V she was led, in consequence of an indisposition which seemed to threaten the disease, that ultimately caused her death, to resolve ❝ to set apart, from that time, a short portion of every day for special prayer for divine aid in every season of affliction, and especially for strength to conquer her last enemy, death." A resolution which, it is believed, she kept, as far as circumstances would admit, to the close of life and which she was not led to adopt and observe in vain. In a little time her series of bereavements commenced. This resolution was adopted in May. In the following July she was called to mourn the death of her father and in December 1817, of her mother. In September 1819 she was written widow, and her prospects in life entirely changed. In the fall of 1821, two of her children were removed by death; one of whom, from the name he bore, and the circumstances of his birth, was peculiarly dear to her. And these are but a part of her bereavements, during the period in which they occurred. In all these afflictions her suffering was intense; in their immediate prospect, she felt as if her feeble frame could not sustain them; when they came, her heart bled at every pore. In the death of her excellent husband, all who hear me know, she incurred no common loss; she felt as if every fountain of earthly happiness was exhausted. Her youngest child," the last bud of her earthly hopes, the fair blossom which sprung up from the root of her former prosperity," to excite expectations of enjoyment in nourishing its growth and seeing its fruit, and then wither and die,was taken from her, with scarce a moment's warning. The shock was almost overwhelming; her suffering greater than any which, in similar circumstances, I ever witnessed. But her merciful Father, when he had thus taught her that her strength was weakness, uniformly appeared for her support and consu and consolation; gave her such views of the Journal 1821, Sept. 1. rectitude and goodness of his proceedings, such manifestations of the fulness and preciousness of Christ, such undoubted tokens of his favour, and such sweet experience of the joys of communion with him, that she soon became composed and tranquil, sustained her trials with a fortitude which all who saw her admired, and learned that even the most innocent and virtuous earthly enjoyments are vanity, and God the only portion that can satisfy the soul.ar agora I Such were the means which God employed to fit her for the accomplishment of his gracious purposes concerning her. Let us now contemplate their effect upon her character. The influence which we have seen they were calculated to exert, and did, at the time, actually exert, was not a transient, but a permanent one. She ascertained the weaknesses and deficiences of her natural character, and her besetting sins, and learned how to resist and subdue the one, and correct the other. And so complete was her success, that few, if any, v, of her fater acquaintances would have suspected, had she not left us a record of the fact, that she had any such conflicts to sustain. She acquired a permanent and unusually deep sense of the depravity and deceitfulness of the human heart, and of the vileness and hatefulness of sin, in every form and degree, in the heart as well as in the life. She obtained an extensive and accurate knowledge of the insidious influence of the corrupt propensities of our nature, and of the means by which they are to be detected, and resisted, and overcome; and thus became eminently qualified to guide those who were inquiring the way of life, and those who had entered upon the path of the just, and to comfort those who were mourning in Zion. She was made deeply sensible of her utter destitution of every good thing, and led to apply habitually to Christ, as an empty sin๕ ๑๕ ๑ to a full Saviour SO that, alth although in view of the * Journal 1813, Dec. 5. 9 multiform duties of life, she often exclaimed, ds How am I sufficient for these things," she could add, “Yet I do trust that I shall be enabled to do all things Ι through Christ strengthening me."* She was induced to strive to keep constantly near to God; for experience had taught her, that when she felt entirely sundered from earthly hope and happiness, and looked to God as her only portion, she found his arm strong, his grâce sufficient, his presence precious, his promises sure; she was happy in his will here, and looked forward to be happy in his love and presence for ever." This experience of the happiness of communion with God, united with her sense of duty to strive to be perfect as her Father in heaven is perfect, produced an ardent desire, and most strenuous efforts, to grow in grace, tó attain greater, yea, complete conformity to the divine likeness. Often did her spirit faint with desires to keep under the body of sin, her heart pant to be near and like her God." Life she considered principally desirable as a medium of glorifying God To live to the flesh, even if there were no difference to be made between the righteous and the wicked at death, seemed to her undesirable. Those blessed words, TO BE HOLY, frequently kindled desires in her soul inexpressibly more elevated and ardent, and produced joys more delightful and transporting, than all the combined allurements of the world." Thus she attained an uncommon degree of superiority to the world carried with her, into every circle a spirit of elevated pietyjanuardent desire to honour her Saviour, and promote the spiritual interests of men. She discharged every duty of life in the fear of God, and with a fidelity seldom equalled She became an example of Christian excellence and usefulness, which all admired, and her fellow disciples regarded as a model worthy of their careful imitation. She exhi a +Journal 1820, Jan. 14.1 bited the power and preciousness of the principles she loved, even bunto the end and, we trust, ascended in triumph, to the mansion prepared for her in the skies. 27 sde 1.9m gning.¡¡gn912 secu お 99 Such, through grace, were the effects of the divine dispensations toward her. Who then can doubt, that they were all ordered in mercy, and made to work together for her good? She now certainly regards them in this light. She did thus regard them when she, as yet, knew their design sand influence but in part. “How good was God," she would say in reference to her trials," thus to imbitter any earthly cistern, that I might not sit and sip to myleverlasting regret and destruction. Myopath has been rough but I have not had one trial which my heavenly Father could, in faithfulness, thaven spared memHe has dealt with me only in loving-kindness and tender mercy. I have not a doubt now, I shall see hereafter, that all his dealings with me have been for my good."+-Verily, ALL THIN 3 DO WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GODI I of 9509795 ou 6 979dt i 1979 T 1. The first reflection suggested by the view we have taken, applies especially to those in this assembly who know nothing, by experience; of the consolations of piety. It is this. How precious, how invaluable; the possession of those consolations even in the present life! The world in which we live, is a world of disappointment and trials None of our race are entirely exempt from affliction."Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward."tols bits not a sprivilege, an invaluable blessing to carry with us, while passing through this world of sorrow the assurance that our afflictions, as well as our mercies, shall all be made to work together for our good? What happiness, that deserves the name, can there be in such a world, with 9 Journal 1812, Aug. 11! + + The substance of a remark made during her last sicknes 19 V out the consolations and the hopes of piety?" often wonder," said she, on a certain occasion, whose voice this day addresses us from the tombo I often wonder, when I look at people who have no religion, what can be their support through the wilderness of this world.I am almost eat a loss to account for their ap, parent happiness. How, for instance, can affliction be tolerable, except as the soul is enabled to repose, with some confidence, upon the wisdom and equity of the divine administration ? How can comforts be relished, when we know that they may be taken from us within one short hour? What can Treconcile the mind, to its complicated vexations and trials, which places its supreme hopes of happiness upon the changing things of this world? And as to motives of living, take away the primary one of the Christian,the desire to glorify God and be useful to men, and I hardly know what one could wish to live for in such a world. When I see a person of keen sensibilities and lively affections, drooping under the weight of sorrow resulting from the unfeeling conduct of those about him, or from any of those incidents in providence so overwhelming to the generous heart, I exclaim to myself, Ah! how that man needs religion! That would set a firm steppingplace upon the stormy surge; and with such a foundation, he could not be moved. It is the hope of heaven and its concomitants alone, that can turn this valley of tears into an abode of peace, and hope, and joy. The pleasures of religion are unmingled pleasures. Here no dash of bitter offends the taste, no alloy, no corroding mixture mars the enjoyment. How do earthly comforts dwindle; yes, they are indeed lighter than air, more frail than bubbles, compared with that peace, passing understanding, which is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost." This testimony, my friends, I know you feel to be worthy of your regard; midt leidt ; azoñiqqud ei " 782 bluow ɔda "elt aut tided •Journal 1818, June 29 and 1814, Jane31870Ì ̧£ 21 |