hand little short of elegant for an aged person. He put to paper matter enough to fill many volumes; lived to see his epistles alike esteemed and desired by the humble labourer and the learned counsel, the illiterate servant-girl and the accomplished lady; and, what was far better to him than all this, he had the great happiness of knowing that his letters did good to souls redeemed by the blood of Jesus. But for this unparalleled effort of his pious, benevolent, and ardent mind, the present volume had not existed: which, if rendered the means of gratifying his numerous friends, and doing good to others as far as may be reasonably hoped for, will, in addition to what was done in his life-time, fully justify his uncommon effort, and be of more real benefit to the world, than many noisy undertakings which promised far more at the outset.

CHAPTER IX.

ON entering 1834, my dear and honoured father expressed a presentiment which occupied his mind, that he had then commenced the year which was to terminate his earthly pilgrimage. He stated that on one occasion, when from home, amidst the displays of the power of God among the churches, he was taken ill; and not knowing

how it might go with him, while looking up to Him who "giveth to all life and breath and all things," a voice spoke to him, and said, "I will add to thy days fifteen years." That period was just now expired, and the same authoritative voice seemed to say, "This year thou shalt

die."

The affliction by which it pleased God to remove him to his heavenly reward commenced about the beginning of August. It was painful and protracted; and to some it appeared rather mysterious, that one who had so long and so eminently walked with God, and who had in such an extraordinary manner gone about doing good, should, at the close of his life, be called to pass through affliction's furnace, heated even hotter than it is wont to be heated. Many had fancied that he would enter into the joy of his Lord by a sort of translation. When, therefore, they heard of his severe suffering for many, many weeks, their faith in the divine beneficence was almost staggered. But where do we learn this doctrine, that saints must be exempt from suffering, or the goodness of God impeached? Had this state

been the final reward of the saints, instead of the arena of their probation and trial, there would, perhaps, be some ground to question the love of God. But seeing their stay here is but for a moment, that they are on their way to "another and a better world," that they are to be rewarded

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there according to their works, and that the "faith tried with fire, shall be found to praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus," pain, with grace to bear it, must now be ranked among the most precious gifts of heaven. Hence the God of our mercies has so laid down the path to glory, as to lead his people through much tribulation to enter the kingdom. In the order of things, and to render them the more desirable and blissful, ease, and rest, and glory, are to succeed pain, and toil, and dishonour. Thus it was with Jesus, the Captain of our salvation; and thus it was with that "cloud of witnesses" who "obtained a good report through faith." We know who has said, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten." And, again, "Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."

AUG. 13th.-I yesterday visited my dear father in his deep affliction. He has now been ill about a fortnight. His disease is an inflammation in the bladder; a complaint often incident to old age. Alas! "his strength is now labour and sorrow." I was never before so struck with the truth contained in these words. The pain is at times excruciating. It was a very afflicting scene. This is a dispensation which calls loudly for faith in God, both in him, and in those who from sympathy suffer with him. Soon after I entered the room he turned to me, and said with much emo.

tion, "My present experience is contained in this verse of our hymn :

'He has engross'd my warmest love,
No earthly charm my soul can move;
I have a mansion in his heart,

Nor death nor hell can make us part.'"

He afterwards told me, that, in the beginning of his affliction, the adversary had been permitted to thrust sore at him. Extreme pain had bereft him of his joy, and it was then powerfully suggested, that, so long as he continued in the body, it would no more return to him. And to enter the valley and shadow of death without one ray of heavenly joy, appeared to him gloomy indeed. But whilst he was striving to look up for help, and to stay his soul upon God amidst the thick gloom of the temptation, these words of the Psalmist brought him very gracious relief: "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God." From this time he was enabled to hold the enemy at a greater distance. At a subsequent period, a blessed increase of comfort was brought to his soul by a powerful application of the words of the Prophet, "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may, yet will I not forget thee; behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." In his worst moments, he

observed, he had not felt the slightest doubt of his final salvation; but he seemed scarcely capable of finding language sufficiently strong to express the sense which he had of his unworthiness and unfaithfulness. All his hope rested exclusively on the atonement, in which he trusted and gloried. His whole soul appeared to find utterance, while he exclaimed, in the language of Mr. Wesley,

"I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me."

No doubt God will sanctify this most distressing dispensation, and bring forth his servant as gold seven times purified in the fire. It pleased the Father to bruise his Son Jesus; and thus make the Captain of our salvation perfect through sufferings; and herein my dear parent has fellowship with his Lord and Master. O, may his faith and patience hold out, and be stronger and stronger to the end! Surely it will be so, and his final hour bring glory to his God!

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Monday, 18th. This morning early I was sent for to attend my father, who had been taken much worse during the night. I found him in great bodily suffering. Since I saw him on Wednesday, he had drunk deep of the bitter cup. The sight was very distressing to those about him. At ten, A. M., he was seized with a convulsive fit. We then thought the mortal affliction was past; but, after lying in a state of insensibility about