PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. THE Author has carefully revised the following sheets, and has appended a note to page 29, which the grateful recollection of departed Christian worth seemed to demand. He is thankful to God for any measure of acceptance and blessing with which He has favoured the work; and now in prayer and humility of mind he commends this new and improved edition to the benediction of the Holy Spirit, and to the devout perusal of the young. May it prove instrumental of leading many precious souls to Jesus-and to JESUS shall be the glory! LEAMINGTON, April 1849. MEMOIR OF ELIZABETH LINN. "Her sun is gone down while it was yet day."—JER. xv. 9. How inexpressively lovely and engaging is youthful piety! The grace of God in every period of life and form of development, invests its possessor with a moral dignity and beauty, infinitely transcending the loveliest exhibitions of nature that ever elevated and adorned the human mind and character. But if to a young man, who has " overcome the wicked one," ,"* it is strength;† and if to the aged man, walking in the "way of righteousness," it is a crown of glory encircling his hoary locks, in those of more tender years—just budding into life-it possesses a beauty and a charm peculiarly and touchingly its own. To see the first streaks of life's morn merging into the *1 John ii. 13. † 1 John ii. 14. Prov. xiv. 31. |