the business done, the duties performed, the mercies received, the frames of soul experienced, the dispensations of Providence allotted, with the sins of omission and commission of the past day. By this means we may always see ourselves as in a glass, and observe what proficiency we make in the school of Christ. Whatever we do, let faith in the Son of God be kept in constant exercise, and run through every duty. For this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' This uniform attention to the actings of faith will make us keep the mark for the prize of our high calling constantly in our view. Let us moreover ever remember, that all our expectations of pardon, sanctification, and saving mercy, must be derived from Christ, the fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness, who is our hope, the hope of Israel, and the Saviour thereof. Whatever corruptions we see in ourselves, let us lay them all at the foot of the cross; for he who was suspended on that accursed tree has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, and with his stripes we are healed. How amazing are the transactions of redeeming love! Our hearts must be dead indeed, if we are not quickened by the contemplation of it. We shall, I believe, always find our souls enlivened, our graces invigorated, and our affections spiritualized, in proportion to our humble, steady, cheerful dependance on Christ, our blessed surety, for all those supplies of which we stand in need. In holy writ, the Redeemer is styled the Lord our Righteousness. What a treasure is there in that epithet! O, my dear friend, I desire to rest satisfied, and to stand complete in the righteousness which is of God by faith. View it, I entreat you, incessantly, and particularly under deep afflictions and discouragements;

fix your soul in the lowest abasement at the foot of the cross, and at all events dare to cry, O, my Saviour, who hung, and who bled, and who died upon it; my wisdom, my righteousness, my sanctification, my all in all, in thee do I trust!" Blessed be God, however spiritual frames, affections,

variable we may be in our or dispositions of soul, yet Christ is the same to-day, yesterday, and for ever, and may be safely trusted. All he has done-all he has suffered-all he is now doing, is in behalf of the believer; and therefore, although we walk in darkness, and see no light, though we even walk through the valley of the shadow of death, yet may we trust in the name of the Lord, and stay ourselves upon our God. His people may seem to suffer the same things as others do, but he wonderfully supports them, sanctifies their sufferings, and changes their very nature, so that they come from love, and taste of love. All their crosses are marked with love. In the hour of affliction, his language is, "I will be with thee in trouble.' When conflicting with the great enemy, listen to his declaration, Stand still, and see the salvation of God.' When visited with sickness, hearken to his promise, I will make thy bed in thy sickness.? When oppressed with poverty, his cheering voice proclaims, I know thy poverty, but thou art rich. When ready to faint under

6

losses and bereavements, this is his language,

I am

thy shield and great reward.

Even at the approach

of death, the voice from the excellent glory declares,

• He that believeth in me shall never die.'

And to

complete the bliss, even when standing at the judg ment-seat, the divine Redeemer says to all his believing people,Lift up your heads with joy, for now your redemption draweth nigh.' In all these cases of distress, ever remember that he acts as Jesus, and saves

from them all; not indeed from their approach, but most certainly from their injurious effects. They come, but it is for good; he permits the disease to seize on them, that he may show his almighty power to heal. He suffers his children to be put into the burning fiery furnace, to show that fire can have no power over them, nay, that the very smell of it cannot pass even upon the garments of those who are under his keeping. O what a friend is this! Surely there can be none like him! Such a friend, and better and greater far, you may, and, I doubt not, shall find him, as your faith increases, and your dependance upon him becomes more habitual. He is every thing to

his people which they can desire; a propitiation for their sins, light in darkness, life in death, the way wherein they must walk, the door by which they must enter, and the garment which they must put on. So says the infallible word of God, that word which I would recommend to my dear friend to make her study as much as her health would admit. In that word are truths pure and unmixed,-truths without the least taint of error, the infallible and perfect will of God itself. Treasure it up, then, in your memory; learn it well, and inwardly digest it; you will find it as necessary to your soul as food is to your body; therefore feed upon it, and nourish your soul with it. As you say, that you are sometimes under the necessity of being in vain company, which doubtless must be burdensome to a soul in pursuit of higher gratifications and more substantial pleasures, allow me to request of you to examine your heart as follows-Am I willing that those I at any time converse with should know that it is my determined resolution to work out my salvation with fear and trembling? Am I willing to risk my reputation so far as not to be ashamed to be thought

more serious than the world around me? Have I given proof of this when in the company of those who are otherwise disposed? Have I had courage to think, to speak, and to act, in opposition to their opinions and practices; and have I done so when necessary, upon the very spot?—There is nothing in this age which can so much evidence the determination of our wills for God, as such a conduct in the world; and much need have we, especially in times like the present, of the assistance of the Holy Spirit, to enlighten our minds, to keep open our eyes, and to confirm our hearts in such a resolution; but we shall not fail if we pray as we ought, and seek for greater humiliation under a sense of past miscarriages. I received, the other day, an account of the experience of a young person on her death-bed, which, as it is both comfortable and encouraging, I shall insert without apology. My mind,' said she, has been kept in perfect peace and composure, intermixed sometimes with lively views of the glory that is to be revealed. I have no doubts,

nor any fears of death; I am happy. I beg you to press on, and not to faint by any means.

I can assure you that you shall be well recompensed; the reward is present as well as future. I would not part with the knowledge which I have of God in Jesus Christ, for ten thousand worlds; I only lament that I have done no more for the glory of God, and lived no more to promote it. Beg all to pray for me that I may wait the Lord's time, and glorify him by a patient submission, as becomes a humble penitent sinner under the chastening of an Almighty God, and most merciful Father in Christ. I have been taken out of bed but once this fortnight. My disease is worse, attended with most violent pain, and such excessive thirst as is almost insupportable. I am passing a time of the

greatest trial; but Satan is kept under. I have peace, hope, and joy beyond expression; but I still find myself a corrupted creature, and have the greatest reason to cry with my latest breath, God be merciful to me a sinner! I have no wish to return to life again, but I desire to wait God's time with patience."

"In this young person's happy death, we receive a testimony of the power and grace of the Redeemer. It is a peculiar blessing, my dear friend, that you are resigned to his will, and that you can see that the sting of death is removed. O may all who suffer by your illness be equally submissive, and not the worse but the better for the cross! I am and shall be earnest at the throne of grace on your behalf, that the Lord may pour out upon you the influences of his Holy Spirit, that what he calls you to, he may fit you for; but you have a better intercessor than I am, whom the Father heareth always. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, be your support under, and do you good by this dispensation. Believe me to be, more than I can express, your sincere and affec

tionate friend."

The family usually left Taymouth at the close of the autumn. This year, it would seem, they had taken their departure sooner, for Lady Glenorchy was in London early in October. This probably was intended by her friends to divert her mind from those serious subjects which occupied it. Aware of the danger attending this return to the seat and centre of dissipation, she had made up her mind to resist it, and had informed Miss Hill of her determination. In this resolution her friend endeavoured to confirm her, by addressing to her the following letter.