is the human heart; how unfaithful the conscience;
how little do we know of the sins of our daily walk. We are called to
watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation; to walk with God in
close, intimate communion: whether we eat or drink, to do all to his
glory: to consult him in all the affairs of life, narrowly observing
his providence in connection with our circumstances; weighing all in
his presence, requesting him to determine our wills and direct our
steps. We ought not to say, 'We will go into such a city,' and do this
or that; but, 'If the Lord will.' How inconsistent our conduct with
these rules. How often do rashness, precipitation, and self-will
accompany our determinations and movements. And how often do His
goodness and wisdom over rule our folly, save us from our own pits,
and prevent the evil that might be expected. At no time does he deal
with us as we sin, though sometimes he stands by and allows us a taste
of our folly: then we are in trouble, we dig our pits and fall into
them, but we cannot deliver ourselves. O what a God! who, even at such
a time, says to us, 'Call on me in the time of trouble; I will deliver
thee, and thou shalt glorify my name; thou hast destroyed thyself, but
in me is Blessed help; mercy to pardon, goodness to wisdom to guide,
faithfulness to carry through and perfect what concerns us, overruling
our very follies, and causing them to teach us to profit. This is
God's way, according to many declarations of himself in his word, and
the experience of all his redeemed.

"Blessed then is the man that trusteth in the Lord; they truly
are a blessed people whose God Jehovah is."

"FEBRUARY, 1802.

"MY DEAR, MY BELOVED CHILDREN--I trust the Lord is your support;
I know you are in trouble; it cannot be that opportunities have been
wanting all this time, nor can it be that my children have been
negligent: no, no, I cannot suppose it. My children are in trouble;
they could not write that they were otherwise, and therefore remain
silent until they can write the issue. It is proper, and sure the Lord
feeds me with comfort. O the comfort of knowing that the Almighty God
is their own reconciled Father by an everlasting covenant; Christ, the
Mediator and Surety, their Advocate, Brother, and Friend; the Holy
Ghost their Teacher, Guide, and Comforter. It cannot be ill with my
dear children, who are also God's dear children. My Fat