church-chapel; but not hearing the bell as usual, I asked a young woman whom I met, what was the reason. She told me there was no service; 'but,' she added,' they are just going to begin at the Methodist chapel.' I hesitated a moment, and then went forward. As soon as I entered the place, I felt at home. The congregation were singing, and I heartily joined them, heard the word with delight, and from that time became again a regular attendant. The public services connected with the Leeds Conference (which assembled about six weeks subsequently) were to me most affecting. What I felt under one of the sermons, it is impossible to express. For a week after, I was well nigh overwhelmed with convictions of my unfaithfulness. O what would I have given for a Christian friend to whom I could open my mind! But the enemy told me that, if I went to the Methodists, they would look shy at me, and scarcely hear what I had to say. However, on the Saturday I took courage, and called at Miss Trip's to see Mrs. Mortimer, of London, who received me with the greatest affection, spent an hour with me in conversation and prayer, and then introduced me to several friends. On the following Wednesday I joined Mrs. Ripley's class, in which I continued about seven years. After three weeks I received my ticket; and felt such a mixture of shame and sorrow, gratitude and love, as I cannot describe. That very night, when at the family altar with my little children around me, the Lord was pleased to heal my backslidings: I cried, Abba, Father,' and went on my way rejoicing. I was for some time enabled to live in the spirit of watchful prayer, and was afraid of nothing but of again wandering from the path of duty. I now met in band with four pious females: we conversed on the deep things of God. One of them professed to have obtained the perfect love which casteth out fear; and the others, with myself, were seeking this inestimable blessing. One Sunday, while our little company were singing,

'I sink, by dying love compell'd,
And own thee conqueror,'

my soul was enabled to sink at his feet, and to say, 'I am nothing; Christ is all!" "

These simple details require little comment. During more than thirty years after their date, the writer ceased not to think with grateful joy of the circumstances that led to her re-union with the Wesleyan Methodists. Her maturing graces prepared her for the tribulation through which it was her Father's will that she should enter the kingdom of heaven. In November, 1810, she drew near to the gates of death; but, having been enabled, according to her own solemn testimony, to "resign" herself "into the hands of the Lord, to live or die, as he should appoint," she was given back to her family and friends. Her recovery was regarded by herself as a mercy vouchsafed in answer to prayer. She arose from the bed of suffering with deep resolves that her "added days" should be more fully consecrated to her Preserver and Redeemer; and she remembered these her vows when she was called to "glorify" him "in the fires ;" and occasions of exercising her faith and patience came to her in quick succession. Meekly she watched the declining health of a hopeful son, and gave him back to God. Not more than three months after, she buried two daughters on the same day, the one seven, the other three, years old.

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These strokes she felt to be severe; but, acknowledging the great Proprietor's right to resume his gifts, she was sustained by succours which the world knows not. Her heart said, "If I be bereaved of my dren, I am bereaved;" but she reflected on the divine goodness in taking them away from the evil to come, and in making the death of the children the occasion of the father's revived spiritual life. Such a result was the more welcome, as the decay of her husband's spirituality had been the occasion of great pain and solicitude to her.

The year 1814 she mentions as remarkably "exempt from outward trials." Her journal affords evidence that she improved its comparatively tranquil opportunities by much converse with invisible things. Frequent meditation on "all the way" in which her unerring Guide had "led " her, tended to deepen her humility; and she selected as her motto the words of the greatest Apostle, "But I obtained mercy." It was her daily study to "keep" her "heart with all diligence," and to hide her weakness under the shadow of everlasting strength. "Often," she writes, "does my soul experience fellowship with the Father, and the Son, through the Holy Ghost; and, in some highlyfavoured moments, I realize what, I believe, our poet means,

'The' o'erwhelming power of saving grace,
The sight that veils the seraph's face,
The speechless awe that dares not move,
And all the silent heaven of love.'

Then I feel willing to be or not to be, to do or not to do, as my Lord sees best. O for a greater power of faith, always to lay hold on those 'exceeding great and precious promises' which are given unto us' for the express purpose that we may be 'partakers of the divine

nature !'"

It has been observed, that the richer communications of grace are often designed either to refresh the believer after the endurance, or to prepare him for the approach, of manifold temptations. The calm which the subject of these memorials enjoyed in 1814, was succeeded by "the windy storm and tempest." Her husband's health failed; the prospects of her surviving family seemed blighted; and, in her own expressive phrase, "days of trouble and calamity" were "appointed unto" her. At this time, instead of admitting a plausible excuse for absence, she found her class-meetings more than commonly profitable. Without neglecting her duties at home, now increasingly arduous, she sought the help which the "merciful and faithful High Priest" dispenses in the fellowship of his saints. Nor did she seek in vain. New views of Christ, as having "suffered for us in the flesh," inspired her with resolution to " arm" herself "likewise with the same mind."

"The Man of Calvary triumph'd here;

Why should his faithful followers fear?"

The neighbourhood of Hunslet was blessed with a revival of God's work; and she abundantly partook of the gracious impulse. It was her baptism for fresh duty and suffering. The influence was felt at home. Her light shone there in new manifestations of zeal and sympathy. A sister, to whose spiritual interests she usefully ministered, died in holy triumph, a "first-fruit" from Mrs. Clapham's family, "unto God and to the Lamb." "I endeavoured," says her affectionate instructress, "to commit her departing spirit into the hands of God.

It was a season never to be forgotten. She calmly fell asleep in Jesus. This was the first breach made among us. May we at last be found a family in heaven!”

In 1818 the Conference assembled in Leeds. At its close the venerable Joseph Benson preached on 1 Peter v. 10: "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." To this sermon the journal from which we have so largely quoted makes pleasing reference. "At Mr. Benson's closing appeal, my soul sank at Jesu's feet, and I could scarcely forbear exclaiming, I am nothing, Christ is all!' 'My soul' was, indeed, 'as a weaned child.' I saw that I must retain the glorious blessing by continuing the simple act of faith in the all-atoning blood. I was soon assaulted with many sore temptations; but I wrestled with the Lord in prayer, and these words were powerfully applied to my mind: 'Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I felt encouraged, and also enabled, to cast my care on God, believing that he would give strength according to my day. 'Not as I will, but as thou wilt.'

In the beginning of 1819, this tried but faithful Christian reviewed the few preceding months as the richest, in spiritual blessings, she had ever enjoyed. Her solemn vows were renewed; and she mentions, with special thankfulness, "the spirit of grace and of supplications' by which she was enabled to bring all before the Lord." The illness of her husband was not a slight chastening; but she "heard the rod,” and adored Him who had "appointed it." Her language, expressive of resignation and confidence, stands recorded in her journal: "I desire to look more at the things which are not seen.' In the darkest seasons of anxiety, God has wrought out deliverance for me. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.' He still pours into my heart the consolations with which a stranger intermeddleth not.'" After years of pain and distressing helplessness, Mr. Wright died in December, 1821. Prayer in his behalf had been heard: his last breath was spent in praise. The widow was upheld by Him who is the Husband of the church; but the effect of protracted fatigue was apparent in her enfeebled health. She viewed eternity as at hand; and found utterance for her deep feeling in the lines of her favourite poet:

"Or life, or death, is equal; neither weighs :

All weight in this, O let me live to thee!"

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But her work was not yet finished. Her health was gradually recruited; and she lived to show that the same baptisms of grace that prepare the soul for heaven qualify for eminent usefulness on earth. After a short time she was called to discharge the duties of a ClassLeader. She read the "Cautions and Directions" extracted from the pamphlet of the Rev. James Wood; and, to use her own words, was ready to sink." She did not, however, refuse the appointment. She found in it an additional motive to personal holiness; and not a few arose to hail her as their "mother in Israel." It is admitted by those who had the opportunity of judging, that her abilities for the service were of a high order; and that these, cultivated by much appropriate reading, ripened by various experience, and recommended by true humility and love, were faithfully devoted to Christ and his church.

In November, 1823, she removed from the neighbourhood of Leeds to Huddersfield, as she believed, providentially guided. For seven years she was the wife of Mr. Joseph Thornton. In her new circle she gained the highest respect; and, by social and maternal charities, adorned a relation which is generally regarded as of some difficulty. Of her usefulness, undiminished by change of residence, ample proof can be given. In the space of a few months she raised a valuable class; a second was soon committed to her care; and both were favoured with prosperity. Much of her time was spent in visits to the sick and the poor, by whom she was always regarded as a friend and comforter. She led the way in the establishment of the Huddersfield Female Benevolent Society; and in what was truly this labour of love, she was joined by many excellent ladies whose record, like hers, is on high. This simple institution quickly won general esteem; and it still lives to bless a populous neighbourhood, and to distribute the liberality of the living and the dead.*

The narrative of seven years, at this period of Mrs. Thornton's life, is very briefly told. She was often with the "multitude," enjoying the public means of grace, or ministering to the wants of her fellowcreatures; but oftener on "the mount," holding secret converse with God, and drawing from the everlasting spring those supplies by which her real life was maintained. There was in her an exemplary combination of the contemplative and the active. God was loved supremely; and therefore she loved her neighbour as herself. Her benevolence was the fruit of an unseen culture. It was preserved, in the vitality and permanence of a religious affection, by communion with the Father of all.

In February, 1831, it pleased God to remove her second husband to the rest of sanctified spirits. The circumstances of this visitation were painfully impressive. The servant of Christ was indeed "hurried" to the skies. Death was sudden, and yet not unexpected. By premonitions of his great change, he had been led to cultivate much familiarity with thoughts of heaven; and it is no undelightful reflection that he died in the midst of preparations for the pulpit. Before leaving his house on Sunday morning, the 20th, he observed that it was his purpose to preach on the words, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" It is all but certain, therefore, that this most appropriate text engaged his very last thoughts. As soon as he had taken his seat in the vehicle that was to convey him to his appointment, he sighed, and instantly expired! At this moment Mrs. Thornton was meeting his class. Little anticipating that this engagement would be so soon suspended, the "devout women of that company were singing,

"The church triumphant in thy love,

Their mighty joys we know ;
They sing the Lamb in hymns above,
And we in hymns below."

The mournful communication was made to the relict with caution and tenderness; but the shock was so great, that her recollection was disturbed for some days. "I was dumb," she writes in the review,

*It is a pleasure to record the princely bequest of £1,000, by the late Timothy Bentley, Esq., to the funds of this Society.

"I opened not my mouth, because THOU didst it." And again: "I was enabled earnestly to pray for entire submission to the divine will. The consoling promises of God's word were applied to my heart; I sank at his feet, and acknowledged he did all things well." All the consolations of sympathy and respect were contributed by Ministers and friends; and these she gratefully acknowledged. But her deep feeling is expressed in one of the closing passages of her journal: "Though surrounded by mercies, my heart still bled under the recent bereavement; and though by the eye of faith, I had some realizing views and sweet foretastes of the world of glory, nothing seemed so desirable as to die, and join the departed in the skies. Those words were almost constantly passing through my mind,

'Let it not my Lord displease,

That I would die to be his guest:
Jesus, Master, seal my peace,

And take me to thy breast!'

"I was soon convinced, however, that this was not perfect resigna tion; and was led to pray for a greater power of saving grace, that I might be willing to live, or willing to die, as seemed best in the sight of my heavenly Father. In infinite condescension he listened to the voice of my supplication, and enabled me afresh to surrender my all into his hands; praying that, if it were his will to add a longer or shorter period to my life, I might be enabled to glorify him with all my ransomed power, and every day experience more sensible union with Jesus."

God added to her days seven years, which are to be numbered among the most useful of her life. Her counsels and example were held in growing esteem by her large classes; and to all her friends she "declared plainly," by her nonconformity to the world, that she sought "a better, that is, a heavenly, country." Infirmity often compelled her to lay aside her pen; and her journal was accordingly discontinued. But her ready tongue still magnified the Lord; and her occasional correspondence was in close agreement with her language. Of both, the favourite topics were,-the atonement; the offices of the blessed Spirit; the necessity of holiness, in order to happiness and usefulness; and the prosperity of Zion. From many cheering testimonies as to her own spiritual life, only one shall now be given,-that one indicating the character of the rest :-" My God does not forsake me. Every day's experience convinces me more and more that, however painful some of his providences may have been, infinite wisdom and infinite love have guided the whole. I feel myself perfect weakness; but am enabled to come, by faith, to the blood of sprinkling,' and to prove by daily experience that it cleanseth from all sin." I am hastening to my eternal home; and, though I am thankful for life, and for that measure of health with which I am favoured, I often feel a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better.' Nevertheless I can say from my heart, 'Not my will, but thine, be done!' The death of Jesus is the ground of my confidence; and 'fixed' on it will I remain, though my heart fail and flesh decay."

Several of the earlier months of 1836 were spent by Mrs. Thornton in the sick-room of her only surviving daughter, who died in Jesus on the 11th of August. The mother's health, already declining, could ill support this bereavement. But, after a very brief reference to the