PART IV.

PIETY IN THE TIME OF AFFLICTION. A BRIEF MEMOIR OF A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER.

MARY WALKER, while young, was removed from under her parents' roof, to reside with an uncle and aunt, a short distance from her native place. Being of an age when the character is often modified by circumstances, the change tended to develope an excellence and decision which might never have been manifested in the locality of a country village. Naturally buoyant in spirit, yet her plastic mind became sedate and thoughtful by new associations; and we soon discovered other traits of loveliness in a humble deportment, and eventually in a wish to be useful to others. She felt that to labour for Christ in the Sunday School was a privilege, and a source of happiness to which her heart aspired. Here, her regular and punctual attendance, together with a diligent improvement of the time allotted for teaching, rendered her a valuable assistant. Whoever was absent, Mary came. And only on one occasion did the superintendent ever find cause to chide for any neglect of duty. Instead however, of being piqued at the remonstrance and resigning the engagement, as some do, she at once

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THE INQUIRERS' MEETING.

acknowledged and abandoned the fault; nor did her subsequent conduct render it doubtful as to the effect produced, and the resolution formed at that time. If all pious labourers in this department of Christian benevolence would thus act out the important lessons which they teach, and do likewise, a vast deal of unhappiness might be prevented that tends to weaken the zeal of those who preside at the head.

About ten years ago, the Rev. C. Larom, after urging his youthful hearers to surrender their hearts to the service of Christ, invited any who might be under serious impressions, to meet him in the vestry immediately after the evening service. Mary, stepping out of the pew, and extending her hand to a fellow teacher, said "Oh Sarah, let us go. If you will, I should like to accompany you ; and, as if prescient of her early doom, she added, "You know that we are not too young to die." After some slight hesitation, they went together, and the work of grace seems to have been deepened on that occasion. These visits of inquiry were continued at regular intervals until Mary determined fully to devote herself to the momentous matters of religion. Shortly afterwards she became a member of the Church assembling in Townheadstreet Chapel, Sheffield. Sarah, however, hesitated for several years. The spark of piety seemed to

be kindling, but it had not as yet burst into a flame. Struggling hard against the voice of conscience and of truth, she at length yielded, and followed the noble example of her more youthful companion, in being baptized, professing therein an attachment to Christ and his ordinances, meekly acknowledging that she could never rid from her mind, the words, "We are not too young to die." Thus Mary, apparently, was the instrument of bringing her companion to the Saviour's fold. A result so cheering, from such seemingly trivial means, may afford encouragement to other disciples to be "instant in season and out of season" in advising, entreating, and recommending sinners to embrace the offers of mercy and grace.

It was a custom with Mary, to insert in a diary, the impressions of her mind as to the progress she was making in spiritual matters. Here we find no reserve, no guarded expressions intended to deceive. It contains the undress moments of a mind schooled and disciplined with a degree of experience not often found in one so young; affording decisive evidence of the genuineness of her profession, and a sincere desire to maintain a character consistent with her high vocation. From this document a few extracts are here subjoined.

"Oct. 27, 1834. I do not remember any particular event that first caused me to perceive my need

of a Saviour. It appeared to be the gradual working of the Holy Spirit upon my heart, commencing somewhat more than a year ago. My convictions of sin were not so pungent and distressing as those of some. I saw myself to be a depraved and guilty creature; exposed to the curse of God. The thought of being beneath his frown I could not bear. But Christ had said, 'Come unto me and I will give you rest.' Often did I retire into my room, beseeching God, for Christ's sake, to pardon all my sins, and it was there I found peace. A heavenly calmness came over my mind, and I was enabled to rest on Jesus alone for salvation. Thenceforth, what a different aspect everything wore! How lovely Jesus appeared! His courts, that once were dull, now appeared delightful,the Bible lovely, -the vanities of the world, trifles light as air. The followers of Jesus became my dearest friends, and I was able to cry out with the Psalmist, Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth I desire beside thee.""

"Nov. 3, 1834. I have this morning been baptized. I went down into the water in obedience to my dear Redeemer. And this afternoon, for the first time, have commemorated with his people, the dying love of Jesus. What shall I render to the Lord, for the great love wherewith he hath loved me? May this day ever be remembered as a day in which my soul shall rejoice. And now, O Lord, having made a public profession of my faith in Jesus, may I live to honour thy cause on earth, and finally be received to heaven."

Retiring in her habits, besides the disadvantage of living a few miles from Sheffield, Mary did not openly manifest any remarkable features of a religious career, beyond what the Sunday-school afforded. She kept "the even tenor of her way" unostentatiously and quietly. If in her character nothing stately or brilliant was discovered, yet there were no tendencies to digress from the track which her Saviour had marked out; no shrinking from duty; no desire for seeking out a path that was strewed with flowers, when ruggedness or difficulties intercepted. Hers was a disposition of mind to persevere, and she obeyed the impulse. Yet she had many failings. Who on earth has not? But the errors were willingly discarded the moment she knew them to be such. Possessing in no mean degree "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit" without the dull inanity which is sometimes associated therewith, besides a firmness of purpose in resisting evil, she frowned on vice, wherever found; while at other times the calm, benignant impulse and tenderness of her heart towards all who professed Christianity might be read in a bland and smiling countenance. We do not often meet with a woman more lovely, aimiable in manner, generally consistent in religious duties, or more uniformly kind, than Mary. Dissimulation and envy she seemed not to know. No