Ireland, of Wem, I embrace this opportunity of renewing my acknowledgments; as well for their repeated kindness in furnishing information concerning their revered ancestor, as for the liberal use of many manuscripts which enrich this compilation. Nor can I omit to mention Mrs. Savage's granddaughter, the late Mrs. Brett, of West-Bromwich, in Staffordshire-my venerable and lamented friendhaving contributed essentially to the present volume. -as The undertaking was commenced not only under the auspices of Mrs. Brett, but of various esteemed friends, both among the clergy and laity; and has been prosecuted, at intervals, in those moments which a laborious profession furnishes for relaxation. My object has not been to gratify a blind partiality, to extol human nature, or to satisfy captious criticism; but, by illustrating the blessedness of religion, to encourage early piety, to edify aged christians, and, in short, to animate and confirm all who love the "truth as it is in Jesus." Female virtue is repeatedly exhibited by inspired wisdom, for the imitation and guidance of succeeding generations. Now, see the Saint immortal; her I mean Who liv'd as such; whose heart, full bent on heaven, Observe the awful portrait, and admire ; Nor stop at wonder: imitate, and live. Swan Hill, Shrewsbury, February 12th, 1818. J. B. WILLIAMS. Henry, from Mrs. Savage's Diary IV.-Memoirs of the Rev. James Owen PREFACE. IN November last, going to Shrewsbury to preach for the Swan Hill Sunday School, I called upon my amiable and worthy friend, the Editor of the following sheets. He shewed me a number of manuscript volumes, filled with the diary and remarks of Mrs. Savage; and intimated some design of publishing a selection from them. I was so impressed and delighted after hearing various extracts indiscriminately taken, that I applauded the wish, and endeavoured to accelerate the accomplishment of it. Having, therefore, rendered myself in some measure responsible for the publication by my opinion and advice, I the more readily comply with his desire in writing a few words by way of introduction. The relationship of this good woman will deservedly bespeak some peculiar attention to the following pages: for who, without sentiments of love and veneration, can think of PHILIP HENRY, her FATHER, and of MATTHEW HENRY, her BROTHER? The Daughter and the Sister was worthy of her excellent kindred. She possessed much of their piety, and no inconsiderable share of their talent. She had their familiar acquaintance with the Scripture; their prompt remembrance of its significant phrases: and their easy and pertinent accommodation of them to events. She had the same devoutness of remark; the same sprightliness of observation; the same degree of quaintness-just sufficient to awaken notice, and aid recollection, but not enough entirely to offend good taste. She was "a gracious woman, and she retains honour." By the providence of Him who has said, "Them that honour me I will honour," after serving her generation according to the will of God, and falling asleep, her memory, at the distance of more than a century, is blessed; and her works written in the closet, praise her in the gate. The species of writing, in which she so largely indulged, was far more common in her days than it is in ours, It has been |