the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." In visiting the sick and the afflicted, the widow and fatherless, the attitude need not be disturbed by the breaking in of Jesus upon us. "Watch, therefore, for ye know not "what hour your Lord doth come. "Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh." And I do verily believe that if we come to the matter of workers, the best will be found to be those who hold the doctrines of grace -not that they would make an atom of merit of their works; but it is the inevitable outflow of that which is worked within, and such will distinguish between that which is internal and the entire work of the Spirit, and that outward demonstration of it which displays the reality of our religion before the world. So it will be found that there are two kinds of work, distinct from one another, and yet the one the proof of the other. There is the inwrought work of the Holy Ghost, and the outward demonstration of that work; for "by their fruits ye shall know them."

Having thus drawn attention to some of the characteristics of the saving faith of God's elect, say, dear reader, does your faith agree thereto ? Do these tracings commend themselves to your spiritual judgment? do they find a response in your heart? Perhaps you are sighing, "Alas! I fear my faith will not come up to this standard, though, in some measure, I have felt what you have described." Well, it may be little faith," but if it be genuine it is well. We always find ourselves at home with little faith ones. Our faith may not be triumphant; but if it be trustful it is genuine. The sigh and the song of the Church of God spring from the same source. The little ones who have left the imprint of their feet upon the heavenly ground are as mnch the

children of God as those who have mounted the rugged steps, and are high up the mountain side. The Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief," may be a low chord of the

soul's harp; but it is as much a chord as such higher swellings as "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day." The babes and the children were as much of the company of Israel as Moses and Aaron at the head; and we may be well assured that as they went over the rough places of the wilderness, they were more tenderly cared for than the stalwart and the strong. The greater the need, the more the Divine help granted and given.

FROM SAINT TO SAINT.

No. 4.

MY VERY DEAR SISTER IN CHRIST, -I am glad that you have been enabled to follow the Lord in His glorious, though despised, ordinance of baptism, and that your soul was comforted and strengthened at that time. And think it not strange that you have been tempted since to doubt of your being a child of God. For thus it fared with our Lord, the dear Head of the Church. After He was baptized, Satan came to Him with an "If thou be the Son of God," &c. But the devil found nothing in Christ, no unbelief to fasten this sug gestion upon. Christ repelled the temptation with that perfection of faith in God and love to Him, with that wisdom, strength, and firmness, with that zeal for the honour of His Father, and the good of His junior brethren, which every way became so great a person as God's only, His first-born Son, the glorious Head and immovable Rock of the Church. And His victory is our conquest. By Christ's suffering himself to be tempted of the devil, by His baffling the power and cunning of Satan, and commanding off the tempter when he had finished his temptation,-all that are Christ's, in Him mystically overcame the gates of hell. Hence, also, the Captain of our salvation, in that He himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted. He hath an ability of sympathy in that

He himself, when thus a sufferer, hath experienced the same subtilty and force of temptation. And also an ability of authority as a victor over the tempter, having overcome him for us, to overcome him in us. And in both respects, He is well able to succour, to pity and help us. Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. My dear Sister,-I compassionate your soul in those fears which attend you about your interest in Jesus. Be of good cheer, your Beloved is yours and you are His. Your desire to go wholly out of self into Christ, is your soul's going out wholly unto Him by that desire. And as to that distance

from Christ which you groan under, it only respects your want of His manifestative favour, unto a full persuasion of interest with the blessed effects attending it. And this shall be removed in the Lord's time. You shall have as much nearness to Christ as your soul desires. Let me ask you, Is there any distance between Christ and you as to desire? Is not Christ and His salvation desirable to you, Christ above all things, Christ in all His personal glories, in all His personal relations, in all His offices, and in all His performances the All of your desires? And is there any part of His salvation that you can be content to be without? I know you will say, "Give me Christ, the whole of Christ and of His salvation, or I die." And if so, my dear sister, your soul goes wholly out to Christ for all salvation, and Christ and His salvation are wholly yours-yours by right, and shall be yours by enjoyment. Your right of interest is full and durable; nothing can be added to, nothing taken from that. And your enjoyment of that Jesus, and of that salvation in and by Him which Free Grace hath made yours and secured to you, which is now begun, shall happily increase through time and be perfected in and drawn out to a blessed eternity.

And if, my dear sister, you would have increasing nearness to Christ as to communion-love, do not grieve the

Comforter by refusing to be comforted. Listen to and credit the testimony of the Holy Ghost in those sweet whispers of the love of Christ which He is pleased to give to your heart at times by the application of particular promises. What! will you grieve the Holy Ghost, your Comforter, and dishonour Him by giving heed to the father of lies who suggests to your mind that you have no right to the promises because they come not to your mind with so much power as you could wish? Know and be assured, that all the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ unto every soul that looks unto Him for life. One and all, the promises are yours, for ever yours as a looker unto Jesus. And the Holy Spirit as a Comforter is given you from your own Lord Jesus to apply to your heart in your times of need, some of those many exceeding great and precious promises, unto which you have a universal and indefeasible right, for your refreshment and consolation. And can you doubt when any particular promise is applied to your soul, whether that promise belongs to you, when that and all the promises of God are yours as a believer in the Son of God? And can you doubt whether the application of that promise is from the Lord, when it suits your case, strengthens your faith, encourages your hope, and spreads abroad the savour and sweetness of Christ, and of the free grace of God in Him throughout your heart to your soul's refreshment and joy? O, my dear sister, there is not a promise brought to your mind that brings Christ and you, God and you together, if it be but for a moment, but was from the Lord. And whether the power that attends any promise that comes into the mind be greater or lesser, and whether it abides for a longer or shorter space, if the effect produced thereby in the heart is the increase of any grace to the strengthening of the soul to cleave unto God in Christ, that promise was certainly applied by, and undoubtedly from the Lord. For this is a sure rule, "That which comes from God leads to Him."

Listen, then, my dear sister, to the still small voice of your Saviour's love, when He doth but whisper as it were. Say it is the voice of my beloved. Count not the consolations of God small; receive the least with thankfulness, and seek for the greatest with earnestness. So will you honour the Lord by faith, and so will He honour you with increasing communion with Him in love.

Unto the tender care of your dear Lord, who loves you infinitely and will satisfy your soul abundantly, I commit you, and in Him with great affection, I am, dear sister,

Yours for ever,—

To a London Pastor from one of his Flock.

Paris, Lord's-day, March 28, 1880. DEAR MR. HAZELTON,-Yesterday is exactly three months since I left London, and you desired me to write you a line to inform you how I am getting on. I confess I miss my home very much, especially my seat at Mount Zion, where I always enjoyed sweet comfort to my soul. I have often wished that I might step in the little chapel, and hear your wellknown voice; and although that is impossible at present, I am thankful and happy to say, the Lord, my precious Master and Saviour, is near, very near to me. Jesus has always been near to me from a boy of fifteen years. I feel, especially in this city of ungodliness, that I cannot, neither do I wish to, do without Him whom my soul loveth. There is nothing here satifying. How can there be, when I am looking upwards, when all the feelings of my heart are drawn towards Him who has done so much for me all my life. And although I miss my chapel much, yet I do not miss my Lord, you will be happy to know. I am thankful to inform you there are now plenty of small places of worship in Paris, and Mr. McAll and Baron Hart are working hard and cheerfully, and patiently too, for the French people are very peculiar to deal with on the subject of religion;

and during the progress of the service it is very common for people to be going out and coming in. Nevertheless, the gospel is being preached, and there are many little assemblies gathered together to praise God. May God in His mercy spread His love and light more abundantly throughout this land. Sunday here is simply a holiday. People dress and walk about the boulevards, and seem as if they had nothing to think about. They do not seem joyful and happy; they must be always on the wing-always moving from one place to another. I see it all, they have no God. How sad! Oh, how sad indeed! I often think what a debt I owe to love divine for delivering me from the path of evil. I must tell you that our Lord has enabled me and my brother (who is with me) to overcome a strong tempta

tion. Before I left London I had a situation as compositor on an English paper, which bid fair to start Paris life with. At first we had to work two months in a close, dismal cellar

gas-light all day. At last a fine, brilliant, new printing-office was built for us, and we entered the same on a Thursday afternoon, and commenced our work. After we had been working an hour, it was announced that "all hands" would have to work 66 on Sunday." My heart rose to my throat, and the devil was at once by my side. "A beautiful office," said he; only just one Sunday; and, you know, if you left here where would you go? you would have to go home again, for you would not be able to go into a French office." I trembled like a leaf. Another sweet voice said, "Do not work on Sunday; remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. God ruleth I was enabled to clench my fist and bite my lips, and say, "No, I will not work on Sunday." My brother and I went to the foreman, and asked to be exempted from Sunday work; and he replied, haughtily, "No, you cannot be exempted; if cannot work on Sunday, you cannot work here at all." I reminded him of his promise that if I could not conscientiously work on Sundays I need

over all.

you

not do so. But he would not listen to anything I had to say; and he said we could go when we liked. We saw our course clearly, and there and then packed our few tools up, and left the office. Of course, we were "out of work." But the Good Shepherd always watches over His sheep. We came home, and at once committed ourselves to him who is so good to all who love and fear His name. We left our office on the Thursday; but on the following Saturday we obtained a new situation in a French office; and--it is not strange at all with Him who rules over all things-they were in want of two Englishmen to work on a French and English dictionary and also a weekly journal. Thus God did not-no, never will, for He has said so-leave us alone after having done what was right. May we always have strength to do what is right.

Dearly beloved brother, I do so hope that you have a measure of health and strength. I often pray for you, and that you may be spared to proclaim again and again those gospel truths which I, and many others, have found to be so true, so full of light, such a comfort to the soul and delight to the heart.

I remain, your affectionate brother in Christ,

CLEMENT Day.

PRAYER.

PRIVATE prayer is the ascension of the soul to the Almighty, and its returns are the descension of Christ to the soul's help. Prayer has made the Sun of Righteousness stand still in His firmament though discharged from the lips of a blind beggar. It has brought the Ancient of Days to dwell in a bush; and even a worm, by this simple means, has held the King of Kings in the galleries; yea, Omnipotence itself has been constrained to say, Let Me go, for the day breaketh."

But

dust and ashes replied, “I will not, except Thou bless me." And He blessed him there, and allowed that Himself had been conquered, and styled His antagonist a prevailer with

God. Prayer opens the bountiful hand of God, opens the door of mercy, keeps Christ in the throne of our affections, and covers every rival and usurper with shame and confusion of face.

Prayer is my royal exchange, where I have brought thousands of burdens, snares, troubles, temptations, doubts, fears, unbelieving fits, hardness of heart, rebellion of heart and ingratitude of heart, together with deaf ears, blind eyes, feeble knees, languid hands, halting feet, and a stiff neck; with many persecutions, false charges and vile reproaches; and have got rid of them all at times. I have gone to this 'change with all sorts of devils, and have left them in the hands of Him that could manage them, when my strength has been all gone, and self-despair has seized me. I have received in return thousands of kisses, blessings, mercies and deliverances; many refreshings, renewings, and returns of comfort, peace, love and joy; together with fresh discoveries, love tokens, wholesome truths, heavenly lessons, earnests, pledges and foretastes, reviving cordials, precious promises, or bank notes payable this day and every day through life, and even to millions of ages after date, signed, sealed and delivered by Jehovah Himself.

Prayer engages the Almighty on the side of the suppliant, and establishes an alliance with God. Prayer hath brought health to the sick, hearing to the deaf, speech to the dumb, eyes to the blind, life to the dead, salvation to the lost, and even driven the devil himself from the heart of many, and brought the God of heaven to dwell in his room.

Prayer is pouring out the soul before God, and showing Him all our troubles; it is casting our cares upon Him that careth for us, and our burdens upon Him in whom we are to say we have righteousness and strength; it is opening to our Wellbeloved, opening our minds, hearts and mouths to Him who tells us to let Him hear our voice, and see our faces, the one being sweet and the other

comely. This is besieging an everlasting kingdom, moving the throne of grace, and coming with a treble rat-tat at the door of mercy. In prayer we must take no denial, if we have but a feeling sense of our wants, a scriptural warrant to go upon, or one promise to plead; we must sue, argue, reason, supplicate, confess, thank, praise, adore, importune; take hold of and turn every thing we can to our own advantage, so as we can but get something for the soul. Sensible sinners, that are poor and needy, have gotten many invitations, encouragements, precedents, promises, the covenant, the oath of God, the merits of Christ, and all His covenant engagements, undertakings and performances; the covenant characters that He sustains, His incarnation and near relationship to us, together with all the glorious train of divine perfections found in the proclamation of the name of God to Moses; for they all harmonize and shine in Christ crucified.

W. HUNTINGDON, S.S.

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MR.

PHILIP DICKERSON. Continuation of my Narrative. MY DEAR BROTHER,-A little before the Christmas in the year 1815, my friend urged me to go and speak at this newly-opened preaching station, in a village called Newborne, saying the people were frequently disappointed in their supplies. I objected, on the ground that I had no abilities for preaching; for, although I had expounded the Scriptures at a prayer meeting, yet I had never taken a whole service, neither did I feel able to stand up and preach. However, he urging it week after week. I at length assented, that whenever a vacancy occurred, I would go and endeavour to speak to the people. The very next Monday morning when we met, my friend told me he had engaged me to preach twice the next Lord's-day. Full of anxiety, fear, and trembling, I be

took myself to my Bible and the throne of grace, to prepare me for preaching the next Sunday. I had never read a sermon in my life, nor any other book beside the Bible, Watts' and Rippon's, Hart's, and Roberts' Hymns, and the Pilgrim's Progress. The first impressed upon my mind was Eph. i. 7"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Over this verse I read, thought, and meditated, till I got my whole sermon fixed in my memory so completely, that I felt almost_sure I could recollect every word. I felt more anxious about my afternoon subject, because I had not had sufficient time for that. The eventful morning came. I took my place at the time appointed, and, after singing and prayer, gave out my text, and was proceeding very comfortably with my introduction, when my eye lighted upon a man whom I knew to be a conceited critic, though I believed he was partial to me; and I knew he had walked seven miles to hear me. As soon as my eye fell upon him, my thoughts commenced wandering upon the most stupid nonsense that I had heard him and his wife disputing about. I forgot my premeditated sermon, and even the divisions; and for a short time, while endeavouring to collect my previous thoughts, I lost sight of the little ability I had, and almost of the Master I was endeavouring to serve. What poor, ignorant, helpless creatures we are! Lord, pity and pardon us! However, I kept on blundering and floundering about till the time was expired, and it did not appear that my poor cottage hearers had perceived my embarrassment. I was invited to dine with a poor, but a very kind man. With him I partook of his humble fare, which was most cheerfully given. After dinner I asked permission to retire and prepare for my afternoon's exercise. I was shown into a room which they called the parlour. In that room there was no furniture; but my kind host brought me a chair, which once had possessed a rush bottom, but the rushes were gone.