“After a fortnight’s suffering, my dear little grandson, Edward, left our dark abode for everlasting day.  Separation is painful, but the prospect of eternal happiness brings sweet consolation.  A little before death he said, ‘kneel down.’  He was three years and ten months old—­a child of much promise—­but is now safely transplanted to nourish in a healthier clime.—­Death strikes again—­the infant, and only surviving child of my Eliza, has escaped to glory.  Several other afflictive occurrences have been permitted, I am confident for my good:  yet I have better health than usual, and the consolations of my God are not withheld.  The Lord can make hard things easy, and mingle the bitter cup with sweetness.  O that I could make better returns!—­Thirty years ago, I gave myself to my husband with mingled feelings of hope and fear.  The words, ‘thy Maker is thy husband,’ have been impressed upon my mind.”

Endearing title! wilt Thou be A husband, O my God, to me?  Then, let me never grieve Thy love, Nor ever disobedient prove; Watchful Thy pleasure to obey, Thy precepts study night and day; Thy will at all times gladly do:  I will.  Lord help me to be true.

“Had all the preachers to breakfast with a friend or two beside,—­hoping the hour might be spiritually improved.  Singing and prayer were sweet, but I was disappointed in the conversation, which was turned by two individuals upon a point that profited little; one thing I learned, to expect profit in the creature is not right,—­Tried to bring about, and by means of another, effected a reconciliation between two opposing parties.—­’Who will this day consecrate his services to the Lord?’ was a question put to me this morning before I awoke, and has been urged upon me since.  Thank God, my heart responds—­I will.  As I was walking, musing, and praying, it was whispered to my soul, ‘My God shall supply all your need.’  It is enough.—­Again privileged to hear the Rev. Robert Newton.  I sat in my Father’s banqueting-house with delight, and His banner over me was love.—­Fifty-four years this day, I have proved the sustaining power of God; and forty-two or nearly so, have enjoyed His redeeming love.  O what a debter am I!  Here will I give myself away—­’tis all I can do.”

  This day of consecrated rest,
  Proclaim within my longing breast
    ‘I am the Lord thy God;’
  Here dwell and reign without control,
  Sole monarch of my willing soul,
    According to Thy word.

XVI.

THE SACRIFICE.

  “I HAVE LENT HIM TO THE LORD; AS LONG AS HE LIVETH, SHALL
  HE BE LENT UNTO THE LORD.”—­1 Sam. i. 28.