hour of the year
at home. I feel a prayerful frame, and a determination to give myself
and all my powers to God. Though buffeted by the enemy, my heart is
fully resolved. I will be Thine,--save me.

Oh! Thou, who dost in secret see
My lifted heart, and bended knee;
While now my soul pours out the prayer,
O let it find acceptance there:
Come now, and claim me for Thy own,
And make my heart Thy glorious throne.

Twelve o'clock. Another year is gone."

XVII.

THE MOTHER IN ISRAEL.

"THE HOARY HEAD IS A CROWN OF GLORY, IF IT BE FOUND
IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS."--Prov. xvi. 31.

There are some countenances which even in advanced life are singularly
beautiful; lit up with a heavenly lustre which rivals the freshness
and bloom of youth. Such was the countenance of my venerated mother,
on the eve of threescore years. Her expressive features discovered
the rich adornment of her soul. It was the outbeaming of hidden
glory within;--the reflection of beauty caught by constant and secret
communion with God;--the bright halo of love, joy and peace in
the Holy Ghost. Though in the middle period of life the subject of
frequent and severe attacks of pain in the head, which, for the time,
greatly enfeebled her, she had, by the blessing of God upon the use of
suitable means in connection with her abstemious habits, overcome the
force of disease, and recovered a degree of strength and vigour which
was remarkable. Her step was light and active; her gait erect; and as,
in consequence of the removal of her children into active life, she
was now, to a great extent, freed from domestic duties, she might
often be seen in the streets of the city hasting upon her errands of
mercy. The care of three classes, two of which were large, together
with her numerous engagements in every department of usefulness, which
the church opened out to her, furnished her with continual employment,
and hence, at this period, her diary is a detail rather of Christian
activity than of inward experience.

"1839.--The Covenant-service was a solemn season; yet I did not feel
so much sensible comfort as firmness of purpose to consecrate
myself to God; seeing how greatly it concerned my interest, and what
condescension it implied, on the part of God, to accept of one so
unworthy.--Entered upon subscriptions for the new chapel.--Poor Fanny
McD. has a second time been severely burnt. I saw her this morning;
she was just able to say 'yes