been like Hezekiah, and said, 'O Lord, undertake for me, I am oppressed,' and He hath said unto me this day, 'Fear ye not.' Then why should I? "When God himself forbids our fears, Though weak as infancy, Sure 'tis enough to dry our tears, And wipe each weeping eye. I have written this with trembling hand and almost broken heart; but let not this grieve you over much, for it is all for the best. I know you feel for me more than for yourself; I have proved you to be a sincere friend. I believe it to be the will of my Heavenly Father for me to remain at East Street, and although other motives have been imputed to me, until I hear Him say, 'Go up hither,' I will not." On the 27th August, she again resumes her diary with the same subject: "Bless the Lord, oh my soul, for all his mercies of preservation. Surely he has upheld me; he is the right hand of my salvation. "I have been during the past months very much tried; I am left alone. All my peace is broken, so that my trouble is overwhelming. Yet 40 THE ROOT OF THE TREE. my one Friend, my Heavenly Father, I am persuaded will never leave me or forsake. If he did-what should I do! I should be ready to sink down in 6 utter despair, and cry damnation and eternal loss to my soul.' But oh, blessed be God, it is not so. His promises are truly precious, yet my unbelief often leads me to fear the creature instead of the Creator. I need a cloudy pillar by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide and direct me in all the untrodden steps of life." "Oct. 29th.-While keeping house alone I felt I had my Heavenly Father near. I love to meditate upon his goodness, and the way in which he has thus far led me on through trials and troubles. 'I had fainted had I not believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.' "I am still doubting whether I am doing the Lord's will concerning – and the -I want peace, peace: I cannot rest without it, but my troubles like billows roll. I long to be with Jesus in glory at home. My soul is disquieted within me; I know not how to pray. I have said, 'If I could put an end to my soul as easily as my body I would do it!' But, oh, this is the devil tempting me. My gracious God, enable me JOY IN THE MORNING. 41 to resist it and trust in thee. I want faith to believe that all things shall work together for good, then would I say "Whate'er consists not with Thy will I'm rich to all th' intents of bliss, Since thou, my God, art mine." The next entry records the lightening of the burden, the breaking of the clouds, the reward of faith, the victory of patience, and accordingly the harp is taken from the willows and a new song began. "Dec. 18, 1843.-All things work together for good. All that has passed has been under the working of a wise and gracious God, to exercise my faith and love. Surely I can say God is with us indeed, and of a truth, "When darkness long has veiled my mind, Thus the old year was rung out, and the new rung in, with promises fulfilled, hope encouraged, Ebenezers recorded, and her diary, which now contains 42 A PLOUGHMAN AND VINE-DRESSER. only an occasional entry, witnesses the up-springing of a heaven-born mind. "I have in secret prayer this evening, had some glimpses of divine things, which greatly enlivened and animated my soul. Oh, for a more holy heart! More fervent love to God, and more ardent longings for the promotion of His cause." Her earnest prayers for Zion, were about to be answered; implanted, as they doubtless were, on purpose to be fulfilled. Happier, brighter, and more fruitful days dawned upon the Church at East Street. The Lord sent a pastor to that flock, who made full proof of his ministry, and was eminently blessed in usefulness, to feed, counsel, and guide the sheep, to nourish and carry the lambs, to be a watchman against the hireling and the wolf, a trumpeter to the wanderers, a restorer of the wounded, a comforter of the afflicted, a reprover of the hypocrite, a corrector of truants in "Bye-path-meadow." Yes, Jeffery Moody was all this in his day; a man of no great natural abilities, unfitted for deep investigations, or for wide exertions-but one whose heart was in earnest, and whose chief desire was peace. Oh! for many more such men of God in this day of KEEP NEAR MY REAPERS. 43 speculation and puff. Truly the enemies of the Lord are too real to be opposed with the mere noise of boasting, the bare show of intellect, or the poor drawl of form and custom. Work and not talk, will fit the labourer for the field, and prove him at last a faith-ful servant. Let every 66 owner of the talents" bind upon their foreheads this word as an ensign: "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." But let the departed speak of the departed. In my dear wife's diary appears the following: "On the first Sunday in April, 1844, I have to be truly grateful to God for his kindness in the fulfilment of his promises that he would provide for us a pastor; we trust that he is truly sent of God. Oh! that we may see his ministry made a blessing amongst us. Dear Lord, it is my earnest prayer that we may see thy redeemed ones gathered, and thy believing people established in the truth of the ever blessed gospel." Three months afterwards, I find her expressing the growing feeling of many, but with a question for self examination, which, if more constantly asked, would |