MADAM MARY KING, the subject of this memoir, was the wife of Richard King, Esq. of Scarborough, by his second marriage, and a daughter of Mr. Samuel Black, of York, Massachusetts. She was born October 8, 1736. Her character, while under parental government, the writer has no means of ascertaining: of the correctness of her life, however, during her minority, no one has ever suggested a doubt. The truth of this fact we the more readily presume, from the fruits she exhibited in life: for those principles of affection, benevolence, and virtue, which, at any time, distinguish mature age, are almost invariably imbibed and cherished in youth.

On the 19th of October, 1759, 'Sabella, the former wife of Mr. King, was removed by death. From this marriage originated Rufus King, a bright and well known ornament of his country; and two daughters, Mary, wife of Robert Southgate, Esq. of Scarborough; and Paulina, wife of Dr. Aaron Porter, of Portland. Mr. King's second marriage was solemnized, 31st January, 1762; and the offspring of this marriage were, Richard King, of ScarboVol. IV. No. 9.

rough; 'Sabella, who died September 12, 1770, aged six years and four days; Dorcas, wife of Joseph Leland, Esq. Saco; General William King, of Bath; Betsy, wife of Dr. Benjamin J. Porter, of Topsham; and Hon. Cyrus King, of Saco.

The conjugal state of Madam King was of short duration: at a little more than the extent of thirteen years, she was bereaved of her worthy consort. This bereavement, this calamitous sequel of immense preceding mental sufferings, she supported with great fortitude. It is not without the most painful reluctance, that a generous mind can take a retrospective view of exhibitions of human depravity, long past; but, in order to a more adequate idea of those previous mental trials which she endured, and which must render the death of her husband the more afflictive, we are here compelled to a brief narrative of certain facts, by which they were created.

The residence of Mr. King was among the then recent settlements of Maine. He was a man, we believe, of great natural good sense, and a fine understanding; and by his industry and perse

verance in business, as a merchant or trader, he had acquired an estate of no inconsiderable value, which was accompanied with a correspondent respect and influence in society. This consideration alone, among a people, some of them not too replete with the finer feelings, was sufficient to excite the spirit of envy. Finding themselves, through his generosity or their own negligence, largely in his debt, this demoni ack spirit at length resulted in a combined and deeply meditated plot of levelling-vi et armis. Hence the property of Mr. King was, at repeated times, wantonly destroyed, his life threatened, and his whole family exposed to imminent danger: By whom? by the untutored savage of the wilderness?-No; but by men, under Christian privileges, imitating the savage! To be roused from the depth of sleep, by the hideous yell at midnight; to find their dwellings actually broken up; to hear the savage footsteps almost on the floor of their bedchambers; to see the brandishing of the tomahawk, and the instruments of death approaching through the gleam of moonshine, must have created distress not to be described. That the mother and children did not, in a state of desperation, precipitate themselves through the windows of the house, or that some fatal act did not ensue to the father, on this dreadful moment of savage phrenzy, is attributable, under Providence, to his prudent and intrepid courage. Though the mob abundantly gratified their malignity, in sacrificing his pro

perty by fire, and otherwise, yet he and his family were preserved from personal injury.

At a subsequent period, a similar spirit exhibited itself; and Mr. King was, in no small degree, the object of its rage. It is true, it appeared in the garb of patriotism; but, whether this were not a mere cloak of private revenge, assumed at a moment of civil interregnum; and whether the injuries and distresses he experienced, did not accelerate the death of Mr. King, will be determined at a future reckoning.

Madam King was a woman of the keenest sensibility, and every subsequent interview with those by whom she had been thus wounded to the quick, must have been inexpressibly distressing.— Her studious avoidance, therefore, of all intercourse with them in future, especially while no marks of contrition appeared, was not incompatible with that portion of our Master's spirit which is usually imbibed by his disciples.

At the death of Mr. King, which event took place 27th March, 1775, the care and education of the rising family devolved solely on Madam King. This important trust she sustained, and executed with great ability and affection. As the surviving head of the family, she stood with independence and dignity, and rendered herself universally respected and esteemed. Endowed by nature with a strong, discriminating mind, she conducted her affairs with deep discretion. She was indefati

gable in business; persevering, to admiration, in executing her plans. Her ascendancy over her children was entire, and generally retained through life: this resulted from the good sense and judgment with which she exercised parental authority. Her maternal affections were peculiarly ardent. With unwearied assiduity she studied to promote the usefulness, honour, and happiness of both branches of her children; and to her forming hand is society indebted for some of its noblest and most useful members. Her own ease never became an object of a moment's attention, when placed in competition with the benefit and comfort of others.

This

noble, disinterested spirit, was natural, and breathed through all the acts of her life of its fruits her children ceased not to participate, till her death: for them she lived in particular; but not for them exclusively: her benevolence was frequently diverted to others-to the sick, the needy, the distressed. "On her tongue dwelt the law of kindness." How many times she sacrificed her own quiet to others' wants, and to others' woes, that day will unfold, when deeds of Christian mercy shall receive their reward. Suffice it to say, that she exhibited a heart fraught with the benevolent affections, and accompanied it with a life rich in good works to all, without partiality and without hypocrisy and she long lived to enjoy the fruits of her maternal and benevolent labours, particularly in the general useful

ness and rising greatness of her children, and in the universal esteem and admiration of those who knew her. The smiles of Heaven upon her were conspicuous: God was faithful to perform his promises : "Leave thy fatherless children with me; I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in God." We can adduce no instance wherein this declaration of Scripture has been, to the same extent, so completely verified as in that before us; for, from the death of Mr. King to that of his consort, May 28, 1816, a space of more than forty-one years, the family were continued the same as when left by the worthy and honoured husband and father.

To these remarks on the life of our friend, deceased, we are happy to add, that it was also replete with moral excellence. In her we beheld, not an occasional, inefficient talker of virtue; but an illustrious, vivifying example of it. She was a con

spicuous luminary, moving, not unequally in an eccentrick orbit, but uniformly in her own circle.

The paths of virtue and vice diverge at a small angle. No instance, however, occurs, in which the deceased was known to step into the latter. At the very appearance of vice, in whatever shape, her mind recoiled, or her countenance looked abhorrence. Having set her face as a flint against every species of corruption and wickedness, she could neither be allured nor betrayed herself, nor was she wanting in sounding the alarm to her friends. Seeing them al

ready allured, or anticipating their danger, she would fly with rapidity, and with solicitude, to beseech them to retrieve and retain heir integrity. And seldom, if ever, did she fail in her object; for, it would argue sensibility less than human to resist her eloquence.

The conversation of Madam King was enriched with propriety and good sense. In company she was social and friendly; equally happy in banishing impertinent loquacity and sullen silence from her presence.Though not extensively read in books, she had read the human heart; she had observed the operations and general laws of nature, and understood current events; and such were the resources of her own powerful and active mind, that no one could avoid feeling interested, improved, and delighted in her society. In her disposition she was meek, and in her views unaspiring. Worldly distinctions, without correspondent merit, presented no charms to her mind. But in characters eminent for talents, usefulness and virtue, she manifested the liveliest interest. She was a friend to the ministers of Christ; liberal, but firm, in her views of christianity; and exemplary in regarding its institutions.

Madam King was at no period wanting in her economy of time. Her children being formed into families, and established mostly in the immediate vicinity, she occasionally divided her time and maternal assistance among them, retaining the old mansion as her principal resi

dence, till rising of three score and ten years. And the interest, facility, and success of the mother, in directing and managing the rising generation, were equally apparent in the grandmother.— But her mental powers and desire of benefiting her friends, at length began to outlive her bodily strength.

Those remained obviously bright and vigorous, while that as evidently wasted and decayed. To facilitate filial duty and assistance, therefore, and to repose more immediately in the arms of filial affection, she consented to pass the remainder of her days in the family of her youngest daughter. It was time, indeed, to relinquish maternal and domestick cares. But idleness, or inactivity was irksome to her mind. Employment was her element to the very close of life; and her children's children, who were then the objects of her immediate and persevering attention, can never lose the impression of her forming hand. For, saith the book of inspiration"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

In her last sickness, of about three weeks, she was patient. Hopes were at first entertained of her recovery: Dr. Lincoln, her attending physician, was constant and faithful in his exertions to protract her invaluable life; and Dr. Porter, by his uncommon solicitude on this occasion, as well as by his particular tenderness during her residence with him, evinced the powerful hold she had taken of the affections of a son in law. But her dissolution had become inevita

ble. The event of death how ever, brought no alarm to her mind. In full possession of her understanding and recollection, she declared herself satisfied with life; resigned and willing to die; and witnessed to her friends a good hope of a happy

immortality through Christ, the Saviour, having "for her crown

of rejoicing, the testimony of her conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God she had her conversation in the world."

1. A PRIMARY motive for distributing the Scriptures, is derived from their divine authority.

That they claim, on valid grounds, this authority, it will not now be attempted to prove. Professing then to believe, that the sacred scriptures contain "the words of everlasting life," shall we not contribute our utmost efforts to disseminate them among our needy brethren? In the enjoyment of so great a blessing, shall we be unmindful of those, who have not the means of procuring it, or who, from unavoidable circumstances, are ignorant of its real value?

From the consideration, that our lot has been cast in a highly favoured portion of the community, where, from childhood, we have "known the holy scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation," we are in danger of becoming insensible to our privileges, because they are

so common. Let us but impress on our minds the habitual conviction, that we possess, in this blessed volume, a treasure, which is of inestimable value, and we shall not rest satisfied with its solitary enjoyment. We shall feel solicitous, that others also should partake its divine benefits. We shall persevere in our exertions to distribute it, till every one in the vast family of man, shall hear, in his own language, the wonderful plan of redemption, which it unfolds. Suitably impressed with the divine authority of the gospel, we shall maintain and exhibit a very different spirit, from that which commonly actuates mere men of the world. With their whole hearts they seek the exclusive possession of its riches and honours. But in the kingdom of Christ, the case is widely different. Here, enjoyment is heightened by participation, and in