constitution in former years had been such as never to lead me to an expectation that for want of it a separation from this beloved people would ever take place. But such, my dear friend, is the case. It is God's will, and I ought to say, Let him do as seemeth him good. I think I desire to say it; and sometimes I have thought that by divine grace it was the language of my heart. At other times I find much that seems like wishing it might have been otherwise; and for a number of days have been engrossed in reviewing former privileges, and saying, O that it were with me as in days that are past.

"Mr. B. has married and brought an interesting, pious and intelligent young lady to us from Connecticut. She is under nineteen. We are much pleased with her. Pray for me, that I may have wisdom and grace to feel and conduct in a right way under this new change. At present I feel quite as though I had gained a prize, her conduct toward Mr. McFarland and myself has been so agreeable. I desire to lean on God. Pray for me, that, all unworthy as I am, I may be enabled to be stayed upon him in all conditions. In much affliction,

ELIZABETH MCFARLAND."

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DEATH OF DR. M'FARLAND.

TO THE SAME.

66 CONCORD, May 23, 1827.

My dear friend: Your last letter was truly valuable and comforting to the sorrowful bosom of your friend Elizabeth, whom an all-wise God has seen fit to deprive of the companion of her life. Yes, my dear F., I now address you a bereaved widow. The arm on which I have leaned for so many years, is cold in death! The voice which has so often cheered me, is forever silent; and the eyes which have looked serenely upon me for many years, are closed!

"But, my dear friend, I have been comforted in this affliction. I have kept about my family cares, and in general am composed. Sometimes. a burst of sorrow overtakes me. I have thought I had divine support. I have found at times, if I am not deceived, strength equal to my day, and could testify to the faithfulness of God's promises. I have endeavored to take hold of them, yes, to grasp them, as all my hope; have found them all yea and amen, sweet, delightful. Sometimes a view of Canaan seems a near prospect; the Jordan but a step. Sometimes a view by faith of a crucified, an almighty Sacrifice,-a

glimpse of the reconciled face of my heavenly Father, removes every sorrow, and I feel as though I could bare my heart anew to the vicissitudes of life, and welcome the cross. Again I plunge in sorrow, despond, and almost complain of my Father's dispensations. What ingratitude! When I look back on all the way by which he has led me, I know it is the right way; and were it not for an incorrigible temper it would all have been a pleasant path through life. I should have received every change with calm submission and grateful love. O that I might now have a right frame of spirit; that this severest stroke might produce the most entire effect upon me, and that from henceforth I might walk in newness of life.

"Yours,

ELIZABETH MCFARLAND.”

CHAPTER VIII.

HER INTEREST IN MISSIONARY, CHARITABLE AND

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

THE remark of our Saviour, that the tree is known by its fruit, was, perhaps, never more beautifully illustrated than by the abundant 'good

works' which Mrs. McFarland performed, in order to promote the temporal and spiritual happiness of her fellow men, and to extend through the earth the kingdom of the Redeemer. Her devotional character was private; no one knew it, except by inference from what they saw in her life. But in her efforts and labors to benefit mankind she could not be altogether concealed from observation. Though it is true 'that her left hand knew not what her right hand did,' yet her exertions for the welfare of others were so various and unremitted as to constitute a prominent part of her character. These exertions were wholly the FRUIT of her deep religious principles, and in this respect are worthy of imitation.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE CENT INSTITUTION.

As Mrs. McFarland was extensively known on account of her connection with this Institution, I propose to give a brief history of it, from its origin till the present time.

In a conversation with her about six months before her decease, I said: "Mrs. McFarland, can you give me an account of the origin of the New-Hampshire Cent Institution?" "O yes," she replied: "At a time when the funds of the New-Hampshire Missionary Society were very

low, and the ministers engaged in it were much disheartened, I suggested to a few of them at our house that they should form cent societies, like those in Massachusetts. My sugges tion pleased them, and the first society was formed in this town, auxiliary to the Missionary Society. I was appointed treasuress; but then," she added, with her characteristic humility, "had I thought of its ever becoming an institution for the state, and collecting annually so large a sum as it has some years, I should hardly have been willing to hold so important an office in it."

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“But whence,” I asked, arose your interest in a cent society?" "I remember well, and will tell you. A company of praying women used. to meet in a large upper room at my mother's house, in Boston, once a week. Although I was young, and not then a professor of religion, I was invited to go in to the meeting. The room was fitted up with blinds after my father's death, on purpose to accommodate the ladies' prayermeeting. I recollect that during Election week, in May, a number of ministers,-Dr. Spring, Dr. Emmons, Mr. Sanford, and Father Niles,' as they called him,-came to my mother's, and requested the use of that room, to consult together about forming the Massachusetts Missionary