Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

that nothing is left me wherein to glory. I am sweetly constrained to give the glory where alone it is due. I have admired the goodness of my God of late, that even in the heat of battle, he hath made my evidences of his pure love strong, even to meridian brightness; much more so than when there was peace in all my borders. This appeared the more remarkable to me, because I always seemed to be sensible of a deficiency on such occasions.

For a week or two past, I have felt a degree of heaviness, through manifold temptations; but by quietly trusting in the Lord, and avoiding all hasty conclusions, he has given me clearly to see that his work is going on in my soul. To him I would leave the way and manner. My soul uniformly desires the prosperity of Zion; it seems my meat and drink to promote it; and he, in his adorable Providence, still opens many unexpected ways, and shines on my feeble attempts.

But I have been particularly tried lately by the loss of a young man, who has been of great use to me. He taught my week-day School, consisting of fifty children; and superintended my Sunday School, in which there are at present upwards of sixty young men, remarkably alive to God; and many young women, truly desirous to flee from the wrath to come. Many hundreds also flocked to hear him on the Lord's-day evening, to whom he appeared greatly blessed. But he, and many others, thought the light shone clear for his going to Sierra Leone as a Mis

sionary, Do pray for a successor according to God's own heart; and that my poor labours may be increased, and my own soul greatly blessed.

[ocr errors]

Remember me kindly to Miss Ritchie. I have long expected to hear from her. Wishing you a still deeper acquaintance with the Sacred Three; still more power to glorify him who liveth for ever; and an interest in your prayers that I may wax stronger and stronger, "sink deeper and rise higher;" and with my prayers for the prosperity of your Society; and Christian respects to Mrs. Coleand Atmore; I am, dear Mrs. Johnson's friend in Jesus, D. MAXWELL..

1796.

Diary and Correspondence continued.

January 5, Friday. Still I find cause to make mention of the loving-kindness of the Lord. Since last Friday, my God has, in various ways, shown me his goodness. On Sunday last, I was permitted to shew forth the death of Jesus, when he spoke to my heart by his servant. He has allowed some sweet seasons in secret prayer, with much of the communion of saints. Yesterday, as he often does on that day, he was remarkably gracious when with a few of his chil

2

[ocr errors]

dren in social prayer. Jesus drew sweetly and most sensibly nigh: O how glorious did he appear to the eye of faith! how altogether lovely! How irresistably attractive his love! Through him, I had access to Jehovah, whose Divine presence I as sensibly felt; but it was in all the dignity of God the Father, which solemnized my mind, and filled with sacred awe, so that I rejoiced with deep reverence. This distinction, in the manifestation of Divine love proceeding more immediately from Jehovah himself, uniformly marks all the intercourse I am privileged to enjoy with him. I pant for power to improve it more, by earnest prayer. I feel as if hitherto I had asked nothing, while the Lord seems to say, "Ask, and receive, that your joy may be full." Through mercy, I am still kept as in the dust. My views of self truly humbling; and I am still desirous of lying lower, as preparatory to larger attainments in the Divine life. My evidences of sanctification have not been so clear. I have been resting too much in present enjoyment; but the Lord calls on me to press forward. I get more extensive views of entire devotion of heart and life. Help me, Holy Father, to attain. I am drawn to a greater and more constant realizing of the Divine presence, and to an enduring as sceing him who is invisible.

March 25, Friday. I have nothing to say for myself, if it is not to confess and mourn over my short-comings. I feel it painful to have this so often to repeat; but so it is. O my God, shall

I ever live at this poor dying rate: forbid it, gracious Lord. Let a stroke of Omnipotence set me free, from this inability to live up to my privileges. I would, with thy servant of old, be able to say, though "of myself I can do nothing, through Christ strengthening me, I can do all things." Hasten, Holy Father, the happy time.

Had again another opportunity of renewing my engagement to be the Lord's, at his own table, on Sunday last; where he was gracious. When joining the congregation, in that delightful part of public worship, singing the praise of God, the great Master of the gospel-feast came down in the power of his Spirit. Jesus felt nigh, and very precious, during a sermon from the 5th and 6th verses of the 53d chapter of Isaiah. God the Father also condescended to visit with a sweet sense of his presence. My inmost soul felt pierced with deep astonishment at the height and depth of redeeming love. It seemed a mystery, my limited understanding could not comprehend, and, indeed, how should finite minds fully understand the doings of an Infinite Being. I bless the Lord, who has given me to believe and taste of redeeming love, which is more necessary; and daily to thirst after an increase. On the whole, it was a most solemn time, and I hope, profitable. On Monday had a sweet visit from the adorable Son of God, when at a throne of grace. In the evening, a spirit of prayer seemed to rest on me while joining with a few living souls; some of whom were wrestling with the

Lord, in all the power of prayer, in behalf of all present, of the work of God, and for the best interests of mankind in general. Jehovah came down my whole soul confessed a present God. O way do not these precious manifestations, so often repeated, prove of a more transforming nature. O my God, remove the cause, that Ì may praise thee. The Lord has granted another of my requests, since last date; and one more seems in a good train. Surely he heareth the cries of his children. O my God, remember especially one of these still unanswered; it is well known to thee, with the necessity of it. Let me have cause to praise thee for a favourable answer to it before I again take up my peň.

April 8, Friday. Again I take up my pen, and though I have mercy to record, still I feel cause to mourn. For some weeks, I seem to have been brought into straits, that I might see a display and breaking forth of the glory of my God afresh. For this I have waited, and looked, and prayed; but still his chariot wheels delay. At times, I must own there has been something of this kind; but it was not lasting. Yesterday, for a few minutes, I prayed to him as circumstances would permit, and of a truth he quickly answered; prayer brought him down; in a moment he was nigh; and I felt, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." A song of praise was put in my mouth: it seemed as if I was on holy ground. A reverential awe, sweetly tempered with love, rested upon me. The Second

[ocr errors]
« ÎnapoiContinuă »