heavenly Father. O for an increase of faith! He knoweth the right season to send us relief, but relief he will assuredly send, and get himself great glory thereby. "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of our God." "Though he slay me, I will put my trust in him." O Lord increase our faith!

CHAPTER X.

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My health was again declining, and I was attacked with a disease that baffled several medical men who saw me; till at length I applied to an eminent surgeon, Mr. R- of Finsbury-square, who, at that time, gave advice and medicine to the poor gratuitously. He declared it was the leprosy, caused by poverty of blood, the consequence of low living. I was extremely ill, and quite incapable of contributing to the support of my family, yet could I say with the Psalmist, “I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me." Now again his mercies shone resplendent upon our cheerless state. The Lord, ever faithful to his promises, shewed us we should not lose by steadily relying on his love. Our kind friends at chapel, no sooner heard of my illness than they came to visit us, bringing with them supplies of every kind. No, nor did they leave us for a single day, one

spirit pervading equally rich and poor among them. They read to me our Father's gracious word; they implored Him who cleansed the leper, to do the same for me in body, soul, and spirit. I can never forget all their kindness. The debility consequent on my former illness, added to what I was now suffering, reduced me so low, that spring had arrived before I was enabled to leave my room. My wife had now, for some months, witnessed the gracious dispensations of our God. She had been led to see her sinful state by nature, and was deeply humbled on account of it. She acknowledged and felt that there was none other name given under heaven amongst men whereby she could be saved but that of Jesus Christ, and she became most desirous of publicly confessing the same. Accordingly, Palm Sunday, 1833, was the day appointed for her baptism. Whilst she was kneeling at the font, she was, to her great surprise, addressed in a voice that came upon her like a clap of thunder. It proceeded from an individual who was denominated the prophet, "Dost thou believe that Jesus Christ is Lord of all?" She was alarmed by the sudden and awful manner in which the question was put, and hesitated,

till Mr.

told her to answer. She then said, "I do believe it." The prophet answered, "Thou mayest be baptized." This, according to their views, was considered a particular mark of Divine favour, that the Lord put the question, and then gave his assent to her baptism.

My health was now improving, and I felt desirous of using that measure of strength which was given to me in seeking some means to earn my livelihood. With the advice and assistance of some friends, I began an occupation which, you are aware, I still continue to follow; that of carrying about with me to those houses where I can obtain an introduction, various articles for sale, such as brushes, combs, cutlery, stationery, haberdashery, &c., and, besides this, receiving commissions from friends for the purchase of any article that may be wanted. This is a very precarious business, and one attended with extreme fatigue. Often have I carried my heavy load about the whole day, from house to house, without finding a customer; so that I have returned home again and again with my poor frame exhausted and worn out. At other times I have been more successful. I had begun

my new calling but a short time, when it pleased our heavenly Father to visit us again with affliction. My dear wife was suddenly attacked with illness. Again, however, did the stewards of the Lord's bounty come forward to relieve us; and it was during that season of trial that you yourself, my revered and pitying friend, through the gracious providence of our Covenant God, were first led to visit us. From that period to the present you have never lost sight of us-you have been intimately acquainted with all our troubles, both spiritual and temporal; and are a living witness of the wonderful interpositions of God in seasons of the greatest extremity. You have deeply interested yourself for us amongst your own personal friends, especially in Shropshire, without whose tender sympathy and unwearied exertions, as well as the pecuniary assistance they sent us, my family must, humanly speaking, have perished for want. May the Lord repay a thousand fold into their bosoms all the kindness we have experienced at their hands. I have often been struck with the singular goodness and timely relief vouchsafed by our heavenly Father in seasons of urgent necessity, when faith and hope seemed