“My dear mother has had a fall, and has been much indisposed in consequence.  I am thankful to have her so near me, as it is a pleasure to perform my duty as a child.  In this, and every other relation, may I be found faithful.—­I rose very early, as I felt concerned about my dear mother; and went to her room-door, between three and four o’clock; but as Mary had fastened it within, I could not obtain admittance.  However, I betook myself to prayer, and commended her to the Lord.  This passage was strongly impressed upon my mind:  ’The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.’—­I spent the day at H., in the company of some friends not decidedly devoted to God.  The Lord kept me, and I am thankful I came home without condemnation.  I was favoured with an opportunity of speaking with each of them respecting their spiritual state, and the things of eternity.—­For some time I have been surrounded by hurry and excitement, and longing for a little retirement.  At length, in a way I did not expect, I am in part secluded from my family.  In this I am constrained to acknowledge the mercy of God to an undeserving worm.  Brought apparently to the grave’s edge, I have been refreshed with His presence, and had power to cast myself upon His fatherly love.  The enemy assaults me; but aware of my own weakness I venture, powerless as I am, upon the boundless merits of Jesus.”

  How sweet is still retirement!  How it calms
  The mind, and aids reflection!  Here my soul,
  Unfetter’d, soars to converse with its God. 
  I hear his Spirit whisp’ring round me now;
  And love, and gratitude subdue my heart. 
  Yes, Solitude!  I love thee, and enjoy
  In thy sequester’d depths, the bliss, in crowds
  I seek in vain.  My God! my only joy! 
  Yet, O blest Saviour, when Thy voice is heard,
  Amid the tumult springs a sudden calm,
  And heaven-born peace pervades my happy soul.

“A situation has offered for Richard, which we have hesitated to accept or refuse, wishful to do right, and afraid of doing wrong.  In this dilemma, we cast ourselves at the footstool of mercy, my husband and mother uniting with me, and were fully enabled to roll our care upon God, who wonderfully undertook for us.  I believe we have done right.”

IX.

MID-DAY TOIL.

  “SEEK THAT YE MAY EXCEL TO THE EDIFYING OF THE CHURCH.”
  1 Cor. xiv. 12.

True religion is reproductive.  A converted man will try to convert his neighbour; and the value of his own experience may in general be tested by the manner in which he uses his opportunities of doing good.  So true is this, that the Saviour said, “He, that is not with me, is against me; and he, that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad.”  An inactive Christian is a contradiction in terms; for he is no copy of his divine Master, who, morning, noon, and night, “went about doing good.”