sarily make the latter end both labour and sorrow; therefore, should my life be continued, it is probable I shall find it to be so. But, Sir, there is a corrective in the case. There is another, a spiritual life, of which every real Christian is possessed, and which can counterbalance the labour and sorrow of old age. Paul describes the case thus-though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians iv. 16. This is my hope and my consolation also, for I should be a miserable old woman if God had not given me this new life, and with it a good hope through grace, that when my natural life shall expire, I shall then be admitted to a life eternal. So you see I place the sentiment of Moses along side that of Paul's, the one correcting and soothing the other; for while the body, the outward man, gradually perishes, the inward man, the renewed soul, daily grows stronger and stronger; and this happily teaches me the wise and good dispensation of God with his children in this vale of tears."-" I must confess, Madam," replied Mr. Lovejoy, "that your reflections upon that text are to me new and interesting. They certainly remove from it that gloomy vail we are apt to perceive upon it, and which has discouraged many aged persons when they contemplated the last stages of their earthly pilgrimage. The rays of Christianity most charmingly illuminate the subject; and it is my fervent wish that you may realize them every day you may be permitted to live. I presume, Madam, that persons of your length of days must have passed through many changes, and collected no small share 66 of information on the journey of life, the communieation of which will not only give you charming employment in old age, but prove a source of instruction and encouragement to your children and friends, who wish to follow your example."-" The changes in my pilgrimage," replied Mrs. Livingston, " have neither been so numerous or remarkable as in many others of my age. Yet notwithstanding my numerous sins and infirmities, I have witnessed abundant instances of the Lord's goodness and tender mercy, which are sufficient to clothe me with humility, and fill me with gratitude! Whenever I came to the mile-stone of my birthday, for many years I have been in the habit, not only of marking the number at which I arrived, but of writing underneath, hitherto the Lord hath helped me; but still I little anticipated I should live to see the morning when I should read, as I now do, the number SEVENTY. Permit me to inform you, Sir, that although I have lived much in private, I have found great advantages from keeping a DIARY, which I frequently. read; and although my own record often reminds me of my neglect and imperfections, it certainly aids me to remember the way in which the Lord my God hath lead me. This is a practice which I cannot too highly recommend to all my pious friends, especially to those in early life: for although, like my own, it will frequently speak loud against them, and reprove them for their remissness, it will be found necessary for their amendment. It will likewise be to them an admirable means to improve their faith, humility, and gratitude, exciting them to nearer communion with God, which, in my estimation, is the soul of religion; and however imperfectly such memorandums may be written, eventually they will exhibit the general features of a man's life, so that in old age he will esteem it in value next to his Bible, as it will contain the history of God's kind dispensations towards him. You will justify me, Sir, by saying, on this my birthday, that the greatest event recorded in my diary, is my new and spiritual birth to God, through the influence of his most blessed Spirit. Being in an easy station, like many other young persons, I was gay and thoughtless, but about my thirtieth year I hope the Lord changed my heart to know and serve him. When it pleased God to remove my husband from my arms by death, he so sanctified that bereaving stroke, that I attained greater evidence of interest in my Redeemer; and through my widowhood the Lord has been my heavenly Husband and never-failing portion. My Bible is my charter, my directory, and the cabinet of my spiritual jewels, which lead me to my Saviour, and from whence I daily draw my strength and my consolation. I readily confess, that all the afflictions which I have endured have been in mercy and loving-kindness, although at the time they were inflicted I really did not think so. My greatest sorrows have sprang from the evils of my own heart, in so often departing from the Lord, whom I wished to love and serve! And now, if I can say nothing else, I hope I can with sincerity this morning adopt the confession of the apostle, that to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." My dear mother," said Mrs. Watson, "our conversation this morning has taken that impressive turn which affords us inexpressible delight. Will you permit me to suggest the wish of my heart? As the Rev. Mr. Lovejoy has honoured you with this visit, that he now be requested, in the name of your family, to return thanks to Almighty God for the preservation and comforts which, for so many years, you have enjoyed?" With this request, Mr. Lovejoy devoutly complied; and after they had sung the following appropriate lines, the company immediately retired. 'Tis but a few whose days amount Almighty God, reveal thy love, And not thy wrath alone; Oh let our sweet experience prove Our souls would learn the heav'nly art To improve the hours we have, That we may act the wiser part, And live beyond the grave. Watts. P. S. The pious Mrs. Watson returned to her residence, and in the evening of that day she indulged the tender emotions of her heart, in consequence of the morning visit she had paid to her venerated mother. These were too full to be retained in her bosom, and therefore is supposed to |