Her mind was continually intent on those important truths which comprise the whole of the Gospel; our free justification, through faith in an atoning Saviour, and our sanctification through the influence of the Holy Spirit. She found it requisite not only to have a title to heaven, but to be made meet for it, as without holiness no man shall see the Lord. There was no other way, that she could see to the City of God. This she knew to be the good old way of the Prophets, the Apostles and all the servants of God. In the use made of his dear friend's papers, the Editor has been careful in selecting what would give a just view of her experience and character. It is proper to observe, that her hand-writing is fair and correct, and rarely are there any slips of inaccuracy, but there are reasons why it would not suit to transcribe many lengthened extracts. The remarks made by the Editor himself on various passages, he presumes will meet with the approbation of the judicious: and he begs the patronage of his Brethren in the Ministry, if they deem this little performance worthy of diffusion among their friends. In this way, he wishes to do good, while precluded from a sphere of more enlarged usefulness. To them and to their families, particularly the female part, with the friends of the late Miss Podmore, he wishes to inscribe these pages as a monument to departed excellence. The "Gleanings" of Sermons by our departed friend, and the few of her letters, which the Editor was able to procure, it is presumed, will increase the interest of the publication. The whole is designed, to advance the cause of piety and virtue; the subject was the ardent friend of Missions, and they who are attached to the same cause, owe some respect to the name of Mary Podmore. J. H. Memoir OF MISS MARY PODMORE. This truth how certain, when this life is o'er, "THE memory of the just is blessed," we are assured by divine authority. We therefore fulfil a duty both of piety and of friendship, in recording the virtues and gracious acts of our departed companions, who have left us consolatory evidence of the power of true religion, and an example, which we should aspire to follow. Piety and virtue, we must admit to be the same in principle, in persons of different ages; though the manner and circumstances of their exhibition, may considerably vary, as much as the fresh opening rose presents an aspect differing from the full blown one. B The young have many temptations to seduce them, therefore juvenile religion shines the brighter, whereas the elderly have fewer temptations to gratify the senses, and are less subject to the allurements of the world. They who have entered early on their religious course can look back in age, with pleasing emotions, on the trials they have past through, and the battles they have fought; though they know that their conflicts will only terminate with life. We do not generally expect the maturity of wisdom and virtue in the youthful pilgrim on the heavenly road; but we have some rare instances, of piety and excellence attaining to a growth not to be measured by years. Virtue, not rolling suns, the mind matures." The subject of the present attempt to delineate departed worth; from her deep piety, her sound judgment, her acute knowledge of human nature, and her experience both in the school of suffering and in that of grace, ranks above her years. In general, it is in the middle stage |