(Concluded from page 364.)

WAS you not soon convinced," I said, "that

your salvation must be an act of free, distinguishing grace on the part of God, wholly independent of your own previous works or deservings?"

"Dear Sir, what were my works before I heard that sermon, but evil, carnal, selfish, and ungodly? The thoughts of my heart, from my youth upward, were only evil, and that continually. And my de servings, what were they, but the deservings of a fallen, depraved, careless soul, that regarded neither law nor gospel? Yes, Sir, I immediately, saw that if ever I were saved, it must be by the free mercy of God, and that the whole praise and honour of the work would be his from first to last."

"What change did you perceive in yourself with respect to the world?"

"It appeared all vanity and vexation of spirit. I found it necessary to my peace of mind to come out from among them and be separate. I gave myself to prayer, and many a precious hour of secret delight I enjoyed in communion with God. Often I mourned over my sins, and sometimes had a great conflict through unbelief, fear, temptation to return VOL. IV.-No. VIII. 3 F

back again to my old ways, and a variety of difficulties which lay in my way. But he, who loved me with an everlasting love, drew me by his loving kindness, showed me the way of peace, gradually strengthened me in my resolutions of leading a new life, and taught me that while without him I could do nothing, I yet might do all things through his strength."

"Did you not find many difficulties in your situation, owing to your change of principle and practice?"

"Yes, Sir, every day of my life. I was laughed at by some, scolded at by others, scorned by enemies, and pitied by friends. I was called hypocrite, methodist, saint, false deceiver, and many more names which were meant to render me hateful in the sight of the world. But I esteemed the reproach of the cross an honour. I forgave and prayed for my persecutors, and remembered how very lately I had acted the same part towards others myself. I thought also that Christ endured the contradiction of sinners, and, as the disciple is not above his Master, I was glad to be in any way conformed to his sufferings." "Did you not then feel for your family at home?" "Yes, that I did indeed, Sir; they were never out of my thoughts. I prayed continually for them, and had a longing desire to do them good. In particular I felt for my father and mother, as they were getting into years, and were very ignorant and dark in matters of religion."

"Aye," interrupted her mother, sobbing “ignorant and dark, sinful and miserable we were, till this dear Bessy this dear Bessy-Oh! my heart will break this dear child, Sir, brought Christ Jesus home to her poor father and mother's house."

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No, dearest mother, say rather, Christ Jesus brought your poor daughter home to tell you what he has done for her soul, and, I hope, to do the same for yours."

At this moment the dairyman came in with two pails of milk hanging from the yoke on his shoulders. He had stood behind the half-opened door for a few minutes, and heard the last sentences spoken by his wife and daughter.

Blessing and mercy upon her," said he, "it is very true, she would leave a good place of service on purpose to live with us, that she might help us both in soul and body. Sir, don't she look very ill? I think, Sir, we sha'nt have her here long.

"All

"Leave that to the Lord," said Elizabeth. our times are in his hand, and happy it is that they are. I am willing to go; are not you willing, my father, to part with me into his hands, who gave me you at first ?"

to

"Ask me any question in the world, but that," said the weeping father.

"I know," said she," you wish me to be happy.

"I do, I do," answered he: "let the Lord do with you and us as best pleases him."

. I then asked her, on what her present consolations chiefly depended in the prospect of approaching death.

"Entirely, Sir, in my view of Christ. When I look at myself, many sins, infirmities, and imperfections, cloud the image of Christ which I want to see in my own heart. But when I look at the Saviour himself, he is altogether lovely; there is not one spot in his countenance, nor one cloud over all his perfections.

"I think of his coming in the flesh, and it reconciles me to the sufferings of the body; for he had them as well as I. I think of his temptations, and believe that he is able to succour me when I am tempted. Then I think of his cross, and learn to bear my own. I reflect on his death, and long

to die unto sin, so that it may no longer have dominion over me. I sometimes think on his resurrection, and trust that he has given me a part in it, for I feel that my affections are set upon things above. Chiefly I take comfort in thinking of him as at the right hand of the Father, pleading my cause, and rendering acceptable even my feeble prayers, both for myself, and, as I hope, for my dear friends.

"These are the views which, through mercy, I have of my Saviour's goodness; and they have made me wish and strive in my poor way to serve him, and to labour to do my duty in that state of life into which it has pleased him to call me.

"A thousand times I should have fallen and fainted, if he had not upheld me. I feel that I am nothing without him. He is all in all. "Just so far as I can cast my care upon him, I find strength to do his will. May he give me grace to trust him till the last moment! I do not fear death, because I believe that he has taken away its sting. And, Oh! what happiness beyond Tell me, Sir, whether you think I am right. I hope I am under no delusion. I dare not look for my hope at any thing short of the fulness of Christ, When I ask my own heart a question, I am afraid to trust it, for it is treacherous, and has often deceived me. But when I ask Christ, he answers me with promises that strengthen and refresh me, and leave me no room to doubt his power and will to save. I am in his hands, and would remain there; and I do believe that he will never leave nor forsake me, but will perfect the thing that concerns me. He loved me and gave himself for me, and I believe that his gifts and callings are without repentance. In this hope I live, in this hope I wish to die."

I looked around me as she was speaking, and thought, "surely this is none other but the house of God, and the gate of heaven." Every thing appeared neat, cleanly, and interesting. The afternoon had been rather overoast with dark clouds, but, just now the setting sun shone brightly and rather suddenly into the room. It was reflected from three or four rows of bright pewter plates and white earthen ware arranged on shelves against the wall it also gave brilliancy to a few prints of sacred subjects that hung there also, and served for monitors of the birth, baptism, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ.

A large map of Jerusalem, and an hieroglyphic of "the old and new man," completed the decorations on that side of the room. Clean as was the whitewashed wall, it was not cleaner than the rest of the place and its furniture. Seldom had the sun enlightened a house, where cleanliness and general neatness, (those sure marks of pious and decent poverty,) were more conspicuous.

This gleam of setting sunshine was emblematical of the bright and serene close of this young Christian's departing season. One ray happened to be reflected from a little looking-glass upon the face of the young woman. Amid her pallid and decaying features there appeared a calm resignation, triumphant confidence, unaffected humility, and tender anxiety, which fully declared the feelings of her heart.

Some further affectionate coversation, and a short prayer, closed this interview.

Önce more I received a hasty summons to inforni me that she was dying. It was brought by a soldier, whose countenance bespoke seriousness, good sense, and piety. "I am sent Sir, by the father and mother of Elizabeth W, at her own particular