house and her native city as a permanent resident. Dr. Alderson lived to a good old age, cheered by the duteous attendance of his devoted daughter, who at length was left, by his death, alone in. the world, a childless widow.
It was during her early widowhood that her mind underwent a change on the most important of all subjects—vital religion. Hitherto she had lived, as thousands of amiable people are content to do, without any deep thought or faithful searchings of heart, as to the real condition of her soul. Content merely with a name to live, and not feeling herself a sinner, and looking to Jesus as the only Saviour.
Ah, my dear young reader! multitudes are satisfied to pass through the daily round of their simple duties, and think they have done all that is required of them, if they are amiable and kindly, and avoid all flagrant offences against the moral law. Lulled by self-complacency into a sense of security, they cast aside all serious thought, all salutary fear, as to their spiritual state. The answer to the solemn demand, "Give Me thy heart," has never been made. Prayer has been merely a daily formula, perhaps endeared by memories of childhood, or sentimentally practised as a salutary habit. The real supplicatory spirit, the intense yearning for communion with God in Christ, as an ever-present Guide, Saviour, and Comforter, has never been realized.
In this important matter, a great change occurred
