, and the only patrimony he received from his father was a pious education and a good name. The youth was warmly attached to his kindred and his mountain home; still he desired to make his way in the world, and was not satisfied to plod quietly along the path his father had trodden. Accordingly, when quite a lad, he left his family to seek his fortune, and all that his parent could bestow on him, on parting, was a groat and his blessing. Happily, however, he was taken into the employ of William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, the patron of Inigo Jones. This nobleman encouraged worth and ability wherever he found it; and he was so pleased with the fidelity of the young Welshman, that he was a friend to him through life. When holding the office of Lord Chamberlain, he obtained for his humble protege the situation of orchard keeper at Whitehall Palace. The blessing of God, indeed, followed the wanderer and his solitary groat, for the salary, arising from this post, not only enabled him to provide comfortably for his own family, but also to afford some help to his parents. Nor did he consider it among the least of his mercies that he was directed to make choice of a partner so eminently qualified to render him happy as was Magdalen Rochdale. Her grandson, Matthew Henry, when writing his father's life, describes her as "a virtuous, pious gentlewoman, and one that feared God above many." The contrast was striking between their comparatively humble home and the brilliant gaieties of the court which surrounded them. But, amidst such temptations, the young wife felt no desire for its pleasures-her affections and wishes were centred in her husband and children; and both she and her husband still retained the simplicity of their manners, and, above all, their elevated piety. Their family consisted of five daughters and one son; this boy afterwards became eminent for his devotedness in the cause of God. He was born August 24th, 1631, on Bartholomew's Daya day memorable in the annals of history. He was called Philip in gratitude to Philip, Earl of Pembroke, the son of his father's patron, who, together with James, Earl of Carlisle, and Lady Catherine Howard, Countess of Salisbury, stood sponsors for him. Mrs. Henry endeavoured to sow the seeds of religion early in the minds of her children, by giving them daily instruction in the Scriptures, and by taking them to places of public worship, where the Gospel was faithfully preached. Philip, in after life, made frequent mention of these advantages, and he thanked God for the great happiness of having such a mother. "If ever any child," he said, "enjoyed line upon line, and precept upon precept, I did. And was it in vain? I trust not altogether in vain. My soul rejoiceth and is glad at the remembrance of it-the Word distilled as the dew and dropped as the rain; I loved it, and loved the messengers of it their feet were beautiful to me. And, Lord, what a mercy was it that at a time when the poor counties were laid wastewhen the noise of drums and trumpets and the clattering of arms were heard there-and the ways to Sion mourned, that then my lot should be where there was peace and quietness-where the voice of the turtle was heard, and where there was plenty of Gospel opportunities! Bless the Lord, Oh my soul! As long as I live I will bless the Lord-I will praise my God while I have my being. Had it been only the restraint that it laid upon me whereby I was kept from the common sins of other children and youths, such as cursing, swearing, Sabbath-breaking, and the like, I were bound to be very thankful. But that it prevailed, through grace, effectually to bring me to God, how much am I indebted? And what shall I render?" These early indications of piety induced the parents of Philip Henry to look forward with hope to his one day entering the ministry. Through the interest of his noble patrons he received a college education, and his mother dedicated him with prayer to the Lord. She did not, however, live to see this desire of her heart accomplished, for she sunk in consumption before her son had attained his fourteenth year. Her death took place on the sixth of March, 1645. "She died as Christians die ; There was no earthward struggle of the soul, |