al
souls! They are precious in God's sight--they ought to be so in ours."

Some pointed and affecting observations to that effect recurred to my
mind as having been made by the young person with whom I had been just
conversing. Her mind appeared to be much impressed with the duty of
speaking and acting for God "while it is day," conscious that "the night
cometh, when no man can work." Her laudable anxiety on this head was
often testified to me afterwards, both by letter and conversation. What
she felt herself, in respect to endeavours to do good, she happily
communicated to others with whom she corresponded or conversed.

Time would not permit my continuing so long in the enjoyment of these
meditations, on this lovely mount of observation, as my heart desired. On
my return home I wrote a few lines to the Dairyman's daughter, chiefly
dictated by the train of thought which had occupied my mind while I sat
on the hill.

On the next Sunday evening I received her reply, of which the following
is a transcript:--

"Sunday.

"REV. SIR,

"I am this day deprived of an opportunity of attending the house of
God, to worship him. But, glory be to his name, he is not confined to
time or place. I feel him present with me where I am, and his
presence makes my paradise; for where he is, is heaven. I pray God
that a double portion of his grace and Holy Spirit may rest upon you
this day; that his blessing may attend all your faithful labours; and
that you may find the truth of his word assuring us that wherever we
assemble together in his name, there is he in the midst to bless every
waiting soul.

"How precious are all his promises! We ought never to doubt the truth
of his word. For he will never deceive us if we go on in faith,
always expecting to receive what his goodness waits to give. Dear
sir, I have felt it very consoling to read your kind letter to-day. I
feel thankful to God for ministers in our church who love and fear his
name: there it is where the people in general look for salvation; and
there may they ever find it, for Jesus' sake! May his word, spoken by
you, his chosen vessel of grace, be made spirit and life to their dead
souls! May it come from you as an instrument in the hands of God, as
sharp arrows from a strong archer, and strike a death-blow to all
their sins! How I long to see the arrows of conviction fasten on the
minds of