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The imagination, overspread with thick darkness, attended with the earthquake and whirlwind, can perceive nothing but gloom, bitterness, and horror. Hence, the utmost we can do or hope for at present, is, by a close and firm appeal to Scripture and reason, to reduce the agony and produce something like a transient calm. It is distressful to be habitually conversant with such a scene: but the anguish of a mind, which is the seat of such darkness, is not to be expressed yet it is manifest there is grace, though its resistance is feeble. There is light which discovers in Christ Jesus an excellency that transcends every thing else. There is love, which the floods of these many waters cannot quench. Sometimes we apprehend that a very short time may close this affecting scene; but life may be prolonged beyond expectation-mercifully prolonged-that we all may be favoured with a testimony of the Saviour's love, in some lucid interval, before mortality ceases to detain its captive. And now, what shall I say to you, my friend, how congratulate your happy lot, and glorify the grace of God in you! to be restored from thoughtless wanderings to God; to have passed from death to life; to be taught of God to cry, " Abba, Father!" to be put among his dear children, and to be entertained with the privileges and prospects belonging to such a relation; to be distinguished by such grace in a vain and ungodly world, and that entirely unmerited, unasked, and unsought; what rich, what un

bounded love is here! I cannot wonder, my friend, that you should have much to say of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that his love should constrain you to render to him active service. The change in you is manifestly, what in all instances it is really, his own work-through which you are made a part of that spiritual building, of which he shall bear the glory for ever-a lively stone, because united to, built, and still bearing upon, a living foundation. "Christ is all." Whatever light, or life, or strength, or comfort, you have, is from him; and whatever of righteousness you need is in him, and it is "on all them that believe." God beholds with complacency nothing but Christ in us. The word and ordinances,-creature-friendships, -the good things of this world,-Providential dispensations, are then blessings indeed to us, when they are vehicles of the spirit and grace of Christ. Those are the best seasons, the best sermons, the best friends and friendly interviews, wherein there is most of the sweet savour of his Name! What an advantage is this plant in any soil! Whatever our lot in life, what rest, what sweetness it affords! What a mercy to have this grace flowing through so many channels! Such a channel was the Christian minister, by whose converse and counsels your mind was first relieved; and while it gives me concern to find you have not a Gospel ministry regularly to attend on, I rejoice to know that the river, that maketh glad the city of our God, never fails a soul thirsting for the waters of life, because means of

communication are wanting. The Chief Shepherd feeds his flock on the high mountains of Israel. If his pasture be short, his blessing will make it rich. I doubt not but you will improve, with care, the means you have. Hear the Gospel as often as you can; pray much, and watch your heart in prayer; read and study the word of God: let it be to you the grand reservoir of the Spirit of Christ: you have, probably, other good books; they will be helpful. I am glad you have surmounted opposition, and established a Sunday School: it is a useful measure. Whenever you feel at liberty to write, I shall be happy in offering any thing that may tend to strengthen your heart and hands in the Lord.

I am, &c.

J. BOWDEN.

LETTER XLIX.

TO LADY S——.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

THE freedom with which you wrote obliges me. I can truly weep with you who weep; yet I do rejoice, and will rejoice, in the mercy that has led you to regard sin as your greatest burden. Indeed, the evil you lament is universal; yet few deplore it, because they have "their understanding darkened." It is the light that maketh manifest. Increasing.

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bounded love is here! I cannot wonder, my friend, that you should have much to say of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that his love should constrain you to render to him active service. The change in is manifestly, what in all instances it is really, his own work-through which you are made a part of that spiritual building, of which he shall bear the glory for ever-a lively stone, because united to, built, and still bearing upon, a living foundation. "Christ is all." Whatever light, or life, or strength, or comfort, you have, is from him; and whatever of righteousness you need is in him, and it is "on all them that believe." God beholds with complacency nothing but Christ in us. The word and ordinances,-creature-friendships,

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the good things of this world,-Providential dispensations, are then blessings indeed to us, when they are vehicles of the spirit and grace of Christ. Those are the best seasons, the best sermons, the best friends and friendly interviews, wherein there is most of the sweet savour of his Name! What an advantage is this plant in any soil! Whatever our lot in life, what rest, what sweetness it affords! What a mercy to have this grace flowing through so many channels! Such a channel was the Christian minister, by whose converse and counsels your mind was first relieved; and while it gives me concern to find you have not a Gospel ministry regularly to attend on, I rejoice to know that the river, that maketh glad the city of our God, never fails a soul thirsting for the waters of life, because means of

God has pledged his truth to give to every bever the full possession of heaven and glory. When he called Abraham, and when he called you, he said, "I am God Almighty: walk before me, and be thou perfect." And believe it, my friend, "there is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heavens for thy help, and in his excellency on the sky." "The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms;" and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, and say, "destroy them.” "He giveth power to the faint, and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength.'" Then "set the Lord always before you;" "go in the strength of the Lord God," and your heart need not, will not, be afraid. Your worst enemy, yea, the only enemy you have to fear, is an "evil heart of unbelief." Watch and resist its every motion; "hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering," and your courage and your strength will daily increase; you will aspire after new conquests, you will be prepared for the most arduous encounters, you will find "all things are possible to him that believeth;" you will upbraid every rising fear, and say, with the valiant Caleb, "Let us go up at once and possess it, for, with Jehovah at our head, we are well able to overcome it." You will never rest until your victory shall be complete, and you have fully received the promise. But you complain of a particular evil,-sin in your imagination; and you wish to know "by what means it may be resisted and

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