not what the day may bring forth-that 'we' are numbered amongst the literal pilgrims; to wit, in Spring, 1848, we parted at Winchelsea. Spring, 1849, you and 1 met again in the north, at dear Hewlett's. Enjoy spiritual communion; and, by-the-bye, one remark of yours was blessed much to my mind, 'Remember, manifestations are not CHRIST' (which I interpreted, DO NOT MAKE a CHRIST of manifestations). Within a month, I am summoned, by the AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATH of my dear uncle, Sir John Smyth, of Ashton Court, to join my mother. She had wished him good night, as usual, Friday Evening, May 18. Was alarmed about six the following morning by hysterics and cries. On inquiry, found the servant, who was to call Sir John-found him DEAD IN BED. She has not, at 71, yet recovered the shock. Of course my residence at Astley is concluded, much to the grief of the dear family there, and I may say to the parish, as I had a district, and was become acquainted with the people. But the Lord reigns, and he it is who ordereth the bounds of our habitation. He greatly blessed my visit there, in restoring me to health of body and peace of mind; and to tell you of the DIVINE support he has given me ever since would take volumes. My dear uncle's death I could only REALIZE by going INTO the chamber of death; have been kept in such blessed peace concerning him, and enabled so entirely to leave the END with Him, that I have been a wonder to myself and others. When I left his house in March, I was under such mental depression and the POWER of evil spirits, being justly chastised. I now KNOW AND SEE; for having given way to pride of heart, enmity, &c. &c., that for a time I was little less than in the belly of hell;' now so raised up again by the power of God, that the beasts of the forest have withdrawn to their caves, and hope, and joy, and peace are mine. "The CHURCH at Bethesda, who comforted me when cast down, look on me as a living miracle of what the grace of God can do. All this while that is, since my uncle's death-I have been in a fiery furnace. Had it not been for Divine support, I should utterly have fainted. I trust yet my last days may be my best (D.V.)" We met again in London in the Summer of last year. She was at that time suffering excessively from mental depression. It was truly distressing to witness a person of such animation and activity so completely prostrated; but those who know, constitutionally, what depression is, will be at no loss to understand her position. There needs no greater trial to a poor child of God than the failure of the animal spirits. Comparatively speaking, every other trial is light, when set in contrast with that entire absence of a wonted energy, spirit, nerve. And yet this is an extreme to which the most active minds are subject. Who but a God can sustain under such circumstances? That the natural man is upheld, when thus situated, has often been to us perfectly marvellous. A letter, under her accustomed signature of W. A. M., which appeared in this Magazine for June, shows how graciously the Lord wrought deliverance from this state of mind for our beloved friend. He wrought, and that effectually, when all means and all friends failed. By a singular providence, in which, when thrown violently on to the ground by a furious horseman, and when the spectators supposed she was killed, she had so signal a proof of her gracious Father's care over her, that the interposition instrumentally dissipated her fears, established her hopes, and gave her once more to sing of redeeming and preserving grace and mercy. Our last meeting was in the month of June of the present year, and to which allusion is made in the annexed letter : "MY DEAR SIR, 66 "2, Cumberland Villa, Tuesday Night, Nov. 11th, 1851. "Had you an idea what was passing in this drawing-room to-day, I am sure you would have been here in spirit. I could not help drawing a contrast between to-day and the evening we spent with you in June last. Our dear friend's coffin was brought into the room. Messrs. WEST, WALLINGER, and Scor, were with us. A hymn was sung, and Mr. WALLINGER spoke on the solemn occasion with much power and faithfulness to all. It has been a day never to be forgotten. May God bless it to the good of all our souls. We followed the dear remains to Lymome Cemetery. Mr. WEST read the prayers most impressively, afterwards gave an address, and a hymn was sung, a copy of which I hope to send you soon. Dear Mr. HEWLETT just came in time for the funeral; and, I am very sorry to say, left early this evening. Dear Miss WAY, could her happy spirit look down, how pleased would she have been that her dear family had an opportunity of hearing so many precious gospel truths. May the Lord, in his infinite mercy, bless and nourish our souls with the table which was spread for us in this dreary wilderness world. "Although dear Miss WAY has been much occupied and interested, since she has been in this house, in establishing her School, and laying plans for the good of the poor, as well for their bodies as their souls, in the midst of all she seemed to hold earthly things with a light hand, being apparently ready to undress for heaven whenever the Lord pleased to call. The last sermon she ever heard was from 'A cry at midnight, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.' Her message came at midnight; for she died at twelve o'clock P.M. "Wishing you every blessing this world can give; or, I should say, that God intends, "I am, dear Sir, yours very truly, "J. M. S." We cannot close this imperfect notice without saying, that what our dear departed friend was, she was by the grace of God. To Himself, his service, and his people, she devoted her time, her talents, her property. Of the latter, it seems, the Lord had entrusted her with a goodly portion. Personally, and we believe relatively, we speak the truth, when we say, that those whom she remembered in her will, had not the slightest anticipation of so signal a proof of Christian regard. To the Aged Pilgrims' Society she has bequeathed £1000; the Pilgrims' Society attached to Bethesda Chapel, Bath, £500; our beloved Brother WALLINGER, £2000; our Brother HEWLETT, £1000; our Brother WEST, £1000; and £1000 to her grateful but unworthy Brother, THE EDITOR. ORIGINAL LETTERS FROM ONE WHO FELL ASLEEP IN JESUS JANUARY 9, 1850. MY DEAR In compliance with your request, I write to tell again of the goodness of my heavenly Father. This morning I can do nothing but think of that eternal weight of glory which is to be revealed in us. Join with me in asking Him to root out of us everything that hinders a fuller revelation of it to our hearts now. The voice and promise to me this morning is, "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh." Is there not power enough in our precious Jesus to perform his own promise in our experience? But where is our faith? Is he not saying, "Believe, and you shall see the glory of God?" This moment I care not what earth, or Satan, or any creature may say, my Father has promised to dwell in me and walk in me, and be my God for ever. My soul sinks into the dust when I think how I dishonour him by unbelief, and allowing a mere creature opinion to shake my confidence in him, the living Rock of Ages. No; at this moment I am taking hold afresh of the mighty power of Jesus, to bear down upon the flesh in us both, that, tenderly as we may feel attached to each other, he will give to each of us much of the unction to watch very narrowly over each other with a godly jealousy, lest our hearts should be beguiled from the simplicity there is in Christ. Let us be found more anxious for communion with our living Head. May our closets witness the fervent breathings of our souls to be kept right in his sight. Blessed Jesus, he is no grievous taskmaster commanding us to live near to him without giving us the power to do it. He knoweth our infirmities, and remembers we are but dust. He only wants to see us from day to day entering into his rest by believing, and he will hold us up by Almighty strength. My greatest enemy is myself, and legal strivings to keep myself; and because he is so jealous of the glory of the Spirit, he makes me smart for it, for it is not my office to take care of myself. "Oh, to grace how great a debtor !" Your SUSAN. MY DEAR I am glad the time has returned to hold a little intercourse with you by writing. I feel I have not much worth telling you about, except of the continued goodness of my dear Lord. When he was on earth, He said, "I have meat to eat, which ye know not of." And oh! what a privilege to feel a traveller along the same path, for so my Father keeps me, saying to every new scene around me. It is perfect peace to have the mind stayed upon him. Dear E-- and I had communion together last evening, read the 89th Psalm, and those verses which we have read together were blessed to us. "In thy name shall they rejoice all the day long." I am sure if your desire was not granted, that I might have the company of my first Husband, I should not know how to bear this place. For sometimes, to remind me of my dependence, I sink like a stone for a few minutes, but am not allowed to remain there long. I was told, this morning, I "looked happy." I walked more * * * than three miles this morning, and only sat down once in a field. As I walked, I sang, while looking at the beauties of Nature around me, "No, not one drop of REAL joy, without thy presence, Lord." I found it very precious then, and was constrained to speak to an old woman (who was picking up sticks,) of my dear Jesus; but I found her a most dreadful character, as she began to say some shocking verses. She was eighty-four years of age, and made me say, I am sure it will be an endless song in glory-it is all of sovereign grace. My soul weeps indeed for the desolations of Zion, and cries out for her Husband to return and collect His own together. What are our mercies from day to day, I feel I cannot convey my feelings in words, as I can sigh them out to my heavenly Father alone. Resurrection, power, and the glorious anointing is wanting; no broken box, a dead Christ, dead doctrines, dead people; but I am in my own soul enjoying communion with a loving one, not seeking Him among the dead, but as he lives full of life for me. Indeed, he hath blessed me with all spiritual blessings in him; for from him "all my fruit is found." Farewell. Abide in Him, and you shall be in safeguard. May, 1834. Your SUSAN. P.S.-Do not forget me in your intercessions; I am so very dependant-it is from hand to mouth. The Protestant Bearon. ALL life is but an active, living comment upon eternal truth. Every enemy which shall assail the Church of God down to the consummation of all things, is sketched in the word of God; and Father Time is only an artist employed, who, with the brush of passing events, fills in their features to the spiritual eye, as so sketched. The following, copied from a daily newspaper, is an exposition of 2 Thess. ii. 3, 4, furnished by our times. It is said, "that on the occasion of an annual sermon being preached in support of St. Werburgh's Schools, at St. Werburgh's Catholic Church, Birkenhead, the greatest devotion was paid to the sacred person of the Bishop who officiated, whose hands were repeatedly kissed during the ceremony by the officiating priests; and on leaving the chapel many of the congregation, principally those of the poorer class, kneeled down, and eagerly caught the garment of the prelate, which they applied to their lips." Mark how the Church of Rome, believer, stands W. P. B. DR. GILL'S COMMENTARY.-OUR PROGRESS. IN another page are some two or three, from among the many, letters of congratulation and encouragement which we have received. When we apprise our readers of the fact that our London Agent, Mr. W. H. COLLINGRIDGE, has laid out nearly £800 upon the undertaking in the purchase of materials and paper-and for which we are necessarily personally responsible-they will be prepared to admire the gracious interposing hand of our God in the very handsome, and altogether unthought-of, bequest of £1,000 (free of legacy duty), of which we have elsewhere spoken. That the Lord should have laid us upon the heart of our beloved and departed sister, and that the knowledge of the fact should have reached us at such a juncture, has called forth our ceaseless admiration and gratitude. We had just previously remarked to a friend, “Well, it is all in the Lord's hands. He can work. Nothing is too hard for the Lord."" A childlike dependence upon Him had, for most part, been realized during the whole of this important undertaking. "What hath God wrought?" has since been our almost ceaseless exclamation. Surely "it is the Lord's doings, and it is marvellous in our eyes." We are not altogether ignorant of the number and determination of our enemies. The old or second-hand booksellers, wishing to maintain the monopoly which the scarcity of the Commentary affords, do what they can to prejudice the public mind against the edition now printing. But we have begun; and, by the help of our God, we shall accomplish. Our School prospers; the progress of the youth is most gratifying. At the time we write, our fourth sheet of sixteen pages of the Commentary is nearly printed off, and four additional sheets are in type. Every line has passed (and, God helping us, shall pass to the end of the work) under our own most rigid scrutiny. We have had great delay in the casting of the type, and transit of the materials; but we despair not of fulfilling our promise of placing the First Part of Dr. Gill's Commentary in the hands of its Subscribers by the 1st of January next. Bonmahon, Nov. 24, 1851. THE EDITOR. Review. The Set Time; Epistles from Boaz to Ruth. Aylott and Jones, 8, Pater noster Row. THIS is a reprint of a series of papers which appeared in this Magazine. We exceedingly enjoyed them at the time for their originality, the spirit in which they were written, and the great and glorious truths they contained. We feel great pleasure in recommending them in their present cheap and attractive form. City Press, Long Lane: W. H. Collingridge. |