circumstances and feelings, and enabled her to retire from the house of God composed and strengthened, to intimate with a calmness that astonished them, first to her sister, and then to her family, the tidings, as she fully believed, of her son's death, was the passage brought with sweet power to her heart, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" When Mr Johnstone returned to his home, it was found that a mistake had taken place. It was not the death of his son he had received accounts of, but that of a beloved brother of the same name, who had been twenty years abroad. Mrs Johnstone often referred to the exercises of mind experienced on that occasion, saying that thereby she was enabled to enter into the case of bereaved parents, understanding somewhat of the anguish of the pangs of separation, and the suitableness of the Divine word, in its abundant sources of consolation. Not having known the trial of the death of a child, she would say, "God gave me to taste something of its bitterness, and how he could, by his word and Spirit, sustain me under it; and still he has given me back my son. O that he might live before God!"

CHAPTER IV.

Her delight in attending a female fellowship meeting-Her interest in widows-The maternal association-Death of her husband-His growth in grace prior to his decease-The state of her mind under her bereavement-Communion with a covenant God-Mercy in judgment-Sabbath-school teaching resumed Attention to congregational societies - Solicitude for the spiritual well-being of her sons-Favourite topics of spiritual converse-Inward groanings.

MRS JOHNSTONE experienced much delight in attending a weekly fellowship meeting, on the Friday forenoon; and although it was held at a considerable distance from her place of residence, the stormiest day in winter never prevented her from being present. Even when she had strangers residing under her roof, rather than be deprived of the privilege, she would take from sleep the time required, in order to make necessary arrangements for their comfort. She would say to the other members of the fellowship meeting, we must allow nothing but what conscience, enlightened by the word and Spirit of God, can approve, to prevent our attendance. We have voluntarily devoted the time to wait upon God, claiming the character and promises annexed, of those "who fear the Lord, and speak often one to

another," and confiding in his gracious declaration : "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." And if we would be ashamed to allow any trifling difficulty, or little inconvenience, to hinder us from keeping our engagement with a friend, if he had invited us, and we had promised to wait upon him, how much more so when it is the Holy One of Israel who has called us to the mount of prayer and spiritual fellowship with himself! Her regularity tended to cheer and encourage all the other members, several of whom, as well as herself, have been taken into the presence chamber of the King, at whose right hand is "fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore." All of these, before leaving this world, acknowledged with lively gratitude, that some of the happiest hours of their life had been spent at that little meeting, where so many Bethel and Peniel seasons had been graciously realised; where the beauty, and harmony, and boundless excellence of revealed truth, were seen, while turning up corresponding passages, and comparing scripture with scripture; and where, while engaged in united supplication and spiritual conference, a light was shed upon the word of God, and upon his work in the soul, confirming and increasing faith, and quickening all the motions of that life which springs from union to him, "who is the resurrection and the life." Mrs Johnstone was the fourth of those kindred spirits, that for many years met on the forenoon of that day every week,

who declared on their dying beds that they had found that fellowship meeting a well of special spiritual refreshment, whereby their drooping hearts had been revived, and many clusters of the firstfruits of the Spirit received, which had made them long for the full vintage in the heavenly Canaan.

Mrs Johnstone was equally punctual in her attendance at all the mothers' meetings, both weekly, monthly, and quarterly. At one of the monthly meetings, a widow gave out for prayerful consideration, during the coming month, this passage: "Leave thy fatherless children; I will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me." A young widow present, who had been lately and suddenly bereaved of the husband of her youth, and left with the care of two little boys, appeared so affected by the reading of the passage, that it was some time ere she could be composed. Another member remarked, perhaps it may be too much for the feelings of some of the widows to take up this passage; when the one who had given it replied: "What would have become of such as me, and the other widows, were it not for such a portion of scripture as this, and its parallel passages?" Mrs Johnstone entered with much tender sympathy into this view, saying, "Oh, yes, let us take it up; it is right every one should have her portion of meat in due season. We come together to wait upon the Lord-'to consider one another to provoke unto love and good works,'to obtain strength for duty and for trial. We meet as

wives and mothers, having a community of feeling and of interest in each other's difficulties, duties, and trials, 'that we may bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ;' and we who have our husbands spared, know not who may be the first to find the precious suitableness of this very passage to ourselves, by our being numbered among the widows, and by our children being written fatherless."

When the day arrived for united prayerful converse, on the passage already cited, none entered into the subject with more apparent experimental life, or seemed to have a higher zest for it than Mrs Johnstone, although her husband was then in the vigour and prime of life, and seemed likely, to human calculation, to enjoy prolonged days. It was a day never to be forgotten by all present, every thing conspiring to solemnise, and call into exercise tender feeling. It was the last time the meeting was to be held in that place where the little association had been formed, and where so many seasons of the divine fellowship in love had been enjoyed, because of the removal to another town of the member by whom the house was occupied. Mrs Johnstone conducted the first part of the devotional services, and took an animated share in the whole of the exercises, which were blessed by the Spirit of all grace, for carrying the soul on the wing of faith upwards, and forwards, to that glorious state, where the winter of time, with its oft dark and troubled sky, shall, along with sin,