“Three years ago, when tried by having one house taken over my head, another bought, and obliged to move three times in as many years, some speculating genius brought me under the influence of the madness of the times, and persuaded me I might build without money.  It is quite common here to build by contract.  I could not purchase ground, but I leased two lots of church land, got a plan made out, and worried myself for six months, trying to hatch chickens without eggs.  I had asked the Lord to build me a house, to give success to the means, still keeping in view covenant provision, ’what is good the Lord will give.’  After many disappointments I said, Well; I have asked—­I am refused—­it is not good—­the Lord will not give it:  he will provide, but in his own way, not mine.

“Of course I had to pay ground-rent, which in three years amounted to two hundred and twenty dollars.  I think I hear you say, I never could have believed that Mrs. Graham could be guilty of such folly—­nor I; but seeing and hearing of many such things, I fancied myself very clever.  Last year a basin was formed, and wharves around it, opposite to the said lots; the epidemic raging on the other side of the city brought all the vessels that came in round to them, and great expectations were formed for this new basin; houses and stores sprung up like mushrooms, and Mr. Bethune sold my lease for one thousand pounds.  Lo, and behold, part of it is already spent.  All my provision through this wilderness has been so strongly marked by peculiar providences, my mind seems habituated to a sense of certainty.  I feel my portion of earthly good safer and better in my Lord’s hand than in my own.”

In the ensuing year we find the following outbreathings of her rich Christian experience: 

“JANUARY 3, 1796.

“’Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.’  Philippians 4:4-7.

“’Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus.’

“Christ Jesus! what does not this name comprehend?  He is mine, and all is mine.  I do rejoice in the Lord, yea, more or less, I rejoice always.  This heart of mine is sensible to every human affliction; my tears flow often and fast:  I weep for myself, and still more for others; but in these very moments of heart-wringing bitterness, there is a secret joy that Jesus is near; that he sees, knows, and pities.  He is Jehovah as well as Jesus, and could have prevented the affliction under which I groan; but for my good, and the good of those near and dear to me, he suffered it, or prepared it.  The good of his people is connected with his glory; they cannot be separated:  therefore, Father, glorify thy name; I rejoice, and will rejoice.  The Lord can remove, and will remove the affliction the moment it has answered the gracious purpose for which it was sent.  I would not wish it one moment sooner.  While it lies heavy, he is my almighty friend, my rest, my staff of support.