repeated kindness in furnishing information concerning their revered ancestor, as for the liberal use of many manuscripts which enrich this compilation.

Nor can I omit to mention Mrs. Savage's grand-daughter, the late Mrs. Brett, of West-Bromwich, in Staffordshire my venerable and lamented friend-as having contributed essentially to the present volume.

The undertaking was commenced, not only under the auspices of Mrs. Brett, but of various esteemed friends, both among the Clergy and Laity, and has been prosecuted, at intervals, in those moments which a laborious profession furnishes for relaxation. My object has not been to gratify a blind partiality, to extol human nature, or to satisfy captious criticism; but, by illustrating the blessedness of religion, to encourage early piety, to edify aged Christians, and, in short, to animate and confirm all who love the 'truth as it is in Jesus.' Female

virtue is repeatedly exhibited by inspired wisdom, for the imitation and guidance of succeeding generations.

Now, see the Saint immortal; her I mean

Who liv'd as such; whose heart, full bent on heav'n,
Lean'd all that way, her bias to the stars.

Observe the awful portrait, and admire,

Nor stop at wonder: imitate, and live.

Swan Hill, Shrewsbury,
February 12th, 1818.

J. B. WILLIAMS.

PREFACE.

IN November last, going to Shrewsbury to preach for the Swan Hill Sunday School, I called upon my amiable and worthy friend, the Editor of the following sheets. He shewed me a number of manuscript volumes, filled with the diary and remarks of Mrs. Savage; and intimated some design of publishing a selection from them. I was so impressed and delighted, after hearing various extracts, indiscriminately taken, that I applauded the wish, and endeavored to accelerate the accomplishment of it. Having therefore rendered myself in some measure responsible for the publication by my opinion and advice, I the more readily comply with his desire in writing a few words by way of introduction.

The relationship of this good woman will deservedly bespeak some peculiar attention to the following pages: for who, without sentiments of love and veneration, can think of PHILIP Henry, her FATHER, and of MATTHEW HENRY, her BROTHER?

The Daughter and the Sister was worthy of her excellent kindred. She possessed much of their piety, and no inconsiderable share of their talent. She had their familiar acquaintance with the Scripture; their prompt remembrance of its significant phrases; and their easy and pertinent accommodation of them to events. She had the same devoutness of remark; the same sprightliness of observation; the same degree of quaintness-just sufficient to awaken notice, and aid recollection, but not enough entirely to offend good taste.

She was "a gracious woman, and she retains honor." By the Providence of him who has said "Them that honor me I will honor," after serving her generation according to the will of God, and falling asleep, her memory, at the distance of more than a century, is blessed; and her

works, written in the closet, praise her

in the gate.

The species of writing in which she so largely indulged, was far more common in her days than it is in ours. It has been abused, and rendered ridiculous by its minuteness and too frequent publication: yet properly conducted, it would prove eminently conducive to usefulness. It would promote communion with Providence, and bring a man within the reach of the Promise, "Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." It would secure the habit of retirement, and the practice of self-inspection. It would enable the writer, in review, to compare himself with himself, and awaken humiliation and repentance, when, instead of growing in grace and in the knowledge of his Lord and Savior, he found that he was standing still, or had left his first love.-And though we have not the formality of the thing in the Scripture, we have many indications of the principle: as in the names which Joseph and Moses imposed upon their children; in the stone