Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

was the afternoon of the day when I reached her house, which was at some distance from my own. Following my guide, I ascended to the topmost room, and found it meanly furnished, and so far from cleanly as to render it unpleasant for me to remain. I saw lying on a bed before me, an aged female, with her grey hair matted about her head, her eyes dim with age and disease, and her whole appearance most painful and repulsive. Mother," said her son, "I have brought a gentleman to see you.' -"Who is it?" she mumbled, "I don't know anybody, and can hardly see at all." "I thought," said I, turning to the son, that she would not know me." At the sound of my voice, she started, and aroused herself, saying, "Oh yes, but I do. Ah! you are the gem'man that I ha' walked so many a weary mile to listen to, and after my walk on my old legs, I had always to stand in the aisles, as you call 'en, for want of room; but I didn't mind. Oh, often's the time when I waited to pull you by the sleeve as you came down from the pulpit and passed me, that I might tell you how I loved you for talking so much about my old friends and acquaintances?" "Your old friends and acquaintances?" I inquired, "whom do you mean? You and your friends are quite strangers to me." Why, I mean," said she, "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and them like. Dear me, didn't you often tell me how that good old man walked with God, when he went out not knowing where he was going to? And how poor old Jacob lost his son-dear Joseph? They bound him fast in the prison, and the iron entered into his soul; and," continued she, as if talking to herself, "I've got a Joseph. He's far away from me, and I shall see him no more, but I shall leave him this book" (a large folio Bible, which had been purchased in separate parts, and which was lying before her), "I bought it for him a long while ago. I have got no other book, only the Holy War," them be all I ever had; but him (directing her attention to the Bible), I'll give him; he'll find it wetted in many places with his old mother's tears. Ah! don't you remember," she continued, "that poor dear creature who went into the house after Him, and stood at his feet, and wash'd 'em with her tears, and wiped 'em with her hair? I

[ocr errors]

66

got no hair to wipe 'em, but I could wash 'em with tears too, and they'd not be tears of grief-no, but of love, like hers was, for He said to her-oh! did not his dear lips say to her?--Your many sins be all forgiven you: and has not He forgiven mine, quite as many as hers? and don't I love Him?" Then the big tears rolled down her furrowed cheeks, and her strong emotions almost choked her utterance, while her hands were clasped together and lifted up, as if she would have embraced something which she alone could see. So graphic were her descriptions, and so animated was her manner, that I stood beside her listening, as it were entranced, and unmindful of all around me that had seemed unsightly and unpleasant.

The son had quitted the chamber and left us alone; but she, as if heedless of the presence of any one, and occupied with her own musings, went on, and once or twice spoke as if she saw before her the very individuals about whom she was conversing. "Yes," she exclaimed, "the ill-natured Pharisee (ah! them be always ill-natured to poor folks and sinners like me)-huffed her, and said, if the Master knew her, he wouldn't ha' let her come so near Him :-wouldn't He? Ah! he didn't know Him, bless his dear lips and his tender loving heart! No, says He, she has much forgiven her; and didn't He look into her heart, and tell her to go in peace? Why, they put Him between two thieves! they thought to disgrace Him; but He took one on 'em to heaven with Him! didn't He make a jewel of him? Ah, and He can make me one of his jewels! But la, sir," said she, just then recognising my presence, “how I ha' been talking, and you here, who I've so wanted to hear talk again. Oh, do tell me more about my friends and acquaintances (meaning the Old Testament saints), for I think about them all day and night, and I go about with them and hear all their tales, and see how they wept and how they prayed; and I see the angels, too, coming and talking to them, and then I talk to them, and they to me. And I thinks it'll not be long before I do talk to them really." So she went on till, having to attend an evening service, Í reluctantly left the room, promising to see her the next day. Some pious females repaired early the next morning to her humble abode.

"Ladies," said the person whom they "she scarcely spoke after the gentle

saw,

man left her, but folded her hands upon her breast, and died in the night." JOHN LEIFCHILD, D.D.

Spiritual Correspondence.

CONFLICT AND CONQUEST. DEAR SIR,-Not knowing how to come in personal contact, I am constrained to adopt this mode of communication.

I wish to speak of the dear Lord's mercy and goodness to my poor needy soul, and to tell you how I have tasted of his goodness, and found Jesus precious; for he has graciously opened my blind eyes, turned my darkness into light, and raised me, who was dead in trespasses and sins from death unto life. He has put a new song into my mouth, and turned this desert into a fruitful field. For the last three years, he has by his blessed Spirit convinced me of sin, and my state by nature,-has at times made one feel frightened and alarmed at the thought of death and judgment, and I have been made to fall upon my knees and cry for mercy; but the next day perhaps the conviction was gone, and I felt I was a sinner and no more. I read my Bible, and we always had a family altar, and were seat holders at Chapel for upwards of four years; but sir, now I see that this was nothing but form; the heart was rotten at the core, unchanged unwashed, unregenerated and unsanctified, therefore unclean and not right in the sight of God. At that time, if any one had told me that I was a sinner unsaved, although I felt it, I should, I am sorry to say, have been offended, feeling so self-righteous that I saw no beauty in King Jesus, that I should desire him to reign over me. I tried to serve two masters: I loved the world, and even the chains that bound me; yet at the same time professedly followed Jesus. At last, however, I found no rest and nothing to satisfy that craving which the Lord by his Spirit had put within me. I felt, in fact, a longing for something-an aching void that the world could not possibly fill; but thanks and praise be unto the Lord God of my salvation! he knew best how to break my stubborn, black, rebellious heart, and he saw fit to humble me, by laying upon me a very heavy affliction, and laying me totally aside. At first I felt only hardened by it, and the affliction was unsanctified; but after a respite, just as I thought I was getting well, the dear Lord laid me low again, but in a far more severe form; but in the commencement of

this latter illness, however, before the heaviest part came, he saw fit to pour a flood of heavenly light into my wretched soul, and what the law could not do for me, his love did. He gently opened my heart, and by the cords of his love, drew me to him, and melted me by his loving look of pity and compassion, that, for the first time, I was made to shed tears of penitence. On Sunday, 14th September last, he thus met with me-blessed be his holy name! and on the following Tuesday my poor soul leaped for joy; for then I received pardon through his precious blood, and had such a sense of my own exceeding sinfulness, vileness, and unworthiness of my own heart, my helplessness and utter depravity, and my incapability of even thinking a good or pure thought, much less of fulfilling one tittle of God's holy law, that my soul's nakedness for the first time appeared to my view: but then came deliverance. I was enabled then and there to leave my sins at the foot of the cross, to trust implicitly in Christ's precious blood and righteousness, and in the completeness and fulness of his all-sufficient sacrifice. I felt what it was to be a new creature in Christ Jesus, and also the power and force of those blessed words, " My people shall be willing in the day of my power."

Oh! Sir, the blessed hour I felt my heart and conscience sprinkled with that precious blood I never shall forget. As I said before, I

received a sense of pardon, and the assurance of my sins being for ever blotted out, never to be remembered any more, there and then, and went on my way rejoicing, having joy and peace in believing, and had such continual peace and joy, and a full and rich assurance that the work was the Lord's and not man's, for the next two months, without even a ripple, or the least buffeting from Satan, that although heavy affliction came on quickly, I felt I could always read my title clear, and by his mercy say, "" I know whom I have believed, "and also, that "none of these things move me." I knew my Redeemer lived, and although apparently near death, was in perfect peace and in a holy calm, resting alone upon my dear Saviour's love and merits, desirous

only of clinging to that blessed Rock founded before the foundation of the world. I found it blessed work to lie passive in his hands, and to be shut in that blessed Ark, with a full and constant assurance, that my unworthy name was included in that blessed covenant of grace, ordered in all things and sure.

In November last, I was entirely laid aside; and during that time, after the most perfect calm and sunshine of God's countenance and presence with me, I was suddenly attacked by the enemy; and never was my soul more distressed or surprised. I felt then, in reality, to know by experience that there was a devil who tried to worry those whom he could not destroy; and since that time, after seasons of great joy, and when sometimes I felt quite lifted out of this world, as it were, the enemy has come in apparently with power equal to the joy I had just received; but then it made me cry unto the dear Lord more and more, and he graciously heard my cry, and enabled me to lift up the banner of his love, so that at the sight of that the enemy has fled. I have been, however, attacked over and over again, and tempted to believe I was an hypocrite, and that it was not God's work at all, but only excitement; and one whole week I was in entire darkness-felt dead, lifeless, and withered, and I thought,-ah, then, it is true after all! I have not been born again of the Spirit, and do not love the Lord at all; for if I did, I should not feel like this; for surely the Lord's chosen and redeemed children cannot feel like this,and my mind was much exercised thereby. But again was the dear Lord's goodness greater to me than my fears, and his presence was afforded, and I found grace to help me in time of need. Appropriating faith was again bestowed, and my soul was enabled to lay hold of the promises of his blessed word. But, dear Sir, I have since then realized indeed the sad, overwhelming fact, that the heart is desperately wicked,

and a fountain of sin and uncleanness; and my inward corruptions and foes are so many, that the good I would do, I do not, and what I would not do, that I do; and also that I who have received such mercy am continually prone to wander, that I stand aghast at such sin and ingratitude to the Lord, who has bought me by his precious life and blood. I know I have had, and still have, great debts to pay, but nothing to pay with; but Christ my Surety has paid them all, and set me free from sin and the curse of the law.

I have been trying to wait until I experienced more fitness to join the church, but I find this to be utterly useless. My heart will not let me rest in my disobedience any longer. My dear husband went to Zion Chapel and heard you the first Sunday after your return, and comforted me with the account of the outline of your sermons, and we both said, "Ah, that will do, that is the preaching we need." The word came with power to his soul, and my sister's also, An improved condition of health enabled me to hear you last Sunday week; and I had a feast of fat things from Isaiah. The text was, "But to this man will I look," &c. Your description of the Lord Jesus Christ's look upon the contrite sinner told home to my heart. Last Sabbath I heard you with profit, and stayed with my husband to the ordinance. You said, if any of the spectators were partaking of the feast spiritually, why not physically? and bade such remember that the master did not say Look only, but "Take, eat," &c.; and also, "If ye love me, keep my commandments;" and I felt inwardly rebuked for my disobedience to my Lord's commands; and this caused me to desire an interview with you.

Will you kindly inform me how and when I may have the pleasure of meeting with you? I am, dear sir, yours most respectfully,

Poetry.

THE COMMUNINGS OF CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH:

A Poetic Paraphrase, and an occasional Commentary upon the Book of Canticles. No. XVIII.

BY J. W. COLE, BRAUNSTON.

CHAPTER III.

Verses 9, 10.-" King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. He made

A. E.

the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem."

King Solomon a chariot made,

Of fragrant cedar rare;
Its floor with burnish'd gold was laid,
Its pillars silver were;
Imperial purple richly lined,
And shaded it above;

Divine and human skill combined,

To pave its midst with love.

O chariot, where heaven's King doth ride,
Resplendent moving throne!

Built for the church, Immanuel's bride;
And built for her alone!

What doth this mystic chariot mean?

Blest Spirit answer me!
Cast on the sacred page thy beam,
That I thy truth may see.-
"This chariot is the cov'nant strong,
Made through Jehovah's grace,
Which bears the saints securely on,
To heaven, their dwelling place."
O, chariot of immortal love,

Thy wheels of glory roll,

And waft, to yon bright world above,
My longing, fainting soul.

God's promises, like pillars made,
Bright, beautiful, and sure;
Jesus, the firm foundation laid,
For ever will endure;

The covering of his precious blood
Hides all my guilt from view;

This purple covering shields from wrath,
And yields sweet comfort too.

O, chariot of celestial fire,

I upwards soar with thee;

And to those radiant heights aspire,
Where I my Lord shall see!

Verse 11.-" Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart."

Ye who are newly taken from the world,
And by grace planted in God's garden fair,*
Zion's virgin chaste, young converts to the truth
Who feel fresh love, as lately born of God,
Let not the chariot engross your sight,
In which, unto the spirit land, ye ride:
"Tis passing rich, and meet to call forth joy;
But far before this workmanship Divine
Is he who made it; Architect of all.t
This royal chariot has enchain'd your eyes,
But you may look upon the Monarch too:
The chariot of the King your love commands,
Then what the person of the King himself?
Go forth then, daughters of Jerusalem,
Descend the mountain-sides of carnal pride,
Enter humility's perfumed vale;

Blest contemplation's sacred summit climb;
Take Faith's perspective glass and gaze afar.—
Behold the scene of which the prophets sang,
The wondrous glories of the coming time!
Behold the King, in peerless beauty crown'd;+
The coronation of the once-slain Lamb!
Go forth! go forth! Behold our Solomon,
In regal grandeur, in his chariot comes,
To claim his bride, and take his ransom'd home!
The MEDIATORIAL crown his brow adorns,
Flashing with jewels dug from earth's dark mine;
With "living stones," of beauty rarer far

* Chap. iv. 12. John i. 3. Isa. xxxiii. 17. || 1 Peter ii. 5.

Than topaz, ruby, or the diamond's sheen,
That gleam from coronals of th' worldly great.
REDEMPTION's glowing diadem is his;
This will he wear upon his nuptial day,
When the great multitude, with glad acclaim,*
And voice outsounding ocean's anthem loud,
Their Alleluia chorus shall prolong.
Arrayed in linen, fine, and white, and clean,
The righteousness that clothes the saints of God,
The bride shall soar to meet the absent Lord;
And know the blessedness of those who sit
To grace the marriage-supper of the Lamb.t
Go forth ye burden'd ones, the world's despised,
E'en now the day of Christ's espousals dawns,
The gladsome day of your espousals too.
The Saviour then "Jerusalem above," t
The "Mother of us all," shall joyous crown.
The saints shall take their chaplets from their
brows,

Wreath a bright coronet, and grateful twine
The temples that were once impierced with
thorns.

That wedding day! its gladness who can tell? When Bride and Bridegroom on one throne

shall sit,

And angel voices sing their marriage song.
Day of espousals of King Solomon!

Day of the gladness of his gracious heart!
Day of the triumph of his blood-bought bride!
O how my panting spirit yearns for thee !§

LINES ON THE DEATH OF MR. GEORGE WALKER,

Who was drowned at Haversham Mills on the night of the 29th of Jan., 1869. Mr. Walker was a consistent member of the Baptist Church worshipping at Newport Pagnell.

'Twas in that dark and dreadful night,
When the rude tempest roar'd,
And the wild waters rose in might,
And rain in torrents pour'd,
Our dear beloved Brother George
Met his unlooked-for end;
His Lord in a most solemn way
Did for his servant send;

Not in a chariot of fire,

As for his seer of old,
But by the mighty water-floods
He brought him to His fold.
Dear WALKER, he had sped his way
Along the path Divine,

He wrought while it was called day;
The glory, Lord, be thine.
He mourn'd the evils of his heart,
And felt the plague of sin,
He labour'd from this foe to part,
For Christ was form'd within.
The church connected mourn his loss,
His class, they miss their guide,
His widow feels the bitter cross,
Though for her Jesus died.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

LINES ON THE DEATH OF MR. S. WATSON, OF BRADFORD. WE trembling and astonished stand To see God's wonder-working hand Cut down the fruitful tree, And leave the barren cumber-ground Where leaves are only to be found, Oh what a mystery! Alas for Zion! let her weep, When men like Stephen fall asleep; Such friends she has but few. He, like a brazen pillar stood In the support of all that's good, And holy, just and true.

Death, why didst thou strike him so soon? It is as if the sun at noon

Refused to give his light.

These children, why should they be left? And why the widow thus bereft ?

Great God, can it be right?

Hush, ye rebellious thoughts! be still,
Bow to Jehovah's sovereign will,
For though he cause us pain,
He is incapable of wrong,
And it will not be very long,

Till He make all things plain.

We would have kept, for many years, Our brother, in this vale of tears,

But ours is selfish love:

The knife that cuts us to the heart,'
Cut all dear Stephen's bands apart
That he might soar above.
If Moses must depart to-day,
The Lord will send a Joshua

To take his place to-morrow.
Or, if he for Elijah calls,
His mantle on another falls-

Israel, cease thy sorrow.

Our Jesus, in abundant grace,
Makes in our hearts a vacant place

Which he will come and fill;
And thus afford a sweet relief,
And compensate for all our grief,

And whisper, "Peace, be still."
He will be Husband, Father, Friend,
Will love, provide for, and defend,
By all-sufficient grace.

And then, in the appointed day,
We, too, shall quit this mortal clay,
To see his lovely face.

J. S. A.

Reviews.

The Fifty Years' Struggle of the Scottish Covenanters. By J. DODD. Houlston and Wright.

This book has come into the world just when it was wanted-bearing a marvellous contrast with books of a latitudinarian kind, and serving to check that mercenary tergiversation, which sets a premium on dishonesty and sells out truth at a discount. Of late we have been so thoroughly disgusted with the conduct of public men, who have made merchandize of religion, and knocked down their principles to the highest bidder, that we turn to this wellwritten volume with no ordinary feelings of relief and pleasure. Here we feel a sacred glow, in presence of an altar consecrated to the essential principles of civil and religious liberty, the ornaments and glory of genuine Christianity: an altar that bore upon its bosom the fire of God, which ofttimes paled and waned, but which many waters could not quench nor wintry blasts destroy. All honour to men who braved the brand-storm of persecution for fifty

years, and who lived to see what was treason in 1680, to be reason, law, and settlement in 1688. In 1680, Richard Cameron returned from Holland to Scotland, to duty, suffering, and martyrdom. Rallying round him the bolder spirits of the age, he formally renounced allegiance to the Stuart Dynasty, and on the 22nd of June, in company with twenty of his companions, rode slowly up the main street in the ancient burgh of Sanquhar, where at the cross on the market-place, his brother Michael, read amidst the breathless silence of a gathered multitude, a paper, afterwards called the Sanquhar Declaration. Fearful times followed: times still referred to with a shudder, as the "killing times of Scotland." But the Cameronian Covenanters had sealed the doom of the reigning monarch. Charles foamed and died. James stepped into the throne, intending to establish personal government and Roman Catholicism. The effort failed, revolution ensued, and the "bloody" house of the Stuarts passed away.

« PreviousContinue »