this, all that he has done for her in former instances. I hope she finds all the support she requires, both in body and mind.-Present my best love to her, &c. &c.-Believe dear

me, my

Your truly affectionate friend, M. C.

LETTER VII.

Margate, 9th July, 1801.

In a few minutes after my arrival, I was favoured with your letter, and could not but regret that I did not receive the other, as it gave a more favourable account of yourself; that, however, you may say, was vanity in the extreme, as the present state of your health is so different.-Ah what a painful exercise is yours!-Oh! that you could look up with a child-like confidence, and sayU

my Father does it all-does it for my present, future, and eternal good. My "light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working out for me, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."-Surely that must be a hopeful symptom you mention the desire, the earnest desire of the affliction being rather continued to be sanctified, than removed without that desirable end being answered. This is an evidence that I should not hesitate, so far as it is operative, to consider as the work of the Spirit of God; and we are assured, that where he has begun a good work, he will carry it on; yea, that he will perform it until the day of JESUS CHRIST.

The LORD has various ways of working upon the stout hearts of the children of men; but I apprehend, there is not a more general one, than by the rod of affliction.— With this, he often scourges the body to bring the soul near to himself.-Oh, that it

may be the blessed case, with you, my dear! then you will sing-sweet affliction, sweet affliction,' (as good Mr. Pearce did), thus to bring my SAVIOUR near.'

If you

love me, as I know

you do, let me

hear from you as soon and as often as you

can, always believing me, my dear,

I thank you, my dear

for your early attention to my letter; but am surprised you did not receive it till Monday.-I send this by the same conveyance, and hope you will receive it regularly.

I thank you for all

your tender concern for me in my present state of dependence: through mercy I am now better again. Oh that it may please the LORD to hear my prayers, and bring me again through the agonizing hour

not, yet He may be present with me, to soothe all my sorrows, and cheer my sinking spirits with his heartfelt love and tenderness! Upon the whole, I feel my mind greatly stayed upon him, and in proportion, as that is the case, I am in peace.-Oh, to be just what he would have me to be!-just to bear and suffer his righteous will as I ought to do!-I shall not have one single pain more or severer than should be. My desires are at all times before him, and my groanings will not then be hid from him.

I am glad your accident has not been attended with more lasting, serious consequences, than you have described; and that you are permitted to get out in the carriage, which must be a very pleasing change for you. When shall I hear a better account of the state of your mind?-After all, this is of the most importance.-Still pray and do not cease-the means only are ours-the

blessing is the Lord's, and the set time to favour you, it seems, is not yet come;therefore you must not be weary in welldoing for be assured, that iu due time you shall reap if you faint not.

Pray remember me most affectionately to dear uncle, aunts, and the children.-Accept our united love-I must conclude, and am Truly, your affectionate friend,

M. C.

LETTER IX.

Margate, 16th Oct. 1801.

What shall I say to you my dear, in excuse for my shameful neglect of yours? I will tell you the honest truth—both your letters reached me on the Ordination-day when I was so fully occupied from morning until very late at night; that I literally had not time to pay attention to their contents, till the next day, when it was too late.-I hope the like will not happen.