not extend to the unseen world, and why spirits in the flesh may not hold fellowship with disembodied spirits of the just? We believe in the ministry of angels; and it does not seem improbable that the souls of those whom we knew on earth are often near us. sentiment is more than once expressed in Christian poetry

"Sometimes they on errands of love

Revisit their brethren below."

Such a

The dissolution of the union between the saintly Perronet and the family he left, was severely felt, especially by Mrs. Bissaker. Yet heaven seemed henceforth as if nearer, and her soul was drawn out, one memorable evening, in a rapture of praise. Her hands uplifted, her countenance beaming, she broke forth into singing, and continued the strain with apparent ecstasy, till her daughter became alarmed, and interrupted her. She appeared like one just taking wing for heaven, or already in converse with the glorified. Is this visionary? Is a belief in the presence of departed saints with us discountenanced either by reason or Scripture? * Mrs. Parnell notes more instances than one when a mysterious persuasion to this effect supplied the place of other evidence. One is under date of February 6th, 1825:-"Our friends were receiving the Sacrament [of the Lord's Supper] at chapel; and, in a solemn, humble manner, I in faith received the sacred elements alone." (She had, doubtless, some valid reason for absence from the great congregation.) "Yet I was not alone.

I seemed to have a consciousness of the presence of my dear mother, now twenty years gone to glory, and of Mr. Charles Perronet, who had entered into his rest forty-nine years ago...... But soon all seemed swallowed up in the contemplation of the work of Christ for me; His agony and bloody sweat; His meritorious sufferings, and His continued interceding. O for a heart to praise my God!""

Under the training to which allusion has been made, she profited much. From a child she knew the holy Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus. She early laboured to cultivate her mind, and lay up in store a good foundation against the time to come. She gave attendance to reading, and, having a retentive memory, profited above many of her equals. Copious extracts were made from what she read, many of which remain. What Dr. Watts has taught thousands of infant voices to sing, was realized in this beautiful instance :

"Give me, O Lord, Thy early grace;

Nor let my soul complain

That the young morning of my days
Has all been spent in vain."

About the age of fourteen, she began seriously to consider the duty and advantages of church-membership. This, she believed, would materially aid in her preparation for the church in heaven.

*Not directly countenanced, it may be granted, by the written word. Yet who would try to dissolve the charm of such a sentiment ?-EDITORS.

Her mother was one of "the people called Methodists," and she herself had been trained up to attend the ministry and various services of that people; but she did not therefore reckon herself as belonging to the Society. She knew that her admission depended on her own solemn choice. The resolution was taken, and she became a member in January, 1778.

To considerable personal attractions she added a very lively temper, and more than common power in conversation. As she grew up, she was not without admirers of the other sex, some of whom sought for a closer intimacy. Here her prudence and integrity appeared. She did not allow her feelings to blind her judgment. Her words are well worth recording :-" I had such a consciousness of my own inability to direct my steps, that I durst not form any acquaintance of a particular kind, without much prayer to God, and making my mother my counsellor and confidant. By this I was preserved from many imprudences and snares." She was put, nevertheless, to a severe trial. A young Minister, of whose character and talents she had formed a high opinion, became her suitor. He was popular as a Preacher, and from his counsels she expected to derive much spiritual help. A more intimate acquaintance brought discoveries that deeply disappointed her, and induced a separation. His irreverent use of the word of God, his democratic principles, and the general levity of his spirit, impressed her with the conviction that he had fallen from grace; and she decided, though at the expense of much feeling, to abandon his company. Not long after, Mr. Wesley, being at her mother's house, (his home when he came to Canterbury,) asked her why she had discontinued the acquaintance. She assigned her reasons. The striking reply was :-" Light-spirited! I should as soon have thought he would curse and swear. I perceive he has too much sense for common sense. You have done right."

The account of the great change shall be given in Mrs. Parnell's own words:"I was determined not to rest without a sense of God's pardoning love, which I had long been seeking,-having suffered a variety of things to check my persevering till I obtained my suit. I now felt my burden of sin an intolerable load. I attended the means of grace regularly; especially prayer-meetings, which I found particularly beneficial. But every means seemed to increase my distress, and the sense of my sinfulness against God, who had done so much for me. I had a particular fear of deceiving myself, and thought that, before I could feel satisfied of actual pardon, I must see some vision, or hear some voice; for a mere impression on the mind would not be satisfactory. But, My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.' June 23d, 1786, I was greatly distressed at a prayer-meeting. On the 27th, Mr. Bramwell met my mother's class, and could well discover my state of mind. After pointing me to the Saviour, and endeavouring to encourage my

faith, he said, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' I yet could form no idea how my unbelief was to be removed, without almost miraculous interposition. After much prayer through the day, I felt persuaded that the Lord would set my soul at liberty. At eight o'clock in the evening I went to a prayer-meeting at a friend's house in Orange-street, greatly burdened as before. My mind was solemnly engaged till the meeting closed. When we were about to depart, Mr. Bramwell said, Stop, friends!-perhaps here is some poor burdened soul that has not found peace. Let us pray again.' I felt myself the person. I attempted to cast my burden on the Lord and to pray, but could only praise. I sought for my burden, but could feel none, and could only say, 'O Lord, I will praise Thee ; though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou comfortest me.' My load was gone, I knew not where. My guilt was removed, and tranquillity filled my hitherto labouring breast. I seemed a mystery to myself. In returning home I could say nothing but- Lord, I do believe; I do believe.' I knew not what to make of myself, yet could only rejoice and give thanks. My soul bowed before the Lord in deep humility, yet felt a full confidence, and a secret peace through believing. I was a wonder to myself, that I, who had been so fearful and unbelieving, should feel so satisfied of my acceptance with God."-It is not surprising to find the new convert assailed by a subtle insinuation of Satan: "I thought, 'If this is what I have been secking, I will tell no one of it, lest I should lose it, and thereby dishonour God more than if I had never professed to enjoy it.' But, on my return home, my mother discovered a change in my countenance. She asked me about the meeting, who had engaged in prayer, &c. When I had related the particulars, she said, 'Well, my dear, did you obtain a sense of pardoning love?' I hesitated for a moment, but thought it would be sin against God to disown it. So I answered, 'Yes, mamma, I did.' After telling her my feelings, she said, 'The work is of God: you could not procure peace of mind for yourself. You lost your burden at the foot of the cross. Go to the Lord: He will shine upon His work, and confirm you more and more.' I proved the truth of her advice: my peace remained solid, without rapture. I felt guarded by grace against two things,-spiritual pride, and levity."*

Born of God, she entered on a course of new life. Such alterations were immediately made in her dress, as she deemed befitting in one professing godliness. One day, however, when Mr. Wesley was at her mother's, he pointed attention to some remaining article which he thought a superfluity, saying, "Would it not do without this, Nancy?" She replied, with modest freedom, "Yes, Sir: but I think it does better with it; and I am not convinced that it is wrong." He rejoined, "Will you leave it off when you are convinced?" answered, Yes, Sir, I will." He replied, "That will do."

* CORRIGENDUM.-Page 674, line 36, for 1790 read 1787.

She

Subse

quently, hearing a sermon on Rom. xiii. 14, she was convinced of having paid too much attention to her outward adorning; and from that time she laid aside whatever she thought inconsistent with lowly, self-denying simplicity.

The effect of grace in the soul is a longing after higher degrees of holiness, and a closer conformity to the image of God. "I long, I long for full deliverance," cried she who had already found redemption through the blood of Christ: "I want to possess that perfect love which casteth out fear." Various were now her secret exercises of mind, and she was frequently in heaviness through manifold temptations. But it pleased God to deliver her. "I want more patience," she writes, "to bear trials. Last night I felt much of the spirit of prayer, with deep contrition, when I retired to rest." It appears God communed with her in her sleep, and she awoke singing an old and well-known stanza,—

"He that a sprinkled conscience hath,

He that in God is merry;

Let him sing psalms, (the Spirit saith,)
Joyful and never weary."

She resumes: "I have felt the spirit of prayer; but steady comfort I cannot feel, till the remains of the carnal mind and corrupt nature are taken away." Again: "I long for full redemption. I groan under the weight of inbred corruption. O Sun of righteousness, arise with healing in Thy wings. Let this be the accepted time. Let me now rejoice in delivering grace! I want more light: I cannot see clearly how far my trials and temptations are unavoidable, and how far I give way to them and grieve the Holy Spirit. But I am in an agony with God......"

Religious fasting is not to be regarded as a duty belonging only to the Jewish dispensation. It is authorized by the Scriptures of the New Testament. Our Redeemer fasted; and, in His sermon on the Mount, taking it as a duty acknowledged and practised, He gives special directions for its observance, guarding His disciples against the superstitions of the Pharisees. "I determined," says Mrs. Parnell, about this time, " to begin to learn self-denial, and have this day fasted, The Lord has graciously blessed me, and in patience I have possessed my soul." To the close of life, she continued a witness of the benefit obtained in the school of humiliation and self-discipline.

But another scene now opens. Early in January, 1788, she was contemplating an entrance on the marriage-state. Anxious that her own will should be lost in the will of God, and that every step should tend to His glory, she at once addressed herself to prayer and the holy oracles, endeavouring to elicit the mind of Him

"Whose every act pure blessing is,

Whose path, unsullied light."

After thus deliberating, and seeking maternal counsel, she gave her company to Mr. James Parnell, a member and lay-Preacher of the

Independent church. They resolved to leave each other at perfect liberty in regard to matters of religious opinion, and modes and places of public worship; allowing no compromise of principle, but calling into action the crowning grace of Christian charity. February 26th was fixed upon as the wedding-day. The occasion was one of great solemnity; and (to quote her own words) she "went to "her "new habitation with ten thousand revolving thoughts, and some perplexities of mind." The union of two individuals even truly pious, but holding different views of Christian doctrine and of church-discipline, can never be recommended. The results are often more serious than a division of effort in supporting the cause of God, and a want of entire agreement in the training of children. At the best, the example of one parent compared with that of the other tends to bewilder the young mind, and to produce all the uncertainty of doubt; while, unhappily, the consequence is too often a disregard for all religion, or even an abandonment of its forms. The case under our eye was, indeed, an exception: yet Mrs. Parnell's remarks, made after the lapse of nearly fifty years, justify the language of caution. "I entered into the marriage-state," she says, "with Mr. James Parnell, a man truly devoted to God, whom I received as a spiritual helper; and in this I was not disappointed......But, although in my case such union turned out beyond the expectation of my friends, I would not recommend the step to others; for it is impossible in all things to say, 'One heart, one mind,' although we had one joy, and one hope, and went on hand in hand. There cannot be [an entire] union of effort, as the interest of each is [so far] separate, and each would, of course, prefer the assistance of the other in his own [or her own] community. But, as to the main object, it may be said, 'Distinct as the billows, yet one as the sea.' We rejoiced in each other's opportunity to do good, and had no bar in praying with each other, or in association with Christian friends. I was ready to do good among Mr. Parnell's friends, and he among mine. When I was from home, or ill, he kindly met my class, at the request of our Preachers, and with great satisfaction to my friends. His views were not too narrow to occupy a Methodist pulpit."

To return-On the Lord's day following the marriage, a sermon was preached in the Methodist chapel, by the Rev. William Butterfield, on Eph. v. 33: "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." The Preacher took occasion to observe, that, in his opinion, (and it was, undoubtedly, a just one,) relative duties were far too little considered, either in private or in public; and that, probably, some of the husbands and wives then present had never heard or thoroughly known what they owed to each other. He then proceeded to repair this serious deficiency; "taking it upon him," as he phrased it, to show, I., the nature and "propriety" of the marriage-union; II., the duty of the husband; III., the duty of the wife. Of course, he went back to Eden, stating that, "when God.