have been much freed from, since I tasted the pure love of God. I prove the frequent actings of simple faith the most profitable exercise of mind at these times. On Sunday a happy change took place. I was in a very peculiar degree in the spirit on the Lord's day, and tasted largely of the good word of God, and felt in the most lively manner the powers of the world to come, from the time I entered the house of God. The words of the second hymn led me involuntarily to self-examination. when the Lord seemed to bring to my remembrance the whole of his dealings with me in the work of conversion. He showed me that I had not rested in the drawings of the Father, but followed with a heart sincere while under them; clearly pointed out the time, and place, when he first gave me a sense of his forgiving love; and afterward made me a happy partaker of his pure love. Not that these memorable seasons had ever been forgotten by me; no, while memory lasts they will ever be deeply engraven on it; but I found this a corroborating evidence of the truth of the Lord's work in my soul; more especially from the beginning of an exposition on 3d, 4th, 5th, and 6th verses of the 24th Psalm. Jehovah seemed to fill the place with such a solemn sense of his presence as penetrated my inmost soul; and arrested not only the powers of the mind, but of the body: all was still, and all confessed, God is here. No actings of faith seemed necessary on my part. For the time faith seemed lost in enjoyment: not in ecstatic joy; but solemn awe and silent love; both which, in a peculiar manner, mark all my interviews with Jehovah. Toward the close, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, made me equally sensible of their presence: the undivided Trinity seemed to overshadow me; and I had a clearer view of the personality of the Holy Ghost than for some time past. Except on these remarkable occasions when he is thus set before me, I am generally led to view him as the divine Agent in man's salvation; who, from time to time, takes of the things of Christ, and shows them unto his people as his peculiar office. This most remarkable manifestation continued all the day, and through mercy to the present moment: only with this difference, that my fellowship is still more with the Father himself. My great desire is to prove the transforming influence of these gracious visits; and I am aware, also, how requisite, how necessary it is to double my guard by watching and prayer; lest the arch adversary gain any advantage over me, and I should grieve the Holy Ghost. Lord, assist me, and make me grateful.

July 10. Still my God continues to do me good, and visits, I trust, for that purpose, alternately with joys and sorrows: the former comforts and supports; the latter empties of self, as it respects confidence and complacency; and thereby fits the soul for greater discoveries of the love of God, through the gospel channel, without the danger of spiritual pride; and leads by a

blessing to the transforming influence of these merciful visitations. Yet, exclusive of powerful renewals of them, how soon does a lively sense of the most lively manifestations of divine love die away: how much am I then indebted to a gracious God for so frequently repeating them. Lord, what can I render to thee! O enable me to surrender myself more unreservedly to thy honour, and glory, and cause; and enlarge my temporal borders for this purpose. On Sunday last, my God exerted his power in my behalf, out of weakness made me strong, and carried me a considerable way from here to commemorate the dying love of Jesus; where and when as much of the divine goodness was allowed me as the body would permit. Soon after was visited with bodily affliction, which threatened to be severe; but the progress of the disease was soon checked by Him who hath all things in the natural, moral, and religious world under his control. Though my pain was great, and my mind much flattened by it, yet I did not lose a sense of what the Lord had bestowed on me on his own day, neither have I to the present moment. My heart's desire is, the sanctified use of every dispensation; with a will still more swallowed up in the divine will. I have to record, to the glory of my God, and his condescending goodness, that he has done away the unexpected trials mentioned formerly, and given me my desire respecting the subjects of them. Truly, "it is better to trust in the Lord than in princes." O my God, continue and increase thy goodness; quicken my powers; give still stronger evidence of thy purifying love; more power to live by faith and cordially to embrace all thy will.

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER.

July 11, 1795.

Your letters, Rev. sir, are always welcome, but your last I received with peculiar satisfaction; fearing, though conscious of the purity of my intention, that my last had either offended or grieved. I sincerely thank you for taking in a Christian spirit what I took the liberty of suggesting. My conscience bears me witness, I have no desire in this painful business, but that light may be given to discover the will of God; and power and inclination to walk in it. The work is his; and I believe the workers are all his also, and all aim at the same mark; the glory of their divine Master, and the good of precious souls: though their views, as to the best method of securing these great ends, are different. I used to be partial to the old plan, of communicating in the church; and thought that being no distinct body, but ready to assist all parties, was the way the Lord owned, and the most likely for extensive usefulness. I believe this was Mr. Wesley's judgment also; and that he ever in any measure departed from it, was, I believe, in consequence of his original design, of

following the openings of providence. And, could this be always clearly known, and embraced in a spirit of love, all would be well. Love will prove a strong cement to unite the whole body; and if, in particular places, circumstances make it expedient to differ from the general plan with respect to giving the sacrament, &c., still there will be no breach; all may love alike, though they do not act in every tittle alike. But I forbear, and would conclude by saying, through mercy I enjoy sweet inward liberty, having no party feelings, but earnestly desiring the will of God, the union of preachers, and great success in the work assigned to each, I would trust, by their great Master.

I pray that you may meet in a spirit of love, continue in it, during the discussion of many important points; and depart in it, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.

It was with peculiar satisfaction I received your accounts of the prosperity of the work. May it increase with all the increase of God; and a larger share of it be your portion, as a proof to all that the Lord is with you. I shall be anxious, if you can spare a minute, to inform me how matters have gone. I trust the sound of division or discord shall not wound my ear.

I must add (as I always write freely to you) my obligations to redeeming love increase my fellowship with the Father, of late, is particularly deep and sweet: and from time to time I am favoured with remarkable manifestations of divine love. Do let me know how to improve them to the utmost; how to grow up into Christ my living Head more rapidly. The more I live by simple faith, the clearer is the witness for purity of heart. At present, I feel becalmed in the ocean of redeeming love. Lately, I have been much tried, tempted, and variously exercised. But even then, O how graciously nigh was my God; making even my enemies at peace with me. His goodness beggars all expression.

But lest I be tedious, as your time is much occupied, I will conclude. No remarkable increase here. Mr. B. is useful to individuals, and much liked. Messrs. C. and E., if removed, will, I hope, be succeeded by those united to the place. Wishing Mr. Mather an increase of every purchased and promised blessing, I remain his well wisher in Jesus,

D. MAXWELL.*

TO MRS. JOHNSON,

October 19, 1795.

I have long wished to hear from Mrs. Johnson, and at times, when in secret, before the Lord, have been led to think she was

*The above letter shows the solicitude felt by Lady Maxwell for the welfare of that body of Christians to which she was united, at a time when the discussion of certain points of discipline threatened, for a short season, to disturb the peace and unity of the connection.

under the rod. His Spirit has enabled me to pead for her, as thus situated; and by recent accounts from Mrs. C., I find my apprehensions were just. Your God, as formerly, I doubt not. has been with you in the furnace; to support, to comfort, and to make you sing for mercy, as well as judgment. Perhaps you will not thank me for saying that I hope the Lord will keep you a little longer in this vale of tears, and give you to see yet more of the fruit of your labours, for his name's sake. By your last, some months ago, it appeared he was enlarging your sphere of usefulness; I hope it is still the case.

Much praise is due to the Father of mercies for the peace and union he has restored to our Zion; it is his own doing, and may well be marvellous in our eyes. O that the happy fruits of it may more and more appear. During the long and painful agitation, my mind was kept in peace, free from prejudice and undue warmth; endeavouring to commit both parties to him, that both might be led into his holy will. And O, how graciously hath he dealt with both: surely he heareth prayer. Deep and sweet has been my fellowship with the sacred Three since I last wrote, but more especially with God the Father; rich and frequent the discoveries of his love, his perfect love. The teachings of his Spirit, and humbling views of self, have been very clear; and he seemed to empty, in order to fill. I prove these stripping times very favourable to a life of simple faith. Eternity will not be too long wherein to praise my God, for the lessons he hath taught me, respecting this great duty and pri vilege of living by faith. Great are its effects; but I am slow in learning the lessons of his grace, though he condescends to give line upon line and precept upon precept. Sweet has been my enjoyment, and many my advantages, in being taught to put in practice the lessons he has given me of trusting in him, in every situation; but especially in difficult cases. He has, and does point out my way, giving me to hear, as it were, a voice, (though no articulate sound,) "This is the way, walk ye in it :" so strong has been the notice upon my mind, of the path of duty. He is indeed a soul-satisfying portion; he is my God and my all. But though thus blessed at times, I have seasons of close trial; the combined powers of darkness seem engaged against me, while there appears no power in me to combat such powerful foes, such an army of aliens: yet simply looking to Jesus by faith, endeavouring to trust in the Lord my God, abstracted from creature, looking above them, I am supported. I am delivered so evidently by the arm, not of flesh, but of Jehovah himself, 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 fifteen children; and superintended my Sunday school, in which there are at present upward 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 missionary. 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.

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 many prayers for the prosperity of your society, and Christian respects to Mrs. Cole and Atmore, I am dear Mrs. Johnson's friend in Jesus, D. MAXWELL.

CHAPTER XXXI.-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 show 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 children 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 irresistibly