what might have been expected, had she been put into possession of an estate. Though she had no certain income beyond the house allowance of four shillings a week, and no friend in such independent circumstances as to ensure constant assistance, she was never harassed by a temptation to doubt a supply for the morrow. If from the kindness of friends she had more than she needed for immediate use, she would request them to keep it for her, lest she should spend money unnecessarily thus proving her humility in judging of her own prudence and self command. Writing of herself she says, "I feel like one who having weathered a storm, is seated in a secure haven, only waiting the arrival of a vessel to convey him to his native country. My comforts and accommodations in this haven are great indeed. First, I have health to allow of a pretty constant attendance on public worship: I have good sight, and the loan of books, of which I grow fonder and fonder the older I grow. I have invitations to dinner more than I like to accept, from a fear perhaps groundless, or a pride reprehensible, of wearing out my welcome. How rich am I in friends: and it is worth while to be poor in pocket, as it gives me such opportunities of seeing the hand of providence stretched out on my behalf in so many instances. Then I have just as much household employment as I wish, in keeping my room in order, and every body to compli ment me on my performances in this respect. To

crown all my catalogue of worldly good, my son is kind and attentive, and sufficiently employed to maintain himself."

On the closing scene of my friend's pilgrimage, I could have wished to have had it in my power to relate more. I could have wished to have caught a few sentences from the dying lips of such an exemplary Christian: but it pleased God to call her suddenly to the enjoyment of his immediate presence. She had been slightly indisposed for two or three days, but not so as to interrupt her usual delightful employment of reading. Her son saw her on the preceding evening, January 20th, 1813, engaged in perusing a commentary on the Bible, with which she expressed herself extremely pleased. She doubtless lay down to sleep with her mind sweetly occupied by the precious truths she had been considering, and was found in the morning quite lifeless. The mercy of this sudden dismissal to one in her poverty of condition was great, and it appeared more conspicuous in about a month afterwards, when it pleased God to remove her son, whose health had long been in a declining state. Thus sparing her from suffering the greatest affliction she could possibly have experienced.

It would be gratifying to my? eelings to dwell on the several useful and agreeable qualities exhibited in the character of this pious woman; but an im.

provement of her history will be more edifying to my readers. Three reflections are obvious. First, That Christians need not dread afflictions. Few are called to greater trials than those I have briefly related in her case: yet her supports were always equal to her need, and she rejoiced in the opportunity they afforded her of knowing more of the heights and depths of Christian experience, than can never be attained by those less afflicted.' Secondly, the influence she acquired, though in humble life, is encouraging, and should animate all to become preachers of righteousness in their circle. Though it must be confessed all Christians do not possess her advantages of superior judgment, and quickness of understanding, yet all may acquire her depth of knowledge in divine truth, if they make their Bibles their daily study and if, in dependance on the promised teaching of the Holy Spirit, they impart their religious knowledge to their ignorant companions, they may indulge the hope of being like her, numbered with those, who having been made the honoured instrument of turning many to righteousness, shall shine as lights in the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever."

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Lastly, the pleasure we enjoy from our social intercourse with earthly friends, may give us some faint but animating views of those pleasures reserved for the "spirits of just men made perfect."" From the necessary distinctions of rank in this

world, access to eminently wise and great characters is denied to the poor and ignorant, but in heaven the rich and the poor will literally meet together.

We shall then be surrounded by all the excellent, "of whom the world was not worthy." Whom, though unknown we love, and by whose pious examples or instructions we have been edified. Instead of selfishly mourning, let us rejoice in the removal of our Christian friends to such society, and let the heart-cheering reflection stimulate us to press forward towards the mark for the prize of our high calling; even the glorious hope of dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God."

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CHAP. XIV.

History of Mary Smith and Elizabeth Brown.

WHEN Humphrey Preach is to be the relater of any history or adventure, I presume few of my readers would wish me to substitute my own words or ideas, but I doubt whether they would equally approve of the style adopted by most of my humble acquaintances, which being generally so overloaded with " says I, says he, so, as I was saying," and especially an abundance of matter, which bears no connection with the story they are telling, as would certainly call forth more exertion of patience than I have a right to demand. This being the case, I will relate a little history in my own manner, which I learnt from the shoe-maker's wife, respectthe mother of the deformed girl, I saw at the workhouse.

Elizabeth Brown and Mary Smith were born in the same month, and under similar circumstances: