MEMOIR,

&c.

PART I.

HER EARLY YOUTH.

ELIZA HELEN MARRIOTT GREME was born at Cheltenham on the 1st of November, 1835, and on the 3d of January following was baptized by the Rev. Francis Close. Her mother says, "For the first month we scarcely knew whether she would live or die; but a change of nurse seems to have been attended with beneficial effects. She gradually became stronger and better, although she never was a strong child."

Both of Eliza's parents were members of highly respectable Scotch families. They met and were married in India, where her father, the late Henry Sullivan Græme, Esq., spent a long life in the Civil Service of the Honourable the East India Company. At the Madras Presidency he attained the distinguished position of a Member of Council; and he

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occupied the still more honourable office of Governor, after the death of Sir Thomas Munro, until his successor was appointed. Mr. Græme was much esteemed as a private gentleman, as well as in the capacity of a public officer. But, honourable as the elevated position was which he occupied, it was not exempt from many snares and temptations. It drew him and his family into much worldly company, not only in India, but after his return to England. Mrs. Græme, however, had never felt pleasure or satisfaction in the ways of the world, nor been entirely able to cast aside the restraining influence of early religious education and impressions. And within a year or two after the birth of Eliza, she and her sister, who lived with her, were together brought under the quickening power of divine grace, and enlightened in the knowledge of salvation by the faith of Jesus Christ, whilst resident in London.

How gracious are the dealings of the Lord with the sinful children of men! How sovereign is his grace!-how infinite is his wisdom! It was in accordance with his own good pleasure that this delicate infant should be an heir of glory, and likewise that she should be sanctified from very early years. And that she might be duly cherished and trained for her high and glorious destiny, it behoved her maternal guardian and guide to be herself taught of God, and endued with christian sympathies. Thus it was that God graciously bound together the

mother and the child by ties stronger than those of nature, and made them reciprocally instruments of spiritual good to each other.

About the period referred to, Mr. Græme was attacked by disease, for the relief of which a dangerous operation was considered indispensable. This was a solemn intimation to him to seek for a better portion than the honours and emoluments of this world can bestow. It was a time of family affliction; and in such a time the need of heavenly consolation is felt. Mrs. Græme could not witness the great sufferings of her husband without the utmost anxiety on his account, whilst much gratitude was awakened within her bosom for the exemption from similar suffering which she herself was enjoying. This severe trial with which she was visited was blessed of God in softening her heart, and drawing her nearer to him. She has said to me, in reference to it, that she often spent her nights in silent tears and earnest prayers, both for the preservation of her dear husband's life, and for her own soul's life; and especially she requested that, should God spare them to one another, he might lead them to some faithful teacher to show them the things belonging to their eternal peace and welfare. These prayers were neither unheard, nor left long unanswered; for, in the good providence of God, Mr. Græme was rescued from his perilous condition, and the family were soon directed to a church, where they enjoyed

an earnest and affectionate gospel ministry, for their edification and comfort. In the retrospect of that very painful and prayerful epoch of her life, Mrs. Græme can now affirm to the glory of God, "HE granted my request, and exceeded what I asked, or even could think of. Praised for ever be his name for his wondrous grace and love to lost sinners."

Thus it appears that, in the school of affliction, where so many of the dear children of God learn their first lessons of gospel truth, the parents of Eliza, and more particularly the mother, on whom the duties of early nurture and admonition and instruction usually devolve, were prepared for watching over her with not merely parental but likewise with christian solicitude.

Peculiar circumstances shed a peculiar interest around this tender child. She had been given to her parents after an interval of nine years from the birth of their son in India; and she was rendered still more an object of endearment from the singular fact that the first of November was the birth-day of the son as well as of the daughter. And in merciful wisdom little Eliza, whose propitious birth, and tiny form, and delicate health, and comely countenance, and amiable character, excited so much affectionate interest, became an instrument in the hands of God for increasingly directing her father's attention to divine things, and for carrying forward the good work which had been begun in her mother's heart.

Mrs. Græme's own remarks on this subject are instructive both to parents and to children: :- "With the dim light I had when Eliza was given to me, I look back now with wonder at my earnestness to bring her up for the Lord. Daily was it my prayer that he would fit me for this duty, and that he would teach me to teach her of HIM." And is it not true that such importunity is generally the forerunner of the blessing supplicated? It is, indeed, sweet and cheering to believe that, as it is God who answers the prayers of his people, so is it also God who gives them grace to pray fervently and in faith for the blessings he is about to vouchsafe. It is consistent with his all-wise arrangements that the favours he designs to bestow he will have us, in the first instance, humbled at the footstool of his throne, to ask. Is not that the proper place and the most befitting attitude for poor, needy, and unworthy creatures? And there, and then, it is that the High and Holy One reveals himself, as waiting to be gracious-as exalted to have mercy.

This child was one of the various means God made use of to bring her fond mother to clearer light, and into closer communion with himself. It was most endearing, and, at the same time, most humiliating and reproving to herself, to see the devotedness of this young and sickly child to her earthly parents-how she would watch their looks, to avoid doing anything she thought they would not