But I must have done; time would fail to enumerate all the instances of the tender, gracious dealings of my God. To you I write more fully on this subject than almost to any other, because I think you clearly understand me. It is a simple narration of facts; much might be added, but I forbear. My hands have been sensibly strengthened by your manuscript. Your views and mine correspond entirely with respect to perfect love. Wishing you a still fuller enjoyment of every gospel promise, I remain, Rev. sir,"

Your humble servant and well wisher in Jesus,
D. MAXWELL.

TO MISS RITCHIE.

July 30, 1790.

It was kind in dear Miss Ritchie to write me, more especially as, I believe, I owed her a letter. Indeed I have very little time left me for the pleasing and profitable employment of corresponding with Christians. But as this is by the appointment of Him who overruleth all things for his own glory, and eventually for his people's good, I wish to offer it up as a sacrifice to him, whose I am, and whom in all things I wish to serve.

Language is too faint to express what he has done for my soul since I wrote last to Miss Ritchie. I feel lost in wonder, love, and praise! More especially since January last, my soul has centred in God in a very peculiar manner. I have sunk into Jehovah as a drop into the ocean; and by the constant exertion of omnipotent power here I abide; though daily occupied by a multiplicity of business and public engagements. I prove continually that the magnetic virtue of divine love is superior to every other attraction, and sufficient to bear up both mind and body under the weight of constant and diversified employment. How good, how gracious, how powerful, is our God.

Yet, though he has of late enlarged my capacity of receiving, and sensibly increased my little stock, I am deeply conscious that what I now possess is but as a drop in the bucket compared to that immensity from whence it flows; or even to what he is willing to bestow. I am sweetly invited to come up higher, and partake more largely and it is a comfortable thought, if we continue simply "to follow on to know the Lord," his going forth shall be still before us as light, and his brightness as a lamp that burneth. On some occasions I am favoured with astonishing views of the fulness of God, and of his willingness to impart of it: this so fires my soul, so expands my heart, that I grasp infinity itself. But here I am greatly withstood by the combined powers of darkness, who unite to drive me back, and attempt to fill my mind with horror; while the nearness of Deity the majestic grandeur of Jehovah-the heaven of sacred awe, that fills the place, almost overpowers the human frame. But

He who knows whereof we are made, and how little we can bear of these glorious displays of divine power and love while in the body, or of the strong assaults of the Satanic legion, quickly interposes-arrests the powers of darkness-veils, in a measure, the heavenly glory, and pours the soul-composing medicine of redeeming love into the heart. I look forward to that day when all my ransomed powers shall be so formed as easily to bear the dazzling brightness of unveiled Deity. Hail, auspicious morn! Indeed it is very desirable to make the most of our present fleeting moments.

I seem to derive the greatest advantage from a lively faith in constant exercise. This secures what I already possess, and increases the little stock. In secret prayer and meditation I obtain enlarged views of the full salvation of God; and what is thus discovered faith goes out after, and according to its strength are its returns. I prize much the divine teachings: with eager attention I listen to the heavenly lessons, and pant to reduce them to practice. I daily feel the need of the precious blood of sprinkling, dwell continually under its influence, and most sensibly prove its sovereign efficacy. It is by momentary faith in this alone that I am saved from sin. Dear Miss Ritchie must be satisfied with a small abstract, as I have not time to enlarge. When she can conveniently write I shall always be pleased to hear from her; and when I can spare a few minutes, will, for my own advantage, make a return.

There is no remarkable revival among us here: particular souls are blessed. I frequently meet a few young women who are alive. I hope some have entered the promised land, and others are struggling in. A full salvation has this last year been more insisted on in public, which has answered valuable purposes. Assist us with your prayers that “a little one may become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation."

In the month of August Lady Maxwell again visited a few of the chapels under her care in England. On her return she wrote as follows in her diary :

"September 2. I set out for Carlisle, Wigton, and Workington, on Lady Glenochy's business, on the 18th of August; and returned here (Coates) yesterday. In the course of these fourteen days the Lord has been eminently with me. He preserved man and beast, and gave me my heart's desire respecting the business I went about. He also gave me numberless opportunities of attempting the temporal and spiritual good of others, with power to use them; and much, very much, fellowship with the Father and the Son. In general I enjoyed the witness of sanctification, and often a plenitude of the divine presence. Truly my God was good to me. strengthened for unusual exertions in his cause; and when tempted and tried he succoured and comforted me: more especially at one time, when Deity so condescended to visit me as turned my heaviness to joy unspeakable, and put a song of praise in my mouth. I am unable to tell of all the kindness and tenderness my God hath showed me since I left home. O that I may be faithful and humble !"

He

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER.

September 11, 1790. REV. SIR,-Your letter, returned from Edinburgh, found me at Carlisle; where I had gone upon business. I am sorry to see by it that you are still very poorly. Our God knows "what best for each will prove:" and we are warranted to believe that all his dispensations toward his people, whether joyous or grievous, are conducted upon this principle. I hope he will soon restore you to health, and continue your extensive sphere of usefulness to a late period. It is very desirable to fill up life with action, but it is possible to overdo; though I believe the case seldom occurs. Indeed I should not be surprised if it often did. When God is the object of supreme affection, who can love too much, or do too much? Divine love cannot be bounded by the frigid laws of cool reasoning, however just.

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I hope the state of your health will admit of the free use of your pen, in the weeks of your retirement and relaxation, whereby you may essentially serve the best interests of your fellow creatures; and this will the more easily reconcile your active spirit to a narrow circle.

I must now give you a few words upon the chapter of self, as I know you will expect it, and also thoroughly understand me in so doing. I would preface it by saying, as Mr. Cole carried my last, he must have forgot ten to deliver it: but I would add, it was perhaps as well he did: as I suppose every minute of your time during conference was fully occupied. My God still condescends to show the sweetest complacency. Herein I discern the fulness of that satisfaction which the blood of Christ hath made for me. It is full reconciliation. O what praise is due to him! In the course of my last excursion my God made much of his goodness to pass before me; gave me my heart's desire respecting the business that carried me from home; and much, very much, delightful fellowship with heaven,—often a plenitude of the divine presence, and one very remarkable manifestation of the holy Trinity. A few days after, when tempted and tried, Jehovah came down in solemn grandeur; so surrounded me, so penetrated my inmost soul, with a sense of the presence of Deity, and so filled me with a heaven of silent love, as baffles all expression. This glorious interview, you may believe, soon scattered all my foes, and left me lost in wonder, love, and praise! and, perhaps, a little strengthened for a few exertions in the best of causes. I find it a matter of thankfulness that this continued intercourse with divinity does not make humanity a cross to me; and that, though my God keeps me united to himself, yet he lets me down, and enables me willingly to perform the necessary duties of life, and often affords as much enjoyment when so employed as when in secret with himself. Hitherto

(to his praise I would speak it) he has given me to see what things are necessary, what things are lawful, what things are expedient, and what are not. And I would venture to say he has given me a small measure of light into what is, and is not, consistent with that state of gospel liberty of which he has condescended to let me taste. It is but a taste; and what I chiefly want is a deeper entrance into the holiest. My way is plain-the door is open-a glorious field is before me. My God invites me forward; but I do not seem yet to have faith sufficient to receive all that is offered. Let me have your thoughts upon this, and your prayers; that every fresh manifestation of the love, power, and goodness of God, may fully answer the gracious end of sovereign love. The peculiar privilege of God's children has been more insisted on in public this last year than formerly here; of consequence they increase who seek it, both in numbers and grace. May our God raise many witnesses of it. That Mr. Mather may enjoy it, in all its heights and depths, in his own soul, and teach it successfully to others, is the prayer of his well wisher in the Lord Jesus, D. MAXWELL.

TO MRS. JOHNSON.

October 13, 1790.

As you expressed a desire in your last to hear from me, I wish to gratify it, without expecting an answer, except the Lord gives you power and liberty to favour me with one. You pain me by the reason assigned for your long silence: "A sacred restraint laid upon you, not understanding for what those blessed manifestations were to prepare me afraid to touch the tender soul, knowing my feelings must be exquisite." It led me to cry to the Lord that he would show me clearly and fully what he designed by his very gracious dealings with me, and also enable me to fall in with them. I dread the thought either of mistaking or thwarting his sacred intentions. Will you assist me here, and, when you can easily, let me know your thoughts upon the important business. As yet I see no very great ends answered. I am enabled to bear a more public and decided testimony for Christian perfection by my lips and pen. O that I may do it by my life! I seem, as it were, set for the defence and promoting of this important branch of doctrine and experience, and find that the Lord owns me in it, at least so far as it respects my own soul. But I would fain look for far greater things as to others. The prospect was brighter some months ago for the latter; the former, through the tender mercy of my God, increases. I am blessed frequently with fresh discoveries of the love and power of a triune Deity-with powerful renewals of former manifestations: and, as I freely receive, I endeavour freely to give; if, peradventure, a simple recital might be made useful to others,

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more especially as it respects the work of sanctification, a doctrine very little known here. A few in the society do enjoy it; several are pressing after it, and the preachers profess themselves of the number; and do insist upon, and endeavour to explain the doctrine in public and private. But, as you justly observe, "The Lord himself must come down among us before great things are accomplished." "O that a little one may become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation." From day to day I am made to taste of that perfect love that casts out fear; and often experience a plenitude of the divine presence. But I most sensibly find it is only by momentary faith in the blood of Jesus that I am kept from sin and that my soul is less or more vigorous as I live by faith. For ten months past my fellowship has been in a peculiar manner with the Father: for some days past I have been favoured with the most delightful communion with the Son. He hath shone with remarkable brightness upon my soul. Yesterday a fear respecting a future trial passed quickly through my mind: in that moment the sacred Three surrounded me, banished the tempter and the temptation, and penetrated my inmost soul with a solemn, sweet sense of the presence of Deity. How condescending to dust and ashes is our God, for Jesus' sake. But I long to sink into all the depths of humble love. Let us help each other on by earnest prayer. O that we may more than ever be made willing and active recipients of every purchased blessing.

My cares and troubles increased at Hope Chapel till of late the storm abated; but still matters go on poorly. Mr. J. refused the chapel, and I seem to see the Lord's call for another visit in the spring. May his will be done in that business. Mr. S., of Dublin, offers me his service as a stated pastor at Hope Chapel, and refers me to Mrs. Johnson, among others, for his character. Now, peace be with your spirit. May the sacred attraction increase till you are lost and swallowed up in the beatific vision, prays Your fellow traveller, D. MAXWELL.

CHAPTER XXVI.-1791.

Death of the Rev. John Wesley-Lady Maxwell again visits BristolFresh difficulties at Hope Chapel-Change in the mode of conducting public worship-Correspondence continued.

An event occurred soon after the commencement of this year, highly important in the annals of Methodism. On the 2d of March the Rev. John Wesley, after a life of almost unparalleled labours and usefulness, was called to his reward. It has been seen that this honoured servant of Jesus Christ was rendered highly useful to Lady Maxwell at the important period when