best robe. O what will hell be when it shall be seen that there was once such a refuge as this? Consider this ye that are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, and who, treading upon hell's borders, pay no heed to the Saviour's complaint, "Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life."

How sweetly saved from death, and blessed in all his after days is he who has really fled for refuge to the hope set before him. He will find indeed from the shortcoming of his affection to a Benefactor so gracious, and the frequent outbreaking of sin, that there is a constant need of watching unto prayer, and walking humbly with God. And we earnestly exhort all who are so far advanced to be more vigilant than ever; to wait upon God in all his ordinances; in the daily reading of his word, in closet and family prayer, in devotional conversation, in sanctifying the Sabbath, and giving regular attendance on the services of the sanctuary. Then shall ye know if ye follow on to know the Lord; and whilst you are thus growing in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, He shall bring forth your judgment as the light, and your righteousness as the noon day; and the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Then under the power of vital godliness, as exemplified in the following memoir, you will find religion your delight, and no longer regard its duties as a task. In this better frame, from what miserable follies are you at once set free? of what inestimable blessings do you immediately partake? Free from the tediousness of a continual round of formalities

from the delusion of a name to live whilst yet there is no life-from the sin of carrying on a system of religious hypocrisy, and from the fear of death, which all along is slavishly viewed as the crisis that will terminate all hypocritical gains, and detect all hypocritical baseness; for "what is the hope of the hypocrite when God taketh away his soul?" Not only free, we say, from these evil things, but admitted to the exalted bliss of a heavenly hope, of communion with God, and to the joy of a path which shall be as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. How happy to be brought within the sphere of a law which seems to pervade all nature; and which invariably connects a divinely appointed progress with a concurrent increase of felicity; uniting in this case a growing likeness to God, with an enlarging measure of enjoyment, and always tempting to further progress by the experience of past, and the hopes of future good-a reciprocal promotion, which since it obtains as far as our eye can reach, and is withal so noble and beneficial, it is reasonable to conclude will go on for ever.

Thus renewed after their Lord's image, saints are his workmanship, and whilst he shall see in them of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied, they shall see in him all their salvation, and regard him as the chief amongst ten thousand, and altogether lovely. Their glory through him is as secure as his glory is in them; and thus constituting a part of a grand and gracious scheme, their whole mind is in harmony with the counsels of Heaven. They find nothing but good in all that comes from the hand of God.

His chastisements they receive as the tokens

of his love; and though their earthly lot be like the lot of all, yet is it redeemed from the common cast of this world's vanity; for whilst the tide of their earthly enjoyment is ebbing to the lowest channel, that of their heavenly is flowing in deeper and brighter abundance. The last enemy is death,

the terror and destruction of all who are without Christ; but to them that are his, death is reckoned as one of their covenant mercies. It may indeed be not without tribulation for a time; but stript of its sting, and sanctified by the grace of the Redeemer, it will only serve to give the soul a longing for rest, to make heaven more sweet, and then take the heart to the place of its treasure.

O reader, may such an end be thine. Thy day is coming, and perhaps thou art convinced; but the tempter invites thee to delay. Next year thou wouldst begin to be serious! But what if God say this year thou shalt die? In a lower tone thou wouldst rest thy pleading on next day. But what if it is written, This night shall thy soul be required? The counsel of thine enemy is, Any year or any day, but not now; the command of thy God is, Now is the appointed time, and now is the hour of salvaN. P.

tion.

September 7, 1839.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.-Birth of Mrs. Taylor-Attachment to Books-
Connexion with the Sunday School-Sudden Death of a
former Schoolmaster-Filial Duty-Early Friendships-
Religious Impressions,

CHAP. II. Preparation for a new sphere-Journey to New
York-Extract from her Journal-Pleasure in Teaching-
-Sickness-Letter to Mrs. S.-Death of her Cousin
Correspondence-Letter from Miss M. E. C.-Spiritual
Condition-Obituary Notice of Mrs. Vose,

CHAP. III.-Visit to Connecticut-Strivings of the Holy
Spirit-Pastoral Fidelity-Description of the Christian
Character-Peace and Joy in Believing-Letters to Miss
N.-Important Resolution,

CHAP. IV. Mrs. Taylor's Baptism-Obligations of the
Christian Covenant-Peculiar Qualification for Instructing
-Unwearied Efforts-Importance of Daily Studying the
Bible-Correspondence Solicitude for the Spiritual Welfare
of her Relatives-Letter of Consolation-Religious Enjoy-
ment-Aged Servant of God,

CHAP. V. Extract from Mrs. Taylor's Diary-Severe Trial
-Resolutions at the Commencement of a New Year-
Teachers' Meeting-A Family in Eternity-Notice of Mrs.
Judson-Desire for a Missionary Life-Rev. Mr. Clark's
Bible,
CHAP. VI.-Painful Sundering of Ties-Visit to Saybrook-
Conversation with an Unbeliever-Persuasive Letter to
her Sister-Value of Christian Society-Sense of Respon-
sibility-Fidelity in Impressing Divine Truth upon her
scholars-Memoirs of Mrs. Huntington-Spiritual Con-
flicts-Increased Endeavours after Holiness.

CHAP. VII.-Self-examination-"Advice to a Young Chris-
tian"-Female Biography-Arduous Duties of her School
-Interesting Seasons with her Pupils-Reflections at the
Close of the Year-Tendency of Afflictions to Draw the
Heart to God-Affecting case of Destitution and Suffering
-Letter from Rev. J. A. Clark.

CHAP. VIII.-Blessed Result of Faithful Labours-Review
of her past Life-Devotional Exercises-Sickness and
Death of a Beloved Sister-Poetical Tribute to her Me-
mory-Words of Comfort to a Friend,

CHAP. IX.-Sanctified Afflictions-Renewed Ardour in the
Performance of Duty-Death Regarded as Near-Cheerful
Acquiescence in the Divine Will-Increase of Strength-
Return to the City-Gratitude for Past Mercies-Winter
Spent in Retirement-High Estimate of Missionary
Services,

CHAP. X.-Marriage-Solicitude for Divine Guidance-
Cholera Death of Mrs. Tillotson-Adopted Daughter-
Family of the Christian-Commencement of the Author's
Acquaintance with Mrs. Taylor,

CHAP. XI.-Severe Illness-Consolations of the Gospel-
Importance of Maternal Duties-Care of a Family Relin-
quished--Temporary Separation from her Children--Journey
to Philadelphia-Summer Residence in New Jersey-
Correpondence-Trust in God,

CHAP. XII.-Consultation of Physicians-Hope of Life Relinquished-Final Parting with her Children-Letters Written on the Trying Occasion- A Mother's Advice to her Children-Depression of Spirits-Importance of Keeping the Saviour Steadily in View,

CHAP. XIII.-Renewal of Enjoyment-Duty of Christians to Live Near to God-Value of Sympathy-Observance of the Lord's Day-Gratifying Exhibition of Faith and Love -Claims of the Heathen,

CHAP. XIV.-Christian Character as seen in the last Year of her Life-Foretaste of the Happiness of the Redeemed -Lines addressed to her Eldest Son-To her Youngest Son on his Birth-day-To her Adopted Daughter-Parental Solicitude-Utility of Sunday Schools,

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162

171

182

198

207

CHAP. XV.-Power of the Gospel-Deep Interest in the Condition of the Sick and Necessitous-Special instance of the benign Effect of Religion-Mrs. Taylor's last Letter from New York-Departure from the City-Elevated State of her Affections-Closing Scene-Letter from Rev. A. L. 218 CHAP. XVI. Review of Mrs. Taylor's Character-Qualities as a Teacher-Admiration of the Works of NatureFervour and Consistency of her Piety and Friendship, by Rev. C. H.-Letter from Dr. J. A. McV.-Her Christian Character, by Rev. O. W.-Mother Taking Leave of her Children, by W. C.-The Missionary's Prayer-Sketch in Miniature---Conclusion, 236