PEMBROKE, 1854. My dear Augusta, write another note like the last, when you have time, as I hope I have turned over a new leaf, and I should like you to give me some hope of being received.

I got your very kind letter to-day, and am very much obliged to you for it. I have not had time to look out the texts, but will do so to-morrow. I am lucky in having a very religious captain of the 11th of the name of Drew; he has on the mantlepiece of his room the Priceless Diamond, which I read before yours arrived. I intend sending to you, as soon as possible, a book called The Remains of the Rev. R. McCheyne, which I am sure you will be delighted with. I told Drew to go to Mr. Molyneux; and he did so, and of course was highly pleased. I cannot write much in favour of our pastor, he is a worldly man, and does

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not live up to his preaching; but I have got Scott's Commentaries. I remember well when you used to get them in numbers, and I used to laugh at them; but, thank God, it is different with me now. I feel much happier and more contented than I used to do. I did not like Pembroke, but now I would not wish for any prettier place. I have got a horse and gig, and Drew and myself drive all about the country. I hope my dear father and mother think of eternal things; can I do or say anything to either to do good? get my book, read the "Castaway."

When you

When I

You know I never was confirmed.1 was a cadet, I thought it was a useless sin, as I did not intend to alter (not that it was in my power to be converted when I chose). I, however, took my first sacrament on Easter day,2 and have communed ever since.

I am sure I do not wonder at the time you spent in your room, and the eagerness with which you catch at useful books-no novels or worldly books come up to the Sermons of McCheyne or the Commentaries of Scott. I am a great deal in the air, as my fort is nine miles off and I have to go down pretty often. It is a great blessing for me that in my profession I can be intimate with whom I like, and have not the same trials among my brother officers as those in a line regiment have. I ought not to say this, for "where sin aboundeth, 1 Nor was he ever confirmed.

2 16 April, 1854.

China, 1862.-Gravesend, 1866.

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grace aboundeth more fully"; but I am such a miserable wretch, that I should be sure to be led away. Dearest Augusta, pray for me, I beg of

you.

TAKU FORTS, 15 March, 1862.-The climate, work, and everything here suits me, and I am thankful to say I am happy both in mind and body. I have had a slight attack of small-pox— it is not necessary to tell my mother this, as it will trouble her. I am glad to say that this disease has brought me back to my Saviour, and I trust in future to be a better Christian than I have been hitherto.

If

GRAVESEND, 12 June, 1866.—I cannot help sending you one of Molyneux's sermons. I picked it out by what the world would call an accident, but by us it must be considered His Providence; it deals so aptly with the subject we had been talking of. We are so hampered by our carnal nature that it is not easy to speak as one should. I omitted one point I was anxious to mention, namely, the whole secret of our trouble is want of love to God. we have it to Him, we shall find it impossible not to have it to others. I can say, for my part, that backbiting and envy were my delight, and even now often lead me astray, but, by dint of perseverance in prayer, God has given me the mastery to a great degree; I did not wish to give it up, so I besought Him to give me that wish; He did so, and then I had the promise of His fulfilment. I am sure this is our besetting sin; once overcome

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it, and there will be no cloud between God and ourselves. God is love-not full of love, but love itself. The law is love; possessed of love, we shall find our other temptations fall from us like scales. We are all dreadfully prone to evil-speaking, but God is all-powerful against it; it is opposed to His nature, so He hates it. I pray for those I most envy, and the feeling leaves me at once.

I have had too much talking again and am now shut up for a few days; the result arrived at is, "It is not of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy" (Rom. ix. 16). We require to cast our care in all matters on Him. The great object of all our lives should be what our Saviour always spoke of as of inestimable value, even in His last hours, and again when He was leaving earth, namely, peace internally, let the world be as boisterous as it liked.

I am sorry to hear Miss B

is ill; but I do

not pray for restoration so much as for both the sufferer and those around to feel that they are in the hands of Infinite Love, who will never leave or forsake.

Man's happiness consists in present peace even in the midst of the greatest trials, and in more than hope of a glorious future. It comes by trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, by realizing that His atonement, as Head, suffices for the members of His body, and cannot be cancelled by any acts or affected by any merit of theirs, and that it is a finished work for the past as well as for the future. This being

the foundation of peaceful happiness, it is experienced according as the sovereignty of God is acknowledged in everything, even our sins. He has said, "I will preserve thee from all evil." Does He do so in your opinion? It is certain He does so as far as He is concerned, and you are bound to believe Him or make "Him a liar." He will give, if you ask; you ask and do not think He gives, thus making Him out a liar.

Any deceit is a lie and injures His omniscience; it is aimed at His sovereignty: if done to a fellowman, it would be humbugging him. Let our endeavours at least make us trust God as much as we

would trust man. If we had a powerful friend ever near us, we would often ask his help and trust him; is not God in that relation to us? Is anything too small or too great for Him? Therefore in all things make known your wants to Him, and trust Him to relieve them; He never leaves or forsakes. Do not try planning and praying and then planning again; it is not honouring to God. Do not lean at all on your own understanding. Your heart will call you a fool; but let it call you what it likes, it has often deceived you and is desperately wicked. If doubt should arise in your mind as to what to do in any matter, think which of the two courses will best show forth God's glory, and follow it; generally this will be the course most contrary to your own wishes. Supposing you have been led to leave the issue of any event to God, and afterwards begin to doubt if you are