his joy and crown of rejoicing in the presence of Christ, while others are following him on to add new gems to his diadem, and new delights to him that is to wear it. Dwell not only on what he was, and what he is, but on what you were to him: how you aided him in his ministry; not indeed by writing or preaching his sermons, but by sustaining that noble heart, which dictated all his labours, and by the impulses and energies of which all were sustained. Call to recollection, how he reposed in your faithful bosom the cares of office, and asked your counsels amidst its intricacies; how when he came home agitated and perplexed, you calmed the perturbations of his spirit; how when discouraged, you cheered him; how you suggested to him subjects for his pulpit ministrations, which had occurred to you in your own meditations, and which thus became the means in his lips of saving souls from death; how you'aided him in his visitations and ministrations to the sick, the poor, and distressed; and how by your earnest prayers, you brought down upon his labours the dew of heaven; and thus, by all these means, were a help meet for him in his high embassy to a revolted world. These efforts, it is sadly true, are all suspended by his death, but to have made them is a precious remembrance. Such recollections fall not to the lot of ordinary women, and ought to be a balm for your wounded heart.

If you are happy amidst the people to whom your husband ministered, remain where you are; linger

still at the pulpit in which he laboured, and at the grave where he sleeps: if they love his memory, and are kind to you and your children for your own sakes, as well as for his, where can you be more happy on earth, than in the scene of nis living exertions and in the vicinity of his tomb. Where will his precious name be so frequently and so respectfully mentioned, and where will sympathy be so fully felt and so tenderly expressed, as among the people of his charge. But, then, let wisdom and circumspection characterise your conduct. A minister's widow has sometimes aided, not a little, to disquiet the mind of his successor, and to trouble the circle of his friends. Excite no suspicions, awaken no jealousies, institute no comparisons. Do not wish for influence; be not the centre of a party; attempt not to guide the opinions of others; and avoid all private interference and meddling with church affairs. The importance of this, is in exact proportion to the esteem in which you are held. There are few women so weak, as to have no power to do mischief, for it is surprising and grievous to find what insignificance, when combined with restlessness, and a meddling propensity, may be a source of annoyance, and a cause of disquiet, especially in small communities. In some cases where for instance, there may not be the best understanding, nor much good feeling, between the widow and the flock; or where a part only of that flock might happen to be attached to her, and not equally attached to the new pastor and his wife; prudence and

propriety combine to make it her duty, if not prevented by circumstances, to retire. It is a deep blot on the christian reputation of any minister's widow to remain in a church, only to be a nucleus of dissatisfaction and discontent, and to aid in disturbing, perhaps, dividing the society, whose peace, was one great object of her husband's life.

After all, however, it must be confessed, that where the widow and family of a minister, meet with neglect, from the congregation, in which he laboured, and some such cases do occur, both in the Church of England, and amongst the Dissenters, the fault is, in many cases, to be traced up to a want of generosity on the part of the people.

CHAPTER IV.

THE WIDOW CASTING IN HER TWO MITES INTO THE

TREASURY.

Illustrating the character of the poor but liberal widow.

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."Mark xii. 41-44.

THE treasury here spoken of, we should suppose, was a large chest fixed near the entrance to the temple and divided into different compartments, for

receiving the offerings of the people. These were appropriated to the purpose for which the donor presented them; some for the repairs of the building; others for the expences of public worship; and some, perhaps for the relief of the poor. The chest was well placed. Piety and liberality should be always associated. Piety should stimulate charity; charity should be the fruit of piety. On one occasion, Christ placed himself opposite this receptacle of benevolence, to watch the offerings of the people. The affluent passed on and deposited their wealth; for "they cast in much." This is so far to their credit; they who possess much, should give much. God expects it, yea, demands it. Among the richer worshippers came one who united in her circumstances the double affliction of poverty and widowhood. She, of course, will offer nothing. She needs to receive, rather than to impart. All she has to bestow, it may be presumed, is her good wishes. But, no; her hand is not empty. She drops two mites—a farthing. Perhaps the smallness of the sum excited a smile of contempt from some proud proprietor, as he followed her, and magnified, by contrast, the amount of his own contribution. But there was another eye that watched the widow's offering, and another mind that drew a contrast. And Christ called his disciples unto him and said, "Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury." Yes, there is the scale on which the Saviour estimates the amount of our