mind of Miss SPRECKLEY, by the death of her - father, although at that time she was not more than eleven years of age. She was observed to become increasingly devout in spirit, and attentive to the means of grace. For some years, however, she remained in bondage, to what may properly enough be termed the beggarly elements of the world-a religion, destitute of spirituality and power-as cheerless and unprofitable to its subject, as it is unacceptable to God. In making this observation, we mean C not to traduce and reprobate the most punctilious attention to religious ordinances, but that complacent resting in our doings, which springing from the pride and ignorance of the unregenerate mind, opposes the stoutest barrier to the grace of Christ, of all the other works of the devil, within which our fallen nature is unhappily intrenched. Jesus Christ declared to the Scribes and Pharisees, "the publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of heaven before you;" and experience shews, that of all the varieties observable in the human character, that is most impassive to the weapons of the ministry, which comprehends the decent, the tasteful, and the inoffensive portion of the species. Happily for MISS SPRECKLEY, how

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ever, such attempts to pacify conscience, and to obtain comfort, were utterly abortive; like the dove while out of the ark, she found no rest for the sole of her foot. Her thoughtful and tender mind, while hovering over the dark and wide abyss of eternal ruin, feared to drop its wing, and to settle upon the reeds that float over its surface. She sought the ark, and never rested till caught by the hand of mercy, and taken into it.

To observe, and scrutinize the hand of Providence in its disposal of individuals, as well as in the control which it exercises over nations and families, is an employment of intellect, equally pious and interesting. I know, → Lord," said the prophet, "that the way of mán is not in himself, it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Our introduction to the world; the circumstances in which we shall be placed; the path in which we shall move; the time and manner of our exit from the earth; are events over which human agency has but a partial control: they are the results of a superior and presiding Power. A man's heart, deviseth his way, but his steps are ordered by the Lord." By the discoveries which revelation affords to us of a watchful superin

tending Deity, chance and accident are excluded from the world. He who has employed himself in erecting the theatre, in decorating it with appropriate scenery, and in furnishing it to be the abode of life, brings on its actors; affords them scope for their faculties, observes the part they perform in the drama, removes them from the stage at his own pleasure, and allots them rewards or punishments as they may have merited. It is consolatary, however, to know, that "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord," and that no change can happen in his external circumstances, which does not either directly, or indirectly, tend to his ultimate welfare. Events, painful in themselves, frequently are, by his wise and benign appointment, productive of the most beneficial consequences to the individual, who, like Jacob and Samuel, has set up the pillar of his gratitude, inscribed with the name of the Lord, and anointed with the oil of his joy. Such an event was the removal of Miss SPRECKLEY with her sister, from her native place to Melton Mowhray. It was associated with the most grateful recollections, as it brought her under the pastoral superintendence of the Rev. Dr. Ford, and led to her acquaintance, and ultimately to

her union with the Methodists. With these advantages, her experience assumed a new and interesting character, or rather her experience of divine things may be said then to have commenced; she was brought to feel the burden of sin, and to groan for redemption in the blood of Christ. At what time, and in what manner she obtained the blessing of acceptance, we are not informed by her Diary. From a friend of hers, we learn that her mental sufferings previous to her deliverance, were protracted and severe; frequently with fasting-prayer -tears and groans-sometimes kneeling, at others prostrate, she sought the Lord, and rested not till he inclined his ear unto her and heard her cry, bringing her up out of the horrible pit and miry clay, setting her feet on the rock, and putting the new song into her mouth. From this time, her views of christian doctrine and of the work of the Spirit, which previously had been dim and imperfect, became comprehensive and clear, her consequent spirituality apparent, and her subsequent progress, rapid and uniform: in a word, “being in. Christ Jesus, old things were passed away, and all things become new." The state of her mind about this time, will be ascertained by an

Extract from her Diary. On December 27th, 1812, she writes, "I have been this evening to hear Dr. Ford; this is probably the last sermon I shall hear this year. It may be the last in my life-Lord prepare me, and then no matter how soon my final hour arrive! This was a powerful season to me, the presence of God was manifest, and the word was rendered spirit and life to my soul. For some time prior to this, I have been attacked by some of my former friends, who intimated that religion wore a gloomy habit, and was unfit for young people. Lamentable ignorance! awful prejudice! Their weak suggestions, however, availed but little-my mind is proof against such vague and unworthy representations. I pity them in their delusions, and had not their many good properties entitled them to my esteem, I should have treated their counsel with contempt; Lord. pity my frailties and help me to behave as a christian! How pitiable is their condition, who represent the greatest blessing of life in so false a light, to whom it really seems a misfortune to be anxious after that which would mitigate our sorrows, and increase and perpetuate our joys! Surely the religion of my blessed Saviour does not require an austere and monkish