The Cost counted of living a Life of Faith.

Temptations.

When I set out to live a life of faith on the Son of God, I counted the cost. I thought of the "father of the faithful," who "by faith journeyed, not knowing whither he went," and made up my mind that I would be contented to follow God blindfolded as long as I lived, if such were his requirement. I saw holiness to be a state of soul in which all the powers of body and mind were given up to God, and I perceived that the enjoyment of this state was in perfect consistency with extreme sorrow, as well as with exceeding great joy. Through grace I was enabled to say,

"Give joy or grief, give ease or pain,

Take life or friends away."

These were among my first expressions on entering upon this state. It has often since been suggested that I gave myself up so fully to live a life of faith, that God had taken me at my word. And will you believe, the enemy sometimes tries to tempt me to be sorry for it. But he has never succeeded in causing me to regret it for one moment. But you would hardly conceive how often he tries to make me think my faith a mere intellectual knowledge. I meet him by saying, it is founded on principles laid down by the eternal Mind, and consequently immovable in faithfulness. God has promised such results as the fruits of faith. I trust him, and on the authority of his own word declare in strongest testimony, his faithfulness in

Fruits of Faith.

Worth of the Promises.

Shortness of Time.

fulfilling his promises. The fruits of holiness follow-I dare not doubt it. A consuming zeal in the cause of God, which gathers within its grasp my whole being, is continually inspiring corresponding efforts. "My soul shall make her boast in the Lord, and the humble shall hear thereof and be glad." "One promise is worth more than a mountain of gold reaching to the heavens." How rich are we. Unto us are given exceeding great and precious promises. I found an inestimably precious gem a few days since, which, in view of what my temptations had been, was precisely in point. "Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy time, and strength of salvation:* the fear of the Lord is his treasure." Isa. xxxiii, 6. Satan seems to have mostly done with my intellectual faith since. I have, dear sister, through grace, a good hope of immortality and eternal life. Our hope of seeing each other is deferred. But as it is by our heavenly Father's appointment, our hearts are not sick. With us,

"This note above the rest does swell,

Our Jesus hath done all things well."

We are sisters in the Lord, and our hearts are united for eternity, and as we are only to take in a small fraction of time here, we will rejoicingly say,

"No matter what cheer

We meet with on earth; for eternity's here!"

Time seems very short, and I have some thoughts

* Salvations. Margin

ness.

Thoughts in Relation to a Sudden Departure from Earth.

I would like to express. But I see your affectionate heart is too easily moved, and you well know how often people have impressions which are never realized. But I will say that a sudden departure from earth seems to me calculated to glorify God, just as much, if not more, than a protracted illAnd if either our beloved brother or sister were thus taken by surprise, and required to "open unto Him immediately," I should think of it as in the case of Emory. The church was then roused through the length and breadth of the land, to feel the solemn import of the words, "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

I am trying to have my work "all done up," and to do what my hand findeth to do, with my might. So many are comparatively easy without having on the white robe, that I have thought, if my being taken at a moment's warning would arouse the many for whom I have been interested to feel abidingly the importance of being ready, I would be willing to be laid a sacrifice upon the service of the faith of the church in this matter also. Shall we not strive with pen and voice, and in every possible way, to work while the day lasts? Yours, as ever.

Members of one Body.

Power to exercise Faith may be withheld.

No. LI. TO REV. MR.

The children of God are one in interest-Obligations vary according to relationships-Abraham's unheard-of path of duty-Remarkable requisition-Satan's subtilties-Just where light meets usWilling is not doing-The appearance of evil-A questionable practice cripples faith-Crucifixion of the flesh required-David's sacrifice-God will help you-An old habit broken.

My dear brother in Christ will be pleased to hear that his letter was rightly directed. So far from requiring an apology for writing to one of the children of your heavenly Father, it surely should rather require one for not doing so, if you were impressed that it might be serviceable to you. My mind is so fully possessed with the assurance, that all the children of God are members of one body, that I am not prone to conceive of separate interests.

I was not at home when your letter reached the city of New-York, but it was brought to me at this place. I hasten to reply, though not favored with facilities for writing, nor opportunity for maturing my thoughts as I might otherwise do.

Your case, dear brother, does not appear to me inexplicable. I have met with a number of cases somewhat similar. Not, indeed, in regard to the precise object to be given up, but where the power to exercise faith on proper principles has been withheld, until the object required had been surrendered. We cannot, in all cases, make duties

Obligations vary. Abraham's Faith manifested by his Obedience.

one for the other, because our obligations vary from a variety of causes, being as diversified as are the positions in which we are providentially placed.

Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac. He did not know at the time, why such an unheard-of duty was enjoined. It was enough that God had made the demand. But it was the design of God, that Abraham should stand out before all succeeding generations, as the father of the faithful-the friend of God. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Over four thousand years, Abraham has been reaping the fruit of his obedience. He knows now why the sacrifice was required, and we should be willing to wait till the day of eternity reveals the wherefore, for this or the other requirement, assured that the Judge of all the earth will do right. Infinite wisdom can require nothing but what will be for the promotion of the divine glory, and for our ultimate good.

It was thus that I was required to sacrifice an object, which, at the time, I was not aware stood in any degree between God and my soul. As far as the state of my affections was concerned, I could see no reason why I should make the surrender. I had never even heard of any one under like circumstances, being called to a similar trial. Satan, on this ground, urged that this must be temptation. How he loves to carry out his deceptions, by transforming himself into an angel of