I. On the great doctrines of the Gospel II. On subjects of Theological Discussion. Page 16 note, line 4 for lecture read lectures 93 MEMOIR. CHAPTER I. HER EARLY LIFE. "THE works of the Lord are great; sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.” 1 Elevated indeed is the Christian pleasure 2" seeking out the great works" of creation. But it is the work of "Redemption," which mainly attracts his delighted contemplation 3-as the mirror in which the glory of his God and Saviour is most fully unveiled before him. The "new creation" 4 or the heart of man is one grand division of this perfect work of God; and often does its display of "the beauty of holiness" constrain from the world a reluctant acknowledgment, and excite the Church 1 Psalm cxi. 2. Comp. Bishop Horne's beautiful note. 2 Psalm xix. 1. Comp. Rom. i, 20. to joyful adoration-" What hath God wrought!" + For not only will the Redeemer's glory be manifested in his saints at the blissful era of his coming? --not only will they then be seen as the "jewels" 3 of his everlasting crown; but even now are they "the glory of his inheritance"-set forth for the conviction of the world—" that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and that the Holy One of Israel hath created it." 4 It is the object of the following sketch to bring forth to view one of these striking manifestations of Divine power and grace, and to illustrate, in connexion with this memorial, some of those edifying and instructive lessons which it seems to present before us. Mary Jane Graham was born in London, April 11, 1803. Her father was engaged in a respectable business, from which he retired a few years before his daughter's death (and chiefly from regard to her delicate health), to the village of Stoke Fleming, near Dartmouth, Devon. She appears to have been the subject of early religious convictions. At the age of seven she had acquired habits of secret prayer, a favourable mark of Divine influence upon her soul. But we will give 2 2 Thes. i. 10. 1 Numb. xxiii. 23. 3 Mal. iii. 17. 4 Isa. xli. 19, 20. the history of this era of her life in her own words. To a friend, who had always some incredulity of the genuineness or permanency of early impressions of religion, she thus writes. March 20, 1827. It 'You appear, my dear friend, to think very early piety too wonderful a thing to be true. is wonderful-so wonderful-that, when David was contemplating the starry firmament, he was drawn for a moment from his meditation on the wonders he there beheld, by the still greater wonder of "God's ordaining strength out of the mouths of babes and sucklings." But David's wonder and yours were of a very different nature-he wondered and adored. Jesus too-that man of sorrows-once rejoiced in spirit," because God "had hid these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father; for so it seemeth good in thy sight." Even so, Lord Jesus; in thy rejoicing will I too rejoice; let the world think me a fool or an enthusiast, or beside myself, as they thought Thee.' The story of Little Henry and his Bearer,' to which I believe you allude, I have been assured, by Miss 66 is every word of it true. Do not then bring upon yourself the dreadful sin of limiting the 1 Psalm viii. 1-4. 2 Luke x. 21. This, though not the direct, is an inclusive, meaning of the declaration. |