children regularly in all the appointed means of grace, I would advise you occasionally to set apart special seasons or days for prayer on their account. The practice is authorized by examples recorded in Scripture, and has been marked with the seal of God's approbation in the effects that have followed. "The eldest son of the Rev. John Wells, of Morval, had been wild and extravagant, and had committed some offence for which he was forced to flee from the army. His father had prevailed with several Ministers and other pious people to spend a day in prayer in behalf of his prodigal son. Whilst they were engaged in this exercise the son arrived, and found them assembled and praying for him. Before they had well finished he was dissolved in tears; and, falling on his knees, begged his father's pardon, and from that day proved to be entirely serious."-Bruce's Anecdotes. I conclude by recommending patient perseverance in the use of all the means likely to promote the training up of your children in the way they should go. Whatever may be your success or discouragements, your duty is plain, "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." The husbandman prepares the soil, casts in the seed, and patiently waits for the appointed harvest: "Cast," then, "thy bread upon the waters; for it shall be found many days hence." You may not immediately reap the fruits of your labour, and yet there may be no ground to despair of ultimate success. At some favourable season you may see the seed spring up and bear fruit, "thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold." Nay, it is possible that your hoary head may descend to the sepulchre without your having witnessed the accomplishment of your wishes; and yet when your voice is heard no more in parental counsel, the hour of trouble may call up to the remembrance of your erring child the parent he has lost, the instructions he has received, the prayers you offered for him, and the example have placed before him. The well-directed and properly sustained effort, aided by the Spirit of God, shall not be fruitless. "He that goeth forth, and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing," either here or hereafter, "bringing his sheaves with him." you If not on earth, yet in eternity, shall sources of hallowed joy be opened to faithful parents, when they shall meet in heaven their children, whom, at death, they left still wandering in the way to destruction. Gird up the loins of your mind. "Be ye steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work" of domestic instruction and training, "and your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord." "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." "THE DAIRYMAN'S DAUGHTER." THE following particulars respecting that truly excellent young female, Elizabeth Wallbridge, were collected by the writer for the purpose of incidental notice in a brief memoir of her brother, Robert Wallbridge, who has recently gone to join his devoted sister in a better world; but as they were found both too long and too interesting to occupy such a position naturally, they are here presented in the form of a separate narrative. Any thing new in reference to "the Dairyman's Daughter" must needs be a matter of interest to the religious public, seeing that intelligent Christians from all parts of the world, on her account, come to the Isle of Wight, and repair to Arreton and elsewhere with all that intensity of feeling which is awakened in others by the sight of objects connected with classical antiquity. But what is here written will be found to be more especially interesting to those who cherish the most devout and grateful rejoicings on account of the good which it has pleased God to accomplish in the earth by that form of Christianity which is called "Methodism," but who may not have heard how much "the Dairyman's Daughter" was indebted to it for all that " seasoning power which has made her a blessing to so many, and that in so many nations.* Elizabeth Wallbridge was a native of the Isle of Wight. Her parents, who were always commendable for their morality, were indebted to their daughter for the knowledge of the way of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Her father survived her many years. He came to reside at Newport, where he became a member of the church of which that distinguished Minister, the Rev. Mr. Tyerman, was Pastor. An account of him was published by Mr. Tyerman, in a well-written tract, a little before he sailed on his Mission to the South Sea islands. Elizabeth was born at Hale Common, in the parish of Arreton, in the same cottage whence her happy spirit took its flight to paradise. She had five brothers and sisters. Robert was the eldest, and survived them all. He died at Newport, February 25th, 1837, much respected for his Christian character, and having been more than forty years a Local Preacher in connexion with the Wesleyan Methodists. Leaving her parents at an early age, Elizabeth lived many years as a servant in respectable families; and, having good wages, she was enabled to lay by a little money against the time of need. But notwithstanding this important testimony in favour of her prudence and economy, yet, according to the concurring statements of all who knew her, she was plainly far from righteousness. Being naturally cheerful and talkative, given to levity, and rather witty, she directed her ridicule and sarcasm with considerable force against those who manifested any serious concern for the salvation of their souls. The pride of her heart was likewise manifested in her great fondness for dress, At the time when it pleased God truly to awaken her to a sense of the vast importance of eternal things, and the necessity of caring for her deathless soul, she was living at Southampton, as a servant in the R— family. The Methodists had at that time no chapel in that town, but worshipped in a room which they had hired for that purpose in Hanover-buildings, and which was supplied once a fortnight by the Travelling Preachers from the Portsmouth Circuit. In the year 1795 the Rev. Messrs. Algar, Deverell, Crabb, Jones, and Brookhouse were stationed in the Circuit, which then included what were called "two Missions,”—one of which comprised part of Sussex and Surrey, while the other embraced the back and east parts of the Isle of Wight. In this latter section of the Circuit it was that Mr. Crabb principally laboured, changing occasionally with the Southampton Preachers. Mr. Crabb was deeply devoted to his Master's cause, and was very useful, and at the same time very popular; so that when it was known that the Missionary from the Isle of Wight was coming to Southampton, the little Methodistic circle of that place was all pleasurable expectation. Elizabeth had three fellow-servants; namely, Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Cox, and Elizabeth Groves. Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Cox were at tendants at the Methodist place of worship. The latter had once professed to know something of religion by personal experience, but was now not a member of the society. She was subsequently restored to the enjoyment of the blessings she had lost, and again united herself to the people of God, through the affectionate expostulations of Elizabeth Wallbridge, and lived forty years a member of the Methodist society, adorning her Christian profession by an exemplary life, and at last dying in the triumph of faith and hope. Robert Taylor, at the time of which I write, was a truly pious member of the society, and zealous for the salvation of his fellowservants. Elizabeth Groves and Elizabeth Wallbridge both went to the established Church, and had never yet heard a Methodist Preacher. By the latter, Methodism was viewed with much contempt, and even angry dislike, especially after her brother had connected himself with a sect every where spoken against, and had even ventured to address an admonitory letter to his sister, affectionately exhorting her to seek the salvation of her soul. Mr. Crabb being about to preach at the room one week-day evening, Robert Taylor, happening in the course of the day to enter a room where Elizabeth Wallbridge and Elizabeth Groves were at work together, he said to them, “Maids, will you go this evening and hear preaching at the Methodist chapel?" so they called the little room : "Mr. Crabb, the Missionary from the Isle of Wight, is to preach. He is very much liked as a Preacher ; and I think if you were to go and hear for yourselves, you would be pleased with him." Elizabeth Wallbridge, with her characteristic levity and vivacity, gave Robert such a reply as left him no ground on which to rest any anticipations of a favourable result. But there was an overruling power at work. Curiosity was at work; and as Elizabeth and her companion talked over the strange proposal that had been made to them, (so they considered it,) they became influenced by a strong desire to agree to it, and to hear Mr Crabb; and eventually they were found that evening among his hearers. This step was not in itself decisive, but still it was a most important one; it was the step which, in their case, led to salvation. Prejudice was overcome; a degree of respect was gained both for the Preacher and the service; and they both resolved to attend again.* Mr. Crabb soon returned to Southampton for the services of an entire Sabbath, and Elizabeth heard him in the morning. Still a captive to the vanity of the carnal mind, she was • Elizabeth Groves (now Mrs. Y—) still lives there. She has, through grace, is a native of the Isle of Wight, and still held on in that good way on which she entered at the same time with Elizabeth Wallbridge; and it is from her that some valuable portions of the present narrative have been received. led to put on her gayest attire, that her foolish heart might be gratified by her utmost display among the poor humble Methodists. The text was taken from the fourth chapter of the Prophet Zechariah: "Who art thou, O great mountain?"&c. It was a memorable time, and the mountains soon flowed down at the presence of the Lord. While the Preacher, with the authority of an ambassador for Christ, bore hard on the sins of vanity, self, and pride, the light of truth enabled Elizabeth Wallbridge to see that she was the very reverse of being clothed with humility. Wounded by the sword of the Spirit, she returned home in silence, indignant at herself. There was now no foolish talking and jesting about things sacred; her mouth was stopped; she felt herself guilty before God, and trembled in his presence. Ignorant of the great change that was taking place in her mind, her fellow-servants were astonished that the giddy, trifling, and talkative" Betty Wallbridge" had become serious, and "slow to speak ; but their astonishment was greater when they saw her sit down in a chair, and actually tear off those parts of her dress which she deemed most expressive of the foolish ambition of her vain and wicked heart. Refraining from her ordinary food, she retired to her own room to complete the demolition of her idols, and to converse with God and her own heart; and in the evening, divested of her foolish and outward adorning, but full of eagerness for the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, she once more appeared among the hearers of this heart-searching Preacher. This contempt and dread of every thing in dress unsanctioned by Christian propriety, she retained to the end of her life without change. From this memorable Sabbath, indeed, Elizabeth was "a new creature." The full stream of nature's tide was turned, and from henceforth her desires, her words, her actions, all tended towards God and heavenly objects. All parties concur in testifying that from the day of her conversion she was entirely and steadily devoted to God. She seemed to be actuated literally and permanently by the impression of that great truth, that "the things which are seen are temporal, while the things which are not seen are eternal." So absorbed was she in the pursuit of invisible realities, that her spiritual exercises seemed sometimes as though they would trench on the regular duties of ordinary life. If this was indeed her failing,-if she was in this respect righteous overmuch,"-it is the only thing which I have ever heard laid to the charge of "the Dairyman's Daughter.' 64 I have taken some pains to ascertain the struggles of her mind prior to her obtaining that "glorious liberty" which she seemed ever to experience after her union with the Methodists; but I can learn nothing of the matter. Mrs. Y-, who lived in the house with her at the time of the gracious change in her character, informed me that she could have suffered but little from her convictions of sin, before she found peace with God, as she had no recollection of any thing but gratitude and praise proceeding from her lips from that decisive day on which the truth of God reached her heart. It is therefore probable, that, being deeply convinced of her guilt and danger, but having, at the same time, clear views of Christ as the almighty and present Saviour of all who believe in him, she at once rested her soul on his infinite merits, and found peace and joy in believing. Henceforth she breathed prayer and praise. Jesus now engrossed her supreme affections, and she felt the heaven of loving him alone." While her hands were engaged about her work, and others were about her, her full heart would often constrain her to praise God aloud. She appears to have been of the happy few, (why should they be few?) who could "rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks." One of the first of her spiritual letters was addressed to her brother Robert. It was written at Southampton in an early part of her Christian life; and was given by her brother, some years ago, to a gentleman at Cowes, who has expressed the value he sets upon it, by putting it into a handsome frame between two plates of glass, and suspending it amongst the ornaments of his own parlour. The handwriting and orthography are just such as might have been expected from an uneducated servant girl; but it contains the genuine effusions of a heart overflowing with love to God and man. Even did it partake less of excellence than it does, yet as it is an original letter from one so celebrated as "the Dairyman's Daughter," and was written three or four years prior to the date of those which have already been published, there is sufficient reason for giving it a place in this account; but I think the reader will see that throughout the whole, an elevated and admirable spirit continually breathes. I give it entire, with the exception of a piece of doggrel poetry, which she had picked up somewhere, and the mere alteration of slight and common grammatical errors. Seeing that she had but just begun to read the Bible attentively, and with a warm heart, her inaccurate quotations from Scripture are quite natural, and only what was to be expected. I subjoin it as nearly as possible verbatim, as I think it will in that state be more interesting; and will, at the same time, fully relieve Mr. Richmond from the charge of having himself written the other letters which are written in her name. No, my dear brother. Think what shouting and rejoicing there was with the angels of God in heaven, that are around the throne, and continually cry, Worthy the Lamb of God that was slain, to receive all glory, and honour, and praise.' And blessed be God, who hath showed strength with his hand, and with his holy arm hath gotten himself the victory! Yes, and he hath scattered all the proud imaginations of my heart, the great enemies of my soul's salvation. O, how true are those words of my Redeemer, that whosoever is in me is a new creature ; ' for, behold, old things are passed away, and all things are become new!' O, how often would the Lamb have gathered me unto himself as a hen doth gather her chickens, and I would not! And how often hath he stretched out his arm, and I have not regarded it! But how shall I ever praise my God enough, to think how long he hath spared a wretch like me, who drank in iniquities like water, and followed after the vanity of my own deceitful heart, which was wicked above all things? "It was when I was sitting under that delightful man, Mr. Crabb, that the Lord opened my eyes; it was the second time that I heard him. And on Sunday last, in the morning, I was standing at the window, and he came past, and when I saw him my heart leaped within me for joy; for I believe him to be commissioned from the most high God to preach the Gospel of salvation and peace to all that will hear it. My dear brother, I know it is not good to be "Southampton, March 3d, 1797.* partial to any of God's creatures; "MY DEAR BROTHER, "I RECEIVED your kind letter the 2d instant, and you may think what a transport of joy I felt to receive such an affectionate letter from a brother I had so little regarded since he had left the world and me. You may well say what great joy it gave you to hear I was converted to God. But are you the only one? By the comparison of various dates, written and unwritten, I find it should be 1796, and not 1797. but I liken him to St. Paul, for he seems to labour more than they all; yet not he, but the grace of God which is in him, and that is extended to all that hear him speak. vid, when he is there, O that I It seems as if I could say, with Dacould dwell in the house of my God for ever.' I shall ever have the highest esteem for him as a Minister of God and Christ. "And now, my dear brother, as I have no money with me, I beg you will apply to my dear mother for six |