as with a diamond pen on my heart; and in all my trials, I could never give up the confidence I then received, that I should one day see them accomplished.

Sister Ryan one day said to me, "We shall have such a sum to pay on Saturday-night. Had we not better borrow it of such a friend, till your half year comes in ?" We attempted so to do, but were disappointed. Being on my knees at prayer, I opened a book before me on "Christ the table, and cast my eyes on these words, charges himself with all your temporal affairs, while you charge yourself with those which relate to his glory." I closed my eyes, and continued praying; when to the eye of my mind, it seemed as if the Lord Jesus stood just by me, and spoke again those words to my heart, with such a power as wiped away every care. Before I got off my knees, I was called down to speak to a man, who asked for me; and who, through a providence too long to repeat, brought me just the sum I wanted.

The box began now to be helpful to us; and this year in the midst of our great expenses, an uncle gave me twe hundred and fifty guineas. Once, on opening the box, we found a guinea wrapped up in a letter, its contents were as follows :-

"With much pleasure I have heard of your cha ritable undertaking, which I pray God to bless and, to succeed. Be never discouraged; though divine Providence should exercise you at times, even with many great and alarming difficulties; for this is frequently the way in which God leads his children, in order to prove their faith and patience. But even supposing he should not succeed this affair, according to your present plan, yet he will never fail to bless those who sincerely endeavour to promote his honour, the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, and the good of souls. I desire you will accept the inclosed, and that you would set me down an annual contributor of

the same sum. May the Lord Jesus Christ be with all of us! Forget us not in your prayers.

"I am, with respect and regard,
"Your very affectionate friend,

"V. P."

In another paper was a guinea inclosed, with these words" I have felt your burden, and should be thankful you had more help. But perhaps it is the will of God concerning you, to give you day by day your daily bread. I pray him to be with you."

Indeed we daily experienced many mercies. We had an household as a flock of sheep. Sometimes when we were sitting down to table, that word would come sweetly to our minds

"Part of his family are we,
His family of love."

But above all other temporal goods, I saw the blessing of my friend Ryan. It would have been impossible for me to have acted this part alone; I had neither grace nor ability for it; but the Lord gave her to me, as a mother. In all the active part of this undertaking, she was the main spring. It is true, the light in forming the plans was given to me; but had it not been for her resolution and diligence, they would never have been brought into execution. Notwithstanding her ill health, it is amazing what she went through, both in overlooking and working with her own hands. She was truly devoted to God; and though I saw her at that time as a most precious gift of heaven to me, I was not sufficiently sensible of her inestimable worth.

About this time a young lady, with whom I had been acquainted, came to board with us. After residing about half a year, she had a great desire to make a new will, in order to leave me a large sum of money; and asked me to recommend a lawyer to do it, as we then intended

to visit Bath. I told her, I could not see it right that she should do so, as she was at a distance from her relations ; had not sufficiently proved us; and might afterward change her mind. But my strongest objection was, she had told me that in her present will she had left the bulk of her estate, (which was large) to charitable uses; and I had no desire to monopolize the riches of another, since my gracious Lord had given me a ready mind to part with all that was my own. She had two children under her care, whom she desired should be brought into our house; we accordingly received them. Several other expences we entered into on her account; and she wrote a codicil to her will, leaving me two thousand pounds, adding, if she lived to return to her father the following spring, she should do much more. I freely consented to the codicil, as I then thought it but reasonable, my expenses on her account being considerable. But in October, 1766, she grew suddenly very ill, and her death seemed near. The codicil then lay much on our minds. I thought, God's cause may be reproached through this; and what is two thousand pounds, or two hundred thousand, when compared to the honour of my God. Had it been done unknown to me, I should not have scrupled it. But as I had consented, I thought it would not be right to let it stand. Sister Ryan thought the same. We therefore prevailed on her to let us burn it. She was very unwilling, saying, "Had I lived to have made my will, I should have given you much more, for I know God is with you."

She had been some years awakened, and joined to the Methodist society. After she had found the love of God, she walked in the way of self-denial and devotedness to God, according to her clearest light, for some time; and was in many things a striking pattern. She then sunk into a state of conflict, God revealing the inbred sin of her heart, and her spirit being oppressed by a constant bodily disorder, (supposed to be a polipus in the heart,

she often lost her shield, and was ready to think she had never had any work of God on her soul. About four months before her death, Satan assaulted her with many temptations. Sister Ryan advised her to take one hour every day for prayer, whether she should feel power attend her words or not; adding, My soul for yours, if you persevere, you shall shortly see the salvation of God. She received the word as from the Lord, and began the work in good earnest, but to her own feeling she grew darker and darker. Nevertheless we could discern a change. She grew more open, and told us of some snares which beset her, and which she had even thought of giving way to, adding, she saw herself worse and worse, till she was taken with her last illness, which continued but three days. Her soul seemed then very dark, and greatly did she lament the loss of that assurance she had formerly enjoyed. Yet she was not without hope; but still cried out, "O that I had but lived closer to God! I see I have not used my privileges as I ought. O what a work have I now to do! O it is hard work to do in sickness, it is bad work to do in sickness !" Sister Ryan said, "My dear, I have no doubt but that God will finish his work." "O (replied she) but I cannot believe it, I do not believe it for myself. O sister Ryan, I have had a thought in my heart,—If I had taken a certain step, to have laid the blame on you; for I thought, as you are so much under reproach among the half-hearted, I should be more readily believed, and now that stares me in the face." Some time after, she said, "O my soul! my soul! I do not know where my soul is going!"-Sister Ryan said, "My dear, I believe the Lord will come to your help this night ;-I feel such an impression of it, I think I must sit up and wrestle for you all night." She looked at her, and was silent. A few minutes after, she cried out, "O what a sweet word is come to me! I have not had such a word a long time. When you said you would stay and wrestle for me all night, I found a little

She

comfort, but now it comes,-The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. We were greatly affected, and sat by her in solemn silent prayer. appeared to continue in a waiting posture for about half an hour, when she broke out in the following manner, (but with such a sweet and awful reverence as I cannot express,) "O now I know I shall be with Christ for ever! Yes, I shall, I shall come to thee, Lord.-I shall be with thee for ever! O for ever! for ever! for ever!-Yes! I shall be with thee for ever!" After recovering her breath a little, she addressed herself to the young women who were in the room, exhorting them to know and use their privileges. "You are (said she) in a good situation, you will never be in a better. O my dears, be open, be open! Cover no temptation, and be all in. earnest. I was a fool, and a double fool, that I did not live closer to God, and use more self-denial. I see great degrees of glory I have lost." After a little rest, she said—“O! how good is God! If I had strength I would write it all. How vile I have been, and what a salvation I now feel!" Then turning to me, she added-" But sister Bosanquet, do it; and I charge you cover nothing; in particular my unkind thoughts of sister Ryan. I charge you, I charge you! Well," she added, "I shall see you all in heaven. I trust I shall see, I know I shall see you there. O take courage, my dear, take courage; do not be cast down at the difficulties of your situation. Fear nobody; God will stand by you. O he will take care of this family." About ten o'clock at night, she said, "I shall be happy! I know I shall be as happy as I am capable of being! But I see great degrees of glory I have stopped short of. O that I had laid up more treasure in heaven!" She then cried out, "O my money! my cursed money! what an account shall I have to give of that! But Jesus has washed away all." This seemed the more strange, as she had from the first been a most liberal giver. But she explained herself to mean, with respect to the choice of