Part 13 (2/2)
O blessed cross! that points us to the sky, Loosens from earth, that we may soar on high.
Thus suffering is our pathway up to bliss, To dwell for ever where our Patron is.
O blessed cross! where Jesus bowed His head, Baptized with precious blood, for sinners shed: Happy are they who keep the words he brought, And bear the cross by their great Pattern taught.”
”Went to Bishopthorpe and saw the Archbishop's Palace. The grounds are beautiful; and nature, at this season of the year in its splendour, shewed them to advantage. But what a responsible office does he fill!
How does his flock thrive? O that he may be able to render his account with joy!--Not without thought and prayer, I set off for Sinnington.
All nature smiled around me, and Jesus whispered peace within. My dear uncle bows under the weight of years; cousin looks paler, and more feeble; but I was welcomed as usual.”
EASTER DAY.
The Sun of righteousness appears, To set in blood no more: Hail Him! who wipes away your tears, Your rising G.o.d adore!
The saints, when He resigned His breath, Unclosed their sleeping eyes; Behold! he breaks the bands of death, And bids the dead arise.
Alone, the dreadful course He ran, Alone, the winepress trod; He died, and suffered as a man; He rises as a G.o.d!
In vain the watch, the stone, the seal Forbid the Conqu'ror rise; Rising, He breaks the gates of h.e.l.l, And opens paradise.
”Mrs. R., in band, faithfully told me of my faults, which, by G.o.d's help, I will try to amend. A meeting of Missionary Collectors was held to distribute the books, and to const.i.tute a Ladies' a.s.sociation.
I left to meet my cla.s.s. Mrs. C. was elected Treasurer, Mrs. R.W.
Secretary, and myself, with all my unfitness, President. However, being on my knees before I went to the meeting, my covenant engagements were brought to my remembrance: 'Place me where Thou wilt; make me the hand or the foot; a hewer of wood, or a drawer of water.'
Therefore, by G.o.d's help, I am determined to do my best, admonished by another sentiment of Holy writ, 'Let not him that putteth on the harness boast as he that putteth it off.'--Christmas morn. Rose about four o'clock; a beautiful starlight morning. It seemed to me as if 'the morning stars sang together for joy' at the Saviour's birth.
Glory! Glory be to G.o.d!
”1842.--Nearly forty present at the sewing meeting. I endeavoured to draw out the sympathies of the ladies present in behalf of those whose welfare we had met to promote.--Under the word the Lord made such a discovery of myself to myself, as completely stripped me of self-confidence, and all hope,--except in the Saviour's merits, upon which I had power to lay hold. Oh the mercy of G.o.d to me, a poor worthless worm! After the prayer-meeting, two of the friends begged me in future to engage occasionally in public prayer. I have not done so latterly, because it is a mighty effort to me. But G.o.d forbid that my silence should be a stumbling-block to any. At the morning prayer-meeting, unasked, but not unmoved, I feebly opened my mouth, believing it to be my duty; and was blest in so doing.--This morning I awoke with 'Give unto the Lord of Thy substance.' Being about to purchase wearing apparel, I resolved to moderate my expenditure. In this, as in everything else, my heart's desire is to act in the sight of G.o.d. My son, far distant, is daily present with me. I rejoice that he is gone on the Lord's errand to the dark places of the earth; and find here an additional motive to bring him daily before the Lord, whose he is, and whom he serves. I have been much drawn out in prayer for the Fijian chiefs.--Called upon Mrs. K. at her own request. I had previously met her at a friend's house; and, in course of conversation, had inquired after her mother, whom I had frequently visited, but of whose state of mind I entertained considerable doubt, believing that she was resting short of sound conversion; and whom indeed, at our last interview, I had warned not to deceive herself.
These fears I expressed to Mrs. K. The same evening she saw her mother, and repeated what I had said, with some degree of concern. The next time she called, her mother said, 'Mary, you must get somebody to pray with me, or I am lost for ever.' However, being unwell, she went home to bed; but could not sleep, in consequence of what her mother had said: so she rose at five the following morning, and went to see her mother again. She found that she had been in such distress of mind, that at midnight she had aroused a neighbour to pray with her, and not in vain; for the Lord graciously sent 'deliverance out of Zion,' and spoke peace to her troubled spirit. She lived about three weeks after my last visit, and died rejoicing in the Lord. These circ.u.mstances have so deeply affected Mrs. K. as to lead her to seek the Lord, and she is now pursuing her way to heaven. Glory be to G.o.d on high!--In consequence of my uncle's declining health, I returned again to Sinnington; and am now sat by his side. He is restless, but says nothing. It is the midnight hour; yet 'He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.' No sound salutes my ear but the pendulum of the clock, which, with every stroke, admonishes me that time flies.--Alone with uncle. He sleeps. All is tranquillity and peace; my soul is fixed on Christ, and enjoys undisturbed repose. Surrounded by Him, in whom I live, move, and have my being, all nature,--the balmy air,--the rich verdure,--the growing beauties of spring enlivened by the great luminary of heaven, conspires to raise this often wandering heart to Him, whom I desire above all things to love and obey.--I asked uncle if his prospect was bright; he replied, 'Aye, I've no doubt.'--I wonder at myself I make so little progress in knowledge, or increase in holiness. I purpose, aim, attempt, yet daily have cause to mourn my unprofitableness; but with one whose memoir I have lately looked into, 'I must come the short way to G.o.d, through the atoning blood of Jesus.' His name is precious now. I feel its balmy power. O for ability to praise Him in language adequate to the glorious task! G.o.d is love. Creation with its thousand tongues proclaims Him 'Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty G.o.d;' and millions of intelligent creatures extol Him, 'the Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace'
I have written a letter to be read in the Tuesday cla.s.s. Visited Mr.
M.--My soul goes out after G.o.d, and my faith claims Him mine. O what an exalting, and yet humbling thought! Faith unites but love adores.--How quickly time wastes away! I have been here a month to-day; not supposing uncle could live many days. Nothing solid has pa.s.sed his lips for more than that period; and yet, though certainly weaker, his strength is wonderful. I begin to feel anxious about home, and the dear folks among whom I meet. May the Lord bless them.--My uncle evidently changed for the worse, and so continued for two days, until--on the 21st of June, about five minutes past five, he expired.
It is a week to-day since he spoke, and six since he took his bed.
I have often been sweetly drawn out in prayer by his bedside, and enjoyed peculiar liberty the day he died. I went again to see Mrs. M., who is also dying, her friends weeping around her.--Returned to York.
The sewing meeting was but thinly attended;--chiefly young persons, to whom I felt prompted to speak on their souls' welfare. The result I leave.”
WHERE IS THE LORD G.o.d OF ELIJAH?
In the storm, that sweeps along; Blazing fire, and earthquake strong; In the lightning's trackless flight; Gathering cloud, and curtain'd night!
In the fragrant pa.s.sing breeze; Thunders loud, or raging seas.
Stormy worlds, or gentle flower, G.o.d proclaims His sovereign power.
But the still small voice of love Softly breathing from above, Speaks in spirit tones within-- 'Jesus suffered for my sin;'
Till my soul--His hallowed shrine-- Melts in melody divine.
Let me hear its whisper still; Melt, and mould me to Thy will.
”'I will greatly rejoice in the Lord' is my motto this day. I enjoy settled peace, and am striving after the fulness offered in the word of G.o.d: 'Filled with G.o.d;' 'Sealed with the spirit of Promise;'
'Dead to sin.;' 'Holy.'--Disturbed in the night by a person who had a quarrel with her other self.--My John occupied the pulpit. At the prayer-meeting after, a person cried aloud for mercy. The Lord spoke peace to her soul on her return home. She could not sleep during the night for praising G.o.d. She came to the Thursday cla.s.s. We were rejoiced to hear her statement.”
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