Faith goes before, to catch hold of the promises, love-tokens, and all favourable symptoms. Hope follows after, looks out, and expects the full accomplishment of all that faith credits. And love brings up the rear, in most humbly acknowledging superabounding grace and undeserved goodness. And thus, mother, does the dear Redeemer, the propitious mediator, keep the intercourse between heaven and earth open, and the celestial trade is carried on in his name between God and poor sinners. Nor will he suffer our sins and imperfections to pass through his hands with our prayers, nor the least drop of wrath to come down from God to us, for he is our high-priest.

God bless thee.

S. S.

DCXXXVIII

September 12, 1801.

I

BELOVED,

RECEIVED yours; but, having much work in hand, and being often from home, could not sooner answer it. Even now I am so frequently interrupted as to be up and down from morning to night. But, let me be where I may, I have thee still in remembrance, wishing much to hear of thy happy enlargement. There is, however, a time for every purpose, and a set time to favour Zion; and we must wait till the vision speak. Israel's taskmasters, and their lives made bitter with hard labour, sent their groans up to God; and, after many sore trials, God executed judgment on their enemies, and brought them out with a high hand. So also in the Babylonish captivity, they all complained that their hope was lost, that they were cut off for their parts; and then he revived their dry bones, and put his Spirit into them and they lived.

Faith goes before, to catch hold of the promises, love-tokens, and all favourable symptoms. Hope follows after, looks out, and expects the full accomplishment of all that faith credits. And love brings up the rear, in most humbly acknowledging superabounding grace and undeserved goodness. And thus, mother, does the dear Redeemer, the propitious mediator, keep the intercourse between heaven and earth open, and the celestial trade is carried on in his name between God and poor sinners. Nor will he suffer our sins and imperfections to pass through his hands with our prayers, nor the least drop of wrath to come down from God to us, for he is our high-priest.

God bless thee.

S. S.

DCXXXVIII

September 12, 1801.

BELOVED,

I RECEIVED yours; but, having much work in hand, and being often from home, could not sooner answer it. Even now I am so frequently interrupted as to be up and down from morning to night. But, let me be where I may, I have thee still in remembrance, wishing much to hear of thy happy enlargement. There is, however, a time for every purpose, and a set time to favour Zion; and we must wait till the vision speak. Israel's taskmasters, and their lives made bitter with hard labour, sent their groans up to God; and, after many sore trials, God executed judgment on their enemies, and brought them out with a high hand. So also in the Babylonish captivity, they all complained that their hope was lost, that they were cut off for their parts; and then he revived their dry bones, and put his Spirit into them and they lived.

came in the flesh; Anna spake of him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Simeon, and others, waited for the consolation of Israel. And Joseph, the counsellor, waited for the kingdom of God. And, as it was then, so it is now; the Spirit alarms, awakens and quickens us; which crucifies and deadens us to this world, so that we cannot find rest, or make up our happiness, in it, for all is vanity and vexation of soul. In such cases God gives us the following directions.

"Search the

First, he bids us read; scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me."

Secondly, he bids us call upon his name; "Call upon me in the time of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."

Thirdly, he bids us separate ourselves from the ungodly; "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and I will receive you; and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord God Almighty."

Fourthly, he bids us to abide with those who fear God; "Let not the stranger speak, saying, the Lord hath utterly separated me from his people." Hence you read that,