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I had no good authority for believing, as it had come from a worthless set of men, and was altogether without foundation; but I am speaking of the fear which struggled in my bosom, which so bore upon my spirit and feelings, that had I been left to myself I would rather have made choice of anything else. Here I believe Satan had power to torment me; and, if possible, would have prevented my going after the place. But even this fear the Lord overruled for good, as it drew out my soul to ask him on the way for wisdom, strength, and favour. The moment

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I saw the gentleman, I discovered that he was a very superior man, with much gentleman-like appearance and behaviour, so I thought he was the most shrewd and clever man in business I had ever met with. From that moment God gave me to find favour in his sight, as it afterwards proved. He put some pointed and very searching inquiries as to my ability, which 1 answered without being in the least fettered. told him he might write for my character to the gentleman I had left, who had promised me one; this being done, a most satisfactory answer arrived in two days, which he read to me, and immediately engaged me for a much greater charge than I had lost. I had now to take possession of things altogether new, not without secret pleadings night and day to the Lord to uphold me, and prosper my goings. Nor was I the only one engaged at the throne. I had several that looked unto God for me. I must mention a circumstance of a good, wise woman being on the premises, to show how wonderfully the Lord works.

I was a stranger among strangers; it was my place to look very narrowly into all that was going on. I had not been there a week before my conduct was taken notice of; and though I was looked up to and treated respectfully by all parties, I could hear many remarks, made about me. I observed one of the men's wives notice me; and one day she asked me a question which led me to wonder at her. When an opportunity offered for me to speak to her, I found her well taught in the great mysteries of salvation by rich, free, and sovereign grace; and such was the union, the influence, and power of the Holy Ghost upon our souls, that we wept for joy at the time. She said, she had often pleaded with her Lord to send a good man there as master-man : now her prayer was answered, and she was glad ; and surely my soul was glad, also, at being directed to such a mother in Israel, though she was moving in such a humble sphere. Through her I came at the knowledge of many things that had transpired; and as the governor had given me almost an unlimited commission as to making improvements, I found myself placed in a double station of responsibility, fully knowing that in studying his interest I should promote my own. All my plans were acceded to, and he gave me liberty to act at my discretion. The improvements fully answered and realized his expectations, in the business conducted, while I remained in his service, which was nearly ten years-up to the time of his death.

During this period I had abundant cause often to behold Jehovah's goodness to me in lifting up my head above all my enemies, which many of them had ample proof both of hearing and seeing, how the

Lord had smiled upon me in providence-how I moved in the ranks of society respected by my superiors; and not less was I myself astonished and kept humble at his footstool. I must notice that anxiety took possession of my mind as I saw that in proportion as I went into the business, my master withdrew from it, and sometimes left me altogether, whereas before he was never known to miss coming to the mill once, and often twice a day for years; but he had sufficient to attend to without this: he had several farms of his own-large shipping interest in several vessels, besides maltings-commissions of turnpike roads-director of fire insurance office, and magistrate of the borough. For a time I had many things to put up with as I was boarding and lodging apart from my family, and as to domestic comfort I had but little. My master did up the house, and wished me to get my furniture and family there. I did so, and lived alone for some time-put the lads to school, and did as well as I could for some weeks. I then hired a housekeeper, who soon robbed me; I got a second, and she liked drink better than anything else; so I was obliged to part with her. These things made me truly miserable; and in my distress I often begged of the Lord to show me more openly the way of his will, for I was left destitute; and at length turned my thoughts again to seek a suitable person who I could take as a companion for life.

As I saw my situation was now prosperous, I felt more inclined to propose a change should it be the pleasure of the Lord. To this end I was advised by a dear friend or two who felt greatly for me, and then set about to find me a wife, at which I would sometimes laugh heartily. However I believe, notwithstanding their good wishes and endeavours, the Lord, in answer to prayer, found me one, and brought her to me, even one who in eternal counsel he had designed for me from before all worlds. O how timely are the Lord's mercies! "O that men would praise the Lord!" She was truly God's gift to me, and has been a blessing unto me and my family, and one to whom I could open all my heart.

At the time I met with her she stood a consistent member of a Christian Church, seeking and longing for a nearer acquaintance with her dear Lord-was of exceedingly diffident, retiring manners, esteeming others better than herself-a peacemaker, and willing rather to suffer wrong, than attempt to multiply strife. Great trial and many afflictions had marked her path from a child, but she had a great and blessed portion in her Lord, and was moving in a comfortable situation, in a large establishment, as forewoman, which she had filled for more than twenty years, with great fidelity. Now the time was come for another change, and we were married in the fear of the Lord, in the year 1831, December 25th, at Trinity Church, London. Now faith believes that marriages are made or ordained in heaven, and love admits of no divorce. Jehovah ties the knot, and patience says amen to the bond; so I have found it to this day.

I was now more comfortable and happy than I had been for a long

time. The Lord blessed me with health to follow the exercises of business, to which he had called me, with spirit and delight. Friends who had forsaken, now rallied round me; and the Lord made all my enemies to be at peace. I had abundance-was also strengthened— and my mind supported greatly in faith. I was more than ever drawn apart from the religious world, being led to see great abuses practised in the sanctuary, even where some of the true wheat was to be found. At length, after many resolves, I came to this determination-to make my own abode my sanctuary. In this mode I often found it good and God-glorifying, and continued to do so for more than eight years. This was a choice many of my friends could not account for; but the Lord fed me in this way, while I made it my business to remain without the camp, often finding it more conducive to my soul's happiness, giving glory to the great name of Jehovah therein.

J. G.

HOPE AGAINST HOPE.

How great is the privilege of being interested in that everlasting covenant which is ordered in all things and sure, so sure that not one thing of all the good things which the Lord our God has spoken concerning us, can possibly fail of its accomplishment. It is a covenant so well and wisely ordered, that all things are made to work together for our good. Even our most painful exercises being accompanied with our Father's blessing prove profitable, and the greatest trials are rendered subservient to bring us experimentally acquainted with the everlasting love, parental care, and infinite compassion, of the sinner's Friend. That Friend who suffered, bled, and died, for us sinners, and for our salvation. And O trembling, fearful believer, having shed His most precious blood for you, however weak may be your faith, and great your fears-however strong your corruptions, and little your love to Jesus, he will not lose thee, the purchase of his blood, for "Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered! for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children" (Isa. xlix. 25). And having died and risen again for you, your final perseverance and eternal glorification are blessedly secured.

The great adversary of your soul, and your own unbelief, may suggest, that, after all, you will become the prey of him that, as a roaring lion, goeth about, seeking whom he may devour. But hear what thy Lord saith, "I will give unto them (all that believe in me) eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them to me, is greater than all; and no man

(nor devil either) is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand " (John xviii. 28, 29); and though you may think yourself unworthy of participating in the great blessings of salvation-God's thoughts are not your thoughts-He does not look for any worthiness in you, nor can your own unworthiness prevent his making known to you the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards you, because that grace and kindness are extended to you, on the ground of what Christ hath done; and notwithstanding from the sole of the foot even unto the head, there may seem to be nothing but wounds, bruises, and putrifying sores-nothing but a mass of corruption-yet, as standing in Christ Jesus, "thou art all fair-there is no spot in thee." "I have not," saith the Lord, "beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither have I seen perverseness in Israel" (Num. xxiii. 21). Because "the Lord hath laid on Christ the iniquity of us all" (Isa. liii. 6), and "Christ hath put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb. ix. 29), therefore, "though the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, there shall be none; and the sins of Judali, they shall not be found" (Jer. 1. 20).

The sweet assurance of this, demonstrated in the soul by the Holy Ghost, removes our gloomy apprehensions, dispels the darkness that surrounds us, and enables us to see, that, in and through Christ Jesus, we are graciously accepted, eternally loved, and mercifully cared for, by Him who hath said, " Behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of " (Gen, xxviii. 15). But some distressed soul may say, "I fear I have no right to those sweet, encouraging portions of the word of God." My brother, the apostle says, "All things are yours; "then Christ is yours; and all the promises of God "in him are yea, and in him amen." Hence, all the promises are yours; and you cannot be brought into any position, however trying, but there is, in God's Bible, a word or promise suitable to your case. Thus, when exercised with trial and temptation, the child of God is often ready to say, "All these things are against me; "but his heavenly Father says, "All things work together for your good" (Rom. viii. 28).

C.-The Lord hath forsaken me.

F.-"I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Heb. xiii. 5).
C.-My Lord hath forgotten me.

F.-"Thou shalt not be forgotten of me" (Isa. xliv. 21. "I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals" (Jer. ii. 2). "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me" (Isa. xlix. 15). "The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance" (Psalm cxii. 6). C.-But iniquities prevail against me.

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F. "I will turn again, I will have compassion upon you I will subdue your iniquities, and will cast all your sins into the depths of the (Mic. vii. 19). "Sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under law, but under grace" (Rom. vi. 14).

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C.-But I am barren.

F.-"Sing, O barren "(Isa. liv. 1); for "From me is thy fruit found (Hosea xiv. 8), and "In me ye shall have righteousness and strength (Isa. xlv. 24).

C. I am cold and lifeless.

F.. "Thou shalt revive as the corn, and grow as the vine ".(Hosea xiv. 7). "Your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb " (Isa. lxvi. 14).

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C.-But my strength is well nigh gone, and alas! I faint, I die! F." My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. xii. 9). I give power to the faint, and to them that have no might I increase strength" (Isa. xl. 29). "I am thy life and the length of thy days" (Deut. xxx. 28); and "Because I live, you shall live also" (John xiv. 19).

C. I shall now perish one day.

F. Thou shalt never perish; neither shall any man pluck thee out of my hand" (John x. 28).

C. But I am simple and foolish.

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F." I preserve the simple" (Psalm cxvi. 6): and "The wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err (Isa. xxxv. 8). "Christ is made unto thee wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. i. 30).

C. But I am sorely oppressed, and in great trouble.

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F." I execute righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. I will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in the times of trouble (Psalm ciii. 6; ix. 9). "I will deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven, there shall no evil touch thee" (Job v. 19).

C.-I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

F." The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. xxxiii. 27). "When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour" (Isa. xliii. 2, 3).

C.-But O the difficulties of the way!

F.-"I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psalm xxxii. 8). "I will lead thee, and restore comfort unto thee. The crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them and not forsake them. The mountains" of difficulty" shall depart, and the hills" of opposition "be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed" (Isa. lvii. 18; xl. 4; xlii. 16; liv. 10).

C.-A fresh calamity is come upon me, and I seem without a helper. F.-In me is thy help found" (Hosea xiii. 19). "I am a very pre

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