exult in its blessedness, and exclaim, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" There have been some demands to which my nature could not have submitted unless there had been an entire crucifixion of it. But I do not remember to have made one sacrifice, however unaccountable the nature of it at the time may have been, without proving by subsequent experience that my spiritual advancement required the surrender.

To the praise of Almighty grace, I ought to acknowledge that he has caused me to become so established in the assurance that I know nothing aright, only as taught by the Spirit, that it is my most earnest endeavor to know the mind of the Spirit, and after being once convinced of the will of God concerning me, I have never dared, nor even wished, to hesitate in the performance of it.

Never, previous to receiving the witness of holiness, did I realize that I had received the sentence of death in myself; that I should not trust in myself, but in Him who raiseth the dead. So conscious have I since been, that all my sufficiency is of God, that for worlds I would not live one day without the witness that I have returned all my redeemed powers to him. Momentarily do I know, yes, deeply realize, that the seal of consecration is set.

On my first entering into this blessed state, a

Trembling Faith.

Inspiring Persuasion.

constant effort seemed necessary in order to retain it. I have thought my views and feelings at the time, in a manner, comparable with one who had just entered upon a new existence, without being precisely aware of the principles upon which that existence is to be sustained. He inhales the lifesustaining air joyously, yet with a degree of tremulousness; queries whether he can again, and yet again, be sustained in a like effort: until the principles by which he is held in existence are gradually apprehended, and he breathes more and more freely, till at length, without even a careful thought, he revels in new existence. Thus at first I was continually asking myself, Do I now present all? Do I now believe? This slight degree of restlessness has since graduated into the blessedness of unquestionable certainty, that I do present all; I do believe.

This assurance, that all my powers are consecrated to holy service, gives me to feel the imperative necessity of being a laborer in the vineyard of the Lord; and this knowledge of consecration brings with it the inspiring persuasion that my labor is not in vain. Forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 0, my dear sister W, it would be impossible, even though time and space might permit, to describe to you how comprehensive in bearing this blessing has been upon all my experience since its reception.

Holiness a Command.

Not optional.

The light of eternity alone can reveal the superior blessedness of that soul, who, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, has entered into, and abides in, a state of holiness.

And now I cannot longer view it as optional with any redeemed child of Adam whether he will rise to this state or not. No! within the lids of the Bible a more authoritative command cannot be found, than, "BE YE HOLY." And would the command be given, and yet the power to obey it withheld? And if empowered, by the might of the Spirit, to live in this state of entire consecration, surely it would be to the praise of God, that the clear, decided witness, be given, in order that his witnesses may declare it to the glory of his grace.

O that every master in Israel might teach, from experimental knowledge, the necessity of this great salvation! Pray fervently for this, my dear friend. When this object is gained, how soon shall we see the armies of our Israel coming up to the help of the Lord against the mighty, and by the power of personal holiness hastening the time when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ!

Yours, in the bonds of perfect love.

Inquiries.

Conviction.

Talents.

No. XV.-TO MRS. R

Questions-Unreasonable not to be holy-Danger of slighting convictions-Sad remembrances-A fearful state-Count the cost -Decision-Self-sacrifice-The martyrs-The offense of the cross not ceased-Self-distrust-The way opened to the holiest-Tempt. ations.

R

DEAR SISTER IN CHRIST,-And now, dear sister how does your soul prosper? Has the consecration of all your powers yet been made? and is the sacrifice accepted? Or are you still halting between two opinions? Your Redeemer demands your entire service. O that this may be the hour when you may fully acknowledge his claim, and render back your whole existence to him!

I know I need not say that this is but a reasonable service. Your would-be-devoted heart already assures you of the reasonableness of your Redeemer's demand. O yes! you know that it is unreasonable not to be holy. Will you not act this moment upon your conviction of duty? The delay of one hour may witness a great abatement in the fervor of your desires. The very conviction of your need of holiness, and these restless aspirations after it, are talents for which you will be held responsible when you give an account of your stewardship. Yes, these are, indeed, gracious gifts from God. It is GOD that worketh in you.

Fearful State.

Calculation.

Claim settled.

2

Should you now, by delay, refuse to be a worker together with him, and thereby grieve the Spirit, and cause the withdrawment of its operations, how fearful would be your case! Ah! I have witnessed such cases, and my heart is agonized at the remembrance. Could rivers of tears purchase the return of these gracious influences, or any sacrifice, however costly, it were less fearful to trifle with, or to treat as of secondary importance, these Godwrought exercises. It is a solemn truth, that the light which is in us may become darkness; and then, O how great is that darkness! The light may shine afterward, but the darkness comprehendeth it not. What a fearful state !

Now is God's time! Will you choose any future period? If so, you take your own time. And is not this exceedingly perilous? Do you say, "It is but meet that I should count the cost?" Well, dear sister, begin just now to make the calculation, and let it be with the decision fixed irrevocably, that you will abide by the reckoning. I entreat you, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to pause, and now bring this matter to an issue. Do you find aught but what already belongs to God? Ah! the obligation, implied in the demand of your Redeemer, settles the claim with unquestionable certainty: "Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and spirit, which are God's."