Her Peculiar Talent

^’ If the Lord has ever honoured me in any way by making use of me, it has been in comforting the comfortless, or in speaking a word to the tried and heavy-laden; but never, to my knowledge, in rousing the dead sinner. I must leave that to better hands. God does not honour me much in that way. He fits His people for whatever work He has for them to do, and when they attempt any other they fail. And yet I do feel most anxious for the conversion of sinners. No subject lies so near my heart, and for nothing do I more earnestly pray.” Such were the lowly views of herself, as cherished by the subject of this memorial. And what, though her talent was single, and her mission limited? What if God had confided to her no other and costlier gift, or had appointed her to no higher or wider sphere than that of counselhng, succouring, and sympathizing with the perplexed, the feeble, and the tried of His family? Surely, it were a gift to which the highest angel in heaven might aspire, and a mission he might pant to discharge. To this work, for which she seemed peculiarly and pre-eminently fitted, she was, in the providence of God, frequently called. Schooled in adversity, she knew how to address herself to those who were tracing the dreary path she had already trod. Having drunk deeply of the cup of grief, she could speak a word of heart-cheer to those whose lips were but just touching its brim. Call we this a feeble gift, a minor mission? Oh, there is no distinction like that of being a bene-TJrictor of MIND; and there is no privilege like that of expressing all SORROW. But how little is the philosophy of a Tiiathy understood! How few regard and cultivate it as a kind feeling, equally as a means of soothing and al-Mercv mt others! And yet there is scarcely a single one in consurapd — emotional feelings more peculiarly adapted to ’ his grand result. “Sympathy,” as an eminent phi!- osopliical writer justly remarks, “by bringing us in contact with individuals in various forms and degrees of suffering, tends to withdraw us from the power of self-love, and the deluding influence of present things.... The due cultivation of the benevolent affections, therefore, is not properly to be considered as the object of moral approbation, but rather as a process of moral culture. They may enable us in some degree to benefit others, but their chief benefit is to ourselves.“* Who cannot, from experience, testify to the truth of this? “Who that has sought to soothe another’s woe has not found a balm for his own lonely grief? Who that has poured out his soul in intercessory supplications for others has not felt the prayer he breathed to Heaven retumins; into his own bosom laden with its joy and peace? In a word, who, in the indulgence of a sacred benevolence, and with a single eye to the Divine glory, has ever attempted the accomplishment of any good, has not been conscious of a mental enjoyment the most exquisite, and of a moral discipline the most salutary? Such is the reflex influence of true sympathy. It is now our privilege to present a few of Mrs. Winslow’s letters of Christian consolation, selected from a large mass, without any particular regard to exact chronological arrangement. The following remarks from her Diary may not be an inappropriate introduction to these epistles: —

“I think, if the believer makes any attainment in the knowledge of God and of himself, or any advance in the Divine life, he must have much to do with the varied and changing providences of God. In this way the Spirit chiefly and mainly worketh in him, and grounds and settles him in the truth. There is not a single truth in God’s word which will be of any avail to us, but as it is wrought out in the experience of the soul, by the power of the Holy Ghost, through the varying dispensations of Divine Providence. Thus the Israelites were led through manv trials and difficulties in the wilderness, to show them what was in them. We are such obtuse scholars; and I often wonder and wonder again at the patience of a good, gracious, and unchanging God towards us. He varies His dealings, that He might teach us our nothingness, weakness, and total helplessness. Faith, too, is constantly brought into exercise, and is thereby increased in strength, by an in-

* Abercrombie on the Moral Feelings.

creasing knowledge of God’s veracity, power, and love. We often pray. Lord, increase our faith. The Lord, in answering this prayer, places us in such circumstances as call it forth. The little we have (and we often find we have much less than we thought we had) is to set to work with God, with whom alone faith has to do. Providences, adverse and painful, stir up to cry mightily unto God. Then come in the promises. These become unspeakably precious. Faith takes them, as so many promissory notes, to the great Promiser for acceptance. Faith takes them, as so many promissory notes, to the great Promiser for acceptance. Faith knocks and waits, knocks and waits fgain; thus is it exercised and increased. Presently the hand, the helping hand, is held out, and deliverance comes, and God, the mighty Deliverer, is seen. Then we say, The Lord is my helper; L will not fear ichat man can do unto me. All our journey through, from first to last, the great work of preparation for usefulness in His service here, and for the rich enjoyment of His presence in glory, is thus carrying on in the soul of the believer. When his spiritual education is finished, he is aL once put in possession of the inheritance prepared for him from before the foundation of the world. Oh, what a God is ours! Who is like Him in wisdom and goodness, mercy and truth?”

To a beloved friend, endeared by a lonor and tried friendship, she thus writes, m a season of anxiety: —

“Beloved in the Lord Jesus, —

“I remember you in my poor prayers, and do trust the Lcrd will be with you, giving all needful grace, wisdom, and above all, precious faith, to cast your burden upon Him, and from whom cometh all our help. Is He not a present help in time of trouble? He will carry you through your labour of love, for His name’s sake, and give you to acknowledge, that as your day, so was your strength. Has He not given you a work to do for Him, and will He not fit you for the work, seeing His own glory is connected with it 7”^ Fear not, then; Jesus is with you and me. He has laid by one upon whom, perhaps, you depended too much, to show you how easily and blessedly He can work by wdiatever instruments He chooser, to employ. We are so prone to look to the creature; and then He takes our prop away, that we mav lean upon Him and upon Him only.... Now, beloved sister, be of good courage. God is with you, Christ is with you, the Holy Ghost is with you, and all the host of heaven are with you, and you need not fear. Be not over-anxious. There is an anxiety that borders on unbelief. Get rid of that, and believe that Jesus is really with you in all you have to do for the spiritual welfare of those dear children. I grieve for dear

Mr.. May the trial be abundantly sanctified to him. If

he is to be useful, he must have trials; and, perhaps, God is teaching him some precious truth from soul-experience, for which he will have to praise and bless Him throughout eternity. He does nothing in vain towards His own people, for He loves them too well to afflict them for nought. I shall continue to remember you all; and do not forget your sister in the tribulation and kingdom of Jesus Christ, for I truly need your prayers.

TO MISS L. 0, ox THE DEATH OF HER MOTHER.

“My dear YOUNG Friend, — October 28th, 1851.

“I have been longing to write to you; but although I have not done so yet, you and your dear sisters have been much in my heart and in my thoughts. The Lord has taken from you your dear mother, I humbly hope to His own loving self. If so, you will meet her again; and oh, what a meeting will that be! What a gathering! Your dear mother is now beyond all care and anxiety, hushed to peace in the bosom of Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. Think of her as she noiu is. She has seen the Lord. What a change, from a bed of weariness and a body of suffering, to be in an instant in the presence and within the arms of Christ! Oh, let it be our aim, our chief business, and the desire of our souls, to walk humbly and closely with God! In a little while and we pass away; and oh, how we shall wonder at ourselves that we could have suffered anv one thing to divert our minds, even for a moment, from the great, the overwhelming concerns of eternity!... And now you are cast, in an especial manner, on the all-protecting care and love of Jesus Himself, who will be both a Father and a Mother to you all. I often think of the last

interview I had wdth your dear mother. Lady 0, when

she called upon me at Brighton, How little did I then think I should see her no more on earth! She looked so well, and was in such good spirits. Now she is with Jesus. Oh, the infinite comnassion of the Lord! A look, a desire, a sigh Ho will acknowledge. Great faith will bring great comfort into the soul, but little faith can get to heaven. If no more than as a grain of mustard-seed, it will land the soul safely there. Blessed be God for all His great, rich, and precious promises. They are all like Himself. And now, beloved friend, it is the will of God that you should look to Him, and to Him only. He is a Father to the fatherless. Whatever your care or trouble may be, take it at once to Jesus. Your present position is an enviable one; for, if God be for you, who can be against you? Were your dear father and mother still with you, what could they do for you more than God Himself can do?”

TO THE SAME.

“January 10th. — I am longing to hear how the Lord your God and Father is dealing with you. You are peculiarly His own. When father and mother go, then the Lord will take you up, and carry you in His loving fatherly arms, care for, and lead you through this wilderness; so that you have nothing to fear, and nothing to do but to trust in the Lord with all

your heart. Has your brother E arrived? and how is

he? I feel deeply interested in you all, since your trying and heavy loss. Your orphan state, at present, is one of peculiar and tender interest. May the Lord enable you to take a fresh hold of Him, and he will prove Himself better than ten parents. Why has he dealt thus with you? To bring you to a better acquaintance with Himself, that you might know more of that loving, faithful heart, that says, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. I would not have been without my sad trials for ten thousand worlds. What should I have known, the little I do know, of His wondrous, tender, and unchanging love, but for them? The Lord bless you and your dear sisters, and keep them in the hollow of His hand, and bring them to His heavenly kingdom. And oh, what a meeting we shall have in heaven! This is but a wilderness, and, like the children of Israel, we must pass through it to reach our heavenly home. Live much in holy contemplation of the glory that awaits you. This will enable you to bear the bitter trials that daily cross your path. Carry all your difficulties, small and great, at once to Jesus. His ear is open to your requests, and He will make every crooked path straight, and rough path smooth. We are on a journey, and how soon it terminates! But, oh, how awfully blind are many who call themselves Christians!

Religious formalism is the bane of thousands. They say prayers — but never jrray. They know nothing of the great change from nature to grace — nothing of the new birth. They have no personal, spiritual acquaintance with Christ; nothing of real conversion. Is it not melancholy to see so many whom we love, yet living in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity, while we know that dying in that state they are lost for ever? Oh, let us pray for them, who know not to pray

for themselves. Mv love to Mrs. F; to vour aunts at

Brio-hton. I love all who love Christ. Also, vour brothers and sisters. They are one family. Oh, to be a vjhole family in heaven! Let me hear from you.”

TO MRS. F, ON THE ILLNESS OF HER HUSBAND.

“Beloved Friend, — January 26th, 1852.

“I hear your dear husband is ill. ]Iay the Lord heal and comfort him. May he have the enjoyment of ffis manifested presence. Satan will try hard to harass him, but Jesus is near. His darling attribute is mercy — mercy to the chief of sinners is the delight of His soul. Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee and thou shall glorify me. Look unto me, and he ye saved. This same Jesus, tell your husband, is waiting to be gracious to him. He listens to hear his voice. I trust he is resting alone in Him. Tell him not to look within for evidence, but to look direct to Jesus onlv. He is just the same that He was when He trod the streets of Jerusalem. TVas He ever known to reject any who came to Him? It is not in the heart of Jesus to turn away from the vilest who call upon Him. It is sinners He came to save, not saints, and as sinners we must come. I trust the Lord will comfort you in your present trial. May He manifest Himself to your dear husband! I enclose for you the ‘Untrodden Path.’”

TO THE SAME ON THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND.

“I only heard of your loss yesterday. The Lord has taken your dear husband from the evil to come, and in a little while you shall meet him again. May He comfort your sorrowing heart with a blessed realization of that glorious truth, Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring vjith Him. And should He call us away before He comes, we shall still meet them in glory, and join our shouts of praise with theirs. In the meantime, beloved friend, you are the object of His especial care, as His endeared child. You have a double claim on Jesus now, who is the husband to the widow. Go to Him with all your fears, your difficulties, your pressures, whatever they may be; sjreat or small, real or imaginary. His loving ear will be ever open to listen to your voice. Your oneness with Jesus makes vour cares His cares, vour concerns His concerns. He will deny you nothing that will be for your good or comfort. This will make the little space left us on earth less irksome; and constant communion with this precious Friend will tend to conform us to His image. Let me hear how the Lord dealt with your dear departed, and how He is dealing with your bereaved heart. Oh, what an honour put upon us, to have Christ as our Husband; and now that He has written you a widow, this is what He is to you and to me.”

to mrs. e b, ox the death of her child.

“My dear young Friend, —

“I see, by the papers, the Lord has been pleased again to trv you in removing, or shall I not rather say, in housing, another of your little ones; it is gone to join the host of those already there. ‘Of such,^ says Christ, ‘^5 the kingdom of heaven.’’ This has been, no doubt, a severe trial, and your affectionate heart has deeply felt it, as well as your dear husband. But as there is nothing that can take place towards a child of God but what our Heavenly Father designs, in infinite love, for our spiritual advancement, which is closely connected with His own glory, we are to submit to His holy will, and believe that there was a needs-be for it. The Lord loves His children too well to lay upon them the weight of a feather, without an absolute necessity. I hope you have been enabled to say. Not my will, but Thine be done. Perhaps, in this affliction, you have felt it hard in God to deal thus with you; and the enemy may have suggested that God could not love you, or He would not so afflict you. Now, the reverse is the case. The Lord chastens those whom He loves; and were we without chastisement, we might well doubt our sonship. Your little ones are not lost, but have only preceded you to glory. They are taken from the evil to come. The Lord loved them better than you could do, or He would not have relieved them so soon from all the ills and temptations of this poor, wicked world. A time of affliction should be a searching time with our hearts. We should see how matters stand between our souls and a heart-trying God. He is jealous of our love. He will occupy the first place. And if, upon investigation, we find that the world or the creature has displaced the Saviour from our affections, what, then, have we to do? Only to acknowledge our iniquity, returning to Him who is willing to receive our confession, and to pardon our sin .... May He comfort your heart and bless your soul.”

TO MRS. C, ON HER ILLNESS.

“My dear Friend, — September 2nd, 1852.

“I was glad to see your handwriting to-day, but how sorry E was to hear you continue so tried in bodv! Surelv the Lord loves you too well to lay the weight of a feather upon you, were it not for some wise and loving purpose He has in view preparing you for the full enjoyment of the glory He has gone to prepare for you. Think of this when resting your afflicted body, — Jesus had no bed on which to rest — no voice to speak a word of kindness; persecuted and reviL^d, He sought the dark and dreary mountain, and there He rested. He was then paying our debt of sin to Divine Justice, and He

paid it to the last mite God, even our own

God, deals wisely and graciously with us in all His A’arying dispensations. God is love, and no one that knows Him can doubt it for a moment. If tears could be shed in heaven, we should weep that we ever mistrusted His goodness in His dealings towards us. Let us, in this world of trial, cling close to Him, and lean more upon Him as little helpless children. Keep a constant intercourse with Him. Tell Him all you feel, or wish or want. Christ and you are one. TTe are bone of

His bone, and flesh of His flesh Mav the Lord’s

richest blessings rest upon you.”

TO THE SAME, ON THE DEATH OF HER SISTER.

“You have been in trouble, and I knew it not until last evening. And has the Lord at last appeared for His sufi’ering child? Has He taken her out of all her troubles, to her happy, happy home? Long had she been refining in the iurnace, and preparing for that place Jesus had gone to take possession of for her. Not one pain did she suffer, or sorrow did she feel, but had in it the tenderest love of Jesus. All wss needful. He was preparing her for the full enjoyment of His presence. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? I wish her joy. She has made her escape from a world of sin and trouble, and from a bodv, not onlv of sin and death, but of suffering, and long a clog to her soul. She has broken loose from her cage, and is with Jesus, Oh, the happiness to look upon Him — to behold Him in all His unveiled beauties — to see Him face to face! I rejoice that she is at last released. I feel heaven is verj near. Oh, to be ready, quite ready!

The recognition of the saints in glory is a sweet thought. Shall we know Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and not know those with whom we have had sweet fellowship on earth? Surely we shall; and one of the delightful employments of heaven will be, to trace back the way the Lord led us safely, in spite of ourselves, through the wilderness world; and then shall we see how needful was every cross, and trial, and pain, and dispensation, with which our precious Jesus saw fit to exercise us. And we shall meet where all differences of sentiment will be for ever done away, and we shall see eye to eye, and Christ will be all in all to our unhappy souls. Let us try to be more like Christ, and less like ourselves. May the Lord bless you, and comfort your heart, and the heart of the bereaved widower,* and the motherless children, is my earnest prayer.”

TO MES. C, AT A TIME OF DEEP AFFLICTIOX.

“Dear sister in Jesus, — Leamington, May 9th.

“My dear son has permitted me to see your mournful letter; and having myself passed through the dark waters of tribulation, I thought I would drop you a hne, to encourage vour heart in the Lord. When we recollect that Jesus and His saints are one — I in you and you in 7)ie — that this blessed union is eternal, and can never be dissolved; then is He in all our afflictions and trials, great and small. Nothing can take place towards us but is especially designed for our advancement in the Divine life. He has now placed you in just that position to prove His faithfulness and love. Watch His tender dealings towards you, and see if He does not prove to you that He is better than ten husbands, or ten thousand friends. He

* The late Venerable Archdeacon Hodsnn, one of the brifrhtest lights of the Church of England, eminent for his sound theological views, as for his earnest piety. He died recently, while making the tour of the Continent.

wants you to he better acquainted with Himself — to know Him more personally. He wants you to have more to do with Him, that you may understand more of His real character, both as to His divine and human natures. These are stately steppings Jesus is now taking with your soul. He says to you, ‘Now come nearer to me. My child; look more into My loving heart — see your name written there never to be effaced. Fear not. I will never leave thee, for we are owe.’ You have hitherto loved Christ for saving your soul; now He would have you love Him for what He is in Himself. How can this be, unless you are brought into closer contact with Him? He has taken your husband, to place Himself in the same position. He wants you to live a life of sweet, holy dependence upon Him as your Husband, Friend, Provider, Care-Taker, Benefactor. He designs to be all to you and yours, a Father to the fatherless, and the widow’s God. Beloved, you are highly honoured of God; you are now in a position to live a life of faith on the Son of God, — the happiest, the holiest life a mortal can enjoy in this world. You have now a twofold claim upon God, as His adopted and His widowed child. Take Him now as one who has engaged to provide for all your wants, and the wants of your children. Go to him for all you need — not first to the creature, but to Jesus at once. If we honour the creature more than we honour Christ, we must expect He will suffer us to be disappointed. Tell all to Jesus; keep nothing back from Him. Only trust Him fully. Honour Him with your entire confidence. We live at too great a distance from Christ. He wants us to experience more of His sympathy. His boundless love, His nearness to, and His oneness with us. Forgive me if I have presumed in giving this advice to one whom I only know through her sweet letter. I am an aged pilgrim, who has travelled this thorny road before you. I may be permitted to speak a word for Jesus to one who, in some measure, is travelling the same. May the Lord make these few hints a little help to you in your pilgrimage.

to miss l. o, in behalf of a distressed clergyman.

“Dear young Friend, —

“You will, perhaps, call to mind the circumstance of the Pev. Mr., the clergyman, who has fallen into very distressed and trying circumstances. His health prevents him from labouring as he could wish, and his family is large. I wrote to dear Mr. Noel, and he has sent me a little help; and now I must remind you of your promise to do what you can for this dear afflicted servant of God. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto Me. Do you remember James Montgomery’s ‘Stranger and

his Friend,’ which S. C used to play with so much feeling,

and which always brought Jesus, precious, compassionate Jesus, present to my mind? A verse will remind you of it: —

*A poor wayfaring man of grief
Has often crossed me in my way,
And sued so humbly for relief,
That I could never answer, Nay.

‘I had not power to ask his name,
Whither he went, or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my heart, I knew not why.’

I must send you the music. Your dear sister, M, will

sing it with effect. Now, will you endeavour among jqmx friends to assist this dear man? See Christ in His servant, believe and feel that you are doing it /or Him. Return me the enclosed letters, and what vour hand findeth to do, do it quickly, as I must hasten to send him all the aid I can. Dear

has commenced a course of sermons on the Creation.

The< one last Lord’s Day evening was on Genesis i. 2: And the eaHh was without form, &c. The sweetest part was the Spirit of^God moving upon the face of the waters — figurative of the Spmt hovering over the dark, chaotic soul of man. The lecture ljras listened to with breathless silence, and, I hope, was blessed to many a dark, unconverted soul present. Be not long in answering this, as I shall wait impatiently until some help be sent. I am informed they are really suffering from want. My Christian love to all your circle.”

TO HER SOX, ox THE DEATH OF A CHILD.

“The Lord has mercifully housed our dear little sufferer; has taken it to His garden of perfume above. It was so appointed by Infinite wisdom. I trust you will see it so. If the utmost tenderness and love could have saved her, she would have been saved.... She is not lost; she is in the tender bosom of Jesus: and this was designed from eternity.

May your hearts be comforted, and you he enabled to say, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed he the name of the Lord.^”

TO MRS. G., ON THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND.

‘’DearC, May, 1849.

“I loved your precious mother, and now that you are in trouble, my heart turns to you in this your hour of deep sorrow. God had need of your dear partner, and has sent for him home. He only lent him for a season; and now look at him where he is. Would he, if he could, return to this poor, wicked world, and again take up that body of sin, and of suffering, and of death? Think of him as a pure spirit in the presence of God, at the feet of Jesus, mingling with that holy, goodly company, your dear sainted mother among them, around the throne. Much as he loved you, would he return? And now, dear C, fulfil your mission; let your heart be comforted, and say to the Lord, ‘Here am I; what wilt thou have me to do? Be assured He will comfort and soothe your widowed heart, and enable you to give it all to Him. He is a jealous God, and covets the whole heart, and well does He deserve it. Your dear husband never did for you what Jesus did. He paid the full penalty due for all your sins, and now claims you for His own. But still you have your work assisned you. These little ones are given you to bring up for God. I would comfort you with the comfort with which I myself have been comforted of God.... And now only have I spoken of myself, but to lead your bleeding heart to the same rich source of consolation. God is love, an ocean of love, nothing but love. His tender, loving eye is upon you, and His loving heart is towards you at this moment. Ask what ye will and it shall he done unto you. See what a God and Father He is. He has given you a work for Him; and soon we shall all pass away, and’ have done with sorrow and sin for ever. A thousand times have I thanked the Lord for all my trials and afflictions. I would not have been without them for worlds. They have been messengers of boundless love and mercy to me and mine. I do trust this will be your rich experience. ’

TO THE REV. J. H. E, ON HIS ILLNESS.

‘*My Beloved Brother, — October 18th, 1845.

“The word in my heart at this moment is, ‘Praise

God from whom all blessings flow.’ Yes, beloved, even your trial, your present trial, shall be to the praise of His dear and holy name. Be of good cheer, God has sent it; it is a messenger of love, — nothing but eternal, boundless, never-ending love. The Lord sent you to preach glad tidings to poor, lost sinners; and to gather in His own sheep, feeding them in rich pastures, and causing them to lie down beside the still waters. But now He has closed your lips for a season. He who sent you to preach, now bids you cease for a time, until again He says, ‘Go and preach the preaching that I bid thee.’ Well, beloved, is He not as full of love in all this as ever? Just the very same. Only trust Him for all consequences. He is doing all things well. Leave yourself in His blessed hands, and seek more for cheerful submission than for the removal of the trial. Resignation will follow, and then, what a calm! Oh, how soothing is the voice of our Beloved! How it comforts and hushes the restless, agitated feelings to peace! we then lie quiet in His hands, and feel that His will must be best, because He is God, and knows the end from the beginning, while we know nothing. Dear, dear brother, let us rejoice that you and I are in His loving hands, and leave ourselves there. If He says to me, ‘Be satisfied to be lame and a cripple for the little remnant of your pilgrimage;’* and if he says to you, ‘You have preached My gospel, but now it is my will that you be silent;’ what! are we to think hardly or unkindly of this? How restless and earnest I was to be healed; but no healing came, until prompted by the Spirit to ask for submission; and in a moment it was given, and all was calm and quiet within. And what then? In due season the cure most unexpectedly came, and I was made whole. So may it be with you, my tried brother. Be assured this affliction is sent for some especial good, — for a great blessing to your soul, and to the church at large. I would not now have been without my trials, no, not for a thousand worlds. Oh, the goodness of God was so richly displayed, that I have no power of language to express it. TVondrous is He in His dealings with us, and He is dealing with us every moment of our existence, and we with Him. How little does the world know of the wondrous transactions that are going on every instant between heaven and earth, — the unceasing intercourse between God

* The allusion is to a lameness, which for a time prevented her from walking, and which threatened to render her decrepit for life.

and His chosen and adopted family! But Tvhy should I enlarge on a subject to you, who are so much better taught than I am? only you are now in the cloud, and I have just come out of it, and can and may be allowed to speak a word of comfort to your tried soul. May the Lord comfort and guide you in every step, and enable you to lie passive in His loving hands.”

TO MRS. H, ON THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND.

“Dear Sister in Jesus, — Januarys 9tb, 1853.

“I may say, too, in tribulation, for the Lord has written you a widow indeed. Such are His loving dealings towards those, one and all, whom the Father has given Him. We must all pass through much tribulation to the kingdom He has gone to prepare for us. Let us, then, take up the cross, and follow hard after Him. A little while, and we shall be there, and join all who have got there before us. Sweet thought! Oh, let us try and realize it. Heaven is not so far off as we imagine. The world of spirits is all around us. Absent from the body, we are present with the Lord. Dear friend, I do trust this trial will draw you so sensibly near to Jesus as to enable you to go on your way, realizing more and more the gracious manifestations of the Lord to your widowed spirit. Jesus is always near to you, listening to hear what you would say to Him. Take Him now as your Husband, Friend, and Brother, — that Brother born for your adversity. Oh, is He not all that you could wish or desire? Take Him for your constant companion; He will never fail you. I feel my time here cannot, in the common course of nature, be verv long:. But, as I draw nearer and nearer, heaven seems to open with increasing attraction; and the prospect of seeing Jesus, that same Jesus that bore all my sins on the accursed tree, and so many dear to me in the ties of nature, around that glorious throne where Jesus sits, fills me with joy unspeakable and full of glory. It is all true. I can see afar off, as it were; the distance seems to vanish, and the realities of the better world seem sensibly near. Oh, dear friend, live upon your best Friend. There is nothing too small to carry to Jesus. Abroad, at home, in company, or in the street, lift up your heart, and tell Him all you feel and all you desire. Aim to have constant communion with Him. Let Him not be long out of your sight. Oh, to have to do with Jesus, and with

Jesus only! Do not make up your mind to do aught before you ask counsel from Him. The heart is deceitful, and will lead us astray. Let us be very jealous over this inward foe, and only consult our dearest and best Friend,... If it be pleasant to have fellowship with the saints of the Lord in the midst, of much imperfection, what must it be when we get home, and cluster altogether around the feet of Jesus, who lived and died, and rose again for us! Oh, help me to praise Him! You cannot think how often I take my walks above, and how pleasant they are. It is so real. I seem to see so many I have loved, and had fellowship with here, all around the throne; and to see that loving, tender, sympathizing Jesus, who once was a man of sorrows, who bore my sins, paid all mv erreat debt, and ransomed mv soul from the destroyer, — now, in all His glory and infinite beauty, waiting to welcome home everv new-born soul. Oh, He is an ocean of love, — nothing but love is in His dear heart towards you and me. Who would not serve Him here that knows Him? Follow on, dear friend, to know more and more of Him. Keep up a constant intercourse with Him. I hardly know how to stop, my heart is so full. Pray for me, and may His sweetest blessings be with you.”

TO MR. W, ON THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE.

“... The Lord has laid His heavy hand upon you. All is in love. May He open your eye to see it. He loves us too well to afflict us without a need-be. “When we get above, we shall see how needful the chastening of Him who loves us, for our preparation for the full enjoyment of that place He has gone to prepare for us. Oh, what a change! from earth to heaven — from a suffering bed to a mansion of glory. You are the sufferer; but dry your tears, for home will come at last, and may we receive from His own loving lips a Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. I feel for you, and pray you may be sustained and comforted of God. Jesus is very near. He is ordering all things for you. He does not willingly afflict us. It is to wean us from a dying world and from ourselves. We too much grovel here; the Lord sees the encroachment of earthly ties, which leave but half for Him. Let us, then, gird up the loins of our mind, and make a fresh start for heaven. A crown of glory awaits us. JesuiJ. the very same Jesus, is on the throne, as full of love, compassion, and sympathy as when a man of sorrows here upon earth. And, although He has taken wife and child from you, blessedly housing them near Himself, He has not taken Himself, but is with you, and will comfort your poor sorrowing heart. Soon you will meet again those you love, and be for ever with the Lord. Oh, the glory that awaits the Christian! By all these painful dispensations He is preparing us for the full enjoyment of that glory — glory begun here — glory increasing throughout eternity. This world is not worth a thought; and we should ever bear in mind, it is but a passage to a better.... Dear brother, let this fresh trial, like a stormy gale, drive you nearer and still nearer to Jesus. Make Him your all in all. Live upon. Him, and you may live with Him even here upon earth. Oh, it is a little taste of heaven below to enjoy the lifting up of His own loving countenance. Covet these gracious manifestations of His presence to your soul. Heaven is all around us. Angels are the Lord’s messengers watching over every step. Yes.

‘The hour, the hour is hastening,

Spirit shall with spirit blend,
Frail mortality is wastine.

Then the secret all shall end.

‘Let, then, the thought hold sweet communion,

Let us breathe the mutual prayer;
Till in heaven’s eternal union

We meet with those we’ve loved while here.’

“May this season of sorrow draw you closer to his heart.”

to ax afflicted friend.

“My dear Friend, —

“The Lord has tried you of late, and I do feel anxious to speak a word of comfort to you in this affliction. Those whom He loves He invariably tries. The graces of the Spirit are thus brought into holy exercise. Jesus is thereby honoured, and our souls ascend a hieher round in that ladder that reaches from earth to heaven. TVe must sit at His feet, and believe that He does all things well. What we know not now, we shall know hereafter. The Judge of all the earth must do right. Oh, let us cling closer and closer to Him than ever. Let us make Him our all in all. Oh, to live for eternity! Eternity! solemn thought! The eye, the all-searching eye of God is upon us at this moment. May the constraining love of Christ, the eternal love of the Father, and the sanctifying love of the Holy Ghost, rest upon you, guide, and bless you.”

TO MISS E. W, IN TRIAL.

“Dear Friend, — April 16th.

“You are one of God’s tried ones. The trial of your faith is much more precious then gold, for it will appear in the end that it was needful, and that you could not have done without it. Do not think, because I have not written for some time, that I have forgotten you. Ah, no! You have often been in my heart.

“Dear friend, this is our season for the trial of faith, and every fresh trial, under the loving eye of Jesus, and sanctified by the indwelling Spirit, is like a fresh gale wafting us nearer and nearer to our port — to the place He has gone to prepare for us. All these things work together for our prosperity of soul. ‘Heaven is a prepared place, for a prepared people,’ — the one family of God. Oh, beloved, what must it be to be there! 1 am now living on the verge of it. A few weary steps more, and I shall be put into my possessions, all prepared by the hand of eternal, unchano-ino: love. “We shall never think when we oet there that we had one trial too manv. We shall see, too, that we could not have done without one of them, for that all were so many needful lessons to instruct us in a journey through a wilderness full of temptation; and that Infinite wisdom had chosen them for us. I know vour trials are often great, but the loving eye of Jesus is upon you, and your name is deeply engraved upon His heart. Whom He loves He loves unto death. I am near my eternal home. Jesus is very precious and His presence is sensibly with me. I have at times most precious glimpses of the glory of heaven, and of the reality of the resurrection — of Jesus seated on the throne, looking as full of pity, sympathy, and boundless love upon all the weakest of His little flock, as when here below. He is just the same now. Go to Him at once, dear friend, be your trouble what it may. Lift up your heart, though surrounded vritli company, or sitting by your dear sick sister; only raise it, in silent breathing, and He will hear and answer. It will be the prayer of faith — the fiiith of one who feels she has no help but Jesus. May his sweetest, richest blessing rest upon jou, my dear sister; and if I see you no more here, I will meet and welcome you above.

“P. S. — I live no%y more as a little helpless child (an infant) upon Christ, than ever I did in my long life.”

TO THE REy. B. P, AT A TIME OF SEYEEE DOMESTIC

AFFLICTION.

“Leamington, Oct. 26th.
“Dear Brother in a precious Jesus, —

“One in Christ, and in the kingdom of tribulation, I feel a desire to drop you a line, though personally unknown. You are in trouble — this is enough — and having myself passed through the same, I feel doubly anxious to speak a word, if the Lord permit, of comfort to your weary and tried spirit. It is through much tribulation we are to enter the kingdom — how true is this to every saint!... Oh, dear brother, it is an honour put upon a saint of God to be called to taste a little of that sorrow through which Jesus, our Elder Brother, passed for us. Deep, awful, and mysterious was His tribulation when our heavy debt was laid upon His righteous soul. What we are called to taste is but to refine and meeten us for the full enjoyment of that place He has gone to prepare for us. Be it so, Lord, only let our tribulation cause us to cling closer and closer to Thyself. I am sure this will find an echo in your soul. Submission to His loving will under trial He only can give. In vain we try ourselves — our reasoning powers will not avail us: our deceitful hearts will argue the point, and leave us as far off its attainment as ever. We must 2:0 in all our helplessness to Him who has said, VTitliout Me ye can do nothing. Dear brother, this you know better than I do. But this I know, that when a storm comes upon us, often a mist is cast before us by the enemy, and we cannot clearly see our way; then is the time to cast om-selves at the feet of Him who is watching over us with a loving, sleepless eye. We are in the furnace, but not alone; the Son of God is with us, saying, Be not afraid it is I. I have passed through deep, dark waters, but I now feel that these things were sent for my good, and I would not have been without His chastening for ten thousand worlds, and you will have to declare the same. The Lord deals with us with a view of causing us to know more of His wondrous love, and the glorious mystery- of fellowship with his suffering. Jesus who loves us has ’ done all things well,’ and this we shall acknowledse before an2:els and men. I should never have known so much the tender sympathy, gentleness, and matchless love that there is in the heart of Jesus, nor have enjoyed so much union and communion with Him, or the interchange of a holy recognition, but for His dealings.... The Holy Spirit is given since Jesus came to restore, in a measure, the sensible presence of a good and gracious Father to His children. And those who walk closely with God are permitted to hear His voice, evermore speaking to them by the Spirit within. Great is the mystery of godliness! Oh, to hold fast our oneness with Jesus! To come with an open heart, in all our helplessness, and tell Him all. Is not this a mighty privilege for a poor, helpless sinner? What need we fear when He invites us to cast our burden upon Him who is able to bear our burden and sustain us too? We want more childlike snnplicity in obeying the commands of Christ. Soon we pass away to our heavenly inheritance, and then we shall see all the way He led us through the wilderness was the right way, and that not one trial or cross could have been dispensed with. Forgive me for troubling you with this, written amidst much interruption; but the Lord laid you on my heart, and I could not refrain from telling you so.

Accompanying the preceding and touching letter, addressed to an honourable servant of Christ, was a copy of the following exquisite lines on Christian sympathy, for which she might have sat as the original to the gifted author: —

“Must I my brother keep,

And share his pains and toil;
And weep with those that weep,

And smile with those that smile?
And act to each a brother’s part,
And feel his sorrows in my heart?

“Must I his burden bear,

As though it were my own,
And do as I would care

Should to myself be done;
And faithful to his interests prove,
And as myself my neighbour love?

“Must I reprove his sin,

Must I partake his grief
And kindh’ enter in

And minister relief;
llie naked clothe, the hungry feed.
And love him not in word, but deed?

“Then, Jesus, at thy feet
A student let me be,
And learn, as it is meet,

Mv duty. Lord, of Thee:
For thou didst come on mercy’s plan,
And all thy life was love to man.

“Oh, make me as Thou art,

Thy J>pirit, Lord, bestow;
The kind and gentle heart

That feels another’s woe,
That thus I may be like my Head,
And in my Saviour’s footsteps tread.”*

Such are a few specimens — culled from an extensive correspondence — of her letters of Christian sympathy. The thoughts and feelings they so glowingly express welled up from a heart trained in that most blessed and instructive of all schools — sanctified sorrow. Her posture while penning them would seem to have been that of the ’ disciple whom Jesus loved,’ — leaning upon the bosom of her Lord; or, to quote her own expressive words, ‘taking her walks above,’ and dating as from the borders of the Celestial City. Comforted herself by Jesus, she sought to lead all who were in any trouble to the same divine source of consolation. From heartfelt experience she could say, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” Again we ask. What, though this were her only gift, where, in the Church of Christ, is there one more rare or more precious? And yet what Christian, whose consolation has abounded by Christ, mav not iro and do likewise? Who that has a wound healed by the Saviour’s sympathy, may not gently lead another bleeding heart to Him? It is thus we aid Him in His mission of love to our world. We recur again to her Diary.

“April 23rd. — Surely I have seen an end of all perfection both in myself and in others. But, oh, there is One, and only one, and He is perfect. The Lord be praised for this! The goodness, the long-suffering, the loving-kindness of God surpasses our conceptions. Eternity only can unfold it to us, and Tve shall be even there learning it out for ever and ever. O Lord Jesus, make me holy — sanctify me for Thyself Fill me with Thyself, that I mav know what it is to be filled with all the fulness of God. Sanctify me, body, soul, and spirit.

* Kev, Dr. Raffles.

“27th. — When disappointed in the creature, I take refuge at once in Jesus. I run to llim, and find Him all mv heart could wish. Oh, how precious is a throne of grace to my soul — a meeting-place between a holy God and a poor sinner, sprinkled with the blood of His dear Son, and ever a verdant spot, inviting a poor, needy, trembling sinner at all times and under all circumstances. Lord, how could I live without Thee? Thou art my all in all! my comfort, my joy, my peace, my strengthener, my home for time and eternity.”

“30th. — How intricate is often the believer’s way! So hedged up that He cannot discern a single step before him. All is dark. He here and there goes too often to the creature for counsel, and, perhaps, for sympathy, but finds all but broken cisterns. But Jesus is at hand — a Fountain of livinsr waters, ever ready to impart all comfort, wisdom, and direction. But, oh, how slow to approach this Fountain! How base and ungrateful the heart, and wretched the unbelief that still lurks within, ever leading us away from Him who is a present help in every time of need. Take up thy rest, oh, my soul, in Him who hath loved thee with an everlasting love, and will love thee unto the end!”

“There is a voice — it comes to me

On memory’s happy wing,
“When doubts and dark despondency

Their fearful shadows fling;
‘I am thy Helper, I thy Fiieud,
I’m with thee always to the end.’

““When trials came, and threat’ning ill,

And dearest comforts fled,
I look’d above to Zion’s hill.

And the blest promise sped,
To soothe my heart, to chase my fear,

* I’m with thee always — I am near.’

“When duties press’d with heavy weight
Upon ray bosom sore,
My pathway seemed more dark and strait.
I heard the voice before —

* Take up my cross and follow me,
Soon thou shalt my salvation see.’

“And when the spoiler’s cruel dart
Had toucli’d my fairest flowers,
Dear, cherish’d objects of my heart,

And sadd’ning all my hours.
The voice then came so small and still,
It bow’d me to Jehovah’s will.

” ‘Twas dark upon life’s rugged sea,
And friends who once did shine
In days of fair prosperity,

I could not claim as mine;
One then replied, ‘I am thy Friend,
I’m with thee always to the end.’

“And oft when sickness, feverish pain,

Came with relentless power,
Methought I heard the voice again,

Sustaining in that hour;
* I am thy Saviour, I thy Friend,
I will be with thee to the end.’

“And when the strife of death comes near,
And darkly rolls cold Jordan’s wave,
I’ll look to yonder brighter sphere,

To Him who has the power to save.
Oh! may I trust Him to the end,
The sinner’s everlasting Friend!”