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MISS LYDIA B. LEAVITT.

MISS LYDIA B. LEAVITT was the daughter of Col. Gilman Leavitt, Portsmouth, N. H. She was born in the year 1798, and died July 16, 1821, in the twenty third year of her age.

She appeared to have possessed a very tender and delicate mind, naturally thoughtful, and much inclined to reading and reflection. From her infancy, it has been observed by her family relatives, she has manifested a scrupulous regard to truth; so that it is not recollected that she ever told an untruth. She seldom needed reproof or correction; and if at any time reproof was given with marks of parental disapprobation, it produced such excessive grief as to render it necessary to be extremely cautious as to her general treatment. She also possessed a mild, and peaceable disposition, and was not a little remarkable for her patience under circumstances of deprivation, trial, and affliction. But however she might have been endued with many mental excellencies, and acquired accomplishments, to render her estimable and beloved; it was early piety which sanctified, and gave an inestimable value to her character.

Her family attending the Episcopal Church, she was confirmed, and attended the Church services and the holy communion. She appears to have been very early and frequently under the operations of the Spirit of God, and was much in the habit of making serious reflections on the passing occurrences of providence, on hearing the Gospel, and on seeing its ordinances administered. These reflections, with her views and feelings on religious subjects, are to be met with in most of her letters written to her young female friends; a few extracts from which, we doubt not, will be read with interest, and will furnish the best views which can be given of her general character. When about 15 years of age, she writes thus, after mentioning several cases of sickness and death: "When so many are sick and dying around us, should it not remind us of our own end? Perhaps we shall be called next, are we prepared? If we are, it will be well with us, if not, why do we sit still? Let us arise, and delay no longer; for death may be near. Perhaps you will say 'Lydia has forgotten herself.' No, I have not. I am writing to one for whose spiritual, as well as temporal welfare, I am interested. I long to have you love God; who is so worthy of our love as our Maker? How hard must be our hearts not to love Christ, who, for the love he had for us, suffered and died an ignominious death. It was our sins that crucified the Lord of glory. O my friend, do taste and see how gracious the Lord is; he is infinitely gracious, he is willing to receive the

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greatest of sinners. Fly then, my dear friend, to Christ without delay, for he is standing with open arms to receive you. If you go to him you will never be sorry. O, what are the pleasures of this world, when compared with those of religion? They are nothing but vanity."

On another occasion she writes thus: "I do feel that life is short. In a moment I may be called to exchange worlds. Happy should I feel if I could say, I am prepared to meet my God, whenever he should be pleased to call for me. God has long been sparing us, long reaching out to us the hand of mercy. Shall we, can we be so ungrateful? Shall we dare disobey his commands, who is able to destroy the soul and body forever? Do we not daily feel that there is no peace, no happiness to be found in the world? Why then not seek it where it is to be found? We see those who are interested in Jesus are happy. They speak of the goodness of their God, and show by their happy countenances that they possess something that the world knows not of. O that it were in my power to say something to impress you more with eternal things. O the love of Christ, it is wonderous! And can our hearts remain unmoved by such love? O let us resolve to spend the rest of our days in his service."

The following serious reflections were made on hearing a sermon from Isaiah xxxviii. 1. "Set thy house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live." "It has been some time since my heart has been so much affected. O my dear friend, are we prepared to die? Are our hearts renewed by the Holy Spirit? Have we chosen the one thing needful? Are we the friends of God, or of the world? These are questions which ought to be asked by every one. Is it not strange we should spend so much of our time in frivolous pursuits? O let us devote much of our time to prepare to meet the king of terrors. He may come in an hour we look not for him-Let us flee the wrath to come.'

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From about this time she resolved to enter more fully, and undividedly into the service of God. She began to attend social, as well as public meetings among the Methodists, and found much encouragement from hearing others speak of the dealings of God with their souls; and it was not far from this time that she received a full and satisfactory evidence of her acceptance with God, and the witness of the blessed Spirit that her heart was renewed by grace. Whatever might have been her former state and enjoyment, this had been wanting to afford her permanent and constant satisfaction and enjoyment in the way of religious duty. In a letter dated June 18, 1819, she writes as follows:-"I derive much benefit from attending classmeetings. It is encouraging to hear others speak of God's dealings with their souls. O for more engagedness, for more zeal. If Christians remain in supineness they cannot expect to prosper. I have too much of a man-fearing spirit, am too unwilling to take up my cross. When I can take it up, I feel so happy I think I shall never shun it

again. But I am prone to forget my blessed Savior, to look for help from creatures. Yet I do bless the Lord for his goodness to one so ungrateful. I must, I will devote myself more to his service, and give him my whole heart." That she experienced trials and temptations in common with other Christians, will also appear from her letters to the same female friend, "You have no idea how I feel-Can it be possible I have been deceived, that I have no religion? Can I rest in this situation? O no, I cannot, I will not rest without an evidence that my sins are pardoned," &c. Although grievously tempted, she did not give up her hope in the Savior, but appears to have obtained a full and satisfactory confidence in him. In her letters after this she generally expresses a deep sense of dependence on God, and a longing desire for a deeper work of grace in her own heart, and to see it revive among those around her. Her reflections on the lives and duties of professors, show a mind deeply impressed, and well informed with gospel truth.-The following extracts will give her views and feelings on these subjects. "I see more and more the need of constant prayer and watchfulness. If I for a moment trust to my own strength, I am gone. O, how dependent are we on God for every mercy. Hold thou me up, O God, and I shall be safe. Save, Lord, or I must perish. What great danger there is of building on false hopes, of trusting in something short of Christ the only true foundation. How close, how diligent should we be in self-examination, and in comparing ourselves daily with the word of God. How dreadful would be our condition were we to pass through life supposing ourselves safe, but at last find ourselves deceived. But I think it almost impossible for one who truly desires to know the truth, who dreads deception, who prays, and carefully examines his own heart, to remain long without knowing his true state."-" How strange, how lamentable is the conduct of many who profess to be interested in Christ. How little do most professors do for the glory of God. Can it be possible for such to be sincere, who remain inactive, or go in opposition to the commands of God, who indulge in trifling and vanity, and rarely ever speak of the goodness of God? May I not apply this to myself? O when will the time come when I shall be entirely devoted to religion? When feel the continual witness of the Spirit, and rejoice continually in the light of my Father's countenance?" Yet again-"O when shall we be more like our blessed Savior? When shall we live as we ought? Is it not high time to awake out of sleep? How soon we may be called to give up our accounts, we know not-perhaps ere the light of another day; let us then give all diligence to make our calling and election sure."

Towards the close of life, before her last sickness, she appears to have had a deep and almost constant sense of the dissolving nature of our earthly tabernacles, which connect time with eternity, the visible with the invisible world, and often expressed this to her Christian friends, and that the root of all her religion, all her hopes, was

in Jesus Christ, the divine and glorious Savior. When sickness came it did not find her unprepared, but she viewed it as a prelude to the fall of the earthly tabernacle, and the entrance on the blessed scenes of her immortal existence. Patience had its perfect work. Faith was in constant exercise. Hope remained firm and unshaken. Love became more and more evidently perfected. It was indeed a very affecting sight to her friends, to see her patiently enduring her severe afflictions without murmuring or complaint, and expressing no other desire but that the will of God might be done. Her advices to her family relatives and her Christian friends, were deeply interesting and impressive, and we trust will long be recorded in their memories, and prove a comfort and benefit to them through life, and in their dying moments. When she was thought to be near her end, she desired a Christian friend and neighbor might be called in to sing that hymn which begins thus-"In hope of seeing Jesus, when all my conflicts cease," &c.

Her happy soul was transported with a view of that glory which unfolded itself to her ravished eyes, and she passed serenely the iron gates of death to the portals of everlasting bliss. As she possessed so many amiable qualities and accomplishments, some thought she could not need a change of heart to be a good Christian. But happily such were not her own views. Although the change might not appear as visible as in many, yet her happy soul felt, and humbly acknowledged the power of changing grace. From her intimate knowledge of the doctrines and precepts of religion, and her close walk with God, proceeded that uniform spirit and practice of piety which caused her to be beloved by the pious, to be revered by the irreligious, and to be esteemed by all; and which has caused many to exclaim, "Let my last end be like hers."

From the Methodist Magazine, Vol. 5.—1822.

MISS ELIZABETH HOUGH.

MISS ELIZABETH HOUGH was born in Fayette county, Pennsyl vania, on the 30th of May, 1797, of highly respectable parents, of the society of Quakers. Her father, the late Benjamin Hough, Esq. of Chilicothe, a gentleman of amiable character, and greatly respected by his extensive acquaintance, filled various important offices in in the State of Ohio; particularly as a member of the Legislature, and as Auditor of the State. On his appointment to the latter office, in the year 1808, Mr. Hough, with his family, removed from Steubenville to Chilicothe, at that time the seat of government of the State.

Of the early life of Miss Hough, nothing remarkable is recollected. She often suffered much from a peculiar affliction in the glands her mouth and neck, to which she was subject from her birth. She was thereby frequently prevented from partaking of the pleasures and amusements, in which her useful associates and acquaintances were engaged; and sometimes felt a disposition to repine at her lot, and murmur on account of it-particularly as she had not even the hope of obtaining relief from her affliction. She occasionally attended the public worship of God in the Presbyterian Church; but the truths of the gospel do not appear to have made any lasting impression on her mind. It is not known that she felt any unusual concern for the salvation of her soul, until she was in the twenty first year of her age.

It was in the summer of the year 1818, a short time before the commencement of the memorable revival of religion in Chilicothe, that the spirit of God wrought in the mind of Miss Hough, a conviction of her lost and dangerous state by nature, and she was brought to feel her need of a Savior. The manner of her conviction may afford additional encouragement to Christians, to recommend religion by precept as well as by example. There lived at this time, in the family of Mr. Hough, as a boarder, a young gentleman who had recently been made a subject of divine grace, and obtained a knowledge of Christ through the remission of sins. Feeling an earnest desire for the salvation of others, particularly his intimate acquaintances, he sought opportunities to converse with them about religion. With a countenance and voice which bespoke his anxious concern for Miss Hough's spiritual welfare, he remarked to her, one day, as she passed him in the entry of her father's house, "What a pity it would be, if, after suffering so much affliction in this life, you should be miserable to all eternity!" These few words were the most effectual sermon she had ever before heard. She heard them with

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