August 2.

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." -Eccl. vii. 8.

Blessed Lord, in this season of excitement and perplexity, when fear exceedingly prevailed, I have clung and still cling to thee. I beseech thee, compose my spirit, and enable me to take the comfort of thy word, to receive the words of thy lips. Thou speakest to my soul even now, saying, "Fear not, I am with thee." Thou art a jealous God, thou hast trodden the winepress of sorrow alone for me, and thou assumest thine own most just prerogative to speak comfort to my soul. Thou wilt not have a rival. When I would seek human comfort, every door is shut against me, and I can find "no rest for the sole of my foot," but in thee. Sanctify to my heart this most applicable text to my present experience, I beseech thee, and take all care away. If there were not a deep "root of bitterness" in my heart, I should not feel troubled as I do. Lord, thou knowest me altogether, spare it not, yet have pity on me! Let "fair weather come out of the north;" and the end of this matter, which is in thy hands, be "better than the beginning thereof."

"The Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following."-Mark xvi. 20.

Help me, blessed Redeemer, whilst I labour in thy name and in thy cause, to feel much assurance in the wonderful fact that thou art working with me, in me, and by me. Surely I have suffered

enough, because of unbelief and carnal fear: be this the day of liberty! Hence let me be "strong in the Lord." In the world there is nought but tribulation; every thing to oppose on the one hand, or excite false hope on the other ; whilst I, the moment my faith fails, am the prey of fearful anxiety. I beseech thee, elevate my soul by thy truth, unfold to the eye of my soul much of thy character, thy attributes, and purposes, that I may feel the firm ground on which I stand, and not be moved by aught which meets me. Thou art not seen by mortal sight; let me constantly realize thy spiritual presence. Let me acknowledge this privilege by asking thee habitually what I am to do, and in following thee in love. Educate me by thy Spirit and thy word. Thou, O Jesus, art my wisdom, instruct me; give a just discernment of what is truth, and a preference to it as strong as life. Give me con

fidence in thy power, that I may not fear my fellow creatures, nor be apprehensive of harm or the infliction of evil from any quarter; from the ill-will of enemies, or the mistakes of my friends; knowing that thy holy, thy blessed, and gracious purposes of good to me, were settled in eternity, and every opposing power will fall back on itself nerveless, and not reach me. Let my will be assimilated to thee. Thus shall all be well. I shall be lifted above disappointment, and with fixedness of heart, ever rejoice in the Lord.

"God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love," Heb. vi. 10. Surely this should be enough to satisfy, to encourage, and carry me forward in a line of stedfast obedience

to God, and of active exertion in his service for the sending forth of truth, the putting down of iniquity, and the conversion of souls. However insignificant my work and labour `may seem to human judgment, avails nothing. I act according to a higher standard, and a perfect law. My Master looks at the principle, love.

Praise to my faithful God for signal deliverances, and trust in his faithful promises.

"Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul," Psa. liv. 4. "He hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies," Psa. liv. 7. “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me," Psa. lvi. 3, 4. "His work is honourable and glorious and his righteousness endureth for ever," Psa. cxi. 3. "He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion," Psa. cxi. 4. "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil," Psa. cxix. 162. "Thou art

my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word," Psa. cxix. 114. "O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle," Psa. cxl. 7. "I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor," Psa. cxl. 12. "The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground," Psa. cxlvii. 6.

G

An earnest Prayer.

"Hide not thy face far from me put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation," Psa. xxvii. 9.

I am a stranger in this world;

When shall I rise to dwell with thee?
When shall the friendly hand of death
Set my imprison'd spirit free?

I am a stranger in this world,
Dead to its interests and its joys;
A higher interest meets my view,
A nobler work my soul employs.

Lord, I am weary of this world,
Where all I see is stain'd with sin;
Without, a host disputes my way,
And guilty unbelief within.

A work thou hast assign'd to me,
Dear for thy sake; yet my poor heart,
Midst storms and enemies and snares,
Would gladly from this world depart.

Oh, of thy Spirit, pitying God,
A double portion hence bestow;
More largely on me let the streams
Of mercy, love, and comfort flow.

A den of lions is the scene

Of my poor labours, where I tell
Of God's high justice, and how men
By Jesus may be saved from hell.

Oh, leave me not; by thy right hand
Support, direct my path, and plead
In my behalf; e'en now, O Lord,
With God the Father intercede.

The threat'ning skies are dark; the storm
Seems gath'ring o'er my drooping head
Let hope divine, let joy be pour'd

On one to this world's pleasures dead.

Show me at once, by that pure light

Which meets the soul from heav'n to earth,
That by thy word these low'ring clouds
Shall to a brighter scené give birth.

Have pity on me, e'en as when,
In the young infancy of grace,
When I was gather'd in thine arms,
And rested in thy kind embrace.

Now worn with conflict in the war,
Though vict'ry still shall crown my days,

More of thy presence give, and fill

My heart with love, my lips with praise.

Nov., 1836.

Promises of special encouragement whilst labouring in the vineyard of God for the salvation of souls.

Dearest Lord, hast thou not seen that Satan has been tempting me, through circumstances which thou knowest, almost to desert one rich and promising field of labour? I beseech thee preserve me in it; and let neither the falsehood which I have seen in one, nor the injustice which was shown me by another, move me. Oh let me say, as was affirmed by the apostle Paul, "None of these things move me." Rather let me look to the end, when I should be grieved to look back on time when I did not care so entirely for the conversion of souls to God, as to be indifferent to the inferior things which I in great frailty have suffered to disquiet me now. Let me turn from the shadows, and look at thy eternal and rich promises to me.

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing