among those who seem influenced by feelings of pity for the bodily sufferings of the poor and afflicted, who feel little for that darkness and alienation from good, which, among rich and poor, is the great cause of both inward and outward distress!

"Oh, may I be taught to feel what is required at my hand by the awful enquiry, 'How much owest thou unto thy Lord?' nor dwell in any degree on what I may appear in the eyes of others, only endeavouring to fulfil His will concerning me; taking the cup of salvation appointed by His goodness, and calling on the name of the Lord in daily and secret aspiration. It has been said that the Turks consider women without souls; and one might imagine, from the little care that is evinced by some for the spiritual welfare of people whose bodily distress they seek to relieve, that they considered a great proportion of human beings as merely formed of the tangible and material.

"I know it may be pleaded that the work of seeking to guide or help in spiritual concerns is too serious and sacred to be attempted without aid from on high, and this is true; yet how often that aid would be imparted, if earnestly and watchfully desired, and sought after! It may be said, that some who seem to make much stir in profession, and talk much of promoting the spiritual welfare of others, are evidently far from being themselves redeemed from pride and self-seeking -from the spirit of this world, its disguises and its insincerities—are far from evincing in their daily deportment 'the fruits of the Spirit.' This unhallowed talk and profession on hallowed subjects

betrays a fearful want of feeling of the high and sacred nature of true religion, which cannot be brought to exist in the mind through any outward observance or profession.

"My hopes have been greatly diminished concerning the effects of the influence of one, invested with some degree of the world's authority, on behalf of poor Africa. It is not philosophy, it is not policy, that can save Africa, and make her happy. It is the prevalence of Christian influence and Christian feeling; not the outward forms, in the way in which they too often are dwelt upon.

"For all who have been favoured to feel that love to the Divine law which brings 'great peace,' much watchfulness is needed, and constant care to deny self, and to follow the Redeemer-to live to Him-to guard against the assimilating influence of those who do not seek to acknowledge God in all their ways.

"My spirit has been this morning sensibly consoled in receiving what seemed as the breaking forth of the Sun of Righteousness from behind the clouds, in the remembrance of that inestimably precious declaration, God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Yes, it is the love of God which is the light, the brightness, and the happiness of created beings; and it is in the prevalence of Christian love and Christian feeling alone that we can hope, and this will lead to all good efforts for the welfare of the bodies and the souls of all men. We must scatter the seed of Scripture truth up and down in Africa,-even among Mahomedans.

My heart cannot consent to select such parts only as Mahomedans would not reject; my proper business is, I believe, openly to avow my belief and trust in the Redeemer of men, and to hope for the prevalence of His power for the recovery of mankind from sin and wretchedness. It is not the arm of man that can save. We must remember that the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses flesh, and not spirit. If our trust be not in the name of the Lord, those who are helped, and those who help, shall both fail together.

"May I be taught more deeply to feel my calling, nor suffer, in this short day of life, any indolent supineness, or selfish regard, to prevent the daily pursuit of very serious duties that call for increasing watchfulness and let me not cease to feel that I am, in all circumstances, called to act as a disciple of the Prince of Peace, seeking to strengthen and to heal, and to meet whatever is good in any, tenderly careful not to injure a bruised reed, or to do anything that may be compared to quenching the smoking flax.

"11th mo. 28th. Oh! that teachers of schools were generally religiously concerned to make such instruction on right grounds their constant care, and the more interesting part of their duty. I long to see correct principles more generally instilled into the minds of the young-principles of piety, and of honourable dealing with all with whom they have to do. It is not the name of Christianity, nor right views alone that can convert the heart, and rectify the conduct. May wisdom

from above be graciously imparted in the deeply interesting concern now before me! May I be preserved from doing harm, and led, if it be the gracious Master's will, to unite with the sincere in heart, of every name, in doing good!"

CHAPTER VI.

Joins the British and Irish Ladies' Society, and undertakes on its behalf a visit to Ireland-Report made to the Committee on her return.

In the latter part of the year 1822, the distress which prevailed in Ireland in consequence of the failure of the potatoe-crop, attracted the notice of the British public. A large sum was raised to relieve the Irish peasantry from the famine which threatened them; and in connection with its distribution the "British and Irish Ladies' Society" was formed. This Society had for its object the permanent improvement of the condition of the female poor of Ireland, and especially the promotion of habits of industry amongst them. In its proceedings Hannah Kilham took an active part. The subject was one in which she had long felt deeply interested; and much of the time which elapsed between the giving up of her school and her first visit to Africa, during which time she resided in the neighbourhood of London, was devoted to this object.

In the early part of 1823 she spent some months in Ireland. Her correspondence at this period is full of details which prove her unwearied exertions, but which would not be otherwise interesting to the reader. A few extracts from letters written to one of her fellow-labourers are, however, added to the extracts from her journal