nd Mr. McKitrick, in Albion Street Chapel. For some weeks I have
been under the chastening hand of God. My patience has been severely
tested; but I am thankful, in the moments of severest trial, I have
felt confident that not a stroke would be laid upon me more than
would conduce to my real good. Though the waves roll around me, I
can venture myself on Jesus. Here I find firm footing; here is my
resting-place; and in the precious atonement of the Redeemer, my soul
enjoys sweet repose.--I have been suffering from sickness, but have
had many precious moments while musing upon my bed. Through mercy, I
am again able to sit up, but am very deaf. This has occasioned a train
of reasoning. I have been led to inquire, whether the Lord in His
providence intends to depose me from meeting His people. But in
this, and in every thing else, I would resignedly say, 'Thy will be
done.'--The mercy of the Lord is again repeated. The deafness, from
which I have suffered, is greatly removed. Bless the Lord, who can not
only make the deaf to hear, but the heart to praise.--My little Anna,
after being lent to me for seventeen days, and finding nothing on
earth to court her stay, has closed her eyes on time, and opened them
upon heaven. So uncertain is earthly happiness. Perhaps my heavenly
Father, more securely to engage my heart, has kindly resumed the
gift; and transplanted to a better soil the flower, whose charms were
insensibly stealing my affections. I anticipated the delightful task
of rearing this tender plant to be a future comfort; but Thou, O Lord,
art righteous in all Thy ways. My feelings have been peculiarly acute,
but to Thee, O Lord, my heart is known. Teach me due submission to
Thy will; and as, by this bereavement, I shall, if restored to health,
have more leisure, may I dedicate it to Thee.--While Miss O. was
praying with me, I had such a blessed view of the inhabitants of the
world above, that for a moment I seemed to be there. At the Class I
was led to see the privilege of living by faith every moment. Since
then, I have been able to realize _present_ blessings. The perusal
of one of Mr. Fletcher's letters has been of service to me; also the
recollection of what my father used to say; 'I ask in faith, and bring
the blessing away with me.' Surely this is our Christian birthright.
Faith honours God, and 'without faith it is impossible to please
God.' Thanks be unto Thee, I can now live by faith; but I want to
lose myself in