I know the wisdom of men cannot comprehend thy work; but let no real enthusiasm enter! Keep us steady and firm, resting only on the sure foundation. Some days ago I called on Mrs. Yate.* We had a close and comfortable conversation. She told me she had for some months had a very sweet and solid rest; and all her words in the class had expressed the same. She had been long very poorly, but she had strove to bear up under it without complaint. She now felt her strength fail, and had an almost continual pain in her right side. Her peace, however, continued, and she could leave all to the Lord. She farther observed that she had for some time found such a full sense of the all-sufficiency of God, as she could not express. Shortly after, as she was one night lying awake, she felt a powerful application of that word, "Cast thy burden on the Lord, and he will sustain thee." In a day or two more she was confined to her bed, the fever strong, the pain in her side severe, and often forced to rise in the bed to breathe. In this situation she had been several nights; and this morning she has been confirming to me what she had already observed, that the Lord kept her every moment. I have (said she) never found a shadow of impatience. I can neither eat nor sleep, but I have no desire for either. My strength goes fast, but I feel myself perfectly content with all the Lord's dispensations. I used to feel great fear of death, but I have not any of it now; and the thought of leaving my children, whom I so much desire to bring up for the Lord, used to fill me with much pain. But I feel strangely free, and can with confidence put them in the Lord's hand, and leave them there! Her words were to me refreshing and animating. I can bear witness what a pattern of tender conscience and meek submission she has been. She is now better, and I trust will be spared to us a little longer. May 22.-I had a sweet lesson from the Lord this morning. I was inquiring why I did not hold the blessing of sanctification more steadily? and it seemed that * Mrs. Yate was daughter of the late Nathaniel Gilbert, Esq., speaker of the house of assembly in the island of Antigua. He was an intimate friend of Mr. Wesley, and the first preacher of the Gospel to the negroes in the West Indies. He endured that cross, despising the shame.--ED. the Lord answered me, that it was because I forgot the observation I have so often made to the people, of the rattlesnake and the squirrel, till through fear she drops into his mouth.* So when my soul is striving to abide in Jesus, under some peculiar trials, a temptation to discouragement presents itself; I look at it and grow discouraged. Instead of that, I ought "to reckon myself dead unto sin, and alive unto righteousness. In so doing I should "resist the devil, who would soon flee from me." Also, I clearly saw that I should watch in conversation, and never contradict, unless for conscience' sake; remembering that command, "Let your gentleness be known unto all men," as carrying that consciousness, "The Lord is at hand." June 24.-Glory be to God! I have experienced many very particular answers to prayer of late. For some time past I saw it the call of God that I should go out every Sunday to the Wood and Dale alternately for a time. I feared the heat of the houses, but the Lord took care for that. If the weather was ever so hot in the week, it was always cool on the Sabbath. Blessed be the Lord, he was with us of a truth, and I experienced both inward and outward help beyond my expectation. August 14.-Ten years this day I have been a widow. Last night I found liberty in pleading with the Lord for the fulfilment of my dear love's last prayer, " Head of the Church, be head to my wife;" and this day I have been renewing my covenant with the Lord to be wholly at his disposal. To abandon my whole self, body, soul, and spirit, with every concern for time and eternity, into his hand. Often I have done this, but on this day I peculiarly love to renew the solemn dedication. I have found a deeper view than ever into the sinfulness of sin,-I mean what an aggravated burden my sins added to the sufferings of my Redeemer! Those words, "Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price," were impressed on my mind. Then I thought on that word also, "They to whom much is forgiven, shall love much :" and I had some power to claim that abundant love my spirit so pants after. But I discerned so many blemishes in all I have ever done, said, or thought, that I was forced to look to my great SacriThe illustration is good, whatever becomes of the fact.-ED. "It pleased Cast fice. There I could see infinite perfection. the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell." ing my eyes on the Bible open before me, it presented the cure of Naaman. I was led from that to consider, how easy it was with the Lord to perform as perfect a cure on my soul as on Naaman's body! September 12.-Had a good time this morning in prayer. Afterward in reading the account of Prudence Williams, (Magazine, vol. xii,) I was much struck to think how the power of God was seen in her great salvation. In the bloom of youth-a good husband, whom she had been happy with for one year-a fine boy likely to liveaffectionate relations-every thing to hold her here; and yet with what noble freedom did she leave all, preferring her heavenly Beloved to every earthly joy! It brought to my mind a word given me the other day in prayer, The glory of the Lord shall arise upon them, and his glory shall be seen upon them. This day I am fifty-six. O Lord, how little of thy glory has been yet seen upon me! O, let my remaining life be spent to thy praise ! 21.-We began the Monday meetings again this morning, which had been stopped a few weeks on account of the women being in the harvest. Blessed be God, they have not lost as much as I feared they would. In this the Lord hath heard prayer indeed. B. T. spoke sweetly; her words animated my soul. And B. B. observed in a very lively manner, what a difference she found between this and former harvests, and plainly described the fruit of the new creature. She was astonished to think what unthankfulness she used to feel. But, said she, every bit I picked up this year, seemed so to come from the Lord! and her heart overflowed with praise and thanksgiving. Poor Jane also gave good proof of a mighty change, though a few months ago an open sinner! October 8.-The Lord has been in a very particular way showing me the depth of iniquity which hath been in all my life.* O, what a scene! the heights of folly, *What a mystery is this unveiling of the human heart, to the self-satisfied, self-righteous world! When God discovers to his children, (for to none else can it be discovered,) "by his holy law written in their hearts," not only the iniquity that is manifest there, but all that their hearts are capable of;" this is a scene and the depths of selfishness! What did my Jesus bear for me! Yes, he hath borne it all. He hath made a full and perfect sacrifice for me! I can come to him as my full atonement. But I cannot bring him that glory I would, without a fuller change. I seem to have a hold of God more firm and steadfast, and a great expectation from his mere mercy. He hath done the work indeed for me, and I believe he will do it in me. So I shall become the "little child, to whom it is the Father's good pleasure to give the kingdom." Last night our tickets were renewed. It was a very solemn time. We had four new members. Mr. Baldwin preached on, "Are there few that be saved!" He showed how out of a company of professors, few might be truly in the "narrow way.' That it called for the full exertion of all our powers, that we may "enter in at the strait gate. I found it a very sweet season. Afterward while he met the men's class, Mrs. Walter and I had a comfortable conversation on holiness; and as I was speaking to her, O, how did I see all depended on having the mind stayed on Jesus! That our one business is, to look at him, our complete Saviour. Tuesday, November 10.-I awaked this morning with these words, "To keep your armour bright, Attend with constant care, At my time of prayer, I found a cry in my soul that I might do so. When pleading for the people and the work, that it might be carried on in any way the Lord sees good, I felt my mind divested of any choice. Some slighting things had been said of late by one, with whom I have taken much pains, as if he could now do far better than his teachers! I brought this to the Lord; and felt my soul quite willing to be hid and covered in all he called me to, or blessed me in; and my heart sprang with joy indeed! Let those to whom these discoveries are made, take heed that "heir faith fail not. The blood of the covenant," and "the great and precious promises," will fully reach their case. This discovery is a needful preparation, in order to their being "cleansed, by faith, from all unrighteousness."-ED. at the idea of his Spirit being poured out through any channel. As I was thus hiding myself in Jesus, and enjoying the slighting things thrown out, on what I think a sweet revival which we have had of late, I felt what I know not how to describe,-I saw myself as espoused to Jesus my husband, and consequently one in interest with him. Before I was aware, I cried out, If thou art glorified, I am glorified! Struck at my own words, I stopped; when it came to me with much power, "They that are joined to the Lord are one spirit." It also followed, they that partake of my humiliations shall partake of my glory. O, how willing did my spirit feel to wait for that day; and such a sight was opened before me of the great blessing of being nothing in the eyes of man, as I can better feel than write. Last night at the meeting we had a great congregation, and, blessed be God, I felt liberty. Two more notes of thanksgiving were presented for spiritual blessings received. When I came out a person desired to speak with me. She gave me a blessed account how the Lord had given her the full assurance of peace and pardon! and M. D., who came in with her, appears to be sinking much deeper into God. Glory be to his holy name! Many of late are thus brought in, and several are either seeking the great blessing, or do "love the Lord with all their heart." November 12.-A solemn sense of the mercies received in these last fourteen years, has deeply sunk into my soul. How different was my state this day fourteen years, when I first became a wife! How tossed was my mind with a thousand fears, not yet fully knowing the "angel of the Church" to whom I was joined; and also encumbered with various difficulties. But now this night there is not one clog left! What a marvellous change! My dear love's blessing does rest upon me! The Head of the Church is indeed my head; and mercy with overflowing goodness does follow me all the day long. And with respect to the work. O my God! Thou didst not call us to have children according to the flesh; but what an accomplishment do I see of those words, "Thy sons shall come from afar, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side." Yes, I see them coming on every hand, |