nearer conformity to its perfect pattern; rejoicing in all the methods of this conformity, in suffering as well as doing? Now, methinks, you will have a strong test of your fidelity and obedience; whether you can freely part with members, sinews, yea life itself at your Heavenly Father's call-and may come off with that glorious triumph-that satisfying confirmation from the mouth of truth itself, which the worthy father of the faithful did-Now I know that thou fearest me, seeing thou hast not withheld even this from me. I wish I wish you may indeed find this a sanctified afflictiona grace-strengthening, grace-increasing, sin-killing, soul-subduing, God-glorifying, Christ-exalting dispensation. that in the mount the Lord may be seen,' by such ravishing views of his transcendent excellencies in the face of Jesus Christ, as will raise you above every recoiling principle, and emphatically convince the beholders, that there is something real, substantial, noble, in the religion of the blessed Jesus, beyond all the supports in nature's power to bestow. Thus may you have an entire

O

submission to his divine correction; and find the happy advantage of it, believing,

'Tis for our good that all these ills,
Do happen here below;

'Tis to correct some dangerous sweet, That else would pois'nous grow. Now may the eternal God be your refuge, guide, support, and put a new song into your mouth. So that there may be abundant occasion to unite in a solemn tribute of praise and thanksgiving on your behalf; and in this sweet exercise will much rejoice to join,

Your most worthless

The preceding accounts, I have often heard Mrs. Waters relate with emotions of lively gratitude to God, who thus remarkably interposed for the preservation of a life, then of the utmost importance to her rising charge. Nor was it important to them alone.

An attention to her domestic duties, though of primary consequence, was far from comprising, in her estimation, the circle of her obligations. She felt herself to be a member of that great family,

who are bound in love to serve one another; and the dictates of her heart, in this respect, were always in unison with those of her understanding, and conscience. Endowed by nature, with a kind and generous disposition; and furnished by divine grace with unusual measures of Christian sympathy and affection; the poor, and the suffering, were always sure to find in her, "a friend born for adversity"-one who was tenderly alive to all their sorrows, and ready to the utmost of her power, " yea and beyond her power," to relieve them. By great wisdom and economy in the management of her domestic concerns; and a conscientious regard to the apostolic admonition, "I will that women adorn themselves, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but (as becometh women professing godliness) with good works;" she was enabled, out of a quite moderate income, to be very liberal in her charities. The following extracts from letters received by her at different times, while they amply attest to this trait in her character, may on other accounts, be worthy of insertion here.

C―d, August 12, 1755.

My dear sister Waters,*

Your kind letter, and what you sent with it, by my sister J. were seasonably received. Before this, I hoped to have enjoyed your company here. But blessed be God, though we cannot see and converse with each other, we are permitted to "sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.". Oh! how happy is that person who sets the Lord always before him. I have sometimes thought, that if the example of Christ, in respect to his sufferings, had not, agreeably to the direction of Paul, been considered by me, I should have fainted in the day of adversity. How contrary to nature is suffering; but yet what a mercy is it to "suffer with Christ, that we, may also reign with him!". Oh! how

long a lesson it is, to learn the full meaning of that word, acquiesce; how difficult to say from the heart, "Lord not as I will, but as thou wilt."

Your affectionate sister,

*Mrs. W. was not related to this

is addressed as a sister in Christ.

S. B.

person, but

From the same.

Cd, August 19, 1779.

Dear Madam,

I send up many a desire, that if it is the Lord's will, I may once more see you again in the flesh; but above all, that we may at length meet at the right hand of Christ. I think I can say, that I desire to have my will swallowed up in the will of God. He has been with me, my dear friend, in six and in seven troubles. He has broken to me the bread of life, when other bread I had none. Often have these words comforted me in my tribulation.

"Tho' friends and kindred, near and dear, Leave me to want or die;

My God will make my life his care,
And all my wants supply.",

I find it better to trust in the Lord, than to depend upon the best of saints. O! my dear friend, "trust in the Lord at all times." There is no burden but' he can ease, no want but he can supply."

Then follows a statement of ker own most pressing necessities; with a modest application for that aid which she