But thanks be to God, who gradually takes away everything which is unsuitable to enter his kingdom.

After the baptism, during which I felt indescribably happy, the two last verses were sung from Dr. Luther's hymn,

"Christ our Lord to Jordan came, &c."

This was therefore a supremely honourable day for me, in which I was solemnly taken from the number of unbelievers, and declared to be a child of God and his property; a happiness which cannot be sufficiently esteemed, and for which so many Christians, who experience this grace in the earliest days of their lives, would be much more thankful, if they duly considered how much labour, how many a painful, yea, I may say, bloody step it cost me, until I attained thus far; and how many a heathen would let it cost him as much again, if an opportunity were afforded him. of attaining to this high privilege.

The procession returned from the church to the ducal palace, where I presented my most humble thanks to the Dutchess, in the

presence of the whole court; on which occasion she declared that she now presented me my freedom, as a Christian, and would regard what my ransom had cost her as a baptismal gift. At the same time she graciously made me the offer of continuing in her service for the future. I naturally accepted both with heartfelt joy and gratitude; but requested permission, for the present, to withdraw entirely for that day into retirement, because I was afraid, lest I should lose somewhat of the abundant spiritual blessing I had so richly received, by the dissipation attendant upon being in company. How easily is a full vessel spilled, by being carried about! I therefore sought retirement in the house of my kind foster-mother, who received me with pleasure, and pressed me to her maternal loving heart.

I refused to see any one else during the remainder of the day, and continued in my apartment, occupied in reading passages from the word of God, and beautiful hymns; or else I yielded myself up to the exultings of my inward joy, or sent up joyful thanks

giving prayers to the throne of God. I reviewed the whole of the wonderful history of my life, and the rich blessings bestowed upon me that day, more than once, and found every time new cause to praise and magnify Him whose name is "Wonderful." I found that tranquil recollection, after such a solemnity, may be almost sweeter and more precious than the festival itself, by which the individual is disturbed by many an oppressive or distracting circumstance from without. At the same time I must confess, that great as the happiness is to be received, as a child, into covenant with God, yet that a particular blessing lies in the conscious experience of this reception, and in being able to reflect how great those riches of grace are, which God offers to his people.

The next day I took leave of my fostermother, amidst many tears, and repeated thanks for all her maternal love and faithfulness, and removed to our apartment in the ducal palace, where I was placed under the oversight of Madam von Wachenheim, a pious and sensible lady, who by precept

and example promoted my advancement in true religion. My occupation consisted chiefly in embroidering, which I had learnt in my father's house, and which I had diligently practised.,

The Princess Everardina Louisa subsequently vouchsafed me her particular favour, and with the consent of the Dutchess, her mother, took me into her service, in which I remained until her premature decease. She was naturally very lively, but sincerely pious, and conversed with me chiefly upon the word of God, and the experience of the heart.

The early decease of this excellent princess plunged the whole of the illustrious family into profound grief, and was also a painful stroke for me; since the kind condescension of the princess caused her to regard me as a friend, and not as a servant. The rich presents with which my trifling fidelity in the service of the deceased was rewarded after her funeral, were unable to sooth my pain. Another consolation was in reserve for me.

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CHAPTER VII.

KIRCHHEIM.

AFTER the death of the Princess Everardina Louisa, the Dutchess, her mother, took me into her immediate service, and placed me in attendance upon her own person. She was my greatest benefactress, and I was also the most desirous of serving her. A few days afterwards, another maid of honour entered into service, who had been recommended by the Dutchess of Saxony, and who was called Christiana Maria Weisse. On her being presented at court, I felt my heart much attracted by her gentle deportment; and as soon as we were alone, I expressed to her the pleasure I felt at the circumstance of our serving together in future, because I had a lively anticipation that our hearts would soon mutually