ment, which would have a tendency to remove these evils. "This method," said she, "I contested prayerfully, and if I have succeeded in enforcing it, the Lord has been pleased to bless my supplications, for I always knew the work was too great for my feeble powers to accomplish, and I have left it to Him who does all difficult things for his creatures. I never omit to pray that God may give me good servants."

This method of obtaining so essential a blessing, struck me as being dictated by an unusual degree of faith; and, indeed, every thing I saw at Emilia's house, convinced me of the efficacy of this divine principle, when in full operation. Both mother and daughter impute every blessing to omnipotent goodness. They have encountered many troubles, the recollection of which, seems to add to their present thankful enjoyment of prosperity. Early in the morning I rose and looked from my window, when to my surprise, I saw Emma enveloped in a cloak, coming into the house through a side door. A servant entering soon after, I mentioned what I had seen, and inquired the meaning of it. "Miss Emma sat up last night," answered he, " with the dead body of the poor woman who died yesterday. The family were all broke down with fatigue in attending on her last illness, and her daughter, who is very delicate, was going to set up herself, but Miss Emma would not suffer her, so she went over last night after prayers, and returned by day this morning to get some rest before morning worship." Accordingly the benevolent Emma appeared soon after I entered the drawing room. She looked pale, but made no complaints; on the contrary, her manner was unusually cheerful; doubtless, from the prevalence of that spirit within her, which prompts deeds of self-denial. I could not but amuse my secret thoughts with drawing up a contrast between Emma and Felicia, which was strongest

precisely at that point of time; for I remembered calling at noon, after a ball, upon Felicia, and being told by her mother, that she had not yet left her bed. "She is such a dancer," said the mother, with a complacent smile, "that she gets fatigued to death at balls. Every body of any note must dance with her, and she comes home half dead from every dancing party. Its at least a week before she can walk straight, and I promise you she is cross enough at such seasons." This account was given without a suspicion that it could make an unfavourable impression upon me.

Let me entreat you, my dear Mary, to compare these two characters carefully, and tell me which of the two you wish to resemble? I know that both your principles and taste will lead you to make a right choice. But I am far from wishing to confine you to an earthly model, when you have the fulness of perfection set before you, in Him who has commanded you to be perfect, even as he is perfect. Yet I do not at all approve the sentiment which is often exculpated by those who choose to entertain it, namely, that it is wrong to look at any character with the desire of imitation. If you see before you an example of practical excellence, it may save you the labour of embodying in your own mind the virtues to be copied. When you see, not only what good things may be done, but also how they are done, you may set about them with greater confidence of success. The next letter I address to you, shall comprehend charity as a practical virtue. May the grace of God incline you fully to understand and practise it.

Ever yours.

LETTER IV.

MY DEAR MARY,

It has been said of women, that the natural tenderness of their hearts disposes them to practise without difficulty, the duties of charity. I grant that some of the requisites of this essential christian grace, may be prompted by feminine softness, but there are others which require firmness and magnanimity, such as rarely fall to the lot of women. Take the apostle's definition along with you, and you will soon comprehend my meaning. "Charity suffereth long, and is kind-charity envieth not-charity vaunteth not herself-is not puffed up-doth not behave itself unseemly-seeketh not her own-is not easily provoked-thinketh no evil-rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth-beareth all things-believeth all things-hopeth all things--endureth all things." This is, indeed, a comprehensive grace, and one who can fully practise all its requisitions, must be nearer the image of Christ than a superficial observer would suppose.

In the first place, charity suffereth long. Can you, my dear girl, ever hope to arrive at constancy in suffering? Can you endure the persecution which I know you undergo from some who call themselves your friends? Do you never forget the gentleness and equanimity that such a case calls for? Do you not only endure outwardly, but is your inward aspiration, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do?" Do you cheerfully perform offices of kindness to your persecutors? Do you never feel uneasy when you view the superior attainments of others, so as to be restless and discontented under their superiority? Do you, on the contrary, look up to them with cordial approbation and admiration, loving the virtues which they practise, and being content to feel your own inferiority?-then you have the charity

which envieth not. Are you content that your good works should be seen by God alone? Are you never anxious to bring to light any favourite action, which might redound to your praise? Do you labour for the glory of God alone; and is your heart so full of this object, that your own profit, honour, or praise, never conflicts with holier feelings?then your charity vaunteth not itself. Do you feel humbled by a consciousness that you serve your Master negligently, and in small measure, even when most engaged in his cause? Are you deeply abased when you discover in your heart a feeling of selfcomplacency under your good works?-then your charity is not puffed up. If we feel rightly, our utmost exertions must fall immeasurably short of our desires, so that we never can think we have done enough, where so much remains undone. Charity is always meek, and does not fall into unseemly fits of passion or impatience. Charity does not admit of a boisterous assumption of rights, but rather yields what is really her due, than assumes all that can justly be claimed. Charity is patient. No excess of persecution or extremity of malice can provoke wrath in the mind of a truly patient person. Charity thinketh no evil. Behold the climax of this christian grace. It banishes suspicion. It induces kindly feelings, and favourable judgments. Instead of impeaching the conduct of others, it supposes that all things are right

while they appear so. If equivocal circumstances lead the mind to suspicion, still charity thinketh no evil! It rejoices when truth prevails, and delights to see mankind under its influence. Instead of being pleased with the backsliding of fellow professors, charity mourns at every token of delinquency; grieves over each instance of spiritual declension, and rejoices when righteousness and truth actuate the conduct of the people of God. This

e, when thus practised, comprehends much of the

sublime and beautiful of christian excellence. Emilia lately disclosed an instance of her daughter's steadfastness in the faith, which was truly pleasing. There was a young person who had manifested considerable jealousy of Emma's success in life. She was a near relation, and a fellow labourer in the good cause, though with motives far less pure than those which actuated the zealous christian. This person disturbed the meek and benign Emma, in every plan which her charity could suggest. By open rudeness, or secret thwartings, she impeded many of her operations. Emma pursued her course steadily; where she was stopped in one path of duty, she turned without murmuring to another. In vain did injudicious friends point out to her with amplification, the errors of her relative. With a charity determined not to think evil, or rejoice in iniquity, she went on her course with caution and prudence, avoiding all collision as much as possible, and yielding the palm to her envious friend whenever she could. There was to be a meeting of a sewing society, and Emma heard, that her opponent was determined to do something mortifying to her on the occasion. She did not throw herself into an attitude of defiance, but prayed fervently that she might be guided aright in her conduct at this crisis. She meekly bent to the storm, and gave up all that was required; cheerfully taking a subordinate situation, and making herself happy and active. This conduct disarmed malice. She enjoyed the triumph of overcoming evil with good; and finally, brought her half-hearted relative to embrace religion firmly and consistently. Many have been the triumphs of her upright spirit over malice and envy. At present she enjoys the happiness of being at peace with all her fellow labourers, and having their confidence in a high degree. Emma was once advised not to admit a captious, cavilling person, into some benevolent asso

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