had heard and read of a Saviour,-gave assent, in a general way, to what I had so repeatedly been told of Him by you, my dear friends, in the Sunday School, and since from the pulpit, and my faithful Hannah,—and had always been accustomed to repeat his name in my prayers, as I then thought them; and with this I rested satisfied: but now, in the prospect of so solemn a change, I found that I had never known this glorious Redeemer, nor "the things that belonged to my peace." I remained in this state of anguish the whole of that day, dreading inexpressibly the approach of death, yet hardly able to endure the pain of mind and body that at once assailed me. But I opened not my heart even to my dear aunt: I felt that it was not in the power of any creature living to console me, or give me any assistance: but, oh! my beloved parents, how true is the saying I have heard you make use of, that "Man's extremity is God's opportunity :" in my bitter extremity I found it so. When He, whose ways are "in the sanctuary," had shown me what I was in myself, and the unworthiness and insufficiency of all

my own performances to bear me up in the "decisive hour," He was most graciously pleased to reveal Himself to me, as my great salvation, and (oh, surprising grace!) filled my sinking heart with "all joy and peace in believing;" and now, my dearest friends, rejoice with your unworthy child, and join with her in ascribing the glory "unto Him who loved me, and gave Himself for me, and has put " a new song into my mouth," even praise to my God." I was now enabled to await the result of my illness with composure, and a sweet resignation to the will of my heavenly Father, now indeed manifestatively my Father; and as he has been pleased to restore me, I earnestly desire to spend the life thus spared to His glory." The importance of the change that had passed on the heart of Elizabeth, as related above, filled the friends her letter was

exceeding great joy.

addressed to with

Many and ardent prayers had ascended to Heaven on her behalf in this respect; and the fulfilment of their anxious desire was regarded by them as a most gracious answer to their supplications. Mrs. West, in their united names,

replied to this memorable letter, in terms calculated to encourage and instruct Elizabeth, and at the request of Sarah and Widow Bell, added a postscript of their own dictating, to the same effect. The receipt of this fresh token of love from her friends highly gratified Elizabeth. She had now recovered her health, and was in view of a suitable service, with a widow lady of fortune, and decided piety, who had received so excellent a character of her from Mrs. Lowe, that she offered her very advantageous terms, and desired her attendance, in three weeks from the day of her engagement. The impressions Elizabeth had described in her letter, being "of the Lord," did not pass away with the illness that was instrumental in first producing them; before that period, she "had toiled at the precept," and rested in the works of the law, but now her renewed mind, sweetly constrained by the love of Christ, became anxious in all things to adorn the doctrine of God her Saviour, who had done such great things for her ;" and now, as many lessons she had heard taught there, without comprehending their spiritual

meaning, flowed in on her enlightened understanding, she appreciated the value of the instructions formerly bestowed on her in the Sunday School, and her heart expanded with gratitude to its benevolent supporters and teachers at Takely.

CHAPTER X.

Reverses, and the faithful Servant.

THE life of Mrs. Vernon, the new mistress of Elizabeth, had been marked by many sorrows. With the exception of some distant relatives now in India, she had survived all her natural connections: in early life, she had been deprived of an only and beloved brother, in the bloom of his days; since that period her tears had flowed over the graves of five lovely infants in succession: but the last and most affecting depriva

tion, was that of her beloved husband; the dearest earthly treasure of her heart, and deserving its affection: and now all her near human ties were dissolved. But He, who in his unsearchable wisdom, had seen fit thus to afflict her, sustained her in the day of trial, and enabled the meek sufferer to say, as she surveyed, for the last time, the mortal remains of the partner of her love, "it is the Lord, let Him do as seemeth Him good :" but Mrs. Vernon was, through divine grace a Christian; a privilege more valuable and dignified, and a title more noble, than the united wealth of the universe could either purchase or confer.

The manners of this excellent woman were peculiarly soft and gentle, and the pensive expression of her aspect rendered it extremely interesting: she lived entirely secluded, though in town, and never left home except to attend divine worship, or to visit the neighbouring poor; which last benevolent employment chiefly occupied her time and attention since the death of her husband. Mrs. Vernon had laid down her carriage, and made use of an hired one: a cook, house-maid, and a personal