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yet these being seasoned with life, her communications were salutary to many minds. About two months before the close of her life, she was confined to the house, with a trying complaint, under which she had suffered for more than a year. At first it was supposed to be of a rheumatic kind, affecting her hips, back, and other parts, with great pain. As the disorder progressed, she became disabled from turning herself in bed, and ultimately her hip was drawn out of place, so as to make her crooked. It also gathered on one side,-was lanced, and discharged much matter. Afterwards another tumour appeared on the other side, occasioning much pain and suffering, which she bore with great patience; at one time saying, "If she knew the right time had come for her release, she thought she could rejoice:" but appeared to be in a composed, resigned state of mind, quietly waiting the Lord's time.

Thus, this amiable young woman closed her dedicated life, on the 24th of the 2d month, 1832, in the thirty-fourth year of her age-And there is no doubt that she is now enjoying a mansion of rest among the blessed.

ON SELF-EXAMINATION.

I have somewhere read an account of the doctrine of the Pythagorean sect of philosophers, wherein they asserted, That the way to grow wiser, and advance in the path of virtue, was, to call themselves to a strict account every evening, by three times running over the actions and affairs of the day past; and carefully examining what their conduct had been;

what duties they had performed, or what neglected; what good they had learned, or what evil they had overcome, the preceding day. We have no reason to doubt, that this practice was productive of very great advantages to those who scrupulously adhered to it. But in this enlightened age, we have far too much cause to fear, that it is a doctrine too little practised, tho' perhaps generally assented to. And thus it is that we make so little advancement in knowledge and virtue; for want of often examining our experience, and the progress we make, as well as a more diligent attention to the means adapted to the attainment and acquisition thereof. It is certain, that the sources of furnishing our minds with useful knowledge, are very numerous. By reading the experience of wise and virtuous men in past ages, we may transfer to ourselves the knowledge and improvements they gained. By observation, and contemplation of ourselves, and the various objects and occurrences around us, we may furnish our minds with a rich variety of ideas. By conversation with the wise and virtuous, our intellectual faculties may be greatly improved, and our knowledge increased; and more especially, if we were careful, whenever we retire from company, to converse with ourselves, and inquire what we had learned, for the improvement of our understanding, rectifying of our inclinations and judgments, the increase of our virtue, or the meliorating of our conduct and behaviour in any future parts of our lives: and tó examine whether we had been careful, in all our converse, to keep strictly to truth and sincerity, to avoid all idle words, or useless and vain expressions; and to seek for instruction and information in a right manner.

By

study and meditation, we may improve the hints and ideas that we have acquired by reading, observation, or conversation: we may take more time in reflecting on them, and by a careful examination and attention, we may form right conclusions, and fix them deeper in the mind, so as to be longer retained in the memory; and sometimes may carry our thoughts much farther on some subjects, than ever we have found in books, or the conversation of others. Thus it must be our own mental labour and selfexamination, that must form and establish our judgment and opinion of things; otherwise we may too hastily form conclusions, and frequently involve ourselves in errors and difficulties.

But for want of thus examining our minds, what progress do we make in the paths of knowledge?— what advancement in virtue?—what new ideas or truths do we gain?—what useful information do we treasure up? If a strict examination should take place, perhaps the account would be very small, not only in a day, a week, or a month, but even in a year. If the above mentioned Pythagorean rule were daily put in practice, and oftener than the evening, our lives were retrospected and examined, it would much improve our moral conduct, and more so our religious progress in the most important business and concern of our lives, by having that inward Monitor to direct us, which is styled in Scripture, "a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and a swift witness against all evil." This state of self-examination and watchful care, David appears to have been an example of, and engaged in, when he said, "I communed with my own heart, and my spirit made diligent search."-And

that he might not be drawn therefrom when in company, he declared, that he would take heed to his ways, "that he sinned not with his lips. He would keep his mouth as with a bridle." Divers testimonies and expressions might be quoted from his writings, to evince, that this dignified monarch accustomed himself to this method of improving his mind, and likewise many other passages in the Scriptures, evidently demonstrate, that it has been the practice of the wise and virtuous in past ages, and among divers nations; and certainly it is equally necessary now, and the advantages accruing therefrom would, undoubtedly, abundantly compensate for the labour. But there seems a reluctance in the human mind to view itself in a true light, under an impartial investigation. And this unwillingness may perhaps arise from a consciousness of many defections and errors in opinion and conduct, which would be unpleasant to review, and productive of uneasy sensations; and therefore this necessary work is put off for the sake of present ease;-the continuance of which neglect, will undoubtedly increase future remorse and trouble. And as this procrastination retards the mind's advancement in knowledge and virtue, and leads it into the paths of ignorance and error, so it makes the work of reformation harder to begin, and more difficult to engage in. Wherefore let us ever bear in remembrance the query mentioned in Scripture-"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" And by a careful attention, we shall find as David did, that it is "by taking heed thereto according to thy word."

END OF VOL. IV.

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