your soul. DEUT. xi. 18. And accordingly David declared "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Ps. cxix, 11. And thus also did this pious woman seem really to have embraced the truth with joy, and to have laid up the words of God within her inmost heart. Her state was truly happy, for her single desire was to learn and do the will of her unseen and divine Lord; therefore she did not draw attention towards herself, but continued her quiet way, as she desired, without noise or even observation. Her religious conversation was with God; in Him she found the wisest councillor and the most constant friend; always present, always kind, both willing and able to assist her in every temptation, and comfort her in every sorrow. Knowing by experience the blessed privilege of communion with God, she constantly waited upon Him in His own house; and while listening to the instruction of His ordained minister, and offering her supplications and praise "in the midst of the congregation," she found His promise true, “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." Is. xl, 31. And then in private, while declaring

her wants, confessing her sins, asking pardon, and imploring grace in lonely and fervent prayer, she experienced the comfort of that scripture, "I am not alone, because the Father is with me." JOHN, xvi, 32.

These feelings and views she plainly express. ed, though, as always, very slowly and humbly.

When she was assured that the pious Clergyman would have been most ready to visit her occasionally, she seemed quite surprised at the mention of such a favour; she also gave three remarkable reasons why she had never requested him to call, but had endeavoured to go on her own way, through the assistance of the public services, and her private devotions.

"A Clergyman's time," she said, “is very precious; he has so many great and difficult duties to perform, that no one should ever interrupt him without a very strong reason. Now I enjoy the great benefit of his public instructions several times a week; this ought to be enough; and if I

take him away to call upon me, he must leave something which is more necessary, undone. It is always my duty to wait upon him, but I cannot expect, nor do I wish him to wait upon me." These reflections would naturally arise in the mind of this humble and diligent christian; and they deserve general attention. It should however be observed, that pastoral visits are not only useful, but very necessary; and if real improvement be desired, the Clergyman and his parishioners may derive from them mutual benefit; only let care be taken that these visits are conducted on a right principle.

This good woman had learned from her Bible to look upon the office of a minister of the Church with affection and respect. She read there that they are to be accounted "Ambassadors of Christ, and Stewards of the mysteries of God." In St. Paul's epistle to the Thessalonians, v, 12, she found this charge: "We beseech you brethren, to know them which labour amongst you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly for their works' sake." But reverence for her minister was

also joined to a proper regard for the wants of her neighbours; she seemed so unwilling to fill up any of the valuable time which some one else might need more than herself, that it appeared as if she had been meditating upon these words of the Apostle to the Philippians, ii, 4. “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." She was more anxious to do good than "to get good," to send help to the needy, than secure it for herself. She might remember that remarkable saying of our Lord, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." AcTs, xx, 35.

Her second reason was no less striking than the former, and was expressed nearly in these words.

"I feel," she said, "that God has been very gracious to me—I have so many opportunities of receiving good instructions. How many Sundays, how many week-days have I been allowed to hear the word of God read and preached; and yet I am not what I should be, nor what I might have

been-I ought to know more, and be far better than I am, after all the pains that have been taken about such a poor creature. But if, besides

all that has been done for me in public, I receive instructions in private, I am afraid I shall never be able to give a good account of so many blessings. I wish I could think I had improved all that I have heard in the Church-I must try and make a better use of what I have already before I ask for any thing besides; I am sure I am unworthy of any more goodness." And thus did this simple woman prove her belief in those words of the Lord, "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required, LUKE, xii, 48. and shewed in a very interesting manner, her lowly opinion of herself, and the extraordinary tenderness of her conscience.

The third reason was entirely her own, and to be duly felt should have been heard from her own lips. I should not be able," she said, "to speak properly to a minister of the Gospel. If he asked me any thing, perhaps I could not answer, and I should be always afraid of saying