“In her house originated the Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with Small Children.  Large, indeed, is this branch of the family of affliction, and largely did it share in her sympathy and succor.  When at the head of this noble association, she made it her business to see with her own eyes the objects of their care; and to give, by her personal presence and efforts, the strongest impulse to their humane system.  From morning till night has she gone from abode to abode of these destitute, who are too commonly unpitied by the great, despised by the proud, and forgotten by the gay.  She has gone to sit beside them on their humble seat, hearing their simple and sorrowful story, sharing their homely meal—­ascertaining the condition of their children—­stirring them up to diligence, to economy, to neatness, to order—­putting them into the way of obtaining suitable employment for themselves and suitable places for their children—­distributing among them the word of God, and tracts calculated to familiarize its first principles to their understanding—­cherishing them in sickness, admonishing them in health—­instructing, reproving, exhorting, consoling—­sanctifying the whole with fervent prayer.  Many a sobbing heart and streaming eye is this evening embalming her memory in the house of the widow.

“Little if any less is the debt due to her from that invaluable charity, the Orphan Asylum.  It speaks its own praise, and that praise is hers.  Scores of orphans redeemed from filth, from ignorance, from wretchedness, from crime—­clothed, fed, instructed—­trained in cleanliness to habits of industry—­early imbued with the knowledge and fear of God—­gradually preparing for respectability, usefulness, and happiness, is a spectacle for angels.  Their infantine gayety, their healthful sport, their cherub faces, mark the contrast between their present and former condition; and recall very tenderly the scenes in which they used to cluster round their patron-mother, hang on her gracious words, and receive her benediction.

“Brethren, I am not dealing in romance, but in sober fact.  The night would be too short for a full enumeration of her worthy deeds.  Suffice it to say that they ended but with her life.  The Sabbath previous to her last sickness occupied her with a recent institution—­a Sunday-school for ignorant adults; and the evening preceding the touch of death, found her at the side of a faithful domestic, administering consolation to his wounded spirit.

“Such active benevolence could hardly be detected in company with a niggardly temper.  Wishes which cost nothing; pity which expires on the lips; be ye warmed and be ye clothed, from a cold heart and an unyielding gripe, never imprinted their disgraceful brand upon Isabella Graham.  What she urged upon others she exemplified in herself.  She kept a purse for God.  Here, in obedience to his command, she deposited the first-fruits of all her increase; and they were sacred to his service, as in his providence