A Brief Memoir | Page 4

of her own mind, and perhaps rather too much proneness to dwell morbidly upon it, also evinces the tender joy and peace with which she was often blessed by the manifested presence of her Lord. It unfolds an advancement in Christian experience to which her conduct bore living testimony, and proves that in humble reliance on the hope set before her in the gospel, with growing distrust of herself, her faith increased in God her Saviour, and through his grace she was enabled to maintain the struggle with her soul's enemies, following on to know the Lord.
Thus it was, as she sought preparation for a more enlarged sphere of usefulness on earth, her spirit ripened for the perfect service of heaven; and six weeks after she left her father's house a bride, the summons was received to join that countless multitude who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple."
DIARY.
The diary which was kept by the beloved object of this memoir, and the extracts from which form the principal part of this volume, is contained in several volumes of closely-written manuscript, and, taken as a whole, is a most interesting record of mental and spiritual growth. At times it was continued with almost daily regularity, but at others, either from the pressure of occupations or from various causes, considerable intervals occur in which nothing was written. It has been the endeavor of the editor to make such selections as may preserve a faithful picture of the whole. There is almost of necessity a certain amount of repetition, as in seasons of depression, when faith and hope seemed to be much obscured, or, on the other hand, when cheerful thankfulness and joy of heart were her portion; and in such places it did not seem right to curtail her words too much. Many entries referred too closely to personal and family matters to be suitable for publication, and the uneventful character of her life does not leave room to supply in their stead much in the way of narrative; but it will be remembered that it is the heavenward journey that it is desired to trace, not simply towards the land "very far off," but that pilgrimage during which, though on earth, the believer in Jesus is at times privileged to partake of the joys of heaven.
The first volume of the series is entitled, by its author, "Mementos of Mercy to the Chief of Sinners." Some lines written on her fourteenth birthday--about the period, of its commencement--may appropriately introduce the extracts.
6th Mo. 9th, 1837.--
Can it be true that one more link?In that mysterious chain,?Which joins the two eternities,?I shall not see again?
Eternity! that awful thing?Thought tries in vain to scan;?How far beyond the loftiest powers?Of little, finite man!
E'en daring fancy's fearless flight?In vain would grasp the whole,?And then, "How short man's mortal life!"?Exclaims the wondering soul.
A bubble on the ocean's breast,?A glow-worm's feeble ray,?That loses all its brilliancy?Beneath the orb of day.
Can it be joyful, then, to find?That life is hastening fast??Can it be joyful to reflect,?This year may be our last?
Look on the firmament above,?From south to northern pole:?Can we find there a resting-place?For the immortal soul?

Where can we search to find its home??The still small voice in thee?Answers, as from the eternal throne,?"My own shall dwell with me."
And I have one year less to seek?An interest on high;?Am one year nearer to the time?When I myself must die!
And when that awful time will come,?No human tongue can say;?But, oh! how startling is the thought?That it may be to-day!
How shall my guilty spirit meet?The great, all-searching eye??Conscious of my deficiencies,?As in the dust I lie.
How shall I join the ransom'd throng?Around the throne that stand,?And cast their crowns before thy feet,?Lord of the saintly band?
12th Mo. 6th, 1836. There are seasons in which?I am favored to feel a quiet resignation, to spend?and be spent in the service of Him who, even in?my youthful days, has been pleased to visit me with?the overshadowing of His mercy and love, and to require?me to give up all my dearest secret idols, and?every thing which exalts self against the government?of the Prince of Peace.
4th Mo. 3d, 1837. Almost in despair of ever?being what I ought to be. I feel so poor in every?good thing, and so amazingly rich in every bad thing.?Still this little spark of love that remains, seems to?hope in Him "who will not quench the smoking flax."
6th Mo. 4th. I have cause to be very watchful.?Satan is at hand: temptations abound, and it is no?easy matter to keep in the right way. To have my?affections crucified to the world is my desire. The?way to the celestial city, is