dency to promote human happiness, and its sovereign efficacy to tranquilize the mind and administer consolation under afflictions, disappointments, and trials. They exhibited an example which teaches more compendiously and forcibly than precept, the value of piety, and the comfort of submission to the will of God. With this view of the subject, it became an interesting inquiry, how far it would be proper to withhold them from that more enlarged sphere of usefulness which would result from their publication? In determining this question, recourse was had to the opinions of the Rev. Drs. Hollinshead and Keith, under whose ministry the writer of the private papers, now published, had sat upwards of twenty years, and to whom she was intimately known. They strongly recommended the publication, as well calculated to do good. Their opinions, and the reasons of them were letters. * given in the subjoined * A letter from the Rev. Dr. Hollinshead to Dr. David Ramsay. DEAR SIR, Charleston, S. C. July 1, 1181. THE perusal of our much esteemed Mrs. Ramsay's papers has In publishing to the world the private religious exercises of an individual, it seemed a thing of course that some account of that in awakened in me many pleasing, though painful reflections. The loss of such a friend and such a member of our church is unspeakable. Her example, while she abode with us, was a living lecture on the importance of the human character in every part it has to act upon the stage of life, and eminently recommended the maxims and habits of our holy religion, as worthy of all acceptation. The devout reflections of her retired hours exhibit a mind impressed with the great realities of its eternal interests, truly solicitous to improve in godliness and virtue, and highly favoured at the same time with an intimate intercourse with heaven. Permit me to say, that I think the publication of these devout exercises of her heart, with a sketch of her life, might contribute much to the establishment and comfort of many pious exercised christians, who walk in fear and darkness, for want of knowing how others have been affected in scenes of trial like their own. It would be read with interest and improvement by christians in every situation, whether of prosperity or affliction. It would be peculiarly gratifying to a numerous circle, to whom every memorial of their beloved departed friend will be precious. In presenting it to the community, which I think no person can so well do as yourself, you will perform an interesting and acceptable duty to society, and embalm, at the same time, the virtues and the memory of a most amiable christian. Your undertaking this will gratify many others as well as, Dear Sir, Your truly sympathizing, and affectionate friend, W. HOLLINSHEAD, dividual should be given at the same time; for without some such knowledge, many of the reflections of the writer would be compara A letter from the Rev. Dr. Keith, to Dr. David Ramsay. DEAR SIR, The manuscripts which you were so good as to leave with me, 'I now return with my cordial thanks for the favour of having them submitted to my perusal. I have read them with that close attention, with that lively interest, with that melancholy pleasure, which have been naturally excited by the circumstance of their relating to a person, who stood high in my esteem and regards as a christian and a friend while living, and whose precious memory my heart is disposed ever to cherish with the tenderest mingled emotions of affection and regret. From the earliest period of my acquaintance with Mrs. Ramsay, I have considered her as a lady of a very superior mind, of dispositions eminently benevolent, friendly, and generous; and of those various and valuable accomplishments which could be derived only from the best education, and from an assiduous attention to the most proper and effectual means of improvement, and from a long and intimate intercourse with many of the first characters in her native country and in Europe. She was, however, still much more honourable and happily distinguished by the grace of God, by which, in her early years, her heart was renewed and sanctified, and under the influence of which, through the succeeding course of her life, she exhibited in the view of all attentive and judicious observers, a bright and attractive example of the temper and conduct of a real christian. But it required that delineation of the sentiments, feelings, and exercises of her heart, which her own pen has drawn, for her awn use in her most secret transactions with her Saviour and her tively uninteresting, if not unintelligible. It was therefore resolved to prefix to the manuscripts some general account of the author, as God, to enable even her most intimate friends to see her character displayed in its brightest and most amiable beauties, in her deep and unaffected humility, in her undissembled and uncommon sense of sinfulness and unworthiness, in her remarkable self-denial in respect to worldly interests and enjoyments, in her strong and steadfast faith, trust, and hope, and quiet, sweet resignation under the most painful disappointments, afflictions, and trials, in the fervour of her devotions, in the closet as well as in the family, and the sanctuary, and at the table of the Lord, in the overflowings of her benevolence, and charity toward all around her, according to their respective circumstances, and in the ardor of her affections, especially to her own family and peculiar friends, expressed in her many prayers for them, and her often renewed solemn resolutions to do every thing within her power, by a conscientious, faithful, cheerful performance of every personal, relative, and religious duty for promoting their temporal, spiritual, and eternal interests and happiness. Truly "her walk was close with God," and "her light shone brightly before men." The impression made on my mind by the perusal of these Memoirs of Mrs. Ramsay, and Extracts from her Diary, &c., have irresistibly led me to wish and earnestly to desire that they may be permitted to appear in print. To withhold such papers from the public, would be to deprive many, very many, into whose hands they might come, of a most pleasing entertainment, and a rich benefit. To her family and friends, in whose hearts she still lives, the volume would be a most welcome and precious memorial of what she was in herself, and of what she was to them. While to an extensive circle of readers, fond of far as was necessary, to throw light on their contents. The publication of these private papers was the original design, the publication of the life of their author only secondary and incidental, as an introduction to the effusions of her books of this description, it would afford the desirable means of becoming acquainted with the excellent and amiable character, with the eminent christian virtues and attainments, of one who adorned every relation which she sustained, and filled with dignity and usefulness, every sphere of life in which she moved. Thus," she being dead, would continue to speak" forcibly and persuasively, it is hoped, to the children of the world, in favour of the divine and blessed Saviour, to whom she lived and died; and more especially to the disciples and friends of this Saviour, she would speak with the best effect in the way of instruction, encouragement, and consolation, relative to the various scenes of duty and trial, in which they may be called to be followers of her, and of all like her," who through faith and pa tience inherit the promises." Under the influence of these, and similar reasons, you will, I trust, yield to the call of duty, and consider yourself as rendering an important service to the public, and a due tribute of praise to the God of all grace by consenting to publish these valuable papers as soon as may be practicable. In all christian regards, including a tender sympathy toward yourself and your dear children, under every trial, and espeeially under this peculiarly heavy affliction, Mrs. K. cordiallyjoins with, Dear, Sir, Your sincere and affectionate friend, ISAAC S. KEITH. |