to others very grave, and have frequently been laughed at for it. I was fond of reading, and found much pleasure in yielding to it; which, with a turn for poetry, and the intimate acquaintance of several sensible seriously inclined persons, occupied much of my time from seventeen to eighteen years of age. These circumstances, together with the death of my beloved grandmother, gave a shock to that vanity, in the gratification of which she had much contributed to support me; and a disappointment in an affectionate attachment terminated the attraction to visible objects, so that my mind was like a blank, waiting to be filled up, and prepared for the more extensive reception of the precious visitation, which, early in the twentieth year of my life, was sweetly vouchsafed; so that all that was within me bowed in deep prostration, and yielded to the superior power of heavenly love. My mind being in the prepared state above described, it would be unsafe to date this change from the particular period of my attending the Methodist meetings; though in doing so I certainly felt more of divine impressions than at any previous season, and particularly when under the ministry of one of their preachers, who seemed like an angel commissioned with a message to my mind. I continued to hear him, with many others; attended all the means (as they are called), and was often sweetly affected and comforted; yet even at such times there was something within me craving the purity of an inward, spiritual life-and seeing that without holiness no man could see the LORD, as I did believe was attainable, how did my whole soul breathe for this knowledge to be revealed, and, in the depth of silence, struggle that I might rightly seek and experience it. I went into various places of worship among the Dissenters, and was at one time greatly taken with the Baptists; but still found a want, a vacuum unfilled with that good I was thirsting after. Not from conviction, but partly from persuasion, and something in me yielding to the way I thought might easily settle me, I joined the Methodist Society, and also continued constantly to attend the established worship, that of my education; but in the several ceremonies of this, and the different meetings of the other, such as classes, bands, &c. I felt unsatisfied, and often, while others were engaged in attention to the preaching and singing, has my Spirit in solemn silence communed with the "LORD my strength," so that I scarcely knew what was passing around me, and even felt disturbed from this inward attraction, when obliged to draw to that spot where the outward elements were prepared for the congregation. Oh! how did I then feel the Heavenly Mystery, and sweetly partake of the bread of life, so that all forms and shadows fled away, and became no longer of use or efficacy to a mind feeding spiritually on the substance. During these feelings and consequent shakings from all visible things, I often went into Friends' Meetings, and there, especially in silence, did my Spirit feed, as it also did in deep awful retiredness, when no eye saw me; but when, by this powerful attraction, hours have passed away, so that my body seemed to do with a very small portion of rest or sleep, I felt like a child clinging to its parent's breast; and in this state covenant was made, which to this hour I humbly trust has not been forgotten." Her totally withdrawing herself from those scenes of amusement in which she had dissipated much pre cious time, brought upon her the ridicule of her young companions, and even the censure of many who were much older though less thoughtful than she was; and the expectation of her again returning to worldly pleasures, was frequently evinced; while both flattery and entreaty were made use of, to counteract that seriousness of demeanour which was deemed so unnecessary at the age of nineteen. The change which she felt it her duty to make, by leaving off ornaments, and wearing such attire as was consistent with her views of christian simplicity, being very mortifying to some of her nearest connexions, she suffered considerably on this account. The peace, however, with which her mind was favoured, more than counterbalanced these trials; and strength being mercifully proportioned to the occasion, she was enabled to persevere in the path of obedience, and has frequently been heard to say, that her company soon became as undesirable to her former gay associates, as their's was to her; while her society and example proved the means of solid advan tage to some of her cotemporaries, who continued or sought her acquaintance. At this period she frequently recorded her feelings in metrical composition; and the two following pieces are selected, as instructively describing her state of mind. WRITTEN ON HER TWENTIETH BIRTH-DAY. DID angels' love or seraphs' glowing fire Since Mercy deigns to smile,-hail welcome morn! For ever solemniz'd be thy return; On thee let pure devotion ever rise, And breathe to heav'n unsullied sacrifice. A HYMN, WRITTEN IN THE TWENTY-FIRST YEAR OF HER AGE. How shall I tune a trembling lay, I would, but Oh! how faint each power, How far too high the theme ; Come, blessed Spirit, aid restore, And raise the languid flame! What wondrous grace! what boundless love! What soft compassion this, That calls my rebel heart to prove A never-fading bliss! Long have I sought the pleasing sound, But sought, alas! in vain Explor'd in Pleasure's mazy ground, In Nature's desert plain. What grace that I am not consum'd, |