love of Christ constraineth us, &c."? How desirable to be thus constrained to live, not to ourselves, but to Him who died for us and rose again?

In May of this year Mrs. Huntington commenced a second Journal, which was continued till near the time of her death, and has been preserved.

Her motives in commencing this record of the Lord's dealings with her, are thus stated by herself, in an introductory paragraph: "having of late been impressed with a conviction of the expediency of taking down written memorials of special mercies, I shall, from this time forward, endeavor to do it. My reasons for it are these, 1. The remembrance of mercies will lead me to extol the goodness of God. 2. I shall always have them before me as delightful incitements to duty. 3. Such a remembrance will lead me to trust in God in seasons of doubt and distress. 4. It will ever shew me the weakness and wickedness of yielding to despondency, my besetting sin. And, oh! may the record of the gracious dealings of my God ever serve to quicken, enliven and encourage me and make me faithful, for Christ's sake, Amen."

In the subsequent part of these Memoirs, extracts will be made from this Journal, and from her letters, promiscuously, in the order of their respective dates, without any other distinction than the mode of entering them, which will at once indicate to the reader from which they are taken.

March 21, 1812.-Deeply impressed with a sense of the vast importance of a mother's duties, and the lasting effect of youthful impressions, 1 this day resolve to endeavor, at all times, by my precepts and my example, to inspire my children with just notions of right and wrong, of what is to be avoided and what pursued, of what is sacredly to be desired, and what unreservedly deprecated. And, as my firm opinion is that we are formed to glorify God, and that to enjoy him is our highest happiness, I will endeavor, by a life corresponding with this belief, to convince my children that God's glory is my ultimate aim in all that I do, and the enjoyment of him my most ardent desire, my unremitted pursuit, and my unspeakable comfort. I will endeavor, by avoiding all superfluous concern about dress, furniture, worldly accomplishments, &c., not to counteract my precepts, and thus inspire my children with the idea that, what I say, I think the highest good, I really view but as a secondary consideration; to act uniformly as if a desire after the one thing needful, was an abiding, influential principle in all my conduct and pursuits. May God give me grace to keep these resolutions!

23.-Indulged in many anxious anticipations. Did not sufficiently realize that all is at the disposal of a Being of infinite wisdom, and was therefore careful about many things. Well might the prophet say, "thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on

thee." The doctrines of the holy Scriptures are calculated to maintain the soul in uniform serenity. It is our unbelief that counteracts their influence. Oh! for grace to view futurity as the only consummation of life and happiness, and to see that every, thing, however to present gratification, has an ultimate reference to it, that there is a "need be" for all these things, and that the time is coming when every dark providence shall be cleared up, and it shall be made manifest that every event of this mortal state has been necessary in the great operations of the director of all things, to perfect the work of redeeming grace! how sweet it will be to trace the blessed concatenation of causes and effects, and give glory to him who hath in all things made us more than conquerors!

Oh, may I bear some humble part

In that immortal song!

Wonder and joy shall fill my heart,

And love inspire my tongue.

January 22.-When I hear females, as I sometimes do, deprecating the contractedness of domestic life, and eagerly panting after the employments and publicity of philosophers, statesmen and legislators, I am led to think that my life, in the little sphere of my family, must be more varied than theirs, or they could not consider the duties of the domestic circle as unimportant, or devoid of excitements. It is true, if the meed to be obtained were mere human applause, the female part of the world would have but little opportunity to shine; and might justly complain of the narrowness of their sphere, and the insignificance of their lot. But when it is considered that the quality of actions is determined by God, and that, in his view, the person who tears from his bosom a right-hand sin, or performs a selfdenying duty, is greater than the hero or the conqueror, considered only as such; how is the case altered? how does it dignify any station which is calculated to produce these effects? The woman, therefore, who complains of the obscurity of her condition, feels and talks like a heathen. She virtually professes to value the praise of men more than the praise of God; and is likely, by her impiety and folly, to forfeit both. In performing the duties of private life, no Christian will have reason to complain that he has not sufficient excitement to duty, or sufficiently numerous calls for the use of all his intellectual and moral powers. The various and complicated vexations and trials, pains and sufferings, privations and disappointments, which perpetually occur in the best organized and most favored family, are enough to convince him, that there is no time to sleep, that much is to be done, and that he has need of all his strength and wisdom to decide, and resolve, and act. If the end of all that we set ourselves about ought to be to mend the heart, (and no Christian will deny that it ought;) what situation is so favorable for this, as that which teaches the soul what are its besetting sins, and offers no illusive temptations to self-delusion, no poisonous reward to virtues

which our consciences tell us are defective at the core? The natural effect of public applause is to produce self-ignorance and deception, for the standard of morals is extremely low and defective in the world; and the popular man will give himself credit for virtues which, either are worthless in the sight of God, or he does not possess. How awful, when death shall turn him from the decisions of a world blind and partial, to Him who looketh on the heart! Oh, that in humility of mind, I may ever prefer that condition which leads me to the most intimate knowledge of myself! that I may be enabled to profit by such a knowledge, and rejoice to become nothing that God may be all in all.

February 7.-There is scarcely any subject concerning which I feel more anxiety, than the proper education of my children. It is a difficult and delicate subject; and the more I reflect on my duty to them the more I feel how much is to be learnt by myself. The person who undertakes to form the infant mind, to cut off the distorted shoots, and direct and fashion those which may, in due time, become fruitful and lovely branches, ought to possess a deep and accurate knowledge of human nature. It is no easy task to ascertain, not only the principles and habits of thinking, but also the causes which produce them. It is no easy task, not only to watch over actions, but also to become acquainted with the motives which prompted them. It is no easy task, not only to produce correct associations, but to undo improper ones, which may, through the medium of those nameless occurrences to which children are continually exposed, have found a place in the mind. But such is the task of every mother who superintends the education of her children. Add to this the difficulty of maintaining that uniform and consistent course of conduct which children ought always to observe in their parents, and which alone can give force to the most judicious discipline; and, verily, every considerate person must allow, that it is no small matter to be faithful in the employment of instructors of infancy and youth. Not only must the precept be given, Love not the world; but the life must speak the same. Not only must we exhort our infant charge to patience under their little privations and sorrows, but we must also practice those higher exercises of submission which, they will easily perceive, are but the more vigorous branches of the same root whose feeble twigs they are required to cultivate. Not only must we entreat them to seek first the kingdom of God, but we must be careful to let them see, that we are not as easily depressed by the frowns, or elated by the smiles, of the world, as others. In short, nothing but the most persevering industry in the acquisition of necessary knowledge, the most indefatigable application of that knowledge to particular cases, the most decisive adherence to a consistent course of piety, and, above all, the most unremitted supplications to Him who alone can enable us to resolve and act correctly, can qualify us to discharge properly the duties which devolve upon every mother.

June 4.-Yesterday I went to the meeting at Mrs. M.'s* as usual, but was in a very stupid frame. I did not feel a sense of the divine presence, or scarcely any desire to seek it. In the night I awoke about two o'clock; and was led, first, to reflect on my insensibility, the preceding day; and then, on the sufficiency of Christ to atone for my sins, and strengthen me for the future day. I did not have as deep a sense of my guilt as I desired; but I seemed to feel sensibly what I ought to be-that I ought to live for God, that I ought to maintain a constant spirit of prayer, for myself, my children and this miserable world; and it seemed as if I could get up and go to work, to some purpose, about my Master's business. Oh, it is delightful to feel as if the first wish of our hearts was to fulfil the great purpose of our existence, as if we had caught something of the spirit of the heavenly world, and desired principally to be, and do, and suffer, just what God pleases.

Oct. 25.-What a delicate office is that of a mother! How wary should be her footsteps, how spotless her example, how uniform her patience, how extensive her knowledge of the human heart, how great her skill in using that knowledge, by the most vigilant and strenuous application of it in every variety of occurring circumstances, to enlighten the understanding and reform the heart! Legislators and governors have to enact laws, and compel men to observe them; mothers, have to implant the principles, and cultivate the dispositions, which alone can make good citizens and subjects. The former have to exert authority over characters already formed; the latter, have to mould the character of the future man, giving it a shape which will make him, either an instrument of good to the world, or a pest in the lap of society. Oh that a constant sense of the importance and responsibility of this station may rest upon me! that grace may be given me faithfully to discharge its difficult duties!

November 5.-What a great, what a blessed thing, to be a Christian indeed! Surely, after evidence of having attained this glorious character I do pant and strive. I would rather be a Christian than the monarch of the world. That blessed name embraces and supposes principles more elevated, and joys more exalted, than all other names combined. Men may talk of honor, of integrity, and of moral rectitude; they may dream of pleasure, and follow the phantom till they die; but the Christian alone possesses dispositions calculated to make us either truly good or truly happy. So long as man is supremely bent on his own interests, his morality must be defective. None but a principle embracing universal good, and loving supremely what is supremely excellent, will do for creatures formed for happiness; for in loving ourselves supremely we love what is in

A stated female prayer meeting established in 1741, and continued to the present time. See Memoirs of Mrs. Abigail Waters.

finitely unlovely; and in seeking our own interest as our highest end, we virtually take up arms against all that is excellent in the universe. Oh for the precious spirit of the Gospel, which makes us willing to be nothing ourselves, that God may be all in all.

TO A SISTER-IN-LAW, AT N. L.

Boston, April 22, 1814. Have you seen the Memoirs of Mrs. Harriet Newell? It is a very interesting book. Such unreserved and disinterested devotedness to the cause of Christ, in so young a person, appears very extraordinary in these times of religious indifference and sloth. There was an elevation and spirituality in her character, seldom met with at the present day. No one can help admiring her excellence. Christians will be humbled by its contemplation, and stimulated to greater activity in the service of Christ.

June 19.-My friends are very desirous that I should take a journey into Connecticut for my health, under the protection of an acquaintance who is going on in an empty carriage. The prospect of leaving my children is distressing. Dear little creatures! they cling to me with the utmost tenderness. I sometimes feel it to be mysterious that I should be, to such an extent, disqualified, by the feeble state of my health, to do my duty to them, when those duties are so important. But I do not complain, for it is God who orders it thus. If he were to deal with me according to my deserts, I should be swept away with the besom of destruction. I long to have no will of my own; to live as an humble child at the feet of Jesus. God is wise, and righteous and good. I commit my way unto him.

July 4. At Killingworth, Conn.—O God, my soul is bowed down to the dust under this burden of sin; a grievous load, too heavy to be borne! Oh, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Thou blessed Jesus, who art able to bruise sin and Satan under my feet, I fly to thee! I humbly implore thy aid, to strengthen me to perform and keep this resolution which I this day make. I solemnly resolve to endeavor, in the strength of the Lord, to be more watchful over myself, to maintain a constant sense of the divine presence, to take time to meditate, and think how Jesus would have acted in my situation, before I act, that I may not rashly say or do those things which, afterwards, I could weep the bitterest tears to recal. Blessed Redeemer, do thou assist me; or rather, do thou work by me and for me, or I shall be swallowed up in the mighty flood of corruption which threatens to overwhelm me. Help, Lord! or I must perish!

20.—I am in great distress. My dear father is apparently on the brink of the grave, with a dreadful fever. My hand trembles so I can scarcely write. It seems as if my feeble frame could not support me through the trial. Dearest of earthly friends, husband and