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still called to be thankful and to hope; because that little seed may grow into a vigorous tree, that clouded vision brighten into perfect sight. But in such a case, we are also called to perseverance, to prayer, to painstaking, lest any tare obstruct, any wilfully cherished beam delay, and so the work be left unfinished and insecure. We have no power to give ourselves grace; to plant righteousness in our own hearts; to open our own eyes; but we have power to avoid whatever might have a counteracting influence; that might provoke God to withhold from us increase of strength, the joy of his presence, the comforts of his Spirit. He will not "sow among thorns." If we are unfaithful in little, we shall be unfaithful in much. We must ask for grace in order that we may improve grace. An eminent Christian once gave a young friend as a motto; these words of Christ, "Occupy till I come." She meant thus: "You discern somewhat of the more excellent way; you have some knowledge, some desire of Christian duty; but he has not yet so de

cidedly and influentially revealed himself by his Spirit, that you are quite able, or quite willing to call him Master and follow him fully. Christ says to you, 'Occupy till I come;' wait upon me; seek me; use the light you have, fully and faithfully; quench not the Spirit; avoid every thing questionable or inexpedient." "Blessed is that servant,

whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so watching." and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him." It is said, "blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." But filled in what measure? Precisely according to that in which they have hungered and thirsted. In the spiritual, no less than in the worldly life, it is the hand of the "diligent that maketh rich;" it is the sluggard that "desireth and hath nothing." The path to Zion is an ascent; the Christian course, a going "from strength to strength;" the light of grace, a 'light that shineth more and more." My dear friend, when exposed to the snares of the world, and our own

Behold I stand at the door

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evil hearts, let us be aroused by the remembrance that the time is short." Life is but a day's journey; shall we spend its best hours in gathering flowers, or chasing butterflies? Again, when tried by cares, sorrows, and temptations, let us draw comfort from the same consideration-"The time is short." But there is only one hand that can support us that our footsteps slip not, and that is the right hand of the Most High. It is promised, and we must continually ask its guidance. To that guidance I commend you.

LETTER X.

MY DEAR

Do not start, if I say, that there is a depression of spirits which calls for congratulation rather than sympathy, because it is the earnest and assurance of future joy, and joy of the purest and most refined nature. "The sorrow of the world worketh death;" but sorrow excited by the spiritual discernment of sin, is, though grievous at the time, a sorrow by which the heart is made better ; a sorrow which is not without hope; a sorrow which has a higher origin than any produced by earthly agency. But it is a decided error in any individual to suppose that

he or she alone possesses an evil nature; it is the nature of all mankind indiscriminately -a fallen nature as regards its original purity—a polluted nature in the eye of him who is "glorious in holiness"-a nature, which, notwithstanding the attractions and accomplishments that may veil its obliquity in the sight of man, is declared by the Scriptures to be " enmity towards God." This is a mournful picture, but it has a reverse; for even this nature is capable of being renewed, purified, exalted, and quickened; restored to the friendship of God, and, in that, restored to happiness. But this great work cannot be effected by any thing short of a divine influence. The Spirit of God is the Almighty Agent, and the work is scripturally set forth under a variety of significant emblems; as of the wind blowing "where it listeth," as of water, fire, dew, rain, the natural offices of which are to refresh, purify, soften, and fertilize. But before the Holy Spirit can act as a Comforter, he must first act as a Convincer. He must convince of sin; of sin in thought, motive,

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