But it was, above all, to the children of God that his visitations seemed blessed.  His voice, and his very eye, spoke tenderness; for personal affliction had taught him to feel sympathy with the sorrowing.  Though the following be an extract from a letter, yet it will be recognised by many as exhibiting his mode of dealing with God’s afflicted ones in his visitations:  “There is a sweet word in Exodus (3:7), which was pointed out to me the other day by a poor bereaved child of God:  ‘I know their sorrows.’  Study that; it fills the soul.  Another word like it is in Psalm 103:14:  ’He knoweth our frame.’  May your own soul, and that of your dear friends, be fed by these things.  A dark hour makes Jesus bright.  Another sweet word:  ‘They knew not that it was Jesus.’”

I find some specimens of his sick visits among his papers, noted down at a time when his work had not grown upon his hands. “January 25, 1837—­Visited Mt.  M’Bain, a young woman of twenty-four, long ill of decline.  Better or worse these ten years past.  Spoke of ’The one thing needful’ plainly.  She sat quiet. February 14—­Had heard she was better—­found her near dying.  Spoke plainly and tenderly to her, commending Christ.  Used many texts.  She put out her hand kindly on leaving. 15th—­Still dying like; spoke as yesterday.  She never opened her eyes. 16th—­Showed her the dreadfulness of wrath; freeness of Christ; the majesty, justice, truth of God.  Poor M. is fast going the way whence she shall not return.  Many neighbors also always gather in. 17th—­Read Psalm 22; showed the sufferings of Christ; how sufficient an atonement; how feeling a High Priest.  She breathed loud, and groaned through pain.  Died this evening at seven.  I hardly ever heard her speak anything; and I will hope that thou art with Christ in glory, till I go and see. 20th—­Prayed at her funeral.  Saw her laid in St. Peter’s churchyard, the first laid there, by her own desire, in the fresh mould where never man was laid.  May it be a token that she is with Him who was laid in a new tomb.”

He records another case:  “January 4, 1837—­Sent for to Mrs. S——.  Very ill; asthmatic.  Spoke on ’No condemnation to them that are in Christ.’  She said, ‘But am I in Christ?’ seemingly very anxious.  Said she had often been so, and had let it go by. 5th—­Still living; spoke to her of Christ, and of full salvation. (Myself confined in the house till the 16th.)—­Much worse.  Not anxious to hear, yet far from rest.  Dark, uneasy eye.  Asked me, ‘What is it to believe?’ Spoke to her on ‘God, who made light shine out of darkness.’ She seemed to take up nothing.  Lord, help! 17th—­Still worse; wearing away.  No smile; no sign of inward peace.  Spoke of ‘Remember me.’ Went over the whole gospel in the form of personal address.  She drowsy. 18th—­Quieter. ‘My Lord and my God.’  She spoke at intervals.  More cheerful; anxious that I should not go without prayer.  Has much knowledge; complete