ught could, through
his influence, be easily filled by students.

She saw obstacles to both: a boarding-house did not appear
suitable, as her daughters would not be so likely to have the same
advantages of education as from a boarding-school; and to engage as an
instructress of youth on so large a scale, with so many competitors,
appeared for her an arduous undertaking.

In this perplexity, as in former trials, she fled to her unerring
counsellor the Lord, her covenant God. She set apart a day for fasting
and prayer. She spread her case before the Lord, earnestly beseeching
him to make his word "a light to her feet and a lamp to her path," and
"to lead her in the way in which she should go;" especially that she
might be directed to choose the path in which she could best promote
his glory and the highest interests of herself and her children. On
searching the Scriptures, her mind fastened on these words in John
21:15, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith
unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my lambs."

Never, perhaps, was this commandment applied with more filial
confidence, or accompanied with a richer blessing, since the days of
the apostle, than in the present instance.

Her determination was accordingly made. She resolved to undertake
the education of youth, trusting that her Lord would make her an
humble instrument of training some for his service on earth, and his
praises in heaven. Here was exhibited an instance of simple yet
powerful faith in a believer surrounded by temporal perplexities, and
of condescension and mercy on the part of a compassionate God. Light
unseen by mortal eyes descended on her path.

How weak, perhaps enthusiastic, would this have appeared to the
busy crowd, blind to the special providence exercised by the God of
heaven towards all his creatures. She felt the pressure of her
affliction; but, like the Psalmist, _gave herself unto prayer_:

"Prayer ardent opens heaven, lets down a stream
Of glory on the consecrated hour
Of man in audience with the Deity."

Though her faith was strong, yet her mind was under such
agitation, from her total want of funds to carry her plan into effect,
and from other conflicting exercises, as to throw her into a nervous
fever, which kept her confined to her bed for some weeks. On her
recovery, she felt it her duty to _go forw