festation, which adds fuel to the fire he has kindled. May every end designed by the Friend of sinners be answered by it.

For many months I have been getting nearer to Jehovah. O what in my intercourse with him possess I not! What holy reverential awe! what depths of love! what glories open to my view! Eternity alone can unfold the wonders of his love to me. Assist by your prayers, that I may be found faithful, fruitful, and more useful.

The Edinburgh Society is in a more promising state than usual. The class that meets in my house is become quite a Penuel. Deity is so present, that all within each heart confesses a present God. Had time permitted, I would have given you a detail of my spiritual enjoyment, under the word preached last Lord's-day by Mr. Henshaw: suffice it to say, it was not only the house of God, but the gate of heaven. Three of those with whom I meet in band, are struggling to step into the liberty of God's people. Help them forward. I shall be pleased to hear that your grief is lost in love and praise; and your brother's place well filled up. Please give my Christian remembrance to Mr. and Mrs. Botts. In haste, I remain, with Christian regard, dear Miss Ritchie's friend in Jesus,

D. MAXWELL.

1800.

Diary and Correspondence continued.

January 3. My wishes, expectations, and prayers, for a remarkable visitation from my God, have not been so fully granted as I hoped for; I mean, on the last day of the former, and the first day of this year. But upon every slight survey of the Lord's dealings with me, in the course of the preceding year, I may venture to say, the scale of mercy has almost continually preponderated; and I would hope, I may also add, I trust I have not lost ground, though I have much cause to blush, that I have not gained more. When I consider the unwearied goodness of my God; the astonishingly rich and numberless manifestations of Divine love with which I have been favoured; the blessed times of nearness to Deity I have enjoyed; the holy familiarity Jehovah has allowed me with himself; the sweet and sensible union I have enjoyed with the Lord Jesus Christ; the clear and impressive notice of future events given me respecting myself and others; the precious soul

animating words spoken to me by my adorable Lord and Saviour; the wonderful effects produced by them on my whole frame; the force of them that still remains with me, with the sure belief of their full accomplishment; the many exertions and appearances of my God for me when tempted, tried, and greatly troubled ;— all excite my wonder and grief, that my progress heavenward has not been more evident. Blessed Father, forgive and pity thy poor child, who cannot forgive herself; and who, to the present moment, pants to be all thou wouldst have her. I humbly thank and adore thee for all the rich mercies of the past year. May they, while I am spared, increase my power to make suitable returns, for Christ's sake.

March 7. Since the 9th of February, I have been confiued, but my God mixed mercy with the dispensation; especially, in allowing me an unusual spirit of prayer, even when confined to bed. May he who gave it, answer his Spirit's cry in my heart, now, when he has seen meet to raise me up again; and give me to feel that the painful visitation bringeth forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness; as a proof I have, at least, been aiming at being properly exercised during its continuance. What helpless creatures are we, without continual aid from on high at all times; but particularly when in the furnace of affliction. Blessed God, make manifest thy mighty power in my weakness; and let me feel thee ever nigh, and thus be solidly happy in thyself. Save,

O save me, to the utmost save; deliver from every desire that does not centre in thy will.

May 9. Still my God forsakes not his needy creature, though unfaithful, and unfruitful:blessed Lord, give a deeper sense of my infinite obligations, and greatly increase them. My mortal frame has, these eight days, rather impeded the lively exercises of the soul, and at times damped sensibly my vigour of mind; yet, through the good hand of my God upon me, I have had, and truly enjoyed, most delightful manifestations of Divine love. On last Monday evening, I felt, on entering the house of prayer, an universal damp overspread my soul, I almost regretted I had come out; but soon after, my God and Saviour drew nigh, and gave me to enjoy a plenitude of the Divine presence. In the morning of that day, while with those who I had reason to fear knew not the Lord, and admiring the beauties of nature, in her various productions, and her great exertions, the Lord Jesus in a moment manifested his presence, and instantly arrested all the attention I was paying to the work of his hands, and fixed it on himself. Here all the affectionate powers of my soul centred. On Wednesday morning, in secret, at a throne of grace, he, also, felt very nigh, made it a sweet time, and seemed to assure me he would be, with me, when attempting to call on the Father through him. Soon after, when employed in this delightful exercise, and singing his praise, with one of bis ministering servants, we found it a Bethel

indeed. God the Father and Son felt intimately nigh. Surely what the Lord gives at one time, he can give at all times. I was drawn out in

strong desire that it might be so, in so far as humanity would permit. On Thursday, in public, heard a precious discourse from "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord." What was said entirely agreed with my own experience: it was a profitable time but in the evening, I proved a painful reverse, the corruptible body pressed down the soul. I could only lie, as a blank, in the hand of the Lord; unable for any vigorous exertions. I looked to Jesus, and en-joyed a smile. O how precious is he to my soul. In the course of these eight days, I have seen most plainly, the hand of the Lord made bare for me in several temporal concerns; mecting with difficulties, I looked to him for direction and wisdom; well knowing, that without this I could accomplish nothing, and that the best way to get help from the creature, was to apply to the Creator, and he literally answered me. I find not only in religious, but also in temporal things, he kindly condescends to my weaknesses, wants, and ignorances. For this reason it is, and must be, that I am carried through such multifarious business, most of which is far above my natural abilities. I sensibly feel my own weakness, and it is well I do, as it carries me often to a throne of grace, for wisdom and power, and as occásion calls, I obtain a small measure, sufficient for the time, and feel to whom I am indebted..