.' Helplessness.

Tests of Divine Relationship.

but such a deep, piercing sense of my helplessness prevailed, that it seemed as though I could not go forward until endued with power from on high. Yet, notwithstanding this, hope gathered strength, while the whisperings of the Spirit seemed to say, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Yet these convictions were not accompanied with those high-wrought feelings, or that distress of spirit, which I had heard some speak of, as given preparatory to receiving purity, and which I had thought indispensable; few, perhaps, may more emphatically say, that they were led by a way they knew not.

From the time I made the resolve to be wholly devoted to the service of Christ, I began to feel momentarily that I was being built up and established in grace: humility, faith, and love, and all the fruits of the Spirit, seemed hourly maturing: such was the ardor of my spirit, and the living intensity of its fervor, that in the night season, though my body partook of repose sufficient for the refreshment of nature, my spirit seemed continually awake in communings with God, and in breathings after his fullness.

Perhaps I should have said, that, previous to these exercises, I had resolved on taking the word of God, and simply trying myself by its tests of a new creature, determined to abide by its decisions, without regard to my particular emotions; assured

A Fault.

Witness of the Spirit obtained.

that there is no positive standard for feeling, in the Scriptures. Yet, upon reviewing my slow progress, I cannot but regard the fault of taking the feelings and experience of others as a standard for my own, in place of going to the word of the Lord, as having been my greatest hinderance. I now took this portion of divine truth: “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." I soon found, by the light of the Spirit, that I had conclusive evidence of my adoption. As I had resolved that I would abide by the decisions of Scripture, the Holy Spirit did not leave himself without a witness in my heart. Quietness and assurance now took possession of my breast, and an undisturbed resting on the promises became my heritage.

After this resolve on entire devotion of heart and life to God, my breathings for divine conformity became more satisfactory. The appeal to my understanding seemed to say, "God is all in all;" yet my heart did not fully attest the witness. One exercise which I then commenced, and have since continued with increasing benefit, I will mention :-It was that of making daily, in form and in the most solemn manner, a dedication of all the powers of body and soul, time, talents, and influence, to God.

Thus I continued to enjoy increasing happiness in God, but not yet perfectly satisfied as to the

A Beloved Object.

Surrender contemplated.

witness the indubitable seal of consecration. I was kept in constant expectation of the blessing. July 26. On the morning of this day, while with most grateful emotions remembering the way by which my heavenly Father had led me, my thoughts rested more especially upon the beloved one whom God had given to be the partner of my life. How truly a gift from God, and how essentially connected with my spiritual, as also my temporal happiness, is this one dear object! I exclaimed.

Scarcely had these suggestions passed, when with keenness these inquiries were suggested: "Have you not professedly given up all for Christ? If he who now so truly absorbs your affections were required, would you not shrink from the demand?" I need not say that this one dear object, though often in name surrendered, was not in reality given up. My precious little ones, whom God had taken to himself, were then brought to my recollection, as if to admonish me relative to making the sacrifice. I thought how fondly I had idolized them. He who had said, "I the Lord your God am a jealous God," saw the idolatry of my heart, and took them to himself. The remembrance of how decidedly I had, by these repeated bereavements, been assured that He whose right it is to reign, would be the sole sovereign of my heart, assisted me in the resolve, that neither should this, the yet dearer object, be withheld.

Difficulties surmounted.

Great Expectations.

The remainder of the day, until toward evening, was unexpectedly spent from home. The evening I had resolved to spend in supplication. So intense was my desire for the seal of the Spirit, that I made up my mind I would not cease to plead until it were given. Thoughts were presented as to risk of health, &c.; but my spirit surmounted every discouraging insinuation. Thus fixed in purpose, I, in the firmness of faith, entered as a suppliant into the presence of the Lord. As if preparatory to a long exercise, I thought, Let me begin just right; and though I have heretofore entered into covenant with God, let me now particularize, and enter into an everlasting covenant, which shall in all things be well ordered and sure. I imagined some extraordinary exercise, such as an unusual struggle, or a desperate venture of faith, &c., preparatory to the realization of my desire, saying in my heart, though hardly aware of it, that some great thing must surely be wrought. But how God works in order to hide pride from man, I will endeavor to show you in my next.

Yours in the bonds of love.

Eternal Obligation.

Retrospection.

No. X.-TO MRS. W

A sacrifice contemplated-The surrender is made-The seal of consecration enstamped-Apprehends a state of holiness-Exults in the knowledge of the sanctification of body, soul, and spiritScruples removed-Christ all in all.

MY DEAR MRS. W- - I left you in my last endeavoring to lay hold on the terms of the covenant,-fixed in purpose,-surrendering myself in the bonds of an everlasting obligation to God.

I began to particularize. The thoughts and exercises of the morning occurred again with yet greater power. Can God be about to take from me this one dear object, for which life is principally desirable? thought I. Looking into the future, I said, "What a blank!" Never before had I realized, that the very fibres of my existence were so closely interwoven with his. My impression was, that the Lord was about to take my precious husband from me. The inquiry with me was, whether it were possible that my heavenly Father could require me to make the surrender, when he had authorized my love, by making it my duty to be of one heart and soul with him. But grace interposed; and from more mature consideration, I was led to regard it as extraordinary condescension in God thus to apprise me of his designs, by way of preparing my heart for the surrender.

With Abraham I said, "I have lifted my hand