DUKE 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 DIVINITY SCHOOL 
 LIBRARY 
 
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 in 2023 with funding from 
 Duke University Libraries 
 
 https://archive.org/details/memoirsoflatemrsO1 coop 
 
»? 
 
MEMOIRS 
 
 OF THE LATE 
 
 Mrs. COOPER. 
 
MEMOIRS 
 
 OF THE LATE 
 
 Mrs. MARY COOPER, 
 
 OF 
 
 London ; 
 WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 
 JUNE 22, 1812, 
 IN 
 THE TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR OF HER AGE. 
 
 EXTRACTED FROM 
 
 HER DIARY 
 
 AND 
 
 €Epistolary Correspondence. 
 
 BY ADAM CLARKE, LL.D. 
 
 FIFTH EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 fRINTED FOR J. BUTTERWORTH AND SON, 43 FLEET-STREET 5 
 AND SOLD BY THOMAS BLANSHARD, 14, CITY ROAD: 
 J. COOKE. AND MARTIN KEENE, DUBLIN: 
 AND T, CLARK, EDINBURGH. 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 Tse Editor of these Papers had the 
 pleasure of a short acquaintance with 
 the late Mrs. Cooper, eldest daughter of 
 John Hanson, Esq., a worthy and re- 
 spectable magistrate of the county of 
 Middlesex ; and, in conjunction with her 
 friends, he deplores the premature death 
 of a woman, of whom, he feels no hesi- 
 tation to say, that her understanding was” 
 sound, her mind carefully cultivated, her 
 charity unbounded, her faith unfeigned, 
 her piety deep and rational, and her 
 
 a “ 
 
 AON AMA 
 
vi ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 religious life without blemish. This is 
 certainly saying a great deal; but not 
 more than the subject most completely 
 
 warrants. 
 
 The mind of Mrs. Cooper. was of no 
 common mould ; and this her Diary and 
 Letters, from which the following Ex- 
 tracts are made, sufficiently prove. The 
 Diary she had kept carefully concealed, 
 even from her most intimate friends; and 
 certainly never wrote it to meet the eye 
 ‘of man. ‘As her ‘heart dictated, and as 
 occurrences presented themselves, 'so she 
 wrote. To speak incorrectly she could 
 not ; to wait to revise and polish, shehad. 
 neither time nor inclination, as she: wrote 
 exclusively for her own instruction ; and 
 the improvement of her heart was ‘the 
 grand object at which she aimed. When 
 
 this was attained, the manner in which*it 
 ‘was accomplishzd was of no importance ; 
 4s the whole, from beginning to end, 
 ‘was designed’to be’a secret -correspond- 
 ’ l 
 
ADVERTISEMENT; Vil 
 
 ence with herself. Let this be the apo- 
 logy of the work, where the matier may 
 appear diffuse and inartificial; and the 
 language negligent. To have sup- 
 pressed the following Extracts on. such 
 accounts, would have been a real injury 
 to all who shall have the opportunity of 
 reading them; as it may be safely, pre- 
 sumed, that no unprejudiced person can 
 peruse this little volume, without having 
 his heart religiously affected, and his 
 mind considerably improved. 
 
 The advantages which this excellent 
 young woman derived from a religious 
 education were many and important, 
 Her pious parents taught her to fear God 
 from her youth. The great and mo- 
 ‘mentous truths of the religion of Christ 
 they carefully inculcated on her mind 
 and heart, from her earliest years—they 
 shewed her, not only ig their precepts, 
 but also in their life and conversation, 
 how she should walk and please God. — 
 
 a 2 - 
 
 Aon AEN 
 
Vill ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 They were workers together with Him ; 
 and He blessed the work of their hands. 
 In all the branches of their very respect- 
 
 able and orderly family, they have proved 
 
 the unfailing truth of that Divine saying, 
 
 Train up a child in the way he should 
 go; and when he is old, he will not de- 
 part from it. They have dedicated their 
 
 children to their Maker, and God _ has 
 
 most graciously accepted the offering. 
 
 Were a proper line of conduct pur- 
 sued in the education of children, how 
 few profligate sons and daughters, and 
 hew few broken-hearted parents, should 
 we find! The neglect of early religious 
 education, connected with a wholesome 
 and affectionate restraint, is the ruin of 
 millions. Many parents, to excuse their 
 indolence, and most criminal neglect, 
 say, * We cannot give our children 
 grace.”—What do they mean by this? 
 —That Gop, not themselves, is the 
 Author of the irregularities and vicious- 
 
 * 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 1X 
 
 ness of their children. They may shud- 
 der at this imputation—but, when they 
 reflect that they have not given them 
 right precepts ; have not brought them . 
 under firm and affectionate restraint; 
 have not shewed them, by their own 
 spirit, temper and conduct, how they 
 should be regulated in their’s—when 
 either the worship of God hds not been 
 established in their houses, or they have 
 permitted their children, on the most tri- 
 fling pretences, to absent themselves from 
 it—when all these things are considered, 
 they will find, that, speaking after the 
 manner of men, it would have been a very 
 extraordinary miracle indeed, if the child- 
 ren had been found preferring a path, 
 in which they did not see their parents 
 conscientiously tread. . 
 
 Let those parents who continue ko ex- 
 cuse themselves by saying, We cannot 
 give grace to our children, lay their hand 
 on their conscience and say, whether they 
 
xX ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 ever knew an instance where God with- 
 held His grace, while they were in hum- 
 ble subserviency to Him, performing their 
 duty 2 The real stateof the case is this :— 
 parents cannot do Gon’s work, and Gop 
 will not do theirs: but if they use the 
 means, and train up achild in the way 
 he should go, God will never withhold 
 His blessing. 
 
 - Next to the grace of God, Mrs. C. 
 carefully owned that all her first and per- 
 manent religious impressions were owing 
 to the pious affectionate care of her pa- 
 rents; and to that judicious and affection- 
 ate course of discipline under which she 
 was early brought up. At first, she 
 thought her parents too strict, while abso- 
 lutely prohibiting the fashionable, though 
 deeply vitiating, amusements of the world. 
 These prohibitions led her to look at 
 home for enjoyments: she began to ex- 
 amine her own mind, to pant after useful 
 knowledge, to seek God as her Portion ; 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. ‘xi 
 
 and in these she found a source of plea- 
 sure producing millions of gratifications 
 of which the gay, the giddy, and the 
 garish, never dream, and can never enjoy. 
 She then most gratefully blessed God for 
 her religious and well conducted educa- 
 tion, which was the means of preparing 
 her heart to receive the fulness of the 
 blessing of the Gospel of Peace, when 
 she came to hear it preached in that way 
 in which her soul delighted. ‘Those who 
 were best acquainted with her, knew 
 that, on this account, her gratitude was 
 not only great to God, but also to her 
 - parents; to whom she, ever felt a conti- 
 | nually growing and affectionate attach- 
 
 ment. 
 
 Before this very important subject is 
 | dismissed, the Editor begs leave to pre- 
 | sent the candid Reader with another re- 
 | mark: It is not parental fondness, ‘nor 
 | parental authority, taken separately, that 
 can produce this beneficial effect. “A fa- 
 
Xxil ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 ther may be as fond of his offspring as 
 Eli, and his children be sons of Belial: 
 he may be as authoritative as the Grand 
 Turk, and his children despise and plot 
 rebellion against him. But let parental 
 authority be tempered with fatherly af- 
 fection ; and Jet the rein of discipline be 
 steadily held by this powerful but affec- 
 tionate hand; and there shall the plea- 
 sure of God prosper; there will He give 
 His blessing, even life for evermore. 
 Many fine families have been spoiled, 
 _ and many ruined, by the separate exer- 
 cise of these two principles, Parental. 
 affection, when alone, infallibly degene- 
 rates into foolish fondness ; and parental 
 authority frequently degenerates into 
 brutal tyranny, when standing by tself- 
 The first sort of parents will be loved, 
 without being respected: the second sort 
 will be dreaded, without either respect or 
 esteem. In the first case, obedience is 
 not exacted, and is therefore felt to be 
 unnecessary; as offences of great mag- 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. kill 
 
 nitude pass without punishment or repre- 
 hension: in the second case, rigid exac- 
 tion renders obedience almost impossible, 
 and the smallest delinquency is often pu- 
 nished with the extreme of torture ; which, 
 hardening the mind, renders duty a mat- 
 ter of perfect indifference. 
 
 In editing the papers of Mrs. C. very 
 few liberties have been taken, except in 
 the mere article of abridgment. Here 
 and there, a few errors have been cor- 
 rected, and some expressions - altered. 
 ~ Much of her MS. has been left unpublish- 
 ed, either because it was of a private na- 
 ture, concerning herself and family alone ; 
 or because it was not judged to be such 
 | as would tend to general edification. The 
 | Editor has never mingled his own observ- 
 ations with his text: what he found ne- 
 _ cessary to say, in order to introduce dis- 
 tinct parts, he has done by connecting 
 | sentences ; which, in every place, are easi- 
 Jy distinguishable from the words of that 
 
XI¥ ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 excellent person who is now with God. 
 
 May the spirit in which she lived and 
 
 died rest abundantly on every Reader ! 
 Jan. 1, 1814. A. CLARKE. 
 
 eS 
 
 The following character of Mrs. C., as 
 a wife, was drawn up by bim who was 
 best qualified to do it. Writing to a 
 friend, Mr, Cooper says, ' 
 
 - “Her Diary will best develope her 
 character, respecting which I ought to 
 state, that no one ever knew she kept 
 one: I myself had not the least idea of 
 it, until it was discovered after her de- 
 cease; although, for the few happy 
 months of our union, we were of one 
 heart and soul, and were almost daily 
 conversing together in the most unre 
 served manner of our experience in the 
 things of God. 
 
 “What she appears, in that precious 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. xv 
 
 record she has left behind, that she was 
 in real life—a Christian indeed. She was 
 not’content with the ordinary attainments 
 of Christians ; she might be truly said ¢o 
 adorn the doctrine of God, her Saviour, 
 in all things. The influence of the reli- 
 gion of Jesus was seen and felt by all 
 around, in her holy walk and conversa- 
 tion, and by the manifestation of every 
 Christian temper. 
 
 “| believe I may say with perfect 
 truth, that I never saw any thing in her, 
 from the time of our marriage till the 
 day of ber death, that was inconsistent 
 with that holiness, after which she con- 
 tinually aspired, and which she enjoyed 
 in an eminent degree. During that pe- 
 riod, she never once gave the least pain 
 to my mind; nor do I recollect having 
 observed, in a single instance, any tem- 
 per or disposition unbecoming a Chris- 
 tian. 
 
xvi ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 “ During the principal part of her 
 married life, she suffered much bodily in- 
 disposition, on which account she was in 
 a great measure prevented entering into 
 those schemes of usefulness, for which 
 she was particularly formed, and which 
 her benevolent heart cordially approved : 
 but, in her family, it was her daily study 
 to prove a blessing to all about her; and 
 she was much concerned that our ser- 
 vants might have reason to bless God for 
 bringing them under our roof; and she 
 had the happiness of seeing that her 
 prayers and endeavours for this purpose 
 were not in vain. 
 
 “ My dear little girl found in her a 
 mother ; indeed, had she been her own 
 child, she could not possibly have given 
 stronger proofs of maternal tenderness, 
 affection, and care. Previous to our mar- 
 riage, she carefully read Mrs. Hannah 
 More’s writings on Education, as well as 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. . XVil 
 
 some other authors on the same subject, 
 that she might be the better qualified. to 
 discharge what she considered a most im- 
 portant duty, viz. (to use her own words) 
 ‘to cultivate and rear this immortal 
 plant for the paradise of God.’* 
 
 «She was of opinion that. religion 
 ought to be interwoven with the instruc- 
 tions of children, as soon as their tender 
 minds are capable of receiving it; ac- 
 
 cordingly, she began with our little Mar- 
 -garet as soon ‘as we were married. She 
 was then two years old ; and so assiduous 
 was she in her instructions, that in a 
 short time her infant pupil could repeat 
 the Lord’s Prayer, and three or four of 
 | Dr. Watts’s eymnite for children. 
 
 «The same grace which prompted 
 | her toa life of active piety and usefulness 
 | when in good health, enabled her to bear 
 
 ' * See page 192, Diary, 15 June, 1811. — 
 ) b 
 
XV ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 suffering, when called. to it, with exem- 
 plary patience and resignation: I never 
 once heard an expression of murmuring 
 or impatience escape from her lips, . In 
 her I bad a living example of the efficacy 
 of Divine grace, and the blessedness of 
 true religion. She possessed a remark- 
 able simplicity of mind, which led her to 
 embrace truth wheresoever she found it, 
 though delivered in the plainest and most 
 
 homely form. She was also a possessor 
 of much genuine Christian humility ; not 
 indeed of that which consists in mere ex- 
 “pression, but of that. which led her to 
 #@prefer others before herself. And not- 
 
 withstanding she possessed more than 
 ordinary intellectual attainments, as well 
 as more than common piety ; she care- 
 fully avoided a display of either, and 
 never suffered others, with: whom she 
 
 might be in company,, to feel any in- 
 Aeriority. 
 o 
 
 “In her Diary, she says, ‘ Mental ac- 
 
 4 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. XIX 
 
 complishments avail little indeed, unless 
 they regulate the heart, and cause the 
 benefit to be more felt than seen ; I must 
 not display, but act ; love and be be- 
 loved.’ On these maxims she uniformly 
 acted. 
 
 “It would be easy to say more; but I 
 
 am persuaded it is not necessary.” 
 J.C. 
 
MEMOIRS 
 
 Mrs. COOPER. 
 
 ——_{_L=—= 
 
 OF the early life of the late Mrs. Cooper a 
 near relative gives the following account :-— 
 “Miss MARY HANSON, eldest daughter 
 of John Hanson, Esq. was born in London, 
 Sept. 16, 1786. She was favoured with a reli- 
 gious education, and was not suffered to enter 
 into those foolish amusements which are so in- 
 _jurious to multitudes of young persons. 
 _. “ At twelve years of age she left school, and 
 completed her education under private tuition. 
 This, with the encouragement held out to her 
 application and improvement by an intelligent 
 and affectionate brother, proved the means of 
 
 exciting, in her ardent mind, that thirst for . . 
 
 knowledge which ever after proved a source of 
 constant delight. Her early years were passed 
 in comparative solitude, her parents rightly 
 judging, that the example of youth, in general, 
 | afforded but few instances worthy of imitation. 
 | But at the time, she thought this a very un- 
 necessary strictness, and envied those whose 
 B 
 
2 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 less cautious parents suffered them to form ac- 
 quaintances without enquiry or concern. 
 ‘At this period, and previously to her leaving 
 school, she often felt deep convictions of her 
 own sinfulness, and the absolute necessity of 
 personal religion. I have known her frequently 
 at school assemble several of the girls together 
 in a large closet, and there speak to them, and 
 pray with so much earnestness that they have 
 been all melted to tears; these impressions, 
 however, were but as the ‘ morning cloud and 
 early dew,’ and were succeeded by a very dif- 
 ferent disposition of mind. In the summer of 
 1802, she for the first time left her parents’ 
 house, on a visit to Portsmouth and the Isle of 
 Wight; where the natural gaiety of her mind, 
 which had been hitherto under restraint, meet. 
 _ ing with objects congenial to its t ste, Ipipoated 
 in all itsardour. Card parties ‘gay visits 
 were now her delight; and I have often d 
 her say that she endeavoured to disbelieve the 
 Bible and the existence of aGod. The reflec- 
 tions of her retired moments were now s0 in- 
 tolerable to her, that to drown them, she read 
 with her accustomed avidity, volume after 
 ‘yolume of novels and romances. Fascinated 
 with the world and its manners, she returned 
 home with a mind little disposed to enter into 
 those serious and self-denying views of religion, 
 which the Spirit of God had wrought in’the 
 minds of three in her own family, during her 
 absence; she, however, attended with them at 
 
MRS. COOPER. 8 
 
 the Lock chapel, where the judicious and intel- 
 ligent preaching of the Rev. Mr. Fry, first 
 neva her attention, and then excited in her 
 mind an earnest concern for the salvation of her 
 soul. She soon became a member of the Lock, 
 by receiving the sacrament administered ac- 
 cording to the form of the Church of England, 
 which he always preferred; she also united 
 herself with a society called a conversation 
 meeting, under the superintendance of her mi- 
 nister, for the purpose of spiritual advantage 
 and instruction; and exerted herself, to the 
 utmost of her power, to instruct a large class of 
 girls in the Sunday school of that society. But 
 her removal to Hammersmith, in the spring of 
 1803, put a period to this work of love in which 
 she so much delighted; and it was not until 
 the year 1806 that an opportunity again oc- _ 
 curred, of resuming her successful endeavours ie 
 to impart knowledge and light to the benighte 
 ‘minds of the ignorant poor; this she ad, not 
 only on the Sabbath, but constantly twice in the 
 week ; for she devoted her evening hours to 
 instruct them in writing, arithmetic, &c.” 
 
 SS -_— 
 | [In the year 1806 Miss Hanson began to: 
 ‘note down her religious experience, rather by 
 way of meditation and reflection, than diary. 
 For it does not appear that she began to keep a 
 regular diary till the year 1809. From theage 
 of seventeen she had renounced the world, 
 B2 
 
a MEMOIRS OF 
 
 being fully persuaded that none of its pleasures 
 or pursuits could impart happiness to her im- 
 mortal spirit. Fora considerable time she was 
 a plant that flourished in the shade, and her 
 real worth was little known; but had God in 
 His providence called her to a more public situ- 
 ation in life, such were her natural abilities, and 
 so highly had she cultivated them, that she 
 would have ranked high among those excellent 
 and intelligent women who are an honour to 
 our country. An extract from the meditations 
 mentioned above, will more justly pourtray 
 her character than any thing that could be said 
 by any other person. The first entry of this 
 kind is dated in her T year. ] 
 
 July 20, 1806. 
 
 “¢ Happiness is the universal object of pur- 
 suit; but how various are the ways which men 
 propose to themselves for itsattainment! hi 
 the desired object is possessed, alas! it also 
 inscribed upon it ‘vanity and vexation of . 
 spirit.’ The hope still remains that the next | 
 attempt will prove more successful ; but, alas! 
 it is not in the power of finite creatures to im- 
 part it. God, in His wisdom, has made us de- 
 pendent on Himself for happiness; Hehas given 
 us a free will, to choose this world for our por- 
 tion; or, Himself, from whom flow pleasures 
 for evermore. Sin has so bewildered, so dark- 
 ened the faculties of our souls, that every thing 
 beyond what is finite, is enveloped in a mist. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 5 
 
 Revelation, the best gift of God to man, un- 
 folds the glories of an invisible world. The 
 solitude I have so long enjoyed, and-yet, alas! 
 so little improved, has often led me to retire 
 into my own mind, and converse with my heart. 
 I have discovered a jewel, little prized because 
 little known. This treasure, bestowed on ali 
 
 _ God’s creatures, when improved, may becomea 
 yi >) 
 
 source of consolation and felicity that will make 
 
 _ them superior to the contempt of men, and the 
 
 agitations of disquietude. I feel convinced 
 
 _ that to improve my intellectual powers is to 
 _ have in store a constant spring of delights: it 
 
 may prevent me from running into those snares, 
 
 _ which are held out as baits to the vacant, list- 
 
 less mind. But let me not forget that inward 
 
 | monitor, that soul bestowed upon me; that it 
 
 is immortal, and will return to God who gave 
 it, and that it is made capable of happiness or 
 misery beyond this visible state. The thread 
 
 of life, so very slender, so soon broken, is in 
 
 the hand of God. O! Thou Searcher of hearts, 
 
 _ cold and senseless as I am to spiritual things, 
 Jet not a consideration at once so awful and 
 
 impressive, pass over my mind without its due 
 
 _ weight. 
 
 August 10, 1806. 
 _ The cultivation of patience and meekness, 
 both personally and relatively, is of the utmost 
 social importance. If meekness in the sight of 
 God is of great price, how must the possession 
 
6 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 and exercise of that spirit promote the peace 
 of the possessor, and diffuse the charms of 
 kindness around. In a moral point of view, the 
 government of the passions, when heathenish 
 darkness prevailed, was esteemed the highest 
 pitch of moral perfection; and worthy the en- 
 deavour of every man. Socrates proved how 
 the exercise of his reason could subdue dispo- 
 - sitions of the worst kind; mental energy could 
 repress passions, which, if unsubdued, would, 
 like a torrent, bear down every thing before 
 them. Ifa man, destitute of the meridian light 
 of revelation, ignorant of the purity of the 
 Deity, surrounded by superstition and Pagan 
 brutality, could thus triumph over himself, how 
 should a Christian blush, who indulges every 
 rising disposition, and suffers passions to be 
 . unchecked, which disturb the harmony of so- 
 
 cial intercourse, and exclude the sweet br ith 
 of peace! -_ | 
 
 I desire to live and act as in the sight of — 
 God; of Him who gave an example of what — 
 His followers should be. Professors of religion, © 
 while they study to preserve outward decency 
 and circumspection of deportment, too often 
 stop there.—This is a stumbling block to many. 
 Is this all Christianity has effected? Was it 
 for this only, the great Sacrifice was made ? 
 Blush, Christian! and be not called by that 
 holy name, while you indulge dispositions and 
 propensities which are in direct opposition to 
 the lovely spirit of the gospel. It breathes 
 
MRS. COOPER. 7 
 
 love and benevolence. Theold nature of pas- 
 sion, revenge, malice, and envy is to pass away, 
 and the new nature of meekness, gentleness, 
 and easiness to be entreated, to take its place. 
 —It requires both holiness of heart and life, 
 Hence the serenity of the Christian is secured: 
 and he is made capable of tasting that peace 
 which passeth all understanding. 
 
 December 21, 1806. 
 
 The happy retirement with which Provi- 
 dence has so long blessed me, affords me many 
 opportunities for reflection, and the exercise of 
 those powers with which man was endowed, 
 —the remains of his high original; for, in the 
 image of God was man created. An immortal 
 being should bea reflecting being, whose chief 
 
 end is to glorify God. Ishould then deemita 
 _ privilege, that the means afforded to me, areso 
 
 favourable to my improvement in virtue and 
 
 _ the knowledge of my Creator. My knowledge 
 _ of the world has been sufficient to convince me, 
 _ there is nothing in it capable of satisfying a 
 
 soul formed for eternity. Happiness eludes our 
 
 _ grasp like the moonlight shadow : if sought in 
 _ the amusements of life, an hour’s reflection 
 discovers to us the dismal vacuum. Satiety 
 
 often succeeds enjoyment. Amidst this general 
 
 _ gloom, this chaos of disquietude, how delight- 
 _ fully does Christianity break in. It tells us not 
 
 to love the world nor the things of the worlds 
 
8 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 our own experience proves the substance of all 
 it ‘contains; vanity, vexation of spirit. Are 
 we left helpless in this state? Ono! conso- 
 lation to the afilicted—repose to the weary— 
 safety in danger—comfort in death, are all 
 offered freely ; and are all sealed to stidse who 
 will accept of them by the blood of the Son of | 
 God. Christianity smooths the rugged path of 
 life, it fills the soul with a divine composure : 
 creates at times a heavenly calm and foretaste 
 of the blessedness in reversion. "When alone, 
 to reflect that God is with you, His Spirit en- 
 gaged to assist and sanctify you, and Christ to 
 justify and save you—Oh divine consolation ! 
 let me fear nothing so much as a departure 
 from God, as a carelessness about my soul; a 
 thoughtlessness about eternity. In departing 
 from Thee I depart from happiness. ‘To fear 
 Thee is rectitude, to know Thee is wisdom, 
 and to love Thee felicity. i 
 
 Noo. 1, 1807. 
 
 When in secret retirement Ireflect on the — 
 many illustrious saints who have sojourned here — 
 on earth, who have had to contend with inward 
 and outward trials and vexations : when further 
 I view them in the chamber of death, hear the — 
 last groan that can ever escape them ; and trace 
 their flight to those realms of blessedness where 
 no sigh can ever enter to interrupt the harmony 
 of the skies, or the internal repose of its inha- 
 
MRS. COOPER. 9 
 
 bitants—whence is this lukewarmness of soul, 
 this indifference which so successfully takes 
 possession of my spirit? Why am I not ani- 
 mated by the review of those who have fought 
 and triumphed, and have attained those man- 
 sions of everlasting rest ? 
 
 Now, that outward circumstances so much 
 conspire to render a life of religion easy ; bless- 
 ed with every external help; how is it that the 
 world claims so large a portion of that heart 
 ‘which I would fain give up entirely to my 
 Maker? O my God! what reason have I to 
 dread lest future days should find me enslaved 
 in sin; greedy of the pleasures this life affords. 
 O let not that heart which has tasted the de- 
 lights of communion with Thee, those lips 
 which have spoken Thy praise, ever prove so 
 treacherous to the beneficent Author of my 
 being! 
 
 When I view time and eternity as to their 
 effect upon the soul, I am convinced how low 
 sunk in sin must my spirit be, which thus prac- 
 tically mis-measures them. In a little time, 
 ruin will drive his plowshare o’er this crea- 
 tion; the thunder of heaven will burst with 
 tenfold violence; the lightnings will make the 
 impending gloom tremendously visible ; the ele- 
 ments shall become the instruments in the hand 
 of the Deity, to proclaim to man that the hour 
 of retribution is come! By terrors shall they 
 now learn, that time is to be now swallowed 
 up in the ocean of eternity. 
 
 BS 
 
10 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Fast Day, Feb. 17, 1808. 
 
 As indisposition deprives me of the use of 
 public ordinances, I will attempt to supply the 
 want of them by a more particular examina- 
 tion of my own heart. 
 
 On this day, wisely appropriated for a season 
 
 of national self-recollection and repentance, E 
 
 would not have myself added to the number of 
 those, who defeat the purpose of the institution 
 
 by a coldness and indifference, or total neglect 
 
 “a its due observance. 
 
 © Asin the sight of God, I would search out 
 those secret sins, which hae so much separated 
 me from those divine consolations and gracious 
 influences, which I believe I once experienced; 
 and here I blush at the recollection, that to my 
 closet, I at once trace the cause of all those 
 heart-wanderings, that spiritual indifference, 
 which, alas! has too often grieved the Holy 
 Spirit inhi has striven with me. 
 
 “ 7 hate the sins that made Thee mourn, 
 ‘* And drove Thee from my breast.” 
 
 2 
 Praver, by which only that mysterions com- 
 
 munication between the Creator and His crea-— 
 
 tures, can be maintained: prayer, which’ has 
 sometimes introduced a very heaven into the 
 soul; the most exalted and blissful employment 
 of finite creatures; that which angels behold 
 with delight, and devils tremble to view; alas! 
 alas! how often has.a stupid indifference been 
 
 -_-_—_ 
 
MRS. COOPER. jl 
 
 substituted for this. I have entered my closet, 
 have shut the door, and strangely forgotten 
 that the eyes of the Lord were upon a stupid 
 senseless creature. Little did the humble pos- 
 ture of my body accord with a rebellious stub- 
 born heart, alive to every thing but its eternal 
 
 interests ! 
 
 Prayer, formally, carelessly performed.—O 
 my God! I confess with shame and confusion 
 of face, that from this I trace pride, self-suffi- 
 ciency, worldly mindedness, and an indifference 
 to those ordinances which once filled my soul 
 with calm delight. 
 
 Sometimes, indeed, when I have asked my 
 own heart on entering upon my devotions 
 ¢ What is it you need ?, God knows and beholds 
 you.’ Then have I been enabled to pour out 
 my soul in confessing my sins, and have found 
 lively impressions of the presence of God; and 
 have arisen determined to be more diligent in 
 obtaining an acquaintance with my own heart. 
 But a few dayshave shewn me the treachery of 
 my intentions, and the impossibility, without 
 the assistance of God’s Spirit, of maintaining 
 any thing like the life and power of religion 
 within me. The grace of God, like a spark 
 in the ocean, can only be kept alive by a 
 miracle. 
 
 O, Thou gracious Being! do Thou pardon 
 these my mis-doings, do Thou purify my soul 
 from its many corruptions, and let Thy blessed 
 Spirit strive once more within me. O, renew 
 
12 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 my soul! Place eternity, with all its blissful 
 enjoyments before me, that I may choose Thee 
 for my portion and happiness. 
 
 The vain and unsatisfying enjoyments of this 
 world, which have had so much influence on 
 me, O let them fade from my remembrance ; 
 Jet me view them in their true colours, and feel 
 them in their deceitful tendency. Lord, Thou 
 didst create me for immortality. When the 
 breath of life entered this corruptible body, I 
 became a sojourner in a land which yields not 
 fruits of such.a nature as are sufficient to sa- 
 tisfy a soul journeying to another country; O 
 may I live before Thee for ever ! 
 
 Sunday, Feb. 21, 1808. 
 
 Blessed i is the man that trusteth in the Lord, 
 that maketh the Lord his portion; who, with 
 eyes filled with tears of gratitude, can say, ‘ The 
 ‘Lord is my Shepherd.’ Blessings, beyond mor- 
 tal calculation, are included in this personal 
 appropriation. 
 
 Thus to regard that God, of whose approach 
 thundersand lightnings were the symbols, when 
 about to dispense His laws to His creatures; | 
 ' tecall Him by that endearing epithet-—What a 
 mysterious privilege! My soul, do thou dili- 
 gently seek to be included in the number of that 
 blessed flock. He who said, ‘Let there be 
 light, and there was light ;’ who, by an act of 
 His will, created man : and, but for infinite love 
 might have destroyed him when he broke the 
 
"> 
 
 MRS. COOPER. 13 
 
 only command imposed on him ; He who taketh 
 up the isles as a very little thing, who counteth 
 the nations as a drop of a bucket—even this 
 God proposes Himself for thy portion, O my 
 soul ! ; 
 
 Lost in the contemplation of Thy attributes, 
 teach me, O Lord, to comprehend how itis, so 
 intimate a relation as a father and child can sub- 
 sist between Thee, who art infinitely great, and 
 a rebellious lost child of Adam? Itis enough ; 
 that holy word, inscribed by the pen of mercy, 
 exhibits it to my understanding. I would won- 
 der and adore. é 
 
 Why did I not behold the light in regions 
 where stocks and stones are the objects of ador- 
 ation ? why do I not owe my origin to parents 
 
 who have substituted Mohammed for Christ? 
 
 To distinguishing mercy alone, we owe the pri-- 
 vilege of reading that blessed word, which a 
 few centuries ago was denied to all but a do- 
 mineering priesthood. O my God, how imper- 
 fect is the attempt to acknowledge the gratitude 
 I would feel in having parents who fear Thee ; 
 who haye taught me Thy word, and brought 
 me up witha reverence for Thy ordinances: my 
 heart, so’prone to be rebellious, so alive to va- 
 nity, so negligent of self-enquiry, what would it 
 have been, or rather, what it would not have 
 been, had they introduced me to the follies, and 
 the dissipation to which thousands, less distin- 
 guished than myself, have become a ready prey = 
 a prey to that enemy who ever watches the un- 
 
14 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 watchful ; who lurks to destroy; who strews 
 the paths of youth with snares and baits, that 
 he may carry them captive. . 
 
 - Tf, after the enumeration of such privileges, 
 I should be found a mere speculative believer, 
 a practical Atheist, how great the condemna- 
 tion! 
 
 . If religion be true, it ought to be the grand 
 object of my life—the supreme concern of my 
 heart. 
 
 April 8, 1808. 
 
 When the world, with its syren smiles, tempts 
 us to drink deep of its enjoyments; when it 
 would allure us into the paths of security, and 
 whisper peace to thesoul; youth, unsuspecting 
 youth, fondly believes it true. In the spring of 
 life, how many sweet-scented flowers meet us 
 in our path; while regaling our senses with 
 their beauty we forget that winter will seclude 
 them from our view—that darkness succeeds to 
 light, and that calms precede storms. When 
 disappointment lours, and the cloud of affliction 
 seems just ready to burst ; then it is the world 
 is stript of its mask, and its true character 
 rushes on the view. Life is a chequered scene. 
 As soon as our frail bark is committed to the 
 mighty deep, the waves and billows of disquie- 
 tude roll over our heads. If religion be the 
 pilot, we are safe in the storm. I desire to lay 
 the foundation of my happiness upon that Rock, 
 against which the afflictive uncertainties of this 
 
MRS. COOPER. 15 
 
 life must dash in vain: on this foundation the 
 peace of my soul shall rest secure. 
 
 The firm persuasion I have of a particular 
 providence, of the divine superintendence in 
 every affair of my life, will console me under 
 every disappointment. When I view mankind, 
 their disappointments, miseries, disease, and 
 wretchedness, and see that each individual has 
 a cup of sorrow to drink; I feel surprised that 
 this world should ever appear alluring to my 
 eyes; that it should ever lay siege to my heart 
 with so much success; that the things relative 
 to another world should be so dimly viewed, so 
 little prized. Religion, if it be sincere, must 
 be the prevailing disposition of the mind ; it 
 must supersede every thing else; it must be a 
 progressive work, and the soul must be prepar- 
 ing for a state of perfect holiness.”’ 
 
 [ For about four years after the family went to 
 reside wholly at Hammersmith, Miss Hanson 
 devoted a considerable part of her leisure time 
 to the improvement of her mind, and in this 
 she found a source of pleasure, which she va- 
 lued far more than those empty pursuits, which 
 engage the attention of too many of her own 
 age ; and it appears from the following memo- 
 randum that she pursued some method in her 
 studies. ] 
 
16 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 May 2, 1808. 
 
 “‘ The practice of early rising will, I hope, 
 afford me ample opportunity of pursuing the 
 following course and arrangement of reading : 
 
 Begin every morning with reading a chapter 
 in the Old Testament and one in the New. 
 
 My devotional exercises to succeed. 
 
 Monday.—History, with maps. Gibbon’s 
 Rome to succeed Ferguson’s Republic. 
 
 Tuesday.—Natural History in turn, com- 
 prising botany, chemistry, and woe ico 
 
 Wednesday.—History. 
 
 Thursday.—The English poets, make ex- 
 tracts from each ; and one chapter of Locke on 
 the Understanding. 
 
 Friday.— Natural history. 
 
 - Saturday.—History. 
 
 Sunday.—The Scriptures, and other devo- 
 
 tional books.” 
 
 he 
 
 [In October, 1808, the gentleman, whose mi- 
 nistry she then attended, died. This circum- 
 stance seems to have affected her mind deepiy, 
 and in consequence, she was led to make the 
 following serious reflections. | 
 
 Oct. 6, 1808. 
 _ ©The remains of our beloved pastor, the 
 Rev. W. Humphries, I have this day seen con- — 
 signed to the silent tomb. His grave has been 
 
MRS. COOPER. 17 
 
 bedewed with the tears of his sorrowing flock ; 
 who have committed to the cold ground a man 
 who possessed every grace that could endear a 
 minister to his people. Such a life, and such a 
 death! O may they be engraven on the tablet of 
 myremembrance ! Angels haveconveyed him to 
 the bosom of his Redeemer : and there he rests 
 from pain, toil, and sorrow. Death has intro- 
 duced him to that inheritance, that mansion of 
 bliss prepared for him. Whilst we, encom- 
 passed by dull mortality, mourn on earth, he 
 has reached his port, the haven of celestial rest. 
 The glories of the eternal world are gradually 
 unfolding on his astonished sight : and now 
 ~ could he once more address us, how forcibly - 
 would he urge the importance of pressing for- 
 ward in the heavenly road, and of laying hold 
 on eternal life! & 
 
 May I ever remember what a shining light 
 he was, how the rays of his benignity were shed 
 around on all who knew him. The image of the 
 Redeemer was stamped on his life and conver- 
 sation. Like him may I be devoted to God, 
 and find in devotion a resource and refreshment 
 to which my weary soul may betake itself, and 
 find the dawnings of heaven. The soul, that 
 immortal principle, which will survive the con- 
 flagration of the universe, was ‘formed to live 
 for ever: and that dissatisfaction, attendant on 
 the possession of every earthly good, that va- 
 cuum which nothing sublunary can fill; that 
 proneness to look forward in search of some- 
 
ia 6 6S MEMOIRS OF 
 
 thing yet unpossessed ; how does all this prove 
 its immortal destination? A heavenly spark 
 which first emanated from the Deity. O may 
 I more diligently converse with my own heart ; 
 and feel more practically the immense import- 
 ance of living to the God who made me. 
 
 Sunday, Oct. 16, 1808. 
 
 The services of this day have been so pecu- 
 liarly solemn and affecting, that I desire to 
 make a memorial of the impressions made on 
 my mind. At once sensible of the immense 
 importance of Christianity, and the levity and 
 thoughtlessness of my heart; I wish to improve 
 by reflection those seasons when my mind has 
 been impressed, and my affections raised to 
 those spiritual objects, which I earnestly trust 
 will be the portion of my soul forever. Our 
 dear minister has left us; at the summons of 
 his God, his soul took its flight to the regions 
 of eternal bliss; but his example, his life, and 
 holy conversation, which the voice of friendship 
 has so faithfully detailed, still lives in my re- 
 membrance ; lovely in life, O how lovely in 
 death ? When I gazed on his remains, which 
 still bore the impress of that serenity with 
 which he met the summons of death ; how ar- 
 dently did I pant for a share in that salvation 
 which, in such a season, could encircle the 
 brow with composure, the spirit with delight. 
 Let me view his life: the young were the pe- 
 culiar objects of his solicitude; for them he 
 
MRS. COOPER. * 19 
 
 laboured, and by ten thousand nameless in- 
 stances won upon their affections, and made 
 them admire the piety so influential in himself. 
 He sought the Lord early, and his progress was 
 never impeded by the indulgence of worldly 
 habits. He continued stedfast in his course, 
 and by his life and conversation evinced how 
 practical Christianity shines ; how superior to 
 a mere speculative reception of its truths—to 
 a flaming zeal about certain doctrines, which, 
 while they engage the head, freeze the heart, 
 and limit that spirit of benevolence which dif- 
 fuses the charms of kindness to all around. 
 His sun has set at noon. He was ripe for the 
 heavenly inheritance: his gentle spirit, disen- 
 cumbered of mortality, is now in possession of 
 that happiness purchased by the Son of Gods 
 ‘who wept that man might smile, who bled 
 that man might never die.’ 
 
 Why is it that my soul is so content with 
 earthly fare? why does it lay schemes of bliss 
 below the skies? why are my affections so en- 
 grossed by material things, while that spark of 
 fire divine, which ought to flame with love to 
 God, is unimproved? alas, how oft is this un- 
 noticed, 
 
 ee 
 
 November 15, 1808. 
 To a social mind, pleasures derive an in- 
 crease of enjoyment from communication: and 
 
20 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 sorrows which oppress the heart, how greatly 
 are they alleviated by the kindness of a sympa- 
 thizing friend; by the balm of affection poured 
 into the wounded heart. But there is a melan- 
 choly which tinges every rising pleasure with 
 discontent, which repels consolation; its exist- 
 ence in the mind is nurtured with mournful 
 delight, and, unsatisfied with this world, it 
 ‘disdains its offered comforts. 
 
 - Thus I feel, and acknowledge the mercy, 
 mingled with judgment, that appoints to each 
 probationer for heaven, a cup of sorrow; were 
 it not for this, the soul would grovel here be- 
 low, it would become captivated with earthly 
 possessions, nor glance a thought on the ap- 
 pointed end for which it exists. The gold 
 would never be separated from the dross ; were 
 it, instead of passing through the furnace, to 
 be exposed only to the sunshine, there it might 
 lie for ever unaltered. Prosperity is a severe 
 trial to the Christian; when the path is strewed 
 with roses, and nature, attired in loveliness, 
 invites us to gaze and be satisfied with a para- 
 dise here below, how readily does the heart 
 obey its dictates; how disposed to lose itself 
 in the possession of present happiness ; and to 
 forget that winter with an unsparing hand, 
 
 will dismantle nature of its beauties; that the 
 clouds will gather blackness, and the big tem- 
 pest burst upon our heads. It is then in de- 
 spondency we look around, and ask for the 
 ‘sea that knows no storms;’ for the port in 
 
MRS. COOPER. 21 
 
 which the mariners will find anexemption from 
 the waves and billows of disquietude. O my 
 God, let me seek Thee in health, and Thou wilt 
 be near me in sickness ; be Thou the supreme 
 Object of my regard in prosperity, and then I 
 shall not have to look around in vain for com- 
 fort, when chill adversity lifts its correcting 
 hand; in seasons like the present, when my 
 spirit, pervaded with gloom, finds no comfort 
 but in aspirations after Thee. O from Heaven, 
 Thy dwelling place, lend a listening ear, make 
 me to pant after Thee! May I never feel a 
 stupid indifference and lukewarmness in the 
 pursuit of an eternal exemption from pain and 
 sorrow. 
 
 Eternity! thou pleasing, dreadful thought— 
 Time, what is it? a moment, a vapour, a 
 shadow; all, all comparison fails. Eternity is 
 a boundless ocean, in which the emancipated 
 spirit shall enjoy the smile, or sustain the 
 frowns and vengeance, of the Deity for ever.” 
 
 eee 
 
 [The six following months she appears to 
 have devoted, in a peculiar manner, to the 
 cultivation of ber mind, in various branches of 
 useful knowledge; the study of history still 
 being paramount to all others; and yet not 
 pursued so as to exclude more serious subjects; 
 for with this she frequently connected a deep 
 consideration of her eternal interests; as the 
 
92 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 following extracts from her journal sufficiently 
 prove: | 
 
 November 18, 1808. 
 “J find considerable pleasure in Gibbon’s 
 Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire : it is 
 
 a great monument of human geniusandhuman 
 
 fallibility. His invidious allusions to Chris- 
 tianity, I was prepared to meet; when enter- 
 ing on it, I begged of God to guard my mind 
 from error, and not to suffer me to imbibe its 
 sceptical spirit. My mind is perhaps in a de- 
 gree fortified, by a previous examination of the 
 evidences on which our religion rests. Where 
 
 I have thought Gibbon’s representations of _ 
 
 ecclesiastical facts have been obscured by the 
 darkness of his mind and intentions, I have 
 referred to the same period in Milner’s 
 Church History, and am not left to draw 
 my conclusions of Christianity from his re- 
 presentation of its progress and adherents; 
 if I were, my inferences would e very copnad 
 vourable. 
 
 In the pure and invigorating Eicaphake of 
 the Roman republic, in which one delights tc. 
 trace the progress of civilization, freedom, 
 conquest, and philosophy ; the human intellect 
 was cultivated toa high pitch of perfection ; 
 but this state was succeeded by a gradual pros- 
 tration of the minds of men. In reflecting on 
 the cause of this, I was reminded of the case of 
 a man, who beginning with but little pro- 
 
MRS. COOPER. 23 
 
 perty, gradually amassed a large fortune, for 
 the attainment of which great assiduity and 
 exertion were necessary; he omitted nothing 
 likely to improve and accelerate the objects of 
 his pursuit; riches are increased, large estates 
 purchased, he sits down at his ease, and thinks 
 of nothing but enjoyment; luxuries steal upon 
 him, and he becomes more and more enervat- 
 ed; you look in vain for the industrious, per- 
 severing, self-denying man; no trace is left, 
 and his successors become enchained to their 
 estates: their faculties, not being exercised, 
 ‘grow torpid ; their talents are swallowed up 
 in sensuality ; they are slaves to their passions, 
 and they become slaves in their country. 
 
 December 25, 1808. 
 
 The cultivation of my understanding has 
 long been my aim and desire, and the time 
 usually devoted by those of my own age and 
 sex, to pleasure and frivolity, has been spent in 
 more rational pursuits. The restraints of edu- 
 cation were, in the first instance imposed upon 
 me: this yoke I impatiently bore; but when, 
 by the mercy of God, I was made senstble of 
 the vanity of worldly pursuits, and their dan- 
 gerous tendency; and, above all, was con- 
 _vinced that I had an immortal soul within me, 
 that an omnipresent Deity was the Witness of 
 _ my actions, the Searcher of my heart and inten- 
 tions; I was, I trust, made desirous of choos- 
 ing God for my portion. Man must have re- 
 
24 MEMOIRS OF : 
 creations, resources, pleasures; the improve- 
 ment of the mind, of the reasoning faculties, 
 appears the rabies and most rational, of indulg- 
 ences. Knowledge has been so captivating 
 to my imagination, that T have with eagerness 
 snatched every spare moment for its attain= 
 ment. While endeavouring to scan the great 
 arcana of nature; to trace the finger of the. Deity 
 in every production; to mark Bia obvious de. 
 signs in every creature of Hishand; with wh 
 
 a double relish have I viewed the works of the 
 great Creator ; how has my heart glowed wit 
 joy in exploring these fields of novelty and in- 
 formation ; nothing so much tends to exalt ou 
 ideas of God; nothing is so calculated to pro- 
 duce humility; nature is open for our perusal, 
 and, by its beauties, alluring to the observer. 
 How powerfully does the immensity of the great 
 Creator strike the soul, when contemplating 
 the starry hosts, when, wrapt in astonishment, 
 the spirit rises to the stars, and views them as 
 the creation of its Father’s hand. O! endear- 
 ing title; though He dwells in the highest hea 
 vens, He has also His residence in the humble 
 and contrite heart; which is as much the object 
 of His care as if it alone existed. 
 
 When dissolving nature shall proclaim that 
 the hour of retribution is at hand; when the 
 rocks and mountains shall prove a vain defence. 
 against the piercing eye of the avenging Deity; 
 O that I may hail the moment as the time of 
 my complete happiness, when sou! and body, 
 
 o 
 
 é 
 
MRS: COOPER. 25 
 
 once nore united, shall rise to eternal happi- 
 ness! Why do I ever linger in pursuit of such - 
 a prize? It is my desire to have a greater ac- 
 quaintance with God and His works, and more 
 humbling views of myself. 1 wish to strive 
 against every appearance of vanity, conceit and’ 
 self-sufficiency. Knowledge, without wisdom, 
 puffeth up: I would, in this respect, watch 
 my heart. . 
 
 History I much delight in; and the perusal 
 of Rollin, Ferguson, and Gibbon, has not only 
 entertained but much instructed me. To be 
 made acquainted with the transactions of ages’ 
 long since passed away ; of empires which once’ 
 existed in all earthly splendour, now known 
 only in the scanty page of history ; to trace the 
 actions of great and virtuous men, though in- 
 volved in Pagan darkness; their love of virtue, 
 so far as they knew it; their patriotism, which 
 led them to sacrifice all for their country; how 
 entertaining and instructive! The history of 
 Greece, ina lively forcible manner, pourtrays. 
 the effects of freedom and philosophy. Peri- 
 es, Aristides, Socrates, Epaminondas, all 
 successively rivet the attention and excite ad- 
 miration. 
 
 The career of these great men was generally 
 losed by the effects of the blackest ingratitude 
 rom their countrymen; their sun, which rose 
 n splendour, and ascended to its meridian 
 without a cloud to shade its glories, set in black- 
 and darkness ; their services forgotten in 
 
 c 
 
26 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 the torrent of envy and malignity, which ob-« 
 scured their last days. Painful are the in- 
 stances of the vicissitudes of fortune ; dreadful 
 the effects of the unrestrained passions of men : 
 
 but how obvious, to a reflecting mind, is the - 
 
 -superintendance of Providence over the cre- 
 
 ation. Great men, raised up for peculiar ends 5 — 
 
 kings, who had grossly abused their diadem, 
 and made their supreme power the instrument 
 of intolerance and oppression to their subjects, 
 are made to lick the dust; and, hurled from 
 
 : 
 
 their splendour, feel the bitter pangs ofremorse. — 
 Nations who have filled up the measure of — 
 their iniquities, become successively the prey of © 
 barbarians ; all work together for some great — 
 
 political universal good; all proclaim His 
 care, who at once views causes and effects; 
 and sees from beginning to end. 
 
 Christianity certainly lost much of its primi- — 
 
 tive simplicity when Constantine made it an 
 
 appendage to the state. His patronage intro- — 
 
 duced numbers into the church, who made 
 religion a worldly gain. Pampered in courts, 
 its adherents lost sight of our Saviour’s declar- 
 ation, ‘My kingdom is not of this world,’ 
 
 The church became rapidly corrupt. The fifth © 
 and sixth centuries present a most awful pic- 
 
 -_ 
 
 ture of the abuse and degeneracy of Christi- — 
 anity; aslight difference of opinion was suf- — 
 ficient to arm the opponents with swords, and — 
 
 every weapon that could in any wise injure — 
 
 ¥ 
 
 their adversary. The worship of images, the ~ 
 
 if 
 
MRS. COOPER. on 
 
 supremacy of the bishop of Rome, seemed to 
 proclaim the reign of Antichrist: and Mo- 
 hammed the impostor was certainly destined to 
 scourge those Christian nations, who had pro- 
 voked God by their idolatrous Antichristian 
 acts. 
 
 I could not read the dissemination of his 
 principles, and the rapidity of his conquests, 
 without viewing the just judgments of God on 
 those nations, who seemed sensual enough to 
 admit just such opinions, and such a religion, 
 as Mohammed was about to enforce upon them, 
 by the power of the sword. O God, Thy judg- 
 ments are just and righteous altogether? ! 
 
 Jan. 1, 1809. 
 
 © We take no note of time but from its loss.’ 
 
 _ Thave just closed another year of my mortal 
 account; it is an epoch which’ demands reflec- 
 tion, as, ere the close of the present one, the 
 ngel of death may swear that time with me 
 hall be no longer. As the veil which now se- 
 arates me from eternity may be drawn aside, 
 and the realities of a future state burst on my 
 stonished soul; it becomes me, therefore, as a 
 being on whom God has bestowed an immortal 
 spirit, to make ready, and to live in daily ex- 
 ectation of an event, which, from its uncer- 
 tainty, is of the utmost importance ; and, from 
 its consequences, of tremendous moment.— 
 trange the infatuation, that there can be 
 c2 
 
28 - MEMOIRS OF 
 
 triflers on the brink of such a precipice! The. 
 beasts of the field, the birds of the air, all fulfil . 
 the appointed end of their existence. Shall I, 
 endued with a rational soul, an immortal prin-_ 
 ciple, live to myself, confine my hopes, views, 
 and expectations, to this transitory state, this 
 
 ~ commencement of being, where thorns and 
 
 briars annoy my path; and where I may to- 
 morrow be bereft of every comfort? Forbid it, 
 O God! make me more diligent, more earnest — 
 in my desires after thee; more watchful over 
 my own heart; and more willing to prepare my- 
 self, by a holy life, for the enjoyment of Thy 
 presence for ever. Let not my earnestness in the | 
 pursuit of knowledge be a snare to me, either 
 by occupying too much of my thoughts, to the 
 exclusion of devotion, or by making me proud 
 and ostentatious: rather let it be anincreasing — 
 cause of humility, never to estimate nor re- 
 gard. people according to their acquirements, 
 but according to their character and good 
 sense: for, had they possessed opportunities 
 and advantages equally favourable to'the im- 
 provement of their minds, they might have ex- © 
 ercised their talents to better purpose. By the . 
 cultivation of my mind, the exercise of my rea~ _ 
 son, I hope, in future life, to fill up my station — 
 more rationally, and with a greater share of . 
 propriety, than those who either have not had, — 
 or have voluntarily neglected, the same means 
 of improvement. To be reasonable in my judg- © 
 ment, liberal in my opinion, benevolent in my 
 
MRS. COOPER. 29 
 
 intentions, will, I hope, be the lasting practical 
 effects of my present desires of information : 
 ever to remark the great chain of Providence, 
 “every link of which is necessary to the comple- 
 tion of His designs. ‘The inequalities of ‘good 
 -and evil fo’ this, life; the sufferings of virtue, _ 
 ‘the triumphs of vice ; all this will be cleared up 
 at the day of retribution. It is God who com- 
 ‘mands the raging of the seas; who, for wise 
 “designs, permits the existence of evil. 
 
 : January 22, 1809. 
  -Tfeel the importance of a consistent and uni- 
 form devotedness to religion ; and desire dili- 
 _ gently to cultivate my heart, to watch over the 
 _risings of irregular tempers, and to repress 
 | every irritable Taeiaht. How delightful to be 
 the mean of infusing serenity and benevolence ; 
 ‘to cheer the path of life by an habitual dispo- 
 ‘sition to extract sweet from bitter: the thorn 
 from: the rose! 
 
 Religion! what does it effect unless the heart 
 be Heneiirned ? meekness should take place 
 of anger; kindness of revenge; love of hatred. 
 “To be decided in this momentous contest, to 
 “wage a constant warfare with the natural cor- 
 -ruptions of ‘the heart; this habitual decision 
 dlone can give ‘that peace which the Gospel 
 proclaims to be the portion of the upright. The 
 heart must be devoted to God ; the breathings 
 of the soul must be after Him; conformity to 
 Him must be the predominant principle of the 
 
30 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 soul. The wheels of time are rapidly rolling 
 on; the contest, though it be severe, is short. 
 And what is life? O! it isall important ; here 
 we perform our little part; but, ah! an eternity 
 depends on the right improvement of time. By 
 the word of God I shall be judged; how deeply 
 conversant ought I then to be with its sacred 
 contents ; not to peruse it with the same care- 
 lessness as another book; but diligently to study 
 it, and to meditate upon it. I ought to keep 
 stated seasons for prayer and meditation. I 
 should not be discouraged by want of fervor; for 
 though the duty beat first discouraging, yet, by 
 persevering in the use of the means, a blessing 
 must ensue. O God! enable me thus to act. 
 
 January 30, 1809. 
 
 In such a night as this, when every rising 
 blast chills the soul, and threatens destruction 
 to all around, I am ready to say, the Lord is 
 abroad: who can now say I rest securely? 
 who is safe but he who can wrap himself in th 
 arms of Omnipotence ; and who defies storms 
 and tempests to separate him from His love,who 
 carries the lambs in His bosom ? The righteous: 
 only shall abide under the shadow of the 
 Almighty. Tempests remind us of Thy exist- 
 ence, O God! of Thy superintendence, and of 
 our feebleness and dependence upon 'Thee: the 
 shakings of the nations, the concussions of the 
 elements, all proclaim Thy judgments. O! 
 that they may not speak in vain, To lay up 
 
MRS. COOPER. 3i 
 
 a treastire in Heaven, that is wisdom; and 
 though this life be troublous, and its path 
 thorny, — 
 
 Why grievous these appear, r 
 ¢ If all it pays for Heayen’s eternal year ; 
 
 © If these sad sobs, and piteous sighs, secure 
 
 € Delights that live, when worlds no more endure.” 
 
 This is only a state of probation : born, that 
 we may live for ever :—why then should the de- 
 lights of earth allure us to that precipice of 
 
 "pleasure, whence the soul dares not look be- 
 
 yond present enjoyments : it isa precipice, and 
 
 a dangerous one. Death may receive its com- 
 
 mission to summon us before His tribunal, who 
 
 demands the whole heart, who hates divided 
 
 affections. If, instead of acting as immortal 
 beings, we live in a state of sensation little su- 
 perior to the brutes, whose appetites alone 
 guide them; how awful must the state be when 
 
 the union is dissolved between the body and 
 
 the living principle within!’ When its facul- 
 ties are no longer corporeally clouded, no more 
 shackled by sense ; how exquisite must be its 
 
 | feelings, how changed its capacities! May a 
 constant preparation for the eternal world be 
 
 a paramount consideration with me.—May 
 { have habitual desires of acquaintance with 
 
 | God, and cultivate a spirit of dependence 
 upon Him. O! that the Spirit of God may 
 
 enlighten my eyes, and illuminate my dark 
  benighted soul. 
 
32 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Feb. 19, 1809." 
 The grand resurrection of nature is now ap- 
 proaching, and the mind, attuned to contem- 
 plation, dilates with joy in listening to the first 
 warblings of the grateful songsters ; their cheer- 
 ful notes seem their tribute of praise to Him who 
 has fed them in the past season. The embryo 
 blossoms, kind nature has preserved with so 
 -much care, now burst forth. ‘There lives and 
 _works a soul in all things; and that soul is God. 
 —How rich is nature in amusements! its va- 
 rieties, what.a field for curiosity, wonder, and 
 interest! The mind, abstracted by these delight- 
 ful speculations, is independent ; sources ever 
 within reach, while they fill the mind with rap- 
 ture, and point to the Great First Cause, they 
 instruct the heart; and, while the heavenly hosts 
 fill the skies, nightly, aah silent pomp, make us 
 exclaim, Lord, what is man? And when an 
 apprehension arises that, amidst the infinity of 
 His works, so ingiguificant a being might | be 
 overlooked; the unbelieving suggestion i 
 quelled by the volume of nature ; it is He that 
 ¢auses the grass to spring faa; it is He that 
 gives the fowls of the air their food, He careth 
 even for them! how much more then for man, 
 whose being He sustains ; aud who was created 
 in His image. The Christian desires to conse- 
 crate all his pursuits to the service of God ; and 
 whether His providential dominion be traced in 
 -history or in philosophy, all may be made sub- 
 servient to the great end of our existence. To 
 
MRS. COOPER. Ss 
 
 improve and cultivate the rational powers is 
 worthy an intelligent being, on whom God 
 has bestowed an active living principle, inde- 
 pendent of that body which is, for a season 
 only, its companion: this will mingle with 
 the dust; but the soul, capable of pleasure 
 and pain, will survive the world, and know 
 no end. 
 
 Childhood is a state of probation for man- 
 hood, and this life for another. Virtue and 
 vice, in a degree, receive their reward in this 
 jife; not completely so; it is the prerogative 
 of Omniscience alone to assign hereafter re- 
 wards and punishments. I must then conclude 
 that the chief business of my life should be to 
 secure the favour of my Creator : I am not left 
 ' to wander in the mazes of philosophy, the err- 
 ing dictates of fallen reason; their light was 
 indeed darkness, darkness visible. Revela- 
 tion, that meridian sun, has opened a way of 
 access to the offended Deity ; justice and mercy 
 are reconciled, and man may be a partaker of 
 the blessings of salvation. 
 
 April 30, 1809. 
 How delightful is the contemplation of the 
 | works of God! my enraptured eye runs over 
 the productions of the earth with a curiosity 
 and interest that never leave me: the passing 
 clouds, the opening flowers, the sweet river, 
 whose constant changes give a variety to the 
 scenes, how successively do these steal on my 
 c3 
 
34 MEMOIRS OF - 
 
 imagination, and oft-times how inexpressible 
 is my gratitude for receiving from the hands of 
 God so many outward blessings; and a mind 
 capable of drawing the truest delight from 
 them. But, oh, yon beauteous cloud has va- 
 nished, and the flowers which I delight to view 
 will fade and die ; nature, and all her loveliness, j 
 is but transitory in her duration. Time with 
 me has a destined period; but time isa loan, 
 of the misimprovement of which my God will 
 require a strict account. Does not reason im- 
 periously demand that the Author of my being 
 should receive the homage of my heart? thus 
 far it goes, but no farther. Revelation takes 
 me up where reason leaves me; it has drawn 
 aside the veil, and made manifest a mode of 
 access whereby the Deity receives into the. 
 arms of His love the creature who had revolted 
 from His government ; but who returns with 
 penitential tears, and asks for mercy through 
 the atoning Sacrifice. 
 
 O! my soul, do tkou press forward with — 
 more alacrity in the heavenly road; much is | 
 to be done; a corrupt heart must be renewed ; 
 the motives of thy conduct must be traced to 
 the love of God; ev ery attainment in know- 
 ledge must be consecrated to God, must be 
 subservient to the end of thy being: and hu- — 
 miltty must mark every part of this deport- 
 ment. How much is to be done? but what is 
 the alternative ?— Endless blessedness, or end- 
 less misery. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 35 
 
 _ By prayer, and dependence on God, -f 
 hope to overcome that slothfnlness of spirit 
 which has so much prevailed over me. I trace 
 much to the loss of time in bed; it has occa- 
 sioned me to hurry over my devotions, and 
 produced a lassitude of mind which has ope- 
 rated sensibly on all my undertakings. 1 do 
 propose now to rise at or before siz, and to 
 offer my feeble orisons to God in a more be- 
 coming heart-felt manner. My other studies 
 
 to be orderly pursued. History, natural and 
 moral philosophy, particularly Locke’s Con- 
 duct of the Understanding. My heart ought 
 to overflow with gratitude to that Being who 
 has so profusely bestowed His mercies upon 
 me. Had I lived in a town or city, how would 
 the morning of my days have confined my un- 
 derstanding, cramped my views and my de- 
 lights in the works of nature. Retirement, I 
 thank thee ; from thy calm influence I have 
 been taught to seek, in an improvement of my 
 understanding, pleasures which live within my 
 constant reach: the superiority of these, to 
 | the trifling, unsatisfactory vanities of the world, 
 ‘have made me hug them to my heart; and 
 court their continued influence.” 
 
 — 
 
 | The following letter containing the plan of 
 _acorrespondence between her and her eldest 
 brother is a proof of her early attention to the 
 
86 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 cultivation both of her mind and heart: and 
 how much sound judgment and conscience 
 were consulted, even in what was at that time 
 considered as little else than recreation. ] 
 
 Lower Mall, Nov. 5, 1806. 
 ‘My Dear Brother, 
 
 A letter of very ancient date (July oad 
 now before me, silently reproves my negli- 
 gence: the time which has elapsed might war- 
 rant your concluding I was wholly indifferent 
 about engaging you as a correspondent ; some- 
 thing or other has hitherto satisfied my con- 
 science; further pleas now fail, and I feel 
 happy in the idea ofaddressing my dear Joseph, 
 at his own home, a period which has no doubt 
 been anticipated, in your youthful days, as 
 an zra of liberty not then enjoyed : now you’ 
 are become your own master, your expectations 
 of further comfort rest in futurity; the next 
 step, will be that of becoming a family man ; 
 and so on. : 
 
 I trust our hopes will oxime beyond this 
 life, and then we shall find a solace in the frus- 
 tration of those wishes, the accomplishment 
 of which is always uncertain. 
 
 Now, that the winter is shutting in upon us, 
 I am willing to hope you will derive the com- 
 fort I promise myself, in the mutual commu- 
 nication of our thoughts: be our personal in-— 
 terviews ever so frequent, our correspondence 
 may go onthe same; and we may freely express — 
 
MRS. COOPER. i 
 
 on paper those sentiments that perhaps would © 
 have remained concealed from each other, but 
 for this pleasing medium of conversing. You 
 know, my dear Joseph, I am particularly fond 
 of shutting myself in my closet ona winter’s 
 evening; and there spending some of the hap- 
 
 iest moments of my existence with my pen or 
 
 -my book :—this comfort winter affords me ; 
 
 and I shall find it a great delight in these silent 
 hours intimately to receive your thoughts on 
 profitable subjects, and to express mine in 
 return. Ihave now to subscribe to the agree- 
 ment you drew up, and shall transcribe it for 
 your use. 
 
 ‘ We do hereby agree to correspond with 
 
 © each other in mutual confidence,.with mutual 
 
 ‘ desires for each other’s benefit and recreation ; 
 
 | £ promising mutually to reprove and admonish 
 
 ‘each other with Christian faithfulness, in the 
 * spirit ‘of meekness:—further; we agree to 
 ‘ avoid all direct or indirect allusions to each 
 ‘ other’s attainments in our Christian calling, 
 ‘ unless it be done with a view to exalt in each 
 ‘ other a deeper sense of our obligations, and 
 
 - £to point out the necessity of shewing it forth 
 
 ‘ by a more devoted life to the service of God; 
 ‘reminding one another always, that where 
 ‘ much is given much is required.’ 
 
 I could not have penned an agreement more 
 to my own satisfaction: but this I‘ have to 
 remark’; I may not at all times feel sincerely 
 disposed to write on religious suhyects—to 
 
? 
 
 a 
 38 memoirs - oF 
 
 confine letters to this may prove a temptation 
 to express.what you do not feel,—this would 
 be hypocrisy. I may, as I am disposed, write 
 my own reflections on various moral points, 
 or remark something in the course of my 
 reading; at the same time, I agree to every 
 part of the above, and would by no means 
 exclude that subject which most concerns us, 
 Tell me, with the candour which will always 
 pervade our letters, what you think of this, 
 and whether you fully coincide with me. I 
 make a point after I have been reading, to 
 run over the subject in my own mind, and 
 endeavour to reflect upon such parts as appear 
 particularly worthy of consideration, compar- 
 ing the sentiments of the author with my own 
 —by this method I hope to derive more good 
 from reading a little, and digesting that little, 
 than I should do from reading thrice the 
 quantity, without thinking of it afterwards. 1 
 know you adopt this plan: your reflections 
 would therefore greatly please me, and perhaps — 
 be impressed more on your own mind by the — 
 communication. -I believe, my dear Joseph, 
 we are as closely united in affection as by 
 relative ties; therefore, as you observe, let us 
 be faithful to reprove each other, and constant 
 in writing. If we can by this means promote 
 each other’s spiritual advancement we shall 
 have reason to consider the talent improved. — 
 Let us have an intimate knowledge of each — 
 
 £ 
 % 
 
 other, and do every thing to strengthen an — 
 
 | 
 
 P 
 
a 
 
 MRS. COOPER. 39 
 
 affection that ought to subsist in full vigour 
 between two so nearly allied. 
 Believe me, my dear Brother, 
 Your’s truly, ' 
 M. HANSON.” 
 
 ——— ESE 
 
 ['The following letter, which is a part of the 
 correspondence with her brother already men- 
 tioned, contains many good sentiments ; and 
 some which are not of ordinary occurrence : it 
 
 ‘marks, at the same time, the progress of reli- 
 gious conviction in her mind, and how seriously 
 she was then in the pursuit of that, in which 
 she afterwards found solid happiness. | 
 
 | Lower Mall, Jan. 26, 1807. 
 | “My Dear Joseph, 
 
 _ Tam convinced my letters have been gene- 
 _rally very deficient in noticing the remarks of 
 “my correspondent ; the mode you suggest will 
 prove much more colloquial as well as produc- 
 tive of materials: it had never occurred to me 
 how much my letters had failed in this respect. 
 Be as candid in noticing every thing else that 
 requires an alteration, whether it respects dis- 
 ‘course or conduct, though I much fear that, 
 as our opportunities of seeing each other are 
 _so rare, the intercourse necessary for reproof- 
 will but seldom occur: this I regret, for my 
 proud spirit would bear reproof administered 
 
40 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 with your wonted faithfulness and love. Oh! 
 it would bear it much better from you than 
 from any one; self-will and self-love so often’ 
 obscure our better judgment, and thereby lead 
 us into the mazes of error, that could the ob- 
 serving eye of a Christian friend be near, and 
 just then remind us of the demands of Chris- 
 tianity upon our hearts, and the humility it in 
 culcates and enforces; would not this check 
 the progress of those moral vices upon our 
 hearts? I sometimes think it would. But, my 
 dear Joseph, if the friend were not near, there 
 is a consideration of far greater importance ; 
 the eye of infinite purity everbeholds us! were 
 this consideration oftener present to our minds, 
 what a check would it be to the arrogance and 
 pride of the heart. For my own part I feel the 
 difficulty so immensely great to maintain in 
 my mind that sense of religion in any degree 
 which the Christian must’ feel so as to influ-— 
 ence his thoughts, words, andactions, that that 
 character seems wonder in creation. 'To per- 
 severe to the end, considering the temptations — 
 from within and without, is a marvellous proof 
 of the efficacy of Divine grace. No wonder so 
 many turn back; and yet when we reflect on 
 the immense importance of preparing for a 
 never ending state of being, how great the de- 
 lusion seems, to think of any thing occupying 
 and absorbing the thoughts of creatures on the 
 very verge of perdition. Itis consolatory to” 
 the mind, my dear Brother, amidst these’ re- 
 
 a 
 
MRS, COOPER. 41 
 
 fiections, that our attainment of eternal life 
 does not depend on ourselves alone: That 
 Grace, that has been implanted in the hearts 
 of thousands now in glory, and had brought 
 forth fruits to the praise of God, may yet be 
 had of Him, ‘whom to know is wisdom, 
 whom to fear is rectitude, whom to love is 
 happiness.” } 
 
 It is the hope of victory that animates sol- 
 diers in battle; they bear temporary privations 
 and numerous hardships, in prospect of the 
 glory accruing from conquest; and yet how 
 short-lived is that compared with the crown of 
 glory for which I trust you and I, my dear 
 Brother, will fight manfully ; it is for an in- 
 corruptible crown, one which we shall wear 
 ‘for ever. 
 
 * * * © © & *£ & *  * 
 
 I love retirement, and would scrupulously 
 avoid acquaintance with the world; for to keep 
 in tolerable humour with it, it is necessary to 
 -know but little of it, and to think of the most 
 virtuous of your acquaintance ; for when one 
 surveys the characters of people in general, and 
 observes the dissimulation pervading most of 
 them, it is difficult to preserve that spirit of 
 benevolence that ought never to be damped. 
 You tell me you have purchased freedom from 
 control and restraint, at the price of additional 
 cares and anxieties. In reviewing the past, 
 its evils usually diminish in our apprebensions, 
 while we feel the present in their full force. 
 
A2 MEMOIRS~ OF 
 
 You will find the habitual effects of your ert 
 ploying leisure time in the pursuit and know. 
 ledge of Christian virtues. How desirable te 
 feel the inclination! press forward, my deat 
 Brother, and shine like a candle in a dart 
 place ; you are ina new state of trial, sufficient 
 grace for every day is promised you; only cin 
 cerely ask, and you will surely receive. . 
 
 There is something truly delightful in that 
 freedom true love ever inspires, in the commu:- 
 nication of one’s inmost thoughts: we were 
 formed social beings, and I think the commu- 
 nion of saints, as expressed in the Creed, must 
 be a mean of accelerating and cabin the 
 affections, and inspiring love and zeal to the 
 Supreme Being. I can freely think aloud to 
 you, my dear Joseph, for I greatly hope our 
 correspondence will prove a mean of my ad- 
 vancing in that life Divine after which I some- 
 times pant. 
 
 I hope it will be convenient to you to writ 
 soon ; never apologize for any but short i 
 ters; none but such fatigue me. 
 
 Believe me 
 Your most affectionate Sister, 
 MARY HANSON.” 
 
 SSE 
 
 [Early in the year 1809, Miss Hanson peje 
 to attend the preaching among the. —% 
 dists. The first preachers she heard were ~~ 
 
 ’ 
 
MRS, COOPER. be 
 
 Coke, and Dr. Clarke. From this period religion 
 became the one great business of her life; and 
 she, in a more especial manner, was engaged 
 in doing good to her fellow-creatures; in visit« 
 ing and relieving the poor and distressed, whom 
 she endeavoured to instruct by reading the 
 Scriptures to them, praying with and speaking 
 to them of spiritual things, and of the eternal 
 world. But her own diary is her most faithful 
 biographer; and by it the Reader will perceive 
 that she now began to take a very different 
 view of religion to what she had ever done be- 
 fore. She considered it no longer as a system 
 of opinions and moral practice merely, but as a 
 work in the heart, or, in other words, the life 
 of God in the soul of man ; which, when once 
 introduced, would necessarily manifest itself in 
 afull conformity to His wil’ and word, in all 
 her passions, tempers, affections, and conduct. 
 On this important subject she thus speaks : ]— 
 
 July 2, 1809. 
 « For the last two months my attention and 
 reading have been much confined to theology: 
 ‘two sermons, one by Dr. Adam Clarke, and 
 the other by Dr. Coke, preached at the Me- 
 ‘thodist chapel here, roused my enquiry as to 
 the peculiar sentiments of that people. 
 
 Those sermons have made a deep impression 
 on mymind: the first shewed me, in a manner 
 | was not aware of, the connection of reason 
 and religion, how far they were in union with 
 
Aq ' MEMOIRS oF 
 
 each other, where the one left us the other tool 
 us up, and introduced us to the immortality o 
 glory; the other sermon gave a view of-reli 
 gion in the soul, of the inhabitation of the Spi 
 rit of God. 1 was roused; there was a some 
 thing in their mode of explaining Scripture, o 
 enforcing the immense importance of religion 
 of proving the vanity of sublunary things, an 
 the sublime tendency of religion in exaltin; 
 the soul, and making it aspire after a likenes 
 to God, that was new to me—TI was excited t 
 more exertion; and from reading the life of the 
 Rev. Mr. Fletcher, one of the Wesleyans’ brigh 
 ornaments, I was introduced to a character tha 
 filled my soul with reverence, delight, and ‘at 
 aspiration after that grace which made him wha’ 
 he was. Some of his works were lent to me 
 and all I read confirmed me in an opinion o 
 the soundness of their scriptural views. 1 neve! 
 embraced the doctrines of Calvin; but when ] 
 viewed the scurrility, the intemperance in co 
 troversy, of some who are called by his name 
 and compared all this with the Christian meek. 
 ness of Wesley, and his amiable advocate Flet- 
 cher, I was convinced of the goodness of ‘the 
 cause. I saw also that their doctrines, while 
 they ensured an entire reliance on Christ for 
 justification, demanded an evidence of that by 
 aspiring after holiness of heart and life; and 
 maintained that it is by the fruits of faith, that 
 faith will be judged of at the day of judgment. 
 The general non-conformity of that sect to 
 
MRS. COOPER. — Ad 
 
 ae world, their zeal in the promotion of vital 
 ractical godliness, as far as [ can judge, both 
 ‘om their principles and practice, proclaim 
 1em the followers of the Lamb. I rejoice in 
 1eir introduction to H » and the pros- 
 erity which apparently attends their labours. 
 yn the Monday evening I go and hear the 
 ame truths applied to the hearts and under- 
 tandings of all present; I hear them, I hope, 
 ‘ith increasing profit. I have too long rested | 
 1 an admiration of sermons as compositions. 
 sured by imagination and eloquence, I have 
 en charmed ; but, alas! my heart has remain- 
 | careless, and too much disposed to regard 
 eligion as a general thing, without applying it 
 my own heart: may I henceforward hear as 
 r eternity! O! how much is at stake; and 
 hy do I live, if the salvation of my soul be 
 eglected! When this frail tabernacle of clay 
 all be dissolved, which it soon must be, the 
 pul will have burst its fetters, and know an 
 istence of endless woe or happiness. My 
 t in life is then but of little consequence, for 
 he stage is but short on which we act.” 
 
 EE 
 | { Being about to accompany the family ona 
 ‘isit to Margate ; she wrote as follows : |— 
 
 . August 13, 1809. 
 ‘ For a while then I am about to leave thee, 
 
46 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 my dear peaceful H——, the delights of calm 
 reflection and solitude, which, through the 
 goodness of my Creator, I have experienced in 
 this my own room, make me almost disposed to 
 think happiness local. 1 go, and shall witness 
 the whirl of fashion, and the various expedients 
 fallen man devises for filling up that vacuum, 
 that search after comfort, to which every breast 
 isa prey. I have experienced the vanity and 
 unsatisfying nature of its enjoyments. The 
 pearl of great price is the jewel I pant to ob- 
 tain, to have an evidence within my own soul, 
 that the spirit which by nature is depraved, is 
 renewed by grace ; that my judgment and affec- 
 tions are purified from sin, and that the para- 
 mount desire of my heart is to live to the glory 
 of my God. Well then, what is change of place 
 to me? Icannot go where my God is not: He 
 pervadesevery place; His Spirit is near to those 
 that seek Him; and the soul that has felt anc 
 enjoyed sweet communion with Him, cannot b | 
 absorbed and satisfied by the vain and trifiin 
 pleasures this world offers. ei) 3 
 As the means of grace are very various a 
 Margate, I trust I shall be able, in simplicity 
 of heart, to obtain much good from them. O that 
 the critical spirit which has so long haunted 
 me, and robbed me of the benefit the humble 
 follower enjoys, may leaveme. I go not to hear 
 fine compositions, but to hear the word of God 
 faithfully explained; and to prove my own ex- 
 perience by the unerring standard of Sept 
 
 « 
 é 
 
MRS. COOPER. AT 
 
 hope to enjoy the delights of meditation and 
 eading, by the sea shore; and, ere the bustle 
 f the day approaches, to rise early, and seek 
 xod in His works, and ponder over His ways. 
 ) that I could live more under the impression 
 f the eternal world that awaits me, the judg- 
 nent that will come, when every man will be 
 udged according to his works. Death will be 
 ecisive to my soul, and ‘ dangers stand thick 
 hrough all the ground to push us to the tomb.’ 
 ) my soul, be not satisfied till thou hast evi- 
 ence of acceptance with God; till thy worldly 
 nd corrupt affections are renewed; till thou 
 ave resigned thyself entirely to God, and every 
 7ish and desire be subservient to Him! 
 
 To shine as a light in the world, this is the 
 thristian’s object; to do good to his fellow- 
 | eatures, to strive by every mean to do good 
 > their souls, to visit the sick, and comfort those 
 ho are cast down. God can give strength to 
 e weak; and He doesit that His power may be 
 rade manifest. One instance of His goodness 
 blessing feeble means, I would acknowledge 
 1 the happy death of a dear child who went to 
 ne Sunday school; those hymns which I took 
 > much delight i in teaching her, consoled her 
 midst pain: and death. I thank God, and 
 ould receive this as an encouragement to fu- 
 ire and more unwearied exertion. I go, not 
 nowing I shall ever return; but I trust I can 
 xy my hand on my heart, and say, My trust 
 dependence for this life and eternal salva- 
 
AS MEMOIRS OF ~ 
 
 tion, is on Christ, who died to redeem a fallen 
 world; and who is near to all who call. upon 
 Him. 
 
 O, for faith to trast in that word which aaa 
 introduce heaven into the soul, even in the tu- 
 multuous ocean of life! 
 
 Margate, August 16,1809. 
 
 After a most delightful passage of nine hours 
 and a half, arrived safe at Margate; every 
 thing, both health and incrnnenH, conspired to 
 rondae it agreeable. 
 
 The appearance of the town pleases nikal 
 and I already anticipate much pleasure, more 
 particularly as there are such various means of 
 grace. I hope to have my mind kept free for 
 the reception of Divine truth, that the gaiety I 
 shall witness may not draw my heart aside, and 
 
 “induce me once again to cull the egies 
 pleasure; which, by the fascination of their 
 pearance, lure the unwary. gab oaths 
 
 The noble ocean, on which the grandeur of 
 the Deity is marked in such large characters 
 will be the object I shall most delight to con 
 template ; tosay, ‘ My Father made it all.’ O 
 the exquisite sensation arising from such " 
 application! 
 
 August 17, 1809. 
 
 Had a most delightful ride to Ramsgate, 
 through Kingsgate and Broadstairs ; with the 
 first of these places I am charmed; there is 
 
MRS. COOPER. 49 
 
 great elegance in the appearance of the town 
 from the pier; and as to that beautiful harbour, 
 it delights and astonishes me more than any 
 human construction I have ever seen: the sea 
 from thence is a most magnificent spectacle. 
 The country through which we rode is highly 
 cultivated, and the bounties of harvest are just 
 ready to be poured into the lap of ungrateful 
 man. How beneficent is the Creator to the whole 
 human race ! how seldom is His hand acknow- 
 ledged; He who should be the first in every 
 man’s thoughts! Bountiful Creator, how art 
 Thouslighted, and Thy benevolence insulted by 
 its abuse ! Heard a very good preacher at Lady 
 Huntingdon’s chapel; it was well attended. 
 For nearly two hours I enjoyed the lightning 
 this evening ; I become moreand more enchant- 
 ed with the terrible and sublime in nature. To 
 gaze upon the ethereal flash, as it bursts from 
 the bosom of the dark thunder cloud, has an 
 effect upon my mind with which { would not 
 part for the finest show of art. It was not in 
 he direction of the sea, or my admiration would 
 ave been two-fold: whence this delight, but 
 from the power such spectacles have of raising 
 my soul to the Supreme Being; of making me 
 aspire after an union with Him who is thus ter- 
 rible in nature ; it excites me to anticipate that 
 ay when helistitninies of His wrath shall strike 
 he devoted heads of those who have neglected 
 im ; when every element will do its part to ex- 
 ite the general conflagration ; when an interest 
 D 
 
50 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 in the Saviour will secure me an admission 
 into the paradise of God. For such a crown of 
 glory ; O why should I loiter ? why should the 
 flintiness of the path make me look aside for 
 the broad road of pleasure, in which thousands 
 smoothly walk to the edge of the precipice ; 
 and, unless arrested by the power of God 
 plunge headlong into eternal darkness! = 
 
 August 18. — . 
 
 Rose this morning at six o’clock, walked as 
 far as Newgate on the Cliff; thence we de: 
 scended to the sands. I particularly admire 
 the cliffs about this place ; they are beautifull 
 bleached and battered by the waves. A most 
 profound stillness reigned : not even the mur: 
 mur of the sea broke the silence ; nothing, sav: 
 the fluttering of alittle bird, on whose colitud 
 I had intruded ; it is in such a silence the soul 
 delights toexpand; and, as it were, burst the 
 fetters which confine it, when in commerce with 
 the world. With mingled delight and reve 
 rence I view our sea-girt shore, and those beau 
 teous cliffs which haveso long defied the power 
 and malice of ourenemies. I know not why 
 perhaps I have now a greater power of enjoy: 
 ment; but they appear to me more charming 
 than any thing I have seen. 
 This evening walked half way to Kingsgate 
 
 it was very retired, which consequently adde 
 to my enjoyment: there is one eminence whic 
 commands a very lovely view of Margate an 
 
MRS. COOPER. 51 
 
 North-Down. The clearness and serenity of 
 the evening conspired to heighten the beauty of 
 the scene ; added to which, the corn in sheaves, 
 and the thankfulness with which my heart di- 
 lated in viewing the treasures of Providence, 
 rendered the whole increasingly delightful. O 
 that men would praise the Lord for His good- 
 ness! ‘ Ye harvests wave to Him.’ 
 
 The accounts I had were so unfavourable, I 
 feel astonished at the beauties of Margate: the 
 country which I have seen is as rich and lovely 
 as I ever saw ; perhaps, indeed, few have hearts 
 so susceptible of the beauties of nature. ‘Not 
 ia cloud imbibes the setting sun’s effulgence, 
 nota strain from all the tenantsof the warbling 
 shade ascends, from which my bosom cannot 
 artake fresh pleasure unreproved.’ From this 
 syed store, ten thousand enjoyments have 
 hovered over my path, and to my capabi- 
 ity of deriving reflections from the objects 
 hich surround me, I am indebted for a local 
 epository of comfort. I thank God that re- 
 Hirement and exemption from gaiety have pro- 
 
 ced this good. 
 
 - On our return, about eight o’clock, we must 
 jeeds peep at the gay Babel, and feel the stir ; 
 he town was all light and bustle; the _ 
 jes were Ciened: full. with gay flutterers, 
 essed as foran assembly ; the rooms elegantly 
 shted, and all, all vanity; ‘a world without 
 ouls.” My soul, come not thou into their 
 seret, lest I should practically forget that I 
 D2 
 
52 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 have a soul; and an immortal one; to save 
 which, I must watch and strive against temp- 
 tation; scenes of vanity and dissipation must 
 be avoided. There is enough within to draw 
 thee from God : O then avoid outward tempta-_ 
 tion ; go not under pretence of moralizing on 
 its vanity: the experiment is dangerous.— 
 God and mammon can never be reconciled. 
 
 August 19,1809. 
 After a pleasant walk of two hours, return- 
 ed home quite refreshed and comfortable. On 
 entering the room I found my dear mother 
 bathed in tears, with a letter before her, con-) 
 taining an account of brother William’s sud-| 
 den attack of a most violent fever; the means_ 
 prescribed by Mr. Pearson prove it to be 
 highly putrid; he was considered when B- 
 wrote, rather out of danger,—the only allevi- 
 ation we could have under such circumstances. 
 O my God! if my dear brother still live, rit 
 
 that this sickness may not be unto death, bu 
 for his soul’s health! Vigorous as his health 
 has been, yet the shafts of death are as likely 
 to wound him as the more sickly. ee 
 All these circumstances should prove as in-, 
 centives to my diligence in the Divine life. 
 Nothing can secure me from the sudden and 
 unwarned approach of death; he, with his, 
 fatal scythe, may mow down (one after another) 
 every dear earthly comfort I possess. God! 
 alone is unchangeable, and the source of com- 
 
MRS. COOPER. 53 
 
 fort ; He pours balm into the wounded spirit ; 
 and bids it seek its treasures in those blessed 
 regions, where bliss is complete and inexhaus- 
 
 | tible. 
 
 August 23, 1809. 
 
 Through the goodness of God, my dear 
 brother William is better. I have enjoyed 
 some sweet seasons of abstraction from the 
 world on Sunday, and since. What is my 
 _ object asa Christian ? It is to increase in faith, 
 _ and in conformity to the image of God ; to have © 
 that stamped on my soul, and to feel the pre- 
 sence of God diffuse itself through my heart 
 and my judgment. Then I am not of the 
 _- world; my views, pleasures, and pursuits, must 
 | be different; they are only dead fish that float 
 down the stream, I must swim against it. If the 
 | world hate you, marvel not; they laugh and 
 } flutter for a day, and perish. -The Christian 
 | strives and fights fora day, and his toil and 
 
 ) Jabour are ended; everlasting rest and perfect 
 
 | peace are his reward for ever. O glorious 
 | prospect ! . 
 
 That glorious Being who created this lower 
 world, who by His word formed all those 
 
 ) ~beauteous scenes in creation, which now ra- 
 | vish my eyes, made all these for man! what 
 
 then will the visions of eternal bliss be for the 
 redeemed? when every faculty of the soul will 
 be in full vigour and purity, when God will be 
 allin all. How many have I read of in his- 
 
5A MEMOIRS OF 
 
 tory who have waded through scenes of blood, 
 who have sacrificed every present pleasure and 
 enjoyment, and thought nothing too much, 
 while a hope or chance remained of having 
 an earthly crown placed on their heads; and 
 this with the probability of very soon falling 
 a sacrifice to their own ambition. +; 
 Christian, be ashamed of thy supineness ; be 
 not satisfied with the husks of this world while — 
 there is heavenly manna within thy reach : they 
 _ sought a corruptible crown; thou hast offered 
 fo thee an incorruptible one. Be assured, 
 however hard the struggle against sin, yet — 
 having attained the conquest, so peaceful a se- 
 renity shall be diffused through thy soul as — 
 shall repay all the toiland labour. A ge crea j 
 must fight the good fight of faith. | | 
 Hacxtl this evening a most animating sermon © 
 from seme Liefchild, “<For we shalll see Him as | 
 He is.’ His descriptions were so lively, that 
 I almost thought he had hada peep at the © 
 glories of the eternal world. Ovvain, transi- 
 tory world, what are thy pleasures? fleeting as 
 a shadow. ; 
 { pant for everlasting bliss, for a state of 
 happiness which neither ao interruption — : 
 nor end. ; 
 
 August 28, 1809. 
 I exceedingly enjoyed the services of yester- 
 day; it was asabbath of delight to my soul. 
 I was three times at the Methodist chapel, 
 
MRS. COOPER. 55 
 
 where I heard a young man of promising ta- 
 Jents, appointed by the last Conference for the 
 ensuing year. In the morning his sermon was 
 on prayer; ‘The effectual fervent prayer of 
 a righteous man availeth much :’ he shewed its 
 advantages in prosperity; how the blessings 
 of Providence were doubly enjoyed by a sense 
 of the goodness of the Benefactor; the mind 
 kept humble, and from vaunting itself against 
 those who are inalower situation, from a grate- 
 ful acknowledgment to the Divine Being ; that 
 it is from His hand alone such blessings are 
 bestowed: and that temporal superiority is 
 alone from Him who dispenses His gifts. I 
 note this particularly, because prosperity ap- 
 pears to me a great trial to the Christian; 
 when surrounded by present good, in posses- 
 sion of health, wealth, and friends, O how 
 prone to say, © Soul, take thine ease ;’ while sail- 
 ng ona smooth sea, the anticipation of the 
 arbour is not half so delightful as when tossed 
 on the angry billows; then the sight of port 
 ow does it animate and refresh; and yet, as 
 ood Mr. Day says, what base ingratitude is it, 
 to make those very blessings our Creator be- 
 stows upon us, the means of forgetting Him ; 
 and by an abuse of the good things of this life 
 lo destroy our souls. 
 
 I am now in possession of health and every 
 temporal blessing; ought I not particularly to 
 devote myself to that God who has made me 
 a@ recipient of such various and unmerited 
 
56 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 blessings? The only return, the only tribute 
 of gratitude I can render to Thee, Thou God 
 of love, is, to give up my heart, all I have and 
 am, to Thy service: to answer the great end 
 of my existence, by a continual acknowledg- 
 ment of that goodness which brought me into 
 being and sustains it; but above all, for a 
 hope of eternal life through the great atoning 
 Sacrifice. His precious death and resurrec- 
 tion is the life of all my hopes; all my desires, 
 to repose in the arms of His mercy and to 
 be with Him for ever. O unspeakable love! 
 While I can hear with so much advantage as 
 I did yesterday, I shall go to the Methodist 
 chapel; there is a plainness and simplicity in 
 the appearance of the chapel and people, 
 which suit my mind better than Zion chapel. 
 Besides there is something in their mode of 
 preaching which I always find profitable; there 
 is a view of eternity in their addresses to the 
 Deity, which rouses and fixes my attention 
 I do most entirely agree with the sentiment 
 of that people. John Wesley’s opinions ac- 
 cord with those I long since formed from read 
 ing the Bible. 1 seem to catch the flame, the 
 heavenly flame, which burns among them ; 
 their nonconformity to the world, and their gra 
 dual assimilation to the Divine nature, th 
 happy assurance so many among them ha 
 O it is religion in its power, in its peaceful anc 
 holy effects. , 
 
 In the afternoon of yesterday was the “lt 
 
MRS.. COOPER. 57 
 
 meeting. In the evening the same young 
 man displayed considerable ability in discours- 
 ing from 1 Cor. i. 23. ‘We preach Christ 
 crucified.’ His sermon contained a summary 
 of those doctrines he intended to deliver among 
 _ thatpeople; mostably he defended the Divinity 
 ofour Lord. I enjoyed uncommon peace and 
 liveliness of mind yesterday; prayer, instead of 
 a weariness, was a delight to me. 
 
 O Christianity, thou wast ushered into the 
 world as, ‘Peace and good will to man;’ and 
 so thou art and ever will be to those who re- 
 - ceive thy glorious truths in meekness, with a 
 | practical desire of conforming the soul to the 
 Divine image. Those who advance in grace 
 _ will advance in happiness; the more this world 
 _ is subdued the brighter, the more glorious, will 
 
 be the anticipation of that state which God 
 has appointed as the resting place for all His 
 
 people. 
 
 a September 1, 1809. 
 
 On Monday had a very delightful ride to 
 _ Minster; it is surrounded by many trees, and 
 _ is altogether picturesque and beautiful. 
 
 _ The church is a very ancient structure; and 
 the church yard, which is very large, contains 
 but few graves. How different to the crowded 
 cemeteries about London! [like to visit every 
 repository of the dead where I go; no mean 
 _ surely should be neglected to familiarize that 
 solemn certain event, which will soon arrive. 
 D3 
 
58 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 From an eminence about a mile from Minster, 
 I had a view of the whole island of Thanet’; 
 the sea girdsa great part of it ; at one point 
 is seen the Downs in which the vessels look 
 like a forest; to the right of that is a very fine 
 cultivated land view; it reminded me much of 
 Portsdown. 
 
 On our return we rode through Birehington: 
 we visited its church yard, a favourite place of 
 my brother Joseph’s. I saw: three beautifal 
 epitaphs which I intend to go purposely to 
 copy. Here is a very fine view of the Recul- 
 vers. My mind was just ina frame to enjoy 
 the beauties of nature, and to adopt the lan- 
 guage of Cowper, ‘ My Father made them all;’ 
 
 ’ my eyes were full of tears when I thought of 
 this blessed relation. 
 
 On Tuesday evening we rode through St. 
 Peter’s to Broadstairs; then to part of the — 
 Ramsgate road, where we had a very distinct; 
 view of the coast of France, Pegwell bay, and 
 the ships in its harbour. The sun set in cloud- — 
 less splendour just behind St. Peter’s church. 
 We returned through Kingsgate, having passed. 
 the Fore-land lighthouse, just then lighted up. 
 It is a lovely village; its beauty was much 
 heightened by the last faint gleam of the set- 
 ting sun upon its various ruins. I ied much — 
 to interest me in this island. 
 
 Wednesday morning we walked on the 
 sands, visited some of the caverns; scenes — 
 rude and wild; we much enjoyed it; sitting 
 
MRS. COOPER, 59) 
 
 at the foot of one of the cliffs, we listened to 
 the murmuring of the flowing tide. 
 
 Such scenes are favourable to abstraction 
 of mind. How is the soul to be pitied, which 
 in such scenes does not recognize the finger of 
 
 God : which does not seek a friend in Him who 
 has such boundless power. The xxxviiith chap- 
 ter of Job, how appropriate to such scenes. 
 
 In the evening brother, B——n and I walk- 
 ed on the fort between ten and eleven. The 
 lightning had just ceased; but the clouds, 
 ‘full of electricity, hung over the deep, most 
 ‘sublimely. Over our heads, the stars were 
 shining in unclouded lustre. In the eastern 
 hemisphere was the moon reposing on clouds 
 of the darkest. hue, whose summits were tip- 
 ped with glowing light; again ske awoke from 
 her sleep, and shed her trembling beams on 
 the boundless ocean. Such scenes delight and 
 _ravish my eyes above all this world affords ; 
 they raise my thoughts to Him, who by a word 
 brought all this immensity into existence. 
 ¢ Lord, what is man?’ How vain are all 
 ‘the pomps of this our world. I would soar 
 to those regions where my soul will be satis- — 
 fied by. a view of Him who, though infinite, 
 views with delight the spirit who seeks His. 
 - favour. 
 
 } 
 
 Sept. 8, 1809. 
 There is certainly more real pleasure and 
 solid satisfaction in the fulfilment of domestic 
 
60 MEMOIRS. OF 
 
 plans of usefulness, than are to be found in the 
 varieties of a new place and new scenes: these 
 soon cease to charm; and the want of full occu- 
 pation and means of being actively useful, press 
 on my mind. Ido not lie down at night with 
 the pleasing reflection that I have imparted 
 comfort to the aged by being eyes to them, and 
 reading to them a portion of that word which 
 is so much their support; nor can I reflect on 
 having endeavoured to speak a word for 
 religion to the careless poor, &c. I seem al- 
 most to live in vain, and long for the return 
 of that solid satisfaction which an endeavour at 
 usefulness inspires. 
 
 Ihave spent two evenings at the bathing- 
 rooms, very pleasantly. The gallery which 
 overlooks the sea is delightful. On one even- 
 ing I saw the phosphoric illumination of the 
 waves. I have occasionally met with two very 
 sensible women there ; one an officer’s widow, 
 young and lively; the other appears about 
 thirty, single and an invalid: with the latter a 
 had a good deal of serious conversation ; she 
 seems generally impressed with the importance 
 of religion ; and although not abstracted from 
 the gaieties of life, has but little relish for them, 
 Her judgment seems more powerful than = 
 
 q 
 
 resolution. I do indeed feel for such charac- 
 
 ters, who, whilst halting betwixt two opinions, 
 
 find enjoyment in neither; they feel the aching 
 void within: the world denies them comfort ; 
 
 Heaven offers it, but they refuse. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 61 
 
 - Sept. 15, 1809. 
 Walked to North Down, my fivbarite vil- 
 lage; it unites the beauties of Jandseape and 
 sea-views, and contains many very pretty farm- 
 houses. 
 From thence we crossed the fields to the 
 _Walpole-wreck ; walked for some distance on 
 the cliff; and then descended to the sands, which 
 -we found remarkably firm. The tide was fast 
 coming in: the azure sky reflected a most 
 lovely peacock bue on thesea. The flocks of 
 ocean were abroad ; we ran towards them, and 
 kissed them with our feet. 
 
 The cliffs in that part are strikingly wild ; 
 and the deep solitude which there reigned 
 among the caverns, added to the beauty of the 
 ‘marine productions, produced in us almost an 
 ‘ecstacy. In such scenes I am an enthusiast, 
 and hardly know what other circumstances 
 could produce equal rapture. — 
 
 The solemn silence which pervaded these 
 scenes rude and wild, very much added to the 
 interest they excited in my mind. 
 
 Sept. 15, 1809. 
 _ This day another year is added to my mortal 
 existence. Has the past year added any im- 
 provement to the preceding ones? It de- 
 mands self-recollection. How large the cata- 
 logue of mercies, of Divine favours !—Where 
 shall I begin to speak of goodness so bound- 
 less? No chasm made among my earthly 
 
62 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 friends; my dear parents still spared; yet in 
 possession of earthly abundance ; still in the 
 enjoyment of health, reason,’and all other 
 faculties. My heart alone is the offering I can 
 make to God for so many favours. I hope I 
 do record it with humble gratitude, that, for 
 the last six months, my affections have been 
 more given to God and religion than the pre~ 
 ceding six months: that I have been more 
 alive to the requirements of Christianity upom 
 my heart ; I have found more delight in deyo- 
 tion, and greater desires after conformity to 
 the Divine image; in short, religion has ap- 
 peared to me the one thing needful, and the 
 attainment of eternal glory the grand end of 
 my existence. 
 
 I feel daily more and more the need of 
 watchfulness and the influence of the Spirit to 
 keep alive my good desires and resolutions ; for: 
 I know my heart is deceitful, and the world 
 alluring.—Experience has shewn me, that on 
 great cause of religious declension is a car 
 lessness in devotion, and neglect of reading th 
 Scriptures ; hence I would have set seasons fo 
 both, and conscientiously observe them ; als 
 attend punctually, and as frequently as circum- 
 stances will admit, preaching in the week even 
 ings; I have found the benefit of this. The 
 worldly are very eager in the pursuit of thei 
 pleasures, pleasures which produce satiety: 
 shall I then, who am a probationer fo: 
 heavenly pleasures, be slow in seeking them 
 
 : 
 
MRS. COOPER. 63 
 
 —and shall I suffer every little trifle to rob me 
 f them? O forbid it! It is not an earthly 
 hadow, but an eternal substance, I seek after. 
 t demands my constant attention, my most 
 ervent devotions. . 
 Let not the universal carelessness which pre- 
 ails about unseen things deter me. Our Lord 
 ortold this ; he says, the gate is straight, and 
 mut few enter it; but He also forewarns me of 
 t place where the worm never dies. 
 I do record it, on this anniversary of my 
 irth, that I desire, more devotedly than I ever 
 ave done, to give myself up, all I have and 
 , to my God; to press forward in the Di- 
 ne life, and to aim at that perfection which is 
 ae glory and happiness of the saints. These 
 re my birth-day hopes and resolutions; and 
 y handwriting will witness against me if I 
 erve from these paths of religion and peace. 
 I hope J have gained something, from ob- 
 rvation, the past year. I live but to little 
 urpose if experience do not teach me; and if 
 e commission of error in one instance do not 
 ter me from the same, when a similar occa- 
 on offers. 
 I made some progress in history last winter : 
 e ensuing one, I purpose reading either 
 ume’s or Rapin’s History of England; and 
 t, alas! how much time is taken up with 
 ifles: for instance, I sit down to work, I 
 iter; I perhaps read in the interim, or look 
 : I wish to correct this, and when I return 
 
64 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ome to have more entire order in my pursuits ; 
 to husband time, as that for which I must give 
 account. May the succeeding year, if I live 
 to complete it, find me more decidedly devoted 
 to God; less earthly-minded, and abounding 
 more in good works. Mark this, religion is z 
 progressive work, no standing still ; either on 
 the advance or on the decline :—if it dwel 
 in the soul, it will transform the nature, sub. 
 due evil, and be gradually assimilating it te 
 the Divine image. 
 
 I have received a letter from my dear * 
 Mary Anne to day; my friendship for hei 
 glows with undiminished ardour. I thank 
 God for the gift of such a friend. I hope wi 
 shall more and more stimulate and stir up eacl 
 
 other to the pursuit of objects which are Di 
 vine; and to resign our all entirely:to ow 
 heavenly Father, who careth for those wh 
 seek His face. | 
 
 Sept. 17, 1809. . 
 
 I have heard three very excellent discourse 
 from the venerable Mr. Bull, in consequenc 
 of a sudden illness of Mr. Lake : he officiatec 
 at Zion Chapel. His sermon from Prov. ix. 5 
 had a reference to the Lord’s Supper, whicl 
 he afterwards administered in his own way 
 In the afternoon he preached from 1 Cor. i. 30 
 
 : 
 
 * Miss W., a pious young lady, one of her most inti 
 
 mate acquaintances. 
 
 2 
 
MRS. COOPER. 65 
 
 In the evening he was induced to choose. f.; 
 his text Psalm xxiii. 4. in consequence of the 
 death of a Mr. Atkinson, who the last Sunday 
 was a hearer in that chapel. 
 
 To hear such a Christian, who is on the 
 verge of glory, on the tip-toe of heavenly 
 expectation ; to hear him discourse on death ; 
 oh! it is soothing and encouraging to the 
 mind. He has given me a new view of the 
 text; by the metaphor of a shadow how much 
 consolation is implied! ‘As the Hebrew poets 
 ‘often availed themselves of objects in nature 
 to illustrate their meaning, so he supposed 
 that the figure, The shadow of death, was 
 borrowed from a very deep and dark valley, 
 through which the brook Cedron. passed. 
 Through this valley our dear Saviour passed . 
 ‘in going to the garden of Gethsemane. The 
 dark valley then is not death, but the shadow 
 of it. The believer does not die at all; it is 
 but the shadow of death. Conceive death in 
 its most tremendous form; yet, being a sha- 
 dow, there is no real substantial reason for 
 you to fear it: you walk through it, do not 
 stand in it ; and the Shepherd is at the end of 
 the valley to receive you. The rod signifies a 
 ‘crook, by which a shepherd may bring back ° 
 a wandering sheep ; it also implies afflictions 
 and trials. They are generally attendant on 
 death. By the staff is meant that power by 
 which God supports and comforts His people : 
 by the rod of affliction, and the staff of com- 
 
66 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 fort, they safely pass through the mee and 
 reach the place of eternal repose.’ I have 
 imperfectly noted a few of the remarks which’ 
 struck me. 
 
 Oct. 2, 1809. * 
 
 I oljoged my walk very much before break- 
 fast; the weather mild and peaceful; quite a 
 contrast to what it has been for the last fort- 
 night. Walked on my favourite Kingsgate 
 road as far as the Mill-hill; thence crossed. 
 the fields to Newgate, which ¥ descended, an 
 sat at the foot of the cliff for some tele: ‘not 
 a sound to break the deep repose; the state of 
 my mind accorded with it. I found much de- 
 light in that part of Baxter’s Saints’ Rest, in 
 which he enforces consideration as a chief hell 
 to heavenly contemplation. If the weather 
 permit, I will repeat my early visits to that 
 sacred spot: the time for my leaving them is 
 near at hand. 
 
 This evening there was a watch-night at the 
 Methodist chapel; the first time of my ever 
 being at one. It began at seven, and ended a 
 half-past nine. It was a very solemn service. 
 Mr. Cusworth preached, Mr. Williams deli- 
 vered an exhortation, and several of the society 
 engaged in prayer. The brevity and uncer- 
 tainty of life were chiefly dwelt upon, and th 
 importance of preparing for our latter end: 
 the whole was conducted in a very serious endl 
 impressive manner, 
 
 ¥ 
 a 
 - 
 
MRS. COOPER. 67 
 
 Oct. 5, 1809. 
 
 Almost the whole of yesterday morning, from 
 alf-past six, I was strolling by the sea-side, 
 mong cliffs and sands. I shall soon leave 
 hem, and that with much regret. My recol- . 
 ections of the two months I have spent here, 
 ust ever be pleasing to me; and my heart 
 ow exults with praise to God that so much of 
 y enjoyment has been derived from love to 
 im and His works. Whenever I have sought 
 tirement I have found it: hence the bustle 
 d gaiety of the place have not offended me. 
 have chiefly attended at the Wesleyan cha- 
 1; and have been much pleased, and I hope 
 ofited, by the preaching of Mr. Williams. 
 e manifests great theological knowledge; and 
 is preaching is quite of an experimental cast. 
 do become increasingly attached to the Wes- 
 yans : their preaching appears to me to com- 
 e more of the whole gospe! than I have be< 
 re heard: there is an earnestness in their 
 dresses which tends to keep alive the flame 
 Divine love in my heart, to give me fervour 
 prayer, and enlighten my understanding of 
 Scriptures. 
 This morning we took a delightful walk 
 ith Joseph to a very rustic village called 
 ash; surrounded by a great many trees, in 
 midst of which we discovered a mud-wall 
 tched cottage, the most rude of its kind I 
 yer beheld; every thing around it completed 
 
 picture. Icrept through the wicket gate, 
 
68 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 and was determined to see the inside ; whet 
 I found a good woman, who gave me a we 
 come peep at her little cot, in which ever 
 thing was very comfortable. She had live 
 there thirty years, and has eight children no 
 grown up. 
 
 This evening I -took a farewell evenit 
 walk in Hubbard’s gallery; a lovely star-lig! 
 night; the sea rolled in sublimely; rath 
 phosphoric. 1 had a very pleasing convers 
 tion with brother Joseph; we compared ot 
 occasional feelings of rapture in contemplatit 
 the works of God; surely of all earthly enjo 
 ments the most sublime, pure, and refine 
 Nature is an exhaustless store of entertai 
 ment. ‘ 
 
 Oct. 6, 1809. 
 Arose at dawn this morning to see Josey 
 off for London. ‘The morning star shone w: 
 splendour ; while bol 
 Aurora, daughter of the dawn, iy 
 With rosy lustre purpled o’er the lawn. 
 
 The sun had just unbarred the portals of 
 Kast, when I hasted forth to enjoy his sple 
 dour. Agreeably to my intention yesterda 
 I visited the favourite field of my dear brot 
 Joseph: it was so lovely that I lingered 
 awhile, contemplating the enchanting effec 
 of a morning sun laying his golden oe 
 woods, fields, and streams. Ah! what do fl 
 
MRS. COOPER. 69 
 
 Jothful lose. I had my second collection of 
 oetry, in which I found parts highly adapted 
 o enhance my enjoyment of the scene; some 
 f the Psalms I read with peculiar delight ; 
 articularly those three which begin ‘ The 
 Lord reigneth.’—I then proceeded to Dande- 
 ion; the gardens are pretty, and refreshing to 
 he sight. The larks, as I walked, sang their 
 
 orning song sweetly: every thing was so 
 ely that, though the distance was great, I 
 ound no fatigue: my heart was, indeed, up- 
 ifted to nature’s God, from whom I derived 
 prings of comfort and exultation. O blessed 
 asons! in which I have wandered forth alone, 
 nd found my solitude more sweet, more ani- 
 ating, than could be produced by all the ar- 
 ificial means the world offers. 
 
 I walked again from eleven to two, and ex- 
 lored nearly the whole of North-Down: it 
 
 remarkably shady; and the hedges in the 
 nes particularly luxuriant: the cottages and 
 rm-houses are strikingly picturesque. As I 
 alked, I read a great part of the second vo- 
 e of Mrs. West’s Letters; in which, as in 
 e first, she displays great acuteness of observ- 
 tion, and an uncommon sense of moral pro- 
 riety. As to religion, she defends our esta- 
 lishment in all its parts; and is, indeed, quite 
 eulogist; seceding from it seems, indeed, a 
 igh crime and misdemeanour. But there ap- 
 ars to me a grand deficiency in her system; 
 hile advocating a rational religion, she puts 
 
70 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 aside that vital experimental piety which is s 
 manifestly insisted on in the New Testament 
 and the fanaticism of a few misguided zealot 
 has induced her to conclude all religious fee! 
 ing to be enthusiasm. In this part she is ver 
 exceptionable, as also in her endeavour t 
 unite the world and religion, which I must eve 
 think incompatible. Notwithstanding this, sh 
 gives proof of having thought and read muc 
 on Christianity; and some very good remark 
 are the result. 
 
 I bad a long farewell to those sweet scene 
 on which I have often gazed with rapture. 
 
 Oct. 10. | 
 
 We left Margate on the 7th, and reache 
 Canterbury in the afternoon, where we me 
 with a very welcome reception from our kin 
 friends Mr. and Mrs. G 
 
 The country about Canterbury is mor 
 beautifully picturesque than any I have eve 
 before seen. Before breakfast I went to 4 
 the Dane John, a mound of earth said to have 
 been thrown up by the Danes in one night — 
 it. has a circular walk to the top, which com: 
 mands a fine view of the city and counleyy 
 near it are the ruins of an old castle: the for. 
 tifications are in this part in good preservation. 
 The ruins of St. Augustine’s monastery are a 
 very fine object. After breakfast, took a cou 
 try walk; saw St. Martin’s Church, the oldest 
 in England; remarkable only for Sty antiquity 
 
MRS. COOPER. 71 
 
 and situation. It was well I saw Margate 
 first; the country here is so much superior 
 that the comparison would not have been fa- 
 vourable; yet I shall ever think of Margate, as 
 having there enjoyed such heart-felt pleasure 
 in her less lovely walks. 
 
 | Oct. 11, 1809. 
 
 . I attended Cathedral service, and afterwards 
 walked through the building. The antiquity of 
 this church, its renown in history, excited in 
 my mind a peculiar interest. Its exterior is 
 very grand. As it was erected in the darkest 
 ages of popery, it contains many relics of its 
 thraldom. A hundred thousand pilgrims, from 
 all parts of the world, in one year, paid their 
 devotions at the shrine of Thomas a Becket! 
 he stone steps they ascended, quite worn into 
 ja curve, appear to authenticate this. An altar 
 was erected near the tomb of Edward the Black 
 Prince, before which, mass, morning and even- 
 ing, was offered up for the peace of his. soul! 
 The step on which these devotees knelt is also 
 worn into hollows. I saw a confessional also: 
 my heart rose with thankfulness to that God 
 who has caused those days of darkness to 
 cease.—There were two or three pieces of 
 sculpture which excited my admiration more 
 than any I ever before saw: one of Dean 
 cotton, in which he is represented as kneel- 
 ing before an altar of the most beautiful stone- 
 work : his posture is life, and the countenance 
 
72 MEMOIRS OF. 
 
 is expressive to a wonderful degree, particu 
 larly the ears. Another, of the founder c 
 Oxford University : there are two representa 
 tions of him; one of his appearance when i 
 full health, stout and handsome ; below it, i 
 the same posture, you see him as he was whe 
 he died, a mere skeleton, exquisitely executec 
 Above are twelve images of the apostles; an 
 one of the same size representing Death: o 
 the corresponding side is a figure of Time wit 
 his scythe. To discover all the beauties c 
 this place would require several hours’ inspec 
 tion. The chair on which the kings of Ken 
 were crowned is there; and is said to be th 
 greatest piece of antiquity in England: on i 
 the archbishops are installed into their office 
 The depredations of Cromwell are manifest i 
 various places. 
 
 I ascended the belfry, two hundred an 
 fourteen steps high: the prospect which th 
 highest tower commands is too beautiful fo 
 description. ‘The city with its various ruins 
 added to the uncommon richness of the coun 
 try; the river Stour beautifully meandering 
 through the richest vales, and the distant viey 
 of the cliffs near Ramegalil surpass descrip 
 tion. 
 
 Oct. 18, 1809. 
 
 The remains of my darling nephew I have 
 just seen committed to the cold and silen 
 tomb. All that pertains to death is awfullj 
 impressive; and, if we go not beyond the ey 
 
 a 
 
| MRS. COOPER. " 7 
 ‘of sense, it is overwhelming. Can the mortal 
 part charm when the spirit has left it? Oh! no. 
 Why is it then that the body, which must so 
 soon turn to corruption, occupies so large a 
 portion of our thoughts? It is vain. The spi- 
 rit which animated it cannot die, cannot see 
 corruption :—hence those who live a life of 
 ense, whose thoughts are occupied in decking 
 ‘his corruptible clay, have strangely lost the 
 ‘ight perception of things. How awful is our 
 ate, independent of revelation! Of few days, 
 jind full of trouble. The flowers which to-day 
 lelight and ravish our eyes, to-morrow are 
 ‘ut down and withered. All on earth must say 
 0 corruption, Thou art my mother, and to the 
 jvorm, Thou art my sister. Such is our destiny 
 iy nature. But thou, my soul, hast higher 
 opes, and sublimer expectations: thy immor- 
 jl interests are, through grace, thy chief con- 
 ern: thou hast been taught by the word of 
 rod, that though the outward tabernacle be 
 lissolved, thou hast a building of God, a house 
 lot made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
 oyful prospect! Live but in the preparation 
 
 r this, and death will lose its sting, the grave 
 fs terrors, and the world its charms. Well 
 
 en, be not cast down; all onearth is change- 
 ble : there is no rest here : thou hast proved 
 3 insufficiency to impart one moment’s real 
 lid satisfaction. But God is unchangeable ; 
 is arms of mercy are ever open to receive 
 ose Who seek Him; His promises are as eternal 
 E 
 
74 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 as Hisnature. The only wisdom is to seel 
 God, and to prepare to meet Him. Remem 
 ber, O my soul, that every day thou art callec 
 upon to remember thy God, to seek His favour 
 and to begin here that employ which is th 
 bliss of angels and glorified spirits. Religior 
 if.it exist in the soul, must subdue sin; it mus 
 be manifested in every action of the life; tem 
 pers must be sanctified, holy dispositions in 
 planted, These are the evidences of a stat 
 of grace; it is this which makes the soul eas 
 under all the afflictions of life; by the simp! 
 act of faith, the looking unto Jesus, the: 
 blessed effects will follow. This is the blesse 
 union which subsists between Christ and H 
 people ; these are the evidences of the indwel 
 ing of the Holy Spirit, which can make th 
 Christian joyous, happy, and even triumphan 
 in the anticipation of that event which 1 ha 
 this day witnessed. — 
 
 The silent tomb must be my last mort 
 abode : it may be very soon. The dear chil 
 three days before he died, was “Bosh 
 
 the bloom of health and beauty. Death, h 
 
 ing received his commission, unbarred to h 
 
 the gates of Paradise, and presented him as 
 trophy of the Redeemer’s blood. And, Ob! 
 when mortal paleriess is on my cheek, glory | 
 but in my soul; kind messenger, ae iy 
 gloomy train, I will welcome thy approae 
 and hail thee as a friend, sider sill 
 
 4 
 
MRS. COOPER. 45 
 
 Oct. 30, 1809, 
 
 Once again I have theenjoyment of my quiet 
 home. Mercy has surrounded me ever since I 
 left it; mercy now gladdens my heart, and 
 makes me in some degree possess that peace 
 which passeth understanding. Shall I ever 
 leave those paths of religion on which I have 
 entered? Ever return to that world with which 
 Tam at variance? Oh! no. With the practice 
 of religion is connected much enjoyment; in 
 the experience of religion is found’ the peace 
 md joy which fills and satisfies the immortal’ 
 joul. [tis only the Spirit of God which ean 
 jatisfy the spiritof man: religion alone affords 
 bjects worthy of its regard. 51 
 | How many motives have I for constant 
 rayer, for daily importunity with God, that I 
 aay be kept in the paths of life and happiness ! 
 "or this end, I must continue to use those means 
 vhich the Holy Spirit hath blessed tome. If I 
 jorsake God, I shall lose the light of His coun- 
 enance, bring bitterness on my soul, and dis- 
 race my profession. O blessed God! I desire 
 gain to devote myself to Thy service ; I give 
 Phee my heart, and would intreat Thee to im. 
 art a portion of Thy Spirit, that every faculty 
 £ my soul may be renewed. is 
 
  Nov.'10, 
 This morning the Wesleyan chapel’ was 
 pened by Mr. Moore; and inthe evening Dr. ' 
 Jarke preached. The edification ‘have found 
 E2 
 
76 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 in that connection is a powerful motive for my 
 embracing every opportunity of attending the 
 ministration of God in that place. In truth, my 
 views of religion have been so much enlarged 
 and invigorated for the last eight months, that 
 the prior knowledge I had of it seems to me 
 now to have been more speculative than expe- 
 rimental, more notional than practical. . 
 
 Nov. 16, 1809. 
 The life of God in the soul can only be 
 maintained by constant watchfulness: it is vain 
 to compromise with the world; by so doing 
 spirituality is banished. A ‘well grounded 
 peace with God can only be possessed by t 
 heart that has entirely, without any reser 
 given up all to God. ' 
 The inestimable blessing of Divine illumina 
 tion, the gift of the Holy Spirit, is only p 
 mised to those that seek it. Perseverance 
 needful; and when the infinite value of th 
 gift is considered, surely the soul should pos 
 _itself with patience and diligent seeking till't 
 Divine breathing be communicated. I h 
 always found the blessings of grace dispense 
 to me in proportion to my diligence in seeki 
 them. Much profit I have found by stated sea 
 sons of devotion, and devotional reading. Thi 
 is, indeed, great encouragement for me mo: 
 diligently and importunately to seek that sen 
 of God’s pardoning merey which shall diffu 
 the peace which passeth understanding. M 
 
 : 
 i 
 
MRS. COOPER. ri | 
 
 have sweetly experienced this, and have given 
 proof that they have obtained it by an entire 
 renewal of the soul ; this is the lost image of 
 God restored. 
 
 My confidence in God is greatly strength- 
 ened, The world has lost all its charms for 
 me; and ‘the pearl of great price’ is what I 
 most desire to possess :—to keep my heart with 
 -all diligence, to watch the first risings of sin, 
 -and to fear the quenching of the Holy Spirit— 
 ‘this be now my care and business. Religion 
 demands my time, my talents, and my affec- 
 ‘tions; and I bless God T have no desire to 
 ‘make any reserve. I desire to be wholly the 
 Lord’s ; and to prove it by holiness in all 
 manner of conversation. I must indeed daily 
 pray and strive against pride, and warmth of 
 temper : the first manifests itself when my fa- 
 yourite opinions are opposed. Here, indeed, 
 a strict watch is necessary. I must avoid con- 
 troversy in religion; and remember that acri- 
 ony and taking offence are great proofs that 
 iety has not its due influence on the heart. 
 
 Nov. 29, 1809. 
 . Since my return from Margate I have made 
 carcely any progress in my historical reading: 
 e bent of my taste and inclinations has been 
 o strongly towards theology and devotional 
 jooks, that I have but little relish for trifling 
 eading. My mind is now, I think, made up as 
 the scriptural nature and holy tendency of 
 
78 MEMOIRS OF . 
 
 the doctrines Mr. Wesley embraced and en: 
 forced. I have been happy in the investiga. 
 tion; and am most firmly perstiaded that hi: 
 view of Christian perfection is at once the pri 
 -vilege and the happiness of the Christian ; at 
 eminence which it is necessary to strive ant 
 pray to obtain. It is not for us to sit down it 
 calm indifference, and wait for these influence 
 of the Holy Spirit; this blessing is only be 
 stowed on those who believe, and who earnest 
 ly pray and wait for this full redemption. Al 
 though I am not yet the happy possessor of it 
 I am greatly encouraged by that promise 
 Psalm cxlv. 12. ‘He will fulfil the desire o 
 ihem that fear Him: He also will hear theirery 
 and will save them.’ I must watch and re 
 and live by faith on Jesus Christ, who ‘hati 
 said, ‘Ask and ye shall receive;’ and while . 
 do this in sincerity, I shall not be confounde 
 for His promises are as immutable as His natare 
 
 To-morrow there will bea love-feast : Tar 
 permitted to attend. There seem difficultie 
 in the way of my joining the society, or I cer 
 tainly would ; I owe much to their preaching 
 and this is a debt I hope still to increase 
 There is a simplicity of mind about them ¢ 
 which I desire to partake ; as a new-born bab 
 to receive the sincere milk of the word, “1 
 I may grow thereby. 
 
 “ 
 
 Dec. 2, 1809. 
 Only blessed are they who have a present sak 
 
 ] 
 
MRS. COOPER. 79 
 
 yation; who, with holy confidence, can call 
 God, Abba Father : this blessed relation pro- 
 ducing conformity to His will, and a supreme 
 Jove to Him and His ways. 
 
 | 
 
 : 
 * But while I seek and find Thee not, 
 
 “ No peace my wandering soul shall see.’ 
 
 For the last week 1 hope I have in sincerity 
 waited on God in prayer. I believe I have; 
 nor can I charge myself with indifference to- 
 wards Him. Yet. alas! I am in bondage. 
 ‘Before £ went to sleep one night, I asked 
 ‘myself; ‘Should Death present himself to 
 me this night, have I a ground of confidence 
 ‘ensure my peace at the summons?’ Alas! 
 no. Doubts prevailed. Were I justified by 
 faith, [I feel assured that death would have 
 ‘no terrors in my apprehension. Well then, 
 I must wait the coming ofthe Lord. Though 
 ‘He seem to tarry long, true and faithful is 
 His word. Another source of grief I find in 
 the want of spirituality of mind: when I 
 awake in the morning, my thoughts wander 
 upon trifles—but, Oh! how rarely do they fix 
 themselves on God; and rise in holy aspira- 
 tions to His glorious name. Were God the 
 supreme, the only object of my love, would not 
 my thoughts be of Him, last at night, and ‘first 
 in the dawn of morn?’ I was much comforted 
 ‘by a sermon of Mr. Martin’s, on Monday 
 evening, on the omniscience of God. ‘Will 
 
80 , MEMOIRS OF . | 
 God in very deed dwell with men? Behold! 
 the heaven, &c.’ I have suffered much from 
 unbelief on this head. Of how many precious 
 consolations have I been robbed by the evil 
 suggestion, ‘Doth God, indeed, (concerned 
 as He is with the infinitude of His affairs,) 
 stoop to notice my mean concerns?” * Mr. M. 
 forcibly appealed to my reason, and my re- 
 ligion, as to the absurdity and evil of these 
 suggestions. God is a spirit, and no spirit 
 can exist without His energy: indeed, were 
 it otherwise, it would imply an imperfection 
 in His nature. From Satan are all those 
 dishonourable doubts which have at times 
 but too much occupied my thoughts. “Ir 
 adopting the sentiments of the Wesleya 
 I have thought it justice to myself, and to th 
 cause of truth, well to study, think upon, ¢ andi in- 
 vestigate the matter: perhaps this external ex 
 amination has been unfavourable to inte 
 piety. Locke’s Essay on St. Paul’s Epistle: 
 has fully satisfied me of the injustice of taking 
 detached verses or passages to build a doc 
 trine upon; which were the whole ten 
 and design of the letter or epistle taken, 
 would have a primary and different signifi- 
 cation. The Apostle’s arguments in his Epis- 
 tle to the Romans are more especially re- 
 spective of the Jews and Gentiles. This 
 seems clear in reading the whole Epistle at 
 once, and by this we may ascertain the drift 
 of his argument. 
 
 ¢ 
 
: MRS. COOPER. Sl 
 
 The last week I enjoyed many moments 
 of sweet inexpressible consolation; at times. 
 I enjoyed an ejaculatory communion with 
 God ; although I have not had that distinct 
 assurance of His pardoning love, for which I 
 most earnestly pray; yet I cannot but .re- 
 ceive these occasional visitations of His favour. 
 as tokens for good; that in His own time I 
 shall experience that blissful union with Him, 
 nd that ardent love to Him which I desire. 
 O my God, have I not given myself up to 
 Thee? Is not my entire dependence on Thy 
 loyed Son, whom Thou didst give a ransom 
 for all? I desire to act constant faith on Him; 
 o give Him the best, the warmest desires of 
 heart; to have Him reign unrivalled there ! 
 Shall I seek His face in vain? No, I cannot 
 doubt His promise, who, to the present time, 
 been so faithful. It is through His grace 
 am what I am; and that I-can truly say, 
 I desire God as my portion. My happiness 
 nd hopes are centered alone in Him; and I 
 ong and pray to have every faculty of my 
 soul absorbed in Divine love. This will reno- 
 vate my nature, and make me grieve even at 
 the thought of sinning against so much good- 
 ess. Though I outwardly check the evils of 
 my nature, yet if they rise within, what cause 
 of humility and of constant application to the 
 blood of Jesus! 
 
 | 
 | ok lau Dec. 11, 1809. 
 
 E3 
 
82: MEMOIRS OF- 
 
 Dec. 13. 
 
 I believe that an habitual sense of the uncer- 
 tainty of life would be the most prevailing in- 
 centive to a devotional holy frame of mind. 
 {twas an unhallowed thought that arose, (1 
 checked ‘it by the above consideration) ‘ Why 
 this early strictness; you are yettoo young? how 
 will you be able to maintain present views for 
 many years?’ My time is in Thy hands, O God. 
 Do I not desire Thy favour as a present happi- 
 ness? DoJ not strive to overcome my sins, 
 that I may enjoy, Thee, and through Thy Spirit 
 be prepared for everlasting blessedness? And 
 is not the delight, the sacred composure result- 
 ing from the conquest of sin, infinitely more 
 desirable than being overcome by it? » w 
 
 I wish to take the wor of God as it is: that 
 is fuith, to receive it with child-like simplicity ; 
 to be taught by the Spirit; this is the wisdom 
 ask of God. What is earthly wisdom in com 
 parison of this ? But the wisdom the Most High 
 imparts here He will perfect hereafter, ‘in the 
 fioods of celestial iight.’ Not that I decry 
 earthly knowledge :—it is most desirable when 
 in subserviency to religion. History and sci-' 
 ence may beconsecrated at the cross; they en- 
 large our conception of God’s dealings withthe 
 world, and of His infinite wisdom, power and 
 goodness in the wonderful formation and pre- 
 servation of the world, and all therein. Here 
 we discover our slender conceptions, and our’ 
 
MRS, COOPER. 83 
 
 feeble attempts to.trace the causes of the vari- 
 
 ous phenomena, the effects of which so forcibly 
 strike us. O! bend low at the footstool of the 
 Deity ; man is but a worm : if thou bea Christ- 
 ian, the world is a conquered enemy. Where 
 should it lie then, but at thy feet ? 
 
 Dec. 20, 1809. 
 
 Daily experience convinces me how depend- 
 ent Tam on God for all spiritual assistance, 
 atid for the power through which I can perse- 
 vere. Without His present help, who fills 
 heaven and earth, I sink, I die. I have power 
 to use the means; and no blessings ever 
 attend me without them. But the means 
 would be no blessings were I not to seek the 
 assistance of the Spirit of "God. 
 
 Were I to read trifling books, pay trifling 
 visits, or neglect stated seasons for devotion, 
 my poor heart would again become the seat of 
 earthly vanities. 
 
 Thus far 1 am a free agent; I can avoid the 
 former, and can direct my attention to the lat- 
 ter: and by so doing I often find the blessed 
 presence of God. 
 
 Though I am still an entire debtor to His 
 grace, yet God works by means ; and He is 
 faithful to His promises; those that seek do 
 find, and the bruised reed He will not break, 
 Ungrateful should I be, after what I have 
 experienced of God’s goodness, were I to 
 tempt Him to forsake me now that my out- 
 
84 _ MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ward circumstances so much conspire to ren- 
 der an attendance upon Him easy and fe 
 lightful. 
 
 Blessed Spirit, still visit me with Thy gi gras 
 cious influences ! 
 
 Dec. 21. 
 
 I have generally returned from visiting pro- 
 fessors of religion with great dissatisfaction. 
 The great Redeemer, who might so justly 
 claim the chief of their thoughts, has been the 
 only neglected topic of conversation. How 
 often have I been grieved ! how often attempted 
 in vain to introduce eternal things! Not so this 
 evening: I have returned home from Mr. S.’s 
 with a hear more disposed for devotion, and. 
 more impressed with the love of God. The 
 characters of two eminent servants of God, 
 Mr. W. and Mr. Pearce, (the latter deceased,) 
 were subjects of converse and itn 
 ‘How did my heart rejoice at the lovely accounts 
 of Mr. W.’s family devotions, and habitual 
 fervent piety. O may I remember the ei 
 Lord is rich unto all that call upon Him. How 
 great must have been his obstacles, and how 
 powerful the temptation arising from his ex- 
 alted station. . 
 
 How inexcusable I shall be if, amid all my 
 advantages, I should fall short; and so not 
 having the Spirit of Christ, be none of His.—_ 
 Arise, my soul], call upon Thy God, and seek 
 the choicest blessings of His grace. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 85 
 
 ‘Dee: 22, 1809. . + 
 For the last’ three years (since we left town) 
 I have almost entirely neglected receiving the 
 Lord’s Supper. I believe! ] have suffered bach 
 _loss by it; as when I did receive it I found it 
 a very quickening mean of grace: so since I 
 ceased to enjoy this Divine ordinance, I have 
 often been overwhelmed with lukewarmness ; 
 jand, when sometimes roused to greater aii 
 gence in the pursuit of eternal things, the ob- 
 stacles have been many, viz. my great distance 
 from the Lock Chapel, a prevailing dislike to 
 the idea of joining the independent meeting, 
 rom my not being decidedly a dissenter ; and, 
 lastly, the mode of admission to this blessed or- 
 dinance among them, by a church examination. 
 I feel, indeed, very thankful to God that the 
 way is now clear before me: an unexpected 
 door is open, and I am onceagain invited to the 
 lessed feast of the Saviour’s love in the Me- 
 hodist Chapel, where I have received so much 
 piritual benefit without any obstacle, either 
 rom circumstances or conscience ; being near 
 ny own house, administered in the church of 
 ngland mode, which I always preferred; and 
 ny admission to this heavenly ordinance among 
 his people is from the impression of my being 
 decided character. O may I never deceive 
 yselfor others, but more ‘perfectly love Thee, 
 nd more worthily magnify Thy holy name, O 
 Lord, for ever and ever.’ 
 
 _ How kind wasthe Redeemer in thus leaving 
 
86 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 a sensible memorial of His unbounded love, 
 Remeniber, my soul, that this sacrament, in its 
 spiritual extent, is a covenant by which Jesus 
 erigages to dwell in thy heart by faith ; and if 
 it be properly entered into on thy part, thou 
 dost dedicate thy body, soul, and spirit unto 
 the Lord; firmly purposing to devote every 
 power and faculty to glorify thy Redeemer so 
 long as thou hast a being. | 
 O Thou that hearest prayer, to Thee I can 
 appeal as to the sincerity of my desires of giv- 
 ing myself up to Thee. Is it not my daily 
 prayer to live by faith on my Redeemer? Do 
 I not ask with importunity for the gift of Thy 
 Spirit to enable me to perform my resolutions, 
 to overcome every sin, and to seek for entire 
 sanctification. When, by Thy grace, 1 have 
 been enabled to overcome outward temptations, 
 yet what reason have I had to be humble for 
 the corruptions of my nature; the risings | 
 temper, pride, &c. which have been naked and 
 open to Him who is of purer eyes than tc-be- 
 hold iniquity? What reason for constant 
 humility and application to the blood of the 
 covenant. ‘ Without holiness no man shall 
 see the Lord.’ O that these words may be 
 engraven on the tablet of my heart: I have 
 no time to lose ; the present is all I can call 
 my own. I must therefore labour to enter into 
 this rest; and act constant faith on Him with 
 whom all things are possible, even my present 
 sanctification. O may I examine myself strictly 
 
MRS. COOPER: 87 
 
 by the word of God whether I be in the faith; 
 
 whether the works of the Spirit be manifest; 
 and whether God be gradually restoring my 
 ‘soul to His Divine image. I am not my own 
 ‘but Thine, blessed Lord. I have given myself 
 ‘up to Thee ; my hopes and fears, joys and sor- 
 rows, have they not their source from Thy 
 word? ‘The world is an enemy’s country ; 
 ‘but through it I must journey to the heavenly 
 city. O that I may keep that in sight: there. 
 will be a full compensation for all the thorns 
 and briars, and buffetings, by the way. O Lord, 
 icin my soul with Thy precious love; and I 
 will welcome adversity, crosses, pains and dis- 
 appointments. Give me but faith in the unseen 
 world, and I will trample the present world un-: 
 Jer my feet. 
 
 Dec. 23, 1809. 
 | £1 have had a most pleasing anticipation of 
 | he services of to-morrow, once again to be in- 
 
 | yited to the spiritual banquet prepared by my 
 i 
 | 
 
 Saviour; once again to have those precious 
 words addressed to me. ‘ Take, eat: thisis my 
 pody.” If faith be but in exercise, shall I not. 
 ve strengthened to run the race to obtain the 
 prize? Will not my beart be more warmed, 
 My graces more nourished, my corruptions: 
 nore weakened, my hopes of assurance more’ 
 eightened? If I do not receive these bless-. 
 ngs, I must impute it to the weakness of my: 
 nith.. But let me examine myself whether my- 
 
88 MEMOIRS OF’ 
 
 heart be fitly prepared for the reception. of 
 these Divine mysteries. "What is my advance- 
 ment in knowledge? Has the recollection of 
 the sins of my early years, of the mis-improve- 
 ment of that light inspired into my mind at an 
 early period; of my heart wanderings from 
 God after I had made an outward profession 
 in 1803; of my careless performance of pri- 
 vate prayer and devotional reading; of my 
 lukewarmness and mis-improvement var the or- 
 dinances of God? Have J been humbled be- 
 fore God, and have I sought forgiveness 
 through Christ for these manifold transgres- 
 sions? Have I bewailed these offences as com- 
 mitted against God’s purity, and as the basest 
 ingratitude? If I have, can I find more humi- 
 lity, more watchfulness, more intense desires 
 after entire conformity to God? Lord, 1 have 
 not the evidences I desire to have; yet, a 
 be Thy name, I can trace earnest desires and 
 endeavours after them; and I daily wait at 
 Thy feet for these blessings, for the fulfilment 
 of Thy promises. -‘ Without faith it is impos- 
 sible to please God.’ Have I used the little 
 imparted to me! By contemplating the unseen 
 world, and by a lively persuasion that my only 
 trust and hope of present and future happiness 
 is from the Redeemer’s love, I have rejoiced 
 with joy unspeakable ; sweet peace has shed its 
 balmy influence on my heart, and I have ex- 
 claimed, ‘ My beloved is mine, and I am His.’ 
 —How have I loved retirement on these ccas 
 
MRS. COOPER. 89 
 
 sions, and mused on the precious love of God to 
 my soul? Surely, O Lord, it was Thy Spirit 
 working on my heart. How lovely was Christ? 
 how hateful the appearances of evil to my soul, 
 which at those seasons panted after Thee? Were 
 not these exercises of faith? Lord, increase 
 my faith. Help me to be watchful against the 
 risings of sin, and to be importunate with Thee 
 for larger degrees of humility. O that hea- 
 venly grace! ' 
 _ Jesus, my Teacher, can I ever indulge high- 
 mindedness, self-love and vain conceit? I shall 
 have strangely forgotten Thee as my Pattern, 
 who wast meek and lowly of heart, if these 
 
 ples, if ye have love one to another.’ 
 Dol love the image of Christ wherever I 
 aehold it reflected in any of His members? 
 ‘an I esteem grace though in poverty? Do I 
 yehave with Christian humility to all who love 
 he Saviour, and strive to promote their in- 
 erests as far as L have ability? In this Ido 
 ‘ejoice, and humbly hope I may add an affirm- 
 itive to each of these queries. Lord, increase 
 ny love of them and Thee. ; 
 Is my obedience to Christ constrained ; or 
 Joes it proceed from love and entire willing- 
 yess to be His in body, soul and spirit ? Blessed 
 Saviour, can I contemplate Thy life, death, 
 nd sufferings, and be insensible to the amaz- 
 ng sacrifice, the astonishing love which could 
 
90 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 induce Thee to leave the realms of uncreate: 
 blessedness that Thy creature man might bi 
 reconciled to an offended God? Didst Tho 
 offer Thyself a voluntary sacrifice for my sins 
 and shall I hesitate whether I shall give up al 
 to Thee 2 Impossible—poor, indeed, is the re 
 turn—yet, as Thou art supremely lovely ii 
 my esteem, I wish to make no reserve, but t 
 dedicate all my powers to Thee, and have al 
 my desires centre in Thee; nothing but Th: 
 love can satisfy my soul.—O be present wit! 
 me when I bow before Thy altar, and partak 
 of the broken bread, emblem of that preciou 
 body which: was broken on the cross; an 
 drink of that wine, commemorative of Th 
 most precious blood, which flowed for the sal 
 vation of Thy guilty creatures: I am ver 
 weak and helpless, but Thou art strong an 
 mighty. I want heavenly wisdom that i nt 
 understand the heights and depths of redeem 
 ing love. I want to love the Lord with al 
 my heart, with all my soul, with all. mi 
 strength; oa to love my dhighboue as my 
 self. Thou alone canst make me:a partake 
 of these amazing blessings. O may I not asl 
 amiss, but receive of Thee grace, constantly t 
 seek Thy favour, and live upon Thy reveale 
 word. 
 
 | 
 
 Dec. 25, 1809. 
 Yesterday I heard Mr. Benson preach th 
 
 times: it was the most delightful Sabbath ] 
 
 oe 
 
| MRS, COOPER. 9] 
 
 ever spent. His sermon in the morning was 
 from John i. 12. In elucidating the begin- 
 
 ning of that chapter, I was surprised and de- 
 lighted with his clear views of the Trinity; a 
 subject on which, I had previously under- 
 \stood, he excelled. In the first head of his 
 discourse he shewed what was. meant by re- 
 ceiving Christ, accepting him alone as a 
 eacher, trusting him as a Mediator, loving 
 him as the only Redeemer, and acknowledg- 
 ing him as our Governor; he being the Au- 
 hor of eternal salvation, only to those who 
 obey him. Ried 
 I was enabled, I trust, through the Sririt’s 
 influence, to believe my interest in Him. IL 
 could no longer withstand; but in my heart 
 said, ‘ My beloved is mine, and I am His.’ 
 ow sweetly did he expatiate upon the privi- 
 eges of God’s children! How did he unfold the 
 blessed effects. of that holy relationship, and 
 urge us yet to press forward and seek after an 
 entire conformity to the image of God. 
 In the afternoon he preached from 1 Tim. 
 j. 15. in the evening from 1 John iii. 8. The 
 ord’s Supper was not administered till to 
 Jay by Mr. Martin. Surely this is a day which 
 shall have in everlasting remembrance. 1 
 found the chapel to be none other than the house 
 of God, and the gate of Heaven; surely I was 
 enabled to feed upon Christ in my heart by 
 faith, with thanksgiving. I bless and praise 
 hee, my Redeemer, for Thy presence manis 
 
92 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 fested to me this day. By faith have I enter 
 ed the manger where the blessed Jesus con. 
 descended to make His appearance; doing ho 
 nour to our nature in veiling His Godhead it 
 our humanity. O I left my burden in th 
 manger! my faith kindled at the sight; He i 
 my bright and morning star; and, while He 
 sheds the Divine radiance on my soul, Ian 
 supremely happy. Perhaps Thou hast sent me 
 this asa cordial; as a preparative for trials 
 O Lord, FT want a faith that will overcome al 
 difficulty, all opposition, and all discourage: 
 ment. I want a faith, operating on ever; 
 power of my soul: I want to be subdued en. 
 tirely to Thy grace, and know no will bu 
 Thine. O Lord, while I am seeking strength 
 from Thee, and acting faith upon Thee, I shal 
 not grieve Thee by separating from Thy mile 
 and lovely government: but O leave me n 
 to myself; for, separate from Thee, I fall: se- 
 parate from Thee I only know disquietude, an¢ 
 am left to the darkness and ignorance of my 
 own mind. r 
 This day I have again sealed the covenant ; 
 I have enlisted under the banners of the cross, 
 and am no longer my own but His; bought 
 with the price of the Redeemer’s blood. How 
 powerful are my motives for persevering 
 What! shall I forsake the Fountain of on 
 waters, the streams of which have gladdene 
 my heart, and introduced a taste of heave’ 
 Shall I ever again try the world—that de 
 
 4 
 
MRS. COOPER: 93 
 
 geiver? Shall I, with eternity before me; I 
 who can only ensure the present ow, shall I 
 again run the risk of losing my title to immor- 
 tality, by indulging lukewarmness and indif- 
 ference; by sciflines or mis-improving the time 
 given me for so important a work ?——— 
 
 ' OLord, [beseech Thee, be Thou my Helper, 
 seep Thy abode in my heart; and let me ex- 
 erience more and more the love, the joy, the 
 yeace of believing. In proportion as I do 
 ‘his, shall J deeciaitd the poor offerings of this 
 in world ; and see the inadequacy of human 
 nowledge for immortal powers; as also the 
 anger, the misery, of allowing the heart to 
 e divided, of making a truce with the world, 
 hich was always God’s enemy; and there- 
 re is and ought to be mine. ‘ Bless the 
 rd, O my soul; and zever forget this rag : 
 venefits.’ 
 
 Dec. 29, 1809. 
 I have, with little intermission, enjoyed the 
 anifestation of God’s love in my soul the 
 st week; in one instance I grieved the Spirit 
 € God. Oh! what sensations of anguish did 
 t occasion me? by earnest prayer I was re- 
 red to peace before night. From this I 
 arn the necessity of being continually watch- 
 1. To be overcome by sin; what bitterness 
 s it occasion? how are evidences clouded? 
 w does the soul recoil at the idea, that the 
 on of God is thereby crucified afresh? what 
 
94 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 carefulness has it wrought in me ever since! 
 how importunate was I the following morning 
 for God’s grace to keep me from the approach 
 of evil. In tender mercy He has heard my 
 prayer: I feel convinced that sin must be : 
 strange work to the believer; it is incompa 
 tible with the indwelling of the Spirit of God 
 I long to feel deeper the Spirit’s influence ; ] 
 want to be filled with that holy love which shall 
 make me increasingly superior to the allure 
 ments of sense, which shall make my affection 
 spiritual, and keep me aspiring after entir 
 subordination and love to God ; so that hea 
 ven begun below may be my happy portion 
 O I have felt the joy arising from a sens 
 of pardon ; may I never forfeit it by sinning 
 against the God of all goodness, who, in si 
 much mercy, answered my prayers. My fnid 
 is, alas! very weak. Oh may I more ‘full 
 comprehend the large extent of that salvatior 
 Christ came to bestow, even a deliverance fron 
 the power of all sin; a vital and mysteriou: 
 union of the soul with Himself; that * white 
 stone which no man knoweth save he that re: 
 ceiveth it.’ ” 
 
 } 
 ? 
 
 : 
 
 ' [On entering into a solemn covenant wi 
 God at the commencement of the New Y 
 she makes the following: iene and resol 
 tions :—] ar 
 
 2 
 
MRS. COOPER. 95 
 
 . Jan.7, 1810. 
 
 “ J have this day added to my obligations of 
 living only and closely to God. I have en- 
 tered into a public and solemn covenant with 
 the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to give up 
 my body, soul, and spirit, all I have and all I 
 am, to Him, as a most reasonable service, God 
 's my Witness, that my heart is sincere in this 
 self-dedication ; that I choose Christ with His 
 joke, Hiscross,and Hiscrown, ‘ in preference to 
 ae world, its wealth, its pleasures, and itscurse.” 
 Things temporal are but as a shadow ; things 
 hich are eternal are substantial. O my God, 
 hy eye-lids try the children of men; Thou hast 
 vitnessed and ratified in heaven that most 
 olemn renunciation which I have made of sin 
 d self; I have given myself up to Thee as 
 “hy servant.—Choose Thou for me my future 
 rtion; be my inheritance. O blissful thought! 
 he eternal God, who by a word spake all 
 reation into existence, who was from ever- 
 sting to everlasting, even He whose exist- 
 nce is so incomprehensible, has promised to 
 ake up His abode in the contrite heart. This 
 His revelation: the world by wisdom knew 
 not: it was a stretch too vast for human 
 ought, that He whom the heaven of heavens 
 nnot contain, should thus condescend to visit 
 very heart that will make Him room. O fill my 
 ul with Thy love, and heaven shall commence 
 ere. QO-that I may daily take up my cross 
 d follow Thee; be under the teachings of Thy 
 
96 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Spirit; and never never grieve Him, but be 
 more and more assimilated to the image of 
 God; possessing that inward and outward 
 holiness without which the gates of heaven 
 will be closed to me.—Hence may I learn that 
 as the present moment is all I can insure; s0, 
 constant and present living on Christ is my 
 duty and privilege: and to depend on that 
 grace which He has said shall be sufficient.— 
 This is living by faith: this is the life I desire 
 to live; and if there be any secret sin which 
 rises up in opposition, Holy Spirit, convine 
 me of it; and let me not rest satisfied, be ; 
 right arm or a right eye, till it is cut off o 
 plucked out !—Help me diligently to use a 
 the means of grace Thou hast prescribed, f 
 the utter destruction of all my corruption 
 and to watch against all temptations, par 
 cularly those of prosperity. That is a har 
 trial to a Christian, it being but rarely hi 
 element in this world.—Thy holy word I ta 
 to be the rule of my life; to Thy yoke I submi 
 O be Thou my Teacher and my Instructor i 
 meekness and lowliness of heart; in purity ) 
 intention, in habitual devotion of mind, in a 
 holy superiority to the allurements of sense, 
 and the fascinations of pleasure! O give me 
 that living water that I may never thirst; and 
 let it spring up within me unto everlastir 
 life!—Anien and Amen. . 
 MARY HANSON. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 97 
 
 P Jan. 1). 1810. 
 
 _ Ihave enjoyed much of the Divine presence 
 this day; my soul has been filled with love 
 and peace. 
 
 *Renounce all strength but strength Divine, 
 * And peace shall be for ever mine.’ 
 
 By simply believing and looking unto Jesus, are 
 received all those Divine blessings which cause 
 the enraptured soul to say, ‘My Father, my 
 God, and my Friend.’ God is indeed faith- 
 ful to His promises: when I seek His face and 
 His favour with sincerity, when J desire it as 
 my chief good, then He by His Spirit manifests 
 Himself, gives me power over sin, and imparts 
 a peace which passeth understanding.—I am 
 jealous of any interruption to these sublime 
 motions ; His presence, who fills heaven and 
 earth alone, satisfies my soul : I desire no other 
 ompany. ‘This peace can only be maintained 
 by conquest over sin. And, Oh ! how impossible, 
 while under these sacred influences, to be 
 uffled by passion, or overcome by pride.— - 
 louds may succeed this sunshine. O my God, 
 repare me for Thy will, for I have given up 
 1y own.—Prepare me for temptation and suf- 
 ring ; may I be strengthened by these proofs 
 f Thy paternal care, and take up my cross 
 nd follow Thee daily. 
 
 Jan. 22, 1810. 
 _ When the soul is impressed with a sense of 
 F 
 
98 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 the Divine presence and love, the world in vain 
 attempts to seduce: feeling its celestial origin 
 and destination, the soul leaves sensible ob- 
 jects, and soars to the pure Fountain of life and 
 happiness. . 
 
 O my God, I acknowledge Thy goodness to 
 the present moment: the last week I was in 
 London, a place of all others I had before 
 found unfavourable for meditation; and yet, 
 glory to Thy name, Thou wast there present 
 to my soul ; Thou art ; 
 
 * In the void waste as in the city full.’ 
 
 I have returned to my loved closet, strength 
 ened and animated to run with vigour the race 
 set before me. O Thou best of beings ; one ray 
 of Thy benignity can impart the most solid and 
 exquisite delight : in the contemplation of Thee 
 how does my soul expand? How does it long 
 to possess the fruition of Thy grace and glory? 
 It is then I feel fettered by mortality. O may 
 drink deeper into these holy mysteries, and 
 feel more powerfully that Thy Spirit is within 
 me; that my life is hid with Christ in God. 
 
 © Saviour of mankind, how inadequate is a 
 life, an eternity of praise, to shew forth Thy 
 love to my poor soul. O may my short life be 
 a life of otedience ! 
 
 Jan. 24,1810, 
 It is with peculiar gratitude I record that 
 2 a 
 
MRS. COOPER. 99 
 
 the last months of the past year have been, in 
 a spiritual sense, the best of my life : God has 
 been faithful to His word; shall I ever forsake 
 Him, and grieve His Spirit by lukewarmness ? 
 Unless I persevere in fervent prayer, in devo- 
 tional retirement, and constant watchfulness, 
 the ensnaring world, and my more ensnaring 
 heart, will gain the victory; and heaven and 
 eternity will be but rarely contemplated. O my 
 God, save me from this! never can I know 
 true peace independent of Thee: O enable me 
 ‘0 prefer Thee to all the world besides ; and to 
 xercisea never failing trust in Thy providence! 
 my heavenly Father! let me henceforth 
 epend supremely on Thy parental care; and 
 k no other guide than Thy holy word. May 
 more entire happiness in Thee be the supreme 
 bject of my hopes. Whatever may be the re- 
 ult of the year I am now entering upon, with 
 egard to temporal concerns, may my soul but 
 snjoy the presence of God, and all will be well. 
 | wish more powerfully to feel the necessity of » 
 mstantly seeking the influence of the Holy 
 pirit, to renovate my nature, to baptize me 
 sh: these are evidences of a state of ac- 
 eptance with God. Christ was manifested to 
 troy sin; and if He has been and is mani- 
 ssted to my soul, sin will be destroyed, viz. its 
 eigning and allowed powers. I must be meek 
 nd lowly; humble and teachable : these are 
 sssons none can effectually teach me but the 
 irit, and He can; and will, if I act faith 
 F2 
 
100 — MEMOIRS OF 
 
 on the promises, and be not satisfied till thes 
 are fulfilled. ; 
 
 Jan. 24,1810. 
 
 All things are possible to them that believe; 
 even entire sanctification —Am I advancing ir 
 holiness? Alas! worldly thoughts occupy too 
 large a share of every day: thoughts which, if 
 not immediately worldly, yet tend to no good; 
 vague and wandering.— When I should be ‘en. 
 joying God, perhaps I am indulging self-con- 
 ceit, or supposed superiority of mind.— Hor 
 loa shall vain thoughts lodge within me. 
 Cleanse Thou the po of my heart by the 
 inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit : all evil is firs 
 engendered in the heart; God looks to the 
 heart ‘ the law, the Sane ® -law, extends to the 
 thoughts of the heart : if the fountain bé pure 
 the streams cannot be corrupt.—May I keer 
 my heart with all diligence, and be importu- 
 nate with God to sanctify me wholly.—Here i 
 indeed cause for humility, but none for despair 
 Though my thoughts have been vain, blessed 
 be God who heareth prayer, He hath not suf 
 fered me, through their influence, to commit 
 actual and known sin. I must guard against 
 judging too much of my state from such frame: 
 _ and feelings; these are often affected by various 
 physical causes: my judgment of myself mu 
 proceed from the prevailing practical desires « 
 living near to God, and obeying Him ; and 
 know that I shall be happy in proportion a 
 
 5 
 . 
 
MRS. COOPER. 101 
 
 ’ 
 
 these are lively and strong: the Divine com- 
 munication will be opened, and prayer be the 
 ladder by which I shall step from earth to 
 heayen. These are the blessed realities of re- 
 ‘ligion; the more they are sought, the more 
 ‘largely will they be dispensed—The most ef- 
 fectual antidote to worldly thoughts and vain 
 desires is the consideration of the omnipre- 
 | sence of God.—Alas! I have thought too little 
 of this, and also of the future judement.—For 
 a habitual reflection on these I must daily 
 petition the Father of mercies; believing He 
 will accomplish every thing asked in faith ac- 
 cording to His word. 
 
 I am sensible I do not redeem time as I 
 ought to do; my plans are toolax, too much 
 under the influence of passing accidents: in 
 work I loiter, and in visiting the poor am not 
 ‘sufficiently strenuous in spiritual things, nor 
 active enough in my exertions: this, with the 
 help of God, I hope to amend, and to attain 
 to greater diligence in business and fervency 
 of spirit—serving the Lord. 
 
 ay Hammersmith, Jan. 27, 1810. 
 Eternity alone can develope the full extent 
 of the Redeemer’s love. When we there 
 ehold Him in the splendour of His Godhead, 
 surrounded by angels and archangels, and 
 spirits of the just made perfect ; when we 
 ntrast His glory with His humiliation, and 
 ourselves have attained the crown of eternal 
 
102 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 felicity ; then, with an emphasis heaven alone 
 can inspire, shall we exclaim— Worthy is the 
 Lamb! 
 
 Jesus mindful of the weakness of human na- 
 ture, though on the point of His extreme suffer- 
 ings, left a sensible commemoration of His love, 
 by which an appeal is made to sense and faith in 
 those symbols of His death. O my soul, think a 
 little of this sacrifice. Now the application of it 
 will redeem thee from the power of death, hell, 
 and the grave. And what return canst thou 
 make? Nothing adequate to His Gift. But what 
 does He require? ‘ My heart.’ O may it be 
 my delight to consecrate every thing to Him ; 
 and while by faith I see Him stretched on the 
 cross, may I powerfully feel the’ dreadful na- 
 ture and tendency of sin. “If I love Him, I 
 shall consider every sin as again inflicting the 
 wounds of Calvary. He died that the lost 
 image of God might be restored in man ;_ that 
 by the sanctification of the Spirit, man might 
 be fitted for the realms of purity. 
 
 ‘ As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, 
 so panteth my soul after Thee,O God.’ Tam 
 transported with Thy love ! Nothing but Thee 
 will content my soul. To partake of the pre- 
 cious memorials of Thy love, is all my heart de- 
 sires. Q be present with the influence of Thy 
 Spirit ; and let me approach Thy altar with my 
 faith firmly fixed on Him, who bled, that ’ 
 
 might never die. 
 
 I desire to be filled with love, and lie prose 
 
MRS. COOPER. 103 
 
 trate in the dust at the consideration of my 
 own unworthiness. 
 
 I want my repentance deepened, my faith 
 confirmed, my love inflamed. Thou only art 
 sufficient for these things. 
 
 ' 
 
 Feb. 20, 1810. 
 
 I was both encouraged and instructed by a 
 ‘sermon Mr. Martin preached last evening from 
 ‘Matt. ix. 29.—‘ According to your faith be it 
 unto you.’ 
 
 In speaking of the nature and effects of 
 ith, he made the remark, which confirmed an 
 opinion 1 have long held, that ‘faith is the 
 standard of our experience.’ The man who 
 believes it to be impossible that he can have a 
 knowledge of the forgiveness of sins, never at- 
 tains it—he cannot—becaute blessings are im- 
 parted only ‘according to what he believes.’ 
 Tn like manner those who believe the man of 
 sin can never be destroyed, will never attain to 
 this blessing. Faith, that Divine and operative 
 
 ‘mised all needful things. Only believe, know, and 
 live up, to the privileges of the gospel ; and what 
 a glorious prospect opens upon the Christian ? 
 May I but exercise more and more this Di- 
 vine principle! Lord, increase my faith; and 
 may an’‘eye steadily fixed on Thy power, bring 
 down upon my soul Thy promised blessings. 
 This day (Feb. 20,) I attended a Methodist 
 
104 _MEMOIRS OF 
 
 class-meeting for the first time; and was much 
 pleased with the earnestness and simplicity of 
 the people. Their several accounts of God’s 
 dealings with their souls were plain and scrip- 
 tural; and I do think those meetings exceed- 
 ingly well calculated to maintain holiness, and 
 promote it in the heart. The downcast is en- 
 couraged by the happy state of another soul; 
 and by the judicious advice of the leader each 
 receives encouragement. A 
 O for simplicity of heart to receive the king- 
 dom of God as a little child! » Away. with ca- 
 villings, and sceptical reasonings. When didi 
 these ever produce joy and peace in believing ?: 
 Experimental religion is not a subject which a: 
 natural man can reason upon; itis to him fool; 
 ishness; it can only be spiritually discerned. 
 O may the religion I profess be a well of water: 
 springing up within me! A holy principle pro-' 
 ducing joy and peace; a principle which shall 
 make me soar above the world, feel the Divine. 
 origin of my soul, and be coiintly tending, 
 towards the source of all true felicity. : 
 
 » * 
 
 Feb. 27, 1810. 
 
 I find more and more that my happiness is 
 
 inseparable from religion. IfI pass but ashort. 
 
 time without thinking of God, and during that 
 
 time am full of hilarity and iplips of thoughtel 
 lessness, how does it pierce my soul to hea 
 
 God was not in all my thoughts!. The nearer 
 I live to Him, the more superior I become t 
 
MRS. COOPER. 105 
 
 the fascinationsof the world. This isa Divine 
 lesson: I want habitually to practise it. Read- 
 ing that has no reference to God, I find no 
 delight in. My soul has now an appetite for 
 
 _ spiritual food ; it must have daily satisfaction 
 in the contemplation of the Deity, and of His 
 _ dealings in various ways with the souls of men. 
 
 It is a pleasing evidence to my mind that my 
 taste, pursuits, and sentiments, are so opposite 
 to what they were. That which was formerly 
 
 a task, is now a delight; and that which was 
 once my pleasure, and pursued with an unwar- 
 ‘yantable avidity, delights me no more.—The 
 _ more frequent and serious my meditations are 
 
 on eternity, the more powerfully am I con- 
 yinced of the rationality of devoting most of 
 
 my time to the study of spiritual subjects. 
 
 Wisdom which is from above will survive the 
 conflagration of the universe ; and will attain 
 its maturity where faith is lost in sight. The 
 study of nature I much delight in; while it 
 delights it edifies; it exalts one’s conceptions 
 of the Deity, and discovers to us the design 
 and harmony of these His lowest works. I pur- 
 
 pose trying again my favourite, chemistry, and 
 
 to gain some tolerable theoretic knowledge of 
 it, being denied the practical part. Whatever 
 ‘tends to alienate my affections from God I 
 would avoid. He is the Father of lights; and 
 if He but illuminate my understanding, and 
 
 impart His blessed presence to my soul, and 
 
 ‘give me more and deeper views of my own 
 F3 
 
106 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 nature, and need of His glorious excellenee and 
 fulness; I desire no more. I will contentedly 
 sojourn here below, and meet all His dispensa- 
 tions with a calmness He will impart. 
 
 Fast Day, Feb. 28. 
 
 I consider a day set apart for public humilia- 
 tion a privilege; and although there are thou- 
 sands in this land who wholly disregard it, (and 
 perhaps some of these are among the first to 
 institute it,) yet to such as have spiritual dis« 
 cernment, who know and feel the heinous na- 
 ture of sin, who have studied the histories of 
 other countries, marked their rise and fall, 
 traced the progress of that luxury and aban- 
 donment of public morals, which at length 
 brought down the just and merited judgment 
 of God; persons of this character justly fear 
 for their own land, and at these seasons hum- 
 ble themselves, not only for their own sins, but 
 for those of their guilty country.—My private 
 judgment is, that a fast is not properly ob- 
 
 served unless there be an entire, not partial, ab- 
 stinence from ordinary food.—Not that the act, 
 
 independent of the principle, will be regarded 
 
 by God: this is fully evinced in Isaiah lviii. 
 
 But when the body is humbled, the soul is 
 more alive to painful subjects, acts more inde- 
 pendently of it, and faith and love are winged. 
 By abstaining from customary enjoyments, we 
 learn more sensibly to appreciate our depend- 
 ence on God, and to evince gratitude to Hit 
 
MRS. COOPER. 107 
 
 for commonenjoyments. Alas! how many are 
 deprived of these ! 
 
 I have this day felt intense desires after con- 
 formity to God: .to have His blessed image 
 stamped on my soul, the kingdom of God 
 | within me; and were my faith greater, more 
 - habitual, I should be much nearer the glorious 
 _ Pentecost. It has been experienced by num- 
 _ bers; and why should I despair? I find, upon 
 _ examining my heart, a great deal of self-will, 
 pride, and worldly-mindedness, unsubdued ; 
 but I will not rest till these enemies to my Lord 
 are crucified. I have again renewed my cove-— 
 nant with God, devoting body, soul, and spirit, 
 to Hisservice; resolving by His grace to go on 
 from strength to strength, bearing my cross, 
 suffering His will, till meetened for heaven. 
 Endeavouring more habitually ‘to keep the 
 end in view,’ that solemn account I must ren- 
 der to my God when earth and all therein shall 
 be burnt up. 
 
 If no obstacle arise, I hope to meet in Mr. 
 P.’s class to-morrow evening. I need every 
 help, every encouragement ; and to unite my- 
 self with the people of God will, I hope, 
 through the Divine blessing, be a mean of ac- 
 celerating my progress towards heavenly en- 
 joyment. As little as possible will I have to do 
 with that bane of piety—lukewarm professors, 
 worldly saints. 
 
 _ It is now ten months since I was induced to 
 hear the Methodists, and examine their princi- 
 
108 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ples. My good opinion of them has increased: 
 in proportion to my inquiry. I have found 
 real piety among them ; the true enjoyment of: 
 religion; and, accordiaks to my judgment, the 
 right vegies. of God’s word. When they. 
 speak for themselves, I agree with them on 
 every point. My desire is to live and die with 
 them ; and, if it were God’s will, never to re- 
 move out of their connection. At present I can 
 only partially attend the chapel. I think it the 
 most apostolic church now in existence. The 
 government I much approve of; and as to the 
 jocal preachers my prejudices have ceased. . 1. 
 have derived more benefit from their plain ex- 
 perimental sermons, than from any of merely 
 school taught divines. They are too useful to 
 be rejected, too pious not to edify the humble 
 followers of Jesus: I have long had the form 
 of religion, but now I earnestly desire to feel. 
 its power;—to delight, as far as my poor ability 
 lies, to go about doing good. 
 
 March 19, 1810. 
 Sunday was the day for the society receiving 
 their tickets. With much fear and trembling, 
 I stopped, and received, with six others, admis- 
 sion tickets into the Methodist Society.” 
 
 [EE 
 
 [It was Mr. Fish who gave her the admis- 
 sion ticket, on March 18th; andina day or 
 
MRS. COOPER. 109 
 
 - two afterwards, Mr. Moore sent her a regular 
 society ticket ; on the back of which she her- 
 _ self has written, ‘Happy in God, and in pos- 
 _ session of the peace which passeth understand- 
 
 | ing.’} 
 
 bs March 24. 
 
 _ “Since Monday I have enjoyed uncommon 
 peace of mind ; at times great joy in believ- 
 ing: not one wish have I had to draw back 
 _ from the Society ; but many pleasing thoughts 
 in having so decidedly entered into such so- 
 lemn engagements to serve my God. I went 
 to class, and found it very profitable; I was 
 
 enabled to speak with more confidence than I 
 ' ever expected of God’s goodness to my soul. 
 _ O, that it may be a mean of kindling the Divine 
 spark into a holy flame; that all my powers 
 may burn with love to that gracious Being, 
 who has so mercifully inclined His ear to me. 
 
 have had the past week a full conviction of 
 my acceptance with God. Unspeakable _pri- 
 vilege! His commandments are my delight ; 
 His will my happiness. O, for more acquaint- 
 ance with it. 
 
 > 
 
 March 30, 1810. 
 
 For the last week I have found the blessed- 
 ness of serving God; of aspiring after more 
 acquaintance with Him, as the God of nature, 
 providence, and grace. I have had much peace; 
 but, Oh! how much do I find the means and the 
 
10 - MEMOIRS OF 
 
 end connected. When I seek Him with my 
 whole heart, and resign myself and all my 
 concerns into His hands, His blessing accom- 
 panies it; the witness of the Spirit that I am 
 accepted, through the Beloved. True religion 
 has a blessed reward connected with it; ‘andl 
 self-denial brings a present satisfaction. To 
 maintain this, prayer and watchfulness must 
 be without ceasing; and there must be striv- 
 ings against the obtrusive infirmities of nature, 
 and the temptations which varying circum- 
 stances may produce. Stated seasons of prayer 
 and reading must be rigorously attended to, 
 in spite of dulness and sloth. Where the 
 warfare, if religion had always delight con- 
 nected with its requirements? It is a state 
 of trial; a life of faith: and to him that over- 
 cometh is the crown of glory promised. ¥ 
 I enjoyed exceedingly Mr. Moore’s preach- 
 ing, three times on Sunday. In the aferua 
 hp: ldesednted sweetly on the love of God, 
 ‘We love Him, because He first loved us.’ 
 Revelation, reason, and experience, all testify 
 that in proportion as we love Him, and admire. 
 His excellencies, in that proportion shall we do 
 His will, and delight in His commandments. In 
 the evening Mr. M. preached from Job xxii. 21. 
 ¢ Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at 
 peace.’ It was a most able discourse ; and he 
 powerfully shewed the unattainableness of 
 peace, independently of an acquaintance with 
 God: such a knowledge as rectifies the heart, — 
 
 I 
 
MRS. COOPER. Ill 
 
 and transforms it into Hisimage. I founda 
 great blessing in all the services. The society 
 stopped after the evening service, and were 
 sweetly exhorted to unity, stedfastness, and 
 growing piety, among themselves. 
 
 On Monday, I spent an hour or two with 
 Mr. Moore, at Mr. B.’s; I much enjoyed his - 
 conversation: he is a man of true wisdom— 
 every word has weight. He cleared up some 
 difficult passages of Scripture entirely to my 
 ‘satisfaction. He has kindly invited me to go 
 and see him; and I much hope an opportunity 
 will offer itself. He also promised to introduce 
 me to that eminent saint, Lady Mary Fitzge- 
 _rald; I should like indeed to draw the spirit 
 of Canaan from her lips. Before we parted, 
 | Mr. M. prayed most affectionately for me. In 
 the evening he preached from Hebrews vi. 1. 
 | *Therefore leaving the principles, &c. let us 
 go on unto perfection” A most delightful ser- 
 mon on that controverted subject. True, ar- 
 dent love to God and man, producing obedience 
 to the Divine will, is the summary of the per- 
 _ fection he and all of them preach. He told me 
 ' [had put the sermon into his head by repeat- 
 ing that verse in the morning. J am thankful 
 _ for it, as it tended to confirm me more in that 
 blessed doctrine. How increasing are my 
 _ obligations to Jove and serve Thee, ‘Thou Lord 
 ofheaven! How continually does the manna 
 | of Thy love drop ‘around my tent! Encom- 
 | passed by Thy mercies; O, may every day find 
 
 | 
 | 
 
112 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 me pressing after more and deeper acquaint: 
 ance with Thee, who fillest all in all. 
 
 And, O, may the love Thou hast imparted te 
 my soul, break forth in acts of love and bene: 
 volence to all around me, so that the talent 
 Thou hast imparted may be improved, and I 
 may render up my account with joy. 
 
 April 9. 
 
 Clouds occasionally obscure the bright beams 
 of the Sun of Righteousness on my soul; but 
 blessed be God, under these clouds, my confi- 
 . dence in His mercy and favour towards me is 
 unchanged. I do not always equally rejoice, 
 but I can trust. Against corruptions, tempta- 
 tions, and infirmities, I know I shall have to 
 combat: a crown of glory is worth every effort: 
 I find my desires after God increase; I want 
 more knowledge, faith, and love; nor will I rest 
 satisfied till I am set free from sin. I feel 
 jealous of every thing that draws my heart from 
 this object. O God! satisfy my desires. I 
 much enjoyed the services of yesterday; the 
 preacher was Mr. Reece, from the East Lon- 
 don circuit, a man of very lively talents, ori- 
 ginal, and awakening. The ‘burning bush,” 
 Exod. iii. was the morning subject. He tcok 
 a general and very edifying view of the church, 
 from that period to the present. A love-feast 
 was held after the evening service; a more ra= 
 tional and scriptural account of God’s dealings 
 with the souls of those who spoke could not, 
 
MRS. COOPER. 113 
 
 I think, be given. I had much reason to re- 
 joice with all: God is with them of a truth. 
 O, that that place may be filled with such hum- 
 ble, holy worshippers. I heard much to en- 
 ‘courage me, as an individual. Religion, in 
 ‘this circuit, from Mr. R.’s account, is in a 
 very flourishing and reviving state. Two 
 hundred new members have been added since 
 last conference. 
 
 April 23, 1810. 
 
 In being myself raised to newness of life, I 
 find the most conclusive, satisfactory evidence 
 ‘I can have of Christ’s resurrection. My de- 
 ‘sires and endeavours after this, blessed be 
 ‘God, do increase. For this, God endued me 
 with a rational existence: for this, Christ 
 willingly shed His precious blood. O glorious 
 hope! full of immortality. These are seasons 
 when I can rise above the transitory things of 
 life; and, by faith, pierce the veil, which so 
 Jong hid ‘ my Lord from my eyes.’ I can now 
 ‘see God every where and in every thing ; and, 
 at times, have transporting views of His great- 
 \ness, wisdom, and love. O! why did I so long 
 Jive at a distance from my God; from the only 
 ‘source of rest and calm repose! Why did I 
 ‘ever attempt to compromise with the world ; 
 ' His enemy? 1 became untrue to my heavenly 
 Spouse ; counted His service an unnecessary 
 ‘strictness. Glory be to the whole Trinity, 
 | that all have conspired to deliver me from this 
 
 — 
 
1)4. MEMOIRS OF 
 
 darkness; and that every day I feel a willin, 
 necessity to love God, and give up all to Him 
 satisfied of His faithfulness, that if I am bu 
 true to the grace He imparts, He will give mor 
 ‘and more ; and that from being a babe, I shal 
 become strong in Christ Jesus, being rootet 
 and grounded in love. Faith is a continua 
 act ; that which was imparted the last hour i 
 not sufficient for the present :—but God is all. 
 sufficient, and all His glorious attributes unite 
 in my behalf, to ensure the continuance of Hi: 
 favour, while I wait for Him in the appointed 
 way. ‘To love God ;’ blessed privilege! an. 
 gels never knew such a cause; it was left fo1 
 man to attain the heights and depths of redeem. 
 ing love. . 
 
 I was much encouraged by a sermon of Mr. 
 Moore’s last evening, from Rom. iv. 4. I lef 
 the sanctuary rejoicing, and in my closet had 
 sweet intercourse with God. Whilst I was a 
 lukewarm professor, I passed on very quietly, 
 without opposition: but now I find my in- 
 creasing earnestness produces many remarks : 
 and if I go on to walk in newness of life, I 
 find that not even my professing friends will 
 be silent.- At these things I am not affrighted ; 
 only I must be very cautious not to be buffeted 
 for faults ; not to suffer spiritual duties to in- 
 terfere with my other daily avocations. For 
 this end, I must redeem my time; and, instead 
 of rising at six, as I do now, rise an hour ear-. 
 lier; and, particularly be diligent when at 
 
MRS. COOPER. ‘11d 
 
 business. God forbid I should ever bring any 
 just reproach on religion; rather may I adorn, 
 bya meek and lowly conversation, that Divine 
 ‘cause my whole heart is now engaged in. I 
 have been much interested by reading again 
 aley’s Natural Theology, and Derham’s 
 Physico-Theology. This is my favourite 
 musement; it leads me to God, and my eyes 
 me the medium of instruction. 
 
 ‘° April 28, 1810. 
 For the two past days I have enjoyed the 
 ce which passeth understanding. 
 
 © Not a cloud did arise, 
 © To darken the skies, 
 © Or to hide for a moment my Lord from my eyes.” 
 
 The inward witness of Christianity is, to the 
 eliever who experiences it, an unanswerable 
 sroof of its Divinity. While this pervades the 
 ul, (and the fault is in myself if it do not 
 lways,) how lovely are Divine requisitions! 
 lf-denial has its joys, and the cross has a 
 weetuess which divests it of its name. I feel - 
 y nature so renewed, so transformed from 
 what it was, that while I constantly feel, ‘ O! 
 o grace how great a debtor,’ I am constrained 
 umbly to hope, and humbly believe that God 
 s my Father, and views me with love. Amaz- 
 ng privilege! ! When I contemplate His glories 
 in nature, in this beauteous globe ; when my 
 eart vibrates with gratitude for the love with 
 
116 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 which His Spirit has inspired me. O when I ca: 
 call Him mine, and know that all His gloriou 
 attributes conspire to ensure my confidence it 
 Him! That all, while I walk in obedience t 
 Him, proclaim peace to my soul, 
 
 I find the blessed effect of renewing m: 
 covenant with God every morning. I can se 
 to my seal that God is true: He is unchange 
 able; and should a distance ever grow betweet 
 us, the fault will be in me. Bitter work fo. 
 repentance indeed. Why should I injure my 
 own peace by ever allowing indifference to: 
 wards so glorious an object to obtrude on mj 
 soul, Forbid it, gracious God. Let the love 
 I now feel towards Thee every day increase 
 May I never be satisfied without progress ir 
 the knowledge of Thee. Last evening I bade 
 farewell, for a few weeks, to my good old wo: 
 men ; and I found considerable delight in offer- 
 ing up prayer to God for them, to keep and 
 support them till we meet again. I visited 
 those on my poor list: I hope God has begun 
 a good work in two of them; but, what a vel 
 of ignorance is there to remove Roni the hearts 
 of those who have passed forty or sixty years in 
 ignorance of God; His Spirit alone can effect 
 it. Ihave read and talked to them: prayed 
 with and for them. O that God may give an 
 increase! Iam at times almost overwhelmed 
 with the state of those who are dead in sin ; the 
 awful precipice on which they so heedlessly 
 stand. Fain would I give up myself to do all 
 
MRS. COOPER. 117 
 
 my little ability can, to warn and allure them 
 ‘to flee from the wrath to come. 
 
 May 13, 1810. 
 
 My going to town has been re taiaiadl till 
 ext week on account of my brother’s illness. 
 ‘I continue to enjoy some of the blessed effects 
 of religion: they are to me paths of pleasant- 
 mess; and whenever I grieve, it is because my 
 
 eart at times is not intense upon the great ob- 
 an of having a constant communication open 
 between heaven and my soul. But I cannot 
 rest without a large increase of my present at- 
 itainments. I have but just past the threshold 
 Jof religion; I want to advance till I am filled 
 with all the fulness of God.” 
 
 EE 
 
 _ [In this place, on the back of her second 
 society-ticket, June 1810, she writes—‘ In 
 (London, when received: my mind in a calm 
 Psettled frame ; increasing desires of entire’ de- 
 
 “] July 8. 
 
 ) ‘ After having been nearly six weeks in 
 London I am returned, I hope and believe, 
 with new and increasing desires to love and 
 W serve God with all my heart and soul. 
 
 My heart is fixed; O God! my heart is 
 
118 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 _the indwelling of the Holy Trinity. O for 
 that measure of this incomprehensible mystery 
 which shall produce in me more ardent love. 
 lively hope, and active obedience. Religion 
 has heights and depths I long to experience, 
 O for a soul on fire for these blessings. They 
 are offered to me: I will not rest till I attain 
 larger measures of them. Let me not rest sa- 
 tisfied with mere desires; but let me by my 
 importunity prevail. Lord, increase the mea- 
 sure of my faith ; let me feel myself nothing, 
 and Thou my all. 
 
 I am increasingly sensible that religion is 
 only so far a source of peace and happiness as 
 it infuses itself into the mind, and become 
 there the prevailing and active principle: in- 
 difference is a death blow to it. God wisely 
 withholds His choice blessings from those who 
 do not seek them with their whole sual 
 Who that has felt the real nature of religion 
 in the soul, as a source of peace and renova- 
 tion, can ever find the paltry enjoyments 
 this world worth seeking after 2?” 
 
 . 
 ['The following letter shews her views of th 
 
 religious society with whom she had lately 
 joined, with answers to some objections of her 
 pious correspondent. ] a 
 
MRS. COOPER. 119 
 
 Lower Mall, March 30, 1810. 
 My Dear Friend, 
 
 (TR ee Se J Se 2 2 
 
 _ “ Your last letter, my dearest friend, so 
 ong in coming, marks me out rather a more 
 controversial course than I am disposed to 
 ake. Independently of the true affection we 
 yave borne each other, I should not particularly 
 sbject to a paper controversy with you, as I 
 velieve you to be more candid and reasonable 
 n the generality of those who are of your 
 ntiments. But we are friends; nor do either 
 f us wish to feel less Biteebidient: I believe 
 ot—but rather to have it on the increase. We 
 ust not close our eyes to the many sad exam- 
 les of Christians losing for a while their 
 rity: who, instead of loving their enemies, 
 ave hated the friends of Christ who differed 
 om them in some points of doctrine.—Let us 
 yoid approaching the rock on which many, 
 ore stable than ourselves, have split—That 
 e doctrines of the Wesleyans are those of 
 e Bible, I am more and more convinced: 
 nd after an examination of them for twelve 
 mths, and of the discipline and people, 1 
 ave the pleasure of telling you I have joined 
 e society—To keep me iffom it I have had 
 ery earthly motive; to unite me to it every 
 uiritual one. 
 
 When we see each other, Mary Ann, I will, 
 you desire it, enter fully into the points 
 herein we differ: for your present satisfaction 
 
120 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 I will, however, answer your questions.—Ha 
 you been acquainted with the sentiments « 
 that great and good man Mr. Wesley yo 
 would not have asked them :—You ask me ‘ If 
 place any dependence on my own performance. 
 as being at all able to recommend me to th 
 favour of God:’—Not in the least,—justifie 
 freely by His grace, I must come just as I an 
 poor, blind, and naked, or He will never re 
 ceive me:—but, observe,—I believe that sanct 
 fication follows—the tree is known by its fruit, 
 —‘ If aman love me, he will keep my com 
 ’ mandments.’ Faith works by love; this | 
 the wedding garment.—By the fruits of fait 
 I believe you and I shall be judged at the la: 
 day. Read Matthew chap. xxv.—There | 
 no merit in all this.—We are first justifie 
 by the righteousness of Another, and a! 
 the good we do is owing to the influence ¢ 
 the Spirit freely offered and received, bu 
 which we might have grieved, and quenchec 
 and resisted.—As to your second question 
 ‘ Whether God can regard you with fatherl 
 affection to day, and the next cast you fron 
 Him,’ I answer, the decrees of God respec 
 men as believers and unbelievers; the righteou 
 shall be saved, and the wicked condemned 
 whoever they be.—These are the sovereigi 
 decrees :—but as it respects individuals, per 
 sonally considered, there is this condition i im 
 plied, such persons must become righteous 
 continue in righteousness (by the grace of mq 
 
 f 
 J 
 Pt 
 
MRS. COOPER. 123 
 
 or if they fall from it, return again in order 
 _to besayed. But as God is unchangeable, and 
 ‘doth not love and again hate the same person 
 while he continues in the same state, but as 
 he is found doing His will or the contrary ; so 
 He loves and dilebsts the righteous, and hates 
 ‘all workers of iniquity. Should we change a 
 (thousand times from bad to good, God is the 
 same in His love to us, or the contrary, as 
 ‘we are found doing or not doing that which He 
 Tequires of us. While we continue in the 
 grace of God freely imparted, watching and 
 a loving God with all our hearts, none 
 hall pluck us out of the Redeemer’s hands ; 
 nothing shall separate us from His love. But 
 if we grow careless, neglectful of prayer and 
 reading the word of God; count His service 
 weariness, and hold communion with the world 
 instead of the Creator, can you think such 
 persons meet for the kingdom of heayen? 
 hese instances, my aporest friend, are not 
 ncommon. I do belieye that if you and I 
 ve once received the grace of God, it is our 
 n fault, and chargeablealone upon ourselves, 
 hat we ever lose it. God deals with us as 
 with reasonable creatures ; and certain condi- 
 tions are prescribed to us. We are to ask, 
 k, and knock for the Holy Spirit: having 
 ‘eceived it, we are to watch and pray, deny 
 rselves, abstain from all appearance. of 
 wil: the power is from above; and through 
 G 
 
 — 
 
122 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Christ we can do all thesethings. 1 have said- 
 three times as muchas I intended; forgive me, 
 my friend. oe | 
 Through the Divine influence, T enjoy, with 
 little interruption, great peace of mind.—I ne-! 
 ver was so truly happy. I feel that I love God, 
 His ways, and His will; and my happiest mo-' 
 ments are employed in imploring His continual: 
 aid, and holding communion with Him. Indeed, 
 my dear friend, I find the advantage of associ- 
 ating but little with that bane of piety, luke=: 
 warm professors. The true spirit of religion: 
 I find diffused among our society ; a noncon~ 
 formity to the world, and a loving spirit 
 among its members, helping each other in the 
 paths of religion: just what I needed to 
 quicken my poor dead soul, sunk as it was im 
 spiritual sloth, and destitute of that sacred’ 
 peace the Spirit has promised to bestow.— 
 Well, dearest Mary Ann, do not let these 
 sentiments and enjoyments, if contrary to your 
 own, diminish the love you have borne me; 
 mine for you glows with the same fervour; 
 and I shall have just reason to reproach my= 
 self, if 1 suffer the entrance of indifference. 
 Ail will meet in heaven who love God, by 
 whatever name they are called: the more we 
 get of this Divine principle, the more we shall 
 love ‘each other. O! how altogether super> 
 natural is the life of God in’ the’soul : how 
 utterly incapable are we, of ourselves, to main- 
 . 
 
 ov 
 
MRS. COOPER. 123 
 
 tain it one instant. As our wants are momen- 
 tary, so must our supplies be. Blessed be 
 God, for all this is promised! 
 My dear friend, I long to see you, and shall 
 be impatient till I hear from you. 
 _ My garden begins to demand my renewed 
 labours. When will you inhale the fragrance 
 of my roses, and help me to admire the kind-. 
 aess of our God in providing so much inno- 
 vent pleasure for the delight of the senses? 
 The study of nature is still my favourite recrea- 
 jon; but toincrease in the love and knowledge 
 f God almost swallows-up every other desire; 
 nd no reading but what tends to. it satisfies 
 x Brother William’ and I have entered 
 into an engagement to rise at six every morn- 
 og, or farhstl one shilling; the fruit of our 
 iness to be put into a poor box, of which I 
 ave the disposal. 
 _ Adieu, my dear friend; be assured you are 
 ery near the heart of | 
 Your most affectionate 
 
 MARY ———— 
 
 ey! June 14, 1810. 
 
 My dear Mary Ann, 
 
 I believe I never before this time have had 
 
 ? plead an excuse for silence or neglect ; nor, 
 
 y, have I ever been so little mistress of my 
 n time as during the twodast months: this 
 
 And now, my dear friend, I have to answer 
 | G2 
 
194 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 your two kind letters.—When shall we meeti 
 such frequent disappointment will make me re- 
 luctant again to indulge the anticipation of se 
 pleasing an event. In the midst of your many 
 sorrows O cleave closely to your heavenly 
 Father, who will sustain you if you roll you 
 burthen upon Him. I know of no source | 
 comfort but religion; and all it affords is 
 yours, if you will but by faith make it s0.— 
 To those who love and fear God, affliction: 
 are blessings: I believe they are sent in mercy 
 to all. How does the chastening hand of Goc 
 tend to produce self-examination, and a thirst 
 ing after happiness which outlives the mutability 
 of earthly things! it is then we feel the world t 
 be vain, and totally incapable to afford a rest. 
 ing place for the mind. | 
 
 My dearest friend, let neither of us be satis 
 fied without making continual advances in thy 
 Divine life; let us not rest till we have th 
 constant inhabitation of the Holy ‘Trinity it 
 our souls: you know this is promised to al 
 that love Christ, and keep His words; fo 
 this I feel athirst. What then is all the tri 
 bulation of the world, if Divine peace haw 
 taken possession of our minds? The worldi 
 such a vapour; a bubble! the props of ou 
 earthly dependence are so frequently taker 
 from us, and so justly too, (that we may onl; 
 lean on omnipotency) that present things ari 
 hardly worth a serious thought. + @ 
 
 I often think the whole of religion is com 
 
MRS. COOPER. 125 
 
 ‘prised in the word Jove :—the only taste we can 
 ‘have of heaven below is, when our hearts are 
 ‘sweetly filled with this Divine principle —God 
 is love, heaven is love; may our desires and 
 ‘conceptions of this be enlarged! 
 | ‘During my visit in London I enjoyed many 
 igious advantages; there I have become ac- 
 quainted with some charming and exemplary 
 women in our society. Indeed, there is that 
 ‘umeommon primitive union among them, that 
 ito know one, is, if you please, to know all: 
 Christian friendship is in delightful exer- 
 ise. The uncommon activity which these 
 sisters of mine manifest, in their daily walk to 
 do good both to the souls and bodies of their 
 needy fellow-creatures, will, I hope, prove a 
 stimulant to me to go and do likewise. Our 
 lessed Lord set us an example that we should 
 ollow His steps. 
 
 Yours in the truest bonds of 
 Christian friendship, 
 
 MARY ——— 
 
 —= 
 
 Diary— July 23, 1810. 
 To live under the Divine influence, to be 
 vasting every care upon my Almighty Guardian, 
 fo trust Him in every difficulty, is happiness, is 
 afety. ‘To record all His goodness would re- 
 juire the burning love of a seraph: for; O, 
 Tis love is manifested every hour of my life: 
 ind that I feel no more of intensity of affection 
 ) return, is my grief. 
 
: 
 
 | 
 
 126 MEMOIRS OF 
 Divine Spirit! fill me with love, empty me 
 of self; bring every power, every faculty, into 
 subjection to Thy will;/and the glory and praise 
 shall be ascribed to Thee for ever. a 
 I have made'a fresh surrender of myself to 
 Thee this day, O God. I am not my own but 
 Thine; and I desire to act and live as becomes 
 one who is a temple of the living God; to be 
 ever mindful that Thou seest me; to watch the 
 motives of my conduct, and not to rest satisfied 
 without ‘having my very thoughts and in- 
 tentions brought into subjection to the will o| 
 Christ. 
 
 : : 
 Hammersmith, July 30, 1810. 4 
 My dearest Friend, ; 
 
 My days of quietness and seclusion seen 
 over. Since my sister’s marriage I have neithe 
 been, nor am likely to be, the same settles 
 contemplative being I once was. How is this 
 say you? My friends in London, and else 
 where, seem to think they have now som 
 claim upon my company ; so that as often as | 
 can be spared, their entreaties Jay me under | 
 sort of obligation to visit them: hence mae! 
 of my time will be occupied. When at home 
 my sphere of occupation is much enlarged 
 owing to many new engagements of a charita 
 ble sort which I have felt it my duty to un 
 dertake and prosecute.—Love to my fellow 
 creatures makes this a pleasing employ, an 
 supersedes what I formerly pursued with muel 
 
 a0 Em 
 
 ‘ 
 
MRS. COOPER. 127 
 
 ntensity, viz. reading and scribbling. Indeed, 
 when I do read, I find it necessary, and 
 most pleasing to my taste, to read on those 
 subjects that are stamped with immortality : 
 the world appears to me such a bubble, and 
 its pursuits such a vain chimera, that my whole 
 soul presses forward to a more intimate ac- 
 : -quaintance with that immortality for which, it 
 is destined ; with that wisdom which will know 
 ‘no end; and that love which will glow for 
 ~ever. 
 But however, my dear Mary Ann, no 
 ‘engagements, no new connexions, will ever 
 diminish that true regard I feel for you. Our 
 correspondence will, I hope, be maintained to 
 our mutual profit; and our prayers for each 
 other be often offered up. 
 
 Could 1 but have you for my companion, 
 amy incentive to all that is good; how much 
 ould my happiness be increased! Indeed, 
 I now find the time tediously long since we 
 met; and as to an interview the approaching 
 ‘autumn, I dare not be sanguine. Come, if 
 you can; but pray write frequently, and let not 
 absence in any degree lessen our true regard 
 for each other. Why should it, my beloved 
 friend? Have we not religion to cement the 
 bond of our friendship? and have we not an 
 immortality to perfect and perpetuate it? 
 What a stimulant is here ‘In death not to be 
 ivided!? 
 
 We only live when we live toGod. This is 
 
& 
 
 128 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 life eternal; and if we have the beginnings 
 of it here, we shall be prepared to stand fir 
 against the shocks of time: nothing shall. 
 parate us from the love of God. When 
 léok at the world; this fleeting scene; matk 
 its changes, and foel i in our inmost souk its vi- 
 cissitudes, how needful, how glorious, is thisan- 
 tidote! Let us, ny dear friend, be making con- 
 tinual advancesinadeepacquaintance with our- 
 selves, and our blessed Redeemer ; be growing 
 in that humility which shall make us feel our- 
 sélyes as nothing, and Christ as our all. Our 
 only safety consists in a permanent sense of 
 otr owtt parses. and of all our strength be 4 
 
 I have not time to add more; asa a great 
 deal to do in a little times We think of going 
 to Bath in October. Adieu, my dearest friend. 
 
 Believe me most affectionately and unaltera- 
 bly yours, MAM Pm 
 
 atid Finisher of our faith. 
 
 SE ’ 
 
 Diary— Aug. 24,1810, 
 I went to London the latter end “of the first 
 week of the Methodists’ Conference; itcontint ed 
 a fortnight after: my privileges were very great, 
 riot only 4 in constant opportunities of hearing 
 the preaching; but in having social intercourse 
 with tany of the most eminent preachers for 
 talents and piety. The work is spreadi 
 gloriously : the spirit of hearing vege 
 
 i: Signe 
 
MRS, COOPER. 129 
 
 ’ than was ever before known in London; three 
 times there was preaching on the outside of 
 _ the City Road Chapel, numbers not being able 
 _ to procure a standing within in the chapel. 
 
 ‘I find these means instrumental in stirring 
 ‘me up to seek the Lord fully. Many blessed 
 instances do I know and see of individuals 
 who began their Christian course early in life, 
 and, through grace, have been enabled to per- 
 _ severe and grow in the knowledge and love of 
 God. When I consider religion as the mean 
 of restoring the lost image of God to the soul 
 of man, bringing the powers and faculties 
 | thereof to.a Divine obedience; regulating 
 the affections, exalting the motives, purifying _ 
 the acts; herein I behold means adapted to 
 ‘the end: the imparting of true happiness to 
 | the subject of this grace. It is the beginning 
 of heaven. —Glory be to God! all this the 
 Saviour of sinners died to procure. It is His 
 will that, justified freely by. His death, we 
 ‘should be sanctified in body, soul and spirit, 
 by the influence of the Holy Spirit, the Com- 
 forter, ‘the Gift of the Father,’ which He 
 | promised should abundantly descend after His 
 resurrection. 
 
 How manifestly then is religion a progress, 
 -arace, a warfare! repentance is not the work 
 of a day; every failure on our part demands 
 it: watchfulness is the perpetual duty of the 
 
 Christian, that he sin not in his heart against 
 
 the great God. The enquiry at the close of 
 | G3 
 
- MEMOIRS OF 
 
 every day should be, how far we have advanced 
 in conformity to the Divine will, and whether 
 a principle of love to the Saviour is the actu= 
 ating motive of our obedience? =~ eo | 
 
 A remark of Mr. B.’s I wish ever to re-— 
 member and enforce on others. ‘ Never to be 
 salis, — with your religion till it makes you 
 happy.’ Daily to walk with God. How 
 earnestly do I wish it. I am determined in” 
 the Divine strength to press forward with more 
 earnestness; to keep within the veil, as a_ 
 friend urged me to do; to have more and more 
 the mind that was in Christ Jesus; looking to” 
 ‘Him for the supply of all my need. 
 
 . August 27. 
 
 If ever I felt an ardent hunger and thirety 
 after righteousness it has been the past day.— 
 Last tent I felt powerfully convinced that my 
 love to the Redeemer had been too c vat 
 He, and the salvation He procured. were by far 
 too little the object of my faith. 
 prayed that my whole dependen 
 on Him. This morning I felt renewed desires 
 after this faith; my whole soul was engaged ; 
 and to be filled with His righteousness, to 
 have truth in my inward parts, to be saved” 
 from all sin; how did I thirst for this! how 
 
 O! how intrusive seemed every object which 
 at all diverted my soul from these meditations.” 
 I felt the sacred fire of Divine love; all world- 
 
} 
 
 : 
 
 MRS. COOPER. 131 
 
 ly talk and desires were intrusive on the calm 
 of my soul, and the aspiration of my desires. 
 The sermon this evening just fell in with the 
 train of my thoughts this day on purity of heart. 
 Who shall circumscribe the Holy One ?—He 
 who touches the heart by His Spirit, may so 
 touch it as to extirpate sin, and save with this 
 
 full salvation. I do believe this. O may I 
 
 never cease to pray for it; but, under the in- 
 fluence of power, as fendi as His love, be- 
 lieve and become a partaker of the Divine 
 nature. 
 
 Aug. 29. 
 Yesterday my father kindly took me in his 
 chaise to London, to see and bid farewell to dear 
 Mr. and Mrs. Moore, who purpose leaving it for 
 Bath-on Monday next. The ministrations of 
 that good man were so much blessed to me 
 that I should ever think it a privilege to love 
 
 and pray for him. 
 
 In the afternoon I spent a few hours at Dr. 
 
 _ Adam Clarke’s, who kindly interested me with 
 ‘ . . 
 
 a sight of some of his superb eastern manu- 
 _ scripts: the splendour of some of the paintings, 
 
 of Persian poems, and a Koran, far exceed 
 for life and beauty, any thing I ever beheld.— 
 _ English productions never. so much delighted 
 
 me. In one of these MSS. the sun is repre- 
 
 sented shining in gold, with astonishing effect. 
 The Dr. has a superb and most extensive col- 
 lection of books. He afterwards took me into 
 
132 MEMOIRS OF | 
 his palace, the library; which is almost a ma- 
 seum; and contains a large collection of easts — 
 ern curiosities, two very fine Mosaic pictures, — 
 &c. &¢.—He has in his possession one of the — 
 first translations of the Old and New 'Testa- — 
 ment, in English, written about 1370; he shewed © 
 mé also the first edition of the Greek Testa+ 
 ment, in the fifth volume of the Complutensian — 
 Polygott. His copy of this rare Polygott 
 seems to have come out of the Royal library — 
 at Madrid; it isin high preservation, and has — 
 the Spanish arms on the back and sides wd each © 
 volume. 
 
 How jeah anette s are these amusements, 
 which are rational and consonant with reli- 
 gion! what fields of science to explore, which — 
 raise the mind to wonder and adoration of the ‘ 
 Supreme Being! How charming is Divine — 
 philosophy ! Lord, enlighten my understand: — 
 ing; let my views be enlarged of Thee, and my 
 desires increase toknow Thee and Jesus Christ, 
 whom Thou hast sent; that my soul, restored 
 to Thy Divine image, may have here a com- 
 mencement of that bliss which will be per- 
 fected in the regions of endless light and feli- . 
 city ! Amen. 
 
 | 
 | 
 | 
 | 
 bf 
 
 — ‘ 
 
 Sept. 16, 1810, e 
 This is the twenty-fourth return of my — 
 natal day ; and, O! that I-could express half ¥ 
 
MRS. COOPER. 133 
 
 that I feel, of the goodness of that Being 
 who gave, and has preserved my existence 
 amid such countless mercies: all the return I 
 ean make, is to give myself up wholly to Him, 
 which I desire this day to do, more than I 
 have ever done before. His law do I love; 
 His commandments are my delight; and I 
 desire to have no will but His. Accept the 
 | poor return, O Lord; and make my heart Thy 
 constant abode. I can truly and thankfully 
 acknowledge that the last year has been the 
 best and happiest of my life. With but little 
 interruption, I have enjoyed a sense of God’s 
 favour; and have found an increasing portion 
 of faith and love : a greater deadness to the 
 world ; and a desire to live only to the glory 
 of that Saviour, who has called me from 
 darkness to light: and while I feel the thirst 
 which I now do, after all the mind that was 
 n Christ, 1 am certain the Holy Spirit will 
 ed abroad the love in my heart, by which I 
 all be made to delight in His ways. Lord, 
 give me watchfulness ‘atid faith to look with- 
 in the veil, that the blessed inheritance, re- 
 rved for ttioxe that love Thee, may be dis- 
 ¢ernible to my spiritual sight; and may I 
 ever consider I have attained what is to be 
 attained, till the very thoughts of my heart 
 are eetiewed: During the last year, I have 
 United myself, I trust, with an indissoluble 
 union, to those whom some call the Wesleyan 
 Methodists. As it regards myself, I a God 
 
 | 
 
134 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 they were ever brought to this village. That 
 they preach the pure Gospel my examination 
 of the subject leads me to decide. Happiness 
 is the result of the religion they enforce: I 
 have found it so; andowith this people I desire 
 to live and die. My improvement, during the 
 past year, kas not, indeed, been in proportion 
 to my opportunities. I have much cause for 
 shame. My affections have too often been 
 worldly, and my vigilance slack in the pursuit 
 of heaven. O may the coming year find me 
 more zealously alive, more importunately an- 
 xious in Divine things ; and, if it should please 
 the Lord to remove me to a sphere wherein 
 different relative duties may be called into exer. 
 cise, O that His Spirit may illuminate and 
 guide, so that my light may shine; and 
 glory to God in the highest be the effect of 
 my walk and conversation. God will direct 
 my paths ; and He will not suffer me to err 
 while I look to Him, and depend upon Him E 
 
 direction. My mind has, on this subject 
 promise, been unusually drawn out; I have 
 felt confident of parental guidance, and of 
 my safety beneath heavenly direction. "This 
 day, O Lord, 1 record the goodness of Thy 
 name, the faithfulness of Thy word. O receive 
 me to the arms of Thy protection: guide me 
 by Thy Spirit; and as J this day solemnly 
 dedicate myself to Thee, take Jesus for my Re- 
 deemer, and the Holy Spirit for my Sazetifier ; 
 so I desire to make no reserve, but devote: 
 
MRS. COOPER. 135 
 
 body, soul, and spirit, all that I have and all 
 that Lam, to that gracious Being who made 
 me, and has the first and only claim. Amen.” 
 
 —= i 
 
 [About this time she received another so- 
 ciety ticket, on the back of which she has 
 written,— Panting after a full conformity to 
 the image of God; fully convinced that to 
 love Him with a// my heart is my privilege, 
 and-shall be my prayer.’ 
 
 Towards the latter end of the year 1810, a 
 most important era in Miss Hanson’s life 
 commenced ;—her acquaintance with Mr. 
 ohn Cooper, of London, which afterwards 
 terminated in marriage. Every step she took 
 in this most momentous business was marked 
 ith prudent caution, extreme self-diffidence, 
 nd the humblest dependence on the direction 
 God. Indeed, the whole of this connexion 
 was conducted in such a way as was highly cre- 
 itable to her good sense and piety, and affords 
 an admirable model of great Christian simplici- 
 ty, and highly spiritualized affection, on a sub- 
 t in which these are rarely consulted, and in 
 which above all others, they are most necessary. 
 he thus introduces the subject in her Diary; 
 her letters to Mr. C. will explain the rest. } 
 
 i Sept. 20, 1810. 
 cA circumstance within the last fortnight 
 
‘136 MEMOIRS OF. 
 
 has taken place, with which, it is probable, my 
 future happiness is essentially connected. Of 
 this Tam fully satisfied, that it has not been 
 of my own seeking, or foreseeing ; that I 
 have thus far acted in the way the cireum- 
 stances demanded; and, whatever may be 
 the result, all within me now says, ‘ Thy will 
 be done.’ og 
 
 I never felt such entire submission: I am 
 impressed with awe ; and hardly know how 
 to hope. That God in His providence shall 
 be my Guide, so far as He manisfests His ways 
 to me, I feel determined. At present it ap- 
 pears to bear the impression of His hand: my 
 soul has been earnestly and almost incessantly 
 engaged in importuning His direction. J] 
 will follow where He leads. I am not my 
 own: into a solemn covenant I have entered 
 with Him, to devote body and soul to His 
 service. ‘To live to His glory, is the prevail- 
 ing desire of my heart: how impious, th 
 to doubt His care, or question His love! 
 
 To Mr. John Cooper. 
 H—, Sept. 15, 1810. 
 As your favour of the 10th inst. was: not 
 received until yesterday afternoon, it will suf 
 ficiently account for any apparent want of at 
 tention to your request. 4 
 To our knowledge of each other, so recent 
 and so unexpected, we may perhaps have te 
 acknowledge the interference of a Divine Pre 
 
MRS. COOPER. 137 
 
 vidence. At the same time it demands the 
 greater deliberation ; and any thing like haste 
 or speedy decision, in an affair so moment- 
 ous in its consequences, I feel satisfied you 
 will not require. I will, however, assure 
 you, that no prior engagement will prevent 
 me from giving your pinaetl that considera- 
 Eee which I conceive it merits. As I trust 
 we are both interested in the love and care 
 of a heavenly Parent, I can cheerfully refer 
 the event to His will, satisfied that He will 
 accomplith His own purposes of benignity to- 
 wards us. Ifa more intimate acquaintance 
 would promote His glory and our true wel- 
 fare, we should do injustice to ourselves, 
 and to His revealed will, to doubt His especial 
 guidance. 
 _ In religious sentiments I ‘ore believe we 
 should deaedielby unite; and this to me would 
 be a most essential requisite. But ina relation 
 30 near, so indissoluble, how necessary also is 
 an union of disposilion, taste, and pursuits. 
 How far we thus assimilate, personal acquaint- 
 ince alone can evince. I rejoice that you fill 
 situation, at once so honourable and useful, 
 in the Methodist Society. May grace and 
 wisdom abundantly descend upon you. I re- 
 joice also to acknowledge that although I do 
 not owe my first serious convictions to the 
 Society to which I now belong; yet to them 
 I am indebted, under the Divine blessing, for 
 all the real happiness I have derived from a 
 
138 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 celestial source. J find that an increasing 
 devotion of all I have, and am, to God, & 
 ‘my ardent desire. If it should please God 
 more nearly to unite our interests, I trust thi 
 would be the one grand and mutual aim of om 
 lives, ? 
 
 I have a dear friend and father (as he kindly 
 designated himself) in Dr. H. From a ver} 
 warm solicitude that he expressed for mij 
 future welfare, particularly on the subjee 
 which has produced our correspondence, | 
 gave him a promise, that I would avail myseh 
 of his parental kindness in consulting hin 
 on any such occasion. J] feel, in such an im 
 stance, his friendship a privilege ; and I hope, 
 through him, my father will be made acquaint- 
 ed with your proposal. How that will be 
 received I am ata loss to determine. ‘It will 
 be considered a robbery; and in that inves 
 tigation which a.kind parent naturally makes 
 for a child, whose comfortable settlement 
 the main object of his solicitude, you ma 
 find him a little particular. The motive, te 
 a considerate mind, will screen him from um 
 due censure. é 
 
 It is probable, Sir, that in the course of 
 the following week 1 shall either see or hear 
 from Dr. H. Let us not, however, slacken 
 in our diligence, to implore Divine direetion, 
 that the path may be made plain, that the will 
 of the Lord may be known, dy the concurrence 
 of my parents. 1 feel such a tenderness ft 
 
MRS. COOPER. 139 
 
 them, such a desire to honour them, in the 
 choice I make in life, that you must expect me 
 to be very implicit in yielding to reasonable 
 objections. Believe me with sentiments of 
 Christian regard, 
 
 MARY HANSON. 
 
 To Mr. John Cooper. 
 London, Oct. 2, 1810. 
 
 My brother J. yesterday made my father 
 acquainted with your proposal, who was much 
 pleased at my having previously consulted 
 Dr. H. He seemed disposed to wait on your 
 friend Mr. B. which it is probable he will do 
 to day. I feel satisfied that my dear father 
 will give it a suitable investigation, as he 
 received the first information without those 
 prejudices which would have warped his judg- 
 ment; and therefore I must refer you to the 
 latter part of my first letter, as to the line of 
 ‘conduct I should think it my indispensable 
 duty to pursue. 
 
 You must not expect to see me before I 
 eave town. Farewell! May the God of 
 ‘peace dwell with you. 
 
 M. H. 
 
 iy To the same. 
 
 Oct. 6, 1810. 
 _ I find my father has been to Mr. B.; but as 
 to the result of the interview I am quite igno- 
 vant. (It is probable Mr. B. can inform you. 
 
 i 
 
140 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Allow me, however, to request you to defer 
 your intended visit here, till it shall receive 
 the sanction of an authority I am bound to re- 
 spect and obey. % 
 
 We have committed ourselves to o the guid- 
 ance of unerring Wisdom. It becomes us, 
 therefore, to rest satisfied until the manifes- 
 tations of His will are made known. In this 
 instance I have the fullest confidence that 
 whatever is the result, our good will be the 
 consequence. 
 
 M. H. 
 
 To Mr. John Cooper. . 
 
 Oct. 20, 1810. 
 
 You so earnestly entreated me to write& 
 few lines ere the close of this week, that, 
 although I have nothing new to communicate, 
 I should not feel iniyéelf quite justified in a 
 complying with your request. 
 
 I think, my dear friend, thus far, we wal 
 reason to believe God has heard, and is an- 
 swering, our prayers. ‘= 
 
 I can most cheerfully refer the future to 
 Him who has thus far been mindful of our res 
 quests; and as our mutual aim has been the 
 glory of God, and the best interests of our 
 souls, we may still repose under the shadow 
 of that Onmnipotence promised and exerted in 
 our behalf. How incaleulably great are our 
 privileges; our supports and hopes are not 
 derived from beings, frail and mutableas “| 
 
MRS. COOPER. 141i 
 
 selves. The Great Eternal is engaged on 
 our behalf; He is the source and centre of. 
 all that soothes the life of man. O that we 
 may drink deeper into this knowledge, till 
 we are filled with all the fulness of God. 
 
 Religion is the only basis of true friendship ; 
 the only ground for its perpetuity. Whata 
 desolate thing is the human heart without it! 
 My confidence in you, and in our acquaintance, 
 has arisen from the assurance I have that the 
 Spirit of God has made your heart His dwell- 
 ing place; that your best affections are devoted 
 to the supreme good ; and that, if a nearer 
 acquaintance should be allotted us, your 
 attainments in religion would be as a means of 
 grace to me. 
 
 As a direct communication is opened be-. 
 tween you and my dear father, I wish you now 
 to follow the dictates of your own judgment, 
 without consulting me. 
 
 i I have just Guished the first part of Dr. 
 Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible; never 
 did I receive so much pleasure and profit from 
 he perusal of any thing. I intend giving 
 it, with the marginal ysfeneness) a second 
 erusal. 
 
 - Our journey to Bath is still quite unsettled. 
 We are disappointed of a letter to-day, which: 
 we expected, to decide it. Should I go with 
 Imy mother, my father will be prevented 
 laccompanying us; so I shall leave you to. 
 obtain his consent to our correspondence while. 
 
142 MEMOIRS OF’ 
 
 absent. If I go I shall expect to be the bearer 
 of a letter from you to our dear friend Mr. M. 
 The thoughts of once again seeing him, and 
 hearing him preach, exceedingly reconciles me 
 
 to the idea of leaving home. a4 
 M. H. © 
 
 a 
 ‘DIARY. 
 
 Oct. 23, 1810. 
 
 Still, through the grace of God, I am ena- 
 bled to hold on my way rejoicing. [I find reli- 
 gion, inconceivably beyond my former appre- 
 hensions, a source and spring of true happiness 
 and peace; to which I was a stranger till ena- 
 bled to give my heart up to God, and make His 
 service the prevailing disposition and delight 
 of my heart. Iam sensible that every good 
 desire and action is alone from the assistance 
 of the Spirit of God. I find that I have no 
 strength independent of Him; but, glory be to 
 His name, He is at all times accessible, and 
 always wailing to be gracious. ‘To press for- 
 ward is my earnest desire; to know nothing 
 but ‘Jesus Christ and Him crucified,’ to de- 
 vote every power and faculty of my soul to His 
 service, is the ardent wish of my heart. What 
 a burning zeal have I sometimes found, to be 
 more actively employed in the service of my 
 Lord. 1 have often besought of God to make 
 
 ' 
 
 a» 
 
MRS. COOPER. 143 | 
 
 ne an instrument of more extensive usefulness; 
 1S’ inactivity in a Christian seems to me so 
 nexcusable. 
 In the course of His unerring providence, 
 sho is the Overseer of our ways; a path, I 
 ittle expected, seems now opening. That 
 cquaintance which I have before hinted at, 
 vhich I from the first believed from God, and 
 vhich I most entirely referred to God, appears 
 low to be most evidently the work of His pro- 
 idence. The mark I earnestly besought Him 
 9 give, zt now bears ,—the concurrence of my 
 ear parents. No difficulties seem now to op- 
 ose our friendship. Mr. C. is to be intro- 
 uced into our family, on Saturday. 
 
 In no occurrence of my life have I ever so 
 ecidedly traced the hand of God, as in this, 
 ‘his newly acquired friend seems to possess all 
 
 could desire in the relation likely to result 
 om our friendship. Settled and solid piety, 
 sompanied by that activity in the cause of 
 igion, 1 so much value; a well cultivated 
 id good understanding, an amiable and affec- 
 onate disposition, with the same religious sen- 
 ments, and connected with the same society 
 imyself. As itis from God, I trust it will 
 ost eminently lead 40 Him; and that a union, 
 rmed on such a basis, will be of especial use 
 us and to the Church of Christ. My ability, , 
 ( | sufficiency are alone of God. ips 
 
144 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Oct. 30, 1810. 
 
 Friday is the day appointed for our going te 
 Bath,-a visit which I trust will produce much 
 profit as well as pleasure; transient is that 
 which only delights the eye and the imagina- 
 tion : but when connected with this, the soul re. 
 ceives supplies of Divine nourishment, is made 
 happy by the immediate communication of the 
 Fountain of all good ; then peace maintains it 
 position, and every thing conspires to mak 
 the mind joyful. Watchfulness and prayer 
 how perpetually needful! for the few last days 
 I have been much harrassed, and very dull ant 
 insensible to Divine things. Last night I ear 
 nestly prayed for the restoration of my peace 
 and in some measure found it. I dread luke 
 warmness, and never can know peace out 0 
 God, who has visited me with so many com 
 munications of His love. Lord, I would mak 
 a fresh surrender: let nothing ever interpos 
 betwixt Thee and my soul! Ido love The 
 above all the world !—I anticipate much d aligh 
 from the company of dear Mr.and Mrs. Moor 
 at Bath; his preaching has often been muel 
 blessed to me, and his private communication 
 always enlivening. I hope through the bless 
 ing of God, to acquire fresh strength amt 
 vigour in the best things, at Bath. I may nov 
 maintain an authorised correspondence will 
 my friend Mr. C. It has all the earthly appro 
 bation I could desire. The heavenly benedic 
 tion will, I trust, eminently rest upon ou 
 
MRS. COOPER. 145 
 
 acquaintance; without this, we shall in vain 
 look for comfort. If God design me to fulfil 
 this important relation, I feel asanred of His 
 heavenly assistance. In knowing whence 
 every blessing flows, I can confidently look 
 up to Him who will supply my every need. 
 May I have faith to receive, and God will 
 bestow ! 
 
 : 
 
 am Noo. 2, 1810, 
 
 _ Accompanied by my mother, and brothers 
 John and William, I left Hammersmith, for 
 Bath; where, after a tolerably pleasant jour- 
 ney, we arrived about ten at night. 
 
 =F 
 
 i To Mr. John Cooper. 
 i Bath, Noo. 5, 1810, 
 
 _ It is well that so pleasing a resource is left 
 © separated friends, and that one’s thoughts 
 lan be communicated with as much vigour 
 ind effect at the distance of a hundred miles, 
 ts of four; and this surely may be the case 
 when wnreserve and sincerity are allowed to 
 bxercise themselves. This then, my dear 
 riend, shall be the character of our corre- 
 jpondence : distance now forbidding personal 
 Intercourse, we will endeavour to ual our- 
 elves known to each other by mental disco- 
 eries, and try to ascertain how far ‘ thought 
 aeeting thought,’ the result of preconceived 
 H 
 
146 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 opinions gives rational ground of hope, that im 
 the closest union no future sources of disquie- 
 tude will arise from a native dissimilarity. My 
 views on this subject are by no means common 
 place; they are the result of a little thought, 
 ‘and much observation. With the ordina 
 lot-of connubial happiness, I confess to you I 
 should not only be dissatisfied but unhappy. 
 From one expression of your’s, I am led to 
 believe that if this be a romantic notion, you 
 also.are under its influence. Perhaps, as be- 
 Vievers in the doctrine of Christian perfection, 
 we may be forgiven for placing our standard 
 somewhat higher than the generality of Christ- 
 ians; and if in this respect we do but think and 
 aim alike, I feel convineed our object will be 
 attained. Excuse the length of the preface. 
 Through the good providence of God, we 
 had a‘safe and pleasant journey ;»we reached 
 Bath a very little after ten o’clock. On the 
 following day we suited ourselves wi th 
 apartments which we now occupy, comma n¢ 
 ing the most interesting and beautiful view ¢ 
 this city; having in both front and back rooms 
 an uninterrupted view of the most luxuriant 
 hills, possessing the character of Bath, with 
 houses one above another. To the south, we 
 view Beacher Cliff, with its hanging woods, 
 the highest‘hill I-have seen. The Avon, just 
 beneath our window, meanders beautifully 
 along. We are, indeed, thoroughly ‘pleased 
 with the situation. Of Bath, I can say bul 
 
MRS. COOPER. 147 
 
 little, being much indisposed on Saturday. 1 
 am, however, prepared to believe it the most 
 interesting city, by far, I have ever seen. As 
 you have been here, I shall not occupy my 
 paper with any further remarks upon it; the 
 tendency of our correspondence being of a more 
 important nature. 
 
 «1 found the services of yesterday peculiarly 
 profitable: heard Mr. J. preach morning and 
 evening, and perhaps this enjoyment was in- 
 creased by the persuasion I had that you, my 
 dear friend, had implored this blessing at the 
 hand of God for me. What a privilege, to 
 have access to the throne of God! There, all 
 we need has been purehased for us by our 
 adorable Redeemer! My mother and I called 
 m Mrs. M. in the afternoon. Mr. M. was in 
 Frome ; not expected in Bath till Wednes- 
 y- IL left-your letter in the hands of Mrs. 
 who, I am happy to say, is amazingly re- 
 ay They knew, through Mrs. J. we 
 re expected at Bath, and I suppose have 
 a hint of something else. Not a word, 
 ever, passed yesterday. I hope to see 
 . M. next Wednesday morning, and to 
 him preach next Sunday. You must ex- 
 ject me to be considerably influenced by his 
 ict, pro or con; as I apprehend the na- 
 ure of your intimacy with him has led toa 
 evelopement of your whole soul. The as- 
 larances you have given me, my dear friend, 
 a have weight, because they are from 
 H2 
 
148 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 a Christian; were they from a doubiful cha-' 
 racter in this respect, I should regard them as 
 the necessary consequence of an intimacy with 
 such an object in view. They always precede 
 marriage: but, alas! how seldom are they ful- 
 filled. after. Although a former connection 
 may, in some respects, be objectionable to my 
 mind; yet, as in the instance of yourself, it 
 has tended to try you and to call forth domes- 
 tic qualities; and, as they were of a nature 
 ‘truly worthy of regard; though, alas! for 
 your happiness, but of short continuance ; yet 
 that little narrative has done more for you in 
 my estimation, than all. 1 have seen-and all I 
 have heard besides. Should I ever have an 
 equal place in your affections, and find you in 
 all respects what I wish, I will answer for my- 
 self, that you and the domestic circle, round 
 which I shall revolve, will be-all the world to 
 me; and all my endeavours will be to promot 
 and maintain that happiness, which, by a pro- 
 per discharge of relative and: religious dutis 5, 
 is attainable in this life. It gives me much 
 pleasure that you have derived from the sam f 2 
 source that I have, profitable pleasure in rea 
 ing. How many hours of rational amusement 
 have I enjoyed in this way: how often, when 
 I knew nothing of the peace resulting from ac- 
 ceptance with God, have the little, domestic 
 vexations I have met with, been borne with 
 patience, from, the idea thatin my own closet 
 with my hooks, I should forget my troubles; 
 
MRS. COOPER. 149 
 
 and by the relations of days of yore, find my 
 heart and imagination fully occupied. How 
 often did I regard with pity, those who knew 
 no happiness, independent of company and the 
 ball room. These were days of enjoyment: 
 but, O my dear friend, of how low and change- 
 able a nature, compared with that peace which 
 passeth all'‘understanding! which, through-the 
 infinite love and grace of God, I have since 
 possessed. My brother requests me to-walk 
 with him. Adieu. Iam going to ascend the 
 heights to the crescents. 
 
 Farewell: may the God of love sind; peace 
 ‘dwell with you. How is yourhealth? Doyou 
 in general enjoy good health? My mother 
 ‘thinks you look so delicate, that I have had 
 fears. 
 
 _ Believe me your very affectionate friend, 
 
 MARY 
 
 To Mr. John Cooper, 
 Bath, Noo. 12, 1810. 
 
 Indeed, my dear friend, I anticipated, and 
 ceived more pleasure from your last kind 
 etter, than from any of the preceding ones. 
 | The contents were altogether congenial to.my 
 |mind. My hopes and expectations are now 
 alive to the solid happiness reserved for us, in 
 the prosecution of that acquaintance, so obvi- 
 Hensly from the Father of all good. The con- 
 | vietion of this increases upon me by reflec- 
 tion and prayer.—I fee], indeed, no doubt that 
 | 
 
 | 
 
150 MEMOIRS OF | 
 ! 
 
 if it shall please God to unite us in nearer 
 bonds, it will be the mean of more closely 
 uniting each of us to Himself. It is true, 
 indeed, my deficiencies are very great, far 
 greater than you apprehend; but ‘ help being 
 laid upon One that is mighty,’ I feel full of 
 blissful confidence, that the race Ihave begun, 
 I shall be enabled to run with increasing vir 
 gour, with the expectation of comprehending 
 more and more, by happy experience, the 
 heights and depths of love Divine. | 
 I regard true religion as the only source ¢ | 
 happiness; and that is an effect produced, in 
 proportion to the entire surrender we make of 
 our hearts, and the indwelling of the Holy 
 Spirit. O my dear friend, may this be our 
 daily aim and walk through life. Our blessed 
 Saviour, the standard of our imitation, who 
 had the happiness of His creatures only in 
 view, prescribed nothing but what here has 
 that tendency. If we live under the 4 nfluence 
 of these hopes and endeavours; 1 fear not 
 the fulfilment of my most sanguine expecta- 
 tions. Love to God is the source of every 
 Christian excellence ; and surely it was in the 
 exercise of providential love, that we were 
 ‘ brought to the communication of this oneness 
 of opinion. it oe 
 By this time, I apprehend Mr. M. has an- 
 swered your letter, the contents of which I 
 find imparted no ordinary pleasure. For on 
 the receipt of it, he, with his amiable wife, 
 
MRS. COOPER. 151 
 
 knelt down and implored the blessings of liea- 
 ven upon us.—How much I felt indebted for 
 this pious instance of their regard! Yester- - 
 day under Mr. M.’s pivachin: I found a re- 
 newal of that benefit, I invariably experi- 
 enced at H. from his ministry.—The blessed 
 ‘man was quite alive; and every sentence 
 veached my heart. In the morning he preached 
 from Hab. iii. 2. ‘O Lord, revive Thy work! 
 ‘In the evening fom Fide iii. 7. ‘ Marvel 
 not that I said unto you, Ye must be born 
 again.’ I hope long, and ever, to feel the 
 effects of these sermons; my strength is re- 
 newed; and, te be more filled with the Holy 
 Spirit, is at once my privilege and prayer. 
 The chapel was crowded in the evening. Bath 
 is the very place for Mr. M.’s abilities to be 
 appreciated; and, I feel certain his labours 
 will be much lens: T expect him to call 
 re this morning. 
 
 What privileges, my dear friend, we es 
 t Methodists! I find this more fue more. 
 hristian fellowship being such a powerful 
 ean of abstracting us from-the world, and 
 ‘making us alive to the collective, as well as in- 
 dividual privileges of Christians. May every 
 talent entrusted to us be improved a hundred 
 fold! 
 
 _ Lhave just been interrupted by a visit from 
 ‘Mr. J.; as I was alone, I had the pleasure of 
 a serious and interesting conversation with 
 him. 
 
152 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 And so you are going into Lancashire?’ Be 
 eareful of yourself, and do not trifle with colds ; 
 I hope you will have returned, before we shall 
 get back to H . Write punctually, and do 
 not let me suffer from your journeying. Our 
 continuance here is quite uncertain. I hardly 
 think it will be in the whole a month. 
 
 We went to Bristol and Clifton last Thurs- 
 day, and had quite a wet day for our excursion; 
 nevertheless, I went to see the beautiful St. 
 Vincent’s Rocks. Such a lovely spot! We 
 must visit it together. 
 
 My brother J. has this morning left us. He 
 asked me if I had any message; it is probable 
 he will call on you. You are received quite 
 with cordiality by my brothers ; and, J Bere 
 by all. 
 
 May this friendship, which is thus iar 
 by the approbation of earth and heaven, bea 
 continual source of thankfulness to each « f 
 us. May our Christian walk be parked 
 all that can adorn our professi 
 Clarke’s description* of the origi 
 tion, and its everlasting design, be realised 
 to us. rvhig r 
 
 What more shall I say, than onsitedti'd my 
 hope and confidence, that God will enable us 
 to be what we desire. That we may live 
 to His glory, and be continually . pressing 
 after all that holiness, which shall sanctify us 
 
 Dare 
 
 * Commentary on Genesis, chap. ti. sai 
 
 x 
 4 
 b 
 
MRS. COOPER. 153 
 
 throughout, in body, soul, and spirit. Ani- 
 mating hopes! To this God of love I com- 
 “mend you, ‘and remain your “A most affection- 
 
 atelys : ‘ M. Hi 
 
 _ To Mr. John Cooper. 
 
 Bath, Nov. 19, 1810.» 
 
 As correspondents, my dear friend, we seem 
 to approve of each other very well. I trust the 
 ‘same coincidents will manifest themselves in 
 
 all we do; and that a growing similarity will 
 _be the result of a daily Christian walk. You 
 have had painful experience, of the uncertain 
 tenure of earthly blessings ;* it is a lesson we 
 shall all learn; ‘the spider’s most attenuated 
 ‘thread is cord, is cable, to man’s slender tie, 
 on earthly bliss.” Unless things of heavenly 
 -substance engross our best affections, our 
 ‘Father who is in heaven, will remind us, 
 | at he is, a jealous God. . Thus, watching 
 
 “unto prayer must be our constant bent of mind 
 "—O, how needful! Our dear friend, Mr. M. 
 on Sataxday, when I saw him, desined me to 
 ‘present his love to you, and say, ‘ You are 
 ‘now in danger, that you have need of much 
 ‘watchfulness.’ Can you interpret his mean- 
 ing? he addressed me to the same effect. Our 
 | intimacy | began well: for my own part, I 
 
 ax: 
 pe alluding to Mr. C.’s former wife, a very amiable 
 | and excellent woman, who died about twelve months 
 after their marriage. 
 
 n3 
 
154 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 never in-any instance felt such an entire sur- 
 render of my own will, nor so ardent a desire 
 that God only might be glorified: and, when 
 at one time a dark cloud hovered over the 
 opening prospect, which I could not at all pe- 
 netrate, a sense of the omnipotence of that 
 Being, who was my hope and confidence, dis- 
 sipated all doubt from my mind. J knew He 
 would accomplish His own designs. O, the 
 happiness of having.-the Almighty Jehovah for 
 our Friend! May our foroes and confidence in 
 Him increase. 
 
 My sister expresses herself as quite delighted 
 with your dear little girl. Iam rejoiced to 
 find that there is already the bud of so much 
 excellence, ‘a quickness of apprehension, 
 united to great sweetness of temper.’ I am 
 pleased that you are to have the credit of ra- 
 tionality, in what isalready eonspicuous in your 
 instructions of the little dear. I much d ire 
 to see her. . ae 
 
 To Mr..Fohn Cooper, i 
 Bath, Ne. 96,2810. fl 
 
 This will, I hope, find yow safely restored te 
 the enjoyment of your own fire side; where a 
 mew Ebeneger of praise has, mo doubt, been 
 erected to that‘God, who, by the guardian in- 
 fluence.of His angels, may have defended you 
 from all evil. To.owe protection to' His Jove, 
 is to have every blessing -blessed. -Wou ask 
 
MRS. COOPER. 155 
 
 #or a long letter; I will endeayour not to 
 disappoint you: but as I am much indisposed, 
 having a sore throat, and rather an increasing 
 degree of fever, you will excuse me if necessity 
 ‘should compel me to abandon my present in- 
 tention; indeed, there is so intimate a union 
 between our corporeal and mental powers, 
 that that which gives us sensibility of suffering, 
 suffers also. Should I bea little gloomy, you 
 will know to what cause to impute it. It isa 
 very stormy day too; perhaps the vapours, 
 which must condense the atmosphere, may 
 unite their influence to cloud my mind; and 
 to peace, the kind boon of heaven, does 
 pervade my spirit. It is often assailed, some- 
 times powerfully, by outward causes: but 
 the prospect of unclouded bliss, like the sua 
 as yet beneath the horizon, cheers me in this 
 # orld. 
 
 me toe + # @ + t+ + * H'F 
 
 I cannot suppose that any thing can give 
 ‘me real pleasure that is not connected with 
 |zeligion. My understanding (as well as 
 affections) is so powerfully convinced of its 
 | testimony, that I cleave to it as to a strong 
 ‘hold,.and firmly believe our happiness keeps 
 pace with our holiness. Attimes I feel a little 
 Foverpowered with the responsibility which 
 | attaches itself to my future character. You, 
 | any dear friend, have expectations too highly 
 
156 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 raised; I must check you, as I would some 
 others of my too partial friends. 
 
 I was much affected in hearing of the ap- 
 proaching dissolution of your pious orien 
 Though, indeed, the death-bed of such a man 
 cannot produce unmixed sorrow ; angels wait~ 
 ing to conduct the happy spirit, to the sight 
 of those joys which so long had been beheld z ae 
 through a glass darkly. I have ceased to 
 entertain curious speculations on the nature 
 and employments of the heavenly world. My 
 own experience tells me that to be for ever 
 free from sin, to know no interruption toa 
 perfect love to God, will be heaven to me: I 
 can anticipate no higher. I enjoyed a sweet 
 foretaste of this one morning last week, and 
 sunk deeper into my own nothingness, and 
 had fuller views of Christian holiness, than 
 I ever had before. O my dear friend, ‘ my 
 willing soul would stay in such a frame as 
 this ;’ but, alas! its continuance is ie : 
 and I think my volatile nature wii Mi | 
 itself to those permanent enjoyments | 
 even a glimpse should be matter taf at ent 
 thankfulness. It proves such a cordial; and 
 even the recollection of it excites the ‘hopll 
 that these ‘ angel visits, few and far between,’ 
 may hereafter prove more frequent on more. 
 permanent. , f 
 I heard Mr. M. preach twice yesterday. In 
 the morning, I think he made one of the great- 
 est and deepest sermons I ever heard, from 
 
MRS. COOPER. 157 
 
 John vii. 9,10. relative to the intercession 
 of Christ, and the salvation of those whom the 
 Father gave Him. You know this is one of 
 the strongest holds of our opponents, the 
 Calvinists. Our view of the subject he ade 
 mirably, and I think unanswerably, defended. 
 Itisasermon I should much like to possess ; 
 ‘and I intend to ask the favour of Mr. M. to 
 write me a general view of. that part of the 
 subject. 
 
 The sun now shines; and I feel better 
 than I did when I began, less inconvenience 
 from my throat. I however fear this letter 
 will not much interest you; but you know 
 when a correspondence is undertaken, it is for 
 ‘better and for worse ;’ and while it is a faithful 
 portraiture of the mind, the effects of clouds, 
 as well as sunshine, will be visible. This being 
 a state of trial, our happiness here will have 
 an alloy: what need of Christian armour, if 
 we were never to be assailed by foes ? While 
 “we follow on to know the Lord, victory is 
 certain, and heaven our sure reversion. May 
 we thus prove excitements to each other, and 
 _* square our useful lives below, by reason and 
 by grace.’ 
 
 ¢ 
 es 2 + © # © © ¢ * * F 
 
158 MEMOIRS OF 
 ’ 
 
 To Mr, John Cooper. v 
 _ Bath, Dec. 3, 1810. 
 I am willing. to believe, my dear friend, 
 that the correspondence our separation has oc 
 casioned has not only been a pleasure, but 
 has tended to enlarge our knowledge of gach 
 other ; and to lay open future probable sources 
 of reciprocal happiness, should it please God 
 so to perpetuate our friendship. ‘True love 
 strikes root in reason ;’ and certainly where 
 the understanding is suffered to lie dormant, 
 and the affections alone act and are supreme, 
 such an attachment would be exposed to ten 
 thousand variations; and at length, perhaps, 
 to an almost total extinction. May I not ven+ 
 ture to believe that an assimilation in under- 
 standing, sentiments, and aims, exists between 
 us; and that the lags of God will prove an 
 _ indissoluble bond to our union. Earthly rela- 
 ‘tions, of course, cease in heaven; but | 
 lieve the. most purified affections 
 ‘among all the redeemed, and th 
 know even as we are known.’ Th 
 ‘dear friend, is but the infancy of « 
 In reference to this idea, let us live; 
 and anticipate full draughts ole: iss, wh i 
 here we only taste. Ves Wy 
 Should I ever fall short of i expectations. 
 my letters have raised in. your mind, I wil 
 give you leave to advert to them, and. eprove . 
 
 me thus ; neither will I ever rebel against your” 
 
MRS. COOPER. 159 
 
 lordly prerogative, while you render the yoke 
 
 easy by the fulfilment of your part of the story. 
 
 The apostolic exhortations will furnish us 
 
 with our orders, which are never given without 
 
 arms. - 
 
 Need [I tell you that I consider our corre- 
 
 spondence of the most confidential nature ; its 
 
 avowed object has excited a freedom in my 
 
 remarks, which the sincerity we both professed 
 
 to adopt on the outset has justified. As it is 
 ‘now drawing to aclose, I wish you to givea 
 direct answer to both my last letters, and tell 
 me honestly whether you have an unabated 
 and entire confidence that I shall possess as 
 Jarge a share of your affections as your much 
 Joved Margaret. This is indispensable to your 
 happiness and mine; and, perhaps, it may be 
 ‘the last time I shall ever teaze you with the in- 
 “terrogation. Much less would have been said 
 -on the subject, had I not a fixed aversion to the 
 “idea of plunging myself into the varied and 
 | multiplied cares and anxietiesof a married life, 
 ‘without the most positive expectation of pos- 
 |-sessing the entire confidence and affections of 
 “him to whom I should so awfully intrust my 
 | fature all. Indeed I have frequent misgivings 
 of heart, and I am so locally attached to 
 _H—,, that I wonder I ever listened to.a pro- 
 _ posal which could personally alienate me‘from 
 | at. If it be of God, it shall be for good :— 
 Mona this is my confidence. : 
 | It remains for-you, my dear friend, to close 
 
». 
 
 160 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 our Bath correspondence. I shall expect : 
 long letter, in gratitude for receiving two. ©» 
 
 I have enjoyed Bath upon the whole ver: 
 much; and shall feel considerable regret in 
 leaving some kind friends. I trust I hay. 
 
 -been making some advances in the Divine life 
 I certainly feel more of my deficiencies, anc 
 
 more Divine power has attended my meditation: 
 on the Scriptures ; but, O how many unprofit 
 able hours have I spent! indeed there is « 
 ‘much idleness consequent on visiting these 
 places, that oe has often reproachec 
 me for it. § 
 
 Last Friday I took a mnniel 1 delightfal walk 
 on the banks of a canal, which runs parallel 
 with the river Avon. The uncommon beauty 
 of the scenery, heightened by the loveliness of 
 
 -the day, urged me on to a considerable extent. 
 
 I had so much exceeded my ordinary bounds 
 -of a walk, that when I reached home 1 was 
 completely exhausted with fatigue. I walked 
 fast, without any intermission, for three how 
 for which temerity I was close; prisoner 
 Saturday, almost lamed with fatigue. My ob 
 ject was to reach a place I had heard of, wise 
 the canal crosses the river Avon, rather a cu- 
 wiosity, which I did not accomplis have 
 had some sweet solitary walks. I hope you 
 
 are an admirer. of the works of nature; and 
 
 do not despise occasional enthusiastic raptures 
 in the contemplation of His works, in the least 
 of which the Deity is so conspicuous: Iam 
 
MRS. COOPER. 161 
 
 sure you do not. You enjoy poetry too. I 
 have so long received pleasure from the re- 
 sources of my own mind, and am so entirely 
 out of debt to external sources of amusement, 
 that I am almost miserly in cherishing the chan- 
 nels through which these silent unobserved 
 enjoyments have flowed. 
 
 How sublimity is heightened, my dear 
 friend, when we can ‘lift to heaven an unpre- 
 sumptuous eye, and smiling, say, My Father 
 made them al.’ Asa friend said tome, the 
 other day, we can never truly bless God for 
 our creation, till we can for our redemption. 
 Enabled to do this, my dear friend, our lives 
 ‘should be a tribute of praise.” 
 me M. H. 
 
 _ [The following Letter written to her father 
 in reference to this subject, is at once a fine 
 ‘proof of her good sense, deep piety, and pro- 
 found filial respect and gratitude. ] 
 
 Bath, Dec. 3, 1810. 
 
 _ My very dear father, 
 
 ' «Your truly kind and invaluable letter of 
 ‘yesterday demands an early acknowledgment. 
 ‘YT cannot express the half of what 1 felt on 
 reading its interesting contents.—My sensations 
 -were those of mingled love and gratitude for 
 “so unexpected a proof of your affection—Had 
 you, in any of your previous letters, ex- 
 | pressed a wish to hear from me, I should cer- 
 ‘tainly have complied with it: though I could 
 
: 
 162 MEMOIRS OF : 
 not but feel a degree of backwardness’ Fe 
 adverting to a subject you have so Lindl 
 noticed. : 
 
 * ££ *+ S$ £ # &# H# # & & & 
 
 ene ~~ 2 
 
 Home now begins to wear a desirable z 
 pect; where, upon the whole, my dear m 
 ther would rather embrace you than subje 
 you to the fatigue of so long a journey for the 
 pleasure of spending only a few days here— 
 On Saturday morning, if it please God, we 
 hope to see you:—and in a few weeks I trust 
 it will be apparent that my mother’s health 
 has been obviously benefited by the change of 
 air and waters,—the good effects of which, I 
 believe, are seldom immediately discernible. 
 
 Iam much concerned to find, my dearest 
 father, that you continue so very lame, but 
 truly thankful that your now almost necessary 
 confinement at St. James’s has been so much 
 mitigated by the solid satisfaction arising from 
 an experimental onaenintanis with Divine trut] 
 
 eM to the conquest.—It is wh 
 to our own strength that the world o| Bains ae 
 victory. I most sincerely wish that circum- 
 stances may allow of your losing no opportu 
 nity of hearing dear Mr, Fry, far whose minis- 
 terial labours we, asa family, have so much 
 cause of thankfulness, ‘oll 
 
 S~ fe 
 
MRS. COOPER. 163 
 
 i never had the pleasure of receiving but one 
 etter from my dear father, besides the one 
 ram now acknowledging; and I feel emotions, 
 »f gratitude to God in contrasting the period 
 n which that was written with the present.— 
 At that time you, with parental tenderness, 
 were warning me against that gaiety of dis- 
 position 1 then manifested; and those antichris- 
 ian pursuits after which I was so eager. 
 
 To Divine grace alone am 1 indebted for 
 that entire alteration of hopes and aims, and 
 for that blessed foretaste I often enjoy, of the 
 -est which in heaven remains for me.—May you 
 and I, my dearest father, feel more and more 
 that our Redeemer has purchased for us sanc- 
 ‘ification as well as justification ; and that the 
 implantation of a new nature makes His ser- 
 vice our delight and perfect freedom. 
 
 L hope I feel truly grateful for that kind in- 
 terest. you manifest in regard to my future 
 prospects, arising from a connexion, which, 
 if sealed with a solemn perpetuity, will re- 
 move me from under the eye and roof of my 
 dear parents, of whose kind and fostering care 
 1 shall have so many pleasing recollections.— 
 y dear father, I feel the importance of the 
 step; but I feel also a hope bordering on cons 
 fidence, that that gracious Being, who over- 
 rules all events, and has expressly promised to 
 guide those who trust in Him, has in this 
 ‘instance manifested His will. 1 believe too 
 
 here is every rational ground to expect do; 
 mestic comfort. 
 
 \ 
 
164 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ee er 
 
 New relations will, I hope, never alienate 
 my affections from old ones.—¥For your many 
 prayers I feel inexpressibly grateful ; and hav 
 Jong acted on the idea, that the best return ] 
 can make is by constantly remembering 
 father at the same throne of mercy. 
 
 Believe me, my very dear father, 
 
 Your most dutiful and affectionate daughter, 
 
 MARY HANSON, 
 
 ———— 
 
 DIARY. ei 
 Dee Fe 
 
 Indeed I shal! have much reason to recal 
 mind my visit to Bath; it has been, upoi 
 the whole, very profitable to me. Added 
 to the benefit I have found in Divine ordi 
 nances, the letters of my dear friend have much 
 tended to excite me to seek with him a f ll 
 salvation. 
 
 Our acquaintance is from God ; I feel it so, 
 more and more: with this impression can J, i 
 a spiritual sense, expect too much, or feel too 
 thankful. Emotions of regret I shall feel in 
 leaving Bath. In departing from a place where 
 pleasure has been received ; the uncertainty of 
 never more beholding it casts a mournful emo- 
 tion over the soul. A stray tear will flow 
 down the cheek; this I have always found; 
 
_ MRS. COOPER. 165 
 
 Pos 
 
 hl which I 
 
 forego for all the stoical firmness im 
 seid. The passions, when they are re~. 
 ified by true religion, are sources 
 
 Christmas Day, 1810. 
 1 of this day interests me much im 
 vo-fo old point of view : First, as the seasom im 
 hy the most extraordinar} event which ever 
 ook la ce im this world, is celebrated. The 
 ativity of the God-Man is the birth of every 
 fall 1 nature could have, of a restoration 
 the lost favour and image of the Deity. A 
 atrivance of satisfyme the Divine justice, 
 ich could alone originate in the Dizine mind. 
 we have entrance imio the Holy of Ho- 
 ss and the gates of heaven are thrown open, 
 recei all whe in truth receive this incar- 
 ste Saviour into their hearts. 
 Asa second motive ought I not to hold the 
 arn of this day ia solemn and grateful re~ 
 orance? on the past one, 1809, having 
 ived a sweet manifestation of my interest 
 E the favour of Ged; when ali my doubts 
 pd fears were dissolved, and my soul swal- 
 owed up im devotion and aspirations after 
 Ged. Blessed be God, the witness He gave | 
 Baill remains; and on this day I gratefully re 
 that my desires are greater than ever, to 
 paltogether the Lord’s. "Tis true, alas! my 
 ginments bear no propertica to my privi-~ 
 le : 1 
 
166 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 : : 
 leges; and but for the infinite merits of that 
 atonement Jesus made, I should have just 
 cause to fear rejection from the favour of G 
 But He knows my frame, and remembers I i 
 but dust; and He accepts my sincere desires 
 be His, and my ardent longings after full con- 
 formity to the Divine image: for this end I 
 surrender myself this day; and, feeling’: 
 utter dependence on Divine aid, Bee my na’ 
 helplessness, ‘ looking unto Jesus,’ I trust 
 shall become more than conqueror over all : a 
 foes. The last night was so a - 
 pestuous that I could not sleep: but never 
 did I find wakefulness so profitable; never 
 were my nocturnal meditations so sweet. 
 While the raging tempest made me to heat 
 and feel the Deity abroad, and contemplate 
 His judgments which are now so evidently 
 manifested in the earth; I could not help con- 
 trasting the thunder of His power, with the 
 Babe in Bethlehem. It was by the Worn, 
 all. things were made; ‘and the Worp be 
 came flesh, and dwelt among us.’ He made the 
 world by His word, and man by His breath 
 yet to redeem him He must leave the heaven 
 of heavens, assume our nature, and in that 
 nature bleed! thence I took a survey of the 
 world ; of the negligence and general indiffer- 
 ence to this stupendous fact: men closing 
 their eyes to this light, and wantonly choosing 
 that place, where hope never comes. ‘That. 
 God should, in indignation, pour out the 
 
. MRS. COOPER. 167 
 
 vials of His wrath against the children of men, 
 who do despite to the precious blood of Christ, 
 I m lied not; but rather felt amazed at 
 
 the 1 mg uffering of God. Those who will 
 
 not listen to the still small voice of His mer- 
 cy, may expeet to hear and bear the thunder 
 of +o’ 
 
 But when I looked on myself, and found in 
 y heart a humble hope that I was accepted 
 ouch this incarnation; when I could ap- 
 al to the Searcher of hearts, and say, ‘ Thou 
 owest all things; Thou knowest that I love 
 thee.’ O! then, how little to be dreaded is 
 
 as a little thing,’ and has engaged Himself in 
 my behalf. 
 
 : Jan. 22, 1811. 
 
 Towards the close of last month I went to 
 London; and only returned here about a 
 week ago. In no other piace do I ever feel 
 at home to write: so that I have by my ab- 
 sencé missed recording some sweet and profit- 
 lable seasons 1 enjoyed when in town. At 
 the commencement of this new year, I joy- 
 fully renewed my covenant with God; and 
 [was earnest in supplicating His grace to enable 
 me to walk more closely, more usefully, this 
 year, (should I be spared,) than the last. It 
 eems indeed probable, that a more enlarged 
 sphere of activity will, ere long, be opened 
 
168 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 4 
 
 for me. That gracious Being who 
 will, I doubt not, afford me grace 
 will. Atthe renewal of the covenant I 
 
 at Queen Street Chapel; at this most solema 
 and obligatory ordinance, I found tl 
 
 sence of God. The Lord’s Supper was 
 administered, of which I and my deare | 
 at once partook. To be loved by ¢ ne 50 ¢ de 
 cidedly the Lord's, is an unlooked for pro 
 dence; and I have frequently, on a | 
 of the various circumstances leadi 
 present interesting intimacy, been con 
 to acknowledge and bless the hand o} 
 at times, when a have hesitated to do th 
 lieve the instigation was from Satan; | 
 
 eT am, 
 
 been most occupied will religion, I hhave le 
 and regarded my friend fhe most; and have 
 anticipated with delight the probability of our 
 being helps to each ‘other i in the way to hea 
 ven. Every succeeding interview iner 
 my value for his character ; and my convi 
 that he who numbers the taeiiene heads, 
 appointed us foreach other. _ me Pp 
 
 I enjoyed last sabbath exceedingly ; Air, 
 Griffith preached; and it was much blessed 
 to my soul; I went in expectation that it 
 would be so, 
 
 Aprii 20, 1811. 
 Having spent the chief part of the winter 
 in town, at my Sister’s, in consequence of her 
 
MRS. COOPER. 169 
 
 confinement, I have been taken off my usual 
 and settled plan of occasionally writing the 
 state of my mind. I somewhat regret it, hav- 
 ing found it a very profitable and interesting 
 record of my experience. Ten thousand bless- 
 ings that [I have in this instance received have, 
 T trust, made an indelible record in my me- 
 mory.. ) 
 E: A present God, a satisfying portion, and de- 
 sires more ardent to be altogether the Lord’s, 
 to be growing up into His likeness, these have 
 indeed been prominent desires, and endea- 
 yours, though occasionally clouded over with 
 unbelief, and obstructed by lukewarmness. 
 ‘ He knows my infirmities, and remembers I 
 iy but dust.’ I have at times had delight- 
 fal anticipations of heaven ; of enjoying there 
 a full draught of that living water of which 
 I have just had a taste; anil of having a 
 growing love and knowledge throughout eter- 
 nity. 
 
 ‘I have found particular benefit from a 
 fees suggested by my dear C. of reading 
 
 e same chapter with him daily. We began 
 i oe 26.) the Gospel of St. Matthew; and 
 selected one verse, in writing, for our day’s 
 ‘meditation. This I have found very profit- 
 lable, though too often careless in the obsery- 
 lance of it. In reading this blessed book on 
 my knees, and with a simple desire of having 
 my eyes opened by the Spirit of God, to dis- 
 jcover and impress its important contents on 
 I 
 
170 MEMOIRS OF . 
 
 my heart, I have found it sweeter to my taste 
 than honey, and could say with David, ‘. 
 thy word do I delight. ’ | find need of watchi 
 against formality in it, and suffering — dege> 
 nerate into mere custom. 
 
 In this, and our mutual pes at ten 
 o’clock, to pray for each other, the Lord has 
 often blessed our souls. O! for more impor 
 tunity, for more wrestling for ‘all the mi nd 
 that was in Christ Jesus.’ a 
 
 The Lord’s Supper was much blessed to me 
 last Sabbath. I found at the altar the spirit ¢ of 
 self-dedication, and of importunity, for | pover y 
 of spirit and purity of heart. I bless God the q 
 I always feel restless and uneasy’ “when t my 
 soul is not alive to Him. | 
 
 To-morrow we expect Dr. Clarke here; and 
 I look forward with hope of receiving much 
 blessing; his preaching having, ‘invariably 
 been made so very useful to me. — , i. 
 
 April 25, i811. | 
 I was much profited’ by Dr. Clarke’s sermo | 
 last Sunday morning, from 1 John v. Aly 
 He dwelt much on the life of God in the soul 
 through the influence of Jesus Christ; whose 
 immediate energy, he said, is as necessary ta 
 support the spiritual life, as the power of God, 
 in whom we live, move, and have our being, 
 is to the support and continuance of our natu: 
 ral life. "That which, before the fall, constituted 
 the happiness of Adam—union with God, is as 
 
MRS. COOPER. 171 
 
 essential now as ever, and must be restored by 
 the life of Christ within us. As the body cannot 
 exist without the soul, neither can the life Di- 
 vine, without Christ. It is He who gives the 
 principle of life, and maintains it: and His 
 influence is as necessary to maintain the spi- 
 ritual life of the soul, as it is to preserve the 
 being and harmony of the creation. He spoke 
 much on the witness of the Spirit, as essential 
 to the peace and stability of the Christian; and 
 as the only means of precluding tormenting 
 doubts and fears. 
 
 _ The Doctor met the Society after evening 
 preaching, in which he said many. very forcible 
 and persuasive things; and from which I de- 
 rived fresh vigour, and renewed determination 
 to redouble my diligence in the heavenly race. 
 How deeply do I feel myself indebted to God 
 for so much blessing my union with the Metho- 
 dists. [ have enjoyed this day much love to 
 God, and delight in contemplating His name 
 and nature, and in anticipating that ‘glory 
 Which no period knows.’ I have read my title 
 tlear, and long for that day when this morta] 
 Bhall have put on immortality; and when my 
 oul shall ‘soar without bound, without con- 
 | me glow.’ 
 
 | O, blessed ountain of love! fill my heart 
 imore with this Divine principle; sink me lower 
 fin the depths of humility, and let me sit at the 
 feet of Jesus, and learn of Him.. Enlarge 
 - soul, that I may better. contemplate: Thy 
 12 
 
172 MEMOIRS OF - 
 
 glory ; and may J prove myself Thy child, by 
 bearing a resemblance to Thee, my Heavenly 
 Father! . 
 
 April 30, 1811. , 
 ‘Thou knowest all things, Thou knowe 
 that I love Thee,’ and that I desire, abo 
 every thing this world affords, to have con- 
 stant testimony that I walk so as to ples 
 Thee. .’ 
 To have all my thoughts, words and wor 
 sanctified to Thee; to feel the living princi 
 of faith, and a habitual converse with spi- 
 ritual and unseen things, divesting my mind 
 of earthly prejudices and mere earthly affec- 
 tions, how great a blessing! O Thou, who 
 hast inspired these desires, and excited these 
 ardent longings for the constant indwelling 
 of the Holy Spirit; answer me, accordi ag 
 to Thy word: Thy word, which is truth it- 
 self; immutable as Thy glory; eternal as 
 Thy duration. O, that on it my soul m 
 
 "i 
 
 repose. 
 
 When Thy love refreshes my spirit, an 
 my eyes overflow with tears of joy in the 
 conviction that Thou art mine, how poot 
 and how contemptible are all earth-born joys: 
 When the soul feels its freedom, and exults 
 in its immortality ; the svorld and Satan tempt 
 jn vain, I feel inexpressibly thankful to that 
 Being, who is the Author of all the hap: 
 piness I enjoy; that He continues to manifes! 
 
 i 
 
 -| 
 
MRS. COOPER. 173 
 
 Himself in such lovely, endearing characters to 
 my soul, And never did I feel, more than I 
 do at this time, the importance and beauty-of 
 religion. © 
 
 I have no Eaheiindt in whatever tends to 
 divert my mind from these contemplations. 
 When I read, it must be on subjects connected 
 with what I most love—God, in nature, provi- 
 dence and grace; an endless scope for reading 
 and meditation! Yes, 1 have seena wliinpse 
 of His glory, whom my soul loveth. -For that 
 purity of heart, which God only can neces 
 shall be my never-ceasing prayer. 
 
 © O could I lose myself in Thee, 
 Thy depth of mercy prove, 
 
 Thou vast unfathomable sea 
 Of unexhausted love.’ 
 
 May 1, 1811. 
 The more I know of my own heart, the more 
 deeply 1 feel the want of humility. When 
 this heavenly grace has taken deep root in my 
 ‘soul, the fruits of the Spirit will grow in 
 Jarger abundance upon it. It is for want of 
 ‘this, that when my opinions are controverted, 
 
 ‘and my judgment called in question, that I feel 
 ‘an inward impatience, though spared the out- 
 | ward expression of it; and as I have to do 
 ‘with a God who searches the heart, so I would 
 be as vigilant over the inward motions of cor- 
 ruption, as of my exterior deportment. I want 
 inward holiness— 
 
174 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ‘ A heart in every thought renewed, 
 A copy, Lord, of Thine.’ 
 
 My. religion must be visible by its fell 
 not by parade and shew, but by humility of 
 soul, meekness of spirit, purity of intention. 
 Therefore religion must be with me, the work 
 of every moment. 
 
 This, indeed, will tend rather.to capacitate 
 me for the proper fulfilment of all my lawfu 
 avocations; not, as some falsely. say, unfit th 
 mind for the duties of life. God demand 
 a reasonable service; andy while He calls 
 diligence in business, He will bestow grace to 
 produce fervency of spirit. O God, raise me 
 from the ruins of the fall! I only dive when } 
 live to Thy glory. Tonly am happy when I car 
 call Thee mine; and exult in the prospect 
 of enjoying Thee for ever. I have ever found 
 Thee faithful; I never sought Thee with my 
 whole heart, without being answered as: by 
 fire. O, let that fire descend ‘and consume 
 all my sins, that those enemies of my Lor 
 may have no place'in me. I cannot question 
 that love which moved Thee ‘to leave se 
 abodes of glory, and to veil Thyself in suffe 
 ing humanity for me; nor that Omnipotence 
 which said, ‘ Let ‘there be light, and there 
 was light.’ Who ‘then shall limit the Holy 
 One of Israel? With Thee, all things. are 
 possible; even the full restoration of the lost 
 image of God in my souls 
 
MRS. COOPER. 175 
 
 . j May 4. 
 
 _ L have lately been led to reflect much on 
 the advantage of knowledge in religion: by 
 this, I mean not only an acquaintance with its 
 doctrines, but a well digested view of its gra- 
 dual developement, from the first promise 
 given to Adam, till Jesus Christ ; made plainer 
 and plainer as it flowed down the river of time: 
 with a comparison of this religion, with all the 
 rest that have ever appeared, and swayed the 
 hearts and judgments of men. In addition 
 to this, when we regard its adaptation to sup- 
 ply our wants, to impart food to that immor- 
 tal principle within us; ever craving for what 
 the earth cannot give, Religion liberally opens 
 her treasures, and gives the expectant soul the 
 hope and promise, that even here she may be 
 ¢ filled with all the fulness of God.’ 
 
  ¥ must differ from an opinion I have fre- 
 quently heard expressed, and once adopted, 
 that the poor (that is the ignorant) enjoy re- 
 ligion most. That many of them do enjoy it 
 jn a blessed degree, my own observations con- 
 firm; and, that the peculiar circumstances of 
 ‘many call more for the simple exercise of faith, 
 /for the supply of their daily wants, I also be- 
 lieve; and many happy proofs are recorded in 
 their experience of God’s fulfilling His promi- 
 ses in this respect. But the believer, with an 
 improved understanding and a correct judg- 
 ment, who, at the same time, receives the king- 
 dom of God as a little child, with all that sim- 
 
176 MEMOIRS OF _§ 
 plicity so essentially connected with genuine 
 conversion ; while he maintains this child-like 
 spirit, and has a growing enlargement of mind, 
 consequent upon his frequent communion with 
 God, and His nature and His works.—This is, 
 in my apprehension, the happiest Christian ; 
 and in proportion as he regards religion as the 
 one thing necessary to his happiness, and is 
 jealous over. every other enjoyment, in which 
 it is not the principal ingredient, so will be his 
 stability. And thus his advances will be aks 
 ed with its genuine characters. 
 
 Religion is addressed to ‘the judgment, as 
 well as to the heart ; it should be interwoven 
 with all our — perceptions; and while 
 it lays claim tothe affections, it should have 
 the hearty concurrence of the understanding. 
 This I wish to enforce upon myself; and 
 to look well how far these observations in- 
 corporate with my real state and present xg 
 perience. att 
 
 To a want of ihe I cannot but impute 
 the many failures in the religious life, which 
 so frequently occur, of pera; who, for al 
 while were warm and zealous, and bidding 
 fair for usefulness, suddenly relaxing in their 
 energy, and becoming cyphers, if they out- 
 wardly continue professors in the Church of 
 Christ. ; oe 
 
 Those who look for eminence in any science, 
 use the means for becoming eminent; and all 
 their exertions tend towards the promotion of 
 
’ 
 
 MRS. COOPER. 177 
 
 their object :—so in the Christian life. To be 
 what God calls us to be, we must use diligence, 
 and let it be the paramount desire of our aren 
 lives. ; 
 
 May il. 
 
 of what importance is experience in. reli- 
 gion! In every branch of science it is consi- 
 dered a necessary qualification. As toa phy- 
 sician, or an artist without experience, the 
 advice of one would be received with little 
 confidence, and the productions of the other 
 would be regarded with suspicion. Eminence, 
 the result of experience, would be expected in 
 neither. 
 
 What then is religion, without it? How 
 can the promises be received or applied, if 
 the affections be not in exercise? and surely, 
 love to God must excite emotions, near in re- 
 semblance and effect, to those we feel towards 
 a beloved earthly object. The mind delights to 
 dwell on an image which occupies the heart. 
 How solicitous to please ;—how fearful to of- 
 
 _ fend ;—how prompt to active proofs of the sin- 
 
 cerity of its profession! with what impatience 
 
 and indignation are slanders and evil-speaking 
 
 borne, towards the areeut object of our affec- 
 
 | tion! 
 
 By analogy then, would I try how far my 
 love to the Supreme Good will bear this test. 
 
 | Alas! the proofs are faint and feeble, though 
 
 sincere. O, for more love, is my constant 
 ; 13 
 
178 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 prayer. Religion, without experience, is like 
 the body without the soul; like the moon, 
 which imparts light, but no heat. The plants 
 engendered by the solar ray, would droop and | 
 die were they forsaken by its influence, and left 
 to the cold cheerless light of the pale Jumi- 
 nary. Sp, were I to relapse into that state of 
 mere speculative belief, or to the unassisted 
 powers of my own reason, which (after having 
 experienced something of the power of reli- 
 gion) I once fell into ; so would those affections 
 which now in some degree, though faintly, 
 glow with love to God, be frozen into indif- 
 ference. ‘ If Thow withdraw, ’tis night.’ 
 
 O Sun of Righteousness, cause Thy rays” 
 to descend upon my heart, and scatter every 
 thing which would oppose naa warm and in- 
 vigorating influence ! »  «@ 
 
 Experience in another view is so important, 
 it is to the heart demonstration; and to the 
 judgment it stamps Divinity on the word of 
 God. If the result of true faith be ‘ joy and” 
 peace in believing,’ and my experience bears” 
 testimony to the validity of this, what furthe 
 proof can I wish of its Divine origin and tend- 
 ency? And surely we may rationally have 
 this internal consciousness, and be as certain 
 of it as of any thing that affeets our external 
 senses. When I am under the influence of 
 joy, could the force of any argument persuade 
 me that sorrow fills my heart? Ono. Reli- 
 gion does not eradicate, but it refines and ex- 
 
MRS. COOPER. 179 
 
 alts the passions; and enlisting this noble part 
 of our nature into its service, by the renewing 
 and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, 
 causes those affections, naturally placed on 
 forbidden and unworthy objects, to soar and 
 centre in heavenly themes; and gives the hope 
 and promise that our hearts are so capable of 
 a Divine renewal, as to ‘ be filled with all the 
 fulness of God.’ 
 
 May 26, Sabbath Day. 
 I went to chapel this morning, with the 
 earnest desire and full persuasion that God 
 would there bless me; my hope and expectation 
 have not been in vain; for, during Mr. Grif- 
 fith’s sermon, from John xv. 26. my soul was 
 drawn out in ardent longing for that glorious 
 deliverance from all sin, which he so clearly 
 shewed to be the privilege of believers, and 
 to be obtained only through faith in Christ. 
 _Q, it is for this I pant, and without it, my 
 
 El looks in vain for happiness. This can be 
 _ found only when the Spirit takes up His abode 
 _in the heart. This blessing appears to me so 
 fully expressed from these Sk of our Lord, 
 «If ye keep my commandments, ye shall sae 
 | in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s 
 commandments, and abide in His love.’ Here 
 the Son of God condescends to shew the union 
 to be as complete between Him and His obe- 
 _ dient people, as’subsists between Him and His 
 | Father. How sweet do I find that portion, I 
 
180 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 this morning selected for meditation, out of : 
 Romans, where Abraham's faith was counted — 
 to him for righteousness, ‘ Being fully per-_ | 
 suaded that what He had promised, He was able ' 
 also to perform.’ This was the faith acceptable — 
 to God. On those words of Him who spake as 
 never man spake, I will now rely: ‘ If a man 
 love me, He will keep my words, and my Father 
 will love him; and we will come unto him, 
 and make our abode with him.’ O glorious 
 promise! If, indeed, the Trinity thus descends 
 into my heart, the principle of sin, reot 
 and branch, will be plucked up. O, come 
 quickly, thou blessed Saviour; Thou, who 
 by the angel didst proclaim thyself as Jesus, 
 who should save Thy people from their sins; 
 and who, by becoming their King, and pro- 
 mulgating Thy own laws, dost demand obe- 
 dience on penalty of rejection; Thou, who — 
 by Thy Spirit’s influence hast inspired the ar- 
 dent desire I feel, to be altogether Thine; O 
 descend, and never let me breathe without 
 Thy influence: nothing less than a constant® 
 sense of my interest in Thee will satisfy me. — 
 Nothing do I so ardently desire, as a fresh — 
 restoration, not only to Thy favour, but to Thy | 
 image. 
 
 I would this day again enter into solemn co- 
 venant with Thee ; again surrender myself in 
 body, soul and spirit, to Thy service. O give 
 me but strength to fulfil all Thy will; to obey 
 Thee in every jot and tittle of Thy word! To 
 
MRS. COOPER. 181 
 
 be brought into this blessed state, I resign my 
 will, my understanding and affections to Thee. 
 Reign supreme, and ‘Lord of every motion 
 there;’ and if ever T swerve from that narrow 
 -path on which I have entered, ever again com- 
 promise with the world I have renounced, let 
 me feel the goadings of an accusing conscience, 
 and smart beneath the terrors of Thy threat- 
 ening! Lord, Thou knowest I fully desire to 
 be Thine; to adorn, bya holy life and con- 
 sistent conversation, the Gospel I profess. I 
 feel my weakness, and know I have no strength 
 independent of my Saviour! and for the 
 heavenly wisdom I need, am encouraged to ask 
 of Him who giveth liberally, and upbraideth 
 not. I want my will to be brought into sub- 
 jection to Thine; and having surrendered to 
 the Great God, I ask Thee to mould and sub- 
 due it, till every opposing inclination is de- 
 stroyed. O, for such a view of Thy majesty, 
 Thy purity, Thy mercy, Thy love, that } 
 may be swallowed up in the contemplation and 
 triumph of calling Thee my Father, and my 
 God. - 
 
 May 27. 
 | Yesterday was exceedingly blessed to my 
 soul... I think I hardly ever found such an out- 
 | pouring of the Spirit, under the word. I was 
 | truly athirst for God; and when good Mr. Grif- 
 | fith spake to the Society alone, after evening 
 | Service, so pathetic, so earnest was his address, 
 
182 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 that I shed abundance of tears. May that dear 
 people attend to the things that make for their 
 peace. May the work be deepened in their souls. 
 
 Let me ask how his address operated on my 
 own heart? I felt determined on His strength, 
 who is almighty to save, to give myself more 
 unreservedly up to God than ever I did; to 
 press after all the mind that was in Christ Je- 
 sus; to be more watchful, and more addicted 
 to prayer. 
 
 I especially feel the need at this time, of 
 watching continually. Ona review of the past, 
 1 find that diitle things have often quenched 
 the Divine fire of love in my soul. The in- 
 dulgence of a wrong temper, or light conver- 
 sation, or any kind of trifling. As Mr. G. 
 yesterday emphatically observed, ‘ The Holy 
 Spirit is infinitely delicate ;) how my experi- 
 ence corroborated this! For His indwelling in 
 the soul, and unholy propensities, are quite 
 cncomuputiilel 
 
 Lord, my hope is in Thee; I rest now bed ) 
 neath the shadow of Thy wings; screen me in 
 the hour of temptation ; calla my heart ‘Thy 
 dwelling place ; and let my union and com-— 
 munion with Thee transform my nature, till 
 the very thoughts of my heart are cleansed, 
 and I be made fit to appear before the judg-— 
 ment-seat of Christ ! 
 
 May 28. 
 I have this morning found great liberty in — 
 
MRS. COOPER. 183 
 
 prayer; and especially for that deeper work 
 of sanctification I so much need, and long to 
 experience. My morning portion much en- 
 courages me to look for it; ‘likewise reckon 
 ye yourselves dead indeed unto sin, but alive 
 unto God.’ I only dive, when I live to Thee. 
 It is only in this ultimatum of my desires, 
 that I can look for happiness. Yes, 1 am in 
 search of happiness ; that which is to be de- 
 rived from keeping within the veil, and re- 
 ceiving, continually, borrowed rays from the 
 uncreated Source of light. What are the 
 effects of the material sun, on creation, in this 
 lovely season? Its cheering influence imparts 
 life and beauty to all the vegetable world. 
 The bud swells, the blossom expands ;—the ef- 
 fect leads us to the cause. 
 
 Let me apply this to the shining of the Sun 
 of righteousness. While His glorious beams 
 yivify my soul, it must scatter all remaining 
 darkness, and cause all holy and heaven-born 
 tempers to emanate. My light must shine, and — 
 its rays must be reflected on others. Tn vain. 
 are all pretensions to the enjoyment of God, 
 unless holy fruits be the consequence. 7e 
 blesses us that we may be blessings ; and, if 
 ‘the light of His countenance be lifted up upon 
 ‘us, the light of our good works will be mani- 
 fest to others. 
 | O what a lovely thing is religion! what 
 ‘a pure and never-failing spring of happi- 
 |Dess! 
 
 1 
 
184 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ‘It was a song worthy of God and of-angels; 
 when the Deity was about to veil his glory in 
 our humanity, to proclaim, ‘ Peace on earth ; 
 good will towards men.’ O my soul, ever be 
 suspicious when thou art clouded with dis- 
 content. | Be assured, that distance from God 
 is the cause. He dwells with the poor and 
 contrite, to revive their hearts: all His foot- 
 steps are Jove. His name is love. ‘* He that 
 dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in 
 him, 
 
 June 1, 1811. 
 
 After an absence of three years, (supplied 
 by a regular correspondence) I have again en- 
 jeyed the company of my dear friend, Mary 
 Anne; and the friendship which has for four 
 years subsisted between us will receive addi- 
 tional strength from our recent interview. 
 We find indeed but one spirit in the glorious 
 pursuit of everlasting happiness; and, I be- 
 lieve, are equally alive to the desire to press 
 forward, and to drink deeper and deeper into 
 God. But, alas! in many particulars I find 
 myself far below my dear friend; and the few 
 days I have enjoyed her society have tended 
 much to shew me the defective ports of ad de- 
 portment. ‘% lh 
 
 Night of the same day. 
 This evening I have parted from my lovely 
 friend, after having enjoyed a few hours (in a 
 
MRS. COOPER. 185 
 
 sweet walk) of the most affectionate and 
 friendly converse. We parted, with our hearts 
 more than ever knit together, cemented by 
 the bonds of true religion; and after having, 
 on our knees, mutually commended each other 
 to God, and blessed Him for all the happiness 
 and profit our friendship had afforded us, we 
 parted with the full assurance of meeting each 
 other in the abodes of endless bliss. O! they 
 were sweet moments, when we unbosomed 
 our souls to our heavenly Father; and, when 
 my dear Mary Anne, with all that piety and 
 sweet simplicity for which she is so conspicu- 
 ous, poured out her soul in ardent requests 
 for our mutual happiness. To relieve that 
 sadness, which separation from one so truly 
 loved has cast over my mind, I note down 
 the interesting attendants of our adieu. Can 
 I forbear acknowledging to that God, from 
 whom I receive every thing I enjoy,—the gra- 
 titude I feel for the delights of friendship. 
 To Him I owe my friend. To Him we both 
 owe that sweet kindred flow of affection, that 
 ‘ardent pursuit of heaven-born joys, which 1 
 | trust’ will ever characterize us. 
 
 When I take a survey of the countless mer- 
 cies which encompass me, and find myself so 
 | distinguished by temporal and spiritual good, 
 I feel my deficiency in gratitude and love to 
 Thee, Thou Source of blessedness. 
 
 * O stamp upon my soul all Thy image ; 
 | and let me daily feel more my obligations, 
 
186 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 and more fervent love to Thee! [ want to live 
 nearer to my God, and to enjoy all the 
 happiness He so delights to bestow. The 
 desire Thou hast implanted, blessed God, 
 wilt not Thou accept? I ask not for tem- 
 poral good; but I do ask for a deeper ace 
 quaintance with Thyself, and for longing 
 desires after immortality. Is my only reli- 
 ance on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of 
 faith? Do I cast myself wholly upon Him, 
 convinced of my utter helplessness, and His 
 all-sufficiency ?— A 
 
 Thisis the general frame of my heart, though 
 too often I feel a want of simplicity in casting 
 myself on His merits alone. I am too apt 
 to connect enjoyment with safety. When 
 happy in His love, my evidences are bright; 
 but when unbelief prevails, then I do not suf- 
 ficiently look to Him, who still is interceding 
 on my behalf; and from whose love nothing can 
 ever separate me, but the indulgence of sin. 
 I want an increase of simple faith, and of 
 momentary dependence on the charity of 
 Heaven. 
 
 [I have too frequently omitted ejaculatory 
 and private prayer: I mean mid-day engage- 
 ments. I have too readily allowed myself 
 in excuses for not rising early. O, how 
 Jong is the catalogue of sins of omission! 
 Were I to die this week, what have I left un- 
 done which I should then wish I had per- 
 formed? Lord, give me wisdom to make this 
 enquiry. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 187 
 
 _ Does my sense of gratitude bear any pro- 
 portion to the benefit I have already received, 
 and am yet likely to receive from that provi- 
 dential intimacy subsisting between my dear- 
 est friend and me? In acknowledging God 
 as the Author of my blessings, have I duly 
 estimated his goodness in imparting them! 
 Indeed I have not; and am justly con- 
 demned for my ingratitude. May none of 
 these things at the hour of death rise up to 
 afflict me! 
 
 Iam not sufficiently mindful of those innu- 
 
 erable temporal blessings by which I am 
 distinguished. 
 
 My cup runs over; and in spirituals and 
 temporals, how peculiarly am J favoured! 
 
 ‘ Transported with the view, I’m lost 
 ‘In wonder, love, and praise.’ 
 
 I feel self-abased in the recollection, how cold 
 my love to the souls of others has been. I 
 have suffered opportunities for serious conver- 
 ‘sation to pass unimproved. In this I am 
 altogether condemned. Lord, forgive me, and 
 /awaken in me such a deep concern for their 
 ‘eternal welfare, as shall give me incessant 
 ‘and ardent importunity with Thee for their 
 salvation. 
 
 1 am an accountable creature ; O Lord, wert 
 /Thou strict to mark iniquity, I could not 
 stand; for even on a review of my sins of 
 | omission and commission, I am self-condemned, 
 
188 | MEMOIRS OF 
 
 and could not hope for Thy clemency, were 
 there not an infinite atonement. Lord, I hay 
 no excuse to offer ; my only plea is, that Jesus" 
 died ; but I have recorded them, and now de- 
 plore them, that I may find grace to do so no 
 more ; but to exercise more watchfulness, mor 
 self-denial, a praying spirit; that being quick- 
 ened, I may every day rise to newness of life, 
 and be a faithful and obedient subject to Jesus 
 my King and my Master, who is the agile: 
 and Preserver of my soul. 
 
 ——— 
 
 7 ® 
 
 To Miss —— if 
 
 T cannot tell you, dearest Mary Ann, ho : 
 much I regret the transient nature of the a 
 sure I enjoyed in your company.—Fleeting as_ 
 the moments were, I hope the good effects will, 
 be lasting. I find my affections more than ever: 
 united to you: and, [ think, I better estimate” 
 the value of that freudshis for which I have 
 often blessed God; and feel assured that our 
 union with all the redeemed will be eternal. 
 I anticipate the continuation of our corre-— 
 spondence with renewed pleasure; and trust, 
 increasing advantage will be the result; and 
 as we are now decided candidates for an im- 
 mortal crown, so I hope our warfare will be 
 continual; and that we shall have, in the’ 
 course of our spiritual contest, much of that 
 
 peace which passeth understanding. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 189 
 
 I feel at this time the blessedness of calling 
 od my Father;—and have an inward peace 
 shich is indescribable——O my dear Mary Ann, 
 he more I drink of the Fountain of living 
 yaters, the more I feel my thirst abate for 
 sarth-born joys:—the more I experience of 
 eligion, the more I find its adaptation to 
 my every want. 
 
 To excite each other to these immortal hopes 
 and enjoyments shall be our aim by our let- 
 fers and prayers ; and as the time approaches 
 for our entrance on those new and important 
 engagements which we both have in pros- 
 pect, I trust our application to the all-suffi- 
 cient Source of strength and wisdom will be 
 in proportion to our need; that every new 
 and relative duty may be filled up in the fear 
 of God; that we may shine as lights in. the 
 world, and exemplify the spirit of our Lord 
 and Master. 
 
 Farewell, my much loved, invaluable friend. — 
 In all your future trials may you find support 
 by looking upward, and looking forward: it 
 will be but for a little— 
 
 Your’s truly and affectionately, 
 MARY HANSON. 
 
199 MEMOIRS OF 
 DIARY. 
 
 June 15, 1811. 
 
 I think I never felt, more poiwarfally than I 
 have the last week, the sensation of gratitude, 
 A retrospect of my past life, a sense of the 
 countless blessings by which I am at present 
 surrounded, and my happy prospects of the 
 future ; all have constrained me to call on my 
 soul, and all that is within me, to bless His 
 holy name. I have really been led to think, 
 no one ever had such peculiar motives for gra- 
 titude ; and yet I never felt the want of it more, 
 In heaven, this noble principle will have full 
 and uninterrupted exercise, when the soul, 
 released from its cumbrous clay, will lave 
 every faculty in full and perfect action, 
 The thought of heaven, how does it inspire 
 me with ae with courage to fight manfully 
 every enemy that would oppose my propre 
 thither. 
 
 Regeneration.! Yes; it is so indeed. A new 
 life is imparted’to the soul that lays hold of 
 religion. Desires, hopes, aims, taste, all un- 
 dergo a complete change. I bless God, that 
 in all these particulars ‘I can trace a new here 
 ciple to what formerly influenced me, God, 
 being the centre of my happiness, the circle of 
 my enjoyments is unlimited; and those desires 
 after God, which nothing short of eternity ean 
 satisfy, must emanate from the infinite and 
 eternal Source of all mind. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 191 
 
 * O love divine, how sweet thou art, 
 When shall [ find my longing heart 
 All taken up by Thee.’ 
 
 * Our blessings brighten, as they take their flight.’ 
 
 As every day brings me nearer to the time 
 when I must leave this loved spot, I view its 
 receding beauties with considerable emotion. 
 The culture of my flowers, which so often 
 engaged my attention; their lovely hues, that 
 always charmed me, and led me to trace 
 His hand, ‘whose sun exalts, whose breath 
 perfumes, whose Spirit paints.’ Sweet warb- 
 lers of the grove, with whose hymns of praise 
 my heart has so often been in unison, I 
 must leave you all: thankful I feel for the 
 pure delights ye have afforded me, for the 
 honied store of enjoyment the works of God 
 have imparted; and for heing enabled to 
 practise the happy art of deriving my reflec- 
 tions from the objects that surrounded me. 
 The book of nature, I have with delight 
 perused to a considerable degree; in a little 
 time I must quit this volume; and, by my 
 removed residence to London, shall be called 
 upon in a more enlarged and frequent man- 
 ner, to study God in the volumes of provi- 
 dence and grace. I cannot then repine: nay 
 I will even believe, that that Being who so 
 clearly marks out my path, has greater enjoy- 
 
192 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ments and usefulness in store for me, than I 
 ever had; and this I shall experience, if led 
 to a deeper acquaintance with Him, and to 
 a more confirmed vigour in the pursuit of 
 holiness. 
 
 I shall immediately have a sweet immortal 
 plant to cultivate and rear for the Paradise of 
 God.* By my own example, spirit and conduct, 
 by my unwearied instruction, aided by the 
 Holy Spirit, I trust I shall be enabled to di- 
 rect the eye and attention of that sweet crea- 
 ture, to those abodes of glory on which her 
 dear, though unknown parent, has entered. 
 I feel, in prospect, its importance; but to 
 Him who is all-sufficient, I will apply for 
 wisdom and grace, that my pre-conceived no- 
 tions of education (which I think have been 
 well considered and digested) may be put into 
 ~ full effect. ; 
 
 Religion must be interwoven in all, in every 
 part; so that the mind may be fully impressed 
 that the object of all is, to prepare her here to 
 be useful and happy, and to live in the enjoy- 
 ment of God for ever. ‘ 
 
 June 22, 1811. 
 
 Through the last week I think I have suffer- 
 ed my “th to be too much occupied with do- 
 mestic engagements. ‘They would have been 
 performed equally well, had my thoughts been 
 
 ee 
 
 * Mr. C.’s child by his former wife. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 193 
 
 less engrossed by the occupation. I feel I have 
 lost strength by it; and this is a point of dan- 
 ger to which I shall hereafter be much more 
 exposed. A temptation to evil may be con- 
 cealed amid our most lawful: engagements ; 
 and a constant recurrence to that Being who 
 has grace and wisdom to impart to all, in 
 all circumstances, is, indeed, a duty and a 
 privilege. 
 
 O that spirituality of mind were more a habit 
 than it is with me! I feel a want of more con- 
 stant union and communion with God. He 
 gives us grace that we may use it; we must 
 be co-workers with Him. This my daily 
 experience shews me. I more and more 
 feel the need of a simple dependence on 
 Jesus. Ido not sufficiently look to Him, in 
 every dealing of providence and grace. But 
 I desire it earnestly, and to walk by faith in 
 Him. 
 
 as July 6, 1811. 
 
 _. In expectation of receiving on the morrow 
 ‘the Holy Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, 
 I devoted some time this evening for the more 
 |immediate contemplation of it; and endea- 
 | voured to enter into an examination of the 
 state of my heart:towards God. I was much 
 | edified and assisted in reading parts of Thomas 
 4 Kempis; and found my soul very much drawn 
 out towards God jn’ prayer. The intercourse 
 was open; and I felt the indescribable blessed- 
 a ae _ lr 
 
194 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ness of viewing my blessed Redeemer as hav- 
 ing suffered, and now interceding on my behalf. 
 I trust, indeed, it.is a foretaste of the more 
 abtnnndait satisfaction I shall find on the mor- 
 row, at the blessed feast of love. O that, at the 
 Table of my Lord, he may ; 
 
 t 
 
 * Answer the gracious end in me, 
 For which His precious life was given, 
 Redeem from all iniquity, 
 Restore, and make me meet for heaven !’ 
 
 O that the root of unbelief, which keeps me 
 so long from this blessing, may there receive 
 its death-wound. ‘That there my Saviour’s 
 image may be stamped on my soul; there may 
 I find His precious death effectual for the 
 removal of all His on, Teg their utter 
 destruction, 
 
 I cannot partake of the dying memorials of 
 my Redeemer’s love, without finding fresh and 
 lively incentives te consecrate myself anew to 
 His service. OQ, if it be possible, I would do 
 it more unreservedly than I ever did. O, may 
 my whole soul be fully engaged in this all im- 
 portant surrender; and may the /ast Sacrament 
 I may ever receive here be the best. May I, 
 in time to come, recur to it asa season when 
 ‘His banner over me was love;’ when I sat 
 under His shadow with great delight, exulting ) 
 in the conviction ‘that my Beloved is es 
 and I am hs a 
 
 ty 
 
~ 
 
 MRS. COOPER. 195 
 
 July 7, 1811. 
 Upon the whole, I have found the services 
 of this day very profitable; and before the 
 morning service found great liberty and delight 
 in my supplications. at the Throne of grace. 
 At the table of the Lord I experienced sweet 
 peace in making a fresh surrender of my soul 
 to Jesus. Iam, indeed, athirst for more love ; 
 and long to prove all the power of His death 
 in saving me from inward sin. I want deli- 
 verance from a certain quickness in my dispo- 
 sition, which makes me so alive to the slightest 
 imputation from others on my past or present 
 conduct. ‘This implies a great want of humi- 
 lity and lowliness of mind. Had I a deeper 
 acquaintance with myself, I hardly think this 
 disposition of mind would so often harass me, 
 [ want to lie lower at the footstool of my Sa- 
 viour; I want to feel unmoved by offences, 
 and to have my heart glow with the same de- 
 sree of love towards the offender. When per- 
 fected in love, this will be the happy disposi- 
 lion of my soul. 
 | O Thou, whose eyes are as a flame of fire, 
 spying the secret springs and motives of my 
 nmost soul, it satisfies me not that my fellow- 
 tures approve and admire my outward de- 
 bortment. What will this approbation avail? — 
 is Thine, O God, I need; and unless the 
 ery thoughts of my heart are cleansed, the mo- 
 lives and principles of my conduct made purg 
 nd upright, without this testimony I am restless. 
 K2 
 
196 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 When I have experienced most happiness in 
 Thee, it has been when my thoughts have been 
 all put in requisition; all subservient to the 
 glorious hopes and the animating prospects be- 
 saat the grave. 
 
 When the Comforter takes up His abode i in 
 my heart, then all will be subdued to my Hea- 
 venly King. 
 
 July 21, 1811. 
 
 “It isa reflection peculiarly pleasing to my 
 mind, that the still small voice of God allured 
 me into the paths of true religion, amidst the 
 enjoyments of every thing the world afforded ; 
 health, friends, and prosperity. Deeply con- 
 scious of the incapacity of all these things, to 
 impart the peace and happiness for which I 
 thirsted—won by the loveliness of the Gospel, 
 I was enabled, through the operations of Di- 
 vine grace, to take the Lord for my portion ; I 
 was gradually brought to experience the privi- 
 leges of my charter as a Christian; and, when 
 pardon was spoken to my heart, when peace 
 and joy took place of doubt and fear, then I 
 could say, ‘He is the altogether lovely,’ His 
 paths are peace. 
 
 To the present moment I have never lost 
 the assurance, I then received, of my adoption 
 into the family of heaven. It is true, clouds, 
 dark clouds, have often veiled the Sun of righte- 
 ousness from my eyes; butstill, I could believe 
 He loved me. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 197 
 a While I possess this blessed hope, no change 
 of outward circumstances, no privation of 
 health or loss of friends, can make me essen- 
 tially miserable. Give me but the internal 
 ‘support, the peace of God surpassing all un- 
 derstanding; then pain will be sweet, and the 
 sting of adversity will be extracted. Repose 
 in Christ and His promises can preserve me 
 ‘unmoved amid the varying calamities of this 
 state of trial. God has not promised the 
 Christian exemption from trial! but He has 
 promised support under it; and has declared 
 His unwillingness to afflict. 
 It is the hand of love, guided by a tender 
 Father, when the probing knife is used. Well, 
 then, having surrendered myself to God, vir- 
 tually renouncing my own will, I would, with- 
 out anxiety, commend myself and all future 
 events into His hands. 
 
 In point of suffering, I feei that I have too 
 little resignation, and my own will is much too 
 ‘predominant. Want of faith in God alone 
 
 makes this fear so full of torment. Having 
 nothing to do with the events of my future life, 
 ‘put to submit to them, sustained by the posi- 
 tive assurance that ‘all things shall work toge- 
 ‘ther for my good:’ I desire to yield myself up 
 | entirely to the Lord, and say, ‘ Not my will, 
 but Thine, be done.’ 
 
 These reflections have arisen chiefly from 
 the near contemplation of an event, to me of 
 
 the utmost importance. Very soon I shall quit 
 
198. MEMOIRS OF 
 
 this abode of my infancy and youth; scenes of 
 mirth and folly; scenes, too, of peace and hol | 
 joy. More than ordinarily privileged will 
 books and leisure, for a considerable time, the 
 improvement of my mind, the gratification of 
 my understanding, was dns joy and business i 
 my life. Even then, I pitied those who, in the 
 enjoyments of sense alone, suffered the season 
 of youth to pass by. This state of mind suce 
 ceeded a considerable disposition to pursuit 
 of gaiety: and, had I been unbridled by edu- 
 cation, I should have launched out into all th | 
 scenes of gaiety so bewitching to -the young. 
 Thanks be to God, for the restraints thus im- 
 posed! As far as I ‘gould, I proved the plea- 
 sures of life; but the Omniscience = God hee 
 ‘oppressed me. 
 _ How powerful are the effects of a religions 
 education! Under the ministry of the Rev. 
 Mr. Fry, the latter end of the year 1803, I 
 became broad awake to the importance of eter- 
 nal things; and for several months was earnest 
 and devout. We left London—the preaching 
 here not congenial ; losing sacramental oppor- 
 tunities, religion lost its power; and soon I 
 retained nothing but the name and the ex- 
 terior. Books then I devoured with avidity, 
 and the midnight hour has often found me 
 in my closet, poring over the page of his- 
 tory, and the discoveries of natural philo- 
 sophy. 
 
 Was I then happy? O no! going further 
 
MRS. COOPER. 199 
 
 and further from God, I often wept when 
 alone, and hardly knew why. Sometimes a 
 sermon roused me; oftener my own reflec- 
 tions brought me to my knees. My little bark 
 was tossed, without a pilot, What a mercy 
 I was not then permitted to set sail on the 
 ocean of life. I was safely harboured under 
 a paternal roof: and, though without rudder or 
 compass, the mischief could not be extensive, 
 because confined. Thus, at a distance from 
 happiness, forgetful of the great end of my 
 being, in positive disobedience to my Maker, 
 I lived, until providentially led to hear the 
 simple, unadorned, yet earnest, preaching of 
 the Wesleyan Methodists. The most inferior 
 of their preachers roused, and fixed, my at- 
 tention. I lost my critical spirit; no longer 
 thirsted for the flowers of oratory, the elegance 
 of diction; but began to seek and find spiri- 
 tual food for my hungry soul. I first heard 
 them occasionally, then more frequently, and 
 at length constantly; and, after twelve months’ 
 hearing them, became a member of the So- 
 ‘ciety in March 1810, Since that period 5 
 ‘have sought, and I have found, real happiness 
 in religion; an effect more particularly the 
 result of our creed; so scriptural ; so Divine! 
 T owe al! of happiness to them as instru- 
 ments; to Gop as the Source. Glory be to 
 His name! 
 Happy moments I have here enjoyed: im- 
 pelled by the influence of Divine love, my 
 
200 ‘MEMOIRS OF 
 
 : 
 soul was on fire for usefulness ; to talk and 
 pray with the poor, to aid their necessities as 
 far as I could, now became, to the utmost of 
 my power,’ my sweet employ. In self-denial 
 was my joy; love was the spring of my obe-_ 
 diénce, and all the commands of God were 
 my delight. Blessed be God, this is sté/ bes 
 experience. 
 
 My union with the Society introduced: me 
 to many very valuable friends in London. In 
 a way most clearly providential, one is about 
 ~ to remove me from this sphere of long tri 
 enjoyment. In a few weeks I shall bid adieu 
 to you all, scenes of pain and of pleasure! 
 ‘My opportunities of usefulness here are about 
 to close. O that I had been more faithful, 
 more active, more earnest! ti 
 
 An important event has indeed attached it- J 
 self with my union to this Society: through 
 it I have acquired the dearest friend I ever 
 had, and live in the heart and affections of 
 one who appears to be fully worthy of mine. — i 
 I have had daily cause to bless God for it; 
 and believe I shall throughout eternity. Ne. 
 opposition has checked our path; a seeming — 
 concurrence of earth and heaven, the final ap- 
 proval of my will, my heart, my judgment. 
 
 I have the most inbound eontidddbe % in the 
 piety, disposition, and understanding, of . my 
 beloved friend; and I have before me every — 
 prospect of all that is to’ ‘he as in bi 
 married life,” 
 
MRS. COOPER. 201 
 
 [In the following thoughts on domestic or- 
 der and discipline, there is as much of sound 
 sense as of genuine piety. | 
 
 August 7, 1811. 
 
 ‘JT hope I have not lived to the present 
 time, without deriving some very important 
 lessons from observation and experience, par- 
 ticularly in domestic life. This is the sphere 
 ofa woman’s action. It is here that full scope 
 is given for the right use of her understanding, 
 and for the exemplification of true religion. 
 A very important trust is committed to her ; 
 and I am inclined to think, that on her, pri- 
 marily, the’ happiness, as well as good order, 
 of a family, devolves. Her trials will chiefly 
 arise from those of her own household ; it is, 
 therefore, of very great importance, that a 
 good and decisive system should be first ar- 
 ranged. Let it be fully impressed on the do- 
 mestics, that such things, and such rules, you 
 expect will be observed. The fewer deviations, 
 the more their comfort, as well as that of 
 their superiors, will be preserved. But it is 
 from the breach of good order, the non-per- 
 formance of things necessary and expected to 
 be done, that the trials and exercise of tems 
 per and patience chiefly arise; hence the vast 
 | importance of self-command. A remark of 
 | Epictetus, a heathen moralist, just now oCc= 
 curs to me—‘ Begin to govern your passions 
 in the smallest things: is your oil spilt,’ -&c. 
 é K 83 “ 
 
202 MEMOIRS OF 
 ‘ submit with patience, and say to yourself, at 
 this rate do I purchase tranquillity and con- 
 stancy of mind. Nothing good is acquired 
 without labour. When you call your servant, 
 imagine he may be out of the way, or em- 
 ployed in something you will not have him to 
 do; but do not san him so great as to have it 
 in his power to give you disturbance.’ Were 
 these the suggestions of a Heathen; and shall _ 
 a Christian, blessed with such a perfect. sys- 
 tem of morals, called upon to be meek and 
 lowly like his Master ; promised. strength from 
 above, equal to every exigence: shall he put 
 himself in the power of every little accident, 
 and by it give his household reason to question: 
 the sincerity of his religion? O forbid it, 
 Thou ever present Deity! who at all times 
 takest cognizance of the actions of Thy crea- 
 tures. 
 
 Our tempers are chiefly exercised by an 
 opposition to se/f-will; and the more sel-_ 
 importance there is im the character, the more 
 frequent, and the greater in degree, will be 
 the trial. a ie 
 
 It appears to me well, to settle it in the 
 mind, that daily trials may or will arise; tria}s 
 known to God, and which may greatly. tend to 
 promote a spirit of watchfulness and self-ac- 
 quaintance; and from a proper use of them, the 
 Christian temper may become moreestablished. — 
 For this end, how needful, every morning, to 
 pray for special grace tokeep me from mani- 
 
MRS, COOPER. 203 
 
 festing any temper, contrary to the Gospel, 
 either by hard or unkind speeches; or of suf- 
 fering trifles wholly to engross that mind which 
 ought supremely to be fixed on heavenly things. 
 The indulgence of evil tempers ‘ darken evi- 
 dences andcloud comforts.’ Most earnestly, do 
 I entgeat of God a complete mastery over my- 
 self, that, as far as I am concerned, my house 
 may be a Bethel; that servants, and all con- 
 nected with me, may be constrained to admire 
 the blessedness and efficacy of true religion. 
 What importance will then attach to my ad- 
 monitions! How much greater will their re- 
 spect be for a mistress who has reason at her 
 command, and enforces all by a spirit of love. 
 
 The Saviour never gave orders, without pror 
 viding arms; and there is no precept in the 
 blessed Gospel, for. the performance of which 
 God: is not ready. to communicate Divine 
 strength. Good order and punctuality I con- 
 sider of vast importance, in the right regula- 
 tion of a family.. This will have its founda- 
 tion in early rising, a thing I hope to accom- 
 plish; without it, I shall be unable to devote, 
 that time, I hope ever to consider a duty, of 
 doing in various ways good to my indigent fel- 
 Jow-creatures. 
 
 There is something very delightful in living 
 ‘to good purpose, to have the prayers and bless- 
 ings of the pious poor; and, by kindness and 
 admonition, to bring into the way of salvation — 
 those that know not God. - 
 
204 | “MEMOIRS OF 
 
 _ How much is implied in living asa Chris- 
 tian; in walking with God!” 
 
 [—————— 
 
 [A letter, of which the following is an 
 
 extract, was written a short time before her 
 marriage :—it is open and honest; and a 
 
 proper model for all epistles on a similar 
 
 subject. | 
 
 To Mr. John Cooper. 
 Aug. 7, 1811. - 
 “* Such a letter, from such a friend, at such 
 a time, demands something more than mere 
 verbal acknowledgment. Ere this, my dearest 
 
 friend, you must have discovered how alive — 
 
 my feelings are to attentions and the con- 
 trary. Neither apathy nor indifference is at 
 all constitutional with me. Hence, the affec- 
 tion you so kindly, so warmly, express, will 
 be duly prized; and in due time properly re- 
 turned. Were the happy talent of giving 
 extraordinary pleasure, in the epistolary way, 
 mine, you should now receive an answer 
 worthy of the affectionate letter before me; 
 which afforded me more pleasure than I choose 
 to express. You have taught me to believe 
 that silence is very expressive. In this way, 
 then, accept and believe me most grateful 
 for the undeviating proofs of your attachment, 
 at once pleasing, and to me so invaluable. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 205 
 
 As our acquaintance will soon assume 2 
 more important, and a very different aspect, I 
 am unwilling to allow the present opportunity 
 (perhaps the last I shall in this way have) to 
 pass, without telling you of the very great 
 profit I have already derived from our happy 
 jntercourse. The most entire and happy union 
 certainly subsists between us on all subjects. 
 We alike soar, renouncing the world in every 
 sense, as any model for our domestic proce- 
 dure. ‘The Bible is our one book ;?7 and 
 from that pure fountain I trust our streams of 
 happiness will flow. 
 
 I cannot but indulge a sweet confidence 
 that that God, who by His providence has 
 brought us to regard each other, as we now 
 do, will enable me to be every thing requisite 
 to your happiness. I have such an entire re- 
 liance on that promise, ‘I can do all things 
 through Christ that strengtheneth me ;’ and, 
 if I may be allowed the expression, have so 
 much spiritual ambition, that what formerly 
 _ made me shrink, as impossible, I can now 
 expect without fear. Faith is omnipotent. 
 _ By prayer only, can we hold converse with the 
 Deity, and thus be changed from glory into 
 
 glory. 
 
 Hammersmith, Aug. 10, 1811. 
 _ I searcely know, my dear Miss W—— 
 which of two motives more powerfully influ- 
 ences me in addressing you at this time’ the 
 
206 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 request of my dear father, or the desire I feel 
 to express the sympathy with which my bosom 
 glows at the affecting picture of distress de- 
 picted in your letter to my father. I do, in- 
 deed, most affectionately feel for you; and the 
 only expression I can give of it, is to direct 
 your mind to those sources of pure and per- 
 manent happiness which remain secure, and 
 must flourish amidst the changes and perpe-— 
 tual vicissitudes of human life. es 
 I cannot allow myself to think that the ac- 
 cident your dear mother has met with, is of 
 itself likely to prove of any very serious conse- 
 quence. Those effects, pain, &c. you men- 
 tion, naturally follow such a concussion of the 
 whole frame. I once had a similar accident. 
 How far the previous weakness of your dear 
 parent may operate against a speedy and en- 
 tire recovery I know not; my earnest prayer 
 shall be that a life so invaluable, so much 
 desired, may long be granted to you; that 
 many years of health, if it be the will 
 of God, may yet be your portion, and 
 that of your amiable mother; and that the — 
 successive afflictions, with which you have been 
 visited, may ultimately prove to you * bless- 
 ings in disguise.’ O my dear Miss W. 
 true religion is, indeed, a powerful charm; 
 it can do what the philosopher’s stone 
 has done fabulously, turn all that it touches 
 into gold. When that veil opaque, which 
 naturally covers our hearts, is thrown aside, 
 1 
 
MRS. COOPER. 207 
 
 we discover. a Being of infinite benevolence, 
 who,. in first giving His Son for our ransom, 
 denies us nothing else, but dips every seem- 
 ing painful arrow into love; and tries us 
 here, that we may be fitted for the pure and 
 peaceful enjoyment of Himself in the world 
 above. Would the dross ever be separated 
 from the gold, think you, my dear friend, were 
 it. merely to lie exposed to the meridian sun ? 
 O! no. That genial warmth would leave the 
 gross particles unextracted : in. some. cases it 
 must be purified seven times in the furnace. 
 Let us apply this to unclouded prosperity: 
 and take a view of the state of our hearts and 
 hopes, when our expectations beat high with 
 present enjoyments and future prospects. The 
 world how desirable! That Being, who sus- 
 tains our lives, whose penetrating eye is ever 
 upon us, and who, by mercies momentarily dis- 
 pensed, lays claim to our love, is, perhaps, the 
 last remembered. Though we thus forget Him, 
 He remembersus: earthly props are withdrawn ; 
 sickness demands reflection; the scythe of 
 time mows down, with unrelenting hand, the 
 objects of our present love ; and, when thus 
 left to the solitude of our hearts, the fascina- 
 tions of the world sicken and fade from our 
 view. °Tis then the Father of the fatherless 
 extends His arms to receive His returning 
 child. Read the sweet parable of the prodi- 
 gal in Luke xv. Let me intreat you, my 
 dear, to read and prize the Book of God :— 
 
208 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 We naturally attach importance to a remedy _ 
 that has been tried, and. proved effectual; es- 
 pecially if the fudividal who prescribes it has 
 had personal proof of its efficacy. Allow me — 
 then, from my experience (a present happy 
 possession) of its value, to urge upon you to 
 make religion the paramount desire of your 
 heart. Life is a bitter draught withoutit; re- 
 ligion is a purifying, exalting, tranquillizing | 
 principle. It makes the yoke of duty easy, 
 the burden of care light. In the words of an 
 
 elegant writer, ‘It is the knowledge of Him, — 
 whom to know is wisdom, whom to fear isrec- _ 
 
 titude, whom to love is happiness.’ A sweet 
 epitome of its worth! This is such a darling 
 theme of mine, that Iam apt to dwell dite 
 upon it; but I could never express the tenth 
 part of the happiness I have found in those 
 ways, which the wise man declares to be paths 
 of peace and pleasantness: but religion to me 
 was merely a system of restrainis, until I 
 obeyed the Divine injunction, and gave God — 
 my heart: and, of course, gave up the world. 
 For inspiration declares, ‘ If any man love the 
 world, the love of the Father is not in him :’ 
 and believe me, my dear, a true taste of hea- 
 ven-born enjoyments gives an effectual dis- 
 relish for the irrational and feoaiy. pleasures of 
 the world. 
 
 - When we travel round the world dee 
 ‘ig hold converse with 
 
MRS. COOPER. 209 
 
 © a stranger there 
 « Of high descent, and more than mortal rank, 
 < An embryo god, a spark of fire Divine, 
 ‘ Which must burn on for ages, when the Sun, 
 © Fair transitory creature of a day, 
 © Has closed his golden eye.’ 
 
 There are moments when we can rejoice in 
 being endued with immortality, and when we 
 can feel our souls elevated with a view of that 
 infinite price paid on the cross by Him, ‘ who 
 wept that we might smile, who bled that 
 we might never die.” We must not forget 
 the golden chain let down from heaven to save 
 a sinking world ; but avail ourselves of that 
 mysterious mean left open for holding inter- 
 course with the Father of our spirits by prayer, 
 tHe noblest employment of created beings on 
 earth; the elevation of the soul towards its 
 Maker. ©! that you, my dear friend, in this 
 season of affliction, of painful suspense, may 
 find, in approaching the Saviour of a lost 
 world, that peace and composure, that resigna- 
 tion andacquiescence, which He waits to be- 
 stow : for He hath said, ‘Ask, and you shall 
 receive ; seek, and you shall find.’ 
 
 As [hope you will have inclination, as well 
 as time, to read a long letter, I shall not apo- 
 | logize for having followed the present dictates 
 of my inclination ; I cannot doubt that you will 
 regard the motive pure and affectionate. In 
 _ any way to alleviate the sorrows and sufferings 
 "of my fellow-creatures is the prime luxury of 
 
210 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 my life ; and to direct their attention towards 
 those sources of happiness I have proved, is 
 only a slight return of gratitude to that Being 
 who so peculiarly blesses me. What more 
 shall I say to soothe you? May the mind of 
 your dear parent be supported under her afflic- 
 tion : and, when oppressed with pain and weak- 
 ness, may the everlasting arms be beneath her. 
 By.an inierest in the Saviour may ‘she be 
 raised from the ruins of the fall, and have a 
 glorious hope of happiness beyond the grave. 
 Time is but the infaney of our being; but it is 
 our state of probation ; and, tenefomnfeounea 
 quences of infinite value attach to the present 
 moment: and the words of our incarnate God 
 are, ‘Verily I say unto you, except ye be 
 born again, ye cannot see the kingdom of Gody’ 
 I hope I have not wearied you, my dear | 
 Miss W——,, with the subject. I have pressed — 
 it the more on your attention, from the vein of 
 seriousness so observable in your letter, and 
 knowing it to be the only thing adapted to’sa- 
 lisfy creatures endued with immortality. I 
 have ventured to dwell largely on the. import- 
 ance of answering the great end of our ex- 
 istence. All that I have said is derived from 
 that Book which we all receive as inspiration. 
 My dear mother feels exceedingly for you 
 in your trials. Present our kind remembrances 
 to your dear mother; and believe me to 
 remain, Your’s, very affectionately. ers 
 MARY HANSON. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 211 
 
 _» Hammersmith, Aug. 20, 1811. 
 
 __ My dear Miss W——. 
 
 _ My last letter was the result of sympathy 
 and condolence; and I hope the progressive 
 amendment of your dear mother’s health will 
 justify the present-being a congratulatory one. 
 I rejoice with you in the prospect of her re- 
 storation; and I trust God will put efficacy in 
 the means used for the establishment of her 
 general health.—I am induced to reply to your 
 kind letter now, (for which I thank you,) from 
 the probability that, for a considerable time to 
 come, a variety of new engagements will fully 
 occupy my time: indeed, at the present mo- 
 ment it is with difficulty I can allow any 
 scribbling time ; so that should this letter be 
 shorter than your’s, you will make every due 
 allowance. It is no trifling circumstance, 
 my dear Miss W——, to be on the point of 
 leaving a home endeared by all the pleasing 
 varieties of childhood and youth; to quit the 
 euperintendance of dear parents, &c. &c. to 
 commence new relations, and new engage- 
 ments; both in retrospect and prospeet there is 
 full occupation for the mind, 
 
 With me, I most thankfully acknowledge 
 both to be tinctured with a pleasing hue. I 
 fee] reason to rejoice that the formation of a 
 | connection, so all important, was not made 
 | at an earlier period of my life, when my 
 Jeclings would have been far more consulted 
 | than my judgment: that I was not permitted 
 
912 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 hastily to choose a companion, when, uninflu- 
 enced by religion, I might have selected one 
 
 destitute of that only bond of permanent domes- . 
 tic happiness; that this principle is the only 
 security for its continuance, is my most delibe- 
 rate judgment, after much reflection and ob- 
 
 servation. I cannot express to you how 
 
 endearing is a union of hearts in religion, 
 where mutual hopes and aims are directed 
 towards objects pure, lovely, and permanent ; 
 
 with the animating expectation, that when 
 this mortal shall put on immortality, — 
 
 ‘ Together both their happy spirits fly, 
 To scenes where love and bliss immortal reign.’ 
 
 After a most happy intimacy, both episto- 
 
 Jary and personal, of twelve months, I shall, 
 
 if God permit, surrender myself to one of the — 
 
 most amiable of men on Tuesday next; a 
 
 period I can regard without the least anxiety, 
 because convinced of the unerring guidance of 
 Providence, and of the entire suitability of the 
 individual I love.— ; 
 
 I should not have said so much to you on 
 this subject, dear Miss W——, but for the de- 
 sire I feel, that as you possess such pious 
 views, you would never enter on a connection 
 so important, without imploring the guidance 
 
 and direction of heaven; and making piety a 
 
 Jirst consideration in your choice. 
 Religion is interwoven with all my hopes 
 and plans of happiness; it is a sweet ingredi- 
 
 bie at. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 213 
 
 ent in the bitter draught of life; it is a peren- 
 nial spring in the very centre of the heart :—it 
 is all we need to make us happy here, and for 
 ever. 
 
 It gives me much pleasure to hear you 
 speak so decidedly of your love and preference 
 of piety, and of your habitual perusal of the 
 Word of God. May the Divine Spirit more 
 and more enlighten our minds to comprehend 
 its treasure, and estimate its worth. 
 
 I expect to return from Wales in about 
 three weeks when 1 shall be happy to hear 
 from you:—by that time IT hope your good» 
 mother will be restored to a more decisive state 
 of good health. Time will not allow me to 
 enlarge; you will accept the intention, and 
 believe me to remain 
 
 Your very affectionate, 
 MARY HANSON.” 
 
 ———— 
 
 [Shortly before her marriage, her mind was 
 more than ever impressed with the importance 
 of the step she was about to take; with the new 
 situation to which she thought herself so evi- 
 dently called by Divine Providence; with the 
 various relations in which she must shortly 
 stand, and the duties, which, in each of those 
 | relations, she must conscientiously discharge. 
 Her feelings, views, and reflections, on these 
 | subjects, are well expressed in the following 
 | peesre:] 
 
 2 
 
Q14 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 DIARY. we ‘d 
 August 8, 1811. 
 
 “It is the peculiar privilege of the mind, 
 properly influenced by the spirit of religion, 
 to extract good from apparent evil; and, from’ 
 the chequered circumstances of life, to view 
 the over-ruling and kind intentions of a God 
 of love, in every thing. % 
 
 A review of the past inspires confidence in” 
 the future. 5 
 
 When I take a survey of my past life, from 
 the period reason began to operate, I can 
 trace the guidance of an Almighty hand ; and ‘' 
 can sce that wisdom and love which ‘havell 
 made even seeming hindrances a real help to. 
 the knowledge of Himself. f so: 
 
 All my domestic trials, the moral achooll 
 in which I have been disciplined, will, 1 
 hope, prove of continual benefit to me in 
 future life. 
 
 By being accustomed to have my stubborn 
 will and inclinations crossed, my motives’ 
 questioned, and my favourite schemes thwart- 
 ed, a considerable measure of that self-will 
 and self-importance, so natural to me, has 
 received a powerful check; and, as'I shall 
 shortly, with the permission of heaven, breathe _ 
 in an atmosphere, the most congenial to the 
 sensibilities of my nature, I trust I shall duly 
 prize, and affectionately return them. = 
 
 I feel the advantage of what I have suffered; 
 
MRS. COOPER. 215 
 
 I can bear opposition; and the natural in- 
 dependence of my mind, as far as it has 
 been extravagant, has been thus much sub- 
 dued. 
 
 It is probable, if I had been allowed time 
 for the attainment of knowledge, in reading, 
 &c. my inclination would have been less ar- 
 dent for it; nor should I have accustomed 
 myself so fully to employ every moment. I 
 have learnt to enjoy solitude ; a love of books 
 first inspired this; and, afterwards, a recollec- 
 tion of the little stores I had laid up in my 
 mind, tended exceedingly to make me enjoy 
 my own company. An important acquisi- 
 tion this. I have never known what ennui 
 means, from my own experience. T have been 
 taught too, to consider religion as nothing 
 worth unless its benign influences be shed on 
 domestic life, by rectifying the tempers, 
 and ‘making the crooked paths of nature 
 even.’ We must ‘by actions shew our sins’ 
 forgiven.’ : 
 
 The restoration of the lost image of God 
 can mean nothing less than the implantation 
 of the meek and lowly mind of Jesus. 
 
 I find too, that it is profitable to give up 
 one’s own will in little things ; to avoid perti- 
 | nacity, and rather yield, though unconvinced, 
 | than rouse in the opponent those evil passions 
 |of pride and malevolence, so baneful in their 
 | consequences. 
 | Punctuality, in family arrangements, is of 
 
 ! 
 
. te 
 216 MEMOIRS OF 
 wae importance ; properly to divide time, and 
 to be diligent in whatever you are about. 
 Example is far more powerful than precept. 
 Enforce nothing in your family, if it be a sa~ 
 crifice you are not willing to make yourself. ; 
 It is a most pleasing consideration, that the 
 dear friend, with whom I hope to spend the 
 residue of my days, on all these subjects thinks 
 with me; with this difference, with him it has” 
 long been practice; with me, at present, it i 
 little more than theory. : | 
 August 17, 1811. ; 
 How does the prospect of witnessing and 
 manifesting the influential principle of religion 
 in domestic life cheer my heart, and brighten — 
 my prospects? Under the roof of my dearest 
 friend, I feel assured, I shall perpetually — 
 frcathe an atmosphere congenial, to my wishes. — 
 Peace is an invaluable possess! ‘and most 
 scrupulous shall I ever feel for its py eservation. 
 ‘ The spirit, like a peaceful deoa Mics from 
 the haunts of noise and strife.’ How would it 
 pain my heart, could I believe myself capable, 
 or disposed to render, by intentional or unin- 
 tentional remarks, one member of my family 
 a prey to one hour’s grief. I trust it will be 
 my continual aim, by the help of God, to 
 make all happy. around me, and to manifest 
 the real spirit of piety in every transaction of 
 my life. 
 All I have learnt in the schools of reading 
 
MRS. COOPER. 217 
 
 and experience, must there be brought into 
 action. Mental accomplishments avail little © 
 indeed, unless they regulate the heart, and 
 cause the benefit to be more felt than seen. I 
 must not display, but act; love, and be be- 
 loved. There must be a sentry at my heart, 
 that must be kept; for out of i¢ proceeds all 
 that tends to disquietude. I must sacrifice in 
 little things; beware of pertinacity ; in short, 
 beware of every thing that shall cause the 
 slightest interruption of that peace, which to 
 me appears so highly desirable, and which 
 cannot be sufficiently prized, 
 
 August 21, 1811. 
 I feel thankful that I did not at an earlier 
 period of my life enter into the important en- 
 “gagements near at hand. Such an occurrence 
 would have deprived me of the many invalu- 
 able opportunities I had of laying in a store 
 of useful knowledge, both by reading and ob- 
 servation. I trust that now, my judgment is 
 sufficiently matured to justify the desire and 
 hope I have that the new and important rela- 
 tions on which I shall enter, will be filled with 
 that propriety which is the result of a well re- 
 gulated mind. ‘ As in the superintendence of. 
 the universe wisdom is seen in its effects, and 
 as they proceed with beautiful regularity, not 
 of chance, but by design; so that management,” 
 which seems the most easy, is commonly the 
 consequence of the best concerted plan; and a 
 L 
 
° 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 “918 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 well concerted plan is seldom the offspring of 
 an ordinary mind. A sound ceconomy is a 
 sound understanding brought into action. The 
 more a woman’s judgment is rectified, the 
 more accurate views she will take of the sta- 
 tion she is born to fill, and the more readily 
 will she accommodate herself to it.’ These 
 remarks of my favourite author I appropriate 
 to myself. . I feel their force, and wish to act 
 upon them. I shall, indeed, have read and 
 thought in vain, unless I fill up the domestic 
 circle with more propriety and usefulness than 
 those who have either wanted time or inclina- 
 tion for the same rational pursuits. What a 
 happiness is the assurance, that the intended 
 partner of my life entertains the same views, 
 and will help me by his counsel and advice to 
 fulfil my plans and intentions ; and, above all, 
 that God will condescend to assist me by His 
 grace, to act in all things as ‘becomes the cha- 
 racter of a Christian. , 
 
 | Sunday, Aug.25, — 
 
 - I would adore and magnify Thy holy name, 
 most Holy God and Heavenly Father, for 
 the countless mercies bestowed upon me, be- 
 neath this parental- roof. Richly endowed 
 with the gifts of Providence, and the better 
 blessings of Thy grace, I have been long 
 called upon, by love and gratitude, wholly to 
 devote myself to Thy service. Lord, Thou 
 knowest how sincerely and how frequently I 
 
MRS. COOPER. 219 
 
 have done this. It is my daily privilege to 
 jive momentarily on the charity of Heaven ;— 
 the blessed dependence of true believers. 
 
 Thou art all-sufficient ; therefore, I can now 
 look up and expect the blessing I so peculiarly 
 need at this time. In Thy fear, O God, shall 
 
 ‘J enter on the solemn engagements of Tuesday 
 
 next, Ocondescend there to meet us ; and at 
 
 the sacred altar do Thou manifest Thyself to 
 our souls. In the days of Thy incarnation, 
 
 Thou didst konour the institution with Thy 
 
 Divine presence ; and, though withdrawn from 
 
 our bodily eyes, yet Thou hast still immediate 
 
 access to all spirits. 
 
 - Dearest Redeemer! wilt Thou not bless - 
 Thy children 2 Wilt thou not speak sweet 
 peace to those who pant for no other joys than 
 those which flow from Thee? Thou wilt ; 
 past experience encourages me to trust Thee. 
 O that every good and desirable end may be 
 accomplished by this providence. 
 
 _. May we live, blessings approved of Heaven; 
 epistles known and read of all men; lights of 
 the world; and to Thy name shall be all the 
 
 | glory. 
 
 Here I close my Hammersmith Journal, 
 with sentiments of gratitude to God. O may 
 the new zra of my life, at hand, abundantly 
 further my immortal interests ; and to Father, 
 Son, and Holy Ghost, be endless praises. 
 Amen, and Amen! 
 
 M. H.” 
 La : 
 
220 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 {Miss Hanson’s marriage with Mr. Cooper 
 took place, according to appointment, on — 
 
 August 27, 1811, with the most favourable — 
 
 auspices, and, humanly speaking, with the 
 promise of every blessing, spiritual and tem- — 
 
 poral. That the same principle actuated her 
 heart and her conduct, after marriage as before — 
 it, is well known to all who had the privilege — 
 of her acquaintance; and particularly, from — 
 the subsequent passages in her journal. One ~ 
 thing it may be necessary to remark, that — 
 owing to the general indisposition under which — 
 
 she inhigiired after her marriage, and which, 
 to some, is the natural consequence of such a 
 state, she suffered frequent depression of spi- 
 rits; and this caused her to speak less favour- 
 ably of her religious state than she might have 
 done. She was shortly to become a mother ; 
 and had to tread, to her, an unbeaten path. 
 
 Hence she was often incapable of discerning — 
 
 between a state of great nervous depression, 
 a frequent consequence of a state of pregnancy, 
 and spiritual declension: her inexperience 
 sometimes led her to form wrong conclusions. 
 That she suffered much from the former, both 
 in body and mind her friends saw with deep 
 concern; but they anticipated the pleasing 
 hope, that the hour was continually approach- 
 ing, in which her wonted vigour of body and 
 energy of mind, would be restored, and ex- 
 _ perience fortify her against suffering so keenly 
 in future, from undue apprehensions of her 
 
MRS, COOPER. 221 
 
 real state. That she had suffered no loss in 
 her soul; that her bow continued in unabated 
 strength; that her heart was increasingly right 
 with God; and that, in proportion to her 
 strength, she was as diligent, yea, more abund- 
 ant, in all the means of grace, in the work of 
 faith, patience of hope, and labours of love, 
 after her marriage as before it, was easily 
 marked’ by her spiritual instructors ; and most 
 obvious to the whole circle of her religious 
 acquaintance. ‘The poor and the distressed, 
 for whom, with incessant diligence, she la- 
 boured till she died, can most forcibly tell the 
 tale of her Readuelant exertions; for their 
 sakes she often forgot herself—ever feeling, 
 that in all situations of life, and in all circum- 
 stances of health, she was called to glorify 
 God, by doing good to man. Ithas been judged 
 necessary to make these observations, lest, 
 from the manner in which she expresses her- 
 self in some parts of. the succeeding journal, 
 the inexperienced or unthinking might be led 
 to suppose that her spiritual state was less 
 prosperous after her marriage; whereas the 
 reverse might in all probability be most safely 
 maintained, as her last days, and particu- 
 larly her last hours, appear so abundantly to 
 demonstrate. | 
 
229 "MEMOIRS ‘OF 
 ‘DIARY. 
 
 Knighton, Sept. 7, 1811. 
 
 “Since I last wrote, the most important 
 eyent of human life has been ratified, I trust, 
 jin heaven, as well as upon irk: ‘We 
 reached this place,* on Saturday evening, 
 August 31. 
 
 T am truly happy with this dear family; re- 
 ceived with such uncommon affection; the wit- 
 ness of so much piety; so much domestic con- 
 cord; my mercies are without number. 
 
 Sunday, Sept. 1. 
 
 At nine, we went to the’ ‘Methodist’ ‘chapel 
 here; heard Mr. R. from © What shall I ren- 
 der unto the Lord for al His benefits ‘which 
 He hath done unto me.’ At eleven,’ went‘to 
 church, heard Mr. Morgan Evans from ‘And 
 Enoch walked with God,’ &c. I was much 
 pleased with the simplicity of the preacher, and 
 
 his views of the’ subject. At six, heard Mr. — 
 - Radford, atchapel. After the evening service, 
 JT and my dear husband had the great privilege 
 of receiving the memorials of ‘our Redeemer’s 
 - Jove: we found it a most profitable and de- 
 lightful season to our souls; and were nota 
 little thankful in having so early an opportu- 
 nity, after our union, of thus renewing our 
 covenant with God. 
 
 * The residence of Mr. C.’s father. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 223 \ 
 
 . London, Sept. 29, 1811. 
 
 _ ‘We returned home on the 20th inst., since 
 which time I have been so fully engaged that 
 J have found no time to make any little record 
 of the various blessings I am now continually 
 receiving. ‘ Peace, harmony, and love, the 
 richest bounty of indulgent heaven,” are our’s. 
 Happy in God, and in each other, we feel our 
 every breath should be praise. 1 wish, indeed, 
 to evidence true devotion, by an unreserved 
 consecration of all my powers and faculties to 
 the service of my Master in heaven. I feel 
 that as a Christian I am not to live to myself; 
 nor am I toconfine all my exertions to my 
 own family. They have the first claim; but 
 am I not called upon to administer to the ne- 
 cessitous, and in various ways impart the bless- 
 ings so profusely bestowed upon me? 
 
 I have been muck blessed every Sabbath 
 since our marriage. How profitable is the 
 Lord’s Day, when private intercourse tends to 
 confirm the benefit received from public in- 
 struction ; when nothing interrupts the sacred 
 harmony which ought to pervade the mind of 
 the Christian. ; 
 
 October 29. 
 Although supremely blessed with every 
 . earthly enjoyment; yet have I, from various 
 exercises of mind throughout the past month, 
 been led to see the emptiness of every mere 
 temporal good. For some days, comfort was 
 
Q24 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 withheld; and I felt.a painful void at the ab- _ 
 sence of my heavenly Father. In this'state I 
 was frequently led to feel the insufficieney of 
 every thing but God to make me happy. In 
 -searching for the cause, I found that my pri- 
 vate devotions had been more hurried. than 
 usual ; and that the intrusion of domestic con- 
 cerns was allowed to encroach upon the time 
 set apart for secret converse with Ged. Asa 
 consequence of this, perhaps, I did not so set 
 the Lord before me as to walk with Him. 
 Thus, the Spirit of God was grieved, and my 
 soul brought into heaviness through manifold 
 temptations, 7 
 All this I deplored to Mrs/C. at ‘my class, 
 on the 2ist. Her sensible. admonitions were 
 made truly profitable tome, and I returned 
 home determined to seek till I found, once 
 more, sensible peace with God. -In a consi- 
 derable degree it has been mercifully restored 
 to me. [See the remarks in p, 220.) . +) 
 
 Nov. 9, 1811. 
 
 How necessary is it that God should -re- 
 mind us of the dissolving nature of our earthly 
 tabernacle. When pain and languor seize the 
 body, then I practically feel the insufficiency 
 of all the temporal good I enjoy to make me 
 happy. I regard every memento of this sort, 
 as mercifully designed to wean my affections 
 from the creature, and to make me feel ,that 
 rest can only be found in heaven—in God. | 
 
MRS. COOPER. ‘225 
 
 Since my marriage I have certainly had a 
 
 very large increase of temporal peace and hap- 
 piness; but, that I may not be exalted above 
 ‘measure, my Heavenly Father has mingled in 
 this cup of sweets a few unsavoury ingredients. 
 My health has been far less uninterrupted than 
 before. 
 
 © Choice befits not our condition ; 
 © Acquiescence is the best.’ 
 
 If the Lord but visit me with the light of 
 His countenance, and make the season of in- 
 disposition a time for Divine communications, 
 how cheerfully will I embrace all He appoints. 
 Iam sure He does all in love: and as I can- 
 not let go the confidence I have that He is my 
 Father ; so I believe He will pitifully weigh 
 whatever chastisements He sees fit to exercise 
 * mewith. I bless God I feel superior to the 
 influence of earthly baits to make me happy. 
 
 December7. 
 _ Am I making progress in the Divine life ? 
 In answer to this enquiry, I must pause and 
 reflect. I find my desires after full sanctifica- 
 tion; and feel the necessity of it, as much as 
 ever I did; and, though frequently cast down 
 by my want of /ife in devotion, still I thirst 
 after the living God, and desire a joyful sense 
 of His presence, far more than any thing this 
 world has to present. I have had to contend 
 
 L3 
 
296 MEMOIRS “OF 
 
 for the last two months with almost’ continual 
 pain and weakness of body. 'This “is indeed 
 quite a ew trial to'me, (health, almost unin- 
 terrupted, having heretofore been my portion, ) 
 and has tended very much to depress my spi- 
 rits; and, from the close union betwixt body 
 and soul, has perhaps caused much of the 
 darkness I have mourned. Though a trying 
 and unexpected appointment, I feel quite sure 
 that wisdom and love are conspicuous in it. — 
 Were it not for this alloy, I should have no- 
 thing to prove to me that this is a state of 
 discipline. Blessed in every other way, my 
 hold of God, as the only satisfying portion, 
 would be difficult indeed. TI trust I have felt 
 nothing like a disposition to murmur. As 
 every month will bring me nearer to an. im- 
 portant and trying event, I trust the grace 
 of God will be imparted more abundantly; . 
 and that as I shall need, so I shall have im- 
 parted an increase of fuith to trust Him who 
 has promised to hear and answer in the day of 
 trouble. 
 
 —— 
 
 January 19, 1812. 
 What abundant reason have I to bless and’ 
 magnify the name of the Lord, that He has 
 not withdrawn the refreshing influences of 
 His Holy Spirit from my soul; and, although 
 my devotedness to Him, and love to His name, 
 
MRS. COOPER. 227 
 
 have borne no proportion to His benefits to- 
 wards me; yet still He quickens me, and has 
 of late, in an abundant measure, caused me 
 to hunger and thirst after His righteousness. 
 On the last day of the year I was much de- 
 pressed in mind; and, on self-examination, 
 found very great cause for deep humiliation 
 before Him; especially during some of the 
 latter months. God had multiplied, in rich 
 abundance, my means of grace, of spiritual 
 improvement, and temporal enjoyment; and - 
 yet, alas! I had been in danger of ungrate- 
 fully resting more in the gift than the Giver. 
 Deeply convinced of my ingratitude, after 
 spending some time in prayer with my beloved 
 husband, for the quickening influences of 
 God’s Spirit, we went to the watch-night, at 
 Queen-Street chapel, where God so blessed 
 the service, and in particular Dr. Clarke’s 
 sermon, that I left my burthen behind me, 
 and found liberty afresh to give myself up to 
 God. From that period I have felt myself 
 like anew creature. God has been near to me 
 in prayer, and His Spirit has rendered effec- 
 tual every means of grace. 
 
 On the 4th, I went to Hammersmith ; and 
 again found waiting upon God, in my favour- 
 ite chapel there, very good and refreshing. 
 In the afternoon the covenant was renewed, 
 in which I found great liberty and sweetness. 
 At the Lord’s table my vows received a double 
 confirmation. ‘To be altogether the Lord’s, 
 
‘228 MEMOIRS. OF 
 
 to walk closely with.Him, and to strive to fol 
 Jow Him in all things, has been, and is now, 
 through Divine assistance, my firm- purpose 
 and intention. I have been, of late, deeply 
 convinced of my own insufficiency; and if I 
 remain stedfast in my present purposes, I am 
 sensible it must be by the power of God, 
 through Jesus Christ alone. At present I find 
 
 much peace and power to cast all my care 
 
 upon Him; and am led very earnestly to en- 
 treat God that He will sanctify the happy 
 union which has taken place during the past 
 year; and that He will make my dear, hus- 
 band more abundantly instrumental to my 
 good, and me to his. I must watch and pray 
 continually. ; 
 
 The mercies of God, which so richly en- 
 compass me, ‘are trials, not rewards,’ and 1 
 find myself more in danger of growing care- 
 less, from the profusion of His gifts, than I 
 perhaps should do were they imparted with a 
 more sparing hand. By the mercies of God, 
 then, let me be constrained to present my 
 body and soul, a living sacrifice, holy and ac- 
 ceptable in His sight. Should these benefits 
 be mis-improved, or slighted, may I not justly 
 fear their being withdrawn or diminished. O, 
 Thou Heavenly Benefactor, who hast so pe- 
 culiarly distinguished me with Thy benefits, 
 let me, by Thy grace, be as eminently distin- 
 guished for my faith, love, humility, and zeal, 
 for Thy service! Help me to live to Thee ; 
 
‘MRS, ‘COOPER. 229 
 
 that to please Thee in all things may be.my 
 
 habitual aim,.and my never-failing spring of 
 comfort. I dare not ask at Thy hands either 
 
 comforts or crosses: but I do ask to have no 
 
 will but Thine ; and to have the features.of my 
 
 dear Redeemer more and. more impressed, in 
 
 living characters, on my heart. O let me 
 
 know what it is to have a constantly indwelling 
 
 God! 
 
 March 11, 1812. 
 
 _ My religious experience has of late been 
 
 very variable. To sit loose to the world isa 
 
 difficult, though necessary, duty. I feel, with- 
 
 out it, I cannot make progress in Divine things, 
 
 nor enjoy the peace which passeth understand- 
 
 ing; and without this, all my other enjoyments 
 
 are nugatory and void. O Lord, quicken 
 
 Thou my soul. Rich as I am in worldly 
 
 blessings, without Thy love I am poor and 
 
 destitute indeed. My late experience has led 
 
 me more than ever to feel my own utter insuf- 
 ficiency without the constant aid of the Spirit 
 
 of God. God has visited me with much bodily 
 
 pain and debility; I hear His voice in it, and 
 
 am fully persuaded it is a visit of mercy. But 
 
 is it yet sanctified? alas! not as it should, nor 
 
 as it might have been. A review of this, on 
 
 the last Sabbath, caused me brokenness of 
 spirit. Weary and heavy-laden I went to the 
 
 Lord, and found myself much relieved and 
 
 encouraged to fight against these opposers of 
 my spiritual life. I must: not live at a diss 
 
230 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 tance from the Supreme Good. In times past 
 I have partaken of the heavenly manna, and 
 drank of the fountain of life freely; and it is 
 still open. O that I may now exercise faith — 
 on my Lord and Saviour, and seek for grace 
 every moment, that every evil tendency may 
 be quelled as it rises! [See the remarks in 
 p- 220. ] 
 
 Tam all need and helplessness; and yet I 
 desire nothing so much as the removal of 
 whatever tends to separate me from my hea- 
 venly Father. My marriage too lays me under 
 increasing obligations to devote myself to 
 God, who has bestowed upon me the best 
 earthly blessing. I am called to new duties, 
 which require peculiar grace, properly to dis- 
 charge them. O Lord, I will renew my dedi- 
 cation to Thy service. Baptize me afresh 
 - with Thy Holy Spirit, and sanctify bodily af- 
 Jliction. O may it be the one desire of my 
 soul, to gain more and more of the Divine 
 se and to be increasing in holiness and 
 meetness for the eternal world! 
 
 My present circumstances otght certainly 
 to make me familiar with death and its con- 
 sequences. J know not that F shall survive the 
 trying hour of child-birth ; at any rate, I shall 
 then especially need the supports and comforts. 
 of true religion, and the presence of God, 
 which to some Heso mercifully imparts at that 
 awful period. O, that I may now be found 
 faithful to the grace given! 
 
 2 
 
MRS. COOPER. 231 
 
 April 26. 
 
 I have devoted some hours of this sacred 
 day to a serious’ examination of the state’ of 
 my heart before God; and have found cause 
 enough to be deeply humbled and abased, on 
 the review of the little improvement I have 
 made of the numerous advantages I enjoy. 
 
 The hour of trial is with me fast approach- 
 ing, in which I shall ‘have especial need of 
 the presence of my Heavenly Father, to give 
 me patience to bear suffering, and to resign 
 myself wholly to His disposal. The veil which 
 separates me from the eternal world may be 
 soon drawn aside. O that I may be very care- 
 ful, rightly to improve the few remaining 
 weeks, previously to my confinement, in more 
 frequent approaches to a throne of grace; 
 that I may enjoy sweet communion with the 
 Father of my spirit! May I study more at- 
 tentively the blessed Word of God, that its 
 promises may be the support of my mind—the 
 food of my soul!” 
 
 [ Every page of the preceding work has been 
 gradually preparing the Reader for the solemn 
 issue! In a short time after she wrote the above, 
 which is the end of her Diary, this excellent wo- 
 man passed triumphantly through that valley of 
 the shadow of death, which she appears to have 
 so long antieipated. The forebodings of her own 
 mind tended much to unpnerve her already 
 
 deeply depressed frame ; and cause her to 
 fall a readier victim to death. ] 
 
232 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 [The following account of her last moments 
 has been drawn up by Mr. Cooper. | 
 
 ‘“ For several weeks before the confinement. 
 of my dear wife, she seemed to enjoy the public 
 means of grace, as well as family worship, in a 
 more than ordinary degree. 
 
 The day before her confinement, viz. Sun- 
 day, June 14, she was very unwell, and could 
 not attend public worship in the morning ; 
 but being considerably better in the evening, 
 we went to St. Mary, Woolnoth, to hear our 
 esteemed friend, Mr. Pratt. She very much 
 enjoyed this opportunity ;. and on our return 
 home, we spent about three quarters of an 
 hour together, in mutual prayer, and singing 
 several hymns; we then called our_ family 
 to prayer. Just before retiring to rest, she 
 said that, although she, had not been able to 
 attend the house of God in the morning, 
 her soul had been greatly refreshed throughout 
 the day. 
 
 The following morning, June 15, she was 
 sensible that the time of trial was approaching. 
 She was very cheerful; and several times ex- 
 pressed her confidence that God would be with 
 her, and support her. A little after midnight, 
 she was safely delivered of a fine boy: there 
 was nothing attending the labour to give any 
 ground of alarm; and through the whole of 
 ‘Tuesday she was as well ascould be expected ; 
 but in the evening dangerous symptoms ap- 
 peared. 'The best medical advice was obtained 
 
MRS. COOPER. - i\@ae 
 
 as soon as possible: but from this night she 
 thought she should not recover; she said to 
 ‘the nurse, ‘I shall die;’ who replied, ‘If it 
 should be the will of God, I hope you are 
 not afraid of death.’ She answered, ‘O no !’ 
 On Sunday morning, she altered so much for 
 the worse, that scarcely any hope remained. 
 As the strictest injunctions were laid upon us 
 by the physicians, to keep her as quiet as pos- 
 sible, I had very little conversation with her 
 after her confinement; but she appeared to be 
 in a comfortable and resigned state. 
 
 On Monday morning, June 22, perceiving 
 there was no human probability of her reco- 
 very, I thought it my duty to enquire the 
 state of her mind; and after praying with her, © 
 (in every petition she heartily joined,) I said, 
 ‘What a mercy it is, my love, that we have a 
 God to look to in all circumstances.’ ‘ Yes,” 
 she replied, ‘and J have not far to go; He is 
 very near to me.’ -1 said, ‘God is our refuge 
 and strength, a very present help in time of 
 trouble ? do you find him so ?’ She answered, 
 ‘Yes Ido.’ At.another time she said, ‘J am 
 very happy, I have no fear” 1 asked, ‘Is 
 Christ precious to you? do you find Him near?” 
 She said, ‘ Yes, very near to bless; He saysto 
 me, J am thine, and thou art mine.’ : 
 
 Having left the room, in a short time she 
 said to my sister Mary, ‘ Tell my dear husband 
 to come here.’ When I went, she said again, 
 
234 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ‘ Lam very happy.’ What makes you happy ? 
 
 ‘My Jesus,’ she replied, and then repeated, 
 
 * This life’s a dream, an empty show; 
 But that bright world to which I go, 
 Hath joys substantial and sincere, 
 When shall I wake, and find me there 2? 
 
 ‘Jesus is the Rock of ages; He is my 
 Rock. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that 
 is within me bless His Holy name.? When 
 the nurse enquired if she recollected a Psalm 
 she had been repeating, she immediately 
 said, ‘The Lord is my Light’ and my Salva- 
 tion; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the 
 strength of my heart; of whom shall I be 
 afraid ?” : 3 
 
 When I returned, I found her in the same 
 happy state of mind, saying, ‘ Glory be to God 
 in the highest : Glory beto God in the highest : 
 I have experienced a glorious elevation of mind? 
 tis all over” Afterwards, to my sister she 
 said, ‘O Mary, can we ever doubt such a 
 Saviour ?’ and added, ‘ Come unto me, all ye 
 _ that fear God, and J will tell you what He 
 hath done for my soul!’ and then turning to 
 her sister, said, ‘ You can praise God ; cannot 
 you, Mary ?? ; 
 
 She was continually repeating the promises 
 of God, and observed, * What a promise- 
 keeping God we have! Be not faithless, 
 
MRS. COOPER. 235 
 
 put believing.” When her sister enquired, if 
 she found the Lord to be her refuge and 
 strength ‘in this time of need, she answered, 
 with much fervency, ‘O yes!’ and then put- 
 ting her hands together, and fixing her eyes 
 upwards, she said, ‘Clap your hands, all ye 
 people; come and let us exalt His name toge- 
 ther” She then began to pray in great earnest: 
 ness, often saying, ‘ Bless the Lord, O my 
 soul. She’ afterwards repeated some lines 
 from the hymns of Dr. Watts, among which 
 the following were nearly the last words she 
 
 uttered = 
 
 ¢ My flesh shall slumber in the ground, 
 Till the last trumpet’s joyful sound ; 
 Then burst the chains with sweet surprise, 
 And in my Saviour’s image rise.’ i 
 
 She was then seized with that convulsion 
 which deprived her of her senses ; and in a lit- 
 tle time her happy spirit, freed from its earthly 
 tabernacle, ascended to that Saviour in whom 
 she believed, and in communion with whom, 
 for several years of her life, her chief happi- 
 ness consisted. 
 
 She fell asleep in Jesus, on Monday, June 
 92, 1812, at a quarter past two in the after- 
 noon, in the twenty-sixth year of her age.” 
 
 —— ES 
 
 [A few extracts from Mrs. Cooper's letters 
 to her religious correspondents will interest 
 
236 MEMOIRS OF : 
 
 the Reader. ‘They argue, as her other writings — 
 do, an enlightened and well cultivated mind, — 
 as well as a friendly and pious heart. Some 
 of those extracts which are inscribed to Miss 
 M. were written by. Miss H. while she was 
 under deep concern, relative to her intended 
 matrimonial connection, and some others im- 
 mediately after. She saw the absolute neces- 
 sity of having a decidedly religious companion, 
 if any, to accompany her in the path of reli- 
 gion. She had seen, and she had heard, that 
 those young persons, who had taken up the — 
 cross of Christ, and afterwards married irreli- 
 gious, or not thoroughly decided religious, cha- 
 racters, either ‘turned back to perdition, or 
 had a cross the most afflictive, to bear through- 
 out life.” The advices and directions in these 
 letters are too excellent to be slightly regarded : 
 and it may be hoped have had their due influ- 
 ence on the person to whom they were ad- 
 dressed ; nor can any, to whom they may be 
 applicable, consult them without profit. ] 
 
 Hammersmith, July 22, 1811. 
 My dear Miss M. 
 
 Various and pressing engagements have 
 prevented me from earlier assuring you of the 
 pleasure your kind letter (which I regard as 
 the commencement of our correspondence) 
 afforded me. As I gave your reasons for delay 
 their full weight, I am inclined to transpose 
 the words of Pope, and say, ‘The mercy I 
 
MRS. COOPER. 237 
 
 to you have shewn, that mercy shew to me.> 
 I have certainly found epistolary communica- 
 tions one of the sweets of celibacy ; and, al- 
 though on the verge of quitting it, with its 
 many advantages, do not despair of. finding, 
 amid the more multiplied engagements of do- 
 mestic life, time to remember, in this way, you, 
 my dear friend, and some others who have 
 jong had a claim on my friendship. Common 
 maxims, and those which guide people, ordi- 
 narily, are no standard for me; and the too 
 frequent result of marriage, that of contract- . 
 ing the heart, chilling the affections, and con- 
 fining one’s exertions merely to the precincts 
 of a fireside and a family, are unenviable con- 
 sequences; and into those I hope to be in no 
 danger of falling. To avoid it, 1 am fully: 
 aware of the necessity of redeeming time, and 
 acting on a digested plan, that hours and days 
 may not succeed each other without bearing 
 on their wings, at least, some essays to do 
 good. Our correspondence, my dear friend, 
 IT am disposed to hope will be somewhat pro- 
 ductive of this disposition ; and as we are both 
 alive to the importance and luxury of exer- 
 cising our talents and influence in a good cause, 
 so I trust we shall have freedom and sincerity 
 enough to suggest to each other whatever may 
 | prove of personal or relative advantage. 
 Should I insensibly slide into matrimonial su- 
 | pineness, and myself become a prey to the in- 
 activity I so often see, and so much deplore in 
 
238 MEMOIRS OF. 
 
 others, you, dear Miss M., must rouse me, 
 and tell me of the enjoyment of revolving 
 round a larger orbit of usefulness. When it 
 first was known among my friends, that I was 
 turning my thoughts towards Methodism, one 
 of them used jocosely to tell me, my religion — 
 was ‘ upand be doing.’ A part of it certainly 
 is. It is this spirit which benefits the world ; 
 and our Lord and Master, in His errand of : 
 benevolence, in His seeking continual occa- 
 sions of doing good, has left us an example 
 which, in our degree, it is our duty and inter- 
 est to follow. Thus did the Star of Jacob 
 pierce through the dark clouds of poverty and — 
 reproach; and, by the lustre of His deeds, 
 proclaim the Divinity of His nature. Heshall 
 be our Pattern and our Guide. We will lose 
 sight of the world, and seek after a growing 
 resemblance to the bright and morning Star, — 
 that we may be lucid gems in His crown for — 
 ever. I cannot but. reflect, witha degree of — 
 astonishment, on ‘the early. and: strict dis- 
 eipline you exercised over yourheart. You 
 early manifested a:taste for that true wisdom, 
 of which the poet speaks. eer! om 
 
 * Man know thyself; all wisdom centres here.” 
 
 You were then under the bondage of self-de- — 
 nial. Now you know the omnipotent power 
 of Divine love, which can make even self-de- 
 nial a joy. No obedience will be lasting, but 
 
MRS. COOPER. 239 
 
 that which flows from this heaven-born prin- 
 ciple. It is this alone which makes the service 
 of God perfect freedom. It is this which re- 
 conciles the paradoxes in our religion,—‘ As 
 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing—as poor, yet 
 making many rich—as having nothing, yet 
 possessing all things.’ I sensibly feel, my 
 dear Miss M., your candour, in giving me 
 such an insight into your heart. If the por- 
 trait were faithful, it was not a flattering one; 
 but that new nature we are called to put on, 
 that light of life it is our privilege to walk 
 in, will, I trust, effect an entire revolution of 
 our habits, principles, and pursuits; and our 
 memorandum book, to the glory of Divine 
 grace, will record a happy change, from the 
 service of the world to the service of God. 
 You have sweetly described the change, my 
 dear friend; I rejoice with you. O guard the 
 sacred fire; and do not let it evaporate and be 
 extinguished, by distracting its source. No- 
 thing can lead to God which has not proceeded 
 from Him. We are naturally averse from 
 Him ; and every thing within us opposes the 
 operation of those fruits of the Spirit, which it 
 has lately been your happiness to testify. We 
 are transitory creatures of a day. God ad- 
 dresses us as such, and warns us against 
 anxious care for the morrow. Therefore, it 
 is your privilege and mine, to live a life of 
 momentary dependence on the charity of hea- 
 yen; that we may continually be fed with the 
 
240 MEMOIRS OF | 
 bread and water of life. For want of this, 
 how much I have lost!’ Sucha proneness to 
 look forward, without faith; asad species of 
 unbelief; ‘ Jesus Christ is the same, yester- 
 day, to-day, and for ever.’ His hands of love : 
 and mercy are ever spread out in our be-— 
 half.— 
 
 To Miss M. 
 Aug. 17, 1811. 
 
 My dear Friend, 4G 
 Circumstances have hitherto proved rather 
 unfavourable to the cultivation, both of our 
 epistolary and personal intercourse. The ba- 
 lance is certainly against me ; and if your ean- 
 dour towards a friend keeps at all pace with 
 it towards yourself, you will, in consideration 
 of pressing and important engagements, in- 
 demnify me from any intentional or avoidable 
 neglect. ; 
 
 It is no trifling thing, dear Miss M., to be 
 on the verge of quitting scenes, endeared by 
 all the varieties of youthful experience—the 
 residence of one’s whole life. Parents, the 
 instruments of those comforts; and friends 
 knit to my heart by the bonds of Christian 
 love. Those things afford no inconsiderable 
 exercise for the mind. The change, though — 
 important, is pleasing when viewed as the re- 
 sult of that guidance, promised to those who 
 
MRS. COOPER. 241 
 
 acknowledge God in their ways. There isa 
 prospective happiness of being united in the 
 Lord, quite inconceivable to those who have 
 never experienced it. This remark I make 
 for you, ‘my dear friend, that you may euard 
 your heart and affections, till that heavenly 
 Parent, who has so narrowly and tenderly 
 watched over you for good, shall clearly point 
 out the path for your future life. Confidence 
 in Him is both a duty and a privilege. 
 
 By way of apology only have I devoted 
 one page to a subject, not at all interesting to 
 you, judging you by myself in former times. 
 The inference I draw, as it regards ws, is this; 
 —that in the course of another month, the re- 
 sult of all my present bustle will afford me 
 frequent opportunities of enjoying your society, 
 and of interchanging that oneness of object, 
 we have in view; to mea very pleasing anti- 
 cipation; and, in conjunction with yourself, 
 eur very dear friends at , to whom I 
 present my love. 1 beg one proof of its reci- 
 procity, viz. a remembrance of me, at a throne 
 of grace, on the 27h inst. Will you, my dear 
 friend, give this kind expression also, of your 
 friendship. : 
 
 And now I will endeavour to answer your 
 kind and acceptable letter. The dearest friends 
 I have have a property in their disposition, I 
 rather think, not natural to me, reserve: it 
 having proved no obstruction, in those cases, 
 to love and friendship, I was not at all disposed 
 
 M 
 
ees ak, 
 
 2A2 ' MEMOIRS OF. 
 
 unfavourably to regard the same disposition — 
 which I certainly noticed in you in the first 
 part of our first interview; though I must 
 assure you J consider the aeens I have had — 
 of you a very favourable omen of what is yet — 
 in store for us, should your stay in London be — 
 protracted. . 
 It affords me unspeakable pleasure, my dear | 
 friend, and I hope, in some degree, I am influ- — 
 enced by the same desire which you feel, ofliving!l 
 to good purpose, and using talents and influence’ 
 to the glory of that God, and that cause, we have 
 both warmly and decidedly espoused. Thegood — 
 is incalculable, which one individual, truly de- — 
 voted to God, may effect. Let us both pray for — 
 anincrease of that Divine love,which shall make 
 us run, and delight ourselves in the command- 
 ments of God. I can testify, from happy ex- — 
 perience, how much the influence of this bless- 
 ed principle makes the path of duty easy; and 
 those requisitions of self-denial, &c. so severe _ 
 and contrary to nature, are easy and delightful — 
 through grace,’ I haye sometimes been ena- 
 bled to appropriate to myself a line of Ma- 
 dame Guion’s, ‘In self-denial is her joy.’ It 
 is not always thus with me; but, to the glory — 
 of Divine grace, I must acknowledge I have 
 found, and do find it ina happy measure. J 
 once heard Mr. B, say, ‘ Never rest satisfied 
 with your religion, till it makes you happy;’— 
 and nothing sport of it does satisfy me ; o- 
 thing troubles me so much, as s the hiding of 
 
 ae 
 
 —— 
 
MRS. COOPER. 243 
 
 God’s countenance :—His smile is heaven— 
 His approbation, bliss; or, in the words ofan 
 elegant writer, ‘whom to know, is wisdom— 
 whom to fear, is rectitude—whom to love, is 
 happiness.’ What a mercy it is, dear Miss M., 
 that from such pure sources, so early in life, 
 we are called to draw out our felicity ; and in 
 surrendering our hearts to God, find that am- 
 ple recompence, always connected with the 
 sacrifice. My chief deficiency is a want of 
 poverty of spirit ; and my constitutional hin- 
 drance is levity of spirit: not that I decry 
 cheerfulness ; it is the element, and properly 
 the privilege, of the Christian only. It isa 
 something not so tranquil, that I speak of; a 
 something which would not be allowed, werea 
 proper sense of the omniscience of God duly 
 estimated and received. J wish to shew you 
 something of the face of my soul, that we may 
 mutually suggest hints for improvement, and 
 recommend remedies we have proved effectual. 
 
 London, March 7, 1812. 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 I have been a little surprised, in referring 
 to the date of your last kind favour, to find so 
 much time elapsed since the receipt of it. 
 The truth is that my engagements are so 
 much more numerous and pressing now than 
 formerly, that I must hope for the candovr 
 and allowances of my correspondents, if I fail 
 | im being as punctual as in the days of my celi- 
 u 2 
 
244 MEMOIRS OF : 
 
 bacy. My domestic avocations were then 
 comparatively nothing : and I am disposed to — 
 congratulate myself that my éaste, in those — 
 days, led me to the improvement of my mental 
 powers; for the food I then derived I must 
 now live upon by rumination. And yet, my 
 dear Miss M., so powerful are the charms of 
 a happy union, that, notwithstanding all I 
 have conceded, I would not exchange the — 
 present for the past. Few, indeed, are so 
 blessed in this state; as 1 possess a partner, 
 in whose upright coudlifet and conversation 
 
 I constantly behold an object worthy of 
 my closest imitation. One equally suitable, 
 my dear friend, I trust Providence has in 
 store for you. In a connexion so impor- 
 tant, I trust you will not hastily conclude; — 
 and, believe me, there must be a great deal to 
 compensate for the new cares and pains, com- 
 monly resulting from marriage; and there 
 must be in the partner of your choice a /iv- 
 ing, a decided piety ; to counteract the tend- 
 ency this new relation has to wed the heart 
 more closely to the world. This is, indeed, ~ 
 my point of danger; and I find daily need of 
 peculiar grace, to have my chief treasure in 
 heavez. You know, my dear friend, the in- 
 terest I feel in your welfare. It is more than 
 probable much time will not elapse, ere a 
 decision of this kind will take place; and much 
 as you aye disposed to glory in your present 
 _unembarrassed sitation, the chain of love may 
 
 ~ 
 
MRS. COOPER. 245 
 
 be thrown around your neck also, and lead you 
 captive. Hitherto you have been the prey of 
 ‘much and accumulated anxiety; and you have 
 had alone to struggle with it. Now, a suitable 
 marriage may make you happier, and more at 
 ease, than you have ever been; and give you 
 the dearest friend you have ever had. But let 
 it be your own choice ; and let your judgment 
 guide your affections. Youalone can be judge; 
 and, above all, seek direction at His hands, 
 who has promised to direct the paths of those 
 that love and fear Him; and who hath said, 
 * No good shall be withholden from them that 
 walk uprightly.’ 
 
 Forgive me, my dear friend, if 1 have been 
 intrusive or tedious on this subject. Regard 
 all I have said, as flowing from a real love to 
 you, and regard for your welfare. It is a mo- 
 mentous business; and, as I have tried the two 
 states, I feel convinced that nothing short of 
 an entire union of mind and pursuits, with the 
 purest affection, can counterbalance the new 
 pains and anxieties, commonly resulting from 
 the married state. With regard to my health 
 I still continue very poorly. This is a new, 
 and unlooked for trial to me. I view it all in 
 wisdom and love; but for it, I should have no 
 memento that this is a state of discipline, so 
 tree am I from every other trial. It some- 
 times ieads me to look forward to that happy 
 state, where the spirit will be no longer en- 
 cumbered by its clay tenement, but ‘ where it. 
 
246 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 will soar without bound, without consuming 
 
 glow.’ God is teaclitin me another lesson; — 
 
 the inadequacy of every earthly good, to satisfy — 
 my soul, without the continual enjoyment of 
 His love and presence. I hope you, my dear 
 friend, are going forward steadily in the ways 
 of God; and that you again enjoy the simpli- 
 city and earnestness of a country society: 
 When you write, I hope to hear you have 
 
 become a visitor of the Benevolent Society 
 
 you mention. Many important lessons may 
 
 be learnt in the chambers of poverty and af: 
 
 fliction : we are called to it by the example of 
 our Divine Master, who left us the poor as His 
 special legacy; and who has stamped even 
 poverty with dignity, by making it His own 
 garb in the days of His incarnation. 
 
 Preparations for the important event of next ~ 
 
 June occupy a good deal of my time and at- 
 tention. As yet, I do not think anxiously about 
 
 it: I hope, indeed, that its approximation will — 
 
 more and more stir me up to intimate commu- 
 
 nion with God, and to familiarity with that — 
 
 solemn event, which is the gate we must ail 
 pass through to heaven. My dear friend, if 
 I have an interest in your affections, let me also 
 have in your prayers, that I may be fully pre- 
 pared for life or death. 
 
 To Miss M. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 9AT 
 
 To Miss W. 
 . —_—— June 5, 1812. 
 My dearest Friend, . 
 
 I cannot express to you the concern and 
 surprise your long silence has occasioned me ; 
 particularly, since I had an intimation from 
 your brother, that you had left home in con- 
 sequence of illness. I have been led to -ap- 
 prehend the worst that could befal -you, as I 
 thought the subject of my last letter (if ‘you 
 ever received it) would have led you, at any 
 rate, if you had but an interval of health or 
 ease, to write me a few lines, before my con- 
 finement, of which I am now in daily expect- 
 ation. I am now, and have been for some 
 time past, very unwell, and incapable of exer- 
 tion, so that I cease to wish the trying hour to 
 be protracted. Respecting you, I cannot feel 
 easy, until I hear of the state of your health, 
 and the cause of its decline. I feel inexpres- 
 sibly for you, dear Mary Ann, on that subject, 
 which, I fear, is still involved in the same pain- 
 ful obscurity, as to its issue, which has-so long 
 marked it. Pray relieve my mind by letting 
 me know all respecting you; and let me not 
 have; in addition to the thoughtfulness con- 
 nected with my present situation, to labour 
 under imaginary forebodings relative to a 
 friend, who will ever be most dear to me. 
 
 Since my marriage, God has given me every 
 thing I could desire, excepting health; in wis- 
 dom, no doubt, He has deprived me of this : 
 
248 MEMOIRS oF 
 
 though I have reason to fear this dispensa- 
 tion has not been so sanctified to my soul’s. 
 good, as He designed it. A time of more 
 extreme trial awaits me; and my only confi- 
 dence is in that God who is all-sufficient to 
 deliver me. 1 can repose in Him, and feel 
 peculiar consolation in refleeting on that chain 
 of Providence which led to our union. I feel 
 I am still in the hands of the same Parent 
 who superintends all our concerns. Allow me 
 to beg of you, my dear friend, to remember 
 me in your prayers. I and my beloyed C, 
 frequently remember you, when bowed toge- 
 ther at a throne of Grace. ———— 
 
 [The above letter, intended fer Miss W. 
 was left unfinished. | 
 
 —_——— 
 
 [ The last letter she wrote was to her brother 
 at Cambridge, from which the following is ex- 
 tracted. It is dated only ten days before her — 
 confinement. | 
 
 To Mr. Wm, Hanson, Cambridge. 
 June 5, 1812. 
 I-cannot but think it will surprise you a 
 little, my dear brother, to receive a Jetter from ' 
 one who, but for the multifarious engage- 
 ments of a married life, would have been one 
 of the first to have classed herself among your 
 
MRS. COOPER. 949 
 
 ¢orrespondents. * * * #645 * Apthe 
 most responsible, the most dignified of offices 
 awaits you, I trust that influence, which alone 
 can render it a delightful and easy employ, 
 will be more and more experienced by you— 
 that moved ‘in verity, by the Holy Ghost,’ 
 you may be made eventually the instrument of 
 turning many of your fellow-mortals to the path 
 of life and happiness which our holy religion so 
 fully sets forth. 1am aware, from the nature 
 of your present studies, of the difficulties you 
 have to combat with, in cultivating that per- 
 sonal piety, which is so delightful and so ne- 
 cessary for the future discharge of duties of a 
 pastoral nature. God will, I trust, abundantly 
 sanctify to your good those energies of mind 
 with which He has endued you; and that they 
 will be directed towards the glorious object of 
 a minister of the Gospel. 
 ® * .# + 4 Oe 
 
 Lam almost a complete prisoner, very much 
 indisposed in body; and in the daily expecta- 
 tion of an event, for which my mind can only 
 derive support and confidence in making God 
 my refuge. 
 
 The efficacy of religion is but little known 
 in hours of ease, and days of prosperity—its 
 benign and cheering influence is felt on the 
 bed of pain and languishing, when all human 
 help is impotent, and when death may receive 
 his commission to unveil the eternal world. 
 
250 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Life has to me now many more fascinations 
 than it ever had before. God has bestowed 
 upon me the best of earthly blessings; and I 
 have, known nothing like a trial since my mar- 
 riage, but bodily indisposition; a merciful in- 
 fusion in that cup of bliss, which otherwise 
 might have intoxicated me. 
 
 I need not tell you, my dearest William, the 
 pleasure a letter from you will afford me. 
 
 May the blessing of God attend you, my 
 
 ever dear brother; may your present studies 
 conduce to your best interests, and in days to 
 come to the good of many! May you be kept 
 from every snare, and be guided into all truth, 
 and know more and more of the indwelling of 
 that peace which passeth understanding! My 
 dear husband unites with me in kind love to 
 you. * Believe me ever to remain 
 Your most affectionate sister, 
 MARY COOPER. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 251 
 
 _ [The following Letters which came to my 
 hand, since the publication of the /asé edition 
 of these Memoirs, I think worthy to be m- 
 serted by way of Appendix to this edition, as 
 _ they breathe the same spirit of good sense and 
 _ piety, so observable in all the other writings 
 of the late Mrs. Cooper. } 
 
 To Miss W. 
 A 
 
 , Sept. 18, 1810. 
 
 | Most welcome was your letter, my beloved 
 |. feiend = its arrival repressed the impatience I 
 began to feel at your long silence. But as I 
 was the most favoured of your correspondents, 
 I must check any thing like reproof only re- 
 member the oftener you write, the more 
 steadily the flame of our (I trust) inextinguish- 
 
 able friendship will glow. Neither absence 
 
 nor distance cam quench it, while this endear- 
 ing mode of communication is ours; and I 
 fondly hope it will continue while we live, 
 _ whatever new relations, or change of circum- 
 stances, may take place. Not even matrimony 
 shall make us stoics, nor connubial love ex- 
 tinguish female friendship. 
 
 e*.s.3 = *® = 2 ® a. Sz 
 
 I sincerely pray, my dear friend, that your 
 mind may be kept im peace and dependence 
 apon God : you especially need it. Be fervent 
 and frequent in your addresses to Him, who 
 has all things beneath His beneficent controul. 
 « God is a refuge and strength: a very present 
 
 1 
 
252 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 help in trouble; He afflicts not willingly. 
 Perhaps religion would not have been the 
 cordial to you it has, if your poor heart had 
 not been so wounded. Jmmortal joys might 
 not have been anticipated with so much desire, 
 if the fading nature of earthly ones had not 
 loudly proclaimed, ‘This is not your rest.’ 
 Make God the source and centre of your bliss: 
 He wills your happiness; and when He by His 
 Spirit makes the renewed heart His abode, it 
 is a perennial spring of never-fading joys. 
 I can tell you this, my love, from present expe- 
 vience: I am happy in God, in the persuasion 
 that through the Son of His love my sins are 
 blotted out ; and, through Divine love shed 
 abroad in my heart, His commandments are 
 my delight, His ways my choice, His cross 
 my theme and hope of endless bliss! 
 
 If the real nature and tendency of religion 
 were but understood, the bulk of mankind 
 would not suffer such a treasure within their 
 reach to lie unheeded :—but O how fatally is it 
 wnisrepresented! By some as a system of 
 restraints ; by others, as a gloomy and unso- 
 cial thing, testified by gloomy looks and harsh 
 austere manners! It is, what it was pro- 
 claimed to be, on that glorious night, when 
 the angelie host, having announced the Savi- 
 our’s birth to the watching shepherds, joined 
 ia singing, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and 
 on earth, peace; good-will towards men!” 
 God is love, infinitely lovely; and the more 
 
4 
 
 MRS. COOPER. 253 
 
 we receive of this blessed stamp, the more we 
 resemble Him, and the more He is willing to 
 impart. Let this be our constant prayer and 
 _ aim, to be filled with all the fulness of God ; 
 to be aiming at that entire sanctification He 
 
 has promised to bestow; that perfect love 
 
 _ which casteth out fear. 
 
 1 have lately been much profited by reading 
 a book I had long desired to see, ‘ Lucas’s 
 
 _ enquiry after happiness ;’ written, I think, in 
 
 the early part of last century. A new edition 
 of this work lately appeared.—After a faithful 
 picture of the futile views generally held of 
 the subjects, the author demonstrates happi- 
 ness to be attainable here, in the way God has 
 pointed out in His word. The whole is written 
 with much elegance and force of reasoning ; 
 and it is so interesting, that it is difficult to lay 
 the book aside, till you arrive at the author’s 
 glorious conclusion. He lived long before 
 Mr. Wesley, but he maintained the doctrme 
 ef Christian perfection. You start at this 
 subject, my dearest friend. I would you re- 
 ceived it, and you wowld do so under another 
 name :—a ripe and settled habit of true holi- 
 ness ; grace abounding more than sin ever did ; 
 ‘a partaker of the Divine nature, raised above 
 the corruption of the world:’ my desires after 
 
 __ it daily increase; and I find grace afforded, 
 
 and sin become more and more the abhorrence 
 of my soul ; and holiness a state I pant after, 
 and am athirst to attain. I would not tell you 
 
254 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 this, but to the glory of that grace which works 
 
 within me. God has given no precept, without _ 
 offering us sufficient grace to enable us to _ 
 
 perform it. Without Him we can do nothing ; 
 but through His strengthening grace, we can 
 do all things: 
 
 The first part of Dr. A. Clarke’s Commen- 
 tary is come out; Iam delighted and edified 
 with it beyond expression: it will be, Ihave no 
 doubt, the best Commentary that ever’ ap- 
 peared. The deep piety of his remarks, even 
 
 on Genesis, is delightful : and as he is the first © 
 
 orientalist in the kingdom, his criticisms’ are 
 
 expected to be invaluable. He has lately 
 
 preached two Sundays here, and he dined with 
 
 us once. My brothers and father think very 
 
 highly of him. ‘ . 
 = = * 8 * 4 Ree eee 
 
 Mr. Fry of the Lock chapel I know inti- 
 mately: he was my spiritual father. It is re- 
 markable that Mrs. Fry, almost from her in- 
 fancy, took an amazing interest in the welfare 
 of the Jews: they have both written on the 
 subject of the conversion of these children of 
 Abraham. May the influence of the Spirit 
 abundantly succeed their labours. 
 
 The decay of nature begins to manifest itself: 
 it has been a merciful season ; every heart 
 ought to expand with gratitude. 
 
 Farewell, my dear friend: continue to love 
 
 Your ever affectionate - 
 
 MARY HANSON. 
 
MRS. COOPER. 255 
 
 To Miss W— 
 Lower Mall, July 19, 1811. 
 
 Were I disposed to seek an excuse for 
 not writing punctually to my dear Mary 
 Anne, I could truly urge a want of time: but 
 my love for her is of such a nature, that it is 
 willing to make sacrifices, and snatch a few 
 moments from avocations pressing in their 
 claims. There is a secret satisfaction in this ; 
 and by it I-can better ascertain the strength 
 of that affection which now glows in my heart, 
 my very dear friend, with a brighter and more 
 steady flame than ever; kept alive by the 
 sacred torch of. religion: there may we both 
 ever feed our best affections. 
 
 RA 
 
 Your letter, my dear friend, was most wel- 
 come. I had watched the post for some days ; 
 its arrival and contents filled my heart with 
 the liveliest emotions of pleasure, in the re- 
 newal of our correspondence, which I am quite 
 disposed to think will increase in vigour and 
 interest. You know, Mary Anne, we do not 
 profess to walk in the ordinary course; nor 
 have we ordinary intentions: hence neither of 
 us startles at friendship after marriage, nor 
 Jaughs at a correspondence being maintain- 
 ed amidst domestic avocations. 1 trust, we 
 have both hearts capacious enough to love each 
 other with all the warmth that kept alive our 
 single friendship ; and, perhaps, to allow of an 
 increase, while exciting each other to be apos- 
 tolic wives. 
 
256 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 I cannot but feel thankful for our recent 
 personal intercourse, though sadly transitory. 
 It has convinced us that though, in religion, 
 we differ in name, yet not in object: we are 
 alike pressing after greater conformity to the 
 mind and image of Christ; relying upon Him 
 alone, with an equal spirit of dependence. 
 The Author of our faith must be its Finisher 
 
 also; and without momentary dependence on 
 
 His arm, the weakest temptation will prove 
 too powerful for our natural strength: this is 
 
 a lesson I am continually learning. J reflect — 
 
 with considerable pleasure, my very dear 
 friend, on the few happy moments we Spent in 
 social prayer at a throne of grace: few the 
 moments, yet rich in blessing. So lovely is the 
 impression left on my mind, that whenever I 
 think of Mary Anne, it will be with a devout 
 regard: Jet us still remember each other there; 
 and meet in spirit, though denied visible com- 
 munion. 
 
 We are both now just arriving at the most 
 momentous and important period of our hives ; 
 at an age too, when discretion makes us alive 
 to the responsibility of the act. Happy for 
 us, that our motives are so pure, and our ex- 
 pectations of our increase of happiness so rea- 
 sonable; that the companions of our future 
 voyage possess those qualifications which con- 
 stitute a solid ground-work for domestic com- 
 fort. 
 
 *) * © 4 ok * He 2 eee = 
 
 I shall much need your prayers, especially 
 
MRS. COOPER. 957 
 
 that we may never lose sight of the great end 
 of our acquaintance, and of our union, that of 
 helping each other forward in the Divine life ; 
 that we may live and act as Christians, and 
 be living epistles of the power and efficacy 
 of the grace of God. Adieu, my ever dear 
 friend; assure yourself of the undiminished 
 affection of 
 Yours truly, 
 MARY HANSON. 
 
 P.S. I must just tell you, that I have read 
 Mrs. More’s ‘ Practical Piety,’ with very 
 great pleasure, and profit too. I think the 
 chapter on Self-love discovers a greater insight 
 into the human heart, and unfolds more of its 
 secret windings, than any thing I ever read 
 in the same space. I saw in it a face of my 
 own soul, and there found the hidden cause of 
 many evils I have long deplored. O that the 
 knowledge of the disease may lead me con- 
 tinually to apply to the Great Physician of 
 souls who has omnipotence to exercise in my 
 
 behalf. 
 
 - To Miss W— 
 London, Dec. 4, 1811. 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 As it respects epistolary Jeisure, I find I am 
 both a wife and.a mistress; and although free 
 from all controul with respect to the disposal 
 of time, domestic duties make so forcible an 
 appeal, that I am compelled to surrender my- 
 
258 oe OF 
 
 self into their hands. I find that, instead of 
 enlarging the circle of my correspondents, 
 (which I am in danger of,) I must contract it. 
 While I can euide my pen, my dear Mary 
 Anne shall have no just cause to complain of 
 me: for the leisure this evening afforded I am 
 indebted to a committee of a benevolent society, 
 in which my beloved is engaged. Many of 
 his evenings he devotes in reading to me; the 
 happiness we thus enjoy is, I trust, in reserve 
 for you. My expectations are, indeed, very 
 far exceeded; and I enjoy more in this endear- 
 ing relation than my liveliest imagination ever 
 pictured. Religion is the sweetest ingredient 
 in the cup; and the desire we have of helping 
 each other forward towards those abodes of 
 blessings, where, with all the redeemed, we 
 shall have bliss without alloy, and without end. 
 How does this confirm our love, and animate 
 our footsteps. 
 
 Since our marriage, I have been frequently 
 reminded that this is not our rest, by bodily in- 
 disposition. I have regarded it asa kind ad- 
 monition, which I needed; for O, how difficult 
 itis to enjoy much here, and still to be ad- 
 vancing in the Divine life. It is our privilege 
 to have peace in our Redeemer; and not to 
 pass through the world without expecting the 
 fulfilment of His declaration, that ‘in the 
 world ye shall have tribulation.’ It is by 
 bearing the cross as our Lord did, that we 
 
 must be prepared to wear the crown. You, 
 
 mS ~. 
 
MRS. canes 259 
 
 my dear Mary Anne, have not wanted evi- 
 dences in this way. One who has loved you 
 infinitely, has thought it needful for your best 
 interest to cloud your fondest hopes. I am 
 thankful in believing you already derive good 
 from it in your soul. Trust Him still, my dear 
 friend; and let God be His own Interpreter. 
 Your last account of the health of your dearest 
 Vv affected me much; and we were led 
 very earnestly to entreat the Lord to give you 
 faith, that you might still trust Him; and that, 
 when consistent with His wise designs, your 
 heart’s desire might be accomplished. 
 
 Could I but relieve you, my dear Mary 
 Anne, of a part of your load, how gladly would 
 I doit. Buta voice from heaven says, ‘Cast 
 thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sus- 
 tain thee. He will make darkness light, and 
 crooked things straight.’ How happy should 
 I be to have you awhile beneath our peaceful 
 ‘roof. May the Father of mercies soon cause 
 you to taste the biiss of unruffled peace, and 
 fervent piety. 
 
 My dearest C. has had the long promised 
 book in his possession a few weeks, which you 
 will receive with this; also a very favourite 
 little book of mine, which I beg you to accept, 
 and my prayers that we may both walk more 
 closely with our God, that the various ills of 
 life may meet us, and leave us unrufiled, be- 
 
 cause founded ona Rock that cannot be moved. 
 = = * * = = * * J = e° & 
 
260 MEMOIRS OF MRS. COOPER. 
 
 The sentiments of my beloved husband are _ 
 as much in unison with my own on all subjects 
 as it is possible to be; so that, in all the plans — 
 I project, I feel sure of a coadjutor. Whata _ 
 kind Providence has guided our steps, and 
 made us so completely one! You will not be | 
 surprised that, amidst circumstances so happy, © 
 London becomes less and less obnoxious to me, 
 I really like it now; and am so surrounded — 
 with good friends, that I am probably happier _ 
 here, than I could be any where else. | 
 
 What more shall I say to you, my beloved 
 Mary Anne. You know how much T love you, 
 and how fervently I wish for your happiness. — 
 My beloved husband unites with me in kindest — 
 regards; and I remain 
 
 Most affectionately your’s, _ 
 MARY COOPER. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 oS eee 
 PRINTED BY J. ANDT. CLABKE, ST. JOHN-SQUARE, LONDORS — 
 
 Q 
 
Date Due 
 
 Kt 
 
 1 
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 oy 
 
 las 
 
a 
 
Seesrc9c0d 
 
 VOU UQUN ACA 
 
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