the good of mankind; and, therefore, they endeavour to embrace every opportunity for either which may offer; nay, they will even seek for opportunities. O how does my heart pant to feel more of the transforming power of grace!

31. This being the last day of the year, I endeavoured to spend some special time with God at night, and had the comfort to find, upon examination, I had, upon the whole, made some small progress in his ways; especially in zeal for his glory; in power to act for him; in desires after entire devotion, and also in faith and love. O how numberless have his mercies been to me in the course of the last twelve months: how graciously and tenderly, and also bountifully, has he dealt with me! In some of his dispensations toward me his mercy has been so great, his love so astonishing, as no language can adequately describe. While meditating upon them, I have often been "lost in wonder, love, and praise." O my God, what am I that thou shouldst deal thus with me? What shall I render unto thee?

"Take my body, spirit, soul,

Only thou possess the whole."

Maintain what thou hast wrought in me, and still keep me through faith, until thou hast fulfilled in me all the good pleasure of thy goodness.

CHAPTER V.-1770.

Lady Maxwell establishes a school at Edinburgh-Retires to Saughtonhall-Has the gospel preached in her house-Diary continued.

It was on the second of July in this year, that Lady Maxwell established a school in Edinburgh for the purpose of affording education and Christian instruction to poor children. The necessity of impressing the minds of the rising generation with scriptural truth was not, at the period alluded to, so deeply and extensively felt as at present. But her ladyship was fully alive to its vast importance, and her benevolence was not to be confined within the limits of common and every-day charities. As her heart devised liberal things, so she was studious to find out new methods of usefulness, and her exertions could only be bounded by her abilities. This school was ever after one of the objects of her pious solicitude. Its sole management and superintendence remained with herself; but as the benefits flowing from it were seen and acknowledged, others came forward with pecuniary aid. Her ladyship was particularly careful to admit none as masters but men of undoubted piety; frequently examined the children with regard to their improvement in knowledge and seriousness; and, in a great number of cases, she was favoured with pleasing indi

cations that a truly religious concern had been excited in their youthful minds. She has also recorded several instances of permanent good;-of persons who afforded, in mature life, decided evidence of established piety, and who gratefully acknowledged that their first religious impressions were received at this school. A few, after they had been absent from their native country a number of years, returned to offer their kind benefactress their tribute of thanks. But all the good that has been, and which yet may be done by this institution, will not be fully known until

the grave gives up its dead. Each child, unless dismissed on

account of improper conduct, went through a regular course of instruction for three years; and at the expiration of that period a Bible was presented, to be their guide and companion through life. At the time of Lady Maxwell's death, eight hundred children had enjoyed all the benefits of this very laudable charity: and it is still in active operation; her ladyship having, by her will, made provision for its existence so long as time shall last. May its energies never be diminished!

But in her endeavours to “ save souls from death," she did not confine herself to the rising generation. Other barren fields needing cultivation soon presented themselves, and she entered upon the work with a pleasing alacrity. Having suffered much, for some time, from bodily indisposition, and hoping that a residence in the country might be beneficial to her health, she removed for a short period to Saughton-hall, a venerable mansion at a small distance from Edinburgh. On witnessing among the villagers a prevailing carelessness with regard to religion, she' became deeply interested for their spiritual welfare. That she' might convey to them religious instruction, and if possible awaken them from their dangerous slumbers, she opened her house, in person invited them to attend, and engaged different ministers to preach unto them the unsearchable riches of Christ. Many gladly flocked to hear, and evidence was afforded that these labours of love were succeeded by the divine blessing. This,' however, to some appeared irregular, and opposition was excited. "Let all things be done decently and in order," is certainly a divine injunction; and there are some individuals who appear to think that to attempt to promote religion, or even to make any allusion to it, except under some consecrated dome, is a violation of this precept. Happily for some of those villagers, Lady Maxwell thought differently, braved the opposition, persevered in her benevolent efforts, and had to rejoice in the work of her hands. To this practice she steadily adhered through life, whenever she was called to reside in the country. Were the rich and noble of our land to follow her ladyship's example, and give their influence and energies to the support and extension of godliness, many an ignorant population would enjoy the means of more efficient instruction, and many a poor wanderer would be led into

the way of peace. Frequent allusions to these interesting particulars will occur in the course of the diary.

January 1. This day should have been given especially to the Lord, being the first of the year; but He who cannot err saw meet to confine me to bed with pain and sickness. I could hardly fix my mind on any subject for five minutes together; perhaps a chastisement for former evils, and surely deserved. I see more and more the propriety, or rather necessity, of making religion our chief business while in the enjoyment of health. How soon does disease disorder, at least partially, the faculties of the mind; thereby rendering us unable to draw at times even any rational conclusion, with regard to the state of our souls: "Live while you live,' the sacred penman cries, And give to God each moment as it flies.""

How reasonable; Lord, enable me so to do!

4. Had this evening the benefit of some hours, con versation with a sensible clergyman; in the whole course of which I think a catholic and moderate spirit prevailed. Would we be preserved from bigotry, how necessary is it to accustom ourselves to think and speak on every subject, especially on religion, with a liberal and generous freedom. Contending earnestly for fundamentals, while we cheerfully allow others to differ from us in doubtful opinions, and this without a diminution of love to them. Unquestionably we shall enjoy the greatest union of spirit with those whose sentiments are in all things similar to our own; but we are also bound to love those who differ from us, as members of the same body, as living branches of the same vine.

O my God, let this heavenly temper prevail in me; deliver me entirely from narrowness of spirit, from contracted views, and enable me with a pure heart fervently to love all that love the Lord Jesus in truth. I cannot help being entirely of the opinion expressed by an anthor I lately read; that " no damnable error can dwell in a soul united by a living faith to Christ ;" but, at the same time, I believe the hay and stubble of many foolish opinions, built on that good foundation, will be burned in the day of the Lord, while the soul that had imbibed them will be saved. Feb. 9. This has been a day of much peace, both alone and when in company. My views were clear, my faith strong, and Jesus nigh; and, on a close examination as to the state of my soul, in the view of the approaching sacrament, I clearly perceived that a great change had passed upon me, which in the word of God is sometimes termed " a being born again," sometimes, a passing from death unto life,” and again, “being translated from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God's dear Son." My reasons for thus judging are, First, I found I had been convinced of sin, and brought into a state of bondage and

fear. Secondly, I had been convinced of righteousness, whereby I had received power to believe on Christ, and found the Spirit of God witnessing with my spirit that I was his child : and as a corroborating proof that my faith was genuine, I found that it wrought by love to God and man, and led me to purify my heart. Thirdly, I felt a continual hungering and thirsting after righteousness; ardent and habitual desires to be wholly devoted to God; together with a deep sense of the depravity of my own

nature.

13. Heard a profitable exhortation, and my heart seemed open to instruction and reproof. I stand amazed when I perceive how small a proportion my progress bears to my great privileges. Lord, quicken my tardy pace! Wherefore is it I move so slowly? If not deceived, I am in a great measure disunited from created things, and my desires are boundless and insatiable for spiritual blessings. Lord, search me, and see if there is yet undiscovered any way of wickedness in me, which, like the worm in Jonah's gourd, preys upon my spiritual constitution and keeps me thus lean. I was grieved to feel a proneness today to be displeased with others. Lord Jesus, thou art "manifested to destroy the works of the devil." O then, enter my soul, and work within, and kill, and make alive." Destroy every evil temper, unholy passion, and unruly appetite; save me from wandering thoughts, and idle words, with every foolish and hurtful desire. Let the leaven of thy grace spread, until the whole be leavened; then shall I be enabled to adorn thy gospel.

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28. Found myself much hurried with a variety of persons and things, and had little comfort in secret duties, with but small power to glorify God in any way, or to resist my enemies. I have felt greatly defective for some days in love to God; in power and composure when engaged in prayer; and also a proneness to impatience, self-will, and bitterness of spirit. O my God, I am oppressed; undertake for me: I ardently desire entire devotion to thee, but all my efforts toward it are unavailing. I seem to row against both wind and tide. O Jesus, of old thou didst command the winds and waves, and they obeyed thee; do thou speak the tempest of my soul into a calm: "lay the rough paths of peevish nature even," and again "open in my breast a little heaven." In the afternoon, He who is rich in mercy, in some measure helped me, and in the evening I felt animated and comforted by conversing with a fellow traveller, whose sentiments concerning the things both of time and eternity are very similar to my own: yet nothing can satisfy but the destruction of every thing in me that is contrary to the will of God. Without holiness there cannot be happiness. Lord, hear my prayer; dry up this corrupt fountain, and unite me wholly to thyself, that I may glorify thee.

April 1. At seven heard a lecture from John i, 18; under

which the eye of my faith was clear as the shining of the sun at noonday; Jesus seemed to stand in the midst, and I knew him as the Son of God, and as my Saviour. Amazing mystery of redeeming love! But, Lord, let me sink deeper and deeper every day in the experimental knowledge of it. O let me sink into all the depths of humble love, and also rise to all the heights of Christian confidence; thus, Lord, though a worm, I shall bring glory to thee; without (strange notion of some) derogating from thy priestly office. O the various devices whereby Satan deceives the children of men; not only the wicked into final destruction, but, alas! the children of God, whereby they suffer much loss, and fall far short of that degree of glory they might have brought him here, and of consequence have enjoyed themselves hereafter; many of them escaping only as with the skin of their teeth. Lord, prevent me, else it will be my own case.

25. This evening I ardently desired to go to the house of God; and, upon getting there, for awhile enjoyed much comfort; but it was soon interrupted by bodily indisposition. I grieved to find I was so easily incapacitated to serve God; and, upon coming home, was induced to retire hastily to rest; not, however, without afterward questioning the propriety of my conduct in so doing. I have never yet been able to determine, to my own satisfaction, the boundary of Christian duty in this particular; how far duty and privilege should lead me to resist occasional and slight indisposition, and persist in attempting to go on as if in health. I know I have frequently felt uneasy in my mind upon yielding too readily; and, on the other hand, have felt comfort and obtained relief when I have resisted painful feeling. I also know that human nature in general is inclined to selfindulgence; and, therefore, if we err, it is safest to err on the other side.

27. Felt hurt to-day through unwatchfulness in conversation, though with the godly. I sometimes suffer more when with these than when with worldly people with the latter, we are always on our guard: with the former, suspecting no danger, we loosen the reins of watchfulness, and then the enemy, ever waiting, easily gains an advantage. I also felt a degree of condemnation on account of not doing more for others. I feel almost constantly a painful sense of my shortcomings. Blessed be God, I know we are justified by faith in Christ; but then I know also it is my privilege to be wholly devoted to God; to be employed every moment of my time either for or with him; and that in proportion to the progress I make in the divine life here, the degrees of conformity I gain to his image, so shall the degree of glory be which I shall enjoy with him hereafter! What a stimulative should this prove. It is a poor, starving religion, if it deserves the name at all, that would make us wish only to escape hell, and just to enter heaven.