g, the subject of the last Sabbath's Sermon (Psalm 1.)
was impressed upon my mind with such force and sweetness, and I felt
it to be so suitable to my friend, that I determined to insert it. My
heart's desire is, that it may be blessed to all who read it.--As I
passed the Centenary Chapel this evening, a gentleman thus accosted
me: 'You don't know me.' I answered, 'No sir.' He rejoined, 'I sat in
your pew about nine years ago. Mr. Curnock preached about Noah's Ark;
and a word you spoke to me afterward, forcibly impressed my mind. You
said, 'Get into the Ark,' and now I have got into the Ark.' I had no
remembrance of the circumstance, but am thankful he has got in. To
God be all the glory!--Sitting by the fire this evening, I fainted. So
graciously does my heavenly Father deal with me, that he blesses and
chastens me in _love_; for this, my heart's desire is to praise Him: I
thirst for a deeper baptism, and more intimate communion with Him."

MY SIXTY-NINTH BIRTHDAY.

Now the evening shadows lengthen,
Nature's feebleness appears;
Every grace within me strengthen,
To sustain increasing years.

Perfect in me all Thy pleasure,
While I sojourn here below;
Every fruit, in richer measure,
Through my dying Lord bestow.

"By the evening train a family party, consisting of thirteen of us,
safely arrived in Searbro'. Five went to the band-meeting, which was
very thinly attended. One of the five spoke, having been upwards of
fifty years a member. I went to Mr. F.'s class, and though I could
not hear what the members said, I heard the leader, who made some very
appropriate remarks. When addressing me, he related an anecdote of
Rowland Hill, who, going to preach at a village, was requested to
visit a good, but poor half-witted man. He went accordingly, and
accosted poor Richard with the question, 'Do you intend to go to
heaven?' 'Yes,' he replied, 'don't you?' 'But heaven is a long way
off,' said Mr. Hill. 'I don't think so,' was the reply. 'Then what do
you think?' 'I think,' said the man, 'it is only three steps.' 'Well,
Richard, what are they?' 'The first step is out of self; the second
into Christ; and the third into Glory.' So Mr. Hill went back, and
told his friends that he had been to preach to Richard, but Richard
had preached to him.--I ventured to speak to a friend, who sat beside
me in the Chapel, about coming to class. To my surprise, she said she
had for some time thought of speaking to m