Shortly after the last-mentioned date, she was introduced for the first time to a young friend, who speaks of their meeting in language which shows how evidently her heart was at that time given to God. "In September, 1835, we visited our esteemed friends, Mr. and Mrs. A. The book-meeting was held at their house on the Monday evening, (the day of our arrival,) and amongst numerous guests, dear Mary was introduced, and seated herself by me. We soon began to chat, and it was not long before I discovered the mind of Christ in this dear disciple. The sweetest of all topics was the theme of our intercourse. I had found a kindred spirit, (if I may claim affinity to one so dear to God,) and that delightful season of enjoyment will never be forgotten by me. One expression that dropped from her lips that evening was this, I want to do something for God.' The next day she was employed in his service, canvassing for the Bible Society. This was the dawn of a friendship, which I hope will be consummated in the skies. I think she had just publicly avowed her attachment to her Redeemer, and her heart seemed FULL of love to Christ and his cause." It will be interesting to notice Mary's religious progress, as developed in letters written to her intimate friends, from this time till the autumn of the following year, when the Lord was pleased to exercise her with that tender chastening, which a father gives to a child in whom he delights. TO HER BROTHER. this "My dear W Halesworth, Oct. 2nd, 1835. Catching hold of a periodical, my eye fell on passage, 'There is no love so pure as that which exists between an affectionate brother and sister; it is the only pleasure on earth without alloy.' The sentiment pleased me, which is the reason I transcribe it the first thing. has left his beautiful seat, and is travelling on the continent, in order to recover himself, if possible, from the difficulties into which vice and extravagance have plunged him. I wonder how his lordship feels on taking leave of his delightful park and pleasure-grounds; without doubt he is now a miserable man, as it will most likely prove a long farewell to all his greatness.' How happy are those who are placed in the middle station of society, equally removed from the temptations of wealth and the hardships of poverty! It was a wise request, 'Give me neither poverty nor riches.' 66 Yesterday ushered in a month, which to you will be a highly important one, since you are now to be more particularly the director of your own actions. Your conduct will be removed from the restraints which have in some degree been placed upon it, and you must in future act for yourself. Those who love you, are anxiously longing to see you show a decision of character, which ALL must manifest who would 'in herit the promises;' and by becoming professedly a servant of Christ, your motives to obedience would be stronger, and the power of Satan over you would at once be shaken. I was delighted with one sentence in your letter; it was this; 'We cannot do too much for Him who has loved us, and given himself for us.' No, indeed; all our powers should be consecrated to his service." few days since with a great change that had, within a very few weeks, taken place in the appearance of nature. The bright and lovely robe of summer was succeeded by the yellow tints of autumn, the branches were beginning to lose their foliage, and the withered leaves were scattered round me in every direction. I thought of the prophet's assertion, 'We all do fade as a leaf,' and looked on these relics of decayed beauty with melancholy interest, since they are, in sacred writ, declared to be emblems of our mortality. But why do I say, with melancholy interest? Surely the reflection, that this is not our rest,' should produce in the mind of the child of God, no other feeling than that of rapture, and a desire to be introduced to that 'glory which is to be revealed;' we should long to depart, and rejoice that we are passing onward to a mansion, eternal in the heavens."" "My dear R TO MISS H. 6 "Halesworth, Oct. 31st, 1835. Your very kind letter, written with so much affection and tenderness, and expressing such warmth of feeling and piety of sentiment, could produce in me no other sensation than that of the liveliest pleasure; and most sincerely do I rejoice in your friendship, regarding it as one of the good gifts' which proceed from the hand of Him who ordereth all our ways.' And how precious it is to know this, to feel that we are in the hands of a covenant-keeping God, who will not suffer any evil to befall his children! Ought we not with confidence to submit all our cares to Him, who says, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,' who preserveth all that love him,' 'whose mercy is in the heavens, whose faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds?' How delightful to think that there is one God and Father over all,' and one Saviour, who is the Author of eternal life to them that obey him!' Shall we not love to render a willing obedience to him who hath given ALL for us, and has held out to us so glorious a reward, even ‘a mansion in the heavens?' Oh! let the children of Zion be joyful in their King;' and let us surrender our hearts more entirely to him, who is worthy of our noblest services, and whose infinite love and compassion so far exceed the utmost of our thoughts. With respect to the beloved friend 6 6 - you have lost, dear R— 'Mysterious are His ways, whose power Shall meet, unite, and part no more.' In December, Mary spent two or three days with the friend to whom the preceding letter was addressed, and who says, that, at that time," she was still enjoying, in a high degree, the favour and presence of her God, manifesting all the warmth of first love to Christ, and proving, by her deportment and conversation, where her heart and treasure were laid.” "What a blessing to have peace and unity in a church, when we hear of so many congregations in an |