The earth
is full of thy mercy,' verse 64; this was one lesson, but still he
cries, 'Teach me thy statutes. Thou hast dealt bountifully with me, O
Lord, according to thy word.' Still he cries, 'Teach me good judgment
and knowledge. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I
might learn thy statutes.'"

"OCTOBER, 1797.

"I love to feel the kindlings of repentance, self-loathing under
a sense of ingratitude, heart-melting with the view of pardoning
grace. I love to feel the sprinkling of my Redeemer's blood on my
conscience, drawing forth the tears of joy and gratitude in the view
of a free pardon. I love to dwell on the seal of reconciliation, while
my heart, glowing with gratitude, sinks into the arms of my redeeming
Lord, in full confidence of his love and my safety for ever. I love to
feel longings after closer communion, after more conformity to his
image, more usefulness to my fellow-members of the body of Christ, and
to all his creatures. I love to feel deeply interested in the success
of the gospel, in the declarative glory of Jehovah, as manifested in
his works of creation and providence, but chiefly in the
superexcellent work of redemption: for 'thou hast magnified thy word
above all thy name.'"

CHAPTER VI.

FORMATION OF THE WIDOWS' SOCIETY--
CLOSE OF HER SCHOOL.

In November, 1797, the "Society for the Relief of Poor Widows
with small Children" was instituted at New York; a society which has
risen into great respectability, and has been productive of very
beneficent effects. The Lord, in his merciful providence, prepared
this institution, to grant relief to the many bereaved families who
were left widows and orphans by the ravages of the yellow-fever in the
years 1798 and 1799.

It took its rise from an apparently adventitious circumstance.
Mr. B----, in the year 1796, was one of the distributing managers of
the St. Andrew's Society. The distribution of this charity was of
course limited to a certain description of applicants. Mrs. B----,
interested for widows not entitled to share in the bounty of the St.
Andrew's Society, frequently collected small sums for their relief.
She consulted with a few friends on the propriety of establishing a
female society for the relief of poor widows with small children,
without limitation. Invitations in the form of