“‘Teach me thy law graciously,’ not the ceremonial and the moral law alone, but the whole of God’s revealed will.  The psalmist knew the law ceremonial and moral, but he wants more and more of the teaching of the Spirit of God.  ‘He,’ the Spirit of truth, ’shall take of mine, and show it unto you.’  The word of God is ever the same; it contains the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; every thing necessary to safety, to holiness, and happiness:  but O, the difference between him who reads with a mind enlightened by the Spirit of God, and him who reads with no other assistance than his own poor blinded, darkened reason.  Teach me then thy law graciously.  I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy judgments.  ’Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.’  The psalmist thirsted after more and more extensive views of the word of God, and still as his views were enlarged he desired more.  ’The earth is full of thy mercy,’ verse 64; this was one lesson, but still he cries, ’Teach me thy statutes.  Thou hast dealt bountifully with me, O Lord, according to thy word.’  Still he cries, ’Teach me good judgment and knowledge.  It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.’”

“OCTOBER, 1797.

“I love to feel the kindlings of repentance, self-loathing under a sense of ingratitude, heart-melting with the view of pardoning grace.  I love to feel the sprinkling of my Redeemer’s blood on my conscience, drawing forth the tears of joy and gratitude in the view of a free pardon.  I love to dwell on the seal of reconciliation, while my heart, glowing with gratitude, sinks into the arms of my redeeming Lord, in full confidence of his love and my safety for ever.  I love to feel longings after closer communion, after more conformity to his image, more usefulness to my fellow-members of the body of Christ, and to all his creatures.  I love to feel deeply interested in the success of the gospel, in the declarative glory of Jehovah, as manifested in his works of creation and providence, but chiefly in the superexcellent work of redemption:  for ’thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.’”

CHAPTER VI.

FORMATION OF THE WIDOWS’ SOCIETY—­ CLOSE OF HER SCHOOL.

In November, 1797, the “Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with small Children” was instituted at New York; a society which has risen into great respectability, and has been productive of very beneficent effects.  The Lord, in his merciful providence, prepared this institution, to grant relief to the many bereaved families who were left widows and orphans by the ravages of the yellow-fever in the years 1798 and 1799.