perfect his praise from their lips. O my God, I present them to thee. Make them thine by a gracious act of sanctification."

June 21, 1814. "The chastening rod of my heavenly Father has been exercised over me, and I have learned something of his sovereignty and power. My dear S. (this pleasant child,) has been laid on a bed of sickness, which we all expected would be the bed of death. God seemed to design that my trial should be sufficient to subdue all my obduracy. For several days she was given over by our physician, when His power was displayed in rescuing her from the jaws of death, and restoring to me this dear object of my affection. OÏ pray that her spared life may be devoted to him. O that this dispensation may be sanctified to each of my children."

Sept. 6, 1815.

"The Lord knows with what anguish and bitterness of soul I have endeavored this day to confess my own sins and those of my children, who seem to inherit all theirs from their mother. I consider myself as the root from whence they have derived those tempers and passions which I often witness in them. How can I remain one moment at ease while viewing them or any member of my family alienated from God?

I bring them all this day, and place them at the mercy seat of God, in the arms of my faith."

66

March 19, 1816. "I feel dissatisfied with every part of my character; with the manner in which I sustain every relation; but with none more than maternal duties. O how little do I perform for my children of what I ought to do! O thou great Jehovah, God of all grace, make me faithful; make me holy, and I shall be happy."

During the years 1816 and 1817, Mrs. McFarland repeatedly alludes in her diary to her concern for temporal comforts and clothing for her children. It will be remembered that these were years of great scarcity throughout NewEngland. Provisions were cut off by the frost, and prices were very high. Yet the salary of the minister remained the same. The consequence was, that Dr. McFarland's rule to make 'the ends of the year meet,' straitened them in temporal support. His practice was to commit to his wife a given sum, each year, with which she was to purchase clothing for herself and children. This sum in ordinary years was sufficient; but in times of scarcity and high prices it fell short.

April 13, 1816. "I have been tempted to question God's faithfulness in providing for my

large family, and am still much exercised with anxious cares respecting it. Infinite Parent, help me to confide in that unmerited goodness which has always provided for me and mine. May thine opening hand, which feeds the ravens and supplies the whole creation, be extended for my dear family. Let not my ingratitude provoke thee to forsake them. O, in this time of scarcity may I adopt the language of Habakkuk 3: 17, 18. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, &c. When most emptied of creature enjoyments may I enjoy my God the most."

Feb. 16, 1817. "By viewing the foregoing paper I am led to recollect a season of much anxiety which I experienced for the clothing. and provision of our family. I must acknowledge the goodness and faithfulness of God in appearing for us. Although this is a winter of unusual scarcity of provision, yet I do not recollect one in which we have been more comfortable for food and clothing. May the goodness of God, which I thus experience, bind my ungrateful heart so strongly that I shall never be guilty of again distrusting him."

June S. "To-day, shut out from God's house, I think I have not been wholly denied the presence God and Saviour. I trust I

of my

have had some assistance in instructing and praying with two of my children, and freedom in presenting all of them before the throne of grace, in and through the merits of my adorable Saviour, mine and their Mediator and Intercessor."

Nov. 20, 1820. "Pleading for my children this evening, it seems to me that my unworthiness is so great that God will not send them his renewing grace until my influence is removed. Here I think again of what was said of my Saviour in a certain case, He could not do many mighty works because of their unbelief. O, could my divine Saviour, in his sovereign mercy, come and visit my family, though my heart were too cold to praise him, yet angels, who rejoice at the conversion of one sinner, here might have much occasion to rejoice!"

In April, 1821, her seventh child, Miriam Phillips, died, aged 15 months. It had all the usual symptoms of consumption which appear in adults. Being the first bereavement in her family it was a great trial of her christian character. Her feelings on this occasion are thus recorded.

April 15, 1821. "I desire to record God's dealings with me for some time. He has brought me into the furnace of affliction.

My dear babe

is taken from my bosom and committed to the silent grave. She was exercised with lingering disease. How very trying to human nature and parental affection has it been to see this dear creature wasting with consumption. But God has remembered mercy.' I trust I have had divine support in my trouble. I think I was resigned prevailingly to his will. I thought I could say, It is the Lord; let him do as seemeth him good. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. But O! I have not found such abundant consolation as at some seasons of trial. May the God of all grace and consolation lift upon me the light of his reconciled countenance. May this trial humble me, and make me just what my heavenly Father wishes me to be. Cleanse me from secret faults. O how must one of the sinful children of men appear in the view of a holy, sin-hating God. How precious is that Saviour by whose blood and righteousness we may be accepted. O that all the sinful race of Adam could see the preciousness of this Saviour.

"O God, I pray thee to sanctify this correction to me and all of this family. May I be more faithful to my children; feel more the worth of their souls. May they remember that they must die. May we all consider this a loud call to be