. The lack of simplicity inflicts
many wounds. Go where we will, if we remain in ourselves, we shall
carry everywhere our sins and our distresses. If we would live in
peace, we must lose sight of self, and rest in the infinite and
unchangeable God. These self-returns have a tendency to establish the
soul more and more in itself, and hinder it from running into its great
original. But it is to this, God is calling you. You withhold from
God the only thing he desires--_the possession of your heart_. The
time is short; wherefore spend it in the compass and surroundings of
self? The single eye sees only God. You act as a person who being
called before a king, instead of regarding the king and his benefits,
is occupied only with his own dress and appearance. God wishes to
disarrange you--to destroy self; and you wish to preserve what he would
destroy. Be more afraid of self than of the evil one. It is the
spirit of Satan to exalt self above God, and this spirit is fostered by
these continual returns you make upon your own doings and misdoings,
which leaves no place in your mind for the occupation of God.

DIVERSITY OF MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION.

Although there are impenetrable mysteries in God's dealings with souls,
in order to promote their sanctification, it is true that each soul,
aside from the ordinary means, common to all, has a specific training,
and this method of the divine order can alone accomplish the work. The
means that sanctifies another may not sanctify you. You, my friend,
will not be led by great crosses and severe sufferings, but in the way
of helpless infancy. The child-like, yielding soul is necessary for
you; therefore God has chosen a child, myself, to be your helper.
Forget yourself as the man to whom many eyes are turned, and become the
little, helpless one, who cannot take care of itself, but lets another
care for it. The pride, presumption and vanity, of the natural man,
must give place to the littleness and simplicity of the child. Says
our Saviour, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye
cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven." O, when shall we learn that
it is littleness, and not greatness, that God requires of his child!

God has given me a maternal yearning for your soul. I sympathize
deeply in your wants and burdens. Be assured, the eyes of the God of
Love are upon you. I entreat you, yield to the influences which are in
operation to restore your