eral years appear can say, "from her infancy to the day of her death, she never gave her father one disrespectful look; she never in addressing him used one disrespectful word; she never was guilty of one intentional act of disobedience." What a testimony to youthful loveliness is here! How worthy is such an example of being imitated! How few daughters there are concerning whom so much can be said with truth! Yet there are few, it may be supposed, who would not wish such an eulogium from their surviving parents. it impossible for me ever to experience a tale of wretchedness. I will dismiss this part, and turn to that which is rather more pleasing. About ing, a morning never to be forgotten by the middle of May, on a Sabbath mornme, I was ruminating on my sad state, and I thought that I would try to plead with God, that he would be pleased to make the preaching of his word, that day, mist which overspread my mind. Aca means of removing the darkness and cordingly I made the attempt; but while But she did not imagine that her correct and amiable deportment entitled her to the Divine favour. So far from this, she became alarm-I was dictating to my heavenly Parent, ed at her condition, and sincerely the time I thought that I was all submis(as I afterwards found it to be, though at lamented her sins. Although her sion) the thought occurred to me, that I conduct had been irreproachable, was leaning on an arm of flesh, that I had she feared that her heart had not often wished the same thing, and had albeen right in the sight of God. The ways returned disappointed. I think I was then brought to see that my help ohange which she thought had taken must come from God alone, and I explace in her principles and feelings claimed, in all the anguish of despair, is well described in a letter which "Lord, save, or I perish." I felt that I she wrote to her maternal grand-sed, into the hands of a merciful Saviour, could resign myself and all that I possesmother soon after she made a profession of religion. We are happy that we can give it to our readers. Boston, August 25, 1814. My dear and ever honoured Grandmother, WHEN I last saw you, I intended to have written to you several times, before we met again, but we are short sighted creatures. My mind, through the winter past, was in such a distressed state, that I was sensible a letter from me would occasion much more pain than pleasure. In November, my attention was suddenly arrested by a Sermon which was preached from these words: "If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." The enormity of my sins, and my ingratitude to God were so deep ly impressed on my mind, that I thought who would protect me. For several hours I was insensible of the change which had taken place in my feelings. I was perfectly composed; nothing troubled me. I enjoyed my meeting unusually-but still did not realize the cause. Next morning I was reading Doddridge's description of the trials of the Christian, and it at once occurred to me that I was willing to endure all these trials, and could call it a "blessed lot" indeed to be so highly honoured. Then I found that my trouble was gone. A friend of mine called in the evening; I could converse with more freedom than usual, for I could not feel a wish to disguise the state of my mind any longer. The Lord had been so merciful to me, that I thought it would be an unpardonable sin in me to wish to conceal it. In about six weeks after that time, I felt it my duty, (not by the persuasion of my friends, as some will no doubt imag- || statement would be most satisfacine,) publicly to profess the religion of torily illustrated. It would be seen my Divine Redeemer, before the world. It was on the morning of the 10th of Ju- that they chiefly wrote on subjects ly that I gave myself up to the Lord in which had a relation to their own baptism; and a pleasant season it was to personal religion, or to the prospermy soul. The water was remarkably ty of the church of Christ ; and that when separated, they mutually agreed on a given hour at which they would daily meet each other at a throne of grace. calm, and I think I could say with the pious Watts, Bless'd Jesus, what delicious fare, How sweet thine entertainments are! Thus, my dear Grandmother, I have given you a brief account of what, I would Mrs. Freeman not only attended humbly hope, have been the dealings of constantly on the public worship of the Lord with a poor, vile, unworthy God, but she endeavoured to presinner. I find every day, that sin cleaves fast unto me. Oh! pray for me, that I pare her mind for a profitable hearmay be enabled by divine grace, to resisting of the word. We shall introthe temptations of Satan, of a flattering duce a few remarks from her Diary, world, and my own sinful, corrupt heart. simply with a view that others may I need the prayers and admonitions of all imitate her laudable example. God's dear people. "June 26, 1825. I have been favoured this day with the means of grace. I have heard two discourses from Matt. vii. 21, to the But I shall weary your eyes, if not your patience with such a long letter, and therefore I will close, praying that you may enjoy much of the presence of God, and the comforts of his Holy Spirit; without which this world is a scene of wretch-close of the chapter. I have reaedness and wo. Your affectionate and ever dutiful granddaughter, As her conduct had been truly exemplary before she made a public profession of religion, it is not to be imagined that she became less attentive to the precepts of Christianity afterwards. So far from this, the active operation of religious principle seemed to give new life and beauty to a character, which before challenged our admiration and love. son to lament that I retain so little of what I hear. This morning I heard with pleasure. My thoughts were more collected than usual, and I fondly hoped that it would benefit me. The will of God respecting us, and the happiness of those who perform his will with a view to the divine glory, were clearly pointed out; and sinners were warned with much feeling. This afternoon I went with the expectation of much enjoyment, but alas! my thoughts were with the "fool's eyes to the ends of the earth.” have made it my practice for many years, after seating myself in a place of public worship, to endeavour to collect my thoughts, and I It is probable that her growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was much promoted by the matrimonial connexion which she formed about||plead with God that he would bless a year after she joined the church. Mr. Freeman, to whom she was united in marriage, was not only a man of habitual but enlightened piety. Their intercourse, was the inter course of kindred minds, mutually encouraging and improving each other in knowledge and goodness. Were it proper to give specimens of their correspondence with each other during long intervals of painful but necessary absence, this the season to my soul. I have sometimes found great assistance from this, in driving away vain and foolish thoughts. To-day I was obliged to strive hard to gain the ascendency over them, and at last succeeded in some measure. Nominal Christians were warned of the inefficacy of an outward profession to save them from the just indignation of their Judge. Oh that it may deeply impress my mind. I do not live like a Christian. I have much || counsels and his gentle restraints reason to doubt my own personal religion. As to my holiness, I dare not mention it; and this day only adds another in which I have been conscious of many aberrations from the precepts and example of the meck and lowly Jesus. O that God would in infinite mercy cleanse my soul from the sins to which I am prone. I cannot think aright, nor act in a manner suitable to my profession. Occupying the relation of a mother, she felt that she had important religious duties to discharge towards her children. How she acted under this conviction will appear from a statement of her own, which was not intended for the public eye, and would not now be made known, were it not for the hope that some Christian mothers will be induced to "go and do likewise." She remarks, "for sometime past I have been enabled to take my dear children by them selves. I have read with them, and prayed to our heavenly Father for blessings upon them. I would desire to be thankful that I have not felt it an irksome task, nor found any disinclination to it. 0 that these seasons may be blessed to their everlasting good." How rational and how scriptural the course she pursued. She put into their hands that book which is able to make them wise unto salvation, and by her own example and instructions taught them to reverence it as the word of God. And every one must be convinced, that she prayed with them under circumstances the most likely to affect their young and tender hearts The solicitude which Mrs Freeman felt for the salvation of her children, was also manifested for other branches of the family. It is mentioned in the Memoir of her beloved husband, that several young men who acquired from him their knowledge of business will|| always remember his judicious with gratitude." But we have now the gratifying evidence that they were both workers together with God in forming the religious character of the young men who dwelt under their roof. The pious, discreet, and yet active part, which Mrs. Freeman took in promoting this object will be best understood by the following extracts from letters addressed to her husband. Boston, Feb. 3, 1822. ing, I endeavoured to improve the oppor*** Returning from lecture last eventunity which I have long desired of conversing with C. respecting his views of religion. He readily admitted its necessity "to live as well as to die by," as he expressed himself. I told him that young people were prone to defer the consideration of religion to some future time. He said the present was the only time to be depended upon. I observed to him that there were no promises of pardon to those who put off repentance to a more convenient season. "No," he replied, "Now is the accepted time, and now is the day of salvation." It would require more time than I can spare, to give you a detail of our conversation. A little more, however. I remarked that Mr. had quoted his favourite author, alluding to He did not Young's Night Thoughts. quote enough, was the reply. He ought to have repeated "Be wise to-day,--'tis madness to defer, My dearest G. I leave you to judge of his situation. I cannot but hope that a conviction of the truth and reality of religion is fastened upon his mind, as a nail in a sure place. If it be, we know that the Lord will accomplish his own work. His conversation indicates to me that conscience has written "A doomsday sentence on his heart." O may it be our united prayer for him, that he may never rest short of the ark of safety. Do you consider how much we have been favoured of the Lord respecting those who compose our family? When I reflected upon it last night, and cherish. ed the fond anticipation of C- being could not sleep. I am afraid to think my brought to a knowledge of the truth, own thoughts' respecting his conversion, lest it should be but as the "morning cloud and the early dew." In two subsequent letters bearing date in the same month, she had 66 me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me. In all this she did not charge God foolishly." And when the first burst of grief was over, she manifested great ChrisThe keenness of the delightful satisfaction of informing Mr. Freeman that she had frequently conversed with the person alluded to in the former communication; that he had freely stated to her the rise and progress of religion in his soul, and that his feel-tian fortitude. ings were then like the "smooth her sufferings, and yet the meek surface of a summer's sea;" all was and quiet spirit with which she enpeace. She closes a most interest- dured them, are appropriately exing narrative of his Christian expe-pressed in the following letters. rience by saying I conversed The first was written to a kind and with him till near eleven o'clock pious clergyman, who administered the last evening, and when he re- the consolations of religion to Mr. tired, I had a good weeping time. Freeman in his last sickness. The I think my heart was in some de-last was addressed to an English gree dissolved into thankfulness. gentleman, who resided for a short How unworthy we are of such bles- time at Nice, and who gave abunsings! I felt that in truth we could dant proof that his heart was alive say, Salvation has come to this to the most tender Christian symhouse. How ought we to bless and pathies. We give them in the conpraise his name for such great mer-fidence that they will be read with feelings of the deepest interest. cy." ever. This account should encourage pious women to embrace seasonable opportunities for religious conversation. Those who are under their care may reap the benefit of it forShould success crown their efforts, how gladdening must be the recollection, that by their faithfulness, tempered with kindness and discretion, they have been instrumental of saving a soul from death, and of hiding a multitude of sins. Rev. Sir, Boston, June 18, 1825. IT is with diffidence that I attempt to acknowledge the reception of your melancholy but consoling letter, dated March 17th. The contents have indeed filled my heart with indescribable anguish. Until within a short period previous, I had cherished the fond hope that I should once more embrace the object of my tenderest solicitude. But alas! my sun has set at noon day, and I am left to pursue the rugged path of life alone. I would humbly hope, however, that my heavenly Father has in some measure blessed this dispensation of his wise and holy providence to my soul and enabled me to "be still," knowing that " it is the Lord." The attention which my beloved husband received at Nice demands my warmest expressions of gratitude. Truly this peculiar interposition of Providence in his behalf, has been a sweet solace in my deep affliction. In a land of strangers, to be surrounded by affectionate Christian friends, anxious to mitigate all his distress, was a favour I most ardently desired for my dear husband, but which I It might have been hoped that a connexion so pure, exalted and happy, as that which subsisted between Mr. and Mrs. Freeman, would be protracted until they both had attained a good old age. But infinite wisdom had determined otherwise. After a long and painful illness, as our readers have been informed,* Mr. Freeman died in a foreign land. This was indeed a heart-rending stroke to his widow.hardly dared expect. My prayers have When she thought of "Joys departed, never to return," and looked at her five children, who had just been deprived of one of the best of fathers, she could not help exclaiming, “Have pity upon • Vide Baptist Magazine for November last. been more than answered. The last letter which I ever received from him closed with expressions of gratitude to God for the kind attention which he had received in your city. Your name, my dear Sir, was frequently mentioned by him with satisfaction and delight, likewise Rev. Mr. L, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Rivardi, and Lieut. Smith, the family with whom he boarded, his physician and servant were mentioned by him with gratitude. Please to present to them an assurance of my own most unbounded gratitude. The knowledge of their disinterested kindness to one, dear to me as my own soul, has filled my widowed heart with joy. May the blessing return a thousand fold into their own bosoms. of Christian friends at Nice will never cease to excite the most devout gratitude to my heavenly Father. They have the sweet satisfaction of having softened the pillow of sickness, and cheered by their presence and conversation, even the entrance of the "dark valley." They may rest assured of the blessing of the widow and the fatherless; and if I am never indulged with an opportunity of reciprocating their kindness in this world, I hope, through the riches of grace in a dear Redeemer, to spend an eternity of blessedness with them where separations will never take place, and sorrow be forever unknown. The particulars you were so kind as to communicate respecting my dear husband's last hours, were indeed calculated to interest every feeling of my heart. I could wish, however, that his own last words might be remembered, and the state of his mind at the closing scene. If, Sir, it is not trespassing too much on your time and friendship, another letter from Your kind notice of my children is you with any of these particulars, would gratifying to a parent's heart. An attenindeed be an invaluable treasure, and add tion to their numerous wants has in some to the weight of obligation which I al- measure diverted my mind from the irreready feel towards you. Pardon this in-parable loss which I have sustained. But timation, much respected Sir. Your unexampled kindness to mine inspires me with confidence to express my wishes thus freely. Permit me to state, that I should long ere this time have relieved my burdened heart by this expression of gratitude, had not my solicitude been awakened for several weeks past, by the severe indisposition of my dear babe, who has just terminated her earthly existence, and she is now, I humbly trust, joining with her dear Father in ascriptions of praise to the Lamb, who has washed them in his precious blood. Allow me to possess an interest in your supplications at a throne of grace, and believe me to be, with sentiments of the most profound respect, Dear Sir, Your much obliged, MARY FREEMAN. A few days since I was agreeably surprised by the reception of a letter from my beloved husband's much valued friend, Mr. H. Be assured, my dear Sir, that it is peculiarly gratifying to me, to be indulged with an opportunity of presenting you my most unfeigned acknowledgments of gratitude for your affectionate attention to my dearest earthly treasure. We were separated under peculiarly trying circumstances; and his lonely situation on his arrival at Nice, was too distressing for me to reflect upon with any kind of compo sure. I have found by painful experience, that they too were mortal. My dear babe has already joined her Father in the skies. When we are blessed with the sweet assurance that our dear friends are united with the spirits of the just made perfect, and made completely happy and glorious forever, to repine at our loss, or murmur at the dealings of Divine Providence towards us, would be base ingratitude. To say, "Father, thy will be done," under bereaving providences, is not possible, without divine assistance. Submission is a duty which is not easily practised, but we can do all things through Christ strengthening us. I fear that I have possessed but little of this Christian temper. But I should forfeit my mercies if I did not acknowledge that "the Lord has been a very present help in trouble. Be pleased to pardon this intrusion on your time. Your kindness and attention to one who was so dear to me is my only apology. And now that my beloved companion has exchanged a life of prayer for an eternity of praise, allow his bereaved family an interest in your supplications at a throne of grace. It will ever be my earnest prayer, that God may reward your labours of love, and return fourfold into your own bosom, the kindness which you manifested towards a stranger, but whose last moments were spent in praising God for the unexpected kindness which he had received. Respectfully, MARY FREEMAN. Mrs. Freeman having made such a disposition of her family concerns as to allow her considerable leisure; in imitation of her blessed Redeem But God, who is rich in mercy, withholds no needful comforts from his children. He who commanded the ravens to administer to the wants of a faithful servant, almost as miraculously raised up friends for my dearest husband. Your kindness was often mentioned by him with the highest satisfaction, and allow me to add, that a knowledge of it has afer, she went about doing good. Her forded much consolation to my agonized connexion with the Widows and heart. While life remains, the kindness || Fatherless Society" had a happy |