m and decided, and it was evident that the spiritual
change which had already commenced in her soul, was rapidly advancing to
its completion.

It was now that her trials began. The determinate and consistent form
which her renewed character had assumed, was far from exciting any
complacent feelings in the minds of her parents; and it became the more
obnoxious to them from the preference she manifested for the preaching
of Mr. Davis. They had brought up their family to the established
church, and it distressed them exceedingly to see their daughter
becoming a dissenter. But she had counted the cost, and was prepared to
make any sacrifice, and to endure any hardship, rather than forego the
privileges she now enjoyed in the house of God. Hardships she had indeed
to endure: such was the severity with which she was treated, that it was
no uncommon thing, when she returned from the sanctuary, to find her
father's door locked against her; and often has she walked in the fields
without food during the intervals of public worship, rather than incur
the displeasure that awaited her at home. This was a season of trial,
and she came forth from it like refined gold. Her filial attentions were
not less respectful or affectionate than formerly; on the contrary,
she watched both her temper and her conduct with more than wonted
carefulness, and endeavoured to show them that she could bear with
meekness the wrongs she suffered in so good a cause. Nor did she wholly
withdraw herself from the established church. Reading was at that time
favoured with the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Talbot, the Hon. and Rev.
Mr. Cadogan, and the Rev. Mr. Eyre, his curate at St. Giles's. The
preaching of these faithful servants of the Lord was distinguished
by its truly evangelical character, and she found much benefit in
occasionally hearing them. At their Thursday evening lecture she was
a constant attendant, both at this period and after she had joined the
Baptist church. Her new principles had not contracted, but on the
contrary enlarged, her mind. Her views with regard to the ordinance of
baptism, and on some other subjects connected with those parts of divine
truth on which a difference of sentiment prevails, were conscientiously
embraced; but they were held in the spirit of Christian charity. As much
as she could, without a sacrifice of conscience, she endeavoured to
conciliate the prejudices of her parents; and at length her efforts
were blessed beyond