disappointed. There was a large congregation; but in my first prayer, if I may call it prayer, I had no feeling. In my discourse in the morning, nearly the whole time the same; no feeling but here and there, though it was delivered in form: in my last prayer, the same. I said nothing about this to any one--this would not do my sensations none know but those who have met with the same disappointment.

I now was in a great strait to know how this matter would go. I had no alternative; for self-sufficiency here would be my ruin turn beggar I must; but whether I should obtain an alms was the thing wanted to be known. I ate my dinner, it is true, but I had a fast within. However, after dinner, I retired, and, as I felt my necessity, I pleaded hard. I could not bear the thought of going out the second time at my own expense, for that would not carry me through my work with satisfaction nor with profit. Under such circumstances, I thought coming to London would soon be given up by me. But then, how came it to pass that I came at first? In hope, therefore, I kept seeking, accompanied with many fears. At last these words came softly to my mind: "But the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." (Isa. lx. 2.) Now I had got a bank-note, with some other things also, and I had to look if, when I got to chapel, it would be paid. But, oh! He was as good as his word: He paid it to the full! In my first prayer I was indulged with some feeling, contrition, and poverty of spirit, which presaged good to me; and when I began my subject, He certainly did arise, and His glory (not mine) was seen upon me. This was evident to all whom God had enlightened! for I was carried through my subject both with light and a feeling sense; and it is so much

best when light and life go together: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." But then sure I am that it is by his light in us; for "in thy light we see light." And then the good work of preaching Christ to the people is called sowing light for the righteous, and (as Mr. H. says) gladness rises at the sight. Thus men see your good works, in this sense, and they that see and feel glorify God as the Father of these lights.

We had a very large congregation in the evening, as well as in the morning, I think more considerably, and all was very still. I had finished at twenty minutes past eight. In the vestry they said it was like the former days of the Son of man; I suppose they meant the congregation and altogether. But now, as I am to speak to-night, I am in fresh concern, being but weakness itself. Our subject on Sunday was Luke x. 30-37.

Yours affectionately,

ISAAC BEEMAN.

DEAR MARY,

TO THE SAME.

Nelson Square, London, July 4, 1825.

I have this time but little to say, for I have not felt, either in prayer, in public, or in speaking, what I best like, and what, sometimes, I hope have been favoured with; and yet I know not that I ought to complain; for though I was not lifted up on

high, yet neither was I sunk in despondency; but my feet seemed to stand in an even place. A ray of light attended my subject, and scarcely any thing wanting but was near at hand. The congregation was large and very attentive, to the shame of some of our sleepers; for he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." It is true, those who are at ease in Zion, and, in their own opinion, are safely arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, do sometimes take a quiet nap, both under the silver trumpet and the alarms of Sinai : at this I do not wonder; but I must say of the assembly, it was as quiet, both in prayer and during the time of speaking, as I ever knew it to be.

In the evening, we began at six o'clock, and, my text containing a variety of things, I had not finished my subject till half-past eight, and only about four or five, out of the whole congregation, which was very large, deserted the colours. A friend came into the vestry afterwards, and said I seemed quite at home here, and wished I would soon come again. Another said he should not have been tired if I had still kept on and an old lime-burner, well known to the friends here, expressed, poor man, great satisfaction in the morning. I should have liked more comfort myself; but this I do believe, many, both morning and evening, received my message very cordially. I have had more satisfaction and comfort this morning in my bed, in reflection, than while I was speaking; but I am afraid even of this, lest my heart deceive me; however, I felt brokenness of spirit under it.

:

My text was Isa. lxii. 10-12. I went through the gates as well as I could, and endeavoured to prepare the way, and to cast up the high way, in opposition to all by-paths, and shewed that this high

way is the only way granted by authority from the King of Heaven to enter into this city. I then proceeded to gather out the stones; and here I wanted Mr. H.'s bark, for mine is but a little one, and I could not venture far: but this text stood at my back : "Let him that ministereth do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified," and not dishonoured by presumption.

I next proceeded to lift up the standard. This, I said, was taken from Numb. ii., where the direction is given for every distinct tribe to assemble by its own standard, with the ensign of his father's house. So God says, "I will lift up my standard," and assemble, sons and daughters, to this; "for to it shall the Gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious." I can only hint at the details. I mentioned the Lord's proclamation of the coming of Christ, and the publishing his gospel to the ends of the earth; with his literal entrance into Jerusalem in that sort of royalty which attended him, and which, mean as it was, exceeded all the potentates of the earth and, I said, we greeted him with the same respect (as, by a divine influence, was then paid him,) when he first comes into our hearts; for if we were then to hold our peace, the stones would cry out.

I mentioned also his reward that he brought, and the work that was before him; I described it as well as I could, and that such persons were called the holy people, and how; the redeemed of the Lord, and in what sense; sought out, and by whom; and when sought out and brought home, or into the city, it was a city not forsaken, nor ever would be forsaken.

Yours affectionately,

ISAAC BEEMAN.

DEAR MARY,

TO THE SAME.

Nelson Square, September 18, 1826.

I have nothing particular to say, having had no comfortable sensations since I left home. To speak I was obliged, and a remembrance of former things was a help to me in this respect; but feelings present are by far the most comfortable. It is true, I was not left without something to say; but, as Mr. H. observes, how barren is a mouthful of words! We want to feel the unction of the Holy One and the sweetness of Christ's love; for it is these that oil the wheels, and make the soul like the chariots of Amminadib, or the chariots of his willing people. But we must say, after all that has been done for us and done in us, that the Shulamite is still a company of two armies. The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit lusteth against the flesh; and here we are often hanged in a strait betwixt two, nor can we get out till the Lord appears for us, and says, with his allpowerful voice, "Loose him, and let him go."

You may see by this my harp is hung upon the willows, and that I am not going to the house of God with a pipe, nor yet with joy with them that keep holiday but you have known (and I hope I have) what these things mean, by an experience never to be forgotten. I feel a desire to see these days again, and especially when I think I need them most; but then, what is written?" You shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and shall not see it ;" and during these days of his absence, we have, as our revered friend observes, a compulsive fast, it is not a willing one, we would have better days if we could.