n to the earth with a strong cord: and
though I did earnestly try to keep my eyes fixed on the eternal
world, yet I viewed it with too feeble a faith; I viewed it at too
great a distance. I found it difficult to realize it--I had deceived
myself. I had fancied that I bore my troubles so well from the pure
love of God, but I have since found that my love for my husband had
too great a share in reconciling me to every difficulty which I
underwent for him. I lost him; the charm was broken, the cord which
tied me down to earth was cut, this world had nothing left to engage
me. Heaven had now no rival in my heart. Though my love of God had
always been sincere, yet I found there wanted this blow to make it
perfect. But though all that had made life pleasant to me was gone,
I did not sink as those who have no hope. I prayed that I might
still, in this trying conflict, be enabled to adorn the doctrine of
God my Saviour.

"After many more hardships, I was at length so happy as to get an
asylum in this alms-house. Here my cares are at an end, but not my
duties." "Now you are wrong again," interrupted Mrs. Betty; "your
duty is now to take care of yourself: for I am sure you have nothing
to spare." "There _you_ are mistaken again," said Mrs. Simpson.
"People are so apt to fancy that money is all in all, that all the
other gifts of Providence are overlooked as things of no value. I
have here a great deal of leisure; a good part of this I devote to
the wants of those who are more distressed than myself. I work a
little for the old, and I instruct the young. My eyes are good: this
enables me to read the Bible either to those whose sight is decayed,
or who were never taught to read. I have tolerable health; so that I
am able occasionally to sit up with the sick; in the intervals of
nursing I can pray with them. In my younger days I thought it not
much to sit up late for my pleasure; shall I now think much of
sitting up now and then to watch by a dying bed? My Saviour waked
and watched for me in the garden and on the mount; and shall I do
nothing for his suffering members? It is only by keeping his
sufferings in view that we can truly practice charity to others, or
exercise self-denial to ourselves."

"Well," said Mrs. Betty, "I think if I had lived in such genteel
life as you have done, I could never be reconciled to an alms-house;
and I am afraid I should never forgive any of those who were the
cause of sending me there, particular