248 THE JESSAMINE. 



a covert vaunt of onr patience and failh ? I have 

 seen some dear suflerers, writhing under the most 

 excruciating torments of acute disease, or pining 

 in lengthened confinement to a sick room, or weep- 

 ing, in the bitterness of their souls, a sudden be- 

 reavmcnt, which has left them comparatively alone 

 upon earth : — I have seen them compelled to listen, 

 while others, in the full enjoyment of health and 

 prosperity, lectured them upon the enviableness of 

 their lot : and required of them songs of mirth iu 

 their heaviness. God can, and does, give songs in 

 the night of sorrow, heard by himself alone ; and 

 undoubtedly, he also enables his people to rejoice, 

 even outwardly, at the abundant consolations with 

 which he oulnirmbers their light and momentary 

 afflictions ; but I do not love to see a wounded 

 spirit, lodged in a weak bodv, crammed, as it were, 

 with the crude notions of others, who but know theo- 

 retically what their friend is sensibly experiencing. 

 I am very sure that Mrs. C. was one of the 

 most heavenly-minded persons I ever met with. 

 Her rank in life did not bring lier into what is 

 called polite society, except among those who re- 

 cognized the tie of membership under one glori- 

 ous Head. Her education had not been of a supe- 

 rior order ; but alike in mind, manners and conver- 

 sation, the indwelling JSpirit shed a lustre around 

 her, which commanded respect from every one. 

 There was an humble dignity in her deportment, 



