TO A FRIEND.

"Halesworth, Feb. 27th, 1837.

"How happy we are in knowing that Jehovah changeth not! His love is the same, however ours may vary; therefore we may confide in him, knowing that he will be our Guide even unto death.' Safely protected are they who put their trust in the Rock of ages.

'More happy, but not more secure,

The glorified spirits in heaven.'

"Let us, beloved friend, abide in Christ, as a fruitful branch abideth in the vine, and we shall be thus secure, sheltered under the wing of our Saviour, upheld by his everlasting arms."

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TO MISS H.

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"Halesworth, March 6th, 1837.

"My beloved R-—,

our dear

The kind letters which your pen dictated to and myself, we had the pleasure of reading together; for my friend had come over to pass the afternoon with me, and cheer me by her loved society. Thus I had a double enjoyment, and thus are my gratifications multiplied from day to day. Truly God is good;' never shall his children have reason to say, that he is unfaithful or unkind. While I mourn

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If increased suffering did

that you should suffer, I trust I can commit you into the hands of our Father, whose strokes are all in mercy inflicted, and may be classed among the bless ings of his love; since, by withdrawing our affections from the things of this life, they lead us to himself, to the only well-spring and fountain-head of joy. I thought of you yesterday, dear girl, and hailed the bright sunbeams, which, I hoped, would favour your visit to the house of God. not detain you at home, I am sure you must have enjoyed renewing your praises in the holy temple; which is but an emblem of the blessed employment that awaits us, when the whole church above shall mingle in one glorious strain of adoration to their common Saviour for ever. We cannot dwell too much on these heavenly themes. We cannot too often contemplate the rest that remaineth for the people of God.' The anticipation of such happiness kindles our ardent desires after its attainment, and warms our affections towards Him, whose eternal love procures for us all this bliss. The pious Baxter says, 'Surely if we entertained adequate ideas of this glory, we should esteem every day a year until we reached it.' * I am longing for the return of spring, when I hope to renew my rides. Already the occasional appearance of a nosegay delights me. My friends are all kind in supplying me with the produce of their gardens, for the love of flowers is almost a passion with me. This morning

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I was presented with snow-drops, laurustinuses, and other early beauties, which gave my room quite a vernal air of loveliness." *

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"It is night, and I merely snatch a few

moments to tell you how I get on, fearing you may be anxious, as my silence has been rather longer than usual. I have not been quite so well this last week, as my cough has gained ground a little, and my headachs have been frequent; but the former I attribute to the March winds, and the latter ailment is nothing extraordinary. Calm yourself therefore, dearest, and let all disquietude on my account be hushed.

"I have been so indulged this evening. A social prayer-meeting has been held at our house, principally for the purpose of imploring a blessing on the church at large, and especially on those who are mourners in Zion. I trust the prayers of our dear friends will be heard they must be, while such precious words as these are standing; 'Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.' Oh! what encouragement have we to approach with boldness unto a throne of grace! With what certainty we may expect the blessings that we seek, when Jesus himself is our Intercessor ! There is a power in prayer, a secret joy which those only can know, who

are accustomed to 'make known their requests unto God,' and who have tasted the sweetness of that 'fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.' Good night, my ever beloved friend.

66

Saturday, 11th. My own

I have been longing to renew my chat with you, but have not, until now, been able to do so, from some cause or other. Dear Er drank tea with me yesterday; we had a pleasant evening together, and read part of a letter from Russell, on 'Confidence in Prayer.' How very sweetly he attempts to encourage the timid and feeble Christian in this duty! E- -r is a dear girl, I love her the more as I know her better.

We can open our minds without reserve, and feel at home while speaking on the first of subjects. If you were as near to me as she is, how delightful would it be ! But then we should lose the enjoyment of interchanging letters, and of the fond anticipations which we now indulge in; so that although separated, although allowed but few and hasty personal minglings of affection, we must, we will be content. Soon shall we be for ever with each other, for ever with the Lord.'

"I forget whether you have read Harris's Great Teacher: I am reading it, and it delights me beyond any thing I have seen lately. His chapter on the Holy Spirit is admirable. He says, 'The gift of the Spirit, which is the only indispensable good, is the only blessing which is promised with absolute and unconditional certainty; and it is the essential goodness of this blessing which enables the Almighty to pro

mise it unconditionally.' Is not this beautiful? Oh let us ask the more fervently, and we shall receive of the heavenly gift the more abundantly. With respect to seeing you at Easter, I hope this will be managed; but if not, we know it will be well. I do hope you will be able to come. 'Twill be such joy to meet again."

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TO HER BROTHER.

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66 Halesworth, March 15th, 1837.

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"You seem I hope from your letters to be getting on pretty comfortably, but I am sorry you have not lost your cough. Do take care of yourself, and do not let it gain ground through neglect. I must urge you to be particular in guarding your health, but, since you have forbidden me to speak of my own, of course I can give you no account of my excursion the other day up the attic, or of any other wonderful exploits sometimes ventured upon. These tales of marvel must be recounted by those whose words can be relied on. My friends continue to manifest the same kind and sympathizing attentions. They open to me their gardens, their libraries, and all the dainties of their storerooms. My apartment is now decorated with flowers sent from various quarters as tributes of affection. If kindness could have healed me, I must long ago have been restored to health. Oh! I have much, very much to excite in me a continual flow of gratitude, love, and