when we add to these his humanity, and consider that our High-priest was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin, and that he has a feeling for our infirmities; when we find him listening to every petition—­a widowed mother for her son—­the centurion for his servant—­weeping with two sisters over a brother’s grave—­embracing and blessing the little children whom mothers, like you and me, pressed through the crowd, in spite of the reprehensions of disciples, to present to him—­accepting the effusions of Magdalene’s penitent heart with tender consolation, O how near does this bring the Divinity to us, and how sweetly may we confide in such tenderness.  Oh my friend, He rests in his love.  Let us rest in our confidence.  All shall be well.”

When Dr. Witherspoon visited Scotland in the year 1785, he had frequent conversations with Mrs. Graham on the subject of her removal to America.  She gave him at this time some reason to calculate on her going thither as soon as her children should have completed the course of education she had proposed for them.  She had entertained a strong partiality for America ever since her former residence there, and had indulged a secret expectation of returning.  It was her opinion, and that of many pious people, that America was the country where the church of Christ would preeminently flourish.  She was therefore desirous to leave her offspring there.

After some correspondence with Dr. Witherspoon, and consultation with pious friends, her plan received the approbation of the latter; and having had an invitation from many respectable characters in the city of New York, with assurances of patronage and support, she arranged her affairs for quitting Edinburgh.  The Algerines being then at war with the United States, her friends insisted on her chartering a small British vessel to carry herself and family to the port of New York.  This increased her expenses; but Providence, in faithfulness and mercy, sent her at this time a remittance from Dr. Henderson, the young friend of Dr. Graham, who succeeded him as surgeon of the regiment; and a legacy of two hundred pounds bequeathed her by Lady Glenorchy, as a mark of her regard, was now of great use to her.

Thus in the month of July, 1789, Mrs. Graham once more prepared to go into a land which the Lord seemed to tell her of.

The two following extracts from her private journal, indicate the state of her mind and heart previous to leaving Edinburgh.

“EDINBURGH, March, 1789.

“Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me,’ Jer. 49:  11; the Lord’s promise, which he made to me in the days of my widowhood, and which I have made the subject of my prayers from day to day, taking the words in a spiritual sense.  The Lord has done wonders for me and mine since the day I was left a widow with three orphans, and the fourth not born, in a strange land, without money, at a distance from friends; or rather, without friends.  Hitherto he has supplied all my wants, and laid to hand every necessary and many comforts; supporting character and credit, making a way for me through the wilderness, pointing out my path, and settling the bounds of my habitation.