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ELEVEN years have nearly elapsed, since the pious writer of the following papers exchanged mortality for eternal life. It was generally known by her intimate friends that she had left to posterity a record of the gracious dealings of God toward her; and it was sanguinely hoped that this record would soon be given to the religious world. These hopes, however, were destined for a season to undergo a painful disappointment. Lady Maxwell had intrusted her papers to the care of the honourable Miss Napier, with a solemn injunction that after her ladyship's decease they should be transmitted to one of the Wesleyan ministers; but she neither specified any individual, nor fixed on any particular period when this obligation should be discharged. Thus a liberty seemed to be allowed for the exercise of choice and discretion; and a delay in delivering up the manuscripts was the too natural consequence. The feelings, also, were deeply interested in this delay. Miss N. had long been an inmate in the house of her illustrious relative; had enjoyed the benefit of her pious counsel, holy example, and fervent prayers; and when left to lament her loss, felt an almost idolatrous attachment to every thing in her possession which had belonged to her departed friend. This attachment was frequently assigned to the editor as the principal, if not the only reason for the detention of these papers: for, though Miss N. readily acknowledged that her ladyship's injunction was, on her part, binding, and determined to obey it; yet she indulged a desire to retain the valuable deposit until the period of her own dissolution.

Six years passed away and nothing had, as yet, appeared to gratify the ardent expectation of her ladyship's numerous friends, when the Rev. W. Atherton, a gentleman who had been honoured with a personal acquaintance, yielding to frequent and earnest solicitations, attempted "A Sketch of the Life and Character of Lady Maxwell." This valuable memoir was first published in the Methodist Magazine in the latter end of the year 1816. Its author, considering he had to lament the want of original documents, has certainly delineated the exalted character with great fidelity; and, though he regretted the want of "a master's hand,' has executed his task in a manner highly honourable to himself. A great part of this memoir, which, with a few omissions, afterward appeared in a respectable Scottish monthly publication, has been introduced into the present work.

Still more recently, even while the editor was preparing these volumes for the press, a work entitled "A Christian Sketch of Lady Maxwell," was announced to the public. This, at first,

excited in his mind a degree of curiosity. He hoped, however, that additional information would thus be communicated, which might enable him to illustrate more fully those manuscripts which were then passing under his review; and he, of coure, eagerly procured the work. Happily for him, he was already in possession of ample materials, or his mortification, like that of many others, must have been great. He found this "Christian Sketch," though coming before the public under the disguised pretension of an original work, little more than a mangled, unfair, and, in his estimation, very disingenuous reprint of the memoir to which he has already alluded.

It was during the editor's residence in Edinburgh that he became personally acquainted with Miss Napier, and the acquaintance had not long been formed before he was requested to visit her, on a sick and dying bed. It was then he first learned the nature of that engagement into which she had entered, and received from her repeated assurances that it should be sacredly regarded. After a tedious and painful affliction, she was removed by death; and the manuscripts with which she had been intrusted, were, by her appointment, presented to the editor in the most obliging manner. These included her ladyship's diary, and the letters addressed to Lady Hope. For most of the other letters he is indebted to the kindness of Mrs. Mortimer, formerly Miss Ritchie, one of her ladyship's correspondents.

On the nature of Lady Maxwell's writings, it is now unnecessary for him to give an opinion; but he may, perhaps, be indulged to state the principle by which he has been chiefly guided, in making the present selection. The Diary included a period of forty-two years, and extended over two thousand three hundred quarto pages, closely written; and the letters in his possession amounted to nearly three hundred. The limits to which the publication was confined, would admit but a very scanty portion of the originals; yet he hoped that, with care, such a selection might be made, as should leave on the reader's mind, the same impressions of her ladyship's experience and character, as would have been produced by the perusal of the whole. To this, with him a primary object, he has paid the most scrupulous attention. It was also in accordance with this principle, that he determined to regulate the arrangement of the papers, as much as possible, in strictly chronological order. Besides, as the principle involved an endeavour to present her ladyship's character and conduct under every shade of difference, the reader's pleasure and profit were thus consulted, by securing to the selection the greatest possible variety.

With her ladyship's style, the editor has indulged no liberty, but such as must be found necessary in all posthumous works, which have not received the finishing polish of the author's own hand.

Though he wished to avoid all unnecessary obtrusion of himself on the attention of the readerr--a thing quite unpardonable while in company with Lady Maxwell-yet he has, where necessity or propriety seemed to demand it, offered a few occasional remarks, which he trusts will be found to give an additional interest to these volumes.

The benefit to be derived from a serious perusal of works like the present, has been amply described by pious writers of different denominations; and it certainly augurs well of the present state of the religious world, that the demand for Christian biography is on the increase. Such writings, indeed, are peculiarly interesting. They unfold to us the secrets of other hearts, and thus qualify us to commune more profitably with our own:"they increase our stock of facts with regard to the human mind, and powerfully promote our advancement in one of the most useful branches of knowledge-the knowledge of man :"-they enable us to trace the sublime march of an immortal and redeemed spirit, through the intricacies and dangers of this land of peril, to the kingdom of our heavenly Father :-they evince the efficacy of grace—they publish the triumphs of faith, the pleasures of devotion, the truth of the promises, the faithfulness of God:they especially tend to elevate our hopes; give a higher and better tone to our feelings, and with a sweet constraining influence stimulate to high and laudable endeavours.

These are assuredly desirable objects. Are we not all in danger of grovelling too much in the mud and mire of this world's concerns? Is there not too much reason to fear, that unjust and unworthy notions of the efficacy of the atonement, and of the believer's privileges, are extensively prevalent? Professors, in general, are consequently resting satisfied with comparatively low and inferior attainments. Thus many, who ought to manifest the vigour and stability of fathers, continue to exhibit all the weakness of infancy, or all the inconstancy of youth. These volumes, it is confidently hoped, will be found calculated, by the blessing of God, to inspire more exalted views and expectations; and especially aid in the important duties of the closet:-by leading the reader to habits of self-inspection; by laying open to him the recesses of his own heart; by enabling him to detect the devices of his spiritual adversaries; by teaching him the nature and advantages of faith; and, by encouraging him to expect the operation of God the Spirit on his soul: he will thus be prepared for the fervours of devotion, become qualified to 66 worship God in the Spirit," be determined to follow the Lord fully, and go from his private sanctuary strengthened for the discharge of the varied duties of his high and honourable calling.

Though Lady Maxwell was decided in her own religious views, she cheerfully gave the right hand of fellowship to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. When times and seasons seemed either

to justify or demand it, she did not hesitate firmly to avow her principles: but she was never fond of controversy:-and she greatly lamented that Christians should suffer any nonessential points of difference to diminish their affection for one another, or to destroy that union and co-operation which should ever subsist among them. The editor trusts he has been influenced by the same spirit:-he has fearlessly stated facts, but he wished to avoid all contentious disputation. The religious sentiments of her ladyship are now fairly submitted to the candid investigation of the religious public; and certainly these can be no farther important than as they accord with the infallible standard of truth but for piety to God-for benevolence to man-for deadness to the world-and for her strenuous endeavours to promote the interest of Sion, and the salvation of souls, Lady Maxwell's example may be safely recommended as worthy the imitation of all who are seeking for glory, immortality, and eternal life.

Brompton, Kent, March 6, 1821.

THE EDITOR.

LIFE OF LADY MAXWELL.

CHAPTER I.

Preliminary observations-Lady Maxwell's birth, parentage, and education-She removes to Edinburgh; to London-Returns to Scotland-Is married to Sir Walter Maxwell-Death of Sir Walter and infant sonShe becomes penitent-Corresponds with Mr. Wesley-Joins his society -Obtains mercy.

THE design of Christianity is to raise the soul of man to a participation of the divine nature. As it came from God, so it leads to God. It is a beam, shining forth from the Deity himself, to irradiate that path which conducts to immortal life. In its adaptation to secure this object, we perceive the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of its divine Author. It finds man enveloped with darkness, and translates him into marvellous light :-it finds him guilty, and points him to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world :-it finds him depraved and miserable, and directs him to a fountain open for sin and uncleanness. By the evidences of its divinitythe sublimity of its doctrines-the efficacy of its atonement-the purity and benevolence of its precepts-the energy of its motives

and the glory of its rewards-the understanding is enlightened, the judgment convinced, and the noblest affections of the soul called into exercise. But this divine system demands from man, would he enjoy the blessings it offers to communicate, something more than mere speculation. It requires, not only his profound attention and admiration, but also his implicit credence and cheerful acquiescence; not only the homage of the understanding, but also the willing sacrifice of the heart It is, when he makes an unreserved surrender of himself to its guidance and authority; when he hastens, as a conscious sinner, to shelter himself under the wings of the atonement; and yields to its purifying spirit, that it conducts him onward to the possession of certain and unfading bliss. Then it is the gospel comes to him, not "in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;” “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ:" then it is that grace ascends the throne of the heart, and there reigns "through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." He now worships God in the Spirit, rejoiceth in Christ Jesus, and has no confidence in the flesh."

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