the Danish missionaries, which, having never seen, I desired her to read to me. I was never, I think, more affected with anything than with the relation of their travels, and was exceedingly pleased with the noble design they were engaged in. Their labours refreshed my soul beyond measure, and I could not forbear spending a good part of that evening in praising and adoring the Divine goodness for inspiring those good men with such ardent zeal for His glory. For some days I could think and speak of little else. It then came into my mind—though I am not a man nor a minister of the Gospel, yet if I were inspired with a true zeal for His glory, and really desired the salvation of souls—I might do more than I do. I thought I might live in a more exemplary manner, I might pray more for the people, and speak with more warmth to those with whom I have opportunity of conversing. However, I resolved to begin with my own children, and accordingly I proposed and observed the following method: I take such a proportion of time as I can best spare every night to discourse with each child by itself, on something that relates to its principal (personal?) concerns. On Monday I talk with Molly, on Tuesday with Hetty, Wednesday with Nancy, Thursday with Jacky, Friday with Patty, Saturday with Charles; and with Emily and Sukey together on Sunday."
The result of her conversations with "Jacky" is recorded in her Private Meditations under the heading "Son John," and dated May 17th, 1711. So deeply were the child's religious feelings worked upon that his father allowed him to become a communicant when only eight years old; but the wisdom of thus exciting a boy into precocious devotion at a time when nature
