care of the six little ones, two of whom were great sufferers. Unable to quit our room, we could not avail ourselves of the advantages of any gratuitous establishment, and, therefore, were obliged to pay for medical attendance as long as I had the means of so doing. But in our sore distress and suffering we were never deserted by our Covenant God. These renewed trials appeared to be but fresh doors opened for the renewal of great mercies. Never can I forget the loving kindness of God in so wonderfully supporting us at a time when we had no means of supporting ourselves. The Lord is my Keeper and Treasurer, and He graciously sent his agents to relieve me. A physician, who is at the same time a christian, was kindly directed by a friend to my humble dwelling-from him we both received the greatest kindness and attention. His services were entirely gratuitous, and the medicine was supplied from a neighbouring dispensary. Believing that much of my suffering arose from a diseased state of my teeth and gums, he recom.. mended me to submit to the extraction of fifteen of my teeth. I yielded to his wish; at two sittings I parted with that number, though not without great agony. The remedy, though

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painful, proved, however, very effectual. The affection of the heart subsided, and, through the tender mercy of our God, both my dear wife and myself were soon after restored to health, though the former continued in a weakly state for a long time. Were I asked which I experienced most of, at this season, of afflictions or of mercies, I should say that the latter decidedly exceeded the former; for afflictions sanctified are mercies in disguise. During that winter we suffered many privations. Our wants accumulated. Many a day passed when we were compelled to keep the children upon a very slender allowance of food; though we endeavoured always to give them what we considered they required; and, if anything remained, then, and then only, we partook of it. We suffered much also from want of necessary clothing, and again became in arrears for our rent; and were several times, even in the midst of our distress, threatened with legal proceedings. The greater the affliction the more we felt the duty of abiding quietly in the hands of our gracious Father, waiting the fulfilment of his promises. No one ever trusted in vain upon the goodness of our merciful God. He feeds the ravens-he fed us

he clothes the lilies of the fields-he clothed us. Our Saviour had no place to lay his head, yet he permitted us to have a shelter. When we were in the very depths of adversity, the Lord of Hosts heard our cry and sent us help in the time of our utmost need. He raised up kind christian friends to comfort us and to provide for us, so that we had indeed reason to say with adoring gratitude, "Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us bless his holy name!"

At this period a dear brother in Christ Jesus, both in flesh and in spirit, having been informed of my situation, immediately came to me; we held much sweet communion together. He expressed deep interest in my concerns, and collected a small sum for me, which enabled me to discharge some debts I had incurred during our illness; and with the remainder I made some purchases to add to my little stock. I now resumed my employment, but found that I was so much weakened by what I had suffered, as to be quite incapacitated from carrying my goods from house to house as I had formerly done. I was, therefore, under the necessity of paying a poor man to accompany me with my load.

I also dreaded a return of the affection of the heart, which over exertion would, in all probability, have again brought on. The summer of 1837 approached before health was restored to our family; for all our dear children had been attacked with the measles, but, thanks be to God, they were all safely brought through this disease.

CHAPTER XIV.

THUS far had I written when I was compelled to lay down my pen for a considerable time, in consequence of the renewed illness of my poor wife, whose situation was very critical, and who needed every care and attention I could possibly give her. I have known the time when we had servants ready at our call; all the comforts of life at our command, (speaking after the manner of men) and but one or two children. Then relations, friends, and neighbours, were all very kind-all willing to render such services as are generally acceptable in the time of sickness, &c., and to offer them any remuneration would have been quite out of the question. Now the case is altogether reversed; we have only a little girl in our service, whom we have lately been compelled to engage, owing to the continual sickness of my wife. Our family is now large, the means of our support very limited. Our relations look upon us as dead. Even our neighbours