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ETAT. 22] WHAT FOLLY IT IS TO DECEIVE OURSELVES ! 177

before you. This I have always felt a delicate and difficult thing. However I hope that you now know the way; walk in it. Your stay upon earth is uncertain, and if the Bible be true, there is but one way to heaven. I have of late been led to use great plainness of speech in my preaching, for I am persuaded that many are going the wrong way deceived with the idea that they are religious. What folly it is to deceive ourselves! The truth must come out some day. Nothing else than the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost given unto us,' will answer the purpose. It will make us happy in this world, and fit us for heaven. We may all have it, and have it now. There is nothing to hinder us but our own carelessness and unbelief. You will know my motive for mentioning these things. Perhaps in a short time we shall part on earth. I wish us to meet in heaven."

On the next day he wrote: "It is a beautiful morning but I do not feel as usual. This going away unsettles me, as I have an impression that I shall not return. I leave the result of my labours with God. The seed is sown : may it produce an abundant harvest!"-This impression proved correct. A stated pastor was shortly afterwards

chosen.

The importance he attached to the use of the pen led him to write occasional reflections which occurred on reading the Bible. The following are specimens. They are entirely of a practical and devotional character.

Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. Matt. xviii. 5.-"If I receive kindly the humblest of Christ's followers He will regard it as done to Himself. No man must be disregarded because he is poor or ignorant. I must give to every disciple the cordial hand of brotherly love. Proud human nature cannot stoop

to this, but if I learn of Him who is meek and lowly in heart I shall be able to do it."

"What could the Saviour mean when He said, Lo, I am with you alway, &c.? I could not desire a better mode of expressing this promise. To be with us is more than to help us. I have attempted to teach the people. Has Christ been with me? If He has, where are the results of His presence? I fear He has not, and the reason must be looked for in myself. I have thought myself sufficient. Whilst I have formally sought His assistance my chief reliance has been upon myself. I have depended upon my sermons, and looked for results in proportion as I have been successful in preparing and preaching them. No wonder so little good has resulted."

If any man desire to be first the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark ix. 35.—“It is so even now. Those who are most ambitious for a high place in the church will be found occupying the lowest. May not those who aim at literary greatness, however distinguished they may be, be performing the very drudgery in the service of the church-taking the lowest kind of work— be hewers of wood and drawers of water-servants of all?”

And show how great things God hath done unto thee. Luke viii. 39.—“ This must be the great means of extending the kingdom of Christ. Those who have experienced His pardoning love and sanctifying grace must tell it to the world, and invite others to apply to the Saviour. It is but right that those who have been cured should spread abroad the fame of the Physician. Every one stands in need of Him, and if, without shame or fear, we tell what He has done for us, many will be induced to apply."

The elect cry to God day and night. Ļuke xviii. 7.— "Let no man conclude that he is one of God's elect until

ETAT. 22] THOUGHTS ON SELECT PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE. 179

he has this mark. It is those who pray without ceasing, who pray and never faint, that are truly the people of God. All others are in a doubtful state."

Unto the edifying of itself in love. Eph. iv. 16.-"Love is the blood of the body of Christ which circulates through every member. It is through this the body increases. At the last supper Christ spoke much about brotherly love, for He knew its importance in order to the fulfilment of His purposes of mercy. In proportion as this blessed principle pervades a Christian society will be its usefulness."

Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints. Eph. v. 3.—“ It is dangerous to talk about evil. When images of sin are brought before the mind they are not easily got rid of. We should keep the appearance of sin from us as far as our duty to sinners will permit."

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1 Tim. vi. 8.—This is true philosophy. If I imbibe the spirit which dictated these words, I shall save myself much anxiety and misery, and secure a great amount of happiness."

Having no evil thing to say of you. Titus ii. 8.-" It must be eminent piety that will secure this. I do not sufficiently calculate the consequences of little inconsistencies. Perhaps unhappy impressions have been made upon the minds of many by improper conversation or conduct of mine which I have long since forgotten."

CHAPTER XI.

AT KIRKBY-STEPHEN. Church fellowship-A faithful Minister -The penalty of innovators—Begins to preach at Ravenstonedale -The simplicity of faith-Entire sanctification-"Memorials of Eliza Hessel"-Importance of meditation-Milton's Prose works -The order in which truth should be sought-Renounces Calvinism-Miscellaneous aphorisms.

"A MAN's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps." This truth was strikingly verified in Mr. Hessel's visit to Kirkby-Stephen. He proposed remaining only four or five weeks. God had an important work for him however in that neighbourhood, and tho' he entered upon it with some reluctance, he continued in it till forced by debility to relinquish it a space of sixteen months.

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An occurrence of ill physical omen transpired in about ten days after his arrival. A stream of blood issued spontaneously from his nose, and defying all attempts to stanch it, continued more than an hour. He was well aware of the significancy of this occurrence. On the next day, which was Sunday, April 23rd, he wrote: "Bled much yesterday; feeble this morning; unable to preach. sometimes think that God may take me away soon. have done so little for Christ that I should wish to remain a little longer on earth, if I might be the means of making known His salvation. I prayed that I might be useful here. This prayer may be answered different from my expectation."-Interpreted by subsequent events this sentence appears very remarkable. It would seem as if some prophetic ray had at that moment beamed upon him. He proceeds: "It is my privilege to be perfectly happy what

ETAT. 22] MRS. WIGHTMAN ON CLASS-MEETINGS.

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ever be the issue. My state of mind is not right if I am not willing to live or resigned to die. It is of far more importance that I should live well than long."

24th. "Intimate intercourse of mind with mind is absolutely necessary to advance the purposes of Christianity. Christ drew His disciples near to Him. He did not give them occasional lectures, but shewed them His mind and heart. The more closely the body of Christ is united together the more will it receive from its head. Whilst we have each a separate communication with Him, we may also receive much from each other. When Christians are cold and distant they cannot be channels of spiritual blessings to each other as Christ intended they should."-—He alludes to Class-Meetings in these remarks. These meetings have often been misrepresented, sometimes derided, but they supply a great spiritual want of our nature. They are spiritual marts, where the mourner, the timid, and the tempted, realize special benefit. Of course they may become formal, as may public worship, but conducted by an intelligent and devout leader, they minister largely to edification. Thousands and tens of thousands who would have fainted in treading their path solitarily, have there received the strength which has sped them onward till the goal was reached. Undoubtedly "Christ intended that Christians should be channels of spiritual blessings to each other." Here that intention is carried into effect. Each contributes to the good of all. How can this be otherwise so efficiently and naturally secured? A testimony has recently been furnished to the value of these meetings, which, coming from the lady of a clergyman, will be accepted as impartial. Mrs. Wightman informs us in her "Annals of the Rescued," that she was solicited by some of the outcasts she had reclaimed to establish "a ClassMeeting." Before assenting, she wisely resolved to visit