72 MARY'S CONFIDENCE IN GOD. the remarks to her foster parents, the thought seemed to awaken every emotion in her heart. Gathering strength for the effort, amid many convulsive sobs, she exclaimed, "Those around us! Oh, if that might be, I would gladly continue to suffer without complaining, however severe the trial. For their everlasting welfare I long sincerely. I pray for it. I seek it hourly. I could willingly die for it. I owe all that I have to them, and love them beyond what can be told. You know that I desire their happiness above all things besides, and I hope to live with them in heaven." It was then remarked, God is the hearer of prayer; "Yes," she replied with a smile, "I know it; he can do all that I want, and I believe he will in his own good time; but he always does right." After this she survived only a short time, continuing to hold unwavering confidence in her Saviour's love. Her treasure was in heaven; and she felt assured that when this life had passed away, there was beyond it a world of unclouded brightness and beauty which would soon be her destiny. All that intervened, was but the running out of the remaining sands, and then she would for ever be happy. Turning on one occasion towards her aunt, who watched over her with a mother's love, and feeling how precious the Saviour became when heart and flesh were failing, she said, "Oh aunt, I have not loved Christ half enough." Yet she never long entertained a doubt as to her identity with the flock which he redeemed for an inheritance, with his precious blood. As Mary lived a pious humble Christian-so she died. The struggle was painful and protracted -too painful for narration; but now she rests on her Saviour's bosom: and how vast must be the change to such a one! Her piteous and distressing cries are hushed; every sigh has fled; every gushing tear has been wiped away by the soft hand of her compassionate Lord; and every pang has ceased in the calm serenity which the redeemed know in the world of unsullied splendour above. There, God's glory beams around more peaceful "Than summer's sun upon the placid lake, When not a breath of air is stirring." So sleep the mortal remains of this servant of Christ beneath the clods, at the early age of 21 years, affording another impressive lesson on the vanity of life as well as of all worldly possessions. Although no cypress, nor carefully treasured flowers rest on her grave to tell how much she was esteemed, her memory will be fragrant to many hearts long as we retain any interesting associations of mind with the school at Townhead-street. And whilst we cherish a love to the Saviour, this lamb of that flock which he deigns to own and protect, must be regarded as part of the great family which we shall meet in the realms of blessedness, where pain and sorrow and sighing are for ever done away. Mary lies interred in the Sheffield Cemetery, near to the Chapel. The following lines are engraved on her tomb. "SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF MARY WALKER, WHO DIED AUGUST 11, 1840, AGED 21 YEARS. Like to thy Saviour, humble, kind, In paths of Christian love: Made meet to dwell with saints in light, 'Tis thine to reign above." PART V. PIETY AS MANIFEST IN THE TIME OF POVERTY AND AFFLICTION. MANY persons, in times like the present, find a difficulty in obtaining a necessary supply of food to satisfy the constantly returning wants of their families. It is interesting, however, to remember, that none are too poor to be cared for by the great God who knows all our circumstances, and sympathizes with us in every trial. Mysterious as it appears that he should sometimes allow his people to pine away in abject poverty, when he could enrich them with temporal good without impoverishing himself, while many who despise his authority, have all that can gratify the taste or please the mind, yet it is often found that the poor, by this discipline, grow rich in divine favour, while the proud and haughty, forgetful of their obligations, and neglecting religion, are preparing but as fuel for endless burning, unless divine grace interpose to prevent such a catastrophe. Riches bring with them many duties from which 76 AFFLICTION SOMETIMES NECESSARY. poverty is free. If we could see the bearing that our present condition has upon our future happiness, we might probably learn that the more humbling dispensations of providence secure a far greater amount of solid happiness in connexion with God's favour, than wealth, honour, or even a throne without it. Poverty makes some men reflective who, otherwise, are steeled to the gentler monitions of Heaven; while, if affliction be added, the proudest heart will often be humbled, and, when thus subdued, is willing to embrace true godliness. Changed by divine grace, men find the rugged paths of religion strewed with richer pleasures than the smooth and slippery ways of sin; for safety and happiness are united to virtue, while danger and fear are inseparable from guilt. Besides, our heavenly Father knows what is best for us, and being free from caprice, our condition must always be the best, because the whole purport of his providence is to make men happy. Hence, when he sits as a refiner, and his children have to stand the fiercest test, the fire being under the control of an all-wise and benevolent Father, the moment when all dross is consumed, he will either remove the fire, or call his afflicted ones to paradise, where they will be for ever free from trials of every kind. He who never willingly permits affliction to |