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A PASTOR'S TRIBUTE TO ONE OF HIS FLOCK. 



THE MEMOIRS 



OF THE LATE 

HANNAH L. MURRAY. 



BY / 

GARDINER SPRING, 

PASTOR OF THE BRICK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEW YORK. 



" Some sink outright ; 
O'er them, and o'er their names, the billows close; 
To-morrow knows not they were ever bom: 
Others a short memorial leave behind, 
Like a flag floating, when the bark's engulph'd." 



NEW YORK: 

ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS, 
No. 285 BROADWAY. 

1849. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by 

ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Southern District of New York. 



THOMAS B. SMITH, STKREOTYPKR, ROBERT CRAIGHEAD, PRINTER, 

216 WILLIAM STREET, N. Y. 112 FULTON STREET 



INTRODUCTION. 



The following sketch was prepared, and is now pub- 
lished at the instance of the author. Though cheerfully ac- 
ceeded to by the surviving friends of the subject of these 
memoirs, the proposal was his own. He does not profess to 
be an impartial biographer ; it was impossible he should be 
so. Yet has he aimed at impartiality ; and he is the more 
bold to appeal to those who knew Miss Murray, for the un- 
colored verity of his narrative, because the duty which has 
devolved upon him has been little more than to collect and 
present lier own thoughts. 

With the documents put into his hands, it has been diffi- 
cult to sever many incidents which respected himself and his 
pastoral charge from her private history and views. Yet 
has he done this, wherever it could be done without sup- 
pressing important facts, and doing injustice to one whose 
memory is so richly embalmed in his own bosom. He had 
no more attentive hearer than Miss Murray ; none who treas- 
ured up more of the substance of his discourses, and none, 
he presumes whose private papers furnish so full a report of 
them for more than twentj' years. 

He has styled the volume " A Pastor's Tribute to one of 
his Flock ;" and not without reason. Her life, her unobtru- 
sive counsel, her Christian sympathy, were among his great- 



iv INTRODUCTION. 

est joys : her death Wcos among his grecatest griefs. It is a 
tribute of respect, of esteem, of affection and gratitude. But 
it is not a mere tribute to her memory. It is due to the 
grace of God as manifested in her, tliat that grace sliould be 
known. She was too rare a Christian to be forgotten. It is 
due to the hving who may yet Hve as she hved, and die as 
she died, that her character and counsels should be addressed, 
especially, to a large class of her accomplished associates. 

G. SPRING. 

New York, June. 1849, i 
Brick Church Chapel. J 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. p^oE 

HER EARLY HISTORY AND EDUCATION 7 

CHAPTER II. 

HER EARLY RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS, AND HER STRUGGLES 

WITH THE WORLD 28 

CHAPTER III. 

THE CHARACTER OF HER RELIGION 41 

CHAPTER IV. 

EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY, AND HER DEVOUT MEDITATIONS . 61 

CHAPTER V. 

HER SACRED HYMNS 76 

CHAPTER VI. 

HER INTEREST IN REVIVALS OF RELIGION ... 93 

CHAPTER VII. 

HER INTEREST IN THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE . . .125 

CHAPTER VIII. 

HER BOUNTY, AND HER INTEREST IN BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 135 

CHAPTER IX. 

HER MISCELLANEOUS POETRY 149 



VI CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER X. PAGE 

HER CORRESPONDENCE 180 

CHAPTER XL 

EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL WHILE TRAVELLING . . 250 

CHAPTER XIL 

HER LAST SICKNESS AND DEATH 275 

' CHAPTER XIII. 

CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS 289 



MEMOIR. 

CHAPTER I. 

HER EARLY HISTORY AND EDUCATION. 



" Who that bears 
A human bosom, hath not often felt 
How dear all those ties which bind our race 
In gentleness together, and how sweet 
Their force." 



There is scarcely a more touching retro- 
spect, than that upon the multitudes who 
were once employed in the busy scenes of 
labor and joy with ourselves, and who, in such 
thick and rapid succession, have passed away. 
The earth changes ; the lights of heaven 
change ; time itself, so unruffled and equa- 
ble in its course, is perpetually changing, and 
effecting ceaseless and universal change in the 
character, condition, and social relations of 
men. Every fleeting year is pushing its gene- 
ration to the tomb ; an indissoluble, a sacred 
tie binds the race to the grave. What we 
loved yesterday, what yesterday interested, in- 
structed, charmed us, to-day sleeps, to awake 



8 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

not imtil the heavens be no more. There is 
but one being who never alters. God has 
formed us for himself alone ; restless is the 
heart, until it rests on him. 

Yet are there friendships such as the world 
seldom knows. They have something more 
than natural sympathies to rest upon -, they 
are founded in principle, nourished by confi- 
dence, and matured by time. They are firm 
and steady amid " evil report and good report ;" 
and not less amid frowns than smiles. They 
are something more than passing ceremony, 
which puts us in good humor for the time. 
They are remembered ; they are engraven on 
the heart; no tempest effaces them. Yet 
even these form a part of this great moving 
scene, where the figures are passing and re- 
passing, and at length disappear. Early friends, 
where are they ? The grave has closed upon 
them ; sweet and holy memories of them are 
all that remain to us. 

There is a fervor and freshness in early 
friendships, in vain sought for in those alli- 
ances which are formed when the heart has 
become chilled with disappointment, poisoned 
by suspicion, and worn with care. Both are 
beautiful; but the flowers of autumn, bright 
and symmetrical as they may be, do not send 
forth the blushing fragrance of the early year. 
We try to form such ties anew with other and 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L, MURRAY. 9 

kindred minds ; but between the present and 
the past, the chasm is wide ; nothing can fill it. 
Broken at the grave, these early bonds would in- 
deed mar the happiness of human life, but for 
the sweet hope that they would be renewed 
and perfected in a nobler and purer world. 

Amid the multitudes who are now no more, 
and who, in the sunny days of his youth, wel- 
comed the writer to his new and untried 
sphere of responsible labor, was the subject 
of these memoirs. Hannah Lindley Murray 
was the daughter of John and Hannah Murray, 
and was born on the 10th of March, in the year 
1777. Her father was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, of Scotch descent. Early in life — in 
the year 1758 — and before the revolutionary 
war, he became a citizen of the state of New- 
York, and so continued until his death. His 
pursuits were exclusively commercial, and he 
successively conducted the concerns of " John 
Murray," " Murray, Sanson & Co.," and " John 
Murray and Sons," through a period of nearly 
fifty years, and with great success, in an ex- 
tensive importing and commission business. 
He was distinguished for his prudence, discre- 
tion, and integrity ; and though possessed of 
ample means, was far removed from all haz- 
ardous speculation. He claimed and supported 
a character unimpeached and unimpeachable, 
and enjoyed the confidence and consideration 

1* 



10 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

of the mercantile community. He was well 
experienced in the customs of merchants; 
and, though without a professional education, 
he was so well versed in the law of marine 
insurance, that his opinions were highly ap- 
preciated and often resorted to. During the 
latter part of his life, he enjoyed so much of 
the public confidence as an arbitrator in in- 
surance cases, that they occupied no inconsid- 
erable portion of his time. He had no ambi- 
tion for political advancement, which he might 
have obtained, if he had yielded to the solici- 
tation of his friends. He served as governor 
and treasurer of the New-York Hospital, al- 
most from the first foundation of that institu- " 
tion. For a series of years, he was the presi- 
dent of the Chamber of Commerce ; and when, 
for the sixth time, in the year 1806, he was 
elected to that office, declined the appoint- 
ment. He was a director in the branch of the^ 
old United States Bank in this city ; and in 
several crises of our pecuniary afliairs, both 
before and during the war of the Revolution, 
his financial talents were of important service 
both to the city and the country. He was 
associated with such men as Rufus King, Gu- 
lian Verplanck, John Broome, Henry Rutgers, 
George Clinton, Comfort Sands, Edward Liv- 
ingston, Archibald Gracie, and William Bay- 
ard ; and in his political views, was a thorough 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. H 

whig and substantial federalist. He was, too, 
the chosen companion of good men ; the tried 
friend of the Christian ministry, a worthy 
member of the Brick Presbyterian Church, 
and, for a number of years, one of its ruling 
elders. He had quick perceptions of what is 
right, and great decision and generosity of 
character. He was greatly respected and be- 
loved by his family, and died the 11th of Oc- 
tober, 1808, in the 71st year of his age, leaving 
not only a large fortune to his children, but a 
reputation without reproach. 

The family name of Mrs. Murray was Lind- 
ley. Thomas Lindley, her remote ancestor, 
was an Englishman by birth, but removed 
with his family to Ireland, where he had two 
sons, who removed from Ireland to Philadel- 
phia. One son married Hannah Desbrough ; 
he had eight children, all of whom died young, 
except James, who married Susanna Lovvnds, 
and Mary, who married Robert, the brother of 
John Murray. Hannah was the daughter of 
James and Susanna Lindley, and was married 
to John Murray, the father of the subject of 
these Memoirs. She belonged to the religious 
society of Friends : — in that society she lived 
and died. She was evangelical in her views 
and spirit ; and from long acquaintance with 
her, ever appeared to me a truly Christian lady. 
Her habits were simple; her manners cour- 



12 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

teous and dignified; and in her tongue was 
the law of kindness. Her adornment was that 
of good intellect, fine taste, and a meek and 
quiet spirit. As a wife her heart was true ; 
she lived to be a partaker in the joys and sor- 
rows of her husband, to consult his wishes, 
submit to his guidance, and make his comfort 
and usefulness her study. Few females are 
more watchful of every domestic duty, or ex- 
hibited a more blameless deportment. Those 
who had the nearest inspection of her excel- 
lence, were the most ready to acknowledge 
her worth. As a mother, she will never be 
forgotten. That cheerfulness, that unwasting 
affection, that wisdom and gentleness so obvi- 
ous in forming the early habits of her children, 
that caution against the noisy and polluting 
pleasures of the world, that tranquillity amid 
perplexing and wearisome cares, that calm- 
ness in sorrow and that quickening in joy, which 
all well remember who knew her well, ren- 
dered her a fitting guide to their youthful 
minds. She was always at home, " looking well 
to the ways of her household, and guiding her 
affairs with discretion." She " spread out her 
hands to the poor ; yea, she reached forth her 
hands to the needy." " When the ear heard 
her, then it blessed her. When the eye saw 
her, then it gave witness to her ; because she 
delivered the poor that cried, the fatherless and 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 13 

him that had none to help him. The blessing 
of him that was ready to perish came upon 
her, and she caused the widow's heart to sing 
for joy." Mrs. Murray survived her husband, 
lived twenty-seven years a widow, and died 
in Christian peace and hope, on the 22nd of 
May, 1835, at the advanced age of more than 
fourscore years and nine, amid the affections 
and tears of her children. 

Of eight children, four sons and four daugh- 
ters, Hannah was the youngest but one. Her 
frame was fragile, her mind active, and she 
was naturally of a gay temperament. As she 
grew up, her person was agreeable, though 
very delicately formed ; her complexion re- 
markably fair and pure ; her countenance 
intellectual and pleasing ; her manners attrac- 
tive and easy ; her conversation rich, enter- 
taining, and often full of vivacity and wit. 
The engraving in this volume is from a minia- 
ture taken in early life by her sister ; none of 
the portraits of later years being so good a 
likeness. Her health was never robust, yet 
seldom such as to confine her to her chamber; 
though she was peculiarly delicate in every 
sense of the word. She was brought up amid 
all the refinement and elegance which wealth 
could furnish, and which a heaven-directed 
caution and diligence subsequently taught her 
wisely to employ. There was no intellectual 



14 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

accomplishment, and no accomplishment of 
art which she had not the opportunity of ac- 
quiring, and of which she did not avail herself 
with great fidelity and success. The best 
schools and the. best private masters, were her 
instructors ; nor were there any of their pupils 
which gave them higher, or more honest ex- 
ultation. She was fitted to fill, and, for a 
series of years, did fill a wide place in the 
public mind, and was the adornment of many 
a circle of fashion and splendor. 

Her natural disposition had some peculiari- 
ties. She had a fine intellect, blended with a 
most amiable disposition ; and these made her 
a cheerful and delightful companion. She 
possessed a clear judgment and great firmness; 
and these rendered her a safe friend. Her 
imagination was vivid, and ever active, sleep- 
ing as well as waking ; so that she has often 
been heard to say, " that she should almost 
think it a waste of time to sleep without 
dreaming." Her sleep was always filled with 
beautiful images, lovely scenery, splendid and 
unheard-of appearances in the animal, mate- 
rial, and spiritual kingdoms ; and whatever 
was thus presented to her imagination, she 
was always permitted to enjoy. She was 
never known to relate a melancholy dream. 
The most delicious fruits gratified her palate ; 
and the beautiful in nature charmed her eye? 



j£^^ 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 15 

without the usual embarrassments attendant 
on interesting nightly visions. From the pure 
and happy temperament of her mind, she 
probably enjoyed as much worldly happiness 
as was ever enjoyed by any one individual 
creature. She has been repeatedly heard to 
say, that " she wanted nothing in this world ; 
that so bountiful had God been to her, that 
she coveted nothing ; and that she should be 
entirely at a loss to specify anything of a tem- 
poral nature that she desired." She was phys- 
ically the most sensitive creature I ever knew; 
she shrunk from every unexpected touch, or 
sound; a sudden whisper would agitate her, 
the falling of a window, or the unexpected cry 
of distress would sometimes agitate her to pale- 
ness and fainting. On her first visit to my fam- 
ily after I became her pastor, an incident of 
this kind occurred: and we could not sup- 
press some free comments upon it after she 
had left us. We did her great injustice ; it 
was perfectly irresistible on her part. We 
have, many a time, laughed together over what 
she was pleased to call her " unfortunate intro- 
duction;" and it taught us not to be hasty in 
forming our judgments of character from first 
impressions. She was deeply conscious of the 
infirmity ; she struggled against it ; but she 
could never subdue it to the day of her death. 
Yet, while thus physically sensitive, she was 



16 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

morally one of the boldest and most fearless 
of women. In all her intercourse with the 
world and with the church, with the charitable 
institutions in which she took so active a part, 
and amid collisions of sentiment and conflict- 
ing measures, I do not think it can be said, 
that she was ever known to waver. She was 
social in her disposition, yet she was never 
unhappy in retirement ; she was confiding, yet 
not credulous. She had a clear discernment 
of character, and very soon perceived those 
qualities to which she might give her love and 
confidence. She selected her friends with 
discrimination ; and when she had selected 
them, she was true, true without alloy, true 
to the last, sterling truth. Her attachments 
were strong; her aversions rarely expressed. 
She could overlook imperfections ; she could 
wink at foibles; but she could not brook de- 
ceit, or disingenuousness ; she shrunk from 
everything that was low and mean, and was at- 
tracted by all that is high and lofty, either in 
feeling, or deportment. She was generous in 
her emotions, generous in her sentiments, and. 
generous in her sacrifices. 

Yet, with the single exception of her nervous 
sensitiveness, it would be too much to say, that 
she possessed many striM7ig and prominent fea- 
tures of natural character. They were all so 
subdued, and inmingled, and shaded with a 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 17 

veil of characteristic delicacy, that in fixing 
your mind upon them, it is difficult to say 
which was the more prominent. It is not her 
sprightliness that you think of when recalling 
her to your thoughts ; nor is it her kindness ; 
nor her unsuspecting confidence ; nor her 
truthfulness ; nor her wit; though these were 
obvious. It is herself ; her blended excellen- 
cies, neither of them striving for the mastery, 
but each, in its proper place and proportion, 
doing homage to the other, and all harmoni- 
ously forming her womanly character. In all 
my acquaintance, I have never seen, I have 
never read of one which was her parallel. If 
those who were best acquainted with her were 
asked the question, Who reminds you most of 
Hannah Murray ? if I mistake not, every one 
of them would reply. It is impossible for me 
to tell : I do not know such another being. 
She was not the Martha who was "busied 
about much serving;" nor yet the Mary who 
" sat at Jesus' feet and heard his Avords ;" she 
rather combined the natural peculiarities of 
both these two sisters. In some respects, she 
was like the Mary, who broke the box of 
precious ointment over the feet of her divine 
Lord; in other particulars, she was like the 
Mary who stood near his cross and wept, as 
she saw him she loved the derision of the 
priests, and the sport of the pojDulace. While 



18 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

in her spiritual characteristics, we would not 
compare her with that " beloved disciple," 
yet to us it seems, that, in the features of her 
natural character, if the sacred narrator of 
these incidents in the evangelical history, 
who leaned on Jesus' bosom, could, by the 
hand of no coarse moral painter, be imbued 
with a female mind, not a little of such min- 
gled and beautiful coloring would form a pic- 
ture quite in keeping with the character of 
Miss Murray. There is no female character, 
in history, or fable, which I can think of, that 
resembles hers ; it would not be likely that 
either history or fable would delineate such a 
character. 

Her intellectual endowments were unques- 
tionably of a high order, though they resem- 
bled rather those of Mrs. Hemans than those 
of Hannah More. Though she Avas by no 
means deficient in understanding an argument, 
and though she rarely erred in the correctness 
of her conclusions, she had never accustomed 
herself to the severe application of her logical 
powers. She was accustomed rather to the 
exercise of memory, rapid analysis, and nice 
discrimination, than to tedious thought. She 
was a lover of history; and was never more 
gratified than in patiently possessing herself 
of the substance of those elaborate and volu- 
minous historical productions, which cost their 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 19 

authors the labor and research of many years. 
It was a pleasure to hear her read the pages 
of an instructive and brilliant historian. She 
was one of the best of English readers. 

Nor was she limited in her researches to 
works in the vernacular tongue. She possessed 
an uncommon facility in the acquisition of lan- 
guages. So ripe a scholar was she in the Greek 
and Latin languages, that she not only read 
the Greek and Roman classics for her own im- 
provement, but was in the habit of hearing 
the recitations of her nephews in Sallust, Vir- 
gil and Cicero, and Xenophon and Homer. 
She made herself familiar with the French, 
Italian, and Spanish; and was making good 
progress in the German. She made many 
beautiful translations from the Latin, Greek, 
and Italian poets. Herself and her surviving 
sister Mary jointly translated, from the Italian 
of Tasso, the whole of " Jerusalem Delivered" 
in verse ; a work consisting of twenty cantos,, 
and more than fourteen thousand lines. She 
translated also many of the odes of Anacreon 
from the Greek. She made the best transla- 
tion I have seen of the " Fall of Phaeton," 
from the orio-inal of Ovid. She left also a ffood 
translation, from the French of M. de Sacy, of 
the very interesting history of Hungary; a 
work which any bookseller would find his 
account in publishing, as, if I mistake not, 



20 MEMOIR OF HAXNAH L. MURRAY. 

there is no good history of that country in the 
English language. She has also left good 
translations of some of Massillon's Discourses, 
a number of Metestazio operas, and a va- 
riety of others from different languages. Yet, 
accomplished a scholar as she was, she was 
not less unpretending and unostentatious. 
Sometimes, if you happened to enter her par- 
lor between the hours of ten and twelve 
o'clock, you might detect her in reading the 
Greek Testament, or Sallust, or Massillon ; but 
you would never know the work she had so 
delicately laid aside on your entrance but by 
taking a look at it as she laid it upon the 
table. 

Her mind and taste were formed and culti- 
vated especially for the Fine Arts. She had 
a fine taste for music, performed well on the 
piano, and possessed an uncommonly sweet 
and powerful voice. She painted some good 
portraits, but she excelled in landscape paint- 
ing and sketching from nature. Natural 
scenery had peculiar charms for her ; she was 
exquisitely alive to everything that is sublime 
and beautiful, either in nature or in art. Her 
own mind was a living fountain of beauty. She 
gazed upon a thousand objects with rapture, 
which others regarded with indifference ; she 
analyzed them, and saw them made up of 
embellishments which ordinary minds could 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 21 

not discover. They gave her pleasures that 
did not pall ; nor did they, like severer labors, 
seem to weary her. She carried them every- 
where, everywhere she enjoyed them. 

" Not a breeze 
Flies o'er the meadow, — not a cloud imbibes 
The setting sun's eftulgence, — not a strain 
From all the tenants of the warbling shade 
Ascends, but whence her bosom could partake 
Fresh pleasure unreproved." 

It was the great privilege of Mrs. S. and 
myself, in company with a number of other 
dear friends, not a few of whom are " fallen 
asleep," to travel extensively with the " two 
sisters," in the summer of 1815. It was a 
month of travel which will long be had in our 
grateful remembrance. It was delightful for 
its society ; delightful for its sabbaths ; de- 
lightful for its daily religious privileges, its in- 
structions from God's holy word, its prayers 
and songs of praise. While at Saratoga, Mrs. 
S. and myself were furnished with a large 
room at Lewis's, now Union Hall, just in 
front of the piazza, where our large party as- 
sembled morning and evening for family wor- 
ship ; and as the weather ^\'as warm, the win- 
dows remained unclosed. The service became 
attractive, chiefly from the music — for we had 
six or seven fine voices in the company, that 
moved together in great harmony. We well 



22 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

recollect those seasons. At first the worship- 
pers consisted exclusively of our own party 
and a few invited friends ; but at length the 
piazza became crowded, the room was filled, 
strangers thronged the door, numbers came 
over from Congress Hall to unite with us, and 
the result was that we were requested to occupy 
the large hall, which was then in the second 
story, for a daily evening religious service. To 
the influence of the Miss Murrays and their 
excellent and like-minded brother, Mr. John 
R. Murray, is to be attributed, so far as my 
knowledge extends, the introduction of this 
daily public service at Saratoga Springs. 

This beautiful tour is also remembered for 
the fascination which the subject of these me- 
moirs threw around it by lier admiration of 
natural scenery. For myself I had thought I 
possessed some susceptibility to the beauties 
of natural scenery ; but in her society I began 
to feel that in this respect I was but among 
the better order of savages. Her resources 
seemed inexhaustible, and she seemed to me 
a specimen of a new race of beings. Her 
conversation was instructive ; she suggested 
thoughts that were valuable to every writer, 
and every preacher of the gospel. Mrs. S. 
and myself have sat hours by her side, at Sar- 
atoga, at Glens Falls, at Lake George, while 
she made those beautiful sketches which now 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 23 

adorn the parlor of the family mansion in 
Hudson square. Her portfolio will be found 
to contain not a few specimens from her own 
pencil, which would interest the most enthu- 
siastic amateur in the Fine Arts. 

She was no mean poet. Several of her 
sacred hymns and miscellaneous poems will 
be found in this sketch of her history and 
character. They are very simple, and some 
of them very sweet. Her sacred hymns, es- 
pecially were hasty productions, and do not 
furnish the best specimens of her poetic ge- 
nius. The most labored production of her 
muse is a poem in eight books, written about 
twenty years ago, the subject of which is the 
Restoration of the Jews. It is in heroic verse, 
and is the united production of the two sis- 
ters, Mary and Hannah. It is remarkable for 
its historical and ethnological research, the 
smoothness and melody of its numbers, and 
its religious inspiration. It was submitted to 
the inspection of the writer of these memoirs 
at the time it was written, and he has ever 
regretted that its modest authors would not 
consent, even anonymously, to give it to the 
world. 

It will be seen from the preceding sketch, 
that Miss Murray possessed A^ery diversified 
talents, and great versatility of genius. She 
had, in no common degree, the faculty of 



24 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

turning her mind to new tasks and subjects, 
and those of tlie most opposite kind. She had 
learned the great art of wisely economizing 
time, talent, and toil, and of directing them 
to the best advantage. Not only was she 
alive to the great and beautiful, but equally 
so to the ludicrous. So gay and mirthful were 
her feelings, and so much did she abound in 
sprightly sallies of wit, that in no point of her 
character was she more accessible. She was 
often mortified by this exposure, and some- 
times disconcerted by being unable to main- 
tain her gravity, where she felt that she ought 
to have maintained it. Few laughed more 
easily or more heartily, few more tenderly 
wept. It would be difficult to say Avhether 
she was the more filled with awe before the 
finished compositions of Raphael, or convulsed 
with merriment before the sketches of Ho- 
garth ; whether the Taming of the Shrew 
delighted her most, or Hamlet; whether she 
were more deeply interested in reading Mil- 
ton's Paradise Lost, or Butler's Hudibras ; 
Cowper's Task, or Trumbul's M'Fingal. The 
reader will perhaps be surprised when he is 
informed, that on looking over her manuscripts 
there are found, not only grave dissertation 
and lyric song, but here an ode to " Col. R.'s 
Wig," there " A Bridal Lay ;" then an Elegy 
on the death of a bird, and then Lines on the 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 25 

"Lost Smallclothes." Nor is this anything 
marvellous. The same accomplished and de- 
vout mind that gave to the world that beautiful 
hymn, beginning with the words, 

" for a closer wallc with God," 

was also the author of the ludicrous poem en- 
titled "John Gilpin." Nay, even Thomas 
Moore justly claims the authorship of the 
stanzas beginning with the line, 

" thou who driest the mourner's tear." 

Nor do we feel at liberty to pass unnoticed, 
her exemplary and indefatigable industry. 
Such was her condition in the world, that she 
might have lived in listless inactivity. She 
was not only affluent, but, remaining unmar- 
ried, she had no domestic cares. Yet she 
knew not how to be idle. " Occupy till I 
come" — " redeeming the time," were admo- 
nitions which she felt to be no less applicable 
to herself than to those who toiled for their 
daily bread. Her pencil, her needle, her pen, 
or her book, employed her more leisure hours ; 
while her visits of mercy to the poor, the 
widow, and the orphan, employed the great 
portion of her time when she was absent from 
her own family circle. When she had noth- 
ing to do for herself, she was employed for 
others. Few females have left more perma- 

2 



26 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

nent memorials of industrious habits. It may- 
be doubted whether there are any among 
those who survive her, who, Dorcas like, pre- 
pared so many garments for the poor, as were 
the yearly product of her own hands. She 
was, in no small degree, ingenious in laying 
out labor upon articles, in themselves of little 
value, and making them valuable. Rich tapes- 
try, beautiful centre tables, inventions even in 
the smaller mechanic arts, volumes of prose 
and poetry, religious and moral truths, illus- 
trated by some new contrivance or skilful 
symbol, adapted to the infant mind, all remain 
as indications of her own sense of the value 
of time, and her cheerfulness in toil. 

The intimate friends of her youth and riper 
years, were, Sarah Broome, now Mrs. J. Boggs, 
daughter of John Broome ; Augusta Temple, 
daughter of Sir John Temple, for a long time 
British Consul, now Mrs. Temple Palmer ; 
Maria Nicholson, now Mrs. Montgomery; Ann 
Ustick, daughter of Thomas Ustick. To all 
of these she was truly and unwaveringly at- 
tached. They all married, excepting the last 
named, and of course the intimacy with her 
was more close, confidential and spiritual in 
after life. She was a woman of superior in- 
tellect, fine discriminating judgment; of a 
bright and cheerful spirit, and genuine piety. 
I may perhaps be allowed to add, in the 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 27 

language of her surviving sister, " Another, 
too, there was — Mrs. Spring, the wife of her 
valued pastor, to both of whom she became 
increasingly attached, as time and progressive 
acquaintance developed on both sides the con- 
geniality of spirit and oneness of views which 
link in close connection minds and hearts ; and 
who, though not of her earliest, were assuredly 
among her strongest and most prized attach- 
ments, and which never suflered interruption 
or abatement." 



CHAPTER II. 



HER EARLY RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS AND HER 
STRUGGLES WITH THE WORLD, 



He sees with other eyes than theirs. Where they 

Behold a sun, he views a Deity ; 

What makes them only smile, makes him adore. 



The time of Miss Murray's conA^ersion she 
herself never professed to determine. It was 
probably in childhood. She had impressive 
views of the holiness of the divine character, 
of the spirituality and obligation of the divine 
law, and of the great evil of sin, in the more 
advanced stages of her religious experience ; 
but so far as I can learn, her conviction of 
these truths was much deeper after conversion, 
than before. She was never brought to de- 
spair of God's mercy, nor to tremble as others 
have done, in vieAv of everlasting burnings. 
She was an example of that grace which 
" leads the blind by a way that they knew 
not," and in gentle paths ; and one of those 
instances, of which there are not few, in which 
" the goodness of God leadeth to repentance." 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 29 

I doubt whether her delicate frame and sensi- 
tive mind could have endured severe religious 
emotions. Deep emotions would have sunk 
her to the grave ; God's terrors would have 
made her a maniac ; and he was pleased in 
mercy not thus to deal with her. 

The natural traits of her character w^ere 
sanctified by religion. Bright, and lovely, and 
peculiar as they were, religion did not ob- 
scure them, but made them more bright, ex- 
alted them, and gave even their peculiarities 
a hallowed and rainbow coloring. They would 
have exposed her to vanity and folly, had they 
not been brought into happy subjection to the 
God of love. Her own estimate of the nature 
and importance of Christian piety may be best 
learned from her diary and her example. Few 
valued it more highly, or more truly appre- 
ciated its privileges, or more uniformly en- 
joyed its hopes and consolations. There were 
some scenes in her religious experience which 
may not be exhibited ; some acts which do 
not admit of a public recital ; but which are 
too impressive ever to be forgotten by those 
to whom she ventured sometimes to disclose 
the conflicts and the victories, the doubts and 
confidence, the tears and exultations of her 
own sensitive heart. Religion in her was pro- 
ductive of some of its ripest fruits and best 
joys. It was the consummation of her char- 



30 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

acter, and gave it its interest, its amiable- 
ness, its dignity, its usefulness. At the dis- 
tance of many years, I look back upon it as 
possessing a never-fading beauty. There was 
the charm of consistency about it ; it possessed 
that rare uniformity, that beautiful and sacred 
symmetry which are so often wanting in those 
professing godliness, and which, where they 
are not wanting, are the glory of the Christian 
name. 

In company with her sister Mary, she made 
a public profession of her faith when she was 
twenty-four years of age, under the ministry of 
my venerable predecessor, the Rev. Dr. John 
Rodgers, in the year 1801. Besides enjoying 
the instructions and paternal counsels of this 
affectionate and faithful ambassador of Christ, 
and of her own parents, she was the pupil of 
one whose wisdom, and gentleness, and de- 
cision of character instilled religious instruction 
into many youthful minds, and formed the early 
habits of so many Christian females whose 
life and conversation have impressively recom- 
mended the gospel of Christ. To how many 
listening ears has this " mother in Israel" 
whispered the lessons of faith and piety ! 
How many now alive and on the earth, and 
how many more among the spirits of the just 
made perfect, gratefully recollect her influence 
and instruction, her example and prayers, her 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 31 

solicitude and faithful attention, as the means 
of their conversion ! I do not know that the 
lady to whom I refer has left her equal as a 
successful teacher of the female mind, and at 
the same time, the favored cultivator and guar- 
dian of the female heart. There is something 
in religion, which, especially to a young and 
giddy girl, appears gloomy and forbidding; but 
it was conciliatory, it was attractive in the light 
of her teacher's virtues, and under her mater- 
nal tuition. The reader will pardon this di- 
gression ; so near her tomb, we could not but 
turn aside from our path to visit the grave of 
Isabella Graham. 

It is no common privilege to direct the 
thoughts of the young to the subject of these 
memoirs, as an attractive example of youthful 
piety. The following sketch of her early life 
and religious experience is in her own words, 
and was found among her private papers after 
her decease. 

" Having had the advantage of early in- 
struction in my duty toward God, and being 
made acquainted with the holiness, and purity, 
and majesty of the Ruler of the universe, my 
mind was led at an early period to the con- 
templation of the perfections of my Maker, 
and my heart sensibly drawn out toward him 
in love, and a desire to do those things which 



32 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

I had been taught were pleasing in his sight. 
I delighted much in the society of those who 
professed to follow Jesus, and would often 
rather sit by them and hear their conversation 
than engage in those plays which naturally 
attracted children. Thus was the Lord 
pleased, in the spring-time of my life, to touch 
my heart, and to shed abroad in it some 
measure of his love. 

" Being constitutionally of a very lively dis- 
position, as I grew in years the pleasures and 
amusements of the world seized upon my 
affections, and my young and foolish heart 
eagerly pursued those phantoms, which seemed 
to offer nothing but happiness. And God did 
indeed grant me my heart's desire ; he left 
me nothing to ask for in this life. He gave 
me dear and tender parents, kind relatives 
and friends, and favor in the sight of those 
with whom I was associated. He blessed me 
in my basket and in my store, in my going 
out and in my coming in. He filled my cup 
with blessings, and made it to overflow. 

" But I had forgotten the religious emotions 
of earlier days ; I became unmindful of the 
Author of so many mercies. O ! thou art a 
longsuffering God, and it is of thy compassions 
that I am not consumed ! But in the midst of 
this prosperity, there were some sad hours, 
when I had great misgivings of heart. Some- 



MEMOIR, OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 33 

times when I had been out in large assemblies, 
and went weary to my chamber, and endeav- 
ored to engage in those religious duties which 
appeared to me could not be dispensed w^ith, 
my conscience was burdened. When I would 
endeavor to offer up my nightly petitions, my 
heart reproached me. It seemed to say to me, 
This is a mockery of God ! thou art not in a 
fit frame of mind to appear before the Judge 
of all the earth ! The vain scenes which I 
had just left were still floating in my imagina- 
tion and distracting my thoughts. This feel- 
ing, and the shame which I, at such seasons, 
experienced, was what first brought me to 
think that such pursuits are not consistent 
with the Christian profession. It seemed to 
me that anything wiiich tended to draw off 
the mind from the contemplation of divine 
things, and to tempt me to restrain prayer be- 
fore God, must be evil in the sight of my 
Heavenly Father, and a mode of life which 
was improper and criminal in me to pursue. 
But O, the power the world had upon my 
mind ! Though not, perhaps, so often as be- 
fore, I still frequented those places of fashion- 
able amusement, though convinced that it was 
wrong. But I was always reproached by my 
conscience ; I felt weariness and disgust in 
the midst of mirth and laughter, and verified 
in my own experience the saying of the wise 

2* 



34 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

man, that " even in laughter, the heart is sorrow- 
ful'' I feared the ridicule of the world; I 
dreaded to become singular ; I could not in- 
cur the reproaches and sneers of those with 
whom I was associated. And thus I sinned 
in fearing the condemnation of men, more 
than the displeasure of Him who is God over 
all, blessed for evermore. 

" But he is a wonder-working God, who 
does his pleasure in the armies of heaven, and 
among ail the inhabitants of the earth, and 
none sayeth unto Him, What doest thou ? 
About this time, he saw fit, in his infinite wis- 
dom, to strike a blow, which discovered to 
me at once the emptiness of the world, and the 
uncertain tenure by which we hold all earthly 
blessings. This calamity, the death of my be- 
loved father, was the first affliction God had suf- 
fered me to feel ; and it drew me nearer to 
Him. My heart was wounded : God was my 
refuge, and the only source from which I could 
draw any comfort. I had great satisfaction in 
the thought, that I never knowingly had done 
anything that was contrary to the will of my 
deceased parent, or that I believed would give 
him pain. O that my Heavenly Father would 
teach me to be as solicitous to please Him, and 
as careful to avoid everything that is contrary 
to his will ! Sanctify, O my God ! all my affec- 
tions, and enable me to love thee with all my 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 35 

heart, with all my soul, and all my mind, and 
at all times to say, He doeth all things well. 

" I can say, with the Psalmist, before 1 was 
afflicted, I went astraij ; it was good for me to 
have been afflicted. This heavy affliction gave 
me an opportunity of withdrawing from the 
world, though not certainly such as I should 
have desired. But God sees what is best for 
us, and from the bitterest draught effects the 
most salutary and sweetest cure. He who 
wounds can heal ; and even in the midst of 
the greatest distress, give peace not as the 
w^orld gives. Affliction can impart a joy which 
the world knows not of, and with which a 
stranger intermeddleth not. i|^od takes away 
the sources of our earthly comfort, that He 
may draw us nearer to himself, and make us 
understand that there is no true happiness but 
in Him; that all creature comforts will and 
must fail; and that those who have secured 
his favor, have an everlasting portion, a rich 
and joyful inheritance, that fadeth not away. 
Well may I say. Hitherto the Lord hath helped 
me! When temptation, has assailed me, he 
has enabled me to escape the snare. He has 
preserved me from entering again into those 
scenes which contaminate the soul, and retard 
its growth in knowledge and in grace. 

" I adore thee, O Lord my God, that whereas 
I was blind, I now see. I see the exceeding 



36 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

sinfulness of sin, and the ingratitude and guilt 
of my past days, when thy mercies surrounded 
me, and I returned not unto thee according to 
thy great goodness ! 

" I used to think, if I prayed once a day 
that was sufficient, and even felt that once a 
weariness. Justly might God have said, Cut 
her down, why cumber eth she the ground ! In- 
stead of this, he has brought me on step by 
step, giving me line upon line, precept upon pre- 
cept, here a little and there a little, as he saw I 
could bear it. Tliou knowest my frame, and 
rememberest that I am but dust. Open thou 
my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy 
praise ! Thou%as dealt bountifully with thy 
servant according to thy word. 

" Having examined my heart by the test of 
God's word, I think I may, with truth and sin- 
cerity say, that the Lord hath begun a good 
work in me. He has created within me ardent 
desires after that holiness without which no 
man shall see the Lord ; he has enabled me 
to see that the friendship of the world is en- 
mity with God. He requires that my heart 
be right with him, and that I should rejoice in 
all his perfections ; and that I should yield my- 
self willingly to his commands, and delight in 
his law after the inner man. I am thankful to 
him that he has not revealed himself to me in 
the fearful thunderings and lightnings of his 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 37 

law ; that he has not shaken my soul to its 
foundation by his terrible majesty, appearing 
as a sin-avenging God, in whose sight no flesh 
can stand ; but that when he thus made known 
himself, he has at the same time opened my 
eyes upo7i Jesus as a refuge from the storm of 
his anger, as a shield against the sword of his 
justice. He has drawn me with the cords of 
love, and made me go softly all my days. 
Bless the Lord, O my soul, for He hath dealt 
bountifully with thee ; and all that is within 
me, praise his holy name ! He alone it is who 
takes the heart of stone out of our flesh and 
gives us a heart of flesh ; and unto his name 
be all the glory ! O Lord, my earnest prayer 
to thee is, that in these conclusions I may not 
be deceiving myself, and saying, peace, peace 
to my soul, when there is no peace. Daily 
give me to see more clearly my interest in the 
Lord Jesus, and to read more clearly my title 
to the heavenly inheritance. I mourn before 
thee the coldness of my heart toward him who 
laid down his life for me. O give me to ex- 
perience the joys of communion with thee ; 
for as yet I cannot come to where thine honor 
dwelleth. My faith would fain soar beyond 
these regions of sin and sense, and behold the 
great realities of the invisible world. O pour 
out thy spirit upon me. In thee do I trust; 
let me never be confounded. And if it should 



38 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY, 

please thee to cause me to walk in darkness 
all my days, and to see but a glimmering of 
the heavenly glory, yet enable me to trust in 
the Lord and stay upon my God. 

" When I review my past life and consider 
my backslidings, I am filled with shame and 
confusion of face. I feel that it is impossible 
for me to keep myself in the way in which I 
should go, and that it is God alone who can pre- 
serve my heart from straying from him, keep 
my feet from falling and my soul from death. 
O Lord, my righteousness and strength, pre- 
serve me from backsliding any more. Keep 
me near to thee. Enable me to glorify thee 
in my body and spirit, while I remain on the 
earth, and when I go hence, receive that 
crown of glory which is prepared for all those 
who, through faith and patience, endure unto 
the end ! 

" Ascend my soul, in heavenly praise, 
To God who hath preserved thy days ; 
And brought thee to this present hour. 
By his sustaining, wond'rous power. 
But bid thy higliest strains ascend, 
That He who is the sinner's friend. 
Has made thy blindness pass away. 
And bid thee view an endless day, 
Through his eternal spirit given. 
To conquer sin and lead to heaven." 

The preceding sketch bears date July, 1812, 
four years after the death of her venerated and 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 89 

beloved father, and when she herself had 
reached her thirty-fifth year. It may be gath- 
ered from her writings, that such a view of 
God's dealings with her might be made useful 
to her own soul. She expresses the desire 
that she " might often read it ; compare her 
present state with what is here written, and 
be enabled to perceive whether she had made 
any progress in the heavenly road." The 
writer had then been her pastor but two short 
years ; she had expressed the greatest defer- 
ence for his opinions, the most delicate atten- 
tion to his comfort and that of his family, a 
scrupulous respect for his character, and a stu- 
dious care to promote his usefulness. She had 
always greeted him with a smile, and at the 
close of the labors of the Sabbath, usually en- 
couraged him by some kind expression of her 
approbation of his labors. But he was not 
then sensible of the excellence of her charac- 
ter. Sweet as her piety then was, it was but 
the hour of twilight in her spiritual hemisphere. 
Her light was dawning ; and though the boun- 
daries between the past and the present could 
not be distinctly marked, her path was grow- 
ing brighter and brighter. In the year 1818, 
she writes as follows : — 

" Six years have now elapsed since the fore- 
going sketch was written, and I have abundant 



40 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

cause, on perusing it, to offer my sincere 
thanksgiving and praise that God has con- 
tinued to me his great mercy and loving kind- 
ness, and enabled me to see more and more 
the necessity of coming out from the world, 
and being separate, in order to obtain the 
adoption of children. Thanks to the precious 
Saviour, I have been withheld from the vain, 
soul-distracting amusements of the world, and 
my eyes have been enlightened to behold that 
glory which excelleth, and which puts out the 
glory of these lower scenes. May my spiritual 
vision be daily more clear, that in thus behold- 
ing the glory of my Saviour, I maybe changed 
into the same image, from glory to glory, even 
as by the Spirit of the Lord ! O may thy grace 
accompany me through my earthly pilgrimage, 
and when the summons to depart and cross 
over Jordan shall be given, may I behold the 
Ark of the Covenant in the midst of the cold 
waters, and fearlessly step in, comforted by 
those words. Fear not, for I am with thee ; he not 
dismayed, for I am thy God. I will bear thee 
through, and bring thee to the shores, where 
the inhabitant shall no more say I am sick, 
where sorrow and sighing shall flee away, 
where the walls are salvation and the gates 
praise, and the city shall have no need of the 
sun nor of the moon to enlighten it, for God is 
the light thereof, and the Lamb its glory." 



CHAPTER III. 



THE CHARACTER OF HER RELIGION. 



" The cross my all, 
My theme, my inspiration, and my crown." 



We are not able to furnish a more detailed 
narrative of Miss Murray's early religious ex- 
ercises than is furnished in the preceding chap- 
ter. To the consistency, firmness, spirituality, 
and meekness of her Christian course, rnulti- 
tudes bear witness ; and time, that great test 
of integrity, substantiates their testimony. The 
peculiar spirit and duties of piety, expressed 
in some of the domestic relations, she was 
never called to cultivate ; yet, save the im- 
perfections which cleave to all the people of 
God, was there nothing wanting in her re- 
ligious character, which evangelical views, a 
meek and quiet spirit, and a holy example are 
called to express amid the spoliations of sin 
and death. 

Her piety possessed highly important char- 
acteristics. It was intelligent without being 
speculative ; it was discriminatimg without 



42 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

bigotry. It was founded on God's truth, and 
while it was generous and charitable, it was 
at a ffreat remove from that fashionable and 
false liberality, which never distinguishes be- 
tween the precious and the vile, and which is 
no better than indifference to the claims of 
true godliness. She cared as little for denom- 
inational distinctions and unessential peculi- 
arities as any Christian living ; she revolted 
from that spirit of exclusiveness which is the 
prominent feature of some departments of the 
church of God ; but she had an eye quick to 
discern the form from the power of godliness, 
and a heart that felt deeply and mourned bit- 
terly over all departures from the faith as it is 
in Jesus. " I am often struck," she says, 
" with the blindness and stupidity of the world 
that lieth in wickedness ; but more struck 
with the inconsistencies of Christians. O how 
unworthily do they who profess to be the dis- 
ciples of the Lord Jesus, and to have renounced 
the world, walk of their vocation ! How do 
they wound their own consciences by their 
sinful compliance with the world and its max- 
ims ! O may I have grace and courage given 
to me to manifest myself on the Lord's side. 
Take from me the fear of man, and give me 
boldness in thy cause ! Blessed Jesus, let 
me never deny thee before men, but ever 
confess that thou art my strength and salva- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 43 

tion, my King and my God ! Teach me to 
know my own heart, and in thee find strength, 
peace, and joy." That some whom the world 
judge to be the people of God, and who are 
supposed to die the death of the righteous, 
she looked upon as his enemies, and dying 
without hope, is mournfully and truthfully ex- 
pressed in the following lines from her pen. 
" This day, on returning from church, my 
feelings were greatly shocked by hearing of 
the death of A. B., taken, I suppose, from 
everything that is desirable to the carnal 
heart, without one moment to prepare for the 
eternal world. O what an awful considera- 
tion that he was thus instantaneously removed 
from all the joys which this world could give, 
to eternal misery ! For, even in the judgment 
of charity, we can hope for no better things. 
May it lead his family to repentance !" She 
had no fellowship with religions that are rad- 
ically false ; she regarded them as subversive 
of the gospel of Christ — " another gospel" — and 
with all the delicacy of her feelings, and the 
urbanity of her deportment, she was con- 
strained to say, " My soul, come not thou into 
their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor 
be not thou united !" For several years of her 
life, she had an extensive acquaintance with 
Unitarians, and none know better than they, 
her utter dissent from their principles. Occa- 



44 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

sionally adverting to this subject in her man- 
uscripts, she says, " True it is, ' there shall be 
false teachers among you, denying the Lord 
that bought them.' At this day is this pro- 
phecy most remarkably fulfilled. The land is 
filled with this awful sin. They would tear 
the crown from the head of the Lord Jesus, by 
depriving Him of his glory as God ; they 
would bring Him to a level with themselves. 
They would take from the believer his only 
hope, by taking that away which gives effi- 
cacy to His sacrifice. O teach me, that in 
Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead j 
make me feel that my Redeemer is God man- 
ifest in the flesh. I humbly pray that thou 
would est preserve me from this awful error ; 
make the Lord Jesus more precious to my 
soul, and enable me to rest upon Him, as 
Jehovah, my righteousness !" Truth was 
dear to her. Man's native sinfulness and his 
total depravity ; the spirituality, purity, and 
binding force of the law^ of God, the true and 
proper divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the 
necessity and reality of His sacrifice and right- 
eousness, the efficiency and sovereignty of the 
Holy Spirit in the great work of regeneration 
and sanctification, the free and unembarrassed 
offers of the gospel to all, and the duty of all 
to accept this salvation, the necessity of per- 
sonal holiness to the justified, and the everlast- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 45 

inff retribution both of the riofhteoiis and the 
wicked, are doctrines that were dear to her 
heart, which promoted her spiritual edifica- 
tion, by which she lived, recommended the 
religion of Christ to the world, and led others 
to glorify her Father who is in heaven. 

There is no truth of which she was more 
deeply impressed than the deep depravity of 
the human heart, and the great doctrine of 
redemption by Christ. Her Diary is full of 
these truths. To present her views in her 
own language, would require a distinct vol- 
ume. Bitter, most bitter are her complaints 
of the desperate wickedness of her own 
heart. She often repeats the thought, that " if 
men saw their great wickedness and how 
they were at enmity with God, they would 
no longer wonder that they must be born 
again if they would enter into his kingdom. 
Her reflections in view of the communion 
table, at the table and afterwards, are as dis- 
tinguished for self-abasing view^s of herself, 
as of adoring views of her Saviour. In one 
place she says, " The description wiiicli the 
Scriptures give of the heart of man, I be- 
lieve, not only because God has uttered it, but 
because I feel it, and have daily reason to 
mourn over it." Again she says, " Whatever 
engaging qualities or virtues the natural man 
may possess, he can do nothing that is accept- 



46 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

able to God, because his heart is enmity itself 
against him; and however praiseworthy and 
holy he may appear in the sight of men, he is 
wholly polluted and abominable in the sight 
of God." Again she says, " O who has ever 
discovered the whole of his corruptness! who 
has ever dived to the bottom of this sink of 
pollution !" 

The distinctness of her views in regard to 
the way of salvation by Christ, is thus ex- 
pressed with sweet simplicity. The text she 
had been contemplating was the sprinkling of 
the blood of the Paschal Lamb. 



Grant, gracious God, that I may feel 
A sweet reliance on thy word ; 

That I may have the Spirit's seal, 
To mark me one of thine, Lord. 

may I live by faith alone, 

Upon the precious Son of God ; 

"Who left his ever glorious throne. 
And on our sinful earth abode. 

That in his body he might bear 

Our sins, and our iniquities ; 
And from his cross to all declare 

The truth and justice of God's ways. 

And this great sacrifice once made. 

His precious, cleansing blood once spilt, 

God's love and justice are displayed. 
In passing by the sinner's guilt. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 47 

Thus weary souls, by strong belief, 

In what their gracious Lord hath done, 

Will always find their sweet relief 
In God's coequal, glorious Son. 



She was habitually filled with hope, and 
peace, and joy in believing ; yet she was not 
presumptuous, but faithful in the duty of self- 
inspection, and in trying her own heart. There 
cannot be greater evidence of this fact than is 
furnished by the following extract from her 
private papers. 

" In God's presence, I desire to answer the 
following questions, and to answer them in 
the sincerity of my heart. 

" Question First: Do I make the approba- 
tion of God, or the applause of men, the very 
end and main design of my religious perform- 
ances ? Will the acceptance of my duties 
with them satisfy me, whether God accepts 
my duties and person, or not 1 

"• I trust I can most sincerely say, that the 
approbation of my gracious God is the supreme 
desire of my soul ; and that without this, the 
praise of men would be nothing and vanity — 
would inflict a wound, rather than prove bahii 
to my heart. Help me to search myself with 
diligence, and to examine myself with the 
severest scrutiny, that I may not be deceived 



48 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

in this all-important point of my spiritual 
standing. 

" Question Second : Is it the reproach and 
shame that now attend sin, and the danger 
and misery that will follow it hereafter, that 
restrain me from the commission of it ? or is 
it the fear of God in my soul, and the hatred 
of sin, as sin ? 

"God knows my heart, and whether I de- 
ceive myself or no, when I express the belief 
that it is his fear within me, and because sin 
is t^iat evil and bitter thing which he hateth, 
that I am restrained from it; that when I com- 
mit it, I grieve over it, as a transgression of 
his holy law, and a thing that defiles me in 
his sight ; and because it shuts out the light 
of his countenance from me, and causes me 
great heaviness of heart on account of his 
displeasure. O enable me continually to flee 
to the blood of sprinkling that I may be 
cleansed from this pollution ! 

" Question Third : Can I truly and heartily 
rejoice to see God's work carried on in the 
world, and his glory promoted by other hands, 
though I have no share in the credit and honor 
of it? 

" Yes, Lord, most sincerely do I rejoice 
when thy cause prospers in the earth ; and 
most sincerely do I love those whom thou art 
pleased to honor as instruments in promoting 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 49 

the great work of the salvation of sinners. 
Yet I do desire to be ready to co-operate with 
thee, if thou shouldest see fit to appoint to me 
any portion of labor in bringing about anything 
thou hast proposed for thine own glory, and 
the salvation of precious and immortal souls. 

" Question Fourth : Is there no religious 
duty so full of difficulty and self-denial, but I 
desire to perform it ; and is all the holy and 
good will of God acceptable to me though I 
cannot rise up with like readiness to the per- 
formance of all ? 

" No ; there is no duty I do not desire to 
comply with. There are some against which 
the flesh makes powerful resistance ; and un- 
less I have greater strength than my own, the 
flesh will prevail over the spirit. Hast thou 
not promised grace to help in the hour of 
need ? Hast thou not said, ' Seek and ye shall 
find V And shall I doubt thy word ? God 
forbid ! Unto thee will I look, and I shall 
never be confounded. The commandment is 
holy, just, and good. 

" Question fifth. Am I resolved to fol- 
low Christ and holiness, at all seasons; and 
however the aspect of the times may frown 
upon religion ? or do I carry myself so way- 
wardly and covertly as to shun all hazards; 
having a secret reserve in my heart to launch 
out no further than I may return with safety ? 

3 



50 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

This is contrary to the practice and resolution 
of upright souls. 

" I do resolve to follow Christ at all times. 
It is the sincere desire of my heart so to do. 
But I know the weakness, and fear the deceit- 
fulness of my heart, and tremble lest in the 
hour of temptation I should turn back to per- 
dition. Increase my faith ; invigorate my 
graces, and enable me to go forth in thy 
strength, that at what time I am afraid I may 
trust in thee, and not fear what man can do 
unto me ! I have no reserve, but would be 
wholly thine; to walk as becometh one who 
has named the name of Christ, and so conduct 
myself that those who see may take note of 
me that I have been with Jesus. 

" Question sixth : Do I make no conscience 
of committing secret sins, or of neglecting se- 
cret duties 1 or am I conscientious both in the 
one and in the other, according to the rules 
and patterns of integrity ? 

" If I know myself, the commission of secret 
sins, or the neglect of secret duties, gives me 
more pain than those faults which appear to 
the view of man, because I feel them as com- 
mitted against a pure and holy God, who can- 
not look upon iniquity. O keep my conscience 
tender before thee ! Let no one sin pass un- 
reproved by this faithful monitor. Give me a 
watchful and prayerful disposition of heart. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L, MURRAY, 51 

that I may detect the first risings of sin within 
my soul, and flee to Jesus, deeply sensible that 
if he wash me not, I have no part in him." 

Frequent self-inspection like this cannot fail 
of its recompense, whether it be in the detec- 
tion of false hopes, or in furnishing satisfactory 
evidence of true faith. How many things are 
suggested for spiritual improvement in such a 
train of thought ! How often in such seasons 
of self-examination, have the minds of God's 
people fresh discoveries of their own sinfulness 
and their Redeemer's grace ; how often do they 
become familiarized with richer varieties of his 
truth, while their hearts burn within them as 
he talks with them by the way. How often 
are they thus directed and assisted in their 
future course ; and instead of ministering to 
their pride and self-complacency, how often 
do such seasons fill them with a deeper hu- 
miliation before God, and stimulate them, as 
they did her, to a renewed application to the 
blood of sprinklitig, that while they there ob- 
tain peace of conscience, they may be brought 
to be more watchful, feel more their depend- 
ence, and become more devoted to the divine 
glory. 

The reflections of our departed friend, at the 
close of this review, deserve to be recorded. 
Thev are contained in the following brief 



52 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

prayer. " Adored be thy name, O Lord, that 
thou hast been pleased to vouchsafe me com- 
fort in this examination of my heart ! Espe- 
cially as it is in view of sitting down at the 
table of the Lord Jesus, which he spreads only 
for his dear children, whom he hath purchased 
by his precious blood, and whom he will make 
kings and priests unto God and his Father ! O 
search me by thy Spirit, as the candle of the 
Lord searcheth the inward parts ! Discover 
to me every hidden iniquity, that it may be 
brought forth. Let me not deceive myself, 
and only possess the hope of the hypocrite, 
which shall perish when God taketh away the 
soul ! Give me the hope which is as an anchor 
of the soul, sure and stedfast, and which enter- 
eth into that which is within the vail ; the hope 
which shall be swallowed in the vision of my 
Lord and Saviour, who is God over all blessed 
forevermore, and to whom is due all honor, 
glory, and power, world without end. Amen." 

" Descend blest Spirit, and direct my thoughts 
To things of high and holy import ; things 
Belonging to the precious, deathless soul — 
The everlasting part of mortal man, 
And man immortal — God's profoundest work. 
Guide me to pungent searchings of the heart. 
And trial of the reins. Uncover all 
The subtle wickedness which lies concealed 
From every eye but thine all penetrating. 
grant that I may see me as I am ; 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 53 

The head all sick, the conscious heart all faint, 
By reason of the universal sway 
Of sin within, there lurking like a 
Wily serpent, watching occasion fit 
To dash his venom'd fangs deep in those parts 
Most apt for the assault, and most exposed. 
O that this awful truth may strike my mind 
With urgent power ! drive me far out from self. 
And haste my flight to Him whose arm alone 
Can strike this soul-destroying reptile dead, 
And snatch me from the pit of endless woe. 

Oh ! blessed Jesus, may I look to thee, 
Expiring on the cross for guilty man ; 
Behold thy side pour forth the heaUng stream, 
And smite my breast, and cry with humble heart, 
Lord, be merciful to me a sinner ! 
And safe beneath the shadow of thy wings. 
Enclosed within the everlasting arms. 
No longer trusting to myself, but thee. 
Upon thy faithful bosom may I rest, 
Made more than conqueror, o'er death and sin, 
Inheriting a crown of endless hfe !" 

Yet with all this self-inspection and distrust 
she was a most happy Christian ; more uni- 
formly happy than the great mass of Christ's 
disciples. Her views were bright, her emo- 
tions joyous, and her duties, so far from being 
irksome, seemed always pleasant, and not the 
less so when they demanded persevering 
effort, and cost her no small degree of self- 
denial. The kingdom of God in her, and to 
her, w^as not " meat and drink, but righteous- 
ness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." 



54 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY, 

Religion did not make her gloomy. She never 
felt that to live for God and heaven, she must 
take a formal leave of joy. " To be a Chris- 
tian," she says, " is the highest blessedness a 
mortal can arrive at. It is to call God his Father. 
It is to be reconciled to him through the death 
of his Son. It is to enjoy his protection and 
favor, and have access to him in every trial. 
It comforts him in sorrow, makes all his bed 
in his sickness, and prepares him to die in tri- 
umph when the Master calls. It enables him 
to rejoice in the hope of his glory, and secures 
to him an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, 
and that fadeth not away." In more than 
twenty densely-written volumes of manu- 
scripts, there is to be found scarcely a pensive 
thought, save in her reflections upon the death 
of some beloved friend, ot the languid state of 
the church of God. There is scarcely a line 
of her sacred poetry that breathes a pensive 
spirit. It is rather in such strains as these : 

" Give me a holy, simple frame, 
A heart prepared for heaven, 
A tongue to praise thy glorious name. 
And sing of sins forgiven. 

" A soul enlarg'd with Jesus' love. 
And sprinkled with his blood, 
Array'd to join the saints above. 
In worship to my God. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 55 

" Where all is light, and life, and joy, 
Where peace forever reigns. 
Where endless praise is the employ, 
^ Throughout the heavenly plains." 

Sometimes she writes as follows : " This 
day my soul has been subdued, and my mind 
overwhelmed with a sense of the infinite per- 
fections of God. I have in a measure felt and 
realized jiiy own insignificance as a creature, 
and my vileness as a sinner, and have been 
lost and amazed in the contemplation of the 
glorious Being and Eternity of the Alpha and 
Omega, the beginning and the end of all 
things." Then on the next page she drops, 
her narrative, and sings, 

" Arise my soul, and wing thy flight 
To regions pure and blest, 
Where dwells in everlasting light, 
My Saviour God confess'd. 

" There may I time my harp of gold. 
And chaunt my heavenly strain. 
And joy that not the half was told, 
Of Him who once was slain. 

" glorious prospect, blessed hope ! 
Which bears my fainting spirit up. 
Which takes the ills of life away. 
And points to everlasting day !'* 

Then again she utters such triumphant 
thoughts as these : — " I will praise thee while 
I have my breath. Thou hast dealt bounti- 



56 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

fully with me ; thou hast put gladness in my 
heart, more than when the oil and wine of the 
wicked are increased ! Thou hast been pleased 
to make me the instrument of good, and my 
soul is made to rejoice. Bless the Lord, O 
my soul! and all that is within me, bless 
his holy name ! When God gives peace, who 
shall give trouble. Who is a God like unto 
thee, that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by 
the transgression of the remnant of his heri- 
tage, and retaineth not his anger forever, be- 
cause he delighteth in mercy ! The Lord 
reigneth, let the earth rejoice. In thee will I 
trust, and shall never be confounded. The 
Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He is 
my high tower and the rock of my salvation. 
I shall be safe ; he is my righteousness and 
strength, therefore I shall not come into con- 
demnation. Bless the Lord, O my soul !" 

Even pensive scenes were gilded by her 
hopeful mind with peace and joy. The fol- 
lowing are her reflections on the death of her 
beloved friend. Miss Ann Eustick : " The 
friend of my youth is gone ; she with whom I 
have often taken sweet counsel ; who wept 
with me when I wept, and who rejoiced with 
me when I rejoiced; and whose heart was one 
with mine. But shall I murmur ! Shall I 
grieve, that she is freed from the clogs of earth, 
and treads the streets of the heavenly city ? 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 57 

Rather let me follow hard after her, who, 
through faith and patience, inherits the prom- 
ises. 

" Why should I mourn, that, throned in bliss, 
She dwells amid the upper skies ! 
Why weep, when perfect blessedness 
Attends her spirit as it flies ! 

" There robed in garments dazzling white. 
The palm of triumph in her hand. 
She bows before that throne of light, 
Round which the flaming seraphs stand. 

" Now all the sorrows of lier life 
Seem but the tokens of His love, 
Who bore for her the bitter strife 
That she might ever rest above, 

" And sing throughout an endless day. 
Loud Allelujahs to the Lamb, 
Who washed her sins and stains away, 
And marked her with His glorious name." 

In the early part of this memoir, allusion 
was made to a thought which she sometimes 
uttered, that " she should almost think it a 
waste of time to sleep without dreaming." 
It is a delightful indication of her piety, that 
the religious enjoyments of her waking hours 
were not absent from her dreams. Her surviv- 
ing sister remarks, that, " from a number of 
sweet dreams she related to me, I believe she 
often had nearer access to God when thus ab- 
stracted from the body, than in her waking 

3* 



58 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

hours." We may be indulged in introducing 
two or three instances which illustrate this 
agreeable state of mind. On entering the 
parlor one morning, she said, smiling, "I have 
been preaching last night for Dr. S. ; and I 
wish I could exhort as well when I ought to 
do it in reality." At another time, she said, 
" I dreamed last night that I was invited to 
preach in the old Dutch Church. It troubled 
me greatly at first, and I thought it impossible 
to comply with the request. But on further 
reflection, deeming it my duty, and thinking 
that very few persons there would know me, 
I was induced to consent. And I thought I 
experienced wonderful enlargement both in 
preaching and prayer. And when I was in- 
formed that much good resulted from my re- 
luctant labors, I felt rewarded for the self- 
denial I had practiced." Her diary records 
several instances of the same general kind. 
In another place she whites, " Last night, when 
sleep had excluded all outward objects, I 
dreamed that having some duty to perform in 
the church, in the performance of which I was 
extremely exhausted, and finding no place for 
repose, I was invited by one to go with him 
where I should be sure to find good. On com- 
plying with the invitation, I soon found myself 
at the threshold of a door upon wiiich they 
were laying a stone. I felt a little timidity 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 59 

when I first set my foot upon it, as it did not 
seem perfectly secure. But a friendly hand 
was offered me saying, Fear not to enter this 
hospitable roof; upon which I answered and 
said, Yes, and he thy so7is and daughters. The 
approach was much encumbered with rubbish ; 
but this soon disappeared, and I was intro- 
duced into a magnificent apartment. But 
weary and heavy laden, I sank upon a sofa, 
and for some time seemed almost in an agony. 
But presently the most delicious refreshments 
of the finest fruits were brought to me, and 
my spirit revived within me, and I felt my 
strength increased. Even in my sleep I spir- 
itualized these things ; and since, in my wak- 
ing hours, my mind has dwelt agreeably upon 
them. It appears to me like passing over 
the threshold of the grave, and walking 
through the dark valley of the shadow of 
death, which leads to those realms of light 
and bliss where the trials of mortality are 
over, and where the weary find rest ; where 
the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne 
wall lead his people, and lead them to living 
fountains of water, and cause them to eat of 
the fruit of the Tree of Life. Though at first 
I was timid and afraid, a friendly hand was 
vouchsafed, and I entered with confidence. I 
was refreshed, revived, and strengthened. O 
that this may be an earnest of that confidence 



60 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

and peace, which my Heavenly Father will 
grant me in the trying hour, showing forth his 
power in the weakest of his creatures !" At 
another time she speaks of a dream, in which 
she had a personal view of the Saviour ; was 
instructed by him, and comforted, and led by 
his gentle hand in green pastures, and by the 
still waters. Her mind seemed thus ever bent 
on spiritual things. 



CHAPTER IV. 

EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY AND HER DEVOUT 
MEDITATIONS. 

Miss Murray kept a diary, and also a book 
of meditations upon religious subjects. The 
latter furnishes many valuable thoughts, writ- 
ten on particular occasions ; the former was, 
with some interruptions, her daily employment, 
and more especially that of every Lord's day, 
and generally consists of thoughts upon some 
selected portion of the sacred writings. Of 
both of these, the following may serve as a 
bare specimen. 

" If any man will come after me, says our 
Divine Lord, let him take up his cross, and fol- 
low me. Those who live godly in Christ 
Jesus, must meet the derision of the world ; 
they must maintain a continual warfare. We 
should not wish to alter the terms of disciple- 
ship. They are not the maxims of the world 
that should govern us. We must disclaim 
them ; we must silence them ; and welcome 
the laws of Christ. The work of self-denial 



62 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

includes the whole of practical Christianity. 
The cross is the emblem of ignominy and suf- 
fering; it was so to the Saviour, it must be 
so to us. We must watch, we must contend, 
we must endure. And thanks be to God, 
who giveth us the victory, through our Lord 
Jesus Christ !" 

" / heard thy voice in the garden, and I was 
afraid, because I was nahed ; and I hid myself. 
Thus it is when God speaks to the guilty con- 
science. It seeks to hide itself, for fear of his 
just judgments. It runs from God when it 
ought to run to him. O whither shall I go 
from thy Spirit, or flee from thy presence ! 
Blessed be thy name, there is a city of refuge, 
not in fleeing from him, but to him, and no 
angel sword guards the entrance. Do thou 
grant, that when I hear thy voice, I may not 
be afraid, but come to thee as a dutiful child, 
repentant, yet hoping in thy mercy." 

" God is a spirit, and they that ivorship him 
must worship him in spirit and in truth. He 
will not accept the worship of the lips, with- 
out the worship of the heart. He has said it 
is an abomination. He cannot be deceived 
and he will not be mocked. All the churches 
shall know that he searcheth the reins and 
trieth the hearts. O Lord, forgive the sins of 
my holy things and holy times !" . 

" Jesus answered him, if I wash thee not, thou 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 63 

hast no part with me. Forgiveness is not all 
that Christ bestows ; I must be cleansed too 
by his atoning blood. He would not forgive, 
but to redeem a peculiar and holy people. 
He never saves in sin, but from it. O wash 
me, that I may be clean ; that I may walk 
with thee in white, having my robe made 
white in the blood of the Lamb!" 

In her short exposition of passages of scrip- 
ture, there are not a few which express a pe- 
culiar turn of thought ; and though they may 
not all bear the scrutiny of a rigid exegesis, 
there are some among them that are worth 
transcribing. " WJiat doest thou here, Elijah 1 
God often speaks to me in this language. 
When I throw myself into situations unfavor- 
able to growth in grace, I think I hear him 
saying unto me, ' What doest thou here V 
When I am induced to comply with the sinful 
customs of the world, I hear him saying, 
' What doest thou here V When I wander 
in any way from the footsteps of the flock, 
or into forbidden pastures, I hear him say- 
ing, ' What doest thou here V " — So in the 
passage, There shall no stranger eat thereof, 
" This was God's command to Moses respect- 
ing the passover. In like manner, now, all 
who are strangers to God, cannot be worthy 
partakers of Christ, our Passover, who was 



64 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

sacrificed for us." On the declaration of God 
to Moses, While my glory passeth hy, I will 
put thee in the deft of the rock, and I will cover 
thee with my hand while I pass by, she remarks, 
" Those who are in Christ Jesus can behold 
God's glory and live. This rock shelters them 
from that awful display of the divine perfec- 
tions vs^hich would confound and annihilate 
them. Here we behold enough of them to 
fill us with joy and rejoicing, and to lead us to 
look for the day when we shall be like him, 
for we shall see him as he is. 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in thee !" 

On the passage. My time is not yet come, but 
yours is always ready, she observes, " What 
encouragement is this for us to continue ear- 
nest and instant in prayer, that to Him who 
hears prayer our time is always ready ! We 
must always pray, and not faint. The time 
of God will come, though it may not be when 
we expect it. He will answer our prayers 
when he sees it best for us and for his own 
glory. It is good both to hope and quietly 
wait for the salvation of God." On the pas- 
sage, / defy the armies of Israel this day, she 
writes, " This was the challenge of the giant 
Goliath to the children of Israel. So the great 
enemy of souls now defies the armies of the 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 65 

living God, and many tremble lest he should 
prevail against them. But the race is not to 
the swift, nor the battle to the strong. Youth- 
ful David, with his sling and stone may confi- 
dently go to the combat with his giant adver- 
sary ; but like him, those who go must put off 
the armor of Saul. Self must be renounced, 
and they must go forth in the name of the 
Lord, trusting to his mighty arm for deliver- 
ance. They shall come off conquerors through 
him that loved them. They shall never be 
confounded, but shout, The battle is the Lord's; 
thine arm hath given us the victory ! Saul 
said to David, Thou art not able to go out and 
fight with this Philistine, for thou art but a 
youth. True, the disparity is great, but 
greater is He that is for us, than they w ho are 
against us. Give me but the whole armor of 
God, and I shall yet say with the triumphant 
apostle, I have fought a good fight, I have 
finished my course, I have kept the faith ; 
henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of 
righteousness which the Lord the righteous 
Judge will give me at that day, and not to me 
only, but to all who love his appearing." 
Thoughts and turns of thought like these, are 
quite characteristic of her mind, and are beau- 
tiful illustrations of its spirituality and devout 
tendencies. 

There is one feature of her piety that de- 



66 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

serves particular notice, especially in view of 
the fact that she was so extensively and inti- 
mately connected, in her domestic relations, 
with the society of Friends, whose views of 
the positive institutions of Christianity dif- 
fer from our own. Her attachment to Chris- 
tian institutions was ardent and strong. The 
Sabbath was to her a day of rest, a day of holi- 
ness, a day of high spiritual enjoyment.' In 
turning over the pages of her diary, which 
was continued for more than thirty years, 
nothing has impressed my mind more delight- 
fully, than her sacred regard for the Lord's 
day. At home and abroad, at the sea-side, 
amid the mountains, at the great watering- 
places, and amid those scenes of leisure and re- 
laxation where so many professed Christians 
dishonor the sacred name whereby they are 
called, her reverence for the Sabbath was more 
than respectful and decorous; it was devout 
and spiritual. With great uniformity, she in- 
dulged herself in writing out the reflections 
of her own mind with every returning Day 
of the Son of Man. Everywhere scattered 
throughout her writings, are thoughts of which 
the following furnish a scanty specimen. 

" Often have I been ready to exclaim with 
the Psalmist, Hoiu amiable are thy tahernades, 
Lord of hosts, and to feel that it was good 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 67 

for me to have waited upon God. I feel these 
refresliings as from God's own presence, and 
delight to go up to His house of prayer. 

" I love to tread thy courts, Lord, 
Where all unite in praise ; 
I love to hear thy holy word. 
My heart in prayer to raise. 

*' Thy blessing grant, God of love, 
On all these means of grace ; 
And may my soul refreshings prove, 
From God my Righteousness. 

" may I feel the humble joy 
Of many sins forgiven ; 
And, through thy grace, these days employ, 
To fit my soul for heaven." 

After hearing a discourse from these words, 
" A man shall be an hiding-place from the 
storm and a covert from the tempest," she re- 
tired to her chamber and hastily penned the 
following lines : — 

" blessed Jesus, wilt thou prove, 
A hiding-place to me, 
When winds and wrath from God above, 
Would make me trembhng flee ? 

" wilt thou be my covert. Lord, 
When sinful tempests beat; 
Teach me to trust thy holy word, 
And stand in thee complete ? 

*' glorious Saviour, by thy grace 
My fainting soul revive ; 
As rivers to a parched place. 
New strength and vigor give. 



68 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

" And wliile I journey here below, 

Through this dark vale of tears, 
Thy mighty arms around me throw, 

And quiet all my fears : 
And then thy presence shall be made 
As a high rock's refreshing shade." 

At another time, she writes as follows: — 
" Keep holy the Sahbath dmj. How imperfectly 
is this command obeyed, even by God's own 
children ! Almost as soon as w^e leave thy 
temple, the world occupies our thoughts ; yet 
ought we not think our own thoughts on this 
holy day. O that I may keep the day holy ; 
that it may be my delight, and honorable in 
my eyes ! This morning I besought the Lord 
in my closet, that when I w^ent up to his house 
of prayer, I might hear a w^ord in season to my 
soul. And, blessed be his name, a word was 
sent that thrilled through my heart. I felt 
reproached and condemned : I saw how it was 
with me : I had been seeking comfort, rather 
than humility and holiness. I thank thee, O 
my Father, for the privileges of this Sabbath. 
May those who cavil be brought to sit humbly 
at the foot of the cross and there adore !" 

Again she writes thus : " He was in the spirit 
on the Lord's Day. So I desire to be found on 
this holy day ; ready to do God's will, and 
not my own. I would have my mind taken 
off from the perishing things of time and sense. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 69 

and centred in Jesus, the perfection of beauty ! 
May I be prepared by thy Holy Spirit to go 
up to thine house of prayer, and to worship 
thee who art a spirit, in spirit and in truth ! 
O may I be sensible of my un worthiness and 
sinfulness, and have the spirit of grace and 
supplications poured out upon me, that I may 
wrestle with thee for the power of that Holy 
Spirit of thine to come down upon the people, 
which alone can render ordinances effectual !" 
In many, very many instances, she breathes 
forth her heavenly emotions in strains like 
these : — 

" Behold another of thy days 
Has dawned upon my soul ; 
O may it b-e employed in praise, 
Bej'ond the world's control. 

" May no unhallowed thought intrude 
Upon its sacred rest ; 
But may each hour be spent with God, 
In sweet communion blest. 

" may I taste a Saviour's love, 
And in his presence live. 
Anticipate the joys above, 
And praise and glory give. 

" Thus shall thy sabbaths here below 
Prepare my soul to rise 
To those piu-e strains blest spirits know. 
Who dwell above the skies." 

The character of a man's piety depends in 



70 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

no small degree upon the affectionate and 
devout regard he pays to the sabbath. I have 
never known an individual, male or female, 
whose notions and practice were loose on this 
great subject, that gave evidence of fervent 
piety. Of all sabbath-breakers it may be said 
with truth, " Their spot is not the spot of 
God's children ;" yet is it deeply afflictive, 
and mournfully ominous, that there are so 
many who, in the judgment of charity, must 
be esteemed Christians, who, if a sacred ob- 
servance of the sabbath were the only proof 
of their piety, are weighed in the balance and 
found wanting. In the circles of fashion and 
wealth, like those occupied by Miss Murray, 
a regard to the claims of this holy day, such 
as she so uniformly manifested, is not a cir- 
cumstance of ordinary occurrence. Yet how 
lovely the example ! how" subduing, how at- 
tractive the influence ! how sweet the radiance 
thrown over female piety, when it thus re- 
flects the lustre of the sun of righteousness, 
as, with healing in his beams, he rises weekly 
on this cold dark world ! Mothers and their 
daughters have a deep interest, and they have 
great power in preserving the sanctity of the 
Christian Sabbath. 

Her attachment to the scriptures and to the 
Christian ministry was not less exemplary. A 
hundred times repeated in her writings do I 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 71 

find the thought recorded, " Blessed be thy 
name for a stated and faithful ministry !" 
"What shall I render unto the Lord, that he 
has given us pastors after his own heart, who 
feed us with knowledge and understanding !" 
" Fearful is the doom of those against whom 
the sentence has gone forth, Behold the days 
come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a 
famine in the land ; not a famine of bread, nor 
a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the 
words of the Lord. What terrible words 
are these, and what a pitch of iniquity must 
that people have reached before such judg- 
ments are executed upon them !" / would 
rather he a door-kee'per in the house of the Lord, 
than dwell in the tents of wickedness. " The 
meanest place among the children of God is 
better than to be exalted to the height of 
worldly grandeur. I am thankful that I can 
truly unite w ith the Psalmist in saying, that I * 
have found more solid pleasure and more real 
enjoyment in the service of God, and in his 
holy ordinances, than I have ever found in all 
the amusements of this seducing world." On 
the subject of the Holy Scriptures, she writes 
as follows : " How much are those persons the 
losers who neglect to read the Holy Scrip- 
tures ! How strange that those who thirst 
for knowledge, should seek it everywhere but 
in the very place where it is most certainly 



72 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

to be found ! It is amazing that even curiosity 
should not lead them to read God's word; 
and that they should have so little desire to 
know what the infinite and unerring Intelli- 
gence reveals, giving us an account of the ear- 
liest times, and of creation itself. But how 
much greater this infatuation, when we con- 
sider that the scriptures disclose truths that 
are able to make us wise unto salvation, that 
they reveal the words of eternal life, and un- 
fold to us the glory of God in the face of Jesus 
Christ ! I am thankful that each day's study 
of them brings forth something new and at- 
tractive to my mind. ' Who teacheth like 
him V Do thou, holy and ever-blessed Spirit, 
open mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous 
things out of thy law !" 

Few Christians, few especially in the higher 
circles of wealth and fashion, were more cau- 
tious than she in their conformity to the world. 
To have seen her away from home, no one 
would have conjectured that she was rich. 
She was very far from entering into the spirit 
of the world ; she had no love for its follies, 
and no extravagant notions to gratify. " The 
love of human grandeur is a great enemy to 
peaceT " With these words I awoke this 
morning," she says, " and humbly pray that 
the truth of them may be deeply impressed on 
my mind. Thou, Lord, not only puttest words 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 73 

into our mouths, but thoughts into our heads. 

do thou be pleased to shoAv me the vanity of 
loving anything here below with an inordinate 
love. He who came down from heaven took 
upon him the form of a servant ; he who was 
rich, for our sakes became poor. Those who 
had great possessions, for the most part declined 
to follow him. The love of human grandeur 
blinds the eyes, so that they cannot behold the 
glory of God, nor see their undone state, nor 
the necessity of that grace by which alone they 
can be restored to the divine favor. O that I 
may be kept from this snare by deep humility 
of soul ; by being made sensible that whatever 

1 possess was received from Thee ; that thou 
canst in a moment take it from me ; that I am 
less than the least of all thy mercies, and that 
thou hast a right to do what thou wilt with 
thine own. Make me thankful that thou hast 
given me a heart to use it to thy glory, and that 
my soul desireth thee for her portion !" Such 
thoughts as these are precious thoughts; 
earthly comforts are a great blessing when 
their possessor is sensible that they are held 
by such a tenure, and for such ends. She ex- 
presses similar views in some remarks upon 
the words, A?id I was afraid, and went and hid ■ 
thy talent in the earth. How deep should these 
words sink into my heart ! " How should I re- 
member in how rich a manner God has blessed 

4 



74 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

me ill all temporal things, and how much he 
has a right to expect from me. My earnest 
prayer is that I may be enabled to employ all 
the gifts which God has bestowed upon me, 
both natural and adventitious, to his glory, to 
the good of my fellow-creatures, and the 
everlasting benefit of my own soul !" A few 
pages onward in the same volume, she writes, 
*'How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange 
la7id ? The captive Israelites felt that they 
could not do this in the midst of their ene- 
mies. This soul-exalting service cannot be en- 
joyed in the midst of this vain and dissipated 
world. It is a strange land. The powers of 
the soul are weakened, discouraged, and pal- 
sied by the seductions of earth. It is when 
the King of Zion brings again the captivity of 
his people, that they sing the Lord's song, and 
are enabled to say, thou hast broken the bands 
of my enemies asunder, thou hast brought 
me out into a large place ; therefore will I 
trust in Thee, and praise thy great and glo- 
rious name !" Much in the same strain are 
her thoughts upon that demand of the youthful 
Jesus to his Mother, Wist ye not that I must he 
about my Father's business ? " This furnishes 
us with an answer when our worldly friends 
seek us in the haunts of dissipation, and are 
astonished at not finding us. We have some- 
where else to go, and better work to perform. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 75 

It will not be long before we shall be called 
to our last account ; nor would be called to it 
from those scenes of gayety where they seek to 
find us. O give me grace, that I may be en- 
abled to feel, that notwithstanding all the ob- 
stacles which the world, the flesh, and the 
devil may throw in my way, God is with me !" 
Very delightful, also, are her few and pithy 
remarks on the passage. Lord we have left all, 
and followed thee. " And what did the Master 
say to this ? Ye which have followed me in 
the regeneration, shall sit upon twelve thrones, 
judging the twelve tribes of Israel. What a 
glorious recompense for quitting that which 
does not satisfy, to be thus exalted to an ever- 
lasting throne!" Again she writes, "I am 
afraid of the influence of the world ; for I 
have daily more deep experience of the awful 
truth, from what passes within me, and from ob- 
servation upon those I behold around me, that 
the heart is deceitful above all thi?igs, and despe- 
ratelij wicked''' 



CHAPTER V. 



HER SACRED HYMNS. 



" O Fcither, gracious was that word which closed 
Thy sovereign sentence, that man should find grace : 
In which both heaven and earth shall high extol 
Thy praises, with innumerable sound 
Of hymns and sacred songs, wherewith thy throne 
Encompassed, shall resound thee ever blest." 



We could not, without doing injustice to 
the memory of her we so much love, nor with- 
out deranging the order of her own devout re- 
flections, suppress the insertion of some of her 
sacred songs in the course of the preceding nar- 
rative. In our own judgment, there is less true 
poetnj in her sacred, than her miscellaneous 
writings ; her thoughts expressed in blank 
verse, are quite as poetical as when expressed 
in the harmonious succession of sounds. She 
evidently penned her sacred songs with great 
rapidity, and sometimes they evince a want 
of care in the composition. We do not claim 
for her a place among the most distinguished 
poets. She never rose to the summit of Par- 
nassus : nor was she content to rove about 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 77 

its base. Her progress was upward ; the 
atmosphere was one she lov^ed to breathe; 
she plucked its choice flowers and fruits, and 
regaled herself amidst its fragrance. While 
the severity of criticism may find deficiencies 
in her poetry ; yet the courtesy of criticism 
will find beauties. She did not write for the 
public eye; indeed rarely did she write for 
any other eye than her own. The specimens 
of her poetic talent may not throw the reader 
into raptures ; yet they will be acceptable to 
him, as expressions of an amiable mind, and a 
heart endued with great purity and tenderness. 
Some of it, if we mistake not, deserves a high 
place in that species of composition to which 
it belongs. She wrote too much, and revised 
too little of what she wrote. Yet in some, 
even of her most hasty effusions, she wrote 
with taste and thought, and as one who deeply 
felt not only the impressions made by what- 
ever is beautiful and great in nature and art, 
but still more deeply the impressions made by 
God's truth. There is no affectation or con- 
ceit about them ; and even in the more studied, 
there is very little artificial diction. The fol- 
lowing specimens will be valued. 



78 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 



THOUGHTS ON THE PRAISE OF THE UPPER WORLD. 

" Hark how they sing ! 'tis heaven to hear 
Those strains divine that strike my ear : 
Ye blessed saints around the throne, 
When shall I make your song my own ? 
And learn that hymn your voices raise, 
To our belov'd Immanuel's praise ? 
And leaving hope and faith, arise 
To blest fruition in the skies ! 
To be with God ; — this is my heaven : 
To feel my sins are all forgiven ; 
To hear my Saviour call me his, 
This is indeed celestial bliss." 



FAITH EXPECTING. 

" for that faith whiclT soars above 

The passing things of time and sense ; 
Which centres in the God of love, 
And draws enduring comforts thence ! 

" Which pierces through this veil of gloom. 
And fixes with a stedfast eye 
Upon the glorious world to come 
With all its blest reality 

" Which makes the spirit long to trace 
The trackless paths along the sky, 
To feel the Saviour's sweet embrace. 
And on his faithful bosom lie. 

" There blest with rapt'rous vision bright. 
And full enjoyment of the Lord, 
Faith shall be swallow'd up in sight. 
And God forever be adored. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 79 



GOD'S DAY OF REST. 



" This is the day the Lord hath made 
Let saints on earth rejoice. 
In Jesus' righteousness array'd 
To raise their grateful voice. 

" Lord, our Father, and our God, 
Thou wilt our claim allow. 
While sprinkled with a Saviour's blood. 
Before thy throne we bow. 

" Send down thy Spirit from above 
To melt these hearts of stone, 
T' imbue them with that holy love 
Which fills and swells thine own. 

*' Thy wondrous name we then shall praise 
That strange mysterious One, 
While our exulting voice we raise. 
To Father, Spirit, Son." 



THE GOOD PART. 
" To roll my burdens on the Lord, 
Obey the precepts of his word, 
To make the promises my own. 
To live by saving faith alone. 

" This is the comfort of my heart. 
This is that good, that blessed part 
Which earth, nor hell can take away, 
Which lasts throughout an endless day." 



GOD IN CHRIST. 

" Thou art my God, and thou my King ; 
To thee I bo\/, of thee I sing ; 



80 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

My soul would plume her wings, and fly 
To see thy glorious majesty. 

" Thou holy, great, and perfect One, 
Who mak'st eternal light thy throne. 
Thou self- existent, happy, blest. 
Alone in Jesus art confess 'd. 

" In this sweet name is all my hope. 
He drank for me the bitter cup ; 
And dying, shed his precious blood 
To purify my soul for God. 

" Spirit of grace, descend and dress 
My soul in Jesus' righteousness. 
That thus complete in faith and love, 
I may ascend to joys above." 



THE WOMAN WHO WAS A SINNER. 

" Behold the sinner, Mary, now. 
Before her gracious Saviour bow. 
Low on the earth the suppliant lies. 
Her bosom heaving with its sighs. 

" She bathes with her repentant tears 
His feet, and wipes them with her hairs ; 
Her soul flows out in melting love, 
While Jesus bids her sins remove. 

" Lord, let me hear thy cheering voice. 
Go, daughter ; be at peace ; rejoice ; 
For I have made thy sins depart, 
And sanctified thy stubborn heart. 

" grant that this rich love of thine 
May animate and kindle mine ; 
Until my wiUing soul shall be 
Devoted, gracious Lord, to thee." 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 81 

THE CHRISTIAN'S PANOPLY. 

" Come, Christian Soldier, take thine arms, 
Which are of heavenly temper pure. 
That thou may'st stand 'mid all alarms, 
And fight, of victoiy secure. 

" Come, gird thy loins with truth about. 

And righteousness thy breastplate make ; 
And for the sandals of thy feet. 
The gospel preparation take. 

" But over all the shield of faith 

Keep with a stedfast soul upheld. 
That while thou tread'st this troubled path, 
Satan's fierce darts may be repelled. 

" Salvation let thy helmet be. 

And take the precious wo7-d of God — 
The Spirit's sword, that, used by thee, 
Thine enemies may be destroyed. 

" And with a watchful spirit pray, 
That he who gives the victory 
Would guard thee in this dread aflfray, 
And make thee more than conqueror be." 



THOUGHTS IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE UNLOOKED-FOR 
DEATH OP E. M. AND HER TWO CHILDREN. 

" Death calls, and we must go, prepared or not ; 
And stand before thine a^vful presence Lord ; 
Awful indeed to those who have not wash'd. 
Their robes, and made them white in Jesus' blood. 
Who have not made their own that righteousness 
Which justifies the sinner in thy sight. 
And bids him stand complete in Christ the Lord. 
4* 



82 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

For out of Christ thou art devouring fire 
To all the proud, rebellious race of man. 
And when their time of bitter anguish comes, 
Thou who art seated in the heavens will laugh, 
Mock at their fears, and have them in derision ; 
And with the besom of destruction sweep 
Them and their fruitless labors from the earth. 
To th' abode of fiends, to die the death. 

How mad ! how desp'rate then, our transient race, 
To hurry through this day of visitation, 
Without a thought of the eventful future ! 
The soul, absorb'd in pleasure's vain pursuit, 
Too busy with its plans of fleeting life 
To stop and contemplate its closing scene. 
Or glance one thought toward the world to come ! 
And nothing checks this phrenzy of the mind. 
This strange infatuation, but the dread 
Approach of the last ghastly messenger, 
"Whose fatal summons cannot but be heard. 
And must inevitably be obeyed. 

But 0, with what a different aspect comes 
This dreaded foe to those who have thro' faith. 
Laid hold upon the Saviour's finished work ; 
Who feel that they are nothing, yet may come 
With holy boldness to a throne of grace. 
And plead the perfect righteousness of Him 
Who gave himself a ransom for their souls ! 
To such he wears the semblance of a friend — 
A kind conductor to their father's house ; 
And seems as but the gate of endless life. 
The narrow passage to eternal bliss. 
grant, thou mighty God, that to my view 
This king of terrors may be thus transformed; 
And I, rejoicing, sing, grave, where is 
Thy victory ! death, where is thy sting !" 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 83 

THE SABBATH. 

*• With joy I see thy day return — 
This day of holy rest : 
may my soul with rapture burn, 
By thine own presence blest. 

*' May I ascend thy courts of praise, 
And with the saints unite, 
A song of holy love to raise 
To him who dwells in hght ! 

" may my heart, with childlike fear. 
Draw nigh to thee, my God ; 
And breathe its humble, contrite prayer 
Through faith in Jesus' blood ! 

" Thus aided by thy grace divine, 
My soul shall mount on high ; 
And wing'd by heavenly love, shall join 
The anthems of the sky." 



LIFE IN CHRIST. 

" Thanks to the Father for the Son, 
This precious gift of love, 
That guilty and rebellious man 
His pard'ning grace might prove. 

" May I in Christ forever dwell, 
And in this ark abide. 
Safe from the powers of earth and hell, 
And my own heart beside ; 

" Till, freed from this my house of clay, 
My spirit shall ascend. 
Where God his glories shall display 
In Christ the sinner's friend. 



84 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

" And there forever sing his praise. 
Who died that I might Hve, 
And daily higher anthems raise. 
And nobler praises give." 



RISE, MY SOUL. 

" that my soul could mount on high, 
And leave the things of time and sense, 
Pierce through the cloud with faith's clear eye. 
And view the saint's rich recompense ! 

" Then raptur'd with the glorious sight, 
She would no longer grovel here ; 
But soar with ever new delight, 
And mingle with the spirits there, 

"Who daily hold communion sweet. 
With him who lives and reigns, 
Who cast their crowns before his feet, 
And praise him in angelic strains. 

" Lord, wash me, and I shall be clean. 
Anoint mine eyes, and I shall see; 
And then no cloud shall intervene. 
To hide my precious Lord from me." 



ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHTH PSALM. 

" praise the Lord, ye Heavens above. 
Praise him from every height : 
Praise him, ye Angels round his throne. 
Who dwell in purest light ! 

" Praise him, thou glorious Sun, whose beams 
Are felt to nature's base. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 85 

And thou fair moon, and ye high stars, 
Send forth your nightly praise. 

" In strains divine, ye vajD'ry clouds, 
Your Maker's works approve ; 
In gentle praises, soft descend, 
Ye waters from above. 

" let them praise the name of God, 

Who brought them into light ; 
Who spake the word, and firm they stood, 
In glorious beauty bright. 

" O praise the Lord, from this our earth. 
Ye dragons of the deep. 
Fire, hail, and snow, and stormy wind, 
That his commandments keep. 

" Ye mountains, and ye little hills. 
Send up your bleating praise ; 
Ye cedars tall, and fruitful trees. 
On high your branches raise. 

" Ye heasts that in the forest roam, 
Ye cattle of the field. 
And every fowl, and creeping thing. 
Your simple praises yield. 

" bless the Lord, ye kingly powers, 
And all ye people join ; 
Ye judges of the earth, proclaim, 
His majesty divine. 

" Ye blooming youth, exalt his name 
Who makes your strength increase ; 
Ye aged, all his wonders tell, 

Who crowns your days with peace. 

" let the ivhole creation join, 
In one loud song of praise 



86 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

To God, the great and glorious God, 
Whose pow'r the world displays. 

" Who bids his •people tmst in him. 
Who fills his saints with joy ; 
His praise in nobler strains above 
Shall be their sweet employ 1" 



COMPOSED FOR A CHILD. 

" precious Saviour ! thou hast said, 
Let little children come to me ; 
I'll pour my blessings on their head. 
And cleanse them from iniquity. 

" Then let me come my dearest Lord, 
let a child thy promise plead ; 
Fulfil to me thy faithful word, 

And o'er ray heart thy graces shed ! 



ON READING SOME LINES IN A NEWSPAPER, AN- 
NOUNCING THE DEATH OF A FRIEND. 

•' they have left thy brightest fame untold, 
Obsured it, hid its purest, finest gold ; 
Thou didst delight to bear the Christian name. 
And felt within its glowing, heavenly flame. 
Which bade thee humbly bow before that Power, 
Who had preserved thee in each trying hour : 
Whose love was shed abroad within thy heart. 
Directing thee to choose that better part. 
Which neither life, nor death, nor earthly good. 
Can take from those wash'd in the Saviour's blood. 
This was thy glory, this thy bright renown. 
In death thy comfort, and in heaven thy crown,." 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 87 

VERSIFICATION OF A PART OF THE FORTY-THIRD 
CHAPTER OF ISAIAH. 

" Israel, be not thou dismayed, 
My servant Jacob, fear not thou ; 
I am thine all-sufficient aid, 

Thy shield to ward off every blow. 

" When through the waters thou dost go, 
I will uphold thee by my power ; 
Nor shall the rivers fiercely flow. 
But I will guide thee safely o'er. 

"And if amid the fire thou tread. 

Thou shalt not feel its burning heat. 
Nor shall the flame upon thy head 
E'er with its scorching fervor beat. 

" For am I not the Lord, thy God, 
The Holy One of Israel named. 
Thy Saviour, who with precious blood. 
Thy soul from death and hell redeem'd ? 

" thou who Israel didst uphold. 

And who didst guard him all his way. 
Me in thine arms of love enfold, 

And keep me near thee, lest I stray." 



THE CLOSING VERSES OF THE PROPHECY OF 
HABAKKUK. 

" What though the fig-tree blossom not. 
Nor fruit upon the vine appear ; 
What though the olive fail to sprout, 
The fields to yield the golden ear : 

" What though the tender flock shall fail. 
And from the stalls the herd shall cease ; 



88 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Yet tbou, ray soul, with joy shalt hail 
The Lord of life, and light, and peace. 

"My song shall his salvation be, 

My joy, my hope, and my desire ; 
Set by his blessed Spirit free, 

My soul shall mount with holy fire." 



I AM THY SHIELD, AND THINE EXCEEDING GREAT 
REWARD. 

" How sweet this promise of the Lord 
To Abraham his friend ; 
I'll be thy shield, and great reward. 
Thy God unto the end ! 

" Glory to God, who reigns above. 
And sits upon the throne. 
And to the Lamb whose dying love 
Has made us all his own !" 



THE CHIEF CORNER STONE. 

"Jesus, my rock, thou precious corner stone, 
A basis sure for faith to build upon. 
Here would I rest, and make my work to rise, 
From this foundation till it meet the skies. 

" Here fixed, though sin may rage around my soul. 
Though billows of temptation near me roll, 
Though troubles sore, and sorrows may assail, 
Yet can they never o'er my faith prevail. 

" While safe within my Saviour's arms I lie, 
Who guards in life, and, when I come to die. 
Will strengthen and support my crumbling frame. 
Warm my faint spirit with a heavenly flame, 
Open in my soul the bright, th' eternal day. 
And bear her on triumphant wings away." 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 89 

PRAISE TO GOD. 

" Lord, my strength, I love to praise 
Thy holy name, thy wondrous ways. 
Thy grace, and truth, and heavenly love, 
And mercy beaming from above, 
Which show the soul the joys of heaven. 
And bid it sing of sins forgiven. 

" my Redeemer, and my King, 
Of thy great glory I would sing, 
And long, in vision rapt, to view 
Those glories which are ever new, 
And find myself transformed and pure 
Of heaven possessed, of bliss secure ; 

" And which shall never cease in heaven 
While souls are saved, and sins forgiven ; 
And when this earth shall melt away, 
And time shall cease, and night and day, 
Yet still the ransom'd of the Lord 
Shall praise thee, and with one accord." 



SITTING AT THE LORD'S TABLE. 

" how delightful 'tis to sit 
Around thy table. Lord ; 
Where all thy dear disciples meet 
To hear thy gracious word ! 

" May we remember all that love 

Which brought thee down from heaven ; 
And may we wish our own to prove, 
For such salvation given. 

" may our hearts with rapture glow 
While Jesus is the theme ; 
And, fiU'd with grateful thanks, o'erflow 
To thee, the great Supreme. 



90 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

" Worthy is he who by his blood, 
Has washed our guilt away, 
And made us kings and priests to God, 
Throughout an endless day ! 



THE HEART GIVEN TO JESUS. 

" blessed Jesus, Lord of life, 
How I adore thy matchless love, 
That made thee leave those realms of hght. 
And all those perfect joys above, 

" To bring us sinners back to God, 
And cleanse us too from every sin. 
And' guard us still by thine own power 
From foes without and foes within. 

" Who will not yield his heart to thee. 
Thou healer of the sin-sick soul ! 
take me, Lord, and let me feel 
Thy love my every thought control ! 

"0 let me feel that I am thine. 
That I am cleansed in thy blood, 
Let all my powers of soid combine 
To praise thee, great, incarnate God !" 



ON READING THE LIFE OF COL. GARDINER. 

" Great God, with what adoring awe 
Thy wond'rous power is viewed. 
When by a word the rebel heart 
Lies prostrate and subdued. 

" One glimpse of Jesus on the cross. 
The guilty soul transforms. 
Sets home its black ingratitude 
And fills it with alarms. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 91 

" Discovers to the mental eye 
A just and holy God 
Who could not pardon rebel man 
Without the Saviour's blood. 

" Well may the ransom'd sinner cry. 
It is to grace alone, 
To free, rich, sovereign grace, that I 
Have access to the throne. 

" Not unto me, God, my strength. 
Not unto me the praise : 
But for the Spirit's precious vFork 
My ceaseless song I '11 raise." 



LAMENTING AFTER GOD. 

" God of grace, thy mercy show 
Towards a sinful rebel's heart ; 
Great God, ward off the dreadfxd blow. 
And cause thine anger to depart. 

" For 0, what soul thy power can bear, 
When justice urges vengeance on ? 
What agonies the heart must tear. 
When conscience thunders, hope is gone ! 

" Lift up thy reconciled face, 

To bless this poor, benighted soul ; 
Shine through the gospel of thy grace. 
And bid thy comforts on it roll : 

" Speak to it peace, through Jesus' blood, 

Which flowed to cleanse such souls from sin ; 
And grant thy pard'ning love, God, 
For Jesus' sake and make it clean : 



92 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

" That thus by grace it may be made 
A holy temple to the Lord, 
In which his love shall be display 'd, 
And all his attributes adored." 



A DOXOLOGY. 



" To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
The sacred Three in One, 
Be glory, power, and might ascribed 
By every mortal tongue !" 



CHAPTER VI. 

HER INTEREST IN REVIVALS OF RELIGION. 



" Before him power divine his way prepared ; 
At his command the uprooted hills retired 
Each to his place ; they heard his voice and went 
Obsequious. Heaven her wonted face renewed, 
And with fresh flowerets hill and valley smiled." 



The greatest work which omnipotence per- 
foivms, is the conversion and sanctification of 
men. In accomplishing it, God has arranged 
the wisest and best adapted means, and super- 
added to them the immediate power of his 
own effectual grace. It is a somewhat re- 
markable fact, that in the same measure in 
which the church becomes corrupt, and even 
in the same measure in which she becomes 
lukewarm, and relapses into spiritual declen- 
sion, is she prone to rely on the intrinsic effi- 
cacy of outward means and observances, to 
the neglect of that conscious dependence 
on the Spirit of God, which is all her encour- 
agement and hope. One of the great ques- 
tions which has agitated her in every age, and 
which agitates her still, is whether the Chris- 



94 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

tian character is formed l3y symbolical ordi- 
nances, or by the " renewing of the Holy 
Ghost ?" and whether she is to look for her 
enlargement and purity to the gradual influ- 
ence of outward institutions, or to the special 
outpouring of the Spirit of God ? 

We may not depreciate the appointed 
means of grace and salvation ; for " w here no 
vision is the people perish." Nor do we de- 
preciate them, when we refuse to assign to 
them the place in man's redemption which is 
occupied by their divine Author. We may 
not depreciate the sealing ordinances of God's 
covenant ; nor do we, when we deny that 
they are converting ordinances. While we 
do not deny that they mmj, by the blessing of 
God, be the means of conversion to wicked 
men, we do deny that they are appointed and 
instituted for this purpose. No unconverted 
man has a scriptural warrant to take God's 
covenant into his mouth. 

It were well, on so grave a question as this, 
to take heed to the instructions of the Sacred 
Scriptures. There is no position which they 
establish more clearly, than that " the materi- 
als for the visible church are formed by the 
Spirit of God." Whenever the prophets speak 
of the enlargement of the visible church, they 
attribute it to the fact, that " God pours his 
Spirit upon her seed, and his blessing upon 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 95 

her offspring ;" that " all her children shall be 
taught of the Lord ;" and that he " will pour 
out his Spirit on all flesh." The narrative of 
the wondrous scenes on the day of Pentecost 
teaches the same lesson, and concludes with 
the memorable w ords, " And the Lord added 
to the church daily such as should he saved.'" 
The Gentiles who were brought in in the days 
of the Apostles, were once afar off, but were 
"brought nigh by the blood of Christ;" they 
were " fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the 
household of God ;" they were " builded to- 
gether for an habitation of God, through the 
Spirit J" \\\ addressing the Gentile churches, 
the Apostles addressed them as " beloved of 
God," as the " faithful in Christ Jesus ;" as 
" predestinated to holiness, and accepted in 
the Beloved ;" as " knowing the grace of God 
in truth;" and as those to whom " the gospel 
came, not in word only, but also in power, and 
in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." 
God's thoughts are not as our thoughts, nor 
are his ways as our ways. We have fallen 
upon times when more is ascribed to men and 
means, and less to the Spirit of God, than is 
due to their nothingness, and His sufficiency. 
Never was there a more extended and more 
varied machinery in motion to effect the spirit- 
ual renovation of men, than exists at the pres- 
ent moment. God seems to have left us to 



96 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

the experiment of endeavoring to accomplish 
what men and means can accomplish without 
his Spirit. And what is the result ? " Upon 
the land of my people shall come up thorns 
and briars, yea, upon all houses of the joyous 
city, until the Spirit of the Lord be poured 
from on high." Never more will there be 
found among us an awakened thought, nor 
a pang of conviction, nor a penitential tear, 
nor a peaceful hope in Christ, nor one emotion 
of .spiritual comfort or joy, unless He gives it ; 
" all these Avorketh that selfsame Spirit." 

The strength and fervor of Miss Murray's 
piety were indicated by the interest she felt 
in the great work of the Spirit of God, which 
so signally distinguished the age in which she 
was permitted to live. It was in every view 
a remarkable age, both in the old world and 
the new; in science, in the arts, and in the 
progress of civil society. It was a memorable 
period in the history of the American church. 
From the year 1792, the year of her bloom, 
to the year 1836, when she was called to her 
heavenly rest, the various departments of the 
church of God in this land were graciously 
visited by copious effusions of the Holy Spirit. 
Our female academies and schools, our col- 
leges and our churches, drank largely from 
this fountain of living waters. The Brick 
Presbyterian church in this city, in commun- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 97 

ion witli which she lived and died, from the 
year 1815, to the winter of 1830 and 1831, was 
favored with five seasons of refreshing from 
the presence of the Lord. Sparse clouds of 
mercy had been hovering- over us during the 
years 1811, 1813, and 1814, and God gave 
testimony to the word of his grace, especially 
to numbers in middle life, and who had long 
been faithfully instructed by my venerable 
predecessor, the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, and his 
then more youthful colleague, the Rev. Dr. 
Samuel Miller. From the year 1805, the year 
in which the Rev. Dr. Philip Milledoler as- 
sumed the pastoral charge of the congregation 
in Rutgers street, to the year 1809, there were 
some pleasing indications of God's presence 
with that highly favored people. During the 
years 1809 and 1810, the new Presbyterian 
church, then lately erected in Cedar street, and 
under the pastoral charge of the late Rev. Dr. 
John B. Romeyn, enjoyed significant proofs of 
the divine favor. Dr. Romeyn was abundant 
in his labors, and distinguished for fervid and 
strong appeals to the conscience. He was 
faithful in his examinations of applicants for 
church membership, and during some of the 
first years of his ministry, was greatly honored 
as the servant of his Divine Master. 

The writer was ordained to the work of the 
gospel ministry, and installed as the pastor of 



98 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

the congregation which he has now the honor 
to serve, in the year 1810. He had witnessed 
several revivals of religion in New England ; 
was imbued with the conviction, that they were 
the hope of the church and the world. He had 
seen the blessed fruits of them more especially 
under the preaching of the Rev. Dr. Dwight, 
at Yale College, and the Rev. Messrs. Stuart 
and Merwin, then the pastors of churches in 
New Haven. He made himself familiar with 
the narratives of these scenes of heavenly 
mercy from the days of Edwards, Whitfield, 
and the Tennents, down to those narratives 
which enrich the pages of the Connecticut 
Magazine, the Panoplist, and the Assembly 
Magazine, published at Philadelphia. Most 
kindly had it been so ordered by divine provi- 
dence, that all that he had seen and read on 
this great subject, was entirely free from those 
modern innovations, and those new, extrava- 
gant, and unscriptural measures, which cor- 
rupted so many of the later revivals, and justly 
exposed them to suspicion in the minds of 
good men. He had not one prejudice against 
them; not a fear of their unhappy influence ; 
nor, so far as he can now recollect, one lurk- 
ing thought, that the great adversary could 
turn them to good account in the advancement 
of his own kingdom. He entered upon his 
ministerial career, resolved by the blessing of 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 99 

God, to labor for a revival of religion among 
the people of his charge. He can scarcely do 
justice to the character of Miss Murray with- 
out inweaving in the biography of this pious 
lady some incidents which mark his own per- 
sonal history as a minister of the gospel. He 
does this with the less embarrassment, because 
some of them are illustrious proofs of the 
grace of God toward his people and himself, 
and deserve to be somewhere recorded. 

The years 1811, 1812, and 1813, were, as 
has just been intimated, years of hope. In 
the spring of 1814, the question distinctly 
presented itself to his mind. What is the ob- 
stacle to the revival of God's ivork among this 
people ? The answer is recorded, in some 
thoughts written in his own journal, in the 
following words : " Neither myself, nor my people 
are prepared for so great a blessing : should the 
Spirit of God visit us, we should grieve him away. 
The w^ork must begin in the hearts of God's 
people ; and it needs to be begun in none more 
than my own. I cannot live, as^l have lived ; I 
cannot preach, as I have preached. May 1 not 
hope to live and preach more as though I lived 
for Christ, and preached to men tohose high des- 
tination is immortal glory, or never-ending misery 
and shame /" This was the 2nd of April ; it 
w^as Saturday, and a day of prayer. The fol- 
lowing Sabbath was a much more solemn Sab- 



100 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

bath than we had been accustomed to enjoy. 
There was obviously a different feeling among 
the people, and some few minds were deeply 
affected. The weekly lecture of the same 
week was also unusually solemn. Yet were 
there no instances of thorough awakening ; 
the people felt for the moment, but went their 
way, forgetting what manner of persons they 
were, and what they had heard. The adver- 
sary was at work; complaints were made of 
the preaching, and the preacher began to be 
depressed. By an interchange of ministerial 
labors, the pulpit was occupied the following 
Sabbath, by the late Dr. Richards of Newark, 
but with no sensible change in the condition 
of the people. The whole of the following 
week was one of depressing discouragement ; 
the voice of God seemed to be saying to us, 
" Your iniquities have separated between you 
and your God, and your sins have hid his face 
from you that he will not hear." Soon after 
this, pastoral labor among the people was in- 
termitted for two Sabbaths by the absence of 
the pastor as a delegate of his presbytery to 
the annual meeting of the General Assembly. 
The meeting of the Assembly that year was 
a most delightful meeting. The narrative of 
the state of religion in the churches for that 
year was drawn up by the biographer, and it 
was a service that exerted a most happy effect 



MEMOIR OP HANXAH L. MURRAY. 101 

upon' his own mind. He returned to New- 
York with the strong conviction, that the ad- 
versary was losing ground, trutli advancing, 
and the kingdom of Christ beginning to tri- 
umph. He returned, too, with stronger hopes 
of the outpouring of God's Spirit upon the 
people of his charge. Two members of the 
Assembly, the Rev. Dr. Blackburn, and the 
Rev. Dr. Beecher, on their way to New Eng- 
land, remained a week in New York, labored 
abundantly, and greatly strengthened our 
hands. There seemed to be a shaking amid 
the bones of the valley : Christians began to 
awake : there were a few instances of awak- 
ening among the impenitent, and the hope be- 
gan to be cherished that God was about to 
make bare his arm for the revival of his work. 
Saturday, the 18th of June, was a day of fast- 
ing and prayer in the church, and on the fol- 
lowing Sabbath was the celebration of the 
Lord's Supper. It was a tranquil day, and 
one on which the heart of the pastor and the 
flock seemed to repose more implicitly than 
they had been wont to do on God. The sen- 
timent of the day, so far as I can gather it 
from my own written notices of it at the time, 
was, " My soul, wait thou only upon God, for 
my expectation is from him !" During the 
following week, there was evidently more of 
the spirit of prayer among the people; it 



102 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

seemed to me they prayed as I had never 
heard them pray before. There was a meet- 
ing for prayer on Saturday evening, and God 
was with us. The Sabbath following was a 
solemn day ; numbers were greatly affected, 
and the work of grace appeared to have be- 
gun. A private lecture at the house of the 
pastor, on the evening of the following Mon- 
day, and the public lecture on Thursday even- 
ing, were also deeply solemn. Two new in- 
stances of deep conviction, one of them among 
the deepest I have ever knovvn, greatly en- 
couraged us. Yet for some time, there was 
no advance in the work ; we seemed rather, 
during the last week in June and the first in 
July, to be relapsing again into stupidity. On 
the 4th of July, some ten or fifteen of the 
church assembled at the private residence of 
one of the Elders and devoted the morning to 
prayer. We were greatly encouraged ; God 
did not hide his face from us. It was a pleas- 
ant, though not a powerful season of mercy. 
About tliirty were gathered into the church 
as the fruit of it ; and they turned out to be 
some of the most intelligent, uniform, and use- 
ful Christians. Some of them " sleep ;" their 
deaths were delightful ; and some of them 
still live to honor their profession as the dis- 
ciples of Christ, and their responsibility as 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 103 

officers in his church. The harvest was not 
great, but it Avas the finest wheat. 

Toward the latter part of the summer, the 
work declined; and during the autumn, the 
church returned to her former indifference. In 
December our prospects were brighter; under 
date of the 3rd of that month, there is the fol- 
lowing entry in my own journal. " The fe- 
male praying society have agreed to meet each 
other at the throne of grace between eight and 
nine o'clock every Saturday evening, each in 
her own closet, to implore the outpouring of 
the Holy Spirit. Who can tell but brighter 
suns are about to dawn ?" The year 1815, open- 
ed under pleasing auspices. The first Sabbath 
of the year was a day of bright promise the ser- 
vices of the sanctuary were solemn and a spe- 
cial meeting for prayer in the evening, in the 
lecture room was crowded to excess. It was 
a delightful evening; and from this day all our 
meetings became more full, more solemn, the 
preaching more faithful and pastoral visits more 
frequent. Eight or ten persons were found in 
the congregation Avhose minds were evidently 
waked up to the claims of the gospel. The 
w^hole winter was a season of mercy ; the work 
was silent and noiseless, but refreshing as the 
falling dew ; nor did those precious drops of 
mercy cease to fall, but the cloud extended 
itself throughout the following summer and 



104 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

autumn. The month of Aug'ust, usually en- 
joyed by the pastor as a season of relaxation, 
was occupied in visiting some of the churches 
in Connecticut and Massachusetts, which were 
favored with marked tokens of the divine pres- 
ence, and where God was multiplying the tro- 
phies of his grace. What he saw and heard 
had a happy effect upon his own mind. On his 
return, he gave a narrative to his people of 
what God was doing in other places, in which 
they were deeply interested, and for which 
they thanked God and took courage. In the 
month of November a Bible class was formed 
for all classes and all ages ; it was numerously 
attended ; several gentlemen of high profes- 
sional standing became deeply interested in 
the discussion of theological subjects, and the 
discussions were so conducted, that deep im- 
pressions seemed to be made on very many 
minds. After this, and for several weeks, 
there was an unusual cessation of religious 
emotion, and there seemed to be an entire sus- 
pension of heavenly influences ; and we were 
alarmed and humbled at these tokens of re- 
turning stupidity. The waters of the sanctu- 
ary seemed to be at the lowest ebb, and we 
began to abandon the hope that God was 
about to appear in his glory. Yet would we 
record it with unfeigned gratitude, that in this 
dark hour, and when our hopes had become 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 105 

well nigh despair, God was pleased greatly to 
exalt and glorify his own name. Some of his 
enemies began to triumph, but more of his 
friends began to hope. A Saturday evening 
prayer meeting which had been in existence 
more than two years, and composed principally 
of the young men of the church, and with the 
view of soliciting the power of God's Spirit to 
attend the services of the ensuing Sabbath, 
was eminently instrumental, not only in en- 
couraging the hopes and efforts of the pastor, 
but in diffusing the spirit of meekness and 
hope in the members of the church. The 
grand sentiment that animated these beloved 
men, some of whom are now preachers of the 
gospel, some officers in other churches, some 
in our own, and some among the .spirits of the 
just made perfect, was that there was no help 
for us but from God, and that he must take 
the work into his own hands. And under the 
weight and encouragement of this truth, they 
did indeed commend it to the hands of God, 
and wrestled with him, not so much under 
the impression that they would not let him 
go until he blessed them, as under the happy 
impression that the blessing was near. The 
people of God all around us were full of hope ; 
our Sabbaths were anticipated with joy ; and 
our weekly lecture and weekly Bible class 
began to put on a new face. 

5* 



106 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Nothing however of a very marked charac- 
ter appeared until a meeting for prayer held 
on the morning of the New Year, for the pur- 
pose of beseeching the God of Zion to make 
the year, then begun, a year of the right 
hand of the Most High. It was a season of 
great nearness to God. It was indeed the 
time of Jacob's trouble, but it w^as the time of 
his relief. The persons present entered into a 
solemn engagement with each other to be more 
watchful and prayerful ; and they more spe- 
cifically covenanted to meet each other at the 
throne of grace, every Lord's Day, at 2 o'clock, 
in order to wrestle with the hearer of prayer for 
the outpouring of his Spirit. God appeared 
to smile upon this solemnity, and to seal it 
with his presence. No sooner was this en- 
gagement formed, than every face was suffused 
with tears, and every heart was buoyant with 
the expectation that He who was lifted up 
from the earth would make known the attrac- 
tion of His power. This is among the days 
which will never be forgotten in the history 
of the Brick church. From this day we ex- 
pected a revival of religion. The spirit of 
prayer began from this day to revive, and the 
spirit of faith to fasten on the promises of Him 
that cannot lie. It seemed to us, that we 
had never felt before the import of the words, 
"■ O thou that hearest prayer !'' Soon after 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 107 

this, we began to hear of several instances in 
which former impressions, that had been ef- 
faced from the minds of the impenitent, were 
revived, and of several instances of solemnity 
that were not known, and some of them little 
thought of. We had been looking for this, 
and were disappointed that we saw no more. 
But we were not cast down. We felt that 
there was a fearful weight of sin upon us, as 
a church, and that it was no difficult matter to 
perceive the cloud that hid the Sun of Right- 
eousness from us. 

Just at this period it pleased God to put it 
into the lieart of about thirty members of 
the church privately to set apart a day of 
festing, humiliation and prayer, in order to 
inquire of the sovereign Lord of heaven and 
earth, wherefore he contended with us, and 
why he hid his face. This was on the third 
Thursday of January, the day preceding our 
weekly lecture. I never was present at such 
a meeting before ; I have never been pres- 
ent at such a meeting since. I never wit- 
nessed such simplicity of Christian feeling, 
such earnest desires that God might be glori- 
fied in the salvation of men, such deep humil- 
iation, and such abundant and peculiar con- 
fession of sin. The Spirit of God seemed to 
constrain individuals, and especially some of 
the more aged and venerable Ruling Elders of 



108 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

the church, to make confessions of their per- 
sonal sinfulness in a manner altogether unaf- 
fected, yet altogether unusual and affecting. 
This was emphatically the beginning of days 
of great power. It may he doubted if there 
was a person present who did not believe that 
we were just on the eve of a remarkable out- 
pouring of God's Spirit ; and it is worthy of 
remark, that toward the close of the day, all 
our conversation and prayer showed that the 
work had been begun -, that we were in the 
midst of it, and our inquiries were not so 
much what was to be done to promote it, as how 
it became us to conduct ourselves while God 
was multiplying around us the trophies of his 
mercy. Nor were these anticipations defeat- 
ed : God verified the promise, " Before they 
call, I will answer, and while they are yet 
speaking I will hear." The same evening saw 
us assembled at the weekly lecture; and it was 
to " stand still and see the salvation of God." 
No one could account for it, except those who 
had been familiar with the cause in that upper 
chamber, and who had beheld it by the eye of 
faith. Not a child of God could enter that little 
Bethel without the irresistible conviction that 
God was there. Never was the house so full, 
never so solemn, never was it so visible that 
the hearts of men were in the hands of the 
Lord, and that his Spirit moved the people, as 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 109 

the trees of the forest are moved by a mighty 
wind. We have good reason to believe that 
the minds of more than one hundred were 
deeply impressed by a view of their lost con- 
dition on that memorable evening. There 
was truly a noise and a shaking among the dry 
bones of the valley, and bone came to his 
bone. From that period the work was of a 
marked character. Notwithstanding the con- 
temptous reproach of some that it was all the 
work of man, yet had God so evidently taken 
it into his own hands, that both the church 
and the world were constrained to confess, 
" This is the finger of God." Our public assem- 
blies put on the appearance, not so much of 
excitement, as deep and motionless anxiety. 
No unequivocal intimations indicated the 
duty of paying particular attention to the youth. 
On the following Sabbath evening an exercise 
was appointed exclusively for them, at which 
there were present about two hundred, num- 
bers of whom, who subsecjuently became the 
children of God, and were before hardened 
and stupid sinners, date their first impressions 
from that service. This exercise was of such 
high promise that it was repeated. On the 
second evening, the house w as full, and at the 
close of the exercise more than one hundred re- 
mained, after the benediction was pronounced, 
to inquire what they should do to be saved. 



110 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

This fact alone conveyed lessons of instruc- 
tion which it was out of the power of the 
preacher to convey, and was the means of 
diffusing' the spirit of deep concern and anxious 
inquiry over the whole people. It was within 
ten days of this time that the attention and 
solemnity were most universal. There was 
hardly a family or individual who did not be- 
gin to think seriously of the things of the eter- 
nal world. There was indeed one week in 
which it seemed that the Spirit of all grace 
was about to shed forth his sweet influences 
upon our city : and we were praying and hop- 
ing to see this desolate region watered by the 
plentiful showers of divine grace. 

In this delightful work of mercy several facts 
are worthy of remembrance. One is, the many 
instances in which the youthful husband and 
wife were both brought into the divine kingdom. 
Another is the great ignorance of those whose 
minds were seriously exercised, and the greed- 
iness with which they received religious in- 
struction. Another is the delis^htful emotions 
with which every religious service, and espe- 
cially every returning sabbath, were antici- 
pated, and the animating expectation they im- 
parted, that every service would see some 
turning from the error of their ways to the 
wisdom of the just. And still another is, the 
rapidity of the work. The period of awaken- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. HI 

ing and conviction was in most instances very 
short ; so short, indeed, that we ourselves be- 
gan to tremble at the indulgence of what we 
feared were premature hopes, but which sub- 
sequently showed themselves to be the hope 
which maketh not ashamed. There were in- 
stances, in which the whole progress of con- 
viction and conversion were completed during 
a single service. One instance in particular 
deserves to be gratefully recorded. A young 
lady of high character and cultivated mind 
and habits, who was during that winter a mere 
visitant in the city, and an habitual worship- 
per in the Brick Church received her first re- 
ligious impressions at the commencement of 
the first prayer at a preparatory lecture, and 
at the close of the prayer, was rejoicing in 
hope. At the close of the service the lady 
whom she was visiting requested the preacher 
to return with her to her own dwelling, where 
he learnt from the lips of his young friend that 
the first sentence of the prayer sunk deep into 
her soul. To the second sentence her own 
heart responded. To all the adoring thoughts 
of God, all the confessions of sin, all the suppli- 
cations for mercy, all the expressions of con- 
fidence her own heart also responded. And 
when in the closing words of the prayer, the 
animating thought was uttered " Worthy is the 
Lamb that was slain, who hath redeemed us 



112 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

unto God by his blood," her own heart re- 
sponded to the sentiment, and for the first time 
in her life she added her grateful, adoring, 
Amen. The next morning the preacher was 
sent for to visit her in haste. As he entered 
the room, she rose hastily to meet him, burst 
into tears, and said, " Oh, sir, I have sent for 
you to ask you, if it is wicked for me to be so 
happy/'* That lady still lives, greatly beloved 
of her family, an ornament to the church of 
God, and realizing the promise to Abraham, 
" I will bless thee and make thee a blessing." 
To the best of the writer's knowledge, from the 
first profession of her faith she never wavered. 
Some few instances of apostacy from this 
large ingathering there were ; but they have 
been few : of more than one hundred who, 
we trust, were then brought to the saving 
knowledge of Jesus Christ, almost the entire 
number have honored the doctrine of God 
their Saviour. Other seasons of mercy were 
enjoyed by us, but no subsequent outpouring 
of the Spirit was so general as that which was 
witnessed during the winter of 1828 and 9, 
during which about sixty were brought into 
the kingdom of God. In the winter of 1831 
and 2, also, God visited the churches of the 
Presbytery, and we were permitted to share 
in the blessing. The various churches and 
the different pastors were never brought so 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 113 

near to each other, and never so truly and so 
happily co-operated in the great work as dur- 
ing this last revival. Christian and ministerial 
fellowship and united prayer were obviously 
the selected instrumentality in this last work of 
grace, and they were delightfully honored. 
The God of peace was with us. 

The emotions of Mi«s Murray during these 
seasons, it is not easy to describe. The scene 
was new ; she seemed full of solicitude, of 
fear, yet full of love, of gratitude, of hope. As 
our weekly religious services became more 
frequent, and thronged, and solemn ; and the 
preaching more urgent, faithful, and tender; 
and it was known that some thirty or forty 
were anxiously inquiring for the way of life, 
she saw that it was the work of God, and her 
tenderness, her humility, her prayers, were all 
awake to promote it. Though it was her 
habit, in the absence of her brother, to lead 
the daily devotions of her family, she could 
not so overcome her characteristic diffidence 
as to take a public part in any of the meetings 
for prayer that were instituted by her own 
sex. Yet was she no mean coadjutor in the 
work. The seasons for special prayer, and 
the days of fasting and prayer were to her 
days of great encouragement and refreshing. 
She always attended them when her health 
would permit, and her presence cheered us. 



114 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

When daring the winter of 1816, there 
were marked tokens of God's presence with 
us, her interest in the work became more 
intelligent and more intense. She frequently 
adverts to these seasons in her diary ; and the 
whole train of her reflections shows that she 
thought, and felt, and J)rayed for the souls of 
others as she did for her own. When she 
trembled, it w^as for the ark of God ; and 
when she was most joyous and triumphant, it 
W'as because God was glorified in enlarging 
and beautifying his kingdom. How much her 
encouraged pastor owes to her silent and un- 
obtrusive influence, and her effectual, fervent 
prayers, will never be known till all shall 
stand before the Son of Man. That he owes 
much, he most gratefully acknowledges ; and 
that she will meet at that day not a few who 
were snatched as brands from the burning, 
through her modest and retired instrumental- 
ity, he has not a doubt. Not a few% especially 
among the young, ascribe their conversion 
to her instrumentality. Speaking on this 
subject, in her diary, she shows her love for 
the souls of men, and her fervent desire that 
the grace of God might be revealed in turning 
them from the error of their ways to the wis- 
dom of the just. Short ejaculations like the 
following are everywhere scattered through- 
out these pages. " O Lord God, do thou for 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 115 

thy name's sake, pluck those who make light 
of thy gospel, as hrands from the burning. Do 
thou arouse them from their stupidity, that 
they may hear thy voice and live. Do thou 
give them the hearing ear and the under- 
standing heart, that they may rejoice in thy 
salvation ! O that they may feel the trans- 
forming influences of thy Holy Spirit waking 
them from the death of sin ! To whom shall 
I come for them but to thee ?" On another 
occasion, after a day of prayer in the church, 
she Avrites, " This day we have been called to 
humiliation and prayer on account of the luke- 
warmness and sins of God's people. O that 
the supplications which have gone up to thy 
throne for a time of refreshing from thy pres- 
ence, may find an answer of peace ! May 
this Spirit be poured out upon us as individuals, 
that we may be a praying community ! O that 
God would return and revive his work in the 
midst of us ; that he would clothe his minis- 
ters with salvation, that his saints may shout 
for joy ; that he would heal our backslidings ; 
that there may be a great shaking amid the 
dry bones of this valley, that flesh and sinews 
may come upon them, and the breath of hea- 
ven that they may live, and God's Zion once 
more appear glorious in the eyes of the whole 
world !" Again she writes, " Grant us, O 
Lord, a time of refreshing from thy presence ! 



116 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Bow thy heavens and come down, and dwell 
in the midst of us. Pour out upon us a spirit 
of grace and supplication. O may we behold 
thy stately steppings in the midst of us, and 
rejoice that God will in very deed dwell with 
men on the earth, when the heaven of heavens 
cannot contain him ! Thou art a wonder- 
working God ; perform thy wonders amidst 
this beloved people !" After such expressed 
desires as these, it is not wonderful that she 
should take her harp from the willows and 
sing the Lord's song. A few weeks after this, 
she says, '' Praise the Lord, O my soul, and 
all that is within me bless his holy name ! 
His arm is not shortened that it cannot save, 
nor is his ear heavy that it cannot hear. He 
is calling on some to sit down in his heavenly 
kingdom who were the friends of my youth, 
and who are still the friends of my riper 
years. May they have joy and peace in be- 
lieving !" 

She speaks of another day of prayer in the 
same spirit. " To-day I have attended a 
meeting of the church, appointed to implore 
the outpouring of God's Spirit upon us, and 
upon our city. My soul has truly found de- 
light in such a day. I would call upon all 
that is within me to bless and praise his holy 
name for this opportunity of access to God. I 
felt as if I could exclaim with Jacob of old. 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 117 

This is none other than the house of God, and 
this is the gate of heaven ! O it was a melt- 
ing season ; every heart seemed enlarged, and 
the spirit of prayer was most evidently poured 
out upon us. I humbly trust it was a day ac- 
knowledged by our Lord and Master, and as 
one on ^vhich he was pleased to be present, 
and that our prayers ascended, perfumed with 
his merits as a sweet-smelling sacrifice. O 
that an abiding sense of this precious meeting 
may be upon my soul ! How good and how 
pleasant it is for brethren to meet together 
in unity, and to have the love of God shed 
abroad in their hearts ! and to be made willing 
to say, Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but 
to thy name give glory for thy mercy and thy 
truth's sake !" These days are well remem- 
bered by the writer, and by multitudes of 
others, as well as our departed Miss Murray. 
It is refreshing to look back upon. them ; they 
are green spots in the desert ; and they still 
remind us of the years of the right hand of the 
Most High. The young and the fashionable 
^vere-then wont to attend meetings for prayer. 
How many precious thoughts are associated 
with the " Old Lecture Room !" 

On reading her diary, it will be found that 
such trains of thought and feeling are followed 
up during all those seasons of mercy to which 
we have referred. " I have been thinking to- 



118 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

day," she says, " of the fearful condition of 
God's enemies. And I was tempted to ex- 
claim aloud, ' Who among us can dwell 
with devouring fire ? who among us can dwell 
with everlasting burnings V O gracious Father ! 
permit me to plead thine own pi'omise, that 
thou wilt give thy Holy Spirit to them that 
ask thee." Then again she says, " Thou art 
a God doing wonders. Surely thou art mani- 
festing thyself to us as wonderful in counsel 
and excellent in working. This day mine eyes 
have seen not far from one hundred publicly 
come out from the world and unite themselves 
with thy visible people. Marvellous is thy 
work, Lord God Almighty ! O may we not 
hope still more, and especially that thou wilt 
touch the hearts of the dear youth, that they 
may be as that generation of Israel which was 
holiness to the Lord !" Again, a {ew pages 
onward, she writes, "It is the Lord's doing, 
and marvellous in our eyes. O Lord, thou art 
in the midst of us as a church, showing thy- 
self to be a Sovereign God, arresting sinners 
in their progress to death, and plucking them 
as brands from the burning. Gird thy sword, 
victorious prince, upon thy thigh, and still ride 
forth conquering and to conquer ! And let not 
sinners alone be converted, but mav thine own 
children be quickened, and my own heart an- 
imated in this day of thy merciful visita- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 119 

tion !" On the morning of a season of special 
prayer she writes thus : " O Lord, I thank 
thee for what mine eyes have seen ; and that 
in the sovereignty of thy grace, thou hast 
made the stout-hearted bow before thee. Thou 
hast gotten to thyself a great name ; so that 
those who are without are compelled to ac- 
knowledge that it is the work of God, and 
thine own children glorify thee on their be- 
half. Help me this day to meet thy people 
with humility, and with fervency of spirit. 
May the spirit of grace and supplication be 
poured out upon us, while we confess our sins 
and backslidings before thee, and plead with 
thee to turn us again, and cause thy face to 
shine upon us." In view of a similar occa- 
sion, she writes, " This day has been set apart 
for special prayer to God, that he' would pour 
out upon us as a church the influences of his 
Holy Spirit, that we may behold his stately 
steppings in our sanctuary, and see sinners 
flocking unto Jesus as clouds, and as doves fly 
to their windows. May we all mourn over 
our sins — each family apart — each individual 
apart ! Why do I not feel more keenly for the 
awful state of those who are dead in trespasses 
and sins, and who, if they die unrenewed by 
the Spirit of God, must descend to the regions 
of despair, and have their portion with those 



120 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

who blaspheme God ! O that my head were 
waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears ?" 

A perusal of Miss Murray's diary has been 
at once humbling and refreshing- to the writer 
of this volume. It has been an instructive 
and interesting employment to him to be thus 
carried back to the days when the Spirit of 
God came down upon us as rain upon the new 
mown grass, and as showers that water the 
earth. He has been not a little interested, too, 
in finding that she had noted the suhjecis of his 
discourses during these years of the right 
hand of the Most High, and encouraged by 
the prayers wdiich she offered that " his bow 
might abide in its strengh." 

We have dwelt on the general features of her 
character as disclosed in this chapter, because 
it is due to her memory to do so, and because 
it is a theme which interests us. We would 
fain magnify the work of the Spirit of God. 
The period of the world in which we live is 
sometimes called in the Scriptures, " the last 
days," and sometimes " the dispensation of the 
Spirit." His sacred presence constitutes the 
last dispensation of God's grace to our guilty 
world, the last and most impressive method 
by which the God who is invisible brings him- 
self to the view^ of men. We fear there is 
too much ground for the remark that the Holy 
Spirit is regarded as a mere auxiliary in the 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 121 

work of redemption ; as something which is 
rather incidental to the Christian system, and 
pertaining to some retired department of it, 
rather than as occupying the middle ground, 
and winning his honors in the very front of 
the great moral contest which has been so 
long carried on in this revolted world. There 
is nothing of which we are more convinced 
than that he must be more sought and more 
honored, before that blessed prediction is ful- 
filled, " And I heard a great voice out of 
heaven, saying, The tabernacle of God is with 
men, and he will dwell with them, and they 
shall be his people, and God himself sliall be 
their God." He knows his own worth and 
excellence, and is " a jealous God," His 
character and work are infinitely endeared to 
his sacred fellows of the adorable and ever- 
blessed Trinity, and they are awake to claim 
and secure for him his appropriate and prom- 
ised glories. He has come to our dark and 
sinful world on the kindest errand, and must 
be honored as the all-gracious, all-powerful 
God. It is written of him " He shall not 
speak of himself;" and though he has but just 
entered on his career of wonders, his great 
work bears witness of him. 

It was a day never to be forgotten when the 
Son of God himself tabernacled among men. 
Angels announced his coming with songs of joy, 

6 



122 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

and men beheld him as " the only-begotten of 
the Father, full of grace and truth ;" they 
beheld his glory, as the brightness of him 
Avho is invisible, and the express image of his 
person. That is a wondrous description of 
him which says. He is the " light of the world" 
and the " life of men." He dwelt among 
men, formed one of their race and their society, 
rejoiced when they rejoiced, and wept when 
they wept. They cast their sorrows upon 
him, and he relieved them ; their diseases, and 
he healed them ; they laid their blind, their 
deaf, their dead at his feet, and he bid them 
see, and hear, and live. They went to him 
weary and heavy laden, and he gave them 
rest ; distressed and trembling, and he said to 
them, " Be of good cheer, thy sins are for- 
given thee." They had sweet fellowship with 
him ; they hung upon his lips for teaching ; 
for every want and every woe, he gave not 
as the world gives. It was God dwelling 
with man, and man with God. What a day 
w^as this ! Blessed were their eyes that saw 
him, their ears that heard him ; prophets and 
kings desired, but were not permitted thus to 
see and hear. And was there anything yet 
in reserve for men, more desirable, more joy- 
ous, more glorious than such things as these ? 
Yes there was one representation of the Deity, 
which, though it could not be more resplen- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 123 

dent, was effective in promoting their eternal 
well-being ; more joyous than even to have 
retained among them this ever-blessed and 
adorable Son of God. " It is expedient," says 
he, " that I go away ; for if I go not away, the 
Comforter will not come !" God the Com- 
forter — God the Spirit of truth and grace — 
God, not in the person of the Father, nor in 
the person of the Son, but in the person of the 
Holy Ghost, was to supersede the Saviour's 
presence. The great workybr his people had 
been effected by God the Son ; the great work 
in them was to be effected by God the Spirit. 
He was to descend and fill the mighty chasm 
made by the Saviour's absence, that the 
church might not be left without a present 
Sanctifier, nor the world without a present 
God. He has descended; He has been on 
the earth ever since the Saviour's departure 
from it ; He dwells upon it now ; He will 
dwell upon it till time shall be no more. This 
earth was not left comfortless ; it has the abid- 
ing Comforter. His presence is not confined 
to time and place, as the Saviour's was ; He 
dwells with the millions of his churches, and 
with greater millions of his people, in every 
place and at the same time', and he never de- 
parts. He is the selected and honored One 
to carry on and perfect the great process of 
man's redemption. The work of Christ is ac- 



124 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

complished ; the work of the Spirit, without 
which the work of Christ is accomplished in 
vain, is ever performing. We do not give the 
heed we ought, nor the honor they deserve, 
to His glorious Person and office. He is 
everywhere in this guilty world. It is He 
who broods over the dark lands of Paganism, 
and prepares them to cast their idols to the 
moles and the bats. It is He who restrains 
Christian lands from going back to Pagan idol- 
otry and crime. It is He who comforts and 
sanctifies all the comforted and sanctified all 
over the earth. It is He who regenerates ; and 
where He does not regenerate, convinces ; and 
where He does not convince, awakens and 
alarms ; and where He neither awakens nor 
alarms — if such an instance is to be found on 
the records of time— restrains the wrath of man. 
His conservative influence upon our world is 
more for its benefit than all other influences 
combined. And when His work is accom- 
plished, and those varied and extended influ- 
ences are all withdrawn, the mystery of God 
will be perfected, the mediatorial reign of 
Jesus Christ will come to its close, the inhab- 
itants of our favored world will all be fitted 
for their last account, and will all be called 
to the last Judgment. 



CHAPTER VII. 



HER INTEREST IN THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRIZE. 



" Come then, and, added to thy many crowns. 
Receive yet one, the crown ot' all the earth : 
Thou who alone art worthy. 'Twas thine 
By ancient covenant ere nature's birth ; 
And thou hast made it thine by purchase since, 
And overpaid its value with thy blood." 



Miss Murray lived in the age of Missions. 
She had reached her womanhood when the first 
appeal to the American churches was made 
by the proposed embarkation of the Ameri- 
can missionaries for Calcutta, under the direc- 
tion of the American Board of Commissioners, 
in the year 1812. The earlier and not less 
devoted spirit of Elliot and Brainard had well 
nigh died away, and the few existing riiis- 
sionary institutions in our land, either confined 
their views to the " New Settlements," or at 
most extended them to some few tribes of the 
aboriginal inhabitants of the wilderness. But 
the time had come when the perishing nations 
of the earth were cared for, and devout men 
and women began to think, and pray, and act 
for the conversion of the heathen. 



126 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Nothing roused the characteristic ardor of 
our departed friend, more than the cries of a 
dying world. As has been seen from the pre- 
ceding sketches, there was no want of enthu- 
siasm in her character. What she felt, she 
felt deeply ; and what she did, she did with a 
single and undivided heart. Her piety was far 
from being tame and cold ; it not only had few 
blemishes, but great fervor. " How strange 
is it," says she, in one of her manuscript medi- 
tations, " that all should agree in admiring 
earnestness, perseverance, nay, even enthusi- 
asm, in the affairs of the world, while so many 
frown upon it in the more important affairs of 
religion ! Those who are deeply impressed 
with a sense of the immortal concerns of the 
soul, who give up the sinful pleasures of earth, 
earnestly inquire the way to Him, and are 
fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are deemed 
over-zealous and fanatics. It is thought un- 
reasonable to suppose that God demands any 
more of our time and thoughts than we can 
spai'e from the world and its pursuits. But 
what a perversion of that reason which God 
has given us, to imagine that the most import- 
ant affair of our life should demand the least 
attention, and that the great purpose for which 
we were sent into the world should scarcely 
occupy our minds ! To whom, O God, should 
we devote our lives, if not to Thee ? to what 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 127 

should we give the flower of our youth, if not 
to thy glory ? what is worthy our highest love, 
if Thou art not, who art the fountain of light 
and life, and the author of every good and 
perfect gift ? In what work should we engage 
with all our soul, and strength, and mind, if 
not in making our calling and election sure ? 
For our encouragement, we have set before us 
the everlasting joys of thy kingdom, and a 
throne and crow n for him that overcometh ; 
wdiile to deter us from forgetfulness of thee, 
w^e have the awful sentence against the un- 
profitable servant. Bind him hand and foot and 
cast him into outer darhiess. What should 
most pow^erfully constrain us to give God our 
most ardent love and our w hole heart, is his 
unspeakable gift to us — his only and well be- 
loved Son as the propitiation for our sins. If 
we he beside ourselves, says Paul, it is for your 
salces ; for the love of Christ constraineth us. 
Who can recompense the love which passeth 
knowledge ? O how should our love be en- 
kindled at the thought of his ! May I never 
be tempted to think that I can do too much 
for God ; or that there can be any excess 
of love toward my Heavenly Father ; rather 
may my soul be humbled when I reflect upon 
my short comings, and that after my best ser- 
vices, I must confess that it is of the Lord's 
mercy that lam not consumed. I lament that 



128 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

my heart is so cold and indifferent : I am 
astonished at myself that such a worm of the 
dust should not have her spirit more humbled 
within her. How wondrous the thought, that, 
abject and vile as I am, through rich grace I 
may be exalted to the dignity of being a 
worker together with God !" 

This characteristic fervor and humility she 
carried into the missionary cause ; there it 
found an augmented impulse, and its true and 
proper element. She was not only a well- 
informed, but a devout observer of the provi- 
dence of God. I cannot ascertain the date 
under which she made the following remarks 
in her diary, not even the year. " What a 
time of wonders is this ! I have seen kings 
hurled from their thrones and ignominiously 
slaughtered ; nobles cast down and trampled 
on by the vile. I have seen usurpers rioting 
upon the spoils of the deposed, and with fire 
and sword marching to continual victories, 
and so proud of their own power that they 
dreamed not of discomfiture. I have seen too, 
those very conquerors routed and dismayed — 
those before whom the earth trembled, seek- 
ing safety only in flight. 1 have seen the op- 
pressed rising in their strength from under the 
yoke of the oppressor, and their rightful rulers 
again invested with power. This is a won- 
derful overturning ; the times are pregnant 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 129 

with great events, which will issue in the 
spread of the gospel and the prosperity of 
Zion." In May, 1828, she writes as follows : 
" I have now to record the goodness of God 
in granting me the desire and prayer of my 
heart, that when the supplies for suffering 
Greece should leave our shores, a blessing 
might go with them in the mission of one 
who should proclaim to them the glad tidings 
of the great salvation. This grand object is 
now accomplished. The hand of God is in it, 
and especially in raising up one so well quali- 
fied for the service. God has been very mer- 
ciful in opening our way before us, and has 
blest us his handmaids in this interesting en- 
terprize. Wilt thou not make it a blessing to 
that unhappy and apostate land ? I feel the 
heavenly reaction of this poor effort in draw- 
ing me nearer to the throne of grace, and in 
the exercise of a stronger faith that the king- 
doms of this world shall become the kingdoms 
of our Lord Jesus Christ." Not far from the 
same time she writes, " The past week has 
been one of deep interest. The tribes of the 
land have come up to this city of our solemni- 
ties to commemorate the goodness of God, and 
to declare the wonders he has done for the 
salvation of so many of our guilty race. These 
are times of refreshing for God's children. 
They are heart-enlivening anniversaries. O 

6* 



130 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

may all who are employed in these institutions 
feel that it is not by might nor by power, but 
by thy Spirit alone that they can prosper. 
This is the appropriate work of faith and labor 
of love ; but our appropriate song is, Not unto 
us, not unto us, O Lord, but to thy name give 
glory !" Expressive of the same spirit also, 
are the following thoughts. " The kingdoms 
of this world shall become the kingdoms of 
our Lord Jesus Christ ; for the mouth of the 
Lord hath spoken it. Thou hast begun this 
great work, O Lord, by opening the under- 
standings and hearts of the people. They are 
moved as it were by one spirit in all parts of 
the earth, to urge forward the great and glo- 
rious work of spreading the savor of Jesus' 
name in all parts of the habitable world. The 
mists of ignorance are dispersing, and the Sun 
of righteousness is arising upon the hitherto 
dark nations with healing in his beams. O 
my soul, rejoice thou in the glorious prospect 
when the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the 
earth as the waters cover the sea, and when 
from the rising of the sun to the going down 
of the same the Lord's name shall be praised!" 
Of a kindred character are the following sen- 
tences. " The heathen shall be given to thy 
Son for his inheritance, and the uttermost 
parts of the earth for his possession. In what 
a wonderful manner does this prediction ap- 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 131 

pear to be now fulfilling ! The angel is flying 
through the heavens, having the everlasting 
gospel to preach to all nations, and kindred, 
and people, and tongues. The Christian world 
are awaking as from a deep sleep, and with 
one voice seem to inquire. Lord, what wilt 
thou have me to do ? The cry of the poor 
heathen has entered into their ears, and they 
seem to see, with Paul, a man entreating them 
to come over and help them. Thou dost work, 
and who shall let it." On the departure of a 
little band of missionaries, in 1820, she writes, 
" God is walking forth in majesty ; his foot- 
steps are marked with mercy and love. He 
is not only turning the heathen to himself, but 
he is opening a great effectual door among 
them, and disposing a number of his devoted 
servants to go and preach to them the un- 
searchable riches of Christ. O may thy Spirit 
go with these beloved men and women, teach- 
ing them to conduct themselves with the 
meekness of wisdom, and holiness, that by 
their chaste conversation in Christ, and their 
holy lives, they may win souls to him, and 
honor that religion they teach !" 

The particular missions which most deeply 
interested her, were the mission to the abo- 
riginees of our own continent, the mission to 
the Sandwich Islands, and the mission to the 
Jews. She sympathized most tenderly in the 



132 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

wrongs which the Indians of the South and 
West had sustained from our own Govern- 
ment ; nor was she slow to express her grief 
and indignation at the course which it pursued. 
She felt that the nation was degraded and dis- 
honored, and that it had provoked God's 
judgments. The red men had few firmer or 
warmer friends than Miss Murray. Few did 
more for their moral elevation ; and her diary 
shows how greatly she rejoiced, when, after 
all the discouragements which attended more 
modern efforts for their conversion, some of 
their injured tribes consented to receive the 
gospel from a people of whom they had so 
much cause to complain. Her interest in the 
mission at the Sandwich Islands was early 
excited by the fact, that among the early mis- 
sionaries to that people, were her young 
friends, the Rev. Charles Stuart and his lady, 
whom she greatly respected and loved. She 
watched the progress of the mission, and when 
the intelligence was received, that there had 
been a public recognition of Christianity as 
the law of the islands, she was almost frantic 
with joy. " I have just been reading letters," 
she says, " from the islands ; and the intelli- 
gence is as astonishing as it is delightful. 
How solemn and truly aifccting it must have 
been to have beheld an assembled nation ac- 
knowledging the authority of God's word, as 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L, MURRAY. 133 

the foundation of their Code of Laws ! What 
an interesting spectacle to see the king of this 
people present himself before them, profess 
himself a disciple of the Lord Jesus, publicly 
receive the seal of his covenant, and in an un- 
reserved manner dedicate himself to God ! 
Here is indeed a nation born in a day — con- 
verted from the worship of dumb idols to 
serve the Living God !" Yet after all her at- 
tachment to other departments of the great 
work, the mission to the Jews was the object 
which occupied the largest place in her heart. 
She was a firm believer in the literal restora- 
tion of that scattered people to the land which- 
was given to their fathers. She wrote largely 
on this subject ; it waked up all her devotional 
emotions, and poetic fire. " Great will be 
the power and grace of God," she says, " when 
his ancient people shall have the vail taken 
from their hearts, and the scales from their 
eyes, and they shall see the king in his beauty. 
Wonderful indeed will be the day, when 
Jews themselves shall themselves be the 
swift messengers to carry the knowledge of 
salvation to the unconverted Gentile lands. 
Will not this be as life from the dead ?" Again 
she says, -'Yet will I bring again the captivity 
of Moab in the latter days, saith the Lord. 
What a glorious era when he shall gather all 
his captives whither he has scattered them, 



134 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

and when they shall be the Lord's freemen ! 
Have respect, O God, especially to thine an- 
cient chosen people, that they may be brought 
in with the fulness of the Gentiles, and so all 
Israel shall be saved ! Has not the day be- 
gun to dawn, when his outcasts are beginning 
to look on him they have pierced ?" 

The cause of missions is the great cause 
w^hich is destined to employ the time, the 
talent, the wealth, the piety of the Christian 
world. It is a department by itself; a science 
by itself; it contains more germs of noble 
thought, more incentives to severe and un- 
wearied application of the intellectual powers, 
more inducements to a heavenly and disinter- 
ested piety, and a stronger stimulus to inde- 
fatigable effort than any other department of 
Christian labor, the pastoral office not ex- 
cepted. In our own church, much is needed 
in order to give it the importance and the im- 
pulse which it demands. The minds of our 
churches are accessible to its claims; they 
are w^aiting to be taught, and waiting to be 
moved. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

HER BOUNTY, AND HER INTEREST IN BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTIONS. 



" That virtue known 
By the relenting look, whose equal heart 
For others feels as for another self; 
Of various name, as various objects wake 
Warm into action the kindred sense within : 
Whether the blameless poor, the nobly maim'd. 
The lost to reason, the declined in life. 
The helpless young that know no mother's hand, 
And the grey second infancy of age. 
She goes in public families to live, 
A sight to gladden heaven." 



IiNSTiTL'Tiojvs foi' the relief of the ignorant, 
the poor, and the diseased, are for the most 
part, if not altogetlier, the fruit of Christianity. 
With all his love of action which is so natural 
to man, and which is one of the happiest prin- 
ciples in his physical and mental constitution, 
it is not benevolent action which naturally 
occupies his thoughts, nor is self-denying labor 
the sphere which he spontaneously chooses. 
" They are all gone out of the w^ay ; they are 
together become unprofitable ; there is none 
that doeth good, no, not one." They are " wise 
to do evil, but to do good they have no knowl- 
edge." 



136 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

It is not always easy to distinguish, in actual 
life, between the philanthropy of the men of 
the world, and the Christian goodness which 
is the fruit of God's Spirit. The Christian 
character is not formed by the mere reforma- 
tion of the outward conduct. It is not the 
adoption of correct opinions of Christianity 
that forms it, nor is it church membership un- 
der a faithful ministry. Nor are religious im- 
pressions pow^erfully made, nor strong emotions 
about divine things, occasionally felt, the sure 
indications of it. Man is radically apostate. 
There is an essential and radical diiference 
of character between the righteous and the 
wicked; no adventitious circumstances, and 
no outward modifications of his depravity, be 
they ever so subdued, amiable, and polished, 
effect the transformation, without which every 
man lives to himself and dies to himself. Yet 
is there, in perfect consistency with this su- 
premely selfish spirit, a philanthroptj to which 
infidelity itself is not a stranger ; and which 
has a name and a place in minds not enlight- 
ened by the truth of God, and where the 
heart remains unrenewed and unsanctified. 
Nor is there any stronger proof of the truth of 
these observations, than the declaration of the 
Apostle to the church at Corinth, " Though I 
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and 
have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 137 

To those who are acquainted with the na- 
ture and force of the Christian principles 
which actuated Miss Murray, her conduct was 
in keeping with her character. Her motives 
were Christian, and originated from love to 
God and her neighbor; from an affectionate 
regard to the divine authority, and a grateful 
view of her obligations to Jesus Christ. She 
was not a stranger to the kind and philan- 
thropic impulses of humanity ; few possessed 
more of them, or in greater tenderness and 
refinement. But she had other and holier 
impulses ; affections which, because they cen- 
tered in God, expanded themselves upon the 
creatures he has made. 

It was her religion that made her charita- 
ble, and one of the most useful of women. 
" Whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth 
his brother have need, and shutteth up his 
bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth 
the love of God in him ?" Such was not her 
character. She had love ; she had penitence 
and zeal ; she had religious experience ; she 
was a woman of prayer ; but she possessed 
also a large measure of that " pure and unde- 
filed religion which visits the fatherless and 
widows in their affliction, and keeps itself un- 
spotted from the world." It was not a showy, 
but an effective religion. And it was her 
habitual character. Not more did it belong to 



138 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

the employments of every year, and week, 
and day, to read the Scriptures, to frequent 
the house of God, and to hold secret inter- 
course with him, than it did, " as she had op- 
portunity, to do good unto all, especially to 
those of the household of faith." Her con- 
science and heart were as thoroughly disci- 
plined to this service, as they were to family 
worship, or to the devout commemoration of 
the love and sacrifice of her atoning Lord. 

It is not probable that one half her bounty 
is known ; yet enough is known, not only to 
indicate her liberal heart, but to furnish sat- 
isfactory evidence that she habitually sought 
the divine direction in dispensing her charities. 
So far as the writer is able to form any judg- 
ment of her character in this particular, her 
only failing was that she sometimes bestowed 
her bounty too indiscriminately ; it cost her 
pain to refuse, and none to bestow. 

Her manuscripts abundantly indicate that 
she consecrated all her possessions to God, to 
be employed for him, as his providence might 
call for them. The following are exemplifica- 
tions of this spirit. " I would unreservedly 
dedicate my all to thee ; and give up all 
things for Christ's sake." " O Lord, I am less 
than the least of all thy mercies. I am aston- 
ished and confounded when I contemplate 
myself, that thou hast so loaded me with bless- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 139 

ings. Thou hast blessed me with uninter- 
rupted temporal prosperity, and given me abun- 
dantly of the good things of this world. I 
pray to be enabled to remember that I am but 
a steward ; and thou will require of me an ac- 
count of the manner in which I have distribu- 
ted the gifts of thy bounty, and whether I 
endeavor to do all things to thy glory, and 
thus fulfil the end of my being." Again, she 
writes, " What are earthly treasures compared 
with the pearl of great price ? O that I may 
be enabled to use this world as not abusing it, 
and make a right use of the mammon of 
unrighteousness !" Again she says, " I know 
that this world is a snare, and that it becomes 
us to walk circumspectly. Merciful Father, 
give me a disposition to work while it is day, 
feeling with Nehemiah, that I have a great 
work to do, and that herein thou art glorified, 
when thy children bring forth much fruit. 
Give me a heart, O Lord, to devote my sub- 
stance and strength to thy service, that I may 
glorify thee in my body and spirit which are 
thine !" Again she writes, " His grace is not 
only sufficient for us in adversity, but in pros- 
perity. He can give us an humble spirit, and 
make us instrumental of good in his hands, 
by rendering us faithful stewards of the 
riches he has committed to us, so that our 
light may shine before men." 



140 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

I have not, in her voluminous manuscripts, 
found one solitary record of her bounty ; but it 
abounds with grateful acknowledgments of 
God's goodness, fervent desires that she might 
wisely employ it, and not a few thoughts here 
and there scattered, expressive of her solicitude, 
her pious fear, lest, amidst all her abundance 
in temporal things, God should suifer them to 
ensnare her and send leanness into her soul. 
She was afraid of overgrown wealth ; and has 
often been heard to say, that " she did not see 
why people so eagerly desired to be rich." I 
have myself heard her make the remark, that 
" she did not know what money was good for, 
except to give away." There was a period, 
during some heavy assessments upon her 
landed property, in which she felt herself 
cramped in her charities; and I well remem- 
ber her remark, that " she did not care for it, 
only as it embarrassed her in some of her 
subscriptions." She had no thought of hoard- 
ing : I do not believe the thought ever seri- 
ously entered her mind of a surjyJus income. 
It was dedicated property. So far from desir- 
ing, or having any superfluous income, she 
often put her industry, her frugality, her in- 
vention to the test in order to enlarge her 
means of doing good. She often gave more 
than her proportion; and she felt that she 
must do so, because others gave so little. 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 141 

Many a time, after having first set a noble ex- 
ample of liberality, has she patiently solicited 
others for their assistance in promoting some 
important benevolent enterprise ; and, disap- 
pointed and chagrined, supplied the necessary 
amount from her own purse. And the beauty 
of her charities was that she w^as so cheerful 
and so unostentatious a giver. 

The demands upon her bounty w^ere nume- 
rous. Besides her kindness to individuals, 
some of w horn, until she made them almost 
her adopted children, were strangers, and 
besides her acts of kindness to her pastor and 
his family, wdiich w^ere neither few nor small, 
her charities were chiefly bestowed on a So- 
ciety of ladies, instituted for the relief of poor 
Widows with small children ; on the American 
Bible and Tract societies ; on the American 
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions ; 
on the Board of Domestic Missions of the Pres- 
byterian church ; on the American Education 
Society, instituted for the assistance of poor and 
pious men in their preparation for the gospel 
ministry ; on the American Sabbath School 
Union ; on the Society for meliorating the 
condition of the Jews ; and on a local society 
for the establishment and sustenance of Infant 
Schools. She was among the founders of 
some of these institutions ; of some of them 
she w^as one of the indefatigable and perse- 



142 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

vering managers till her death ; and in all of 
them she was actively engaged. She was 
beloved and honored by all associated with 
her in these societies, and scrupulously con- 
scientious in doing her duty in them all. She 
devoted herself to them from a conviction of 
duty, and exercised no small degree of self- 
denial in the discharge of it. Many things in 
these spheres of labor were repugnant to her 
own feelings and habits, and greatly repug- 
nant to her distrust of her own powers ; while 
others were satisfied of her remarkable fitness 
for the things in which she most doubted her- 
self. That she did not enter upon these du- 
ties thoughtlessly, is evident from many pas- 
sages in her diary, from which we quote only 
the following paragraph : " My earnest desire 
is to do all things to God's glory ; and now hav- 
ing associated myself with some others for the 
purpose of administering to the necessities of 
my fellow-creatures, I humbly pray that I 
may be influenced by a love to Him. I would 
have an abiding sense of his presence ; that 
if I should be called at any time to services 
humbling to the flesh, I may feel that it is 
better to obey God than man, and to be wil- 
ling to become a fool for Christ's sake. In 
this new association, may he grant that har- 
mony and love may prevail ; that we may be 
a band of sisters united in Christ Jesus, our 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 143 

glorious and blessed Head ; that we may be 
the means of dispensing, not only temporal, 
but spiritual comfort, thus glorifying our Heav- 
enly Father by imitating the example of our 
blessed Master." 

In these labors of love Miss Murray will 
long be remembered by her associates. A 
lady of kindred spirit with her, the widow of 
the late Divie Bethune, remarked to the 
writer not long since, with great emphasis, 
" When we lost Miss Murray, I felt that I had 
lost my right hand. O, sir, she was true. She 
stood by me to the last !" A communication 
received from this lady is best presented in 
her own words. 

To Rev. Dr. Spring. 

Dear Sir : — Indisposition and the multitude 
of calls on my time at this season, must plead 
my excuse for not having sooner complied 
with your request. Be assured that it would 
afford me much pleasure and gratify my desire 
to do justice to the character of my highly 
esteemed and deeply regretted Christian friend, 
the late Miss Hannah Murray. But I can only 
enumerate her many charitable deeds, con- 
nected with her uniform Christian character 
and her highly valued friendship, the remem- 
brance of which I still cherish, and leave you 
to make what use you please of it. 



144 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

My earliest remembrance of both Miss 
Miirrays is their being among my beloved 
mother's first pupils in this city. My next is 
the deep interest taken by Mrs. Susan Ogden 
as Directress and the Miss Murrays as Man- 
agers of the House of Industry ; an institu- 
tion which proved eminently beneficial to 
those whose husbands were engaged in the 
war between Great Britain and this country. 
Not only were the industrious poor preserved 
from the degradation of street begging or be- 
coming inmates of the alms house, but many 
learned trades which proved a support to them 
in after life. Both Miss Murrays were among 
our highest subscribers in money, and by 
numerous gifts of fancy articles made by them, 
added hundreds of dollars to our treasury. 
It was for the benefit of that institution that 
the first fancy fair was held in this city. I 
refer you to the constitution of the society for 
further information. 

Miss Hannah Murray also was a manager 
in the Sabbath Schools, and when we divided 
the city into four districts, and maps placed in 
each for those who would engage in Bible 
and Sunday School associations, she had a dis- 
trict assigned to her, and submitted to be 
called on, and to point out districts not yet 
occupied, to those who wished to be engaged in 
so good a work, without interfering with others. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 145 

In all these labors we were associated ; but it 
was when the solitary widow sought to find em- 
ployment, in feeding Christ's lambs, that I found 
Miss Murray all that I wished as the sympa- 
thizing friend and treated with the deference 
and respect she considered I w^as entitled to. 

When the Infant School Society was estab- 
lished, and I have always considered her as 
one of its founders, I was in hopes that the 
gentlemen would have got up the society, 
and that our sex should have been helps 
meet for them in this service. After waiting 
more than a year and having had a public 
meeting, my plans and documents which I had 
imparted were returned to me, and the reason 
given that the public School Society declined 
engaging in the work. I then determined at 
my own expense to commence a small school, 
that the system might be made known and 
schools on a larger scale established. She 
immediately came forward, and offered time, 
talents, and substance. Subscribing liberally 
herself and inducing others to do the same, 
she asked me how much I would require to 
open a school. I said if only $300 were col- 
lected I would pledge my word to make a 
beginning. The money was collected, and 
she became our treasurer, and gave her atten- 
tion to the institution, and in every way held 
up my hands while she lived. 
7 



146 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

She was indeed a judicious counsellor in 
private, while she held up my hands in public. 
She had a ready wit, and when any little dif- 
ference would occur, she would in a playful 
manner give a turn to the argument that 
caused what was meant as a frown to result 
in a smile. She was my neighbor, and when 
difficulties pressed on me I would stop on my 
way, and, conversing with her, all my difficul- 
ties would vanish, and I would return to my 
solitary home, mentally saying, " Well, blessed 
be God, I have one dear friend who stands by 
me." 

During ten years we took sweet counsel 
together, but the time drew nigh when this 
dear friend was to be taken from me. 

She had a lingering illness, and I was not 
permitted to see her till all hope of her recov- 
ery was past. I then was privileged to sit by 
her bed, and hold her hand. She could not 
see me, but felt the pressure of my hand, and 
heard the sob I could not repress. She said 
Who ? On being told, she returned the press- 
ure, and recollecting even in death our long 
friendship, said with faltering tongue, " Jesus 
stand by you." Thus departed my dear, 
faithful friend, Hannah L. Murray, and no 
doubt received the plaudit. Well done, good 
and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of 
thy Lord. May my latter end be like hers ! 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 147 

The Infant School was not forgotten Dy her, 
but to it she bequeathed a legacy of $500. 
Yours respectfully, 

J. Bethune. 

The following are the testimonials of some 
of the societies in which she took an active 
part, and which show the estimation in which 
she was held by their respective Boards of 
Direction. That of the Female Auxiliary 
Bible Society, of which she was one of the 
principal founders, I have not been able to 
procure, as their report for the year in which 
Miss Murray was taken from us was not pub- 
lished. At a meeting of the Board of the 
" Infant School Society," held June 15th, 
1836, the following resolution was unani- 
mously adopted. " That this Board deeply 
lament the loss of Miss Hannah L. Murray, 
their late efficient treasurer. From the com- 
mencement of the society, she not only ful- 
filled the duties of treasurer, but was a most 
judicious counsellor ; and by her uniform 
cheerfulness and regular attendance, set an 
example to her associates, which they sin- 
cerely hope they may emulate ; that when 
their w ork is done, it may, like that of their 
lamented friend, be ivell done.'' The follow- 
ing is an extract from the 39th report of the 
*•' Widows' Society." While your managers 



148 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

record, with thankfulness, the many mercies 
and blessings of the past year, it is with feel- 
ings of the deepest sorrow, that they announce 
the death of their late secretary. Miss Hannah 
L. Murray. Since the foundation of this in- 
stitution, she has proved herself one of its 
warmest friends, and most active, energetic 
laborers. In her were united the kindest and 
most tender feelings, with the greatest firm- 
ness and decision ; and to her superior judg- 
ment, the society looked with veneration and 
respect. In trouble, her firm faith and depen- 
dence cheered their drooping spirits ; and 
when their prospects were bright, none re- 
joiced with a more holy joy. She is now 
numbered with the dead who have died in 
the Lord. She rests from her labors, and 
while her works do follow her, the effects of 
them will long be felt in the Widows' Society, 
and prove a strong incentive to others to walk 
after her example. No longer able to aid the 
society by her active exertions, she has been 
mindful of it to the last in the bequest of one 
thousand dollars." 

" The memory of the just is blessed." Such 
a philanthropist could not be overlooked in her 
life, nor forgotten in her death. Piety is not 
always the door to fame, but deeds like hers 
will be remembered when the " name of the 
wicked shall rot." 



CHAPTER IX. 



HER MISCELLANEOUS POETRY. 



' Virtue could see to do what virtue would 
By her own light, though sun and moon 
Were in the great sea sunk. And Wisdom's self 
Oft seeks to secret, retired solitude, 
Where with her best nurse Contemplation 
She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings." 



Everything is beautiful in its season. We 
have alluded to Miss Murray's versatility of 
genius ; nor can we exhibit her true character 
without presenting the following specimens 
of her miscellaneous poetry. 

A PASTORAL. 

"How cool is the evening breeze, 

How soft are the strains it conveys. 
How mild looks the moon through the trees, 
How soothing sweet Philomel's lays. 

"Blest season, I hail thee with joy ; 
Sweet warbler, continue thy strains ; 
O let no rude passions annoy. 

The tranquil delight which now reigns. 

" But did she not promise to come, 

When the moon gently gleam'd on yon tow'r, 



150 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

And will she unkind let me roam, 
Without her, from bow'r to bow'r ? 

"0 \yhy did she smile when she said. 
Dear Henry, my heart is thy own ? 
With a kiss the confession I paid, 
And trusted in Anna alone. 

" But 0, if such smiles can deceive. 
And sweetness so pure can betray. 
Never more woman's vows I'll believe, 
Never more hail with transport the day. 

" But hark ! sure a nistling is near ; 
Why beats so tumultuous my heart ? 
'Tis she, 'tis her voice that I hear, 
'Tis she, and we never will part. 

" Ye Powers, watch over our love. 
And be our kind guardians still : 
My Anna is true, and will prove, 
A solace in every ill." 



A DREAM. 

"My mind on various thoughts had turn'd, 
When thus the fate of man I mourn'd. 
Unhappy being, who art here 
Nought but distress and grief to bear ! 
Why wert thou made ? hapless man. 
There 's nought on earth for thee but pain [ 

" While thus I mused, my weary eyes 
By sleep were made a willing prize ; 
The scene was chang'd, the gloom dispell'd. 
And every murmuring feeling quell'd ; 
My heart with transport seemed to bound. 
And all appear'd enchantment round. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 151 

Soft music floated on each breeze, 
And brighter verdure deck'd the trees : 
The violet raised its drooping head, 
Its fragrance round the city spread. 
Soft was the zephyr on his wing 
As in the gentle blush of spring. 
And every shrub and every flower 
Seemed touch'd by some superior power ; 
Wlien sudden shone celestial light. 
Whose streaming radiance fixed my sight. 
My heart with awful rapture glow'd, 
While to the earth my face I bow'd : 
The silence dread at once was broke. 
When thus the heavenly vision spoke. 

" Thy plaints are heard, presumptuous youth, 
Now listen to the voice of truth ; 
And know that He who rules the skies. 
Makes order from confusion rise, 
Bids, from the darkest night profound 
His Righteous Sun to shine around. 
And when he calls his children hence, 
From scenes of vanity and sense, 
He crowns them with his richest love 
la realms of endless bliss above. 

" Thus spoke the heavenly vision fair. 
And vanished with the passing air." 



TO COL. R 'S WIG. 

" Hail, gentle wig ! may no rude wight. 
E'er twirl thee from thy custom'd height, 
But long thy curls in order lay, 
Upon a forehead fair as day. 
Full often mayst thou keep from harm 
The head which thou wert made to warm ; 



152 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

And if a friend her wish could have, 
For all thou art a thing so grave, 
Thou shouldst wiih wit inspired be, 
To make thy wearer pleased with thee ; 
Each hair in sympathy should rise. 
When scenes of honor greet his eyes ; 
And when his mind serenely gay. 
Thy locks in placid curls should lay ; 
Thus varying with his varying soul. 
But always under his control ; 
And should thy touch sometimes convey 
A thought of her who penn'd this lay. 
Then while I live I '11 praise thee well, 
And on thy magic virtues dwell." 



DREAM OF A DECEASED FRIEND. 

" Last night, when on my downy bed 
I gently laid my weary head, 
The prince of slumbers waved his hand, 
And bore me from the blooming land. 
I soon was hurried down the tide. 
And on the waters deep did ride. 
To speed our course the fav'ring gales 
Breath'd in the bosom of the sails. 
When a fair city rose to view. 
Whose glittering spires full well I knew. 
In vision blest thy form appear'd, 
And thy endearing voice I heard, 
Thy opening arms enclos'd me straight. 
Our hearts with warmest friendship beat. 
How didst thou strain me to thy breast, 
While on thy countenance express'd 
Was that wann welcome which I know. 
Would from thy gentle bosom flow. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 153 

While thus encircled by thy arm, 
And freed from all that could alarm, 
I lay enraptured at thy sight, 
And coursinof o'er with fond delio^ht, 
The pleasures other times had brought, 
And tracing every youthful thought — 
Some demon, envious of my bliss. 
Ere I could take the profFer'd kiss, 
Snatch'd from my eyes the vision sweet. 
And left me nothing but regret. 

" Yet still, dear friend, though lost to view, 
My heart will keep thine image true. 

Why is it that thy angel form. 
So oft in dreams salutes my eye ? 

Why, but my better part to warm. 
And raise my thoughts beyond the sky." 



ON THE RETURN OF SPRING. 

" Lo ! Spring appears : behold she comes again 
Clad in her blooming robe of varied sweets : 
Pleas'd her dread sire to charm, and, smiling, crown 
With chaplets green his venerable head. 
And by her never-failing powers disperse 
The chilling frosts that circle round his brow. 
How light she bounds, and by her magic touch 
Bids blooming flowers arise to bless her reign ; 
Bids fragrance sweet perfume the gentle air. 
And nature rise in triumph from her bed 
Of dull repose ; and laughing, hail the warmth 
That bade their beauties grow luxuriant. 
No long winter's howling wounds the ear. 
Nor summer's scorching suns infection breed, 
But all is softness, love, and gentle spring." 
7* 



154 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

WRITTEN IN THE ALBUM OF A YOUNG FRIEND. 

" You ask me to write, but the muses have flown, 
And have crush'd all my liopes, all my plans overthrown ; 
But perhaps if I search in my brain I may find 
Some scrap snugly hid, in their haste left behind. 

" Aye, here I have found one, but not worth a pin, 
'Tis all rumpled without, all confusion within : 
But I '11 try to decipher these marks of the Nine, 
And when that is ended, declare they are mine. 

" They sing of the charms which the mind should adorn. 
When beauty is brilliant, and life in its morn ; 
When the heart is all rapture, the soul all on fire, 
And eager to seize what the passions desire. 

"When fancy displays all her varied delights, 
And fond expectation the young mind invites 
To partake of its joys while life's current is warm, 
Nor dash from its lips what its troubles can charm. 

" listen, dear maid, to the caution they give : 
Trust not to these transports, they always deceive ; 
But look well to thj^ heart ; for beneath this fair show, 
The seeds of corruption and sorrow will grow. 

" And strengthen thyself in the strength of the Lord, 
And strive for those blessings reveal'd in his word ; 
And seek those pure pleasures which never can end, 
By looking to God, as thy Saviour and friend." 



LINES 



Occasioned by an olive branch from Bethany, presented to the author by 
the Rev. Dr. King, missionary from Palestine. 

" While on this little olive branch I gaze, 
My heart is moved to love, my lips to praise. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 155 

What holy recollections fill my mind ! 
Of triumphs many, and of griefs combined ! 
How oft the Saviour, 'mid thy kindred shade, 
Retir'd from man, for guilty man has pray'd ; 
Whole nights with fever'd spirit sought his God, 
And felt his frame by heavenly strength renew'd. 
What blest hosannahs flow'd from every tongue, 
When as a conq'ror 'mid th' admiring throng, 
The Lord descending»from the mount Avas seen. 
While o'er his path was strew'd this peaceful green. 
Whene'er I look upon thy silv'ry leaf. 
May I remember all my Saviour's grief. 
Remember how he agonized for man 
And finish'd on the cross his wond'rous plan; 
Brought in an everlasting I'ighteousness, 
Bequeathing to his friends eternal peace ; 
Then burst the bands of death, in life appear'd. 
With words of comfort his disciples cheer'd. 
Then blest them ; and while they gazing stood, 
Veil'd in a cloud of glory rose to God." 



ON REFUSING TO READ HER JOURNAL TO HER SISTER 

"Let not a paltry journal cause 
A breach upon love's tender laws. 
Nor let thy mind with keenness feel 
Those words which in an over zeal 
For darling self were uttered ; 
My foolish heart was fluttered. 
And felt as if a feeble fly 
Would make its courage faint and die. 
But sure I 'd rather wound that heart, 
And bid that selfish pride to smart. 
Than cause a sister's breast to know 
One thought unkind, one painful throe. 



156 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Let each ungentle feeling cease, 

And love restore our hearts to peace !" 



PLACED IN MR. R.'S HAT, IN ANSWER TO HIS DREAM. 

" Go to the Druid's cave, there pay thy vow ; 
And low before his holy altar bow ; 
But first propitiate the aged sire 
With fragrant herbs ; then stiike the sounding lyre, 
And all the woods around with melody inspire. 
Then will his soul be roused, and accents fair 
Will all the vision of thy dream declare, 
And if thy heart be true, and constant prove, 
The doves which fluttered in the air above, 
Shall flit before thee and pronounce the name 
Of her who is to fan the sacred flame." 



ON READING A POEM ENTITLED FANNY. 

' Dear Croaker, all that thou canst say, 
Will never turn me from the way, 
That leads to pleasures of the mind, 
Pleasures lasting, and refined. 
For while I range the copious field. 
Which nature and her wonders yield, 
My soul enjoys more pure delight, 
Receives more knowledge and more light, 
Than if I read with studious care. 
Ten thousand tales like Fanny fair. 
In yon immeasurable space, 
My eager eyes with wonder trace, 
Unnumber'd worlds, revolving: briofht. 
Some shining in their proper light. 
Obedient to their Maker's will. 
In sound harmonious speak his skill ; 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 157 

Who witli a power divine commands, 
And all in perfect order stands. 
He, when the orbs began their course. 
First gave them their propelling force ; 
But lest these spheres should erring stray, 
Through boundless ether's trackless way, 
An equal pow'r, with wondrous art. 
He placed within a central part. 
Which drew them with a magic sway. 
To blend in his superior ray. 
And these contending forces join'd. 
The wandering planet strait confin'd, 
To move in constant circles, round 
The glorious centre, it had found. 
Here what a flood of light pours in ; 
What wonders view'd, before unseen ; *■ 
Which lead the mind with rapid flight. 
To soar above these orbs of light ; 
Till with the mighty thoughts oppress'd. 
It finds in God alone its rest. 
When calm returning to the earth. 
It sees new beauties spring to birth. 
His face its glowing charms displays. 
Gilt by the sun's refulgent rays : 
The different plants, with skill unknown. 
Select that ray they call their own ; 
And deck'd, as by a hand divine. 
Graceful, in borrow'd tints they shine. 
If we descend its caverns deep, 
AVhat precious gems within them sleep ; 
Spreading around their darksome bed, 
The glowing light their crystals shed. 
There too, conceal'd from human eye, 
The ores in beauteous order lie. 
Embedded in their native soil 
They rest ; until the miner's toil. 



158 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Their use, and beauty brings to light, 

And clothes them with a surface bright. 

Here natm-e, hidden from our eyes. 

In secret works ; and bids arise 

Tliose various combinations strange, 

Which open such extensive range. 

To captivate the eager mind, 

And urge it on new truths to find. 

Oh ! these are themes that fill the soul ; 

And rule it with a sweet control : 

Which bear it as on eagle wing, 

To God, the fountain, and the spring. 

The source of life, and light, and laws. 

The last great end ; the first great cause. ' 



WRITTEN IN THE ALBUM OF A YOUNG FRIEND. 

"Dear Caroline, if poesy had pow'r 
To calm the bosom in affliction's hour. 
To pluck the sting from disappointment's dart, 
Or sooth the sorrows of the wounded heart ;. 
If it could cheer the darksome path of life. 
Or lull to rest its never-ceasing strife ; 
Then, then would I invoke the tuneful band 
To pour into my song their accents bland ; 
To fill my strains with their poetic fire, 
And all my verse with harmony inspire ; 
That I might breathe a lay to grace thy page, 
A talisman thy sorrows to assuage. 
Which should its never-failing charm impart. 
To guard from every ill thy youthful heart. 

" But since it owns no magic pow'r like this, 
Since it nor pain averts, nor lengthens bliss, 
I'll cast til' unprofitable Ij're away. 
And point thee to that bright and heavenly ray 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 159 

Which kindles in the soul a Scacred fire, 
A holy flame which never will expire. 
To love divine which fills the mind with joy, 
That love which endless ages shall employ ; 
The spirits blest — who sing in strains untold 
Redeeming grace ; and strike their harps of gold, 
Which clears the mists that circle in our path. 
Which calms the raging of unhallowed wrath, 
Extracts tlie anguish from each earthly sting, 
And bids sweet peace from every trial spring. 



ON READING SOME LINES IN A NEWSPAPER, ON THE 
DEATH OF A FRIEND. 

" Oh ! they have left thy brightest fame untold ; 
And hid from sight thy purest, finest gold. 
Thou didst delight to bear the Christian name, 
And felt within its spirit's purest flame ; 
Which bade thee humbly bow before that pow'r 
Who had preserved thee in each trying hour : 
Whose love was shed abroad within thy heart, 
Directing thee to choose that better part 
Which neither life, nor death, nor eartlily good 
Can take from those who in a Saviour's blood 
Are wash'd and cleans'd ; 'twas this, my friend. 
This hope in Jesus which illum'd thy end." 

The Poem entitled " The Restoration of 
Israel," is an original work of Eight Books, 
containing from five hundred to a thousand 
lines in each book, and in beautifully harmoni- 
ous numbers. It is a work of time and effort ; 
our limits allow us to furnish only a few brief 
specimens. The following is from the intro- 
duction : • 



160 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

" God spake the word — My outcasts hither bring, 
That they may bow before their Saviour King, 
Break every yoke, and burst the prisoner's band, 
And speed them onward to the holy land. 
This great command through every nation flew. 
Kings of the earth were moved by feelings new. 
That race, so long the victim of their power. 
They pitying view, their abject state deplore, 
Recall to mind what sorrows they had borne, 
How, peeled and scattered, from their country torn 
Loaded with names opprobrious and vile ; 
Esteemed unworthy of a Christian smile. 
That people, once the well-belov'd of God ! 
Conducted by the pillar and the cloud. 
For whom the skies poured down the bread of heaven. 
To whom the Lively Oracles were given ; 
Who could a Moses boast, that face to face. 
Held sweet communion with the God of grace ; , 
A royal David, who with stroke profound, 
Wak'd the prophetic harp to solemn sound ; 
A Solomon, who, wisest of his kind, 
Search'd all the deep recesses of the mind ; 
That people blest, from whom the Saviour sprung. 
Whose wondrous advent hosts angelic sung ; 
That people who, with God himself their guide, 
Spread terror through the earth, and kings defied ; 
Who numbered warriors of deathless fame. 
Whose bold exploits the palm of victory claim ; 
Where Maccabseus, like a burning light. 
Burst in full splendor on the astonished sight ; 
While a long line of worthies fills the page, 
Who cast their lustre on our distant ao-e." 

After representing the nations as obedient 
to this command, and themselves counselling 
to hasten the fulfilment of this high decree, 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 161 

the nation of Israel is presented to the read- 
er's view in the following paragraph : 

" But while these thoughts the hearts of princes moved, 
The sons of Jacob other feehngs proved : 
In secret mourned their long neglected state, 
Their country and their temple desolate, 
Their altars gone, on which no more arise. 
The smoke of rams, or bulls in sacrifice. 
The Urim, Thummim, Ephod, once their boast, 
The Golden Censer, with its incense lost. 
The line extinct which gave the rightful Priest, 
The hallow'd service of the temple ceased. 
They thought upon Jerusalem their joy, 
Her desolations every mind employ ; 
While searching 'mid the prophecies to see, 
How long should last their sad captivity ; 
How long deserted by the God of heaven. 
They should like outcasts, through the eai*th be driven ; 
How long ere blest Jerusalem should be, 
Again inhabited, her children free." 

A solemn council of the nation is then 
called ; Ezra addresses the God of their fa- 
thers in prayer; a second Cyrns issues the edict 
for their return ; the sixth vial is poured out 
upon the waters of the Euphrates ; the scat- 
tered tribes of Israel are invited to assemble 
under the Russian Eagle ; distinguished war- 
riors are described, and a brave female ac- 
companies her lover to the conflict ; the army 
is formed, and in the commencement of the 
second book, begin their march. This book 
describes the increase of the army, and its 



162 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

progress, and brings it before the city of Con- 
stantinople. 

The third book opens with the following 
description of this far-famed seat, both of Ro- 
man and Moslem power. 

" This city rose, by art majestic graced, 
Like a strong sentinel by nature placed 
To guard the sea, which flow'd on either hand, 
And poured its tribute to enrich her land. 
Fair in proportion were her buildings seen, 
And regal splendor deck'd this stately queen. 
And often, as enamored of her grace, 
She view'd, complacent, her reflected face, 
On the smooth mirror which before her lay, 
And form'd a liquid passage to each sea. 
Her sti'eets were crowded with a busy throng, 
Where oft were heard the tabret, pipe, and song ; 
Th' industrious citizen his labor plied, 
And each to emulate his fellow vied. 
When Constanline, the Great, design'd to show 
What his munificence and power could do. 
He plann'd a city which should bear his name. 
To latest ages in the rolls of fame ; 
The place selected, where Byzantium stood, 
And reign'd imperial mistress of the flood. 
Within Byzantium's walls the monarch lay. 
Fatigued with all the turmoil of the day, 
When gentle slumbers o'er his eyelids crept. 
And busy fancy wakened as he slept. 
Before him stood, in majesty and grace. 
The tutelary genius of the place. 
A venerable matron's form she wore. 
And marks of age upon her visage bore. 
And while with wonder he the scene survey'd. 
The mati-on stood confess'd a bloominor maid. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 163 

With his own hands, he deck'd the beauteous fair, 

With regal gems adorn'd her flowing hair ; 

Upon her brow the crown imperial placed, 

And with the insignia of command, he placed 

Her polish 'd hands. This done, the monarch woke, 

But to his mind the vision plainly spoke, 

And seem'd to say, Here shall the city rise, 

Obedient to his will who rules the skies. 

With solemn pomp, the monarch then precedes 

A long procession, which he onwards leads ; 

Nor did he cease, till he had measured round, 

Ten ample miles to form its utmost bound. 

The space thus mark'd, he drew with liberal hand 

The great artificers of every land, 

Till he, exulting, saw the fabric rise 

Magnificent to his enraptur'd eyes. 

In form triangular its base was laid ; 

Full on the west, its greatest breadth display'd ; 

Along its northern side, the golden horn 

Of Cairo winds, whose placid waves have borne 

The richest freights from Arras' distant shore, 

And all the fabrics which from Europe pour: 

Its southern border wide Marmora laves. 

Which fills an ample basin with its waves : 

Olympus in the west his summit rears. 

And great in towering majesty appears. 

But all this glory soon must pass away. 

And infidels usurp the Christian's sway. 

The crescent now above the cross displays. 

Catching on silver horns his dazzling rays. 

Mosques occupy the places where once stood 

Temples erected to the triune God." 

Strong preparations are then made for the de- 
fence of the city ; the battle rages; the Russian 
army, and the Jewish, after several incidents 



164 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

of a personal character, are successful ; and 
the third book closes with the utter destruc- 
tion of the Mahometan power. The Sultan's 
death, the dispersion of the Turks, the quiet 
possession of the conquered city by the con- 
querors, the burial of the slain, various scenes 
of suffering depicted, the liberation of the in- 
carcerated harem, an affecting narrative of a 
Grecian female whom the Sultan had made 
captive in war, the peaceful possession of the 
city, and the erection of the hero's tomb over 
the ashes of one of Israel's leaders, form the 
principal themes of the fourth book. The fifth 
book opens with a splendid description of the 
interior of Constantinople ; of the mosque of 
St. Sophia, and Solyman, and of the sylvan 
suburbs. Here the army remain twenty days, 
during which there are some remarkable con- 
versions from Judaism to Christianity, and the 
nuptials celebrated between a Christian leader 
and a converted Jewess; after which the 
troops embark on the sea of Marmora, through 
the Dardanelles, visit the islands of the Ar- 
chipelago, pass through the groups of the 
Ciclades, and land unmolested at Joppa, Here 
they rest but for a night, and press on, through 
Ramah, to the vale of Jeremiah, where, with 
the dawning of the morrow's sun, they set 
their eyes on the holy city. The sixth book 
opens with the words : — 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 165 

" Bright dawn'd the day ; a day \vith hope replete, 
When Jacob's sons should plant their weary feet 
In blest Jerusalem ; that sacred spot, 
So long by Gentiles trodden under foot." 

The following description of the sun's ris- 
ing, appears to us true poetry : 

" In majesty unclouded rose the sun, 
With strength renewed, his golden race to run, 
And issuing from the portals of the day. 
In splendor bright urged on his glorious way ; 
Triumphant in his course to glad the earth, 
And call a thousand beauties into birth : 
Causing the modest lily of the vale. 
To raise her drooping head, her sweets exhale ; 
Deying with deeper blush the fragrant rose. 
Bidding the various flowers their charms discloses 
And with a skill to haughty man unknown. 
Select that proper ray they call their own. 

Thy light and beauty in the diamond shine ; 

Glow in the ruby ; and with tints divine 

Brighten the sapphire, and the topaz gild ; 

And fill with lucid green the emerald ; 

Blaze in the carbuncle, and spread abroad 

A sparkling lustre in their dark abode. 

There thy deep-searching beams those wonders cause. 

Those magical effects of nature's laws. 

Which draw together by election strange. 

Atoms distinct that near each other range, 

And by a mystical affinity. 

Unite in crystals beauteous to the eye. 

As the great centre, thou art seen to stand. 

While worlds unnumbered range on every hand, 

In sweet consent by thy attraction drawn, 

The force centripetal accordant own : 



166 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

And faithful as the needle to the pole, 

In their harmonious circles round thee roll." 

The scenery of Palestine, the new arrange- 
ment of the army, and their impassioned zeal, 
here occupy some pages. 

"The weary warriors from their slumbers woke. 
As the loud bugle on the silence bi'oke ; 
In order ranged, the banners waved on high. 
And Judah's Lion rose to greet the sky. 
They now approach'd Jerusalem belov'd, 
Where once their temple stood by God approved : 
That temple whither all the tribes repaired. 
And where the Lord of hosts his will declared. 
Where overshadowing the mercy-seat, 
The golden pinions of tlie cherubs meet ; 
Where the high priest in holy garments dress'd. 
Bore the twelve tribes upon his faitliful breast. 
Alas how changed ! now here profanely rise 
The mosque's proud minaret t' insult the skies ; 
The holy city everywhere defiled 
With rites Mahometan and worsliip wild." 

The army then sets forward ; not without 
daily prayers, it passes over " many a craggy 
rock" and " narrow defile," and rests amid the 
" charmed culture" of the Terebinthine vale. 

" Here they recalled to mind that glorious day. 
When Israel's host was set in proud array. 
And the huge giant of Philistia's band, 
Was seen in bold and haughty scorn to stand, 
Raising his impious voice in wrath on high, 
The mighty God of Israel to defy. 
When armed with sling and stone, the youth appear'd, 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 167 

While pious confidence his bosom cheered ; 
Approach'd tlie champion of the uncircumcised, 
His form colossal, but his power despised ; 
And to the earth his giant carcass bowed 
While consternation marked the gazing crowd. 

The troops now no longer brook delay ; but 
on nearing the city, they found no preparation 
for the battle, but entering it by the northern 
gate, find it abandoned. Here they unite in a 
song of praise. 

" Lord of hosts, thou art our strenjjth and sonsf, 
Might and salvation to thy name belong : 
Thou art our God ; ■v\'ith joy we now will rear 
An habitation for thy glory here. 
Our fathers' God, and we will bless thy name, 
Exalt thee, and thy wondrous works proclaim, 
For Thy right hand hath gained the victory, 
And dash'd in pieces the proud enemy. 
Thy holy wrath descended ; lo, they lie, 
Consum'd like stubble by Thy flaming eye. 
The Lord of hosts is with us, shout abroad, 
Our refuge and our hope is Israel's God !" 

The conquering army then visits holy scenes 
and holy places, and among the rest, Mount 
Moriah, where the offering up of Isaac is beau- 
tifully narrated ; and then they visit Gethse- 
mane, and Olivet, and Calvary. 

" See him descending from Mount Olivet, 
Where wondering crowds strew branches at his feet : 
E'en infant voices shout with one accord, 
Hosannah to the King, the mighty Lord ! 



168 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Who in Jehovah's name now comes to shed 
The hghts of hope around the sinner's head. 
Now they behold him strugghng up the steep 
Of rugged Calvary ; now behold him weep, 
Not for himself, but for that guilty race 
Who with proud scorn reject his profFer'd grace. 
Now the raised cross is present to their sight, 
Where, suffering, hung the Son of God's delight : 
Now strikes their ear that cry of agony, 
My God ! my God ! hast thou forsaken me ! 
Roused by the sound, the vision disappears, 
And hes concealed amid the shade of years." 

After a night's repose they go forth again, to 
view the city. 

" Already had the golden orb appear'd. 
And tipp'd the mountains, which their summits rear'd 
Round blest Jerusalem ; and seemed to throw 
A solemn shade upon the scene below : 
Save where the lofty dome, or slender spire 
Caught a bright radiance from the globe of fire. 
And peering o'er the gloom which wrapp'd the ground. 
Like rich illuminations sparkled round. 
While Siloa's fount, and Kidron slept beneath, 
Their streams unruffled by a passing breath, 
The convents, palaces, and cloisters meet 
In contrast with the mosque and minaret : 
And every place proclaimed the moslem power. 
Which, with a rod of iron, till that hour 
Had ruled the land once favored of the Lord, 
Not so intending, thus fulfilled His word. 
They felt as Nehemiah, when he viewed 
The gates consumed by fire, the walls subdued 
By ruthless hands ; and all a waste was seen, 
Where erst their fathers' sepulchres had been." 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. i69 

They are now represented as turning to the 
predictions of their own prophets, and to the 
covenant made with David ; and while mourn- 
ing over their desolations, descry a cloud-like 
army approaching the city. Uncertain who, 
or what they were, the combined hosts are 
again assembled to prepare for the conflict. 

" While thus prepared, the host still onward drew, 
And soon they open to their nearer view : 
For lo ! are seen in gracefid waves to float. 
Those well-known standards which the tribes denote ! 
The crouching Ass, the ravening Wolf appear, 
The wily Serpent, Hind as fleet as air : 
The fruitful Boughs, o'erspreading all the well. 
The wondrous story to their senses tell ; 
And bid them hail their long-lost brothers come 
To join them in their loved Jerusalem. 

A hymn of general praise then ascends to 
God for restoring the captivity of Zion; the 
tribes rest ; on the morrow they narrate their 
past history ; and in the midst of this narrative 
the Moslem forces, gathered in their strength, 
" with silver crescent waving high," prepare 
to attack the city. They rush to the battle ; 
the slaughter is fearful ; the Moslem flies, and 
God is honored. The lost tribes resume their 
narrative, tell of others not restored, and an 
edict is issued to gather them from the four 
quarters of the earth. The proposition is dis- 
cussed by the lost tribes, and among others 



170 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY, 

by the savages of our own wilderness. Red 
Jacket is here introduced as opposed to the 
return, and delivers one of his most bitter in- 
vectives against the Christians. But the mass 
of the tribes regard the intimation as the voice 
of the Great Spirit, and ''file off," over "Kam- 
schatka shores" to the Holy Land. Other 
tribes fall in on the march. 

" And from remotest lands and western coasts, 
Are brought a present to the Lord of hosts ; 
Where the lost ten, so long concealed from sight, 
With Benjamin and Judah shall unite." 

The seventh book opens with a series of 
facts illustrating the thought, "They shall 
look on him whom they have pierced and 
mourn." 

" While nature thus seemed dressed in smiles so gay 
The sons of Jacob woke to fast and pray, 
Near where the temple once in grandeur stood 
Assembled now this wonder-stricken crowd. 
To ask direction of the God of heaven, 
Confess their sins, and plead to be forgiven." 

On this spot they renew their covenant with 
God, and engage to rebuild the temple, and 
begin and complete the work according to the 
description of it given by the prophet Ezekiel. 
The enraged Moslem makes another attack 
and is repulsed. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 171 

" Behold I am against thee, most proud ! 
Thy day is come ; death shall thy glory shroud ; 
For strong is Israel's Saviour, and he comes ; 
The Lord of hosts his righteous cause assumes ; 
This is the work of an almighty hand. 
That Israel maj^ in peace possess the land." 

An earthquake tlien swallows up the re- 
treating Mahometan army, and a song of tri- 
umph is sung to Jehovah's praise. The eighth 
hook opens with a description of the temple, 
with all its pristine glory restored, save the 
rod of Aaron, the pot of manna, the Urim and 
Thummim, the golden censer, and the She- 
chinah. It is then dedicated with all befitting 
rites, and prayer; the people bowed their 
heads, offered their wonted sacrifices, and 
looked to see " the glory of the Lord fill the 
house." But no bright Shechinah appeared ; 
they looked toward the mercy-seat, but no 
answer is given, and the people cry " Is his 
mercy clean gone forever ?" 

Shall the proud infidel exulting say, 

Where is their God ? their boasted hope and stay." 

They mourn, and listen, without resentment, 
to the guilt of their fathers, as set forth by a 
Christian female, and to solemn protestations 
against the obduracy of their own unbelief. 
Her eloquent appeal closes thus : — 

" Behold the golden sceptre is set forth, 
The token of God's love to sons of earth, 



172 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

come and touch it, lie exclaims and live. 

And far exceeding your requests receive ; 

Beauty for ashes shall my grace appoint, 

The oil of joy for mourning freely grant. 

For lo, he says, yet will I once again, 

Shake heaven and earth, the mighty roaring main. 

And every nation to its centre move, 

To manifest my faithfulness and love. 

For thus saith the Lord of hosts, — I will now fill 

This place with glory, and myself reveal ; 

For lo, tliis latter house shall be arrayed 

With greater glory than the first displayed; 

Here my good Spirit shall descend to bless 

The waiting multitudes with heavenly peace ; 

Here shall a nobler sacrifice be made, 

Than smoking bullocks on the altar laid ; 

The offering of hearts, now broke for sin. 

And in the Saviour's precious blood made clean." 

They search the scriptures, and the veil is 
taken off their hearts as they search them. 
Ben-Joseph wavered, and the tribes are per- 
plexed; and in the midst of this perplexity 
other Jews from other and far distant lands 
arrive. Christian Israelites from afar bear 
testimony to the fulfilment of the Jewish 
Scriptures in the person of Jesus. America 
and Britain lend their aid, and Poland too, 
and from all lands they fly as clouds and as 
doves to their windows. 

" The morning came, when they with one accord 
Assembled in the temple of the Lord, 
Exhibiting a splendid pageantr_y, 
Of various hues and dazzling brilliancy." 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 173 

Here Josedec, a converted priest, addresses 
them, preaching the glorious Gospel of the 
ever blessed God. 

•' never hope the blood of bullocks slain. 
Can from your consciences wash out the stain ; 
For Christ, the Son of God, alone can give, 
Rest to your burdened souls, and bid them live. 
Lift up your eyes to Calvary and see. 
That spotless victim on the accursed tree. 
For him hath God exalted to his throne, 
By him he sends the promised blessing down. 
At his high word the Holy Spirit comes. 
And all the darkness of the soul illumes." 

Judah and Israel wept. There was deep grief 
throughout all the assembled tribes. Light 
filled the temple ; all bowed their heads and 
worshipped. 

" Then did the holy place with joy resound, 
Then Hallelujahs on each tongue were found. 
Then in one song of grateful praise they join, 
And raise their voices in a strain divine. 
Break forth ye mountains, into hymns of praise, 
Ye lofty cedars, high your branches raise, 
leap for joy, ye little hills around, 
And send with echoes back the gladsome sound. 
Salvation with its blessings has appeared, 
And Judah's sons, and Israel's thousands cheered. 
Come, faithful souls, who lov^e the Lord, and hear. 
While we the wonders of his grace declare ; 
Astonished while you see before your eyes, 
These dry dead bones a living army rise. 
Praise ye the Lord, uplift a holy song. 



174 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Bid all his saints the wondrous theme prolong, 

With timbrel and the harp loud praises sing, 

With the high sounding cymbals praise the King, 

praise him for his glory known above, 

praise him for tlie wonders of his love. 

Young men and maidens praise his glorious name, 

Kings of the earth, to him ascribe your fame ; 

Old men and children, raise your feeble voice 

To praise the God whom you have made your choice. 

And men of might, who live upon his word. 

And every thing that breaths, praise the Lord !" 

The reader will not be dissatisfied with this 
brief analysis of this beautiful poem. It fur- 
nishes a happy illustration of the taste, piety 
and enthusiasm of its amiable and indefatigable 
authoress. We have occupied no small time 
in condensing it, and have been perpetually 
struggling with our own feelings in order to 
bring it even within the compass we have oc- 
cupied. 

Her translations from Anacreon, contain his 
short piece, called " The Lyre ; " his ode " To 
the Pigeon ;" his ode " To Himself;" one 
" To Cupid," and one " To the Cricket." I 
will merely transcribe the ode to the Cricket, 
the ode to the Pigeon, and the one to Cupid : 

TO THE CRICKET. 

" Hail happy Cricket, chirping thing, 

We greet thee with a fond deHght, 
Enthron'd we see thee like a king, 

Upon the branch's top-most height." 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 175 

" There having sipp'd the nectar'd dew, 
With Ufe, and health, and vigor fraught, 
To hail the rising sun anew, 

Thou pourest forth thy cheerful note. 

" All things are thine, what ere thine eye 
SuiTeys amid the verdant fields, 
What e'er the forests can supply, 
Or every changing season yields. 

" By rural swains thou art beloved. 
Who gladly hear thy music sweet. 
By mortals honored and approved, 
As harbinger of summer's heat. 

" The muses too delight in thee. 

And Phoebus' self his favor shows. 
For he has filled with melody 

Thy little voice which cheerful flows. 

" Ne'er burden'd with the weight of age, 
Delighting in the tuneful song ; 
Son of the earth, yet ever sage. 
To thee properties belong. 

" Which designate the gods divine, 

For passion ne'er disturbs thy race ; 
And/ in those little veins of thine 
No purple drops are seen to chase. 

" Warm, basking in the sunny ray, 
No sad forebodings mar thy joy ; 
But pure and happy is thy day, 

While cheerful notes thy hours employ. 



ODE XV— TO THE PIGEON. 

" Soft and lovely Pigeon say 
Whither dost thou wing thy way ? 



17C ME3I0IR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Whence collect those odors sweet 
Which my raptured senses greet, 
And as thou movest thro' the sky 
In rich profusion round thee fly, 
With whose errand art thou blest. 
And to whom is thy behest ? 

To Bathyllus, the youth belov'd. 
Sovereign of all hearts approved ; 
By Anacreon I was sent. 
And cheerful on my message went ; 
A present I from Venus came 
To the Bard of matchless fame ; 
For an ode of strains divine, 
Sweet chanted at the Paphian shrine ; 
For Anacreon oft I move. 
And execute for him I love 
Impoi'tant messages like these, 
That my master I may please ; 
Behold ! e'en now with tender care. 
His amorous billedoux I bear. 
Oft has he thought to set me free 
And bid me fly at liberty : 
But I still ready on the wing, 
A willino- service ever brinjr : 
F'or why should I with weary flight 
Rove over fields and mountain's height ; 
Or, perch'd on trees that wave in air, 
Seek for a scanty pittance there, 
While daily from his hand I feed 
Upon a dainty meal indeed ; 
And from the golden goblet sip. 
Ere it has touched his thirsty lip, 
That luscious draught of rosy wine, 
Which mortals love, and gods divine ? 
Then satisfied I flit around. 
But soon am near my master found. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 177 

And, with my downy pinions spread, 
I shade him while he rests his head ; 
And as he leans upon his lyre, 
I sleep — and music's tones respire. 

Now thou hast all, he parting said ; 
Then soaring high above my head 
More chattering or than man or pye 
He cut his passage thro' the sky. 



ODE XHI— TO HIMSELF. 

" Once did my foolish heart desire to know 
Those extacies that Cupid can bestow ; 
And he with all his blandishments and skill 
Endeavor'd to persuade me to his will ; 
But, of a wayward mind in evil hour, 
I scorned his efforts, and defied his power. 
He in a moment raised his bow with art, 
And from the golden quiver drew a dart ; 
Then for the combat, with a taunting air, 
The wary urchin bade me quick prepare, 
I, like Achilles, on my shoulder placed 
The brazen thorax to protect my breast, 
And, with my shield and glittering spear array 'd, 
With confidence his summons I obey'd. 
He twang'd his bow — the ready arrow sped. 
And I with trembling from the contest fled ; 
But he pursued — his arrows soon were spent, 
And in a rage — upon his conquest bent — 
Transformed himself into a barbed dart. 
And swift as lightning shot into my heart ! 

Ah ! now of what avail the shield and spear 
Or outward blows ! — but beating of the air ? 
Since all the fury of the battle's strife 
Rages within and threats my very life." 
8* 



178 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

ODE XXXni— TO CUPID. 

" At noon of night, when silent move, 

The bright and starry bands, 
And Ursa Major turns to prove 

Bootes, guiding hands ; 
When man, from toil and work released, 

In gentle sleep reposed, 
And earthly cares their pressure ceased, 

And weary eyes are closed, 
Cupid without with thundering sound 

Against my portals beat ; 
I started — wildly gazed around ; 

And leaped upon my feet. 
Who 's there ! I cried ; that thus invades 

The slumbers of my bed ? 
I am a little child, he pleads. 

Receive me to thy shed ; 
Dispel thy fears, the door unbar. 

For I am cold and wet. 
Have lost my way, and wandered far 

This dark and moonless night. 
Pitying, his mournful tale I heard. 

And instant struck a light, 
I opened — when a child appear'd 

With features rosy bright ; 
A pair of wings the urchin wore 

As soft as cygnet's down; 
A quiver o'er his shoulders bore. 

And bow which polished shone. 
When seated near the cheerful fire, 

I rubbed his little hands ; 
I wrung the water from his hair 

And loosed his dripping bands. 
Now warmed, he said. Come, bring my bow. 

And let us try its power ; 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 179 

How far 'tis injured, I would know, 

From drenching of the shower. 
He twang'd the string, the arrow flew. 

And pierc'd me thro' the heart, 
When, springing, with dehght he threw 

These taunts to increase the smart. 
Congratulate me, oh my host. 

My bow is safe and sound ; 
But thou wilt find thy comfort lost, 

And own a heartfelt wound." 

We have doubted much, if we should give 
the entire translation of the " Request of 
Phaeton," translated from the Latin of Ovid. 
It cannot be given to advantage, in detached 
parts. It is a highly-finished translation, and 
reminds me of some of the translations of Mil- 
ton. But it is too long for this volume, com- 
prising more than five hundred lines. 



CHAPTER X. 



HER CORRESPONDENCE. 



Miss Murray rarely copied her letters. She 
wrote largely to her friends and others, though 
there are but few rough sketches of these com- 
munications to he found among her papers. 
Some of these, it is permitted us to transcribe 
as specimens of her epistolary manner, and of 
the zeal she felt in her Master's cause. She 
did not avoid direct personal interviews with 
those she loved, but often conversed w ith them 
on religious subjects, with great sweetness, 
feeling and effect. She never scrupled to de- 
clare her sentiments openly, w ith great firm- 
ness and decision, as well as gentleness and 
humility. Yet she was, to an unusual degree, 
dijffident. She had ardent de,sires to bring 
others into the fold of Christ, and often felt it 
to be her duty to address them in the language 
of exhortation, persuasion, and entreaty; and 
when she felt that she could not so well reach 
them by conversation, she had recourse to her 
pen. The following letter is addressed to one 
of her dear young friends, w^ell known to the 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 181 

author, and who was for many years one of 
his beloved flock. 

" My dear , 



" Our conversation on Sunday evening has 
made a deep impression on my mind ; I have 
revolved it in my thoughts many times, and it 
appears right to me to give you the result of 
my reflections. 

" You say you do not know whether you 
ought to continue to partake of the Sacrament 
or not ; and that sometimes you think you will 

not go to the table. Consider, my dear , 

what this language would speak. It would 
be an open avowal oh your part, that you no 
longer desire to be a disciple of Jesus. Would 
it not be a positive rejection of those blessings 
purchased by the atoning blood of the Lamb 
of God ? Ought you not to be afraid, lest by 
such a deliberate and voluntary act, you would 
seal your condemnation, put far from you the 
blood of sprinkling, and judge yourself un- 
worthy to receive eternal life ? Should not 
your doubts and your consciousness of sin 
rather urge you now, while it is an accepted 
time and a day of salvation, diligently to look 
into your own heart, and with strong suppli- 
cation and prayer, beseech the Lord of life to 
send his Holy Spirit into your soul, to cleanse 
it from all its pollution, and make it a temple 



182 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

wherein he may delight to dwell ? Go to him, 

dear , that he may give you that faith 

which worketh by love and overcometh the 
world ; that he may give you a true and feel- 
ine: sense of the evil that is in you, and that 
repentance which is unto life; that he may 
enable you to see the preciousness of Christ 
as an all-sufficient Saviour, and your own ab- 
solute and perishing need of his great salvation. 
" But while I say this, allow me also to say, 
God cannot be deceived, and he will not be 
mocked. Deal honestly with God. His de- 
mand is, Give me thy heart. Unless you can 
resolve in his strength to yield that to him, 
you cannot expect his blessing and love. O 

learn, then, my beloved , as a prisoner of 

hope, to flee to Jesus the strong hold. Turn, 
O turn ; for why wilt thou die 1 If any man 
draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in 
him. Will you draw back ? May he who is 
infinite in mercy, and whose compassions fail 
not, draw^ thee with the cords of his love ; cause 
Christ to be revealed in thee the hope of glory, 
and prepare thee for the enjoyment of his glo- 
rious presence in his kingdom. This is the 
fervent prayer of your affectionate friend, 

" H. L. Murray." 

There is good reason to believe that the 
following thoughts accompanied the letter. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 183 

" The sacrament of the Lord's Supper, 
which has been handed down to the church 
from generation to generation, was instituted 
by the Lord Jesus himself, shortly before he 
was betrayed. Having supped with his dis- 
ciples he took the bread and brake it, saying, 
This is my body which was broken for you ; 
thus showing the reason why his body was 
broken on the cross. He then took the cup, 
after he had given thanks, and gave it to his 
disciples, saying. Drink ye all of it ; this is 
the New Testament in my blood, shed for 
many, for the remission of sins ; thus signify- 
ing the efficacy of his blood to take away sin, 
when applied by faith to the soul. And then 
he added. Do this in remembrance of me; for 
as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, 
ye do show the Lord's death till he come ; 
thus quaking it a standing memorial of his 
death to successive generations. He gave 
these elements or symbols of his body and 
blood to his disciples : to those who professed 
to love him ; who were desirous of obeying 
all his commands ; who had openly professed 
their faith in him as the Son of God and the 
Saviour of the world, and who had devoted 
their lives and substance to his service. Those 
therefore who can from the heart call him 
Lord and Master, and those only ; those who 
are willing to leave all things, should he re- 



184 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

quire it, and follow him ; who look to him as 

their righteousness and strength, and their 

Saviour from sin and death ; who mourn over 

their own unrighteousness and ill-desert, and 

yet rejoice that they can plead his merits and 

perfect righteousness ; have a right to partake 

of this sweet, yet solemn ordinance. It is for 

God's children that this table is spread, that, 

by worthily receiving, their faith and graces 

may be invigorated, and their hopes confirmed. 

Those who partake of this ordinance should 

maintain a holy jealousy of themselves, and 

be solicitous of walking circumspectly before 

the world, that they dishonor not their Lord 

and Master, nor wound the Saviour in the 

house of his friends. Those who are desirous 

of uniting themselves to God's family on the 

earth by an approach to this table, should pray 

for a spirit of grace and self-examination, 

that they may discern the Lord's body, and 

worthily eat of that bread and drink of that 

cup." 

« 

The following letter is addressed to J. B., 
and is under the date of January 1st. 

" The beginning of a new year, my dear J., 
though generally esteemed a season of rejoic- 
ing, ought to be a time of deep and serious 
reflection to every immortal mind. It should 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 185 

make every one pause, and think of the days 
that are gone with those beyond the flood. 
It should call to mind every opportunity he 
has had of doing good in the world, and lead 
him to inquire, whether he has improved it to 
the glory of God and the comfort and benefit 
of his fellow-creatures : or Avhether, by abuse 
and neglect, these opportunities will, in the 
great day of account, rise up in judgment 
against him. He should endeavor to recall to 
his remembrance all the admonitions that have 
been proffered to him by tenderness and affec- 
tion, and inquire whether he has sincerely 
laid them to heart, or whether they have been 
as an idle tale. The solemn consideration 
that one year has elapsed of that portion of 
time which the Creator of all has allotted to 
his creatures, should cause him to consider 
whether he has obtained an interest in that 
atoning blood which cleanseth from all sin. 
Wondrous is that truth, that there is One who 
has opened the way for sinners to return to 
their offended God ; has turned away the 
flaming sword ; who holds out the golden 
sceptre of his love, and invites them to touch 
it and live. How is this creature of God, 
spared another year, affected by this truth ? 
Has he made his peace with God, and is he a 
welcome guest at the marriage supper of the 
Lamb ? Well, too, may he ask himself, if he 



186 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

has been diligent and faithful in the discharge 
of those duties that God has imposed upon 
him ; if he has labored with fidelity to accom- 
plish the work which his Heavenly Father 
has allotted him, that he may at last be 
greeted Avith the soul-cheering salutation, 
" Well done, good and faithful servant, enter 
thou into the joy of thy Lord !" 

" These are subjects of reflection which 
should frequently occupy the mind, and deeply 
engage the heart. I know the youthful mind 
does not readily lend iiself to such deep and 
important concerns ; when conscience is troub- 
lesome, it is put off with the answer of Felix, 
* Go thy way for this time; when I have a 
convenient season, I will call for thee.' But 
what says the voice of God ? Seek me early, 
and ye shall find me. And what more can 
the soul desire, than to find Him who is the 
perfection of beauty, who is glorious in holi- 
ness, and perfect in wisdom and truth ? 

" And now, my dear J., I would plead with 
you, as a mother with her son, that you would 
seek first the kingdom of God and his righte- 
ousness, remembering the promise that all 
other needful things shall be added unto you. 
Put not off to what you may deem a more con- 
venient season, a dedication of yourself to God 
who made you, who has preserved and re- 
deemed you. He is now highly exalted as a 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 187 

Prince and Saviour to give repentance and 
remission of sins ; and he has pledged him- 
self, that whosoever cometh to him he v\dll in 
no w^ise cast out, but give him eternal life. 
Now, then, while it is called to-day, harden 
not your heart. Now^ is the accepted time ; 
now^ is the day of salvation. Could my prayers 
for you avail, you would turn with full purpose 
of heart unto the Lord, and walk worthy of 
the Christian name. You w^ould glorify God 
in your body and your spirit, wdiich are His ; 
that wdien He shall call you to quit this earthly 
scene, you may have an entrance ministered 
to you abundantly into His everlasting king- 
dom. 

" That this commencement of a new year 
may be the beginning of good things to your 
soul ; that you may grow in grace and in the 
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ ; that you may bring forth the fruits of 
righteousness in your life, and experience that 
peace of God which passeth all understanding, 
is the fervent prayer of 

" Your true friend, 

" H. L. Murray." 

The following is a letter addressed to Lind- 
ley Murray, of York, in England, on the death 
of his only brother, John Murray, jun., who 
departed this life in the city of New York, on 



188 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY, 

the 3rd day of August, 1819. The character 
of this venerable man is well known among 
us for his urbanity and kindness, and his firm 
adherence to the evangelical portion of the 
Society of Friends. 

" I know that my dear cousin does not need 
my sympathy. Yet ever since the great loss we 
have sustained in the death of our beloved cous- 
in John Murray, I have felt a strong desire to 
communicate with you, and in some degree to 
express the feelings I entertained for him, and 
my sense of the great privation which this mel- 
ancholy event must occasion you. It has ap- 
peared to me that this bereaving dispensation 
would be one which would bear heavily upon 
you ; more especially as he had been the 
main channel of communication from this 
country of all that could please and interest 
you. But it is a comfortable and supporting 
thought, that when our heavenly Father sees 
meet to dry up the streams of creature com- 
fort and happiness, he opens to us the full 
Fountain, and invites us to draw therefrom and 
be satisfied. He is better to us that sons and 
daughters, and than any or all of those tender 
relatives who entwine themselves around our 
hearts, and add so much to our enjoyment. 
We should indeed be thankful for them while 
he lends them to us; but when he pleases to 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 189 

recall them — we should be still and know that 
it is the Lord. 

" The grief we indulge is undoubtedly sel- 
fish, as it is for ourselves alone : for when we 
calmly contemplate the change our departed 
friend has made, from a world of sin to a 
habitation of holiness ; from a scene of suf- 
fering and trial, to a state of never-ending 
enjoyment in the presence of God, we must 
rejoice. And we shall continue to rejoice 
until the feelings of the flesh draw us back 
again to a sense of our loss. Even then, how 
consoling to reflect that he was among the 
number of those faithful servants who hid 
not their Lord's talent, but by diligence and 
w atchfulness, gained other talents ; who felt 
the necessity of working while it was day, 
and with carefulness sought to make his call- 
ing and election sure. His self-denying life ; 
his meek and humble worth ; his genuine be- 
nevolence preached loudly to those around him, 
and his name now remains as a sweet savor 
to all who knew him. To us, he ever proved 
himself a tender and affectionate relative in 
all the trials to which we have been called, 
and his memory will ever be dear to us. To 
our great satisfaction, we were enabled to be 
much w ith him in his last illness ; and the 
sweetness and patience with which he bore 
exceeding- suffering will never be forgotten. 



190 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Indeed, it seems as if patience had her perfect 
work in him. 

" Our cousin Catharine seems greatly affect- 
ed, and seems daily more and more to feel 
what a rich treasure she has lost ; while the 
helpless situation of my dear Mary Perkins 
renders the trial still more severe. But O, 
my dear cousin, what a precious promise that 
is, where God says, ' I will be a Father to the 
fatherless, and let thy widows trust in me !' 
And how faithfully has it been fulfilled to us ! 
How has the Lord led us step by step, pro- 
vided for all our wants, opened our eyes in a 
measure to see the vanity of all things short 
of himself as our portion, and bid us look to 
him as our shield and exceeding great reward ! 
O that it may be our constant desire and aim 
to follow on to know the Lord ! May we 
know more and more of his good pleasure, and 
from the heart endeavor to do his will on 
earth, as it is done in heaven ; that when 
called to lay down these tabernacles of clay, 
we may know that we have a building of God, 
a house not made with hands, eternal in the 
heavens ! 

" With love to J. C, I remain, 

" Your affectionate Cousin, 

"H. L. Murray." 

The following letters from two of her val- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 191 

lied correspondents will not be unacceptable 
to those who remember her interest in the 
cause of missions : 

" Egina, 2^tk May, 1829. 

" To Miss H. L. Murray. 

" My Dear Friend — Your interesting letter 
of December 18th, I received only a few days 
since, (the 18tli inst.,) by the Rev. Mr. Ander- 
son, who was sent out, as you doubtless 
know, by the American Board, to visit the 
shores of the Mediterranean. Mr. Robertson, 
by whom you sent your letter, arrived here 
last Friday, and left the next day for Lyra, to 
which place he Jiad sent his baggage from the 
Ionian Isles. The arrival of so many friends, 
bringing letters with them from happy Amer- 
ica, could not but fill my heart with much joy. 
Those letters I had in vain looked for, for 
many long months. Never suppose, for a mo- 
ment, that a letter from any friend in New York 
can be "unacceptable;" and much more a 
letter from that little circle of ladies, by whom 
I have the honor to be employed. 

" I am glad that your interest in Greece is not 
abated. It is, in some respects, the most in- 
teresting field on earth. The loud call for in- 
struction, from every part of the country, ap- 
pears to me to be something very singular 
and truly, wonderful. Now is the time for 



192 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

laying foundations, on which beautiful super- 
structures may hereafter arise, and lift their 
heads towards heaven. I cannot but hope, 
that God desig-ns to make Greece the means 
of incalculable good to the whole Eastern 
■world. Long and dark ages of ignorance and 
tyranny have rolled over her; but I fancy that 
I see a gleam of light, which I take to be 'the 
dayspring from on high,' beginning to ' visit' 
her. She is beginning to arise and shake her- 
self from the dust — beautiful garments to put 
on, she has not. Those must be, in part, pre- 
pared by the fair hands of America and Eu- 
rope. Garments for the body, you have al- 
ready prepared in great numbers, and sent in 
mercy to her. But now the mind — the mind 
must be adorned. You have prepared a beau- 
tiful ' toilette' for the American ladies, and I 
doubt not that you wall feel an interest in 
preparing one for Greece. (By the w-ay, I 
have lately forwarded, by the Marquis de Val- 
mey, a copy of ' The American Toilet,' to the 
Duchess de Broglie, in Paris.) In plain terms, 
schools must be established for females. 
Schools, together with the word of God, must 
produce a happy effect. 

"So far as I have, or may have anything to 
do with education, the Bible must form a part. 
You know its value, and I need not say any- 
thing on the importance of its forming a part 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 193 

of the education of females, as well as males. 
I have been led to think more of its import- 
ance, from having seen many, who were called 
accomplished ladies, and who, indeed, had re- 
ceived in many respects a most brilliant educa- 
tion. Music flowed sweetly from under their 
fingers, they sung in an enchanting manner, 
moved with grace, and conversed with ease : 
but the Bible had entered so little into their 
education, that they scarcely knew which 
came first. Genesis or Revelation. All this 
seemed to be well, so long as the sun of pros- 
perity shone upon them, and the flowers of 
spring lay scattered in their path ; but the 
moment the breath of adversity touched them, 
these ' daughters of music were brought low.' 
But I am wandering from what I intended to 
say to you, when I first took up my pen to 
answer your letter — and now I have not room 
to say it. I can only say, that I am willing to 
confess more than you demand, ' that ladies' 
not only ' sometimes,'' but very often ' know 
better than gentlemen.' This was certainly 
the case with regard to the articles which you 
mention. As to the tea, which you had the 
goodness to send me, there is enough for many 
months ; but I must frankly say, that a cup of 
tea, made by my own hand, and drank alone, 
does not relish so well as when taken in com- 
pany with my friends in New York. Still a 

9 



194 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

cup of tea is always refreshing. I sometimes 
think that I can write a better letter, immedi- 
ately after taking a cup of ' this soother of 
cares,' than at any other time. You will per- 
ceive that this letter was written in the middle 
of the day, and that no effect of the tea is 
visible, except that of exciting in the heart 
of the writer feelings of gratitude, which he 
would wish now to express to the giver. 

" I beg you will present my best regards to 
your sister, and believe me to be, 
"Your sincere friend, 

" And very obt., humble servant, 

" Jonas King." 

"U. S. Ship Vincennes, 
''Harbor of Oahu, Feb. 2lst, 1829. 

'' My dear fuiends : — 

" It was my intention to have written, long 
before this time, but I have been so fully oc- 
cupied, at all times and in all places, as to 
think there w^ould be ' a more convenient sea- 
son'' than the passing moment. But in this I 
am deceived, and perhaps I could not, at any 
period of my voyage, have attempted to write 
under circumstances of greater hurry and con- 
fusion. The Vincennes has already been at 
these Islands seven weeks, and we are now 
within a day of our departure for Canton, and 
necessarily in much of a bustle. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 195 

'^I ought to have said in connection with the 
full occupation of my time, that an additional 
difficulty in writing arose from the number 
and variety of scenes and incidents through 
which we have passed, and the impossibility 
of readily making a choice of any one in par- 
ticular as the subject of a communication. 
Scarce any would fail of interesting you, 
though many are of the most opposite cast 
and character. Since our arrival at this group, 
I have been kept constantly in an almost fe- 
verish state of excitement, from the intense 
interest of passing scenes. Seven weeks in 
the review seem scarce so many days ; and a 
volume could scarce do justice to all that we 
have seen and heard. Should Providence 
grant me the continuance of health, and pro- 
long my life to meet you, I shall be happy in 
submitting to your perusal a rough sketch, at 
least, of our visit. 

" Your presents to the Princess were most 
thankfully received — and I have had the pleas- 
ure of seeing the neat little work-box in ap- 
propriate use, day after day, in my visits 
among the chieftains. The Princess, who is 
the hereditary heiress of Maui, was at Lahaina 
on our arrival, but came to Oahu shortly after, 
in courtesy to Captain Finch, and from a de- 
sire to see me as much as possible during our 
stay at the Islands. Captain Finch, in return 



196 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

to the compliment, determined to make a 
voyage to the windward Islands, to carry her 
and other chiefs to their respective residences, 
and we have but just reached Oahu, after ac- 
complishing this object. The party up was 
very large, and very imposing in its titles — 
consisting of His Majesty, the King, and suite, 
the Princess and attendants, a queen to ma- 
tronize her, another queen and Madam Boki, 
the wife of the Governor of Oahu, as compan- 
ions of the former, the Governors of Maui and 
Hawaii, and Naihe, Chief Counsellor of State, 
with his wife, Kapiolani, one of the most in- 
teresting personages on this side of the globe, 
&c. &c., amounting to no less than thirty-five 
individuals. The Princess intends answering 
your kind letter immediately, and, if possible, 
will send her letter down in time to be carried 
by myself — if not, you may expect to receive it 
by a first opportunity afterwards. She is a most 
interesting character, and thus far a most con- 
sistent and exemplary member of the Church. 
" Indeed, not only hundreds and hundreds 
of all classes, but the whole nation are in a 
most interesting and affecting state. On the 
Island of Hawaii, the one or two solitary mis- 
sionaries there, amidst its thousands and tens 
of thousands, cannot (literally) find time for 
eating and sleeping, such crowds come to them 
daily, from the most distant parts, to be guided 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 197 

in the way of eternal life. I never myself 
Lave experienced emotions like those I have 
felt in attending religious meetings with some 
of these ; it was impossible for any one not a 
stranger to the breathings of a pious spirit, to 
refrain from tears of deep sympathy, gratitude, 
and joy ; and impressions have been left on my 
mind that can never be effaced. But all these 
things must be left for the happy intercourse, 
viva voce, which, I trust, in the goodness of 
God, we shall yet be permitted to enjoy. 
Time and room are only left to send my best 
love to your venerated mother, your dear 
sisters Ogden and Murray, your brother, and 
to John and Ellen, with kind remembrance 
and regards to all other friends. My prayers 
are daily with you all. May we be permitted 
to meet in happiness again in this world, but 
above all for that glorious meeting in heaven, 
where there will be no after separation. 
" Your sincere and affectionate Friend, 

" Charles Stewart." 

The following letters have been selected 
from her correspondence with the late Mrs. 
Isabella Boyd, of Portland, in the State of 
Maine. Mrs. Boyd was the niece of the late 
Rufus King, and the wife of Joseph C. Boyd, 
Esq., and attached to the Methodist Church. 
She was an accomplished lady, long remem- 



198 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

bered by a large circle of friends, and greatly- 
endeared to Miss Murray. 

''New York, Sept. I6th, 1808. 
" In reading your letter (I cannot say why) 
my heart was sensibly struck with my utter 
unworthiness of any title to be called a child 
of God ; and I felt as nothing and less than 
nothing, and vanity. Perhaps it was, that you 
struck that chord to which my heart more 
strongly vibrates than to almost any other ; 
the deceitfulness of riches, and the responsi- 
bility which devolves upon those who possess 
them. That passage of our Saviour which 
declares that " it is easier for a camel to go 
through the eye of a needle, than for a rich 
man to enter the kingdom of Heaven," has 
always appeared to my mind a solemn and 
awful saying, and which called for great 
diligence, watchfulness, and prayer in those 
whom he had made stewards of the good 
things of this world, that they might so use, 
and distribute his bounty, that they might 
give comfort to their fellow-creatures, and 
bring glory to his great name. But who is 
sufficient for these things ? We know not 
how to do anything as we ought, and have 
need continually to cry unto God to help us, 
that we bring not dishonor on his name. 
Surely those who are united in Jesus their 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 199 

great Head, should pray that each member of 
His mystical body should so walk, that all 
who see them, may take knowledge of them 
that they have been with Him ; that they have 
set at His feet, and learned of Him, who is 
meek and lowly in heart. Pray, then, for me, 
my dear friend, that I may in all things walk 
worthy the vocation wherewith I am called, 
and adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour, in 
all holy conversation. ' 

" The account you give of your Zion is en- 
couraging, and I sincerely hope that the Lord 
will still continue to lengthen her cords, and 
strengthen her stakes ; and cause her children 
to break forth on every side. But even in the 
darkest times, we should not be faint in our 
hearts, remembering that Zion's God hath 
said the gates of hell should never prevail 
against her; that she is precious in his sight, 
and graven on the palms of his hands ] and 
that her walls are continually before him. 
When we are gloomy, and despond, it shows 
how weak our faith and trust are. Oh ! what 
a glorious attainment it is to have a perfect 
trust in the Lord our God. Feelinsr that He 
doeth all things well, how peaceful would our 
passage through this wilderness be, and with 
what joy should we hail that hour, which 
should translate us from this scene of trial, to 
our Father's house, where there are fulness 



200 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

of joys .ind pleasures for evermore. But it is 
not so with us ; sin hath marred our comfort, 
and destroyed our peace, and we dread that 
which ought to be our greatest joy. 

" I feel thankful that the Lord hath enlarged 
my heart so as to love all who love our Lord 
Jesus Christ, by whatever name they may be 
called. Those in whom I most delight are 
of a different denomination from myself But 
if we agree in the one great point, my mind 
is not troubled about non-essentials. I am 
entirely of St. Paul's opinion, that a man 
should be fully persuaded in his own mind ; 
and think that the particular fQ:Km which is 
most congenial to his feelings is Ihe best for 
him. But I cannot set one above another, who 
have built upon the foundation Christ Jesus, 
that Rock which can never be moved ; and I 
would with pleasure give the right hand of 
fellowship to all who are desirous of promot- 
ing the Redeemer's kingdom upon earth. We 
should not fall out by the way, for we have 
enough to do with our own hearts; and when 
we look into them we need not be astonished 
at St. John's caution, ' Little children, keep 
yourselves from idols.' For no sooner is one 
cast down than we find another exalted in 
its place. Oh ! that the Lord would cast 
down within me, every high thought and 
every proud imagination, and bring every de- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 201 

sire of my heart into sweet captivity to the 
obedience of Christ. 

" As to your dear Mary, we feel as if we had 
"been ahnost cheated out of our visit from her; 
as uncle Walter has almost monopolized her. 
And I assure you we hardly think it is quite 
fair ; but he seems to feel as if he had a kind 
of right to them both. I am sure you wall be 
well satisfied that you consented to her taking 
this jaunt, as she is so much improved in her 
health. She begins to get a color, and her 
cheeks begin quite to puff out. I do not 
wonder that you are loth to part with her, as 
in her you must lose daughter, companion, and 
friend. But you must endeavor to console 
yourself in her absence, by considering that 
it gives us great pleasure to have her with 
us, and that she will be better able to dis- 
charge her duties, w^hen she returns to you. 

"I hope you will never be backward in re- 
lating to me any interesting incidents respect- 
ing the progress of the Redeemer's kingdom 
in your portion of the vineyard, as I hope it 
will be always pleasing to me to hear of the 
ingathering of souls to the fold of Christ. 
I fervently pray that the time may soon come, 
when there shall be but one fold, and one 
Shepherd, and when all shall be gathered 
together in one, in Christ Jesus. Farewell, 
my dear friend, may the Shepherd of Israel 



202 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

watch over you at all times for good, and, 
under every trial to which he may call you, 
give you that peace which passeth all under- 
standing. Hannah L. Murray." 

'' New- York, May 16th. 
" You know not, my dear Mrs. Boyd, how 
gratifying your unreserved communications are 
to me. It makes me feel as if my heart 
met yours in every line, and enables me to 
realize that communion of souls, which is one 
of the highest enjoyments of which we are 
capable in this earthly pilgrimage, except that 
of communion with the Father and with the 
Son and with the Holy Spirit. And perhaps it 
draws us nearer together than many years of 
common acquaintance could have done. May 
the God of all mercy, who doeth as seemeth 
him good, grant a blessing upon this inter- 
course of love, as I humbly trust it is, and 
sanctify it to the comfort, and edification of 
our souls! Shall I say that your account of 
yourself has encouraged my heart, and caused 
some of those feelings which have oft-times 
oppressed it to pass away, and to make me 
resigned to walk always in the valley, if it be 
the will of my gracious God, who knows bet- 
ter what I can bear, than I do myself I have 
earnestly desired to have more sensible mani- 
festations of his favor and love than I have 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 203 

ever yet experienced, and have sometimes 
almost concluded, from the coldness and stu- 
pidity of my heart, that I Could have no part 
or lot in this matter. But our merciful God is 
near to us, when we have withdrawn our- 
selves from him by unbelief, and has brought 
back to my mind so forcibly the recollection 
of past times, that I have been constrained to 
exclaim ' whereas I was blind, now I see;' 
Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief. And 
to this I cling, and receive it as a token for 
good. I earnestly desire not to deceive my- 
self, and it is my fervent prayer to him who 
knoweth all things that he would search me, 
and try me, and show me the evil that is in 
me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Oh ! 
it is a precious truth to me that the Lord 
knoweth our frame, that he remembreth we 
are but dust, and that when he calls us to trial 
in the furnace of affliction, he sitteth as the re- 
finer, careful that nothing but our dross should 
be purged away, and that we should come 
forth seven times purified from the fire. Oh ! 
what a foundation have true believers to rest 
upon ; that rock of ages which can never be 
moved ; what a high tower to protect them 
into which they may run and be safe ; what a 
hiding-place from the enemy of their souls ; 
what a retreat of comfort and refreshment in 
their pilgrimage through this wilderness, which 



204 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

is to the soul as the shadow of a great rock in a 
weary land. In what a wonderful manner has 
our gracious God accommodated himself to our 
weakness by describing the blessings of his 
favor and love in such language as we can 
comprehend, and by comparisons with those 
things which give our finite minds the greatest 
pleasure, delight, comfort, and security to con- 
template. Surely there is no God like unto 
our God, who is full of mercy and compassion, 
who doth not willingly grieve or afflict the chil- 
dren of men ; but pities them as a father 
pitieth his children. Hath he not said his angel 
shall encamp around them ; that when they 
pass through the waters, he will be with them, 
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow 
them ; that w hen they walk through the fire, 
it shall not burn them ; neither shall the flame 
kindle upon them, and that all things, whether 
prosperity or adversity, sickness or health 
should all work together for their good ? Oh ! 
what inconsistent creatures are we, who have 
professed to put our trust in this God, to be 
over careful or thoughtful concerning anything 
in this life. Well may we exclaim, Lord, in- 
crease our faith ! Our Heavenly Father deals 
not with all his children alike, but as he seeth 
best for them. He hath followed me with 
mercies all the days of my life, and caused my 
cup to overflow with blessings, and as it were. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 205 

hath left me nothing to ask of him for this 
life. I am an astonishment to myself when I 
think that I am not more entirely devoted to 
His service, and ready to say at all times, 
Lord hei'e am I, send me ; instead of feeling 
like Moses, and prompt to make excuses con- 
tinually, when He requires of me what is con- 
trary to the flesh. Surely the long-suffering of- 
the Lord is wonderful, or the command had 
long since gone forth, ' Cut her down, why 
cumbereth she the ground.' With gratitude 
I may say, hitherto the Lord hath helped me, 
He hath brought me on step by step, opening 
by degrees my eyes to behold as much as He 
saw I was able to bear. He has never called 
me to view Him from those depths in which 
many souls have been almost overwhelmed ; 
but when sin has been most powerfully set 
home, the all-sufficient atonement has been 
clearly revealed. I have never experienced 
those sensible and glorious manifestations of 
His love which many of God's dear children 
enjoy, but I feel that such a slothful, unfaithful 
servant has no right to expect such marks of 
favor from their Master. It is those whom 
He calls to great trials that He thus vouch- 
safes to comfort and refresh by such special 
visitations of His love ; and by the strength 
of which, their souls are prepared to endure, 



206 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

in such a way as to bring glory to His great 
name. 

" You say you know not why you have opened 
your heart so freely. No doubt it is, that the 
Lord has designed you as an instrument of 
good in His hand to my soul, and that though 
absent in body, we may be united in spirit, 
and praise the Lord together for His wonder- 
ful works. You may be the means of stirring 
up my mind, of strengthening my faith, of an- 
imating me in the heavenly course. And is 
it not a delightful thought that we may be co- 
workers with Christ and helpers of those who 
are endeavoring to walk in that way which 
leadeth unto life eternal. Then, my dear 
friend, pray for me, that my views of eternal 
things may be clear ; that I may walk by faith 
and not by sight ; that I may endure as seeing 
him who is invisible, and that every thought 
and desire of my heart may be brought into 
sweet captivity to the obedience of Christ. 
As Newton says, is there not a centre where 
we may often meet, and in that love which 
is the bond of perfectness, mingle our prayers 
for the prosperity of each other's soul ? Oh ! 
what a vast field of pleasure and delight does 
this idea unfold to the mind. 

"As to our James, he has found by some 
means or other the way to our hearts, and I 
sincerely hope the interest he has excited in 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 207 

US may be directed towards Ins everlasting 
good. I do watch over him, I trust, with a 
tender care, and would gladly supply the 
place of his beloved mother, in her absence, 
if it were in my power. But I know that can- 
not be ; yet in my measure I desire to do him 
good, and daily ask counsel of Him w^ho can 
give us a mouth and wisdom, that w^e may be 
something in Him w^hen w^e are nothing in 
ourselves. I cannot but think, that he will 
one day be a great blessing to you ; a stand- 
ard-bearer in the cause of our Redeemer, 
and one that shall be valiant for the truth 
upon the earth. This at least is my prayer 
for him, and it is a subject of very sweet con- 
templation. 

" You see I am hasty in answ^ering your 
letter, but you know not the selfish motive 
which actuates me. I am afraid your writing 
fever w^ill subside, and I am anxious to avail 
myself of its animating effects as much as I 
can, not having yet found that my patience is 
in the least wearied, but that I shall readily 
and joyfully accept another draught to the 
same amount. 

" A thought has come into my mind, that 
as riding agrees w^ith you, a jaunt to our city 
might be beneficial to you, and I hope I need 
not say, that a visit from you would give us all 
a very peculiar pleasure. And I do not see w hy 



208 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

you should not take it into serious considera- 
tion. James has just informed me that the 
vessel sails to-morrow, therefore I must put an 
end to my lengthy epistle. That our gracious 
God may continue to lift upon you the light of 
His countenance, give you that peace which 
passeth all understanding, and cause you to 
hear the voice of the bridegroom, that your 
joy may be full, is the sincere prayer of your 
friend, 

" Hannah L. Murray." 

" New York, July 6th, 1818. 
" You must not apologize to me for not 
speedily answering my letters. Though it 
always gives me pleasure to receive these 
marks of your remembrance, yet I do not 
wish you to feel our correspondence the least 
burden upon you. When it is quite con- 
venient, and agreeable, write to me, and I 
shall be thankful for the communication. I 
know you must have numberless things to 
employ your time and attention ; and I will 
not suppose you do not think of me, when I 
am longer than usual in receiving a letter from 
you. You will not misunderstand this, but 
feel it just as I do, and be satisfied that when- 
ever you can write it will give great pleasure 
to your friend. Before this you will have 
been made happy in a sight of your dear 



MEMOIR OF HANNxVH L. MURRAY. 209 

James. I rejoiced in his going, and yet did 
not feel quite pleased that he should go while 
we were absent from home ; but, no doubt, it 
is all right, and best. I hope you will find 
him improved in those things which are essen- 
tial for this life, and I hope also that he may 
be found progressing towards the kingdom of 
God. My heart's desire is, that he may be 
diligently seeking for that pearl of great price, 
for which he may be willing to give up all 
that he hath, and to account all things but 
loss for the excellency of the knowledge of 
Christ Jesus his Lord ; that he may be willing 
to become a fool for Christ's sake, and as a 
little child set at His feet, and learn of Him 
who was meek and lowly in heart ; and ac- 
count the wisdom of this world as foolishness, 
compared with that wisdom which cometh 
from above, and which maketh wise unto 
salvation. I think, my dear friend, you 
have great encouragement to hope that God 
will visit your children in mercy, and adopt 
them into His holy family — since He has given 
great and precious promises to the faithfulness 
of parents, saying that if they will bring up a 
child in the way he should go, when he is old 
he will not depart from it. And I do verily 
believe you are faithful to the souls of your 
children, and travail with them a second time, 
that they may be born unto God. And oh 



210 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRA.Y. 

may you, as did Jacob of old, when wrestling 
with the God of all grace, find favor with Him, 
and prevail ; that in that great day, when the 
assembled universe shall stand before the 
Judge, you may be enabled to say. Lord, here 
am I, and the children thou hast given me. 

" I thank you for your caution, but have 
myself for a long time been aware, both of 
the sin and danger of impatience under the 
dealings of God; and endeavor constantly to 
bring to mind, that He knows what is best for 
His creatures, and that I should rest satisfied 
in the knowledge of this truth. But my 
prayer is, that my faith may be increased and 
confirmed, that I may say with Job, though 
He slay me yet will I trust in Him. I am 
happy to find, by your account, that your Zion 
is arising from the dust and putting on her 
beautiful garments. Oh ! may the Lord length- 
en her cords, and strengthen her stakes, and 
cause her children to break forth on every 
side ; and may the different denominations of 
Christians in the midst of her live in unity, 
and exercise that love towards each other, 
which is the characteristic of the disciples of 
Jesus. Remember me affectionately to your 
family, but especially to my dear James ; and 
tell him I have a scolding in store for him, on 
account of his delinquency in writing since he 
left us. Not one line have we had from him 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 211 

yet. Farewell, and may the God of peace 
and love abide with you forever. 

" Hannah L. Murray." 

*' New York, January 6th, 1820. 

" I should have answered your letter, my dear 
friend, before this, if I could have drawn from 
my ice-bound brain anything that could please 
or edify you ; but in winter I feel as if it were 
shut up, and as if there were no passage for 
the ingress or egress of ideas. In fact, I am 
perfectly stupid, and do not feel willing that 
those I esteem should participate in such con- 
tracted feelings. But I am not willing you 
should think me unmindful of you; and would 
therefore rather risk my reputation as a letter- 
writer, {great as it is,) than the loss of one kind 
thought from your heart. 

" And now, in answer to your letter, I must 
say I think you deal hardly with yourself. It 
#vas perhaps a pleasant idea to you to imagine 
that you might visit our city; and I do not see 
that the entertainment of it was wrong, unless 
you felt yourself restive and rebellious under 
the knowledge you had of not being able to 
realize it. I believe we are permitted to make 
use of everything here below, that can make 
our passage through this wilderness more com- 
fortable, provided it be always in subserviency 
to the will of our heavenly Father, and that 



212 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

He lias for tins very purpose endowed us with 
powers capable of feeling and relishing the 
pleasures and endearments of love and friend- 
ship. The only danger is that our perverse 
hearts will give that portion of our affection to 
the creature, which is due only to the Creator, 
who is God over all blessed forever. I am, 
however, quite of your opinion, that it is prof- 
itable to stir up each other's minds to those 
thinos that will conduce to our eternal well- 
being, and to the manifestation of the glory 
of our God and Saviour, for we cannot be too 
often reminded of our duty, or urged to the 
performance of it. At least, I can answ^er for 
myself, that I not only need ' line upon line, line 
upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, 
and there a little,' but that continually repeated, 
to keep me in the way in which I should go. 
Oh ! how perverse and rebellious we are, and 
how long-suffering and forbearing is our God! 
It is in his mercy alone that we can hope. ♦ 
" We have just now entered on a new year, 
and with my whole heart I wish it may bring 
to you an increase of temporal and spiritual 
comfort, that you may see those who are near 
and dear to you brought in to be partakers of 
the blessings of that covenant which is ordered 
in all things and sure, and which entitles them, 
through Christ Jesus, to a glorious immortality 
beyond the grave. Oh ! that you may be in- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 213 

deed one in Him who is the head ; and tell 
my dear Mary that I often think of her, with 
earnest desires that she may be a lamb in the 
fold of that great Shepherd, who laid down 
His life for the sheep. 

" I am pleased to hear you have been as well 
since your confinement, and even better than 
you could have expected, and that you have 
witnessed the faithfulness of God in saying, 
that as our day is, so shall our strength be. 
James is well, as I suppose you often hear 
from himself, and, although not satisfied with 
his employment, I believe is doing as well as 
most at this inauspicious moment. Perhaps 
it is a good discipline for young men not al- 
ways to do as they wish ; nevertheless, we 
should all rejoice if anything more advantage- 
ous should offer. The love and good wishes 
of the family attend you and yours, 
"And believe me, 

" With esteem and affection, 
"Your friend, 

" Hannah L. Murray." 

" New YorJi, May 1st, 1820. 

"It gave me great pleasure to hear, by James' 
last leter, that you had so far regained your 
health and strength as to be out in the evening; 
which I believe is no very common thing with 
you ; and must be a cause of rejoicing to all 



214 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

your family, and to Mary most especially; tell 
her I congratulate her on the event. The 
Lord leads us in a way we know not, and per- 
haps he is about to restore to you that bless- 
ing (health) of which you have been so long 
deprived ; and to give you that enjoyment in 
the latter part of your life which He denied 
you in the earlier season. But in all events, 
we have reason to say He doeth all things well. 
He sees the end from the beginning, and knows 
what is best suited to humble the peculiarities 
of our tempers ; and to bring every thought 
of our hearts into sweet captivity to the obe- 
dience of Christ. That all his dealings with us 
may have this happy and salutary effect, is my 
sincere prayer. 

" You have no doubt seen some account of 
the mission, that left this place about two 
weeks ago, for the country of the Osage Indi- 
ans. Their setting out from this city seemed to 
give a new impulse to the inhabitants, and 
caused an excitement that I have rarely seen 
equalled. And if their progress be as prosper- 
ous as their commencement was encouraging, 
they will have friends raised up to bid them 
God speed during their long journeys, and be 
received with open arms by the Indians of the 
desert. Oh ! may the Lord go with them, and 
guide them by his right hand; open a way for 
them to the hearts of these heathens in our 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 215 

own borders, and make them the instruments 
of bringing many souls unto Jesus the great 
Shepherd of the sheep. May they behold the 
wilderness bud and blossom as the rose, and 
those places which were formerly the habita- 
tions of cruelty, resound with the praises of 
our Immanuel. This is the Lord's doing, and is 
glorious in our eyes, and seems another pledge 
that God will perform His promise of giving 
the heathen to his Son for His inheritance, and 
the utermost parts of the earth for His posses- 
sion, for the accomplishment of which, all who 
sincerely love Him will devoutly pray. 

" But while the friends of Zion are thus en- 
gaged in furthering the designs of their Lord 
and Master, the enemy of souls seems to be 
equally active in exciting his followers to 
hinder their work; and I think one of the 
most powerful of his engines, is the Socinian 
heresy. They have collected a church among 
us, and, a few days since, laid the corner stone 
of a building for their worship. It is a relig- 
ion so suited to the natural heart, that I fear 
it will entangle many, particularly among the 
youth. I feel anxious about James, as he 
is fond of reading the controversy on these 
points, and I think seems a little confused by 
their subtleties, not having the shield of faith 
to guard him from these fiery darts. I have 
advised him not to read anything of the kind, 



216 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

but you know youthful curiosity is great, and 
is eager to satisfy itself. I wish you would 
write him upon this subject and caution him, 
for what you say will have great weight with 
him ; do not speak as if you had heard any- 
thing from me, but merely from the circum- 
stance of their having established a church 
in this city. Now I do not wish you to feel 
uneasy, as he does not go to hear them, nor 
incline to their principles, that I know of. I 
only want you to give him your opinion, and 
warn him of the danger, as in such cases one 
cannot be too vigilant. Offer my best love to 
JVTary, and tell her I am* rejoiced that she is so 
much recovered, and hope the warm weather 
will entirely recruit her. James, I suppose, 
answered that part of your letter which con- 
cerned him, as he could plead not guilty to 
the charge. The family all join me in kind 
remembrances to you and yours ; and take 
for yourself the loi^e of your friend, 

" Hannah L. Murray." 

We may not withhold a few of her many 
epistolary communications to her much be- 
loved friend, Miss Miranda Southgate, of 
Maine. 

'''New Yorh, June 10th, 1813. 
" You no doubt, my dear Miranda, begin to 
think as I do, that it is high time your letter 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 217 

Avas answered; I will not apologize, because 
I know you can excuse. I often think of you, 
and that with the sincerest affection ; but on 
last Sunday I more than ever wished you to 
be with me. Our dear Mr. Spring gave us a 
sermon, that, from your last letter, struck me 
as very appropriate to your state of mind, 
and I wanted you to be comforted and 
strengthened by it. He discoursed from these 
words, ' The Lord taketh pleasure in them 
that fear Him, and in them that hope in His 
mercy ;' and took occasion from them to show 
the impropriety of those who have a scriptural 
ground of hope that they have been adopted 
into the family of God being cast down, or of 
their desponding, and mistrusting either the 
faithfulness, power, or willingness of God to 
receive and bless them — that by this conduct 
they did not (as they were commanded) make 
their light to shine before men, but dishonored 
God by supposing that the blood of Jesus was 
not sufficient to cleanse from all sin, and that 
He w^as not willing to perform the promise He 
had made of receiving all that came unto Him 
through Jesus, the w^ay which He had ap- 
pointed ; and that Christians, by indulging 
this gloom, instead of being active in the cause 
of their Redeemer, by the depression it occa- 
sioned, become useless and unprofitable ser- 
vants. Shall we not, then, my dear friend, 

10 



218 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

endeavor after that confidence in His power 
and mercy, which the Lord taketh pleasure in 
seeing His people cherish, and hope in that 
mercy which He has freely offered to all who 
are willing to accept of it. Oh, Miranda, 
how far below their privileges do Christians 
live, and of how much comfort do they de- 
prive themselves by not making an unreserved 
surrender of all that they are, and all that 
they have to the Lord, who hath promised to 
be their God and their Father, and to watch 
over them to do them good ; who hath prom- 
ised that as their day is so shall their strength 
be ; and that nothing shall be able to pluck 
them out of His hand. With how much ear- 
nestness should we pray, ' Lord increase our 
faith,' that we may behold Thy glory, that we 
may see the King in His beauty, and that we 
may be changed by the transforming influences 
of the Holy Spirit, from sin and corruption, 
into the glorious image of God, and be made 
meet for the employments and enjoyments of 
heaven. I rejoice with you, my dear Miranda, 
in the Lord's goodness to your family, that by 
His all-conquering grace He hath made them 
willing, in a day of His power, to turn their 
eyes from this world which is vain and perish- 
ing, to those things which are not seen and 
eternal ; and thus in the early part of their 
lives to devote themselves to His service. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 219 

May He grant that at all times they may find 
His yoke easy, and His burden light, and that 
they may have joy and peace in the Holy 
Ghost. I am happy to say, in answer to your 
question respecting our churches, that at pres- 
ent there seems to subsist a very great har- 
mony, vs hich I sincerely hope may continue 
and increase, that the Lord God may dwell in 
the midst of us to bless us. 

"Harriet and John are quite well, and de- 
sire to be remembered affectionately to you, 
and little John grows a precious child, and 
looks very much like his father. Mary and 
mother join me in sincere love to your dear 
family, but particularly to our Octavia, for 
whom we feel a more than common regard, 
I feel as if I had not said half I wished to say, 
now I have begun ; but my paper reminds me 
that I have no more room, therefore I must 
bid you farewell, when I have commended 
you unto Him who is able to keep you while 
here, and to present you before His presence 
with exceeding joy in that day when He 
maketh up His jewels. 

"H. L. Murray. 

" Cousin John's family are as w^ell as usual. 
Lindley is married, and Robert has a daugh- 
ter. Mr. Bowne's children were well the last 
time I saw any of the family." 



220 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

" New York, December Uth, 1803. 
" My heart is daily with you, my dear Miranda, 
although my pen has heen backward in letting 
you know it. But to you it would be needless 
to lill half my letter with an apoloofy for not 
writing, when in fact I have none to offer, ex- 
cept the one which you can form for me, and 
which you will readily admit. ' Art thou in 
health, my sister, and has thy soul been pros- 
pered in her spiritual journey, since we last 
conversed together ? After being wearied and 
faint from the heat of the day, hast thou been 
enabled to sit down under the shadow of the 
Tree of Life, with great delight; while its 
fruit was sweet and refreshing to thy taste ? 
Oh ! hast thou felt the influence of the north 
wind, and the breathing of the south upon thy 
garden, so as to cause the spices thereof to 
flow forth ; and has thy beloved come into his 
garden, and eat of his pleasant fruit V If so, 
truly, thy state is a happy one. But as for 
me, my dear Miranda, I am like the barren 
fig-tree, bringing forth no fruit to the praise 
of Him who hath so abundantly watered me 
and dug about me, who hath planted me in a 
rich and bountiful soil, yet when He came, 
reasonably expecting fruit, has found none. Is 
it not wonderful that the command has not 
long since gone forth, ' Cut her down, why 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 221 

cumbereth she the ground V But, oh, the 
gracious intercessor still pleads, and the voice 
of mercy strikes the sinner's ear, Let her alone 
this year, peradventure she will bring forth 
fruit to Thy glory. 

Oh, pray for me, my friend, that the Spirit 
of the Lord may breathe upon me, that I may 
live; that He would pour out upon me a spirit 
of grace and supplication, a spirit of meek- 
ness and diligence ; that I may be aroused 
from my sloth, and wrestle with Him for the 
blessing, even life evermore, and have power 
with Him, and prevail through the strength 
and merits of our Advocate and Redeemer. 

How far short do we all live of the privi- 
leges and duties of those who profess to be 
followers of the Lamb of God ! and being so 
deficient in duty, w^e cannot wonder that w^e 
do not enjoy our privileges, or experience 
those comforts to which the children of God 
have a title. By our unfaithfulness we obscure 
our evidence, and thus bring grief into our 
souls, and are often tempted to doubt whether 
we have any right to number ourselves among 
the disciples of Jesus. Surely it is a just pun- 
ishment for our disobedience, and we have no 
right to complain that the Lord withdraws 
from us, when it is our sins that have separa- 
ted between us and our God. Let us then, my 
dear friend, pray for a will wholly resigned to 



222 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

the requiriiij^s of the Lord ; ready at all times 
to say, not my will but thine be done : that we 
may pass peacefully down the stream of life, 
and at the close, when death shall summon us 
to appear before our judge, be enabled to say. 
Come, Lord, for thy servant is ready. 

" Since I last wrote, our dear uncle has been 
removed from his sore trials in this life. 
Mother and Mary desire to be affectionately 
remembered to you and yours. John and 
Harriet, with all cousin John's family, join in 
sincere love to you ; and Sterlitz begs I will 
present his best respects. I believe at pres- 
ent there is no truth in the report of Mr. 
Bovvne's marriage; the children are well. Re- 
member me, affectionately, to Octavia, 
"And believe me, ever, 

"Your sincere friend, 

"Hannah L. Murray." 

" Neiv York, August 2nd. 
" Why is my friend in darkness ? and although 
the child of a king, does she go mourning all 
the day ? Let not the tempter enter, wdien he 
would persuade you that the blood of Jesus is 
not sufficient to take away all sin, but look out 
of yourself, and up to Jesus. If His great 
love moved him to die for sinners, assuredly 
he will not cast off those who come unto Him 
feeling the weight of their iniquities, and from 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 223 

the heart saying, Lord, save or I perish. Oh, 
my dear Miranda, gird up the loins of your 
mind, and remember that when our heavenly 
Father withholds from us the light of His 
countenance, and darkness and clouds seem 
to encompass Him, it is for the trial of our 
faith. It is to see whether it is for His sake or 
our own that we have hitherto cleaved to Him, 
whether we will maintain our integrity, and 
with Job say. Though He slay me, yet will I 
trust in Him. Surely it is not strange that we 
should trust and rejoice in Him when He lifts 
up the light of His reconciled countenance 
upon us ; but it is when w^e walk in darkness 
and see no light, that we are commanded to 
trust in the Lord, and stay us upon our God. 
And remember that we are also told that those 
who wait upon the Lord shall renew their 
strength. Wait upon Him then, my friend, and 
wrestle with Him for the blessing, and say 
with Jacob, I will not let thee go except thou 
bless me. And oh, may He hear, answer, and 
bless you, may the Sun of Righteousness arise 
upon you with healing in His beams, and ena- 
ble you to say. Return unto thy rest, oh my 
soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with 
thee ! This doubting of his willingness to save 
me, is my infirmity, I will remember the time 
of the right hand of the Lord. 

" How should I rejoice if at this time I 



224 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

should have spoken a word in season. And 
perhaps it may be so ; for the Lord often, very 
often makes use of base and feeble instru- 
ments to accomplish his purposes, that all the 
glory may be given to Him, to whom alone it 
is due. And shall we not adore Him that He 
accounts us worthy to be used in any way for 
His glory, and as instruments of comfort to our 
fellow-creatures. Oh, my friend, let us en- 
deavor to animate one another in the heavenly 
course, and pray that we may have strength 
given us to run with patience the race set be- 
fore us, looking to Jesus the author and finisher 
of our faith, who for the joy set before Him 
endured the cross, despising the shame, and 
is forever set down on the right hand of 
the Majesty on high ; ever ready to succor, 
strengthen, encourage, and comfort those who 
are treading the same path. Oh let us think 
of these things, and may our hearts be anima- 
ted, our love inflamed, our faith strengthened, 
and our affections sanctified by the indwelling 
of the Holy Spirit. Mary has entirely recov- 
ered, and desires to be most affectionately re- 
membered to you. Tell Octavia not to forget 
us, and offer our kind regards to all your fam- 
ily. Cousin John continues much the same 
still ; he is at present at Rockaway, and is in 
hopes that the sea-bathing may be useful to 
him. Our whole family remember you with 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 225 

great affection, and believe me my heart is 
deeply interested in your happiness. Adieu, 
my dear friend, and may the peace of God 
which passeth knowledge abide with you for- 
ever. 

Hannah L. Murray." 

'' New- York, September 2Sth, 1815. 
" I have this moment, my loved Miranda, re- 
ceived your letter, and answer it thus early, 
in order to make a proposition that may per- 
haps meet with your approbation, and that of 
your friends. My brother says if you will 
consent to come round by water, (which he 
thinks may be very beneficial to you) he will 
send James Boyd on to accompany you. We 
have still a month of fine weather to expect, 
and this climate during the winter may per- 
haps be more favorable to you than your own. 
Now consider of it, my dear friend, and let me 
know as soon as possible your determination. 
To say it would make us happy to have you 
with us, would only be telling you what you 
have long since known. You know not how 
it delights me to receive a letter from you, 
and yet I would not have you write if it 
injures you ; for whether you write or not, I 
shall always think you love me, for this per- 
suasion is too pleasant for me to let go upon 
slight grounds. But be assured you can never 
10* 



226 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

be too minute with regard to your health, for 
to me it is an extremely interesting subject ; 
and I humbly pray that God may yet grant 
you many years of comfort to yourself, and 
happiness to your friends, and that when we 
do meet it may be to our mutual edification, 
and to our more perfect knowledge of that 
peace which passeth all understanding. 

You ask me to pray for you, and say it 
would lighten the burden that oppresses you, 
if you knew I was oifering my petitions in 
your behalf Oh ! may that burden then be 
quickly removed; for daily and nightly, my 
beloved friend, are my prayers, though weak 
and imperfect, offered up for you, that He who 
hath the residue of the Spirit, would pour it 
out upon you in copious measures ; that He 
would strengthen your faith, and give you 
such realizing views of the blessedness of the 
invisible world as should entirely wean your 
heart from the perishing things of time and 
sense ; that he would lift up upon you the 
light of His reconciled countenance, and en- 
able you to rejoice in His salvation. And now, 
my dearest Miranda, perhaps sometimes when 
you address the throne of grace, and seem 
not to have a word to say for yourself, your 
heart may be enlarged to plead for your 
friend, that she may be enabled to withstand 
the temptations of the world, to set an exam- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 227 

pie of holy life and conversation, and to adorn 
the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things, 
to remember continually that as God hath 
given her much, he will require much of her, 
and above all pray that she may have a 
humble and teachable spirit, submissive at all 
times to the will of her Heavenly Father. 
Surely we cannot ask too great things from 
Him who hath given His only Son to die for us. 
With the Apostle we may with confidence 
exclaim, ' How shall He not with Him also 
freely give us all things.' Oh let us then con- 
tinue our trust firmly in Him who is able to do 
for us better than we can either ask or think. 
The Lord is now doing wonders, and we daily 
hear of some new work of power. In Connec- 
ticut the youth in an especial manner seem 
to be visited, and many who before were 
rebellious are made willing in this day of 
Almighty Power. Oh, ride forth, victorious 
Prince, in the chariotof thy gospel, conquering 
and to conquer, until every knee shall bow at 
the name of Jesus, and every tongue confess 
that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 
Accept the united love of our family, and be- 
lieve me as ever your sincere friend. 

" PL L. Murray." 

"New York, March 25th, 1816. 
" When I received your letter, my dear Mi- 



228 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY, 

randa, I did not think as many days would 
elapse as weeks have passed by, without an 
acknowledgment from me of the sincere pleas- 
ure which a communication from you always 
affords me. It is really a refreshment to my 
heart, and a spur to my spirit, and I feel as if 
Ave mingled soul with soul, while I read the 
expressions of your love, and your fervent de- 
sires that our friendship may be continued 
throughout a never-ending eternity. But oh! 
my loved Miranda, I blush when I think what 
an unworthy friend you have chosen, how far 
she falls below the estimate your partial judg- 
ment has made, and think that if you could 
see me as I see myself, you would no longer 
retain any affection for me. If you could see 
how cold my heart is towards that God who 
has been continually pouring blessings upon 
me, and who alone is worthy to engage the 
most ardent feelings of our whole soul; if you 
could see how slothful I am in His service 
whose service is perfect freedom ; you would 
blush for me, and feel that shame and confu- 
sion of face belonged eminently unto me. And 
it is often with wonder and amazement that I 
contemplate His goodness in giving me a place 
in the hearts of some of His dear children; but 
I trust it is a blessing of which I am truly 
sensible. 

" I know it is always a cause of rejoicing to 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 229 

you to hear of the increase of the Redeemer's 
kingdom : and it is with joy unspeakable that 
I can say, the Lord seems in an especial man- 
ner to be pouring out His Spirit upon the youth 
of our congregation, and blessing the endeav- 
ors of our beloved pastor to lead them in the 
way of truth and life. And this manifestation 
of His power is arousing His own people to 
wrestle with Him, for a more abundant display 
of His grace, and that the preaching of Christ 
Jesus, and Him crucified may prove the power 
of God, and the wisdom of God unto the sal- 
vation of many, many souls. Oh ! my dear 
friend, how should it rejoice our hearts to see 
the Lord thus riding forth in the chariot of His 
Gospel, conquering, and to conquer; and cause 
us to cry. The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, 
let the whole earth rejoice. And is not this 
a w^onderful age in which we live, both as it 
respects the kingdoms of the world, and the 
kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ ? Are there 
not overturnings and overturnings that seem to 
signify that He is coming whose right it is to 
take unto Him His great power, and rule King 
of nations, as He is King of saints. Oh ! that 
you and I, may be ready and willing to say, 
Even so, come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Oh ! 
that we may be among those faithful servants, 
whom when their Lord cometh, He shall find 
watching ! But unto Him alone must we look 



230 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

for grace and strength to persevere unto the 
end; and may He in His mercy grant, that we 
may run not as uncertainly, but so that we may 
obtain that crown of life, which He will give 
unto them who love Him in sincerity and 
truth. 

" It is with great pleasure I look forward to 
this summer, in the expectation of seeing you 
once more among us. I hope your health may 
be such as to render it convenient, and proper 
for you to undertake the journey; but in all 
things we must submit our wishes and desires 
to Him who knows what is best for us. 

"Mother and Mary, John and Harriet, with 
James, desire to be affectionately remembered 
to you and yours, but remember I am not to 
be left out in the budget of love, but take just 
as much from me as you can find room for in 
your heart. 

"Hannah L. Murray." 

Reference has been had to the early and 
affectionate intimacy between Miss Murray 
and Miss Broome, now Mrs. Boggs. The fol- 
lowing short letter will be read with interest. 

" New York, September 10, 1829. 
" My dear Sally : — 

" When I called this morning to see you, I 
was grieved to hear that so many of you were 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 231 

sick, and should have been glad if in any way 
I could have administered to your comfort. 
But I well know that under your present 
heavy affliction you must look higher than the 
sympathy of earthly friends, for He who 
^vounds alone can heal. But though I cannot 
alleviate your sorrows by mingling my tears 
with yours, I can bear you on my heart to our 
Father who is in heaven, and plead with Him 
for Christ's sake to send the Comforter unto 
you, even the Spirit of Truth, who is able to 
bring light out of darkness, to calm the per- 
turbed mind, and to pour consolation into the 
wounded heart. How often, my dear friend, 
are we called to realize the truth, that this is 
not our rest ; and yet, foolish as we are, we 
continue to lay our plans for this fleeting life, 
as if it were the limit of our existence, and 
the ultimate end of all our actions. But God 
does not leave us to ourselves, but in faithful- 
ness and in mercy chastises us, cuts off the 
streams of our earthly comforts, that we may 
return to the fountain, and feel that there 
alone we have constant and adequate supplies 
for every exigence. 

" To say that I have felt keenly for you in 
this bereavement is not necessary ; for you 
know that in your sorrows I am afflicted and 
in your happiness I have always rejoiced. 
We have been united from children, I trust. 



232 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

in a sincere love — and that this love and 
friendship may be continued, and be cemented 
by that love which endures throughout an 
endless eternity, is the sincere prayer of your 
" Affectionate 

" H. L. Murray. 

" Remember us all with tender love and 
sympathy to your husband and children, and 
if Mary or myself can be of any service to you 
I hope you will make use of us." 

" New York, January \st, 1825. 
" To Mrs. Mary Deveaux. 

" My dear Mary, — A happy new-year to 
you all in the best and true sense of the phrase. 
May old things be done away and all things 
indeed become new with you. May all crea- 
tion appear brighter and more glorious, seen 
through the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, and 
the perspective be gilded by the hopes which 
spring from a living faith in Hwi who died 
that such ill-deserving, hell-deserving sinners 
might obtain not only pardon and acceptance 
but adoption into the family of God ; and be 
made heirs of an imperishable kingdom, and 
of a crown of glory which fadeth not away, 
eternal in the heavens. 

" Our winter has scarcely begun, although 
we have reached the first day of the new year : 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 233 

the grass still is green, and the weather like 
the spring — but to-day it is a little lowering, 
and seems to portend a change. When the 
bustle is over I will give some account of the 
company. 

" Jan. 3rd. Yesterday we had quite a snow- 
storm, but to-day it is true winter weather — 
clear and cold, and is perhaps more healthy 
than the mild air we have hitherto enjoyed. 

" On new-year's day we received the con- 
gratulations of many of our friends, and as 
usual had the satisfaction of entertaining about 
20 children, besides all our family. This little 
company was composed of 8 Springs, 3 Hoff- 
mans, 2 Coxes, and 1 Dickey, with our own lit- 
tle flock, and among the number our dear little 
Hannah Murray Hoffman was not one of the 
least agreeable. They seemed greatly to en- 
joy themselves, both at their own feast and 
the dolls', which was prepared in great style 
by Ellen, who had received as a new-year's 
gift from her grandmother, a beautiful little 
set of steel ivory-handled knives and forks, 
which were the admiration of all beholders. 
Everything was carried on very well, and the 
children went off full and contented; but I 
felt a little fearful that their stomachs might 
complain before morning at the unusual load 
of sweets imposed upon it. Among the new- 
year guests was a brother of James Boyd, 



234 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

who has come to reside in this city, in the 
store of Mr. Delavan. I think Mrs. Uelavan 
was at Miss Pierce's school at the time Theo- 
dosia was in Litchfield ; she is a very pretty 
woman. Susan and her family have been 
staying with us a few days, but Mr. Ogden 
is so infirm that he does not like to be very 
long from home. Beulah is passing the win- 
ter with us, quite unexpectedly, as her mar- 
riage has been necessarily postponed on ac- 
count of the indisposition of Mr. W., and 
it seems now very uncertain when it will take 
place. We hear frequently from your friend 
Anne Ustick, who always inquires after you 
when she comes to town, though you used to 
bear her such a grudge. She enjoys almost 
uninterrupted health, and makes herself very 
useful where she is in the Bible cause. 

" I thought I would begin the new-year by 
returning good for evil, for it is now more 
than a year since we have received a letter 
from you ; I think you must have forgotten 
how to write. But I must say a few words to 
my dear Theodosia ; and ask her how she is ; 
and whether her soul prospers and is in health ; 
for she is much in my heart, and my prayer to 
God for her is that she may know by sweet ex- 
perience what it is to hold communion with the 
Father and with his Son Jesus Christ, and to 
rejoice in the precious privilege of being permit- 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 235 

ted to roll her burdens upon the Lord who has 
promised to sustain her. And would to God, 
my dear Mary, that you could be induced to 
cast in your lot with those who have chosen 
him for their portion, who find his service per- 
fect freedom, and rejoice in the hope of his 
glory. 

" I sincerely congratulate you all in having 
got into your new house, and w^ish you much 
happiness in the enjoyment of its comforts. 
Kiss the little Charles Dudley for me, and re- 
member me affectionately to his Father. We 
have lately received a letter from Catharine 
Beecher requesting us to give her some infor- 
mation respecting you all, and she complains 
sadly that Theo. has not answered her letter. 
She has, I believe, the affection of a sister for 
Theo. 

" Mother, Mary, John and Harriet, George, 
&c, &c., all send you their love and good 
Welshes for the new-year. John and Ellen are 
well, and grow finely. Farewell, my dear 
Mary ; may the blessing of God rest upon 
you, and make you such as you should be, 
prays your affectionate friend, 

" Hannah L. Murray." 

" New York, Jan. 3d, 1833. 
"My Dear Mary, 

"It is very long since we have had one w^ord 



236 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

of intelligence respecting you — I think nine 
months. It is six, since Mary wrote to you at 
the time she sent the articles you desired to 
have purchased, but although you have been 
so long silent, yet, as it is new-year, I feel as 
if I must despatch some little messenger to 
refresh your memory, and gently advise you 
that you have still some friends of the name 
of Murray in the renowned city of Gotham; 
that they enjoy an unusual degree of health 
at this present ; and that as usual they met in 
family conclave on the 1st day of January, 1833; 
but that the younger branches having risen 
above the title of Misses and Masters, there 
was no collection of young people, as in years 
that are past. And now, having spent new- 
year's day, let me ask how you are, and how 
you have both been during the season of chol- 
era. It was with us an awful visitation, and 
carried many unprepared, I fear, to a dreadful 
reckoning, as it seized particularly upon the 
intemperate and dissolute in the midst of us. 
"We surely have great cause of thankfulness 
to our heavenly Father, w^ho has preserved us 
from feeling its power, and who has returned 
us to our happy home in renewed health and 
strength. Our summer, independent of the 
anxiety occasioned by this scourge, was most 
delightfully passed with our dear Beulah, who 
seems to be perfectly happy in an excellent 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 237 

husband, and very affectionate and respectful 
children. We were very much gratified to 
find her comfiDrtably and pleasantly situated. 
The mountain air agreed with us astonishingly, 
and especially with our dear mother, who, I 
do not think, has been so well fi)r seven years. 
She enjoyed herself very much, as she was 
surrounded by her daughters, for Susan and 
her Harriet were with us during our stay at 
Walden. She has presented us with another 
sweet little niece, whom she calls Mary Mur- 
ray, and this dear little one has beguiled 
her mother of many a melancholy reflection, 
and caused the smile again to illumine her 
face. They are all well there, as well as at 
Elizabeth's. John has arrived at the eventful 
period of twenty-one, and Ellen is fast pvo- 
gressing towards a grown-up, {as little Lib would 
say,) although she continvies this winter at Miss 
M'Clenachan's school. 

" And now, my dear Mary, let me wish you 
a happy new-year in the best sense of the 
phrase. May old things be done away, and all 
things become new in your heart ! May every 
inordinate passion and desire be subdued, and 
every thought of your heart be brought into 
sweet captivity to the obedience of Christ, and 
may you sit like Mary of old, at the feet of 
Jesus, and learn of Him who was meek and 
lowly in mind ! May you be truly thankful for 



238 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

the great blessing you have left you in your 
dear and estimable Theodocia, and may you 
be mutual comforts to each other. My heart's 
desire and prayer for you is, that you may see 
the hand of God in all things that have be- 
fallen you, that you may acknowledge that He 
has a right to do what He will with His own, 
and that you would cast your burdens upon 
Him with the simplicity and confidence of a 
child, because He has promised to sustain 
those who thus comply with His requisition. 
Now, my dear friend, cast dov^n the weapons 
of your rebellion, submit to the Lord Jesus, 
and range yourself under the banner of the 
cross, that in the last strife you may say, 
Thanks be unto God who giveth me the vic- 
tory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

"To my dear Theo. I would say, keep close 
to Him who sticketh closer than a brother ; 
lean upon Him as the beloved of your souls, 
and listen while He says, Fear not, for I am 
with thee ; be not afraid, for I am thy God; 
believe in me, and nothing shall be able to 
pluck thee from my Father's hand, and thou shalt 
be where I am and behold my glory. This 
surely is enough to sustain you through this 
probationary scene, and to excite you to gird 
up the loins of your mind for the heavenly race, 
feeling that you can do all things through Him 
who strengtheneth you. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 239 

"Now I must say farewell, requesting you 
to write soon and let us know how you fare, 
for we feel very anxious to hear something 
about you. The love I shall send in a packet, 
beginning with mother's, as the persons are 
too numerous to particularize. 
" And believe me, always, 

"Your sincerely affectionate friend, 
" Hannah L. Murray." 



We have before adverted to the mutual at- 
tachment between Miss Murray and Miss Ann 
Ustick. The writer had the privilege of 
being acquainted with the latter named lady. 
It was but to know her in order to esteem her 
highly for her intelligence, her frankness, her 
lady-like deportment, and the Christian sim- 
plicity of her character. The letters from 
Miss Murray to Miss Ustick, which we here 
subjoin, are indicative of no ordinary attach- 
ment and piety. 

"New-York, Feb. 22nd, 1830. 
" My dear, very dear Friend, 

" I feel as if I must write, though it were a 
vain attempt to express my sympathy with 
you in your recent heavy trial. But you, my 
beloved Anne, may comprehend it from our 
unity of heart, from our long, tender and in- 



840 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

timate friendship, our sincere and heartfelt 
affection. But come, let us praise the Lord 
together, for he hath wrought marvellously, he 
hath wonderfully manifested his faithfulness 
in fulfiling that precious promise, that as our 
day is, so shall our strength be, and that His 
strength shall be made perfect in our weak- 
ness. Truly, those who put their trust in Him 
shall never be confounded. Who is a rock like 
unto our God ? He is a present help in time 
of trouble. He is a high tower wherein His 
children in time of danger may run and be safe. 
He is the support of His people in every time 
of trial. Oh ! my dear Anne, my heart is 
filled with gratitude on your behalf, and I 
would call upon my soul and all that is with- 
in me, to bless the Lord for His great good- 
ness vouchsafed to you on this great occasion. 
I think you have every reason to hope that 
it is a thorough work, as those persons we 
have been acquainted with, who have submit- 
ted to a similar operation, have never been 
threatened with a recurrence of the disease. 
I allude to Mrs. P., Mrs. C, and H. R. But 
under all circumstances I rejoice and am com- 
forted that you are in the hands of a merciful 
and tender Father who will never put upon 
you more than He will qualify you to bear. 
He is often pleased to turn sinners to himself 
by permitting them to behold the faith, pa- 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 241 

tience, and fortitude of his children under 
great and sore trials and afflictions, and by 
perceiving that they can say from the heart, 
Thy will be done, even in the midst of the 
fires. That the great Physician of soul and 
body will watch over you for good and give 
healing efficacy to the means used for your re- 
covery, is my earnest and constant prayer; for 
you are ever on my heart before the Lord. 

" But I have only spoken of myself, while 
all the family have felt an intense interest in 
your case. Our dear mother desires to be 
most tenderly and affectionately remembered 
to you, and to let you know you have been 
continually in her thought. Harriet, too, has 
felt deeply for you, and your case has been 
spread before the Lord morning and evening 
at the family altar. And shall we not rejoice 
together that the Lord has heard our prayers, 
and safely brought you through the deep wa- 
ters ? Mary will add. a few lines for herself. 
And now, my beloved Ann, what can I do bet- 
ter than to commit you unto Him who is ^le 
to keep you from falling, and to present you 
spotless before the presence of His Father. 

" Yours, in the bonds of Christian love and 
friendship. " Hannah L. Murray. 

" You will believe me, my very dear friend, 

when I say that you have scarcely been a 
11 



242 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

minute out of my thoughts for the last week ; 
that now my heart rejoices that the great De- 
liverer has brought you safely through the 
severe trial He appointed you, and that, though 
you must still suffer, there is every reason to 
believe that you will in a short time be re- 
stored to health and usefulness. I do indeed 
bless God for his goodness to you under your 
severe trial, and pray that it may result not 
only in good to your own soul, but also to the 
souls of those who witnessed the faith and 
firmness with which a Christian can suffer: for 
well I know, my beloved Ann, that it was not 
your own strength : and I thank God for this 
unquestionable evidence that you are His, 
bought with His precious blood, and that He 
will at last place you among His jewels. My 
tenderest sympathy has been and still is with 
you, and that you may be speedily restored to 
us, is the prayer of your truly affectionate 

" Mary. 

'^Remember us all very kindly to Mr. and 
Mrs. Hartshorn, and the dear girls, and to 
Mrs. Cairles if she is still with you. 

"H. L. M." 

" To Mrs. Theodosia Petit, of Detroit. 

" New York, May Wt/i, 1826. 
" We have just, my dear Theodosia, heard 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 243 

of your great affliction, and heavy bereave- 
ment, and I feel constrained to send you the 
expression of our deep sympathy with you in 
this very trying dispensation of your Heavenly 
Father. But wliile I weep with you, I cannot 
but rejoice in the mercy of God, which endur- 
eth forever, that has been preparing you by 
His grace to sustain this otherwise overwhelm- 
ing sorrow, and, I humbly trust, to say. It is the 
Lord, let him do what seemeth Him good. 
You, my beloved Theo., will now, I hope, bring 
to mind all the promises made by a tender 
Father. You know that though he pleases to 
try you, yet he himself sits as the refiner, that 
nothing of the precious metal may be lost, 
but only purified from all its dross. He has 
said, I am the husband of the widow, and the 
father of the fatherless children ; and has also 
said that all things work together for good to 
those who love God. How should this Sfra- 
cious promise comfort our hearts ! We are 
so short-sighted that we know not what is 
best for us ; but He who knows our frame, 
and remembers that we are but dust, appor- 
tions our lot to us as He sees will be most ben- 
eficial to our souls, and will tend most to his 
glory. My fervent prayer for you is that 
you may be able to manifest the excellency 
of that religion which you profess, as an all- 
sufficient support in time of trial— a comfort 



244 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

which the world knows not of in the midst of 
affliction, and the foundation of a hope which 
shall never perish. What should we do in 
this world of trial without that anchor to the 
soul both sure and steadfast, and which enter- 
eth into that which is within the veil ? Oh ! 
my dear Theo., let us cherish that faith and 
confidence in God, which, in the midst of perils 
and afflictions, shall enable us to say, ' I am 
persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor 
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor 
things present, nor things to come, nor height, 
nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able 
to separate us from the love of God which is 
in Christ Jesus our Lord.' 

"Your mother, I know, will feel keenly this 
stroke, so sudden and unexpected ; but per- 
haps God in his mercy may sanctify it to her 
soul, and make it the means of drawing her 
near unto himself. Give her our tenderest 
love. We regretted exceedingly Mr. Palmer's 
departure without our seeing him, but now 
perceive that it was ordered by an overrul- 
ing Providence. May we delight to trace 
His hand in all things, though at first events 
may appear as trivial ; but with Him there is 
nothing small, nor anything great. 

" We all deeply sympathize with you, my 
beloved Theodosia; and among the rest my 
dear mother desires me to offer her tender 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 245 

love and warm sympathy. George, also, and 
Mrs. Offden : but I have not room to enumer- 
ate, as Mary wishes to add a few lines— but 
believe me, with the sincerest love, and in the 
tenderest bonds of Christian affection, your 
aunt, 

" Hannah L. Murray. 

" My beloved Theodosia, 

" You are involved in sudden and deep af- 
fliction, and I feel that you are in consequence 
more dear to my heart than you have ever 
been. I will not attempt to console you ; I 
leave that to the infinitely kind Being who has 
in tender love fortified you for this very trying 
occasion. But I do most truly sympathize with 
you, while I rejoice that you have an eternal 
Friend who is more aft'ectionate, more power- 
ful, and more willing to sustain and bless you 
than any earthly friend could be. Yet I trust 
you have some tried and confidential individ- 
uals to whom you can entrust your concerns, 
who feel for and love you. How I wish we 
were near you ! but vain is the wish. Write 
to us as .soon as possible, and inform us of your 
plans, for we feel deeply interested in your 
welfare. 

" What a consolation must it be to you that 
your dear departed husband was so much re- 
spected and beloved by his friends and fellow- 



246 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

citizens, as the letter of Mr. Trowbridge and 
the obituary notice of your paper testify. 

" Remember me very affectionately to your 
dear mother, and tell her I pray for her, that 
God would sanctify this afflictive event to her 
soul. Tell her also that D.'s money was 
received, and deposited according to order 
in the Savings Bank ; that two letters have 
been written, of which no mention has been 
made, which I fear have miscarried. John 
will write to you in a few days, and with Har- 
riet desires his affectionate love. More than 
ever yours, Mary." 

" New York, June 13th, 1824. 
" It is not easy, my beloved Theodosia, to 
express the heartfelt satisfaction your letter 
by Mr. Trowbridge afforded us all ; for though 
by William's last communication we were ap- 
prized of the important change your mind had 
experienced, yet we longed for something 
from your own pen in confirmation of the 
blessed fact. Oh, my love, you have obtained 
a treasure, in comparison with which the 
whole world, with all the pleasures it can 
offer, is as nothing. You have obtained an 
interest in the blood of the precious Redeemer, 
who is able to make you wise unto salvation ; 
to sustain you under every trial His wisdom 
sees necessary for you, and to give you at last 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 247 

a crown of rejoicing which shall never fade 
away. I congratulate you from my heart; 
I have borne you all more than daily upon my 
heart before the throne of heavenly grace ; 
and you may judge of the joy I experience 
that my prayers, in conjunction with many 
more of your sincere friends have been thus 
far answered. Yours, my dearest Theo., will 
now be added to ours, that God's mercy may 
extend to the other members of your family ; 
that the blessed religion of Jesus might teach 
them submission to, and cheerful acquiescence 
in the dispensations of Providence towards 
her; that she might be enabled to see that 
there is wisdom, goodness, and mercy in all 
God's dealings with her, although she is discon- 
tented under them. Oh, I pray for her eman- 
cipation from the tyranny of her own heart. 
Tell her the only reason I have not written 
to her is, that my eye is so weak that I write 
to nobody ; but though my pen does not con- 
vey my feelings, my heart is as warm towards 
her as it ever was. Beg her for my sake, 
for your sake, for her own sake, and above 
all for God's sake, to endeavor to yield her 
own will to that of her Maker. I have been 
very unwell for the last two months, but am 
bcffinninor to recruit. We shall leave this at 
5 to-morrow morning for Saratoga, with a 
view to benefit my health. God bless you, 



248 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

and cause you to grow in grace, and in the 
knowledge of your Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. 

" Yours, most affectionately, 

"Mary Murray. 

" My desire, my dear Theo,, has been very 
strong to write to you, ever since the receipt 
of William's letter, which caused tears of joy 
to moisten my eyes, and a prayer of thanks to 
ascend to God for His goodness manifested 
toward you. Well may we exclaim with the 
Psalmist, ' Oh ! that men would praise the 
Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful 
works to the children of men ;' for who hut 
He can change the heart, and bring a clean 
thing out of an unclean. It is the work of 
God alone, to open to us the sink of corruption 
that is within us, and to take the scales from 
our eyes, that we may behold that precious 
fountain of our Redeemer's blood, in the 
which we may wash and be clean. Oh ! my 
dear Theodosia, may we continually repair 
thither, to wash away all the stains of sin 
which are upon us. 

" We have lately had a letter from James 
Boyd, in which he speaks of you with the 
affection of a brother, and rejoices in the 
precious change which you have experienced. 
I know of no one that seemed to receive more 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 249 

pleasure from the intelligence than your uncle 
John. You know he always loved you very 
much, and felt a deep interest in you ; he 
sends you his heartfelt love, and prayers for 
your steadfastness in the faith. Mother, and 
Harriet, and George, and indeed all the fam- 
ily desire to be kindly remembered to you all. 
And now, my dear Theo., I would commend 
you to God, and to the word of His grace, 
which is able to build you up, and to give vou 
an inheritance among them that are sanctified. 
" Your affectionate aunt, 

" Hannah L. Murray. 

" You must make Master Charles Dudley 
acquainted with his New York relatives, and 
tell him his aunt Hannah sends him a kiss. I 
presume you know that one of Mr. S.'s daugh- 
ters has married a Lieutenant W., and has 
gone to live in Detroit ; his mother is with 
her at present." 

11* 



CHAPTER XI. 

EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL WHILE TRAVELLING, 



" O Nature, how in every charm supreme ! 
Whose votaries feast on raptures ever new ! 
O for the voice and fire of seraphim, 

.To sing thy glories with devotion due! 
And to th' enraptur'd heart, and ear, and eye, 
Teach beauty, virtue, truth, and love, and melody." 



We are carried back by the following no- 
tices to days that knew nothing of the com- 
fort and expedition of modern travelling. Be- 
ginning with the 8th of June, 1808, we have 
the journal of her tour to Niagara. 

"Saying adieu was always a heart-breaking 
thing to me, and with feelings not very light, 
I went on board the sloop Experiment for Hud- 
son. The accommodations are the best I have 
seen ; everything was neat and comfortable ; 
nor did I hear a profane word, during the 
whole of our passage. One of our passengers 
was the Rev. Dr. Romeyn, a clergyman of 
Rhinebeck, who there went on shore, and 
whose good company we were loth to lose. 
We arrived at Hudson the next evening, after 
a passage of twenty-four hours, and the next 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 251 

morning set oif for Albany by land. Every 
time I visit this place, it has fewer charms for 
me than before. We were obliged to remain 
here a whole day ; for we were informed that 
all the carriages were employed in the smug- 
gling trade. I need say nothing now of Schen- 
ectady, Amsterdam, Palatine, and the Mo- 
hawk ; and can only say that if we were 
pleased with our ride of yesterday, we have 
been enchanted with that of to-day. T. H. 
and myself have taken a sketch of the rapids 
of the Mohawk, and were off, as we supposed, 
for the wilderness. But instead of entering 
into a wilderness, we found, as far as we 
proceeded, a well-cultivated and settled land. 
There are not only beautiful villages, but taste 
in the buildings ; and in one of them. Col. H.'s 
at Utica, some fine specimens of art. For the 
whole distance from Schenectady to Utica, I 
do not think we have lost sight of the Mohawk 
for more than half an hour at a time. O for a 
moment of inspiration, that I might paint in 
colors the gentle windings of this pleasant 
stream ! But the muses have deserted me, 
and sought in my .sister Mary a more promis- 
ing eleve. But the Mohawk so loudly de- 
mands my song, that I must even try to raise 
my voice. 

" Fain would I count thy beauties o'er, 
And tell how ghdes thy wave serene, 



252 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

How nobly fring'd on either shore, 
Thy ever beauteous banks are seen. 

" Thy spreading ehiis majestic raise 

Their verdant arms to guard thy stream, 
To shield it from the noon-tide blaze, 
And temper every scorching beam. 

" Thy gentle waves in frolic play, 

Now seem the eager gaze to shun. 
But soon again in rich display. 

Returning in quick rapids run ; 
Whose curling foam with lustre bright. 
Like gems of Indies strike the sight." 

" June \4:th. — We left Utica, passed near the 
Indian village at Canaseraga, and rested for 
the night at Onondaga Hollow, by some sup- 
posed to have been originally a lake. We rode 
along the banks of the Seneca river to Gen- 
eva, from Geneva to Canandaigua, from Can- 
andaigua to Mr. W.'s, at Genesee river, and 
on the 19th started for Niagara. The country 
abounds in oak and v^^alnut, and some of them 
are trees of prodigious growth. We reached 
Batavia, a large village on the Tonewanta 
creek. But I cannot stop to be minute in my 
narrative, till I come somewhat nearer to the 
most magnificent scene in nature, the Falls of 
Niagara. No painting, nor spectacle, nor lan- 
guage can give any idea of its grandeur. I 
beheld it in mute astonishment, and felt it al- 
most sacrilege to speak. The water comes in 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 253 

such an immense body, that the first idea that 
struck me was that the river must soon be 
emptied. As yet we have viewed them only 
from what is called the ' Table Rock ;' they are 
indeed awfully stupendous ; I am not able to 
give you any description of them at all. We 
postponed our more minute inspection until to- 
morrow morning, and rode on the same even- 
ing to Newark. There was nothing remark- 
able in our ride until we came to a hill, at the 
foot of which lies Queen ston, on the British 
side, and on the west bank of the Niagara 
river. I think I never saw a more rich and 
picturesque scene. The mountain, with its 
grand oaks and chestnuts, through the open- 
ings of which you have a fine view of the vil- 
lage and the river — a little lower down, four 
or five beautiful points and bluifs — in the dis- 
tance, the great Lake Ontario, stretching three 
hundred miles in length, and one hundred and 
twenty in width — a narrow strip of land at the 
entrance of the lake, resembling, at this dis- 
tance, a long bridge — all these together form 
a beautiful picture. And then, as you go on a 
little farther, the entire lake bursts upon you 
in all its grandeur. At Queenston we visited 
the fort, where Col. Proctor treated us with 
great urbanity, entertained us with a band of 
music, which wound up with ' God save the 
King.' The next morning we returned to see 



254 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

the falls on the American side. If possible, 
they are more terrific on this side than on the 
other, although you have not so full a view of 
them. The noise, which is literally 'the sound 
of many waters,' is really terrific. But, terrific 
as it was, we have been in raptures. The 
whole morning we were sketching the falls in 
different points of view, so that w^e shall bring 
all Niagara to New York with us. It is cer- 
tainly the sublimest scene in nature ; as S. O. 
says, 'It is nothing to tell; you must see it in 
order to imagine anything so grand.' 

'* Niagara ! thou canst show 
Thy great Creator's power below 

In language which confounds. 
It bows us to the earth in awe, 
While earth, obedient to his law. 

Performs its constant rounds. 

"What muse can tell thy mighty force, 
When, rolling down thy rapid course, 

Thou mak'st all nature shake ? 
Thy foaming torrent trembling falls, 
And thine adamantine walls 

With trembling horror break. 

" Thy emerald green majestic rolls, 
And like a world upon its poles 

Its daily course pursues. 
Then in a foam thy stream is seen, 
Fair contrast witli thy liquid green. 

Which every wave renews. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 255 

" Thou bid'st us raise our thoughts on high, 
To Him who dwells above the sky, 

And mak'st thy waters roar ; 
Like fears our trembling hearts invade. 
As Israel felt when God display'd, 

On Sinai's mount, His power." 

" The Niagara river, from the mouth of 
Lake Erie, to where it empties into Lake 
Ontario, is thirty-six miles in length. We are 
now looking toward home ; yet, strange to 
say, I do not feel homesick ; I am indeed 
quite happy amid such scenes. On returning, 
we rode for miles through our own lands, and 
they are sufficiently rich and beautiful. My 
father is much respected here, as he deserves 
to be everywhere. We returned by Ballston, 
and of course went to La Grande Maison ; 
but what was our astonishment, when they told 
us there was not a soul in the house but three 
French cooks and other servants ! We drove 
to Aldidge's, and soon made our way toward 
Albany and New- York. 

" How doth thy love and mercy shine 
Amid the watery deep ! 
Lord, I pray, my heart incline. 
Thy holy law to keep. 

" And may I count thy mercies o'er, 
With pleasure ever new. 
And learn each day to love thee more, 
And serve thee better too. 



256 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Then wilt thou thy good Spirit send, 
To guide me on my way, 
And aid my soul her course to bend 
To realms of endless joy." 

Her tour from New York to Philadelphia 
was made in May and June, 1832. From 
her narrative of this journey we make only a 
few extracts, and these few because they il- 
lustrate some early biographical notices con- 
tained in our first chapter. After giving a 
pleasant description of Newark, Springfield, 
Bottle Hill, Morristown, and the ridge of 
mountains in the background, she gives a 
brief account of Schooley's Mountain, whence 
the party, consisting entirely of ladies and the 
coachman, proceeded to Easton. " On the 
Delaware and the adjacent country," she says, 
" I feasted my eyes for a considerable time. 
The sight of the river enlivened me, but I 
suffered from headache, and thought the whole 
way of my good Doctor, 

And often wish'd for that kind touch 
Which eased my aching head so much ; 
And sigh'd that soothing hand to feel 
That knew so well my pains to steal. 

"There was nothing remarkable in the ride 
till we reached Bethlehem, a beautiful settle- 
ment of the Moravians ; where, among other 
usages of their own, we learned, that on the 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 257 

death of any one of the inhabitants, a trumpet 
is blown from the top of the church, and from 
the notes that are blown the whole town un- 
derstands whether it be a man, a woman, a 
single or a married person, or a child that is 
deceased. We visited the " Sisters' House," 
and saw their embroidery. The family now 
consists of about one hundred sisters. The 
' Brothers* House' is entirely deserted ; and 
the institution thought to be on the decline. 
Persons of any other persuasion than their own 
cannot possess land in the town, nor are they 
allowed to be permanent settlers. The pop- 
ulation is German. We left Bethlehem the 
next day, and the road was none of the best ; 
but we behaved like true heroines. 

Jutting stones, nor rocky steep, 
Nor mud, nor mire, though e'er so deep, 
Our wondrous constancy could move. 
Or make us aught of terror prove, 
But calm, serene, we kept our way, 
And travell'd on throughout the day. 

We reached Philadelphia in safety, and found 
ourselves at home amid the affectionate 
greetings of our Cousin Joseph Lownds and 
his family. There is One who watches over 
us, and we are safe. 

" Wednesday, June 1st. This day I have 
been highly gratified by a visit to the seat of 
our forefathers ; a spot they inhabited shortly 



258 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

after they came out from England, with Wil- 
liam Penn. My sensations were very pleasant, 
though uncommon. I seemed, as it were, to 
bring back the years that were gone, and 
almost imagined myself among my venerable 
ancestors. Part of the house is still remaining, 
which I went over. The beautiful walnut 
trees from which the place takes its name of 
"Walnut Grove are still standing; and what I 
consider a very great curiosity is a piony in 
the garden, which is at least a hundred years 
old. After traversing the grounds, we en- 
tered a house built by one of the descendants, 
who appropriated one of the rooms to the re- 
mains of the ancient furniture, where we 
drank wine out of the glasses which belonged 
to our great-great-grandfather, and ate from 
the same plates which ornamented his cup- 
board, both of an hundred years' standing. I 
think I never enjoyed a visit so much. We 
then took the carriage, and rode through 
places belonging to the elder branches of the 
family. The Old Vlantation, as it was called, 
was divided into nine parts, one for each 
child, where each has a house erected. It is 
quite a remarkable fact, that until within a 
very few years, this property has continued in 
the family. We dined with our aged aunt, 
a truly excellent and valuable woman, who is 
anxious for the souls as well as the bodies of 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 259 

those afound her, and who is truly one of the 
salt of the earth. She is herself a Friend ; but 
she loves all who love Jesus in sincerity and 
truth. The next day we went to Friends' 
Meeting, and heard Edward Stabler preach, a 
public Friend, from Alexandria; he gave us 
truly an evangelical discourse. 

" After three weeks in Philadelphia, we 
w^ere homeward bound. We returned through 
East Jersey, and on Monday morning bent 
our course toward Telegraph Hill, where we 
had the most magnificent view, Niagara ex- 
cepted, I ever beheld. It was a view of the 
ocean, with all its vastness, and all its variety 
of cloud and wave, frigate, gunboat, and fishing 
smack, block-house and fort, and from which 
I took a sketch that might be made a beau- 
tiful picture by a skilful hand. How exceed- 
ingly sublime is this vast expanse of waters; 
how vast is He who holds them in the hollow 
of His hand, and whose voice is heard amid 
the solemn roaring of the surf, ' Hitherto shalt 
thou come, and no further, and here shall thy 
proud waves be stayed !' We crossed to 
Brunswick, and felt that we were nearing 
New York. A delightful sensation was it, 
wdien, after an absence of six weeks, we 
reached Paulus Hook, and from the high 
grounds near the ferry, caught a glimpse of 
the city. Queen of cities ! I said to myself, 



260 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

thou excellest them all ! When the carriage 
stopped at the door, we were received with 
open arms at the Square, and I felt my heart 
rise in gratitude to God, who had watched 
over me for good." 

Her next extended tour was made in the 
summer of 1815, to Saratoga and Lake George, 
and to which reference was made in the pre- 
ceding chapter. The writer may be allowed 
to furnish more particulars from her journal of 
this tour, as Mrs. S. and himself, for a consid- 
erable portion of it, were not only of the 
party, but their invited guests. They are 
under great obligations to the Murray family, 
for the pleasure and benefit of this long-re- 
membered tour, during which their social joys 
were so much augmented by the reciprocal 
efforts of the whole party, in intellectual and 
moral improvement. He has often thought, 
that in the relaxation of the inhabitants of 
large cities during the heat of summer, no plan 
could be hit upon that, promises more, than 
some such arrangement as that carried out 
in this short and delightful tour. The two 
Miss Murrays, their brother, and his lady, — 
formed just such a party as was fitted to 
subserve the true ends of relaxation. Otium 
ex lahoribus ; lahores ex otio. Labor fits us 
for relaxation, as truly as relaxation fits us 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 261 

for labor. Miss Murray was not exacting 
in her expectations from her pastor ; hut 
she was nobly generous in anticipating his 
exhaustion. But we may not detain the 
reader from a few extracts from her journal. 

August 2, 1815. ''The proper study of man- 
kind is man." " If this be a truism, the steam- 
boat is certainly one of those places where the 
study may be pursued to advantage. I have 
had the opportunity of exercising my skill in 
physiognomy. On such occasions I am all ear, 
and, contrary to my usual rule, am content to 
forego the pleasure of talking, and to be a 
listener only. We had the most motley groups 
I ever beheld. It reminded me of Shake- 
speare's collection of 

' Blue spirits and white, black spirits and grey. 
Mingle, mingle, mingle, you that mingle may.' 

" At bed time, it was impossible to put your 
foot on any part of the floor, without walking 
over legs, arms, or heads. The beauties of the 
scenery, on this river, have been so often de- 
scribed, that I will not waste my descriptive 
powers upon a subject almost worn thread- 
bare ; but although the powers of description 
may fail, the grandeur and sublimity of the 
mountains will endure to the end of time. 
After a delightful passage of only twenty -three 



262 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

hours, we arrived in the famous city of Albany. 
We arrived at Ballston just as they were ris- 
ing from dinner, and time enough to be the 
gazing stock of the w^hole company. But we 
need not complain, for we too made a good 
use of our eyes. Some seemed as if they had 
tackled on all their finery at once, lest they 
should not have another opportunity of dis- 
playing it; some looked bold, and some vul- 
gar. Some seem to rank themselves among 
the very pink of politeness, and though they 
are not young, have as many airs, I will not say 
graces, as a miss of fifteen. After dinner, we 
proceeded to Saratoga; and the first persons 
we saw, were our dear Mr. and Mrs. S., who 
came out to meet us, and conduct us to our 
lodgings, where we recognized several of our 
steamboat acquaintances. In the evening we 
attended prayers, though not many availed 
themselves of the privilege. The next day 
was the Sabbath : we attended the morning 
sacrifice with our friends, which prepared us 
in a measure for the duties of the day ; at half- 
past ten, we assembled in the Long Room at 
Lewis's, wiiere we heard an instructive dis- 
course from Mr. S. It has been a solemn and 
profitable Sabbath. On Monday, we were in 
a continual buzz with comers and goers ; but 
we are quite at home, as Mike says, we think 
it good to be friendly, and so make ourselves 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 263 

sociable. We closed the day at nine o'clock 
with prayer, where we all sang Hotham, which 
was exceedingly beautiful. We have some 
great ladies here, some of whom are greatly 
absorbed in their own dignity; and we have 
some great men, but the greatest are of 
the order o{ fustian Ambassadors, and one of 
them, an ugly, lank Dutchman, does not suffer 
his tongue to grow stiff for the want of using. 
We are continually receiving new enforce- 
ments, and sometimes get a sight at great 
oddities. 

"Monday/, llth. This morning we arose at 
five, and were off for Lake George, our party, 
consisting of Mr. and Mrs. S., Mr. and Mrs. 
F., and Mr. L., and those who composed our 
original company. We soon reached Glens 
Falls. 

" Hark ! 'tis the dashing water's noise ! 
It is the solemn cataract's voice ; 
And now, behold, it strikes the eye 
With grave, yet splendid majesty. 
Dark are thy craggs, and foamy white 
Thy waters rush upon the sight ; 
And sparkling 'mid the sunny ray 
A thousand trembling gems display : 
Then headlong tumbling as they go. 
With rapid speed unite below, 
Where in one placid stream they glide 
Through lofty banks on either side, 
Crown'd with a rich luxuriant wood 
Which storms for ages here withstood; 



264 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Then sleeps upon its peaceful bed. 
Unconscions of the turmoil dread, 
Which wraps in foam its rugged head. 

" This beautiful cataract seemed to captivate 
us ; the eye seemed never satisfied with gaz- 
ing at it. It is not a regular sheet of water, 
but is broken into a hundred little flills, till 
they seem to be urging one another forward, 
until they unite with the calm stream below. 
The character of the rock is very ledgy, and 
the color that of slate, so that its dark cliffs 
form a beautiful contrast with the white and 
foamy spray. A mill which is turned by it 
renders the scene still more picturesque. It is 
altogether one of the most enchanting scenes 
I ever beheld. We saw it after plentiful rains; 
I could not refrain from exercising my pencil, 
and we returned with a faint sketch of its 
beauties. After a late breakfast, at Queens- 
bury, we started for Lake George ; the scenery 
was fine, but the roads very bad. About two 
miles from our journey's end, the lake burst 
upon us in full splendor. Before us was an 
amphitheatre of lofty mountains, covered with 
wood to their summit, at the foot of which 
the lake slept peacefully, perfectly calm, and 
its surface as smooth as a mirror, reflecting 
nothing but beauty. Three or four rich points 
stretched out into the stream, and directly 
in the foreground arose a neat little village. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 265 

with its church and spire. The rich glow of 
the setting sun added to the charms of this 
magnificent picture, and by contrast deepened 
the sombre shades upon the mountains. Every 
mouth was filled with exclamations as the view 
broke upon us. Words are not adequate to 
describe the beauty and sublimity of the 
scene ; they lead us to the contemplation of 
Him who ' weigheth the mountains in scales, 
and the hills as in a balance,' and who 'taketh 
up the islands as a very little thing.' Such a 
banquet His bounty gives us. 

" The radiant sun, in ricli display, 
Is seen the glory of the day ; 
And onward through the vaulted arch 
With steady course pursues his march. 
In silent majesty on high, 
The silver moon adorns the sky. 
And in her train the gems of night 
Diffuse around their sparkling light. 
The lofty mountains meet the sky, 
The forests raise their branches high, 
And ocean teems with wonders rare. 
And choirs of songsters charm the air. 
But though the sun is glorious seen. 
And the soft moon, night's milder queen, 
And starry gems, with glittering light. 
Illume the darkness of the night. 
Though woods in endless verdm-e rise, 
And birds with music greet the skies ; 
Yet, thou great Origitial ! 
How far below thy creatures fall, 

12 



266 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Howe'er sublime and fair they be, 

They can't in thought compare with thee. 

"We put up at Carter's, and soon took a 
boat for Sea Island, and from this spot I took 
a picturesque sketch. We closed the day 
with thankfulness and united prayer. The 
next day we rambled, visited the ruins of a 
large fort, a place of some notoriety in the 
days of Montcalm, but now of little conse- 
quence, save to complete a beautiful Adew of 
the lake, by making a fine foreground to the 
picture. The following day we returned to 
Saratoga, and the next joined our friends at 
Ballston. Here we all had much conversation, 
some reading, and a little sport. In the after- 
noon. Miss B., Mr. S., and myself, set off to 
take a view of the ' Lover's Leap,' a high, ro- 
mantic spot, with a little stream running at 
the bottom. We determined to call it Mount 
Parnassus, and accordingly installed Mr. S. in 
the seat of Apollo, and elevated ourselves to 
the dignity of the muses. We little thought 
of the mischief we were doing, until, the fol- 
lowing day, one of the company discovered it 
to us in the following verses : — 

" To Parnassus in haste the fair Nine had repaired, 
For a rumor had stole through the air. 
That three mortals, Avith boldest presumption had dared 
In the rigfhts of the muses to share. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 267 

" That one had declared over wit she'd preside, 
And cause the arch dimple to play. 
And another, with dagger and bowl by her side, 
Over tears, sighs, and groans would bear sway. 

" And so deep was the plot, and the work so complete. 
E'en Apollo himself was dethroned ! 
And a mortal aspired to sit in that seat 
Which none but a god had erst owned. 

" The Nine were in arms, and besought of their chief 
The length of the mischief to know. 
He returned with a smile, which afforded relief. 
From a visit he'd just made below. 

" Where plac'd on a mount, with a stream at its base, 
Overshadow'd with hio-h waving trees. 
Those three who had given Apollo his chase. 
Were seated and chatting at ease. 

" While the third, more aspiring, determined to rule 
O'er the mind and the talents of men. 
To teach them the science that raises the soul 
From worthless to heavenly ken. 

" In a moment of mirth this sweet spot they had nam'd 
From Parnassus, that seat of delight ; 
And to furnish it out with such guests as it claim'd. 
Had exalted themselves to its height, 

" To preside o'er the mount as its guardians below, 
As the muses of earthly descent, 
But dream'd not of causing such wonder and woe. 
As aught that the Nine could resent. 

" Apollo then laughing exclaim'd, ' Let them reign, 
And rule in this lower abode. 
Our mountain celestial content to retain, 
A spot fit alone for a god.' " 



268 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

There was a ball in the evening, and we spent 
a couple of pleasant hours with Mr. and 
Mrs. S., and closed the day with praise and 
prayer. 

" August 25th. I begin to think of home ; 
the very name animates me, and I almost wish 
I had wings, that I might find myself without 
effort in dear Hudson Square. Even packing 
is a pleasant work ; everything is delightful 
that helps us homeward. We bid adieu to 
Sa7is Souci; and it was not without regret that 
we said farewell to some very agreeable peo- 
ple. We took the river road by the w^ay 
of Stillwater to Albany, and w ere delighted 
with the banks of the Hudson and a view of 
the Mohawk in its junction wnth the former 
river. We had a glimpse of the falls and the 
rapids, a beautifully extended and diversified 
scene. I have been in perfect raptures all the 
day, and could have stopped every five min- 
utes to take sketches of the scenery. On the 
20th we embarked for New York, heard and 
saw much that interested us, and after a 
charming passage of twenty hours, reached 
our beloved home. I shall remember this 
little jaunt with pleasure, as it has unfolded 
more and more the character of those I was 
disposed to love. It is thou, O God of grace, 
wiio hast compassed my paths and my lying 
down, who hast guarded and returned me in 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 269 

safety; to thy name would I ascribe all honor 
and praise ! 

In the year 1821, Miss Murray, with her 
friends, visited Geneseo, on the Genesee river, 
in the neighborhood of which the family were 
proprietors of a large landed estate. We can 
present but a brief outline of her journal on 
this tour. 

June \st. "Again w^e are huddled in groups 
on board the steamboat, handsome and ugly, 
little and big, great and small in degree, talk- 
ers and taciturn, sentimental and romantic. 
We reached Albany after a tedious passage. 
It gave a quicker pulse to my heart, to meet 
two of our early friends, Mrs. S. and Mrs. O. 
K., who welcomed us with all the affection 
"and warmth -of ancient friendship. We spent 
the Sabbath at Schenectady, and heard Mr. V. 
in the morning, and in the afternoon, an excel- 
lent discourse from a stranger, from the words, 
' If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he 
is none of His.' On Monday morning we 
started at half-past five : the romantic wind- 
ings of the Mohawk have lost none of their 
beauty. It was an amusing sight to us to 
see the people at work upon the canal, they 
seemed to be so truly in earnest about it. We 
took up our abode for the night at Little Falls, 
where my sympathies were excited for a poor 
old German, who seemed to be in a panic lest 



270 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

it mif^ht thunder; for I have a strong fellow- 
feeling for those who are afraid of anything. 
Here again, we found the canal going on 
briskly. They have fifteen hundred men at 
work upon it. It is a stupendous work, and 
no doubt will immortalize the name of De Witt 
Clinton. On Wednesday we reconnoitered 
Utica, the place from which all merchants 
from the West were formerly supplied with 
their goods. Here we had an interview with 
a good many Indians of the Oneida tribe. On 
Friday we embarked on the canal, passed 
towns and factories, and streams, and were car- 
ried through woods and locks, for a distance of 
eighty-seven miles. After seven miles' ride 
we reached Auburn, a beautiful town, which 
has more than quadrupled since 'Our first visit 
to this part of the State. From Auburn, we 
passed through several thriving villages, three 
of which have sprung into existence since our 
last visit. We spent the Sabbath at the beau- 
tiful town of Geneva, crowning the summit 
of a romantic hill which bounds the Lake. 
In the afternoon the Annual Report of the 
General Assembly of our Church was read, 
giving a narrative of the state of religion. 
The notices of Virginia were very touching. 
A law had been passed in that Legislature, 
forbidding all persons to teach the blacks to 
read or write under the penalty of fine, or 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 271 

stripes. Some heroic females determined 
to instruct these poor degraded beings, and 
for this purpose established a Sunday School. 
On the officers of the law demanding the fine, 
they refused to pay it; but said they were 
ready to receive the stripes! But no man 
could be found who would inflict them. Was 
not this enough to cover the framers of the 
law with shame, and induce them to repeal 
so scandulous a statute I We were now forty 
miles from Geneseo, and the garden of the 
west was before us. From Geneva to Canan- 
daigua, nothing could be more beautiful than 
our ride ; our admiration seemed to have no 
bounds. Through East and West Bloomfield, 
Livonia and Lima, we at length stopped at 
Mr. W.'s door, at Geneseo, where we had a 
happy meeting, and in a moment the piazza 
was covered with old friends. The approach 
to Geneseo is beautiful. Mr. W.'s residence 
occupies a most magnificent site, being on the 
slope of the hill, and having before it the vil- 
lage, the flats on the margin of the river, 
green fields, and enough of forest lo give it 
variety. He seems in all respects to be like 
the lord of the Manor; for he and his were 
the first possessors of the land. They came, 
not sword in hand to make war upon the na- 
tive tribes, but by fair and honorable purchase, 
and with the tree-destroying axe, to fell the 



272 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

children of the forest, and cause the habita- 
tions of cruelty to give place to the dwellings 
of hospitality and peace. We are quite at 
home, and I hope grateful for the preserving 
care of our Heavenly Father. While here 
we A^sited Mount Morris, which is one of the 
finest situations I ever saw ; near a large and 
handsome village, where thirteen years ago 
there were but two or three scattered houses. 
After viewing and admiring our lands, we rode 
over to an Indian settlement in the neighbor- 
hood, and thence through the woods to take 
a view of some sublime mountain scenery, and 
to bring away with us what sketches we could, 
and where the whole party were as richly en- 
tertained as they could have been in the re- 
nowned city of Gotham. We returned to 
Geneseo, where, on Wednesday, I was con- 
fined to the house by the rain, and read the 
Life of Catharine de Medicis. I should be 
very sorry to see many such women. For 
though she had great talents and mind, her 
vices far outbalanced all that was fine or es- 
timable in her character, and France had very 
little reason to rejoice in her elevation to the 
throne. The period in which she reigned 
seemed to be a very remarkable one as it re- 
gards women. All the principal kingdoms of 
Europe were governed by females, and these 
too of no common stamp. The great Elizabeth 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 273 

ruled England ; Mary, Scotland ; Marguirete, 
part of Italy, and the Low Countries; and 
Catharine of Austria, Portugal. We gave up 
our Niagara excursion, and on Thursday morn- 
ing set our faces toward home. At Auburn, 
we found our old friends Mr. and Mrs. Ferine, 
and there had the satisfaction of hearing him 
preach one of his most touching discourses, 
and in his tenderest manner. It was from that 
portion of Scripture where the Saviour meets 
Mary at the sepulchre, and seeing her grief, 
says to her, Mary ! when she instantly recog- 
nizes Him, and exclaims Rabbo7ii ! It was a 
very pathetic discourse, and calculated greatly 
to encourage those who are seeking Jesus 
sorrowing, and with the whole heart. We 
left Auburn on Monday morning, and after 
some interviews with bright and dull Indians, 
and Professors of Colleges, canals, rivers, 
stages, and steamboats, we returned by the 
way of Saratoga to our own dwelling. 

" Now sing, my muse, the varied charms 
Of forests bold and cultured farms, 
Of rivers "where the sun-beams dance, 
And lakes that spread a broad expanse ; 
Of mountains towering to the sky. 
And vales that calm beneath them lie ; 
Adorn'd with many a grazing band 
The riches of this "Western land. 

" Sing of the many rapids' glide 

That curls and foams on every side ; 
12* 



274 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

And of the lofty grand cascade 
That dashes from its rocky bed 
To meet, with thundering noise below, 
The waters that quiescent flow, 
Or mountain in a foaming spray, 
Reflect the rainbow's varied ray. 
Such glowing beauties grace the land 
That's deck'd by nature's partial hand." 

" Here I must close my brief narrative of 
this pleasant tour. What shall I render to the 
Lord for all his mercies ? If I should count 
them, they are more in number than the 
sand." 



CHAPTER XII. 

HER LAST SICKNESS AND DEATH. 



' When faith and love, which parted from thee never, 
Had ripened thy just soul to dwell with God, 
Meekly thou didst resign this earthly load, 
Of death, called life ; which us from life doth sever. 

' Thy works and alms, and all thy good endeavor, 
Stay'd not behind, nor in the grave were trod ; 
But, as Faith pointed with her golden rod, 
Followed thee up to joy and peace forever." 



It is well tlmt the people of God must die. 
To live mindful of death, to become familiar 
with it in our thoughts, and still more familiar 
with Him " who through death has destroyed 
the power of death," is to rob it of its sting. 

Miss Murray was not unmindful of the 
truth, that the great business of time is to 
prepare for eternity. She had no secular ad- 
vancement to accomplish ; she had even no be- 
nevolent arrangement which she was not wil- 
ling should be frustrated by her unexpected 
departure from the present world. Her mind 
was not so occupied with the absorbing inter- 
ests of earth, nor her busy thoughts so im- 
mersed in its cares and pur.suits, that if sud- 
denly arrested in her career, there would be 



276 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

a void which could not be occupied and filled by 
the more substantial and glorious realities of 
the unseen world. Life, to her, was but the 
verge of the grave ; time, but the outer court 
to eternity. More than ten years before her 
death she wrote the following paragraph in 
her diary : 

" This morning, while upon my bed, the 
subject of death was offered to my contempla- 
tion. 1 thought of the time when my lifeless 
body would be thus stretched out, and many 
who had little interest in me in life would 
come to gaze upon my inanimate clay. And 
then the thought rushed upon me. While they 
are thus viewing what was once animated by 
a living soul, where will that immortal spirit be ? 
Will it be enjoying the blessedness of the 
heavenly world, beholding the glory of God 
and the Lamb, and uniting in the song to Him 
that loved us; or will it be cast out from His 
holy presence, and banished to the blackness 
of darkness forever, to dwell where there is 
weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth ? 
O what an awful alternative ! who can dwell 
with devouring fire ? who can dwell with 
everlasting burnings ? Yet is this the doom 
of all those who obey not the gospel of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, and who die in their sins. 
O, thou divine Saviour, be merciful to me a 
sinner ! Whenever the summons may arrive. 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 277 

may I be ready to depart, and may the day of 
my death be better than the day of my birth. 
Instead of feeling terror and dismay at the 
approach of the last enemy, may I be enabled, 
through thy Spirit, to greet him as the mes- 
senger sent to conduct me to my Father's 
house !" 

At another time she writes in a somewhat 
different strain. "The thoughts of a dying 
hour have often distressed my mind ; which 
greatly shows the corruption of my nature, or 
I should desire to go where I may serve the 
Lord without sin. But on reading some let- 
ters from the excellent and pious Newton, the 
following passage seemed to come to my heart 
fraught with comfort. ' When the time has 
arrived which God has appointed for your 
dismission, I make no doubt that He w411 
overpower all your fears, and give you a com- 
fortable and triumphant entrance into His 
kingdom.' Grant, Lord, that it may be thus 
w ith me ; for I will trust in Thee. I cast 
myself upon Thee that Thou mayest do to me 
as seemeth Thee good, satisfied that Thou 
wilt do that which is most for Thy glory. 
Thou dost make Thy strength perfect in 
weakness, that the power may be seen to be 
of God alone. Help me, while I live, to live 
to Thy glory, and Thou wilt not forsake me 
when I come to die .'" 



278^ MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Solemn thoughts she also expresses in the 
following- sentences. " The idea of standing 
before the bar of God fills my mind with ex- 
treme awe. I feel how^ guilty, how unworthy 
I am, and how utterly unable I should be to 
support the presence of a pure and holy God. 
My soul is ready to sink within me when I 
contemplate the glory and majesty of the 
Judge wdio is to pass my sentence. Yet, 
blessed be His name, in Christ Jesus He is a 
reconciled God and Father ; and though in 
myself I could not bear the glance of His eye, 
clothed with my Redeemer's righteousness, I 
could lift up my head with joy. Glory be 
ascribed to God for His unspeakable gift, who 
is made of God unto us wisdom, righteousness, 
sanctification and redemption !" 

It is pleasant to read the following thoughts 
from her pen, isolated from her diary, and yet 
found on one of its pages, and headed thus : 
''On feeling a great fear of deaths If I loved God 
as I ought, I should not thus be kept in bond- 
age all my life-time through fear of death. I 
deeply lament that I have not clearer views 
of His glory and excellency, and that my 
faith is not stronger. Lord, I believe ; help 
Thou mine unbelief! I would have such joy 
and peace in believing, that at last I may be 
made a conqueror, and more than a conqueror, 
through Him who hath loved me. When I 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 279 

contemplate the riches of His grace in Christ 
Jesus, I sometimes feel strong, and am ready 
to exclaim, How shall not my heavenly Father, 
with Him, also freely give me all things ?" 

With such mingled and subdued emotions 
as these, she addressed herself to the last con- 
flict. She had for some months struggled 
with great debility of body, but her last sick- 
ness was not of long continuance. ,Her sur- 
viving sister, who had been her companion 
from childhood, who was not often separated 
from her for a day, and than whom two sisters 
were never more devotedly attached, by a 
mysterious Providence was for the most part 
separated from her during her last illness. In 
writing to the author, she says, " Being ex- 
tremely ill myself, during the last three weeks 
of my precious sister's life, I was denied the 
satisfaction and the great privilege of witness- 
ing, except a few moments each day, for the 
last week, when I was carried from my cham- 
ber to see her, the sweet, peaceful, and happy 
state of her mind. My dear si.ster and nieces, 
who were constantly with her, day and night, 
when there was no longer hope of her recov- 
ery, recorded some of her last words ; her 
precious ejaculations, advice, and prayers. 
She appeared to be constantly in prayer, when 
not under the influence of narcotics, and fre- 
quently in a low, but audible voice. May we 



280 MEMOIR OF HANNAH T-. MURRAY. 

all be as well prepared to meet our God as 
was that dear sainted one ! 

" These dear last words, recorded by her 
niece, I now transcribe, with gratitude to 
God, who has considered my affliction, and 
with it sent me the greatest consolation of 
which my mind is susceptible. 

" ' The first night I set up,' says she, ' with 
my beloved aunt, she suffered so much as to ren- 
der it almost impossible for her to converse. 
When partially relieved, she addressed the 
throne of grace in a beautiful prayer, composed 
almost entirely of texts of Scripture. Had I 
known how soon we should have been called 
to part with her, every w^ord would iiave been 
treasured up. Her language was. Cast me not 
away from thy presence ; take not thy Holy 
Spirit from me ! Put underneath me thine 
everlasting arms, and support me in the hour 
of trial ! She then stopped, and addressed 
me, and repeated the hymn, 

" Jesus, lover of my soul, 
Let me to thy bosom fly ; 
While the nearer Avaters roll, 
While the tempest still is nigh." 

And then she rehearsed those lines of Watts, 

" When I can read my title clear. 
To mansions in the skies, 
I'll bid farewell to every fear, 
And wipe my weeping eyes." 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 281 

Towards morning she said, " I am afraid I 
give a great deal of trouble ; but I hope I do 
not complain." The day following she slept all 
the morning; and in the afternoon, feeling weak 
and exhausted, she said, "How often have I 
thought of the necessity of preparation for death 
while we are in health. When upon a dying 
bed, we cannot always think as we would wish 
to do. I am sure I am very thankful that" — 
here her voice died away, and when we looked 
on her, she was in a calm, sweet sleep. Shortly 
after her brother came in, and I repeated to 
him the remark she had made with regard to 
the necessity of preparation for death ; when 
she made an effort to speak, and said, " Yes, 
I have very often thought oi that ;" then after 
a short pause, added, " I hope I shall not feel 
so drowsy to-morrow." For the two succeed- 
ing days and nights, owing to the effect of 
anodynes, and extreme debility, she slept the 
greater part of the time, and we were fearful 
that w-e should not enjoy the satisfaction of 
hearing her voice again. But He who doth 
not willingly grieve, nor afflict the children of 
men, lent a willing ear to our petition, and an- 
swered our prayer. Precious in the sight of 
the Lord is the death of His saints ; and pre- 
cious to the Christian mourner is the last tes- 
timony of the sainted spirit when on the verge 
of heaven. Our beloved aunt was permitted. 



282 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

in her death, to leave her testimony to the 
truth of that holy Gospel in which she herself 
believed, and by whose precepts her life had 
been regulated, and by whose promises her 
hopes were now so sure and stedfast. 

" ' Two days before her spirit took its flight, 
the desire that she might not be overcome 
with sleep was granted ; and although ex- 
tremely weak, she spoke several times, in a 
clear loud voice. Quite early in the morning, 
while sister Mary was sitting near her, she 
sweetly said, " I shall rejoice, when I can go 
to my Saviour. It is far better to depart and 
be with Christ, to be with my Saviour — my 
dear Saviour — where all is joy and peace — 
peace — peace. I wish that all my friends 
and acquaintances may meet together in that 
place, wiiere all is joy and peace ; wiiere there 
is no sin, no sorrow, and be made partakers of 
that rich repast which he has provided for all 
who love Him." For several hours after this, 
she was evidently engaged in prayer, but in so 
low a voice that we could not understand her. 
Then again, clearly and audibly, she said, 
"Glory to God on high, and on earth peace 
and good will to men! May thy name be 
glorified on the earth, O Lord God Almighty !" 
And looking upon those who were assembled 
around her bed, she added, " May they glorify 
thy name on the earth ! May it be glorified 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 283 

in them and hy them; and may they be pre- 
pared through thy grace — yes, prepared — pre- 
pared — prepared !" Shortly after, her brother 
John said, "I think she will be with us yet 
some hours." He had scarcely uttered these 
words, when she raised her hands and eyes to 
heaven, and with a bright celestial smile, and 
an expression I cannot describe, for there was 
nothing earthly in it, she dropped her hands, 
closed her beaming eyes, and sweetly fell 
asleep in Jesus. We listened anxiously for 
more ; but it was the last of the many, many 
petitions she offered for those she loved on 
earth. May her fervent effectual prayers for 
all of us avail before the throne of grace, and 
through faith in her blessed Redeemer, may 
we die the death of the righteous, and our last 
end be like hers !' " 

Thus lived and thus died, on the third of 
June, 1836, in the fifty-ninth year of her age, 
Hannah Lindley Murray, leaving a name that 
is enbalmed in many a bosom, and that bears 
testimony to the gradual increase of that 
glorious light which shinet'i more unto the 
perfect day. That perfect day she now be- 
holds, and will with increasing joy behold 
throughout interminable ages. Her life is the 
evidence of her Christianity, and her death 
was in delightful coincidence with her life. 

We wept when we were told that she was 



284 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

gone ; we wept at her grave ; but w^e also re- 
joiced. They were sincere mourners who fol- 
lowed her to h^' last earthly rest; their grief 
w^as tender and lasting, and their joy is hal- 
lowed, lasting joy. It is not her which that 
venerable vault contains; no, she is not there. 
None of that lovely mind, none of those win- 
ning virtues have crumbled to the dust. That 
sacred fire has not become extinct, and has only 
risen to a purer, brighter flame. The loss is 
ours; the gain is hers. Yet is she not lost 
even to us. "She being dead, yet speaketh." 
There is one among those who survive her 
to whom the loss is heavy in the last degree. 
The departed one was her counsellor in difficul- 
ties; her comforter in trial; the endeared and 
interesting participator in all her joys and sor- 
rows ; and ever at her side in all her active and 
sedentary occupations. They seemed as if 
moved by one mind, and it was their delight to 
act together in everything. In some brief, but 
touching thoughts on her death, this afflicted 
sister says, " Is it strange that I should feel as 
if I had lost my better half? I know He hath 
done all things w^ell. The Lord gave and the 
Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the 
name of the Lord! Yet, O my precious sister! 

" I seem but half myself, bereft of thee ; 

No one, now thou art gone, to love me best, 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 285 

For, sister, thou didst love me tenderly. 

And full response did follow from my breast. 

" I seem but half myself, when pleasure calls,' 
And bids me tune my feelings to his key ; 
Without participation pleasure palls, 

Now, nought can charm me, sister, without thee. 

" I seem but half myself when fancy pleads, 
And to some enterprise ingenious tends ; 
Thy judgment now no more that fancy leads. 
And mingled mind no more its influence lends. 

" I seem but half myself, when plans of good 
My single effort and my thoughts engage ; 
Plans grateful to thy taste as daily food, 
Matured and bettered by thy coimsel sage. 

" I seem but half myself in prayer and praise, 
For, sister, thou didst elevate my frame ; 
Thy fair example did devotion raise. 

And kindle up my lukewarm zeal to flame. 

" I seem but half myself, where'er I go, 
I seek in vain to find my better part ; 
I seem but half myself, what'er I do, 
And sigh to feel the vacuum in my heart. 

" But be it so — for God has so decreed. 

And I profess to make His will my own ; 
I may not from His covenant recede. 
No ; rather would I die — or live alone ! 

" Or live alone ? Why need I live alone ? 

God can supply the vacuum He has made, 
And though, my sainted sister, thou art gone, 
And in the silent cemetery laid. 



286 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

" The time, — blest season ! will, I trust, airive, 
When I shall meet my better self in heaven, 
Together in beatitude to live, 

No more by death to be asunder riven." 

This estimable lady has the sympathies of 
all who know her, and know her loss. So 
tender was the bond between the living and 
the dead, that we were not without our fears 
that the separation would have been more 
brief than it has proved. The living lives not 
in vain, though she lives to mourn. We have 
often seen her tears, and we have been per- 
mitted access to some of her thoughts of 
mourning. At the close of some pensive 
thoughts, in reviewing their separation, she 
cannot suppress emotions which will find a mel- 
ancholy responding in the bosom of every true 
mourner. " O shall I ever, dear sister, unite 
with thee in those pure, elevated, and holy 
enjoyments ? Thou God knowest. O, if it 
be permitted thee to look down from the 
heights of the beautiful city, the New Jerusa- 
lem, and hold communion and fellowship with 
the dear ones thou hast left, 

" Meet me, dear sister, at the throne of grace. 
And aid my earth-born spirit to aspire, 
There to commune with thee as face to face. 
There to receive from God our souls' desire. 

"When earth's grand luminary gilds the day, 
Dear sister, meet me, to adore and praise ; 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 287 

And when he burns in his meridian ray. 
Help me to emulate his fervent rays. 

"Meet me, dear sister, at the eventide 

When sage reflection casts her hints abroad, 
Then may our spirits meet, and, side by side. 
Pay mingled homage to our risen God. 

"Meet me, dear sister, in the midnitrht ffloom. 
When sickness, sorrow, and distress assail. 
Not as the silent tenant of the tomb. 
But as the risen saint, thy sister hail. 

" To elevate my soul to ardent prayer, 
To dissipate the darkness of the night, 
That in thy holy breathings I may share, 

While God's own Spirit makes my darkness light. 

" Meet me, dear sister, on the bed of death. 

When flesh and spirit fail, with Jesus come ; 
And when this clay emits its latest breath. 
With Jesus lead me to thy blissful home. 

" might I but such converse entertain 

With thee, sweet sister, now no longer here. 
My lonely bosom would no more complain, 

But haste to meet thee at each hour of prayer." 

Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall 
be comforted. These dear sisters, we believe, 
will have a happy meeting" beyond the grave. 
Short will be the separation now. For many 
a long year they bloomed together here in 
less friendly climes. There the sun shall not 
light upon them, nor any heat, but they shall 
bloom together in unfading joy. Comforts 
were mingled with their sorrows, while the 



288 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY.' 

beloved and departed one was yet below ; 
still they mingle with the calmness and piety 
of her protracted grief who mourns. They 
will mingle with it, cheer its dark and lonely 
hours, and make the death of the living as 
peaceful as the slumbers of the dead. We 
live, not to gaze in solemn and pensive si- 
lence on the tomb, but, having learned from 
it life's uncertainty and the world's empti- 
ness, to labor to enter into " that rest.'* 



CHAPTER XIII. 



CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS. 



•' Lady, that in the prime of earhest youth, 

Wisely hast shun'd the broad way and the green, 
And with those few art eminently seen 
That labor up the hill of heavenly truth, 
The better part, with Mary and with Ruth, 
Chosen thou hast." 



" She being dead, yet speaketh." Could our 
departed friend again visit us, who would be 
the objects of her chief solicitude ? and what 
are the counsels which she would address to 
them ? In conducting this volume to a con- 
clusion, the writer would fain speak in her 
name, and utter some of the thoughts which 
she would utter, and, so far as he can catch 
her spirit, utter them as she herself would utter 
them. Those who knew her best, can have lit- 
tle doubt that she would address herself 

TO THE YOUNG, AND BEAR HER HONEST TESTI- 
MONY IN FAVOR OF EARLY PIETY. 

Who ever questioned that she loved the 



youn 



? or whoever doubted that she was 

honest ? She speaks to them in these pages, 

and her expostulation is, '' Remember now 

13 



290 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while 
the evil days come not, nor the years draw 
nigh in which thou shalt say, I have no pleas- 
ure in them." Such an expostulation is the 
language of touching tenderness from lips like 
hers. She was wont to utter it when living ; 
they were words that dropped from her lips 
like^the rain, and distilled as the dew. She 
thought of the young ; she felt that childhood 
are vanity, and but as the morning blushes of 
the day, soon to wilt under the scorching sun. 
Would, that from her exmaple, the glori- 
ous gospel of the ever-blessed God might be 
enbalmecl in the living and warm affections of 
the young ! The claims of vital godliness are 
indeed addressed to men of all classes and all 
ages; but they are not always addressed to 
their ingenuousness, tlieir hopes, and the 
more noble and honorable sentiments of 
their nature. The God of heaven has special 
claims upon the young. It is one of the 
most lovely features of His dispensation of 
mercy, that its claims meet them at the 
dawn of their existence ; that His redemp- 
tion stands abreast with their infant apostacy, 
and the riches of His grace are coeval with 
their want and woe. ' Seek ye Jirst the king- 
dom of God and His righteousness,' is His 
kind command. He solicits His reward from 
the sprightliness of childhood and dewy 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 291 

youth. There are i'ew, if any, of the young 
in Christian lands, with whom His Spirit does 
not strive, into whose minds He does not pour 
some rays of heavenly light, and to whose 
awakened sensibilities He has not found access. 
Most delightful is it when the young listen to 
such admonitions of heavenly wisdom ; nor 
is it safe to resist such claims as these. There 
is a deep sea of troubled feeling in some youth- 
ful minds, and which, when it subsides, re- 
sembles the tranquillity, the calm of death. It 
is easy then for such a mind to take its swing 
in the w^orld ; it slumbers on, and wakes to 
learn that it is lost forever. 

Youthful piety is specially beloved by God. 
Its earliest are its sweetest adornments ; they 
are the most artless and transparent. It is 
as when " the fig-tree putteth forth her green 
figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a 
good smell." The graces of the Spirit are 
then engrafted on the green, fresh stalk, and 
before it is withered and riven by the blasts 
of winter. " In the beauties of holiness, from 
the womb of the morning, thou hast the dew 
of thy youth." They may not be the richest 
and most splendid robes with which youthful 
piety is adorned ; but they are the least sullied ; 
they sparkle like the spangles of the early 
dew, "I remember thee," says God to His 
ancient people ; " the kindness of thy youth, 



292 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. BIURRAY. 

the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest 
after me in the Avilderness, in a land that was 
not sown. Israel was holiness to the Lord 
and the first fruits of his increase." How 
precious the thought to the youthful Christian, 
that amid all his inexperience and exposures, 
in all his conflicts with the world, the flesh 
and the devil, in all his conscious impurities 
and sins, He whom his young heart has cho- 
sen as his portion and refuge, remembers him, 
and will never leave him, nor forsake him ! 

Early piety is the most useful piety. 
There is a vast difference between the grow- 
ing brightness of that piety which is early 
entered upon, and the fluctuating dead light 
of that religion which is commenced in ad- 
vanced years. It is not often that the light 
shines brilliantly which is first kindled in a 
dusky old age ; nor is it possible it should 
shine long. The day gives the brightest 
promise that rises clear; even though obscured 
by a passing cloud, it sweeps its strong and 
steady course brightly to the western sky. 
One among the many reasons why the great 
mass of Christian men become pious in their 
youth, is that God designs to give their piety 
time to shine, and that they may long remain 
living exemplifications of His power and grace. 
All history, all biography, all observation and 
experience, show that comparatively few be- 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 293 

come pious much beyond the period of youth. 
On examining the biography of nearly sixty 
ChrLstian men and women, who were greatly 
distinguished for their piety and usefulness, I 
have found that they all became the subjects 
of divine grace between ten and twenty-five 
years of age ; and as in the instance of the 
subject of these Memoirs, with a short and 
early eclipse, their light shone brighter and 
brighter to the perfect day. It is not the 
miserable remnant of a life jaded with pleas- 
ure and worn out in sin, that God asks for. 
His kingdom is not a hospital for the old ; it is 
a house of refuge for the young. For one 
veteran enemy of God that finds access to it, 
'ten thousand youthful offenders set their faces 
toward it with penitence and hope. 

And how impressively are we taught by the 
example of our departed friend, that early 
piety is the happiest piety. It has more just 
and clearer conceptions of God's truth, and 
therefore it has stronger hopes. It has a more 
rich and varied experience of the goodness and 
mercy of God; of the way in which he leads 
His people ; of the discipline by which He 
weans them from the world, and trains them 
up for heaven, and of His unchanging faith- 
fulness, than the piety which is not subjected 
to this early and long-continued teaching. 
These are experiences ^vhich cannot be 



294 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

crowded into a short compass : the mind can- 
not at once grasp them ; nor can they ever be 
so vividly felt as when they make their first 
impression on the youthful heart. Youthful 
piety is the only piety that gives full proof of 
the declaration, that " the ways of wisdom 
are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are 
peace ;" it is the only piety that credits the 
declaration, and prizes it, w hen the proud and 
haughty sons and daughters of earth treat it 
with contempt. The youthful Christian makes 
religion his joy. It is his relaxation from toil, 
his comfort in trial ; his light in darkness ; he 
is gloomy and depressed only when he does 
not enjoy it. There is a sort of fatality at- 
tending the piety that originates in the later 
periods of human life, that is almost as fixed 
as the law of our intellectual and moral na- 
ture. No small part of the enjoyments of men 
arises from visions of the past. There is 
enough in the retrospect of those who from 
childhood entered the school of Christ, to fill 
them with self-abasement and humiliation ; 
but there is something else to look back upon. 
There is the awakening power of God's truth; 
there is the begun work of His Spirit, and 
there is the life-giving influence of His im- 
measurable grace. And these are precious 
memories. There is the dawn of light and 
hope ; there are the joys of the new-born 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 295 

soul, when she first put on her garments of 
gladness and salvation. There are songs in 
the night. There are the frequently-recurring 
scenes of cheered fellowship with God, when 
the Good Shepherd led her in green pastures 
and by the still waters. And when in the 
more advanced period of his history, as his 
heart becomes sluggish and cold, and the 
.seared leaves of autumn begin to fall, and the 
winter of life sets in ; memory throws her 
thoughts backward, and is cheered by the sun- 
shine of by-gone years. Yesterday is forgot- 
ten ; in the more immediate past there is a 
chasm in which the mind takes little interest; 
memory alights upon earlier days, and more 
vivid scenes; and these are made glad by the 
light of God's countenance. They are balmy 
breezes, sweet sounds, the lingering echo of 
early praise, that come across these intervening 
years. This is one of the rewards of early 
piety. It relieves the natural imperfections of 
age, comforts its despondency and sorrows, 
and cheers its loneliness. On its withered 
branches still hang the blossom^s of the open- 
ing year. No man can be refreshed by the 
retrospect of scenes that never existed. With 
those who become pious in advanced life, the 
proximate past is forgotten just as it is with 
other men ; their thoughts are with the days 
of their youth. And if they were days of 



296 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

atheistic worldliness and forbidden joy ; if the 
seed-time of life run to waste, and its summer 
was uncheered and barren ; if it was not until 
autumn or winter that the ground was planted ; 
it is no marvel that the frozen soil yields but 
a scanty crop of Joy. Memory runs back upon 
time and opportunity lost ; the imagination 
rests upon scenes that are mournful; and if the 
Sun of righteousness breaks in upon the frozen 
heart, it makes a sweep low down in the south- 
ern sky — the joys are wintry joys, and have 
none of the freshness of the new-born year. 

The young are slow to learn that the winter 
of life is coming on. We counsel them not to 
add to it the bitterness and burden of youth- 
ful impiety. It were wisdom to sow while 
" the sun, or the moon, or the stars, or the light 
be not darkened, nor the clouds return after 
the rain." It will be no grief of heart on a 
dying bed that you were early adopted into 
the family of God. It will not be matter of 
regret when God shall bring you into judg- 
ment. There is not a youth who reads these 
pages that must not die. , And who among 
them all will say, when that untried scene 
arrives, I was pious too early ; I was beloved 
of God, I was happy too soon ? 

No one can peruse even this imperfect 
sketch of the character which is here exhib- 
ited, without perceiving also the difference 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 297 

BETWEEN THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD, AND THE 
SPIRIT WHICH IS OF GoD. 

No person better knew the enjoyments 
which wealth and pleasure, worldly accom- 
plishments and station can give, than the sub- 
ject of these memoirs ; none ever more proved 
the utter insufficiency of them all. She 
might have enjoyed them even to satiety, 
and pursued them to the last limit of honor 
and decorum; but none knew better than 
she, that all secular and adventitious distinc- 
tions are lost and swallowed up in one 
more important and all-absorbing distinction. 
Earthly distinctions will soon cease. The 
rich and the poor lie down alike in the grave, 
and the worms cover them. No poverty is so 
humble, but death is familiar with its abject- 
ness ; no affluence is so splendid, but death 
draws over it its funeral pall. " Riches profit 
not in the day of wrath." The rich and the 
poor must stand at the same judgment seat, 
and be judged by the same rule, when God 
" will render to every man according to his 
works." There "is no respect of persons 
with God." The difference which His in- 
specting eye beholds, and which His right- 
eous judgment eternally recognizes, is the dif- 
ference " between him that serveth God, and 
him that serveth Him not." 

Many a blow is aimed at the interests of 
13* 



298 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

vital piety, but none is projected with a more 
practiced eye, none inflicts a deeper wound, 
than that which would fain destroy all essen- 
tial difference of moral character among- men. 
There is a difference ; it is wide and ever- 
lasting. And it is one which the character of 
our departed friend most happily and palpably 
illustrates. It is no small pleasure to be al- 
lowed to refer to her character and example 
as impressive illustrations of the difference 
between the spirit of Christianity and the 
spirit of the world. 

It is a mournful fact, that there are those 
professing godliness, who are distinguished by 
their profession only. True 7'eligion, wher- 
ever it exists and is acted out, is as truly dis- 
tinguished from the spirit of the world, as a 
pure fountain is distinguished from one that 
is impure and turbid. The reason why the 
streams are not so easily distinguished is, 
that, although they flow from different sources 
and run in a different direction, and fall into a 
different receptacle at last, they both flow 
through the same soil, and the purer waters 
become tinged by the gross and muddy sub- 
stances through which they flow. Yet, by an 
impartial inspection of ourselves, and a careful 
observation of others, we may discern the 
difference between the precious and the vile. 

We learn most things by comparing and 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 299 

contrasting them with other things. If we 
look into the Scriptures, we shall see that the 
spirit of Christianity is different from the spirit 
of the world in several particulars. It is dif- 
ferent in its origin. The spirit of the world 
is natural to men ; it is " of the earth, earthy :" 
It is the common inheritance of an apostate 
ancestry. The germ of it is found even in the 
bosom of a little child, and if it he not coun- 
teracted and transformed by more than natu- 
ral causes, it is sure to *' grow with his growth 
and strengthen with his strength." It is a 
spirit which is of the world, and it \^ from the 
world. The spirit of Christianity has alto- 
gether a different source. It is not natural to 
men, nor are they born with it ; they do not 
possess it because they are human, but be- 
cause they are Christian. It is the result of 
what the Scripture calls the 'Miew birth;" 
the birth of the mind — by which it has a new 
spirit, is ushered into a new world, and exists 
by a new medium and new influences. — "That 
which is born of the flesh." It is a regenera- 
tion, and one by which its faculties acquire a 
new development, and in which it sustains 
new relations, and has new preferences, pur- 
suits, and joys. It lives by God's Spirit, walks 
by His Spirit, and is led by His S*pirit. 

These things impart to it a different and a 
peculiar nature. The spirit of the wc^rld par- 



300 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

takes of the nature of the world ; it is like the 
world, and such as the world approves and 
patronizes. The spirit of Christianity resem- 
bles its adorable Author ; it is like Him, and 
like the heaven whence He came and whither 
He is gone. The one is the spirit of unbelief, 
giving no heed to the testimony of God ; it is 
the spirit of disobedience, ever rebellious and 
disloyal ; it is a mercenary and selfish spirit, 
ever looking to his " gain from his quarter ;" 
it is a proud and lordly spirit, ever aiming at 
greatness, not goodness. The other is the 
spirit of faith ; it is itself the reception of 
God's truth. It is an obedient spirit ; it is 
not without law to God, and is under law to 
Christ. It is a submissive spirit, and prefers 
the will of God to its own. It is a self-deny- 
ing and self-renouncing spirit, and its most 
triumphant victories are over a narrow and 
selfish mind. It is an humble spirit; it is 
clothed with humility and the meekness of 
wisdom is its greatest adornment. 

Their different origin and nature give both 
the spirit of Christianity and the spirit of the 
world their widely different practical influ- 
ences. The spirit of the w^orld is fruitful in 
darkness and error, in perversions of God's 
truth, and ih substituting the notions and tra- 
ditions of men for the beautiful system of 
truth which is revealed in the divine oracles. 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 301 

The spirit of Christianity perceives the truth 
as it is in Jesus; loves it, feels its power, and 
is the living expression and witness of it before 
the world. The spirit of the world falls in 
with false notions of piety, and rests upon false 
foundations of hope. It is a subtile spirit : it 
is under the power of the great Deceiver. 
When conscience, or interest, or the taste and 
fashion of the times are not satisfied with open 
irreligion, it settles down in a worldly religion, 
and one that is spurious and false. It is zeal- 
ous, but not in doing the will of God. It is 
the religion of cold speculation, or of violent 
impulse. It is righteous overmuch, and so full 
of self, that the heart in which it dwells has 
no room for Christ. The spirit of Christianity, 
on the other hand, is the living, breathing 
spirit which exerts its conservative influence 
against the soul-destroying extremes of a hy- 
pocritical formality and a delusive impulsive- 
ness. It is zealous for what is right. It glo- 
ries in Christ ; its life is hid with Christ in 
God ; and because it is so, it is a standing re- 
buke to a world that lieth in wickedness. 
The spirit of the world fixes the heart on the 
things of time and sense ; it buries them there ; 
it makes man a mere worldling. Christianity, 
whatever its earthly possessions, has its treas- 
ure in heaven, and there its heart is also. The 
world is the Christian's servant, not his mas- 



302 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY, 

ter; his pilgrim rest, and not his home. The 
spirit of the world is hostile to man's highest 
enjoyment; it knows not the highest and 
purest sources of joy, because it knows not 
God. The Christian knows Him and rejoices 
in him ; God is his refuge, his portion, his 
high tower, and the lifter up of his head. 
Wide will be the difference between the 
spirit which is of the world and the spirit 
which is of God, at the last; and how splen- 
did the triumphs of the Christian spirit! How 
dim are the lights and how faded the laurels 
of the world then! And then that full song, 
" Worthy is the Lamb," — how it sounds forth ! 
Who would live and die the mere creature of 
earth ? There is but this alternative — God or 
the world. None can choose for us, though 
eternity hangs upon the choice. 

This memoir will have been read in vain, 
too, if it do not present some effective in- 
citement TO Christian activity and use- 
fulness. 

The subject of it revolted from the doom of 
the slothful. Dross, chaff, tares, barren trees, 
unfaithful tenants, are the bold images by 
which the Scriptures describe the unprofitable 
servant. Such persons are neither the wiser, 
the better, nor the happier for all the riches 
of God's goodness, forbearing and long-suffer- 
ing. They are like the trodden, stony, thorny 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 303 

ground; hardened against all good impressions 
from the word, the providence, and the Spirit 
of God. There is none among them that 
doeth good, no not one. They " seek their 
own ;" they are " lovers of their own selves;" 
and though they may be sometimes the occa- 
sion, and sometimes the instruments of doing 
good, " they mean not so, neither in their 
hearts do they think so." 

It is of great importance that men should 
become converted and Christian men, if they 
would be useful. Wealth, talents, accom- 
plishments, and station are then employed to 
good account, and those who possess them 
live to some good purpose. Then, and not till 
then, they " live not unto themselves, but to 
him w ho died for them and rose again." They 
are restored to holiness, to happiness, to use- 
fulness. Such a man comes away from scenes 
of usefulness, mischief and sin, and enters upon 
scenes of activity and usefulness, that grow 
brighter and more bright, till, at last, he 
shines as the brightness of the firmament, and 
as the stars forever and ever. 

The Christian female into whose hands this 
volume may fall, may be reminded by the 
example of her whose memory we have en- 
deavored to embalm, that God has given 
her talents and opportunities for usefulness, 
and that it is incumbent upon her to employ 



304 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

them wisely and diligently. Whether occu- 
pying the more intimate and responsible rela- 
tions, or, like our departed friend, unembar- 
rassed by these responsibilities, let it be her 
meat to do the will of Him that sent her into 
the world, and finish His work, and she will 
be beloved, honored, and happy. Usefulness, 
honor, and joy will strew her path, with flow- 
ers ; fruits of righteousness will be the ingath- 
ering of her harvest. Like an evergreen amid 
the seared forest, she shall become the glory 
of the fading year; and when she comes to 
her grave, it shall be like a shock of corn in 
its season, fully ripe. 

" Herein is my Father glorified," says the 
greatest of all teachers, " that ye bear much 
fruit ; so shall ye be my disciples." There 
are affections, resembling the religion of the 
gospel, which are not " the fruit of the Spirit." 
They evaporate with a discouraged self-right- 
eousness, and a deceived and abandoned 
hope. They are ardent and excited affec- 
tions, that depend on natural sympathy and a 
heated imagination. They are dreamy affec- 
tions, that are the effect of a morbid senti- 
mentalism and have no fellowship with God's 
truth. There is a faith that does not " work 
by love and purify the heart ;" and there are 
even religious joys bordering on extasy, that 
are vain and delusive, because they impart 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 305 

neither the strength to do, nor the submission 
•to suffer the will of God. Many a mind is 
trained to habits of watchfulness and self-con- 
trol ; it is severely schooled by the laws of 
wisdom, prudence and courtesy ; it is the mere 
creature of policy ; and only shows how far a 
w^ell-governed self-re.spect and a sound philos- 
ophy may restrain hurtful indulgencies, and 
cultivate the more honorable virtues. Yet 
in all this there is, at least, no regard to God. 
The God of heaven has the first place in 
every pious mind. Piety grows on this parent 
stock. It is not always alike fruitful; scorch- 
ing suns, withering storms, may pass over it ; 
the dews may be suspended that are wont to 
water it ; it may grow in the shade, and lose 
its freshness. Yet is it never dead. By a 
living faith, it clasps itself around the Tree of 
Life ; and because it does so, it never degen- 
erates into absolute barrenness. 

The Christian may be a more uniformly 
useful character than the wisest moralist, and 
may live to better purpose. He does not 
cease to be a well-informed and contemplative 
Christian, because he is an active Christian. 
" Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever 
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, 
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things 
are lovely, whatsoever things are of good re- 
port/' he thinks on these things, practises 



306 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

them, promotes them; himself furnishing a liv- 
ing exemplification of the reality and impor- 
tance of intelligent, vital, practical godliness. 

There is great simplicity and beauty in 
such a religion, because it is so transparent, 
and its course so bright and luminous. There 
is no deep philosophy about it; no far-reaching 
speculations that are above the reach of com- 
mon minds ; no dark mysteries in which the 
mind becomes benighted and bewildered. It 
is not mysterious, it is not rationalism; it is 
active piety. It speaks for God, when others 
speak against Him, or are silent; it lives for 
God, when others live for themselves; it 
honors God, when others dishonor Him. It is 
a remarkable fact, that Christianity, in such 
forms, should have a place in such a* world as 
this. When we see the brighter examples of 
it, we are constrained to exclaim, "What hath 
God wrought !" Great wisdom and forbear- 
ance, great care and pains, great love and 
power are necessary on God's part to produce 
and sustain such a religion in the hearts of 
apostate men. It is above nature, above 
means, above men. It is like taking a plant 
from the crevices of the sea-beaten rock, 
where it has been bruised by the storms, and 
killed by the frost of a hundred winters, and 
clothing it with verdure, and making it bud 
and blossom like the rod of Aaron that was 



MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 307 

laid up in the ark. O how does the glory of 
God shine forth even in the newly-created 
mind, when it is first decked with right- 
eousness as a garment and' arrayed in the 
beauties of holiness! And when it is pro- 
gressively beautified, and "girded about with 
fine linen," and " decked with ornaments," 
and a " beautiful crown is put on its head ;" 
how radiant is it, through " the comeliness 
which the Lord God has put upon it !" They 
are splendid triumphs of His powerful grace, 
when Christians become thus useful ; and 
never, until transplanted to other and bright- 
er skies, do they more glorify their Father 
who is in heaven. Sweet is the evidence 
then, which the Christian has of his own dis- 
cipleship. " He that followeth after me," says 
the Saviour, " shall not walk in darkness, but 
have the light of life." And by no doubtful 
signs, do such Christians indicate their disci- 
pleship to others. Others " take knowledge 
of them, that they have been with Jesus," im- 
bibe His Spirit, and imitate His example. Few 
persons are so prejudiced against religion, as 
not to acknowledge its reality when they see 
it as it was exhibited in the character of the 
subject of these Memoirs. " All that see them 
shall acknowledge them, that they are the 
seed which the Lord hath blessed." 



308 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

Our last remark is, that true piety is the 
Glory of the Fe>iale Character. 

Woman's tenderness and delicacy, her de- 
pendence and her trials, seem to be the stock 
on which pure and undefiled religion may be 
engrafted with the highest promise. The re- 
mark has been often repeated, that the num- 
ber of pious women is far greater than the 
number of pious men. The female mind more 
easily subjects itself to those restraints which 
lop off the excrescences of human wicked- 
ness ; it is more easily controlled, and has 
more self-control than the mind of the stronger 
and more independent sex : and God re- 
wards it. 

What Christianity has done for the female 
sex, has often been the theme of glowing and 
eloquent narrative, not only in the public cel- 
ebrations of its progress, but on the pages of 
instructive history. The individuality, the 
personality of woman has scarcely been recog- 
nized, save in Christian lands. Save in Chris- 
tian lands, her honor, her fellowship in intel- 
lectual and moral culture, and her participa- 
tion in the progress of human improvement, 
have scarcely had " a local habitation and a 
name." Christianity, more than all other 
causes combined, has assigned to her her true 
inportance and position, and claims for her 
the estimation which is due to that class of 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 309 

minds, which, in the wisdom of God's provi- 
dence, are destined to exert the earliest, the 
most permanent, and the most effective influ- 
ence upon the race. Something she owes to 
the spirit of chivah-y ; but she was debased 
even in the most chivalrous ages. If she is 
elevated above the degradation of servitude, 
rescued from the dominion of ignorance, and 
protected from the blighting corruption of li- 
centiousness ; it is because Christianity has 
been her appointed guardian and protector. 
If, when in health, she is not beaten with 
stripes, and when in sickness, she is not aban- 
doned or sent home ; if she is not confined to 
the harem from the cradle to the grave ; if 
her teaching begins and ends not in the " vo- 
luptuous coquetry" by which she becomes 
degraded ; if she is no longer an object of 
traffic, and is not forced to bury herself on the 
funeral pile of her deceased husband ; it is be- 
cause Christianity has stood forth the avenger 
of her wrongs, and she finds a sanctuary in the 
religion of Jesus. The sweet charities of this 
religion have strong claims upon the heart of 
woman. 

In Christian lands, woman is appreciated; 
she is honored for her refinement, her virtues, 
her winning graces, and the power which she 
exerts upon the whole structure of human so- 
ciety. In her influence upon the intellectual 



310 MEMOIR OP HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

and moral cultivation of man, she has en- 
trusted to her not the one talent, nor yet the 
five, but the ten talents. To whom much is 
given, of them also much will be required. 
The hold she has on man's affections lays her 
under obligations to fear God and love His 
Son, which may not be disregarded, which 
may not even be impaired, without such a 
moral degradation of her character, and such 
a trilling with responsibility, as fills a delicate 
mind with shame. If an ungodly man is not 
to be envied, what is there enviable in the 
character of an ungodly woman ? And if true 
religion is man's glory, what a halo ot beauty, 
of loveliness, of heavenly glory, does it throw 
around the beauty, the grace, the softness, the 
love of woman. What a mantle for the fe- 
male mind ! how exquisite the adornment of 
such a robe ! how brilliant the drapery of this 
unearthly dress ! As a daughter, a sister, a 
wife, a mother, and in all her relations to the 
church and to the world, such a woman has 
charms that are unutterably above all the em- 
bellishments of earth. " Favor is deceitful, and 
beauty is vain ; but the woman that feareth 
the Lord, she shall be praised." 

It is embellished piety which w^e contem- 
plate in reviewing the character of Miss Mur- 
ray. And is it too much to say, that they are 
the claims of piety on the more distinguished 



MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 311 

and favored of her sex, that are urged by her 
example ? Whence is it that true godliness 
is so often shut out from the circles of the gay, 
the fashionable, the accomplished ? It will 
not always be thus. We reverence piety in 
the cottages of the poor; it deserves our rever- 
ence. But we would see it elsewhere. There 
are allurements of the world which can be 
detected only by the observant eye of a well- 
educated and accomplished piety ; there are 
seductions which none but such a piety can 
resist or express ; there are influences which 
such a piety alone can exert, and habits and 
customs which such a piety alone can control. 
Such a woman occupies a sphere of no envia- 
ble kind ; she moves within it like the moon 
walking in her brightness ; and though not in 
the gaudiness of sunlight, her mild beams deck 
the mountain, the valley, and the plain, give 
beauty to the clouds, and sublimity to the 
deep blue vault of heaven. When we read 
the lives of some eminently pious women, 
whom the providence of God invited to adorn 
the higher ranks of human society, our emo- 
tions are those of unmingled admiration. It 
is something beyond even the more instructive 
narrative of the Christian life when we set down 
to the biography of the Lady Jane Grey, or 
Queen Catharine Parr, or Lady Rachel Russel, 
or the Countess of Huntingdon, or the Vis- 



312 MEMOIR OF HANNAH L. MURRAY. 

countess Glenorchy, or the Lady Arabella, of 
Pilgrim memory. It is the poetry of the Christ- 
ian life that we enjoy, and we seem to be re- 
galing ourselves amid gardens of spices. The 
present volume addresses itself to those who 
are bright examples of female excellence, but 
who have scarcely thought of being bright 
examples of female piety. I say, of female 
excellence, but ought I not to recall the words ? 
Is not the Bible the standard of excellence ? 
Can true excellence exist where the claims 
of the Bible are disregarded ? There is One 
who seeth not as man seeth. What is beauti- 
ful in man's eye, may be deformed in the eye 
of God. Human accomplishments, without 
piety, are insipid things in the eye of God. 
They are the sculptured marble ; but the liv- 
ing Spirit is not there. They are delicate 
pencilings on the canvas; but they are neither 
trees, nor shrubs, nor flow ers. There is a wide 
difference between personal accomplishments 
and piety ; nor is it, except in their combina- 
tion, that piety has the most powerful attrac- 
tions, or that we find the highest style of 
woman. 



THE END. 



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