velled by short stages, and at every place where sher rested, endeavoured, as usual, to promote the cause of religion. She arrived at Noble House the first night, "worn out by excessive fatigue before leaving home; but here a sphere of usefulness soon presented itself," and this animated and quickened her "languid powers.' The next day she reached Moffat: "Many opportunities offered on the road, and were thankfully embraced " but in this town, the prospect

92

of good was dark and discouraging." Passing through Penrith and Shap, she reached Burton on Saturday night the 21st. The next day she wrote: "Was confined to bed all the morning, but had a precious time. My mouth was opened to speak of, and for the Lord; and I was favoured with many opportunities to act for him." She has not recorded the course of her journeying the following week; but on Friday the 28th, we find her at Wolverhampton, where she made the following entry in her Diary: Since my last date at Burton, I have gone over much ground, and at every place endeavoured to bear my testimony, in a small degree, for Jesus. Except at particular times, my joy has not been so great. I have been kept in peace; my evidences worderfully clear for sanctification; so as to surprise myself, and to stimulate me to do all I could for that God who does' so much for me.

When thus employed, I am in

though satan strongly opposes.

my element, This day, a

piercing consciousness of my short-comings and

great unworthiness, has humbled and broken me down before God. I perceive such a want of wisdom, judgement, and indeed every thing which might lead to self-applause, or to a trusting in any thing short of God himself, for direction in every thought, word, and action; as to make me stand astonished that he should bear with me. O what a bottomless abyss is redeeming love. For hours, while under this humbling exercise of mind, God the Father and Son drew sweetly nigh, and melted down my heart into a very tender frame, and drew out my soul in strong desires for more love, more heavenly wisdom, and great increase of Divine life."

On the second of September, her Ladyship arrived at Bristol, under a lively sense of the Divine goodness. The next day she wrote; "Through much mercy, came here last night, brought through many fears, dangers, and trials. Words fail to say how gracious the Lord has been to me. How he strengthens my trust in him, my expectations from him, and my confidence in what he has wrought in me, with respect to sanctification. He comforts me much in reference to his work in this place; so that I do expect he will appear in my behalf, and carry me through every difficulty."

Lady M continued in Bristol until the 20th of October. She had much perplexing and harrassing business, which kept her constantly employed; but was also favoured with much Divine support. Many things, tending to obstruct the

work in which she was engaged, were happily removed, and an increase of pecuniary aid was afforded. The following extract, written on her arrival at home, affords further light on the objects of this journey. "Left Bristol Hot Wells on the 20th of October. I have much cause to bless the Lord for his goodness to me while there, and for his remarkable interpositions in behalf of his work at the Wells: particularly in inclining the heart of the heir-at-law to do all I asked, and in the way I proposed. Without this, I could not have gone on. The Lord was with me of a truth; melted down mountains of difficulty, and brought wonderful things to pass. This was agreeable to the hopes he had given me before I left home. He is a faithful God: with truth I may set my seal to this. After travelling upwards of four hundred miles, with my own horses, through much bad road, and sometimes under heavy rains and high winds, he brought me in health and peace to my own habitation on the 7th of November. On the road home, he gave me many opportunities for promoting the spiritual and temporal interests of my fellow-creatures, and many comfortable and profitable interviews with Christians. May an effectual blessing attend both."

The following extracts will conduct to the close of this year.

“December 17. My comfort was sensibly increased this morning, and the testimony of the Holy Spirit clear, more especially after mid-day,

my fellowship with the Sacred Three was most delightful. I was favoured with another clear view of the Holy Trinity; and from the abundance of my heart, my mouth spoke to those about me of the witness of Divine love, and the support it afforded in the day of trouble. But, O Lord, do thou enlarge my spiritual borders, and enable me to glorify thee. Fill me with holy humble love. Let love command my heart, and fully govern my life; let love be the spring and rule of action in my soul; then shall I, more than ever, put on bowels of compassion and tenderness to all.

25. Devoted myself, as usual, upon this day, to him, whose I am, and whom I wish to serve. I went with sweet desire and expectation to his house to thank him for his unspeakable gift; but my vast desires were not fully satisfied. Returned again in the evening, but still I looked for more than I received. Yet I am sensible, from unequivocal evidence, that the work of grace is advancing in my soul. O my God, let every nerve be on the stretch for thee. May Jesus be all the world to me, and all my soul be love. How great the mystery of godliness.; "Christ manifest in the flesh." The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, becoming a child clothed with humanity! The short line of human reason cannot sound this bottomless abyss of mercy; it is too deep for us. Nor does God mean that we should lose our plummet in the depths of Deity; but that we should believe, love, and obey, through his Almighty power.

Correspondence resumed with Mr. Mather, Mrs. Johnson, and Miss Ritchie-Lady M- visits Carlisle, Wigton, and Workington.

We shall now again recur to Lady Maxwell's correspondence. Though her Diary enters into greater detail relative to her religious experience, and is much more circumstantial, yet the following letters substantially embrace what she has there recorded; while at the same time, they glance at other interesting particulars which are not elsewhere noticed. There is, besides, a fascinating charm in an epistolary communication of sentiment and feeling, which it is believed will be more interesting to the generality of readers.

LETTER LXIII.

TO THE REV, ALEX. MATHER.

January 16, 1790. :: Mr. Mather's letter presents an agreeable picture, of a mind tenderly sensible to a recent · loss; yet, through grace, rising superior to these