To MR. C. LENTON.

34, West Street, Brighton, December 6, 1877. MY VERY DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER,-Since I last wrote to you I have been again discouraged, but yesterday and to-day am getting forward again. Dr. Corfe told me yesterday he had never had so much hope that I should preach again. May the Lord show Himself in this case the hearer and answerer of prayer. It is very kind of you to write to me; I am always pleased to hear from you. My thoughts are very much with you and the people who gather at Clifton Chapel. The Lord conform us all more and more by His grace and Spirit to His will expressed in His holy Word, and exemplified in His dear Son, our hope. We feel a love to Mr. and enjoy

his ministry more than that of some others, but there is a general deficiency of searching and distinct proclamation of the whole truth. What need to pray the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth labourers into His harvest, and that He will guide all His sent servants into all truth, and enable them to preach it with power and grace. Give my love to Mrs. Lenton and S———, and any of the Lord's people you may speak with. Perhaps I had better again write a little message to the people :

"My dear Friends,-Although I have been a little thrown back for a day or two, I ask an interest in your thanksgiving for improvement. Dr. Corfe says he has never seen so much reason to hope as now that I may eventually again preach the Word. Still pray for me, and pray for the servants of the Lord who minister to you during my absence. May God make His word through

them a word of life to the dead, of freedom to the fettered, and of true reviving to all the flock of God. Accept my love to you, and my sympathy with you in the trial that has come upon you in my affliction, and believe me, "Yours to serve in the Gospel,

"As God may enable and lead,

"S. SEARS."

To MR. C. LENTON.

34, West Street, Brighton, December 1877.

MY VERY DEAR BROTHER IN THE GOSPEL, AS I have done rather too much to-day I will only write a few lines. I know your kind, loving heart is cheered by any good tidings about your unworthy brother. I believe I may still give you a good report of my returning health. I find a very little thing is too much for me; at the same time I quite feel to be gradually gaining ground. The Lord is very gracious. I have been able rather often to hear Mr. and feel quite a union to him. I should be glad if he were always very distinct in urging the necessity of faith in the Lord Jesus. I heard Mr. on Sunday evening; it was most deficient. Our love to you, Mrs. Lenton, and Sarah. I will write again a little message to the people :

"My dear friends in the Gospel,-I have you as a people in daily remembrance, and like once a week to give you a short expression of my love to you in the Gospel. I am thankful, dear friends, that while I am silent, others of the Lord's servants are sent to preach His truth to you, and

pray that their labours may be greatly blessed to you all, both young and old. What an everlasting mercy it will be if my laying aside has made way for ministers whom God will bless to be the means of the conversion of the souls of the unconverted! May such indeed be the case. May you who are seeking find, and you who have found be made fruitful. I feel I am better, and hope I shall yet be able again to speak the Word, if only a little. I hope to see you all again (D.V.) next week, but my good doctor thinks as the change is being made a blessing, I ought to be in no hurry to return. The Lord guide all for His glory. The blessing of the Lord be upon you and His minister when this shall be read. I bless you in the name of the Lord, and remain,

"Yours affectionately,

"S. SEARS."

I thank

you.

To MR. C. LENTON.

34, West Street, Brighton, December 19, 1877. MY DEAR, DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER IN THE GOSPEL,--Your cheque has reached me safely, for which I am just now shut in with a cold on the chest, attended with a good deal of cough. I do not think the heart is worse. this all will be passing away. should see you again to-day. that it is best for me to stay a little longer. Possibly in a fortnight from this time I may return. Oh that I may return in the power of the Spirit. I am glad the friends

I hope in a day or two When I left you I hoped I It does appear, however,

like a little word from me. If the Lord will, I hope some time to have the privilege of using my voice to them again. May the Lord help you this evening, and grant that you may meet in the name of Jesus, who is always present in such a meeting. God has graciously raised you up for such a time as this. I hope you found Give my

B

it good to hear the Word through Mr. love to Mr. should want your help. Our love to you each, to when he comes home, and to all of you at your family gathering at Christmas.-Yours very affectionately,

I have told him to write to you if he

S. SEARS.

TO THE CONGREGATION AT CLIFTON CHAPEL.

Brighton, December 19, 1877.

MY DEAR FRIENDS, -Hearing from Mr. Lenton that you are glad from Sunday to Sunday to get a word from me, I write to you again, assuring you of my love for you and my interest in your spiritual well-being. Many of you I look upon as my children in the faith of Christ, and though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers. And I may say, though I have had ten thousands of hearers and readers, I have only a portion of spiritual children amongst them. May the Lord help you to love as brethren, and keep you from falling out by the way, and ever bring you under the Word preached in my absence, with thankful hearts that He sends His servants to you, and with a true spirit of supplication that the Saviour will be with them, and let

His own voice be heard through them. O that many amongst the congregation seeking Jesus may truly find Him! May wanderers be brought back, and may poor graceless sinners, young and old, know the quickening power of God. I am still better, and have much hope that I may yet be enabled to proclaim the Gospel amongst you. The Lord bless you and all His dear servants whom He may send amongst you, is the sincere desire of your loving friend-and pastor when the Lord shall please,

S. SEARS.

W. H. & L. COLLINGRIDGE, 128 and 129, Aldersgate Street, London, E.C.