blessed me in my humble endeavour to encourage my fellow-travellers in the way to Zion."

The amount of spiritual benefit which she was thus enabled to confer upon the numerous members of her several classes, over whom she watched with almost parental solicitude, will never be ascertained until eternity dawns upon the saints, and "their works have followed them" there. If this memoir should fall into the hands of any timid Christians, who are hesitating to obey the voice of God, as declared by his church, and, in a similar manner, refusing to perform the act of self-denial to which they are called, let them take warning by my mother's mental anguish, and remember, too, for their encouragement, that they whom God calls to labour in his church, will be strengthened by him for their work.

My mother never lost any time: her industry was proverbial, and her reading most extensive; so that the late revered Richard Watson was wont to call her "a walking library." She contrived so to arrange her various pursuits, spiritual, intellectual, and domestic, that they never clashed with each other: her whole soul prospered, the church was edified, and her family exhibited the marks of parental tenderness and care. Her diary reveals the secret of this conduct.

"Sept. 14th.-My thoughts were sweetly engaged with God, the Preserver of my life, when I awoke this morning. I always find an advantage in giving my first thoughts to him; but sometimes a struggle ensues, between the cares of the body and those of the soul. When I have been enabled to enter with spirit into the religious employments of the Sabbath, I can return to my domestic duties in the week with greater vigour and delight."

At the close of the following year, my mother was induced to take the charge of a second class. She states:-"Dec. 1st, 1820. Last night I commenced an evening class, for the convenience of servants, &c. The Lord was graciously present with us: this was a token for good."

I shall make one or two quotations from her diary for 1821, which is the last that has been preserved. This year a member of the family was summoned to his rest; and I find the following sentiment recorded, having reference, no doubt, to the event :

"Jan. 19th.-I believe we can only enjoy life when, while we relish its comforts, we are prepared and resigned to part with them. Our enjoyments here must be relinquished, sooner or later." Soon after, the return of the day led her to refer to her own conversion. "March 2d. This blessed day testifies that God is love. It is twenty years this day since God spoke peace to my troubled soul. These words, It is I, be not afraid,' were powerfully applied to my mind, and I was encouraged to look up, and behold a willing Saviour. My faith increased, till I was constrained to say,—

My God is reconciled;

His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for his child;

I can no longer fear :

With confidence I now draw nigh,

And, Father, Abba, Father, cry.''

My mother took up her cross this year in a different manner, and, as before, found a blessing in it.

"July 2d, Southport.-The means of grace at this place have been refreshing to my soul. At a love-feast, I was constrained, by the love of God, to testify what he had done for my soul; and I thought I felt an accession of strength, in consequence of my simple testimony."

The last entry of her diary contains, under date of September, 1821, the following spiritual and appropriate remarks:-"I desire no longer to bear the image of the earthly Adam, but to be transformed into the image of Christ; to be sanctified by his Spirit, and to be clothed with his righteousness." My mother's devoted affection for her family, and her solicitude for their spiritual interests, were eminently conspicuous; and, according to her own testimony, she desired to be an example of self-denial and consistency of conduct, that all her dear children might discover the reality of that religion which she professed." My father states, that so great was her anxiety that her children's minds should be well stored with divine truth, that she made every one of them, so soon as they were capable, read the entire Bible aloud to herself; and also required them to commit to memory many of Wesley's and Watts's hymns, with the whole Book of Psalms.

In April, 1826, it pleased the Lord to take to himself her second son, James, then an infant. This trial of her faith was borne with Christian resignation. She writes:-"The dispensation is mysterious; but we desire to bow submissively to the stern decree, and believe this chastisement of our heavenly Father will work for our good."

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In July, 1828, she addresses her daughter, then just married, in these apposite expressions :-" You will find this life a chequered scene. Experience teaches us that our rejoicings are not uninterrupted: they are often suspended by trials of various kinds, just as the sunshine, so invigorating to nature, is sometimes intercepted by a passing cloud. God, in his wisdom, has made us dependent upon himself for happiness."

In December, 1831, the writer, being in Paris, received a letter from his mother, in which are these judicious remarks:-" You will soon find that their" (the French) "Sabbath occupations are such as will not suit a Christian. In whatever point of view we study the circumstances of our own country, we shall see a vast superiority of privileges afforded to every class of society, both of a spiritual and temporal nature. We have much given to us, and much will be required of us. Above all, let me entreat you to attend to the one thing needful. You are in a country where religion is not popular, and it will be necessary to guard against the various temptations, from the three grand enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil. What a mercy that we may realize the presence of God everywhere, and that his grace is sufficient under every circumstance of life!" The last extract I give, is from a letter addressed to one of her daughters, who was visiting Cheltenham. It is dated in August, 1832. It shows my mother's jealous and watchful care, as far as practicable, even over the hearts of her children, and contains an important, though much-neglected, caution:"Amongst all the scenes of vanity which may pass before your view, you will find it necessary to guard against that dissipation of mind, which is often consequent upon mixing with much company. Even if you have no communion with them, there is so much work for the eyes, that the heart is in danger of being neglected."

In 1840, my mother's health began to fail; and during this period of declining strength, she collected and copied upwards of one hundred letters, written by the late Mrs. Bulmer to various friends, but chiefly to herself: the labour was excessive; night and day she pursued her favourite engagement, nor could any solicitation from her friends, who feared that her health would still further suffer, divert her from her purpose. She finished the volume, which was afterwards published, and then left it to her sorrowing family, as a monument of determined and persevering industry in a female then nearly sixty years old, and in whom increasing years were producing their natural effect. I may also add, that a large number of papers, in her own handwriting, now lie before me, consisting of extracts from books of divinity, and pithy sentiments culled from various sources of information, all dwelling upon the trials, duties, and enjoyments of the Christian life. Her own mind was richly stored with sayings of this kind; and no doubt the members of her classes were greatly benefited by her extensive religious reading. I find, also, a book of family prayers, composed by herself, and several interesting specimens of her own unpretending style of poetry.

For some time previously to her decease, my mother was, like all other saints, more or less severely tested in her faith and patience, especially during a fortnight of the most agonizing pain, arising from muscular spasms; but the only complaint she ever uttered was, "O, I think it is almost more than human nature can bear."

No wonder that, under such circumstances, he who, "as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour," sought at least to distress and disturb her mind. Her feelings in this "fiery trial," as described by her daughter-in-law, to whom they were communicated soon after, were most painful. "I felt," she said, "as if I were under the wrath of the Almighty; I saw my unfaithfulness, and that it had been of no ordinary character, because it had been unfaithfulness against such light and privileges; I felt that I could only say, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him;' but," she added, “I feel calmer now." In answer to an observation respecting the preciousness of the cross in such conflicts, she immediately assented, "Yes; the cross, the precious cross!"

Some weeks before my mother died, and when there was no apparent cause of alarm, she was found to be making arrangements in reference to her own decease. It was this circumstance which led the writer to watch her with increased professional attention and anxiety. Having left the room one morning, and returned somewhat suddenly, she seemed to be confused at his unexpected re-appearance: she was busily occupied with various private papers, and in assorting some valuable articles to be given as memorials to her family. The writer saw through the whole, and hurried out of the room with the most painful feelings. It was at this time that she burned, as before stated, the remainder of the papers she had written relating to herself. Most of them had been destroyed two years before. Some time after this occurrence, with a self-possession that astonished me, she called me to her bed-side, and said, "I have to request that you will not allow any one to witness my last moments,-any one, I mean, but those of the family: you will know when the last is approaching." I gave her a solemn assurance, much to my own regret afterwards; for no one

could have witnessed her peaceful departure without thanking God, and taking courage.

Great had been her apprehensions of the last struggle: she prayed, and was heard in that she feared. How this prayer was answered, and how God's mercy was better to her than nature, shrinking from mortality, had anticipated, the account of her last moments will encouragingly demonstrate. On one occasion, when the writer observed to her, that Christ would come and take her to himself, she replied, with solemn emphasis, "Preparation is necessary." About a fortnight before her decease, she said, "I think I shall rally for awhile; but whether for a longer or shorter period, it is all right."

A member of the family having remarked to her how beautiful the spring appeared, and how much she would enjoy it, if able to go out, she replied, "But

'There is a land of pure delight.""

Her mind evidently dwelt with holy satisfaction on the contemplation of that better country,—

"Where everlasting spring abides,

And never-withering flowers."

About this time one of my sisters repeated the hymn beginning,

"Thou, Lord, on whom I still depend."

Coming to the third verse,—

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard,

What Christ hath for his saints prepared,

Who conquer through their Saviour's might," &c.;

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she said, "That is it, Mary, that is it: Who conquer through their Saviour's might."" On one occasion, she said, “What o'clock is it? I get quite confused: it seems all Good morning' or all 'Good night' to me:" referring to the usual salutations of the different members of the family, as they came to see her. This remark will be explained by the fact, that, in consequence of her affliction, she was painfully sensitive to the light, and her room was kept in almost constant darkness, so that it was difficult to distinguish any object. My father, coming in, observed, that it was so dark, he could scarcely see her: with her usual vivacity, and with great tenderness, she replied, "It is always daylight when you come.' Nothing of an earthly nature cheered her more during her affliction, than the sight of her family around her: several times she alluded to this circumstance as 66 delightful, delightful!" and expressed her gratitude to God for his goodness in this particular.

On the Sunday preceding her decease, (April 30th, 1843,) she inquired after one of her usual attendants; and on being told that it was Sunday, and that she was gone to the chapel, she exclaimed, with anxiety, "Gone to the chapel!" and was much distressed because, by mistake, she had allowed some secular business to engage her attention on what she now recollected was God's holy day. This was to her a 66 'day of grace," and, I may add, a "day of glory" too. She realized the fulfilment of that gracious promise, "God shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." From this time her sun was evidently

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descending without a cloud. In the afternoon she gave me, unsolicited, her dying testimony; and it was most delightful and encouraging: Death," indeed, was swallowed up in victory;" she seemed "quite on the verge of heaven." Calling me to her bed-side, she said, "I have good news to tell you." I said, "I am glad to hear it: what about?" She then replied, "Do you know I can hear?" (her affliction had made her remarkably deaf;) "but I have better news still, I have firm hold of the Atonement." She literally exulted in "the power of the Atonement," and seemed overwhelmed with the views that had been vouchsafed to her of His strength, who is "mighty to save." I can never forget her solemn emphasis in saying, "O, the power of the Atonement! I could not have believed it possible.” She then said, with great feeling, "When one is treading on the verge of eternity, in what a different light all things appear! I see that nothing will do at the last, but a personal application of the blood of Atonement. We must, each for ourselves, lay hold upon Christ. It will avail us nothing, if we have not Christ in our hearts." She afterwards requested me to pray for five minutes, and, with very great fervency, responded, while we humbly and devoutly gave "thanks unto God," who had given her "the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

On the same day she said to a member of the family, "I hope you let me have an interest in your prayers." Being assured that such was the fact, but that the best of all was, that she had a great Intercessor at God's right hand, she immediately replied, with much interest, "I have been thinking of that." Being asked if she did not find that the Lord gave her grace just as she required it, she answered, "He does; and he will give dying grace, too." She then referred to a member of her class, who was always fearing the end; and who, however much she might be blessed, generally added, "But what shall I do when the greatest trial comes?" "I always replied," (my mother continued,) "God will give dying grace for dying times."" She then applied the circumstances to her own "time of need," and exulted in the blessed fulfilment of the declaration in herself.

My mother was always beforehand in everything she undertook: she was not less so in preparing for death, than in the performance of the active duties of life. So early as six o'clock on Monday morning, May 1st, her mind was busily engaged in arranging family presents, to be distributed in the course of the day; and while so occupied, she was informed by one of her daughters, that her medical attendants were coming soon: with some appearance of surprise, she remarked, "What do they fear? I have none: it will be better to depart; but I am willing to do or "-here her voice failed for a moment. She then went on : I know in whom I have believed: it will all be well in the end. O, I have passed through a furnace, and am, in a measure, purified; but I shall be more so; and I believe He will receive me."

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This morning my mother was enabled to receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper, with all the family then present: the effort, however, was far beyond her remaining strength. Her much-esteemed friend, and former Pastor, the late Rev. Joseph Taylor, administered the elements; and to him I am indebted for the following account of the interview. I make no apology for inserting it.