תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub

remarks were insisted on, well worthy my noting down.

"A Christian who knows little of prayer may talk about the comforts of religion, but cannot experience them; for those who receive much from God, must be much with God. The spiritual rest spoken of in the text, is entirely inconsistent with the rest in the flesh. When speaking on labouring to obtain this rest, he remarked, What is wrestling, when compared to the enjoyment of communion with God? What is conflicting, when compared to the fellowship of the Spirit, peace of conscience, and the hope of immortal life? What are the pains to the blessing?' There were two ideas he wished us ever to remember in the life of religion: 1st, That as we go forward little by little, our knowledge increases, our love ripens, our graces flourish, and our conflicts and trials are sanctified. The Christian goes from faith to faith, from obedience to obedience, from grace to grace. 2dly, That there will be an earnest desire for this rest. I cannot (said the preacher) deem that person a real Christian, who knows nothing of labouring after this rest. The desire of grace is said to be grace; but the desire of grace, if genuine, will end in earnest endeavours.'

"May 23, 1786. Lord! grant that I may profit more by the chequered scene I am called to pass through! The sun emerges from the cloud, and then a wintry sky succeeds. Well, it is the way Infinite Wisdom appoints; and I would acknowledge, I have to sing of mercy, as well as judgement; and though the flesh pleads for ease and tranquillity, yet, a Father's love knows that faith, love, and patience must be tried, and that the retired path of affliction, where the slow-paced traveller drops many a tear or sigh, is most profitable. It is through 'much tribulation we shall enter the kingdom.' Though my daily lot is affliction, yet, let me not

repine, but say, The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places.' But I must say with the Psalmist, I should often have fainted, unless I had believed thy word.' Those words I have found sweet lately: 'He doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men.' How sweet and kind the assurance from our heavenly Father, that it is the chastening of love and wisdom! Therefore, my soul, kiss the rod, and bow at his footstool.

6

"June 5. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.' O how difficult the lesson, or at least so I find it, to submit with that becoming patience which so divine a hope ought to inspire! My judgement often acquiesces in the mercy and justice of the Divine appointment, when the flesh shrinks, and too often mourns, and almost faints, while walking through the briers and the thorns. I am often humbled and laid in the dust, and, I trust, made truly thankful, when I reflect that I might have danced on, and sported with laughter, ease, health, prosperity, and sought the downward road. But, ah! how much happier to be corrected for sin, than to be lost for ever! to be brought to Christ, though it be by suffering, than to have been passed by in judgement! O the mercy! And how are the trials of my body graciously mitigated by the tenderness of dear friends! May I not say, in Scripture language, Your heavenly Father knoweth ye need them."

[ocr errors]

MRS. MARY GENOTIN.

MRS. MARY GENOTIN was born at Walsal, in Staffordshire, in the year 1758. She was the fourth daughter of Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Elizabeth Short. Her mother was a woman of singular piety and devotedness to God, and her excellent example and iustructions were rendered eminently useful to her children; particularly to Mary, who, being the youngest, and a most amiable and affectionate child, was almost constantly with her mother. When

She

only seven years of age, she discovered an attachment to Divine things, and a peculiar love to the Bible; for, before she was able to write, she would print different passages of Scripture on the garden wall, or wherever she had liberty, in order that these texts of Scripture might make a deeper impression on her mind. It may indeed be said of her, that from a child she knew the Holy Scriptures, which were able to make her wise unto salvation. discovered a great aversion to sin, particularly the sin of lying. She adhered to truth at all times, whatever might prove the consequence; and would seldom attempt even to conceal her faults, but would confess them with penitential sorrow. When very young, she was desirous of knowing how to pray, and earnestly inquired how she might learn. Her mother, perceiving the serious bias of her mind, was anxious to cultivate it; and to promote it, she permitted her dear child to be with her in her secret retirements. The impressions produced on her mind during these solemn occasions, were never erased. In the subsequent period of her life, she often mentioned with gratitude the peculiar advantages she derived from this privilege.

The death of her valuable mother was a very severe trial to her, and occasioned her to leave the country, to reside with her friends in London. Her mind still retained serious impressions; and as her desires after knowledge and holiness continued to increase, the great truths of the Gospel were gradually unfolded to her mind. Her natural disposition was remarkably amiable, and her conduct truly exemplary. At the early age of sixteen, she was admitted to a participation of the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

In the year 1786, she was married to Mr. Daniel Genotin, with whom she lived in happy union till death dissolved the tie. Having been taught to consider this event as one of the most important in a person's life, she was led earnestly to pray for direction, while this important affair was in agitation; committing the whole to God, and acknowledging him in all her ways, who, according to his gracious promise, directed her steps. Her conduct in this relation was eminently exemplary, and a pattern to all Christian wives. "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." She had ten children, six of whom died in their infancy. Those who were spared to her, she frequently and most solemnly dedicated to God. Like pious Hannah, she took them in her arms to a throne of grace; and having received them from God, she yielded them up to him, acknowledging his prior right to them and to all she possessed, and surrendering all to him. Her solicitude for their eternal welfare was singularly exemplified. It was her usual custom, for several years, every Sabbath evening, to catechise and call each of her children to account for the sermons they had heard during the day, and to examine if they had made any improvement in Divine knowledge and Christian experience. These Sabbath evening exercises proved of great utility to all her children; and her constant

endeavour to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, was attended with singular tokens of the Divine approbation. Her affectionate disposition, sweetness of temper, and freedom of carriage towards them, very much endeared her to their hearts. Her pious example gave weight to her precepts, and did not a little tend to make the ways of religion appear amiable and attractive. She often, and with great fervency of spirit, engaged in

family prayer. She uniformly conducted family worship on Sabbath evenings, and frequently on other days. In this respect, as well as in every other, she was truly a spiritual help-meet to her husband, and a blessing to her family. On no account would she suffer the occurrence of any circumstance to prevent the performance of family devotion, either morning or evening. She was particularly anxious that herself and her domestics should lay aside all worldly concerns as early as possible on Saturday evening, and prepare for Sabbath duties. She has been known to say, that she generally knew what kind of Sabbath she was likely to have, from the frame of her mind on Saturday evening. She was indeed one who gave herself unto prayer, reading, and meditation. But prayer was the exercise in which she most delighted. She was very particular as to the season of retirement, and studiously avoided every circumstance that would interrupt

these consecrated hours In audience with the Deity."

A strict attention to this practice she much endeavoured to impress upon the minds of her children, and made a point of frequently inquiring whether they had, or had not, retired into their chambers to pray; reminding them of our Lord's words, "And thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and shut thy door, and pray unto thy Father, who seeth.

« הקודםהמשך »