to promote the happiness of those around us. We have wondered at ourselves how we could be made so peevish about trifles, yet we have continued to be so. Those who have strong confidence in God, and much love towards him are not so easily annoyed. They expect to meet with those trials, but the peace of God keeps their hearts and minds. They derive such rich and abundant supplies from God, that they are not likely to be distressed greatly when some secondary source of comfort fails. They cannot be made miserable by the drying up of some little earthly rivulet, because they have free and constant access to the river whose streams make glad the city of God. They go on their way rejoicing, and praising God. They do service to the Master they love with gladness and singleness of heart. Those who know them best admire the grace of God which makes them so loving and happy. May we all, my very dear children, thus glorify God. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that you have, thus early, been led to Christ. Deeply do I feel the force of the Apostle's language, (Col. i. 9-14.) 'For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness: giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.' O that such blessedness may be yours and mine. Is it not worth striving after with all our heart? I remain, Yours faithfully, SOPHIA D. DENHAM." CHAPTER IX. LESSONS OF VARIOUS KINDS. "If on our daily course, our mind New treasures still, of countless price, Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be, The trivial round, the common task, MISS DENHAM's mind was naturally contemplative and emotional, and, after her early conversion, became eminently devotional. In the case of such persons there is a danger that the character should not be fully developed. In many instances, whilst some excellencies have been very distinctly marked, others have been almost wanting. The dispositions, which, under favourable circumstances, have led really good people to the hermit's cell, or the monastery, or some place of undue seclusion, still exist; and, unless guarded, will retard or prevent the full growth of Christian character. In some instances, in modern days, and ordinary English Society, the improvement of the mind has been, at least partially, neglected; or the social tendencies have been unduly restrained; or even the tasks appertaining to the family circle, have been reluctantly and imperfectly performed, by those who really loved the Saviour, but whose views needed enlargement by a careful study of the whole Bible. Sophia Denham had, whilst a child, been taught to examine God's truth in its completeness. Her diligent search for true wisdom in the great storehouse imparted considerable enlargement to her views and character. Sophia tenderly loved those who were most nearly allied to her. Many were the manifestations of affection borne by her to her sister and brother. Numerous letters from her to each of these much-loved ones are now carefully cherished and greatly prized. But, of course, the contents are for the most part chiefly interesting to those concerned. Letters which should, as a whole, be suitable for publication, would scarcely be appropriate between those who loved each other as Sophia and her sister and brother. There was too much heartfelt confidence among them, and an assurance of sympathy in small things, joyous or sorrowful, to allow of their letters being what strangers should largely meddle with. We will rest satisfied with such extracts which have already been given to shed light on the inner life of our sainted friend. Miss D. regarded her father with mingled love and reverence. Any Christian parent, and especially any Christian minister, might well be grateful to God, if allowed to perceive that his conduct had made such an impression on the mind of his children, as Sophia's mind had received from the daily life of her father. Sophia's affection for her father was unbounded; and she ever regarded his conduct and disposition as worthy of her earnest imitation. At the same time it gave her great delight to do anything which would promote his comfort. She sympathized with him in the frequent pain, and constant feebleness, which he experienced at the time she entered on her duties at Masbro', and sought, in every possible way, to solace him in his comparative retirement. We may venture to subjoin an extract from a letter sent by Sophia to her father on his birthday. The rhymes at least make apparent the affection subsisting between the parent and child. To my Father on his Birthday. "Again, my much-loved father dear, Though, for a time, heaven's wise decree In praises to the God of light, That in his kind and tender care Your life he hath been pleased to spare; That we might in your love rejoice That while on earth you yet remain |