power of speech was gone.  Awful crisis!  Standing on the edge of two worlds!  It was a solemn moment.  While engaged in prayer I felt access.  How needful to be ready!—­Near midnight.  I have this week been endeavouring ’to reckon myself dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God.’  My faith is sometimes strong, at others feeble; but my purpose to hold fast the blessing was never more fixed.  Thou, who at this moment beholdest the inmost recesses of my heart, and who, by Thy Spirit, givest me inward peace, keep me from this hour; and help me confidently, through the merits of Christ, to confess with my mouth what my heart believes—­that ’the blood of Jesus Christ Thy Son cleanseth me from all sin.’—­Again visited Mrs. B. The last time I saw her she wept, and appeared to feel much; but I was afraid she was imagining she had attained what she had not, and resolved to call again at the first opportunity.  I found the Lord had been powerfully working on her mind.  She felt it such a mercy that the Lord had not cut her off in her sins, that she had wrestled with the Lord until He removed her load of misery, and communicated peace:  this is the Lord’s doing.—­All is still; only the moan of my afflicted cousin, in her slumbers, falls upon my ear.  The clouds of evening are richly tinted as the shadows of night draw on.  My soul enjoys sweet tranquillity.  Jesus’ merits being the only refuge of my soul.  When I asked cousin the state of her mind, she said, ’Sometimes I have no doubt, at others I am perplexed;’ and then added, with tears, ’Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.’”

  Oh! what is life? a passing cloud,
    Tinged with a rainbow light;
  But let the sun his glory shroud,
    Where is the vision bright?

  ’Tis past and gone, and in its place,
    Nought but the cloud appears: 
  It is the Sun of righteousness
    Must gild this vale of tears.

“Fulfilled some errands on the Lord’s account.  Passing a spot where a person once a member resided, I called to see how her mind was affected now.  She was much pleased, and said the Lord had sent me, as she was wishing to see me, having had her desires after eternal life revived.  Some others, to whom I was directed, were equally disposed to unite themselves with the people of God.—­Two days ago cousin evidently altered for the worse; she has spoken little, but been remarkably patient, through her protracted affliction.  This morning she expressed her confidence in God; and a few minutes after eleven her happy spirit returned to God.  We sorrow, but not without hope,—­Her remains were conveyed to Sinnington for interment.  Past recollections seemed to drink up my spirit; only one survivor—­upon the spot—­of all those whom long association has endeared to me.  We called upon Mr. B.; but ah! how changed! completely paralyzed,—­apparently incapable of much impression, and yet, I fear, unsaved!  I spoke to him, and also his son, on the necessity