I repaired to Mrs. R.’s to meet the dear people; every part of my way seemed doubtful, but the Lord was graciously with me.  We were eight assembled, and a blessed influence rested on us.  Some were earnestly seeking pardon.—­Had a deeply interesting interview with Mrs. B., who is depressed on account of worldly circumstances, and wants confidence in Him, who has commanded us to cast ‘all our care upon Him.’  I felt a spirit of sympathy, and the Lord poured upon us the spirit of prayer; our hearts melted, and our months were filled with arguments.—­Prayer has been very sweet to me; I have increased power to rest upon the promises, and through Christ to claim them.  Yet in myself, I discover such a depth of vileness, that, when I think of the amazing love of God to me, my soul is humbled and adores.  Tears of gratitude overflow my eyes, that God—­the God of Gods, should condescend to such a worm as I.—­By a letter from my Richard to his father, I am encouraged to believe the Lord is again working upon his mind.  It caused tears of joy to run down my cheeks, and on our knees we united together to thank the Lord.  May the good be permanent.—­At my own bedside the spirit of prayer was so abundantly given, that I could scarcely cease pleading for my children, especially Richard,—­I welcome the return of the Sabbath.  Nature, even at this advanced season of the year, exhibits an unusual degree of verdure; and invites me to adore the Ruler of times and seasons, who confers such rich and ceaseless blessings on rebellious man,—­even upon me, the most undeserving; for by divine light I see that everything I do is defective; yet, by simply venturing upon Christ in prayer and faith, I receive peace and power.  I have received a very pleasing communication from Richard, describing the anguish of mind through which he has passed on account of sin; and informing me, that he has come to the cross and obtained deliverance through believing.  He says, ’Whereas I was once blind, now I see.’  On this account my soul rejoices.  ’O for a heart to praise my God.’  Our removal to York is now fixed to take place in three months (God willing).  So uncertain is everything upon earth.  Fix Thou the bounds of our habitation, and encamp round about our abode, and all shall be well.

XV.

THE RETURN.

  “TO SEE THY POWER AND THY GLORY, SO AS I HAVE SEEN
  THEE IN THE SANCTUARY.”—­Psalm lxiii. 2.

Of all deprivations, none is so great, or as painfully felt by a truly devout soul, as the loss of religious ordinances.  With what deep pathos does the Psalmist lament his long exile from the scene of solemn rites and holy sacrifice!

  ’How amiable are Thy tabernacles,
    O Lord of Hosts! 
  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth
    For the courts of the Lord;
  My heart and my flesh crieth out
    For the living God.’

He envies the birds of the air, that free and unfettered, build their nests hard by the temple of his God, while he, a banished man, must seek a refuge in the wilderness.