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but it appeared to me most probable, that by some gentle means her course would be terminated, and that she would be called to " enter the joy of her Lord," saying with old Simeon, "Now, Lord, "lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine 66 eyes have seen thy salvation." But how was I affected with grief and astonishment, when I learned in what manner she was removed from earth to heaven!

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Even now my feelings seem to get the better of my judgment. I know that the Lord "doeth all things well." After " having served her genera"tion by the will of God, she is fallen asleep." Her sufferings, though acute, were short: she speedily was enabled to say of them, of them, "They are finished;" they are terminated for ever! While we lament, and feel, as it were, to sympathize with her in this painful lot; our decided judgment must be, that it is far more rational to congratulate her deliverance, and to rejoice in her joy, which is perfected for ever; and only to condole with those who have lost so valuable a relative and friend, or so kind and liberal a benefactor.

I. In arranging my subject, I shall, contrary to my usual practice, begin with some introductory observations on the valuable and honourable person, to whose case I mean throughout to apply the words of my text.

Born in the superior orders of society, successively the daughter, and sister, and aunt of an earl, and the aunt of a duchess, and connected in various ways with the most noble families; the for

mer part of her life was spent at court, as an attendant on a princess,1 and in as much intimacy with many branches of the royal family as is commonly allowed to a subject. And, notwithstanding her subsequent entire separation from all those things which are deemed peculiar to the courts of monarchs, such was her mildness, and prudence, and amiableness, and so great the respect and affection entertained for her, that to the last, when at all capable of conversation, she was a welcome visitant to the most exalted persons in their retired hours; without her concealing in the least her religious principles, or omitting any proper opportunity of recommending them.

I am not in possession of any particulars concerning the former years of her life, but have reason to believe that it was highly decorous, according to the maxims and customs of that exalted circle in which she moved. She, however, always lamented it as spent in vanity, sin, and folly, and in the eager pursuit of dissipated pleasures: nor did she ever hesitate to apply to herself, unreservedly, the strongest language of scripture, concerning those who "walk according to the course of "this world." Even when the case of grossly immoral persons was mentioned, she would ascribe the difference to providential restraints, and prudential selfish motives; often expressing a persuasion that, all things considered, her guilt was as great, and perhaps greater in the sight of God than theirs for she judged of every action and

'She was lady of the bed-chamber to the late Princess Amelia.

in her case was not a light one: she separated by degrees, but decidedly, as knowledge and conviction increased, from the vanities, the dissipations, and pleasures of the world. "By faith she "chose rather to suffer affliction with the people "of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a

season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater "riches than the treasures" of this world; "for she "had respect unto the recompense of the reward."1 She therefore" went forth unto Jesus without the camp, bearing his reproach."2 She joined herself to the company of the most excellent Christians of whom she could hear; and became "a companion of all them that fear God, and keep "his righteous judgments." She "walked in new"ness of life, from newness of spirit:" and while the superficial might suppose that to one of her previous character but little change was necessary, "old things indeed passed away; behold all things "became new!"'A new creed, a new circle of acquaintance, and attendance on places of worship of a new description, constituted but a very small part even of the outward change. The employment of her whole time, and her use of her wealth; her conduct and converse in all the relations of life, and towards persons of all ranks and characters; were totally altered. As far as her situation in the attendance of a princess would permit, every thing splendid or expensive was wholly renounced: all the pomp and decorations attached to her rank were given up; and a style of plainness and simplicity adopted in all particulars, far beyond what is usual

among inferior professors of the same holy truths; indeed, even more than in most instances would be desirable but in her case the entire consistency of conduct prevented all possibility of misconception. From the time when I first had the honour and pleasure of becoming acquainted with her, she was, in my judgment, as dead to the world and every thing in it as any person with whom I ever conversed; and might truly say, "God forbid that "I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord "Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified "unto me, and I unto the world." 1

The whole of the savings made by her many retrenchments, while she spent nothing superfluous, (even much less than some of us do,) was devoted to works of piety and charity: so that, taking any subsequent given time, it was literally true that by the termination of it, the whole of the income belonging to it was expended, and nothing left in hand. She considered herself as merely the steward and almoner of her Lord, and endeavoured to be found faithful.-The habits of her former life, and her station in society, precluded her, in some particulars, from the labours of love: but in self-denying and persevering liberality, she had few equals, even among fruitful and exemplary Christians while she endeavoured to direct her bounty into those channels, not only in which it was most wanted, but where it might be most conducive to the spiritual and eternal good of mankind; yet most compassionately regarding their temporal wants and sorrows. In this respect not only,

1 Gal. vi. 14.

" is her record on high," but she has a testimony in the hearts and consciences of others, to so great a degree, that it is needless to enlarge. An induction of particulars, even of what might be known, would comprise so very many real good works, from the purest motives, as might well astonish those who expect a "reward of debt," for services immensely disproportionate: yet still much would remain untold. Many have been warmed by garments, and supplied with food, from her bounty; numbers instructed, and furnished with Bibles and useful books at her expense; who perhaps never heard of her name: and doubtless numbers thus benefitted during life, who have gone before to glory, would, with ecstasy of joy, meet and receive their benefactor to her "everlasting habitation."1

In all other respects, though we would by no means speak of her as a perfect character, it must be allowed that few have passed so long a course of years in a religious profession, without the least reproachful rumour, or suspicion, or " appearance "of evil." She was indeed "harmless and blameless," "without rebuke," "shining as a light in "the world; as even they will allow who were by no means favourable to her religious sentiments. She was an example of meekness, affection, and propriety of conduct, in all the relations of life; so that " they who were of the contrary" part had no evil thing to say of her."

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Yet never did this eminent Christian, even to those who most intimately conversed with her, scem in the least degree conscious of this superior

1 Luke xvi. 9.