females of our country in shaping the character and destiny of our population. The Author concludes this short Preface with the touching remark of Johnson in the last number of the Rambler :—"I shall never envy the honors which wit and learning obtain in any other cause, if I may be numbered among the writers who have given ardor to virtue and confidence to truth." Consecrating this humble offering at the foot of the Cross, he bends his eye up to the "Mercy seat," and invokes the blessing of the Spirit in the words of the Great Poet, "Gentle breath of yours, my sails West Stockbridge, Mass. June 1, 1838. CONTENTS. Description of Mary's native valley; her birth; obscure pa- Page 1 The friendliness of a happy and permanent home to the deve- The brilliancy of her religious experience atones for the dark- ness of her lot; anecdote; her early conversion; habit of secret prayer in her 6th year; reasons why she cherished no hope; philosophy of conversion and grace in the heart; Mary always a sufferer, an attendant of a sick mother for She writes a vast deal; always destroyed her writings; Page 31 The influence of mountain scenery upon her whole character; 40 Common misfortunes bind the sisters together; a brother's let- 55 Philosophy of humility; its nature, exhibitions and fruits; CHAP. VIII. Diary continued; beautiful thoughts of hers on the story of the Prodigal Son; humility, the precursor of exaltation; the bril- liancy of her experience after she emerged from the eclipse; CHAP. IX. Mary compelled by poverty to work as a hired girl; unable to pay postage on letters; her taste for the simplicity of rural CHAP. X. CHAP. XI. Solitude favorable to genius and devotion; the happiness of old Pilgrim life; a story; Christianity friendly to the mental culture; its votaries the greatest men the world has produc- CHAP. XII. Mary writes an affecting and beautiful letter to a sister's hus- CHAP. XIII. Her correspondence with Mr. D-C--O-, a pious gentleman CHAP. XIV. The commencement of a revival in Mr. W.'s church; Mary addresses a letter to a theological student of Mr. W.'s family; CHAP. XV. CHAP. XVI. Correspondence continued; religion loves to make its votaries CHAP. XVII. CHAP. XVIII. |