furnishes whatever is needful to each heart that comes hungering to its store. Like the gathering of the manna by Israel of old, "He that gathered much had nothing over (not more than he could use), and he that gathered little had no lack." Thus we see how wide a distinction exists between profound thought and spiritual perception. To know God, does not mean that we have fathomed the depths of His nature, but that we have felt and realised His truth and love; and it is quite possible for a man who could understand all mysteries, to have much less of this knowledge than some unlettered, but Christ-loving peasant; as Cowper happily expresses it, in his well known lines, when contrasting Voltaire with the English villager

"Yon cottager, who weaves at her own door,
Pillow and bobbins, all her little store,

Just knows enough—no more-her Bible true,
A truth the brilliant Frenchman never knew."

What is here related refers to the history of E. M. as far as to her nineteenth year, for she was eighteen years of age when she received the peace which God vouchsafed to her. At this time her fits were regular, followed by the

spasmodic leapings, and her interval of consciousness was limited to a few hours on every alternate day. At twelve o'clock precisely on that day she came to herself; but, at the expiration of one hour, the springing was renewed. On one occasion, the writer happening to overstay his allotted time for a few minutes, was startled by seeing the hitherto quiet and sensible girl spring from her reclining position, and passing between the footposts of the bed, seize one of them, and shake it violently. It may be left to the reader to compute the time and opportunities afforded for mental and moral exertions. Four hours in every forty-eight were the season allotted to this child of suffering, during five years of her life, for the work of grace in her soul. In that space of time, she worked with her needle, read, prayed, wrote, and received friends, to whom she spoke with an earnest affection upon the subject of religion which many will remember, and for which some will have cause to bless God for ever. Can the reader say as much for the employment of his own life?

This chapter will not be improperly closed with her own statement of the change which was thus

happily wrought in her. In a letter, dated August 31st, 1850, she writes:

"I doubt not but you will feel surprised when you perceive the writer of this, as doubtless you think I am not capable of writing after this long affliction. But you must remember, dear C. that the Lord giveth power to the weak, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.

"You will be anxious to hear how I am in body, so I must now tell you that I do not get any better. I am still very ill indeed. I suffer so much with my head: the pain is so sharp sometimes, that I scarcely know what to do with myself. I cannot get any thing to do me any good. The doctors have done all they can for me, and it is evident we must leave all in the hands of the Lord, for He is the only good and great Physician, and I will commit myself to Him, fully and freely, with the strongest confidence that He will do that which is right concerning me.

"Dear C, it is a very long time since I saw you, and you will not, I hope, be surprised to hear that both my opinions and views are changed, and therefore I cannot write to you as I did once, The pleasures of this world have lost their lustre to me. I cannot look at things in the same light as I did then. Yes, dear C. I trust a change has been wrought in mẹ, though gradual. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst

not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit.' I hope it

is not presumption or pride to apply it to myself. To

His name be all the praise and glory, who alone could accomplish so great a work. I feel that the love and power must be Almighty which has redeemed me from the service of sin unto God. Though in myself perfect weakness, in Him is everlasting strength; and when He has begun the good work, we are assured He will carry it on, and perfect it in Christ Jesus. He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax; and shall I not trust Him?"

CHAP. IV.

"Meek souls there are, who little dream
Their daily strife an angel's theme,
Or that the rod they take so calm,
Shall
prove in Heaven a martyr's palm."

"O Lord my God! do thou thy holy will:
I will lie still :

I will not stir, lest I forsake thine arm,
And break the charm,

Which lulls me clinging to my Father's breast,
In perfect rest."

CHRISTIAN YEAR.

IT was at the close of the year 1848 that the writer of this memoir paid his first ministerial visit to E. M. Having heard much of the singularity of her illness, her love of Scripture, and her gentle and cheerful faith, he was prepared to feel a great interest in her; nor was he disappointed. Upon entering the low-pitched room where she lay, he was struck with her appearance