with men, dwelling in men, and feeding them with his own body and blood.  ’Behold, God is become our salvation; we will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is our strength and our song; he also is become our salvation, therefore with joy will we draw water out of the wells of salvation.’  His attributes are the never-failing source; his ordinances the wells of salvation.  God himself is ours, all that he is is ours, to bless and to make us happy.  Ten thousand springs issue from this blessed source, specified and particularized in his Bible, experienced and celebrated by his saints.  Let us drink and be refreshed, rejoice and praise:  for Oh, who can tell the amount of our riches, in having God for our portion?  All things are ours, we are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”

The Widows’ Society met monthly, when the money in the treasury was divided among the managers, for the relief of the widows under their care.  Mrs. Graham, as directress, thus acknowledges God and asks his counsel: 

“1800.

“O my God, I account it an honorable office thou hast given me.  I have received it from thee.  Enable me to execute it to thee.

“Father of the fatherless, husband of the widow, make me a fit instrument in thy hand of distributing thy bounty.  Give discernment and judgment, tenderness, gentleness, humility, and love; let love to thee be the principle of my every action; lead me in the straight path of duty; on the matter, the manner, the time, let ’holiness to the Lord’ be written.  I thank thee for this sum towards the relief of thy creatures; be with us this evening, and direct our determination as to the division of it.  Amen.”

CHAPTER VII.

BENEVOLENT LABORS—­MRS. HOFFMAN—­ CORRESPONDENCE.

The “Society for the relief of Poor Widows with small Children,” having received a charter of incorporation, and some pecuniary aid from the Legislature of the state, the ladies who constituted the board of direction were engaged in plans for extending their usefulness:  Mrs. Graham took an active part in executing these plans.  The Society purchased a small house, where they received work of various kinds for the employment of their widows.  They opened a school for the instruction of their orphans, and many of Mrs. Graham’s former pupils volunteered their services, taking upon themselves, by rotation, the part of instructors.  Besides establishing this school, Mrs. Graham selected some of the widows best qualified for the task, and engaged them, for a small compensation, to open day schools for the instruction of the children of widows in distant parts of the city:  she also established two Sabbath-schools, one of which she superintended herself, and the other she placed under the care of her daughter.  Wherever she met with Christians sick and in poverty, she visited and comforted them; and in some instances, opened small subscription lists to provide for their support.