ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE

FOURTH EDITION.

THE following Memoirs of Mrs. NEWELL are drawn almost entirely from her own writings. Nothing has been added, but what seemed necessary, to give the reader a general view of her character, and to explain some particular occurrences in which she was concerned. These memoirs contain only a part of her letters and journal. The whole would have made a large volume. The labor of the compiler has been to select, and occasionally, especially in her earlier writings, te abridge. The letters and journal of this modest, unambitious female would have been confined to the circle of her particular friends, had not the closing scenes of her life, and the missionary zeal which has recently been kindled in this country, excited in the public mind a lively interest in her character, and given the christian community a kind of property in the productions of her pen. It was obviously most proper to arrange her writings according to the order of time; so that in a

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ges to observe the progress of her mind, the development of her moral worth, and some of the most important events of her life.

This edition has received various corrections, and the addition of some very interesting papers, lately communicated from Mr. Newell; besides a Table of Contents.

MEMOIRS

OF

MRS. HARRIET NEWELL.

THE subject of these memoirs was a daughter of Mr. MOSES ATWOOD, a merchant of HAVERHILL, Mass. and was born Oct. 10, (796. Her childhood was marked with cheerfulness, sensibility, and a taste for reading.

She manifested ho peculiar and lasting scriousness before the year 1806. In the summer of that year while at the Academy in. Bradford, a place highly favored of the Lord, she first became the subject of those deep religious impressions, which laid the foundation of her christian life. With several of her companions in study, she was roused to attend to the one thing needful. They turned off their eyes from beholding vanity, and employed their leisure in searching the Scriptures, and listening to the instructions of those, who taught them the way of life. A few extracts from letters which she wrote to Miss L. K. of Bradford, will in some measure, shew the state of her mind at that time.

1

1806.

"Dear L. I NEED your kind instructions now as much as ever. I should be willing to leave

dergo any sufferings, if it would but make me humble, and be for his gloty. Do advise me what I shall do for his glory. I care not for myself. Though he lay ever so much upon me I would be content. Oh, could I but recal this summer!-But it is past never to return; I have one constant companion, the BIBLE, from which I derive the greatest comfort. This, I intend for the future shall guide me.

-Did your ever read Doddridge's Sermons to Young People? They are very beautiful sermons. It appears strange to me, why I am not more interested in the cause of Christ when he has done so much for us! But I will form a resolution that I will give myself up entirely to him. Pray for me, that my heart may be changed. I long for the happy hour when we shall be free from all sin and enjoy God in heaven. But if it would be for his glory, I should be willing to live my threescore years and ten. My heart bleeds for our companions who are on the brink of destruction. In what manner shall I speak to them? But perhaps I am in the same way.'

In another letter to the same friend she says; "What did Paul and Silas say to the jarlor? Believe in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved. Let us do the same. Let us im. prove the accepted time, and make our peace with God. This day my L. I have formed a resolution that I will devote the remainder of my life entirely to the service of my God. · Write to me. Tell me my numerous outward faults; though you know not the faults of my heart, yet tell me all you know, that I may improve. I shall receive it as a token of love."