and, weary and disheartened as she was, her feelings. shrank from taking this course. Past experience, however, had convinced her that her husband's impressions were of the LORD, and she dared not gainsay it. They took the next train for the town of T., and arriving late in the evening, repaired to the hotel. The return of morning brought the sweet sunshine of God's love anew to Mary's drooping heart. They attended church, where they enjoyed the privilege of commemorating the death of our blessed LORD. As she partook of the sacred emblems, her soul was overflowed with the joys of her Saviour's presence, notwithstanding their dark and trying circumstances “not a cloud did arise to darken her skies." At the close of the services, the pastor came forward, and shaking them cordially by the hand, asked, "do you not preach ?" My wife and myself are engaged in laboring for the LORD, replied Mr. L. "And will you take charge of a meeting here this evening ?" said the pastor; if Providence permit, he answered. The appointment was accordingly given; though in consequence of the small number present, they feared it would not be extensively circulated. Contrary to their expectations however, a large congregation assembled, whom M. addressed on her favorite themethe doctrine and experience of holiness. Her hearers paid strict attention, and seemed deeply interested.

On returning to their lodgings she enjoyed a long talk with the landlady, in which her own soul was

greatly blessed-her hostess also seemed much affected. The next morning they were visited by some official members of the church, with a view of inviting them to remain awhile. They were, for the most part, desirous to avail themselves of their services; but one more cautious than the rest, hestitated, wishing more time to decide the matter. Their limited means would not allow their remaining where they were, and none invited them to their homes. They therefore left town that day; though appearances indicated that great good might have been accomplished had they employed them. Thus commenced and ended their labors in Connecticut.

During this season, after an absence of four years, Mary was permitted, in company with her husband, to visit once more the place of her birth, Georgetown, Mass. Their stay in this vicinity occupied several weeks; and was both pleasant and profitable. They received everywhere abundant proof of the affectionate regard entertained for her by friends of long ago. They also enjoyed the privilege of preaching the Word, to the acceptance of the people; nor were those to whom they ministered, negligent in supplying their temporal needs. It seemed that Mary was not without honor, even in her own country and among her own kin. Many are inclined to judge of the efficiency and success of their own and others efforts by the immediate, apparent results. Nothing more clearly exhibits the fallibility of finite judgment.

GOD's work is often beyond the sight of man, and the seed sown does not in every case spring up at once; yet the sure word of promise is, "in due season we shall reap if we faint not."

Soon after their marriage, before starting on their first tour, Mr. L. remarked to his wife, that he hoped they should see sweeping revivals as the fruits of their labor. A sort of prophetic view was suddenly presented to her mind, and she replied, that we shall not see; here and there one will be converted, and a few wholly sanctified, but the sweeping work we shall not realize. Perhaps it was partly from this cause that her faith failed not amid their manifold discouragements. During all their labors and travels, she continued firm in the belief that they were Divinely led; whereas, had she judged from the outward appearance she would often have been distressed by doubt and perplexity. She acknowledged GOD in all her ways; trusted His promise to direct her paths, and then, however dark and mysterious seemed the way, she held with a firm and childlike confidence, the hand of her dear Redeemer, and moved steadily forward, in the assurance that all would be well.

CHAPTER XIII.

DOMESTIC LIFE AND MISCELLANEOUS INCIDENTS.

IN

N the foregoing chapter, we have glanced briefly over the three first years of Mary's married life. These years, perhaps, had been blessed with more of sunshine than ordinarily gladdens the conjugal relation. That natural lack of congeniality, which, in the absence of grace, might have produced disturbance and even discord, was sweetly supplied by a perfect union in CHRIST, and peace and harmony characterized their life, as a consequence. The greatest trial resulting from their marriage, was occasioned by temporal affairs. Her husband's liabilities greatly annoyed and perplexed her. She had ever felt that he ought to dispose of his worldly possessions, and had advised and strongly urged him to do so. But as it seemed this could not be done without considerable sacrifice, he did not consider it duty to follow her counsel. Believing it not right that what God had given them should be wasted, and finding no one to take care of their farm, they had of late contemplated the idea of housekeeping; especially as they felt

the need of a little rest from vineyard labor during the Summer season. Besides these considerations, Mary hoped, that if prospered, they might be able to free themselves from the trying incumbrance of debt, which she felt would not only afford a great relief to her own mind, but would also be pleasing to the LORD.

During the previous Summer, she had spent two days with her husband in their own house. On one of those mornings, while alone in prayer, the power of GOD came upon her in a remarkable manner, and she was led to make a special consecration of their dwelling and land to the LORD, and earnestly to pray that whether occupied by themselves or others, both it and its occupants might be His alone. Sometime afterward, an ungodly person came to Mr. L. to know the conditions on which he would sell. On learning

his terms, he spoke quite favorably of purchasing, but did not decide to do so immediately. Mary felt, that this was not in the Divine order, and would not succeed, and thus it proved.

She had long entertained the opinion, that those who are called to preach the Gospel should not engage in secular pursuits, yet the leadings of Providence were gradually modifying her views in this respect, in regard to their own case, for the present, at least. As was their wont, they took this subject to the Throne of Grace, with earnest desire that if their plans were not in keeping with GOD's will, they might not prosper.