in the Prayer-Book. In its language I close my long letter: Unto God's gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore, Amen.'"

To the same.

"GREENWOOD, Oct. 31st, 1853.

"I need not assure thee, dear S., that thy last two letters met a very welcome reception, nor that I am only prevented from the frequent expression of my many affectionate thoughts by physical inability. How much I wish thee could be with us this evening! We would ask thee to recline on the sofa. How glad I should be, my own dear S., if thee could be often there. Very pleasant to me is the recollection of our former intercourse, and still more pleasant is the reflection that thy fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.' Truly, this is communion sweet, communion large and high.' Has thee ever thought much of the passage, The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them his covenant'? It is to me full of meaning, and has excited many desires for its complete experience.

"One of my friends, who is now an established and active Christian, informed me that in the earlier years of her religious life her attention was attracted by the term 'covenant,' and she endeavored to ascertain the meaning by the careful examination of every text in which it is contained. The Holy Spirit has taught her the security and blessedness of the 'better covenant,' and she now, in the midst of great suffering, rejoices in 'the sure mercies of David.'

"How great is my consolation, dear S., that 'in the Lord Jehovah' thee also has found 'everlasting strength;' and I feel well assured that this confidence has not been disturbed by a recurrence of the symptoms which remind thee of the frailty of thy earthly tabernacle, and yet that earthly tabernacle is so dear to those who love thee, that they are glad to believe that thy present indisposition is less serious than that which so greatly exercised their apprehension a year since.

"Do write to us soon, for we think of thee with tenderness and solicitude. I hoped to have seen thee soon, nor will relinquish this anticipation.

"Believe me, dear S., as ever, and forever, thy affectionate friend."

Earnest commiseration for the outcast and wretched, the spirit of Him who came to seek and to save that which was lost, breathes in the subjoined:

Letter to a Prisoner.

"Nov. 1852.

"I read the note which contains your request that I would ask mercies for you, with tearful eyes and prayerful heart. Yes, my poor fellow-sinner, I will pray for you again and again, and trust that the Holy Spirit who has prompted your desire, and enabled me to fulfil it, will raise up His power and come unto you, and with great might succor you.' I trust He will 'reprove you of sin, of righteousness and of judgment;' that He will take of the things of Jesus, and show them unto you. 'Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and yo shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you ;' is our Redeemer's exhortation and promise. What earnest importunity is required by this injunction, and how firm should be our reliance upon the faithfulness of Him who has given us this gracious promise!

"I am not acquainted with the peculiarities of your situation. It is enough for me to know that you have sinned against God, and desire His forgiveness. He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.' 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.' 'Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.'

"Have you ever examined your heart and life by the test of the ten commandments, and considered that the necessity of obedience extends to every thought, as well as every action of your life? Have you ever carefully reviewed the summary of these commands which our Saviour has given us, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself'? Surely we have all sinned, and come short of the glory of God, and I trust you deeply feel that it would be just in Him to condemn you to everlasting banishment from all that is holy, all that is happy. It has been sometimes said, 'God is merciful, and if we sincerely repent and amend our lives, we shall thus secure the pardon of our past offences.' But if this were so, His word would not be true, for He has said, 'The soul that sinneth, it shall die.' 'Without shedding of blood there is no remission,' and if repentance and reformation were the conditions upon which salva

The heart is

It is, therefore, Oh, Israel, thou

tion were offered to the sinner, he could not comply. deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.' incapable of true repentance, or of holiness of life. hast destroyed thyself.' Is this your experience? Has the Holy Spirit revealed to you the sinfulness of your past life, and the depravity of your nature? And do you feel that you are helpless and undone? Are you weary of sin, and of yourself? Oh, then, listen to the gentle voice which says, 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' The merciful Saviour who gives you this invitation, has paid the penalty your transgressions have required. * 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Whosoever believeth in Him.' Will you not at once accept this salvation purchased at so great a price, and yet so freely offered? To as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even unto them that believe in His name.'

* *

"It is true that God requires you to repent, and obey His laws. Every sin must be washed away, every thought must be purified, every sinful practice renounced forever. Our Heavenly Father will have no unholy children. Our Saviour came to save us from our sins, not in them. But we must go to Jesus as we are, that we may be made what we ought to be. We must even go to Him for grace to repent of our sins. 'For Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel.' We must go to Jesus for the very faith which receives Him. 'Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith,' we must appropriate Him as 'the Lord our righteousness.' He will then become the principle of every holy action. He will teach us our Heavenly Father's will, and give us strength to obey it. He will sympathize with every sorrow, sustain us in every time of need, cheer us in the hour of death, and shelter us at the day of judgment. Oh, flee for refuge to the hope which is set before you.

"Give a message for me. Tell me what blessings you would have me implore for you, but depend alone upon the advocacy of Him who ever liveth to make intercession for us.' He is the faithful and precious Saviour of the Christian friend who visits you."

CHAPTER XXIV.

1853.

Unexpected Continuance-Epistolary Efforts-Various Letters-To a Bereaved Parent-Urgent Persuasive to a Youth-To another, pressing Immediate Repentance-Remarks upon the Psalms-To R. S.— Interest in the Colored Raco-Congratulatory to a Young DiscipleDescription of Visit from Dr. Kelley-Work of Grace in Madeira The Awakened Romanist Social Affections-Youthful Aspirations -The True Church of Christ-To Rev. J. H. Fowles in Illness.

CONTRARY to her own expectations, and beyond even the hopes of her friends, the life of Miss Allibone was prolonged from year to year. And each added year was a period of increased devotion and usefulness. The diminution of her bodily strength seemed not to affect the energy and sprightliness of her mind. Although the outward man was perishing, the inward man was renewed day by day. Cut off by increased weakness from some opportunities of doing good, she availed herself more fully of such means as were still within her reach. Of these, one of the most important was her correspondence. Early in the year 1851 she expressed the apprehension that her days of letter-writing were nearly over. This, however, proved not to be the case, to the great comfort and edification of her correspondents. The difficulty attendant on dictation or on pencilling her letters upon a slate, with closed eyes, did not prevent them from being frequent and full. And these memorials of her industry and friendship are more abundant in the last years of her life,

and not less rich, instructive and delightful. Her epistolary efforts have the charm of graceful elegance and conversational ease, while replete with elevated sentiment and holy unction. They are the unstudied outpourings of a warm, sympathizing, sanctified affection, and while specially prized by those who received them, cannot fail to gratify and interest every reader. They indicate also increasing spiritual joy and delight in the Lord, enlarging views and ever-brightening hopes. Hers was manifestly the path of the just, shining more and more unto the perfect day; the progress of one who went from strength to strength, until she appeared before God in Zion.

To Mrs. C. S. O.

"January, 1853.

"I do not believe I have an absent friend who loves me so well as thee does, dearest and very often does my heart prompt an expression of its own warm affection. The long, pleasant talks we have had are among my treasured recollections, and the storehouse of memory is always open with the hope that her riches will be increased. Thee can scarcely imagine the pleasure I derive from the reflection that refreshing sanctuary privileges are thy portion. O! that your spiritual teacher may be anointed more and more, and that the holy oil may be poured into every heart in your congregation. Sister E. may have told thee, dear that several members of her Bible class are seriously impressed. Do include E.'s class in thy daily petitions, and ask also that I may be so instructed that I shall be enabled to say, 'Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world!' We may pass beyond the elements of human knowledge, but the beginning of religious truth is always its end. I have been favored with an unusual number of clerical visits lately, but I doubt not thee has been informed of passing events. I shall not soon forget a most refreshing conversation with Mr. Fowles, a few weeks since. He expatiated upon the goodness which leadeth to repentance, with deep feeling; and I felt, when he left me, an earnest desire to draw more largely from the treasury of grace.

"My letter must have an abrupt conclusion; not so, beloved, the love of thine own."