attendance on the ordinances of the established Church, that respect for religion was kept up, which had been early inculcated on the younger branches of the family, by the discipline and pious counsels of their grandmother. Gracious impressions were formed, and strong emotions were excited by the Spirit of God, while they were at home; and when they were sent to school, they did not forget the good instructions they had received. They grew up under a conviction of their responsibility to God, and of the importance of that vital piety, which only God can impart. But, by the death of their father, for whom they had the most dutiful and affectionate regard, these emotions and impressions were rendered more powerful. Not long after that period, the family began to attend the Methodist chapel; and, under the guidance of divine grace and Providence, two of them felt it their duty to become members of the Methodist society, in which they continue unto this day.

The subject of this memoir retained her alliance with the established Church; but, at the same time, was frequent in her attendance on the ministry of the Wesleyans. In this manner she became gradually informed respecting the doctrines of Methodism, and increasingly convinced of their truth and importance. But as she did not at once learn the depravity of human nature, and the utter insufficiency of human labours to fulfil the law; neither did she discover, for some time, her entire dependence on the merits of Christ for pardon. It was by the careful reading of "Fletcher's Address to earnest Seekers of Salvation," that her mind became more fully enlightened on these points. The work of the pious Joseph Alleine, also, called "An Alarm to unconverted Sinners," was one of her daily companions. These two. excellent treatises united to work a full conviction in her mind that, by nature, she was in a fallen and perishing state; and that the disease of sin could admit of no remedy, but that which is obtained by faith in the mercy of God, through Christ Jesus.

When she became thus fully convinced of the truth, she could no longer rest satisfied with the form of godliness, nor with merely correct views of religion; since she felt that Jesus Christ died and rose again, that he might claim the full possession and the entire government of the heart. With this view of religion she began to meet in class, yielding herself up to God, and at the same time availing herself of the help which he had promised. Being diligent in the use of the appointed means, and truly in earnest at the throne of grace, she was enabled soon to believe with her heart unto righteousness, and to make confession with her lips unto salvation."

In her first efforts to believe, she was much encouraged by the consideration, that faith, as a grain of mustard-seed, the smallest degree of true evangelical faith, was commended by the Saviour as an object of the divine regard. Feeling persuaded in her mind that she had obtained this first degree of faith, she resolved to exercise it upon the

merits and promises of the Saviour; and in this manner she received the Spirit of adoption, and such a view of her union with Christ, as fully assured her of the remission of sins. Before she had thus believed, she was harassed with fear, and often scared with dreams and visions of the night; but now her fears were dispersed, because she could take refuge in the secret place of the Most High, and rest, with undisturbed repose, under the shadow of the Almighty.

From the day that she received the grace of God in truth, its usual evidences began to appear. The heavenly lamp, which was then kindled in her heart, was not hid under a bushel, but set upon a candlestick, and its beams of grace and truth were seen in the whole of her conversation. She lived under the influence of sincere and supreme love to God, which was manifested by a devout and most affectionate regard to the interests of his cause and of his people. As she had the ability and opportunity, it was her delight to do good to all, but especially to the household of faith. To make sacrifices was not considered by her an act of self-denial, when the truth and honour of God were concerned, but rather as the means of personal satisfaction. Those to whom she was best known will long remember how frankly she could disclaim all personal merit ; and yet how promptly, cheerfully, and generously, she could engage her heart in any charitable and useful labour. Nor was she ever more happy, than while she was endeavouring either to promote and increase the happiness of her fellow-creatures, or to diminish their trouble and affliction.

In further illustration of that good work of which she was the subject, reference might be made to other Christian graces which adorned her religious and moral character. We might refer to her fervent and active zeal for the spread of Christianity, which led her not only to join heartily in prayer, that God would send out his light and truth, but to labour in the distribution of religious tracts, and by other means, to promote this end to the full extent of her strength. We might also refer to her deep and genuine humility, with her tender and compassionate regard for the poor; for she was not less disposed to "weep with them that weep," than to "rejoice with them that rejoice." As the ground-work of those active graces, we might mention her great fidelity and uprightness, whereby she daily studied to fulfil her various engagements, and to discharge her different duties as in the sight of God; and so fully did this devout purpose occupy her thoughts and affections, as to leave but little room for the influence of temptation, either from Satan or the world. In patience, she had learned so fully to possess her soul, that, although her afflictions were frequent, complicated, and often oppressive, she sustained them with great fortitude, and was seldom heard to complain. By a faith, at once lively and simple, she could realize the presence of God in her trials; and, when called to suffer according to his will, she could commit the keeping of her soul to him in well

doing, as into the hands of a faithful Creator. The hope, by which she was animated, was both scriptural and energetic. Having raised her affections above this world, to the anticipation of a heavenly inheritance, it also sustained her spirits in the prospect of dissolving nature; and, when the last enemy approached, it enabled her to gain the complete victory.}

To nourish these fruits of righteousness, which, under the blessing of God, had taken root and sprung up in her renewed nature, she accustomed herself to a diligent and grateful use of the appointed means of grace. She attentively heard the word of God preached, keeping up a constant familiarity with the holy Scriptures, by reading them, meditating upon them, and by praying for the enlightening grace of the Holy Spirit, that she might be able rightly to apprehend their sacred meaning. To some portion of the sacred page she was so strongly attached, that she was not satisfied with reading them, but committed them to memory, that she might ruminate upon them the more freely, and so derive all the benefit which the heavenly manna was intended to afford. To meditate on the providence of God, was to her another inlet of divine consolation, and also a motive to increasing diligence in duty. In a letter to one of her sisters, having referred to some very unexpected changes, she observes: My great concern in all that has taken place, has been to mark and follow the leadings of divine Providence: and, while I continue to commit my way to God, and to aim at an increase of experimental religion and of usefulness, I have no douht I shall find I am in the right way,-in the way that leads to the city of habitation."

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Class-meetings and sacramental occasions, in which she held communion both with Christ and with his believing followers, were generally to her times of edification and comfort. Her Class-Leader states, that when she related her experience in divine things, declaring her strong assurance of the divine favour, her daily intercourse with God, and increasing love to him, with her delight in private prayer, and the preciousness of the sacred word, she was often made a blessing to her class-mates, and a sacred influence seemed to rest upon them all. The same Christian friend also says, that when she last received the sacrament of the Lord's supper, administered by the Rev. Peter M'Owan, at the Waltham-street chapel, it was accompanied by a powerful manifestation of divine love, insomuch that she was then encouraged to believe in the sanctifying power of that grace which can cleanse from all sin; and that, in bearing testimony of what she then enjoyed, she spoke of sanctification as a happy and necessary preparation for the heavenly world.

It would appear as though God had been preparing her, for some months previously, for that great and solemn change which was about to take place. In making arrangement to visit her friends at Norton, it was her chief concern that her intercourse with them might be made

a blessing in a spiritual point of view, since she considered it might be her last opportunity of conversing with them. Accordingly, while she was with them, she was anxious to extend her influence as far as she could, to make the best improvement of her time, and to impress upon the minds of all her former acquaintances the need of making religion their chief business. Her prayers in the family, morning and evening, were observed to be in the highest degree spiritual and earnest; and in these exercises, she often referred to the different members of the family by name, entreating such blessings in behalf of each as she considered they most required.

On Friday, July the 21st, she wrote to her husband, and in her letter complained of being affected with violent palpitation of the heart, difficulty of breathing, sleepless nights, and loss of appetite, together with general debility. She then added, "Through mercy, I am rather better this afternoon. I think I never had a more satisfactory enjoyment of religion than during the last week. Infinite Wisdom knows what is best for me. It is truly a cause of thankfulness to hear that you are all well at home. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.""

During the evening of that same day, she was attacked with something like a stroke of paralysis, which deprived her at once of the use of her left side, and which the Surgeon attributed to the rupture of a blood-vessel near the heart. It was advised that she should be bathed in warm water; and while undergoing this process, she said to those around her, "The Lord has appointed for me this furnace of affliction, that he may thoroughly purify me from all evil. It is intended by him. in mercy, and I believe it will be for my good."

On another occasion, when seized with extreme pain, she exelaimed, "What a blessing that I have not now to seek for religion! Had I not before experienced the grace of God, my mind could not have been supported, as it now is, amidst all this bodily suffering. Thank God! No! I have not to seek the Saviour: he is with me, and his presence is my consolation in the hour of trial. Religion is not a vain thing: it is the best source of comfort both in life and in death."

Mrs. Ranson then referred to the twenty-third psalm, and said to her sister, Mrs. Peacock, whom she requested to read it, that she wished to refresh her memory with its reviving words. That beautiful psalm was read; and immediately after, she said, "Thank God! this is now become my privilege,"-repeating the words of the fourth verse, -“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me."

Her younger sister, Mrs. Unthank, said to her, "I hope, my dear Isabella, you find Christ precious to you?" She replied, "Yes, I do." It was added, "You find him in your heart, the hope of glory?" She answered, "Yes, O yes! What should I do without Christ?

Nothing but his presence and all-sufficient grace could afford me the support which I now feel."

Having fixed her eyes earnestly on Mrs. Unthank, she inquired, "Do you, my sister, feel prepared to die?" Not receiving an answer immediately, her sister being too much affected to give a prompt reply, she said, "Do prepare to meet me in the kingdom of glory!" Turning to her sister Peacock, she then said, "Live to the Lord, my dear sister, that you may be ready to meet death. Should you neglect to do this, when you come into my circumstances, your distress will be great, and you will be ready to conclude that there is no mercy for you. But now there is mercy for all; for Jesus is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God through him."

While Mrs. Peacock was standing at her bedside, she observed, "Perhaps another attack of disease may deprive me of the use of my speech; and therefore let me request, while I have the opportunity, that you will give my best love to my dear husband, and tell him I have not the slightest fear of death. I am quite happy, as I know I am going to the heavenly rest!"

After this she clasped her hands, and prayed earnestly for her husband and children, and other relations; entreating that the Lord would bless them, and preserve them from evil, and that they might all meet her again at his right hand, to share in his heavenly kingdom.

On the morning of Tuesday, July 25th, being earnestly desirous of receiving the sacrament of the Lord's supper, it was administered to her by the Rev. C. Plummer. When she had partaken of the sacred elements, she observed to those who communicated with her, "I shall not henceforth drink of the fruit of this vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my heavenly Father."

As noon approached, there were evident signs that the last conflict was near. She complained to her sisters of being sorely tempted by the adversary, and also of losing her recollection, requesting that they would read or say something that might comfort her mind. For this purpose two hymns were read to her; the one beginning, "My God, the spring of all my joys," &c.; and the other, "Jesus, lover of my soul," &c. Some appropriate passages of Scripture were also read to her, to which she gave all the attention her state of bodily weakness and pain would permit. But her eyes and ears were soon closed to the objects of sense; and the last words she was heard to utter were those of the Psalmist, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits!" She died July 25th, 1837, in the forty-second year of her age.