The Power of Faith Part 3

"ISABELLA GRAHAM."

It pleased G.o.d to preserve the life of Mrs. Graham, and to make her the grateful mother of a son, whom she called after the name of his father, and endeavored, in humble trust, to consecrate to the Author of his being.

Having now no object to induce her to stay longer at Antigua, she disposed of her slender property, and placing her money in the hands of Major Brown, requested him to take a pa.s.sage for herself and family, and to lay in their sea-stores. After seeing a railing placed around the grave of her beloved husband, that his remains might not be disturbed until mingled with their kindred dust, she bade adieu to her kind friends, and with a sorrowful heart turned her face towards her native land.

CHAPTER III.

RETURN TO SCOTLAND--SCHOOL IN EDINBURGH.

No ship offering at this time from Antigua for Scotland, Mrs.

Graham embarked with her family in one bound to Belfast, Ireland.

Major Brown and his brother officers saw her safely out to sea; and he gave her a letter to a gentleman in Belfast, containing, as he said, a bill for the balance of the money she had deposited with him. After a stormy and trying voyage, she arrived in safety at her destined port.

The correspondent in Ireland of Major Brown delivered her a letter from that officer expressive of esteem and affection, and stating that as a proof of respect for the memory of their deceased friend, he and his brother officers had taken the liberty of defraying the expenses of her voyage.

Consequently the bill he had given was for the full amount of her original deposit; and thus, like the brethren of Joseph, _she found all her money in the sack's mouth._ Being a stranger in Ireland, without a friend to look out for a proper vessel in which to embark for Scotland, she and her children went pa.s.sengers in a packet; on board of which, as she afterwards learned, there was not even a compa.s.s. A storm arose and they were tossed to and fro for nine hours in imminent danger. The rudder and the mast were carried away; every thing on deck thrown overboard; and at length the vessel struck in the night upon a rock, on the coast of Ayr, in Scotland. The greatest confusion pervaded the pa.s.sengers and crew. Among a number of young students, going to the University at Edinburgh, some were swearing, some praying, and all were in despair. The widow only remained composed. With her babe in her arms she hushed her weeping family, and told them that in a few minutes they should all go to join their father in a better world. The pa.s.sengers wrote their names in their pocket-books, that their bodies might be recognized and reported for the information of their friends. One young man came into the cabin, asking, "Is there any peace here?" He was surprised to find a female so tranquil; a short conversation soon evinced that religion was the source of comfort and hope to them both in this perilous hour. He engaged in prayer and then read the 107th Psalm. While repeating these words, "he maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still," the vessel swung off the rock by the rising of the tide. She had been dashing against it for an hour and a half, the sea making a breach over her, so that the hold was now nearly filled with water.

Towards morning the storm subsided, and the vessel floated until she rested on a sand-bank. a.s.sistance was afforded from the sh.o.r.e, and the shipwrecked company took shelter in a small inn, where the men seemed anxious to drown the remembrance of danger in a bowl of punch. How faithful a monitor is conscience! This voice is listened to in extreme peril; but O, infatuated man, how anxious art thou to stifle the warnings of wisdom in the hour of prosperity. Thousands of our race, no doubt, delay their preparation for eternity until, by sudden death, they have scarcely a moment left to perform this solemn work.

Mrs. Graham retired to a private room, to offer up thanksgiving to G.o.d for his goodness, and to commend herself and her orphans to his future care.

A gentleman from Ayr, hearing of the shipwreck, came down to offer a.s.sistance; and in him Mrs. Graham was happy to recognize an old friend. This gentleman paid her and her family much attention, carrying them to his own house, and treating them with kindness and hospitality.

In a day or two after this she reached Cartside, and entered her father's dwelling; not the large ancient mansion in which she had left him, but a thatched cottage, consisting of three apartments. Possessed of a too easy temper and unsuspecting disposition, Mr. Marshall had been induced to become security for some of his friends, whose failure in business had reduced him to poverty. He now acted as factor of a gentleman's estate in this neighborhood, of whose father he had been the intimate friend, with a salary of twenty pounds sterling per annum and the use of a small farm.

In a short time, however, his health failed, and he was deprived of this scanty pittance, being incapable, as the proprietor was pleased to think, of fulfilling the duties of factor.

Alive to every call of duty, Mrs. Graham now considered her father as added, with her children, to the number of dependents on her industry. She proved indeed a good daughter--faithful, affectionate, and dutiful, she supported her father through his declining years; and he died at her house, Feb. 13, 1783, aged 75, during her residence in Edinburgh, surrounded by his daughter and her children, who tenderly watched him during his last illness.

Having resided two years at Cartside, she removed to Paisley in 1778, where she taught a small school. The slender profits of such an establishment, with a widow's pension of sixteen pounds sterling, were the means of subsistence for herself and her family. When she first returned to Cartside a few religious friends called to welcome her home. The gay and wealthy part of her former acquaintances, who, like the b.u.t.terfly, spread their silken wings only to bask in the warmth of a summer sun, found not their way to the lonely cottage of an afflicted widow. Her worth, though in after-life rendered splendid by its own fruits, was at this time hidden, excepting to those whose reflection and wisdom had taught them to discern it more in the faith and submission of the soul, than in the selfish and extravagant exhibitions of that wealth bestowed by the bounty of Providence, but expended too often for the purposes of vanity and dissipation.

In such circ.u.mstances, the Christian character of Mrs. Graham was strongly marked. Sensible that her heavenly Father saw it good, at this time, to depress her outward condition, full of filial tenderness, and like a real child of G.o.d resigned to whatever should appear to be his will, her conduct conformed to his dispensations.

With a cheerful heart, and in the hope of faith, she set herself to walk down into the valley of humiliation, "leaning upon Jesus," as the beloved of her soul. "I delight to do thy will, O my G.o.d, yea, thy law is within my heart," was the spontaneous effusion of her genuine faith. She received with affection the scriptural admonition, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of G.o.d, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you."

She laid aside her children's fine frocks, and clothed them in homespun. At Cartside she sold the b.u.t.ter she made, and her children were fed on the milk. It was her wish to eat her own bread, however coa.r.s.e, and to owe no person anything but love. At Paisley, for a season, her breakfast and supper was porridge, and her dinner potatoes and salt. Peace with G.o.d and a contented mind supplied the lack of earthly prosperity, and she adverted to this her humble fare, to comfort the hearts of suffering sisters, with whom she corresponded at a later period of life, when in comfortable circ.u.mstances.

Meantime the Lord was not unmindful of his believing child; but was preparing the minds of her friends for introducing her to a more enlarged sphere of usefulness.

Her pious and attached friend, Mrs. Major Brown, had accompanied her husband to Scotland, and they now resided on their estate in Ayrshire. Mr. Peter Reid, a kind friend when in Antigua, was now a merchant in London. This gentleman advised her to invest the little money she had brought home--and which she had still preserved--in muslins; which she could work into finer articles of dress, and he would ship them in a vessel of his own/freight free, to be sold in the West Indies. His object was partly to increase her little capital, and partly to divert her mind from meditating so deeply on the loss of her lamented husband. The plan so kindly proposed was soon adopted; the muslin dresses were shipped; but she soon afterwards learned that the ship was captured by the French. This was a severe loss, and more deeply felt as it was received at the time when her father was deprived of his office.

Mrs. Brown, after consulting with the Rev. Mr. Randall of Glasgow, the Rev. Mr. Ellis of Paisley, Lady Glenorchy and Mrs. Walker of Edinburgh, proposed to Mrs. Graham to take charge of a boarding-school in that metropolis.

The friends of religion were of opinion that such an establishment, under the direction of one possessing the qualifications of Mrs. Graham, would be of singular benefit to young ladies destined for important stations in society. Her liberal education, her acquaintance with life, and her humble yet ardent piety, were considered peculiarly calculated to qualify her for so important a trust.

Another friend had suggested to Mrs. Graham the propriety of opening a boarding-house in Edinburgh, which he thought 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 compet.i.tors, appeared for her an arduous undertaking.

In this perplexity, as in former trials, she fled to her unerring counsellor the Lord, her covenant G.o.d. 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 compa.s.sionate G.o.d. 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 G.o.d 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 forward,_ trusting that He, who had directed her path, would provide the means that were necessary to enable her to walk in it: she sold her heavy furniture, packed up all her remaining effects, and prepared to set out from Paisley for Edinburgh on a Monday, in the year 1779.

On the Sat.u.r.day previous she sat by her fire musing and wondering in what manner the Lord would appear for her at this time, when a letter was brought to her from Mr. Peter Reid, enclosing a sum of money which he had recovered from the underwriters, on account of Mrs.

Graham's muslins captured on their pa.s.sage to the West Indies. Mrs.

Graham had considered them as totally lost, but her friend had taken the precaution to have them insured.

With this supply she was enabled to accomplish her object, and arrived in Edinburgh with her family. Her friend Mrs. Brown met her there, and stayed with her a few days, to comfort and patronize her in her new undertaking. Mrs. Brown was her warm and constant friend until her death, which occurred at Paisley in 1782, when she was attending the communion. She bequeathed her daughter Mary to Mrs. Graham's care.

But in 1785 the daughter followed the mother, being cut off by a fever in the twelfth year of her age.

It may be proper here to introduce the name of Mr. George Anderson, a merchant in Glasgow, who had been an early and particular friend of Dr. Graham. He kindly offered his friendly services, and the use of his purse, to promote the welfare of the bereaved family of his friend. Mrs. Graham occasionally drew upon both. The money she borrowed she had the satisfaction of repaying with interest. A correspondence was carried on between them after Mrs. Graham's removal to America, until the death of Mr. Anderson, in 1802.

During her residence in Edinburgh she was honored with the friendship and counsel of many persons of distinction and piety. The Viscountess Glenorchy, Lady Boss Baillie, Lady Jane Belches, Mrs.

Walter Scott, mother of the poet, Mrs. Dr. Davidson, and Mrs.

Baillie Walker, were among her warm personal friends. The Rev. Dr.

Erskine, and Dr. Davidson, formerly the Rev. Mr. Randall of Glasgow, and many respectable clergymen, were also her friends. She and her family attended on the ministry of Dr. Davidson, an able, evangelical, useful pastor.

Her school soon became respectable in numbers and character. Her early and superior education now proved of essential service to 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 pa.s.sion. 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, circ.u.mspect, 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 setting an example worthy of imitation. It was a conduct conformable to scriptural precept. Said Paul, "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live by the gospel."

Always conscientious in obeying the commandments of her G.o.d, she observed them in this matter, giving, in her proportion, at least the widow's mite.

By another plan, for she was ingenious in contrivances to do good, she greatly a.s.sisted those in slender circ.u.mstances, especially such as were of the household of faith. Believing that the use of sums of ten, fifteen, or twenty pounds in hand would be serviceable by way of capital to persons in a moderate business, she was in the habit of making such advances, and taking back the value in articles they had for sale. She charged no interest, being amply repaid in the luxury of her own feelings, when she beheld the benefit it produced to her humble friends. The board of her pupils being paid in advance, she was enabled to adopt this plan with more facility. Were her spirit more prevalent in the world, what good might be done. The heart would be expanded, reciprocal confidence and affection cherished; and instead of beholding worms of the dust fighting for particles of yellow sand, we should behold a company of affectionate brethren leaning upon and a.s.sisting each other through the wilderness of this world. "Look not every man on his own things," said Paul, "but every man also on the things of others. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

On the subject of promoting the external accomplishments of her scholars, it became a question how far Mrs. Graham was to countenance them in their attendance on public b.a.l.l.s--to what length it was proper for her to go so as to meet the received opinions of the world in these concerns. She consulted with her pious friends, and wrote to Lady Glenorchy on the subject. Her ladyship's letter in reply is so excellent that the serious reader will be gratified with its insertion.

"BARNTON, December 27, 1781.

"DEAR MADAM--I received your letter last week, and also one some time ago from Mrs. Walker, in which she desired me to send you my sentiments upon the alteration you had made, and still thought of making, upon your plan.

"I have since endeavored to consider, with all the attention of which I am _at present_ capable, the arguments that may be brought on both sides of the question; and with regard to the first point, the _practisings_, I will frankly own, that could you send your young ladies to one where _girls only_ are admitted, I should more readily yield my opinion of the matter to those Christians who have advised you to it. But as I learn that it is a promiscuous dance of boys and girls, I must in conscience say that I look upon such a meeting to be as pernicious in its effects upon the minds of young people, as b.a.l.l.s and public a.s.semblies on persons of riper years. When you mentioned the subject to me first, I thought it had been a practising of girls _only_, else I should then have given you my sentiments fully upon that head.