diligently and believingly sought their destruction. "Now is the day of salvation," conveyed to her an immediate claim for purity of heart and perfect love. Even her own very imperfect apprehension convinced her that her heart was not pure, nor her love perfect. This she could not tolerate, well knowing her obligation to love God with all her heart, and mind, and soul, and strength; and that He who is of "purer eyes," to whom "all things are naked and open," was ever beholding her inmost "thoughts and intents." She loathed herself in His sight. Deep anguish took hold on her spirit. She could not rest in sins forgiven. Seeing the " Canaan of perfect love" before her, she was ready to cry, with Caleb and Joshua, "Let us go up at once, and possess it." She not only gave herself to ardent and incessant prayer, but resorted to rigorous fasting also. She longed to be hallowed, and meet to be the shrine of Deity. God heard prayer, and granted her the desire of her heart. She was filled with profound peace, and entered into deeper communion with God. Such a measure of spiritual enjoyment now flowed into her soul, that the body almost sank. She sat in heavenly places, earnestly longing to be dissolved, and to enter on the enjoyments within the vail.

All

In 1817 she passed several months with her friends at Swansea. Her journal shows how closely she then walked with God. Her experience was cloudless enjoyment. The mysteries of the inward kingdom were revealed to her. Her life was prayer and love. simplicity, faith, and zeal, she breathed the atmosphere of the most holy place. These were ever reckoned among the happiest of her days on earth. It was whilst here she made some of her first more public efforts to do good. She was occasionally called to meet classes, and felt a strong conviction that God had laid that important duty on her. Hence love for souls became a leading passion, and care for the lambs of the flock lay near her heart. Her visitation of the cottages of the poor was extensive and persevering. As time and opportunity served, she "went about doing good;" and her footsteps were hailed as those of a messenger of mercy. When the eye saw her, it blessed her; and, while doing what she could to relieve outward want and distress, her chief aim was to promote the salvation of souls. She instituted a religious meeting for females; read to them, and prayed with them; exhorted, warned, entreated. God owned her endeavours. Souls were awakened, and brought to the knowledge of the truth. Among these was her aged grandmother: As the fruit of her exertions, a class was formed, of which she was appointed Leader. For this office she had more than ordinary qualifications; and the members, including especially the venerable grandmother, were strongly attached to their Leader for her work's sake.

Nor was Miss Banks's Christian benevolence confined to her own locality. Her charity, which began at home, looked abroad for other needy objects. She was attached, as a zealous collector, to the Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews, as well as to the

For

Bible Society, and to the cause of our Foreign Missions. It deserves note, that her attention to these things did not draw her away from anxious, affectionate efforts in behalf of her nearest connexions. the happiness of her numerous brothers and sisters she manifested strong solicitude. She was the friend, monitress, and servant of them all. Much in the domestic circle was left to her by her parents; and she guided these affairs with discretion. Her youngest and only surviving sister says: "To her I looked as my teacher and guide; and, I doubt not, it is to her affectionate solicitude and pious instructions that I am indebted, under God, for my first serious impressions."

In the month of October, 1819, Miss Banks became the wife of the first married Wesleyan Missionary appointed to the South Seas. Of a Missionary's wife, duly qualified for her station, it may indeed be said that "her price is far above rubies." The adaptation required comprehends piety, "stablished, strengthened, settled;" zeal, of which the steady flame is maintained by faith and charity; so much cultivation of mind, at least, as provides a security that no discredit shall be reflected on the station occupied; domestic virtues, enabling her to "guide her affairs with discretion;" and self-crucifixion, unselfishness, glorying in "the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ," and in little personal sacrifices which may tend to promote the present and everlasting happiness of the world. In none of these branches was Mrs. Carvosso found wanting. God had fitted her for the work

on which she now entered.

Three days after marriage, she was called to sever herself from a home full of comfort, a wide circle of friends full of affection, a locality endeared by manifold associations. It was a bitter hour to her. The agony seemed a martyrdom. Many of life's tenderest strings were rent. At the breakfast-table Captain Banks broke the sorrowful silence by addressing his next daughter in seaman-like style: "Ann, you should call to mind your promotion on your sister's departure, and cheer yourself as midshipmen and young lieutenants do after the losses of an action." My good father * was there too, and strove to cheer and support all parties by leading them heavenward, and pointing to the haven of untroubled repose,

"Where all the ship's company meet,

Who sail'd with the Saviour beneath."

Let those who pray for Missionaries, and for Missionaries' wives, ask for them the requisite grace to offer up, at such a moment as this, the broken, bleeding heart, in sacrifice to Him" whose they are, and whom they serve."

During the ten weeks that Mrs. Carvosso remained in London, she received much kindness from Mrs. Taylor, the wife of the Rev. Joseph Taylor, then resident at the Mission-House. She found also

The late Mr. William Carvosso, whose name is extensively known and honoured.-EDIT.

in Mrs. Fleming, then of Hoxton, a warm and judicious friend; and their mutual affection lasted to the close of life. Mrs. Carvosso also became known to the venerable and excellent Mrs. Mortimer, and had the honour of being employed occasionally to lead her class. In this duty she was much strengthened and comforted. Often, in the holy atmosphere of that company of richly matured Christians, did she find a balm for her wounds, and a cordial for her fears.

In a letter addressed to an esteemed friend at Charlestown, she says: "Nothing, I think, but the hope of usefulness could reconcile us to the path Providence has allotted us. Yet we meet with many mercies that prove daily occasions for gratitude and humility of heart, enabling us, even in the midst of these pangs, to say,—

Take my body, spirit, soul;

Only Thou possess the whole.'

In the last two weeks I have felt many painful struggles of mind. Nature forces its way through the guarded avenues of the soul. Tears flow from my eyes, and sighs from my full heart. But time is short it becomes us who have friends to be as though we had none. O, then, let us hasten to the day when all shall be brought home!' May we be filled with much grace and much zeal, that we may persevere with faithfulness in the important duties assigned us! Strong and constant faith is needed to chase away inordinate feelings, to provoke our zeal, and animate our hopes."

The perils of the deep were soon encountered. Four times we were beaten back to the Downs by contrary winds. In one of those attempts, we endured a dreadful storm. Seven of the vessels that sailed with us foundered, or were wrecked. The entire crews of two of them perished. Two or three days and nights we were in the Channel in tempest and fog, ignorant of our exact position. Amidst the awful surges of the sea, the rolling of the vessel, and the roaring of the wind, Mrs. Carvosso was calm and joyous. She had counted the cost. She was in the path of duty, and she feared no evil. Her courage and confidence rising in proportion to surrounding difficulties and dangers, she lay in her berth, and sang with a "joyful noise unto the Lord,”

"The God that rules on high,

That all the earth surveys,

That rides upon the stormy sky,
And calms the roaring seas;

This awful God is ours,

Our Father and our Love:

He will send down His heavenly powers

To carry us above."

Dr. Watts could not have had a happier exemplification of his triumphant strain. The sublime hymn of another Christian psalmist, "Peace, doubting heart," furnished also most apposite expression of her devout sentiments and meditations.

For the gratification of her beloved parents and friends, Mrs.

Carvosso kept a journal of the voyage, and of her entrance on
Missionary life. Part of it has been preserved by the care of those
She wrote copiously.
A few brief extracts may

who loved her.
not be uninteresting or uninstructive.

"Jan. 21st, 1820.-Friday evening. We have now about two days' sail to Bonavista, one of the Cape Verde Islands, where we expect to remain about a week. Since I wrote last I have suffered much from sea-sickness. About a fortnight after our final departure from the Downs, when excessive weakness prevailed, with loss of all appetite, I was led to conclude it was not likely I should ever reach New South Wales. The thought of having my body cast into the deep, and of my soul's flight to an eternal state, occupied my solemn hours. These reflections I now retrace with some degree of gratitude. Being kept from all terrific fears, my mind was composed, and my will perfectly resigned. It is true, my heart has often ached, and my tears have flowed, at a review of the past. But my sacrifices are yet small. I have indeed given myself; but my whole heart must constantly go, or my sacrifice is incomplete. My attempts are yet feeble. I want zeal for God, and for the gracious work of a Missionary life: above all, I want the crowning grace,'charity,' love.

"Feb. 1st.-Bless the Lord, O my soul, for His repeated mercies during several days past! Mr. Carvosso and myself have partaken largely of the blessings of peace and love in our souls. We have been made abundantly happy, have felt more of the spirit of prayer, and in the exercises of devotion more sensible delight; our assurance of the Divine approbation has been stronger, and our evidence clearer. We have been frequently filled with joy and gratitude, while talking together of Jesus's love, and of the influences of His blessed Spirit on our hearts. We discover more and more the goodness and wisdom of our blessed God in uniting us; but we find that this unalloyed happiness depends much on our union with God. If He is the first Object in our affections, and His glory our principal aim, then it is that the Lord truly blesses us :—

'The creatures lead to Him,

And all we taste is God.'

How sweet is religion when we give our whole hearts to Him!

"March 18th.—Saturday evening. We are now about a hundred miles south of the Cape of Good Hope. On examining myself to-day I find I want more spirituality of mind, a stronger assurance of the Divine favour, and of the cleansing power of the Saviour's blood. Without this abiding grace,' I never shall do much. When I consider my calling, and view my small attainments in grace and knowledge, I am led to wonder greatly why the Lord hath chosen me for so important a work: but, in tracing the plain path by which I have been led, my wonder ceases, my fears disperse, and my hopes revive. I know that no instrument is too weak for Almighty power to work by. If I have grace, 'great grace,' all other needful things will be

added. I feel determined, through Divine assistance, to give myself anew to His service.

"April 25th.-Off Hobart-Town, in the spacious Derwent Harbour, Van-Diemen's Land. We discovered the coast on Sunday morning, about eleven o'clock. Yesterday we worked up the river, and entered the harbour last night. What joy does the sight of land afford! The poor weather-beaten sailors rejoice; the passengers rejoice; and surely it becomes us to be grateful to Him who has preserved our lives while passing some fourteen thousand miles across the mighty deep. Surely goodness and mercy have followed us.

"May 15th.-We are now near the coast of New-Holland, contending with adverse winds. We left Hobart-Town last Thursday week. During our stay there, our time was comfortably, and I trust not unprofitably, spent. Had we not been decidedly fixed for Sydney, I believe we should have remained at Hobart-Town. The pressing entreaties of many respectable families, as well as of the lower classes, for Mr. Carvosso's stay among them, were indeed affecting; and the consideration of nearly six thousand of our own countrymen, as sheep without a shepherd,' no man caring for their souls,' would have been an inducement powerful to move the conscience and decide the judgment. Our prayer is, that the Lord may send forth labourers.

"July 7th. It was about seven weeks ago that we arrived at Sydney. Since we came, we have been pretty much engaged in receiving and returning visits. While thus occupied, I find the need of much watchfulness; without which Satan soon robs me of that sweet simplicity of mind and heart, so necessary to peace and Christian consistency. I find it cannot be maintained but by a life of faith in the Son of God. O for that frame of mind which continually centres its all in God, and seeks His glory only, in every thought, word, or action! I want the abiding witness within, that all I do is right. How is it that I am not such a Christian? Lord, Thou seest my determination to be more prayerful, more watchful, and more useful help me, that I may live to purpose. I wish to

:

lay myself out for usefulness, to answer my character as a Christian, and faithfully to fill my place as the wife of a Christian Missionary. I have concluded, on inquiry, that it must be my chief business to go from door to door, from house to house, and do what I can to find out and benefit the female population. May the Lord open my way, show me His will, and give me grace to walk therein!

"July 18th.-Windsor. By the good providence of our God, we came hither in safety last Thursday."

Mrs. Carvosso spent two years at Windsor, and laboured with unwearied assiduity to make herself useful. The soil was unpropitious for the growth of heavenly seed; but by great effort she raised a Sunday-school, and formed a female class. Entering in at every door as a messenger of love, and doing what she could to lessen human misery and add to human happiness, she was held in universal esteem. The three following years she passed at Sydney and