CHAPTER XIV.

1843.

Success of her Efforts for the Young-Recent Illustration-Enjoyment of the Holy Communion - Letter to R. S. on the Scriptures - Letter to J. H. S.- False Doctrines - Dr. Clark's Illness Prospect of Sudden Death- Miss B.'s Illness Letters of Condolence - Hortatory Letters to a Lady.

THE reader will have been enabled to form some idea, from the foregoing extracts, of the ardent desires to bring her fellowcreatures to the enjoyment of the Gospel hope by which Miss Allibone was influenced. Her zeal was indeed ever burning, and her love for the souls of men constant and overflowing. It passed by none whom it could reach and win. All for whom Christ died were embraced within her expansive charity. Her love for the Redeemer was extended to the redeemed. And her interest in the spiritual and eternal welfare of those around her was as sincerely felt for the poor, the ignorant and the humble, as for those invested with all that was attractive and dazzling. To the intellectual, the accomplished, the opulent and admired she spoke with the fidelity and persuasiveness of a Christian friend; while the unlettered and unrefined were no less the objects of her fervent prayers and affectionate solicitations. Much did she rejoice when success crowned these efforts; when she was permitted to see the tear of penitence glisten in the eye, and to hear the cry for mercy arise from the burdened breast. Nothing was more reviving to her heart than indications of anxiety for eternal life in any of those who attended her instructions. It could be truly said of her that she had meat to eat which the world knew not of. Her Diary for 1843, although containing but few entries, notices with exceeding joy and gratitude the

evidences of the divine blessing upon her labors for the

young.

"February. One or two Sundays since I was suffering such acute pain, that, although I was in a peaceful frame of mind, I could scarcely think with animation-when E., who is the joy of my heart, talked so sweetly of heavenly things, and interested me in comparing texts of Scripture in which our blessed Saviour is compared with light, bread, &c., that I was quite raised above the infirmities of the body.

"March 26th, 1843, Sunday.-Very, very solemn feelings. this night. Have been praying with Sister F. and ——— with my whole heart, that we may be prepared to meet the Saviour. I have cast myself long since, and again and again do I renew the consecration, upon the mercy of God in Christ Jesus-my only hope-dedicating all that I am and have to His service. I have sinned and come short, but the fulness of Jesus is the supply of my every want.

“My heart was rejoiced, yesterday, by a letter from one of my boys, expressive of the deepest spiritual interest. Several of the girls are serious.

"I hope I shall never have a will of my own. Yet, although in one great affliction, I have been even preserved from murmuring, I would only rely upon special grace for the endurance of any trial. I love to depend upon God for every spiritual gift. O that my heart were filled with gratitude for His mercy towards my scholars! I was formerly almost overwhelmed with delight when but one of them became serious, and now I have again and again new subjects for thanksgiving. I have reason to trust that more than six of them have recently given their hearts to Jesus, and quite a number are very seriously impressed. I often see that is silently praying for a blessing while I am talking with the other boys.

"In the midst of my joy I have had a great trial, in the sudden death of my beautiful little Caroline, one of the most

interesting and attentive of the Saturday class. She always sat close beside me, and listened with earnest and sometimes tearful attention. I remember, she one day leaned her head on my lap and wept, while I begged her to give her heart to Jesus. She was at the public school on Wednesday, and on Friday morning was in eternity. She had not one interval of reason. Is not this a solemn lesson? Ought it not to

teach me to be very faithful?

"Two of the most interesting letters I have ever seen I have received from, one of the Tuesday evening boys. He rejoices in Jesus. O, my Father, teach me how to speak to these lambs of Thy fold, of the gentle Shepherd, of Jesus. The spiritual gift I have been asking this long time is grace to speak to Jesus, that those whom I am striving to win to His service may see that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life,' and come at once to Him."

The following incident, not a solitary one of the kind, which occurred since her decease, is an illustration of the extensive good which she was the instrument of accomplishing, and of the germination of the good seed, so diligently scattered, after her earthly labors had ceased:

"It is about two months since a young man called to see Miss Allibone, for the purpose of expressing his gratitude for the interest she had taken in his spiritual welfare. During his residence in the village he was in the habit of calling frequently to see her, to receive counsel. He removed to the city, and became very dissipated, but never forgot the words of admonition he had heard from her lips; and these recollections pursued him so constantly and powerfully, that he was often afraid to sleep at night. A sermon which he heard last winter increased these convictions to such a degree that he said, 'If Miss Susan had not taught me where to flee, and how I ought to go to Jesus, I should have despaired of mercy. I came this afternoon to rejoice with her, and I am so sorry

not to find her.' He appeared to be sincerely repentant, and to have found 'peace in believing.''

"14th, Good Friday.-I have earnestly prayed this day, that I may not suffer spiritual loss from the privation of the services of the sanctuary, but that I may realize the sufferings of Jesus, and live and trust Him more than ever. Sometimes my heart is deeply touched, while I think of all my Saviour has done, but often it is very cold, and never is it duly sensible of His love. Surely, no one has more reason to prize it than I, and no one deserves it less.

"April 29th.-I have just had an interview with which has awakened inexpressible feeling, -- such feeling as one who has yearned in the bowels of Jesus Christ' over one deeply loved only can know. He has been, of late, increasingly serious, and it has given me great consolation to resign him to the operations of the Holy Spirit, who has been teaching him lessons of contrition, and increasing his interest in spiritual things. Nearly eighteen months ago I was enabled to cast him with peculiar faith upon the Saviour, and lately I have trusted that I should see the realization of my hopes.

"May 27th. I should be glad to make some record of the interesting events which are continually occurring, but I cannot always without neglecting other duties. Especially would I remember the refreshing Communion season I enjoyed a few weeks since, when I was enabled to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith, with feelings of inexpressible peace. Dear Mr. N. administered the Communion, and read a sermon upon the love of Christ, which was very sweet, and accompanied with a blessing. How mistaken are those who look upon these ordinances as lifeless forms! Though I know they are lifeless indeed without the Spirit's power, still the Lord does bless the ordinances of His appoint

ment.

To her cousin R. Smith.

"Feb. 5, 1843.

"I received your letter, dear Robert, with a thankful heart, as it inspires the hope that you are heeding the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit, and will no longer refuse the offers of salvation.

"The information that you have renounced the companionship of those who would injure your best interests is very gratifying; and in reference to this step, I would remind you of the promise contained in the 17th and 18th verses of the 6th chapter of 2d Corinthians. I once heard this sweet assurance repeated with a faltering voice and tone of earnestness by a young Christian friend, who is now enjoying, in the realms of glory, eternal communion with Him, at whose bidding he cheerfully renounced all unsanctified pleasure in the very morning of his days. Like yourself he was an orphan, and had an only brother who was a few years older than himself. Although his disposition was lively, and his fortune so large that he could have gratified any desire for earthly pleasure, he became one of the most watchful, self-denying disciples of our Saviour I have ever known. He confessed this blessed Redeemer in the rites of His own appointment, and not very long after was gladdened by his brother's participation in the same joys which filled his heart. They both became the subjects of the disease to which almost all their kindred have fallen victims-consumption, and are now rejoicing together that they obeyed the call, 'Come out from among them, and be ye separate.'

"Your brother, dear Robert, has passed the boundary which divides the children of God from those who know Him not. When he was aroused to a realization of his deep depravity, his heart was filled with sorrow, but now, that he has come to Jesus, it has become the abode of peace, for he experiences that the Saviour's 'yoke is easy, and His burden light.' In a very interesting letter I received from him a week or two since, he expresses the deepest interest in your welfare. Shall I not hope, my dear cousin, that his earnest prayer and mine will be answered, and that, with the angels in heaven, we shall rejoice over your conversion?

"You sometimes fear that your petitions do not ascend on High, and thus would Satan persuade you that it is in vain that you seek God, and win you to closer allegiance to his service. Oh! do not heed these suggestions, but plead the promises of God. I should like you to pray over each verse of the 55th chapter of Isaiah and the 15th chapter of Luke. If you would realize feelings of deep