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scarcely able to bear a whisper in the room; but God was pleased to lengthen out her life, that she might exhibit on earth an example of patient endurance, of holy acquiescence in the will of her Father, and of cheerful piety, which should redound to the Divine glory, ere she was admitted to join "the general assembly and church of the first-born." For some weeks she was unable to do any thing, or to bear any conversation; but her mind was in peace. To one expressing some anxiety on her account, she smilingly said, "I am in better hands than yours." On being asked if she was fully aware of her danger at the time of her second attack, she answered, "Oh yes." "And how did you feel?" "I cannot tell you; felt calm, yet indescribably; I could not desire either to live or die; I had not one anxious thought; but my heavenly Father sees fit that I should tarry here a little longer." She then said with what pleasure she had been dwelling on her visit at Thetford in company with Mr. Williams the Missionary, and another minister of Christ, who had given her a simple and beautiful explanation of Psal. xxiii. 4, " Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;" of which she always spoke with pleasure as so consolatory. "Death to the Christian is but a shadow of terror; the reality is not dreadful." "We then," says the friend with whom she was conversing, "spoke a little on unbelief;" and after gently chiding me for indulging a doubting spirit, she said, "How much enjoyment do the children of God deprive

themselves of by it! and how they thus injure the cause of their Redeemer, when they might be promoting his glory! If we did but walk more by faith and less by sight, how much nearer would the church below be allied to the church above!"

The first time she used her pen when her strength had sufficiently returned, was in writing to a young friend.

I cannot refrain from writing a word, as God has given me strength to do it. Indeed, I am quite well enough to see you. Come and let us magnify the Lord together. My kindest love to you all. Ever, my beloved

Your affectionate

MARY."

The following was to the same, a few days after.

'My dearly beloved Friend,

What delight I feel at the prospect of seeing you so soon! Oh! do come to-morrow very early, that we may have a long day together. You cannot think how much better I am; my doctor has just told me I look better than I did before I was ill, and really you could not tell from my appearance that I had been suffering; my strength too is quickly returning. On Tuesday I made my first attempt at walking from the sofa to the table, yesterday I extended my journey

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to the window, and to-day am quite agile in my pedestrian excursions. But, oh! my dear how contrary to all expectation have I been thus raised up and strengthened! May I never forget the lovingkindness of Him, who, though he saw it needful to place his erring child in the furnace, was himself sitting by the while, as a refiner and purifier of silver.' How light has been this affliction, and how sweet to know that it is whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth!' Pray for me, my dearest love, that this short period of suffering may be for my soul's much benefit, and for the great glory of God; that it may yield in me the peaceable fruit of righteousness,' 'that I may be made a partaker of his holiness.' I do trust it is my desire to be more renewed in the spirit of my mind;' but oh! that law within me warring against the law of the Spirit of God, and 'bringing me into captivity to the law of sin.' Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?'-My dear friend, I sometimes question, Am I a child of God? Can I be serving Christ, who am so deficient in the fruits of the Spirit?' I want to feel more the presence of my heavenly Father; to feel more that he

is mine, and I am his;' that he is with me always, and will never leave me nor forsake me.' And yet I know that he is a faithful God; that his word is true and stedfast; and his promises yea and amen' to them that believe. Oh! then, for a greater measure of faith, to be drawing continually out of his fulness, and receiving grace upon grace!"

The affliction with which she was now exercised, was eminently blessed to dear Mary; it strengthened her holy principles, and increased her love to that Saviour, "who," to use her own language, was "dealing so gently" with her; it invigorated her graces, and matured her piety, and was as the refreshing rain descending from heaven upon the tender plant, which, though for a moment bent beneath it, soon lifts its head, and sheds a fragrance richer than ever. But she never recovered; the withering hand of consumption had touched her, and the delight of our eyes was ere long to be removed. For a time she was better; then again worse; and sometimes she would revive so much as to astonish those to whom she was the dear object of unceasing solicitude. The letters which she wrote during her illness, afford evidence of the cheerful and heavenly frame of mind, in which she was preserved. Who that can peruse them, or could hear the words of trust in her Saviour that fell from her lips, or could see the peace of God beaming in her countenance, but must be convinced that there was something more than shadowy, something supernatural and Divine, in that religion, by which a young mind, just opening on the world, and by nature ready to enter with alacrity into its pursuits and pleasures, was supported, and filled with joy unspeakable, in the midst of suffering, and in the anticipation of death?

H

TO MISS B.

'September 19th, 1836.

"My dear E

-r,

I feel this morning so strong a propensity to write to you, that I really cannot refrain from doing So. You may think it a foolish thing in me to feel thus, while I am so near to you, but you must remember that invalids have whims; and should you think this a whim, I am sure you will forgive it, because it is one of mine. You cannot tell how much pleasure it gives me, to have you near me once more, nor how increasingly dear to me our late separation has rendered you. What a tribute of gratitude is due to our heavenly Father, who has watched over us both, and has permitted us to reunite, and again enjoy the delights of intimate friendship! Oh! my beloved E- -r, let our future intercourse be of a character more holy than it has hitherto been, and better calculated to promote our mutual advantage. 'Let our conversation be such as becometh the gospel of Christ; let us continually put one another in remembrance of those things' which concern our everlasting interests, striving together for the faith' of Jesus. Are not the obligations we owe to the same Saviour, a sufficient motive for our wishing henceforth to resign ourselves more entirely to his service? Are we not sisters in the Lord Jesus? and shall we not then with one heart and voice cry, Abba, Father?'