easy for one man to judge of the mental feelings, industry, or sloth, of another (and this on the other hand should always make us cautious of supposing that others do not feel the good which we feel); nevertheless it is quite consistent with our principles to believe that a sense may be given to the attentively waiting mind, of the spiritual situation of its companions. But be it even as such may be induced to suppose; is it not still a great encouragement to seek after that state of true hunger and thirst, which has a quick relish of the least degree of spiritual sustenance; and to bear with persevering patience those seasons of spiritual poverty, which excite us to seek aright? " Blessed are they who hunger and thirst

after righteousness; for they shall be "filled." "Biessed," (also, as the same evangelist relates our Lord to have said just before)" blessed are the poor in spirit, for "theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Another prominent feature in the subse quent pages, is the frequency of the author's private retirements; which may possibly induce others to seek the same means of consolation and instruction, which seem to

have been singularly blessed to her. There is reason to believe that retirement is one mode pointed out by the good Shepherd, to wean tenderly visited persons from associates who would impede their advancement in the way of the cross; and to induce them to let their affections centre in spiritual gratifications, and permanent treasures: and much is it to be desired that such as at times feel the gentle attractions of heavenly love, thus "to sit alone, and keep silence," would yield to the salutary intimation. They would surely thus experience the Lord to be strength in weakness, a necdful supply in want, a safe conductor in the path to sal

vation.

It is hoped that, among the various descriptions of readers into whose hands these sheets may fall, the newly-awakened may derive encouragement to yield up their wills in simple obedience to the requirings of the Lord, by observing how much is here exemplified that description of the ways of Wisdom, "Her ways are ways of pleasant

1

ness, and all her paths are peace." And the deliverances from temptation, the consolations in affliction, and the support in trials

and difficulties, here recorded, may animate the more experienced traveller still to hold on his way, trusting to the Lord alone, to nothing short of the arm of Omnipotence. For though the writer appears often to have had a more ready access to the healing waters, than many think themselves to have attained, yet she was often deeply humbled under a sense of her infirmities, and unworthiness; taught that in the presence of the Lord no flesh can glory; and that He alone is able to begin, to carry on, and finally to accomplish his own work.

Of probably the most valuable part of Mary Waring's life, the Diary itself is an accurate account so far as it goes; and it goes to make the reader acquainted with the inward recesses of her mind. Of her birth, her youth, her general habits, and of her closing moments, let maternal love declare, as follows:

"My beloved daughter Mary Waring was born the 20th of Third Month, 1760. From a child, she was of an amiable disposition; but being naturally of a very lively turn, she appeared fond of company, and discovered some inclination for gaiety; though

far short of divers of her intimate acquaintance; and more readily submitted to parental authority and advice than most.

"About the 27th year of her age ( according to her own account, in a little narrative which she wrote of her spiritual progress) she was favoured with a precious and hum-bling visitation, which she readily and hap→ · pily assented to, and became circumspectly concerned to fill up the religious, and other duties called for at her hands. For though she was not placed in an eminent station, either in the church or in the world, yet as far as her circumscribed abilities extended, she discovered the excellency of the Christian character:-in filial duty, in sisterly affec tion, in tender love to her friends, and in a desire to be helpful to all around her. To attend the chamber of sickness, and, by every endearing consolation in her power,. to smooth the bed of death, appeared to be her peculiar province. Nor were these duties: confined to her relatives and friends; but she sought out the wretched abodes of poverty, sickness, and distress; and administered advice, comfort, and substantial relief. And where her own ability was

inadequate to supply their necessities, she advocated their cause with the more affluent, in which she seldom failed of success; so that I have sometimes been ready to say with Job, "When the eye saw her, then "it blessed her; and when the ear heard "her, it gave testimony to her."

as an overseer.

"She was a secret mourner for the desolations which appear in our Zion; and I believe faithfully discharged her duty Her diligence in attending meetings was exemplary; and her solid sitting therein, often under the tendering influence of Divine love, was helpful and encouraging to others; and her vacant seat is sincerely regretted by her friends, who were feelingly united to her, and have, divers of them, emphatically expressed not only their own loss, but also their tender sympathy with me, under the very close trial I have sustained in my declining years :—to lose such an affectionate child, who had been for a number of years my endeared companion, my ready assistant, and true sympathizer under various afflictive dispensations. which it has been my allotment to pass. through. But, although nature was ready