red, since you were last here, that he was
carrying on his work in your soul with reference to this matter,
and that no subtle suggestions of Satan, nor educational
prejudices, nor misinterpretations of the Scriptures, were able
to prevail; for I had asked the Lord by his Spirit to overcome
them in you, and that, if a brother's word should be needed, he
would be pleased to incline your heart to write to me; and as no
letter came, I felt fully confident you were going forward in
this matter in peace. When I had seen you this day six weeks,
and learned about this little sum, _I determined never to say or
write to you another word on the subject, but to leave you in
the hands of the Lord_. Thus I purposed again during the last
eighteen days; _for it was not the money given up_, that I cared
for in you, _but the money given up unto the Lord, and from
right motives_. On this very account I advised you to wait one
fortnight longer, though you had come to the conclusion; but
now, having done so, and seeing that you are fully purposed in
the Lord to be poor in this world indeed, that the more
abundantly you may enjoy his riches, his inexhaustible riches, I
change my advice. My word now, beloved sister, is this:
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," and
"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." Delay
then no longer, even as also you have no desire to delay; and
the Lord will bless you abundantly in doing so, _inasmuch as you
do it unto him_. As you desire to intrust me with this money, I
do not refuse it, knowing many ways to lay it out for him, etc.
[Then only follows the direction how the money is to be paid
into my banker's hands.]

On Dec. 18, 1842, I received a reply to my letter, which answer was
begun to be written on Dec. 8th, but finished on the 16th. I give a few
extracts of the letter:--

Since I last saw you, dear brother, I have not had the slightest
doubt as to what I ought to do. The word of God has been so
clear to me on this head, that I have been kept resting on it,
and, in answer to your prayers, no temptation has been allowed
to _prevail_, indeed, I think I may add to _arise_. But I feel
that temptations _may_ come, and that I may in seasons of trial
not always have faith to be able to rejoice in this privilege.
My heart is so deceitfu