them to be employed in the advancement of our Redeemer's kingdom. I wish you to render all your time, all your means, as far as in you lies, conducive to this great end.

"And as a Mother, my beloved sister, how great is your responsibility! I hope your sense of it is daily increasing, and that you offer many prayers for heavenly wisdom. I have great hopes for W. I have been long under the impression that he may be intended for great usefulness in the Lord's vineyard. This is my only ambition for him, and I know that you covet for him the 'best gifts.' Let our united prayers ascend to the mercy-seat, that God will grant bim all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus, and let us expect the immediate fulfilment of our wishes. He already evinces uncommon interest in the things of eternity, and I want him every day to 'grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' Then, even though he should be in early life called to his heavenly home, he will add another to the cloud of witnesses. I hope you will ever seek first' for him the kingdom of God and his righteousness,' and that, whenever you are about to take any step in relation to him, you will consider what bearing it may have upon his immortal destiny. I cannot express my love for this dear boy; it is of a very peculiar nature, and I feel interested in you for his sake, almost as much as for your own. And let me earnestly entreat you, my dear sister, to teach him to 'keep holy the Sabbath-day.' Make this a subject of constant prayer, for much depends upon it. I never knew a happy or a devoted Christian who did not call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord.' Pray for a blessing on this day, during the week, and you will certainly receive it; every return of this season will become more hallowed.

"I know that you will not think me presumptuous because I write thus; you have ever kindly received my assurances of Christian interest, and I hope I should not be less willing to receive advice from you." * * *

"20th. How could I endure this suffering, did I not possess the consolations of religion? How wretched would be my lot! I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, for Thy sustaining and quickening grace. Thou art, indeed, a very

present help.

"Last evening I taught the boys with great pleasure, and prayed with them with more interest than usual. Oh, that

I felt more love for their souls! I will pray for more, and

God will give it to me.

"After having talked to Hannah, a little girl of eight or nine years of age, who told me she had never heard of the Saviour, I went over to Joseph's, feeling unwilling to leave this place without warning them once more of their danger, and beseeching them to seek salvation. I did so, and was thankful to see that they appeared solemn, especially J.'s mother, who is a very wicked old woman. I did pray fervently with them, and for them.

To her Nephew.

"Friday eve.

very glad she Christmas will

My visit to

"Yes, dear W., Aunt Sue has come home, and would be could she have her precious boy with her. soon be here, and then I hope to enjoy that pleasure. the country was very delightful. We had walks and rides; and the most happy hours were passed in my own room, in prayer and the study of the blessed Bible. Is thee not glad, dear W., that our Heavenly Father has revealed His will in His holy Word? Let us read it with earnest prayer, and then we shall be guided into all truth; and, above all, let us seek to know more of our dear Redeemer. It is my constant prayer, my dear boy, that thy life may be devoted to His service. I want thee first to give thy own heart to the Saviour, and then to strive to persuade others to love Him. Does thee love to pray?—to enter into thy closet, and pray to 'thy Father which seeth in secret'? Remember that He has said, 'They who seek me early shall find me.'

"A very sweet little boy of ten years, who attended our Sunday School, was very suddenly called into another world a short time since. He asked Mrs. Bedell, some time ago, if she would not teach him to be good, and she told him to come to her every Sunday afternoon, and she would instruct him. Some time ago he asked his mother to change some money into pennies. She asked him what he wished to do with them; he told her that he wished to put them into the missionary-box, and said, 'Will not that be giving to the Lord?' I hope he is now in that bright and happy world which is prepared for the redeemed. How I do long to go there! Shall we not together sing our Saviour's love, my precious W.? Oh, do come

now, and say 'Here, Lord, I give myself away'; 'tis all that I

can do!'

It

Our lesson was

referred to the

"Nov. 13th.-On Friday afternoon, I was again at our beloved Bible-class. Felt unusually happy. short, but very practical, as it always is. mediation of our Redeemer. I trust that doctrine is becoming more precious to me. I have been reading, this afternoon, some of the predictions which relate to the Saviour's coming, and to His character. He is 'the mighty God, the everlasting Father,'- and I desire to honor Him as I would honor the first person in the glorious Trinity. Oh, I love the doctrine of the Trinity, and hope my faith in it will more and more increase. Lord, wilt Thou grant me in all things a knowledge of the truth! I thank Thee that I am not left to lean upon my own understanding, but that Thy blessed. Spirit is my teacher. Make me more humble, I beseech Thee, so that, as a little child, I may sit at the feet of

Jesus.

"Nov. 22d.—In the evening, was so overcome by pain and nervous feeling that I shed many tears. This is something very unusual, and I desire to feel, more than ever, my need of help from above. I had felt better, and did not pray so earnestly for grace to endure suffering,- and it is, no doubt, on this account that I was not able to bear it better. I did not feel like murmuring, though. For ten thousand worlds, I would not have one murmuring thought. I hope my Heavenly Father will do with me and for me as is best in His sight. On Sunday evening I had a long talk with L., and prayed with her. On Monday we had another talk. She is deeply impressed, but has been so long hesitating on this subject, that I am uneasy about her. It is a dangerous thing to defer a decision. So many of my friends have disappointed my hopes recently, that I cannot feel secure until an awakened person is in the Ark of safety.

"Dec. 6th.-I should be delighted, could I record the

events of the last ten days. I think the last week has been, decidedly, the happiest I have ever passed. Dear L.'s serious impressions continued to increase, and I persuaded her to ask counsel of my dear Pastor last Wednesday week. While he was urging on her the necessity of an immediate surrender of her heart to God, she exclaimed emphatically, 'I will decide!' How joyous a sensation did these words excite !

"I called, on my way home, on Mrs. C., to try to persuade her to be on the Lord's side, but was not much encouraged. I told her I would continue to persecute her on the subject as long as my life should continue, or until she became. offended, or induced to accept the terms of salvation - so help me God.

"L., after this decision, felt much happier, and went again to see Mr. C., who gave her the questions. She returned home very much agitated. I prayed with her, and she answered the questions, and resolved to be baptized on Wednesday evening. On Wednesday morning we paid a visit to Mr. C., which I enjoyed very much. The day, altogether, was unusually happy.

66

On Thursday I very unexpectedly went again to Dr. K.'s, and staid until Saturday evening. I had some very sweet seasons of intercourse with the Dr., who is rapidly hastening to his heavenly home. I read the Bible to him very often, and listened with interest to his comments. I felt constrained to pray with him, and was very glad that I obeyed the impulse, though I could scarcely summon courage to do so. While there, I enjoyed delightful communion with my Heavenly Father, and I trust I shall retain the solemn and peaceful impressions that were the result of my intercourse with the Doctor. How desirable does his situation appear to me! He is very near heaven.

"To-day I have been more depressed than I have been for a long time; have suffered very much, and have borne it with

less cheerfulness; have felt, too, in some degree, disposed to be irritable. Went to God with all my sins, in the name of Jesus, and He gave me strength to bear pain better, and I felt more comfortable.

CHAPTER IX.

1837.

Office of Sponsor-Letter to a Sister after Baptism - Feelings at Witnessing Confirmation-Visit to a Dying Believer-Bucks County-Letter alluding to her Sufferings - Feelings at the Prevalence of Depravity Spiritual Ignorance and Destitution-Buchanan's Memoir — Dr. Clark's Ill-Health and Leave-Taking-Close of 1837.

"Jan. 6th, 1837.-This morning I have experienced a peculiar melting of heart in the perusal of the 4th chapter of Ephesians. The Word of God is very pure, therefore I love it. I do earnestly desire that the holy doctrines contained in the Word of God may be deeply impressed upon my heart, and exemplified in my conduct. I want to see more and more of the beauty of holiness. I want to be like my Saviour. O, blessed Jesus, Thou art my Guide, my all in all.

"Yesterday I spent at Dr. K.'s. My interest in him is very great. I was very happy that I was enabled to comfort him with the comfort wherewith I am comforted of God. His aspirations after more intimate communion with the Saviour were very earnest, but from the temptations of the enemy, and the influence of fever, his mind was somewhat clouded. I read and repeated many hymns and promises which were refreshing to him. I desire that this intercourse with one who has so nearly closed his earthly pilgrimage may be deeply sanctified to my soul. And now, while I possess some mental vigor and bodily strength, I desire, pray and resolve, in the strength of Jesus,