216 "ON PLEASING GOD BY DOING GOOD." [1838. "How glorious a triumph of truth would be his conversion! May God grant it, for Christ's sake! "Our prayer-meeting on Saturday evening was very solemn; and on Sunday morning how joyous was the reflection that we were to commemorate the dying love of our Redeèmer! "The Communion service was very solemn. My great desire was to know how to praise God for his loving-kindness, and that it might duly affect the remainder of my life. As we all went up to the chancel, six of us together, I was almost overpowered with joy. "I feel, to-night, 'the peace which passeth understanding." To E. W. "April 22, 1838. "My very dear E.:- Indeed thee has not been forgotten, and would have ere this received a message of remembrance, had I not awaited the reception of a letter from thee. I have very often implored for thee the best of blessings since we parted, and have remembered thee with sincere affection. May our love abound more and more as we learn more fully 'the love which passeth knowledge.' Oh, that we may so imbibe the mind which was in Christ Jesus,' that our hearts shall glow with tenderness towards all mankind, until we shall become so meek and lowly that we shall be able at all times to exercise that 'charity which hopeth all things, beareth all things, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked.' What a blessed Gospel is that, dear E―, which brings 'peace on earth, good will towards men!' I have been greatly interested in a chapter in one of Philip's works, entitled, 'On pleasing God by doing good.' The responsibilities of the Christian are represented in language so appropriate, so solemn, that self-examination must be the result of its perusal, and self-reproach I also found to be a consequence. The judgment scene is imagined, and the professors of the religion of Jesus directed to look at the left hand of the Judge: See we none there whom we might have counselled- - none whom we might have drawn under the Gospel? We were ashamed or afraid while they were on earth, but could we be so now? Oh! neither shame nor sloth could keep us silent, nor fear hold us back, if we were called or allowed to rush across the space which divides the righteous from the wicked, and to pluck brands from the burning! Which of us would not try, with all the strength of his new immortality, how many he could bring off? We would gladly lay hold of any one, if we might deliver him from 'going down to the pit;' but, oh! how gladly of a servant whom we had neglected in our own house,—of a neighbor for whose soul we had not cared!' "Dear E- let us lay these things to heart, and strive to win souls to Christ. I cannot tell thee how often has my heart been weighed down by the consciousness of uufaithfulness. 'Tis to Christ alone I can repair when I have so sinned against Him. He went about doing good.' We can, it is true, of ourselves do no good thing. His spirit alone can awaken, and His blood redeem; but if we labor in His strength, He will bless even our feeble instrumentality. "Thee is not mistaken in the impression that last Sunday was a day of inexpressible happiness, as we bowed down together to pay our vows to the Lord in the presence of His people, to commemorate that wondrous love which has provided for us the means of grace and the hope of glory.' Not for a whole life of the most exalted earthly enjoyment would I have exchanged the feelings of that communion season. I felt that Christ is precious, and rejoiced in the plan of redemption. Oh, how beautiful, how suitable it is! In it we see, indeed, the wisdom and the power of God. I do long to understand, to appreciate it more fully, to be so filled with the love of Christ as to lose all self-love, to live altogether to the service of Him who has shed His precious blood for me for us all. My chief desire on that occasion, dear E., was that God would make me more grateful, that He would teach me how to praise and love Him. Oh, how earnestly I desire to be free from sin, and to be filled with the fulness of God! How sweet is the hope of Heavenly rest; but the Lord's will be done; so that He will give me grace to do and suffer it, I ask no more. "Thee speaks, dear E., of the sinfulness of thy heart, and the fear of loving too well the things of the present world. Were it not for the restraining, guiding grace of God, the merits of the Lord our righteousness, we could have no hope of escape from dangers around and within us. But that grace is all-sufficient-those merits allprevailing. Let me not doubt, but earnestly believe that through them we shall be victorious. But let us take heed. We must 'watch and pray.' How wretched is the condition of the being whose heart is divided between God and the world! They that run after other gods shall have great trouble.' And one so young, so prosperous, so ardent as thyself, is greatly exposed to temptation, but the Lord will keep thee under the shadow of His wing. May thee ever there abide; may thee ever be enabled to 'count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord."" To the same. "Christian intercourse constitutes one of my highest enjoyments, and to hold it with thee, dear E., will ever be a gratification, and, I trust, a means of improvement, for every expression of spiritual feeling has a tendency to increase it, and St. Paul tells us we must be 'quickeners of each other's faith.' "I do not doubt that thy consciousness of infirmity is so great, that thee would think it almost impossible to bestow benefit upon others; but it is not so. Already has the goodness of God towards thee excited in my heart, and in the hearts of other Christian friends, emotions of gratitude, and an increase of faith. Thee remembers the prayer of the Psalmist, 'Let them that fear thee be glad when they see me, because I have trusted in Thy word.' And I hope, too, dear E., that thee has also caused joy among the angels of God. How sweet is that promise, I will bless Thee, and Thou shalt be a blessing! As thee experiences more and more of the goodness of God, thy desire that all shall know and love Him will increase, and thy efforts for their good will become more earnest; but I would encourage thee to come up at once to the help of the Lord against the mighty, as thee has opportunity, to 'do good unto all men.' That thee may do this, mingle every prayer for the furtherance of the work of grace in thy own heart, with petitions for the good of others, and with fervent entreaties that thee may be enabled to win souls to Christ. Thus will self-love be overcome, and a rich blessing come down upon thee. Peace on earth and good-will towards men,' is indeed the spirit of religion. Is thee not thankful that our fallen nature can be thus elevated, that creatures such as we can become conformed to the image of Jesus? We will ever look unto Him, until we shall be prepared to dwell with Him in our Father's house. * * * * * * * "What a solemn declaration is that, If the righteous scarcely are saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear!' When we reflect upon the sinfulness, the deceitfulness of our hearts, and the many temptations by which we are coutinually surrounded, we should quite despair of salvation, were it not for the justification and sanctification which are offered us in a crucified Saviour. Let us look unto Him, and believe that for His sake we shall be saved. "But it is only in a child-like obedience to His will that we can expect His blessing; we must take up the cross and follow Him. Let us remember that our every action has reference to eternity, and strive so to do, and speak and think. I am sorry, dear E., that I cannot, or rather have not, offered thee a more consistent example of devotedness to this blessed cause; and I had much rather that thee should reprove me, and even greatly condemn me for aught that is not in accordance with the Gospel precepts, than suffer me to injure thy spiritual interests, or to suppose that religion requires less than the 'captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ.' I can truly say to my Heavenly Father, 'Thy word is very pure, therefore Thy servant loveth it,' and would not bring down the standard, but rather would follow after holiness.' "There is one Christian duty, my dear E., that, together with the frequent and regular habit of reading the Scriptures, prayer and self-examination, claims our serious attention. I mean the observ ance of the Sabbath. Shall we not strive to keep it holy?' What a blessed influence it will exert upon the remaining days of the week, if thus consecrated, and what a privilege it is to turn away from worldly converse on this day to hold communion with the Father of our spirits! * * * * * * * "How strong and how enduring, dear E., is the attraction of Christian sympathy. In an unusual degree has mine for thee been solicited. Could we visit together the pleasant retreats of which I have spoken to thee, and view nature in her summer aspect, listen to the music of birds, breathe balmy air, and realize the presence of the God of love, surely our hearts would be enlarged to praise Him, and in so secluded and consecrated a temple we would together implore the spiritual blessings we need. We may enjoy this pleasure, but I am reminded by the pressure of disease that it is to the better country' that my aspirations after happiness are to be directed, and this is to me a delightful anticipation. To depart and be with Christ is far better;' for the sad influence of sin within and around us greatly interferes with that holy communion for which our souls so long: never shall we be entirely satisfied until this mortal shall have put on immortality.' But even in this sinful world, and amid the bustling scenes of a city, can the child of God enjoy many sweet foretastes of the felicity which is to be his forever in his Father's house. Let us then draw largely upon these resources; let us strive to make great attainments in spiritual blessings; let us 'hunger and thirst after righteousness.' The promise offered us is, 'Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.' "Dear E., several years have passed away since I have accepted the offers of salvation, and experienced the consolations of the Gospel. My testimony is, that not one good thing has failed me of all that the Lord hath spoken.' Often, in the time of need, have I presented the plea of the Psalmist, 'Thou hast been my help, leave me not, neither forsake me, oh Lord God of my salvation,' and always has my prayer been answered. It is most strange that, since such has been my experience of the loving-kindness of the Lord, a song of gratitude has not been ever the effusion of my heart, and that my life has not been in strict conformity with His will;-that I have not made a suitable return for so much mercy. I have been too ungrateful, too negligent, too much conformed to this world; therefore as a poor sinner I must plead the merits of my Saviour's blood, and ask for grace to help in time to come; realizing, and wishing to realize still more deeply, that 'in me, that is in my flesh, there dwelleth no good thing;' all the glory of our salvation must be given to God." - "May 20th, Sunday night. — Blessings on blessings multiplied have been granted me to-day. Nearness to God in prayer, especially in the services of the sanctuary,—a blessing upon the truths of His holy Word, and the love of Christ in striving to win others to His service. I took M.'s place in the Sunday School, and felt great interest in talking to the girls. Paid a visit to two persons who are serious, and had a very solemn time with them. I shall not soon forget this day. "June 3d. My thoughts wandered too much during the afternoon service. If there were no other happiness in heaven than freedom from wandering thoughts, it would be enough to make us long to go there. There we shall serve God without weariness. No physical debility will there be felt, and no desire that is not holiness unto the Lord. Surely it will be far better. "June 10th.This is the blessed Sabbath. The Lord has always blessed me, and I hope He will be with me all the |