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of the real. I am just going to a prayermeeting, where you will be introduced, if you think proper, among that 'poor and afflicted people, which the Lord said he would leave in Zion.'

-I arose, and followed my guide towards the place, with strong expectations of improve

ment.

THE PRAYER-MEETING.

-My guide led me into a room upon the first-floor of a dwelling, in which every thing, around indicated the humble circumstances of the owner, where we found several persons assembled for the purpose of devotion. They had just began their evening-service, and were engaged in singing an hymn as we entered. The words of the hymn were interesting; and, as I thought, not inapplicable to my state and circumstances:

"Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,

Full of pity join'd with power," &c.

-The hymn was followed up by prayer, which issued from a voice that I thought I had heard before. And it was an agreeable surprise to me, at the close of it, to recognize in the person praying, the countenance of the Poor Man, whose observations at the churchporch had made such impressions upon me. He noticed me also, and with that kind of regard which seemed to say, 'I am glad to see you here.' But the purport of the meeting so occupied his whole attention, that he appeared to have no leisure for other objects. By what followed, I was led to conclude, that if any place of pre-eminence was found in this hum ble circle, it was his province. For as soon as the prayer was ended, and the company seated, he took up the Bible, which lay upon the table bes fore him, and read, from the part where it happened to open, the 16th Psalm. I could not be mistaken as to the number of the Psalm by what followed in his observations upon it. *

THE POOR MAN'S EXPERIENCE.

'In relating my experience, (he said,) of the LORD's gracious dealings with my soul, I desire

to acknowledge, to the praise of the glory of wherein he hath made me accepted in grace, the Beloved,' that I can, with all humility of mind, adopt this language of the Psalmist, and say as he did, 'The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup. He maintaineth my lot.' Since that blessed period, when it pleased GOD to call me by his grace, and to quicken my soul which was before dead in trespasses and sins,' through a long series of five-andtwenty years, I have been learning, by little and little, to discover more and more of my own emptiness and poverty, and of the infinite fulness and suitability which is in the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus to supply all my wants. And the attainment to which at length, under the teaching of GOD the Holy Ghost, I am arrived, is to know, that Jesus is the only portion of his people, for there is salvation in no other. The inheritance lost in the first Adam can only be recovered in the second. Jesus is the fountain of all blessings, temporal, spiritual, and eternal. 'Men-shall be blessed in HIM.' And out of him there is not a single favour provided for any of the bankrupt race of Adam's children And it is my peculiar mercy, and a lesson which I have learnt from our Great Master in the Lord's school, that while the

Blessed Spirit declares in his Church, that 'the Lord's portion is his people, Jacob is the lot to his inheritance; my heart can make reply to the sweet sound, from the persuasion of a reciprocal interest in the Redeemer, the Lord is the portion of MINE inheritance, and of my cup. Thou maintainest my lot*.'

"It hath not been, however, without many hard lessons to flesh and blood, with which I have been exercised, that I have arrived to this knowledge. It was a long time before I could rightly understand, and still longer before I could rightly relish, when understood, the humiliating doctrine of living out of myself, and living wholly upon another. The pride of my heart continually revolted at the idea of depending, like the beggar at the gate, for my daily supply. Though the heavenly manna became doubly sweet by its freshness, yet I frequently found a rising desire within me to have a little stock, which I might call my own. And even now, though repeated lessons ought to have taught me better, and though the preciousness of every gift is enhanced by its being received immediately out of the hand of the

Compare Deut. xxxii. 9, with Psalm xvi. 5, for a precious evidence of this doctrine.

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gracious Giver; yet such is the remaining power of the unhumbled pride of my heart, that I discover much rebellion at times rising within. And I am prompted very frequently to tell my heavenly Instructor, that surely now I might without danger, be rendered somewhat more independent. Blessed be the patience of him with whom I have to do, that whenever this is the case, (so very gracious and condescending is he,) a renewal of my old lessons soon sets all to rights again, and makes me bless his holy Name, that I am placed under a wiser and better direction than my own. By carrying my forgetful heart back to the first principles of learning in the divine science, and by calling to mind my original stock, and present measure of indwelling corruption, I learn the peculiar blessedness of having 'all my fresh springs in him.' And the sweetness of this life, when grace is in exercise, is inexpressible. While I am enabled to see that Jesus is my portion, every dispensation comes in a way of mercy. When my heart is under the assurance that My Lord is in it, it matters not what it is. His presence alone hath the wonderful property of converting crosses and pains into enjoyments and pleasures. Every affliction which comes directed by his hand, hath the sure

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