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THE LABOURER DISABLED

The following note to her sister will confirm the testimony:

"My dear Rebecca,

"Cheshunt, October 17th, 1853.

"I was feeling too much to answer your letter after I arrived here on Saturday, having heard of the death of my dear babe just before we started. Her happy spirit ascended to God, her Maker, on Friday morning, about eleven. I do feel it, but yet am quite resigned, for it is all done in love. I have much more to say, but have been hindered by friends calling. Will write again, perhaps to-morrow.

"I am,

"Your affectionate Sister."

The Monday following her arrival was set apart for the services by which I was to be recognised as pastor of the church at Cheshunt. Her mind dwelt much

upon being able to be present; for the deepest sympathies of her soul had been awakened with the evident blessings accompanying the word, and proving the presence of the Lord in our midst.

In former days she had severely felt my leaving her so much alone on the Sabbath, but more recently she had said, "I never saw your Master so plainly

IN THE BUSY SEASON.

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with you in the work, and since His blessing is so abundantly manifest, I will not murmur agian."

On that sweetly solemn occasion, however, she was not permitted to join us, increasing weakness and the inclement weather forbidding; and once only was she cerried to the house of God after this. We had indeed procured her dismission from the church at Walworth to our communion at Cheshunt, but no opportunity was allowed for the union to be publicly acknowledged; her fellowship with Zion's pilgrims was about to close, her intercourse was soon to cease with the wayfarers

"Who wrestle hard with doubts and fears,
And looking upward;—thro' their tears
Descry the promised land!"

Her sun was" going down at noon;" her brief day in the vineyard was ending; the Master was coming to call for his handmaid; while she was made willing to quit

"The sweetness of the stream, to drink

At the Great Fountain's brim,
Where ransomed saints pure bliss partake
Continually with Him."

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REFRESHING STREAMS.

Yet while the passage was delayed,

"And while upon the brink she stood,
Gazing with hope across the flood
To Glory's plains;

Where Jesus reigns,

And all his friends in white array,
Rejoice throughout the endless day:
Communion sweet

At her Lord's feet,

She found in fervent praise and prayer,
With kindred hearts who gathered there,
Before the throne,

Christ's love to own;

To hear a dying sinner tell

Of sov'reign grace that saves from hell,
And lands in heaven

All sin forgiven."

Many happy hours were indeed spent at the prayer meetings which were now occasionally held at our house. Earnest were the pleadings of the brethren, and deep the " Amens" of affection and faith. Tears of sympathy indeed flowed freely, and sadness would anon intrude; yet, will not those solemn, precious moments ever be forgotten-when in answered prayer -an unction from the "Holy One," seemed almost

to lift the veil of the eternal world, and forced from the lips of living and dying one united song.

"Jerusalem! my happy home!
Name ever dear to me;

When shall my labours have an end,

In joy, and peace, and thee?

Reach down, oh Lord! thine arm of grace,
And cause me to ascend,

Where congregations ne'er break up,

And Sabbaths have no end."

Notwithstanding, however, these seasons of substantial joy and peace, the evening of the Christian's day was not to be quite cloudless-many thoughts gathered to harass her.

The Psalmist's words ("I shall not die but live," &c.) again dwelt upon her mind, and raised a strife of questions. In a prayerful attempt to cheer her I replied, "Why, my dear, these words have been already fulfilled in your experience-your life has been spared longer than most of us looked forward toand surely it has been prolonged that you might behold and tell of the recent works of the Lord' both in his interposing providence and wondrous grace." To this she fervently answered, "I have-I have, and

Oh, is that the meaning? Then may I have patience to wait all the days of my appointed time."

For some time she had suffered considerable depression and occasional distress, "not" (as she told me with tears) "because of fear or a clouding of my evidences, for I cannot lose my hope, but I do not feel to enjoy the Lord's presence as I want; and Oh, I am so rebellious, and little things make me fret."

Again I sought to comfort her by saying, "Why, my love, no one would think you murmured; we all wonder at the patience you manifest; and yet do not seek to draw consolation from this, but rather remember the enduring love of Jesus, and that He knoweth our infirmities, having been tempted as we are while the perfect atonement of his precious blood cleanses from all guilt, even of the holy things."

After this, her soul appeared to be greatly comforted and lifted up, and one afternoon I found her with an open hymn book before her, and laying her finger on one of the pages, she said most feelingly, "I wish I could sing, I could sing that hymn now."

"ANTICIPATING GLORY.

And may I hope that when no more
These pulses beat with life below;