mily-prayer the latter, who had backslidden, began to cry
aloud for mercy; the Lord speedily came to his deliverence, and prayer
was turned to praise.--I went to the Sabbath School tea-meeting; but
doubted whether I was in my proper place. However, I resolved to send
William and John to the School, simply with the hope that their minds
might be impressed with divine truth.--Thursday. A day devoted to
works of mercy, both to the bodies and souls of men; in which I
prayed to be saved from self, and directed aright; but how feeble and
imperfect my efforts! I feel myself a poor nothing.--While visiting
Mr. S., who is in a dying state, I was much encouraged. He has
long been a hearer, but neglected to embrace salvation. While I was
pleading for him, he exclaimed, 'I believe, I believe.' I saw him
again the next day, and on asking him if he felt Christ precious, he
said, after a short pause, 'Precious, quite precious.'--I was much
affected by a circumstance related by the Rev. Robert Wood, of an
eminently pious man in ----; who has not been seen to smile for four
years, and when asked the reason, uniformly replies, 'The word of God
is true; the wages of sin is death; my son died in his sins, and is
now in hell. How can I be cheerful?' May this make me more than ever
in earnest in pleading for my sons.--I am aiming to have a conscience
void of offence in the sight of God and man; but, on examining my
doings, I am ashamed of them. I might have used greater diligence,
evidenced more love, spoken with greater propriety, cultivated a
more affable spirit. I might have been more pointed in address,
more constant, more humble, and in many ways have acted with greater
Christian consistency; but Jesus is my refuge. Praised be His name,
I love Him!--At the lovefeast Mr. W. stated, that a man in L---- had
five sons, for whose salvation he had importunately prayed, from
the time of their birth until he died; but without success. They all
followed his remains to the grave; and, as they were taking their last
look at the coffin after the usual service, one of them clasped his
hands and exclaimed:--'I once had a praying father; but there he lies;
and now I must pray for myself.' From that moment he commenced a new
life, and was soon brought to the knowledge of the truth. Within two
years the rest were all truly converted to God: encouragement for
parents.--I prayed that the Lord would direct my steps in visiting the
poor, and in this He answe