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respects , and never lose their influence over their temper and conduct . Thus , Mrs . Johnston , in the early part of life , before she entertained any doubt of the truth of those notions , which had been
conscientiously instilled into her mind , concerning the original corruption of human nature , the deity and satisfaction of Christ , and exhibited that Christian spirit of piety and benevolence , and that sblicitude to conform with the
moral laws of the Gospel , which were suitable to the persuasion , then and ever after residing in her mind , of the nenecessity of holiness to happiness , both in the nature of things and upon the Christian plan , and of a future
resurrection and judgment ; and as this persuasion could not be weakened by the alteration in her ideas of other points , so it was apparent that its practical influence over her remained unabated , and that her virtue suffered no diminution after
she had seen reason to discard the Trinitarian and Calvinistic tenets , and it had become her settled belief , that the Being distinguished m the N . T . by the title of the Father , is the one only God , and the
sole object to whom religious worship ought to be paid , and that his essential goodness , and the promises of the Gospel , constitute the proper and sufficient foundation of the hope of acceptance and salvation . It should seem that fact ,
with respect to her , favours the presumption , that the change which took place in her religious belief , -was conducive to her moral improvement , for it was manifest to all those who enjoyed an intimate acquaintance with her , that her goodness was as the morning light , which shineth with an increasing lustre to the
perfect day . It would be unjust to doubt , whether this happy progress of Christian virtue hath sometimes taken place , when the change of opinion hath been in the contrary direction . It is doubtless also observed in some , who retain through life the tenets imbibed from early education , Whether their tenets be those which are
commonly denominated orthodox , or the contrary , She entertained enlarged and liberal ideas p £ the teneVolence of the divine nature and government , founded , as she conceived , on principles of reason , and on the tenour and declarations of the
gospel ; and . these ideas -were productive of a joyful confidence in him , as purposing to raise the dead by Jesus Christ , and to bestow in the state of man that ;
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shall next succeed , the present immedi * ate and distinguished happiness on the righteous ; and , in the mean time , to ensure the progress , and the ultimate complete triumph of his truth in the
world , of lively gratitude for the comforts she enjoyed * of m ^ ek acquiescence and resignation under afflictive visitations , and of activity and diligence in the discharge of the duties of life and religion . Though she considered those who were faithful to their conscience and
their God , in the present world , as interested in his special approbation , and the heirs of a superior felicity , to commence at the sera of the resurrection , yet she regarded the whole human race as the objects of the divme benevolence , and those who are not rendered virtuous
here , by the arguments of Christianity , and by providential events , as intended to be reduced to a pious subjection , and to be prepared for final happiness , by the awfiil chastisements of futurity . In this sentiment , and also in the belief of the doctrine of philosophical necessity ,
she agreed with many intelligent and eminent ' Christians ; and if some of her friends differed from her with respect to both , and thought that their moral tendency was dangerous and hurtful , yet they could not but acknowledge , that on her moral constitution their influence
appeared to be not pernicious , but beneficial . At any rate , the entire system of her belief concerning God ' s dealings * measures , and designs respecting mankind , was to her the source of consolation and peace , and the spring and preservative of a uniformly virtuous conduct .
The power of religious principle derived a peculiar evidence and illustration from the sensibility of her temper , and the strength of her tender social affections . These had been wounded by the afflictions of her dearest friends , and by bereavements which sunk deeply into her heart . The reference here is to the
death of an infant son , aged one year , and especially to the death of a much beloved and most amiable daughter , in her eleventh year . This last event made on her a very forcible and permanent impression . Her sensibility , however , was
the occasion of placing the character of her mind in a very honourable light . She did not strive to dissipate serious thought . She resorted not for relief to fashionable and frivolous amusements . For these she had , by the cultivation of a nobler taste previously , contracts *
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414 Obituary . —Mrs . M . Johnston .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1810, page 414, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2407/page/38/
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