I may be permitted to digress from my subject for a few moments, to relate the history of the two individuals alluded to. The elder of the two died full of years, many of which had been spent in the Service of God. She was 91 years of age, and the Parent, in the fourth generation, of a large number of our Congregation. Although surrounded by many witnesses at her death, she departed so quietly, that none could know when she took her flight. Of her it might be truly said, she had “fallen asleep in Christ.” The other individual was Mary Rackham. She was the Mother of a large family; she acted a prominent part in her husband’s much frequented Butcher’s shop, and this brought her into the observation of the whole Parish. She was well known by her constant attention to business, being inferior to none in the active pursuit of her daily duties. She was confessedly the woman in the parish, who appeared to me to have the largest share of varied occupation. She was however in the midst of all her duties, distinguished for her obliging manners to all about her. In her family, the utmost good order and consistency were observed. She had lost one child, whom she trusted she had trained for God, and now her longing anxiety was, that all the rest of her family should follow in the same course. How entirely her heart was set upon this I could well judge, who was often led into conversation with her on that subject. But her labours and conflicts, and her victory in her own soul were still more conspicuous. She was naturally of an eager and sanguine temperament, but that this had an entirely new and spiritual direction was manifest to all. Her disposition was not to entertain high notions of herself; yet was she confident in her Saviour, and she never testified any doubt as to her portion in Him. Her zeal for the Service of God was very great, and her attendance at his house, considering her circumstances, was remarkable. On Thursday Evening, as on Sunday, she was always to be found in her place. She was an attendant at the latest Sacrament, and twice at the services on the last Sunday of her life. But her seasons of private devotion were as regularly maintained. She was watchful to secure her morning and evening retirement;—and in order to keep up the Spirit of devotion, which she feared might flag through the hurry of business; she constantly retired in the middle of the day, when her business had a pause, for the purposes of reading and devotional exercises. She was a member, and a constant attendant, when she was able, on the Society for Social prayer. She died after her confinement; and we had the opportunity of witnessing only an awful, but a calm and cheerful delirium which filled up her latest hours. But a more beautiful and instructive example of holy devotedness to every duty, performed in the faith of Christ, we could scarcely have had the opportunity of witnessing, than that which she exhibited in her daily walk and