"If ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth." Therefore I cried out, "I know, O Lord, thy judgments are right, and in very faithfulness thou hast afflict

ed me."

"But I must cease. --For such blessed seasons are better felt than expressed. I continued so composed and comfortable, that I feared those who knew not the cause, would think me void of natural affection: till my taking my last farewell at his funeral. And then I found the bonds of natural affection very strong; and I wept much. But as I followed to the grave, I pleaded thus with God, "Lord, I adore the still as my sovereign. I do not repine at thy hand. But, dear Lord, pity me, and suffer me to weep under the smart of thy rod; it is my only son." Then I thought on Psalm ciii. "As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." This comforted me. But as I inquired again, if my tears were not sinful, and the effect of an unresigned will, which I dreaded most of all, I was comforted again by reflecting, that when Martha and Mary wept for their brother Lazarus, the blessed Jesus was not angry, but wept with them. O, then I again adored a sympathising Saviour, a glorious high priest, who was sensibly touched with the feeling of my infirmities. These and such like were the exercises of my mind, while following and laying my dust into the grave. And ever since I have been kept composed and cheerful.

"The Lord in Mercy grant that I may more and more glorify him in this affliction. O that my sins may be more mortified. Lord, grant I may come out of this furnace as gold purified and fitted for my master's use. If I have behaved in any measure as becomes a child of God, and any resignation has appeared in me, Lord, it is all owing to the riches of thy glorious and special grace: For hadst not thou by that compelled me to act otherwise, I should have flew in thy face, murmured, fretted and repined at thee; cast away all my other comforts and mercies, and said I had none left, because thou hadst taken one from me. Lord, these, and more

than these, would have been the effects of my perverse nature. Therefore, not unto me, not unto me; but to thy glorious name be all the glory forever and ever, Amen."

IN the year 1741, a religious female society was formed under the care of Mrs. Osborn, they having chosen her to be their head. Of which she makes mention in her account of her own life, which has been transcribed, page 49. This society met for some time, twice every week, viz; on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Afterwards they agreed to meet but once a week, on the afternoon of Wednesday or Thursday. Mrs. Osborn was continued and considered the head of this society from that time to her decease, which was above fifty years; and it still subsists, and there are above thirty members of it who are now living. It has consisted of a much greater number of members. About thirty years ago, above sixty persons were members of it. But the war, and other evils which have since that time taken place, have diminished it.

This society have met constantly, once every week, during this whole time of above half a century, excepting a few interruptions, by some extraordinary occurrences. They also have observed four whole quarterly days in every year, as days of fasting and prayer, confessing their sins, and seeking God for spiritual blessings on themselves, on the church of Christ and on all nations. They also have been wont to spend the afternoon of every first Thursday of each month in prayer together; and the afternoon of every Saturday before the monthly administration of the Lord's Supper. They have a box, which stands in the room where they meet, into which money is put by each one, as she is able and inclined. And at the end of the year, or any other time, when they think proper, the box is by their consent opened, and the money contained in it counted, and generally given for the support of the gospel.

They did agree upon a number of articles and rules, which were committed to writing, to be observed by the society and by each individual, and to be signed by every member, and by every one who should afterwards be admitted. The substance of these is as follows:

At the weekly meeting of the society, when the appointed hour arrives, and a number are convened, the exercise shall begin by reading in- some profitable book, till all have come in who are expected. Then a prayer shall be made by one of the members; and after that, a chapter in the Bible shall be read, and religious conversation be attended to, as time shall allow. The meeting to be concluded by another prayer. Four quarterly days in the year, in January, April, July and October, beginning on the first day of every January, to be observed as days of solemn fasting and prayer. We promise not to ridicule or divulge the supposed or apparent infirmities, of any fellow member; but to keep secret all things relating to the society, the discovery of which might tend to do hurt to the society or any individual. We resolve to be charitably watchful over each other, to advise, caution and admonish, where we judge there is occasion, and that it may be useful. And we promise not to resent; but kindly and thankfully receive such friendly advice or reproof from any one of our members. We will endeavor that our discourse while together shall be on the serious and important subjects of religion: And when separate, that our speech and behavior shall be such as become christians, that we may be holy in all conversation.

If any member commit any scandalous sin, or walk unruly, and after proper reproof continue manifestly impenitent, she shall be excluded from us, until she give evidence of her repentance. Each one shall pay her proportion to defray the necessa

ry expenses for wood, or any thing else, unless excused by the society.

When any person shall manifest to any one of us a desire to join the society, it shall be mentioned in one of our meetings, that all may have opportunity, who desire it, to satisfy themselves, respecting the character and conversation of the person offering to join. And if at the meeting on the next week, there be no objection to her being admitted, she may apply to the head of the society, who will read our articles to her, and if she is willing, and do sign them, she shall be considered as a member of the society, regularly admitted.

As to any other matters, which we shall hereafter find conducive to the benefit and good regulation of our society, we engage to leave to the discretion and decision of a major part of us, to whose determination we promise quietly to agree and submit.

This society has evidently been of great advantage to many if not all the members of it, to the church and congregation to which most of the members have belonged, and to the interest of religion in general, especially in Newport, by their prayers, and apparent sincerity and engagedness in religion, and exemplary conduct.

Mrs. Osborn was by unanimous consent the head of this society above fifty years, as has been observed, even from the first institution of it, to the day of her death; and a great part of the time their meetings were attended at her house. And she was distinguished in her usefulness in this station and capacity, by her prayers, her conversation, ad

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