expectations before him, to render such an implicit and unmurmuring surrender unto God of all his long and much-endeared pleasures and pursuits, and in their place to have sent him pain, sickness, and disease, with the prospect of death.

Really I feel ashamed of myself as his father, when I think of the restless, fretful, and rebellious spirit at work in me-when even the little things of life seem to thwart my secret plans. Yet here were the solemnities of eternity before the face of my son, and, though suffering the loss of all things, in no way moved or disturbed. Truly the sick-chamber is the Lord's school-room, where He teaches His children their choicest and most profitable lessons, for the chastening hand of God is the best corrective in the world. And it was the seeing how my Josiah received God's reproof, and refrained his lips from a reply, that he became unto me the "wise son" that made "a glad father."

Now as the year wore on he gradually grew worse, and by the time he became "of age was a confirmed invalid, with a nurse in constant attendance. A diary record on this eventful occasion reads thus: "June 30, 1868. What is the great pride of a fond father's heart, but to see his son and heir, his namesake and successor, attain the mature age of twenty-one? This did my dear Josiah to-day! But oh, my poor heart, how full of griefs, fears, and evil forebodings! Lord, Lord, Lord! send us help from Thyself, for 'vain is the help of man.'"

The poor sufferer who came into possession of a goodly portion this day said, "My estate is the bed and the nurse;" and again, "Talk of birthday anniversaries, I have spent mine for three successive years in pain and sickness." Surely all on earth is "vanity," for it bringeth nothing but "vexation of spirit." Nevertheless, my son was not vexed; for, though he spoke out his sorrows, it was with a sweet and happy smile. Indeed, his meek and cheerful spirit, in the presence of so much pain and suffering, was a perfect marvel to us all; for, added to his silence at what the Lord took away, was now his submission at what He sent in exchange. Thus, amid the many distressing features of "consumption," there was the utmost composure of mind. He never once opened his lips with even the whisper of a murmuring word, but accepted everything that the Lord laid upon him as the righteous award for his sins. Surely there must, in his case, have been a "growing up into Christ," in the meekness and gentleness of His nature and disposition; for not only was there 66 a doing the will of God from the heart," but a "suffering according to His will," in the faith and patience of Christ.

This quiet state of his mind enabled us to read much and converse freely with him, which we constantly did at his request; and among the many things so read were some of the leading articles of the former numbers of the Gospel Magazine. One in particular seemed especially suited to the state and condition of my son, namely, that in the number for March, 1846, headed, “Furnace Work," where the beloved editor, writing upon the Scripture, "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" speaks in a most experimentally comforting manner of the "blessed certainties that sustain a child of God in affliction." And truly my son needed this, and the Lord knew it; therefore he doubtless directed our minds to read that which was wrought in the "fire" more than twenty-two years ago towards one beloved brother, that it might be made fruitful and profitable in a similar "furnace " unto another. Let this, then, yield encouragement to all those who write ex

R

pressly for the Lord's honour, and His people's welfare; and, instead of themselves appropriating the product of their experience to any particular person or thing, leave its application to the Lord in His own time, way, The divine Testifier of Jesus is the wisest Interpreter in

and manner.

the world.

Now, the blessed sustaining certainties of God's word were exactly adapted to the state of my Josiah, for he was just now a little unsettled in his mind, being not always sure he was "right," and therefore the subject of many doubts and fears. Hence, on one occasion, he said, "Supposing I am wrong after all;" then, again checking himself, he added, "but this thought is comparatively only for a moment."

His mind was much exercised upon Scripture texts, which he continually compared with a view to ascertain their correct meaning. For instance, he placed what Paul says in the 1st chapter of Corinthians, in juxtaposition with what Christ said in the 25th of Matthew. Thus, the "weak things" mentioned in the one were, he said, the "babes" spoken of in the other; and the "princes of this world," who knew not God, the “wise and the prudent," from whom these things were "hid." Another thing he spake of was "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." This figure, he said, fell short of its full meaning viewed only as a stationary rock; for, said he, "if we seek the shelter of a rock in a storm, when the storm is over we walk on and leave that rock behind us; whereas, the 'Rock,' that Christ was to the children of Israel, followed them all through the wilderness, and of that they continually drank." Is not this somewhat the way in which God leads forward the meditative mind of His people, so that they go from the strength of one Scripture truth to the strength of another?

But beyond this " searching of the Scriptures," there was, as my son went down to the sea of soul-trouble, and did business in the great waters of spiritual affliction, a seeing the salvation works of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His wonders in the deeps of His distress. There is a vast difference between learning the truth of ourselves in health, and the being taught it by the Lord in sickness. Nebuchadnezzar, whilst "at rest in his house, and flourishing in his palace," could even see a form in the furnace he had heated to destroy the Hebrew children like unto the "Son of God." John, in the Isle of Patmos, looked and beheld a white cloud, and upon the cloud sat One like unto the "Son of Man." And so it is to this day. God may be seen in His majesty when He is not seen in His mercy. This is as Nebuchadnezzar saw Him; but no one can see God in His mercy without, at the same time, seeing God in His majesty; and this is how John beheld Him. And if we, in our day, do not see in the "Son of God" the "Son of Man" also, and in the Son of Man the Son of God, we cannot enter by faith into the blessed apprehension of the mediatorial majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(To be continued.)

As the natural light of day and the darkness of the night are at God's disposal, so also are the spiritual light of comfort and the darkness of a deserted and dejected spirit. God gives divine consolations out of the goodness of His will, or withdraws them to show the sovereign liberty of His will. So let His people know that comfort is not essential to holiness-neither inseparably and necessarily belonging to grace.

Correspondence.

A MOTHER'S PRAYERS HEARD AND ANSWERED.
To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine.

66

Plymouth, March 8, 1869.

MY DEAR SIR,-Kindly be pleased to insert the accompanying letters in the GOSPEL MAGAZINE. I think they are calculated, under the divine blessing, to cheer and comfort all who are enabled to "live a life of faith upon the Son of God," more especially parents who are earnestly praying for the spiritual welfare of their children. Truly the vision is for an appointed time. When the happy day for favouring Zion arrives, the cry goes forth, "Live!" "Loose him, and let him go!" May the Lord enable us to say with one of old, "I will trust and not be afraid! Oh, that we could ever remember that sweet soul-sustaining word, "Blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance." Yes, the "desire of the righteous shall be satisfied;" the fondly-cherished hope, though long deferred, shall be a "tree of life," for He is faithful that promised; and, though we believe not, He abideth faithful." He cannot deny Himself. What joy the beloved founder of Ashley Down will feel as he reads these letters! "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." How dear Mr. Walker will be comforted as he reads clearly that the Lord is with him, and prospers him in his "labour of love.' What fresh courage, holy boldness, renewed confidence will fill your own soul as you are led in this instance to see that though we know very little of "trusting the Lord in the dark, and having the mind sweetly and blessedly stayed upon Him in the face of the most adverse and seemingly contradictory circumstances," yet it is "well" at all times "with the righteous," for "He keepeth the feet of His saints;" "they shall never perish." He guideth with His counsel, and finally brings His children to glory! Yes,

"My bark is wafted to the strand

By breath divine;

And on the helm there rests a hand

Other than mine.

One who has known in storms to sail
I have on board;

Above the ravings of the gale

I hear my Lord;

He holds me when the billows smite,
I shall not fall.

If sharp 'tis short, if long 'tis light,
He tempers all.”

Who will not sing with dear Mr. Kent

"How harsh soe'er the way,

My soul has been

Dear Jesus, still lead on!"

much exercised concerning you, and I have been enabled, in my poor simple way, to commit you and yours to Him who Finally, beloved, grace, mercy, and peace be with

"loveth at all times."

you! May Naphtali's portion be realised by you,

Philemon 4—7.

So prayeth yours very affectionately in Jesus,

BENJAMIN.

Gloucester, November 4, 1868. MY BELOVED SISTER IN CHRIST,-Oh, how your loving heart will rejoice when you find how I address you! Tears of joy are falling from my eyes as I write, thinking of it! Oh, how your heart will be lifted up in praise to our loving Father, who has so quickly and graciously answered your many prayers on my behalf! Blessed be His holy name! Is it really true? Can I even now realize it? Yes, yes, oh, yes! It is firmly and indelibly imprinted on and grafted in my soul, and "I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord." How my dear brother K- - will also rejoice in the Lord. What a blessed comfort for him, among his many carthly troubles-which, for the time, I feel sure will be entirely banished —as he feels so near him the loving hand of the great "I AM!" Oh, next to the firm and blessed assurance that we ourselves have " peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," surely there is nothing here we can glorify God more for than the salvation of others, more particularly when we have been exercised in prayer on their behalf (Psalm lxvi. 19; Psalm cxvi. 2).

Think of my dear mother! I have not had her letter yet; expect she is almost too overpowered by the mercy and lovingkindness of her Father yet to write me. They had the joyous news at Exmouth on Sunday morning, and I received aunt's reply to-day; in it she says, "Your mother is up-stairs." That is all. Oh, what volumes it speaks to meto me, the guilty sinner! to me, the disobedient child! to me, the wicked and scornful youth! to me, the sneering and even persecuting man! O my God, great indeed has Thy long-suffering been on my behalf. Oh, how little can we comprehend of the wondrous love of our Creator! His love towards me has ever been unchanged, and His promise to His handmaid fulfilled. How many, many times have I seen a peaceful, calm, trusting, and loving-not smile, but brightness-heavenly brightness— cross my darling mother's face, when the Evil One, through me, has made a thrust at her ever-hopeful soul; and she has said in those sweet remonstrative (not even chiding) tones, "Ah, my dear child, the time will come; the time will come.” And then I could hear a gentle sigh as she again took up her cross-a gentle sigh-as if she would be ashamed to be heard sighing by Him whose burden she had so patiently bore (Psalm ciii. 17, 18). The time has come! All glory to God! "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Lord, in Thine infinite mercy, Thou hast seen fit to relieve Thine handmaid of this burden that she so patiently borne before Thee for many years; grant now that the two other burdens of the same nature may speedily be taken from her, that she may glorify Thee in this respect while yet she is in the flesh, inasmuch as Thou wilt have satisfied all her yearnings with regard to those of her body, and then indeed shall her end be peace. Sweet Jesus, we ask it in Thy name. Oh, say Amen. And now, my dear Mrs. R—, I ought, perhaps, to tell you something about the more earthly portion of the matter, or, more correctly, God's wonderful means on my behalf.

You will know, of course, that I have seldom or ever been in utter darkness-that I have always had my good side, and a continually pricking conscience, more especially during the past two years. But I have reason to

think that hearing Mr. Walker,* of Bristol, according to Brother K—'s advice, was so blessed to my soul, as to very much humble me, and cause me to submit to His will in attending Bethesda with my elder sister to hear that highly-favoured man, George Müller. This was a thing that my natural heart revolted against very much. I had a dislike to being led there again like a child, by my sister (who had done so more than twenty years ago), especially as many there knew me. Oh, must not the evil one have trembled at the thought of my going there? Hence his attacking me in this way. I had been reading Mr. Müller's life too, for the first time during the past two months; this created in me a desire to hear him. This book was the means of leading me very much to prayer, and, in answer to prayer, God by His Holy Spirit granted me faith to believe "that the poor despised Jesus of Nazareth, of whom we read in the New Testament, was the promised Christ or Messiah" (Müller's Narrative, p. 401). And "if so," continues the writer, "you are a child of God, else you would not believe it. It is given unto you to believe it. Millions may say that Jesus is the Saviour, the Messiah, but none believe it except the children of God. It proves me to be a child of God that I believe it; to none besides is it given to believe it, though millions might say so. Blessed words these for me, and I accepted them as direct from God. After this I became more earnest in my prayers, but still continuing in sin. Ah, here was the stumbling-block. It was not until last Friday morning that grace was given me to drive the evil one completely away, and then, and not until then, had I peace—“The peace of God which passeth all understanding." How little do unbelievers understand these words of the Holy Ghost. Ah, what a blessed peace was mine! I was just like the blind and the halting and maimed healed by our blessed Lord when here. I went on my way rejoicing, and could hardly refrain from crying out in the street even as they did," glorifying God." About middle-day, being assailed by doubts and fears, I flew to the only refuge, and asked God to give me a special text to cheer me. Oh, how I have cause to praise Him for ever and ever for this almost immediate answer to my petition. I was clearly directed to, "Being now made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." I enjoyed much peace all the day after this, as, blessed be God, ever since the first moment of my spiritual birth, I have had an unceasing desire to serve Him-actually and positively do Him some service here, no matter in how humble a manner, if it were only to stand at the corners of streets, and distribute the truth (God grant I may not let the flesh enter into this desire, and that I may guard against selfrighteousness). Earnestly pray for me in this respect, my beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, who may see or hear of this letter.

Notwithstanding this comfort on Friday-would you believe it, I had not heart to write mother, and tell even her? The evil one was still at me, although he could not shake me, because I had said, "I will not be moved," and he endeavoured to make me think that the whole matter would pass off in a few days. I thought of mother all the morning, Saturday; and at mid-day earnestly prayed for another portion of the word for my special consolation and teaching. What do you think was the answer?"O Lord, truly I am Thy servant; Thy servant, and the son of Thine handmaid. Thou hast loosed my bonds." Was not this, indeed, a loving Father's voice? Was not this, indeed, fulfilling the * Rev. S. A. Walker, Mary-le-port Church, Bristol.