The presence of the Lord overshadowed us, and the woman, who was seeking mercy at the class, was filled with peace and joy through believing.  I felt humbled under the sense of my own unprofitableness.—­I have found retirement very blessed:  the Lord poured into my soul a heavenly tranquility.  I hope that my visit here will be beneficial to me; and that I shall learn some lessons from the kind family, under whose roof I stay:  there is such a sweet submission to each other’s will, and such a disposition to prefer others to themselves, as is amiable, and worthy of imitation.—­My inward aspiration is, make me all glorious within, that from this pure well-spring, all my thoughts and actions may flow.  I enjoy the peace of God, and for some time past, (to the glory of God I speak it,) I have had constant intercourse with heaven.  My will is more fully subdued, and I have increasing power to take up my cross; but the duties of life press upon me, and I am in danger of being overwhelmed with care.  I thank Thee, O my heavenly Father, for this discovery; and humbly but confidently, ask Thy protection from my foe.—­A day of unusual nearness to God:—­in the Lord’s house; in visiting the poor; reading the rules of society; and social prayer:  although dissatisfied with my performances, I feel I have done what I ought.—­My spiritual strength has been increased by more frequently engaging in secret prayer.  By appointment, I have daily met two friends at the throne of grace, to intercede on behalf of our neighbours:  this has been made a blessing to my own soul.—­For the first time, my whole family was assembled at Eastfield; but who can tell the emotions of my mind, as I gazed on one and another?  I thought unutterable things; but wisely is the future hidden from our view.  O my God, be Thou their God.  I feel the solemnity of the closing year:  its toils and cares are fled for ever; only its comforts will be repeated, if I hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life.”

  NEAR MIDNIGHT.

      The year ebbs apace,
        Its sorrows are gone! 
      Like one in a race,
        Its course it hath, run: 
  Its events, once important, now all disappear,
  And time wafts us on to another new year.

      Then let us begin,
        To aim at the prize;
      Leave earth, self, and sin,
        For our home in the skies: 
  Expecting the Bridegroom will shortly appear,
  Let as watch his arrival—­the coming new year.

XIII.

THE REDEMPTION OF THE PROMISE.

  “BE NOT AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE.”—­Mark v. 36.