things appear very poor and little indeed. This is an important lesson. O that I may learn it fully then all other things will be easily set right. 28. Still I have cause to complain; still I am far from possessing that degree of spiritual life, which I know to be my privilege. Since my last I have enjoyed tastes of the goodness of God, but they were too short to satisfy. I have felt a sensible increase of hungering after the whole image of God; the want of a full possession of this, has pained my inmost soul: but I am again in a measure sinking from this ardour, and it is succeeded by a degree of languor which alarms me. When shall I be all I wish! Secret prayer is the means from which I derive the greatest benefit at present. I do indeed prove this to be a special privilege: I could not live without it, though I do not always find comfort in it. I still ardently desire an enlarged sphere of usefulness, and find it comfortable to embrace the opportunities afforded me, though alas! I am not so faithful herein as I ought to be. what great things hath God promised and prepared for his children even here! Why should I come so far short ?

March 12. I would with gratitude acknowledge the goodness of my God, who, for the two last weeks, has given me more reason, than for some time, to conclude that he is carrying on his work in my soul, and with much freedom from painful temptation and inward conflicts. He has, with the return of spring, given me a

fresh spring of heavenly affections; sweetly alluring me to himself, and constraining me to yield up all the affectionate powers of my heart to him, with whom true joys abound. There I would centre all my happiness; from that sacred source I would draw all my consolation. I have been favoured with the sweet and sensible presence of my God, especially this last week, both in public and private, but particularly in secret prayer. In the house of God, my views of a happy eternity have been truly delightful. For about two hours last week, I felt most keenly, from a fear that I had grieved the Spirit of God; but the Lord in mercy removed my distress, and comforted me. He shews me that my works are not perfect; clearly sets before me how much more closely I may walk with him: how much more glory I may bring to him; and if I can judge of the feelings of my heart, I should esteem it my richest privilege to give him each precious moment as it flies, and to prove the utmost power of transforming grace.

14. Still my God is good. Last night, in the chapel, it was indeed a time of love. God the Father, and Son, drew near; surrounded me with their peaceful presence, and filled my soul,not with rapturous joy, but with a silent heaven of love. The Divine attraction felt so strong, that, like the concentrated rays of the sun, my every power and faculty seemed united and fixed on God. I felt sweetly sinking into him, and enjoyed most delightful and extensive views of

holiness. I experience to-day, as one blessed effect of this heavenly visitation, an increasing power to take up my cross, to deny myself, and to follow the Lord.

26. This morning, while I was conversing with some persons that love God, Jesus drew near, and filled my soul with sweet surprise. When he is nigh, sorrow and care fly far away. Throughout the day, he at different times appeared to the eye of my faith as altogether lovely: yet my enemies pushed hard at me, and one temptation for some time prevailed. But, 0, with what desire did I breathe after pure and perfect love; that Jesus might more fully possess my heart, and felt willing to part with all for this. For some time, my hungering and thirsting after entire devotedness to God, have been abundantly increased yet I have also felt depressed with a sense of my unprofitableness. O that the Lord. would enlarge my sphere of usefulness. I long to be active for God, and useful to my fellowcreatures. I have the promise of a faithful God for this; but the time seems long delayed. O that now he would do as he hath spoken.

May 23. Coates. Having obtained help of God, I continue to this day, witnessing that he is good. Since my last date, I have had severe and unexpected trials, but the Lord has brought me through. O that I could add, with glory to his Name, and with profit to my own soul: but alas herein I am still defective. I have also enjoyed many mercies. O that I could say, they

produced all that warmth of gratitude they were calculated to do; but herein also I greatly fail. In very many respects I am a wonder to myself. When will my complainings cease? I am weary of them. When shall I be all love and all praise? The Lord brought me to this place on the 16th instant, through many difficulties it has been mostly a season of trial ever since, yet mingled with many mercies. At Gardener's house, from whence I came, I had much cause to speak of the goodness of the Lord; and here also I expect his tender mercies will follow me. O that I may be endued with power to glorify him, however it may fare with me.

June 6. Since my last date, the Lord has appeared remarkably in my behalf, aud has wrought out for me a great temporal deliverance. His goodness astonished me; and his faithfulness, which shone conspicuously in this affair, confirms my trust in him for future mercies: but yet this lively sense of his kindness does not prove so lasting as it ought. OI much need more grace! For some weeks past, I have been harassed with worldly matters, which have occupied much of my time, and I fear injured my mind; at least, damped my spiritual ardour. I hope the bustle is now nearly over. O that I may, a thousand times more than ever, centre in God; feel calm repose in the bosom and blood of Jesus, and be all for JEHOVAH.

13. My soul is made very desirous of an enlarged sphere of action for God: the language

of my heart is, what shall I do for God? I have cried to him repeatedly, that he would put some work in my hand, and I think he has pointed out one or two ways wherein I may be of some use to his cause and people. He has given me strong convictions, since I came here, of the shortness and uncertainty of time-of the unsatisfactory nature of all sublunary good-of the great propriety of using all for him-and of my doing as much as possible during my short life for his cause. May his grace enable me to reduce these lessons to practice: may I enjoy more of his love in my heart. He has in mercy lately warned me of danger, where I was not suspecting any; and stimulated me to cry to him, to be preserved from whatever would grieve his Spirit, or in the least injure my own soul."

While Lady Maxwell was thus intensely desiring an enlarged sphere of usefulness for herself, she continued to stimulate her friends to go forward with their works of faith and labours of love. The following letters must not be omitted.

LETTER XXXIV.

TO LADY H. HOPE.

Coates, June 19, 1783.

I had both my dear daughter's letters, and would have answered the first sooner, but have