earth. It is not surprising, therefore, that in the summer of 1789 she broke up her flourishing school in Edinburgh, and, tearing herself away from her faithful and beloved friends, who had been her stay and comfort, she came, after having received earnest invitations from most respectable sources, to New York, in September of that year. She was received with great deference and kindness by the best people in the city. This was partly secured to her by the regard of the friends she had gained in 1772, a number of whom were still living; also by the distinguished introductions she was favored with from divines and others in Scotland, as well as from Dr. Witherspoon, who spared no efforts to open for her the best oppor tunities which, from the combination of his high political as well as social and literary eminence, he was well able to accomplish; more than all, from the deep anxiety of the most influential families in New York, and throughout the country, to secure for their daughters such an instructress as Mrs. Graham's friends certified her to be.

Mrs. Graham's school, which she speedily opened under such favorable auspices, was, it is believed, the first, and for many years the only school in the States where young ladies could obtain a thorough and elegant education, with the yet higher advantages of sound Christian training. The Congress of the United States then held its sittings in New York, where, consequently, the President (General Washington), the heads of departments, and the members of both

houses resided, at least for a considerable part of the year. Next to the power of religion, the city could scarcely have received, especially for the younger women, a greater or more needed blessing than such a school as Mrs. Graham's. Hence we find the excellent Bishop Moore, of the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, of the Presbyterian, the clergy of the Dutch Church, and others high in the confidence of the Christian community, united in encouraging Mrs. Graham to undertake a school of the highest order, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity, and fully employed the talents and time of her two daughters, Joanna and Isabella (afterward Mrs. Andrew Smith, who died in March, 1860, in Glasgow, Scotland, at the house of her daughter, the widow of Mr. John Brydon, a gentleman of modest, but very great worth), Jessy, the eldest, having married Mr. Hay Stevenson soon after their arrival.

CHAPTER VII.

EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE.

Joanna Graham a Teacher.-Marries Divie Bethune, Esq.-Her own Record of Religious Experience.-Remarkable Conflicts.— Darkness.-Delirium.-Restoration to Health, Peace, and Hap

piness.

JOANNA had now reached adult womanhood, and her early developed love of education led her to devote her ripe, cultivated powers to the benefit of the pupils, including, as has been said, the daughters of many of the most distinguished families in the land, at a period when the best influence of instructed and religious mothers over the future rulers of the young republic was so especially needed. In the long lapse of time, the most of Mrs. Graham's pupils have passed away from earth; but Mrs. Bethune's family, in earlier days, have been often delighted to hear from ladies of the highest and most important positions the warmest expressions of grateful admiration for Joanna and Isabella Graham, who were at once their teachers, their examples, and friends. Thus was occasioned the wide and commanding influence which Mrs. Bethune had over the best female minds, and of the highest social standing with reference to the various schemes of usefulness she was called by Providence to inaugurate, organize, and establish.

Joanna continued to assist her mother until 1795, when she was married to Mr. Divie Bethune, a gentleman characterized, like herself, by ardent piety, a strong, cultivated mind, sound doctrinal views, great desire and great aptness for usefulness, so that their union, while it increased their personal and domestic happiness, favored yet more their zeal and faculties for doing good. For twenty-nine years Mr. and Mrs. Bethune walked hand in hand through the private and social duties of the Christian life, encouraging and assisting each other in successive plans of religious and philanthropic exertion, which have been, some of them for many years, and are not less at present, abounding streams of usefulness in this city, throughout the land, and in many foreign parts, making glad the City of our God.

Mrs. Bethune's personal narrative during this period, from 1789 to 1795, in the manuscript already referred to, and from which large extracts have already been made, is so full of interest that I transcribe it almost verbatim.

"We left Scotland in 1789, and, after passing through a fiery trial, arrived in New York September 8th of that year. The Lord greatly blessed us, and gave us favor in the eyes of this people. He also provided for us Christian friends, Rev. Dr. Rodgers, Dr. Mason [the elder], and Mr. Mason, John M. Mason [afterward the eminent Dr.], dear Mr. Chrystie, and others. The first winter I was confined entirely to the house with rheumatism in my head,

while my sisters were visiting about; yet it pleased the Lord to make this trial a blessing to me. In my retirement and frequent solitude I remembered my evil ways, and loathed myself for my sins in God's sight. I read Doddridge's Rise and Progress through, prayed over all the prayers in it, and, in the spring of 1790, began to attain some degree of comfort. Dr. Mason often called and spoke to us in the most affectionate manner, never failing to melt me into tears. My mother saw that I was deeply exercised, and persuaded me to call on Dr. M., who seemed pleased with my exercises, and advised me to come forward to the sacramental table. I think that I was sincere, and desired with my whole heart to belong to the Lord; but I had not yet attained sufficient assurance. Had

I continued to follow on to know the Lord, no doubt I should have attained to that grace; but alas! alas! like the Israelites who longed after the flesh-pots of Egypt, I imagined that I might indulge in what the world calls innocent amusements. I did not go to the play-houses or other public places of diversion, except occasionally to a concert; but I attended private dancing parties, and was too fond of gay, thoughtless people, and, in consequence, I was miserable. I was trying to serve God and Mammon. Often, when in company, I used to look round me and wonder if there were any there besides my sister and myself who professed to be followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, to take up the cross and go after Him through evil as well as through good report. I had often