more blessed to me. Pray for me, dear, that now I am partially restored to health, I may not fall away, but strive to use it all for His glory.

"Thank you very much for wanting me at B, I promise you that if I have to go away, I will not forget, for I should indeed like much to see you again; but as long as I may be here, I feel it my duty to remain, for here is my work; and we must not indulge ourselves and seek our own pleasure. Don't you long to be able to give up your own will entirely, and take His instead? sometimes it seems as though one had, and then comes a stronger wish than ever for our own.

"We must indeed deny ourselves if we will be wholly His, but in looking at others we must remember that perhaps they are not called to the same as we-or not yet; but if we neglect to follow His grace, and the leadings of His SPIRIT we shall come short in our duty, and have to answer for it, for to whom much is given of the same will much be required. So let us strive, dearest L—, to devote ourselves entirely to Him; but look lovingly on others, while we try to stir them up to higher things.

"I have often talked to but she confesses she does not realize unseen things; so while she tries earnestly to do her duty in outward things, she leaves her heart alone, and leaves eternity to care for itself. Let us pray that the HOLY SPIRIT may awaken her from that dreadful sleep, before it be too late.

"Don't you think it is our duty to try gently and lovingly to rouse all our friends, and those who come under our influence, to greater love and zeal? If we burned with love to GOD, we should love His creatures far more than we do. May He ever keep you in His Love, is the prayer of your own

"MELISE."

*

"Wilmslow Rectory, July 9th.

I quite agree with you that it is my duty to take care of my health, but not love it; it does not require the mind to be given to it. I may do a great deal besides, that is not in the least prejudicial to it. It is even very bad for one's health to be often thinking about it.

"I send you an Act for Spiritual Communion. I think you will find it a help and a blessing when prevented from joining the congregation.' I am glad you find the out

1 The Act referred to is this:

"Spiritual Communion may be made at any time, and without being fasting. For any one that is hindered from external communion, it is well to use this method every Sunday and Holy-Day.

"AN ACT FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION.

'My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the LORD: when shall I come to appear before the adorable Presence of GOD in the assembly of His people? Meanwhile, I know full well, O heavenly FATHER, that Thou art everywhere near to them that call upon Thee. Accept my will and desire and since I cannot actually receive this Holy Sacrament, yet send me not empty away. Let me not be disappointed of my hope, but be graciously pleased by Thy SPIRIT to work in me the power and effect of IT, while in mind and spirit I draw near Thy holy Altar.

"O my JESUS, Thou art the true Bread that camest down from heaven, to feed us with Thine Own Self, and with wonderful sweetness and humility hast hidden Thy Self in love for my soul under visible forms in Holy Mysteries. I believe that in Thee, as Thou art there, are hidden endless treasures of spiritual gifts and rich graces, which my poor and needy soul panteth to partake of. I believe the word which Thou hast spoken, he that eateth My Flesh, and drinketh My Blood, hath

ward means GOD has appointed us for communicating His Grace increasingly blessed to you. He would not have ordained them had they been unnecessary, though if we are deprived of them He is certainly able and willing to convey to us His grace without them. Oh! how great is His Love! it seems almost too much sometimes-as if one's heart would burst-but S. Augustine says, desire stretches the heart that it may hold more, and that the more we stretch it by increasing our longings after Him, the more abundantly shall we be filled-fulfilled as the Apostle expresses it. How beautiful is the Collect for this

eternal life. Behold me wretched, well nigh perishing with hunger and cold, and exposed to many infirmities, coming to Thee that I may live by Thee. I hunger and thirst after the Bread and Cup which endure to everlasting life. Do not loathe my unworthiness, but look at my weakness and want. LORD! I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof, but with the centurion I believe, that Thou, even when absent (that is without Sacramental Communion) canst with one word heal and enrich my soul. For if the touch of the hem of Thy garment could expel incurable diseases, what may it not avail to touch Thy most blessed Body and Blood, if not by my body, yet by my mind through longing and earnest faith: Come therefore to me and heal my sin-sick soul; appease my hunger, satisfy my thirst, and strengthen my weakness; for in this most Holy Sacrament, Thou art truly present. Sweet JESUS, I love Thee above all things, and desire to possess Thee within my soul. My heart is ready, my heart is ready, come in, dearest LORD, wherefore standest Thou without? What though I am unable to receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace Thee as being already there, and unite myself wholly to Thee. Oh! never leave me! now I feed upon Thee by faith and am thankful. "Glory be to God for all things. Amen."

week !! Oh may you, dearest

be filled with Charity

-that most excellent gift-which shall make you perfect even as He is perfect. And in His Name farewell!

"Your loving sister,
"MELISE."

To the same.

66

My dearest L,

“* * * Humanly speaking there seems small chance of our meeting. I am to go to Torquay, or the Isle of Wight, as soon as October begins, to stay there all the winter and spring, if I live. B-, my doctors say, is just the place that won't suit me, because it is dry and cold, and [they] won't let you come and see me. But we know that if GOD sees fit He can bring us together,—if He saw it was for our good. What a comfort it is to think that all things,' even our meeting or being separated,' work for good to them that love Him!' for if our 'hairs' are numbered, surely not the smallest event happens without His Fatherly care. Trials are blessings in disguise ; let us strive so to choose His Will that we may thank Him and glorify Him even for them.

"Oh! I was reproved by a poor woman yesterday,— very poor indeed, and very sickly, suffering dreadful pain, and never knowing where her next meal was to come from, living by selling laces, &c., walking miles in agony, -talking of what CHRIST has done for us, she said often she felt it so she could not help bursting out singing as she walked along! When shall we be so thankful, for He has done as much for us, and given us every temporal blessing besides? Blessed are the poor! Ever in Him, your loving sister,

"MELISE."

1 Seventh Sunday after Trinity-" graft in our hearts the love of Thy Name."

To the same.

to pray for you

"I do and will continue, dear Lnight and morning, and at noonday, for that is our principal time for praying for each other. All who sympathize with us1 join us at that hour to pray for the Church and its particular members. One cannot always be alone at that time, but one can lift up the heart to GOD anywhere, and it is sweet to think so many brethren are doing so with us, it seems so to realize the Communion of Saints.

"Death does indeed lose all its terrors and its sting, when we can look through with steadfast faith to JESUS, to whose closer fellowship it will admit all who love Him. May we be of that number! Don't you long to keep a more continual sense of His Presence, and be able to consecrate every action, small or great, to Him,—even to eat and drink to His glory. I find it very hard in the midst of society to recollect myself, and even [when] alone my thoughts wander off directly. Good-bye, dearest L- GOD bless and keep you ever in His Love.

"Ever your most loving

"MELISE."

1 My sister refers to all the devout members of the congregation of S. Bartholomew's.

2 The prayer for S. Bartholomew's concluded thus: Holy JESU, hear all our prayers for this Church and flock; and for those our brethren who unite with us in prayer to Thee. Hear us in behalf of those who desire our prayers; and for all for whom Thou hast shed Thy precious Blood and art now an Advocate in Heaven; where with the FATHER and the HOLY GHOST Thou livest and reignest ever one GOD, world without end. Amen.

3 In a letter to another friend, on reading light literature, she says: "All Miss Sewell's books are worth reading; there is so much practical information in them. I don't object to