THE SERVANT OF GOD. her steady, sober habits. She occasionally attended at Court, and visited in the highest circles ; but she felt little pleasure in a fashionable town life. At Donnington Park, Leicestershire, and at Ledstone Hall, Yorkshire, the principal seats of her husband, she was a very Lady Bountiful among her de- pendants and poorer neighhours ; she was still regular in her attendance at church, and viewed with self-gratulation her own excellent conduct. She had been some time married when the zealous preaching of the Methodists began to arouse mul- titudes to a great height of enthusiasm. In the open fields, in bye-roads and villages, the " new doctrine " was announced. Many persons of. high rank heard these preachings, and were much im- pressed ; among others, Lady Margaret Hastings, who was then about thirty years of age. Although an amiable, virtuous woman, Lady Margaret had not hitherto sought religion with an earnest spirit ; but she now became a firm and steadfast believer. Taking frequent opportunities of conversing with her sister-in-law on the subject now of such para- mount interest to her, she observed one day, with emphasis, that, " since she had known and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation, she had been as happy as an angel !" This remark had a singular effect upon the young Countess, for the words described a state of mind far different from anything she had ever experienced. Tranquil and pleasant her life had been, but the 9
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