ast
hesitation in knowing, that it was the Father's rod, applied in
infinite wisdom and love, for the restoration of my soul from a state of
lukewarmness. At this time, however, I had no such feeling. Conscious as
I was of manifold weaknesses, failings, and shortcomings, so that I too
would be ready to say with the Apostle Paul, "O wretched man that I am;"
yet I was assured that this affliction was not upon me in the way of the
fatherly rod, but for the trial of my faith. Persons often have, no
doubt, the idea respecting me, that all my trials of faith regard
matters connected with money, though the reverse has been stated by me
very frequently; now, however, the Lord would try my faith concerning
one of my dearest earthly treasures, yea, next to my beloved wife, the
dearest of all my earthly possessions. Parents know what an only child,
a beloved child is, and what to believing parents an only child, a
believing child must be. Well, the Father in heaven said, as it were, by
this His dispensation, Art thou willing to give up this child to me? My
heart responded, As it seems good to Thee my Heavenly Father. Thy will
be done. But as our hearts were made willing to give back our beloved
child to Him who had given her to us, so He was ready to leave her to
us, and she lived. "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give
thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm xxxvii. 4. The desires of my
heart were, to retain the beloved daughter, if it were the will of God;
the means to retain her were, to be satisfied with the will of the
Lord.

Of all the trials of faith that as yet I have had to pass through, this
was the greatest; amid by God's abundant mercy, I own it to His
praise, I was enabled to delight myself in the will of God; for I felt
perfectly sure, that, if the Lord took this beloved daughter, it would
be best for her parents, best for herself, and more for the glory of God
than if she lived: this better part I was satisfied with; and thus my
heart had peace, perfect peace, and I had not a moment's anxiety. Thus
would it be under all circumstances, however painful, were the believer
exercising faith.

Dec. 31, 1853. During this year the Lord was pleased to give me

1. By anonymous donations through the
boxes ... ... ... ... L177 9 7 1/2

2. Through donations from believers in
Bristol, not anonymously . . . . . . . 143 3 0

3. Through donations from believers not
residing in Bristol ... ... 299 16 1

4. Thro