I have had some family exercises;—­scarce worth a thought, if I had more of the mind of Christ; yet I have been able to tell my care to God, and at his footstool, I have got rid of my burden.  I enjoy the soul’s calm sunshine.—­When I consider how time slips away, and how little I effect for my own improvement, and that of others, I am ashamed.  My life appears so blotted, I can only say, ’God be merciful to me a sinner;’ but praise God, I can rely with greater confidence than formerly upon his promises.  I know I am his child, and my happiness is in doing the will of my Father.—­Mrs. Taft is with us.  O that the disappointment she has met with, (the refusal of the chapel,) may turn out rather to the furtherance of the Gospel, and more especially for the benefit of my family.—­I understand she spoke in the school-room with energy and power; and at the prayer-meeting which followed, my Eliza was restored to the favour of God.  Thus the Lord out of seeming evil has brought good to my child.—­The one thing is daily the object of my desires and efforts.  I want more clearly to exhibit the fruits of righteousness in my ordinary conversation.  Being naturally of a hasty temperament, I need constantly to be baptized with the meek, and lowly spirit of Jesus.  Grant me, O Lord, my heart’s desire.  I do feel Thy sanctifying presence, but O how I long for more.—­The Lord is working amongst the children.  My Richard, at the new School vestry, felt the drawings of the Spirit; and William, I am told, cried out aloud.  O that these early impressions may come to maturity.  My soul, praise the Lord for these beginnings.  How shall I best foster these tender plants:  Lord, teach me to cherish the good, and to correct the errors of youthful feeling.  My father and mother have entered the house we have built for them adjoining our own.  We had a prayer-meeting on the occasion, which was a blessed season to my soul.”

“1823.—­For the last time, I visited Jane S. She was scarcely recollected; but after a little time she requested me to pray.  She seemed very much in earnest.  I endeavoured to point her to Jesus.  For a moment she revived; but in the night she died.  So in one short week, two are gone out of my husband’s class.—­This morning I felt great power in prayer, and an ardent desire for full deliverance from every besetment.  In this spirit I entered into my family, resolving to watch with all diligence; but alas! imperfection is stamped upon all I do,—­so many wanderings, useless words, and deviations from the perfect law of God, that, were it not for the blood of Jesus, all hope of heaven would be excluded.  Yet in private I had sweet communion with God.  I have derived profit from the perusal of Lady Maxwell’s Journal.  Some points of her experience correspond with my own:  this encourages me.  Nothing seems so desirable, nothing so amiable, as momentary living to God.—­Mr. McKitrick brought me Mrs. King’s class-paper, requesting me to take charge of the class until she