MRS. SARAH TRIMMER.

MRS. TRIMMER was the daughter of Joshua and Sarah Kirby, and was born at Ipswich, Jan. 6, 1741. From her father, who was a man of great piety, she imbibed the purest sentiments of religion, and at an early period of life acquired the knowledge of the fundamental principles of Christianity. Under the instruction of Mrs. Justinier, a woman of elegant manners and refined sentiments, she acquired the usual female accomplishments. Her studies were chiefly directed to English and French. From the latter language she found great pleasure in translating, which she did with great accuracy. She frequently said it was that practice, which, by giving her choice of words, and facility of expression, led the way to her becoming an author.

At the age of fourteen, she left her native town, with her father and mother, to settle in London, where Mr. Kirby had the honour of teaching perspective to the then Prince of Wales. Here his daughter enjoyed the society of some eminent literary men, especially of Dr. Samuel Johnson, by whom she was favoured with particular notice, and Dr. Gregory Sharp. By the removal of her father to Kew in 1759, on his being appointed clerk of the works at that palace, she first became acquainted with Mr. Trimmer, to whom she was married at the age of twenty-one, with the approbation of all her friends. From the period of her marriage till she became an author, she devoted almost the whole of her time to domestic duties, especially in nursing and educating her children. Mrs. Trimmer became the mother of six sons and six daughters; and the comfort which she derived from them when grown

to years of maturity, compensated the labour and anxiety bestowed upon their childhood.

As a mistress, Mrs. Trimmer was kind and considerate, never losing sight of the best interests of her servants. Her domestic concerns were so regulated, that though she had a young family, each of her servants had an opportunity of frequenting the house of God once at least on every Sabbath. Indeed, she often contrived that they should attend both morning and evening service, and she devoted a part of the Sunday evening to instructing them. She manifested great anxiety for their welfare, whether they continued under her roof, or were removed into other families. Of this, the following extract from her Meditations, on the dismission of a young man from her service, whom she had taken great pains to instruct, is a striking instance.

Thou knowest, blessed Lord, the zeal and sincerity of heart with which I have admonished my servants; with what regret I part from one who may not meet again with a friend who will take pains to train him in the way in which he should go. O Lord! I beseech thee, give to him the help of thy Holy Spirit, and impress on his mind those instructions which he may have received from me, or from others; and let him not be drawn away, by the vanities of the world, into the paths of destruction. O that I may have a household serving God, and loving one another! Adorable Saviour! may every heart in my family be thine! O may thy blessed gospel have its due efficacy with every one of us, through the help of thy Holy Spirit!"

Mrs. Trimmer very properly considered that there was nothing more conducive to the happiness and comfort of man, than the observance of the Sabbath. Still, the day was not marked by her as a day of gloom and severity, but a day of rest, peace, and satisfaction. It was always, however, a cheerfulness which accorded with its sanctity. It

was spent by her in frequenting the house of God, in teaching the children of the poor, in instructing her own household, and in the exercises of private, personal devotion.

Her views with regard to this sacred day, are strongly expressed in her Meditations. "What a blessing to sinful, sorrowing mortals, is the Sabbath! though I cannot, from the infirmity of my nature, always attain to the full enjoyment of it. My cares are suspended, my hopes are enlarged; I take a view, though imperfect, of the future world; I hold communion with the Father of spirits; I feel the love of my Saviour, and the inward consolations of the Holy Spirit."

In another place she says: "How quickly do the Sabbaths return, those seasons of rest and spiritual comfort! A seventh part of our time on earth is taken from the days of toil and care, and blessed and sanctified by the God of all goodness, for the recreation and benefit of our souls, and that we may have a foretaste of heavenly bliss. To me the Sabbath is a welcome day, and I bless God for the institution of it."

The participation of the Lord's Supper was a duty which she frequently observed. Of its efficacy she entertained a high opinion, and found great comfort and refreshment of soul in approaching the table of the Lord.

Mrs. Trimmer cherished the most benevolent feelings for all who were in distress, but was particularly anxious to procure assistance for persons in the Christian ministry, who were, from unavoidable circumstances, struggling with difficulties. In this pious work, she met with assistance from others, more powerful than herself. At one time, a gentleman, who had the disposal of a legacy designed for the indigent clergy, or their families, applied to her to recommend proper objects; by which means she had the satisfaction of being useful to several worthy

and respectable persons. At another time, a benevolent friend, who appropriated a very considerable sum of money annually to the same charitable purpose, requested her advice and assistance in the. disposal of it, and thus contributed greatly to her happiness. She cultivated a habit of early rising, which she found useful in various ways. Devotional exercises employed the first part of her time thus well redeemed. In her Meditations, at a time when she was writing on sacred subjects, she thus expresses herself: "O Divine Saviour! it is not my wish to waste those hours in sleep, which ought to be passed in watchfulness and prayer. It is my highest pleasure to rise early to pursue my delightful work at midnight I would rise to praise my God and Saviour. I would watch with thee, blessed Lord, not one hour only, but my whole life, could I but do it: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. My nature requires repose. I must wait for eternity before I can be always awake and ready for the service of my God."

Her conversation was very pleasing and instructive; it had not the least tincture of affectation or pretension. Humility was one of the leading features in her character, and it was apparent both in her countenance and conversation. It might truly be said of her, that she was an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile.

Of her love and veneration for the Bible, no one can doubt who is at all acquainted with her writings. On this subject she thus writes in her Meditations: "What an inestimable treasure is thy Gospel! O, Divine Saviour, what would have become of all mankind without thee? How much would all the troubles of life have been increased to me, but for the knowledge of thy Gospel! Lord, it is in my estimation the pearl of inestimable value. I have sought for it as for hidden treasure; and, under the guidance of Divine grace, I have happily found it.