The following circumstance was, at this time, very beneficial to her, and seems to have occurred just when her mind was opening to the full nature of spiritual Christianity. She had engaged to go with a very intimate friend to a private concert. She was afterwards prevented from attending it, by an unexpected impediment, and was left alone at her friend's house. During the evening, Mrs. Wilberforce (sister of the late John Thornton, Esq. and aunt of the present W. Wilberforce, Esq. M. P.) came in casually. She had, previously, some knowledge of Miss Delafield, and therefore began, after her usual custom, to speak with her on the subject of religion. Mrs. Wilberforce conversed with such earnestness and persuasion, as exceedingly to affect her mind, and to confirm her in the holy determination of cleaving to the Lord with full purpose of heart. Mrs. Wilberforce, on discovering the blessing which God had granted to her conversation, invited Miss Delafield to her house on Wimbledon Common. This visit, as well as many subsequent ones, were the means of great spiritual benefit to her.

The Christian may learn from this to seize every opportunity of speaking to others on the momentous concerns of religion. We know not what God may bless. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand,

for thou knowest not which shall prosper; whether this or that, or whether they shall both be alike good.

From this time Miss Delafield's character and conduct became holy and uniform. Her heart was given up to Jesus Christ. She relied only on his merits and righteousness for pardon and eternal life. She was governed and led by the enlightening and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit of God. She was, in one word, a true Christian, born of God, and knowing God. And her spirit, temper, and life, were the effects and evidences of her faith. Now the early piety, implanted as a seed by divine grace, grew up, and brought forth fruit. She separated herself entirely from the world, and she walked with God.

May young persons, who have had early religious instruction, and whose minds have at times been influenced to yield themselves unto God, learn from this instance, the necessity of a thorough change of heart and character, and an unreserved subjection to the Gospel of God our Saviour.

At this time Miss Delafield attended the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Romaine, and the Rev. Mr. Madan; residing with her mother, at Islington, and making frequent visits to Mrs. Wilberforce. Upon the death of her mother, her only tie to Islington, she removed (about

the year 1769) to the neighbourhood of St. Dunstan's, that she might more conveniently attend on Mr. Romaine, at that church, as well as at St. Anne's, Blackfriars.

About this period it pleased God to bless Miss Delafield's conversation with one of her early acquaintance, to the bringing her to the serious knowledge of our Lord and Saviour. She had likewise the happiness to induce a married sister to attend Mr. Romaine's preaching, who received the doctrine of faith; and after honouring the Gospel by her holy walk, for more than twenty years, finished her Christian course with joy. She was equally successful with the very old acquaintance at whose house Mrs. Wilberforce had first met her. This lady became a most pious Christian, and showed, by her holy life, the truth of her conversion to God.

We see in this case, as in every similar one, that where the grace of God has indeed quickened the soul to spiritual life, there will be an ardent wish to bring all around to the knowledge of the unspeakable blessings of the Gospel.

In February, 1776, Miss Delafield was united in marriage to W. Cardale, Esq. late of Bedford Row, now of Islington. This happy union, which lasted very nearly forty years, took place through the intervention of Mrs. Talbot, the pious widow of the late Rev. Wil

iam Talbot, an eminent servant of Jesus Christ, and vicar of St. Giles', Reading. With what meekness and affection Mrs. Cardale discharged the important duties of a wife, a mother, and a mistress of a family, all connected with her can testify; but especially her surviving partner and her only son, who best knew, and therefore best appreciated, her remarkable piety and exemplary conduct.

Mrs. Cardale continued, upon her marriage, to attend on Mr. Romaine, with Mr. Cardale, who had long been one of his regular hearers, until the year 1780; when that distinguished minister, the late Rev. Mr. Cecil, my revered father and predecessor, entered on the duties of this chapel. Since that time they have regularly attended here, during a period of thirty-six years, hearing Mr. Romaine still, at St. Dunstan's, on Sunday evenings, till the death of that excellent person in 1795. The efforts Mrs. Cardale made to come to chapel in the declining years of her life, and the marked devotion of her conduct when there, testified her delight in the public worship of God. One of the last points she could be induced to give up for a year of two before her death, was kneeling during the prayers at church. She relinquished this attempt only after having repeatedly found her health sink under the effort. In fact, she more than once fainted away in her pew, and

was under the necessity of being taken out of the chapel. In her private and family devotions there was the same reverent and holy behaviour manifested.

Oh, that Christians generally would imitate this excellent Christian in her regard to the solemnity of the public prayers of the church! Oh, that they would listen, as little as she did, to the suggestions of indolence and indifference! Oh, that we could see no instances of irreverent gestures or thoughtless inattention in the house of God! A devotional spirit is seen in a tender, lowly, circumspect behaviour in religious duties.

Mrs. Cardale's bodily frame was naturally weak and nervous; and, during a considerable period of her life, she was distressed with anxiety and apprehension as to her spiritual state. These perplexities of mind would occasionally lead her even to doubt, for a moment, of the truth of the Christian religion.

Satan, let us remember, is a vigilant and crafty foe. He knows how to adapt his suggestions to our weakness. It becomes us not to be ignorant of his devices.

Upon one of these harassing seasons of inward conflict, Mrs. Cardale applied to her minister, the Rev. Mr. Cecil. This application led to that interesting conversation, which was afterwards published under the title of "Reasons of Repose; a tract, which, like all the ex