when all things go smoothly and pleasantly with us. There is danger then, lest we be ranked amongst those who are rich and full, and have received their consolation. I am often afraid lest your natural disposition should divert you from the simplicity of the Gospel, and the truth as it is in Jesus. You are very apt to yield to impressions, and to be carried away by the appearances of outward things, apprehending no danger where you possess delight. But here you will see, as you increase in years, that in order to steer your course safe and clear from the rocks of pride on the one hand, and distress on the other, that you must proceed with the utmost caution in all the affairs of this life, proving all things, and holding fast that which is good, by cleaving with your whole heart unto the Lord.

Your sister did not say in her letter whether she had seen Mr. Ogle's family when she was in Leeds. Your next remove will be there; and I think now the sooner you go to Leeds the better. Your sister and Mr. O. are indeed exceedingly kind, for which I am greatly obliged to them, and hope that you have been of some little use to your sister since you have been with her; and I also trust that you have been helpers of each other's faith and love, while you have been together. We are all tolerably well at present, and many friends are constantly inquiring after you. Miss Grayburne took tea with us in a friendly manner this afternoon; she wants sadly to see you again, and thinks the time of your absence long. Mary did not say how you were affected by the late high wind, which seems to have been general in all parts of the kingdom, and productive of a great deal of mischief. It is an unspeakable mercy to be preserved safe in such tempestuous weather.

'I suppose you have heard of the death of Mrs.

244

MEMOIR OF MRS. TATHAM.

Thacking, of Leeds, formerly Miss Gill, of Nottingham. How soon life is gone! and what can the world do for the soul in a dying hour? Another death took place this week in Nottingham, very suddenly. Young Mrs. Swann was apparently safely delivered of a fine boy, and was dead in a few hours. She remarked to her husband the necessity there was of being always ready. She was a very fine young woman, only twenty-three.

we see, that in the midst of life we are in death.

So

Give my kindest love to Mr. Oastler and your sister, and also to Mrs. Ogle. Tell Mrs. Grace Ogle that we sometimes look at the forest this winter, (Sherwood forest, near Nottingham,) but our visits are very short. And now, my dear Ellen, be watchful, and keep the issues of your heart. Pray always, and try to realise the presence of God always, in all places. Leave trifles to triflers, but be you a woman of one business, minding the things of the kingdom of God, and finding the way how to please Him. The Christian life is a pilgrimage and a warfare. We are often shifting our place, and often have many dangers to encounter. May we put on and keep on the whole armour of God, that we may stand in the evil day; and having done all, may stand. May the good Lord bless and keep you evermore. prays your affectionate mother,

'MARY TATHAM.'

So

CHAPTER VIII.

1823-1825.

CORRESPONDENCE AND DIARY CONTINUED SHOWING

TATHAM'S CONCERN THAT THE CAPITAL AND

MRS.

ORIGINAL

QUALITIES OF WESLEYAN METHODIST PREACHING SHOULD BE MAINTAINED-HER ESTIMATE OF LIFE, AND CONSTANT DESIRE AND UNTIRING ENDEAVOURS THAT HERS MIGHT BE PIOUS, ACTIVE, AND USEFUL-HER PEACE OF MIND, LOVE TO GOD, AND DEADNESS TO THE WORLD-AND HER CONFIDENCE IN JEHOVAH'S COVENANT PROMISE TO THE RIGHTEOUS AND THEIR SEED.

MRS. TATHAM was at the farthest remove from bigotry and narrow-mindedness, which, indeed, are generally found together. Neither in her sentiments, her feelings, her fellowships, or her reading, was she bound up within any rigidly defined and fiercely defended nominal or denominational enclosures. Her heart corresponded with the apostle Paul's when he exclaimed, "Grace be with all them that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." No one, perhaps, except some of the ministers of her own communion, was better read in the works of Wesley and Fletcher than herself; and by none, even among them, were those writings more highly appreciated, or carefully perused. Indeed, the reader has already seen in what estimation she held those two greatest lights in that hemisphere of theology, towards which her strong intellectual vision delighted to turn,-she having recorded

of Mr. Fletcher's writings, that "they were made an unknown blessing to her;" and of Mr. Wesley's, that "they were next to God's own word to her soul." Yet she knew that blessed are they that sow beside all waters that seek intellectual food, and spiritual profit, wherever they are presented. In fact, without considerable reading, she never could have attained the large and accurate knowledge, and the correct and vigorous style of expression, by which she was distinguished. Amongst many of the elder giants in theological and spiritual literature, with the treasures of whose invaluable productions she had enriched her mind, and refreshed her heart, was Dr. John Owen, an eminent, learned, and pious Dissenting minister, the title of one of whose books, Fiat Lux, might have been inscribed on them all. His work on the Spirit is not estimated above its merits, in the following notice of it by Mrs. Tatham :

· February 16, 1823.-I have been much profited this last week in reading "Owen on the Spirit." It is a blessed, heart-searching work. I have not read any thing for many years past that has been of such real use to me, nor have I had so clear an insight into my own state for a considerable length of time. I believe it will be a lasting blessing to me. It is a work that cannot be too well known, and, setting aside his notions respecting the in-being of sin in all believers till death, this work would be invaluable. That the generality of believers rise no higher than this, in their experience, is much to be lamented; but that they may obtain a greater salvation, I cannot doubt. It is, indeed, to be regretted, that there are so few witnesses of this salvation; yet there have been a few, and I believe that there are now some who live in this glorious liberty. As it

respects my own state, I know that I have experienced true regenerating grace, and that I now stand clear in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made me free. I have constant access to God, and I know that He heareth me; yet I seem to myself wanting in something which I have enjoyed in former times. I have not that plenitude of the Spirit which I have formerly experienced, in different periods of my life; yet I never walked more evenly and uniformly than I now do, or brought forth more of the peaceable fruits of righteousness ;—but this does not suffice; I want a full salvation-not merely a cessation from evil, but a fulness of love. O for the baptism of the Holy Ghost! O for the fulness of the Spirit of power! O shed it in my heart abroad!—fulness of love, of heaven, of God!

'On Friday evening, just after I left him, Mr. Cutts died; and three weeks ago Mr. Brewster departed this life. The church has sustained a great loss in these two men. Few, in the present day, have adorned their Christian profession more. They died as they lived, in peace, and in the full assurance of glory. They were two useful characters, and are much lamented by all who knew them. The world was not able to appreciate their worth, but eternity will unfold their usefulness. I cannot help lamenting the removal of so many burning and shining lights within the few last years. Is it not a sign of a gathering storm of the Divine wrath?'

The following letter speaks the language of a wise and godly mother, of an enlightened and affectionate friend, of a mature, and yet growing Christian :

March 7, 1823.

'I am seldom disposed to take up my pen unless urged thereto by necessity. Nevertheless, I am con