to converse with
me, who am but a servant here below. But when I consider what a high
calling, what honour and dignity, God has conferred upon me, to be
called his child, to be born of his Spirit, made an heir of glory, and
joint heir with Christ; how humble and circumspect should I be in all
my ways, as a dutiful and loving child to an affectionate and loving
Father! When I seriously consider these things, it fills me with love
and gratitude to God; and I do not wish for any higher station, nor
envy the rich. I rather pity them, if they are not good as well as
great. My blessed Lord was pleased to appear in the form of a
servant, and I long to be like him.

"I did not feel in so happy a frame of conversation that day, nor yet
that liberty to explain my thoughts which I sometimes do. The fault
must have been all in myself; for there was nothing in you but what
seemed to evidence a Christian spirit, temper, and disposition. I
very much wished for an opportunity to converse with you. I feel very
thankful to God that you do take up the cross, and despise the shame:
if you are found faithful, you will soon sit down with him in glory.

"I have written to the Rev. Mr. ---, to thank him for permitting you
to perform the burial service at --- over my dear departed sister, and
to tell him of the kind way in which you consented to do it. I should
mention that your manner of reading the service on that day had a
considerable effect on the hearers.

"Pray excuse all faults, and correct my errors. I expect in a few
days to return home to my parents' house. We shall rejoice to see you
there.

"From your humble servant in Christ,

"E--- W---."

It was impossible to view such a correspondent with indifference. I had
just returned from a little cottage assembly, where, on Sunday evenings,
I sometimes went to instruct a few poor families in one of the hamlets
belonging to my parish. I read the letter, and closed the day with
thanksgiving to God for thus enabling those who fear his name to build up
each other in fear and love.

Of old time "they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and
the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written
before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his
name."

That book of remembrance is not yet closed.

PART III.

The mind of man is like a movin