Oh, let me entreat you not to be satisfied with an empty profession; it will avail you nothing when you come to die. It will plant thorns in your dying pillow, by aggravating your guilt. Let me beg of you to examine yourself closely; entreat the promise of God's Holy Spirit to convince you of sin, and lead you to Jesus. Beg of the Lord to search and try you. Plead, "Search me, O God, and know my heart;" and He will not allow you to deceive yourself. God's Spirit alone can teach you the "perfection of the heart is from the Lord;" but we must use the means. It is the Spirit alone that can make you "faithful unto the end." Remember, it is not for a week, a month; but it is for life you give yourself up to God. And "who is sufficient for these things?" Go, then, my dear sensible of your own weakness, that you are not safe for one moment but as upheld by an omnipotent arm. We are surrounded by spiritual enemies, and a traitor lodged in our own heart; but" stronger is He that is for us than all that can be against us." He has promised, "My grace is sufficient for thee;" and "as thy days, so shall thy strength be." Only seek to follow Him, and "He will never leave you nor forsake you." He is a gracious Master, a loving Saviour. He can give you such joy and peace in believing, as will make all the pleasures of the world appear as nothing, and less than nothing. Pain and suffering with Jesus, and a sense of His favour, are far more desirable than anything this world can offer. Yes, He often makes the time of greatest affliction the season for pouring in the richest consolation. "In all our afflictions He is afflicted." He is with us, and sympathizes with us. I have found it so; would that I could tell half of His love to one so guilty, vile, and continually prone to wander from Him! but I cannot find words to express His love: it is a love that must be felt, but cannot be told by such poor creatures as we are. Let me then entreat you, by His love and mercy to me, in keeping me a monument of His longsuffering mercy and free grace; and by His love to you, in putting it into your heart to seek Him, pray for grace that you may be enabled to cleave to Him with full purpose of heart: and oh, may God by His Spirit carry on His own work, and perfect it. And to Him be all the glory.

Ever your affectionate.

P.S. I was just two months older than you when I first partook of this holy ordinance, and found it good to be there; and have never regretted it: yea, I can only praise the Lord for His mercy towards me for all that is past, and desire to trust Him for all that's to come.

MY DEAREST -A happy new year to you; and may this and each succeeding year that the Lord may permit you to spend be more and more happy. It will be in proportion as we are enabled to live closely to God. The more close our walk with Him, the more happy we shall be. Let not the pleasures or the vanities of the world draw you from God. Our hearts are prone to wander, and we are light and trifling; forgetful that God's eye is always upon us, taking notice of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It has occurred to me, that I cannot find a better subject both for you and myself to begin this new year— yes, and go through it-than "Set the Lord always before you." How would a realizing sense of God's presence restrain our passions, our frivolity, and our forgetfulness; and tend to make us serious and spiritually minded? Would it not stimulate us in every duty to remember, is the eye of Him who died for me upon me, and shall I sin against Him? Shall I do that which nailed Him to the cross? Ah, no! Our cry will be, Lord, give me grace to overcome all sin,

and resist every temptation; and it will encourage us in every hour of weakness, sorrow, and difficulty. Many and great are our difficulties both from within and without; but the great Captain of our salvation says, "Fear not, I will help thee, thou worm Jacob." It is the worm Jacob; those who deeply feel their own weakness, and who like him wrestle with God, that need not fear. They shall prevail, because their God has promised they shall. May the spirit of grace and of supplication be poured out upon you and me, that we may be wrestlers at the throne of grace, and take no denial until we receive the wished-for blessing; not resting satisfied with a mere profession of the Gospel, but living in the full enjoyment of the privileges of God's children. More than this I canot wish for you. Indeed, it would be heaven begun upon earth. Oh, may God, for Christ's sake, make each one of our circle partaker of all these privileges. Let this be our constant prayer, and then in a little while we shall all join in signing Worthy is the Lamb that was slain."

MY DEAREST

Yours affectionately.

-Many, many happy returns of the day. It occurred very forcibly to me on my last birthday, that if we are really walking in the way to heaven, we are sure to have many happy returns of them; for, supposing it to be the last day we may spend on earth, the return in heaven will be very far happier, and every one our happiness will be increasing. May you and I be walking in that way. And what is that way? Jesus gives us the answer: I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me." Union with Jesus, looking to Him as our only hope of salvation. And let us remember "He has left us an example, that we should walk in His steps." The first great example He set before us, is the most disinterested self-denial. He left His throne of glory, where He was supremely happy, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was found in fashion as a man. "He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." In this verse do we not see His self-denial, deep humility, and His obedience; and does not His whole life show His laborious diligence in doing His Father's will? It was His meat and drink to do that will, and that was to work out a full and complete salvation for His people. And shall we be slothful in seeking that salvation which He was so diligent and unwearied in procuring for us? Be diligent that we be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Remember, it is the "diligent soul that shall be made fat." We are in an enemy's land, surrounded with innumerable snares and dangers; a wicked, treacherous heart within; an arduous battle to fight without; of ourselves perfectly helpless. What then must we do? Simply look to the great Captain of our salvation; and let us ever remember, what He commands He gives the power and strength to obey. Rest simply upon Him for strength. He says "My strength shall be made perfect in your weakness." Let us wrestle with Him in prayer for a supply of every want. Are we dead? He says, "I am come that ye might have life, and that ye might have it more abundantly:" and "Whosoever believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live." Are we faint? "He giveth power to the faint; to them that have no might, He increaseth strength." My dear do not rest satisfied with a low state, but plead these precious promises; and give the Lord no rest until He returns and revives His own work in your soul. Look at the prize for which you are contending; it is worth every effort. Then let us press forward to it with renewed earnestness, and may the Lord grant that you and I may be more humble and more watchful during this year. If

we are chosen in Christ, it is that we might be partakers of His holiness. I must now conclude, and may the Lord grant that we might be kept by His mighty power through faith unto salvation, is the earnest desire of your affectionate sister. (2 Pet. iii. 14.)

TO A BELOVED BROTHER IN SOUTH AMERICA.

DEAREST- —It is no small pleasure to think the time is fast arriving for us to send to you. I suppose you are now feeling the intense heat of the torrid zone, so that you enjoy the moonlight rather than the powerful heat of the sun. How much you must see of the stupendous greatness and majesty of the Almighty. What a tiny atom is man! so perfectly helpless, weak, and totally depraved. How wonderful is the work of redemption, that for such atoms our gracious God should have exhausted as it were all His power in the display of His infinite perfections, to ransom our souls from destruction. Well may. it fill our minds with adoring gratitude and love. I long to hear all that you have seen of His greatness; yes, my dear, and all you have felt of His faithfulness and love to you. I trust you have felt Him nigh, quieting every anxious care, and stilling every rising fear with His own word, "It is I, be not afraid!" I often wish I could peep in upon you. How strange must the Sabbath appear to No doubt you can now more fully enter into the feeling of the Psalmist, My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord." You can feel for me now, shut out from these privileges as I have been for so many months. I have been far from well since you left; but "all is well." My heavenly Father sees it needful for me. How gracious He is in bearing with me so long, and keeping me in His school; training me, I humbly hope, for His heavenly kingdom. How fast is time bearing us onward to that heavenly rest. Dear father uses your prayer morning and evening; aunt says she never forgets you. So you see you are remembered by many; though absent, not forgotten. But we must be content of thinking of you, and not hoping even to see you; but the Lord is with you: to Him I commend you, with earnest prayer that He will keep you in all your ways, and never leave you, and bring you home in safety Believe me ever your fond

you.

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MY DEAR -I cannot tell how much I long to hear from you; but I must wait patiently for some time longer. How sweet to remember Jehovah the Sovereign Ruler knows the best time; we must wait His will. It is no small comfort to know that the Eternal Spirit can bring some suitable word to your remembrance, when we can say nothing to be heard. I trust He is often present with you, reviving, quickening, and comforting you with His still small voice. While He is the Comforter, He is also the strength of those who trust in Him. I can fancy what your feelings must be, about to enter on a new career; a foreigner in a strange land, far from your kindred and your home: dangers besetting your every step, and perhaps no friendly voice to warn you. Rest simply upon that Almighty Arm who is faithful, and has promised to preserve you from all evil. He has promised to guide you by His counsel, and after death receive you to glory. My earnest desire is that you may know more and more of His love, and enjoy much of His presence and blessing; that the Angel of the Covenant may go before you, directing all your goings, and giving you favour with those about you. Maintain a watchful care not to offend Him, and cast your every care upon Him, and He will give you that peace which passeth

all understanding. You have a rich storehouse of promises made by a covenant God; confirmed and sealed by the blood of His dear Son. He is a wall of fire round about His people, and will keep you as the "apple of His eye;" only rely simply upon Him with quiet confidence. I confide you to His care; it is this alone that enables me to bear the painful trial of separation. You greatly mistake in thinking I can fancy you at Gloucester; the immense ocean and continent which is between us is too deeply impressed upon my mind: but it is only for a little while-it is no doubt ordered in infinite wisdom. To Him I commend you.

DEAREST -We received your first communication on my return home. How welcome was it! I often feel, when thinking of God's goodness to you, in marking out your path, and so wonderfully providing for your spiritual wants by the way, so far beyond our expectation: let us say in deed and in truth, “Ö magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." What a blessing for you to have such a nice captain. How delightful to have service on board every Sabbath. God did indeed hear and answer our prayer. What increased encourage mentto pray to Him. He has often promised, "Whatever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive." It has occurred to my mind that when we earnestly desire any spiritual blessing either for ourselves or others, we should pray with humble confidence. As it is from God all good desires come, He would not give the desire if He did not intend to grant it. I have been marking of late how often did the Saviour in His last discourse with His disciples, repeat the promise that if they "asked anything in His name He would do it." He appears to have come down to our weak faith, knowing how prone we are to doubt His willingness to accept us. But surely we should never again doubt His love. We know not what are His designs in sending you away; but one thing we may be assured of, they are all gracious and good. He does indeed seem to have marked out your path for you. I trust a great blessing will rest upon you. To our gracious God I commend you.

[NOTE.-The proof of the foregoing Letters was placed in our hands an hour or to prior to the departure for a far distant land of our own beloved second son. The sweetness and appropriateness of these letters, under the circumstances, is better felt than expressed. Suffice it to say, they did seem to us as words from the Lord, more especially as it was our privilege to know personally all the parties concerned. The Lord was in a very special way with the absent brother to whom these letters were addressed. May He be equally with our dear absent one. Readers dear readers—we ask your prayers on his behalf. Had not the Lord appeared for us, and made very clear His holy mind in regard to our loved one's movements, we feel as though we never could have surrendered him; but at the last extremity, in the most marked way, the Lord took the whole matter out of our hands, and now to the Lord alone can we commit and commend him. -"Brethren, pray for us."-ED.]

All that will follow Christ must do it in His livery-they must take up their This is a very harsh and unpleasant article of the Gospel to a carnal mind, but the Scriptures conceal it not.-Leighton.

cross.

"THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST, AND THE GLORY THAT SHOULD FOLLOW."

1 Pet. i. 11.

MUCH as the mind of man is susceptible of and affected with the sufferings of his fellow creatures (for we have heard it remarked, though we have never witnessed it, that whole audiences have wept flools of tears at the theatrical representations of some tragic events recorded in history), yet he stands in his most melting mood and sensitive moments entirely unmoved at the afflictions, pains, and sufferings of Jesus, the man of sorrows, and the only one acquainted with grief in all its diversified forms, however eloquently and feelingly they are expatiated upon by the ministers of the word. Is not this, we ask, a proof of his lost and undone condition, being therein dead to God, callous to all spiritual feeling, and indifferent to the realization of high and heavenly things? Further, do we not discover in this wretched stupidity (for we include the whole human family in this charge, whether refined by education or example, or unpolished in manners, high or low, rich or poor, for God accepteth no man's person), the necessity for divine illumination, with the impartation of regenerating grace, ere the sinner can appreciate Christ, have fellowship with Him in His sufferings, and receive of His gracious words? It is only by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit that any one is brought to sit in a childlike mind at the feet of Jesus, weep tears of repentance and sorrow over His mangled head, hands, feet, and side; all which wounds were occasioned by the sins and transgressions of His people, and to which He cheerfully submitted for their salvation. The apostle Peter was honoured of His Lord and Master during His sojourn upon earth, above most of the other disciples, for he was admitted to scenes which they were not privileged to behold. We find him on the Mount of Transfiguration, having a sight of Jesus in His glory; where such was the effulgence thereof, that His raiment as well as His countenance was white and glistening, when he cried out in a transport of heavenly joy, in which it appears his feelings overcame the solemnity of the occasion, "Lord, it is good for us to be here." Again, we see him in the garden of Gethsemane, placed in sight of that scene of suffering, love, and woe, of which his Master was the subject in His meritorious passion; and, after the resurrection from the dead, Christ appeared to Peter apart from the rest of the disciples, as though He would magnify His compassion and grace towards the weakness of His ardent follower, and assure him that His love to him remained unaffected by his denial of Him by oaths and curses. Thus, from the time of his call at the Sea of Galilee, he was present with Him in His fatiguing perambulations through the country; and, by sharing in all His privations and sorrows upon earth, he was blessedly constituted, and that in a high degree, a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and by regenerating grace a partaker of the glory that should hereafter be revealed.

In the text we have two features of Gospel truth presented to our consideration, which cannot, any more than cause and effect, be separated from each other ::

I. The sufferings of Christ.

II. The glory that should follow.

1. The sufferings of Christ. Now, Christ as God was infinitely above all suffering; but by becoming man He partook of a nature that was feeble and exposed

D