CHAP. II.

HER CHARACTER.*

To delineate the character of persons long since dead, is indeed a task; but happily, in the present instance, the difficulty is materially lessened by Mrs. Savage's pious industry.

It is not my intention to eulogize, but, for public advantage, to represent this excellent woman with all possible fidelity. That she had faults none can doubt; though, to adopt the language of her funeral sermon, (an authentic copy of which, in manuscript, is in the author's possession,) "This testimony is borne of her, that notwithstanding the many and great trials

* Mrs. Brett informed me in conversation, that she distinctly remembers her pious ancestor. In stature she was rather short and corpulent, with features more like the painting of her father than that of her mother. The sprightliness of her disposition appeared even in old age, and she constantly promoted, by heavenly converse, the edification of all around her. Mrs. Brett was often catechized by her, and still preserves a prayer which she composed for her use. It is a pleasing specimen of simple language, comprehensive brevity, and pious supplication.

she met with in a large family of children and servants, above forty years, she was never seen so much in a passion as to say or do what she might have cause to accuse and reproach herself for afterwards."

She, however, deplored her native depravity, and keenly observed those effects which passed unnoticed by surrounding friends. She needed no arguments to prove that, as in the natural, so in the moral world, there are no gardens without weeds, no trees without superfluous branches. It was an habitual discernment of indwelling sin (a sight only beheld by a spiritual eye) which, as it manifested the necessity of daily mortifica tion, excited fervent aspirations after heavenly felicities. Hence on one occasion, she writes;

Friday night.-In my closet I was much cheered and revived by thinking of the second coming of Christ, especially with that scripture, Acts iii. 19, where it is called the time of refreshing. Such, indeed, it will be. Here I amoften tired with duty, tired with sinning, tired with a corrupt heart: sometimes tired and weary with just nothing. Oh, but there is a time of refreshing coming. Well may it be called so. Mr. Alleine, in one of his letters, speaks thus, to comfort Christians in their sufferings, Wait awhile, and you shall have a blessed heaven.' The

Lord speaks to a Christian as one did to his creditor Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' Oh, for faith and patience! How safely and sweetly would these carry us to our home and harbour through all difficulties."

At another time thus; "I lately heard a good remark-Why should those go mourning to the grave who hope to go rejoicing to heaven? Yet I find my spirit lean to the mourning side. What with our own and others' sins, and our own and others' sorrows, this world may well be I called a vale of tears. Blessed be God for a comfortable hope that shortly they shall all be wiped away: The blessed Saints above obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

Mrs. Savage in her natural temper was contented and cheerful, meek and affectionate.:

Filial duties were eminently observed by her. She "honoured her father and mother."

In the conjugal relation she happily discovered the influence of Christianity. Her attentions to her husband, though minute, were not confined" to things temporal;" she assiduously studied the advancement of his spiritual interests. Her diary shews that when secular business lawfully occupied his time, she was a frequent

intercessor at the throne of grace, that his heart might not be too much engaged.

She loved home, and, as the head of a family, aimed, by setting a pattern of cheerful, serious piety, to walk "as becometh the gospel." For the spiritual welfare of her domestics she cherished a holy zeal, and discovered it by regular and patient instruction, as well as fervent prayer. "Oh,” she writes, soon after her marriage, "that the family might be the better for me. As far as I know my own heart, I earnestly desire the salvation of every soul under our roof. Oh, that they did but see what I see of the excellency of Christ, the sinfulness of sin, and the vanity of creatures!"

She was the mother of nine children, but only four of them survived her. The care and tenderness she discovered in their infancy did not exceed her concern for their souls. As they advanced in years her pious anxiety increased, and no pains were spared to teach them the things of God. A considerable part of the evening of the Sabbath was devoted to family instruction. She excelled in the happy art of recommending religion to the young. She gained their attention, and by a careful representation of piety, as the reverse of every thing harsh and severe, they were encouraged to be

inquisitive on divine subjects. To her instructions were added the most affectionate prayers and her children, when not immediately under her inspection, were visited with such letters of piety and love, as, with the blessing of God, were calculated to produce the happiest effects.

Her 'diary abounds with expressions of concern for her children. "Oh," she writes, on one occasion, "that I could be every day travailing to see Christ formed in them. This week I was much affected when reading, in. course, Proverbs xxx. 8, Remove far from me vanity and lies. It is the only prayer in that book. Methinks it is a very proper prayer for children. I have earnestly begged of God to remove from mine, vanity and lies."

At another time thus; "I read in course, in my closet, Isaiah liv. with the Exposition. I was much affected with the 13th verse, And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord. Though it is spoken of the Church's children, I would apply it to my own children in particular, and desire to act faith on it. I am caring and endeavouring that they may be taught and instructed in the good way. This is the inward desire of my soul. Now, saith God, they shall be taught of me and all thy children shall. A sweet promise.

It much satisfies me. Lord,