himself and other men. He is cut off from them, for he believes that he has another constitution of being, indiscernible by them, not merely other tastes and a higher aim. The object of Christian love may be incomprehensible, but the affection itself is not so. It is dangerous to represent it as a mysterious and almost unaccountable sentiment, which finds no parallel in our experience elsewhere. Our faith in Christ, as well as our love to Christ, are similar to our faith and love as exercised towards our fellow-creatures. Regeneration imparts no new faculties; it gives only a new direction to the old."

Madame Guyon's life was a noble testimony to the grace of God. From the period of her conversion, it was entirely devoted to the service of the Lord. Hers was the joy of acceptance in the Beloved. She dwelt in the love of God, and realized a heaven within her heart.

"I love my God, but with no love of mine,

For I have none to give;

I love thee, Lord, but all the love is thine,

For by thy love I live.

I am as nothing, and rejoice to be

Emptied, and lost, and swallowed up in thee."

Her life won admirers everywhere, and the influence she exercised was extensive. She dedicated all her powers to the Lord. That mind cannot have been feeble which could influence the most distinguished circles in France-which could mould Fenelon, contend with Bossuet, sustain the trials and discipline of so many years, and write so many works, that have survived 150 years. That faith must have been firm that could attempt labours so great, and bear opposition so strong. Tribulation strengthened, developed, and emboldened it; and by her experience was she fitted for the part she bore.

Her life yet remains for the edification of the Church. Brought up a Roman Catholic, she yet belongs to evangelical Christendom. She was in the Apostasy, but not of it. None can doubt her piety. In her works you meet with few references to the distinguishing peculiarities of the Romish system, but much of the religion of the heart, that must belong to true piety everywhere. She did not pray to Virgin nor saints, but to the Lord himself. She was a Reformer in the Church. In her biography, lately written by Professor Upham, of America, and which is done with much fidelity, and strong sympathy with the views which she held and taught, there are no references that can offend a Protestant. It is a specimen of a Christian biography. Fenelon, Pascal, the Arnaulds, and others, deserve similar memorials, inasmuch as they exhibited the beauty of the Christian life in the midst of Romish error.

Reader! this sketch reveals faith in Jesus Christ to be the secret of peace with God, and of a holy life. Do you possess it and exemplify it? Without it, splendid talents, agreeable qualities, many virtues, are nothing. They cannot justify a sinner. You can only be saved by the atonement and righteousness of Jesus Christ. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Do you believe in the forgiveness of sins for yourself? Only by this confidence in the Saviour can you be pardoned. God justifieth the ungodly who believe in Jesus. Come to Jesus for pardon, peace, and justification. "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out," is his own assurance to your soul.

Reader! this sketch reveals a holy life. This was the result of faith in Jesus in the case of Madame Guyon. It infallibly follows faith always. Are you holy? "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." God gives his Spirit for this end. Pray for the Holy Ghost. He gives his word for

this. Read it much, meditate upon it. Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth," was the prayer of our Redeemer. Means of grace are for this. Seek to enjoy them for it. Be ye holy. For this, mortify the deeds of the body, and crucify the flesh, with its affections and lusts. Live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit.

Reader! this sketch reveals a useful life. Madame Guyon gave her all to the Lord, and was spent in his service. She denied herself to benefit others; she suffered to do good; and she had her reward. Souls were her hire here, and the crown at last replaced the cross. What are you doing to show love to Jesus and the souls of men? Ladies with leisure and means, with gifts and opportunities! what are you doing for Jesus? This sketch speaks to you, and, by a sister's blessed memory, calls you to labours of love for the Lord's sake. "Honourable women" have laboured in the gospel; follow these. No work of faith can be lost. No word in the name of Jesus can fall to the ground. No cup of water given for his sake can lose its reward. Let love to the Lord rule you, lead you to live for Christ, and to be continually going good.

"Still, still without ceasing,

I feel it increasing,

This fervour of holy desire;

And often exclaim,

Let me die in the flame

Of a love that can never expire.

"Had I words to explain

What she must sustain

Who dies to the world and its ways;

How joy and affright,

Distress and delight,

Alternately chequer her days

"Thou sweetly severe!

I would make thee appear

In all thou art pleased to award.
Not more in the sweet

Than the bitter I meet

My tender and merciful Lord.

"Thus faith in the dark

Pursuing its mark,

Through many sharp trials of love,
Is the sorrowful waste

That is to be pass'd

In the way to the Canaan above."

CHAPTER VII.

LADY COLQUHOUN OF ROSSDHU.

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."—Prov. xxxi. 30, 31.

"Since the dear hour that brought me to thy foot,

And cut up all my follies by the root,

I never trusted in an arm but thine,

Nor hoped but in thy righteousness divine.
My prayers and alms, imperfect and defiled,
Were but the feeble efforts of a child;
Howe'er performed, it was their highest part
That they proceeded from a grateful heart.
Cleans'd in thine own all-purifying blood,
Forgive their evil and accept their good.
I cast them at thy feet; my only plea
Is what it was,-dependence upon Thee:
While struggling in the vale of tears below,
That never failed, nor shall it fail me now.'

COWPER.

THE gift-book of a friend is more frequently on the table for the admiration of visitors than in the closet for personal perusal; yet there are not wanting instances where such a token of regard has instrumentally changed a life. A present from Mr. Wilberforce of his Practical View would be

highly valued by the busy and patriotic Sir John Sinclair ; but when it was carried to the secret chambers of his inquiring daughters, it became the seed of life eternal. Awakened to the need of religion, and groping their path amidst devotional exercises and good works, it opened to them the way of free justification, and brought them to the cross. Breathing benevolence so scriptural and generous, it directed them to usefulness, and proved to the one whom it pleased the Lord to spare for many years, the spring of a life of faith and labours of love.

JANET SINCLAIR was born in London the 17th April 1781, and was the second daughter of Sir John Sinclair, Bart., of Ulbster. Early bereft of her mother, she was, along with her sister Hannah, brought up under the care of their paternal grandmother at Thurso Castle, on the Pentland Firth, until they were fit to be removed to Stoke-Newington to school. Favoured with gifted and good instructors, the sisters advanced in knowledge, and acquired characters remarkably free from the love of fashion and gaiety, which so often accompanies young ladies from boarding schools. Blessed with an earnest and living ministry, the sisters felt the sweet attraction of the Sabbath and the sermons of Dr. Buchanan of the Canongate, Edinburgh. Aided by the book referred to, they found a day in the courts of God better than a thousand. On the 13th June 1799, and in the 19th year of her age," her biographer informs us, "Miss Janet Sinclair was united in marriage to James, eldest son of Sir James Colquhoun of Luss, Baronet." She then removed to Rossdhu, a mansion on the loveliest of Scottish lakes-Loch Lomond. Six years afterwards she became Lady Colquhoun. Amidst scenes the most enchanting, with an ample fortune and good society, with a devoted husband and numerous dependants, there was much to try the Christian character of the lady of

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