ing thus; but I am not writing to such. When my son's time is out, I shall expect my way to be opened, and some ability given me to undertake, what is to me, a vast journey; and then I shall readily take it. "I shall only add, that I ever remain,

"Most truly and affectionately yours,

"R. Cecil."

Mrs. Jones was induced at this time to come to town not only to relieve her sister's solitude, but also with a view to arrange some plan for MRS. HAWKES's permanent accommodation out of Mr. Cecil's house. There was now no prospect that she would be able, in future, to spend a part of the year, as she had hitherto done, in the Isle of Wight, or with her sisters at Birmingham. Nor was it suitable, in her present state of health, that she should be left alone in Little James Street, during the four or five summer months in which Mr. Cecil's family were at Chobham. Also, the painful anxiety of MRS. HAWKES'S mind from the fear of becoming burdensome, interfered with her tranquillity: nor could her over-sensitive apprehensions be quieted, by the strongest assurances, that the happiness of Mr. Cecil's family was really increased by her being one of its members. This will become evident by the next extract, in which MRS. HAWKES appears, as usual, weighing every thing by the highest moral considerations, aided by the most delicate apprehensions of propriety.

Sept. 1802.-" I have been endeavouring, as I have often done before, to enumerate and weigh what I shall have to meet with in exchanging this honoured, loved, and valued residence for another. I know and feel, that it is a serious thing to take a step in life; and therefore I have been afraid to stir over this threshold. But in

my removal, I am conscious that I act from the following motives, namely, from a desire to remove anxiety, care, expense, and great inconvenience, which must every day be increasing to this family, by my stay. Never shall I find such tender friends,-never in this world meet with a society so suited to my taste,-never again be admitted into such high privileges. I can neither enumerate nor describe what I leave, when I leave this house. But justice, honour, affection, obligation, all call upon me to depart. And shall I be so selfish as to shut my ears to these demands? Far be such unrighteousness from one so deeply indebted. O Lord, my expectation is from Thee; be pleased either to quiet me here, or to direct my steps to some other dwelling."

It was necessary that MRS. HAWKES should reside in London, for the sake of medical advice. It was also desirable that in her suffering state she should be with those who could render needful assistance with affectionate sympathy. It pleased God to open a way towards an arrangement which combined these advantages, by her removal, in the month ofSeptember, 1802, to the house of Mr. Collyer, a pious member of Mr. Cecil's congregation at St. John's, who had married MRS. HAWKES'S niece. The next memorandum records this removal.

Sept. 23, 1802.-" A MEMORABLE DAY. Left my honoured and spiritual father's house, and removed to Mr. Collyer's, Constitution Row.

"This makes one more change in my sorrowful pilgrimage! When shall I be permitted to remove, once for all, to that long-desired habitation where God shall wipe away all tears from my eyes; where there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.'

"I consider myself as now entering upon a new dispensation; and I would get upon my watch-tower' to hear what the Lord will condescend to speak unto me; and what I shall answer when I am reproved,' as to my past and present experience.

"At present, such a tumultuous crowd of impressions and sentiments press upon my mind, that I feel it impossible to take any calm or profitable view of present circumstances, or of my future prospects; even should my worthless dying life be prolonged.

"Like a voyager, newly launched on untried seas, every thing is unknown, unsettled, unorganized. I have to form new associations, new sympathies, to breathe a new atmosphere. So scattered are my thoughts, I can only concern myself about present affairs; and pray that the presence of my Saviour may be with me.

"In my removal, let me, however, note down a few remarkable circumstances, in order to promote present thankfulness and future hope. 'He despiseth not the prayer of the destitute.' So graciously has my heavenly Father attended to my cry, and condescended to grant me my request, that the very same friend, (namely, my dear sister Jones,) who brought and left me in my minister's house, when I had no longer a covering to my head, or a bed to lie upon, returned, after an interval of six years, and having again provided an abode, conducted me out from a never-to-be-forgotten hiding-place!' Oh, that it may be my last removal to any house made with hands. What a mercy that the storm is in some degree abated before I am bid to quit my hiding-place! Surely I ought without misgiving to trust my Divine Leader the rest of the way.

"Another remarkable circumstance attending my removal, is, that some strong, and till within a few days,

M

unconquerable objections respecting the abode proposed to me by my dear sister, have been made, in a great measure, to give way to more weighty considerations.

"No one could be received with more kindness and affection than my dear niece and her husband received me. Lord, let thy blessing attend this change! It is brought about in a way that is wonderful to me. Not for your sakes, 'O house of Israel, will I do this, but for min holy name's sake.'"

In the step which MRS. HAWKES was now taking, she was actuated by strictly conscientious motives, and not those which feeling might dictate; and thus following the leading of Divine Providence, she was sure of being both safe and happy. "All things," says the apostle, "work together for good to them that love God." If we seriously compare and examine, we shall find, that the Scriptures, and the book of Providence, harmonize with each other. The promises are all limited to certain characters; "all the paths of the Lord are indeed mercy and truth," but it is "unto such as keep his covenant and testimonies." The features of MRS. HAWKES'S religious character might be traced as answering to those portrayed in the Bible. Her whole walk and conversation manifested love to God, and obedience to his will, even before the promises were poured in a blessed tide over her spirit. And as " an Israelite indeed" her "journeyings" were ordered by Him, who in all ages goes before his own people, truly if not visibly, as the "angel of the everlasting covenant," to order all things for their good. Exod. xxiii. 20.

CHAPTER V.

FROM HER SETTLEMENT AT MR. COLLYER'S TO HER REMOVAL TO BETCHWORTH.

FROM A. D. 1802 To 1811.

MRS. HAWKES's removal, a source of regret to Mrs. Cecil-Afflictions sanctified-Letter from the Rev. John Newton-MRS. HAWKES's reflections on a repining spirit-Her views on the subject of being dependent-Her usefulness, especially to young persons-Her extensive correspondence-Her sense of manifold mercies-Pecuniary anxieties-Temporary return to Mr. Cecil's house, and re-settlement at Mr. Collyer's-Danger of her disease terminating in sudden death-Cheerfulness under affliction-Friendship and medical attention of Dr. Fearon-Serious self-examination-Her remarks on Mr. Cecil's paralytic affection-Letters on the subject-Reflections on Mr. Cecil's death-Her view of his character-She visits Mrs. Cecil at Hampstead-Is supported by Christian hope-Letter to Mrs. Ctt, on the duty of praising God.

MRS. HAWKES's removal from Little James Street was a subject of real regret to Mrs. Cecil, who felt that her dear friend's society was a loss not to be easily repaired. Mrs. C's feelings and sentiments on this occasion will appear in the following extract from one of her letters to MRS. HAWKES, written from Chobham, in Sept. 1802.

"I confess to you, my dearest sister, and beloved friend, there is but one rich gift I covet, and that is, that