mind, she possessed a sound and vigorous
understanding, which however, was rather quick than penetrating. This
she improved by a considerable amount of good reading. Her choice
of books was in harmony with the set purpose of her life, and seldom
surpassed the bounds of religious literature: for while she had no
sympathy with those little minds that, on the pretence of greater
religiousness despise human knowledge, she steadily kept in view the
rule she adopted in early life, "never to trifle with any book with
which she had no immediate concern," and consequently preferred those
which, while they informed the judgment, were also calculated to
impress the heart. Within this limit her reading was widely varied. To
the better class of biography, she added poetry, history, philosophy,
and divinity. Her favourite poet was Young, from whom she often quoted
at length; her favourite divine, Wesley; and her favourite book the
Bible. This last she not uncommonly read upon her knees, seeking the
assistance and blessing of the Holy Spirit, who is the best expositor
of His own word. Her knowledge of scripture was remarkable, and her
apprehension of its great doctrines distinct and clear as noonday.
"With increasing ardour she continued to dig in this inexhaustible
mine of truth, until the close of life, and within the last three or
four years waded through the greater part of Henry's Commentary.
Her study of divine truth was mainly prosecuted with a view to its
experience and practice; and hence her piety assumed that rare and
exalted character which develops itself evenly in all the various
relations of life. In her, the image of Christ was not, as in too
many instances, caricatured; but presented in its just and fair
proportions; and, as a necessary consequence, Impressed all who came
in contact with her with the certain conviction of its genuineness.
Zealous in the church, she was equally active and faithful at home.
_Little_ duties were not neglected on the pretext of performing others
of a higher character. By a strict economy of time, which she prized
more than, gold; by early rising, method and punctuality, she found
time for everything; so that her house was a pattern of neatness and
order, and her family was as well provided for as though she had no
public duties to perform. "She looked well to her own household, and
ate not the bread of idleness." Naturally of an active temper of mind,
she was always employed; and, from an