expect, I am in part
secluded from my family. In this I am constrained to acknowledge the
mercy of God to an undeserving worm. Brought apparently to the grave's
edge, I have been refreshed with His presence, and had power to cast
myself upon His fatherly love. The enemy assaults me; but aware of my
own weakness I venture, powerless as I am, upon the boundless merits
of Jesus."

How sweet is still retirement! How it calms
The mind, and aids reflection! Here my soul,
Unfetter'd, soars to converse with its God.
I hear his Spirit whisp'ring round me now;
And love, and gratitude subdue my heart.
Yes, Solitude! I love thee, and enjoy
In thy sequester'd depths, the bliss, in crowds
I seek in vain. My God! my only joy!
Yet, O blest Saviour, when Thy voice is heard,
Amid the tumult springs a sudden calm,
And heaven-born peace pervades my happy soul.

"A situation has offered for Richard, which we have hesitated to
accept or refuse, wishful to do right, and afraid of doing wrong. In
this dilemma, we cast ourselves at the footstool of mercy, my husband
and mother uniting with me, and were fully enabled to roll our care
upon God, who wonderfully undertook for us. I believe we have done
right."

IX.

MID-DAY TOIL.

"SEEK THAT YE MAY EXCEL TO THE EDIFYING OF THE CHURCH."
1 Cor. xiv. 12.

True religion is reproductive. A converted man will try to convert
his neighbour; and the value of his own experience may in general be
tested by the manner in which he uses his opportunities of doing good.
So true is this, that the Saviour said, "He, that is not with me, is
against me; and he, that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad." An
inactive Christian is a contradiction in terms; for he is no copy of
his divine Master, who, morning, noon, and night, "went about doing
good." All the Scriptural symbols of the kingdom of God are expressive
of energetic action. The little cloud attracts to itself the moist
particles of the atmosphere, until it covers the whole heavens. The
seed germinates, and grows, till it brings forth thirty, sixty, or
a hundred fold. The leaven, which is but a minute form of vegetable
life, developes itself in every direction by means of little cells;
which again form others, and thus by continual reproduction, leavens
the whole mass. What Is the lesson? Every heart in which the kingdom
of God is set up, becomes a centre of life and action, exerting a
healing influence upon t