nacle we do groan, being burdened.

If ever we feel

not this burden, we must be dead to God.

"May Jesus ever bless and protect you, my dear friend; and may the light of his countenance shine on your precious soul, and give you all joy and peace in believing! Remember to pray for your, unworthy friend."

The winter of 1766 and 1767 Lady Glenorchy passed in the country, where she was not only deprived of the aid of religious friends and institutions, but exposed to the reasonings and objections of those who disregarded them. From the rank which she and her family held, she was obliged, not only to receive, for days and weeks together, the visits of the neighbouring nobility and gentry, but to repay them. From this circumstance she was exposed to much trifling conversation, which she found irksome, and which on the Lord's day she now believed to be sinful. She also began to experience the odium and reproach which usually follow conscientious, decided, consistent piety. Each of these particulars she communicated to Miss Hill, and requested her opinion and advice on them, which she obtained as follows:

"January 18, 1767.

"My dear Friend,-I rejoice that you have been enabled to resist the temptations so artfully and so industriously spread to draw you out of the path of duty, in the particular circumstance of visiting on the Lord's day; for though doubtless, as you justly remark, every day is the Lord's, and some portion of every day ought to be employed in religious exercises, yet that day being in an especial manner set apart by God for solemn attendance upon him, we ought on that day to

1767.]

IN HER CHRISTIAN COURSE.

77

rest from the common business and necessary employments of life, and not use that as common which he has set apart as sacred. May Almighty God give us grace so to hallow his Sabbaths here, that hereafter we may be admitted to the joyful celebration of the eternal sabbatism in his kingdom of heaven. I am not surprised that you are accused of hypocrisy and superstition. Nay, I should be surprised if you were not;-this is the common lot of all Christ's people, and a scriptural proof that they are chosen out of the world. Surely we may submit to bear a little reproach from the world for his sake, who for us was despised and rejected, and who for us humbled himself to death, even the death of the cross. In things indifferent, Christians do well to avoid singularity; but let us on no account follow the multitude to do any evil. Here the children of the Most High should by all means be singular; should distinguish themselves by a becoming zeal for their God; should set an example, and shine as lights in the midst of a perverse and crooked gener

ation.

"I fear that when you return to London or Edinburgh, you will be encompassed with many trials, from such of your acquaintances, and perhaps even from your friends and relations, with whom you formerly mixed in the hurry and bustle of the world, who will wonder at the change produced in your sentiments. Opposition, however, we must expect to meet with, if we would be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Now, my dear friend, since this is almost universally the case, let us strive, if we must suffer, to suffer for well-doing, and not give any just cause or handle to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme; but watch over ourselves with a godly jealousy, that our outward behaviour may be consistent with our pro

fession.

As to introducing religious conversation into company, it is certainly very proper,-you must, in the most prudent manner possible, use the means, and leave the event in the hands of God; by such conduct the hearts of the most obdurate have been moved. Continue to be much in prayer to God, in whose hands are the hearts of all men. My humble petitions are constantly offered up in your behalf; I beseech him to undertake your cause, and to support you under all opposition; and O may he reconcile all those who are near and dear to you, to the peculiar doctrines of religion, and bring them to the knowledge of the true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. When you, my dear friend, live in entire subjection to the gospel, giving no just occasion for blame or persecution, be not discouraged.

You say

you but too often give way to company to drive away thought, and relax the wearied mind. I will show you a more excellent way; rather, my dear friend, have recourse to your God, your Saviour, your truest and best friend, who is always near to them that call him. I would not have you shut yourself up as upon him. a recluse; but I am sure you will find Jesus to be a present help in time of trouble, whereas worldly company will only serve to distress instead of relieving your soul; and this, my dear friend, you have more than once experienced. Trust Jesus, then, again and again. O pray! pray mightily that you may live more by faith on him; then will your life on earth be full of joy and peace-such joy and peace which passeth all understanding, and which it is not possible for the hearts of the ungodly to conceive."

1767.] IN A BAD STATE OF HEALTH.

79

CHAPTER V.

Lady Glenorchy in a bad state of health-Miss Hill writes her on this occasion-She goes to Bath-Miss Hill, afraid that her spiritual interest would suffer in that city, again writes her on that subject-She returns to Taymouth, and in a letter Miss Hill expresses her satisfaction, that she is now in a place more congenial to devotional exercises -At Taymouth, Lady Glenorchy receives visits from some clergymen, by whom she is benefited-Miss Hill writes to Lady Glenorchy, and adverts to this circumstance with pleasure-When Lady Glenorchy was on a visit at the Earl of Hardwick's, where the change wrought upon her mind must have exposed her to trials, she receives a letter from Miss Hill, alluding to these circumstances, and giving at the same time an account of the death of Mrs Venn-Miss Hill writes to Lady Glenorchy, in which she mentions some interesting facts with respect to some of the younger branches of her father's family-Miss Hill suffers much from worldly acquaintances, and in a letter informis Lady Glenorchy of this-Lady Glenorchy attends meetings for religious purposes in Edinburgh-Letter from Lady Glenorchy to Mrs Bailie Walker-Lady Glenorchy indisposed-Letter from Miss Hill on that occasion-Miss Hill writes to Lady Glenorchy, giving an account of her own Christian experience-Lady Glenorchy in her religious feelings discovers a peculiar degree of sensibility—Miss Hill writes her on this subject-Lady Glenorchy more comfortable in her mind-Congratulated by Miss Hill, who gives a farther account of her own experience.

ABOUT this time Lady Glenorchy, who seems to have been in a very bad state of health, received the following letter from Miss Hill, in answer to one she had lately wrote to her.

"February 7, 1767.

"O, my dear friend, what words can express the grief that I now feel on your account! The letter I

have just received from you but too plainly tells me, that I must not long expect to enjoy your friendship here on earth. How shall I give you up? My dearest friend, would to God I could be with you! Were I my own mistress, I would not be long without attending you in your distress. You should not be alone if I could be with you, nor suffer one pain if I could relieve you, or bear them for you. But what am I saying? It is good for you that you have been afflicted; such trials spring not from the dust, but are the appointments of an all-wise God, who intends them for your benefit. It is God, my dear friend, your unchangeable covenant God, who loves you with an everlasting love, who thus visits you. Happy, not wretched, is the person whom God correcteth; these chastenings shall yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby. Through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of heaven.—I must now lay down my pen, for I am not able to proceed. I would say much that occurs, and which, with the blessing of God, might be of use towards consoling you in your present situation; but my heart is too full to permit me to write, though I am something easier, and am brought to bow more under the mighty hand of God than when I first read your letter. My mother seeing my great distress, has been asking me the cause. I told her you was very ill, and that I had reason to believe I should never see you more at this she seemed concerned, and expressed a regard for you, which indeed she has often done, but says she is surprised how I can make myself so miserable, and have so great an attachment to a person of whom I have seen so little; to which I only replied with tears, and could scarcely say, that though I had seen much less of you than I wished to do, yet I knew