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And by her goodness mov'd,
They loudly spoke her worth;
Comparing her to Him who prov'd
The sinner's friend on earth.*

"Like Jesus Christ"-what joy,
To hear such praise bestow'd
By those for whom, in love's employ,
She sought each sad abode !

Long to the couch confin'd
Of sickness and decay,

Her form grew weaker, but the mind
Was strengthened, day by day.

And now and then, it seem'd

As if her glance had gain'd,

Some glimpse of glory where it beam'd,

Which on her soul remain’d.

And then such words she spoke

Of comfort and delight,

That clouds of gloom dispers'd and broke ;

And all around was bright.

Pray for the living, pray;

Besiege the throne of God,

That all may seek the upward way,

Her careful footsteps trod.

Let faith and hope to birth,

In every heart arise;

That those who mourn her loss on earth

May join her in the skies!

J. P.

* A lady, one Friday morning, heard some poor women, speaking of Mrs. Sherman. One of them said-" There she is, the dear creatureshe is like Jesus Christ." "What do you mean," said another, “I know she is very good; but why is she like Jesus Christ ?" "Because,” replied the first, "she never despises any one, and has always a smile and a kind word for the poor."

CHAPTER XIV.

SUMMARY AND APPLICATION OF HER CHARACTER.

THE foregoing pages have furnished materials for the reader to form his own opinion of the character of the deceased, and they might, without injury to her memory, be left to work their own impressions: yet, as she lived to be useful, the writer will be pardoned if he aim to press those graces, which were so eminently conspicuous in her, as forming a bright pattern of female excellence. The lives of many individuals are published, whose intellectual greatness checks every hope of attaining to their exalted stature; the sublimity of their views on divine subjects-the novel and important light in which they place ancient doctrines, so as to commend them to the judgment of unbelievers-the daring which they exhibit in carrying out new schemes for the furtherance of truth and righteousness in the world—and the hold which their writings and influence gain on the population, fit them to be leaders. But while multitudes read the lives of such moral heroes, the majority, from conscious inferiority, have no intention to imitate their exploits. Some attempt to follow in the same track; but as it soon becomes evident to themselves and others, that they have not the requisite mental resources, very few attain a similar elevation; the greater

number fall ere they have reached a less exalted position, and demonstrate they were never designed to occupy it. But the life of Mrs. Sherman presents no proofs of mighty intellect: her conduct, letters, and journals, only show the Christian lady carrying out her principles into practical operation, and therefore leave footsteps in the common walk of life, in which any one may safely tread.

Nature had done much for her in her lovely person and attractive manners, but grace much more. Her scriptural knowledge, and ability to communicate it, either orally or by letter, were not natural, but acquired. Her position demanded exertion to obtain information, and she gave it; she felt unequal to her solemn duties, and she prepared accordingly: thus, by the ordinary operation of industry in the study of the Scriptures, and in prayerful preparation for spiritual engagements, she acquired acceptableness and usefulness to which few have attained. It will be no disparagement to her, to put on record, that, previous to her marriage, no member of her family believed her to possess the qualifications which she afterwards exhibited. Her sister, had she been spared, bade fair, by her mental endowments and literary acquirements, to have taken an influential position in the world, but the amiable, loving, merry Martha, was thought capable only of gracing a drawing-room, binding friends to her by affection, and benefiting the poor by generosity-such duties as those, in which she so peculiarly excelled, were among the last for which she was supposed to be fitted.

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Now though few, comparatively, are placed in her position, yet the world and the church are in such circumstances, that it behoves every female to enquire how she can best use her powers, for the honour of Christ and the salvation of her sex. Many satisfy themselves by pleading that they have no talent for teaching, for the visitation of the poor, or for collecting on behalf of religious and charitable objects; yet they show no deficiency of talent on any other subject, and it is rational to suppose, if ordinary means were employed to qualify them, they would be capable of these services as well as others.

The ancient excuse, I am married, and cannot come to the help of the Lord against the mighty, is applicable to both sexes. Though chiefly used by males, it is lamentable to see many females who, before marriage, were the ornament and hope of the community to which they belonged, become inactive and indifferent afterwards; as if their new relation exempted them from exertion on behalf of those objects in which they formerly took such deep interest. Far be it from the writer to manifest a want of sympathy in the increasing cares of a mother with a rising family, or to intimate that domestic duties are to be neglected for the sake of public services-no, attention to home is a part of her religion, and must be considered her first and highest claim, which, if acknowledged and improved, her husband shall praise her, and her children rise up and call her blessed but a mother whose zeal for God is according to knowledge, will, by a little early rising, by a wise regulation of the duties of

the day, and by a sense of her responsibility to her Saviour, make such arrangements as will secure a portion, if a smaller portion, of her time for assisting the operations of the church in the world.

Firmness and perseverance were strong peculiarities of her mind, and gave stability and decision to her religious character. Her opinions were not hastily formed; it often required much reading and argument to convince her; but when once convinced of the truth of a theory, or of the duty of undertaking any work for God, however laborious and difficult, she was immovable. This feature of her disposition remarkably contrasted with her naturally amiable temper, which, on inferior matters, in which conscience was not affected, readily yielded at any sacrifice of feeling to the opinions, and even to the selfishness of others, while she would not give up a point in argument to the dearest friend, if unconvinced. Hence fickleness, inconstancy, and love of change were almost unknown to her. Hence her perseverance with any thing she undertook-it was not commenced till she felt its importance, nor was it abandoned for unforeseen difficulties. Hence her punctuality to the time appointed for committee, class, or other meetings, and the constant inculcation of this grace on others. And how important is this feature in any who attempt to do good. "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel," may be applied to some Christian females, as well as to Reuben. They readily engage in every new effort, but after attending a few meetings of committee, the zeal cools, and they absent themselves; a new theory

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