row be reckoned as the effect of religion itself. She comes in, all peaceful, all holy, and whispers every consolation; she tells me that a watchful Father saw the need of this cloud, and in mercy spread it. She tells me that it is fraught with blessings. She teaches me to pray, that I may be joyful in hope, patient in tribulation.* She teaches me that 'tis the road to the kingdom of glory; and, yet more, she teaches me that my deservings could have claimed nothing but a fire unquenchable-an ever-gnawing worm-that, had the world uniformly smiled upon me, my faithless heart would have fallen in love with it; and let her alone,'+ might have been the destructive, the awful sentence."

For some years before she was called to her rest above, the health of my dear sister was weakened and impaired by sickness; and on some occasions during this period, the thought seemed peculiarly impressed

*Rom. xii. 12.

+ Hosea iv. 17.

upon her mind, that the time of her departure was at hand. And then was manifested the stability of the foundation on which her hopes were built; then were realized the sufficiency of the grace and the faithfulness of the promises of her God and Saviour. Thus she writes; "It has pleased an all-gracious God to speak loudly to me, 'Here you have no continuing city.'* About three weeks ago I was taken ill with what had the name of a violent cold, but which has kept me to my room ever since. Yesterday I was out for the first time. Many of my loved relations are dispersed, and away from home; but I would turn from temporals to prayer and praise. That Thou, O Father of mercies and God of consolation, wouldest sanctify to me this and all thy dispensations, I would earnestly implore. The hope that Thou of thy great goodness art leading me, a vile and sinful worm, by thy own right way to the city of habitation, has

Heb. xiii. 14.

cheered my heart and revived my drooping spirit. O grant that the deprivation of creature comforts may only tend to make Jesus more precious unto me, that I may know and feel Him to be the Brother born for adversity.* How gently hast Thou laid thy chastening hand upon me! A bruised reed Thou hast sustained, the dimly burning flax Thou hast cherished. Truly at this moment I feel as if the earthly house of this tabernacle would soon be dissolved, as if a voice were saying unto me, • Arise thou, and depart.' For this I have not a wish. It has pleased God to separate me much lately from ties that bound me closely here; and though my love to them is in no degree abated, but burns as fervently as ever, yet He has thereby impressed upon me, that as fellow pilgrims, our day of close fellowship is past. Their sorrow, should I be called hence, is all I seem to feel. To be sown in corruption, dishonour, and weakness, carries

* Prov. xvii. 17.

with it no fearfulness for me; I mean by this, I feel quite familiar with death—but my drooping spirit scarcely dares look up. Blessed Lord, spread thy mantle of pardoning love over me. Washed in thy blood, clad in thy righteousness, then would every fear vanish, and I should only exclaim, 'Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.""*

And, a few months afterwards, she writes, "My tender, watchful Lord, has again spoken loudly to me, that, in the morning, though green and growing up, in the evening I may be cut down, dried up, and withered. This year I have seen much sickness and languor, and more of the Lord's tender mercies than ever I did before. May I lean on his almighty arm every step of my pilgrimage, and feel that I am but dust and

ashes."

Near, however, as her departure often appeared to herself, and often as those who loved her had to view, with affectionate

* Rev. xxii. 20.

trembling and anxiety, her delicate frame and diminishing strength, the Lord yet allowed this, his dear servant, to continue on earth for a season. He had more work for her yet to do. He had yet to give her, not only as to herself, but as to others, more manifest assurances, that He hears and answers prayers-that He is to those who seek Him, and hope in his mercy, a refuge and a strong hold-a very present and sufficient help in trouble. She was to view a beloved parent, after a protracted and most painful illness, glorifying God in the fires* of affliction-she was to hear him, again and again, bless the hand that had chastened and brought him low, that it might lift him up for ever-and she was to hear of this dear and fondly affectionate parent, the object alike, both to her and to others, of many solicitudes, and of fervent supplications, that he rejoiced in God his Saviour, and that his parting breath was praise. Nay, yet further, He who ordereth all

* Isa. xxiv. 15.