to me. do not bring forth much fruit. There is an entering into rest which I have of late been particularly led to ask for; sometimes it seems near, and I am waiting for it in a clearer manner than usual. Some observations which I read the other day, were much blessed Speaking to a mourning soul, the author says, "Make God, as he is in himself, the object of thy joy, without any consideration of thyself at all.* Let your soul exult in that thought, The Lord is my strength and my song, he also is become my salvation. Observe, the Lord is then strong for and in you, when you look to him alone, unmixed with any thing else. But, on the other hand, when the eye of the soul is double, looking partly for a fitness in itself, the light is put out, as it is said of our Lord, He could not do many mighty works because of their unbelief. This looking unto Jesus is both an emptying and a filling grace. It empties the soul of self and the creature, and fills it with God. It is a transforming view; the more we see of him, the more we shall be like him. Does he not tell thee, This is the victory whereby we overcome, even our faith? Wouldst thou have the victory first, and believe afterward! But I am conscious of idols!' Then plead the promise, From all thine idols I will cleanse thee. This is reaching out to the things before. 'But I fear I am not willing to part with them.' Perhaps not; but if thou wilt look to Jesus, and wait at his feet, and tell him of thy helplessness, he will so shine out on thy soul that the love of all other things shall drop off. What becomes of the stars when the sun shines? Do they not disappear before the greater light? So shall every other love before that mighty love he will pour into thee. But remember thou art to hold fast thy confidence, which hath great recompense of reward; for ye have need of patience, that when ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. Now this single eye, this constant act of faith, glorifying in hope to the end, is doing the will of God, and thus you shall receive the promise." November 13.-Yesterday concluded twenty-one years since I joined in an eternal covenant with my dear Mr. Fletcher. O, what advantages I have had through my * See the note on page 220. union with some of the most excellent of the earth! But, alas! how little have I profited to what I might have done! I have this morning been crying to the Lord to stir me up to more faithfulness. I am now in my sixty. fourth year-almost at the end of my race, and the great work of an entire conformity to God is yet to be gained. I found freedom in prayer, so that an hour on my knees seemed to pass as quick as a quarter usually does, and I hope and believe I shall from this day keep up the intense desire. Sunday, November 22.-Through illness, I have been out but once this day. It is long since I have been forced to miss a meeting; but I find all right my Master orders. It has been a good Sabbath to my soul. I was truly humbled to hear how the dear people wept and prayed for me! O, my God, let that word be perfectly fulfilled, "Then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God." As I was reading chap. xxxi of Genesis, that word struck me, I am the God of Bethel! Twenty years had elapsed, yet saith God, I am he that gave thee those sweet promises in that place. I am the same for ever! While meditating on this, it seemed as if he said to me, I am the God who told thee, Thou shalt walk with me in white. Ah! my Lord, I hang on thee with a firm belief. Thy words are tried words, purer than silver. The Lord will keep his promise for ever. December 23.-I was much struck this morning in read. ing at the time of family prayer, the account of Jacob wrestling with the angel. I felt it kindle in me a degree of ardour which I did not feel before, to say with him, I will not let thee go unless thou bless me-yea, with the full communion of thy love. February 18.-I have been confined near a month, and only able to speak in a low whisper. The disease is supposed to be a dropsy in the chest. I am sometimes in the night in danger of being suffocated. The night before last, I was very bad and as I lay waiting in peace before the Lord, that word was applied with unusual power, "Call upon me in the day of trouble-I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.' Ah! my Lord, I do call on thee for more grace, but I cannot ask life or death; I love the dear people, and feel a pain in leaving them; yet I can only commit all to my adorable, unerring Head. April 5.-Last night I laboured much for breath, and could not lie down. I saw myself encompassed with mercy and love. As I was reflecting on the uncertainty of the issue of my complaint, the thought struck me, my Lord was at this season sold into the hands of men, who strove to join with devils to afflict him; and if kind physicians should mistake, and make me suffer, I may be said to be given into the hands of men, but not without the Lord. These words were sweet: "I fain with these would sympathize, And share the sufferings of my Lord!" As I was reflecting that I had nothing to plead only 'Jesus my salvation is, This shall stand, and only this," a dart came across my mind,-What if Calvinism be true? Then you may be one he hates! Immediately that word came, "He hateth nothing that he hath made, his mercy is over all his works." Well, my Lord, this I plead, I am thine, save me! Give me to glorify thee, through the fire and through water. The tenderness of Miss Tooth, whom the Lord hath sent to me, is very great. April 11.-The Lord hath permitted me to be sorely exercised through the want of breath. The night before last I was forced to sit up in bed till four o'clock. Last night, blessed be God, the fit lasted but one hour, and then I rested comfortably. My one act is that of clinging to the will of God. June 2.-Blessed be the Lord, he hath fulfilled his word. He bids me "call upon him in the day of trouble;" and in my deliverance I do glorify him, and acknowledge his dear and powerful hand. I have been for some time restored to my comfortable meetings, and preserved in tolera. ble health, with power to lie down in peace, and take quiet rest. O that this late dispensation may rouse my soul more abundantly to labour after a more perfect rest! Lord, establish me with thy free spirit! This morning one called who gave me the following extraordinary account: "On Saturday I had that word applied, As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you, abide ye in my love.' But on Sunday night, while you were speaking on, How we ought to venture on Christ, my soul was greatly lifted 6 up, my faith began to rekindle, and I felt extraordinary power all the way home. At family prayer my soul was sweetly drawn out. Just as we were going to bed, I opened my Testament on those words, Ask what ye will, and I will do it for you.' I felt the power, and thought, I will not go to bed; I will stay and wrestle with the Lord. I did so; and O, what did I feel! I have often had glorious times, but never such a time as that. Those precious words were applied, 'You are sealed to the day of redemption.' Since then, as I was hearing a sermon on the New Jerusalem, I had such a glorious sight as I cannot describe! I cannot tell it to you." I asked, Was it a sight of the place, or of the Saviour? He answered, "It was both. I had four distinct sights; I saw the glory of the Father, the glory of the Redeemer, and then the Redeemer in his manhood, âs covered with wounds: and also the Holy Spirit in his glory, ready to seal every soul who would take shelter in those wounds! I now feel my soul all on the watch. I seem as if I feared to speak or move, lest I should in anywise grieve that Holy Spirit." My soul was much comforted at hearing this. Ah! Lord, hast thou begun? Then thou wilt go on. I do now believe an outpouring of thy Spirit will soon be given, and "times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." This man had a taste of pure love some months ago, but lost it through unprofitable reasonings. Ever since his first awakening, he has been a pattern to others, and I believe, never lost his first love.* July 4.-When I awoke, I found those words applied, "Pray without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks." This morning, reflecting on them while in prayer, the whole passage seemed to be applied to my heart, "Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." The last words made a deep impression, "concerning you ;" and I take it as a message from hea. ven. Lord, give me power to fulfil this sweet direction! July 18.-A few nights since those words seemed continually with me, It is with great propriety Mrs. Fletcher bears this testimony concerning the spirit and conduct of a person who was favoured with such manifestations.-ED. "In all my ways his hand I own, The next day a change took place in my house, and seve ral circumstances occurred in Church affairs. O what a comfort was all that sentence to me! Yes, my Lord, I do see thou dost order all things, and on thee I rest. August 19.-This last week has been very solemn. Eighteen years my dear husband has been in glory. O, how has each day brought its remembrance! O carry on thy work in my soul with more power! I cannot have much longer to remain here. I see and feel thy gracious hand extended over me for good, and I long for a full con. formity to my Lord. November 12.-This day twenty-two years, at this very hour, I was in Batley church, solemnly engaging to be one soul, one body, one interest, with my beloved husband for ever! But what have I seen in these twenty-two years? What deep waters have I passed through? I have been brought through, and mercy hath followed me to this hour. On this day I devote myself afresh to God. Let our wedding day be a fresh consecration unto Him who is the centre of our union! A little before my dear love's last illness, he indulged a train of thoughts on what I should do, and how I should live without him. He spoke tenderly of my marrying again; but finding I could not bear the thought, he said no more. Since his death, the light hath always shone quite clear on my soul, that I was not called to join in marriage with any man on earth, but to preserve the privileges of a single life which are so graciously bestowed upon me. Satan has spared no pains to trouble me in this way; but, blessed be the Lord, my light in this hath never been darkened one moment. I am the Lord's, and he hath opened my way before me, and still makes my cup run over with loving kindness and mercy. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.' November 14.-In meeting the people on Sunday morning, I was struck with that thought, "The mind is to the soul what the mouth is to the body." I must take in food or lose my strength; but if I take poison I must die. Nay, if I avoid poison, but yet feed on wood and chaff, I shall as surely die. So the mind is the mouth of the soul |