that mother's hand that first guided their infant footsteps to the Saviour! It was here, in the bosom of the Christian family, the tiny seed was sown which, in long after years, and when, perhaps, the hand that dropped it was mouldering in the grave, struck deep its roots, and extended wide its branches, blessing the world with its fruit, and beautifying the church with its comeliness. It was here, in the pious home, the latent desire to be a Christian was inspired, the first thought of being a minister was conceived, and the purpose of a life for God was formed. Oh, let Christian parents awake to a conviction of their mighty, almost creative power! Few were more sensible of this than Mrs. Winslow, and few more honoured than she in the right direction of her influence. Compelled by her removal from town, to withdraw from attendance at the meetings of the John-street Chapel Maternal Association, yet cherishing for its object an undiminished and prayerful interest, she addressed the following letter, designed to encourage her in this good work, to the former wife of her pastor :

.. And so you are discouraged. Trials and difficulties many, faith tried, and only three met! Did you expect to undertake a work for Christ and get on smoothly, while there is everything within and without to oppose it? Did you expect faith would not be tried in this matter? Faith takes hold of the strength and power of God, and looks alone to Him. You were looking to your little feeble band of three, although you were within the number Christ has promised to bless. In a country place in America, a few Christian females engaged to meet to pray for a blessing on their families; but after a while it declined, and continued to do so until only two came. "Shall we give up?' was the question. They thought of God's faithfulness to His promise, of His power and goodness, and resolved to go on. They met, these two only, again and again. They pleaded the promise, and encouraged each other by their prayers. At last the answer came. God tried their faith, Jesus interceded, and it had not failed. Some who had left them returned, others followed; the place of prayer was soon filled. The Lord poured out His Spirit on them, and they prayed in earnest until the blessing was given. The church felt the holy influence; their children at home began to inquire what they must do to be saved; the mothers directed them to Jesus, and prayed on. God in very deed bowed

LETTER TO THE MATERNAL ASSOCIATION.

125 the heavens, and came down in their midst to bless them. Many of their unconverted children and husbands were led to submit to Christ, and the whole church shared in this remarkable revival. Dear sister, take courage and look up. God loves to hear your prayers. Did the mothers in John-street Chapel but see their children standing on the edge of an awful precipice, and know that none but God could prevent their destruction, would they not cry day and night to Him? But what can be compared to the eternal death that awaits them, if they die unconverted? And will they not meet together for united prayer, that their dear children may escape from the wrath to come? Again I say unto you, if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. xviii. 19. This is a promise worth millions of gold and silver, and this promise you have to plead. May God help us to give full credence to His word, and deal with Him as one who cannot but do all He has promised, because He is God! In proportion as we feel the infinite value of the immortal soul, we shall feel anxious for its salvation. Now, beloved, expect difficulties, expect opposition, even from your own heart; but you have the Lord on your side. Jesus is waiting to be gracious. The Holy Spirit is waiting to do all that He has engaged to do; and angels are waiting to rejoice over unconverted sinners, in answer to your prayers. We shall never fully know, until we get to heaven, the mighty power of importunate prayer with God. If I knew your time of convening, I would unite my poor prayers with yours. I am earnest on this subject, knowing the great blessings that have attended such efforts. Go forward in the strength and power of Jehovah-Jesus, and God must and will bless you."

CHAPTER VII.

MRS. WINSLOW was never more at home, and, we might add, never happier-for her happiness and her Lord's glory were one and inseparable-than when administering counsel to the perplexed, or comfort to the afflicted. Her own naturally strong judgment early brought into exercise, and schooled for the greater part of her life in adversity, she was thus eminently fitted, from the rich stores of her own experience, to administer to the exigencies of others-advising those whose path was intricate, and comforting those who were in any sorrow, by the comforts with which she herself had been comforted of God. Hence so many of the letters which appear in this volume are addressed to persons in circumstances of trial and affliction.

The bereavement of her pastor, by the removal of his wife, under circumstances of such painful interest, would naturally call forth the expression of her deepest and most tender sympathy. During the week which intervened between the sudden attack and its fatal termination she was scarcely absent from the scene of anxiety; and one whole night was spent in prayer with Mr. Evans, in the vestry, over which lay the suffering object of their long midnight wrestlings. We find in her journal the following references to this mournful event.

May 5th, 1831.-Since I last wrote, the Lord has taken my dear friend, Mrs. Evans, after little more than a week's illness. His presence was with her, and He most graciously manifested His love towards her in carrying her through the dark valley. She died in the triumph of faith. Her dear husband was almost overwhelmed by the suddenness of the stroke, and staggered under his irreparable loss. But the Lord who spake such sweet peace to his wife, supported the bereaved husband, and enabled him to say, Thy will be done! It was a shock almost sufficient to overcome nature; but God is all-sufficient at all times for His saints."

"The last time I saw our dear departed sister, Mrs. Evans, was on the day she died. When I entered the room, she held out her hand, and, taking mine, said some most affectionate things; for her whole heart seemed dissolved into love. I never saw such a death. Her countenance was full of holy, joyful anticipation. Her soul seemed filled with Christ. She said, with uncommon energy of manner, 'See, dear sister, how good is the Lord! Jesus is most precious. Christ has so blessedly manifested Himself to me. He has been with me through all the operations;' and then looking earnestly into my face, said: 'I have known more of Christ in this week than I have known in all my whole life put together. And now,' she continued, with such a sweet smile, 'I am going to Him, He has prepared a place for me.' 'Yes,' I replied, ‘and He will come and receive you to himself, according to His own word.' After a few words of prayer, I left her, with a sweet hope of meeting her at the right hand of God. Death, in her case, was divested of its sting and the grave of its victory, and Jesus enabled her most blessedly to triumph over both."

In one of her letters to her family, she refers to the grace which sustained her afflicted pastor:

"Dear Mr. Evans will be again in his pulpit on Tuesday evening. He is now in the country. I dined at Hampstead the Friday before we went; he was very much supported, but still greatly afflicted. He came to me on the Sunday night before the funeral. I heard his voice below, and ran down to meet him. Finding I was alone, he dismissed the carriage and came up. He sat down, and gave vent to his feelings. We had much conversation, and God did bless it to the com fort of his dear servant. I said, 'God will restore peace to your soul.' He replied, 'He has done it, and within this house.' He left me, composed and comfortable. He told me since, that he shall never forget that spot, to the day of his death." Soon after this event, she visited her eldest son, who was then resident at Cambridge. From thence she writes:

"I had a pleasant journey to this place, with only two ladies inside. We had some agreeable and, I hope, profitable conversation, although they were both, I could see, bnt moralists, depending upon their doing and their not doing. Yet they listened very attentively while I endeavoured to show them the cobweb garment of such a profession. They gave me their respectful attention, but I could clearly perceive they

C

did not at all understand me; so I left them as I found them. Perhaps they may think more about it some time hence. On arriving at the house, dear E- met me in the parlour, and instantly after Mrs. C————, with her good husband, in his gig, at a little distance. And now I am seated in the sweet little drawing-room, surrounded with shrubbery, and everything looking delightfully refreshing to the eye. You might fancy yourself twenty miles in the country, it is so encircled with trees. In a short time T- made his appearance, in cap and gown, looking very well. We all went, in the evening, to hear good Mr. Simeon, and my soul was sweetly refreshed with the simple, but precious truths of the gospel. G took me to some of the colleges; but although they are very fine, I have but little taste for these things. Miss M- and

Mrs. F called yesterday. To-morrow I go to Haslingfield. Dear Mrs. C——— insists that my visit to Cambridge is to her." Of the letters written during her visit to Haslingfield, where she met much that was congenial with her taste-a picturesque village, and spiritual and affectionate intercourse-only one can be found. It is addressed to her bereaved pastor;

Haslingfield Vicarage, Cambridge, May 24th, 1831.

I long to know how your mind is, and if the Lord is keeping you resting in the bosom of His love, comforting and refreshing your soul by continual draughts from the overflowing fountain of living waters. Oh, how sweet it is to be kept in such a position! Pray that I may be kept in it. I have had some taste, and that makes me long for more. I am staying a little while with those who truly love the Lord, and whose works proclaim their love sincere. I see godliness brought into daily practice, without ostentation. These dear friends do the will of God from the heart, and it is their meat and drink so to do. May God bless them more and more! Mrs. C is a real labourer in the cause of Christ, and Mr. Cone of the kindest-hearted and most benevolent beings I ever met with. Oh, what a mercy to have a throne of grace, and a tender, compassionate, loving Christ to go to at all times, and under all circumstances! A large welcome; no frown to fear; no distant look. Oh, that we all might LIVE upon Him, moment by moment! For this reason, He takes away our props, that we might lean altogether upon Himself; and that is why He has dealt with you, my dear brother in