ordinances, was so struck with Mrs Johnstone's progress in grace, that she often said she wondered that her sister was so long out of heaven, and that it must be for the good of others that she was detained from partaking of the full enjoyment of the beatific vision.

But it was not at communion feasts merely that she consecrated herself, soul, body, and spirit, to the Lord. This was her daily exercise. When walking with the writer of these pages, and conversing on those subjects which were ever uppermost in her thoughts-the cross of Christ, and the wonders of redeeming love-she would remark in a tone of solemn and reverential feeling, there is not an object we are passing, but I have taken to witness again and again, that I have avouched the Lord to be my God, claiming the covenant promise-"I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed," for myself, my dear busband, and every one of our dear children, putting a blank into his hand, as to whatever may be his holy will regarding us, saying, "save us in any way thou pleasest, only make us what thou wouldst have us to be, that we may glorify thee now, and enjoy thee for ever." Then, looking at the majestic scenery by which we were surrounded, she would exclaim, "all his works praise him. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all. The earth is full of thy riches. This is a beautiful world, even under the curse; what will the new

heavens and the new earth be, wherein dwelleth

righteousness." Then she would say, “much as I love my husband, children, relatives, and christian friends, were the Bridegroom's voice to be heard this night, summoning me to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, if my wicked heart deceive me not, O how cheerfully would I leave them all to go into the bride-chamber, to be for ever with the Lord; to behold, without a veil, the Lamb in the midst of the throne, and serve him without sin!" Astonished, sometimes, at the holy elevation of her spirit, and animation of her countenance, as she expatiated on the blessedness of being for ever free from sin, from all wandering thoughts, temptations, and every tendency to evil; of singing, without weariness or end, the song of Moses and the Lamb, the writer would reply: "But I hope you will be long spared to serve and glorify Him in the church on earth, ere you are called to the perfect worship of the church above." "Well," she would answer, "He knows what is best; and my desire is to know no will but His; it is my desire to live in habitual readiness for His coming; not unwilling to leave all His present gifts, that I may be absent from the body, and present with the Lord."

Mrs Johnstone always enumerated among her most precious means of spiritual instruction, the ministry of her beloved pastor, the late Rev. Dr Scott, which she long enjoyed and highly prized, particularly the discourses he preached for many years every alternate Wednesday forenoon. She would

say, "he frequently seemed to be allowed to catch a glimpse, as it were, within the vail, as the spirit of grace and supplication was largely poured out upon him, when he brought us to the mercy-seat, where grace reigns, and with a fluency and copiousness of expression peculiarly his own, made our requests known unto God, carrying us, through our Advocate with the Father and glorious High Priest, into the holiest of all, that we might receive those gracious communications which would prepare us for entering His glorious presence in heaven. Then he exhibited in a manner peculiarly convincing and attractive the doctrines of the cross, unfolding to the eye of faith the dignity and glory of the person of Christ, the nature and perfections of God, as seen in Him in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwells, setting forth what debtors we are to sovereign kindness, and proving from the word of truth, the suitableness to our utter helplessness and spiritual destitution, of all the offices which Christ sustains, as well as of all the relations in which he is revealed."

She often spoke of the remarkable blessing which flows from sanctified affliction, as eminently qualifying her pastor to direct and comfort many in their day of distress, by pointing them to the fountain of consolation from which he had been enabled to draw all his support, under manifold, continued, and complicated trials. She would say: "Dear Dr Scott has been called to drink largely of the cup of affliction, but in the school of experience and of Christ, 'he

has learned in whatsoever state he is therewith to be content;' like his blessed Master, 'learning obedience by the things he has suffered;"" and would go on to observe, “Ministers who are faithful need not expect to escape trial and suffering, for the scripture has it: 'And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.""

Many have had to bless God because of the trials of this honoured servant of the cross, by which he was enabled to become to them, in an eminent degree, the son of consolation, as he experimentally ministered to them, from the holy oracles, the rich spiritual cordials, with which, through the Divine Spirit, he had himself been so abundantly sustained in his time of need.

CHAPTER III.

Her active benevolence-Delight in Sabbath-school instruction -Maternal associations-Disapproval of worldly amusements -Care of domestics-Family worship-Good servants numbered among her grounds of thanksgiving-Her interest in the conversion of the Jews-Tract distribution-Female benevolent society-Visits to the poor and afflicted-Attention to family duties-Early devotion-Delight in observing nature -Views on affliction-Feelings under the death of an aunt, and the supposed death of her son.

MRS JOHNSTONE ever regarded time as the great talent which includes all others, and was, therefore, deeply concerned that its fragments might be gathered up, so that, if possible, not a moment should be lost, but employed in some way for that Lord, who said, in bestowing the talent, "Occupy till I come." Her husband's frequent absence, while it exercised her faith and patience, afforded opportunity for devoting both time and personal labour to the various benevolent and religious institutions of her native town, with the greater number of which, she was in some way connected. For many years she superintended and taught a class, on Sabbath evenings, in the School of Industry, where, through the Divine blessing on her tuition, many "trees of righteousness, the planting