her.
She was indefatigable in her attention to the instruction of her
pupils. While she was faithful in giving them those accomplishments
which were to qualify them for acting a distinguished part in this
world, she was also zealous in directing their attention to that
gospel by which they were instructed to obtain an inheritance in that
to come. She felt a high responsibility, and took a deep interest in
their temporal and spiritual welfare. As "a mother in Israel," she
wished to train them up in the ways of the Lord.
She prayed with them morning and evening; and on the Sabbath,
which she was careful to devote to its proper use, she took great
pains to imbue their minds with the truths of religion. Nor did she
labor in vain. Although she was often heard to lament of how little
use she had been compared with her opportunities of doing good, yet
when her children, Mr. and Mrs. B. visited Scotland in 1801, they
heard of many individuals, then pious and exemplary, who dated their
first religious impressions from those seasons of early instruction
which they enjoyed under Mrs. Graham while in Edinburgh.
Mrs. Graham's manner in the management of youth was peculiarly
happy. While she kept them diligent in their studies, and strictly
obedient to the laws she had established, she was endeared to them by
her tenderness; and the young ladies instructed in her school retained
for her in after-life a degree of filial affection which was expressed
on many affecting occasions. This was afterwards remarkably the case
with her pupils in America. Her little republic was completely
governed by a system of equitable laws. On every alleged offence, a
court-martial, as they termed it, was held, and the accused tried by
her peers. There were no arbitrary punishments, no sallies of
capricious passion. The laws were promulgated, and obedience was
indispensable; the sentences of the courts-martial were always
approved, and had a salutary effect. In short, there was a combination
of authority, decision, and tenderness in Mrs. Graham's government,
that rendered its subjects industrious, intelligent, circumspect, and
happy. She enjoyed their happiness; and in cases of sickness, she
watched over them with unremitting solicitude and care, sparing no
expense to promote their restoration to health.
A strong trait in her character was distinctly marked by her
educating the daughters of pious ministers at half price. This was
setti
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