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AN ENEMY AND A FRIEND.

"When it is well with you, remember us at a throne

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"Yours, in the best bonds, SARAH BLAND."

"P.S.-Hope you feel happy in Sunday School in

struction."

TO E. C.

"Swansea, November 19th, 1847.

"My dear Eleanor,

"I was glad to hear from you, and hope I always shall be to hear of your joys and comforts, though mingled with doubts, trials, and conflicts between your soul and your adversary, who goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. It is a mercy for us, dear girl, that it is not whom he would, but whom he may and this enemy is often permitted to tempt us, but that permission is all in love. We have one consolation, and that an exceeding great one, in Hebrews iv. 15, 'For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' Then, in the next verse, we have great encouragement given us in

KEEP YOUR OWN VINEYARD.

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this great time of need, to go to a throne of grace to obtain mercy, and find grace to help us. And now, my dear girl, be very guarded in your conversation: (cheerfulness without levity is a truly Christian mark;) let it be such as becometh the gospel of Christ. Be particular in your company, remember 'evil communications corrupt good manners.' Be careful to attend the means of grace, when circumstances will permit; I can speak from what I have experienced since I have been here, and before also, and say, neglect of these will bring coldness, barrenness, and carelessness into the soul, about the things that make for our everlasting happiness.

"We seem to be in a desert land here in regard to spiritual things. We hear but one sermon in a whole week, that is worth hearing. Pray for us, dear, I am sure we need the prayers of all; I feel that home never was dearer to us than now. Mr. Bland unites with me in love and best wishes to you and all who are near and dear to us, by the ties of nature and the bonds of the gospel.

"I am,

dear Eleanor,

"Yours affectionately, S. BLAND."

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GROUND PREPARED BY FROST.

"My dear Sister,

TO T. S.

"Swansea, January 8th, 1848.

"I was suffering from influenza when I received your first letter, or should have written you directly, for I know your trials must be great indeed.

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"What an unspeakable mercy to know there is one above to overrule and govern the affairs of men; and depend upon it, that all these things shall work together for good.

"Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,

The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.'

"These crosses and trials are the Christian's lot; it is through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom. They come from the sovereign hand of God, and are blessings in disguise, sent to try our faith and love, without which we should be for making up our nests, and thinking that this is to be our habitation for ever.

"Without them, we should grow cold and careless in the service of our God, and neglect the throne of

BUT SHELTERED BY SNOW.

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grace. These trials make us think of our best Friend, our never changing God, our all sufficient Saviour.

"Think what a mercy that the Lord has made you a partaker of His grace; for now you can enter into the feelings of your dear parents, and what is more, you can pray for them, having many encouragements from the word of God that your prayers shall not be in vain.

"I am happy to find that your mind is so composed and resigned. You told me that your strength had been equal to your day; and be assured that it shall be continued, for the promises of God are yea and amen, in Christ Jesus: may those precious promises be fully realised by you. Remember me to your dear mother; do all you can (but I need not tell you this), to comfort and support her mind; read the Scriptures to her, and I pray God that this may be the time (if his sovereign will) for bringing her out of nature's darkness, to behold his marvellous light.

"And now, dear I must bring these few imperfect lines to a close, and if they may in the hands of God be the means of comfort to your poor soul, I shall thank Him who is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

"Your affectionate Sister, SARAH BLAND."

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WELCOME RAIN.

"My dear Sister,

TO E. C.

"Swansea, February 13th, 1848.

"I am truly sorry that I have neglected writing to you so long, but hope you will forgive, knowing I have so much to do in this way that it is a question with me, 'whose letter shall I answer first?' I am sorry to hear of your continued ill health, but trust as you get weaker in body, you get stronger in faith, and can say with the Apostle, 'I know whom I have believed ;' and with Job, 'I know that my Redeemer liveth ;' and are enabled to look forward with pleasure to that period when he shall be pleased to call you home, to that happy inheritance which he has prepared for his own blood-bought people. I trust you may be fully resigned to his Divine will, and that you may receive daily proofs of his love towards you, by the cheering presence of his Holy Spirit, and may you regard afflictions as blessings: as they increase, may your spiritual joys increase, Christ become more precious, and may you feel him nearer and dearer, and your communion with him be sweeter and sweeter. I was pleased to hear that you had the presence of the Lord with you, when you went before the church; I thought of you

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