trimming her lamp, in constant and delighted expectation of he is able to save to the uttermost, and more willing to give her Lord's immediate coming. than you to ask, more ready to hear than you to pray. ConAnd now it was, that the Christian graces which had been sider what an awful thing it is, to go on for many years, matured in the school of affliction, and under the influence of "halting between two opinions;" knowing your Lord's will habitual communion with her God, displayed more manifestly and not doing it: visited by repeated convictions, yet those their holiness, beauty, and consolation. This was (as an convictions producing no decided appearance of conversion. excellent clergyman before adverted to wrote to her father) Consider all these things, and again I say unto you, Awake, the fiery chariot, her vehicle to heaven, in which-the more awake! May God of his infinite goodness arouse you to a it shook her mortal frame, until it left it all behind-the sense of the importance of eternal things! May he enable stronger and more full of faith and triumph in Christ Jesus you to wait upon him in incessant and importunate prayer, she grew in her immortal spirit.' till he has "blessed you," as he is most willing to do," with A detailed account of this last period of her mortal career all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus." will, it is presumed, be found generally interesting. In When you come to die, all the trifles which now vex and these solemn seasons is every feature more accurately de- disquiet you, will seem less than a drop of a bucket, than the fined; while the colouring is heightened by the impressive small dust of the balance. But the concerns of your soul, of manifestation of the love and faithfulness of our God and what immense importance will they appear! Why should they not now assume their real weight and value in your

Saviour.

To the last, her habits of active employment were predom- eyes? Death may either snatch you away suddenly, or be inant. Her thoughts and time were much occupied in pre- preceded by such violent illness, as to render you incapable paring her two small, but valuable, works for publication; of reflection. At such a time, how delightful will it be to and she continued to correct the proof sheets of them as be able to lean upon Christ, as an old friend, not to seek him they were sent to her, till within a few days of her death. as a new one! O my dear, you MUST find time to die, At first her mind was divided between the completion of her why will you not find time to prepare for death. You must projected Series of Letters to a Governess, and the work-shortly be in Heaven or in Hell! must feel the happy conOn the Freeness of Divine Grace. But mature deliberation sequence of being pardoned and accepted in Christ, or the decided her in favour of the latter, as being calculated for dreadful consequence of remaining in a state of guilt and more extensive usefulness. She was indefatigable also in condemnation. "There is now no condemnation to those her correspondence with her friends, upon the principle of that are in Christ Jesus; who walk not after the flesh, but duty, in using every opportunity of setting forth the graud after the Spirit," who "mind not the things of the flesh, but and inviting subject of the gospel to her fellow-sinners. She the things of the Spirit, who "look not at the things which are continued to write even after she was unable to use her pen, seen and temporal, but at the things which are unseen and eterand when having had just power to direct a pencil, her wrist nal," who "live not to themselves, but to him who died for had been bound up to give her a little strength. The follow-them, and rose again," who have "their conversation, their ing extracts form her letters, during this solemn season of treasure, their heart, in Heaven." We daily expectancy, marks the character of her mind. Examine yourself, my beloved whether you answer select an illustration at some length of the intense anxiety, to this character. I can write no more now, but as long as with which she regarded the spiritual interest of those that I continue in the flesh, I hope I shall not cease from time to were dear to her, and of the earnest, awakening, and yet time to remind you of these things, to beseech you to give encouraging application of the privileges of the gospel, to yourself to Christ. fix them to an entire devotedness to their eternal concerns.

Stoke Fleming, Sept. 28, 1830.

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'My health continues much as when last wrote. I suffer much at night, as I can never lie down in bed, but am obliged to be propped upright in an easy chair. But they "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed do not seem to consider me now in any immediate danger, upon us, that we should be called the children of God?" and if no sudden attack takes place, they seem to expect that This love should be enough for us. Come pain, sickness, I shall live over the winter, or even some time longer. All poverty, affliction; and still the Christian must rejoice, when this is very uncertain; but I hope that I am willing to wait he considers "what manner of love the Father has bestowed till my Saviour's time is come to call me home to himself. on him." Reconciled to God; redeemed by Christ Jesus; He doeth all things well, and I may truly say, that he has sanctified, taught, and comforted by the Spirit; what is there "made all my bed in my sickness." "His comforts delight my in the world that can rob him of his joy?" Who shall sepa- soul," and "in the night his song is with me, and my prayer rate him from the love of Christ." And as long as he has to the God of my life is"-" Precious Saviour! Tender this love, how shall he not "rejoice with joy unspeakable, Father! Thou wilt cast out none that come to thee." and full of glory?" The following letter, written in the immediate prospect of 'My dear I would stir up your heart to make this joy eternity, is valuable as an exhibition of those views of the your joy. O that my God would give me words of power gospel, which will alone stay the soul in perfect peace at that and persuasion, and send them by his Spirit to your heart! awful juncture. It is salvation, rich, free, full, finished-not "Awake thou that sleepest;" awake, awake. Time is pass- a matter of uncertainty, dependant upon our own efforts or ing-eternity is at hand. Thou must soon receive a crown righteousness; but ordained, wrought out, and applied by of glory, or "cover thyself with thine own confusion as with God-not connected with faith, repentance, and love, as our a mantle." "Behold now is the accepted time. Seek the previous fitness for the reception of it, but including these Lord now while he may be found, call upon him now while graces as component parts of the inestimable gift," afore he is near. Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh prepared of God, that we should walk in them.” unto you." O let me remind you, not in a spirit of reproof, but of the most anxious, earnest affection, how long "the July 5, 1830. goodness of God has been leading you to repentance." I "I find, my beloved friend, that in death no past good works, believe it is now ten years, or nearly so, since we were con- no holy endeavours or desires can give the least comfort, exfirmed together. Then you seemed resolved to make the cept as evidences that we have been accepted for Christ's Lord indeed your God; to be no longer "conformed to this sake. My sole confidence is that I have cast my poor guilty world," but to "come out from the world, and be separate;" soul entirely, and without reserve, on the free mercy of God to walk as "a stranger and pilgrim upon earth." Often since in Christ Jesus; casting far from me every other hope. My then have you appeared to be affected by the same feelings good works-where are they? I can remember none. They and desires. The time you spent with me here was marked are too poor to think of without the profoundest humiliation. by one blessed season, during which the word of God seemed My desires and endeavours-O my dear friend, I feel I should to be your delight; prayer to God your chief comfort; and insult my holy God, by even naming them. They are, inyou expressed your entire renouncement of your own righte-deed, "coverings too narrow for any one to wrap themselves ousness, and a simple trust in the atonement and righteous- in," at the moment of entering into the presence of God. ness of God your Saviour. Recall that precious time to your But my Saviour hath clothed me with his own perfect rightmind, my beloved friend. You were then beginning to be eousness, and I wrap myself round in it with unspeakable happy. Inquire how it was, that, instead of going from feelings of security. I examine it on every side, and find it strength to strength," from "glory to glory," from faith to "perfect and entire, wanting nothing." I am not afraid in faith," you relapsed so soon into your old uncomfortable state this my wedding garment, to appear even before the King of of mind, and have since found so little comfort in religion. kings. I think I hear my Saviour perpetually saying to ine Remember that now, even now, Christ is willing to receive-“ Not for thy sake do I this, be it known unto thee; be you, to give you strength and peace, grace and glory; that ashamed and confounded for thine own ways." A sinful

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worm. May Jehovah, my Righteousness, my Tower and months before her death, she writes- I have not one earthly Strength, my Rock of defence, my Sun and my Shield, my care or wish; for even my cares for her are now all cast upon complete Salvation-O may he be your God and Guide, for God, whose tender love will, I trust, lead her all her life long, ever and ever.' as it has led me. She is going one way, and I shall soon

She was usually favoured throughout the last months of depart in another way; but I would wait patiently. One day her life with a remarkable sense of the Divine presence. earnestly recommending a friend to "cast all her care upon During times of extreme agony, 'Christ,' she said is with God"—she gave the same expression of her mind-'I have me, "touched with the feeling of mine infirmities." Her no earthly cares-no earthly wish. But' added she-'I have intercourse with God at this solemn season, while it was spiritual cares-spiritual wants; but I cast even them all most intimate, was yet most hallowed. One evening, after a upon God.' Christ and eternity filled up the whole vacuum, day of great bodily suffering, her cousin went into her cham- and left nothing else to be desired.

ber to take leave of her for the night. The room was dark- Resignation to the will of God was prominently marked ened, and perfectly quiet; and the state of her soul seemed during her illness, and was to her the source of much heavenly to accord with the outer tranquillity. She said—I can enjoyment. After meditating upon her Saviour's wordsscarcely speak to you. The sense I have of the presence of "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me," she obGod is so powerful, that it almost overcomes me. He has of- served, Though I cannot now do the will of my heavenly ten manifested himself to me; but never in such a manner as Father, I can suffer his will.' She looked forward with great this night. Indeed I feel ready to exclaim with Job-"I calmness to a protracted life of suffering, when the medical have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine attendant gave his judgment, that she might probably live eye seeth thee." She said very little more, being evidently for many years, but would never regain her health. As she too deeply impressed to converse; but her cousin adds I was naturally of an energetic disposition, ardent in forming shall never forget that night.' and executing her plans, this state of acquiescence to so inac

Yet this sacredness of feeling was mingled with cheerful tive a life appeared manifestly to be the effect of Divine grace. delight. It was truly Hooker's reverend gaiety'-Oh! Once indeed she remarked with tears, that the prospect of said she one day to a friend, he gives me to speak to him lying on that bed for many years-of seeing her friends die "face to face;" and sometimes, when I am so weak that I around her, and those whom she loved remove away (alluding cannot utter words, his "Spirit helpeth my infirmities, and to the anticipated removal of the Rector's family, which, howmaketh intercession for me with groanings that cannot be ut- ever, she did not live to see) was a melancholy thought. tered." I love to feel my weakness, that I may experience But the passing cloud was soon dissipated; and she regained "his strength made perfect in weakness." I delight to lie her usual cheerfulness.

low before him.'

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The same warm temper of love to the Lord's people that She loved to speak of the character of God. Her mind had distinguished her general profession was ruling to the appeared to be much expanded in the contemplation of his last. Even in her state of distressing weakness, she could unsearchable nature and glorious perfections. How delight- not be satisfied without seeing some of them round her bed, ful' she observed on one occasion, to think that "God is that she might enjoy sensible communion with them. Howlight, and in Him is no darkness at all." All his dispensa- ever weak they might be in faith, or low in condition, her tions are light; and though now they seem dark to us, here- heart was fervently drawn out in union with them. In reafter, all clouds will be dispelled.' ferring to some refreshing intercourse with two eminent Her desires for a clear and full knowledge of God were Christians-she observed How good my gracious God is most intense. What'-she exclaimed one day-are ten in thus sending his saints to commune with me upon those deep thousand worlds compared with one ray of the knowledge of and precious things which now form my only consolation-my God! The ardour of her soul, unsatisfied with former mani-"joy and the rejoicing of my heart." But-added she-acfestations, was continually stretched out for higher and deeper knowledging the supremacy of her heavenly Friend-after all, views of the Divine glory. She was not afraid to offer that his presence is the only unfailing source of happiness. " With prayer, which seems scarcely befitting an archangel's lips, him is the fountain of life; in his light shall we see light."" and which only the clear warrant of the gospel preserves The expressions of her deep humility, were peculiarly from the stamp of presumption. "I beseech thee; show me striking during her illness. All her attainments in the thy glory." Often did she intreat her minister to pray, that Christian life were never thought of, but as dross and dung. more might be revealed to her in this world. Nor was the Her sense of unprofitableness kept her low in the dust, while petition unheard. For, in reply to her dear mother's question the recollections of faith, exercised in habitual application to a day or two before her death, her answer was, I could not the blood of her Redeemer, upheld her from despondency. feel happier.' When her minister ventured to express the advantage which The concentration of all her thoughts upon eternity was pe- his own soul had derived from attendance upon her, she exculiarly striking and edifying to those around her. This main claimed with vehemence-How should such a dead dog as I concern for the last few months of her life absorbed her en- am, be of any use?' She sometimes seemed, as if she could tire interest. Nothing unconnected with it seemed to possess scarcely conceive the possibility of being the Lord's instruany claim upon her attention. The engrossing delights of ment for the good of his people, while at the same time she intellectual study were relinquished for ever. She had no en- continued to employ her every power of body and mind in joyment of any train of conversation, except that which direct- their service.

ly led her mind and contemplation heavenward. Communion This self-abasing apprehension was, however, combined with God was the one object of her desire. The word of God with ardent gratitude to God as the author, and to her friends now occupied her whole attention. All other books-even her as the channel, of all her mercies. Every attention, every favourite authors-Romaine, Leighton, Milner-seemed com- act of kindness from her parents and nurses, excited the most paratively uninteresting. This heavenly absorption of mind lively emotions of thankfulness. Speaking one day of the is finely depicted in the following short extract from one of kindness of her nurses, her minister observed, But oh! her late letters to a friend:

'My dear

how kind, how much kinder is Christ.' 'Yes'-she replied'but even all this kindness of the creature flows to me through Stoke Fleming, Oct. 1, 1830. his love, his kindness.' Thus did all her earthly comforts re-, knowing that my life hangs upon a thread, ceive a double relish-thus also were her bitterest trials I dare not delay answering your letter: I pray God to enable sweetened by being traced up to their Divine source, and by me to speak the truth to you in love, and to dispose you not flowing into her soul through the delightful channel of the to think me "your enemy, because I tell you the truth." mediation of her Saviour. But I must, as long as I continue to live, continue to urge you The same flood that had nourished her throughout her jouron the subject of religion. I speak not now willingly on ney, continued to supply strength and vigour for the last efany other subject; I desire to have no more to do with earthly forts. Her Bible was more invaluable than ever to her. It things, but to turn my whole joyful expectation to that bless- was her constant practice before she went to rest, to repeat a ed Saviour, whom I believe I shall soon see face to face, text to her beloved mother, and to require one in return-asthrough that infinite undeserved love and kindness of his, signing as a reason, that she might have them to think upon which has taught me to put my whole trust in him for after she was gone. She pursued the same habit of Scriptural salvation.'

Connected with this feature, we may add, that she seemed * A few months before her death, she presented her little Bible so perfectly weaned from the world as scarcely to have an to her mother, having obtained from her the assurance, that she earthly wish. Several times she took leave of her beloved would read a chapter every day with prayer. In order to keep this relatives. In parting with her young cousin about three promise in mind, if the precious treasure was at any time out of

repetition with her affectionate cousin the constant attendant prospect of eternity was entirely divested of its terrors, and upon the last months of her illness-adding to it the privilege beamed with the bright anticipation of everlasting joy. We of social prayer, except when attacks of illness prevented it. may take the following glowing view of her hopes given for "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full" the conviction of one of her young friends. was her favourite text to the last.

As in health, so especially in her last sickness, she had

Aug. 7, 1830.

great delight in communion with the Holy Spirit. She used I am going to mention a sentence in your letter which to address her prayers much to him, thought of his person-grieved me; not as it regards myself, but as it leads me to ality, and found the contemplation of it most refreshing to fear, that you are not fully acquainted with those things, her soul. She would often speak with comfort of her expe- which can afford real and solid satisfaction on a near view perience of his distinct influence upon her heart. of death. You speak of feeling satisfaction in death, as it

Hymns were also a source of much refreshment to her affords a cessation from all pain. Dearest ——, did you resoul. She used to repeat many to herself, especially during member at the time, that death is something more than a cesthe night, and was thankful to the last to have them repeated sation ?—that it is an entrance into an eternal world, and that to to her. The last that her cousin read to her two days before her death, was one by Madame de Fleury, beginning,

'Ye angels, who stand round the throne,' &c.

and Gambold's beautiful hymn,

That I am thine, my Lord and God,' &c.

was a great favourite. Cowper and Toplady also, were a source of great delight to her."

those who have "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb," this is an entrance into eternal glory. Bear with me, while I tell you from my own actual experience, what it is that ransomed sinners rejoice in at the approach of death. I have stood lately more than once on the very brink of eternity, and thought myself on the point of taking the awful step. This makes heaven and earth, temporal and eternal things, appear in their strong and true point of contrast. And now that I am called back to the She expressed to her minister her strong desire to receive things of time for a little longer, if I can be of the least use the sacrament, the mention of which had been refrained by to one of my fellow-sinners and sufferers here, I shall not reher friends on account of her great weakness and sudden at- gret the delay. It is not the cessation from pain, that can tacks of violent pain. She feared, however, that she had too make Christians view the approach of death with satisfac long neglected it, and could not be satisfied without the re- tion. For, believe me, they have not one pain too many. Not freshment of this holy ordinance. When speaking of it be- that they love pain, or are not glad to be freed from it, when fore the administration-she said-Oh! I desire a full the Lord pleases. But they know that every one of their communion. I long to see as many as possible of the dear sufferings is necessary and good for them, and that they come children of God to partake with me of this blessed ordinance.' from the hand of a kind and tender Father. They are willing She expected, as she was justly warranted to do, a rich bless- to bear as much pain as his love sees fit to inflict. Their ing in the fulfilment of the last command of her dying Lord. pains are very sweet to them, as they come from him. And, Nor was she disappointed. Twice she received the sacred O dearest could know how he "strengthens them you emblems from the hands of the venerable rector of the parish upon the bed of languishing, and how he makes all their bed (since departed to his rest); and in the following affecting in their sickness;" you would almost envy them even their letter written in pencil with great difficulty immediately after pains, sweetened as they are by "the peace of God which one of these occasions, she expressed to him her grateful ac- passeth all understanding!" Wherein do they rejoice? In knowledgment of the consolations which he had instru- the hope of being " for ever with the Lord!" of seeing him, mentally imparted to her soul. "whom having not seen, they have loved; in whom, though now they see him not, yet believing, they rejoice with joy un

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9

My dear Sir:-I thank you very affectionately for the speakable and full of glory." Oh! to behold this "King in comfort I have received to-day through your means. When his beauty" and beholding, to be transformed into his glori I saw you, I regretted that I could not tell you so myself. ous likeness! and then to cease from sin! this is the blessed But it is the Lord, who hath both dulled your power of hear- cessation after which real Christians pant. To love their ing, and weakened my power of speaking; and he does it holy and reconciled God without any coldness or unfaithfulwith both of us, to warn us gently, that these frail bodies ness; to offend him no more by one unholy, or rebellious, or must soon be quite taken to pieces, and lie till we are "clothed selfish or unbelieving thought; to be pure as he is pure; to upon" with "a body like unto his glorious body." It will be "without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;" and then give you pleasure to know, that, while you administered the to praise him, to give him glory, to cast our blood-bought bread and wine, I was enabled to cast my whole soul as a crowns at his feet, through the countless ages of eternity! miserable sinner on the free mercies of him, who died that Pray, my beloved that in the hour of death you may be we might live; and to rejoice in the thought of our meeting so filled with these causes of joy, that the mere escape from ere long, through the same free grace, at the marriage sup- a few bodily pains may seem not worthy to be mentioned in per of the Lamb. the comparison. The Bible tells you, that "except you be

I

Accept, my dear sir, the Christian love and thanks of your truly and gratefully attached,

'MARY GRAHAM.'

'I wish to write these few lines to explain my own feel-born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God," and that ings to you. For my dear mamma, in her anxious love, so if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature, old much fears my seeing one, to whom she thinks I could not things have passed away, behold, all things are become new.” talk without exertion, that I fear it has never been properly Examine, I beseech you, whether you have undergone that explained to you, that though I feel unable to talk to you, mighty change in all your views, tempers, and sentiments, should be most happy to listen to you. which these expressions imply. If you die without being born again, and made a new creature in Christ Jesus, I shall never meet you in heaven; for God, who cannot lie, hath said it. But pray, pray, O pray to him, that he would thus convert your heart. He will hear and answer you. There is The support which was vouchsafed to her in the midst of nothing else worth living for, but that, living or dying, you her intense bodily sufferings, was such as might have been may be the Lord's. May this be your happy case." expected from the known and tried faithfulness of her God. She would sometimes speak of herself as a disembodied Such was her enjoyments at some seasons of agony-that her spirit, as if she realized in the fullest perception and assur pains,' as she said on one occasion, "were sweeter than ance, her entrance into the world of blessedness. Her frehoney or the honey comb." At one of her times of distress quent reference to her departure was in calm composure— she remarked-I am a child lying in the arms of Christ, and like making preparation for a short journey, or a temporary he treats me with more than a mother's tenderness.' Truly, absence. At other times it was in joyful hope. On one oc indeed, was she "strengthened with all might, according to casion-six months before her death-when she was thought the glorious power of God, unto all patience and long-suffer- to be dying, she unexpectedly revived, and, seeing her ing with joyfulness." weeping friends around her, asked her dear mother why they It is almost needless to add as the concluding article of were all in tears-adding with great animation-Do you detail that the sting of death was removed from her. think that I shall be with Jesus to-morrow? At another of It is not death to me'-she would say-Jesus hath tasted these times, she exclaimed-If the Lord should come and death for me, and hath drunk up all its bitterness.'

The

take me this night-but, oh! that is too much to hope for." After a violent attack of coughing and spasm, a friend observed- I fear you suffer much. Oh, no!—she repliedI delight to feel the pins of the tabernacle taking out. She

burst into tears, when a physician who occasionally saw her, ney-comb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet." informed her, that the disease had not made the progress At these times of "needful heaviness, through manifold he had supposed. This, however, was but a momentary temptations," while "walking in darkness, and having no feeling. For, upon her mother's reminding her-that she light," she was, however, manifestly enabled to "trust in was only not quite so near home as she had expected, she the name of the Lord, and to stay upon her God." She could replied "Oh, no! this is wrong;' dried up her tears, and not enjoy the full manifestation of her God, which she had returned to her usual serenity and cheerfulness. Writing known in times past-Yet, though' she said, 'I cannot love to one of her friends in reference to a beloved saint, who God with that warmth which I so earnestly desire, I can act had died in the triumph of the gospel-she remarked-faith upon Him.' She complained much of deadness in Well; I shall have one friend more to welcome me, when prayer. Yet her faith was in exercise, upholding her soul the Lord's time shall come to "administer" to me also upon the sure word of promise, that her Lord would return to "an entrance into his everlasting kingdom." Oh, bless- her in his own best time. She would at such seasons cheer ed hope! happy sinners saved by the blood of Jesus.' her soul by repeating suitable promises. "When the poor Then she adds this affectionate exhortation-Oh, my dear, and needy seek for water, and there is none, and their tongue my beloved friend, I charge you so to devote yourself to faileth them for thirst, I the Lord will hear them; I the God the Lord, that "the full assurance of hope" may cheer you of Jacob will not forsake them." On this encouraging pronow, and at the hour of death.' Upon receiving the intel-mise she rested in one of her seasons of distress and desertion. ligence of the sudden death of another Christian friend-she At another time she would say "Rejoice not against me, O exclaimed-I have heard the good news. She has rent the mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise: when I sit in darkveil at once. Mine is taking down piece by piece. By and ness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." And again-" The by I shall find a chink large enough to get out of; like a bird Lord my God shall enlighten my darkness." At these times confined in a cage, and fluttering about to extricate itself in of trial, the book of Canticles was much upon her mind." vain, till at last, the door being open, the happy prisoner "By night I sought my Beloved, but I found him not." Then wings its flight towards heaven. There might probably be she added, but I sought not in vain.' She appeared at this an occasional mixture of infirmity in these intense desires for time much enlivened in speaking of her Saviour as represented her home. It is indeed the dictate of Christian wisdom to under the figure of the bridegroom. He loves us to such a prefer the gain of death. But it is equally the part of Chris- degree, that he seeks after us, he desires, he delights in us, tian obedience to embrace the service of life; and the desire all which is to be seen in this wonderful portion of Scripture.' to depart, so for as it is not subjugated to the readiness to At another of these times she remarked, that often in the exwait, partakes of the nature of self-will more than of holy af-perience of the Lord's servants, a season of darkness had prefections. Generally, however, the ardency of her desires ceded some special manifestation of his love. Thus, as she appeared to be subdued to a resignation to the Divine will. observed, Jacob wrestled a whole night; and it was not until Thus in reference to her dissolution she writes to the aged the break of day that the angel revealed himself. Thus for a minister who, during her residence in London, had been the while our Lord seemed to disregard the cry of the Canaanitish means of communicating established peace to her soul-woman; but "the trial of her faith was" eventually “found Blessed be my all-sufficient Saviour, that, accepted in him, to praise, and honour, and glory." Thus also the disconsoa few months more or less can make no great difference; late state of the disciples in their journey to Emmaus was the "Neither life nor death can separate us from his love." prelude and harbinger of a blessed display of their Master's On one occasion, after expressing her earnest longing to de- light and love.' part, she checked herself, and added-But I am willing to The dark clouds which "for a small moment" had been sit here a hundred or a thousand years, if it be the will of God.' permitted to spread themselves over her soul, were however Her mind maintained its vigorous character in the midst shortly dispelled; and "at evening time it was light." Her of her protracted sufferings. The subjects of her conversa- extreme weakness indeed prevented her utterance; but the tion were usually of a highly interesting character. She few words that could be gathered from her, were descriptive would often speak with considerable clearness combined with of the peace and joy that reigned within. 'My weakness' deep humility of the more mysterious parts of Revelation, she said, 'reposes on his strength-my folly on his wisdom.' such as the distinct persons of the Holy Trinity; the Person When her minister, in allusion to her late painful exercises, and glory of Christ; the ministry of angels; the state of observed, 'God was leading her by the right way to the city separate spirits; the prospects of the church of Christ. It is of habitation"-she replied-Oh! yes-but how different much to be regretted that no particular details of these con- is the case of those, who "wander in the wilderness in a soliversations are preserved. The resurrection and future glory tary way, and find no city to dwell in!" In the last visit of of the body were favourite subjects with her. She delighted this beloved attendant-God' she said to him—is the to dwell upon 1 Cor. xv. What a wonderful change-she rock of my salvation.' Then speaking of her being detained observed on one occasion-takes place in nature in the in her earthly tabernacle-she added-It is a comfort to acorn; which from so small and insignificant a seed after-think that "Christ has the keys of death and of hell." All wards expands and grows into a noble tree, the glory of the is well. May God be with you, during the remainder of forest! What a remarkable transformation also is that of the your pilgrimage! I can only lie as an infant in the hands of caterpillar; which, after having been changed into apparently God."

·

dead matter, at the appointed time bursts its shell, and be

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Her bodily sufferings at the last period were most severe, comes a beautiful winged insect! Had we not witnessed arising from a complication of diseases. Her lungs, which such changes, we should not have believed them possible. had been supposed to be sound, were discovered after her But having seen them in nature, shall we doubt the possi-death to be fatally diseased. Her heart also was found to be bility of that great change, which will take place at the resur- enlarged. Her weakness and inability to recline for so many rection day, when "this vile body shall be fashioned like weeks, produced dropsy in her feet and legs. This was, unto the glorious body" of our Lord? however, from time to time relieved by incision. Her life

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For a short time, however, before her death, the enemy was terminated at last by a rapid mortification in one of her legs. permitted to harass her soul, and her lively apprehensions of The last day of her life was a day of intense agony. She the gospel were occasionally obscured. At one of these times was obliged to take doses of opium, which before, she could she said to her minister, Christ is not so precious to me as not touch, so that the day and night, till she expired, were he deserves.' 'No,' it was replied, he is so to none.' passed in a doze, or in the most violent suffering. A few But' she added, "he "feeds me with food convenient for words only were preserved at this affecting crisis. A day or me," though I do not experience those spiritual enjoyments I two before her death, she cried- Come, Lord Jesus; come so ardently long for.' Of a distressing season of temptation quickly; "nevertheless not my will, but thine be done."' which happened about this time, her minister writes, I shall At another time, speaking of "the glory that shall be revealnever forget the state of her mind. It seemed as if "a hor-ed”—she exclaimed-" Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard; ror of great darkness had fallen upon her." "Oh' she said, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which I cannot pray; I can only utter words. It is mere wind. God hath prepared for them that love him." Alluding to She earnestly called upon me to strengthen her, by repeating those who watched by her side, she said- What a comfort the promises of the gospel. God at that time seemed to give that we are not watching alone. "He that keepeth Israel, me words. For when I scarcely knew what to say, words of shall neither slumber nor sleep." Then again, shortly after, effectual consolation were put into my mouth. Once in her" I know whom I have believed." Then again, in a moment impatience to hear the word, she exclaimed, Oh! say some-of excruciating suffering to her mother, Pray for me, that thing to me from God-whether a word of comfort or re- my patience may not fail me at the last.' The last words she proof.' I think of that proverb, "The full soul loatheth the ho- was heard to utter before her death in a moment of deep agony,

were, I am come into deep waters; O God my rock, "hold implicit faith. He asks not, "How can these things be?" thou me up, and I shall be safe." The next morning, on but, "Thus saith the Lord," determines all his difficulties Friday, December 10, 1830, without a sigh or struggle, she without gainsaying. And this practical acknowledgment of entered into her eternal rest. the supremacy of Scripture is the just demand of God. We Thus upheld by the good hope of the gospel-thus having must not, according to the principles of neology, degrade the displayed in lovely concord the diversified graces of the authority of his word, by subjecting it to trial at the bar of Christian profession-thus having been abundantly refreshed reason. We must not descend from our high vantage posiby the consolations of Christ, this blessed sufferer, this ran- tion of faith, to the lower ground of disputation. This inversomed sinner, this victorious believer, fell asleep in the arms of sion of the respective offices of reason and faith casts down her Saviour and her God. She heard, and gladly obeyed the God from his throne, and turns our light into darkness. Reacall of her Lord-"Come up hither." Lay down the cross, son must indeed be exercised in examining the credentials of and take the crown.' the revelation; for to receive an unauthenticated testimony is "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my credulity, not faith and scepticism is less culpable than bethrone, even as I also overcame, and set down with my father in lief. But the credentials being once established, we are his throne."

CHAPTER VII.

REMARKS.

The writer, in bringing this interesting sketch to a close, ventures to crave further indulgence of his reader in drawing out a few points of important and suitable application.

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bound to receive its contents with the most implicit submission. Having once, therefore, admitted the Divine claim of Scripture, we must yield to it our unreserved homage. The question is not, "What thinkest thou?" but "How readest thou?" This is the humility of faith, the child-like spirit of the Gospel, the evidence of the conversion of the heart to God. Whosoever shall" thus "humble himself as a little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."The enriching light of Divine teaching dispels many difficulties of the reasoning mind. "If the eye be single, the whole body shall be full of light." "Sitting with Mary at Jesus' feet," and "learning of our meek and lowly" teacher, we "shall find," instead of uncertainty, confusion and wretched

First, The review of Miss Graham's painful, though tempo-ness, "rest unto our souls." rary, apostacy marks the great moment of being well-grounded Thirdly, We would impress the importance of a solid exin the elementary principles of the Gospel. A few hints may perience of the power of the gospel upon the heart. When be here suggested to the inquiring and serious mind. First, the objections against Christianity are fairly answered, the the danger of a cavilling temper. Here lurks the first rising main hindrance to its reception yet remains. There is a of the spirit of infidelity. Miss Graham's natural character strong connection between the speculative principle of infiwas especially open to this temptation. Indeed this is the delity, and the "evil heart of unbelief." Unbelief is the disfleshly indulgence of every intellectual mind undisciplined ease-not of the understanding-but of the heart. It compreby the principles of the Gospel. It gratifies the love of dis- hends the "fulfilling of the desires of the flesh and of the tinction. It is the worship of self, that worst idol, that most mind." In the one case it is the love of sin resisting the subtle enemy of vital religion. "Vain man would be wise, holiness of the gospel. In the other case it is (as we have though man be born like a wild ass's colt," is the Divine and just illustrated the subject) the unsubdued pride of the heart pointed illustration of the folly and littleness of this natural rejecting the humility of the gospel. A full and practical principle of the heart. Solid satisfaction and rest in the reception of the truth of God is therefore a powerful defence Scriptural revelation will only be found in cultivating what against the subtle and encroaching enemy. It was a defect Calvin calls a kind of learned ignorance,' a well-instructed in this point, that exposed Miss Graham to the baneful influcontentment to be ignorant of what God has foreborne to de- ence of her investigating mind. Her early principles of reclare. But to begin with the speculative instead of the prac-ligion, though sincere, were not inwrought in her soul in tical truths of Revelation, and to insist upon an explanation deep and permanent influence. This unfixed character formed of its difficulties as a pre-requisite to the acknowledgment of therefore an ineffective safeguard in the atmosphere of powerful its authority, and personal application of its truths-this temptation. Her neglect of prayer threw her off for a while spirit resists faith, the appointed medium of Divine light; and from her dependence upon God. Her doubts thickened upon thus gives to infidelity all its force, and leaves the heart the her. The strength of her soul was paralyzed. The enemy unconscious victim of its own delusions. The more we are was at the door, and took advantage of her loss of inward disentangled from speculative inquiries, and occupied in the perception to gain a temporary ascendancy. However strong pursuit of Scriptural truth, the more settled will be our con- and satisfactory is the external evidence of the gospel; yet viction of the genuineness of the testimony, and our conse- we want the apprehension and proof of its adaptation to our quent enjoyment of its privileges. Let us not therefore trifle necessities to endear and establish it to us in all the strength with temptation, by suffering the objections of a cavilling in-of sensible demonstration. When "the gospel comes in fidelity to "lodge within us." Let us instantly bring them power, and in the Holy Ghost," then does it come with to the test of conscience, "to the law and to the testimony." much assurance. "He that believeth hath the witness in Thus let us "resist the devil, and he will flee from us." himself." The transforming power of the gospel into the Secondly, We would inculcate an implicit faith in the Divine Divine image is the most decisive evidence of its Divine oriRecord. And here we trace the source of all the sin and gin; and this is an evidence which is always present with misery that have deluged the world for nearly six thousand us-connected with all our Christian habits of thought and years. God's unchangeable declaration, "Thou shalt surely practical life-and accumulating in weight of testimony, die," was diluted to an uncertainty. Thus when confidence in every successive instance of its efficacy throughout in the word of God was weakened, Satan's lie easily pre- the world. The unbeliever therefore (for this is the real vailed. On the other hand, how fully did Miss Graham's character of the merely nominal professor of the Bible) enters unreserved reliance on the promise, "Ask, and it shall be into conflict with the infidel at very serious disadvantage. given you," recover her fine mind to its true position; en-He may probably be inferior to his opponent in power of trenched upon the supreme authority of Scripture; prostrate reasoning, and subtlety of argumentation. He may be unin a sense of her ignorance; honouring her God, and honoured furnished with a distributive view of the historical evidence by him, in a trembling reverential submission to his word. of the gospel, to repel the attacks that are made upon it; How many cavilling questions arise in the defect of this and, being unable to strengthen his points by the demonstraspirit! The difficulties which cannot be presently explained ble evidence of his own senses, he is in great danger of being are considered reasonable grounds for unbelief. Man, under shaken from the first principles of his faith. Or even supthe pretence of a desire to satisfy his doubts, rebels against posing him to be on equal terms with his adversary-wellwhat he does not understand, and begins to "reply against furnished with an outward coat of armour; yet if his interior God." But in fact we want not more light, but more hu- be not defended by "the whole armour of God," the poisoned mility. Herein consists the important difference between the arrows may find an entrance into his inmost soul. If he be caviller and the sincere inquirer. The one questions, specu- ignorant of the spiritual blessings of the gospel, he can have lates, and is dissatisfied. The other in the consciousness of but a very imperfect conviction of the importance of its prinhis "blindness," is willing to be "brought by a way that he ciples. They hang loosely about him. There is a want of knew not, and to be led in paths that he had not known." energy in the grasp to "hold them fast;" and not being He follows under the guidance of the Spirit of Truth, like" grounded and settled in the faith," never having had a real Abraham under the direction of Providence, step by step in possession of "the hope of the gospel," he cannot be secure