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God have been fulfilled; some still journeying onward, others passed to their rest. Frequently the heirs of the kingdom of Heaven, are little noticed upon earth: it is however very useful and encouraging when we can discover any humble follower of the Saviour, who, though wishing to escape observation, still is causing that light to shine before men, which glorifies our Heavenly Father." MAT. v, 16.

The following little history, and the reflections which accompany it, relate to a poor widow, who little thought that any thing she said or did would ever be read by others; but the Scriptures of God are often wonderfully verified. In MAT. vi, 3, it is written "When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret, Himself shall reward thee openly."

Now this poor woman, was first made known to the Clergyman of a certain town in Yorkshire, (who supplied the following particulars) in this

manner. She called early one morning at his house, and requested the servant to take to her master a sovereign, for the benefit of that most excellent Society, which sends out Clergymen and other christian teachers to instruct the poor Heathen in the way of Salvation. When asked her name, she declined to give it, and seemed so desirous not to be noticed, that she was allowed to depart. As soon, however, as the good lady of the Clergyman received the message, she endeavoured to find out where her dwelling was, and there she went to visit her. The humble woman seemed quite surprised that a lady should take any interest in her little affairs, and very properly she tried not to talk about herself. At last, very slowly, and almost unwillingly, she answered the many kind enquiries put to her. Her history was short and simple: she had been a servant in the family of a relative of the lady who now called upon her: during her service she had been very prudent, and had saved a small sum of money, the interest of which, allowed her, now in her old age, four shillings a week. From service she married a seaman, but she had been left a widow

for some years: she had two sons, one still living in the Isle of Shetland with his family, the other very lately deceased. She herself resided in a

small room in an Alms-house or Hospital for Seamens' widows. From this charity, she only derived the benefit of her lodging; she subsisted on her own little saving mentioned above. Her room was remarkable for its cleanliness and order, as well as poverty. Her dress was the very humblest, mended and patched all over; but yet so clean and neat, as to prove that her poor appearance was not the effect of negligence, idleness, or waste, but of carefulness and frugality. She was so modest and so unwilling to speak about herself, that many visits were required, before her interesting character was discovered. The few fragments which had been preserved may serve to shew forth that godly simplicity, which is the best and rarest form of True Religion.

The principles and conduct of Christians depend very much upon the manner in which their religious knowledge is obtained. It will therefore be interesting first to notice by what means this

disciple of her Saviour was instructed, and how she came to think, feel, and act so correctly and scripturally as she did. She lived quite alone: her frequent expression was, "you see madam I am a lonely woman." It never seemed to have occurred to her as a thing possible, that any one should wait on her to teach her at home. Accordingly in all weather, and at all seasons, she regularly attended the divine services which were performed by the Clergyman, both on week-days and Sundays in the chapel and work-house. And when she had thus waited upon God, according to his commandment, she returned home directly, and there all quiet and alone, she tried to recollect what she had heard; turning to the holy scriptures which had been explained or preached upon; striving to understand them thoroughly, and apply them to her own case. In this she followed a good example: for AcTs xvii, 11, some of the first and best christians are related 66 'to have received the word with all readiness of mind, and to have searched the Scriptures daily," and thus "many of them believed." It was not only after she had been hearing, but often and

regularly did she study the blessed word of God; and she found as the Apostle wrote, that word "able to make her wise unto salvation." In her studies she would often meet with many things hard to be understood; but as she was both humble and faithful, this did not offend or discourage her. St. Paul told her that "the things of the spirit of God are spiritually discerned," 1 COR. ii, 14. And St. James gave her these comfortable words, "if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." JAMES, i, 5.

Thus by diligent study, and by praying earnestly, that the Holy Spirit of God would be pleased to open her mind, and make her to understand, feel, and obey, what she both heard and read; "she grew in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour."

When the glorious God humbles Himself to teach us poor creatures, He says "therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart, and in

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