endeavors to attain mental endowments, and especially moral and
religious knowledge, she attended the instructions of Mrs. Morehead
for seven successive winters. How valuable is early instruction. With
the blessing of God, it is probable that this instructress laid the
foundation of the exertions and usefulness of her pupil in after-life.
How wise and how gracious are the ways of the Lord. Knowing the path
in which he was afterwards to lead Isabella Marshall, her God was
pleased to provide her an education of a much higher kind than was
usual in those days. Who would not trust that God, who alone can be
_the guide of our youth_?

Her father, John Marshall, farmed a paternal estate, called the
Heads, near Hamilton. This estate he sold, and rented the estate of
Elderslie, once the habitation of Sir William Wallace. There Isabella
passed her childhood and her youth.

She had no definite recollection of the period at which her heart
first _tasted that the Lord is gracious_. As far back as she
could remember, she took delight in pouring out her soul to God. In
the woods of Elderslie she selected a bush, to which she resorted in
seasons of devotion. Under this bush she believed she was enabled to
devote herself to God, through faith in her Redeemer, before she had
entered on her tenth year. To this favorite, and to her, sacred spot,
she would repair, when exposed to temptation or perplexed with
childish troubles. From thence she caused her prayers to ascend, and
there she found peace and consolation.

Children cannot at too early a period seek the favor of the God of
heaven. How blessed to be reared and fed by his hand, taught by his
Spirit, and strengthened by his grace.