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self by the meanest of his creatures, and make use of them for his own divine purposes: causing the sufferings of the most obscure individual to work in with, and form a part of, his comprehensive and gracious designs. I desire earnestly a more simple and entire surrender of myself, to be any thing, or nothing, as He shall see best. To glorify God, is the first object at which we should aim. But, alas! how often do I fall short of my desire, in this, and every other point of practical Christianity. At the close of every day, when I review what has been done for God, for my own soul, and for the good of others, I am forced with shame to write, wanting, wanting! And, but for that finished salvation which is all my security and hope, I should lay my head on my pillow with feelings of deep despondency. How blessed are those assurances in the Sacred Scriptures, that we have an advocate with the Father! that there is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus! to them who, notwithstanding a host of infirmities and deficiencies, walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,' having their spotted garments washed white again, by continually making fresh application to the blood of sprinkling."

CHAPTER VIII.

HER RESIDENCE AT QUEEN'S ROW,

PENTONVILLE.

FROM A. D. 1817 To 1828.

Reflections on her removal-Heavenly savour of the correspondence between MRS. HAWKES and Mrs. Jones-Advancing spirituality of MRS. HAWKES'S mind-Her study of the Scriptures-Letter to Mrs. Ctt on forgiveness of injuries-Christmas-day-Meditations on death-Letters on the subject— Death of Mrs. Jones-Letters to various friends on the freeness of Divine grace-Death of Mrs. Mynors-Attack of nervous depression-Letter on the subject-Visit to Highgate-Close of the year 1827, and opening of 1828-Anxieties respecting new apartments-Reasons for remaining near London-Letter to a Clergyman on new speculations in religion.

In the month of October, MRS. HAWKES left Clapham, and went to reside at Queen's Row, Pentonville. Soon after her removal, she writes in her diary as follows:

Queen's Row, Oct. 5, 1817.-" Pilgrim-like, I have this day entered into another tent, to which, I trust I have been directed by a gracious and kind Providence, in answer to my prayers. These changes are painful and agitating to me in my diseased and feeble state.

But I shall soon give over dwelling in tents, and remove to an habitation not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' For the present, that blessed word of promise is given me, together with faith to rest upon it as sure, 'I will be with thee whithersoever thou goest.' I ask no more. The presence of the Lord secures every blessing that is essential to real comfort. I shall have trials; but under all, this gracious promise is sure, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.""

In a letter to her valued friend, Mrs. Y―, who was at this time called from home to visit a sick child in Scotland, MRS. HAWKES expresses sentiments similar to the above, as follows:

"I trust that encouraging promise, 'I will be with thee whithersoever thou goest,' which has of late been made very sweet to me, will, if it please Him, be fulfilled also in your experience. He will ever be with you, and with every one whose heart he has touched with his converting grace, and redeeming love. But our faith is not always strong and lively enough to realize his heavenly presence. Like as the natural sun may be obscured from our view by some passing cloud, so may the comforting rays of the Sun of Righteousness be for a time obscured by some mental cloud, through which our faith is unable to penetrate; and then we soon begin to fear, and say, 'My beloved has withdrawn himself.' To the law and to the testimony' therefore will we turn, rather than to sense and feeling; and, under the darkest cloud, rest upon his blessed word of promise, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' It is in order to produce, or rather to exercise, this sta

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bility of faith, that we are suffered sometimes to walk in darkness. Every true Christian has his winter and his summer seasons. It is only in that blessed country, towards which we are hastening, that there is one unclouded day. With respect to myself, I have reason to bless the Lord for the storm as well as the calm. That is best for the soul which keeps it low at the foot of the cross, loathing itself, and trusting only in Jesus: sinking before him, in order to rise in him, who is our righteousness and strength."

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The correspondence between MRS. HAWKES and Mrs. Jones, which had ever been spiritual and edifying, partook of a more heavenly savour as the latter aged saint drew near the end of her Christian course. delight which these sisters took in talking of the country whither they were going, was like that of Christian and Hopeful, when they had gained the land of Beulah; and when drawing near to the end of their journey, they had a more perfect view of the Celestial city. Confined at home by age and infirmity, Mrs. Jones writes:

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"Oh that I could sit by the side of my beloved sister, and talk of the glory we expect on the other side of Jordan! We are not looking at a land which we may, or may not, reach; but our hopes are sure and certain, of a land that is not far off. We are upon the borders, and in daily expectation of a messenger to convey us over; and we have a friend ever present, who has engaged to go with us all the way through. Oh! the multitude of weary pilgrims that are groaning in their way! but everlasting rest sounds sweetly in their ears. If I should be favoured with sudden death, look at me in a better world with

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Christ in God; and suffer not your mind to dwell the clay tenement. Christ is mine, and I am his; and to see him as he is, is far better than to dwell in this dark abode. Tell me of the supports given you by the Lord in your afflictions. May the Holy Spirit abundantly supply you with the riches of your inheritance, and with still further views of the glory which shall be shortly revealed: or if your faith is tried, may you be able to say with your suffering Saviour, Thy will be done.""

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In language of not less animated Christian hope, MRS. HAWKES replies:

"Although my sufferings increase, yet, blessed be God, he maketh my consolations in himself to increase also; and I humbly hope I may say, from favoured experience, I do feel they are now working together for my good. I endeavour to cry with earnestness, that I may be 'strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness.' What a progression! The common ills and occurrences of life need 'patience:' but these, increased by peculiar and long-continued afflictions, call for long-suffering.' And what is the top-stone? Joyfulness!' And how is this to be obtained? 'By his glorious power,' giving strength according to our day. 'With all might.' What does that mean? We shall know if we follow on to know the Lord.' When I read the glorious truths of the gospel, my mind is overwhelmed with their richness and fulness; and I cannot help stopping at every one, and using the words of that departed saint, Mr. Foster,* What does that mean,—

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*The Rev. Henry Foster, minister of Clerkenwell.

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