tention been given her at any period of her life, she would have been most reluctant to accept the offer: and would have expressed her surprise that it could enter the mind of her father to speak of qualities in her, which she never supposed to exist; yet this is no reason why the memorial of them should be withheld; it rather furnishes one of the strongest motives for recording them, for if so many excellences were actually possessed by an individual, who was unconscious of having any of them, we have the most satisfactory evidence of her deep humility; and in this, as in all other cases, it is found that "before honour is humility," and that "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

Besides these motives for my undertaking, I may add, that so deeply has my heart been affected by this dispensation of Providence, that I have been hitherto unable to turn my thoughts into any other channel. Be where I may, or occupied in whatever business, the thought that-my daughter is gone! frequently rushes on my

mind with such an overwhelming violence, as to carry me entirely away; and it is only when I can contemplate the event in its different bearings, and trace it to the unerring direction of infinite wisdom and goodness, that I am able to obtain any repose. The subject then being ever uppermost in my mind, and being continually viewed in the light of God's word, and in reference to the future world, it is not surprising that I have been brought to think that some remarks engrafted on my review of her life, and the circumstances of her death, may be useful to others; and as I happen now to have somewhat more leisure for such an undertaking than I have usually enjoyed, I humbly hope that I may indulge my inclination, and employ my time with some profit to others; and I have had an especial eye in this narration to her surviving brothers, to her affectionate friends, and to parents and children in general.

I am greatly desirous that her beloved brothers should always have within reach, one of the strongest and purest incentives

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of their affections: and the benefit of an example, which cannot fail to interest them, from their love of the original. Often have their parents enjoyed an intense pleasure in observing the harmony and blending of heart and interest of their children. It promised a harvest of the choicest blessings it seemed to secure each from any substantial deviation from the paths of piety, seeing that none of them could do so, without rending the hearts of others, who were equally dear with themselves. A sister can, in no circumstances, be an object of indifference; but an only sister, and one of the age, the attainments, the moral and Christian qualities, and the sweetness of disposition of my beloved daughter, must necessarily exercise over the minds of her younger brothers a powerful and assimilating influence. The cord however which united them is now cut asunder. They cease to walk together as the children of the same happy family. The centre which, perhaps, most powerfully attracted them to home is removed; the bosom, to which

they confided their hopes and desires, no longer responds to their joys or their fears; the voice, which so often cheered them in their little difficulties, is silent in death; and the eye, which glistened with delight when their prospects brightened, is closed for ever. Their loss is indeed great; and it is my wish to diminish it as far as I can, by supplying them with a faithful likeness of one whom they so tenderly loved and justly admired.

But my beloved daughter had a choice selection of friends, with whom she kept up a constant intercourse by visits or by letters. These loved and admired her while living; and sorrowed, with no slight emotions, at her death. For these amiable characters, I feel the most affectionate regard; and I trust they will consider it as a proof of my esteem, that I have had them in view in narrating the affecting circumstances of the last four or five days of my dear Hannah's life. I am fully aware that the recital will greatly affect their susceptible minds: and some may think that a veil should have

been drawn over the most agonizing part of the scene. I cannot, however, persuade myself to do this; for though it would have been more consonant with a parent's wishes to have witnessed nothing but peace in her last hours, and triumph in the mortal conflict, and to have seen her "return and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy;" yet as I could not choose the circumstances of her death, I feel it a duty to record what actually took place, and to submit the facts of the case to serious reflection nor am I sure that the example of the humble believer, clinging to the cross of Christ as her last and only support, attended with much fear lest she should be rejected, is not as instructive, as that of the Christian entering into the harbour in full sail. The individual is as safe in one case as the other; and, all things considered, I am inclined to think that the former is that which may more naturally be expected in a young Christian, and which does, in point of fact, more frequently occur. If however this narration should awaken in my young