t thou cover
us with the shadow of thy wing? Art thou my Husband? art thou the
Father of my fatherless children? wilt thou be the stay of these
orphans, and their and my shield in a strange land? wilt thou perfect
what concerns us? wilt thou care for us? wilt thou _never leave us,
never forsake us_? in the valley of the shadow of death shall thy
rod and staff support us? What can thy servant say but, Amen, do as
thou hast said."

CHAPTER IV.

SCHOOL IN NEW YORK--DEATH OF HER PASTOR
DR. JOHN MASON--LAST NEWS OF HER SON.

MRS. GRAHAM, after a pleasant though tedious voyage, landed in
New York on the 8th day of September, 1789, where she and her family
were received with the greatest cordiality and confidence. The late
Rev. Dr. Rodgers and Rev. Dr. John Mason were especially kind to her.
She came eminently prepared to instruct her pupils in all the higher
branches of female education; and the favorable change effected by her
exertions was soon visible in the minds, manners, and accomplishments
of the young ladies committed to her care. She opened her school on
the 5th of October, 1789, with five scholars, and before the end of
the same month the number increased to fifty. She not only imparted
knowledge to her pupils, but also, by her conversation and example,
prepared their minds to receive it in such a manner as to apply it to
practical advantage. While she taught them to regard external
accomplishments as ornaments to the female character, she was careful
to recommend the practice of virtue as the highest accomplishment of
all, and to inculcate the principles of religion as the only solid
foundation for morality and virtue. The annual examinations of her
scholars were always well attended, and gave great satisfaction.
General Washington while at New York honored her with his patronage.
The venerable and amiable Bishop of the Episcopal church in the state
of New York, then the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Moore, was never once absent
from those examinations. She was sensible of his friendship, and
always spoke of him in terms of great esteem and respect.

She united in communion with the church under the pastoral care
of the Kev. Dr. Mason. This excellent man was her faithful friend and
wise counsellor. Under his ministry her two daughters, Joanna and
Isabella, joined the church in the year 1791. Her eldest daughter
Jessie, who had made a profession of