improve all their great privileges, and so to live to the praise of the Divine Redeemer, as that, when they come to depart from time, they may experience peace, joy, and hope similar to hers, and have a glorious entrance granted to them into the kingdom of their God and Saviour, thus realising their beloved mother's fondest wish-meeting a "family unbroken in heaven!" APPENDIX. No. I. A FEW brief extracts are subjoined, of letters received from Mrs Johnstone in 1836 and 1837; but as has already been remarked, writing was not her talent. Still in the few sentences that follow, her habitual recognition of, and dependence upon, her covenant God are shown. "MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,— * * May our gracious God accompany with his blessing the means employed for delivering you from your present trial. * Blessed be God all our * times, and the circumstances connected with them, are wholly in his hand, and as a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without our heavenly Father's permission, how much less, my dear friend, can anything afflict you, whom he keeps as the apple of his eye,' without his knowledge and appointment. * He hath promised to withhold no good thing from those that fear him, which is a compre * M hensive promise, securing every thing that is requisite to their comfortable passage through this world. When visible means fail, their God will find out some way or other to succour them, all events being under his control, and all hearts in his hand, and rather than his people should want necessaries, he can open the windows of heaven and rain down bread, or command the ravens to feed them. In all their difficulties, he will lend his gracious aid to assist, helping them over, and bringing them through. * In turning our eyes towards the sea on this stormy day, we see vessels driven from their moorings; but I rejoice, my dear friend, this cannot be the case with you, for, having by the grace of God, cast anchor on the Rock of Ages, you shall undoubtedly be enabled to ride out in safety all the storms of life, whatever sense, or Satan, may at times suggest to the contrary. O that we could ever remember that our blessed Saviour is the finisher as well as the author of our faith! This would put to flight many of our unbelieving fears. and * That our God may soon compass you your dear partner about with songs of deliverance, is the earnest prayer of your much attached." "GREENOCK, 13th December 1836. "MY VERY DEAR FRIEND, * I know you will rejoice to hear that we have got our dear girls comfortably settled with Mrs K , whose school was so strongly recommended by our excellent friend, Mr S- and that her character in every respect surpasses the favourable opinion we had formed of her. She appears to be a solid Christian, and wonderfully qualified to recommend religion to the young by her uniform cheerfulness. Alison writes, that she is quite delighted with Mrs K- and also with all the other inmates of the house, and that both herself and Ann are as happy as the day is long. They have the privilege of hearing two most faithful ministers, who are doing a great duty to their charge. In all this, my dear friend, there is fresh cause for grateful praise. Here then, would I again raise an 'Ebenezer, and say, hitherto hath the Lord helped me.' Great indeed was his goodness and mercy in preserving us from all evil in our journey to and from London at this stormy season of the year. O that our God would write the law of gratitude for ever on my heart, and on the heart of one of every family! my * I had the pleasure of hearing your letter read at our meeting. * * I sincerely desire that your health and worldly circumstances may prosper even as your soul prospereth. * Our dear mothers depend on my informing you of the passage of scripture for this month, it was given by my neighbour, Mrs 2 Cor. v. 7, 'We walk by faith, not by sight.' O that all of us may be enabled so to walk until we arrive at that happy land where there is no more need of this precious grace, it being |