and I am more than ever convinced that it is unity of feeling and sentiment which really endears persons to each other, more than long-continued acquaintance. While in the dear family at Calcutta, we realized that our hearts were united in one greatand glorious object; and a spirit of Christian love pervaded this sweet circle of friends. No wonder, then, that our hearts were pained on leaving them; but

"Trials must and will befall;

But with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all,
This is happiness to me."

'Soon after we left Calcutta, we were obliged to travel in an open cart, drawn by four oxen, during nearly all the remainder of our journey. You may well imagine the appearance we made, seated in this uncomfortable vehicle. I know you would have laughed, had you seen us; and had it not been that our minds were solemnly impressed, in view of the important object for which we were making the sacrifice of personal comforts, I believe we should have been strongly tempted to indulge in levity at our own expense.

The reflection that we came hither for the purpose of doing good to those who never heard of a Savior's love, is never forgotten by us. We suffered much, while slowly plodding our way over the long and rough path which served only as an apology for a road. As we contrasted the many improvements of our own dear country, with the misery, indolence, and degradation of that in which we expect to spend the remainder of our lives, we sighed to

think of the poor heathen. After a tedious journey, we arrived at the mission house, where we now reside.'

In another letter she said, 'Though I strive to bear each allotment of Providence with the cheerfulness becoming a Christian, I am every day severely tried by the filthy habits of the natives we are obliged to employ as servants. They are very uncleanly in their persons, so much so that I have seen the dirt hanging in strings from their ears and elbows. We are obliged to employ one individual to wash, another to iron, a third to cook, and so on through every department of household employ

ment.'

Nothing more of particular interest is known of Mrs. H— by the writer, until nearly two years from the time she had left home. At this period a letter having a black seal, reached her father. He took it, and with a trembling hand, opened it. It was from Mr. H, and contained the unwelcome intelligence that Adeline was no longer an inhabitant of earth. Said Mr. H, ‘Our dear, and much loved Adeline, has left us - left us, too, at a time when to human view it seemed most needful for her to remain here. But she was ripe for Heaven. She had probably overtaxed her strength, in laboring to acquire the language of the natives, and I fear allowed herself less exercise than was really necessary for the preservation of her health. She had acquired the language, and was becoming increasingly useful at the station, when she became suddenly and alarmingly ill. Every means in my power to procure, was used to save her precious life; but they were of no avail. She sank rapidly; but, as her bodily strength decreased, day by day, her immortal spirit rose

with a strength almost angelic. She spoke of her ap proaching dissolution with unmingled satisfaction.

'Said she to me, just before her death, "I know not what is best for me; but I have perfect confidence in our Heavenly Father, and to him I have committed myself, my friends, and the cause so dear, I trust to both our hearts." Her babe, which was only a few days old, she regarded with all a mother's fondness; yet said, with composure, addressing me, while gazing upon its innocent and lovely features, "I commend this darling child to your care, my dear husband, under the care of our Father in Heaven." She continued, looking around with a smile upon her attendants, "I am going soon to be with my Savior. Tell my father, sister, brother, and other friends, not to mourn that I am thus early called from the earthly vineyard of my master;" then added, "I rejoice that it is my privilege to ascend to the rest of Heaven, on the same morning of the week on which my blessed Redeemer arose from the dead."

'These were the last words she uttered; and she soon fell quietly asleep in death. Our fragile infant did not long survive its mother. I may not attempt to describe my feelings, as these two dear objects of affection were so suddenly snatched from me. Yet it is right; I cannot repine. You, my dear sir, may judge of my feelings, in some degree, and I feel assured of your sympathy.'

Mr. Weldron, as may be supposed, was deeply afflicted; but it cannot truthfully be said that he did not murmur. The other members of the family, too, were deeply afflicted by the death of their dear sister, but acquiesced in the will of Providence.

The father always spoke with regret of the fact that his daughter had felt it her duty to become a missionary; and often, when giving an account of this trial, expressed the feeling that it was one of the heaviest which a parent could be called to endure.

O no,' said a friend, to whom he made this remark, on one occasion, ‘I know you have been afflicted; but lightly, when your trials are compared with those of many.'

'I doubt it,' answered Mr. Weldron.

'Could you hear,' responded the other, the story of the sorrows of one whom I have known, you would adopt my sentiment.'

'Was there any thing in the history peculiarly interesting?' inquired Mr. Weldron.

'There was,' replied his friend; the trials of my friend were such as seldom fall to the lot of mortals. If you desire to hear something of the history, I will give you an account of it.'

Mr. Weldron informed him that it would be interesting to listen to such a relation. As he heard the touching tale of the sorrows of Mrs. Jefford, he realized that his own affliction was light compared with hers. The reader will find this story in the next chapter.

24

CHAPTER XXI.

Early Life of Mrs. Jefford - Frederic and Myra — Dereliction of Frederic Mr. Hilton - His kindness Power of temptation

in crime

Frederic suddenly deserts his home and becomes deeply engaged Friends ignorant of his fate — Thrilling scene while on his last voyage — Frederic's repentance and confession — His · Affecting scene at the home of his mother.

execution

MRS. JEFFORD, a remote relative of the Weldron family, belonged to what is termed the middle class in society. Her parents were respectable, and much beloved in the circle in which they moved. Nothing remarkable occurred in their family during the youthful years of Mrs. Jefford.

If a description of her person is attempted, it must be said, that she was not handsome, nor even scarcely comely; but she was what is generally called a good, a very good girl. Almost every one who knew her, loved her; and it was often remarked that Myra Eldred (as her name was when a girl), had but one visible fault, which was a want of firmness. She was far too prone to yield her opinions and wishes to the opinions and wishes of others; and was often, by doing so, betrayed into great mistakes.

Soon after she attained the age of womanhood, she was settled in life, having become the companion of an intelligent and worthy gentleman. This couple commenced life