fills the air with fragrance. Of the delight arising to the senses from this fragrance, I am, however, excluded; for I never had to my remembrance, the sense of smelling: but I can rejoice with those who have it; as you, my dear Madam, participate with those who are still permitted to view the beauties of nature.

JOURNAL

FOR THE

YEAR 1797.

Jan. 1. In the course of the last year, I have had many cares to encounter, but I have likewise received innumerable blessings; let me call to mind those peculiar blessings, I at this time am in possession of. I enjoy better health than usual; my children are in general well. I possess great tranquillity of mind, and am full of the hopes of a happy immortality, through the merits of Christ Jesus, my adorable Saviour!

I am still with my family involved in perplexing law-suits of which I cannot yet see the end, and I fear, I shall feel many a pang of vexation and disappointment before they are terminated; but in this blest hour my heart standeth firm, trusting in the goodness of God. I will not, therefore, anticipate the cares even of the morrow, but cast my burthen upon the Lord, who I humbly trust careth for me.

I resolve to endeavour to improve all the time that it shall please God to add to my mortal life to his honour and glory, and the good of my fellow creatures, and in preparing myself for a future

state.

Jan. 8. The time for the decision of one of our law-suits, apparently draws nigh; at present I have no apprehensions about it, but yet it may be decided to my disadvantage-God's will be done! my chief anxiety, I hope, will be to do my duty, and to resign myself to the will of God in all things; to keep my eternal inheritance continually in view, and not to risk the loss for any thing this vain world can give.

O most gracious God, I desire with humble supplication to lay my requests before thee, according to the direction of those Holy Scriptures, which thou hast caused to be written for our learning. Thou knowest my heart in respect to worldly concerns, that I do not wish for that which justly belongs to another, and that rather than lose thy divine favour, I would part with all I have in the world; but thou hast promised to defend the cause of the widow and the fatherless, and therefore, I cry unto thee. O Lord, I trust in thee with all my heart, I do not lean on my own understanding; in all my ways I desire to acknowledge thee. Vouchsafe, I pray and entreat thee to direct my paths; may I ever keep in the path that leads to eternal glory in the heavens !

Jan. 22. Let me now endeavour to take a retrospect of the week past, but how unequal am I even to this short task! I hope no part of the time has been spent in vain or foolish pursuits, for my mind, as far as I can judge of myself, is greatly weaned from the vanities of this mortal life, and instead of coveting its pleasures, my desires are limited to the conveniencies and necessaries of life. From the largeness of my family and my numerous connections and avocations, I can hardly expect to sit down in quietness and leisure; but by the goodness of God, I enjoy a considerable portion of peace, even in the midst of perplexities. This last week my time was greatly taken up with one of my dear little grandchildren, who has been in a very suffering state, but my thoughts have been diverted from other things which would have made me uneasy. One of our law-suits is drawing, I hope to a crisis; I think there is a prospect of its ending more favourably than I thought it would a few days ago. I resolve with the grace of God, to keep from anxious cares, and to trust in the Divine Providence. I cannot make one hair white or black; a sparrow does not fall to the ground without the permission of my heavenly Father; neither can any one succeed against us, but by his permission but I forget that I sat down to call my sins to remembrance, and most willingly would I do it, for I would not dissemble or cloke them before the face of Almighty God, yet no traces re

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main on my mind, but a consciousness of general imperfection. I know that I have committed sins innumerable, and that I have omitted thousands of things which I ought to have done, and which I had the power to do; and I know that I have no merits of my own to plead, for I am an unprofitable servant; but my conscience acquits me of presumptuous sin, and I have confidence in God's mercy, through Christ; my beloved Saviour, who knoweth all my infirmities, and who knoweth also my earnest desire to please my heavenly Father, will, I trust, plead my cause and seal my pardon, and in his all-powerful intercession, I humbly

trust.

O what a world of wickedness is this become, which the Creator formed so good and beautiful! its beauty and goodness remain in respect to every thing, but those creatures for whose use he principally made it; but there are still some in it, who, though not free from sin, have yet a high regard for the honour of their Maker, and grieve to see the disorder which the wickedness of man has introduced among his works. O how delightful it is to contemplate the works of Creation and Providence, even in the midst of this confusion, and with the weakness of human intellect! what then will be the transport of contemplating them in a better world, with enlarged powers, and new faculties! I will try to look forward to this blest state, to divert