When we receive nourishment from the bread that cometh down from heaven,' like the disciples, we are inclined to cry, Lord, evermore give us this bread.' But how soon do we loathe it, as did the Israelites the manna; and as they asked for meat, so do we rashly ask for that which, if granted, brings a curse with it. We provoke the Most High by our sins, yet he exercises forbearance, restores us from our wanderings, forgives us graciously, and loves us freely.' Each instance of this brings us under new and more binding obligations to live near to God, to use more diligently the means which he has provided for our strength and comfort,—means which he has engaged to grant us all our journey through.' 6 "After the Israelites entered the promised land, and commemorated their deliverance from bondage by celebrating the passover, and ate of the corn of the land, which was soon to be theirs for a possession, the manna ceased, neither did it any more descend. Though the food they had so long eaten was not to be complained of nor despised, yet that which they now partook must have been truly grateful to their taste, and they must (it would seem) have thankfully enjoyed this gift, as a proof that greater good was yet in store for them. "May we not expect that the support which our heavenly Father grants us through prayer, his holy word, and the ordinances of the sanctuary, will in like manner be continued to us untill we cross the Jordan of death, enter the promised rest, and with the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles,' commemorate our redemption from sin, and celebrate the marriage supper of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem? While in this vale of tears, we 'see through a glass darkly, and know only in part,' but there we shall see God as he is, and know even as we are now known.' How changed, how wonderfully changed must be our natures and capacities before we can participate in and enjoy such scenes! Here, by continual prayer and watchfulness, we may go on from grace to grace, in the hope that grace will soon be perfected in glory; but there, what continual progression shall we make in knowledge and enjoyment! In the language of inspiration, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man to conceive, the joys which God has prepared for those that love him.' “Let us then strive manfully for the prize of our high calling; let us be mindful of the recompense of reward in store for the faithful, and count all things but loss, that we may win Christ, and be found in him, having full confidence in the declaration, that we shall come off conquerors, and more than conquerors, through Him who loved us and gave himself a ransom for us, to whom be glory for ever.' "June, 10, 1830." "JOSHUA, ix. "What was the sin of the Israelites, in entering into a league with the Gibeonites! 6 "When the Gibeonites appeared at the camp, we find the Israelites listening to their story, and (though hesitatingly) giving credit to it, and entering into a covenant with them ;-but their great sin was that they asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.' The first sensations excited by this account are those of surprise at their insensibility—especially when we remember that Eleazer had been expressly 6 appointed by God, as his mouth to the people, and to enquire at all times his will concerning them. "The consequences that attend their omission of duty lead us to reflect on the unspeakable privilege of being permitted to seek direction from on high. With only our own benighted minds, our own perverse dispositions to guide us, where, where would our course tend? Deified reason has not power to control and restrain us, even under ordinary circumstances; much less can she give direction in time of difficulty and danger, or impart comfort in seasons of gloom and distress. It is only the hope of the christian which can support and animate to exertion, in scenes where unassisted human fortitude would entirely fail. Now is the value of this hope more felt than when, in seasons of darkness and uncertainty, we can ask and obtain counsel of the Lord; or when every earthly refuge and solace fail, we seek, and gain, rich and precious consolation. Well may we exclaim, Who, who that knows the worth of prayer, "In this incident, recorded of Israel, it would seem they entirely neglected this duty; and do not many who profess godliness enter, in a manner equally unguarded, into league with those who are the ememies of God, and not subject to his law?. Do not many real christians so far depart from the path of duty as to compromise, if not to confederate and covenant, with the world?-Never, never are our eternal interests more in jeopardy than when we are inclined to act in this manner. There is no concord between Christ and Belial, no fellowship between light and darkness,-and he who has once drank at the fountain of living waters can neither slake his thirst nor receive nourishment from the mixed and polluted streams of mere earthly enjoyment. Should they, like the Gibeonites, present themselves under a deceptive form, and strongly allure us, then is our time to flee, lest they ensnare us—to flee and ask counsel and help of Him who is mighty to save. "How often do we pretend to seek direction from God, and yet act exactly as our own minds inclined us before we consulted him, just as we sometimes ask the opinion of a friend upon a subject concerning which we are already fully determined. While pilgrims and sojourners here, there is no enjoyment equal to that we receive when we can divest ourselves of worldly cares; or if we are burdened with these when we can lay them and ourselves before the footstool of sovereign mercy, and humbly enter into the presence chamber of the Lord, and hold converse with the Father of spirits.' When are our anticipations of heavenly and eternal felicity more bright and strong than at such seasons? And there is a peace that passeth understanding, a peace to which the world are indeed strangers, in lying low, abased before God; and in the place thus rendered solemn, yea awful, by his presence, to confess and deplore our most secret sins. "The more knowledge a person has as his own heart the more he realizes the extent of its deceitfulness; the longer he travels in the narrow path, the more sensible he is of his own entire helplessness; and the more frequently and earnestly he seeks counsel and direction from Him who has said he will perfect In his strength in the weakness of mortals, the more will he feel that only while he prays he lives.' the language of Montgomery, 'Prayer is the christian's vital breath, The christian's native air; The watchword at the gates of death- "July 2, 1830." CHAPTER VI. Painful Sundering of Ties-Visit to Saybrook-Beautiful Landscape-Conversation with an Unbeliever-Value of Christian Society Sense of Responsibility-Comparison between Athens and New York-Fidelity in Impressing Divine Truth upon her Scholars-Memoirs of Mrs. Huntington-Spiritual Conflicts-Increased Endeavours after Holiness. THE Rev. Mr. Fraser, having returned from Scotland, resumed the pastoral care of the 'Tabernacle.' The joy of Miss Foote on the occasion was soon changed to sorrow. On the last Sunday in July he took a final leave, and she was compelled to witness the dissolution of the church and Sunday school with which she had been connected. Writing to her friend under the date of August 1, she says, "Our little Tabernacle' no longer exists a church; yes, that tie is broken-need I add the thought of it almost broke my heart? Our Sunday school too is dispersed. Oh! had you seen the dear children you would have felt too. I knew not the intention of Mr. F. untill he stated, at the close of his subject, This is probably the last time I shall ever address from this sacred desk.' He then you |