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been saved any other way, I would not have accepted it. O how often was that word in my mouth and heart!

Having done all, by faith I stand,

And give the praise, O Lord, to thee;
Thy holy arm, thy own right hand

Hath got thyself the victory."

All this time the Lord kept me, as to outward things, like an infant in its mother's arms. I put in practice my first resolution, and had no other thought but of devoting myself to God in a single life: only I remember I sometimes thought, were I to be married to Mr. Fletcher, would he not be rather an help, than an hinderance to my soul? But it was only a thought, and had arisen from what some friends said to me on the subject.

As I desired to be the Lord's, and to spend all I had to his glory, I sometimes carried this desire too far, and did not allow myself quite what was needful. My exercises were greater than I had been used to, and I was seized with a complaint in my bowels. I thought if I had some spice boiled in water, and Port wine with it, it would help me, but I was unwilling to get it. However, my Heavenly Father took care for that. He knows what we have need of before we ask, for at that very time a relation called and brought me a quantity of spice as a present; and the very next day my father called in his chariot, and brought me a hamper of Port wine, neither of them knowing any thing of my wants! I therefore received it as immediately from the Lord. And I could give a variety of instances of the same nature. It seemed I could hardly think of a thing, but it was brought to me. O how true is that promise, "What is given up for God, shall be restored manifold in this present life. Before the Lord

*Who can deny this great salvation, without denying the truth and power of God? But oh! how few seek it! Ed.

At that time Mr. Wesley's Assistant in London.

made me to wander from my father's house, a particular person used to upbraid me with that reflection, "You will soon find the difference between your father's house, and such poking holes as you will live in.-There you will not have one inch but the common street; whereas you have been used to large and fine gardens, in which you much delighted. And how tired you will be of such trash as you provide, instead of the plentiful provision of his table. Before you have lived so for six months, I will engage you will wish yourself back again, and your religion out of the way."

But was it so? O Lord, thou knowest! "Thou didst feed me as with the finest wheat flour, and with water out of the stoney rock did thou satisfy me." All I could want, all I could desire was bountifully supplied. When I have sometimes been reflecting on my situation, inward and outward, I have remembered that word, The meek shall inherit the earth. Glory be to thee, O Lord, Thou hast meekened my spirit, and Thou makest me to possess all things. Often I have said in amazement-What can I fear? I have no desire : the will of God swallows up all! My Jesus and my all! my Jesus and my all for

ever!

END OF THE FIRST PART.

PART THE SECOND.

Her removal to Layton-stone.

I EXPERIENCED daily more and more of the tender

care of the Almighty; and often felt those words with power,

"No fondest parent's anxious breast,

Yearns like thy God's to make thee blest."

Every want was supplied before I could ask it; nay, many times before I was conscious of the want. My maid was but dull and ignorant, though a good girl; and I knew little more of the world than she did, having been used to so different a way of life. My health, and many concerns needed a care I did not know how to take. But if at any time such an idea would offer to my mind, I checked it in a moment with that thought—I have the Gospel. I have freedom to serve God; I have spiritual blessings. What more can I need? and truly, I rather saw than felt my wants. Nevertheless, now and then, I have said, Would not a steady faithful friend be a great advantage to me ?-One who could lead me into a deeper acquaintance with God. But I sought it not; all my cares on Him were cast, and in His will I found my resting-place, and in quietness and confidence was my strength.

At this juncture, I received a letter from Mrs. Ryan, informing me she was coming up to London. She had left Bristol Room some time before, her health not per

mitting her to continue in that place. She informed me she was settled in a lodging, but she saw it her duty to "for I come up to London a few months for my sake; reap (said she) of your substance, and so do many ; but the Lord shows me that at present you suffer for the want of a friend, (referring to what I had written to her,) and I think he has ripened and confirmed that solid spark of friendship, which was so long ago kindled in our breasts towards each other. It seems to me as if the Lord had laid your burden on me, as he once committed the care of Mary to Joseph, and afterward to the favoured disciple." She concluded

"Jesus, to thy preserving care,

My choicest blessing I commend;
Receive, and on thy bosom bear,

The soul whom thou hast made my friend."

I spread my friend's letter before the Lord, and praised him for laying my burden on the heart of one, whom I knew to be a favourite of Heaven. I answered, that I should be very glad to see her. She had not been long at her sister's before she was seized with a violent disorder, which we thought would end in death. I visited her often, and with much profit. Mrs. M. being taken ill also, and only one servant to attend them both, I believed it my duty to be with her night and day; and the Lord gave me such strength and ability for it, as I had never found before. I felt his peculiar smile on my employment, and those words, which had formerly made such an impression on my mind, were now continually before me,

"O that my Lord would count me meet
To wash his dear disciples' feet;

After my lowly Lord to go,
And wait upon his saints below;

Enjoy the grace to angels given,
And serve the royal heirs of heaven."

As she slept little, we conversed much, and our hearts were united as David and Jonathan's. The spirit of community which reigned in the church at Jerusalem, I felt a taste of; and from that time to her death, the cold words of mine and thine, were never known between us. A circumstance which now occurred unexpectedly constrained her to remove. I took her home with me, but not till I had inquired of the Lord, well knowing how much the progress of the divine life depends on our private connexions. Unless much caution is used between persons living together, they are often a great hinderance to each other.

After a time the Lord was pleased to restore her to health; and having one heart, one mind, and one purse, we agreed that one habitation also would be most profitable. The Lord had given us to feel that union which even death itself could not dissolve. I have often thought on those words of Solomon, "A faithful friend is the medicine of life, and he that fears the Lord shall find him." Some however objected-" Your income is as yet but small; you wish to be useful; why then did you not choose, as a friend, one who had some fortune to unite with your own, and that might have enlarged your sphere?" I answered, I did not choose at all. I stood still, saw, and followed the order of God. And if my means had been enlarged in money, and lessened in grace, what should I have gained by that? I acknowledge I neither gained honour, gold, nor indulgence to the flesh, by uniting myself to a sickly persecuted saint; but I gained such a spiritual helper as I shall eternally praise God for. Many are the advocates of friendship. Many will say, with Dr. Young.

"Poor is the friendless master of a world.

A world in purchase for a friend is gain."

But they refuse the sacrifice demanded by that friendship, and forget the following lines,

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