Although we have no very minute record of her feelings, the anecdote here inserted, is sufficiently presump. tive of her having deep and serious anxieties about her own safety, as well as that of others. The very fact of her thus imploring God's favourable interposition, in any emergency, must have led her to think of the blessedness there is in the conviction and knowledge of his love for time and for eternity. Accordingly, it appears that, at various times, the necessity of being religious, (a condition which she identified with safety,) thrust itself upon her thoughts. Her vague impressions concentrating, as it were, into sudden convictions of the peril of her state, and darting through her mind, would excite most painful agitations. One evening, for example, when returning with her eldest sister from a meeting of the Sabbath scholars at Baremmen, as if seized with a sudden anguish, she knelt down by the way-side, and with many tears, deplored their want of religion. "O, let us pray," said she, "let us pray to God that he would make us religious, at least before we die; that he would tell us, since we know not, how to be so!" Her look, and voice, and gesture, were expressive of extreme emotion, while a certain tone of awful solemnity in what she uttered, terrified Mary. Her first impulse was to leave her, and proceed on her way; but, anxious as she felt to go, she was riveted to the spot, awed, as in the presence of the Invisible." "She could not but feel," she said, "as if Isabella was approach. ing HIM; although unable to comprehend what kind of intercourse she could have with one that inspired herself with such fear." Isabella prayed for a long time, in the presence of her trembling and agitated sister, and when she arose, seemed as if her mind had been lightened of a heavy burden. They proceeded homewards, often weeping as they went, conversing upon the absolute necessity, and forming together various plans of a religious and holy life. One resolution after another they laid down, to which they vowed most faithful and scrupulous adherence. For several days there was a decided change in Isabella's appearance, and she seemed to feel and act as if she were a new creature. She was most regular in her private devotions; her whole demeanour was more than usually decorous and solemn, while, in her intercourse with all around her, she was more civil, and tender, and affectionate than ever before. Although her impressions at this time were very vivid, they did not continue long so to influence her. They would often recur, however, to her memory, and excite her, but with decaying power, to a temporary seriousness, not without considerable anxieties. Thus it appeared, that she had not heard as she ought, nor rightly interpreted the voice of the divine Spirit in what she had experienced; and the door of her heart remained shut, excluding him, who had, amid her violent emotions, given unquestionable tokens of his gracious presence and intentions. whence arise at any time those mental anxieties, however transient, regarding the great concerns of religion? From the earth, or from under the earth? from the evil heart, or from him that practises upon it his delusions? Do they not all originate in heaven, proceeding from the bosom of God, as from an ever-living, ever-flowing fountain, in which compassions are continually moving and "kindling together," toward the miserable children of men? For She was about eleven years of age when the incident here recorded occurred; and for more than two years afterward, no remarkable variation of feeling seems to have taken place. Generally, it may be said, that during that period, her Bible was read, her prayers offered up, the church attended, and the lessons of the Sabbath-school prepared, without awakening any other emotions in her mind than those which a conviction of the becomingness and propriety of such practices inspired. The Hymn. LORD, come away; Why dost thou stay? Thy road is ready; and thy paths, made straight, The consecration of thy beauteous feet. Nothing but thieves and robbers dwell therein. Profane that holy place, Where thou hast chose to set thy face; And then, if our stiff tongues shall be Mute in the praises of thy Deity, The stones out of the temple wall Hosannah! and thy glorious footsteps greet.-Amen. The Scripture. THUS saith the High and Lofty One, who inhabiteth Eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite one. Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. He that defileth the temple of God-Him shall God destroy. CHAPTER II. LAND of Eternity! what shadowy hosts With mellowy light of pitying Hope, the bournes SUCH as has been described was the condition of Isabella's mind, when, her affectionate anxieties strongly excited by domestic affliction, she engaged with greater earnestness and frequency than ever before, in the performance of such religious services, as she thought were fitted to influence in her favour the will and purposes of God. To Dugald, one of her brothers, she was attached with more than ordinary fervour and tenderness, their character and habits being very similar; for he was a youth of great gentleness of manner, of meek and tranquil dispositions, with very strong affections. She often spoke to me of the enjoyment which she had in his society. He was some years older indeed; but he took great interest in whatever seemed to engage her attention, and availed himself of every opportunity of doing what promised to gratify her feelings. Her delight was in retirement, for example, and he made a little garden for her in a sequestered spot, overhanging one of the waterfalls formed by the rivulet flowing down the hill, at the foot of which Fernicarry stands. It is only a few stone-casts from the house, but almost entirely concealed from it, by the encircling rocks and intervening trees. It continued for years her favourite spot, and so long as she was able to walk, |