in the south, I cannot see how you can refuse us any longer, according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to you, 2 Cor. x. 13. And it may be that your absence may prove useful in the end, as your people will thereby get an appetite; and it is well known that a keen appetite is pleasant when there is good food to eat.

Our friend Miss Chamberlain has for some time been very desirous to see you at Leicester once more, as she knows her end is fast approaching. She is very much altered in her appearance during these last five days; I mean in the decay of nature, which perhaps Mr. B. or Mr. M. may have mentioned to you. She is hastening to the grave very fast; but, though the outward man perisheth, the inward man is renewed daily. Myself and some other friends have scarcely ever left the house since Thursday last; and, though we cannot but grieve at the expectation of losing a near friend, yet there is abundant cause for thankfulness that she will soon go to everlasting rest, and be delivered from that body of sin which we are yet encompassed with. I never before witnessed such a scene of affliction; there is not a friend that has visited her, I believe, who has the shadow of a doubt of her eternal happiness. It is truly a pleasure to be with her; to see that in the face of death, she should possess such composure of mind. She speaks of her end with such satisfaction, and her countenance proclaims such tranquillity and

peace of mind, that I cannot describe. She is very cheerful and lively in her conversation, more so than ever she was known to be when in perfect health, except at intervals, when pain comes on very acute. Her departure was expected every hour on Thursday; but she again revived, and on Friday morning was rather better, when she spoke of what she wished to be done after her death, and also of the goodness and kindness of God during her pilgrimage, likewise of the prospect that lay before her in the world to come; the particulars of which I cannot relate now, it being post time; but you shall hear from me again soon. She bears a most faithful testimony to the truth she embraced, to the power of God in maintaining and supporting her thus far, and of the efficacy of the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ to cleanse and to justify; which I am persuaded will leave a lasting impression upon the beholders. I am Yours affectionately,

B. CORT.

N. B. I wish you could see her. She is very weak indeed, but very comfortable and happy ; desires her love to you, and would be glad to hear from you in return.

LETTER LVI.

To Mr. B. CORT, Leicester.

DEAR BEN,

YOURS came safe to hand. You press me to the North, not considering that I have lately been in the East, and am this day bound for the South, namely, Cranbrook and Rutherfield. I am glad at my heart that Miss Chamberlain is so happy in her last stages. Tell her from me that I have a charge against her for unbecoming secresy. What was spoken and done in secret should have been made known and come abroad, yea, proclaimed upon the house-tops. the house-tops. Was she ashamed of her smutty father, that she concealed her kindred? Fair dealing, and not smuggling, best becomes those who buy the truth and sell it not. She closed in with the offer, and made a match with the heavenly bridegroom, while I was publishing the bans: but she lost sight of the bridegroom's friends, though she knew that I was proxy. Tell her that, if I had been the son of nobles, this had not been the case. My coalsack robs me. But whatever good any man doth, of the Lord he shall receive his reward. She must and shall be my joy, and the crown of my rejoicing, in that day when every branch of the coal-trade will be forgotten. And, as death will then be

swallowed up in victory, so all slavery will be swallowed up in royalty. She came in last, and yet is paid first. She has wrought but one hour, and yet is made equal with us who have borne the burden and heat of the day. The Master is good, but my eye is evil. We agreed at first for a penny; for the language of every convicted soul is, I care not what I suffer if I had but faith to believe that Christ died for me. The Lord takes us at our word, and agrees for the penny a day. Here it appears that faith is that penny, for we have no true riches but in faith, nor food nor clothing without it; for we live by faith. robe is only to them that believe.

And the best
And, if faith

be right and genuine, it works by love; and love is the image, if not the superscription, of that penny. I doubt not but there will be a deal of murmuring against the good man of the house. Tom Barston, I hear, has begun already. But is it not right that the Master should do as he pleases with his own? We cannot doubt of that. The reward is to all who love his appearing; nor shall she be perfect without us. Give my kind love to her; tell her I wish her a good journey, and that she will shortly enjoy what we believe and hope for, namely, that "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

Yours in the best of all bonds,

W. H. S. S.

4th Oct. 1809.

LETTER LVII.

To the Rev. W. HUNTINGTON.

Leicester, Oct. 5, 1809.

Rev. and Dear Sir,

YESTERDAY, at one o'clock, my dear sister breathed her last, and went to rest in the bosom of her heavenly Father. I have lost an affection ate sister, and an invaluable housekeeper: but my loss is her eternal gain. At times I feel great distress at losing her; but I sorrow not as those that have no hope; being fully persuaded that she fell asleep in Jesus; and, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." Her end was glorious; and truly "The memory of the just is blessed." I seldom left the room during the last six days of her life, when she often spoke to me, and to other friends about her, of what she enjoyed. The good Lord was pleased to strengthen her upon the bed of languishing, to make all her bed in her sickness, and abundantly to bless her with his preHer outward man perished, but the inward man was daily renewed; for every day she seemed to gain greater strength in the Lord, though her bodily strength was all gone, for she could not help herself in the least thing; but God was the strength of her heart, and she knew that he would be her portion for ever, and her soul

sence.