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the other; and in general, on these occasions, his consolations are neither few nor small. trust my dear daughter finds the best wine has been kept to the last. O that the heavenly attraction may be strong, so as to raise her superior to painful feelings, and to deliver her from that anxiety which brings weakness upon the soul. Believing views of Jesus, and of the infinite merit of his sufferings, are a ground of much solid comfort to the distressed Christian. With what holy boldness may these be pleaded at a throne of grace, and with much acceptance, even when the soul, to its own apprehension, is all darkness, confusion, and fear; pressed down with manifold temptations. This is a foundation that cannot be sapped, that standeth ever strong, immoveably fixed in God. On this Rock of Ages my dear daughter is built; therefore, praises at all times, and in every situation, should her glad tongue employ. Behold your God, and be strong. He lays the foundation of your hope and trust, in oaths, in promises, in blood. Surely, then, you should stand firm as the beaten anvil to the stroke. What should discourage you? Or why, with vexing thoughts at any time, should your soul be disquieted? With a holy fortitude, you may look forward to death, judgement, and eternity. Though weak and poor in yourself, yet in virtue of your union with the Lord Jesus, you may grasp Omnipotence, and call it your own. "Who can lay any thing to the charge of God's elect ?" Jesus, your surety, hath answered all

the demands that law and justice had against you fly, then, to your strong hold in the day of trouble, and you may defy all the powers of earth and hell.

The sacrament was given in Edinburgh last Sunday, in our church. Mr. Randal preached a most delightful sermon upon the love of Jesus to his church, "Who loved his church, and gave himself for it." I was very poorly in body, but tasted his love in my soul. On Monday, I was not so well as to be able to go abroad; but my Jesus, on the last day of the feast, gave me my portion at home. How tenderly does he deal with his people!

Miss N is just come from B, and tells me Lady C. E. is a good deal better; her pulse come down to 76, and her pain much abated; and suffers with a sweet spirit. May Jesus make himself fully known to her, and comfort her in the time of trouble. Mrs. Hand family are pretty well. But Lady G- will give you all particulars; therefore, I need not take up your time and strength. Many thanks for your kind attention in sending Mrs. Fletcher's Letters, &c. &c. She has indeed suffered a great loss in the death of such a husband; but he has been highly favoured in his last conflict. Happy those who are safely landed. Lady G― insisted upon paying for the small books, though I told her you had desired I should. So that I have £1 5s. of your money; say to what use it should be put.

I fear the length of this; do read but a little

of it at once. May goodness and mercy follow my dear daughter all her days; a large proportion of Divine love be mixed in every cup, so as to conquer every fear; and at last may she enter the harbour of peace and endless bliss, in the full triumph of faith. So prays her very affectionate friend in Jesus, D. M."

The affliction and death of friends appear to have excited the following seasonable and solemn reflections.

" November 17. O, time, swift of wing, how rapid is thy flight! Blessed be God, who has taught me to pierce beyond an hour. Yet what cause have I to mourn that I have not more fully improved that important talent. Where, Lord, lies the defect? I can appeal to thee, O thou searcher of hearts, that it is my constant desire to fill up every moment with something valuable. I fear I too much overlook the present, in expectation of something more favourable in future. The awful blanks of time are many. How many are numbered with the dead during last week! even among those I knew, either by character or personal acquaintance. But for the joyful prospect of a happy eternity, the mutability of all created good would spread around our world a black and impenetrable cloud. Blessed be God, though all here are shadows, all beyond the grave is ever-during substance."

One extract more shall close this year.

"December 31. I was much disposed this day to spend my time with God, to consider my ways, and meditate on the time that is past; met with interruptions, but being for the profit of others, I endeavoured to be satisfied. I asked a token for good, in the end of this year as in the former one, and my gracious God condescended to give it. How many are my mercies; this last year, they have been great. My communion with the Father and the Son has been uncommonly sweet and near; and since the 4th of September, almost uninterrupted. In temporal things, also, the hand of my God has been very visible. He has also given me much bodily health, and when deprived of the means of grace through indisposition, he kept my soul as a watered garden; and gave me, in prayer and meditation, delightful enjoyment of himself. Lately, also, my God has opened an unexpected door for usefulness. Surely, I bend under a load of mercies, spiritual and temporal: O for a more grateful heart. How shall I sufficiently praise my God and Saviour. Come, Lord, and assist me to praise thee in higher strains than ever. O come, and accomplish in me thy promises, and all my powers shall be greatly enlarged."

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1786.

Death of the Ladies Hope and Glenorchy-Lady Maxwell appointed Executrix of the latter-visits England-meets with the Rev. Alexander Mather -character of-correspondence with him-and the Rev. C. Atmore.

This was an eventful and memorable year in the life of Lady Maxwell. That sacred bond of union, which nothing in life had been able to dissever, was at once broken up by the irresistible and unrelenting arm of death. On the first of January, Lady Henrietta Hope bid adieu to all the pains and disquietudes of mortality, and entered into life. She had long languished under an enfeebled body, and had been called to endure a complication of afflictions. While these, sanctified as they were by grace, naturally induced her to trim her lamp, and to wait, in an expectant attitude, the coming of her Lord; they also tended to prepare her friends for the painful bereavement. Lady Glenorchy was with her at Bath; a close and unwearied attendant. It was her honourable employment to watch over the last lingering moments of the dying saint, to