me with the class-book in his hand, which at first, I felt reluctant to take, but found a blessing in taking up the Cross.—­When I retired to rest, I thought, if the Lord will condescend to give me some passage from Himself, which is not familiar to me, it will strengthen my faith.  My request was granted, and the words ‘As one, whom his mother comforteth,’ occupied my thoughts much of the night, and were first upon my tongue in the morning.  I saw my John off by train to Colchester.  I feel deeply concerned for his health, and for his spiritual welfare, and for his prosperity in the work in which he is engaged:  but if a mother may be heard for her child, (and I believe it,) my poor petitions shall be continually urged at the throne of grace, that he may be all God requires.—­A week of toil is past.  My husband is under medical advice.  I am tried with my servant; my words and actions are misconstrued, but I have been aiming to speak and act as in the sight of God, however imperfectly.—­Alone.  In two hours the year closes,—­a year of unnumbered mercies.”

  Backward I turn, and view the stream
    Of mercy rolling rich and free;
  Here, flashing with a silver gleam;
    There, tinged with hues of mystery.

  Through health and sickness, hope and fear;
    In griefs imagined, never known,
  Its current flowed, my heart to cheer;
    And light upon my pathway shone,

  But ah! what poor returns are mine! 
    How weak my faith! my love, how cold! 
  Yet will I praise Thee, ‘I am Thine,’
    Thy faithful promise still I hold: 

  Distrusting self, I come to Thee,
    My vileness in Thy wounds to hide;
  When foes assail, to Thee I flee,
    And in Thy changeless love confide.

  Then speed, ye fleeting years, your flight;
    I will not mourn the period gone;
  But hasten to my home in light: 
    Eventful, rapid years, roll on!

“Eleven o’clock.  I desire most unreservedly to surrender myself to the Lord; to be wholly His.  Amen.”

“1844.  In my walks through the city, I met with the Rev. Thomas Richardson, who, kindly accosting me, inquired after my husband’s health and requested me to tell him, ’to be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer, and supplication, with thanksgiving, to make known his wants and requests unto God.’  He added, ’I remember what you once said to me, ’What thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; but the children of this world are wiser than the children of light; and I fear this is sadly neglected;’—­with additional kind advice.  To my mind it was a word in season, and my heart warmed with the kind admonition.—­I went to see Mrs. L., and was much surprised to find her daughter, who is in attendance upon her, lying ill on a bed by the side of her mother’s.  After a little conversation with her I prayed, and then turned and spoke a few words to the mother, and again we united