I hardly knew the nature of my feelings for him. It was no foolish fondness or affection, it was a concern for his never-dying soul; and with tears and prayers, I besought the Lord in his behalf, and implored he might never be called into eternity until he is reconciled by faith to his God. He is now recovered, and expected in the neighbourhood soon. Now begin afresh my conflicts and frettings; and oh! begin, my God, to manifest thy strength and power in my heart, and teach me to soar above every disquiet."

On one of the anniversaries of her weddingday, she concludes a letter addressed to her sisters thus:

"I am striving all day not to think. Look at the date of this memorable day! important to My heart, (though of no consequence to any one else,) till the day dawns no more for me. Back, back, my tears-'tis all over with me now-I cannot write another line."

The following plainly shows us the source of her consolation: :

"Is your lot in this life dark and stormy?

Oppressed with pain and sickness, perhaps you are groaning under the chastening hand of God. Loss of friends, loss of property, blasted hopes, disappointed feelings, unkindness from others, trials in various shapes may distress you, yet fear thou not, for God is with thee; be not dismayed, for he is thy God-he will strengthen thee, he will help and uphold thee.' Then grieve no more, poor mourner, grieve no more, for there is a glorious heaven secured for thee-secured by the blood which flowed from thy wounded Saviour. I am the resurrection and the life, whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?' If thou believest it, then fear not, shrink not from death,

'But on the solemn shore

Of that vast ocean thou must sail so soon.'

Walk happy and serene, and look on death as the friendly pilot sent to convey thee over the dark waves of life, to the haven of eternal Oh, what a scene, when released from this house of clay, shall be presented to the expanded faculties of the soul! Oh, what a burst of glory shall fall upon the Christian

rest.

on his entrance into this blessed region!

The power of God,' says Serle, can alone

enable him to sustain the

eternal weight of glory!' stantly on the finished Christ has made for you.

exceeding and

Meditate conatonement that Let this be the

anchor on which you rest; the rock to which you cling. Be this your only plea, Christ died for me; and when you approach the dark valley of the shadow of death, thou wilt fear no evil, for His rod and His staff shall comfort thee!"

Her resignation and sweetness were not merely passive qualities. She wisely resolved on living for usefulness, and though her sorrows had been increased by the loss of her beloved mother, and her own greatly impaired health, yet on becoming an inmate in her brother-in-law's family, she occupied herself with the education of his children, towards whom she showed an affection truly maternal, though in her own case she had never known a mother's joys or sorrowsa dispensation of providence that she regarded as most merciful in her circumstances. Her

talents, sweetness, active benevolence, and cheerful piety made her invaluable in the large family circle by which she was surrounded, and she industriously strove to devote to the good of others the wisdom she had gained in the stern school of adversity. But though "the spirit was willing" to bear up against sorrow, the flesh was weak. Her constitution had received a shock from which it never recovered. For many years partial paralysis confined her to her room, and made her, in a great measure, dependent on others. But still the growth

in

grace went on; in her case it was manifestly a growth, a constant increase. During the intervals of her illness, she employed herself in the composition of some little pieces in verse of a pious, sweet, and simple character, for her brother's children; and also some stanzas expressive of various moods of her own mind and feelings, and some little tributes of affection to friends. In addition to these she wrote the following "Whisper to a newly-married Pair," which obtained so much of public approbation that it passed through seven editions.

At length, having adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour, by a pure life and conversation, and glorified him in the furnace of affliction, she was mercifully dismissed to her exceeding great reward, where there shall be no more pain and death, " neither sorrow nor crying," "and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

The opinions of one who thus nobly endured the sharp discipline of circumstances, · who in life, sufferings, and death was so exemplary, may well claim attention, for they come with all the authority of experience. She was not a mere theorist, writing ingenious speculations, and giving impracticable advice,

nor

"A favourite of Fate, in Pleasure's lap caress'd;"

gilding all life's realities with the sunny hue of hope and pleasure, till the description dazzled the mental vision, and misled the judgment. No; she was taught by vicissitude, disappointment, and sorrow. Her spirit, though saddened, was not soured. She naturally, in her many sick and solitary hours, reviewed the duties and requirements of that conjugal estate in which she had been