By the help of an amanuensis, she addresses the same friend again, at the close of the year, wishing to express her grateful sense of favours received:

"Rev. and dear Sir,

"Dec. 17, 1831.

"I can only place the favour I have received through your kindness, among the many many marks vouchsafed to me of the gracious love, and care, of my heavenly Father; mercifully designed to render less bitter the cup of suffering, from which frail nature shrinks, even while the real language of the heart is,— 'I know that in very faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me.' Bless the Lord, O my soul, for all his benefits! especially the benefit of his chastening rod.

"I will beg you, dear sir, to present my grateful acknowledgments to Mrs. Ms, whom, though unknown, I claim as a Christian sister in the Lord,-in whose name I am persuaded she shews me this kindness; and her favour being enclosed in a letter from yourself, made it more than a double gratification. May the same blessed Lord return unto her, and to you, my much esteemed benefactor, showers of grace and blessing!

"I feel ashamed that you, or any other friend, should ask my poor (and, now, chiefly broken) prayers; but such as they are, I trust I shall not cease to offer from the altar of my heart; which, when broken and contrite, being sprinkled with that precious blood which cleanseth from all sin,-I am sure will not be rejected. Yes, dear sir, there is indeed an endless, boundless theme for contemplation and praise, in the love of the Son of God towards helpless ruined sinners! and through Divine help, it is my sweetest engagement and enjoyment, while on my couch of pain, to endeavour to trace

such amazing love in all its various manifestations, both in the sacred record, and in whatever comes within my observation and experience.

"As to 'flights of fancy and imagination,' I am more and more convinced they must be altogether thrown down, and kept down, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the word of God.

"I sincerely thank you for your kind Christian wishes, in which are comprised all that would sweeten the cup of suffering,-which continues much the same as heretofore. The good hope which is graciously afforded me in the encouraging passage you mention, and the nearer prospect and hope of soon entering into a Sabbatical rest, through mercy, keeps my mind in peace, and my heart, for the most part, from fainting.

"I shall always be comforted to hear of your welfare, dear sir, both spiritual and temporal,-while, with true regard, I must ever remain,

"Your obliged and affectionate servant,

"S. HAWKES."

CHAPTER X.

CLOSING PERIOD OF HER LIFE.

FROM JAN. 1832 TO OCT. 16, 1832.

Her increased sufferings, and the increasing power of grace upon her mind -Solemn views of death-Letter on ejaculatory prayer-Removal to Park Street-Her last letter to Mr. B-Peaceful waiting for departure-Dictates a letter to the Rev. R. W. Sibthorp-Severe sufferings at last.— Visit of Dr. Fearon, who commends her departing Spirit to God-Post mortem examination-Extract from her funeral sermon, preached by the Rev. F. H. Fell.

We are now about to enter on the last year of MRS. HAWKES's earthly pilgrimage. We have to contemplate her, exhausted by continual pain, sinking under disease and old age-and waiting in solemn expectation of dissolution. In such circumstances, lively expressions of feeling could not be expected; nor shall we meet with them. But we shall behold a cluster of graces, adorning the aged, dying Christian-who still brings forth fruit in old age. What those fruits are, we may learn from Rom. v. 3-5. "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed:"-we shall behold her "looking for, and hasting unto the day of God;" still deeply con

scious of the vast eternity which was opening before her, as appears by the following lines written about this time:

1832.-"With what solemnity does the serious and contemplative mind take a near view of death, even with a good and sure hope of a joyful resurrection unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ! How apt is the eye of faith, when feeble as is mine, to view the surrounding rising waters, rather than to keep a fixed look on Him, who can bid me walk upon them. That such divine power may be given, when this frail and broken vessel must launch out into the deep,' shall be my prayer while lingering on its brink; which, I trust, shall be cheered with the song of praise, 'He hath swallowed up death in victory.'

While, however, life lasted, she did not consider that "the work of faith" was done,-nor the "labour of love" ended. When any question of spiritual importance was proposed to her by letter, her trembling hand still endeavoured to direct, and assist, the younger Christian; as will appear by the following letter, written in May 1832, to a friend who had asked,-"If the spiritual life could be kept up by ejaculatory prayer only; when, from constant engagement-under the direction of others,stated seasons of retirement became almost impossible." In reply to which, MRS. HAWKES writes:

"I cannot help having much concern about you, dearest one, notwithstanding your description of all the enchanting scenery that surrounds you; because earth is but earth still, and more dangerous because enchanting; yet I feel thankful for the hold you have of things that

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are unseen.' My own experience at this very time makes me know, that while ejaculatory prayer through the day is of great help-and is a mercy-yet it will not make up for the loss of stated times of prayer; because it affords no calm recollections,-no self-searching,-no needful meditation,-and pouring out of the inmost recesses of the heart, before a throne of grace. On account of my pain and infirmity-together with the constant administration my wretched body needs,-I can now seldom be alone; I am not able to engage, as I used to do, in sweet morning exercises before any persons are stirring and like you, I am every day panting for the power to 'shut my doors about me.' I do catch, now and then, a morsel of the living bread, in silent groanings; but I want time and quiet for a full banquet; and am sadly concerned lest, from the want of it, I should become like the dry ground, where nothing is growing. If I feel this, where there is nothing to attract, to amuse, or to excite,-how much more must you, my dear, who have so much demand upon you. Therefore do all you can to get into more abstraction, and recollection, and retirement. The example of selfdenial might do others good. You need great wisdom, and simple piety, to shine as a light.

"I am much the same as when you left me, except that I am more and more broken and feeble; and I am more longing to enter into rest. I am greatly disturbed also by the sad necessity to leave, shortly, my nice apartments here, without an idea in what place I shall next lay this poor body. This is an old trial; but I never was so unfitted to meet it.

"You will be aware how much I feel the departure of our Bishop.** He has been to see me twice since * The Bishop of Calcutta.