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CHAPTER VIII.

'It is a certain fact,' remarks Foster, 'that whenever a man prays aright, he forgets the philosophy of it, and feels as if his supplications really would make a difference in the determinations and conduct of the Deity. In this spirit are the prayers recorded in the Bible.' Mrs. Winslow, whose life was baptized in devotion, whose soul was clad with prayer as with a garment, presents a striking illustration of this beautiful thought. While ever deeply conscious of the solemnity of prayer, recognizing it to be, what it truly is, the most exalted exercise of the soul, the most elevated state of thought and feeling of which the mind is susceptible,-yet none engaged in the exercise with more simple views or with a more childlike spirit than she. Convinced that God answered prayer in a way consonant with the Divine purpose, and worthy of His own character, she yet so wrestled, and argued, and reasoned with Him, as if, in the words of the profound thinker we have just quoted, her 'supplications really could make a difference in the determination and conduct of the Deity.' And so must we approach the mercy-seat, not as philosophers, but as Christians,—not as slaves, but as children, feeling that if prayer cannot move God to us, prayer yet can move the lowly supplicant towards God. The Thoughts' we are about to glean from her private record and her letters, will give us a deeper insight into the interior of her inner life, and exhibit her views on some important doctrinal and experimental points of divine truth.

ON COMMUNION WITH GOD.

"How little is this understood! A cold, formal, heartless prayer often; and if not in God's own children altogether heartless, yet how little real communion,—oh, how little! No interchange of love, no confession of sin, no adoring gratitude, no emptying of the burdened heart into the loving heart of God. This is communion, and such as even the angels themselves behold with delight, while they can but imperfectly un

derstand the happiness known only to the saints of God. How was I privileged this morning, confessing my own and my children's sins, and giving myself and them up into the Lord's hand, to do with us as seemeth Him good."

"Taplow, July 9th.-The Lord has been very gracious in suffering me to draw near to Him, and granting me much of his sensible presence. Dr. Love, in his 'Letters,' describes my experience better than I can myself. If ever my heart truly rejoices, it is in the view of what God is, as seen in Christ, irrespective of my personal interest, and yet not losing sight of my union to Christ. Dr. Love, whose attainments were giant-like, compared with my poor speck of knowledge, expresses this more fully; but his experience is mine. On the same ladder the Lord has placed my foot, though he is higher up by many rounds than I. When the character of God is unfolded in Christ,-His infinite greatness, overpowering goodness, and glorious perfections,-my soul is filled with inexpressible joy; I feel swallowed up in their vastness, and weep, without being able to say why I weep. Oh, if a glimpse now and then is so overpowering, what must the full vision of that glory be? The body here could not contain it. God be praised for the little view, and for the full revelation that awaits us in that better, brighter world above."

"12th.-Dr. Love remarks, 'How sweet is the bitterness of that repentance which is truly divine and gracious! The same light which opens the springs of godly sorrow, also uncovers the fountain of divine joy.' These words express my own experience, and which I had thought was peculiar to myself; and have therefore seldom advanced it to others, lest I should mislead or perplex those to whom I wish to do good. Still I think dear Dr. Love did not deal sufficiently with the manhood of Christ. He seemed to look too little to God in Jesus. What comfort or sympathy can a poor sinner desire from looking to an infinitely holy God out of Christ? When God spoke to men, He came down clothed with a cloud; and when this same God speaks to us, it is in Jesus, robed in the cloud of our sinless humanity. Thus revealing Himself, we look and live. It is then we behold Him in all the milder rays of divine light and glory, and adore, love, and bless Him who says, Fear not, it is I."

TO HER SON H

"I received your long and interesting letter, and thank you for it. When you enlisted under the banner of King Jesus, you commenced the life of a soldier, and are therefore called, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, to fight manfully. Your enemies are the word, Satan, and the flesh; this last is the greatest of all; it lies down and rises up with you, and wherever you are, this enemy is always at hand. But you are exhorted to put on the whole armour of God, and to stand; and by faith in Christ you shall conquer. Keep your eye steadily upon Jesus. Be not surprised at the conflict you wage; it is an evidence that you are Christ's true disciple. If you were not a possessor of spiritual life, you would have nothing to oppose you from within. Those who are dead in sin know nothing of this warfare. A corpse floats down with the stream; but where there is living faith in the soul, it stems the tide, buffets with the waves, and makes its way through all that opposes it. Be of good courage, keep close to Jesus, and you have nothing to fear from within or without. God, who is our Sun and shield, will give grace and glory; and no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Be diligent in the use of all the means of grace, and may the Lord abundantly bless your soul, and provide for all your wants." To the same."I did not mean to write to you this time, but you are so good yourself in writing to me, that I could not bear to pass you by. It is a mercy to be kept with our eyes, and our hearts too, up to the dear Saviour, that we may be ready when He gives the summons. This world is nothing more than a wretched, dying vanity. But the bright world to which we are travelling has substantial blessing and happiness unutterable to bestow. Oh, then, what folly to grieve here, and suffer our affections to wander from God! I am glad you attend Mr. S―'s. The prayer-meetings will revive your fainting soul. I do not recollect what first led me there, but it was the Lord who directed my steps. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. May He meet with your soul and bless you. Many a time have I poured out my heart for you in that sanctuary, and my fervent prayers were offered up for your salvation. Those were blessed times. I often think of them now. May Jesus keep our soul going out after Him. I had rather seek Him sorrowing from morning to night, than not to seek Him at all, or feel cold and barren in my soul. Kiss the little ones for grandmamma.”

TO HER SON, R. F. W

I earnestly hope nothing will induce you to relinquish your habits of temperance. How earnestly and constantly I pray that God may keep you from everything that, by slow and insidious steps, might lead to certain and, perhaps, irremediable ruin. Anything in the form of drink, but simple water,—I mean, of course, of an intoxicating nature,—is dangerous. I have, in the course of my life witnessed such sad, such awful effects resulting from moderate drinking, that my heart sickens at the very remembrance of it. Place nothing to your lips stronger than water. No one but God can know how anxious I am that all my professing children may be kept walking in the fear of God, and in the love of the Spirit. Remember Him who loved you unto death; live to Him and for Him, and resolve rather to die than do aught dishonouring to His dear name, who, in so remarkable a manner, called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. Dear child, bear with a fond and anxious mother; for you know not how my heart goes out after you. The Lord has wonderfully kept me these twenty-eight years in His blessed way, and has never permitted me to bring dishonour upon His dear cause. And yet I feel that I as much require His upholding hand, and His restraining grace, at this moment, as I did at the first. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Jesus is very precious to my soul. I feel I cannot live without Him. He is my all-in all. The world, and all its glory and riches, is as dross to me in comparison of Him whom my soul loveth. And yet I find the Christian life to be one of constant warfare, and feel, at times, as though a host were encamped against

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'Again, let me exhort you to keep close to Christ. Make Him your Counsellor and your Confidant; Him to whom you may entrust all your concerns, and into whose ear you may breathe all your wants. Keep an open heart with Christ; you need no other friend. Do all you can for His cause, and He will take care of you. Walk in uprightness before Him, in heart, lip, and life. Should you discover failures, go at once and confess them, and get your pardon sealed to you afresh by the Holy Ghost. Never keep a sense of guilt upon the conscience when it can be removed at once by the blood of Christ. There is not a more holy exercise in the Christian's life than

the confession of sin to God. I mean by this, that confessing sin to God has a sanctifying influence on the heart, maintains purity, and keeps the conscience tender. You need not wait until you can retire and fall upon your knees; you can do it in a moment. The heart lifted up in silent prayer is sufficient. I, the Lord, search the heart. I have no greater joy than to see my children walking in the truth. Put on Christ, walk in Christ, and may God bless you and make you a blessing."

The subject of prophetic truth, doubtless the more solemnly urged upon her attention by the remarkable aspect of the times, of which she was a close and spiritual observer, began at this period to interest and occupy her thoughts. The doctrine of the Lord's second coming,-the signs which appeared to herald, and the events which probably would be ushered in by his glorious advent,-seemed to be the great truth which particularly arrested her attention. We gather her sentiments and feelings on these interesting topics of inquiry, from her diary and correspondence :

"Awoke this morning at about six o'clock, and read 'Hugh White on the Second Advent,' and was led to lift up my heart to the Lord to direct my mind into this important truth, and enlighten what was dark in me on the subject. In the course of the day, felt much tried at my want of spirituality, my coldness and worldliness. I besought the Lord to revive in my soul every drooping grace of the Spirit, to save me from sad declension, quicken me afresh by the power of the Holy Ghost, and draw me nearer and yet nearer to himself."

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Lord's day, Torrington-square. "Have you ever read the Rev. Hugh White on the Second Advent? If you have not, obtain it, and read it. I am perusing it with deep interest, and, as far as I have gone, can enter fully into his views. I am longing to have my eyes open to the subject more than they were. It appears to me a delightful theme for close and prayerful investigation. Do give it your attention. May the Lord unfold His own truth to your soul and mine! Mr. Evans's mind is also opening to this truth. Could I but be sure that He would indeed soon come, how my soul would rejoice; but of this I cannot so far see any clear evidence. Oh, for more weanedness from the world! Oh, to love Jesus more, and to have Him more in our thoughts! How soon we may behold Him in all His glory,

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