Her whole time was now at her command, and she devoted it very faithfully to promote the benevolent object of the institution over which she presided.  The extent of her exertions, however, became known, not from the information given by herself, but from the observations of her fellow-laborers, and especially from the testimony of the poor themselves.  When she had been absent for some weeks, on a visit to her friends in Boston, in the summer of 1800, her daughter, Mrs. B——­, was surprised at the frequent inquiries made after her by persons with whom she was unacquainted:  at length she asked some of those inquirers what they knew about Mrs. Graham.  They replied, “We live in the suburbs of the city, where she used to visit, relieve, and comfort the poor.  We had missed her so long, that we were afraid she had been sick; when she walked in our streets, it was customary with us to come to the door and receive her blessing as she passed.”

We next find letters to her female friend near Boston, who was still in much spiritual darkness and despondency.

To Mrs. C——­, near Boston.

“MARCH, 1799.

“MY EVER DEAR FRIEND—­I have just read your letter, painful to you to write, but to me as the mother’s anguish which precedes her joy.  The day will soon break, and the shadows flee away; and the dear Saviour whom you seek, will again comfort his returning prodigal.

“I will do what you desire me, and though I have the highest opinion of our young Timothy, J.M., I will pass by him in this case, and lay it before one of the aged Christians, Dr. R——­rs or Dr. L——­n; at the same time, my friend, I am as sure of their answer as if I were already in possession of it.  Who told my friend that she was blind, and miserable, and wretched, and naked?  Flesh and blood never yet taught proud man or woman this lesson.

“My dear friend, there is nothing new nor strange in all you have told me:  there is scarce a heaven-taught soul, who has made any advances in the spiritual warfare, but could sympathize with you from experience.  What have you experienced more than the Scriptures tell us:  that ’the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked?’ Only the Lord can search it, only he can cleanse it.  He takes the prerogative to himself, and he calls it his covenant that he will make with sinners in gospel times.  You may strive and fight, and resolve and vow—­all will not do:  you lie at his mercy for holiness as well as pardon.  He is exalted as a Prince to give repentance, and he is the author and finisher of faith.  He works all our works in us, and without him we are not equal to one good thought.  We are his workmanship, ‘created anew in Christ Jesus,’ My dear friend, put the work into his hand, and try to wait on him in hope—­hope in every situation; do more, trust.