Those words “daily nearer God” have an inexpressible charm for me.  I long for such nearness to Him that all other objects shall fade into comparative insignificance,—­so that to have a thought, a wish, a pleasure apart from Him shall be impossible.

Sept. 12th.—­At Sabbath-school this morning, while talking with my scholars about the Lord Jesus, my heart, which is often so cold and so stupid, seemed completely melted within me, with such a view of His wonderful, wonderful love for sinners, that I almost believed I had never felt it till then.  Such a blessing is worth toiling and wrestling for a whole life.  If a glimpse of our Saviour here upon earth can be so refreshing, so delightful, what will it be in heaven!

Sept. 17th.—­I have been reading to-day some passages from Nevins’ “Practical Thoughts.” [5] Perhaps you have seen them; if so, do you remember two articles headed, “I must pray more,” and “I must pray differently”?  They interested me much because in some measure they express my own feelings.  I have less and less confidence in frames, as they are called.  I am glad that you think it better to have a few books and to read them over and over, for my own inclination leads me to that.  One gets attached to them as to Christian friends.  Do not hesitate to direct me over and over again, to go with difficulties and temptations and sin to the Saviour.  I love to be led there and left there.  Sometimes when the exceeding “sinfulness of sin” becomes painfully apparent, there is nothing else for the soul to do but to lie in the dust before God, without a word of excuse, and that feeling of abasement in His sight is worth more than all the pleasures in the world....  You will believe me if I own myself tired, when I tell you that I made fourteen calls this afternoon.  But even the unpleasant business of call-making has had one comfort.  Some of the friends of whom I took leave, spoke so tenderly of Him whose name is so precious to His children that my heart warmed towards them instantly, and I thought it worth while to have parting hours, sad though they may be, if with them came so naturally thoughts of the Saviour.  Besides, I have been thinking since I came home, that if I did not love Him, it could not be so refreshing to hear unexpectedly of Him....  I did not know that mother had anything to do with your father’s conversion, and when I mentioned it to her she seemed much surprised and said she did not know it herself.  Pray tell me more of it, will you?  I have felt that if, in the course of my life, I should be the means of leading one soul to the Saviour, it would be worth staying in this world for no matter how many years.

Did you ever read Miss Taylor’s “Display”?  Sister says the character of Emily there is like mine.  I think so myself save in the best point.