Paul into such a strait between abiding in the flesh and departing to be with Christ. 'Oh, for a closer walk with God!' 6 Con Did you ever notice a poem in Watts's lyrics on verse with Christ?' I am sure when I enjoy, or think I enjoy converse with God, I fear nothing, I envy none, I can do all things, I can bear any thing: my doubts and fears depart, and there is nothing I so much desire as conformity to him, and an everlasting dwelling in his embrace." To Mrs. W. "Ilford, June 1, 1825. "I know no subject of which I could bear to think and speak and write half so much, as of Jesus and salvation, without being completely wearied out. I have known Jesus about twenty-eight years. I have preached him about twenty-two years. I have generally preached three times on the Lord's day, and frequently three or four times in the course of the week. I have always determined to have something about him in every sermon, and still my happiest moments are in meditating on him, writing of him, speaking of him, and anticipating the pleasure of spending an eternity with him. Nearly seventeen years ago I preached one whole Lord's day from the sentence, Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.'" To Mrs. W. "Ilford, Aug. 26, 1825. There may "I presume this will find you at the inn. your soul be blessed and receive instruction! You are not at home. It is not your resting place; doubtless you have many accommodations for which a traveller or sojourner should be thankful, but beware of setting your heart upon any thing there, for you must soon leave the place; and should you meet any thing a little uncomfortable, don't lay it much to heart as you will be gone in a few days. You call it a retired inn, I hope you will enjoy retirement in it. May you retire into the secret chamber of communion with God and be enabled to say with a sweet assurance, 'I am not alone because the father is with me.' Your present residence, although at an inn will then be 'just on the verge of heaven.' I suppose the Moor House at R- is quite a mansion compared with the retired inn,' perhaps they form a contrast, but not so great as that which exists between 'this earthly house of our tabernacle,' and 'the house not made with hands eternal in the heavens.' If you should be too much attached to the retired inn,' it will be friendly in some one to say arise and depart, this is not your rest, you are expected at the mansion which is far better than the inn.' Alas! we very often need some one to act this friendly part and admonish us, but 'tis much to be lamented that those about us are, in general, as much attached to the inn as ourselves, and need the same admonitions, so that we need special messengers from the mansion to arouse and urge us forward, a disappointment, a little bodily pain, the loss of a relative or friend, or a sermon, or chapter, or passage brought to the mind, these, and such like things, are sent as friendly messengers to remind us that we are shortly expected home. On some occasions a summons is sent for a speedy and final departure; in which case there is a sudden 'absence from the body and presence with the Lord,' but no language can describe the glorious change. On the other hand how awful the sudden death of the careless sinner! I am just going to bury a youth of nineteen, who on Monday last was killed suddenly. He had godly parents but was wild and wicked; at dinner time his anxious mother was talking seriously to him on religious subjects to whom he said, 'Why do you tease me so? 'tis time enough yet, I am not going to die.' In about a quarter of an hour he was a corpse; a beam on which he was walking broke and his fall killed him in about a minute. 'Who maketh thee to differ from another!' O the distinguishing grace of God displayed in bringing a sinner to the knowledge of the truth! Oh, what bleeding hearts have godly parents when they sorrow for dead children without hope! May this trial never be yours! May all your family live before God." To his Sister. Containing the following Lines, written in a young Lady's Album. Reader "Ilford, 1825. THE READER AND THE BOOK. Speak, little book, and tell a friend thy name, And how in truth thou wishest to be treated? Book My name is Album, resident at Ilford; What subjects dost thou covet to possess? The subjects may be various--should be good; But what if Bible truths should be imparted, Or thrown aside, as if for lumber given? My mistress has proclaim'd herself a Christian, Still 'tis no easy thing to ascertain That what I write is worthy of recording ; The critic's eye may spy my worthless name, And then pronounce my piece not worth thy hoarding. Book Leave critics, like the mice, to live by nibbling; I move in the society of friends; And friendship covers many imperfections, And seldom turns away what love intends. Reader g? But can'st thou tarry till I search my papers My busines is to wait on just occasions; Reader Go, little book, success attend thy measures,- 6 "There is a short prayer to Jesus, which his disciples should often present, Abide with us;' and they have great encouragement to present it, for it stands on record as an answered prayer-He went in to tarry with them.' The presence and smiles of Jesus are spiritual, desirable, distinguishing, humbling, elevating, consoling; and are the earnest and pledge of heavenly glory. If we enjoy this, we can do any thing which duty calls to, for this makes us strong. We can resist |