"Then, Jesus, at thy feet And learn, as it is meet, My duty, Lord, of Thee: For thou didst come on mercy's plan, "Oh, make me as Thou art, Thy Spirit, Lord, bestow; That feels another's woe, That thus I may be like my Head, Such are a few specimens culled from an extensive correspondence of her letters of Christian sympathy. The thoughts and feelings they so glowingly express welled up from a heart trained in that most blessed and instructive of all schools sanctified sorrow. Her posture while penning them would seem to have been that of the 'disciple whom Jesus loved,'leaning upon the bosom of her Lord; or, to quote her own expressive words, 'taking her walks above,' and dating as from the borders of the Celestial City. Comforted herself by Jesus, she sought to lead all who were in any trouble to the same divine source of consolation. From heartfelt experience she could say, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” Again we ask, What, though this were her only gift, where, in the Church of Christ, is there one more rare or more precious? And yet what Christian, whose consolation has abounded by Christ, may not go and do likewise? Who that has a wound healed by the Saviour's sympathy, may not gently lead another bleeding heart to Him? It is thus we aid Him in His mission of love to our world. We recur again to her Diary. 'April 23rd.-Surely I have seen an end of all perfection both in myself and in others. But, oh, there is One, and only one, and He is perfect. The Lord be praised for this! The goodness, the long-suffering, the loving-kindness of God surpasses our conceptions. Eternity only can unfold it to us, and we shall be even there learning it out for ever and ever. 0 Lord Jesus, make me holy-sanctify me for Thyself. Fill me with Thyself, that I may know what it is to be filled with all the fulness of God. Sanctify me, body, soul, and spirit." *Rev. Dr. Raffles. "27th. When disappointed in the creature, I take refuge at once in Jesus. I run to Him, and find Him all my heart could wish. Oh, how precious is a throne of grace to my soul a meeting-place between a holy God and a poor sinner, sprinkled with the blood of His dear Son, and ever a verdant spot, inviting a poor, needy, trembling sinner at all times and under all circumstances. Lord, how could I live without Thee? Thou art my all in all! my comfort, my joy, my peace, my strengthener, my home for time and eternity." "30th.-How intricate is often the believer's way! So hedged up that He cannot discern a single step before him. All is dark. He here and there goes too often to the creature for counsel, and, perhaps, for sympathy, but finds all but broken cisterns. But Jesus But Jesus is at hand-a Fountain of living waters, ever ready to impart all comfort, wisdom, and direction. But, oh, how slow to approach this Fountain! How base and ungrateful the heart, and wretched the unbelief that still lurks within, ever leading us away from Him who is a present help in every time of need. Take up thy rest, oh, my soul, in Him who hath loved thee with an everlasting love, and will love thee unto the end !" "There is a voice-it comes to me On memory's happy wing, I look'd above to Zion's hill, And the blest promise sped, To soothe my heart, to chase my fear, "When duties press'd with heavy weight My pathway seemed more dark and strait. 'Take up my cross and follow me, "And when the spoiler's cruel dart ""Twas dark upon life's rugged sea, I could not claim as mine; "And oft when sickness, feverish pain, 'I am thy Saviour, I thy Friend, "And when the strife of death comes near, CHAPTER XII. TRUE religion, as we have had occasion to remark, is essentially experimental in its nature. Find it delineated where we may in the sacred volume, or in the uninspired records of the saints of God-its nature, its phases, and its effects are identically the same. Who can trace the histories of Abraham, of Moses, and of Job-read the psalms of David-glide along the enchanting stream of prophetic truth-listen to the discourses of Jesus-peruse the letters of His apostles, or catch the last tones of inspiration as they float from the lonely Isle of Patmos, and not feel that true Christianity is nothing less than the life of Jesus dwelling in the soul of the believer? But Christian experience varies; it may be more strongly developed in some individuals than in others. One believer may present a more robust type of this essential characteristic of Christianity than another. It is not, perhaps, difficult to account for this difference. He may have been more an object of God's especial dealings, and consequently he has had closer dealings with God. He may have been more variedly tried, more heavily afflicted, more frequently chastened; he may have been led into a deeper insight into his own heart; he may have been permitted more thoroughly to learn his native vileness and weakness, and by a process most painful and humiliating; he has had more to do with providential dispensations-he can tell of blighted hopes, of disappointed schemes, of withered flowers, of broken cisterns; he has become more closely acquainted with God; has learnt more of Jesus, has kept a closer eye upon the hidden work of the Spirit in the heart; and thus, by these varied processes, he has become a more deeply spiritual and experimental Christian. Of this class. was the honoured subject of our memoir. Christian experi ence, in some of its most holy, lovely, and touching unfoldings, was pre-eminent in her religious life and correspondence. Not merely do we trace it in the recorded exercises of her own soul, but also in the intense, holy concern she felt and expressed for the religious progress of others. To the illustrations already given, a few more are added, gleaned alike from her private journal, and her general correspondence. The following touching résumé of past experience is taken from her diary. "Faint yet pursuing,' is my present motto. Hitherto has the Lord been with me, and so far has He brought me on my eventful journey. On looking back, I have much to mourn over, and I have much to be thankful for,-mercy and goodness, faithfulness and boundless love, have followed me every step of the way. The Lord has gently and tenderly led me on. Once, and but once, He laid His hand sorely upon me. But it was the rod of the 'covenant, ordered in all things and sure.' It pressed heavily. I could not discern a Father's hand. Overwhelmed, almost stunned, with the suddenness of the affliction, I lost my hold and confidence in Him who had said, 'He would never leave nor forsake me.' The enemy seemed to sift me as wheat. Bereaved of an affectionate husbanddeprived of fortune-friends far away-in a strange land, heart-broken and alone-while the pitiless storm raged over me, I would steal away and weep in secret agony. Such was my state and such my misery, when the Lord sent a man of God to me with a message of love to my soul. He spoke of the unalterable love of Jesus, and of His never-failing compassion, even while He chastened. He opened up and unfolded the precious truths of the gospel with such power accompanying every word, that I once more raised my head, and lifted up my heart to God as my Father still; who though He had chastened me, yet His anger was turned away, and I was comforted. Many, since then, have been the trials I have had to pass through, but the Lord has stood by me, and delivered me out of them all. Strength has been given to me equal to my day. The precept was laid upon my heart, Owe no man anything; and I have been enabled to walk in that precept, and God has fulfilled the promise, Your bread shall be given you, and your water shall be sure. I was led to walk by faith in an unseen Protector, Provider, and Friend. I never went to bed owing anything but love. I repaired to God for all I wanted, feeling I was His child and doubly so as his widowed. child. As such, I called upon Him in every time of need for |