If we can only once be satisfied that it is indeed the word of God, set ourselves to study it with an unprejudiced mind, with a sincere desire to know the truth and be led by it, with earnest prayer that the same Spirit which inspired the writers would make it plain to our hearts and understandings, that God himself would teach us its true meaning, and save us from error, we shall, I venture to say, be taught all necessary knowledge, and be led in the way to eternal life, and not suffered to err:  we have God’s promise that it shall be so.  ’If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.’

“Forgive me, my dear friend; the subject appears to me so important that I know not how to have done.  I love you with a true and sincere friendship:  I love your soul, and am deeply interested in its eternal happiness.  Once more I commit you to that God, who only can lead you to himself and to true happiness; and that you may know the truth of this from deep experience, to the eternal joy, peace, and safety of your immortal soul, is the last prayer of your affectionate friend, who hopes to meet and rejoice with you in our Redeemer’s kingdom.

“ISABELLA GRAHAM.”

Mrs. Graham to her Father.

“ANTIGUA, May, 1774.

“MY EVER-DEAR FATHER—­If this ever reach you, it will be when I have taken my final leave of this world, and received my portion for eternity in the next, when I hope I shall have gained the summit of my wishes, and be happy in the society of my dear husband and much-loved mother, in the kingdom of our Redeemer.

“My truly orphan children I have desired to be sent to you; though I see no visible way you have to provide for them, yet I am perfectly easy concerning them.  I leave them upon that God who has fed me all my life, and whose tender care I have experienced in a thousand dangers—­upon their and my heavenly Father, who has commanded me to leave my fatherless children upon him, and he will preserve them alive.  The God of providence will prepare for them a home, and raise up friends, perhaps from a quarter neither you nor I could expect.

“My only concern and prayer to God for them is, that they may be early taught to love God and serve him—­that they may fall into such hands as will carefully instruct them in the principles of morality and religion, and teach them the great, but too little thought of truth, that our chief business in life is to prepare for death.  As to the polite parts of education, I look upon them as of no consequence; they may be as good Christians, perhaps better, without than with them; the perfection of their nature no way depends upon them.  I am equally indifferent what station of life they may occupy, whether they swim in affluence or earn their daily bread, if they only act their part properly, and obtain the approbation of their God in that station wherein he in his infinite wisdom sees fit to place them.