of God. I cannot rest in any thing as yet bestowed. It seems but a taste. In the select society, O how does Jehovah break in upon my soul; and our class is more than ever owned and favoured with the sacred presence. All glory to Him to whom alone it belongs. I am ashamed to say so much; you will not mistake me. But this letter is by far too tedious for your weak frame yet must farther say, the goodness of my God to our guilty land so overpowers my frame as I cannot express. I seem to feel the sins of all, and blush and grieve for them before a God of love.

Peace, love, joy, and abounding grace be with my friend on earth, and, at last, a joyous entrance into glory be ministered unto her happy spirit, prays her fellow pilgrim in the Lord Jesus,

D. M. P. S. If strength be given to send another line, it will be a particular favour. If not, from one of your meeting. Farewell! D. MAXWELL.

TO MRS. JOHNSON.

July 11, 1798. My much respected and highly favoured friend's letter afforded sacred satisfaction. We would join in calling upon our souls, and all that is within us, to magnify and bless the God of grace and consolation, for his gracious dealings with his people in general, and with us in particular. But O,

"What angel tongue can tell,

His love immense, unsearchable ?"

We have tasted of it, blessed be his name; and through mercy are hastening to the full enjoyment: the Lord enlarge our receptive powers, widen our capacities, and fill us full; not merely for our own happiness, but that we may glorify him to the utmost while on earth, and be thus fitted for the fullest enjoyment of Deity in eternity. My soul burns daily with increasing desire to glorify my God; to sink into him, and live in his will. I see this as affording the most exquisitely pure enjoyment, even in this world, where we are surrounded with innumerable weaknesses, necessarily connected with our fallen natures. What must it be above, when all these are done away? when that which is perfect is come? We are lost in the inquiry! Sweet, inexpressibly so, have been my spiritual enjoyments since I last wrote. I seem to get nearer to Jehovah; and with that, such opening rays of glory-such views as I can nowise express or explain! O, how does he bear with me! And, when I plead for his immediate presence, especially with one or more persons that I wish to profit, he condescends instantly to draw near. Of late I have been more highly favoured in this way than those with me.

We have had a Mr. S., of C., fellow of the college, (a most approved clergyman, and heavenly devoted soul,) preaching here for some weeks to crowded audiences. In all my interviews with him, whether alone or with others, more especially the former, my mouth hath been wonderfully opened to speak of the deep things of God: while the Most High witnessed to the truth, by his presence with both of us; and my heart, from sweet experience, corroborated the evidence. I do not know that I ever met with one, except among the Methodists, that received with such evident delight what I said on the subject; or with whom I found equal liberty. At times his heart seemed all on fire to seize the perfect bliss, with much present enjoyment; at others he was dissolved in tears, feeling his poverty and unworthiI would hope the Lord is to do great things for and

ness.

by him.

With all this goodness shown me, I am kept little and mean in my own eyes; made deeply sensible of many weaknesses; of my utter unworthiness; so as to stand astonished that a holy God can love me, or even bear with me: but am, with my friend, taught to keep these things mostly to myself, well knowing they would be perhaps hurtful to others; yea, a stumbling.

Your obligations are great indeed: a patient bearing in silence your infirmities will bring glory to your God, add to the triumph of grace here, and to the enhancement of glory hereafter. Am refreshed with the accounts of your aged friend, and would press after her. You will yet triumph more. There is a glorious work going on. Farewell, highly favoured soul. Through abounding grace I hope to meet you in glory! till then, let us help each other, and press through and over every seeming hinderance. Help, O our God, and thine shall be the glory, willingly ascribed by D. M., and E. J., for ever.

D. MAXWELL.

CHAPTER XXXIV.-1799.

Diary and correspondence continued.

April 5. Through mercy I still live, and am able to testify of the great goodness of my God and Saviour. On Sabbath morning, the 31st of March, soon after public worship began, especially during the first prayer, I felt much engaged with the Lord. My whole soul flowed out in strong desire for some peculiar blessing, of which I stood much in need. While the speaker expounded from the first five verses of the second chapter of Revelation, especially the fourth verse, where the Lord Jesus, after mentioning his knowledge and approbation of what was

still good in the church of Ephesus, charges them with having left their first love; I felt involuntarily led to examine myself on this head, as in the presence of God, and thought I found some reason to conclude I had not. Yet, fearing to trust my own conclusions in such an important matter, I begged the Lord to let me know, from himself, how that solemn business stood. In a moment or two, these words seemed spoken to my heart, by the Lord Jesus" O woman, greatly beloved, fear not." Dreading delusion, I feared to receive them, but still they were repeated again and again, with such power, and accompanied with so much love, I durst not reject them. With them I seemed also to obtain such an additional hold of Jesus, as I can by no means express. Many powerful renewals of this gracious visit I was favoured with, through that and the following day, and with each a heaven of love filled my heart, and, I trust, was not unfelt: especially on Monday evening, I was lost in wonder, love, and astonishment, that the adorable Saviour should so condescend to a poor unworthy creature. It is mystery all! O who can fathom the depth of redeeming love! Almost every day this week I have proved some of his goodness. O that it may be permanent, and, by sovereign aid, purifying! and also a continual stimulus to activity and zeal in the cause and ways of my God. I see, I feel, how short I am; but in a moment he can work a great work. Come, Lord Jesus, and lay every aspiring mountain low; and reign the Lord of every motion of my heart. How willingly shall I obey.

May 24. I feel more of a spirit of prayer: I see more of the loveliness of Jesus; of his immense value; of the heaven there is in his love. Had I ten thousand worlds, how willingly would I give them all to feel my heart brimful of his pure love; to have him reigning in it; occupying all space; bringing every thought into captivity to himself. Surely, Lord, these insatiable desires must be from on high. Wilt not thou, then, fulfil them? Come, O my God, and not only do this, but "do exceedingly above all I can ask or think :" for how limited my petitions-how scanty my thoughts! Since the 17th my comforts have not been so rich and strong as often they are; yet have cause to be thankful for many mercies. On Monday evening, at the prayer meeting, the Lord seemed to shine on his work in my soul, so as to cause me to think he had done more for me than of which I am always sensible. It is only in his light we can see and know the things freely given us of him. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, he gave me repeated opportunities for the spiritual benefit of my fellow creatures, especially in the higher walks of life. I omitted last week mentioning a large opportunity given me, that occurs only annually: the examination of my week-day school in Edinburgh; united with prayer, praise, and a most appropriate exhortation to the scholars then dismissed,

fully taught. They receive each a Bible, with their name upon it, and a single weighty sentence marked under it, as pronounced, by the minister, who delivers it; also, an address is given to those scholars who are then to enter, and to those that remain. About sixty children were present, beside grown people. My God, give me the souls of all that have been, are now, or ever shall be in that school. O that I may meet them all on the right hand, at the great day of decision! They now amount to four hundred and eighty-nine. My God I found sweetly present with us. On Thursday, as usual, he condescended to meet with us of a truth, and renewed my strength, exhausted before by two hours' close conversation with one who seems to be athirst for present salvation-for living wholly for and with God. Blessed Lord, let none turn her out of the way: help her to press on in the good way. Though weakness itself, yet, gracious God, put thy words in my mouth on every such occasion; then, speaking under an unction from on high, it shall be in the demonstration of the Spirit and with power. I long to be more useful. Indulgent Lord, grant my request; and take the glory of all, and make me more thankful for thy past goodness. On Wednesday evening, my God was, in straits, a present aid. Supposing danger was nigh, I felt desirous to shun it, and cried unto the Lord, who, in a moment, sent these words with sweetness, and a degree of power, so as to calm my fears, and enable me to adore his goodness: "What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee." to be more grateful.

July 5. My Christian experience for these eight days past is very similar to the preceding week-nothing worthy of remark. Only upon the whole, I find myself strengthened for duty in body and mind, and fitted for what I was called to. On Monday morning, in secret prayer, the Lord corrected a mistake I have sometimes of late made, in pressing after every new-covenant blessing, namely, allowing a vehement desire after what I have not yet attained, to make me overlook what I had, through mercy, obtained; thereby lessening present enjoyment, and engendering a degree of impatience. My God shows me, as he has done formerly, the most excellent way is, that, while pleading in a meek and patient spirit, faith must be exercised; the heart opened for present reception: believing the Lord is willing now to give, for Christ's sake, what is asked. Attempting this, I quickly found an increase. Jesus was ready to enter, and did pour himself into my heart. In the evening, at the prayer meeting, I found the Lord owning me much; blessing me with sweet consciousness of his presence, which greatly increased when a select few were speaking of his dealings with their souls, as Christian prudence directed. Here, indeed, he seemed to bow the heavens and come down; the mountains, as it were, flowed down at his presence; my views of Father, Son, and

Holy Ghost, were clear and impressive. I felt filled with wonder and love; yea, with what mortal language cannot express. Surely it was a taste of heaven; and I bless the Father of mercies it has often been renewed since; or I may rather say continued with me. It was a meal, in the strength of which I have made many exertions. O my God, grant it may be the beginning of greater things than ever: I pant for a larger sphere of usefulness: I would be ever either getting or doing good; I would, but thou must give the power. On Wednesday evening, though in company, I had a sweet renewal of the blessing; aiming at faithfulness for my God, he owned and helped me: but much more so on Thursday noon, when with a few of those that love and enjoy him, and preach the gospel of Christ, who were met expecting his presence; and of a truth he more than realized our expectations. What in his love possessed we not? There seemed a heaven without, and a heaven within; but still the poverty of human language lays an embargo on my pen; but sweet, inexpressibly sweet, as these wonderful visitations are, it is their transforming influence I chiefly value. Give me this, O my God, then shall I glorify thee, in the reception of thy favours; here I feel painfully short; pity and save.

26. Since last date, my God has been good in various ways. On Sabbath, found it good to wait on him, and profitable to others. On Monday evening in public the Lord exceeded my expectations, blessed be his holy name. On Wednesday, from home, he helped me to great exertion: was assailed with keen temptation, but the adversary was rebuked, and I was kept in peace. On Thursday, was carried through much; felt a door of utterance given me, for the benefit of a female disciple in high life, desirous of being all the Lord would have her. Speak, holy Father, to her heart, and let her prove thou didst put “thy words in my mouth," according to thy promise: therefore, she felt them. Just after, joined with two ministering servants of Christ in prayer, praise, and Christian conversation and truly it was a Bethel indeed. O the wonderful condescension of Jehovah. Was afterward helped to profitable conversation, with power to confess my God before others; and, in the evening, had the privilege of attending a public prayer meeting. O Lord, pour a greater spirit of prayer upon all thy people.

This week, found my feelings harrowed up by reading memoirs illustrating the history of Jacobinism, by the Abbe Barruel. This work developes such dreadful hellish tenets, principles, plots, and practices, as must shock, not only Christians of every denomination, but every person, Deists, Arians, Socinians; yea, every creature that is not wholly under satanic influence, I may say, judicial blindness and hardness of heart. These deluded men, with their horrid devices, go to annihilate every law, human and divine; to break every social tie; to deny, not only