I reside, and was informed that in
an adjoining ward there lay a very good old man, confined by a
mortification in his foot, who would take particular satisfaction in any
Christian conversation which my time would allow me to afford him.

The nurse conducted me into a room where I found him alone on a bed. The
character of his countenance was venerable, cheerful, contented, and
pious. His hoary hairs proclaimed him to be aged, although the
liveliness in his eye was equal to that of the most vigorous youth.

"How are you, my friend?" I said.

"Very well, sir, very well. Never better in all my life. Thank God for
all his mercies!" replied the man, with so cheerful a tone of voice as at
once surprised and delighted me.

"Very well! How so? I thought from what I heard you were in much pain
and weakness," said I.

"Yes, sir, that is true; but I am very well for all that. For God is so
good to my soul, and he provides everything needful for my body. The
people in the house are very kind; and friends come to see me, and talk
and pray with me. Sir, I want nothing but more grace to praise the Lord
for all his goodness."

"Why, my friend, you are an old pilgrim, and I am glad to see that you
have learned thankfulness as you travel through the wilderness."

"Thankfulness!" quickly returned he. "No, sir; I never did thank the
Lord, I never could thank him; no, nor I never shall thank him as I
ought, till I get to glory. And then--oh, then--how I will thank him for
what he has done for me!" Tears of affection filled his eyes as he
spoke.

"What a good Master you serve!" I added.

"Ay, sir, if the servant was but as good as the Master. But here I am, a
poor old sinner, deserving nothing, and receiving everything which I
need. Sir, I want nothing but more grace to serve him better. I lie
here on this bed, and pray and sing by night and day. Sir, you must let
me sing you my hymn; I always begin it about four o'clock in the morning,
and it keeps my spirits alive all the day through."

Without waiting for my reply, he raised himself up, and in an aged and
broken, but very affecting tone of voice, he sang two or three verses,
expressive of God's goodness to him, and his own desire to live to God's
glory. The simplicity, serenity, and heartfelt consolation, with which
this venerable disciple went through it, gave a colouring to the whole,
and left an impression on my mind which it would be impossible to convey