accomplished, she was received into the first circles of society. With
her husband she made the tour of Europe, visiting the several courts
on that continent. Yet all these things she "counted but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus her Lord." She became a
widow while yet in the bloom of youth. She devoted herself to the
service of the Lord, and was made singularly useful. She kept a
regular account of her income, and of the different objects to which
it was applied. She built and supported several chapels in England,
and erected one in Edinburgh, in which pious ministers of different
denominations should be admitted to preach.

She also built a manufactory for the employment of the poor,
where the education of children was strictly attended to: even the
porters' lodges on each side of her gate were occupied as schools for
the neighboring poor. Her pleasure-grounds were thrown open for the
accommodation of the numbers who usually come from a distance to
attend a communion-season in Scotland. In a year of scarcity the same
grounds were planted with potatoes for the supply of the poor. She
distributed with great judgment various sums of money in aid of
families who were poor, yet deserving. She never encouraged idleness
or pride, and often remarked that it was better to assist people to do
well in the sphere which Providence had assigned them, than to attempt
to raise them beyond it. There was so much wisdom in the active
application of her charities, as to render them both efficient and
extensive. She seldom was seen in these works of beneficence; her
object was to do good: the gratitude of those on whom she bestowed
benefits was no part of her motive, or even of her calculation. What
she did she did unto God, and in obedience to his commands; her faith
and hope were in God.