plied was all given away, not a fraction being expended on her own personal indulgence. Unknown to her friends, she penetrated some of the most wretched neighbourhoods of the town in which she lived, ministering freely to the temporal need of those whom she visited, but seeking at the same time to break to them the bread of life, with a zeal even greater than that with which she ministered to their bodily wants. There was much in all this to admire, but much to regret. The pervading spirit was not the spirit fostered by the gospel, and it was not calculated to recommend it to those who are only too ready to turn away from its requirements, as demanding a hard service, and as utterly inimical to true cheerfulness. It might be the result of Satanic temptations, and even physical causes might occasion it; but it is most probable that it arose from defective views of the truth. Had she seen that the service of the gospel is a service, not of fear, but of love-not the service of a slave, but that of a grateful and affectionate child; had she recognized the fact that whilst the most devoted service is demanded from the Christian, and whilst love seeks to render it, there is still forgiveness for all that is unworthy, her experience at this time would have doubtless been very different. Gradually, however, the clouds passed away, her naturally buoyant and lively temper returned, and she emerged into an atmosphere of serene and tranquil christian enjoyment. From this period her path was "as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." There was no hesitation, no half-heartedness, and, till the close of her career, there was everything to indicate the cheerful, devoted servant of Christ. The years of her girlhood rapidly passed away, filled up with the various forms of youthful usefulness, such as visiting the sick, collecting for missions, and teaching in the sabbath school. Her marriage changed the sphere but not the spirit of her life. Her benevolence continued unabated; and if her usefulness in the church was less varied, it was because fast coming domestic ties filled her hands. During the last three or four years her converse with her more intimate friends, and especially her letters to her family, indicated her growing meetness for heaven. This was so striking as to be the object of remark long before any symptoms of delicacy appeared in her health. In 1848 her family circle, unbroken for twentyfive years, was suddenly invaded by the death of her beloved father. An extract of a letter written about that time shows, not only her deep sense of her loss, but the ardour of her aspirations after the everlasting and the heavenly : THE ENGLISH MONTHLY TRACT SOCIETY, 27, RED LION SQUARE, LONDON. briefly tell you how this great change came to pass. You will most likely remember that I was much perplexed concerning the doctrine of election. Mary (her sister) got to know of it, and spoke to me on Saturday night about it. I cannot tell you now exactly the arguments she used. Suffice it to say, she clearly proved to me that it was a device of the great adversary of souls to get me to cease to pray, and to think if I was to be saved, I was to be saved. I then remembered that true repentance was the first thing to be experienced. I knelt down alone, and entreated God to grant me repentance unto life. He graciously heard my prayer, and before I rose from my knees, I felt that God had, for Christ's sake, pardoned my sins-I could call God my Father. Since then I have been tempted to believe that I had not received so precious a gift; but if I was deceived, how is it that I feel so happy-so ready to die, or so willing to live? I feel ready to die at any time. Oh, Helen! this is what I have so long wished to experience. May God, who has so graciously blessed me, make me humbler, that no pride may have dominion over me, and that I may be kept stedfast unto the end. And that my dear friend may never rest till she has obtained the same sweet peace, is the earnest prayer of her affectionate ELIZA." The reality of the change was soon evident. The irritability of her temper was rapidly and completely subdued, and it never regained its former ascendancy; her passion for dress subsided; and her gentle, lowly spirit was matter of surprise to those who had known her so different before. Yet though nothing occurred to render it in the least doubtful that she had experienced a true change of heart, that freshness of feeling and high enjoyment, which are so well described in her letter, gradually gave place to a very different state of mind, which continued for some time. She became the subject of severe and singular temptation. Every employment, every recreation, seemed full of danger and sin; her conscientiousness degenerated into the most painful scrupulosity; every source even of innocent pleasure was poisoned; she was only restrained by positive parental command from observing frequent and rigorous fasts; and every moment she could spare was spent in closet duties. At one time she was tempted to think she was not in the true church; at another, that the Bible was an imposture; and again, that the Socinian heresy was really the truth. Had she been a Romanist, no earthly power could have prevented her from seeking rest in a convent. As it was, never was sister of mercy more devoted to works of charity. They were her only delight. The money with which she was liberally sup plied was all given away, not a fraction being expended on her own personal indulgence. Unknown to her friends, she penetrated some of the most wretched neighbourhoods of the town in which she lived, ministering freely to the temporal need of those whom she visited, but seeking at the same time to break to them the bread of life, with a zeal even greater than that with which she ministered to their bodily wants. There was much in all this to admire, but much to regret. The pervading spirit was not the spirit fostered by the gospel, and it was not calculated to recommend it to those who are only too ready to turn away from its requirements, as demanding a hard service, and as utterly inimical to true cheerfulness. It might be the result of Satanic temptations, and even physical causes might occasion it; but it is most probable that it arose from defective views of the truth. Had she seen that the service of the gospel is a service, not of fear, but of love-not the service of a slave, but that of a grateful and affectionate child; had she recognized the fact that whilst the most devoted service is demanded from the Christian, and whilst love seeks to render it, there is still forgiveness for all that is unworthy, her experience at this time would have doubtless been very different. Gradually, however, the clouds passed away, her naturally buoyant and lively temper returned, and she emerged into an atmosphere of serene and tranquil christian enjoyment. From this period her path was "as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." There was no hesitation, no half-heartedness, and, till the close of her career, there was everything to indicate the cheerful, devoted servant of Christ. The years of her girlhood rapidly passed away, filled up with the various forms of youthful usefulness, such as visiting the sick, collecting for missions, and teaching in the sabbath school. Her marriage changed the sphere but not the spirit of her life. Her benevolence continued unabated; and if her usefulness in the church was less varied, it was because fast coming domestic ties filled her hands. During the last three or four years her converse with her more intimate friends, and especially her letters to her family, indicated her growing meetness for heaven. This was so striking as to be the object of remark long before any symptoms of delicacy appeared in her health. In 1848 her family circle, unbroken for twentyfive years, was suddenly invaded by the death of her beloved father. An extract of a letter written about that time shows, not only her deep sense of her loss, but the ardour of her aspirations after the everlasting and the heavenly : THE ENGLISH MONTHLY TRACT SOCIETY, 27, RED LION SQUARE, LONDON, presence of Him who has brought life and immortality to light, and who alone can dispel the terrors of the last enemy. The last three days she was evidently on the verge of the dark river. A solemn beauty rested on her countenance, and it was occasionally lighted up, as she spoke of the themes on which she most loved to dwell, with an inexpressible radiance. The night previously to her death her cough was incessant. In the morning, when her husband entered the room, gasping for breath, she begged him to raise her up. The window was open, and her sister fanned her; but she grew rapidly worse, and it was evident the last conflict was at hand. For half-an-hour the struggle was most severe, and extorted from her, unable as she was to speak, a low and plaintive' cry. On her sister asking her if she felt the Saviour precious, she raised her hand with an expression of indescribable triumph. At length the gurgling breath came slower and slower, and in a few moments her head fell on her sister's shoulder, to be raised no more till the "resurrection of the just." That day was her twenty-seventh birthday-so soon was her work on earth accomplished. Yet, young as she was, she had made herself so universally respected and beloved, that funeral sermons were preached for her alike in church and chapel; shops were closed on the day of her interment; and the unbought homage of the poor who followed her to the grave rendered the burial of this youthful follower of Christ a solemn and impressive scene. Being dead she yet speaketh." Thus, at an age which multitudes regard as yet too soon to think seriously of religion, her work was done. Nearly half of her brief life had been redeemed from its vanity by her faith in the Redeemer, and her consecration to the service of God. She found the gospel the guide of her youth, her solace in trial, and her hope and joy in death. 66 "She came to the cross while her young cheek was blooming, And when o'er its beauty death's darkness was glooming, Reader, the same Saviour in whom she trusted asks your heart. Your sins can be forgiven only as you believe in Him; but he can cleanse you from all your guilt. You can secure no true happiness except as you are assured of pardon through his precious blood, and are devoted to his service. Whatever good you may accomplish apart from religion, will fall inconceivably short of what you might effect as an earnest follower of the Redeemer. The best servant of his age is the she was never again to rise. The sweet serenity of her mind at this period was beyond description. To prevent the quick returning hæmorrhages, the most perfect quiet was prescribed, and she was forbidden to speak; but, lively and ardent as her nature was, she experienced no ennui, for the “ peace of God, which passeth all understanding," was a "continual feast," and she was conscious of joys which neither sickness nor death could take away. 66 She was now quite aware that recovery was hopeless, though to the very last she firmly believed she should rally. On the morning of Christmas day, however, she had an attack of faintness so continued and severe as to lead those around her to the belief that her dismissal was at hand. Under this solemn impression, her sister read to her one of David's psalms, in which he calls on God not to forsake him. When the alarm was over, and every one else had left the room, she turned to her sister with great sweetness, and said, “Mary, I am not afraid of being forsaken; I have loved God in health and strength, and he won't forsake me now." Her sister asked her how she felt in the prospect of death. Oh," she said, in a cheerful tone of voice, "I should not dread it, if I thought I should just slip away quietly without any one knowing; but I do dread your all gathering around me, you seem so distressed." In the early part of her illness she insisted on giving her advice respecting the affairs of her household; and when that was no longer possible, nothing could prevent her from inquiring after her poorer friends, and relieving their wants. Towards the close of her life she seemed to feel it quite an effort and a weariness to converse about anything save the great concerns of salvation. All books were laid aside except the Bible and the collection of hymns used in the places of worship she had been accustomed to attend. She often spoke of the enjoyment, the happiness of perfect devotedness to God, and would frequently say, with an emphasis peculiarly impressive at such a time and in such a scene, "Religion is such a reality!" She felt that her work was done, and that all she had to do now was to suffer the will of God. When asked if she had no anxiety about her children, she replied, that she had many months ago, but had now given up all to God. Still the rising tears with which she looked on them showed the yearnings of her maternal heart over the dear ones she expected so soon to leave behind her in the world. With only the slight exception of one brief season of spiritual depression, her chamber of sickness was emphatically a scene of peace, often of triumphant joy, radiant with the |