s account, and glory be to God,
in that same hour, He imparted peace to the dying child.--The night
was awfully tempestuous. I rose twice to pour out my soul to Him, who
rules the storm, and found sweet calm within.--After tea, Mr. Spence
asked me, why I had invited my friends. I replied, it was my desire,
that we should help each other to heaven. A conversation on holiness
of heart ensued, which to me, and I trust to all present, was
profitable. This conversation will leave no painful reflection. I
avowed that I held, though with a trembling hand, the power to love
God with all my heart, and felt the sweet assurance at the time; but
the next morning when I awoke, it was suggested, I knew not what I had
avowed. The satisfactory evidence was for a moment withdrawn; yet by
faith I still resolved to hang upon the Saviour. I did not long remain
in doubt, my peace of mind returned; and in the evening, while
engaged in prayer (Eliza being with me), the divine influence sweetly
overwhelmed my soul, and not mine only, my Eliza felt its power. Glory
be to God.--I took tea with Mrs. E., the person with whom I lodged
during my affliction. A sense of gratitude for past mercies stirred my
heart to praise; and the time, which might otherwise have been spent
in conversation to no profit, was spent in prayer.--I daily need the
sprinkled blood, and the clear assurance of the perfect love which
'casteth out fear.' I dare not doubt that I possess, in a measure,
its blessed fruits; but I long to rise higher, that no scruple may
remain."

VIII.

PASSING CLOUDS.

"CAN ANY UNDERSTAND THE SPREADINGS OF THE CLOUDS."--Job xxxvi. 29.

Who can explain the involuntary emotions of human mind? How strange,
that often, on the eve of some great misfortune, a sensible cloud
should spread over the spirit; but whence it comes, or why, we
cannot tell! To say it is a coincidence is only an acknowledgment of
ignorance. Ought we not rather to refer it to the secret agency of
the spirit-world by which we are surrounded; but of which we know so
little? Perhaps God would thus timely warn us to seek refuge under the
shadow of his wing, just as we seek shelter from the storm, which the
cloud, that spreads itself upon the face of heaven, tells us is at
hand. At least, it cannot be without advantage, when such monitions
occur, to betake ourselves to more earnest prayer; then, come what
may, we shall find a safe asylum in Him, to whom belongeth everlas