truly exemplary; and always increased with her means and opportunities..

She spent much of her time in retirement, and rarely ap peared in mixed companies. Not that she was either unso cial, or an enemy to innocent relaxation. But she found her principal pleasure in conversing with select friends, either personally, or by the pen; in contemplating the beauties of nature, and in perusing favourite authors. Among the last, was Cowper: and it was the opinion of some of her friends, that by abundantly conversing with that interesting writer, she had insensibiy caught something of his turn of thought, and manner of expression.

Like most others, who have been eminent in religion, Mrs. D. was acquainted with severe affliction. For several years, she was subject to frequent attacks of painful indisposition. With these, other trials were connected, which, on a mind and frame like hers, made a deep impression. Though fa voured with much christian enjoyment, she was at times the prey of dejection; and her constitution gradually gave way. She was emphatically a martyr to sensibility. But her afflic tion was a merciful and salutary discipline.

"The saint sustained it, but the woman died."

And it is thought most soothing to the bosom of friendship; that those exquisite feelings which once gave a sting to distress, are now so many avenues of unmingled and everlasting delight.

She was united in marriage with Mr. D. but a few months before her decease. She entered on this interesting scene in the same spirit which had governed her in every other instance. New plans of benevolence and usefulness occupied her from the first. Her house and heart were open to her Christian friends, and to the poor. To human appearance, she was about to become a more eminent blessing than ever, to the church and world. But a mysterious Providence soon drew a dark cloud over the pleasing prospect. A sickness commenced, which early forbade the hope of recovery. In what frame of mind this sickness found her, may be collected by reading the following paper, which was written not many months previous, on her birth-day.

"The 29th year of my life is closed and gone for ever. Solemn reflection! May the thought that time is on the wing, arouse my slumbering spirit, and stimulate me to begin another year, as though it were the last! May I devote each day and hour to His service whose I am, with all that I can

do! O that I might be made useful while I stay on earth! The thought of living in vain is almost insupportable. Mer ciful Father! let me not be a cumberer of the ground; a use less branch, fit only for the burning; but O employ me in thy service. Let me do something for thy cause, thy people, and the precious souls around me, if I am to be continued here below. It would be pleasant thus to live. To do thy work, is all that is worth living for; all that makes life desirable. To look back in a dying hour, and see something done in the cause of God, and to promote religion in the world, how de lightful it must be ! O let not all my days and years be lost. May this year be crowned with thy blessing on my poor attempts to do thy will! And may I be enabled to put in practice the new resolutions I now desire to make in thy strength! 1. Resolved, that I will try to speak more for God and his holy cause. In this duty, I have been too deficient; but now, in divine strength, am determined to mend.

2. I will try to go more into the world, and see if I cannot do more for the souls of my acquaintance. In this I am verily guilty. The souls of those around me are too much neglected. Relatives and friends must be conversed with more, on the great things of religion. This I will try to do, if Heaven in mercy will but give me strength.

3. I will try more to see dear Christian friends. I can call, and stay a little while. This I will do, more than I have done, and not wait for restraint to be done away-if Heaven enables me not to fear.

4. The sick and afflicted have been too much neglected. I must try to visit the widow and fatherless more, the sick and afflicted, the poor and needy. Among these I may call; and it should, and must be done. O that I may have strength and courage to pursue the path of duty!

5. Resolved, that I will take more particular notice of the dealings of Heaven with me and mine, and will record the mercies and privileges indulged me more than I have done, May I be enabled to perform this duty aright! And O that all duties may be performed with double diligence, in their respective places, decently and in order, not clashing one with another!

My 6th resolution is to live, as much as possible, by rule. I will try to have every duty in its proper place; devoting so much time to one, and so much to another. This can be done, more than it has been. O that the God of all grace may be pleased to enable me to live more to his glory, by conforming my life as strictly as possible, to the rules of his holy word. I think I can say, I delight to do his will. O may it

be my daily meat and drink! O that I may have grace always to do the things that please him! O that he would employ me every moment in his service, and enable me to bring forth fruit to the praise and glory of his wondrous grace! May I be enabled so to live and walk, that all around me may be contrained to confess that the religion of Jesus is a blessed reality! And may this year be crowned with the rich mercy of seeing some one in the family rejoicing in the truth, and uniting with me in giving glory to the God of our salvation! O grant it, Father of mercies, for thy name's sake!"

I would resolve with all my heart,

With all my powers to serve the Lord;
Nor from his precepts e'er depart,
Whose service is a rich reward.

O be his service all my joy,

Around let my example shine,
Till others love the blest employ,
And join in labours so divine.

Be this the purpose of my soul,

My solemn, my determin'd choice;
To yield to his supreme control,
And in his kind commands rejoice.

O may I never faint nor tire,

Nor wander from thy sacred ways!
Great God! accept my soul's desire,

And grant me strength to live thy praise.

Mrs. STEELE.

When we contemplate such resolutions, formed at a late period of her life, and the state of mind which they indicate, we are not surprised to find her prepared to welcome death. Doubtless, Christians are best prepared to die, when best prepared to live. Indeed, it appears that for a considerable time previous to her last sickness, she enjoyed the privilege of looking forward to death with comfort and joy. Conversing with a friend soon after one of the short indispositions above referred to, she told her that she found it a favoured and happy season indeed. She was enabled to depend on the promises; to trust in God, and not be afraid. She thought she should not live; but there appeared no terror in death; it was altogether pleasant and delightful. Her soul sprung forth to meet it. She longed to die. She particularized some things which made death appear so desirable; such as being rid of sin for ever; dropping her clay; being near to God; and worshipping and serving him without sin or weariness. “How soon," said she, "am I weary in the service of God! If the spirit is willing,

the flesh is weak. I long to be free. But O my family! My dear family!...... ..... Why was I made to hear thy voice? why am I not as once I was? What shall I render? And what shall I do for my friends?"

On another occasion, she expresed herself to the same friend in this manner: "Oh, it seems sometimes hard for me to realize it possible, that one so impure, so full of sin, of every evil, should ever be made fit for heaven. But why may I not hope? I know whom I have believed; and my Redeemer is mighty to save. Yet when I realize what it is, which I hope for, it is almost too much for me. I am overwhelmed; and find it necessary to turn away my thoughts from the subject."

Mrs. D's. last sickness was distressing, beyond what is usual; but her temper throughout was distinctly marked with serenity and submission. Soon after her confinement, understanding that there were some promising appearances of unusual seriousness in the town, she inquired of her husband whether departed spirits probably had a knowledge of what took place on earth; and receiving an answer in the affirmative," Then," said she, "I shall partake of the joy, though I should not live to witness the scene."

At an early stage of her disorder, she perceived that its symptoms were alarming, and entertained little expectation of recovery. Being asked whether she felt any distress or terror at the thought of death, she replied, no; she found nothing hard, except the parting with her dear friends.

She took a most affectionate leave of her brothers and sisters; and begged them to learn from her case the necessity of religion, and the comfort it could afford in the full prospect of death and eternity. "You see me," said she," in great distress; but heaven is worth dying for." She then expressed her humble hope that she was going to that blessed world; and added, "I entreat you to prepare to meet me there. The thought that this shall be an eternal separation, is more than I can bear. I will not, I cannot admit it. I must comfort myself with the hope of shortly meeting you again in a better world." The succeeding night, she appeared to sink, and several times repeated the following line;

Tell me my soul, can this be death?

Still she declared, that though her distress was great, she felt a joy which overbalanced it. The day before her death, the sufferings of her frame being extreme, she expressed a desire, that if she should die with a distressed countenance, she might not be suffered to be seen, lest any should construe it

-no

as a dishonor to religion. In another most severe struggle, she said; "God is good. I cannot bear that any should think him unkind. No-no- -never." A few minutes before death, she signified that she enjoyed the same peace and satisfaction as ever, and could cheerfully commit herself into the hands of God. She then lay a moment, and addressing her friends around her, said, with an emphasis and aspect never to be forgotten: "Do let me go-let me go-let me go"-and expired.

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF NEW-YORK.

ON the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth of last month, was held the annual examination by the superintendants of this institution; and on the evenings of the same days were de livered public discourses by five of the students. The exhibition was throughout gratifying to their friends, and satisfactory to the public.

The plan of the Seminary is now more fully carried into effect than formerly; and its practicability and usefulness, begin to be felt and acknowledged. Systematic and Biblical Divinity, are taught by the Rev. Dr. Mason; and the Original Scriptures, Ecclesiastical History, Scriptural Chronology and Geography, and Eastern Antiquities, as far as connected with Biblical Literature, by the Rev. Mr. Mathews.

The superintendants express their belief that the Churches may promise themselves much from this Institution, and are highly interested in its prosperity. Yet in its infancy, it has already sent forth to the ministry fifteen young men, who are labouring with acceptance and usefulness, in the work to which the Master has called them. The leading feature in the plan of education, study of the scriptures themselves, making use of systems of Divinity, more to methedise than to ascertain what the Scriptures teach, is every year discovering itself to be of new importance. They express their satisfaction, too, in seeing some of the surrounding Churches attempting to introduce plans of education materially the same; and hope to see the same blessing descending upon others, which has crowned the Institution under the care of their own Church, and which claims so much thankfulness from those who are to enjoy its benefit.