to deal with me according to my sins, I would be utterly consumed before thee; but ever blessed be thy holy name, thou hast not looked upon me as I am in myself, and in my sins, but in the face of Jesus Christ, thy well-beloved Son; therefore thou hast allowed me to receive all the afflictions of this life, for his sake, as tokens of thy fatherly care and kindness to me, knowing that by them thou intendest I should grow more humble, wise, watchful, and diligent, that so I may be prepared for my latter end. That this may be the blessed fruit of this affliction, may the Lord of his infinite mercy grant, for Christ's sake; and to him shall be all the glory for ever! Amen."

"PORT-GLASGOW, Sacrament Sabbath Evening. 11th October, 1812.

"O my God, to the glory of thy free unmerited grace, and the comfort of my soul, I will this night, by the assistance of thy good Spirit, write what thou hast done for my soul this day. Blessed be thy holy name for allowing me the privilege of renewing my covenant with thee at thy holy table. There thou hast enabled me to surrender myself entirely to thee, in all that I am, and all that I have, to be for ever the Lord's; and thou hast given me good reason to believe that thou hast accepted my poor offering, by enabling me, a poor worm of the dust, to take an unshaken hold of thy well-ordered covenant, for time and eternity, as all my salvation, as all my desire.

In looking forward to time, I feared lest, through the allurements of the world, the temptations of the devil, or the deceitfulness of my own desperately wicked heart, I should at any time turn aside from the living God, and make shipwreck of the faith. But no! this cannot be, as this solemn transaction was done in humble and entire reliance on the promised strength of my Almighty Saviour. Therefore, thou didst allow me, O gracious God! to take hold of thy promise: 'And as thy days, so shall thy strength be;' and thou art a faithful God, who hast promised, and also wilt do it. Glory for ever be to thy great name, in time and through the endless ages of eternity!"

CHAPTER II.

Acknowledgment of God in the prospect of her marriagePrayer for her husband-Resignation to the Divine will Devout breathings of her soul-Delight in prayer--Self-distrust -Reliance on the love of a covenant God-Thanksgiving for mercies-Prayer for her children-Desire that Christ might be glorified by her in life and death-Review and renewal of covenant engagements-Delight in communion seasons-Selfconsecration-Desire to be with Christ-Benefit derived from the ministry of Dr Scott.

MRS JOHNSTONE's marriage took place at Greenock, 29th March, 1814. In immediate view of this important relation being formed, she wrote in her little diary, in which she occasionally recorded her reflections, as follows:

"GREENOCK, 7th March, 1814.

"Having such an important change in life immediately before me, I desire to look anew to thy wellordered covenant for those supplies of grace and

for

poor

sinners

strength which are there treasured up such as I, who feel that of themselves they cannot so much as think a good thought. Being, therefore, so totally wretched and miserable in myself, O give grace to look to thee for wisdom to direct in every step in life; guard me against the temptations of the

world, and the deceitfulness of riches, should it please thee to bestow them, and keep me from being overwhelmed with any of the trials of life. I desire to cling to thy promise, that as my day is, so will thy strength be perfected in weakness. I entreat thee, O most gracious God, for the sake of Jesus, whom thou hearest always, that thou wouldst grant grace to my dear friend, with whom I expect to enter into the closest earthly relation, that we may be enabled to live together as heirs of the grace of life,' having a sweet foretaste here of the happy eternity we shall then hope to enjoy. Thou knowest, O Lord, it has been my prayer for many years, if our union was not to be for thy glory and our good, that our intentions might, in thy providential arrangements, be prevented. I still repeat it, trusting to thy allsufficient grace to support me, should this be thy will.

But if thou hast otherwise ordained, do thou, most blessed Jesus, who didst honour a marriage with thy bodily presence while on earth, be graciously present with us in Spirit, that we may be enabled not only to love each other with a pure heart fervently, but to have our supreme affections placed upon thee, that we may escape the snares of an evil world; and, by thy rich blessing, not only get the sanctified use of every comfort thou art graciously pleased to bestow on us, but may have all the waters of affliction we shall meet with turned into wine of strong consola tion for the good of our souls. And now, Lord, 1 commit us both to thee: keep us safe unto the day

of eternal redemption, and the glory shall be thine for ever. Amen."

Paying a visit soon after her marriage, with her husband, to the home of his honoured parents, brothers, and sisters, she was received by them as a daughter and sister beloved. And the mutual good will and friendship then formed, continued, on both sides, to increase with every fresh visit she made, and every opportunity which they had of meeting each other.

During the whole of her married life, a full cup of prosperity was, in some respects, put into her hands; but grace enabled her, in the midst of all her comforts, to live as a stranger and pilgrim in a foreign land; whose home, inheritance, and treasure were in heaven, whither she was daily journeying in the bent and desires of her heart and the tenor of her conduct. There was, however, an ingredient in her cup that made her feel she was not without that sign of adoption, the discipline of the covenant. Mr Johnstone's business often calling him to Newfoundland, she was subjected to the pain of separation for many months, and on one or two occasions for two years. Extracts from her little manuscript books will show how prayerfully exercised she was under this trial, in seeking, both for herself and beloved husband, its sanctified use. She writes

"GREENOCK, 19th November, 1815.

"My dear affectionate husband intends leaving for