Page images
PDF
EPUB

solation was as yet unknown, yet she wondered that she felt no influence from religion, while she professed to be religious. She heard from her parish rector much of the excellence of moral duties, but little of the foundation on which they ought to be erected, and nothing of the workings of the human mind in its different stages of conviction, repentance, anxieties, and hopes. Beginning to suspect there must be heights in religious experience to which she had not attained, she became curious of knowing what they were, and observing the multitudes which always followed the preachers of the methodists, the thought shot across her mind that it was strange such numbers should be deluded enthusiasts as she had heard them represented, especially as she saw many of her neighbours among them well educated, and of sensible deportment. With this impression she entered the Bristol tabernacle one evening. The apparent sincerity and affection of the minister as he prayed, struck her with much force; but when he gave out his text from the last verse of the 57th chapter of Isaiah, "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked," she imagined she had no concern in the subject, and only regretted her husband was not present. Intending to hear for him, and acquaint him with the truths to be delivered, she was extremely attentive. The preacher was equally faithful, and proved from scripture and daily observation, that all flesh had corrupted their ways,

and that none were righteous, no not one. He did not leave his hearers to despair from the knowledge of this humiliating truth, but affectionately directed their views to the Saviour of sinners. Though my friend during the whole of the discourse felt agitated with dissatisfaction, and was half disposed to disbelieve the representation, she found it impossible to escape from the serious thought it occasioned. She considered for the first time in her life the strong expressions contained in the church prayerbook she venerated so much, and was astonished at the unison she there discovered, with what she had heard from the preacher. Finding herself enlightened, she naturally hoped for comfort under the same style of preaching, and attended upon it with increasing satisfaction. She also formed acquaintance with a few of the congregation, who lent her books suited to her afflicted condition. Those written by the pious Mr. Newton were especially useful, and gratified her predilection towards her own church, as she ever called the Church of England. Though it had pleased God to enlighten her understanding by means of dissenting teachers, she never became, strictly speaking, a dissenter, or united herself to any sect in church fellowship. At this time she mourned that so few ministers of the establishment preached consistently with the creed they professed to believe, especially in her native city; but she lived to see a great reverse in this respect, though she could not avail herself of

H

the good she rejoiced in, on account of her not being able to bear at all times, the heat and fatigue of standing in such full congregations, as a faithful minister of the establishment usually attracts."

CHAP. XIII.

same

The Deserted Wife.

FROM ROM the time when my friend received correct views of religious truth, her influence became great amongst her little circle. First an aunt was induced to enquire into the sentiments which could impart joy in the midst of grief, and was soon led to the "Rock of ages." Her ignorant and bigotted mother, though delighted that any means had restored to her child her wonted vivacity and cheerfulness, of which she possessed naturally a large share, still remained the same, till afflicted by a severe illness. On the bed of sickness, not able to pursue her accustomed daily task of reading in the Bible, her daughter read to her, and thus obtained favourable opportunities to convey remarks. Hard indeed must be the parent's heart, which could have remained insensible to the dutiful attentions of such a daughter, and there is naturally a strong prejudice in favour of the opinions of those we tenderly

love. Her mother was induced at this season of retirement from the hurry of business to examine them, and before a candid examination the clouds of bigotry usually disperse. When she was sufficiently recovered to leave her house, she accompanied her daughter to public worship, and evinced by a wonderful change in her temper and general conversation, that she was now in possession of that faith which alone purifies the heart. She died about three years afterwards in a frame of Christian triumph, which my friend never mentioned without tears of wonder and gratitude. With her husband she had vice, not ignorance to combat, and here it did not please God to crown her endeavours with success. He became more depraved in heart, and more unkind in behaviour, till at length she was constrained from personal ill usage to take legal measures to gain a separation, and being bound over in a sum of money never to molest her further, he departed for a distant part of the kingdom, where he died in poverty, and it is to be feared in impenitence, about twenty years after his marriage. On the death of her mother, my friend, in union with a person who had long taken an active part in the management of the business, and to whom she now gave a share of it, prospered well in her worldly circumstances. She looked forward to the same means for the employment of her son, but when he attained his eighteenth year, he broke a blood-vessel, and the medical gentleman

« PreviousContinue »