3. Another truth, into which, in a measure, I was led during my stay in
Devonshire, respected the Lord's coming. My views concerning this point,
up to that time, had been completely vague and unscriptural. I had
believed what others told me, without trying it by the Word. I thought
that things were getting better and better, and that soon the whole world
would be converted. But now I found in the Word, that we have not the
least Scriptural warrant to look for the conversion of the world before
the return of our Lord. I found in the Scriptures, that that which will
usher in the glory of the church, and uninterrupted joy to the saints, is
the return of the Lord Jesus, and that, till then, things will be more or
less in confusion. I found in the Word, that the return of Jesus, and not
death, was the hope of the apostolic Christians; and that it became me,
therefore, to look for His appearing. And this truth entered so into my
heart, that, though I went into Devonshire exceedingly weak, scarcely
expecting that I should return again to London, yet I was immediately, on
seeing the truth, brought off from looking for death, and was made to look
for the return of the Lord. Having seen this truth, the Lord also
graciously enabled me to apply it, in some measure at least, to my own
heart, and to put the solemn question to myself--What may I do for the
Lord, before He returns, as He may soon come?

4. In addition to these truths, it pleased the Lord to lead me to see a
higher standard of devotedness than I had seen before. He led me, in a
measure, to see what is my true glory in this world, even to be despised,
and to be poor and mean with Christ. I saw then, in a measure, though I
have seen it more fully since, that it ill becomes the servant to seek to
be rich, and great, and honoured in that world, where his Lord was poor,
and mean, and despised.

I do not mean to say that all that which I believe at present concerning
these truths, and those which, in connexion with them, the Lord has shown
me since August 1829, were apprehended all at once; and much less did I
see them all at once with the same clearness, as, by the grace of God, I
do now; yet my stay in Devonshire was a most profitable time to my soul.
My prayer had been, before I left London, that the Lord would be pleased
to bless my journey to the benefit of my body and soul. This prayer was
answered in both respects; for in the beginning of September I returned to
Londo