Cost counted.

Confession.

Inquiry.

Not as the least of the privileges of this period do I regard that of being permitted to count the cost so fully. I foresaw, that, if I would perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, I must not lean to my own understanding, or exercise independently my own will. Also, that the blessing I had received was not imparted for my own enjoyment exclusively; but that, in accordance with the requirement of Him, who, by the offering up of himself, made this great salvation possible for me, I had been constituted a witness of it, for the good of others.

I was convinced that for years I had been hindered from rising in holiness, by a neglect to comply with the order of God, implied in the passage, "With the heart man believeth unto 'righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation;" and though the deep quiet of my soul seemed to present a natural obstacle to anything like personal publicity, yet I was inspired with the resolve that, through grace, Satan should never again triumph over me in this matter.

The requisition seemed to be (whether temptation, or otherwise, time must determine) to the acknowledgment of what God had done for me, before hundreds and thousands. "Can you, will you, do it?" was the inquiry proposed. "Yes, Lord Jesus, even before an assembled universe, if this be thy will," was the response of my now

How Holiness may be lost.

Symmetrical Holiness.

perfectly subdued heart. Now, though I well know that this blessing is the gift of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ; yet I fully believe, if I had not yielded to these convictions relative to confession, I could not have retained it.

I then felt, and time continues to confirm the conviction, that if I should cease to comply with the terms implied in being set apart for God, as a vessel dedicated to holy service, it would be at the forfeiture of sanctification itself. Yet need I state conclusions so evidently inferable from such premises? Here the distinct idea of symmetrical holiness first impressed me.

By symmetrical holiness I mean that result of entire devotion to God, which is achieved in the perfect consistency and agreement between the various elements of the character possessing it. Never in heartfelt realization did I before so apprehend the great goodness of God in issuing to polluted mortals the command, “BE YE HOLY,” and for such a reason, "For I the Lord your God am holy." 0, well may angels desire to look into such a scheme! Yours, in the fellowship of the gospel.

A Firm Resolve.

Eventful Evening.

No. XII. TO MRS. W.

The adversary foiled-Unbroken quiet-Tempted in a dreamSweet repose-Encouragement given during sleep-Peace, the heritage of the believer.

TO MY DEAR MRS. W

With my natural pro

pensity to reason, it was suggested that it would require a miracle of grace to sustain me in this state of salvation. The example of those who were apparently possessed of much more spiritual firmness, and yet had failed in retaining it, was presented to weaken my faith; especially the experience of the sainted Fletcher, who, at three or four different periods, let go his confidence, was presented to induce despair. But the adversary was foiled. In the strength of Omnipotence I was enabled to count the cost of living a life of faith, and firmly did I resolve rather to die than to doubt. I gained beyond calculation, by the determination that I would not reason with the enemy; assured if I ventured even to parley, as in the case of the first transgression, his suggestions would soon assume the appearance of plausibility.

O can I ever, my dear sister W

cease to

retain in lively remembrance this eventful evening! I began it, intending to devote it in prayerful waiting before God. I was prevented from continuing long, by some friends calling in; but the deep quiet of my spirit was not in the least dis

Manifestation expected.

turbed by the visitors. After they had retired, I spoke of the sweet rest upon which my soul had entered to my dear sister Sarah, and then went to my chamber.

Previous to retiring to sleep, my reflections ran thus-As I have not been favored with extraordinary emotion, such as I have heard many express, may I not expect something especially confirming during the night? I had been enjoying sweet and hallowing communion with God during the night season for some time previous to this, and now, thought I, may I not expect some extraordinary manifestation during these hours of repose ? Whether this should be given, or otherwise, I felt that I was resting consciously in the arms of everlasting love; and the breathings of my passive spirit were, Lord, it is enough! thou art my soul-satisfying portion! The assurance had been imparted, that just the portion of ecstasy best fitted to enable me to glorify God would be given. Already unutterable peace, fresh from the throne, was flowing into my soul, and thus I resigned myself to repose.

But I was made painfully aware that I was not yet out of the reach of the enemy, even while asleep. After the above reflections, imagine my surprise on awaking in a frightful dream. Yes, Satan himself, transformed into an angel of light, was permitted to assault me. But the wrath of

Frightful Dream.

our enemy may be made to praise the Lord. Thus it was now. I think the narration calculated to be useful, and, therefore, will give it in part.

I imagined myself standing in the back parlor. All the circumstances of the evening, embracing the precious experience I had gained, were still vividly before me. Presently I was aroused by a loud knock at the door. Knowing that all about the house had, by the lateness of the hour, been quieted, and all the inlets secured, I was assured that something was wrong: but remembering that I was already in the power of the intruder, and resistance in vain, I, with firmness, said, "Come in;" when, lo! a personage, altogether unlike any I had before conceived of, entered. Added to a countenance fiendish in the extreme, was a costume of the Highland order, with a covering of thin white, and black underneath; the black, in many places, projecting below the white. He harshly demanded, "Is the doctor in ?" "He is in the front parlor, on the sofa," I replied. As he passed me, I ran and screamed for assistance, and was awakened by the effort. Quick as thought the suggestion came, "Where is the expected manifestation? Is not this enough to call in question the exercises of the evening ?" I remembered how sweet had been my communion for several preceding nights, and now to be thus assaulted by the fiend of darkness was, for a moment,