A distinguished minister* in Glasgow wrote thus: "MY DEAR MRS "22d July 1845. -Excuse me for being so long in offering you my warmest thanks for the truly excellent biographical sketch you have been enabled to prepare. I have read it with many tears, tears of joy and delight. You had an excellent subject prepared for you by the grace of God; and the delineation of it has led you to pour forth exuberantly your mind and heart. She was indeed a daughter of the 'King,' all glorious within, her clothing of wrought gold. The King himself greatly desired her beauty. No wonder that you who saw it so much, admired it so highly; and now she has been brought with gladness and rejoicing into the King's palace, whither you, as one of her many companions, are to follow her. You thought much of the daughter here, you will think still more of her there; but most of all, of the King himself, appearing in his matchless beauty, in the land afar off. * My chief design in this note is to press the duty of sending forth a large edition of the Memoir. It is not only adapted to please, but to profit all classes:-Christian females, * * *The Rev. Dr. Heugh, who has since joined the glorified society in heaven. by showing what they may attain and accomplish by the grace of God:-Christians of all classes by presenting captivating views of the pleasures of holiness, of close walking with God, and high attainments in religious experience :-Christian ministers in the same way; and even those who are Christians only in name, by showing them how remote from vital piety they are, and leading them to Christ for life and all things. * "Every one who has read the volume asks, why is it not published? I take the liberty of pressing the same question, and of entreating, that for the glory of Christ and the edification of his body, it may go forth in hundreds and thousands.-Ever yours respectfully and affectionately." Another minister writes : "MY DEAR FRIEND,-I shall not occupy your time by stating what I think of Mrs Johnstone's Memoir, having done this already. My object in writing you now is to press upon you, as a matter of duty, the propriety of publishing the work. I trust none of the family of our beloved deceased friend will object to this being done. Mrs Johnstone would have shrunk from anything of the kind, had she been living. But you know how entirely she held herself at the disposal of her Saviour, and how desirous she was, that he might be glorified in her and by her. The narrative of the rich and abundant grace manifested in the life and death of herself and her lovely daughter, is fitted to produce a deep and salutary impression, and if good is to be accomplished by its publication, which no one can doubt who has read the deeply interesting narrative, then I am sure she would not have interposed her veto to prevent the good from being done. I might say much more on behalf of the suggestion I have made, but deem it unnecessary, as I trust both yourself and the family of Mrs Johnstone will overcome all the feelings that may stand in the way conferring a precious gift on many, who, through means of its perusal, will, by the divine blessing, be led to receive God's unspeakable gift.-Believe me to be, most truly yours." of CONTENTS. Her birth and parentage-Early piety-Season of spiritual distress Succeeded by light and joy-Holy obedience- Filial devotedness-Perusal of the works of distinguished PAGE Acknowledgment of God in the prospect of her marriage— Prayer for her husband-Resignation to the Divine will -Devout breathings of her soul-Delight in prayer-Self- distrust-Reliance on the love of a covenant God- Thanksgiving for mercies-Prayer for her children- Desire that Christ might be glorified by her in life and death-Review and renewal of covenant engagements Delight in communion seasons-Self-consecration-De- PAGE Her active benevolence-Delight in Sabbath-school in- struction 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 devo- tion-Delight in observing nature-Views on affliction- 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-Commu- nion with a covenant God-Mercy in judgment-Sabbath- school teaching resumed-Attention to congregational societies-Solicitude for the spiritual well-being of her Death of her sister-Care for the bereaved children-A believer's death-Rejoicing in the Lord-Communion seasons-And christian fellowship-Freedom from preju- dice in hearing the gospel preached-Efforts to do good in travelling-Catholic spirit-Interest in the questions at issue between the contending parties in the Established |