trembling hand, I, in this uncertainty, resume my pen. One consideration tranquilizes my mind,-I and mine are in the hands of God: the wise, the good, the indulgent parent of mankind! Whatever he does is best. I am prepared for all his will, and hope that I shall never have a feeling, whose language is not, Thy will be done." "I am most kindly entertained here by Mr. and Mis. Shovelier: and except my dear Sarah's presence, feel myself at home. They have had greater trials than we can at present know. They have attended seven children to the gloomy tomb: they have been supported beneath their loss by Him who hath said, As thy days, so shal thy strength be.' Mrs. S. tells me, she blessed God for all.' May my dear Sarah be enabled to do the same, whatever the result may prove. To-morrow expect another letter from you; yet, lest you should too much feel my absence, I will not delay forwarding this a single post. Oh that it may prove in some degree a messenger of consolation! 66 6 Yesterday I preached three times : God was very good. I received your letter before the first service you may be assured that I bore you on my heart in the presence of my Lord and yours; nor shall I pray in vain: He will either restore the child, or support you under the loss of it. I dare not pray with importunity for any earthly good; for who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? But strength, to bear the loss of earthly comforts, he has promised: for that I importune; and that, I doubt not, will be granted. "In a house directly opposite to the window before which I now write, a wife, a mother, is just departed! Why am I not a bereaved husband? Why not my children motherless? When we compare our condition with our wishes, we often complain: but if we compare it with that of many around us, our complaints would be exchanged for gratitude and praise. S. P." 00000000000 To R. BOWYER, ESQ. "February 14, 1798. "NOT a day has hurried by, since I parted with my dear friends in Pall Mall, but they have been in my affectionate remembrance; but not being able to speak with any satisfaction respecting our dear child, I have withheld myself from imparting new anxieties to bosoms already alive to painful sensibility. "At length, however, a gracious God puts it in my power to say, that there is hope. After Janguishing between life and death for many days she now seems to amend. We flatter ourselves that she has past the crisis, and will yet be restored to our arms; but parental fears forbid too strong a confidence. It may be that our most merciful God saw that the shock of a sudden removal would be too strong for the tender feelings of a mother; and so by degrees, prepares for the stroke which must fall at last. However, she is in the best hands, and we are, I hope, preparing for submission to whatever may be the blessed will of God. "I was brought home in safety, and feel myself in much better health in consequence of my journey. Oirthat it may be all consecrated to my Redeemer's praise ! "Happy should I be, if I could oftener enjoy your friendly society; but we must wait for the full accomplishment of our social wishes, till we Gome to that better world, for which divine grace is preparing us :-There our best, our brightest hopes, and there our warmest affections must be found. Could we have all we want below, we should be reluctant to ascend, when Jesus calis us home. No, this is not our rest; it is poiluted with sin, and dashed with sorrow; but though our pains in themselves are evil, yet our God turns the curse into a blessing, and makes all that we meet with accomplish our good. "What better can I wish, my friends, than the humble place of Mary, or the happy rest of John! Faith can enjoy them both, till actually we fall at the Saviour's, feet and lean upon his bosom when we see him as he is. • Oh the delights, the heav'nly joys, Where Jesus sheds the brightest beams S. P." LINES WRITTEN ON THE WORDS OF IGNATIUS, "MY LOVE IS CRUCIFYED."* Meum Desiderium crucifixum est. When on his way to martyrdom, Warm also be my love for Him, Come, oh my soul, behold him pierc'd What lover ere to win my heart, Oh that in Jesus' wounds my soul And sing, as changing seasons roll, * When Ignatius pastor of the church at Antioch, was condemned by the emperor, Trajan, to suffer death at Rome, he was apprehensive that the Christians there, out of their great affection for him, might en deavour to prevent his martyrdom; and therefore wrote a letter from Symina to the Roman Christians, which he sent on before him wherein he earnestly beseechesthem to take no measures for the continuance of his life; and amongst other things, says, "I long tor death," adding as a reason why he was desirous of thus testifying his love to Christ, "My Love is crucified," În seasons oft, when bow'd with fear, To what a test his love was put, His garments white as wintry snows, Down from his wounded body flow'd, Which peace restored 'twixt me and God: Now by the cross, is held subdu’d, It yields to Jesus' conqu'ring blood; Ne'er may my dear despised Lord Dead be my heart to all below, Why should I love the creature so? Shameful his death, oh let it slay In me all cursed pride; Lowly in Jesus, may I say, When first my soul, by living faith, My lips declar'd at ev'ry breath, And since my happy heart has known, |
