file which includes the original illustrations4 ,see #bbacd-;h4htm or #bbacd-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/dirs_/#b_/ b_/a_/c_/bbacd_/bbacd-;h_/#bbacd-;h4htm7 or 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/dirs_/#b_/ b_/a_/c_/bbacd_/bbacd-;h4zip7 ,,gathering ,,jewels4 ,,james ,,knowles4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,little ,,orphan',s ,,prayer ,when only eight years old and left an orphan1 at her father's death1 she went to the corner of the house and asked ,god to be a father and a mother to her--,page #he ,,gathering ,,jewels2 ,or1 ,the ,secret of a ,beautiful ,life4 ,in ,memoriam of ,mr4 ,mrs4 ,james ,knowles4 ,selected from ,their ,diaries4 ,they shall be ,mine in that day when ,i come to make up ,my ,jewels4 ,edited by ,rev4 ,duncan ,mcneill ,young4 ,new ,york3 ,william ,knowles1 #ajd ,east ,thirteenth ,street4 #ahhg4 ,copyright1 #ahhg4 ,by ,wm4 ,knowles ,,preface4 ,the present volume is a purely pastoral attempt1 emanating from a fraternal affection for two of ,god's honored saints1 and an increasingly growing desire for the glory of ,god in the salvation of souls4 ,in presenting the following pages to the friends1 acquaintances1 and co-laborers of our departed brother and sister ,i desire to record my appreciation of the good achieved by two whose example among us was as beneficial as that of the angel at the pool of ,siloam1 stirring up the sluggish waters to fresh life and utility1 and teaching us that ,beyond this vale of tears ,there is a life above1 ,unmeasured by the flight of years2 ,and all that life is love4 ,while a proper and very natural sentiment demands that the memoirs of the beloved ones should not appear until some time has passed away1 it is also proper that their publication should not be put off till all trace of the facts recorded and the impressions there from made have been forgotten4 ,during the preparation of these memoirs nothing has been more clearly manifest to me than the steady recurrence1 throughout their lives1 of a deep and earnest unison of feeling between man and wife1 in such unfailing sweetness as to find its way at once to our hearts and clothe it with the freshness of a living1 loving presence4 ,the subjects whose earthly career we are about to delineate1 were whole-souled enough to elicit the respect of all who knew them1 hence they made lasting friends1 whilst to their own immediate family their loss is irreparable1 and it is hard to realize that they are no more2 for who is there among us who does not know what it is to be united by a fond and passionate affection to those who are no longer with us--ever to think of the beloved ones1 and to feel ourselves constantly under the influence of the vanished presence8 ,it cannot be claimed for ,james ,knowles that he was a great man1 a learned scholar1 or one possessed of extraordinary intellectual culture above his fellows1 but1 as ,hamerton says3 ,it is not erudition that makes the intellectual man1 but a sort of virtue which delights in vigorous and beautiful thinking1 just as moral virtue delights in vigorous and beautiful conduct4 ,so it was with our brother1 he made the most of the talents ,god endowed him with1 and whatever he undertook to do1 he did with might and main2 hence his success in any undertaking1 or any cause he espoused1 for he seemed to realize that success in a good cause is undoubtedly better than failure1 while the result in any case is not to be regarded so much as the aim and effort1 and the striving with which worthy objects are pursued4 ,although the ,elder may have been less than a ,huss1 a ,calvin1 or a ,knox in public fame1 he had emulated them in self-contemplation and humility4 ,as for ,matilda ,knowles1 our missionary1 she was more than a ,dorcas1 and equally vigorous in spirit with a ,lydia2 hence we speak of her in the sphere in which it pleased ,god for her to labor4 ,those who will carefully read the chapters devoted to her work1 will at once perceive that little is left for me to speak of in words of praise4 ,let our ,bible women study the pages of this book containing the record of her toil in the vineyard1 and note the fruits thereof for over a quarter of a century2 for no work purely imaginative in its character ever outrivalled it in intensity of interest1 especially to those who have the salvation of the unregenerate at heart4 ,to our children and co-workers and successors we earnestly commend it2 praying that the ,divine blessing may accompany its circulation and perusal in our own and other lands until ,he shall come whose right it is to reign4 ,with these few prefatory remarks1 with no claim to literary excellence1 and a prayer for the blessing of the ,holy ,spirit1 ,i commit this imperfect production to the perusal of all co-workers in the vineyard of the ,lord4 ,i also sincerely trust that it will be acceptable to every evangelical denomination1 where the love of the ,great ,creator1 and the advancing perfection of human life predominates over all forms of sin and superstition4 ,,duncan ,m4 ,,young4 ,,new ,,york1 ,august #ah1 #ahhg4 ,,contents4 ,,james ,,knowles4 ,,page4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,brief ,sketch of the ,life of ,james ,knowles1 #ae ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,correspondence and ,covenants1 #bd ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,scripture ,texts1 #bi ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,the ,last ,hours1 #ch ,,chapter ,v4 ,the ,dead ,who ,die in the ,lord1 #df ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,a ,brief ,historical ,sketch of the ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church1 #gj ,,matilda ,,knowles4 ,,page4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,brief ,memoir of ,matilda ,knowles1 #he ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,the ,value of ,prayer1 #hi ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,the ,story of ,william the ,consumptive1 #id ,,chapter ,x4 ,sowing and ,reaping1 #aje ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,daily ,missionary ,work1 #aac ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,destitution and ,reformation1 #abj ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,her ,faithfulness in ,little ,things1 #abe ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,the ,power of ,influence1 #acb ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,miscellaneous ,extracts from ,her ,diary1 #acf ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,struggles and ,triumphs1 #adi ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,leading ,souls ,to ,christ1 #aef ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,the ,dying ,mother and the ,intemperate ,husband1 #aei ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,help and ,loving ,kindness1 #afc ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,reaching the ,heart1 #aff ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,winter ,life and ,scenes1 #aga ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,circulating the ,scriptures1 #age ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,the ,ninety and ,nine1 #agh ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,answered ,prayer1 #ahe ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,the ,sin of ,idolatry1 #aib ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,peace ,through ,believing1 #aig ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,drawn by the ,cords of ,love1 #bjb ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,love for the ,hebrews1 #bjf ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,thankfulness to ,god1 #baa ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,lost1 but ,found1 #bad ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,sea-,side ,excursions for ,mothers and ,children1 #bai ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,the ,intemperate ,wife1 #bbc ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,her ,love of ,children and of ,praying1 #bbf ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,the ,conversion of ,children1 #bca ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,asleep in ,jesus1 #bce ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,testimonials and ,letters of ,condolence1 #bfd ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,conclusion1 #bgh ,dedication4 ,to the ,pastors1 ,elders1 ,sabbath-,school ,workers1 and the ,new ,york ,female ,bible ,readers' ,society1 who were ,intimately ,associated with the deceased in ,winning ,souls to ,christ1 ,these ,memoirs are ,affectionately ,dedicated ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 ,in ,memoriam4 ,,dedicated ,,to ,,the ,,memory ,,of ,,mr4 ,,and ,,mrs4 ,,james ,,knowles4 ,they died within a week of each other1 after a married life of forty-seven years1 and each at the age of seventy-five4 ,ever faithful to the cause of their ,master1 they died as they had lived--in triumphant faith4 ,hand in hand1 together they trod ,through years twoscore and seven2 ,their only staff was the ,word of ,god1 ,their path was the way to heaven4 ,hand in hand1 e'er the burning sun ,had drunk up the morning dew1 ,they started their earthly journey to run1 ,while the heavens were fair and blue4 ,but life's path lies not through a grassy dell1 ,in the cool of the morning's shade2 ,there are scorching sands1 and torrents that swell1 ,as well as the flowery glade4 ,there are crags to climb in the mountains fast1 ,there are gorges1 and canyons deep1 ,and the blinding snow1 and the wintry blast ,must over the landscape sweep4 ,and the shoulders must bear a wearisome load1 ,whether o'er mountain or moor1 ,or through forest1 or dusty highway1 lay the road1 ,or the feet be bleeding and sore4 ,but hand in hand we see them still1 ,when the sun had drunk up the dew2 ,they were toiling steadfastly up the hill1 ,ever keeping the end in view4 ,they scaled the crags of the mountain steep ,when the noontide sun was high2 ,and they forded the flood of the canyon deep1 ,when the sun lay low in the sky4 ,but their tired feet are no longer as light ,as in days of the long1 long past1 ,and their youthful tresses have turned to white ,with the snows1 and the wintry blast4 ,now hand in hand1 they stand by the shore ,of a river dark and wide2 ,and the songs which the seraphs are wafting o'er1 ,they catch from the other side4 ,and their faces beam with unearthly light1 ,in the rays of the setting sun1 ,as their eyes peer far beyond mortals' sight1 ,and they learn that life's journey is done4 ,hand in hand by the river1 they stray ,where the dark waves wash the shore2 ,and they hear the splash1 and the feathery spray1 ,as the ferryman dips his oar4 ,now the father waves a loving adieu1 ,as he looses his claspd hand2 ,and the ferryman plies his oar anew1 ,till he reaches the golden strand4 ,by the silent waves of the river of death1 ,the mother is waiting still1 ,with eager eye and with bated breath1 ,the call of the ,master's will4 ,now her face is illumed by a heavenly light ,as sweet as angels' breath2 ,for she knows that the unclasped hands will unite1 ,across the river of death4 ,,george ,f4 ,,sargent4 ,,new ,,york1 ,february #ag1 #ahhg4 ,illustration3 ,,james ,,knowles ,,gathering ,,jewels ,,chapter ,i4 ,,brief ,,sketch ,,of ,,the ,,life ,,of ,,james ,,knowles4 ,god bless thee1 bairn--my bonnie bairn1 ,she said1 an' straikit doon his hair2 ,o may the widow's ,god be thine1 ,and mak' thee ,his peculiar care6 ,james ,knowles was born at sea1 ,december #e1 #ahaa1 his father1 the previous day1 having been swept overboard and lost4 ,unfortunately no record of the misfortune was kept to be available for the present purpose2 hence we are unable to give either the name of the ship1 or the latitude and longitude it was in when his birth occurred4 ,picture to yourself the deck of a vessel in mid-ocean1 where the widow of a day becomes a mother the next1 the subject of this sketch being the infant presented to her bosom1 and you have a glimpse of the situation--though it be unconnected with either a cottage1 a mansion1 or a palace4 ,the mother returned with the infant to the home of her father at ,ballymena1 ,ireland1 where her relatives then undertook the care of the fatherless babe1 which eventually grew into healthy boyhood of the most affectionate character4 ,as a youth he made rapid progress in the elementary branches of education1 often surprising his teachers with the patience and care he exhibited in keeping in advance of his fellow-students--for he was almost always at the head of his class4 ,he was noted for his quiet1 unobtrusive disposition1 underlying which was an internal force1 which made him prompt in action1 and to the point in word1 when the display of such characteristics was sometimes necessary to establish his individual superiority with more than usual power among his fellow-schoolmates4 ,in #ahbf he commenced his apprenticeship as a compositor1 under the care of ,mr4 ,dugan1 in the city of ,belfast1 ,ireland1 where he continued until the expiration of the time of his indentures4 ,in #ahcb1 after an ocean passage of sixty days in a sailing vessel1 he arrived in ,philadelphia1 ,pa4 ,during this long and tedious voyage across the ,atlantic1 he and the captain of the ship became very intimately attached to each other1 and he was frequently invited to dine with the officers4 ,after a brief stay in ,philadelphia1 he came to ,new ,york ,city1 where he found employment4 ,immediately after his arrival in this city1 he became a member of the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,mc,leod's ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church1 in ,chambers ,street1 and continued with this church until after they had removed to ,prince ,street4 ,in #ahce he became an employ in the office of the ,journal of ,commerce4 ,he frequently recalled that fearful night during the great fire in ,new ,york1 when the greater part of the lower portion of the city was totally destroyed1 and some of the large buildings had to be blown up with gunpowder1 to stop the ravages of the flames2 he took an active part in carrying the printing forms to a place of safety4 ,in #ahci he was married to ,miss ,matilda ,darroch1 who was a member of ,dr4 ,mc,carthy's ,canal ,street ,presbyterian ,church and a teacher in the ,sabbath-school4 ,as a ,christian man1 at this time1 we find him teaching a large ,bible-class for young men in the above church1 and to the end of his earthly career he was constantly engaged in the ,sabbath-school4 ,in #ahdi the ,prince ,street ,church property was sold to erect a new building on ,twelfth ,street1 where he continued to attend the services until the year #ahej1 when some of the members1 being anxious to enlarge their borders1 and continue the work in the lower part of the city1 formed the ,second ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church4 ,they organized1 and called the ,rev4 ,spencer ,l4 ,finney to the pastorate1 who commenced to hold services in the hall of the ,apprentices' ,library1 ,no4 #dgb ,broadway1 where they worshipped for one year1 and then secured more ample accommodations in which to worship ,god1 in the rooms of the ,medical ,college1 ,crosby ,street1 near ,spring4 ,in #ahej he was carefully examined1 and when found qualified for the sacred office1 was duly ordained a ruling elder in the ,second ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church4 ,during the year #ahed the ,church purchased the building in ,mulberry ,street1 near ,grand1 belonging to the ,lutheran body4 ,at this time he continued to reside on the west side of the city1 and attended two sessions of the ,sabbath-school morning and afternoon1 with two preaching services1 and one prayer-meeting in the evening4 ,as soon as the congregation were permanently settled in a church building1 he removed from the west to the east side of the city1 to the ,tenth ,ward1 in order to be in close proximity to his church work4 ,he continued to worship with the ,second ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church1 under the pastorate of the ,rev4 ,s4 ,l4 ,finney1 who1 in #ahfc1 was called to ,princeton1 ,n4,j4 ,the ,rev4 ,geo4 ,s4 ,chambers was subsequently called to take the pastoral charge4 ,eventually1 it was found essential to change their ecclesiastical relations from the ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church to the ,old ,school1 from which time 7the two religious bodies having become united71 the congregation became known as the ,ebenezer ,presbyterian ,church4 ,in due course it united with the ,fortieth ,street ,presbyterian ,church1 afterward called the ,murray ,hill ,presbyterian ,church1 because at the time1 though in possession of a church building1 they had no pastor4 ,mr4 ,knowles continued to attend regularly until the imperative demands of age and time called for change1 when he became united with the ,allen ,street ,church4 ,in #ahgj he accepted an invitation from his uncle to visit his native place2 and he frequently afterward remarked that the scenes of his boyhood's days had materially changed as much as he had2 realizing that change1 progress1 and decay were written upon all things terrestrial4 ,during this visit to ,europe1 he greatly enjoyed rambles over the country roads1 admiring the beauties of the surrounding scenery4 ,on one occasion1 while passing the school-house of his boyhood days1 he was found by an old friend1 wistfully gazing at the building1 who said1 ,what are you looking at8 ,and upon entering into conversation1 he discovered that he and the gentleman who addressed him had been former schoolmates together4 ,we find recorded in his diary the following3 ,i now commence filling this book1 which ,i brought with me from ,new ,york1 in the steamship ,italia4 ,i am now in ,fenagh1 ,ireland4 ,from the record of this journey1 we notice that he was very careful in watching the signs of the times1 and the changing moods of the weather4 ,for example1 he writes thus3 ,sabbath1 ,january #d1 #ahgd4--,when ,i rose this morning1 ,i found the ground covered with snow2 the first fall of the season1 and like the little captive ,syrian maid1 though far from home and friends and among comparative strangers1 ,i do not forget ,god or the sanctuary4 ,monday1 ,january #eth4--,a fine day1 but cold1 and snow on the ground4 ,tuesday1 ,january #fth4--,a fine day1 and a fine thaw1 which resulted in the removal of the snow which had fallen a short time previously4 ,wednesday1 ,january #gth 7morning74--,a fine day4 ,afternoon1 clouds gathering2 lightning and thunder2 came on to rain4 ,thursday1 ,january #hth4--,a fine day of the season4 ,friday1 ,january #ith4--,a fair day4 ,saturday1 ,january #ajth4--,a fine day4 ,i went into ,ballymena myself1 and called at several places1 and upon ,mr4 ,white1 the printer1 who did not know me1 or remember anything about me4 ,i called also on ,mrs4 ,mc,quitty1 who treated me in a very kindly manner4 ,i also called on ,mr4 ,kilpatrick's1 but ,i only saw two of his daughters1 and a little child4 ,on the same day ,i bought ,mc,comb's almanac in ,ballymena2 paid two pence for it4 ,i also bought the ,ballymena ,observer from ,mr4 ,white4 ,i walked into ,ballymena1 and also returned in like manner1 only that in returning ,i took a circuitous route1 that ,i might see a portion of the country that ,i had not seen for a length of time before my departure for ,america1 in ,june1 #ahcb4 ,sabbath1 ,january #aath 7forenoon74--,i heard ,mr4 ,moody lecture from the #afth chapter of ,john1 and #afth verse4 ,afternoon4--,nehemiah1 #ith chapter and #aith verse3 ,yet ,thou in ,thy manifold mercy1 forsookest them not in the wilderness2 the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day1 to lead them in the way2 neither the pillar of fire by night1 to show them light1 and the way wherein they should go4 ,monday1 ,january #abth4--,a cold day4 ,i received a letter from my son1 ,william ,knowles1 in ,new ,york ,city4 ,wednesday1 ,may #ai1 #ahge4--;,a fine day4 ,i went to ,belfast in an excursion train1 and called at several places1 and in the evening took a cabin passage for ,glasgow1 ,scotland4 ,i went from ,greenock to ,glasgow in the train2 ,i arrived on ,thursday morning in ,glasgow1 about six o'clock1 and went to my brother-in-law's1 ,mr4 ,william ,darroch4 ,the day is cold1 blowing1 and showers4 ,glasgow1 ,sabbath morning1 ,may #bc;d4--,heard the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,douglass lecture from the #fth chapter of ,matthew4 ,afternoon4--,a lovely day4 ,heard another minister preach in the same church1 from the #c;d chapter of ,philippians1 and #hth verse3 ,yea doubtless1 and ,i count all things but lost for the excellency of the knowledge of ,christ ,jesus1 my ,lord4 ,tuesday1 ,may #beth4--,i went with ,mrs4 ,darroch and her daughter1 ,maggie1 to ,edinburgh1 and after visiting the castle1 and a number of other places of interest1 returned to ,glasgow the same day4 ,saturday1 ,may #bith4--,returned to ,belfast4 ,sabbath morning1 ,may #cjth4--,a beautiful day4 ,heard ,dr4 ,houston1 pastor of my boyhood1 lecture from the #acth chapter of ,john2 then preach from #ast ,thessalonians1 #c;d chapter1 #abth and #acth verses4 ,lecture in the evening1 from the #fth and #gth chapter of ,revelations4 ,i took dinner and tea with ,rev4 ,dr4 ,houston and his family4 ,a fine day throughout4 ,before returning to this country he expressed his love and unfeigned gratitude to the memory of his sainted mother 7who early taught him the ways of ,god7 by erecting a substantial monument over her grave to perpetuate her revered name4 ,after spending two years in ,europe he returned to ,new ,york1 and was elected an ,elder in the ,allen ,street ,church4 ,on ,easter ,sabbath1 ,april1 #ahgg1 he was regularly installed into office as a ,ruling ,elder4 ,so ,i ask ,thee1 ,lord1 to give me grace ,my little place to fill1 ,that ,i may ever walk with ,thee1 ,and ever do ,thy will1 ,and in each duty1 great or small2 ,i may be faithful still4 ,of course1 the life-work of such a man as we are contemplating was full of little peculiarities 7eccentricities1 society calls them71 which even his most intimate relations with the world does not divulge to the inquisitive of his day4 ,it is only after such men pass away and their relatives are permitted to look into the private jewel-box1 as it were1 that we come across the brilliant diamonds of thought1 the glowing rubies of expressed gratitude and1 may be1 some softly-tinted pearls of faith1 hope and charity1 all lying together in the receptacle which1 even if humble in workmanship1 is full of priceless treasures4 ,the ,bible of our friend was very often used for over forty years1 until it showed that it was never allowed to preserve a dainty appearance through a want of use1 nor the dust to accumulate on cover or edge by reason of its owner's non-usage of the sacred pages4 ,it was a useful ,reference ,bible1 and1 no doubt1 of immense value and comfort to him1 for the pages are pretty well worn1 even where no marks are made indicative of favorite passages1 etc4 ,next among the eccentricities of our friend was the disposition to keep a quiet order of memorandums1 and a diary extending back for many years1 from which had we the space to spare in this book we would place before the world some of the gems found in his jewel-box1 as indicative of the man's industry and the ,christian's freedom from ostentatious display4 ,help each step upon the way1 ,strength sufficient for the day1 ,all things easy in ,thy might1 ,work for thee a felt delight4 ,courage1 patience1 grace supplied1 ,all things needful--at ,thy side2 ,such my happy lot will be1 ,working1 dearest ,lord1 with thee4 ,agreeably with the spirit of our labor1 we will take an impartial view of our friend as a ,christian1 in the eyes of the world1 and among laymen generally4 ,that he was no drone in the ,christian hive1 all the world could see2 that he was active and unusually laborious for ,christ and the ,church1 no one who follows the spirit of the sermon eulogizing his memory1 or who reads this work1 can deny2 as an ,elder of the ,church1 he was faithful in anything he was requested to perform1 especially in public prayer-meeting1 individual devotional study1 and self-contemplation4 ,his sympathy for suffering humanity in any form1 was1 indeed1 very large1 in fact so easily moved1 that he would habitually visit the sick members of the ,church after being relieved from such duties4 ,to him all men and women were brothers and sisters1 the distance of relationship 7if very strained and far between in some instances71 he would claim1 was closer1 more congenial1 and intimate in others4 ,as a builder among the builders1 a workman among the workmen of the temple2 or as a brother among brethren of the same house1 he was meekness itself2 his spirit of patience never failing him in instances where to wait was gain1 either for ,god1 the ,church1 or himself4 ,his acquiescence in the decision of his brethren1 when they at last decided upon changing the location of their place of worship1 was secured at the price of sacrificing his own preferences in the matter--and all for the sake of peace1 harmony1 and continued brotherly love4 ,in this he was a light shining upon a hill-top4 ,the interest he always displayed and the anxiety he expressed for the continued welfare of the ,church1 manifesting the same in the labors performed or duties undertaken1 was always profound1 as it embraced among other items of care the temporal welfare and spiritual prosperity of the various clergymen with whom he had labored4 ,in his demeanor he was never in a hurry to do to-day what he should have done yesterday1 because having no faith in procrastination1 he left nothing undone to-day to be performed on the morrow1 if by any means it could be accomplished1 or the duty performed at once4 ,in going to the ,house of ,god1 he left all worry about the world on the outside of it1 the moment he entered the porch2 the drudgery of every-day life did not go with him into the pew2 the prejudices of an ambiguous man troubled him not1 while the disposition to take things easy1 while others bore the burden1 was never fostered by him4 ,but he did carry something into the house every time he entered6 ,he took in with him his ,bible1 his sweetest temper1 his most charitable disposition1 a vigorous condition of soul-life1 a sensible care of the temporal body1 and also the continued desire to be always walking with ,god1 as well as the desire for larger acquisitions of intuitive spiritual knowledge--very proper things to take into the ,house of ,god with you at all times2 and our departed brother had enough of these1 and to spare4 ,but to cease from reflection1 we close this chapter with one of our friend's favorite little gems of poetry1 believing that when you have read it1 you will agree with us that ,james ,knowles was a man to be beloved1 indeed2 for through these few lines his spirit breathes back again to us from the great beyond3 ,if you cannot be a leader ,in the crowd that pours along1 ,raise the fallen1 lying prostrate ,under foot1 amid the throng4 ,though your work be never mentioned1 ,though your name may not appear1 ,speak one word for ,jesus only1 ,and the ,lord1 at least1 will hear4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,correspondence ,,and ,,covenants4 ,the following letter was written to his mother while an apprentice as a printer in the city of ,belfast1 ,ireland3 ,,belfast1 ,january #ae1 #ahbi4 ,,dear ,,mother3--,i write this letter to you for the purpose of letting you know how ,i am doing4 ,i am devoting the most of my leisure hours to reading and improving my mind1 some way or other4 ,indeed1 it is not much time ,i have to devote to things of that nature2 but all the time ,i have ,i am busy4 ,i meet with a good many advantages in every respect1 where ,i am now4 ,i have the advantage of having a room to apply my time to whatever study ,i resolve to persevere in4 ,if ,i had time1 ,i would give you a more correct account of my transactions through the day2 but if ,i have time to meditate a little1 ,i hope ,i will be enabled to give you some account of the sermons that ,i hear1 as ,i think it would be greatly to my own interest1 for if ,i pry into that part of information1 there is no danger but that ,i will have success in whatever situation ,i am placed in life4 ,i may be thankful that ,i have a room to read my ,bible in on ,sabbath days4 ,i have none to speak to me or give me annoyance of any sort whatever4 ,i hope the next letter ,i write you1 that it will be in a more correct sense4 ,i hope you will write me by ,johnny1 when he is coming back to town1 and let me know how you are succeeding in work1 and how ,jane is succeeding in the business of the shop4 ,i send my love to all my friends 7everyone in particular71 ,i hope you will let me know how they are all doing2 but ,i have nothing more to say at present4 ,but ,i trust you will write me in the beginning of the week4 ,i must conclude1 as it is now too late for me to say anything more4 ,all here are well1 but ,mrs4 ,l----1 who is in a bad state of health4 ,,james ,,knowles4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following letter is a sample of many to his old pastors1 showing his strong attachment to those who labored with him in word and doctrine3 ,,new ,,york1 ,march #bf1 #ahhc4 ,,mr4 ,,phelps--,reverend and dear friend and ,christian brother3 ,it has been my purpose for some time to write to you and yours1 even if it should be but a few lines1 to assure you that you are not forgotten by us2 for although you are absent from us1 yet your faithful and earnest appeals still live in our remembrance1 and ,i have no doubt will continue to do so2 and while ,i may not be able to recall much of the many sermons which ,i have heard you deliver1 yet the impressions made upon my mind while sitting under them are retained4 ,i might1 however1 state here1 that ,i was sorry to part with you and your family1 and to feel that your pastoral relationship with us would soon be broken up2 ,i had made up my mind to stay by the ,church while you remained1 if ,i lived1 as ,i was attached to you and your family as to personal friends4444 ,my wife and ,i unite in love to you and ,mrs4 ,phelps and your son4 ,,james ,,knowles4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,covenants ,,with ,,god4 ,dear ,lord1 and shall ,thy ,spirit rest ,in such a wretched heart as mine8 ,unworthy dwelling6 ,glorious ,guest6 ,favor astonishing1 ,divine6 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following acts of consecration will1 no doubt1 be of interest to the reader3 ,,new ,,york1 ,thursday1 ,june #ba1 #ahfj4 ,i do solemnly resolve from this day onward to endeavor1 relying on thy ,holy ,spirit1 to serve ,thee better4 ,this is my covenant1 and ,i would ask ,thee to own and bless me with peace and joy in believing4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,new ,,york1 ,saturday1 ,october #f1 #ahfj4 ,i now promise1 as ,i have formerly promised to do1 from this day onward1 to serve ,god better than ,i have been doing2 depending on ,god's spirit for assistance2 and will now ask to be prospered as ,god may see good for me4 ,,james ,,knowles4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,new ,,york1 ,friday1 ,october #ah1 #ahfa4 ,i resolved to serve ,god with renewed efforts1 determining to look alone to ,god for help4#a ,,james ,,knowles4 #a ,the ,fulton ,street ,noon ,prayer ,meetings found him an occasional visitor during these days of national peril1 anxiety1 and prayer4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,new ,,york1 ,thursday1 ,april #i1 #ahfc4 ,entered into an agreement with my ,heavenly ,father that1 through the strength of ,his divine grace1 ,i will live more for the glory of ,god than ,i have ever done4 ,,james ,,knowles4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,new ,,york1 ,saturday afternoon1 ,april #bb1 #ahfe4 ,i renewed my covenant with ,god in the ,city ,hall ,park while standing there1 which ,i some years ago made1 and now ,i again renew it1 that ,i would serve ,god better than formerly4 ,,james ,,knowles4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,new ,,york1 ,thursday1 ,april #ai1 #ahff4 ,renewed my engagement with the ,lord to serve ,him better than ,i had done before1 after having prayed to ,him to be justified through faith in the righteousness of ,christ2 and asked for other blessings which ,i felt satisfied ,i would receive1 for ,i feel my great need of these1 as ,i felt very helpless in myself1 but that there was abundant fulness in ,christ4 ,i write this and the above on this ,saturday night1 the #bb;d of ,april1 #ahff4 ,,james ,,knowles4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,new ,,york1 ,wednesday1 ,december #e1 #ahff4 ,my birth-day1 and a fine day4 ,i resolved on this day to endeavor to serve the ,lord better1 and renewed my covenant with the ,lord1 which ,i formerly made1 and have again and again sought or attempted to renew4 ,may the ,lord aid me in the future4 ,and thus1 from these few specimens of his constantly self-convicted weakness and appeals for more spiritual strength1 we get a look at the inner life of a practical ,christian worker which it is rare to find among us in these days4 ,he could not stand alone2 his last self-examination always found him short1 though it consisted of but a few questions put by the spirit to the flesh at the end of every devotional service incidental to the life and work of each day1 thus3 ,did ,i this morn devoutly pray ,for ,god's assistance through the day8 ,and did ,i read ,his sacred ,word1 ,to make my life therewith accord8 ,did ,i for any purpose try ,to hide the truth and tell a lie8 ,did ,i my time and thoughts engage ,as fits my duty1 station1 age8 ,did ,i with care my temper guide1 ,checking ill-humor1 anger1 pride8 ,did ,i my lips from aught refrain ,that might my fellow-creature pain8 ,did ,i with cheerful patience bear ,the little ills that all must share8 ,for all ,god's mercies through this day ,did ,i my grateful tribute pay8 ,and did ,i1 when the day was o'er1 ,god's watchful aid again implore8 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,scripture ,,texts4 #aheh4 ,i want a meek1 a gentle1 quiet frame1 ,a heart that glows with love to ,jesus' name2 ,i want a living sacrifice to be ,for ,him who died a sacrifice for me4 ,the following extracts from his diary reveal to us his carefulness in noting the texts of ,scripture and the analysis of sermons he heard preached on the ,sabbaths and week days from #aheh up to the time of his death4 ,thursday 7fast-day71 ,september #af1 #aheh4--;,heard a sermon preached by ,dr4 ,crawford from the #egth chapter of ,isaiah and the #aeth verse3 ,for thus saith the high and lofty ,one that inhabiteth eternity1 whose name is holy2 ,i dwell in the high and holy place1 with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit1 to revive the spirit of the humble1 and to revive the heart of the contrite ones4 ,saturday1 ,september #ahth4--,preached by ,mr4 ,sanderson1 from the #aeth chapter of ,st4 ,luke and the #b;d verse3 ,and the ,pharisees and ,scribes murmured1 saying1 ,this man receiveth sinners1 and eateth with them4 ,sabbath1 ,june #bj1 #ahei4--,preached by ,mr4 ,finney1 from ,ecclesiastes1 chapter #i1 verse #aj3 ,whatsoever thy hand findeth to do1 do it with thy might2 for there is no work1 nor device1 nor knowledge1 nor wisdom in the grave1 whither thou goest4 ,sabbath1 ,december #af1 #ahfj4--,preached by ,mr4 ,finney1 from the #ec;d chapter of ,isaiah and #aath verse1 last clause3 ,by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many3 for he shall bear their iniquities4 ,afternoon4--,therefore being justified by faith1 we have peace with ,god1 through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,it is like the love of my mother4 ,what an inexpressible peace and love and gentleness is launched upon you2 which none but a mother can bestow1 oft do ,i sigh in my struggles with the hard1 uncaring world1 for the sweet1 deep security ,i felt1 when of an evening1 nestling in her bosom1 ,i listened to some quiet tale4 ,in my younger years ,i read in her tender and loving voice an invaluable incentive to be good4 ,i can never forget her sweet smile upon me4 ,when ,i appear to sleep1 ,i feel her sweet kiss of peace4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,mother',s ,,love4 ,children1 look in those eyes2 listen to that dear voice2 notice the feeling of a single touch that is bestowed upon you by that gentle hand4 ,make much of it while yet you have that most precious of all good gifts--a loving mother4 ,read the unfathomable love of those eyes2 the kind anxiety of that tone and look1 and by analogy remember the tenderness and compassion of ,jesus4 ,new ,york1 ,november #ab1 #ahfe 7,sabbath ,day74--,heard ,mr4 ,finney preach from the ,gospel according to ,st4 ,luke1 #bdth chapter and #bc;d verse3 ,and they said one to another1 did not our hearts burn within us1 while he talked with us by the way1 and while he opened to us the ,scripture8 ,it was powerful and impressive to all present1 as3 #a4 ,the doctrinal teaching of ,christ1 as understood in this part of the chapter4 #b4 ,it is scriptural4 #c4 ,it is faithful4 #d4 ,it is pointed4 #e4 ,it is instructive to the understanding4 ,friday1 ,december #ab1 #ahfg4--;,i attended our church1 and heard a sermon preached from the #c;d chapter of ,st4 ,matthew and the #c;d verse1 last clause3 ,prepare ye the way of the ,lord1 make his paths straight4 ,afterward ,mr4 ,chambers was ordained to the office of the gospel ministry1 and the charge was given to him by ,dr4 ,campbell2 and the charge to the people by ,dr4 ,hall4 ,after the conclusion of the services1 the congregation congratulated our newly-ordained pastor in his new relation to us4 ,sabbath1 ,october #ast4--,preached by ,mr4 ,chambers to the children of the ,sabbath school1 in the ,fortieth ,street ,church1 from ,luke ii41 verses #bg to #cb4 ,simeon was led by the ,spirit into the ,temple1 and for an important object4 ,he had been waiting in expectancy of this great event1 and at the appointed period was led to the temple1 where he became satisfied in beholding the ,lord's ,christ1 and thus his faith became constant in the fulfilment of ,god's promise to him1 and found that the desires awakened in his soul was now satisfied2 and although he had been comparatively unknown to others1 yet he now enjoyed not only a convincing proof of ,god's goodness to himself on this occasion1 with such an appearance of love1 but he enjoyed the privilege of prophesying concerning his own people1 and also the effects of the gospel upon the ,gentile nations4 ,sabbath1 ,november #bast4--,preached by ,mr4 ,chambers1 from ,jeremiah1 #b;d chapter and #aith verse3 ,thine own wickedness shall correct thee1 and thy backslidings shall reprove thee3 know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter1 that thou hast forsaken the ,lord thy ,god1 and that my fear is not in thee1 saith the ,lord ,god of hosts4 ,in one of his notes1 as if he had just heard a sermon upon the subject1 he writes3 ,in lives of faith and long obedience to the command of our ,lord and ,master ,jesus ,christ1 we have first presented to us something of the operations and workings of the mind of the depth of humility and gratitude expressed in his own words1 and the evident absence of everything of a proud spirit4 ,thus when the sinner is brought to ,christ1 the change will become manifest not in giving expression to similar feelings in only thankful acknowledgments in words1 but a becoming and thankful spirit will be seen in the entire life1 in proportion as ,jesus is followed and kept in view4 ,but when ,jesus is received into the heart1 the recipient of this precious gift will feel anxious to do good to others1 that they1 too1 may partake of the benefits of ,his salvation4 ,first1 then1 deep repentance of sin4 ,second1 a heart full of gratitude to ,god for this free gift4 ,third1 the ,apostle is not ashamed to acknowledge his entire indebtedness to ,god4 ,what encouragement we may have from this circumstance in common with others to endeavor to do good2 for if it was such an advantage to this man to be made whole1 how great1 then1 must the advantage be to those1 who are led to believe in ,christ1 and are delivered from condemnation1 and become heirs of ,god1 and joint heirs with ,christ4 ,new ,york1 ,sabbath1 ,march #f1 #ahgj4--,sermon preached by ,dr4 ,mc,elroy's assistant from #ast ,thessalonians1 #eth chapter1 #agth verse3 ,pray without ceasing4 #a4 ,by observing stated seasons for prayer4 #b4 ,always maintain a prayerful spirit4 #c4 ,always acting as in the immediate presence of ,god4 #d4 ,turning everything into prayer4 ,new ,york1 ,sabbath1 ,march #bj1 #ahgj4--,sermon preached by ,mr4 ,chambers1 to the ,sabbath-school1 from #fth chapter of ,romans1 #bc;d verse3 ,for the wages of sin is death1 but the gift of ,god is eternal life1 through ,jesus ,christ1 our ,lord4 #a4 ,the death of character4 #b4 ,the death of all good prospect4 #c4 ,the death of the body4 #d4 ,the death of the soul4 ,fortieth ,street ,church1 ,sabbath1 ,december #c1 #ahga4--,sermon preached by ,mr4 ,chambers1 from the #beth chapter of ,st4 ,matthew1 #cast and #cb;d verses3 ,when the ,son of man shall come in his glory1 and all the holy angels with him1 then shall he sit upon the throne of ,his glory4 ,and before ,him shall be gathered all nations3 and he shall separate them one from another1 as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats4 ,subject1 the goats and sheep4 ,g--,go into dangerous places4 ,o--,often annoy the sheep4 ,a--,appear like sheep4 ,t--,take poisonous food4 ,s--,stubborn4 ,s--,seek the fold4 ,h--,hear the shepherd's voice4 ,e--,ever the same4 ,e--,eat the wholesome food4 ,p--,peaceful and peaceable4 ,new ,york1 ,sabbath1 ,december #cj1 #ahhc4--;,heard ,rev4 ,dr4 ,conkling preach from ,st4 ,matthew1 #agth chapter and #hth verse3 ,and when they had lifted up their eyes they saw no man save ,jesus only4 #a4 ,take ,jesus as your guide4 #b4 ,trust ,jesus as your ,saviour4 #c4 ,we should follow ,jesus as our example4 #d4 ,we should love ,jesus with a supreme love4 ,i heard ,mr4 ,moody preach from the #aath chapter of ,hebrews and the #afth verse3 ,but now they desire a better country1 that is1 an heavenly2 wherefore ,god is not ashamed to be called their ,god2 for he hath prepared for them a city4 ,this he divided into three parts3 ,i4 ,the persons referred to are believers4 7a47 ,they lived by faith4 7b47 ,they died in faith4 ,,ii4 ,they were called by ,his name2 and realized ,his presence4 ,,iii4 ,he had prepared for them a city4 ,sabbath1 ,november #bast4--,preached by ,mr4 ,chambers to the children of the ,sabbath-school1 from ,proverbs #bjth chapter and #aath verse3 ,even a child is known by his doings1 whether his work be pure1 and whether it be right4 ,subject3 ,how children may be known4 ,first4 ,we will take the word ,lord1 and let each letter stand for a word1 or a particular part4 ,l--,love4 ,love to ,god1 etc4 ,o--,obedience4 ,obedience to ,god and to their parents4 ,r--,respectful to their superiors4 ,d--,doing good4 ,how bad children are known3 ,take one word and let each letter stand for a particular subject4 ,by their ,d--,disobedience4 ,e--,enticing others to evil4 ,v--,vanity and pride4 ,i--,insulting to their superiors4 ,l--,love of sin4 ,heard ,mr4 ,chambers preach from the #aith chapter of ,st4 ,matthew's gospel and the #acth and #adth verses3 ,then were brought unto him little children1 that he should put his hands on them1 and pray3 and his disciples rebuked them4 ,but ,jesus said3 ,suffer little children1 and forbid them not1 to come unto me2 for of such is the kingdom of heaven4 ,a4 ,approach of the parents to ,christ4 ,b4 ,blessing sought4 ,c4 ,conduct of the disciples4 ,d4 ,displeasure of ,christ4 ,e4 ,encouragement of ,christ to the parents of the children4 ,f4 ,familiar reception of those parents and the children on the part of ,christ4 ,g4 ,gracious words of ,christ4 ,h4 ,heavenly requirements4 ,improvement1 or instructions from lesson4 ,under the #hth head of the discourse1 ,heavenly requirements1 he referred to five characteristics of children as designated by the five letters of the word child2 viz41 ,c1 ,confiding4 ,h1 ,happy4 ,i1 ,inquisitive4 ,l1 ,loving4 ,d1 ,dependants4 ,citing another interesting sermon1 he writes3 ,new ,york1 ,september #beth 7,sabbath74--,heard ,rev4 ,george ,o4 ,phelps preach from the #c;d chapter of ,acts and #fth verse1 ,then ,peter said1 ,silver and gold have ,i none2 but such as ,i have give ,i thee3 ,in the name of ,jesus ,christ of ,nazareth rise up and walk4 ,the true followers of ,christ1 in their desire to do good1 will frequently find cases to excite their sympathy4 ,here was a most affecting case1 a man lame from his mother's womb1 but is suddenly cured by the power of ,god4 ,he was directed by ,peter to look upon ,john and himself1 assuring him that they had neither silver nor gold1 but such as they had he would give4 ,he had only to look upon them1 ,peter and ,john1 at the beautiful gate that is supposed to divide the ,gentiles from the inner ,court4 #a4 ,the power of ,christ displayed in such a remarkable manner on this occasion4 #b4 ,the faith of the man in doing as he was told1 and the effects produced4 #c4 ,the faith of ,peter and ,john1 united with their desire to work a miracle in this man's case4 #d4 ,the gratitude of this man2 he had received far more than he had expected4 ,their success was even more than they had anticipated4 ,they had gone forth at the command of ,christ4 ,they had not only respect for ,his authority1 but they gave testimony to this by their ready obedience to the command of ,jesus1 and thus far they had the satisfaction of doing the will of their ,lord and ,master4 ,it was a loving obedience1 as can be seen by the results that followed4 ,they commenced their work right1 receiving their instructions from their ,saviour ,himself4 ,they went forth relying upon ,him for the help and assistance required4 ,they returned again to give him their report1 and they rejoiced to feel that their success was even beyond what they expected4 ,and yet1 while the ,saviour heard their report1 ,he cautioned them not to let their success occupy too much of their attention1 but rather rejoice because their names are written in heaven4 ,it is pleasant to know that when we obey the ,lord1 as these seventy disciples did1 that we adhere strictly to all ,his words of command2 and that we know that we have experienced the love of ,god in our hearts2 but yet we are not to make this the ground-work of our rejoicing1 but trust more in that which is done without us than in that which is done within us4 ,another grand characteristic of the elder was his almost invariable custom to watch and note the providential dealings of ,god with the officers of the church1 whenever they met for the transaction of business4 ,his fidelity in noting the texts preached from1 down to the last ,sabbath he spent on earth1 is a proof of his unparalleled perseverance and painstaking in keeping his diary4 ,we close this part of our work by giving our readers a sample of his carefulness at this time4 ,new ,york1 ,october #ajth 7,sabbath evening74--,heard ,mr4 ,young preach from the #eth chapter of ,romans and #ast verse3 ,therefore being justified by faith1 etc41 and onward1 giving an account of ,rome the imperial city1 and its surroundings2 also the triumphs and advances of ,christianity notwithstanding the opposition which the church had to encounter4 ,the last sermon he ever heard on earth was peculiarly appropriate to prepare his mind and heart for the peaceful closing hour of this mortal life4 ,he again writes3 ,new ,york1 ,october #agth1 #ahhf 7,sabbath evening74--,heard ,mr4 ,young preach from the #aath chapter of ,st4 ,john's ,gospel1 and the #cith verse3 ,jesus said1 ,take ye away the stone4444 ,said ,i not unto thee1 that1 if thou wouldest believe1 thou shouldest see the glory of ,god8 ,unfolding the omnipotency of ,christ's love in the hour of sickness and sorrow--also the profound sympathy with the sorrowing sisters of ,bethany in their great bereavement2 and ,his matchless power over death and the grave1 because ,he said1 ,i am the resurrection and the life3 he that believeth in me1 though he were dead1 yet shall he live4 ,in closing this part of our work we would remark1 that there are very few men who have been so painstaking and methodical as to record in their diary all the texts1 time1 and place1 and the preacher's name1 in connection with the sermons to which he was permitted to listen4 ,their commencement1 continuation1 and close1 is all that space allows for further insertion4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,the ,,last ,,hours4 ,i often feel impatient1 ,and mourn the long delay1 ,i never can be settled ,while he remains away4 ,but we shall not long be parted1 ,for ,i know he'll quickly come1 ,and we shall dwell together ,in that happy1 happy home4 ,we were about to say farewell to the loved brother whose end was rapidly approaching4 ,his going from this life to that beyond the grave was one of the most remarkable for faith and hope1 quietly exhibiting the spirit of ,him who went about continually doing good4 ,there was no attempt to argue with death1 and ask for a respite to prepare for the journey through the valley of the shadow of death to the golden shore beyond4 ,we cannot do better here than lay before the reader the following communication written by their son to their former pastor1 the ,rev4 ,george ,o4 ,phelps1 of ,utica1 ,n4,y4 ,it is a brief narrative of their last hours on earth1 which were a triumphant ending to a long life of devotion to their ,master3 ,,new ,,york ,,city1 ,november #ae1 #ahhf4 ,your kind letter was duly received and contents noted4 ,at your request1 ,i will endeavor to give you a brief account of the goings of my departed parents4 ,in a spirit of humility ,i desire to avoid all expressions of fulsomeness when speaking of their lives and last moments1 though it might be said that those who were at the death-bed of either1 and saw them in their last hours1 would have been willing to have left all to exchange places with them4 ,i would say1 in the words of one of old1 ,let me die the death of the righteous1 and let my end be like theirs4 ,as they lived so they died6 ,as father lay down1 so he never moved until he was carried into the arms of ,jesus4 ,all through his two days' sickness1 as we put our ears to his lips1 we could hear him earnestly praying for ,allen ,street ,church1 her minister and people1 and for his family4 ,our mother would frequently speak to him1 saying3 ,just one word1 papa6 ,but he would only shake his head1 without uttering a word4 ,the history of his going was as follows3 ,on ,tuesday1 ,october #aith1 father left the office for the last time4 ,when ,wednesday morning1 ,october #bjth1 dawned1 he complained of a pain in his side1 remarking that he did not think he would go to the office before noon4 ,he did not go at all4 ,i went to the house in the evening1 to find that the doctor had been called twice1 and that father had pleurisy4 ,we passed through the night watching and hoping for favorable changes2 but1 unfortunately1 the next 7,thursday7 morning1 ,october #bast1 pneumonia set in1 and the case became complicated4 ,already very weak1 he grew more feeble every hour4 ,he had done his part of this life's work1 and seemed conscious that the ,universal ,master was about to finish the mansion into which his servant was fully prepared to enter4 ,a peaceful1 quiet ,christian in the home circle2 a zealous worker in the ,church2 watchful in his business relations with the world1 he looked the very embodiment of peaceful repose in his last moments1 and on his earthly bed of sleeping rest--so life-like1 too1 that ,i dare not say bed of death--as he breathed his last at #b4aj ,a4,m41 ,saturday1 ,october #bc;d4 ,the expressions and sentiments of many who visited the house during his sickness1 and while lying in the casket 7,roman ,catholics1 believers1 and unbelievers7 were all in harmony with the idea that if ever a human being entered heaven1 he had gone straight to that realm of blissful repose4 ,but to go back just prior to his demise1 when the doctor quietly told us he could not live another day4 ,we tried hard to be resigned on that ,friday night1 feeling sure that the end was near4 ,after the meeting at the ,church was dismissed1 the minister came to the house and remained with us until after midnight1 obtaining from father the words and signs that are precious as he passed away2 the last audible words to me being3 ,william1 ,god bless you and your family6 ,in the history of my mother's demise1 ,i will briefly state that1 on ,saturday night1 ,october #bc;d1 while father lay asleep in ,jesus1 she went to the store1 as was her life-long custom1 with some tracts1 and to purchase a few things4 ,on her return after coming up-stairs she threw herself down upon the sofa with the words1 ,no papa to come and carry up the basket for me to-night6 and there she sat in deep affliction1 as if her heart would break4 ,on ,sabbath night1 ,october #bdth1 when quite a number of people were in the house1 she very earnestly exhorted them in ,christ ,jesus1 allowing no one to pass unobserved4 ,in turning to one young wife1 ,i heard her kindly urge1 ,always be cheerful and happy2 don't discourage your husband by always complaining4 ,he will also get discouraged4 ,that is what ruins many a happy home4 ,singular to note1 my mother had scarcely got through1 when she1 too1 complained of a pain in her side1 remarking1 ,it is papa's pain4 ,on ,monday morning she arose to eventually lie upon the sofa in an unconscious state4 ,the funeral services over father's remains were to be observed in the ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church at #a ,p4,m43 therefore the doctor came in to arouse her1 and gave her a stimulant1 so that she went to the church with us1 returning home instead of going to the grounds1 after the services2 and here ,i may say her pastor preached a very solemn sermon1 exactly in harmony with the tenor of father's private and public life4 ,one thing happened 7when the relatives were invited to step forward and see the remains for the last time7 that was singular1 viz43 ,as my mother bent over to take a last look at the life-long partner of her joys and sorrows1 her veil became attached to the handle of the casket1 which my sister was compelled to stoop and unloosen4 ,without being superstitious1 this looked like the dead reaching forth to the living4 ,at all events1 on ,tuesday1 ,october #bfth1 mother was confined to her bed1 and1 as she had said1 she had papa's pain--pleurisy4 ,the next day1 ,wednesday1 ,october #bgth1 pneumonia followed1 when it required three persons to care for her in the day1 and three to attend her through the night1 with no change for the better4 ,on ,thursday there was no favorable sign to note--suspense was still in the balancing beam4 ,toward ,friday night1 ,october #bith1 all hope having vanished1 my mother was quietly informed that her day was short6 ,to which she responded3 ,my day is short4 ,i must finish my work6 ,then occurred a repetition of the previous call upon the ,allen ,street ,church1 a second ,friday in succession4 ,in response1 the minister1 elder1 and' several young men came promptly to the house to hear the testimony of a sainted mother in ,israel going to rest4 ,after supplication in prayer and a hymn of praise1 the minister asked mother3 ,have you any word for me1 sister8 ,turning over and taking his hand1 she said3 ,no6 you know these things yourself4 ,preach the gospel uncolored6 ,to a ,roman ,catholic she remarked3 ,there are no forms about my religion6 ,to her daughter-in-law1 my wife1 she remarked3 ,you have a mother6 ,to the young men present she lovingly urged3 ,avoid bad company2 learn of ,christ2 seek to be like ,him1 little by little4 ,to ,mrs4 ----1 who is a visitor1 she firmly said3 ,you are well liked1 and can do a great deal of good2 but pray with the people you visit6 ,then at times she would exclaim3 ,oh1 ,i have so much to do2 but ,i am so weak6 ,when ,esther1 my sister1 soothingly said3 ,mother1 please do not talk so much1 it weakens you2 she responded with3 ,the doctor says my day is short6 ,later on1 requesting my wife to remove her stockings1 she remarked1 ,i have got to the edge of the river6 ,finally3 ,once ,i was young2 now ,i am old1 and have never been forsaken6 were the last words of testimony she left those present to bear witness to as she fell asleep in the ,lord4 ,what a blessed going for a life-long1 zealous ,christian who was left an orphan when only eight years of age 7as seen and recorded in another chapter71 with a rich uncle who would have done anything for her if she had only married as he desired4 ,what an encouragement it holds forth to the living to trust everything to ,god1 and simply follow as ,he may direct4 ,death had no sting or terror for her4 ,she spoke calmly of the last rites to be observed over her remains1 saying she would like to be buried like ,papa 7father71 and asked my wife if the services would be held over her at the house1 or in the church4 ,when informed that the service would be held in the church1 she smilingly said1 ,very well1 and cheerfully resigned herself from earth to heaven4 ,her last exhortation to myself was3 ,be faithful1 humble1 meek1 and constantly keep at the ,master's feet until ,he calls you up higher4 ,be kind1 gentle1 and patiently forbearing with your sister4 ,in her discourse with my sister she was very anxious and urgent that her daughter would ultimately meet her parents in heaven1 for which we pray4 ,her faith was great2 she had no fear or thought for self2 her great concern was for the heavenly welfare of those around her4 ,she spoke and acted as if her seat or place in the realm of bliss had been long secured to her--in that great faith she died1 but not before1 in her parting words1 she had instructed me1 ,to gather up the books and tracts2 to see that they were properly distributed1 and that not one sheet be lost1 so that the work would go on after she was gone4 ,this second source of anxiety having been allayed1 she rapturously extended her hands to meet the angels1 and raising herself up in bed1 turned her head and raised her eyes as if to gaze upon the celestial messengers sent to bear her home1 before she said to us3 ,be faithful till the ,master calls6 then grasping the hands reached out to hers1 she was gone--gone from a finite life into heavenly rest6 ,one or two other items ,i must note4 ,in looking over my father's papers1 ,i find that he kept a private diary 7which forms a part of the contents of this work7 of the texts and sermons he heard on the ,sabbath1 from the year #aheh1 to the ,sabbath before he died1 and much significance is given to one he heard you preach from the ,book of ,jude1 #bc;d verse3 ,hating even a garment spotted by the flesh4 ,i feel confident that he grew in grace under the ,word of ,life conveyed to him by you1 and assisted by a close study of his own ,bible4 ,in his usual course of reading the ,scriptures1 he read on the day he was taken sick the #bjth ,psalm1 though not permitted again to drink from the same fountain of ,eternal ,life1 for he was going1 unconsciously1 to realize the efficacy of the #bast ,psalm--a favorite with him--and to receive the crown of gold and life everlasting4 ,the general remarks of the outside world at the time fostered great interest in the fact of such peaceful goings from earth to heaven of two such worthy ,christians1 at dates so close to each other4 ,neither of them feared death4 ,both had lived and worked in harmony for the same great end4 ,both to be ultimately called up higher in one week and two hours of each other4 ,,william ,,knowles4 ,i desire to supplement the foregoing account of the ,last ,hours1 by stating that when we reached the house of sickness and death1 we found her son reading that precious portion of ,god's ,word1 the #adth chapter of ,st4 ,john's ,gospel1 ,let not your heart be troubled3 ye believe in ,god1 believe also in me4 ,in my father's house are many mansions2 if it were not so ,i would have told you4 ,i go to prepare a place for you1 etc4 ,the scene was deeply affecting4 ,loved ones were gathered around the bedside4 ,after reading the ,scriptures1 and prayer1 we united in singing that well known hymn1 ,jesus1 lover of my soul1 ,let me to ,thy bosom fly1 ,while the nearer waters roll1 ,while the tempest still is high1 ,hide me1 ,o my ,saviour1 hide1 ,till the storm of life be past2 ,safe into the haven guide2 ,o receive my soul at last6 ,the dying missionary endeavored to join in the singing though extremely faint1 and life's latest sun was sinking fast1 for the hour of her departure had come1 and she heard the voice that called her home1 and at last she peacefully entered into that rest that remains for the people of ,god4 ,three thousand copies of the ,last ,hours were printed in pamphlet form and widely scattered over different parts of the country4 ,and the ,lord has been graciously pleased to bless their circulation to the spiritual edification of those who had the privilege of reading them4 ,it was a singular coincidence that the last chapter read by the ,elder was the same as the one selected by the minister as the ,lesson of the ,day1 on the occasion of the celebration of the ,jubilee exercises in honor of the noble and beloved ,queen ,victoria1 in ,westminster ,abbey4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,dead ,,who ,,die ,,in ,,the ,,lord4#b ,and ,i heard a voice from heaven saying unto me1 ,write1 ,blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord from henceforth3 ,yea1 saith the ,spirit1 that they may rest from their labors2 and their works do follow them--,rev4 xiv4 #ac4 #b ,the substance of a sermon preached in the ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church1 ,new ,york ,city1 ,october #be1 #ahhf1 on the occasion of the death of ,elder ,james ,knowles1 who triumphantly fell asleep in ,jesus1 ,october #bc1 #ahhf1 in the seventy fifth year of his age4 ,elder ,james ,knowles is at rest--sweet1 sweet rest4 ,it is the rest for which he sighed and for which he prayed4 ,his favorite hymn was3 ,o land of rest1 for thee ,i sigh1 ,when will the moment come1 ,when ,i shall lay my armor by1 ,and dwell in peace at home8 ,to keep an eye on the home above is consummate wisdom4 ,hence the injunction of the ,holy ,apostle1 ,set your affections on things above4 ,this exercise of the heart can only be attained by first seeking an interest in the atoning blood and justifying righteousness of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,john looked1 and1 lo6 a ,lamb 7the ,lamb of ,god7 stood on the mount ,sion1 and with ,him an hundred forty and four thousand1 having his ,father's name 7the new name7 written in their foreheads1 and ,i heard a voice from heaven1 as the voice of many waters1 and as the voice of a great thunder3 and ,i heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps3 and they sung as it were a new song before the throne1 and before the four beasts and the elders3 and no man could learn that song but the four hundred and forty and four thousand1 which were redeemed from the earth4 ,those who had here below redemption through ,his blood1 even the forgiveness of their sins1 according to the riches of ,his grace4 ,these are they who keep the commandments of ,god1 and the faith of ,jesus ,christ4 ,concerning such is this solemn affirmation made1 corroborated by the attestation of the ,divine voice1 that the dearly beloved ,john heard1 saying1 ,write1 ,blessed are the dead who die in the ,lord4 ,you know that the original signification of the word blessed means happy4 ,in ,christ's inimitable ,sermon on the ,mount ,he declares1 ,happy are the beggars in spirit1 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven4 ,all the uninterrupted felicities of the glory land are theirs at the hour of dissolution4 ,their joy is augmented by the pure fellowship and friendship of the ,saviour and the saints before the throne of the ,eternal4 ,there is a broad avenue opened up to the saved of pleasing and familiar intercourse with the general assembly1 and the spirits of just men made perfect4 ,they share the attention and affection of the heavenly host1 and are gladdened by the presence of ,him who is the ,king eternal1 immortal1 but not now invisible1 for they behold the ,king in his beauty4 ,blessed are the dead who die in the ,lord4 ,death to the ,christian is represented in the ,scripture as a sleep4 ,them that sleep in ,jesus will ,god bring with ,him4 ,he is redeemed from the power of death4 ,for ,christ came to deliver them1 who1 through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage4 7,heb4 ii4 #ae47 ,all believers1 therefore1 need not dread death--he is a conquered enemy4 ,and so every one of us who are here to day in ,christ can say humbly1 but truly1 ,o death1 where is thy sting8 ,o grave1 where is thy victory8 ,no ,christian1 however weak he may be1 need fail to feel with ,paul1 and ask the same question1 ,who shall separate us from the love of ,christ8 shall tribulation1 or distress1 or persecution1 or famine1 or nakedness1 or peril1 or sword8444 ,nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through ,him that loved us4 ,for ,i am persuaded1 that neither death1 nor life1 nor angels1 nor principalities1 nor powers1 nor things present1 nor things to come1 nor height1 nor depth1 nor any other creature1 shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god1 which is in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord4 ,the last great conflict is inevitable1 but the secret of a triumphant departure from this life is found in the language of the ,faith ,psalm1 ,yea1 though ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil3 for thou art with me2 thy rod and thy staff they comfort me4 ,it is not really death that we have to grapple with4 ,it is only the shadow of death4 ,we do not fear the shadow of a sword1 or the shadow of a serpent4 ,the above verse of the twenty-third ,psalm is very frequently misquoted4 ,it is called the dark valley4 ,but you remember that when ,bunyan's pilgrim came down to the valley it was not dark1 for ,jesus1 the light1 was with him4 ,the sting of death is not simply concealed2 it is completely destroyed by the death of ,christ4 ,he conquered the great enemy4 ,the sting of death is sin1 the strength of sin is the law2 but thanks be unto ,god who giveth us the victory through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,thus understood1 the ,christian is truly blessed in his death4 ,he cannot be separated from ,christ1 or from his symmetrically developed spiritual character4 ,death is not the extinction of being4 ,we must make a distinction between natural and spiritual death4 ,it is sin unforgiven that gives death his power4 ,it is a fearful catastrophe to those out of ,christ4 ,hence the holiness of others will not avail them at the hour of dissolution4 ,when the soul raves round the walls of its clay tenement1 and runs to each avenue1 and shrieks for help when no help can come1 then the door of salvation is eternally shut4 ,the last ray of hope is then forever faded4 ,there are no acts of pardon past in the cold grave to which we haste4 ,oh1 let us not content ourselves with a mere external profession of ,christianity4 ,true wisdom consists in having the graces of the ,holy ,spirit in the heart4 ,walking day by day by faith in ,jesus ,christ1 so that when the cry is made1 ,behold the ,bridegroom cometh1 go ye out to meet ,him1 we go forth with joy and not with grief4 ,scriptural facts concerning death go to show that it is not an unimportant event4 ,to the soul who is found clothed not in his own righteousness which is of the law1 but with the righteousness of the ,redeemer1 to die is gain1 for precious in the sight of the ,lord is the death of his saints 7or holy ones74 ,it is then the refining process is thoroughly completed4 ,they are ready to be offered4 ,the honor and favor of the ,father is now about to be received4 ,the union formed on earth is at death gloriously ratified in heaven4 ,the obedience of ,christ's death is fully realized to be laid to their account4 ,the life and immortality brought to light by the ,gospel is then permanently enjoyed4 ,the clouds and mysteries that cluster around this earthly life are then dissipated4 ,the full communion of the populace of glory is wonderfully experienced without interruption or restraint4 ,the conflict is over1 and the prize is won4 ,let me die the death of the righteous1 and let my last end be like his4 ,it is then we view the ,divine glory1 for this was a part of ,christ's prayer3 ,father1 ,i will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where ,i am1 that they may behold my glory4 ,you see1 then1 how the believer is ushered into the beauties and blessedness of the beatic state4 ,there is1 therefore1 nothing to be dreaded by the approach of the last enemy4 ,for1 says the prophet1 ,he will swallow up death in victory3 and the ,lord ,god will wipe away tears from off all faces2 and the rebuke of the people shall he take away from off all the earth2 for the ,lord hath spoken it4 ,it is by a realization of his security in death that the believer in ,jesus can calmly meditate on the hour of dissolution--that he is blest with longings for home2 that he is soon to be delivered from the present evil world2 in short1 that he is completely constituted an actuality in the ,church triumphant4 ,he is at last brought into intimate alliance with ,christ1 not now by faith but by sight1 not by prayer1 but by praise2 not by earthly circumscribed anticipation1 but by the power of unfathomable and constraining grace1 and a deep sensibility of soul which springs from the knowledge that he is forever with the ,lord2 now the strugglings of faith are ended4 ,when ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john beheld ,christ transfigured on the summit of the mount1 and as they gazed upon the glory of the scene1 they said1 ,it is good to be here4 ,it was a sight of ,moses and ,elias that enraptured their soul4 ,that was only a transitory sight4 ,but at death the ,christian is admitted into endless glory4 ,it is day without a night4 ,it is to be admitted into the ,house of the ,lord4 ,the house not made by hands1 eternal in the heavens4 ,through much tribulation they enter into the kingdom4 ,soon shall close their earthly mission2 soon shall end their pilgrim days2 hope shall change to glad fruition4 ,god is continually guiding our feet to those mansions above1 where flowers that never fade do deck the heavenly plains4 ,where our loved ones gone before shall meet us and greet us on the golden strand4 ,many are the voices so sweet and tender1 and true1 who are calling us away to join the holy ones1 that no man can number1 who stand around the throne clothed with white robes1 and palms in their hands4 ,the angels beckon us away to join their ranks4 ,truly blessed are the dead who die in the ,lord4 ,in the ,treasury ,hymnal there is a ,pilgrim ,song by ,dr4 ,horatius ,bonar1 and the music is from ,beethoven2 it is very sweet and cheering in this connection3 ,a few more years shall roll1 a few more seasons come1 ,and we shall be with those that rest asleep within the tomb4 ,then1 oh1 my ,lord1 prepare my soul for that great day1 ,oh1 wash me in my ,saviour's blood1 and take my sins away4 ,we truly spend our years as a tale that is told4 ,but in heavenly love abiding1 no change my heart shall fear4 ,how precious is this thought2 though friend after friend depart1 ,for who has not lost a friend8 ,what though the storm of bereavement and affliction howl without8 ,still1 amid it all1 the unbounded1 uncomprehended love of ,god changeth never4 ,though our days are determined1 and the number of our months are with ,god2 though ,he hath appointed the bounds that ,he cannot pass1 yet ,he will hide us in the grave2 ,he will keep us secret until ,his wrath upon the ungodly is past4 ,we read1 however1 ,his power to redeem and deliver ,his elect1 even amid the wreck and ruin of years and the gloom of the grave1 for ,christ is the resurrection and the life4 ,there is rest1 yonder2 only just across the river4 ,it is only a narrow stream4 ,this is not my place of resting2 mine's a city yet to come2 onward to it ,i am hastening2 on to my eternal home4 ,i go to prepare a place for you1 said ,jesus4 ,no threatening danger or death there4 ,it is no desert dreary4 ,it is freedom from pain and weariness1 from sin and sadness1 in the dominions of the ,bridegroom4 ,for ,he says1 ,i have betrothed thee unto me forever2 ,i have betrothed thee in righteousness1 in the judgment1 in loving kindness1 and in mercy1 and in faithfulness4 ,in the ,lord4 ,how significant the words4 ,it is to have the infinite arms of love and power encircling us4 ,it is not to receive the spirit of bondage again to fear4 ,it is to rise above the uncertainties of this life to the realities of that land where congregations ne'er break up1 and ,sabbaths have no end4 ,linked to the eternal1 never broken chain of ,god's goodness1 what can affright8 ,can the consolation of ,god be small with those who are ,his1 when we are informed that ,he will ransom ,his people from the power of the grave8 ,shortly it will be all over with you in your pilgrimage journey4 ,watch and wait1 therefore1 for the coming of the ,king4 ,on earth1 here and now1 those who die in the ,lord have attentively listened to ,his kind remonstrances1 concerning reconciliation and entire renunciation of every false hope of heaven only through faith in the name of ,jesus4 ,they realize that ,god's methods of mercy are peculiarly calculated to impart peace in the hour of sickness and death4 ,they see the city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is ,god1 where the inhabitants say1 ,i am sick1 ,i am weary no more4 ,they know that their ,redeemer liveth1 and though worms may destroy the body1 yet in their flesh they shall see ,god4 ,they know there are realms where ,the voices of song never cease 'neath a burden of tears1 ,and the music falls sweet from those radiant spheres4 ,god's children on earth are remarkable for their love to ,christ and ,his ,church1 and delight to meditate on the glories of heaven4 ,hence when death comes they are prepared to enter upon their purchased possessions1 for which they habitually awaited with bright anticipations1 knowing full well that ,he that had promised is able also to perform4 ,not every one that saith unto me1 ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter into the kingdom of heaven1 but ,he that doeth the will of my ,father which is in heaven4 ,for to be carnally minded is death 7death eternal71 but to be spiritually minded is life and peace4 ,henry says1 ,the ,providence that removes ,god's saints has a loved voice which crieth in the city to the survivors4 ,the death of the saints speaketh the evil of sin4 ,it is owing to that they die1 for the body is dead because of sin4 ,it speaks the vanities of life1 and of all its delights and enjoyments2 for if the favorites of heaven are dying daily1 and going out of this world it is a sign that the things of this world are not the best things1 else those whom ,god loves best would not be taken soonest from them4 ,it speaks that all things come alike to all1 and that one event happeneth to the righteous and to the wicked1 so that none knows love or hatred by all that is before him in this world4 ,but he that would know it must look before him into the invisible world4 ,lay your ears this day to the coffins and graves of departed saints1 who though they do not pray for us1 yet preach to us in the words of ,christ1 ,be ye also ready4 7,matt4 xxiv4 #dd47 ,they are gone1 and we are going2 their glass is run out1 and ours is running2 and therefore it concerns us to daily die unto sin1 and be alive to holiness1 standing on the watchtower1 like the sentinel1 with loins girt1 and lamps burning1 knowing that it is not the stroke1 but the sting of death from which the imputed righteousness of the ,redeemer delivers4 ,god's saints are like a green olive-tree1 in the house of ,god1 because they trust in ,his manifold mercy4 ,they are like trees planted by the rivers of water1 and whose leaf shall never fade4 ,while death can lay his cold and icy hand upon the ,christian's body1 yet his soul he can never touch4 ,while ,god destroys the wicked at death1 and plucks him out of his dwelling-place1 and roots him out of the land of the living1 yet to die in the ,lord is to sing with the ,psalmist1 ,i will not be afraid1 ,i will render praises unto thee1 for thou hast delivered my soul from death1 and thou shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth4 ,heaven is propitious4 ,streaming love flows from the fountain of ,divine compassion4 ,god so loved the world that ,he gave his only begotten son1 that whosoever believeth on ,him should not perish1 but have everlasting life4 ,oh1 this constant untiring love of our kind heavenly father4 ,scarcely1 says ,paul1 for a righteous man will one die3 yet1 peradventure1 for a good man some would even dare to die2 but ,god commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners ,christ died for us4 ,if we would die in the ,lord1 we must get a sight of ,calvary4 ,he has died that we might live4 ,we must behold ,his pierced hands and feet and side4 ,it is this sight that saves4 ,not all the blood of goats and bulls1 ,on ,jewish altars slain1 ,can give the guilty conscience peace1 ,or wash away the stain4 ,but ,christ1 the heavenly ,lamb1 ,takes all our guilt away4 ,it is the free gift of grace that1 through saving faith1 that will hold us until this short life is past1 and then when we come to the river of death1 like our dear ,elder1 we will reach our home safely4 ,where sin abounded1 grace did much more abound1 that as sin hath reigned unto death1 even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,are we all who are here to-day to this funeral in the ,lord--,i in them and thou in me8 ,perhaps1 some have been living at a distance from ,him4 ,others may have been grieving the ,holy ,spirit4 ,the ,master has come 7by this death7 and calls for thee4 ,he is standing to-day at the door of thy heart knocking and saying1 ,if any man hear my voice1 and open the door1 ,i will come in to him1 and will sup with him1 and he with me4 ,no friend so forgiving1 so gentle as he4 ,oh1 wilt thou let ,him depart8 ,patiently waiting1 earnestly pleading1 ,jesus thy ,saviour knocks at thine heart4 ,is there some idol that you are cherishing8 ,is there some secret1 darling sin to which you are clinging8 ,oh1 what wilt thou do in the swellings of ,jordan without an interest in the atoning work of ,jesus8 ,are you still slighting the ,saviour8 ,he waits for thee4 ,how tender the look4 ,he says unto you as he said to the inhabitants of ,jerusalem1 ,how often would ,i have gathered thy children together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings1 but ye would not4 ,christ alone is our true ,shechem1 our ,city of ,refuge4 ,he is the living well of ,jacob and the rifled tomb of ,joseph4 ,isaiah says1 ,a man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind and a covert from the tempest1 as rivers of water in a dry place1 and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land4 ,what boundless resources are found in ,christ4 ,we are guilty1 but ,he atoned for our guilt2 ,he paid the ransom price2 ,he engaged in the great work of paying the penalty due to our sin1 for ,he was made sin for us who knew no sin1 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in ,him4 ,we could never have been saved without ,divine interference1 save from going down to the pit1 for ,i have found a ransom1 was the declaration of the stupendous wealth of ,god's free love4 ,for it is a faithful saying1 and worthy of all acceptation1 that ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners1 even the very chief4 ,the mysteries of redeeming love are solved at ,golgotha4 ,listen to the sweet singer of ,israel as he surveys the administration of mercy seen anticipatively at the ,cross3 ,i love the ,lord1 because my voice ,and prayer ,he did hear2 ,i1 while ,i live1 will call on ,him ,who bowed to me ,his ear4 ,he was greatly encouraged to serve ,god in view of the alliance and assistance of ,jehovah towards the redemption of ,israel4 ,in the fortieth ,psalm he illustrates this thought still further3 ,i waited for the ,lord my ,god1 ,and patiently did bear4 ,he took me from the fearful pit1 ,and from the miry clay1 ,and on a ,rock ,he set my feet1 ,establishing my way4 ,the nature of salvation is the same all the world over4 ,the scheme is sovereign4 ,the objects are poor1 helpless sinners4 ,the results are ever the same1 namely1 the forgiveness of sin--justification by faith alone2 and then1 at last1 an abundant entrance is afforded into the beautiful mansions of light1 where friendship is changeless and carkering care is unknown1 and no more pale faces with mute hearts breaking every day4 ,yonder we shall be clad in the beauteous wedding garments of the ,king4 ,to die in the ,lord will be an ample equivalent for all of earth's sorrows and difficulties4 ,in the meantime1 we must continually say concerning such providences as the present1 ,draw me1 we will run after thee4 ,awake1 ,o north wind and come thou1 south1 and blow upon my garden that the spices thereof may flow out4 ,this loss will work together for our good if we hear ,his voice4 ,it calls us to the necessary duty of immediate decision4 ,we must not halt any longer between two opinions4 ,if the ,lord be ,god follow ,him1 but if ,baal be your ,god follow him no longer4 ,but please remember that the wages of sin is death4 ,you are called to decide for ,christ1 to decide for heaven1 by this sad bereavement4 ,he draws you with the cords of love as with the bands of a man4 ,will you run after ,him8 ,there is no one can help you in the hour of death and the judgment but ,jesus4 ,choose ye this day whom ye will serve4 ,yield1 oh6 yield to ,his call6 ,say yes1 ,my beloved is mine and ,i am ,his2 ,he feedeth among the lilies until the daybreak1 and the shadows flee away4 ,oh6 turn your eyes upwards3 ,where high the heavenly temple stands1 ,the house of ,god not made with hands1 ,a great ,high ,priest our nature wears1 ,the guardian of mankind appears4 ,if we would die in the ,lord1 we must recognize ,christ1 not only as having died that we might live1 but also as having triumphed over the grave1 and is now sitting at the right hand of ,god making continual intercession for us4 ,by day and by night ,he pleads our cause4 ,don't try to get to heaven by the intercession of saints or angels4 ,christ alone is the ,great ,high ,priest after the order of ,melchizedek4 ,disobedience in this direction will prove disastrous4 ,say1 who is this that cometh from ,edom with dyed garments1 from ,bozrah travelling in the greatness of ,his strength8 ,i that speak in righteousness1 mighty to save4 ,this is your ,daysman1 your ,mediator4 ,he hath opened a fountain for sin and uncleanness4 ,five bleeding wounds ,he bears1 ,received on ,calvary1 ,now pour effectual prayers ,and strongly speak for thee4 ,if you would die like our dear ,brother ,knowles1 in the ,lord1 then to-day behold ,his wounded hands and side4 ,we have all sinned against ,god and abused ,his mercy2 but1 oh1 let us to-day consecrate ourselves to ,christ1 and like the prodigal son say1 ,i will arise and go to my father4 ,christ is our great representative before the throne4 ,oh1 that ,he would ever teach us to offer this prayer3 ,lord ,god of ,hosts1 my prayer hear2 ,o ,jacob's ,god1 give ear6 ,see ,god1 our shield1 look on the face ,of thine anointed dear4 ,i tell you1 my friends1 we do not want any new school theology4 ,the holy religion of our fathers is good enough for me4 ,here it is a loving father1 a crucified and triumphant and pleading saviour for us poor1 miserable and helpless sinners1 and a ,home beyond the flood4 ,i will arise now and go about the city1 in the streets1 on the cars1 in the workshop1 on the ship1 on the sea and land where-ever ,god may guide my wandering footsteps through each perplexing path of life4 ,and ,i will seek ,him whom my soul loveth4 ,they rest from their labors and their works do follow them4 ,the ,psalmist says that our strength is labor and sorrow4 ,the more we toil for ,christ and ,his church the more we honor ,him and become fruit-bearers4 ,by a constant course of activity and devotedness for the welfare of fallen humanity1 the capacities of the soul are greatly enlarged1 and we apprehend more fully the fact that ,god hath put the treasure in earthen vessels1 that the excellency of the power may be of ,god and not of man4 ,sometimes1 too1 our good will be evil spoken of and attributed to selfish motives4 ,we may be traduced by tongues which neither know our faculties nor our person4 ',tis but the rough road that virtue must go through4 ,we must not allow any discouragements or censure to retard our aggressive work1 remembering constantly that the ,master was accused of having a devil1 and that he cast out devils by the power of ,beelzebub4 ,oh1 what wrong ideas men have of the great work of saving souls4 ,what prejudices1 what indifference1 what neglect1 what lukewarmness have the true servants of ,christ to encounter as they earnestly toil in transplanting souls into the vineyard of the ,lord4 ,the life of ,christ on earth was a life of generous labor2 and when ,he called ,his disciples1 ,he said1 ,follow me1 and ,i will make you fishers of men4 ,kempis1 in his ,imitation of ,christ1 says1 by the words of ,christ we are taught to imitate ,his life and manner1 if we would be truly enlightened and be delivered from all blindness of heart4 ,learn of me1 said ,jesus1 as well as ,come unto me4 ,i have set the ,lord always before me1 said ,david4 ,what a glorious thing it is for the servant of ,christ to know that he is earnestly engaged in the work of ,his ,master4 ,it is our labors of love that alone meets with the smile and approbation of ,god1 for ,he is cognizant of everything we try to accomplish for ,his cause on earth4 ,oh1 that we may say from the heart1 ,i must work the works of ,him that sent me2 the night cometh when no man can work4 ,the trees of the ,lord are full of sap1 they are fat and flourishing4 ,we are all familiar with the work of blessed beneficence of ,howard1 the great philanthropist1 and ,henry ,martyn1 the self-denying missionary4 ,to be a true ,christian1 then1 requires a life of toil4 ,for man goeth forth unto the work and to his labor until the evening4 ,how sweet1 then1 is rest to the laboring man4 ,when the harvest is gathered in4 ,a harvest of souls for ,christ4 ,here am ,i1 ,lord1 and the children which thou hast given me4 ,paul said that ,i may so preach and labor that ,i may present every one of you perfect before ,god4 ,this is no mean toil4 ,what prayers4 ,what watching4 ,what toil4 ,what tears4 ,ah6 but at eventide it shall be light4 ,strange language4 ,what a beautiful and touching description does ,burns give1 in his ,cottar's ,saturday ,night1 of the sweet rest and joy that springs into the soul when the weary work is over4 ,he says3 ,the toil-worn cottar frae his labor goes1 ,this night his weekly moil is at an end1 ,collects his spades1 his mattocks and his hoes1 ,hoping the morn in ease and rest to spend1 ,and weary o'er the moor his course does hameward bend4 ,the next stanza can be truly applied to our ,elder in his ,christian experience3 ,the parent pair their secret homage pay1 ,and proffer up to heaven the warm request1 ,that ,he who stills the raven's clamorous nest1 ,and decks the lily fair in flowery pride1 ,would in ,his way ,his ,wisdom see the best1 ,for them and for their little ones provide1 ,but chiefly in their hearts with grace ,divine reside4 ,i think this is the most descriptive1 and true1 and touching scene of a ,christian man's experience that can be found in any language4 ,burns knew how to touch the tender chord of a human heart4 ,an honest man's the noblest work of ,god4 ,they rest from their labor and their works do follow them4 ,paul1 in his ,epistle to the ,hebrews1 says1 ,beloved1 we are persuaded better things of you1 and things that accompany salvation1 though we thus speak3 ,for ,god is not unrighteous to forget your work1 and the love which ,he showed unto ,his name4 ,listen1 then1 to this sweet1 silent voice calling us to go and do likewise4 ,lord1 what wilt thou have me to do8 ,it is to a life of toil1 not of indolence1 we are called4 ,the fields are white already1 unto harvest4 ,who will bear the sheaves away8 ,who among our young men in this congregation will take the place of ,elder ,knowles8 ,can you be engaged in a grander or nobler work8 ,he that winneth souls is wise4 ,is there any purer pleasure in this world than the joy that is experienced in the heart when souls are converted to ,god8 ,oh1 young men1 deeply meditate on that precious passage4 ,he that converteth a sinner from the error of his ways1 doth save a soul from death1 and doth hide a multitude of sins4 ,are not the opportunities great in this city for doing good8 ,is not the wickedness great8 ,are not souls perishing around you for lack of knowledge8 ,resolve1 from this day1 that1 ,god helping you1 you will dedicate all your powers of heart1 soul1 and strength to the blessed service of ,christ4 ,you are not your own4 ,you have been saved1 that you may save others by pulling them out of the fire4 ,haste then1 haste to the rescue4 ,souls may perish1 and go down to hell1 while you are deliberating4 ,i remember1 years ago1 while coming into ,new ,york ,harbor1 we lost a very promising young man overboard4 ,the life-boat was launched1 and the life-buoy was cut adrift4 ,but through some delay1 the young man perished4 ,what a tremendous disappointment those parents experienced as they stepped on board the frigate at the ,brooklyn ,navy ,yard1 and learned that their darling boy had found a watery grave4 ,i never think of the above sad occurrence but ,i am forcibly reminded that through the delays and sad neglect of ,christian parents and ,sabbath-school teachers1 many young persons perish1 and ,i inquire1 ,who is responsible for their destruction8 ,many ask the question that ,cain impudently put to the ,lord1 ,am ,i my brother's keeper8 ,we can be guilty of other men's sins4 ,this is a mysterious fact1 but it is nevertheless true4 ,if you are an idler in the ,master's vineyard1 you are1 to a certain extent1 responsible4 ,oh1 that the ,holy ,spirit would show us our duty to our fellow-men4 ,our departed brother realized this truth4 ,just look at a man seventy-five years old1 occupied every ,lord's ,day teaching a large class of youth in the ,sabbath-school4 ,but you must remember that for six days in the week he nobly toiled as a printer1 from eight in the morning until six at night4 ,and he seldom missed the prayer-meeting1 or other gatherings of the ,church4 ,he was1 indeed1 a worker that needeth not to be ashamed4 ,in the absence of the pastor he frequently led the prayer-meeting1 and his expositions of the chapter read as the lesson of the night were very scriptural1 cheering1 and full of encouragement4 ,he was familiarly acquainted with the ,word of ,god1 and his prayers were earnest1 solemn1 and to the point1 because his soul was surcharged with ,divine truth4 ,it is no wonder1 then1 that everybody loved him--his young men in the various ,bible-classes especially4 ,eternity alone will reveal the amount of good he accomplished by his kind1 gentle1 meek1 cheerful1 and quiet spirit4 ,servant of ,christ1 well done2 you rest from your labor1 and your works do follow you4 ,let us look at his work as a ruling ,elder of the ,church of ,christ4 ,paul1 in writing to ,timothy1 says3 ,let the elders that rule well1 be counted worthy of double honor1 especially they who labor in the word and doctrine 7#a ,timothy v4 #ag74 ,an elder is one who rules the house of ,god4 ,they are1 therefore1 the magistrates of the ,church4 ,they are to administer the laws of ,his holy sanctuary4 ,how great and important this work4 ,who is sufficient for these things8 ,the pastor1 in apostolic times1 was called an elder4 ,but as an under-shepherd his labors are greatly assisted and augmented by the hearty co-operation of a judicious selection of men filled with the spirit of ,god1 and duly ordained for their work4 ,men who recognize among their fellows no moral superiority1 but that spiritually-mindedness that flows from prayer and the study of ,god's ,word4 ,their work is immortal4 ,their duties are great4 ,but their peculiar privileges are greater--to rule well the ,house of ,god4 ,it is1 certainly1 a sad sight to see men filling this sacred office without the requisite qualifications4 ,the negotiations between man and man are so stupendous1 that it is not every member of the ,church who is fitted for this responsible work4 ,we ought to study adaptation in the selection and ordination of ruling them4 ,every time ,i looked in the face of ,elder ,knowles1 ,i was deeply impressed with the thought that no blunder had been committed when he was chosen and set apart in this line of ,apostolic toil4 ,for he was a good soldier of ,jesus ,christ4 ,he knew full well how to rule his own spirit1 and he that can do that is more mighty than he who taketh a city4 ,self must be slain by the sword of the spirit1 if we would lead the army of the ,lord on to victory4 ,hence the solemn injunction of ,paul3 ,i charge thee before ,god1 and the elect angels1 that thou observe these things without preferring one before another1 doing nothing by partiality4444 ,lay hands suddenly on no man 7#a ,timothy1 v4 #ba-bb74 ,we commend1 for attentive perusal and prayerful reflection1 the qualification of an elder1 as laid down by ,paul1 and elaborated by the holy ,mc,cheyne1 strictly germane to the life of ,elder ,james ,knowles4 ,they are fundamental requisites4 ,the good ,mc,cheyne1 of ,st4 ,peter's1 ,dundee1 says3 ,i feel1 brethren1 that a minister alone is incapable of ruling the ,house of ,god well4 ,if a minister is to thrive in his own soul1 he must be half of his time on his knees2 and therefore1 if ,christ's house is to be ruled well1 there must not only be pastors1 but there must be ruling elders4 ,the first qualification is grace4 ,grace in the heart4 ,if it be a qualification in a church member that he should have grace1 then much more ought it to be a qualification in one who rules the ,church of ,god4 ,how is it possible for him to admit any to the ,lord's table1 when he is but a judge himself8 ,how is it possible to excommunicate1 when he ought to be excommunicated himself8 ,so1 brethren1 a graceless elder is a curse instead of a blessing4 ,we can safely say our dear departed elder had grace4 ,this was remarkably developed in his ,christian character4 ,patience found a permanent home in his heart4 ,it occupied a significantly prominent place there1 and was strenuously cultivated4 ,it was copied and commented upon by all who knew him1 and uniformly evoked universal favor and approval by the various ministers and sessions of the different ,presbyterian churches in this city1 in which he was an elder4 ,he had many trials1 and we think he could say with ,paul1 in his letter to the ,church at ,rome3 ,we glory in tribulation1 also knowing that tribulation worketh patience1 and patience experience4 ,it seems they had some little misunderstanding in the session of one of the churches to which he 7our elder7 formerly belonged4 ,and some remark made by the elder to the pastor was so cutting1 that the minister said unless the elder would take back what he said1 that next ,sabbath he would tender his resignation to the congregation4 ,the elder replied that he would not take it back for him4 ,to preserve harmony1 and be a peacemaker1 ,elder ,knowles stepped up to his brother in the session1 and asked him if he would not take it back for his sake1 and the sake of the blessed ,jesus4 ,at this1 the elder said1 with tears in his eyes1 ,yes1 ,james1 for your sake1 ,i will take it back4 ,perhaps the minister was partly to blame1 and also the elder1 but by having the grace of patience1 not only was a reconciliation brought about1 the pastor was retained1 and permitted to resume his work1 and precious souls were added to the ,church4 ,oh1 how much trouble and scandal might be averted in some of the churches if our elders and deacons and church members would only strive to cultivate the grace of patience4 ,we have great need of this grace in our hearts1 as we work for the ,master4 ,may the ,holy ,spirit work it in us1 for1 as ,paul says3 ,ye have need of patience1 that1 after ye have done the will of ,god1 ye might receive the promise 7,heb4 x4 #cf74 ,the life of a ruling elder in the ,church1 and in the world1 is like the erection of a beautiful building4 ,great patience is requisite1 in order to bring it to a successful completion4 ,so1 as a wise master buildeth for eternity1 we most build the structure of ,christian character upon the apostles and prophets1 ,jesus ,christ1 ,himself1 being the chief corner-stone4 ,what a model of patience is ,jesus4 ,what difficulties ,he encountered4 ,what trials clustered around ,him4 ,what provocations he meekly endured4 ,all through ,his life1 and even amid ,his unutterable agonies on the ,cross on ,mount ,calvary1 when ,his body was shedding the last drop of blood to seal the mysterious work of redemption1 even then1 amid mockings and scoffings1 and tortures1 the sacred lips of the ,crucified ,christ uttered this prayer for his enemies1 ,father1 forgive them1 for they know not what they do 7,luke xxiii4 #cd74 ,the dear ,master considered this prayer essential before ,he could conscientiously exclaim1 ,consummatum est--,it is consummated1 or finished4 ,our dear elder was like his ,lord in this respect4 ,he could say1 with ,newton1 ,christ's way was much rougher and darker than mine1 ,did ,christ1 my ,lord1 suffer1 and shall ,i repine8 ,again1 another qualification in a ruling elder is wisdom4 ,be ye wise as serpents1 said ,jesus1 and harmless as doves4 ,are all these professing ,christians wise8 ,are all elders wise8 ,are all ministers wise8 ,dr4 ,bonar says3 ,be wise and use thy wisdom well4 ,be what thou seemest4 ,live thy creed2 ,be what thou prayest to be made4 ,lift o'er the earth the torch ,divine1 ,let the great ,master's steps be thine4 ,blessed words these4 ,who can read them without thanking ,god for such words and such men1 that our kind ,father above raises up to instruct us in these things that pertain to our everlasting well-being8 ,for all well-being is the result of well-doing in time and in eternity4 ,who is a wise man1 and endued with knowledge among you1 let him show1 out of a good conversation1 his works with meekness of wisdom4 ,this meekness of wisdom ,elder ,knowles preeminently possessed4 ,the psalmist says1 concerning such3 ,the meek shall inherit the land4 ,and shall delight themselves in abundance of peace4 ,strike1 said ,diogenes1 to his instructor1 ,antichenes1 the philosopher2 but you will find no staff so hard that it will drive me away from your school4 ,i love you1 and ,i have made up my mind to suffer anything for the sake of learning4 ,this yearning desire on the part of the true elder after fitness for his office1 ought to be willing to bear reproach for the sake of ,him who died1 that we might live4 ,there is great wisdom displayed in bearing the ,cross meekly for ,jesus4 ,if we suffer with ,him1 we shall also reign with ,him4 ,it is a blessed thing to suffer in love for ,christ4 ,to bear injustice and conquer4 ,herein is consummate wisdom displayed4 ,if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts1 glory not1 and lie not against the truth4 ,this wisdom descendeth not from above1 but is earthly1 sensual1 devilish4 ,for where envy and strife is1 there is confusion and every evil work4 ,but the wisdom that is from above is first pure1 then peaceable1 gentle1 and easy to be intreated1 full of mercy and good fruits1 without partiality1 and without hypocrisy 7,james iii4 #ad-ag74 ,but the wisdom of the elder now lying before us in the coffin was displayed not only in his meekness1 but in his gentleness of disposition4 ,his wife used to say1 ,why1 he is just like a child4 ,so gentle and peaceable4 ,so easily intreated4 ,i remember quoting that hymn at the prayer meeting3 ,i want to be like ,jesus1 ,meek1 lowly1 loving1 mild2 ,i want to be like ,jesus-- ,the ,father's holy child4 ,and at the close of the meeting he shook me warmly by the hand1 and the sentiment in the stanza seemed to give him unspeakable pleasure4 ,once more1 another qualification for the eldership that our deceased brother possessed1 was1 that he had a good report from without4 7,see #a ,timothy1 iii4 #g47 ,our dearly beloved was not only highly esteemed for his work's sake by the members of the churches and the various pastors1 as their letters in this volume testify1 but his walk and conversation was such in the outside world1 that his fellow-workmen1 and those who lived in the same house with him1 and had opportunity to know him1 learned to revere and love him4 ,you know the eyes of the world are constantly watching the ,christian4 ,i notice on the casket to-day a lovely bouquet of flowers1 and ,i read on the card3 ,presented to ,james ,knowles1 by the printers where he was for years employed4 ,this is1 certainly1 a token of esteem to the memory of him with whom they were long so affectionately associated4 ,in every professional life there are daily occurrences that try men's tempers4 ,but by the grace of ,god1 our brother was enabled to adorn the doctrine of ,god1 our ,saviour1 and to live unspotted from the world4 ,as all elders have to mingle more with the world than a minister1 how essential it is that the outside world should see that their walk and conversation be as becometh the ,gospel of ,christ4 ,again3 another qualification of an elder1 is1 that he should be a prayerful man4 ,our brother had all through life cultivated a spirit of prayer4 ,this is the ,christian's vital breath4 ,it was his habit to shut himself up in his room1 and pour out his soul in earnest supplication to ,god4 ,he prayed in his family1 as well as in the church4 ,he had secret prayer4 ,and thou1 when thou prayest1 enter into thy closet8 said ,jesus4 ,oh1 the power of prayer is marvellous4 ,he prayed audibly4 ,and his wife used to say of him3 ,he pleads with ,god as one pleading for his life4 ,when he became so weak that he was unable longer to testify for ,christ on his death-bed1 his loved ones bending over him1 and putting their ears down to his lips to catch his last articulations1 they heard him praying1 not for himself1 but for ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church and its minister4 ,lastly1 an elder ought to cultivate the habit of systematic beneficence for the support of the ,gospel4 ,this1 our brother was constantly in the habit of doing4 ,he remembered the injunction1 ,it is more blessed to give than to receive4 ,it is worthy of observation that1 during the three years during which his son was out in the late war1 he paid monthly the pew rent for his boy during his absence1 until at last his pastor would not allow him to do it longer4 ,oh1 that all of our office-bearers and church members would feel it their duty to give largely and in a worshipful spirit to the cause of their ,redeemer1 as the ,lord has prospered them4 ,blessed are such dead who die in the ,lord2 they rest from their labors1 and their works do follow them4 ,man cannot cover what ,god can reveal4 ,says the poet ,campbell3 ',tis the sunset of life gives me mystical lore1 ,and coming events cast their shadows before4 ,their works do follow them4 ,where8 ,on to the judgment4 ,where selfish ambition and avarice will be exposed in its true light4 ,where man's inhumanity to man will be thoroughly scrutinized4 ,for the books will be opened1 and we will be judged according to our works4 ,in that great and awful day when the great white throne is erected1 and when the heavens shall be removed as a scroll1 when it is rolled up2 and every mountain and island shall be removed out of their places4 ,and the kings of the earth1 and the princes1 and the chief captains1 and the rich1 and the strong1 shall hide themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains2 and they shall say to the mountains and the rocks1 ,fall on us1 and hide us from the face of ,him who sitteth on the throne1 and from the wrath of the ,lamb3 ,for the great day of ,his wrath is come3 and who is able to stand8 ,oh1 let us remember that now broken hearts can be healed by the power of the ,gospel of ,christ4 ,their works do follow them4 ,yonder8 ,yes6 ,here8 ,yes6 ,the salutary influence for good by the consistent life of our elder can never be lost or forgotten4 ,we lay our brother's body to-day in ,cypress ,hills ,cemetery1 but his spirit hovers o'er us4 ,this tenement of dust is empty1 but ,jesus says3 ,i am the resurrection and the life4 ,we have deep feelings to-day1 for we realize that we have lost a friend4 ,no more4 ,god bless you1 my brother1 in your work4 ,no more shall we see you at the prayer-meeting4 ,farewell1 dear elder and co-worker4 ,we say farewell but not forever4 ,we shall meet beyond the river4 ,and ,god grant ,that we may stand before the throne1 ,when earth and seas are fled2 ,and hear the ,judge pronounce our name1 ,with blessings on our head4 ,god's voice1 by this solemn dispensation of ,his providence1 speaks loudly to us all4 ,may our faith in ,god be greatly strengthened4 ,may our love for perishing souls be made more deeper and stronger4 ,may ,god help us to go out into the streets and lanes of this wicked city1 and constrain them to come in1 that ,his house may be full4 ,and ,god grant that this deep affliction which this church has sustained may be the means1 in the hands of the ,spirit1 of constraining us to have more earnest and believing prayer1 for the manifestation of ,his power to save unto the uttermost4 ,that ,jesus may see1 of the travail of ,his soul1 and be abundantly satisfied4 ,to the bereaved son and daughters1 and grandchildren1 who are left behind1 let me affectionately commend you to the unchanging love of ,him who sympathized with the sorrowing sisters of ,bethany4 ,put all your trust in ,his dear name4 ,serve ,him from day to day1 by reading ,his blessed ,bible1 and holding sweet communion with ,him1 by prayer and supplication1 that at last when ,god shall call for you to leave this stage of action1 you may go to meet your dear ones in the happy home above1 and sit with them at the marriage supper of the ,lamb4--,,amen4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,a ,,brief ,,historical ,,sketch ,,of ,,the ,,allen ,,street ,,presbyterian ,,church4 ,how lovely is thy dwelling-place1 ,o ,lord of hosts to me1 ,the tabernacles of thy grace1 ,how pleasant1 ,lord1 they be4 ,glorious things of thee are spoken1 ,o city of ,god4 ,this saying can be emphatically applied to the above church1 for the living truths proclaimed from her pulpit have saved and sanctified many sons and daughters1 and clad in the beauteous garments of ,prince ,immanuel1 have gone forth to other churches and to other lands1 to lead thousands to the same ,saviour that they had found4 ,let us glance at its origin4 ,while ,christ is the head of the ,church1 the tried corner-stone elect and precious1 yet his members are the living stones1 and have built up a spiritual house unto the ,lord4 ,the portion of ,zion to which we have reference1 originated on the corner of ,catharine ,street1 near ,madison ,street4 ,it was duly organized on ,wednesday1 ,may #bh1 #ahai4 ,the seal of the church is an open ,bible1 and the words ,holy ,bible upon it1 with the inscription surrounding it3 ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church4 ,the location of the place of worship was changed to ,allen ,street in #ahbc4 ,the ,rev4 ,ward ,stafford was appointed by the ,new ,york ,female ,missionary ,society1 who nobly toiled1 and was succeeded by the ,rev4 ,william ,gray4 ,during the first year of its history1 twenty-one members were added to the church-roll1 and as an expression of her unfeigned gratitude to ,god for this mark of kindness she became the mother of the same number of ministers of the ,gospel1 who were called and commissioned1 and who have courageously proclaimed the unsearchable riches of ,christ1 in distant parts of the country4 ,among them was the present pastor of the ,church of ,sea and ,land1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,hopper4 ,it is worthy of observation that this church has been able to pay its running expenses by voluntary contributions4 ,in a historical discourse delivered by ,rev4 ,george ,o4 ,phelps1 he says3 ,it is a source of untold satisfaction in this day of presumptuous spires or burdensome church debts1 that the ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church has no such encumbrance--not one dollar of mortgage rests upon it2 that at the close of each fiscal year1 by means of the voluntary system1 and the kindly aid of friends interested in the prosperity of the church1 and the maintenance of the preached word in this part of the city1 all obligations are fully discharged4 ,for this1 we most heartily thank our ,god to-day1 whose favor is thus constant4 ,true as it is1 that this church can be regarded at no period as among the affluent--as there are those to-day who expend more for church music than our entire congregational expenses1 so there have ever been those who could drop into the treasury of a single board1 in a single year1 more than all our contributions to benevolent objects during fifty years1 we hope it may be equally true that we have been most definitely1 spiritually pronounced4 ,whatever may be said of her ecclesiastical loyalty1 the evidences are numerous of fervent loyalty to ,christ1 in doctrine1 in the word preached1 in influence exerted1 in means used for the extension of ,his kingdom1 and of consequent fidelity to man touching questions of social and of national importance4 ,a not unimportant element of influence and success1 next to a becoming spirituality1 is the social-religious element4 ,this is proverbial of the ,allen ,street ,church4 ,not to refer to the regular weekly prayer-meeting in this connection would do great violence to a complete record as well as harm to many a saint in ,israel4 ,for years this meeting has been a great power in ,christian life and work4 ,hundreds maybe said to date their first serious impression1 and very many their conversion1 to the scenes of that hour and place2 and how perennial its influence1 and refreshing upon the host of ,god's people4 ,among the most prominent pastors of this church1 we may mention the ,rev4 ,henry ,white1 ,d4,d41 regularly installed ,march1 #ahbi4 ,he resigned ,march #i1 #ahcg1 and became the first ,professor of ,systematic ,theology in the ,union ,theological ,seminary1 ,new ,york ,city4 ,he died ,august #be1 #ahej1 aged fifty years4 ,a man of decided character4 ,rev4 ,george ,b4 ,cheever1 ,d4,d41 was installed ,october #aj1 #ahci1 and was dismissed ,april #bd1 #ahdd4 ,he afterward became the pastor of the ,church of the ,puritans on ,union ,square4 ,he now resides at ,englewood1 ,n4,j41 a man of vast resources1 both personal and acquired1 eloquent and effective in address1 in views extremely radical4 ,rev4 ,david ,benton ,coe1 ,d4,d41 was installed ,october #ad1 #ahdd4 ,he was dismissed ,may #ac1 #ahdi4 ,he became one of the secretaries of the ,american ,home ,missionary ,society4 ,he was of a retiring habit1 scholarly attainment1 instructive as a preacher1 and devoted and sympathizing as a pastor4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,newell was installed ,february #h1 #ahfj4 ,his pastorate ceased ,february #b1 #ahgd1 being the longest pastorate of the church1 embracing one quarter of its history4 ,in this brother the pastor and the evangelist were happily united4 ,of deep sympathies1 ardent in faith1 ,christ crucified became the one theme of his ministry4 ,he was second to none in religious zeal1 and untiring in effort4 ,each succeeding ministry has not been wanting in the evidences of the ,spirit1 in which the being of the church seems to have been cast4 ,the pastorate of ,mr4 ,lucas1 for example1 deserves more than a passing notice4 ,it was marked by two interesting works of grace3 one soon after his coming to the field 7#ahee71 and that of #aheh4 ,during these seasons not a few of the best friends of ,allen ,street were brought to ,christ4 ,not all were equally favored1 however1 with beholding what men too often regard exclusively as signs of success4 ,in illustration of this1 it is enough to suggest that the loss experienced yearly during a large period of her history has by no means been supplied through additions by letter4 ,this source of gain alone would not have spared her the extinction which early threatened the church through removals4 ,on the contrary1 as previously observed1 the balance has been favorable through all these years of depletion--a monument to the grace of ,god in no general sense4 ,perhaps it may not be disparaging to say that the revival period of the church is embraced in the pastorate of ,dr4 ,newell1 the fourteen years of which were distinguished for their revival spirit4 ,i think it may be truthfully said1 that he would have deemed his own ministry a miserable failure in the absence of revival seasons4 ,with two exceptions each year of his ministry was marked with ingathering4 ,a large proportion of those now worshipping here were brought to the ,saviour within these years2 while many others are known to be justifying the spirit of their birthplace in other communions4 ,the most powerful work of grace1 in many respects1 occurred in the winter of #ahff-fg4 ,on ,march #bd1 #ahfg1 one hundred and fifty-four subjects of that work publicly professed faith in ,christ2 upward of two hundred joined the church during the year4 ,the following notice is taken from the ,new ,york ,evangelist soon after1 the editor of which was present3 ,a goodly sight1 indeed1 and worthy the words of hearty welcome uttered by the pastor4 ,as he led the congregation in the song1 ',there are angels hovering round1' the house seemed to be full of heavenly influence4 ,there were a large number of baptisms4 ,there was visible emotion as the symbol of purity was lifted to the brow of a lady in deep mourning4 ,her husband 7,mr4 ,george ,betts7 had been an elder of the church twenty-eight years4 ,it was his constant cry to ,god that he might not die until his wife became a ,christian4 ,two weeks before he had heard her examined and received by the session4 ,on his way from church he was struck with paralysis1 and died4 ,he adds3 ,i have never seen a better appearing multitude stand in any church4 ,the sexes were about equally divided4 ,these seasons1 said the pastor1 in his farewell discourse1 have not been the result of accident4 ,they were thoroughly planned and provided for1 and sought of the ,lord4 ,we have found that appropriate means was wisdom1 that persistent concentration was power2 that enthusiasm for souls was force2 and that belief in ,god was success4 ,a complete history of that one revival would occupy a volume4 ,it was deep1 wide-spread1 and confined to no particular class4 ,the official capacity of the church recently has been largely exercised by men converted at that time4 ,men holding trusts in the ,society to-day were without hope previous to that work4 ,it is gratifying to record the continuance of the gracious favor1 that this last year of the century1 the fifty-seventh of our existence1 should be crowned with still another work of grace--gradual in inception1 first indicated by increasing interest in the ministration of the ,word1 in the absence of special means1 only finding in the ,week of ,prayer an occasion for decided development--continuing with deepening and widening interest1 until attention was necessarily divided between this and a more general work in connection with the coming of ,messrs4 ,moody and ,sankey to our city4 ,as visible proof of this quiet work1 fifty-seven have been added to the church--forty-six making profession of their faith on ,march #abth1 of all ages--youth from the ,sabbath-schools1 adults1 and several heads of families4 ,a church of such continuous revival record ought1 indeed1 to raise her ,ebenezer to-day4 ,while as patriots we fling out our ,centennial ,banners1 let us1 as subjects of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 set up a memorial to the praise of ,his boundless1 matchless grace4 ,during the ministry of the ,rev4 ,george ,o4 ,phelps1 the blessing of the ,lord attended his untiring and loving labors4 ,we cannot omit mentioning here the kindness of the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,nathaniel ,conkling1 who cheerfully supplied the pulpit for eighteen months without any remuneration2 and during this time the pastor's study was neatly furnished1 and the church property renovated4 ,also a number of young persons were led to ,christ and united with the church2 some of these young men are to-day actively engaged in the ,lord's work in the lower part of the city1 at the ,church1 and in connection with the ,young ,men's ,institute1 on the ,bowery4 ,it only remains for me to speak of the ,sabbath-schools connected with this church4 ,imperfect1 indeed1 would be this narrative1 without a record of this department of ,christian work4 ,mr4 ,samuel ,kennedy was its first superintendent1 which office he held for twenty-three years4 ,he was a man of great kindness of heart1 strict in discipline1 and devoted to the interest of youth4 ,the present superintendent is ,martin ,ralph4 ,the following named gentlemen have held the office of ,superintendent in regular succession3 ,john ,d4 ,camp1 ,benjamin ,n4 ,goldsmith1 ,daniel ,o4 ,caulkins1 ,amos ,p4 ,hawley1 ,lewis ,s4 ,benedict1 ,mahlon ,t4 ,hewitt1 ,william ,c4 ,bradley1 ,h4 ,c4 ,southworth1 ,joseph ,w4 ,lester1 ,edward ,p4 ,tibballs1 ,h4 ,g4 ,fraser1 and ,g4 ,a4 ,koos4 ,there is also related to this church a ,mission-school1 superintended by one of its elders--,mr4 ,j4 ,h4 ,owens--known as the ,ludlow ,street ,mission ,sabbath ,school1 at present occupying the public school building on ,ludlow ,street1 between ,rivington and ,delancey4 ,the superintendents are tireless in exertion1 and fully devoted to its interest1 encouraged by a zealous band of officers and teachers1 the influence of whose work upon the children and the families they represent in that locality1 eternity alone can tell4 ,next to ,elder ,knowles1 as the ruling elder1 we might mention the name of ,joseph ,w4 ,lester1 of whom it may be said that he endeared himself1 by an unusual force of character1 to a large acquaintance1 best known in connection with the ,allen ,street ,church1 but a pillar of strength to every good work throughout the city2 of strict integrity1 a judicious adviser1 largely benevolent1 prompt to act1 of wonderful energy1 reliable everywhere1 zealous to win souls1 esteemed for his business qualities1 and a true patriot4 ,but amid all the changes to which both the church and school have ever been subject1 there remains one1 who1 as a dutiful son1 and an apt scholar1 took his place forty-seven years ago2 so now his fidelity and constancy are no marvel1 since1 with the ,psalmist1 he is a door-keeper in the ,house of the ,lord1 and like ,john the ,baptist1 ,an unshaken ,reed4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,comments ,,of ,,the ,,press ,,on ,,the ,,removal ,,of ,,the ,,church4 ,the ,new ,york ,times1 of ,monday1 ,may #i1 #ahhg1 gives a brief account of the origin of the church3 ,the ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church had its beginning in ,madison ,street1 then ,bancker1 in #ahaf4 ,a missionary society in #ahag built a wooden structure at a cost of a little over two thousand dollars1 near the corner of ,catharine ,street4 ,the society was incorporated as the ,mission ,church in the ,city of ,new ,york1 and that title has never been changed1 except by common usage4 ,in #ahbc an edifice was erected at a cost of about three thousand dollars4 ,for years the church did not prosper1 and was on the point of selling its property1 when the ,rev4 ,absalom ,peters offered to act as ,pastor for a time without salary4 ,he pulled the society through its troubles4 ,the present building was erected in #ahcc at a cost of twenty thousand dollars4 ,since then the church has been humbly prosperous4 ,for the present1 until a site is secured1 the congregation will worship in the ,church of the ,sea and ,land1 in ,market ,street4 ,on the same date1 under the heading of ,after ,fifty-four ,years1 and ,the ,last ,services in the ,old ,allen ,street ,church1 the same paper says3 ,another of ,new ,york's old churches will soon be torn down4 ,yesterday the last services were held in the ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church1 near ,grand ,street4 ,for many years the church has been a sort of half-way house between up and down town1 and its congregation has been an ever-changing one4 ,it has never been a large nor a rich church1 although it has had among its members many who are to-day wealthy1 and its total membership1 since its organization1 is much greater than that of many a larger church4 ,the last services were made interesting1 not only by the presence of nearly all the present members1 but of members of twenty and twenty-five years ago1 who came from churches further up town and from ,brooklyn4 ,in the afternoon there was a union service of the church1 ,sunday-school1 and the ,ludlow ,street ,mission4 ,later the young people held a prayer-meeting1 and in the evening reunion services were held4 ,the pastor1 the ,rev4 ,d4 ,mc,neill ,young1 read letters from many former members who had left ,new ,york1 all regretting the necessity for demolishing the old building4 ,the reading of the letters was interrupted by the puffing and rattle of the elevated trains directly in front of the door--one of the principal causes of a change of location--that made more prominent the fact that1 though sentiment might desire to save the church1 it could never again be a pleasant place of worship4 ,after the letters were read familiar hymns were sung1 and1 without any formality1 the older members and their former associates gave reminiscences of the early days of their church4 ,as a proof of its spiritual power not less than fourteen hundred and forty-three persons have been connected with it in the service of the ,master1 the number of active members at the time of changing location being five hundred and sixty three1 showing that though old in years it still retains its usefulness4 ,the ,new ,york ,evangelist of ,april #ba1 #ahhg1 under the heading of ,another ,land-mark to be ,obliterated1 says3 ,the old ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church building1 where ,god's people have continued to battle against sin and ,satan for some sixty-four years1 has at last yielded to the pressure of the advancing tide of business on ,grand ,street1 and been sold4 ,the present expectation of the ,church is to remain in the neighborhood1 and it is hoped that a more desirable location may be obtained1 and a building1 suited to the times and the needs of the people1 erected thereon4 ,farewell services will begin on ,friday evening1 ,may #fth1 with the preparatory lecture1 to be followed by an earnest season of prayer for the divine blessing on the exodus4 ,on ,sabbath1 ,may #hth1 the farewell communion service will be held at #aa ,a4,m4 ,a union meeting of the ,home and ,ludlow ,street ,sabbath-schools will be held in the main audience room of the church building at #b ,p4,m4 ,the exercises of the ,young ,people's ,prayer and ,conference ,meeting will take place at seven o'clock1 followed by the closing farewell service in the ,church at #g4de ,p4,m4 ,then the last good-by will be said in the dear old home which has been the spiritual birth-place of many1 many precious souls4 ,it is earnestly hoped that these services will bring together many who can tell of former refreshing times from the presence of the ,lord1 and of hallowed associations within the sacred walls of the old ,allen ,street ,church4 ,it is expected that some of the former pastors will be present to add interest to the occasion4 ,it is well understood that this well-known church property has been purchased by ,messrs4 ,ridley ,co4 for #ge1jjj4 ,they thus secure large additional space for their enormous mercantile business4 ,it should1 perhaps1 be known that the building of the ,elevated road1 just in front1 has greatly injured ,old ,allen ,street1 as it was popularly called1 for all church purposes4 ,the noise of the passing trains was very annoying1 especially in warm weather1 when windows and doors were open4 ,the sum realized will1 it is hoped1 enable the congregation to build elsewhere in the neighborhood4 ,the ,new ,york ,daily ,tribune1 of the same date1 thus comments on the old church3 ,,leaving ,,their ,,old ,,church ,,home4 ,yesterday the ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church held their last service in their present home4 ,the building has been sold to ,messrs4 ,ridley ,sons for mercantile purposes4 ,the church moves temporarily to ,market ,street1 where they will worship with the ,church of the ,sea and ,land4 ,there were the regular morning services1 followed by communion4 ,the church was tastefully decorated with flowers1 the gift of the ,bethany ,society of the ,church1 in commemoration of their last services4 ,on ,may #bh1 #ahai1 the church was organized1 although the building had been dedicated on ,october #be1 #ahag4 ,this building was in ,madison ,street1 and when it became too small they moved to their present place in #ahcd4 ,in the afternoon the home ,sunday-school and the ,mission school in ,ludlow ,street held a reunion in the home church4 ,the programme in the afternoon and evening consisted of short addresses and music4 ,it was a reunion of old members and new1 of old pastors and people1 of old officers and those whom they were accustomed to oversee4 ,the ,rev4 ,n4 ,d4 ,conkling1 assisted the pastor1 the ,rev4 ,d4 ,m4 ,young in the services1 preaching the morning sermon4 ,there were twelve persons received into the church on profession of faith4 ,,resolutions ,,of ,,the ,,allen ,,street ,,church4 ,,new ,,york1 ,march #b1 #ahhg4 ,whereas1 ,it has pleased ,almighty ,god1 our kind and compassionate heavenly ,father1 in the solemn dispensations of ,his providence to remove from our midst by death1 our dear and highly esteemed friend and brother1 ,elder ,james ,knowles1 and his wife1 ,matilda ,knowles1 of the ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church2 and ,whereas1 ,it becomes us not only as brethren in ,christ1 but as a ,session of said church1 to express our hearty appreciation of their work in and worth to the cause of ,christianity1 which they so dearly loved2 and while we bow in humble submission to the ,divine will1 nevertheless we strongly realize that1 as co-workers together with them in the ,master's vineyard1 we have sustained a severe and irreparable loss by this sad bereavement2 ,therefore be it ,resolved1 ,that as a ,session now assembled1 we do hereby tender our heartfelt sympathy and sorrow to the bereaved family in their great grief2 and we do earnestly and sincerely commend them to ,god and the ,word of ,his grace1 that is able to keep them from falling1 and to give them an abundant entrance into ,his everlasting kingdom2 and be it further ,resolved1 ,that the ,clerk of ,session be requested to enter these resolutions on the records of the church1 and that a copy be immediately forwarded to the family of the deceased4 7,signed71 ,,duncan ,m4 ,,young1 ,pastor4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,allen1 ,m4,d41 ,j4 ,m4 ,,morrison1 ,j4 ,r4 ,,batty1 ,,martin ,,braitmayer1 ,elders4 ,,jerome ,h4 ,,owens1 ,clerk of ,session4 ,illustration3 ,,matilda ,,knowles ,,gathering ,,jewels4 ,,matilda ,,knowles4 ,,being ,,the ,,record ,,of ,a ,,consecrated ,,missionary ,,woman',s ,,work ,,for ,,over ,a ,,quarter ,,of ,a ,,century ,,in ,,the ,,tenth ,,ward ,,of ,,new ,,york ,,city4 ,she hath done what she could4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,brief ,,memoir ,,of ,,matilda ,,knowles4 ,they walk with ,god whom none can shame ,from trusting in ,his holy name2 ,who looking for a glorious morn1 ,shrink not before the lip of scorn4 ,the subject of this memoir was born in ,tichon1 near ,ballymena1 ,county ,antrim1 in the north of ,ireland1 ,march #bb1 #ahaa4 ,her ancestors fled from ,scotland during the dark days of persecution1 when the minister's home was the mountain and flood4 ,little can be gleaned of her early history4 ,her mother died when she was six years old1 leaving a sister older than herself1 and a brother1 a baby eight months old4 ,her father died shortly after her mother4 ,when she was only eight years old1 she went to the corner of the house1 and asked the ,lord to be a father and a mother to her4 ,she was ultimately taken to her uncle's1 at which place she resided until she came to ,america4 ,during her stay with him1 she became acquainted with a young girl1 who told her of the love of ,jesus1 and shortly before her death1 she would frequently say how good ,god was to her1 in bringing her in contact with her friend1 who early told her of the life of the ,saviour1 and ,his never-dying love4 ,at the same place1 being filled with those desires1 and having those ,christian principles instilled into her heart1 and not having conveniences to study and pray in the house1 she would repair to the barn1 to attend to her devotional duties1 experiencing the truthfulness of ,god's ,word1 ,they that seek me early shall find me4 ,at this time she committed to memory the ,psalms1 and the ,book of ,proverbs1 and several passages of the ,new ,testament4 ,it seems that certain influences were brought to bear upon her1 for the purpose of getting her settled in life1 contrary to her own wishes2 but the party so chosen was without ,christian character1 and although every inducement was offered1 so far as wealth was concerned1 she remembered the injunction of the ,scriptures1 ,be ye not unequally yoked to unbelievers1 and like ,moses1 who refused to be called the son of ,pharaoh's daughter1 but chose rather to suffer affliction1 penury1 and loss with the people of ,god1 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season1 she declined to enter into the proposed matrimonial connection4 ,and then she decided to emigrate to the ,united ,states1 friendless and alone4 ,in #ahcc--the time of the great cholera epidemic in this country--she was left by herself1 in a house where all its occupants had fled through fear4 ,trusting in the ,god of ,israel for protection1 she experienced the full force of those sublime words of ,king ,david3 ,he that dwelleth in the secret place of the ,most ,high shall abide under the shadow of the ,almighty4 ,he shall cover thee with ,his feathers1 and under ,his wings shalt thou trust4 ,thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night1 nor for the arrow that flieth by day2 nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness2 nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day4 ,on arriving in ,new ,york1 she immediately connected herself in church fellowship with the ,canal ,street ,presbyterian ,church1 under the ministry of the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,mc,carthy1 and became a ,sabbath-school teacher4 ,some of the first impressions made on her mind by her pastor were continually repeated1 even up to the hour of her death4 ,in one address1 delivered to young people1 he begged them not to allow ,satan to get even his little finger in1 for he generally commenced with little sins1 and by and by he would get his two fingers in1 and then his whole hand1 and twist you around as he chose1 instead of allowing you to obey the commands of ,god4 ,shortly after she landed in this country she was invited by an acquaintance to go to ,brooklyn1 to church4 ,she consented1 and attended the service2 but1 on her return1 while stepping off the ferry-boat1 she slipped1 and fell into the river1 and narrowly escaped drowning4 ,she resolved1 by ,god's grace1 that she would never put her foot on a ferry-boat on the ,sabbath again1 while she lived1 which vow she kept to the close of her life4 ,it was her usual custom on the street1 if she heard any person using profane language1 to reprove them1 by saying1 ,don't dare take the name of my ,saviour in vain4 ,in the year #ahci she was married to ,elder ,james ,knowles1 by the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,mc,leod1 of the ,first ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church1 ,prince's ,street4 ,at this time she joined the above church1 that she might be in full fellowship at the same communion-table with her husband4 ,in her earnest endeavors to faithfully serve her ,lord and ,master1 she was sorely tried by a woman who lived in the same house with her4 ,and herein do we see the goodness of ,god1 in imparting grace to her to strenuously resist temptation4 ,this woman did all in her power to lead her astray by offering her strong drink4 ,she would visit her frequently after her husband had gone to his business1 and bring the bottle and glass4 ,she determined to change her place of residence1 and before her husband returned home1 she had engaged new apartments1 and had her furniture all removed4 ,even after her removal1 the woman followed her up1 and became a tenant in the same house1 and the same temptations were renewed4 ,she once more got up and moved out of the house1 never once yielding to the woman's persistent temptation4 ,in the summer of #ahdh she met with a narrow escape in a burning building4 ,in trying to extinguish the flames1 she was badly burned from the points of her fingers up to her shoulders4 ,in this house she succeeded in getting some people to attend church2 and at this time1 seeing some women ordained to go to ,india1 she earnestly desired to be in their place4 ,in #ahfj1 when in her fiftieth year1 she removed to the ,tenth ,ward1 the scene of her future labors4 ,when her son ,william went to the war1 she was recommended by ,mrs4 ,warren to ,rev4 ,mr4 ,finney1 who engaged her as a ,bible ,reader and ,visitor in the district4 ,in the spring of #ahfb1 during the great fratricidal war1 she started a sewing-school in ,rivington ,street1 which eventually merged into the ,harper and ,fiske ,industrial ,school in ,ludlow ,street1 which met every ,saturday4 ,gathering together from seventy-five to one hundred children1 she taught them to sew1 and endeavored to lead them to ,him who said1 ,suffer the little children to come unto me1 and forbid them not1 for of such is the kingdom of heaven4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,value ,,of ,,prayer4 ,oh1 teach me1 ,lord1 that ,i may teach ,the precious things ,thou dost impart2 ,and wing my words1 that they may reach ,the hidden depths of many a heart4 ,mrs4 ,knowles's life1 throughout1 was characterized by great sincerity and steadfastness of purpose4 ,as an evidence of it1 ,i will give a sketch of her experience and work from her own pen1 illustrating how the closing hours of her life were chiefly devoted to ,gathering ,jewels for ,christ1 as the secret of a truly beautiful life4 ,in my field of labor ,i have met with much success and encouragement1 though1 indeed1 there are more cases very trying and painful to witness1 but all difficulties can be encountered1 and many overcome1 by prayer4 ,i feel more and more the blessedness of the privilege ,i enjoy in being permitted to labor for ,christ in the salvation of so many poor souls1 and in being the means of aiding so many who are sick1 cast down1 and discouraged4 ,how many there are who neglect the house of prayer from the contagion of bad example around them1 and the want of a kind word of invitation1 until the habit becomes fixed1 and it needs urging to remind them of their duty8 ,i often think of the words of ,christ3 ',compel them to come in4' ,yes1 compulsion of the right kind is very needful1 and a word of interest and encouragement such a help4 ,one poor woman whom ,i visited a short time since1 told me her lot was the hardest in the world--that she had seven children all out of ,christ4 ,i told her not to be disheartened2 that if she could say ,god was her ,god1 she could say he was the ,god of her seed1 and that ,jesus had said3 ',whatsoever ye shall ask in my name1 believing1 ye shall receive4' ,she said3 ',i have hoped so long1 but now ,i am discouraged4' ,i told her the mother of ,st4 ,augustine said she had prayed for fourteen long years for her son1 and her friend said to her3 ',i tell you the subject of so many long and earnest prayers cannot be lost4' ,and that son1 of whom she was then in search1 and whom she met a short time afterward1 was then under deep conviction1 and soon afterward brought to ,christ1 and became an earnest and devoted minister2 'and you1 my friend1 need not be discouraged1 for the same ,spirit can work as powerfully on the hearts of your children as on his4' ,i prayed with her1 and left her begging me to pray for her2 calling on her a few days since1 she met me with a cheerful countenance1 and told me what ,i had said1 together with reading the promise of an answer to prayer1 had greatly encouraged her1 and that her eldest son1 who was the most unruly of all1 had accompanied her to church on the last ,sabbath1 and she believed now the rest would be led to follow his example4 ,i told her to doubt no longer1 and with a word of cheer left her4 ,here ,i will make a few comments on the above4 ,all difficulties can be encountered1 and many overcome by prayer4--,how true and weighty is this remark4 ,remembrance of this would guard and govern aright the actions of ,christians1 and deliver them from all unprofitable and injudicious murmurings4 ,it suggests the only true antidote for the ills of life4 ,a pleasant path to tranquillity of mind is prayer4 ,whether amid the crowded city or in the quiet hamlet1 on land or on sea1 at home or abroad1 no matter where we are1 ,god's ear is always open to the cry of ,his children4 ,prayer is the divinely appointed means to the attainment of peace4 ,it lifts the soul above the cares and vicissitudes of life4 ,its effect is nearness to ,god4 ,earth's sighs are numerous4 ,the tears flow thick and fast4 ,tears of affright4 ,the enemy comes in like a flood1 but the ,lord lifts up a standard against them all2 and the blest remembrance of the promise1 ,cast thy burden by prayer on the ,lord1 and ,he will sustain thee1 imparts fresh courage amid the conflict4 ,the man who forgets to pray in the hour of trial is like one who has lost his way on a dark1 stormy night2 he is1 indeed1 a benighted traveller on a lonesome1 dreary road4 ,but let us thank ,god that-- ,from every stormy wind that blows1 ,from every swelling tide of woes1 ,there is a calm1 a sure retreat2 ',tis found beneath the ,mercy ,seat4 ,i feel more and more the blessedness of the privilege ,i enjoy1 in being permitted to labor for ,christ in the salvation of so many poor souls4--,when we labor with an eye to the glory of ,god1 and the exaltation of the name of ,jesus in the salvation of lost sinners1 it always imparts perpetual pleasure4 ,it was for the joy that was set before ,jesus that ,he endured the ,cross4 ,pure pleasure springs from the motive of doing good4 ,this was the standard from which ,christ labored4 ,his compensation consisted in clarifying the natural and spiritual vision of those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death4 ,this is the true explanation of ,his mysterious patience with those who frequently repelled ,his teachings and doings1 when they were attributed to the power of the ,prince of the ,air4 ,but the incarnate ,son of ,god fainted not in ,his work1 until ,he exclaimed1 ,it is finished4 ,it is even so with all faithful missionaries4 ,they feel it to be an unspeakable privilege to be co-workers with ,christ2 recognizing the fact that it is not their work but ,god's1 and while they acknowledge their utter inability to save a single soul1 yet1 doubtless1 their joy and satisfaction in all their work springs from the sacred consciousness that there is not only rejoicings and gladness of heart experienced on earth1 but joy in the presence of the angels of ,god over one sinner that repenteth4 ,i often think of the words of ,christ1 ,compel them to come in4--,the scene is changed4 ,from prayer in the closet1 to kindly compulsion in the lanes and streets of the city4 ,here the reader will find the true secret of her beautiful life2 namely1 frequent reflection on the words of ,christ1 relative to ,christian work in the world4 ,go ye out into the highways and lanes1 etc4 ,this is the only method by which we can have communication with the souls of men and women who are perishing for lack of knowledge4 ,the question has often been asked by the philanthropic men of the present day1 ,how can we reach the masses8 ,how can we save the non-churchgoers8 ,it is calculated that with a population of almost a hundred thousand souls in the ,tenth ,ward alone1 of ,new ,york1 only about one-fourth attend any place of worship4 ,these facts and figures are startling1 but they are1 nevertheless1 true4 ,these precious souls1 for whom ,christ died1 must be made the object of our affection4 ,our knowledge of the spiritual destitution of the down-town masses is strictly based upon our experience and observation4 ,and hence we say that a house to house visitation1 systematically arranged1 constitutes one of the essential characteristics of ,christ-like work4 ,he labored not only in the temple and the synagogue1 but in the market-place1 and on the streets4 ,his pulpit was the stern-sheets of the ship1 on the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,with a word of cheer left her4--,think of the power of a kind word4 ,amid all the busy scenes of life1 is there no time for a cheerful word8 ,when the ,chief ,priests and ,pharisees sought to lay hands on ,jesus1 they feared the multitude because they took him for a prophet4 ,what rays of celestial sunshine sometimes stream into the soul of the disheartened one when the missionary whispers1 ,put all your trust in ,jesus1 and he will care for you4 ,there is balm in ,gilead1 and there is a physician there4 ,look at the power of a kind word uttered by the ,master4 ,are there no tumultuous fears allayed in the breast of those two blind men as they sit by the wayside to ,jerusalem8 ,they cry1 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord1 thou ,son of ,david4 ,is there not a stupendous wealth of kindness and potency portrayed in yon scene when ,jesus stood still and called them1 and uttered those strange kind words3 ,what will ye that ,i should do unto you8 ,how sad is the sight of a blind person6 ,how intensely dark their surroundings6 ,how they excite our pity6 ,how many1 alas6 are blinded by sin1 sickness1 and sorrow4 ,they say unto him1 ,lord1 that our eyes may be opened4 ,jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes1 and immediately their eyes received sight and they followed him4 ,is there any wonder that the whole city was moved1 saying1 ,who is this8 ,this is ,jesus1 the prophet of ,nazareth1 of ,galilee4 ,now the ,saviour said1 ,as the ,father hath sent me1 even so send ,i you into the world4 ,kind ,christian words contain the rich unction of encouragement and inspiration to the sorrowful1 heavy-laden heart4 ,so daughter1 be of good cheer1 thy sins1 which are many1 are all forgiven thee4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,william ,,the ,,consumptive4 ,oh1 fill me with ,thy fulness1 ,lord1 ,until my very heart o'erflow ,in kindling thought and glowing word1 ,thy love to tell1 ,thy praise to show4 ,our ,missing ,link1 a journal devoted to missionary work1 has given many graphic recitals of the good work she accomplished in numerous fields1 but none of much livelier interest than the case of ,,william ,,at ,,st4 ,,luke',s ,william is a young ,englishman4 ,he came to this country eight years ago4 ,he is now about twenty-four4 ,i first saw him some time last winter4 ,his sister1 who lives with her family in our mission block1 had told me that she had a brother in ,new ,york1 who was out of health and out of employment1 and was very unhappy in consequence4 ,i expressed my sympathy1 but not knowing of anything that ,i could do1 asked no questions at the time4 ,a few days after she came to say that the brother referred to was in her room2 that it had become evident that he was in consumption4 ,he would like to talk with me4 ,i was alone1 and bade her invite him in4 ,he came immediately4 ,a tall1 thin young man1 with a pleasant face and easy manners4 ,i did not speak to him very directly on religious subjects4 ,i believe that ,i perceived in this first interview that his views were not very clear4 ,i encouraged him gradually to tell me about his circumstances4 ,his confidence was easily won1 and in the course of this and subsequent interviews ,i learned that his only home was with an aged father1 who was himself out of work and in straitened circumstances4 ,william's clothing was too thin for the inclement weather we were then encountering1 and it was plain he could not have the nourishing food his declining appetite required4 ,the sister who first introduced him to me was anxious about him1 but her tenement was too small to accommodate her own family1 and her husband's wages hardly equal to the wants of his own household4 ,william's great desire was to procure employment4 ,he would work to the utmost of his failing strength if only he could get work to do4 ,i obtained from the ,sick ,relief ,fund a few shillings' worth of groceries per week for him2 but employment1 means to help himself1 was his one aspiration4 ,i felt sure he was not able to work1 but was anxious1 nevertheless1 though in vain1 to gratify his wish4 ,one evening ,i communicated to him a slight hope of an opening to some employment4 ,the increased brightness of his eye1 the red spot on each cheek1 and his sleeplessness that night1 proved that he was not able to bear even the excitement of a sudden hope4 ,poor fellow6 it was plain he would never work much more4 ,i must mention here that ,william's constitution had received the seeds of disease while at sea during the war4 ,he ran away from home and engaged in the revenue service4 ,he also served in the army4 ,he has never been well since his return4 ,his friends tell me that he has been wild1 not that he was immoral1 to use their own expression4 ,he had been religiously trained in ,england1 did nothing that the world would call bad2 but he was wayward1 and the occasion to them of great anxiety and displeasure also4 ,as ,i said before1 we did not talk much at first about religion1 not that he avoided the subject4 ,he was very conscious of his own situation as far as the uncertainty of his life was concerned1 but he had apparently no sense of sinfulness before ,god4 ,perhaps the reserve was on my side4 ,i think ,i never felt so much as in this case the utter powerlessness of human influence to bring the soul to ,god4 ,he spoke calmly of death2 but when ,i asked him what was the ground of his hope beyond the grave1 he replied3 ,i have never done any one harm2 ,i have tried to live right4 ,i replied earnestly3 ,do not trust to any such refuge as that4 ,i then warned him against any hope not founded on ,christ alone4 ,he acknowledged that what ,i said was true1 and seemed for a moment disturbed4 ,i cannot recall another conversation in our earlier acquaintance1 in which ,i was able to speak with any earnestness1 or in which he seemed at all impressed4 ,i could only pray3 ,lord1 open his eyes6 ,it is very wonderful to me1 on looking back1 to see how ,god was leading him all this time4 ,once he told me of a sermon which he had heard months before1 upon the text3 ,set thine house in order1 for thou shalt die1 and not live4 ,he had never been so impressed by a sermon2 he could not forget it4 ,occasionally1 ,i observed that his mind was well stored with the ,prayer ,book version of the ,psalms4 ,sometimes he would quote a petition1 telling me it had been specially upon his mind4 ,upon inquiry1 ,i found that at home in ,england1 he had been a chorister boy at church4 ,he has since told me he used to sing the ,psalms without any sense of their meaning4 ,probably the words were never explained to him1 or impressed upon him in any way4 ,it was a mere form of a church which confirmed its members at fifteen years old1 with very little cognizance of their spiritual life4 ,william1 however1 had not been confirmed4 ,it would seem from his subsequent life that the words he had chanted1 from ,sunday to ,sunday1 had no effect on him1 but now1 in his last days1 ,god was bringing them home to his heart1 over all the years of his carelessness1 and accomplishing that which he pleased4 ,it has helped me to believe that it is not in vain to store the mind of thoughtless ,sunday-school scholars with the ,word of ,god1 and that in the most formal ,christian ,church the words of ,scripture are not lost4 ,but all this time ,william's temporal wants were increasingly pressing4 ,his father had been obliged to sell their little stock of furniture1 and the house was broken up4 ,one night his sister told me that ,william had not so much as a place to sleep in4 ,she took him in with her own children for a few days4 ,i recommended that he should go into ,st4 ,luke's ,hospital for a month4 ,perhaps the rest and nourishment he would find there would enable him to get through the trying spring weather1 and in the summer he might be better4 ,while this plan was under consideration1 ,william found that he could stay in the room that his father had just quitted until the end of the month1 which was half gone4 ,still clinging to the hope of finding employment1 he gave up the hospital plan1 while in his almost empty room was neither food nor fuel4 ,his sister did what she could4 ,i applied to the ,sick ,relief ,society for some coal1 which was immediately granted4 ,all this time ,i had not applied to my ,superintendent1 whose kind and ready sympathy never fails me4 ,the reason was1 ,i have constantly on my heart and hands so many cases of suffering that ,i cannot represent them all1 and am anxious to get through difficulties1 as far as possible1 without unusual assistance4 ,but in this case ,god's plans were above my reach4 ,one day ,mrs4 ,knowles called at my room4 ,while we were talking about some mission business1 there was a knock4 ,it was ,william4 ,i had an instant sense that he had providentially called4 ,come in1 ,i said1 and tell your story to my ,superintendent4 ,this interview was the beginning of better times for poor ,william4 ,mrs4 ,knowles immediately provided him with better clothing4 ,i had only succeeded in getting some flannel from the ,society4 ,her kindness did not stop here4 ,in a few days she procured him a job of cutting wood4 ,a ,difficulty4--,william did his first day's work with all the energy his feeble strength would allow1 but on being summoned to the same place again1 an unfortunate circumstance occurred4 ,i think it right to state the facts1 because it shows how wonderfully ,god's grace can overrule4 ,he commenced his work as before1 but his strength giving out1 he accepted an invitation from a lady in an adjoining house to come in and rest4 ,his delicate appearance enlisted sympathy4 ,she had had some conversation with him in his previous day's work1 and was now prepared to express the kindest feelings1 especially as she herself had lost a brother with consumption4 ,observing his exhausted state1 she brought forward a glass of whiskey1 which she made him swallow1 strongly advising him to procure more and use it as a stimulant4 ,the lady's intention was only kind1 but1 unfortunately1 ,william acted indiscreetly upon the advice4 ,encouraged by the momentary relief afforded by the exhilarating beverage1 he did procure more4 ,whether it was the same day or the next1 ,i am not quite sure1 but he went to his sister's at last1 sadly under the influence of liquor4 ,his weak state1 the uncomfortable condition of his affairs1 acting with the liquor upon his brain1 caused him for a day or two to behave in a very inconsistent and unnatural manner4 ,he seemed even to vary from his habitual truthfulness4 ,much disgusted1 his sister rebuked him sharply1 declared that she would tell me1 and of course1 the inference was that ,i should tell ,mrs4 ,knowles4 ,but that good woman knew about it as soon as ,i did4 ,she was grieved and disappointed at what had occurred1 but her uniform kindness did not fail4 ,it was evident he was no longer able to make any exertion for himself1 and she procured him admission into ,st4 ,luke's ,hospital4 ,he went1 in the midst of these trying circumstances1 not coming to bid me good-by1 and knowing that his sister was seriously displeased4 ,poor ,william6 disgraced1 unhappy1 and sick1 he went to that bed which was about to become to him as the gate of heaven4 ,i went to see him as soon as possible4 ,i went1 intending to talk over with him what had passed1 but found him so humble and so suffering that ,i had no heart to make any allusion to it4 ,we neither of us spoke directly upon the subject4 ,in fact1 ,i said very little upon any subject1 for as he lay there with the tears upon his thin face1 expressing brokenly his pain and his penitence1 ,i felt that ,god was teaching him1 and taking hold of the very lesson to show him his true character4 ,he was now coming upon a new ground never understood before4 ,the ,blessed ,change4--,mrs4 ,knowles saw ,william before ,i went to him a second time4 ,she1 too1 forbore alluding to the unpleasant circumstances1 but she talked to him of our human sinfulness before ,god1 and our need of a ,saviour4 ,some of his most interesting conversations have since been with her4 ,the second time ,i visited ,william his bodily strength had greatly failed1 but his face was beautiful with a new light ,i had never seen there before4 ,i feel very differently now1 he said1 ,god has forgiven all my sins4 ,he then went on to express his sense of his own unworthiness2 not that he had led a vicious life1 but he felt he was a great sinner before ,god4 ,in the course of conversation ,i told him his sister had inquired kindly about him2 his eyes filled with tears1 and he said3 ,tell her ,i have been converted2 ,i am very happy4 ,the week before ,easter1 when the ,bishop visited the hospital to administer confirmation1 ,william was placed in a chair to receive the rite1 and on ,easter ,day partook of his first communion4 ,it was a glorious day for him4 ,mrs4 ,knowles visited him on that day4 ,a few days after1 as ,i sat by his bedside1 he was speaking1 as he always did now1 of his sense of sinfulness1 and his sense of pardon1 when ,i reminded him of the early conversation1 before alluded to1 in which he had rested on his own moral character for acceptance with ,god4 ,yes1 he replied1 ,i used to think so1 but ,i have been all wrong4 ,now ,i have no dependence but upon ,jesus ,christ4 ,a little before this1 he had said to ,mrs4 ,knowles3 ,i never knew that just trusting in ,christ would give me such peace4 ,he has said repeatedly3 ,this sickness is the best thing that has ever happened to me4 ,if it had not been for this1 ,i should have gone on in worldliness4 ,william has never been accustomed to the common religious phraseology4 ,he is such a babe in such things1 that his expressions are sometimes strikingly artless4 ,at one time ,i was speaking of his sufferings1 he looked up with a smile1 and hesitating how to express the thought in his mind1 said3 ,i think it is out of his affections ,god afflicts us4 ,his sister had wept much when ,i delivered his message4 ,as ,i returned a kind reply from her1 he said3 ,tell her ,i pray for her and her family every day4 ,then1 when after a little conversation ,i had bidden him good-by1 he called me back1 and said3 ,be sure and tell my sister ,i pray for her4 ,he frequently said to me3 ,i pray for you everyday2 and on saying this to ,mrs4 ,knowles1 he added1 at one time3 ,i speak your name to ,god when ,i pray4 ,when he says this with so much earnestness1 we always feel that his prayers are a rare treasure1 since the helpless1 self-renouncing prayers are most prevalent in ,christ4 ,the tenderness with which ,william speaks of his sister's family has sometimes touched me4 ,there is nothing like the peace of ,god to beget good will to man4 ,knowing that the family had many trials with his sister's ill health and scanty means1 he often sends by me messages of sympathy4 ,a few days since it was suddenly discovered that their youngest child1 two years old1 and a little pet of ,william's1 was in danger of being crippled for life4 ,this new and unexpected sorrow filled the family with great distress4 ,i accompanied the father when the child was brought to ,st4 ,luke's for examination4 ,after the physician's opinion had been given1 and arrangements made for placing it in the ,children's ,ward1 we went to see ,william4 ,the unexpected appearance of his brother-in-law1 whom he had not seen since coming to the hospital1 affected him much4 ,indeed1 the interview was trying to both4 ,i left them alone1 and on my return shortly afterward1 found ,william still in tears4 ,he was not so well that morning1 and grief for the child1 and the sight of the brother reviving the painful memory of their late alienation1 was too much for him2 yet his peace was not greatly disturbed1 for all alienation from man1 as from ,god1 had been healed for him4 ,the ,tried ,word4--,i went to see the little child the next morning1 and then reported him to his uncle1 whose first words were a question1 rather anxiously put1 concerning the little one4 ,wishing to set his mind at ease1 ,i said3 ,oh1 it is all well with him4 ,i just met him coming down1 stairs with a flock of children1 and his hands full of bread and butter4 ,he gave a smile of quiet amusement1 which showed the playfulness of other days might yet be touched4 ,i then went on to tell him the case was not likely to prove as serious as we had feared1 and suggested he should get the nurse1 when convenient1 to bring the child in her arms to his bedside4 ,he was pleased with the idea2 but presently the conversation fell off from the subject4 ,william's eyes wandered to the texts of the ,silent ,comforter at the foot of his bed4 ,with the air of one who caught the sight of unutterable things1 and has not much more to do with the world3 ,see1 said he1 ,i have a good verse for this morning4 ,he began to read3 ,fear not1 ,i am with thee4 ,beginning to cough1 ,i went on3 ,when thou walkest through the waters1 they shall not overflow thee2 and through the fire1 thou shalt not be burned4 ,that is just right for you1 ,william4 ,yes1 he replied1 with his own peculiarly beautiful smile4 ,i notice1 said ,i1 that the very words of ,god are best for you4 ,you love the hymns1 but1 after all1 ,god's own words are the safest to rest upon4 ,yes1 he replied1 ,i live upon those texts4 ,when the nurse comes in1 in the morning1 to turn the leaf over1 ,i am eager4 ,i did not speak1 but watched him as he lay1 his longing eyes fixed upon the words before him1 with an absorbed and admiring gaze1 as if all else were forgotten4 ,his soul was hanging its eternal destiny on the words of ,god4 ,a few days before this he had said to ,mrs4 ,knowles3 ,you remember when we first talked of the ,shepherd's ,psalm1 ,i said ,i should be glad when ,i could say3 ',when ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil' ,now1 he added1 emphatically1 ,i can say it4 ,i fear no evil1 for thy rod and thy staff they comfort me4 ,his listener then went on to speak of the beautiful figure of the rod and staff4 ,sunshine and ,shadow4--,god leads his little ones gently1 the ,good ,shepherd bears the lambs1 that the enemy may not too much affright them through the dark valley4 ,is your peace never disturbed1 ,william8 ,i asked one day4 ,not often1 he answered4 ,sometimes there comes a cloud--it is a temptation1 ,i suppose4 ,yes1 ,i said1 ,satan1 perhaps1 envies you4 ,he knows that he will never get your soul1 but he will trouble you a little4 ,i suppose so1 he replied thoughtfully4 ,wishing to express to me his happiness in ,god1 and not knowing quite how to do so1 he said3 ,it is like this1 sometimes--,i feel like a boy let out from school2 ,i am so happy1 ,i want to shout4 ,at another time he said3 ,i have much communion4 ,then1 as if to illustrate this1 he added3 ,last night1 ,i awoke about two o'clock1 and ,i was praying in my sleep4 ,can you recall your prayer8 ,i asked4 ,no1 he said1 but ,i was praying to ,god4 ,god is very good1 ,william1 to let you talk with him so in the night4 ,yes1 he answered2 and then turning his face toward his pillow1 he said1 in a low voice3 ,praise ,god6 ,and bless his holy name1 ,i responded4 ,we were both silent for a few moments1 and then--,i think it was in connection with this conversation--,i asked3 ,william1 if you were to get well now1 do you think you would try to live to the glory of ,god8 ,indeed1 ,i would1 he answered4 ,and bring others to know him8 ,i asked4 ,yes1 he said again4 ,well1 ,william1 ,i suppose you think that here upon this bed you cannot do much2 but ,i think you can glorify him here on this very bed4 ,yes1 he answered1 a little doubtfully2 then added3 ,i try to pray to him all the time4 ,i was half sorry for the suggestion1 which seemed somewhat to bewilder him1 and said3 ,that is all you can do1 is it not8 ,and that is little enough1 he replied sorrowfully4 ,i tried to make him understand that to receive much of ,god's grace was the surest way to serve him4 ,what shall ,i render unto ,god for all his benefits8 ,i will take the cup of salvation1 and call on the name of the ,lord4 ,when ,i saw ,william the next morning1 he said1 immediately3 ,i did last night what you told me4 ,i prayed for strength to glorify ,god here4 ,i think1 ,i answered1 that you will do that if you lie here and meekly suffer his will2 and ,i must tell you that1 after these conversations with you1 ,i go home thanking ,god for what you have told me of ,his love to you4 ,i think ,i love the ,saviour better1 since ,i have seen what he can be to one in sickness and death4 ,that is good he said emphatically1 ,i would have it so4 ,as ,i left him this time1 the thought in my own mind was3 ,oh1 speak good of the ,lord4 ,on my return to ,william and his brother-in-law1 after the interview which ,i described in my last paragraph1 and which occurred only a few days ago1 ,i saw that he was too much agitated for conversation4 ,i read him a hymn and said a few words4 ,he was suffering more than usual that day1 and his usually peaceful spirit seemed a little clouded4 ,when ,i rose to go1 it seemed that he would have detained me4 ,we had bidden good-by1 and turned away1 when ,i looked back4 ,i wanted to leave some word of ,christ or thought of him at the last4 ,william1 ,i said1 bending over him1 ,jesus says3 ',let not your heart be troubled--in my ,father's house are many mansions4' ,he took hold of my hand1 and looked up1 the red lines of tears about his eyes4 ,i could not quite understand their expression of unutterable longing1 but ,i could feel at the moment that death must be penal1 and its waters cold sometimes1 even to a believer4 ,in these deeply anxious hours1 ,o1 if ,jesus only smile6 ,only ,jesus ,can these restless tears beguile4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,sowing ,,and ,,reaping4 ,sowing in the morning1 sowing seeds of kindness1 ,sowing in the noon-tide and the dewy eves2 ,waiting for the harvest1 and the time of reaping1 ,we shall come rejoicing1 bringing in the sheaves4 ,the blessed ,master says1 in his ,sermon on the ,mount1 ,with what measure ye mete1 it shall be measured to you again4 ,if we attempt great things for ,god1 and expect great things from ,god1 ,he will bless us accordingly2 for ,he cheers us by saying3 ,ye shall reap1 if ye faint not4 ,mrs4 ,knowles tells us of instances where this truth has been verified4 ,one woman1 whom ,i have been visiting for years1 but apparently without any success1 until a few months since1 when she was taken sick1 sent for me at that time1 and said1 'she felt so sorry she had led such a wicked life1' and putting her arms round my neck1 said1 earnestly1 ',oh1 pray for me1 that the ,lord will have mercy on me1 and save my poor soul4' ,i did so1 and when ,i rose from my knees1 she held my hand in hers1 and looking up for some time1 she cried1 ',lord help me1 and answer the prayers that have been offered for me2' and when ,i told her to cast herself wholly upon ,jesus1 that ,he was ready to save her1 she said1 ',oh1 but ,i have been such a sinner4' ',he is ready to save the chief of sinners1 if they will only come4' ,she clasped her hands1 crying1 ',oh1 ,jesus1 save me1 for ,i trust in thee4' ,i left her with a heart full of anxiety1 but believing the ,lord had begun the good work in her heart1 and that in ,his own good time he would finish it1 and ,i was not disappointed2 for in a short time she was brought to rejoice in ,christ as her ,saviour1 and although for weeks she passed through intense suffering1 she never complained1 but looking up1 she would say to her family1 and others who came to visit her1 ',my ,saviour helps me to bear all my trials2' and so he did1 for ,i never saw a more patient sufferer1 or a happier death4 ,a lady whom ,i met there said to me1 ',you have been sowing seed here a long time1 and now you see what encouragement you have to labor4' ,the family are still out of ,christ1 but ,i earnestly hope to see or hear of them all brought to their mother's ,god4 ,another woman1 who did not attend church at all1 was like a little child1 helpless and humble4 ,her situation became so critical1 none were allowed to see her2 but if she heard ,i was there1 she always wanted me to pray with her2 and often after offering a short prayer at her bedside1 she would take my hand when about to leave her1 and say1 ',oh1 pray for me2' ,and when ,i kissed her1 she would look up so earnestly1 saying3 ',i know you will pray for me4' ,it pleased the ,lord to bless the means used for her recovery1 and now1 nearly well1 she cannot express her gratitude to ,god for having preserved her4 ,a few days since1 when ,i told her of a poor woman who had returned from the hospital not much better1 she gave me a dollar for her2 indeed1 her whole desire seems to be to do good1 and bring up her children 7she has a large family7 in the right way4 ,she said to me1 ',when you came at first to see me1 and spoke to me about being a sinner1 ,i did not see how it was that ,i could be so1 for ,i felt ,i was as good as you was4' ,these are cases that encourage us in our labors1 for although our work at the time may seem fruitless1 we may safely leave the seed in ,his hands1 who maketh it grow and bud and blossom in ,his own good time4 ,a woman whom ,i had not seen for some time1 as she had moved away1 told me a missionary had called to see her1 and1 talking to her as ,i had done1 she asked if he knew me4 ,he said1 ',no1 he was a stranger2 but his words impressed her so much1 that ,i still hope she may soon be brought to ,christ2 and thus it often is1 if we sow in faith1 'one soweth and another reapeth4' ,in many instances a ,bible that ,i have left1 neglected at the time1 has1 through another's teaching1 become precious2 and some have shown me one left by other teachers1 to which ,i have had the privilege of directing the attention of the otherwise careless owner4 ,she continues her deeply-interesting narrative thus3 ,we have commenced our ,saturday ,sewing-school in a beautiful room1 which has been secured for us1 and hope to accomplish a great deal of good this winter through its means4 ,my ,sunday-school will be in connection with the ,ludlow ,street ,mission1 and ,i trust1 as my health and strength seem renewed1 ,i may be truly useful in working for the ,master4 ,here we have a vivid description of ,christian waiting1 in expectation of results4 ,when we take into consideration that this woman was fifty years old when she commenced directly to work as a missionary1 we know that she was fully equipped for the task1 and entered upon it with all her energies of heart4 ,st4 ,paul says1 in his letter to the ,church1 at ,rome1 that tribulation worketh patience4 ,now1 there are many ,god-fearing ministers who cannot stand a rebuff4 ,there are many good ,christian people1 and some of them excellent workers in the ,sabbath-school1 who could not stand to be looked upon coldly1 much less to have the door slammed in their face4 ,i am sure they would give the work up in despair1 if1 after they had attempted to reach some stranger several times1 and had not succeeded4 ,but1 oh1 here is a weak woman1 for years visiting another of her own sex1 year after year1 remonstrating earnestly and patiently1 and lovingly with her1 in order to lead her to ,christ4 ,is not this the way that ,god deals with us8 ,line upon line1 precept upon precept2 here a little1 there a little4 ,surely1 he is the ,lord ,god1 merciful and gracious1 long-suffering1 slow to anger1 abundant in goodness and in truth4 ,what does ,christ say in the ,apocalypse8 ,behold1 ,i stand at the door1 and knock2 if any man hear my voice and open the door1 ,i will come unto him and will sup with him1 and he with ,me4 ,does not the ,holy ,spirit work in this very same manner8 ,patiently6--oh1 how patiently1 ,he strives1 ,he pleads1 ,he warns4 ,was it not the ,holy ,spirit in this woman's heart1 that1 led her again and again to visit this home8 ,yes1 most assuredly4 ,oh1 that this self-same spirit would whisper to every reader of this memoir to go and do likewise6 ,see how beautifully ,divine ,providence harmonizes with the ,spirit's work1 and with those who faithfully toil in the vineyard4 ,how unique the operation4 ,sickness is the efficient cause4 ,but we must constantly remember that it was the almost incomparable faith of this woman in the ,god of ,jacob1 amid the greatest difficulties and discouragements1 that gave her such remarkable success4 ,incompetency for ,christian work is a lack1 not only of patience1 but of faith in the great love of our ,god1 and the triumphant death of ,christ1 and the persistent power of the ,holy ,spirit1 combined with a humble trust in our own capabilities to do valiantly for ,jesus4 ,these are the allied forces in waging war against the powers of darkness in this wicked world4 ,christ said1 ,as the ,father hath sent me1 even so send ,i you into the world4 ,and greater works than these shall ye do1 because ,i go to my ,father4 ,confidence in the word of our dear ,incarnate ,lord is the warrant1 not only of the stability of ,god's method of saving souls1 but in the progressive propagation of ,christian principles4 ,there is growth in work for ,christ1 as well as in nature4 ,and our younger brethren would do well to remember that like this woman1 we must expect success1 or we will never get it4 ,dr4 ,mc,cosh1 the ,president of ,princeton ,college1 made the following remarks in an address before the ,general ,conference of the ,evangelical ,alliance3 ,it is useless to tell the younger naturalists that there is no truth in the doctrine of development1 for they know that there is truth which is not to be set aside by denunciation4 ,religious philosophers might be more profitably employed in showing them the religious aspects of the doctrine of development2 and some would be grateful to any who would help them to keep their old faith in ,god and the ,bible with their new faith in science4 ,again1 in his book on ,development1 ,dr4 ,mc,cosh says3 ,it is no use denying in our day the doctrine of evolution1 in the name of religion or any good cause4 ,it can now be shown that it rather favors religion by its furnishing proofs of design1 and by the wonderful parallelism between ,genesis and geology4 ,in this part of ,mrs4 ,knowles' diary1 the careful reader will observe a most dramatic account of human nature1 under the controlling power of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the woman whom she had long visited was at last conquered4 ,the city of the soul was successfully bombarded4 ,the sorrow for sin1 the sad lamentation over a misspent life1 the flinging of her arms round the neck of the missionary1 the urgent request1 ,oh1 pray for me1 that the ,lord may have mercy on me1 and save my poor soul1 together with the statement of transition from shadow to sunshine1 from grief to joy1 from alienation to adoption1 reveal to us the judiciously connected operations of the deity1 in the salvation of immortal souls brought about by the power of prayer4 ,why should we remain incredulous about ,god's willingness to save sinners1 after such a marvellous manifestation of ,divine mercy8 ,brought to rejoice in ,christ as her ,saviour4--,the term brought1 is a very emphatic ,scriptural one4 ,it ascribes the glory1 and honor1 and power of man's deliverance to the free1 sovereign1 unmerited favor of ,god4 ,david sings3 ,i waited patiently for the ,lord4 ,and ,he inclined unto me1 and heard my cry4 ,he brought me up also out of a horrible pit1 out of the miry clay3 ,and ,he set my feet upon a rock1 and stablished my goings4 ,and ,he hath put a new song in my mouth1 even praises unto our ,god2 many shall see it1 and fear1 and shall trust in the ,lord4 ,a judicious acknowledgment of the sovereignty of ,god as the author of salvation is essential to ,christian calmness and courage1 and continuance in the path of duty4 ,man may break his promise1 but ,god never4 ,man's objection to ,god's methods of salvation arise from a desire to take the glory to self1 and the disposition to discontentment on the one hand1 and a feeling of distrust on the other4 ,let us learn1 from the foregoing account of the conversion of this woman1 to isolate ourselves from man's ways of working1 and accept ,god's communications regarding ,his approaches to the avenues of the heart2 knowing that ,he will ultimately send the converting power of the ,holy ,spirit to the soul of the most hardened and obdurate sinner4 ,we must go back once more to ,mrs4 ,knowles' narrative1 and observe that among the principal causes of her success with the poor and fallen1 was not only her intimate acquaintance with ,god's dealings with both saint and sinner1 but her marvellous and confirmed habit of always offering a short prayer at the bedside of the sick and suffering and dying4 ,there was1 therefore1 elicited the pungent request1 ,oh1 pray for me1 corroborated by the impressive ejaculation of confidence in her fidelity to the divine command1 ,call upon me in the day of trouble1 ,i will deliver thee1 and thou shalt glorify me4 ,how inexpressibly encouraging it must have been on this occasion to hear the remark1 ,i know you will pray for me1 accompanied with the look of earnestness and helplessness1 realizing that ,god alone could restore her to her accustomed health and strength4 ,who can tell of the gratitude and gladness that sprang up in this woman's heart in answer to earnest prayer on her behalf1 for her recovery which ,god was graciously pleased to bestow8 ,the donation of the dollar to the other poor woman recently returned from the hospital1 was conclusive evidence that she joyfully appreciated what great things ,god had done1 not only for her soul1 but for her frail body4 ,let us learn1 dear reader1 from the foregoing account of ,god's dealings with ,his dear departed saints that1 in the first place1 we must not be weary in well-doing1 for in due season we shall reap1 if we faint not1 for1 as ,mrs4 ,knowles says1 ,our work may seem at the time fruitless1 yet we may safely leave the seed in ,his hands1 who maketh it grow and bud and blossom in ,his own good time4 ,in the second place1 we must remember that to be actively engaged working for ,god's glory is the best and surest1 and1 in fact1 the only safe remedy for disappointment and discouragements in aggressive ,christian work4 ,in many instances1 she says1 a ,bible that ,i have left1 neglected at the time1 has through another's teachings become precious4 ,we can speak from heart-felt experience on this point1 for some of the sweet psalms and hymns we sang1 perhaps thoughtlessly1 in the days of sunny childhood1 are to-day the most soul-stirring1 imparting fire1 force1 and fervency while working for ,jesus4 ,here is one of them3 ,i think when ,i read that sweet story of old1 ,when ,jesus was here among men1 ,how ,he called little children as lambs to ,his fold1 ,i should like to have been with them then4 ,i wish that ,his hands had been placed on my head1 ,that ,his arm had been thrown around me1 ,and that ,i might have seen ,his kind look when ,he said1 ,let the little ones come unto ,me4 ,yet still to ,his footstool in prayer ,i may go1 ,and ask for a share in ,his love2 ,and if ,i thus earnestly seek ,him below1 ,i shall see ,him and hear ,him above4 ,in that beautiful place ,he has gone to prepare ,for all who are washed and forgiven2 ,and many dear children shall be with ,him there1 ,for of such is the kingdom of ,heaven4 ,throughout her life ,mrs4 ,knowles constantly experienced the blessing of sowing and the happy reward of reaping4 ,numerous instances could be cited1 had we the space to spare1 in which direct answers to her prayers have come to her while in the act of beseeching ,god's aid and blessing upon some one object of interest to her4 ,her own son was one among many of such cases4 ,in the early part of #aheg he had become associated with many bad companions and was a source of anxiety to both his parents4 ,his father thought if he could get him to attend church the good influence there obtained would tend to lead him to ,christ and into the paths of salvation4 ,but the youth refused to go1 and the mother at once besought the aid of ,god in influencing her son's heart4 ,at first1 after praying with him for some time1 she found him asleep on his knees4 ,she roused him up and prayed again with him1 and on her husband's return from church he found his penitent son beseeching ,jesus to forgive him and lead him into the way of righteousness4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,daily ,,missionary ,,work4 ,shall ,he come and find me faithful ,to ,his parting words to me2 ,if ,i go--a place preparing-- ,i will quickly come to thee4 ,shall ,he come and find me working ,in the vineyard full of love2 ,only working1 till the glory ,breaks upon me from above8 ,the following part of her narrative of ,christian work1 taken from ,our ,missing ,link1 is deeply interesting1 and deserves the reader's careful perusal4 ,at one time ,mrs4 ,knowles wrote that1 during part of the summer months great weakness and general debility prevented her from laboring as much as usual2 and when she resumed her visits1 she found many had been making inquiries after her in church1 not knowing her place of residence4 ,one young woman especially1 who had made an unfortunate marriage1 and who had been badly treated by her husband1 was extremely anxious to see her1 to tell her what comfort she had derived from a ,bible given her by ,mrs4 ,knowles4 ,she said she had never read so much in one before4 ,she had been brought up a ,roman ,catholic1 but having lived a few months in a ,protestant family1 she had there seen a ,bible1 and occasionally read in it4 ,that upon leaving the family the lady presented her with one1 which she was obliged to hide away in her bed1 lest her mother should know she possessed it4 ,it afterward disappeared and she thought one of her family must have seen her reading in it1 and since then she had never been able to procure another4 ,when ,i gave her this one1 her husband had spent all her wages1 and she had not the means of paying for it2 but now she paid me for it1 and hoped ,i would come again soon and talk with her about it4 ,i am kindly received wherever ,i go in my new district4 ,there has been much sickness1 especially among the children1 and much care is needed4 ,one man ,i visited presented a pitiable condition4 ,when ,i entered his room he was far gone in consumption4 ,a little girl was raising his head to give him drink1 as the mother had gone to her work4 ,he looked surprised to see a stranger enter his room1 but ,i went forward and asked him if he was looking unto ,jesus4 ,he said1 like many while in health1 he had thought too little about those things4 ,i read and prayed with him4 ,upon leaving him he shook my hand and asked me to come again1 saying the ,lord must have sent me4 ,i returned soon with some nourishment1 which was greedily partaken of--',it tasted so good4' ,he lived but little more than a week1 and ,i visited him daily1 reading and praying with him4 ,i carried with me the little book ,come to ,jesus1 which he loved to hear1 as1 ',it was so full of ,jesus2' but he said he had neglected the ,saviour1 and how could he hope ,he would have mercy on him now4 ,i told him how ,christ died praying for his enemies1 and that the thief on the cross looked to him and was saved1 and repeated to him the hymn ',just as ,i am1' etc4 ,this seemed to encourage him1 and he said he wanted to trust in the mercy of ,god through ,christ to save him2 while all who came to see him1 he would urge not to delay1 as he had done1 coming to ,jesus4 ,he said ,i was the first to speak to him about the salvation of his soul1 and expressed great gratitude to me1 and great solicitude about his wife and children1 till ,i told him he could surely trust ,one1 who had done so much for him1 to care for them4 ,he finally became too weak to speak1 but toward the last ,i saw him clasp his hands together1 while he repeated1 ',o blessed ,jesus1 save me4' ,the woman whom ,i mentioned in a former report as so solicitous about her children being all out of ,christ1 tells me she is much encouraged1 as her eldest son now attends church with her1 and is so changed and so much concerned about the other members of the family1 she has great reason to hope for great things for all the rest4 ,if those dear ladies who furnish us with means could only see for themselves how grateful these poor creatures are for any small kindness done them1 or for a word spoken in kindness1 how greatly encouraged they would be4 ,and how great is the responsibility of the ,bible woman1 as she goes from house to house1 and from one apartment to another1 listening to the many tales of distress which greets her ears1 and witnesses for herself the many objects of pity and destitution which meet her gaze1 while she knows that something is expected from her to alleviate1 in some measure1 the sorrow of these poor sufferers2 and then1 when these people look up to her for counsel and advice1 she is often at a loss to know what to say to them4 ,i often entreat them to go to ,jesus1 and kneel and pray with them that the ,lord may direct them what to do4 ,i have brought a number of persons to church1 and trust1 through blessing1 prayer1 and continued efforts1 much more may be accomplished in the future4 ,it is only by an experimental knowledge of the condition of the citizens of ,new ,york and other large centres of population1 who are huddled together in the high tenement houses1 that we are able to form a correct understanding of the peculiar circumstances that surround the daily life of the faithful city missionary1 especially when they are not thoroughly acclimated4 ,a native-born ,american does not feel the stifling heat of the summer sun like those who are born in a more northerly ,european country4 ,but even the ,americans themselves suffer severely from the heat4 ,hence1 many of them close their churches and ,sabbath-schools1 and resort to their summer retreats by the seashore1 at ,ocean ,grove or ,long ,branch1 while others seek rest and refreshment to their jaded spirits at ,saratoga1 or snuff the balmy breezes at ,mount ,mc,gregor1 where ,general ,grant breathed his last1 and ended his creditable career in the cause of his country4 ,at this time we find that she suffered much during the summer months of #ahfg4 ,great weakness and general debility hindered her from laboring incessantly1 as was her usual custom for her dear ,saviour4 ,sickness seems to have been the only limitation to her labors4 ,when ,i think that ,i am writing not about some imaginary character1 but one with an untainted reputation1 a beau ideal as a ,christian worker1 known perhaps to a few outside of the circle in which she lived and labored1 encouraged not by applauding throngs1 but attracted and held to her toil1 year after year1 by sorrowful hearts and weeping eyes1 and helpless hands that hang down the widow and the fatherless--these were the objects of her ,christ-like and heart-felt compassion4 ,chalmers observes1 in a sermon preached at an ,anniversary ,missionary meeting1 held in the ,high ,church in ,edinburgh3 ,what the man of liberal philosophy is in sentiment1 the missionary is in practice4 ,he sees in every man a partaker of his own nature1 and a brother of his own species4 ,he contemplates the human mind in the generality of its great elements4 ,he enters upon the wide field of benevolence1 and disdains those geographical barriers by which little men would shut out one-half of the species from the kind offices of the other4 ,his business is with man1 and let his localities be what they may1 enough for his large and noble heart that he is bone of the same bone4 ,to get at him he will shun no danger1 he will shrink from no privation1 he will spare himself no fatigue1 he will brave every element of heaven1 he will hazard the extremities of every clime1 he will cross seas1 and work his persevering way through the briars and thickets of the wilderness4 ,in perils of waters1 in perils of robbers1 in perils by the heathen1 in weariness and painfulness1 he seeks after him4 ,the cast and the color are nothing to the comprehensive eye of the missionary4 ,his is the broad principle of good-will to the children of men4 ,his doings are with the species1 and1 overlooking all the accidents of climate or of country1 enough for him if the individual he is in quest of be a man--a brother of the same nature--with a body which a few years will bring to the grave1 and a spirit that returns to the ,god who gave it4 ,the missionary is a man of large and liberal principles4 ,these characteristics1 enumerated by the warm and large1 and generous-hearted ,chalmers1 dwelt richly in her whose biography we have tremblingly attempted to portray4 ,she knew little of the soothing influences of nature and solitude4 ,her life's work was spent in this city1 so cosmopolitan1 composed1 almost1 of every creed and color under heaven4 ,after restoration to health1 the great purpose of her life was joyously resumed4 ,and at this time we have an opportunity of knowing thoroughly1 and weighing precisely1 the opinions of her parishioners regarding her1 for when she began to resume her labors she found that the dear ones she had brought to ,jesus were kindly inquiring about her4 ,surely1 it is good to be missed1 when either laid aside by sickness or called away by death4 ,how precious are the promises of ,god's ,word1 amid domestic difficulties and trials4 ,the relations of the home circle are such that1 unless there is the utmost harmony and good-will1 one toward another1 everything seems to go wrong4 ,hence1 the importance of the injunction of the ,apostle1 ,be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers4 ,her own domestic happiness was constantly preserved4 ,they told me on the steamer1 during a summer excursion1 that during the forty-seven years of their wedded life1 they never needed to be reconciled4 ,and the secret of their joy at home1 even when they commenced housekeeping1 was that they erected the family altar1 and established a church in the house4 ,conceive1 then1 her feelings of gratitude to ,god1 when she learned that the young ,roman ,catholic wife1 unfortunate in her marriage1 who was badly treated by her husband1 was greatly comforted through the prayerful perusal of the ,bible4 ,her deep feelings of moral sensibility enabled her to truly sympathize with her own sex in their home troubles4 ,her intense love for the children was a magnificent trait in her character4 ,why8 ,because she felt the significance that attaches itself to the sayings of ,christ1 bearing on the children4 ,his authority must be recognized4 ,he said3 ,suffer the little children to come unto me1 and forbid them not1 for of such is the kingdom of heaven4 ,there is a beautiful passage in ,isaiah1 that illustrates how tenderly ,god cares for the little ones3 ,he shall feed his flock like a shepherd2 ,he shall gather the lambs in ,his bosom1 and shall gently lead those that are with young4 ,whoso1 said ,jesus1 shall receive one such little child in my name1 receiveth me4 ,there are too many instances in our daily experience where the children are sadly neglected1 and where they are looked upon as little heathens1 and discouraged in their endeavors to follow ,jesus in early life4 ,it should be the constant care of parents and ,sunday-school teachers to take the children to ,him who will in no wise cast them out4 ,who can look into the clear1 bright1 blue eyes of a little boy or girl1 and not see in their countenance a holy radiance expressive of trustfulness1 innocence1 and affection8 ,it is no wonder1 then1 that ,jesus said3 ,except ye be converted1 and become as little children1 ye can in nowise enter into the kingdom of heaven4 ,are you looking unto ,jesus8 she said4 ,where can we look for a more important searching question to shadow forth the indispensable necessity of not only this consumptive man1 but all men1 whether in health or sickness1 to renounce all other methods of trying to get to heaven1 but by looking unto ,jesus4 ,no change of character can take place in any other way4 ,look unto me and be ye saved1 all ye ends of the earth1 for ,i am ,god1 and beside me there is none else4 ,they looked unto ,him and were lightened4 ,o6 it is easy to look to the hills from whence cometh our help1 when the ,holy ,spirit is working upon the heart4 ,but ah1 it is a tremendously difficult task to perform when the poor sinner is bereft of this divine power4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,destitution ,,and ,,reformation4 ,oh1 use me ,lord1 use even me1 ,just as ,thou wilt1 and when and where1 ,until ,thy blessed face ,i see1 ,thy rest1 ,thy joy1 ,thy glory share4 ,her willingness to toil in any direction attests the grand purpose of her life and the ingenious methods employed in assisting and saving souls4 ,i visited one family1 she writes1 a few days since who had not eaten anything for twenty-four hours4 ,the father was out of employment1 and in desperation was just about to take the children to some charitable home1 when ,i came in time to supply their wants and procure aid and work for him4 ,many others1 rather than make known their wants1 have pawned everything they possessed4 ,i have had to give and lend them articles of clothing to cover them1 and have procured coal and groceries for nine families during the past month4 ,the remarkable and unprecedented success of this one woman in reaching others of her own sex is nearly unparalleled4 ,this fact has encouraged us to persevere in our attempt to make these truths known to the ,christian world2 for how emphatically true are the words of ,gray3 ,full many a gem of purest ray serene1 ,the dark1 unfathomed caves of ocean bear1 ,and full many a flower is born to blush unseen1 ,and waste its sweetness on the desert air4 ,this thought stimulates us to renewed efforts to present her experience in her own language1 as she conscientiously discharged her duty with an eye single to the glory of ,god4 ,she mentions a case of reformation of an intemperate woman who had deserted her home1 and after pawning and ridding herself of all she possessed1 was at length brought to herself and sent for the ,bible woman1 and1 through the omnipotence of loving-kindness1 has been won to reformation1 which she trusts may be permanent4 ,this case presents a sad and dark picture in the history of womanhood4 ,an intemperate woman1 through the blasting and blighting influence of liquor1 leaving her home1 and like the prodigal1 spending her substance in riotous living1 and at length being compelled to feed on the husks4 ,a fallen woman seeking pleasure away from home with all its endearments4 ,alas6 alas6 ,there is no peace saith my ,god unto the wicked4 ,whither1 oh1 whither can they fly as wretched wanderers from their homes8 ,home1 sweet home6 ,there is no place like home6 ,it is a divine institution4 ,a place of rest and peace and joy4 ,to forsake home is to despise bliss and accept woe4 ,it is to reject felicity and receive sorrow4 ,when ,god has been so kind as to furnish a peaceable1 well-governed home1 nothing should tempt the young to leave it4 ,all that is necessary for pure pleasure can be found in the family circle4 ,the unwary are sometimes induced to leave home through false representations1 and a desire to gratify every earthly propensity4 ,idle curiosity may be greatly augmented1 and the new acquaintances formed may1 for the time being1 partially please the senses2 but the calm recollection of former unalloyed joys in the cottage home naturally extorts the old cry from pale quivering lips1 and a broken heart1 ,i will arise and go to my father1 and will say3 father ,i have sinned against heaven and before thee4 ,such a course of turning to ,god1 and such a cry1 is always richly rewarded4 ,personal reformation is not only gratifying to relatives and friends1 but well-pleasing to ,god4 ,won to reformation by the ,bible woman through the omnipotence of loving kindness6 ,we are reminded by this incident of a story we heard told by the late ,john ,b4 ,gough4 ,it was part of his experience a few days after he became a total abstainer4 ,he had returned to work4 ,but his burning thirst for liquor was intense4 ,in his agony of mind and body1 he said to his employer1 ,i have signed the pledge4 ,the reply was1 ,you will keep it about a week4 ,if so1 then ,i will go and get a drink now1 for ,i cannot endure this awful agony any longer1 he retorted4 ,he rushed out of the room and down the stairs leading to the street1 when he was accosted by the kind1 gentle voice of a strange gentleman who met him4 ,how do you do1 ,mr4 ,gough8 ,i am so glad to see you2 ,i was delighted to see you at the meeting last night1 and ,i am so thankful that you had courage given you to go forward and sign the pledge4 ,i simply called over to shake you by the hand and wish you ,god speed in your noble endeavor4 ,here is my card2 ,i want you to call at my office1 as ,i desire to get acquainted with you4 ,those kind words entered into his heart1 and from that auspicious hour he resolved to be steadfast and immovable in his renunciation of his drinking habits4 ,god loves and prospers those who1 like ,jesus1 speak kind words of encouragement to those who have gone astray from the paths of rectitude4 ,the brevity and uncertainty of life ought to teach us the practical lesson that if we would save men and women from their sins we must be watchful and willing at all times to rescue the wanderers from their critical condition1 constantly remembering that ,he has said1 ,let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts1 and let him return unto the ,lord1 and he will have mercy upon him1 and to our ,god for he will abundantly pardon4 ,when ,i was hungry ye gave me meat2 when ,i was thirsty ye gave me drink2 naked1 and ye clothed me4 ,little did this noble-minded woman think that when she was entering her daily experience in her diary that her deeds of charity were to be brought to light after death4 ,a story is told of ,xenophon1 the disciple of ,socrates1 that while offering a solemn sacrifice he heard that his eldest son was slain at ,mantinea4 ,he did not1 however1 desist1 but only laid down his crown and asked how he had fallen4 ,when he understood that his son had fallen in battle fighting bravely for his country1 he calmly replaced the crown upon his head1 calling the gods to witness that he received greater pleasure from the bravery of his son1 than pain from his death4 ,we do not1 naturally speaking1 like to lose our loved ones1 but when we think of their bravery and fidelity1 we feel disposed to praise ,god for them4 ,o1 what transcendent dignity and honor are conferred on the faithful at the hour of death4 ,it seems there is a reciprocal response on earth to the acclamations of heaven perpetually ringing in the ears of the ransomed1 ,well done1 good and faithful servant4 ,the ,church's loss is her gain4 ,still the deeds of mercy call forth praise4 ,let us ever remember that a holy and just and good ,god is treasuring up all our words of faith and labors of love against the great day of account--the day of recognition and remuneration4 ,pollock beautifully describes the man or woman like her of whom we write1 a person of enlarged benevolence and liberality1 as practically illustrated in the foregoing authentic record of ,christian experience4 ,he says3 ,breathe all thy minstrelsy1 immortal harp6 ,breathe numbers warm with love while ,i rehearse1 ,delightful theme6 remembering the songs ,which day and night are sung before the ,lamb6 ,thy praise1 ,o ,charity6 thy labors most ,divine6 thy sympathy with sighs1 and tears1 ,and groans2 thy great1 thy god-like wish to heal ,all misery1 all fortune's wounds2 and make ,the soul of every living thing rejoice-- ,a finishing and polish without which ,no man e'er entered heaven4 ,let me record ,his praise2 the man of great benevolence1 ,who pressed thee softly to his glowing heart1 ,and to thy gentle bidding made his feet ,swift minister of all mankind1 his soul ,was most in sympathy with heaven2 ,nor did he wait till to his door1 ,the voice of supplication came1 but went abroad ,with foot as silent as the starry dews1 ,in search of misery that pined unseen1 ,and would not ask4 ,and who can tell what sights ,she saw1 what groans she heard in that cold world ,below1 where sin in league with gloomy death1 ,march daily through the length and breadth of all ,the land1 wasting at will and making earth1 ,fair earth6 a lazer-house1 a dungeon dark6 ,oh1 who can tell what sights she saw1 what shapes ,of wretchedness6 or who describe what smile ,of gratitude illumed the face of woe8 ,similarity of character is the firmest bond for forming permanent friendship1 hence ,christ says to all his followers1 ,ye are my friends1 if ye do whatsoever ,i command thee4 ,a glance at the picture presented to us in ,st4 ,john's gospel1 eleventh chapter1 at the ,feast of the ,passover of the ,jews1 remind us of the character and spirit of ,jesus when he took the loaves1 and when he had given thanks he distributed to the disciples1 and the disciples to the multitude who were set down upon the grass4 ,for services of this kind ,god selects his servants4 ,by filling them with the spirit of ,jesus1 they are thus thoroughly qualified to minister to the necessitous4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,her ,,faithfulness ,,in ,,little ,,things4 ,there are small things in daily life ,in which ,i may obey1 ,and thus may show my love to ,thee2 ,and always--every day-- ,there are some little loving words ,which ,i for ,thee may say4 ,he that is faithful in that which is least1 is faithful in much4 ,she continues to write with her usual forcible descriptiveness3 ,i found a mother and daughter in a damp room1 on the ground floor of a tenement building1 in a wretched condition4 ,the room was furnished with a broken stove1 one chair1 two trunks1 and some bedding spread on the floor1 as they had no bedstead4 ,both were very lame1 and the girl quite feeble for want of care and nourishment4 ,after relieving their immediate wants1 ,i tried to lead them to ,christ4 ,the girl was so sick and discouraged it was difficult to convince her that any one cared for her1 but at length she cried1 and said1 ',how nice it is to have some one talk kindly to me4' ,from that time she began to read the ,bible for herself1 and would often speak to me of different passages of the ,scriptures4 ,but after a while the landlord ordered them to move1 because they could not pay their rent1 and with some effort ,i succeeded in sending the mother into the country1 and placing the girl in a hospital4 ,two other persons1 who through a blessing on my labors have become deeply interested1 and even led to study the ,bible1 have now openly professed ,christ4 ,take another glance at the above touching scene and behold the lively exercise of her wonderful sagacity and powers of observation4 ,this graphic representation of squalor and consummate misery gives pre-eminence to her adaptedness as a successful missionary of the cross of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,the eyes of the blessed ,jesus1 the model worker1 were not closed to the wants and woes of humanity1 hence his formidable power in preparing an entrance into the hearts of the people4 ,her ,christ-like visits1 carrying the rich treasure of the glad tidings1 found an echo in the soul of those she visited4 ,although her elementary education had been sadly neglected1 yet nevertheless1 by her close study of ,god's ,word and her varied experience for over fifty years in the lower part of a city like ,new ,york1 she knew full well how to adapt herself to circumstances4 ,let us calmly follow her footsteps into this lofty tenement building and watch her movements4 ,see how minutely she describes the sad scene4 ,if a murder had been committed in the house and a reporter from the ,new ,york ,herald1 or any other paper1 had called to take notes1 he could not have been more minute in his description of the surroundings than she4 ,all the collateral or subordinate information essentially necessary to convey an accurate idea of a true picture peculiarly calculated to throw a flood of light on the whole panorama are carefully furnished us by her notes4 ,and here we are forcibly reminded of the pithy and succinct saying of ,scotia's beloved bard1 ,burns3 ,a chiel's amang ye taking notes4 ,notice how she enumerates the persons and things in the apartment4 ,the mother and daughter4 ,the damp room4 ,the ground floor4 ,the wretchedness4 ,the broken stove4 ,the one chair4 ,the two trunks4 ,the bedding spread on the floor4 ,the absence of a bedstead4 ,the lameness4 ,the feebleness4 ,how consummate the skill displayed in her graphic and touching description of pitiable facts emanating from her pen with such brilliancy of rhetorical power2 and all spontaneously springing not from the schools of moral and intellectual philosophy1 but from the school of ,christ ,jesus her ,lord who said to his sorrowful disciples3 ,these things have ,i spoken unto you1 being yet present with you1 but the ,comforter1 which is the ,holy ,ghost1 whom the ,father will send in my name1 he shall teach you all things1 and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever ,i have said unto you4 ,the ,paraclete1 who is infinitely competent to perform the instruction necessary amid all the exigencies of life1 and by whose divine influence every difficulty and trial is easily adjusted1 was evidently her great instructor4 ,the girl1 she says1 was quite feeble for want of care and nourishment4 ,in a public address recently delivered in this city by the good and kind ,dr4 ,john ,hall1 of the ,fifth ,avenue ,presbyterian ,church1 at the opening of a ,newsboys' ,lodging ,house1 on the corner of ,eighth ,street and ,avenue ,b1 an institution built through the liberality of ,mrs4 ,robert ,l4 ,stuart1 at a cost of #ej1jjj1 the doctor said1 ,a man left to himself will choose the bad rather than the good1 because the majority do1 and it is easier besides4 ,as crime breeds misery1 so misery too often breeds crime4 ,we should take note of this fact and try to mend it4 ,mr4 ,bruce1 another speaker1 said thousands of children1 assisted1 have gone ,west1 and now own farms and are prosperous4 ,he concluded his address by asking the boys to cheer ,mrs4 ,stuart1 which they did gratefully for their new home provided by this inestimable and generous lady4--,new ,york ,daily ,tribune1 ,tuesday1 ,march #bi1 #ahhg4 ,it is the philanthropist's great aim to defend the moral honor of the homeless as well as to minister to their temporal necessities4 ,this important service was rendered to thousands by our model missionary woman1 and eternity alone will disclose the gigantic results4 ,but let us more specifically analyze her course of conduct under the foregoing circumstance4 ,in the first place she immediately relieved their wants4 ,i have read somewhere the story of ,dr4 ,guthrie when he was first called to the metropolis of ,edinburgh4 ,of their filling his pockets with tracts1 and with all the ardor of his noble heart1 commenced his great work4 ,he ascended the creaking stairs of a high building in the old town1 and knocking at the door1 an elderly woman made her appearance1 whereupon he proffered her a tract4 ,looking earnestly upon him1 and in a loud shrill voice she exclaimed1 pathetically3 ',deed1 ,sir1 ,i dinna want yeer tracts1 ,i weed thank ye for a loaf o' breed4 ,ah6 he thought to himself1 here is a case of destitution1 and excusing himself he hurried down-stairs1 and going to the baker he ordered bread1 and to the butcher he ordered beef1 and to the grocer he ordered some ,english breakfast tea and sugar1 a few dainties1 and a cart of coal1 and requested them to be sent at once to the woman in want4 ,calling a few days afterward he found her comfortably seated with a neighbor around a cheerful hearthstone drinking their newly made tea4 ,when she opened the door she enthusiastically exclaimed1 ,come awa1 noo1 ,doctor1 ,i am ready to hear you on the subject o' religion4 ,our departed sister also recognized the necessity of attending to the temporal as well as the spiritual wants of her parishioners simultaneously4 ,after relieving their wants ,i tried to lead them to ,christ4 ,we shall now proceed to show that this incident1 in conformity to the teaching of ,god's ,word1 assures us that suffering and want are the means used by the kind providence of ,god to lead the careless sinner to seek a saving interest in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,david says1 ,before ,i was afflicted ,i went astray1 and thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me4 ,he delivereth the poor in his affliction4 ,the ,lord will not cast us off forever4 ,but though he cause grief1 yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies4 ,and here is the reason given3 ,for ,he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men4--,lam4 iii4 #ca-cc4 ,in this instructive part of the diary we find described a truly pathetic and animated scene4 ,a humble missionary woman leading souls to ,christ4 ,this employment excites the deep interest and profound admiration of heaven4 ,the general assembly and church of the first born above are intently gazing on1 not as idle spectators1 but the angels may be observed pressing through the crowd of crowned ones with glory-lit face1 and sanctified step1 communicating the cheering intelligence of accessions to the ranks of the church militant which must swell the highest strains of celestial music and deeply increase and augment the joy of the church triumphant4 ,in the hour of deep distress this woman was sent by ,god to relieve the wants of this stricken household1 and at the same time lead them to the ,lamb of ,god who taketh away the sin of the world4 ,there are many1 alas1 who see no beauty in the despised ,nazarene until1 by deep suffering1 they are absolutely compelled to completely renounce self and to fall down1 wounded and bleeding and bruised and heart-broken at the feet of ,him who shed the last drop of his crimson blood on the ,cross of ,calvary for our salvation4 ,two others1 she adds1 at this date1 have been led to study the ,bible and have openly professed ,christ4 ,what extraordinary events cluster around this special agency employed by the ,holy ,spirit to bring about such a glorious result4 ,it is the enemy's intention to lead persons in distress and misery to commit crime4 ,this is the testimony of all history1 but ,god saves ,his own in the hour of peril1 and not unfrequently by weak instrumentalities4 ,near ,loch ,katrine1 encircled by lofty mountains and where the scenery which fringes it is of the wildest character2 where1 as ,scott says in his ,lady of the ,lake1 the briar rose and fell in streamers green1 ,and creeping shrubs of thousand dyes1 ,waved in the west wind's summer sighs1 ,boon nature scattered free and wild ,each plant or flower1 the mountain's child1 ,here eglantine embalmed the air1 ,hawthorn and hazel mingled there4 ,the primrose pale and violet flower1 ,found in each cliff's narrow bower2 ,foxglove and nightshade side by side1 ,emblems of punishment and pride2 ,gray birch and aspen wept beneath2 ,aloft the ash and warrior oak1 ,cast anchor in the rifted rock2 ,and higher yet the pine-tree hung1 ,his shattered trunk1 and frequent flung ,where seemed the cliff to meet on high1 ,his boughs athwart the narrow sky1 ,so wondrous wild1 the whole might seem ,the scenery of a fairy dream4 ,here1 in a roughly wooded island1 the country people secreted their wives and children1 and their most valuable effects from the rapacity of ,cromwell's soldiers during their inroad into ,scotland4 ,the soldiers resolved to plunder this island2 an expert swimmer swam toward it to fetch the boat to his comrades1 which had carried the women to their place of refuge4 ,it lay moored in one of the creeks2 his companions stood watching on the shore2 but just as the soldier reached the nearest point of the island1 and was laying hold of a black rock to get on shore1 a heroine who stood on the very point where he meant to land1 hastily snatching a dagger from below her tartan apron1 with one quick1 sharp stroke severed his jugular vein1 killing him instantly4 ,the soldiers on the other shore seeing the disaster1 relinquished all future hope of revenge or conquest1 and made the best of their way out of a perilous position4 ,thus the women and children and valuables were saved by the bravery of this noble heroine1 ,ellen ,stuart4 ,such is the way ,god saves the family to-day1 by guiding the feet of our missionary to many a distressed household1 instantly relieving their wants1 and putting in their hands the ,word of the ,spirit which is the ,word of ,god4 ,let this record be an incentive to others to go and do likewise1 by pleading for the poor and the fatherless4 ,god grant that her words may be as goads to arouse sleepy professors to a realizing sense of their great obligation to ,him who is the ,god of ,israel1 our father's ,god1 and we will trust ,him4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,power ,,of ,,influence4 ,i cannot do great things for ,him ,who did so much for me2 ,but ,i would like to show my love1 ,lord ,jesus1 unto ,thee2 ,faithful in very little things1 ,o ,saviour6 may ,i be4 ,in the course of her daily missionary work ,mrs4 ,knowles met with the following interesting case which she herself records3 ,calling on a poor afflicted widow1 ,i found her in great want1 much discouraged1 and very sad2 she said she did not feel much desire to live4 ',can you not trust ,god8' ,i said4 ',have you not always been cared for8' ,her little boy1 a child of six years1 was sitting by her side scribbling on a slate4 ,he looked up and said3 ',mamma1 do you know what ,god says8' ',what8' said she4 ',he that believeth in me hath everlasting life2 and ,god don't want our money4 ,he don't want us to pay the debt with money4' ',what does ,he want8' said she4 ',he wants our hearts1 and won't you trust ,him1 mamma8' ,this roused the mother at once4 ',oh1 how wicked ,i have been6' she exclaimed1 'to murmur against the will of the ,almighty4 ,i will trust ,him1 for ,he has always cared for me in the past1 and ,i will trust ,him for the future4' ,i cannot refrain from making a few comments on this case1 and drawing a lesson therefrom4 ,trust in the ,lord1 and do good1 so shalt thou dwell in the land1 and verily thou shalt be fed4--,ps4 xxxvii4 #c4 ,he hath given meat unto them that fear ,him2 ,he will ever be mindful of ,his covenant4--,ps4 cxi4 #e4 ,i will abundantly bless her provision1 ,i will satisfy her poor with bread4--,ps4 cxxxii4 #ae4 ,he filleth thee with the finest of the wheat4--,ps4 cxlvii4 #ad4 ,the righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul4--,proverbs xiii4 #be4 ,behold the fowls of the air1 for they sow not1 neither do they reap1 nor gather into barns2 yet your heavenly ,father feedeth them3 ,are ye not much better than they8--,matt4 vi4 #bf4 ,and ye shall eat in plenty1 and be satisfied4--,joel ii4 #bf4 ,behold1 my servants shall eat1 but ye shall be hungry3 ,behold1 my servants shall drink1 but ye shall be thirsty4--,isaiah lxv4 #ac4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,suggestive ,,observations ,,for ,,christian ,,workers4 ,what a deeply interesting and instructive picture is here presented to our view4 ,notice the synopsis3 ,destitution4--,in great want4--,this missionary was sent by ,god to this house--sent like the raven to ,elijah4 ,man's extremity is ,god's opportunity4 ,he frequently overrules poverty1 and it contributes to the good of ,his children4 ,discouragement4--,confidence in ,god's promises1 the great panacea for all the difficulties of life4 ,won't you trust ,him8 the child asked4 ,despondency4--,this widow was very sad4 ,when there is no bread in the house and the children are clamorous for food1 it is enough to produce despondency4 ,but afflicted women should remember that ,god has promised to be a husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless4 ,despair4--,no desire to live4--,a sad1 very sad condition6 ,when ,god sends affliction it is our duty to pray and not despair4 ,amid the gloom of earth's trials1 the ,holy ,spirit alone can cheer2 sorrow and despair can be changed1 by ,god's matchless grace1 into gratitude and gladness4 ,newton used to say1 when inclined to dark1 foreboding feelings3 ,begone1 unbelief1 for my ,saviour is near1 ,and for my relief will surely appear2 ,by prayer let me wrestle and he will perform2 ,with ,christ in the vessel1 ,i can smile at the storm4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,light ,,amid ,,darkness4 ,god's ,word assures us that a little child shall lead them4--,mamma1 do you know what ,god says8 ,he that believeth in me hath everlasting life4 ,to behold ,christ the light of the world is everlasting life4 ,strong devotion to children will lead us to notice their sayings and doings4--,what a beautiful and forcible illustration is this incident recorded by her1 the sayings of ,christ1 out of the mouth of babes and sucklings he hath perfected praise4 ,god is always doing wonders4 ,he confounds the mighty4 ,children are ,christ's best representatives4--,to teach the disciples humility he set the child in their midst and said1 ,except ye be converted and become as little children ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven4 ,the day spring from on high visited this family4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,love ,,remembered ,,begets ,,confidence ,,in ,,god4 ,i will trust ,him for ,he has always cared for me in the past4--,how beautifully appropriate in this connection is the twenty-third ,psalm1 that we used to sing among the purple heather in the sunny days of childhood with those who have gone home to yonder land of light and love4 ,the ,lord's my shepherd1 ,i'll not want4 ,he makes me down to lie ,in pasture's green2 he leadeth me ,the quiet waters by4 ,my soul he doth restore again ,and me to walk doth make ,within the paths of righteousness ,ev'n for his own name's sake4 ,yea1 though ,i walk in death's dark vale1 ,yet will ,i fear none ill1 ,for thou art with me2 and thy rod ,and staff me comfort still4 ,my table thou hast furnished ,in presence of my foes2 ,my head thou dost with oil anoint1 ,and my cup overflows4 ,goodness and mercy all my life ,shall surely follow me2 ,and in ,god's house for evermore ,my dwelling place shall be4 ,said an old ,christian 7a member of my church7 seventy-eight years of age1 whose dear partner of his joys and sorrows whom ,i called to see in her deep affliction 7for she had fallen and broken a limb71 as ,i read the above psalm to them before engaging in prayer1 ,i remember when a boy at home of hearing my dear kind mother rocking the children to sleep singing that good old psalm of the ,hebrew bard4 ,i received a telegram recently to call and see a wealthy manufacturer's mother from ,ayrshire1 who was stricken with paralysis4 ,as ,i entered the room and took her hand1 ,i said3 ,i suppose you feel now in your sickness that the ,lord is your shepherd4 ,yes1 said she1 and ,he leadeth me beside the still waters4 ,shortly afterward she peacefully fell asleep in ,jesus4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,miscellaneous ,,extracts ,,from ,,her ,,diary4 ,have you heard of that wonderful city1 ,whose walls are of jasper and gold8 ,whose inhabitants ever are happy1 ,and never grow weary or old8 ,have you heard of those emblems of vict'ry1 ,that all of the glorified bear8 ,of the star-bedecked crowns of rejoicing ,which all of the ransomed shall wear8 ,,her ,,gratitude ,,to ,,the ,,new ,,york ,,flower ,,mission4--,in the middle of a busy summer she writes3 ,the ,flower ,mission has enabled me to bring some brightness and pleasure to the sufferers on sick beds1 for which ,i am very grateful4 ,her ardent love of sweet1 sweet nature is fully exemplified by frequent visits to the ,new ,york ,flower ,mission ,society's ,rooms4 ,how refreshing to the sight of the sufferer are those gifts of earth's adornment4 ,and how pleasing are the words of the poet ,burns3 ,the snowdrop and primrose the woodlands adorn ,and the violets they bathe in the weet of the morn4 ,,the ,,young ,,jewess4--,writing under this head1 she says3 ,some time since ,i became acquainted with a young ,jewess1 who was very sick4 ,i visited her from time to time1 carrying her some little comforts and a bouquet of flowers4 ,i also read and prayed with her1 which displeased her mother4 ,but ere long her daughter became a ,christian1 and when ,i asked her one day if she fully believed in ,jesus as her ,messiah1 she replied1 ',oh1 yes4' ,she always came to church1 but being an invalid and dependent on her mother1 she could not come out boldly and confess ,christ4 ,i have learned since that she has married a ,christian man1 is a member of the ,presbyterian ,church1 and is a happy woman4 ,it is quite possible for this young ,jewess in her sickness to have been led to the holy cross of ,jesus through the missionary's thoughtfulness in bringing sunshine into this sick room by those beautiful and fragrant flowers4 ,,the ,,forsaken ,,german ,,woman4--,of this case she states3 ,a poor woman who had come from ,germany not long ago1 felt herself forsaken by all1 and longed for her old home4 ,telling her of the love of ,christ1 she seemed to receive ,god's word with gratitude1 and was very thankful for the little temporal aid ,i could give her4 ,the great charm in her life was her almost universal benevolence to all in deep distress4 ,consider this ,german woman forsaken and far from her native home4 ,she sighed for ,her dear sweet fatherland1 and gazed across the sea1 ,but could not get a blink o' her ain countrie4 ,oh6 how blessed6 truly blessed are those who are thus like minded4 ,oh6 the rich and inestimable value of such a life4 ,who can really estimate the power of such human affection8 ,it is emphatically real1 true1 solid1 and substantial4 ,how influential6 ,how full of ,christ-like generosity6 ,where can we find one so full of the spirit of her dear master8 ,her life was spent for the temporal as well as the spiritual welfare of those with whom she was providentially brought in contact4 ,see how tenderly she noticed the change wrought among her parishioners1 after her return from a short respite from her incessant labors4 ,some were dead1 others were sick4 ,to minister to these was her continuous occupation4 ,she felt her days were short1 and as she remarked on her own death-bed1 ,i must finish my work4 ,hence1 short were her intervals of repose4 ,she says3 ,the prospects of the poor are beginning to brighten4 ,some1 who have been out of work for some time1 have now found employment4 ,in the month of ,february1 of the two hundred families ,i visited1 forty on whom their families were depending for support were without any employment4 ,i have gathered several into the church and the ,sabbath-school1 as well as the prayer-meeting1 which is well attended4 ,god help the poor6 ,and again1 after a somewhat short respite from her labors1 she writes3 ,on my return from my vacation1 ,i found many sick1 and some had been called away from this life4 ,mrs4 ,l41 whom ,i had long visited1 had fallen asleep in ,jesus4 ,another poor woman who had lost her husband and a darling child was greatly afflicted4 ,she was willing and glad to hear of the ,saviour who knows all our sorrows1 and has promised to comfort the afflicted with ,his own presence4 ,yes1 this is emphatically true4 ,for what sayeth ,god through the ,prophet ,isaiah3 ,oh6 ,israel1 fear not3 for ,i have redeemed thee1 ,i have called thee by thy name2 thou art mine4 ,when thou passeth through the waters1 ,i will be with thee2 and through the rivers1 they shall not overflow thee3 when thou walkest through the fire1 thou shalt not be burned2 neither shall the flame kindle upon thee4 ,for ,i am the ,lord thy ,god1 the ,holy ,one of ,israel1 thy ,saviour4 ,i gave ,egypt for thy ransom1 ,ethiopia and ,sebia for thee4 ,since thou wast precious in my sight1 thou hast been honorable1 and ,i have loved thee3 therefore will ,i give men for thee1 and people for thy life4 ,a ,storm of ,starvation1 ,sickness1 and ,death4--,the ,widow's ,lament4--,a ,father and ,three ,children ,rescued4--,the ,stranger in the ,city4--,during the last month ,i have met with a great deal of destitution1 many persons out of employment1 several families without fire or food1 and the most of them had never known want before1 but knew not where to apply for aid4 ,one poor woman1 whose husband was in the ,island ,hospital1 ,i called to see on the ,wednesday before the last great storm4 ,she had just sent her little boy to see his father1 and was1 with her five children1 without fire or food4 ,the day before she had divided her last five cent loaf among them4 ,i immediately went to the ,visitor of the district1 who gave her groceries and coal1 but before she received the aid word came that her husband was dead4 ,she is a ,protestant1 but has been living in careless neglect of her duty to ,god4 ,she now became very penitent1 and lamented her past life1 believing1 as she herself affirmed1 that ,god had been afflicting her for her sins4 ,i think ,i shall be able to get her aid from the ,widows' ,society4 ,some time ago1 visiting in a tenement house1 ,i inquired at one of the doors if there were any children there who did not go to ,sabbath-school1 and was answered by a boy that he did not go4 ,i then asked him to go to our school4 ,he consented1 and on the following ,sabbath three of the children came1 and since then have induced their father to attend church1 and he appears to be one of the most attentive hearers there4 ,a few days since ,i visited the family1 and found his wife to be a very interesting woman4 ,as ,i entered the room1 the children told their mother ,i was from the church4 ,she seemed glad to see me1 and told me of the many trials she had met with4 ,she was a stranger in the city1 having recently come in from the country1 where they had lived in comfort1 but since then have been greatly reduced4 ,she wept sore1 as she told me that her husband had no employment at present4 ,he looks over the papers every day1 but as yet can find no situation4 ,i begged her not to be discouraged1 but put her trust in the ,lord1 and ,he would not forsake her4 ,she said she felt much encouraged from the interest her husband had taken in matters of religion1 and regretted she had never made a profession herself4 ,before ,i left ,i prayed with her1 and when ,i bade her good-by1 she put her arms around my neck and wept1 saying it was the ,lord who sent me to her1 and asked me to come soon and often4 ,that same evening her husband attended our prayer-meeting1 and it was remarked by several present how very attentive and interested he appeared4 ,fidelity in the performance of duty is always rewarded by getting assistance from kind ,christian friends4 ,the last five cent loaf is divided among the children4 ,it is a terrible picture to study4 ,a storm without1 starvation within1 and a father sick in the hospital4 ,can you imagine a more heartrending scene than the one so graphically portrayed by this missionary woman8 ,picture the moral heroism displayed in her tender appeals for help to this death-stricken household4 ,bible illustrations are always the best3 ,thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies3 thou anointest my head with oil3 my cup runneth over4--,ps4 xxiii4 #e4 ,there is no want to them that fear ,him4 ,they that seek the ,lord shall not want any good thing4--,ps4 xxxiv4 #i-aj4 ,seek ye first the kingdom of ,god1 and his righteousness1 and all these things shall be added unto you4--,matt4 vi4 #cc4 ,my ,god shall supply all your need1 according to his riches in glory by ,christ ,jesus4--,phil4 iv4 #ai4 ,godliness with contentment is great gain4 ,who giveth us richly all things to enjoy4--#a ,tim4 vi4 #f1 #ag4 ,i say unto you1 ,take no thought for your life1 what ye shall eat1 or what ye shall drink2 nor yet for your body1 what ye shall put on3 is not the life more than meat1 and the body than raiment8 ,wherefore1 if ,god so clothe the grass of the field1 which to-day is1 and to-morrow is cast into the oven1 shall he not much more clothe you1 ,o ye of little faith8 ,therefore1 take no thought1 saying1 ,what shall we eat8 or1 ,what shall we drink8 or1 wherewithal shall we be clothed8 ,for your heavenly ,father knoweth that ye have need of all these things4--,matt4 vi4 #be1 #cj-cb4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,discouragement ,,and ,,encouragement4 ,she begged this woman not to be discouraged1 but to put her trust in the ,lord4 ,how comforting is the word in this connection1 ,he that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the ,almighty4 ,i will say of the ,lord1 ,he is my fortress2 my ,god1 in ,him will ,i trust4 #a4 ,consider the happiness of those who put their trust in the ,lord4 ,everyone who neglects to do this may reasonably expect that ,god will hide his face from them4 #b4 ,see the benefits that flow from the reciprocal influence of religion4 ,she felt encouraged because her husband was interested in religion4 #c4 ,trials ought to be spiritually discerned4 ,we form a very wrong estimate of religion if we think that ,god's gifts of grace are invariably conferred upon the prosperous4 ,many have the smiles of ,his providence who are not basking in the sunshine of ,his reconciling countenance4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,if ,,we ,,forsake ,,god1 ,,he ,,will ,,also ,,forsake ,,us4 ,she had not discharged her duty to ,god1 etc4--,how quickly she recognized the vital importance of discharging duty to ,god as infinitely superior to all others4 ,penitence for sin omitted and committed against a holy ,being who has purer eyes than to behold iniquity4 ,this thought is put in the foreground2 sin brings affliction4 ,repentance was the first subject selected by ,john1 and ,christ himself1 to proclaim to the people of ,palestine1 ,repent1 for the ,kingdom of heaven is at hand4 ,why does it imply simply a change of mind8 ,laments her past life4--,living in the careless neglect of her duty to ,god1 she censures herself1 evidently experiencing that ,godly sorrow for sin which needeth not to be repented of4 ,how many1 alas6 sadly neglect to confess and forsake their sin until the setting of life's sun4 ,he consented1 etc4--,the old story-telling with gentle1 winning words1 at the door of the tenement-house1 accompanied with the loving invitation to come to ,jesus1 are deeply impregnated with never-ceasing influence4 ,three children and a father persuaded to attend the means of grace on the ,sabbath1 in ,god's sanctuary4 ,what a striking reflection of the character of ,him who sat weary and way-worn on ,jacob's well4 ,surely a truly devoted missionary of the holy cross of ,jesus is an angel on this sin-blighted earth1 where1 through penury and sorrow1 hearts are almost crushed with despair4 ,she is ,christ's ambassador4 ,seemed glad to see me1 etc4--,why1 dear ,christian reader8 ,because she brought rays of heavenly sunshine of ,god's peace and gratitude and gladness into many a benighted heart2 thus inspiring1 encouraging1 and arousing within the soul blessed remembrances of a covenant-keeping ,god1 even toward ,his poor1 wayward1 backsliding children4 ,what an unspeakable privilege to unbosom one's trials and difficulties into the ear of a faithful servant of ,god4 ,but ought we not to thank the ,father of ,light that the throne of grace has been erected1 and we are kindly invited to come boldly into ,his immediate presence1 through the rent veil of our ,redeemer's flesh1 that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in every time of need8 ,consider the change from comfort in the country to circumstances of cheerlessness in the city4 ,many make a sad mistake in leaving their country home to come to the city to be crowded in a tenement-house4 ,drawn thither1 perhaps1 by the glare and din and bustle1 to mingle in the sin and sorrow4 ,she described the woman as weeping sorely4 ,weeping may endure for a night1 but joy cometh in the morning4 ,what an inexpressible comfort to those who feel their loneliness in the city1 then ,jesus wept and said that he was friendless and homeless4 ,he hath trodden the wine-press alone1 of the people there was none with him4 ,poverty and hunger is a great temptation to a woman in the city4 ,how comforting to know that ,christ was tempted in this respect4 ,for we read in ,god's divinely inspired word3 ,then was ,jesus led up of the ,spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil4 ,and when he ,had fasted forty days and forty nights1 he afterward hungered4 ,and the tempter came and said unto him3 ,if thou art the son of ,god1 command that these stones become bread4 ,but he answered and said3 ,it is written1 ,man shall not live by bread alone1 but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of ,god4 ,then the devil taketh him into the holy city2 and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple1 and saith unto him1 ,if thou art the ,son of ,god1 cast thyself down3 for it is written1 ,he shall give his angels charge concerning thee3 ,and on their hands they shall bear thee up1 ,lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone4 ,jesus said unto him1 ,again it is written1 ,thou shalt not tempt the ,lord thy ,god4--,matt4 iv4 #fh4 ,to such weary ones we would say1 remember the words of the blessed ,jesus3 ,let not your hearts be troubled1 etc41 for ,i have read of a land whose inhabitants say ,i am sick1 ,i am weary1 no more1 ,and ,i pine1 'mid the burdens and heat of the day1 ,for a glimpse of that life-giving shore4 ,eye hath not seen it1 and ear hath not heard1 ,yet all my spirit with longing is stirred2 ,oh1 glory exceeding my heart's utmost pleading6 ,eternal1 eternal the weight of thy bliss6 ,on ,resisting ,temptation4--,thomas ,a4 ,kempis says3 ,so long as we live in this world we cannot be without tribulation and temptation4 ,hence it is written in ,job1 ,the life of man upon earth is a life of temptation4 ,every one therefore ought to be careful about his temptations1 and to watch in prayer1 lest the devil find an advantage to deceive him2 for he never sleepeth1 but goeth about1 seeking whom he may devour4 ,no man is so perfect and holy1 but he hath sometimes temptations1 and we cannot be altogether without them4 ,nevertheless temptations are often very profitable to us1 though they be troublesome and grievous2 for in them a man is humbled1 purified1 and instructed4 ,all the ,saints passed through man's tribulations and temptations1 and profited thereby4 ,and they that could not bear temptations1 became reprobate1 and fell away4 ,there is no order so holy1 nor place so secret1 as that there be not temptations1 or adversities in it4 ,there is no man that is altogether free from temptations whilst he liveth on earth3 for the root thereof is in ourselves1 who are born with inclination to evil4 ,when one temptation or tribulation goeth away1 another cometh2 and we shall ever have something to suffer1 because we are fallen from the state of our felicity4 ,many seek to fly temptations1 and fall more grievously into them4 ,by flight alone we cannot overcome1 but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies4 ,he that only avoideth them outwardly1 and doth not pluck them up by the roots1 shall profit little2 yea1 temptations will the sooner return unto him1 and will be more violent than before4 ,by little and little1 and by the very beginning1 unlearn evil habits1 lest perhaps by little and little they draw thee to greater difficulty4 ,oh6 if thou didst but consider how much inward peace unto thyself1 and joy unto others1 thou wouldst procure by demeaning thyself well1 ,i think that thou wouldst be more careful of thy spiritual progress4 ,of the ,profit of ,adversity4--,it is good that we have sometimes some troubles and crosses2 for they often make a man enter into himself1 and consider that he is here in banishment1 and ought not to place his trust in any worldly thing4 ,it is good that we be sometimes contradicted1 and that men think ill or inadequately2 and this1 although we do and intend well4 ,these things help often to the attaining of humility1 and defend us from vain glory3 for then we are more inclined to seek ,god for our inward witness1 when outwardly we be contemned by men1 and when there is no credit given unto us4 ,and therefore a man should settle himself so fully in ,god1 that he needs not to seek many comforts of men4 ,when a good man is afflicted1 tempted1 or troubled with evil thoughts1 then he understandeth better the great need he hath of ,god1 without whom he perceiveth he can do nothing that is good4 ,then also he sorroweth1 lamenteth1 and prayeth1 by reason of the miseries he suffereth4 ,then he is weary of living longer1 and wisheth that death would come1 that he might depart and be with ,christ4 ,then also he well perceiveth1 that perfect security and full peace cannot be had in this world4 ,before ,i left1 ,i prayed with her4--,this brings before us another very touching scene in the life of ,st4 ,paul4 ,his final farewell to the elders of ,ephesus4 ,when he had spoken unto them he kneeled down and prayed with them all4 ,and they all wept sore and fell on ,paul's neck and kissed him4 ,sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke1 that they should see his face no more1 and they accompanied him unto the ship4 ,if this course was persistently pursued by all ,christian workers how manifold would be the blessings conferred on our labors4 ,it would be found that many a poor sin-burdened heart would be instantly relieved of its load of care4 ,for if we ask1 we shall receive4 ,we are called upon1 not to go forth in our own name1 or in our own strength1 but in the name of ,him who said1 ,lo6 ,i am with you alway1 even to the end of the world2 and when one reflects on the many sad scenes and circumstances with which she was constantly surrounded1 we ought to thank ,god that in every age of the ,christian ,church1 he has raised up men and women who were willing to go with the name of ,jesus to the distressed and dying1 and to speak that name in all its living power4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,mother ,,and ,,daughter ,,given ,a ,,bible ,,and ,,its ,,result4 ,of this incident she writes3 ,a woman and her daughter1 whom ,i have been visiting for some time1 and to whom ,i have given a ,bible1 have become greatly changed1 and attended our place of worship last ,sabbath4 ,they gave evidence of having been very deeply impressed4 ,the mother said1 with the ,lord helping her1 she will live no longer as she has done4 ,this woman has been greatly tried4 ,on the day of the great storm1 her husband left ,washington1 where he had been employed some time1 and has never since been heard of4 ,he was her only means of support1 as the rest of the family were out of employment4 ,her daughter is a very interesting young woman1 and would like a situation as seamstress and nurse4 ,i would have no fear in recommending her to any one who might need her services4 ,notice1 #a4 ,that love and reverence for ,god's ,word inspires one with a desire to distribute the ,sacred ,scriptures4 ,there are various reasons for this4 ,in the first place1 because of the moral influence the revealed will of ,god has had on the world4 ,when we think of the benign and salutary influence of the ,bible by its circulation throughout the length and breadth of the land1 nay1 all lands1 by the ,british and ,foreign ,bible ,society1 and the ,american ,bible ,society1 we have great reason to rejoice at the marvellous success that has attended their labors4 ,surely it is indited by the inspiration of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,it has been transmitted to us1 from generation to generation1 unaltered and uninjured2 the simple yet sublime boon--,god's loving letters to mankind4 ,what glory gilds the sacred page6 ,majestic like the sun6 ,it gives a light to every age2 ,it gives but borrows none4 ,the power that gave it still supplies ,the gracious light and heat2 ,its truth upon the nations rise2 ,they rise but never set6 ,in the beginning was the ,word4 ,christ is the ,word4 ,it giveth light4 ,read ,his power in the ,gospel4 ,notice the connection between natural light and spiritual faith in ,christ4 ,and as they went out from ,jericho1 a great multitude followed ,christ4 ,and behold two blind men sitting by the way side1 when they heard that ,jesus was passing by1 cried out1 saying1 ,lord1 have mercy on us1 thou son of ,david4 ,and the multitude rebuked them1 that they should hold their peace2 but they cried out the more1 saying1 ,lord1 have mercy on us thou son of ,david4 ,and ,jesus stood still1 and called them1 and said1 ,what will ye that ,i should do unto you8 ,they say unto him1 ,lord1 that our eyes may be opened4 ,and ,jesus being moved with compassion touched their eyes1 and straightway they received their sight and followed him4 #b4 ,the infinite superiority of the ,divine ,word to that of all earthly traditions1 and the best literary productions is best judged by results4 ,the works of ,plato1 ,lycurgus1 ,demosthenes1 ,homer1 ,virgil1 ,dante1 ,milton1 ,scott1 ,burns1 ,bryant1 and ,longfellow are not for one moment to be compared to the ,bible4 ,when ,scott1 the great writer1 was departing life1 he turned to his son-in-law1 ,lockhart1 and said3 ,bring me the ,book4 ,what book8 asked ,lockhart4 ,there is but one ,book--the ,bible6 was the reply4 ,what spiritual and spontaneous enthusiasm in ,divine things are stirred within us when we read the sacred pages4 ,now turn to the picture painted by her who is now with the redeemed on high2 she says3 ,after receiving the ,bible they were greatly changed1 and attended our place of worship on the ,sabbath4 ,they gave evidence of being now deeply impressed4 ,what impressed them8 ,two things worthy of notice3 #a4 ,the ,word4 #b4 ,the ,worship4 ,now1 there are some people who imagine that they can go to heaven if they stay at home and read the ,bible4 ,this is all very well in its place1 but we must not forget the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is4 ,some try to live a ,christian life outside of the ,church4 ,this is a sad mistake4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,struggles ,,and ,,triumphs4 ,oh6 land of the blessed1 thy shadowless skies ,sometimes in my dreaming ,i see3 ,i hear the glad songs that the glorified sing ,steal over eternity's sea4 ,though dark are the shadows that gather between1 ,i know that thy morning is fair2 ,i catch but a glimpse of thy glory and light1 ,and whisper4 ,would ,god ,i were there6 ,o ,saviour1 prepare my spirit to share ,forever with thee those mansions fair4 ,there is never a day so dreary but ,god by his ,holy spirit can illumine the darkness by revealing to the ,christian the home beyond the flood4 ,he giveth to his beloved songs in the night4 ,there is no pathway in life so intricate but what if we ask divine guidance ,he will give it4 ,there are crosses in this brief life1 that must be carried patiently and joyfully until the end of the journey4 ,oh6 how comforting is the thought that in all our afflictions ,christ was afflicted1 and the angel of ,his presence strengthened ,him4 ,those hands that were nailed to the ,cross on ,calvary1 are constantly stretched out to assist the way-worn traveller up the rugged road of life4 ,there never was a human heart so crushed and broken by the sorrows of earth but what ,christ can heal1 for that heart that was broken on ,golgotha pants and heaves toward earth's sufferers4 ,how beautifully expressive is the paraphrase3 ,though now ascended up on high1 ,he bends on earth a brother's eye4 ,the tender watch care of the ,god of ,israel is the same to-day as it was when ,ruth1 the ,moabitess1 said unto ,naomi3 ,let me now go to the field1 and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight ,i shall find grace4 ,and she said unto her3 ,go1 my daughter4 ,and she went1 and came1 and gleaned in the field after the reapers1 and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto ,boaz4444 ,and1 behold6 ,boaz came from ,bethlehem1 and said unto the reapers3 ,the ,lord be with you4 7,ruth ii4 #b-d47 ,in this whole narrative we behold the law of loving kindness of ,jehovah strikingly exemplified through ,his own covenanted people4 ,he reveals1 in a marvellous manner1 ,his grace and goodness to thousands of them that love ,him and keep ,his commandments4 ,hence1 the virtue of every benevolent transaction lies in the motive by which we are actuated4 ,as ,paul says3 ,the love of ,christ constrains us4 ,whatever we give1 whatever ,god's children do for the alleviation of the sorrows and sufferings of earth1 they do it with an eye single to ,his glory1 they continually hear ,christ's voice saying unto them3 ,this do in remembrance of me4 ,we see these principles practically illustrated in the wonderful experience of her whose struggles and triumphs for the blessed ,christ we are now prayerfully considering4 ,for example1 in ,february1 #ahgd1 she writes3 ,through the kindness of those interested in the poor1 ,i have been enabled to supply the wants of many4 ,one kind lady1 belonging to the ,bible ,society1 gave me ten dollars1 part to assist one family with fuel and groceries1 and the rest for another1 where the husband had been ill for a long time1 and finding it difficult to obtain employment1 had been suffering for the common necessaries of life4 ,i also received orders from this lady for coal and groceries1 for other poor families1 to be obtained through the visitors of the poor4 ,in one home where ,i placed some provisions on the table1 a little boy said to his mother1 ',mamma1 mustn't you get down and pray1 and thank ,god for these things8' ,when ,i enter some of these homes they are full of sadness and gloom1 but ,i am often thankful to feel ,i leave hope and cheerfulness behind me1 when ,i go away4 ,in the greater number of these families it is want of employment that causes the trouble--they are willing and anxious to work1 but it cannot be procured4 ,one family1 consisting of a husband1 wife1 and three children1 the youngest ten days old1 was found very destitute4 ,they had parted with even every article of clothing1 except what they had on1 and had neither fuel nor food4 ,the poor woman wept as she said1 ',she had never before known such destitution4' ,i gave them some relief1 and then engaged in prayer with them4 ,they were both much affected1 and said it was the first time a prayer had ever been offered in that house by any one4 ,i sent them some coal1 and procured other relief for them1 and now they are comfortable1 the man having obtained some work4 ,another family1 in which there are two children 7the father dying of consumption--the mother very delicate71 are wholly dependent on charity4 ,the woman is very industrious1 and always ready to do what she can1 but it is hard to procure employment4 ,i have read and talked with the man1 after supplying their temporal wants1 and especially impressed upon him the promise1 ',whatsoever ye shall ask in my name it shall be given to you4' ,he listened--had been thinking of his past life--but he said all seemed dark to him4 ,i have prayed with him1 and he thought light broke in upon him4 ,he said1 ',he saw more clearly1' and after some days professed to be happy4 ,and now1 while the tears rolled down his cheeks1 he says1 ',i am willing to go and 7looking around on the little circle7 resign all these into the arms of ,jesus4' ,i prayed with him before ,i left4 ,a friend asked me to go and see a poor sick woman in the same destitute circumstances1 the husband being out of work4 ,a sad sight met my eyes2 the poor woman lay coughing on the bed1 as if she could not last much longer1 the children standing by the bed1 dirty and uncared for2 the floor black1 window curtain hanging in rags1 while the mother could do nothing4 ,they receive one dollar a week from the ,poor ,association4 ,i assisted her1 and promised to look to the children2 talked with her and then read and prayed4 ,she clasped my hand as ,i arose from my knees and said1 ',you are the first person who ever prayed with me2 oh6 it makes me happy1 and ,i hope ,god will hear your prayers4' ,trial seems to open the hearts of these poor ones to religious impressions4 ,a few days since1 visiting a little girl 7belonging to a ,catholic family7 who is in our ,sewing-school1 the mother put her hand in her pocket and took out some change1 saying1 ',this is all the money ,i have at present1 take it and use it for the poor2 ,i wish it was a great deal more1 and1' she added1 'when you find any one hungry and wanting a loaf of bread1 come to me1 and ,i will give you some money2 my little girl often tells me what you say to her in the ,sewing-school1 or when you meet her in the street4' ,thus ,i receive encouragement on every side1 and am never in want of some aid for those who need it so much4 ,my dear friend1 who was removed from me by death last summer1 often used to say1 ',never fear1 ,mrs4 ,knowles1 when the ,lord takes away one support1 he raises another4' ,and so ,i have found it4 ,my ,superintendent is always ready to assist1 and our ,sewing-school1 aided by her and other ladies1 is very prosperous4 ,perhaps want may drive many to us1 but we trust they will be also benefited by the instruction there received1 and carry the lessons home4 ,one poor woman gave me a dollar for a ,bible ,i left with her some months since4 ',for1' she says1 'the ,lord has blessed her since she has begun to read it4' ,another poor woman paid #be cents for one1 for 'she wanted it in the house for the good of the children4' ,and two others were also sold4 ,a number of children have been brought to ,sabbath-school1 and several induced to attend church4 ,in beginning a ,new ,year1 ,i trust increased devotion to the work will bring on added blessing4 ,how tenderly and lovingly she notes the kind lady who gave her the ten dollars for the sick family whose prop and stay was out of employment4 ,those who are familiar with the sad sights of want and woe in all our large cities1 will be able to appreciate the naturalness of the foregoing description of missionary work among the poor and lowly4 ,shakespeare's account of a complete lady lacks one essential qualification1 benevolence4 ,he says3 ,if lusty love should go in quest of beauty1 ,where should he find it fairer than in ,blanch8 ,if zealous love should go in search of virtue1 ,where should he find it purer than in ,blanch8 ,if love ambitious sought a match of birth1 ,whose veins bound richer blood than ,lady ,blanch8 ,what a magnificent portrait is here drawn of truly rounded1 symmetrically developed ,christian womanhood1 and true ladyship is here pencilled in the diary of the departed4 ,there are some women who win men toward them by their wonderful conversational powers4 ,they can talk by the hour2 but when you approach them on the question of finance1 for the cause of ,home or ,foreign ,missions1 they are like the colored man who was a great talker and a lusty singer1 but a very poor giver1 and when the collection box was being passed around1 he closed his eyes and kept on singing1 ,roll1 ,gospel1 roll2 when the deacon put the box under his nose1 and said1 ,i say1 ,brother ,sam1 what are you gwine to give to make the ,gospel roll around the world8 ,the distinction is very positively affirmed by ,christ between those who will be at the last on his right hand1 and those on his left1 by the inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these my brethren1 ye did it not unto me4 ,i remember once during the same year in which the circumstances we are now commenting on transpired1 of calling upon a friend1 a broker in ,wall ,street of this city1 and after some general conversation about ,christian work1 he called me into his rear office and said3 ,how are you getting along financially8 ,well1 ,i said1 ,i am able to keep my head above water4 ,ah6 he replied1 ,i have been watching you in your work1 and want to make you a present of fifty dollars for your immediate wants4 ,i looked upon him with astonishment and exclaimed3 ,how is it1 my friend1 you can be so kind to me1 as ,i am a comparative stranger to you8 ,well1 he said1 ,i believe you are doing the ,lord's work1 and ,i feel that all the money belongs unto ,him1 and ,i am only his steward4 ,what is the ultimate design of ,christ knocking at the door of the heart8 ,is it not that we may be like ,him8 ,he gave himself for us4 ,can we then withhold our alms to the poor8 ,he may take ,his departure1 and we may receive in our hearts the spirit of avariciousness and selfishness4 ,i am sure if any of the ladies connected with the ,new ,york ,bible ,society will read the simple story of ,god's dealings with this missionary woman1 their hearts will swell with great gratitude and gladness1 to think that ,god enabled them to contribute of their substance to the poor and needy1 through this humble worker in the master's vineyard4 ,let us ever remember that we are under peculiar obligations to ,god for all we have and all we so richly enjoy4 ,our true condition is one of absolute subserviency and absolute dependence4 ,we are not our own1 we are bought with a price1 even the peace-speaking blood of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,our hand must clothe the humble poor1 ,our store the hungry feed4 ,our homes the stranger must receive ,and shelter in his need2 ,each others burdens we must bear1 ,each others faults forgive1 ,and thus in perfect peace with all1 ,and perfect union1 live4 ,what an astonishing amount of pathos is manifested in the joyous outbursts of gratitude and thankfulness in the heart of this boy when their wants were supplied1 indicated by his child-like words3 ,mamma1 mustn't you get down and pray1 and thank ,god for all these things8 ,absorbed in serious reflection1 he instantly and spontaneously recognized ,god as the giver of every good and perfect gift1 the father of lights with whom there is no variableness1 nor the least shadow of turning4 ,surely out of the mouths of babes and sucklings ,he hath perfected praise4 ,it is remarkable how quickly children recognize heavenly things4 ,train up a child in the way it should go1 and when it is old it will not depart from it4 ,the early desire to pray deeply1 implanted in the tender breast by the mother1 can never be obliterated4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,leading ,,souls ,,to ,,christ4 ,hark6 through ,nature's vast cathedral1 ,blended echoes ever rise1 ,swelling in a mighty anthem ,to its overarching skies4 ,every great and noble action ,is re-echoed o'er and o'er2 ,life itself is but an echo ,of the lives that were before4 ,our daily life ought to be an echo of the life of ,christ4 ,just as ,god is in ,christ reconciling the world unto himself1 not imputing unto man his trespasses1 so the great aim of the ,christian ought to be to lead souls to ,jesus4 ,the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,w4 ,m4 ,taylor1 of the ,broadway ,tabernacle1 tells the story of how1 when ,hector was going to his last battle1 and his wife ,andromache accompanied him as far as the gates of the city1 they were followed by a nurse carrying in her arms their infant child4 ,when he was about to depart1 ,hector held out his hands to receive the little one1 but1 terrified by the burnished helmet1 and the waving plume1 the child turned away and clung1 crying1 to his nurse's neck4 ,in a moment1 divining the cause of the infant's alarm1 the warrior took off his helmet and laid it on the ground1 and then1 smiling through his tears1 the little fellow leaped into his father's arms4 ,now1 similarly1 ,jehovah of hosts1 ,jehovah with his helmet on1 would frighten us weak guilty ones away2 but in the person of the ,lord ,jesus ,he has laid that helmet off1 and now the guiltiest and the neediest are encouraged to go to ,his fatherly embrace and avail themselves of ,his support4 ,under date of ,february1 #ahge1 ,mrs4 ,knowles writes that she has been successful1 during the past two months1 in bringing many persons to attend church1 and a number of children to the ,sabbath-schools2 and she adds3 ,i am much encouraged by the attention paid to the reading of the ,scriptures4 ,i have also made many hearts glad by supplying their families with food and clothing1 and at some places where ,i have not given anything1 and have referred to it1 ,i have been answered with3 ',you have done a great deal for us by teaching us to trust in the ,lord4' ,thought ought to operate between two limits--the one of time1 the other of eternity4 ,the ,sabbath-school and the ,church are inseparably linked with earth and heaven4 ,train up a child in the way it should go1 and when it is old it will not depart from it4 ,the first book put into my hand when a boy1 in the public school of my native land1 was the ,bible4 ,and the first book ,i had to study in the ,sabbath-school was the ,shorter ,catechism4 ,these two books have exerted a benign and salutary influence on my whole life4 ,now1 what the study of mathematics is to the intellect by disciplining and imparting the power to reason consecutively1 thus tranquillizing the judgment by furnishing demonstrative knowledge1 even so the sermons heard in the ,house of ,god1 and the lessons taught in the ,sabbath-school1 and all the outward spiritual truth conveyed to the heart of the hearer1 quickens the soul into newness of life2 hence the injunction of the ,apostle3 ,let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering2 7for ,he is faithful that promised27 ,and let us consider one another1 to provoke unto love1 and to good works3 ,not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together1 as the manner of some is2 but exhorting one another2 and so much the more1 as ye see the day approaching4 ,for if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth1 there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins4 ,but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation1 which shall devour the adversaries4 ,he that despised ,moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses4 ,her chief delight was to lead men1 women1 and children to the house of ,god4 ,it does not seem strange1 therefore1 when we find the foregoing emphatic declaration in her diary3 ,i am much encouraged by the attention paid to the reading of the ,scriptures4 ,this is the glorious result of getting people first to attend to the means of grace in the sanctuary on the ,lord's day4 ,how greatly cheered she must have been in her work to hear the welcome words3 ,you have done a great deal for us1 by teaching us to ,,trust ,,in ,,god4 ,what is ,god's estimate of those who trust in ,him8 ,here the mind is forever set at rest4 ,he proffers innumerable blessings to those who confide in ,him1 and we will1 right now and here1 give our attention to a few of the many precious promises by which ,god richly entertains his children3 ,thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee2 because he trusteth in thee2 trust ye in the ,lord forever2 for in the ,lord ,jehovah is everlasting strength4--,isa4 xxvi4 #c-d4 ,he that putteth his trust in me1 shall possess the land1 and inherit my holy mountain4--,isa4 lvii4 #ac4 ,blessed is the man that trusteth in the ,lord1 and whose hope the ,lord is4 ,for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth out her roots by the river1 and shall not see when heat cometh1 but her leaf shall be green2 and shall not be careful in the year of drought1 neither shall cease from yielding fruit4--,jer4 xvii4 #g-h4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,the ,,dying ,,mother ,,and ,,the ,,intemperate ,,husband4 ,i know there are realms where the voices of song ,never cease 'neath a burden of tears4 ,and ,i seek1 'mid earth-discord1 the sound of a strain1 ,falling sweet from those radiant spheres4 ,we scarcely ever knew of a more touching account of a dying mother1 than the following graphic narrative3 ,one poor woman whom ,i mentioned before has just died4 ,surrounded as she was by ,romanists1 she stood firm in the belief in which she had been instructed by her father in her youth4 ,some time since ,i took her little girl to ,sabbath-school1 and a short time ago her teacher found her earnestly seeking ,christ4 ,she has since given good evidence of being a ,christian1 and has united with the church4 ,i was the only friend visiting the mother during her last illness1 whom she desired to come to read and pray with her4 ,she mourned over much of her past life1 but had much to contend with from those around her4 ,a few days before she died she said1 'she would be better soon4' ,i asked her what she meant4 ,she answered1 ',when ,i go to be with ,jesus2' but she added1 ',who will see to my little girl8' ,i told her ,i would4 ,once again ,i saw her2 she was composed and at peace1 saying1 ',she would soon be at home4' ,see how she pictures the intense solicitude of the mother after her child1 in the loving and sweet inquiry 7so faithfully remembered and carefully recorded71 ,who will see to my little girl8 ,see her quiet and ,christ-like spontaneous response1 that she would4 ,here we are forcibly reminded of a scene in ,new ,testament times4 ,in the ninth chapter of the ,acts of the ,apostles we read3 ,now there was at ,joppa a certain disciple named ,tabitha1 which1 by interpretation is called ,dorcas3 this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did4 ,and it came to pass in those days1 that she was sick1 and died3 whom when they had washed1 they laid her in an upper chamber4 ,and forasmuch as ,lydda was nigh to ,joppa1 and the disciples had heard that ,peter was there1 they sent unto him two men1 desiring him that he would not delay to come to them4 ,then ,peter arose1 and went with them4 ,when he was come1 they brought him into the upper chamber3 and all the widows stood by him weeping1 and shewing the coats and garments which ,dorcas made while she was with them4 ,the last part of her diary is extremely touching4 ,but this sorrowful sight presented to our view is only one of the many that frequently occur in a city like ,new ,york4 ,they harrow the refined feelings of the faithful missionary4 ,if such scenes are so distressing1 what must have been the experience of ,him who was made sin for us1 and who daily mingled with sinners4 ,he who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in ,him4 ,let her tell her own story4 ,a few days since ,i visited a woman whose husband had beaten her till she was almost helpless4 ,she told me about his coming to her with a knife1 and expected he would have taken her life4 ,she asked me to engage in prayer with her4 ,he sat by1 apparently unmoved4 ,when ,i was leaving1 he asked me to forgive him4 ,i told him it was not me he must ask2 he must go to ,god for forgiveness4 ,it was distressing to see the poor wife1 as she asked me what she must do1 as she had no friend on earth but me4 ,i then spoke to the husband2 he said he was very sorry he had acted so badly1 and would drink no more4 ,i intend getting him to sign the pledge1 which he says he will do4 ,the evils of intemperance meet us in so many ways1 we often feel discouraged1 and yet at times a case occurs which bids us work on and hope on4 ,the man mentioned above from that time continued to refrain from drink1 and has treated his wife well ever since4 ,she wept with gratitude as she told me1 a few evenings since1 that he came in and handed her all his money as he had received it for work1 never having opened it4 ,she could never forget the day when ,i came in and found almost everything in the room broken to pieces1 and his promise which he faithfully made to me that he would try and do right4 ,eternity alone will reveal to our astonished gaze the number of forlorn and sad hearts that were made to rejoice in the pardoning mercy of ,god through her weak instrumentality4 ,how comforting is the thought that ,his word shall not return unto ,him void1 but it will accomplish that which ,he please1 and prosper in the thing wherein he hath sent it4 ,it either proves the saviour of life unto life1 or of death unto death4 ,if we harden our hearts in the day of affliction we grieve the ,holy ,spirit away from us4 ,but sickness and penury properly received soften the heart and lead to repentance and transformation of life4 ,here is a practical illustration of this truth3 ,another family ,i found1 with two children lying ill with diphtheria4 ,they were living in a basement room1 and were very poor4 ,the father had been out of work for some time1 and the mother's sewing had supported the family1 but now her time was taken up with attending to the sick children4 ,i provided some nourishment1 and the next time ,i called1 the mother was lying ill with typhoid fever4 ,a poor woman was taking care of them1 risking her own life and that of her own children1 and another poor neighbor had taken home the third child to preserve it from infection4 ,they had but little covering1 and ,i procured what was needed from the ,home of the ,friendless1 and a dear friend gave me a bundle of clothing for them4 ,they have since recovered1 and having a friend who owned a tenement-house1 ,i spoke to her about them1 and they are now removed there1 and are quite comfortable4 ,our kind ladies who assist us at the sewing-school having sent us some turkeys for distribution at ,christmas ,i was able to furnish them with one2 and better still1 the husband has obtained employment4 ,they say they never will forget the time when they had nothing1 and now they have everything so comfortable4 ,they seem to feel it came from ,god4 ,yes1 ,he is the giver of every good and perfect gift1 the ,father of lights with whom there is no variableness nor the least shadow of turning4 ,without this perception and unless we return to ,god our grateful acknowledgments1 we cannot truly enjoy ,his blessings from above4 ,if ,god makes us the happy recipients of ,his favors it is our bounden duty to return to him our heartfelt gratitude4 ,this was the feeling of the ,psalmist when he said3 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul2 and all that is within me1 bless his holy name4 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul1 and forget not all his benefits3 ,who forgiveth all thine iniquities2 who healeth all thy diseases2 ,who redeemeth thy life from destruction2 who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies2 ,who satisfieth thy mouth with good things2 so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,help ,,and ,,loving ,,kindness4 ,oh1 give ,thine own sweet rest to me ,that ,i may speak with soothing power ,a word in season1 as from ,thee1 ,to weary ones in needful hour4 ,that ,mrs4 ,matilda ,knowles1 our beau ideal missionary1 possessed a thankful heart1 we glean from her diary4 ,she gives a deeply interesting account of the recognition1 on her part1 of the gentle and generous loving-kindnesses of those ladies who heartily co-operated with her in lifting the burden of sin1 sorrow1 and sadness from poor suffering humanity4 ,she writes at the close of #ahge1 thus3 ,our sewing-school kept its usual festival1 thanks to our kind ladies1 ,mrs4 ,harper1#c with ,mrs4 ,fiske1 and their friends1 who supplied us liberally1 and made many very happy4 ,i have also1 through the generosity of friends1 been able to aid and even supply the wants of many who are in need1 and ,i trust1 in beginning a ,new ,year1 ,i may be able to work even more earnestly than ever before4 #c ,wife of ,mr4 ,fletcher ,harper1 of ,harper ,brothers1 publishers1 ,franklin ,square1 ,new ,york4 ,this wealthy and inestimable lady 7,mrs4 ,f4 ,harper7 has also recently entered into her rest and reward4 ,we are glad to know1 however1 that her daughter has taken up all her mother's work1 as the following communication will testify3 ,,laurel ,,house1 ,,lakewood1 ,n4,j41 ,february #ba1 #ahhg4 ,,rev4 ,,duncan ,m4 ,,young1 ,,dear ,,sir3 ,i regret that ,i shall not be in ,new ,york for perhaps a couple of months1 and therefore cannot see you in regard to the subject of ,mrs4 ,knowles' work4 ,she assisted my dear mother for many years in the ,industrial ,school1 and was greatly honored and beloved by all connected with her in that work4 ,i do not think ,i can give you any information that you do not already know1 in regard to ,mrs4 ,knowles2 but if ,i knew a little more as to what were your plans and desires in regard to getting out a book from her notes1 ,i might consider what ,i could do4 ,in any case1 it can be only in a very slight degree that ,i am able to aid1 as ,i have taken up ,mrs4 ,f4 ,harper's work in all directions1 as well as my own4 ,any further communication addressed here will reach me4 ,very sincerely yours1 ,,mrs4 ,d4 ,h4 ,,sibley4 ,in our correspondence for the ,master we are reminded of two things1 first1 the letter sent by the beloved disciple1 ,john1 in his second epistle3 ,the elder unto the elect lady and her children1 whom ,i love in the truth2 and not ,i only1 but also all they that have known the truth2 ,for the truth's sake1 which dwelleth in us1 and shall be with us forever3 ,grace be with you1 mercy1 and peace1 from ,god the ,father1 and from the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of the ,father1 in truth and love4 ,i rejoiced greatly1 that ,i found of thy children walking in truth1 as we have received a commandment from the ,father4 ,and now ,i beseech thee1 lady1 not as though ,i wrote a new commandment unto thee1 but that which we had from the beginning1 that we love one another4 ,and this is love1 that we walk after his commandments4 ,this is the commandment1 ,that1 as ye have heard from the beginning1 ye should walk in it4 ,and second1 her place of residence for her health is the scene of our former labors for the ,lord4 ,in the vicinity of ,lakewood we held revival services1 and preached every night to a crowded house for over two months4 ,among those who were led to ,christ was a physician and his wife1 three public school-teachers1 and two brothers--young men--one of them is now a minister of the gospel1 the other the editor of a ,temperance paper in the city of ,philadelphia4 ,but we are rapidly travelling to eternity1 and these will1 we know1 be among the fruits of our labor4 ,still1 we have to watch for souls and the bringing in of a brighter and better day1 when one need not say to the other1 ,know ye the ,lord8 for all shall know ,him from the least even to the greatest4 ,when the knowledge of the ,lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the channels of the great deep4 ,how beautiful and descriptive are the words of ,mackay in his ,watcher on the ,tower1 that points to the time when1 through the labors of ,his servants1 truth shall be triumphant1 and sorrow and sighing shall flee away3 ,it breaks1 it comes1 the misty shadows fly1 ,a rosy radiance gleams upon the sky2 ,the mountain-tops reflect it calm and clear2 ,the plain is yet in shade1 but day is near4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,reaching ,,the ,,heart4 ,jesus1 let me thus be waiting1 ,full of hope1 and love1 and zeal ,let ,thy coming1 to my spirit1 ,be a hope divine and real4 ,dr4 ,hanna once said3 ,the heart is an interpreter4 ,it is not in the intellect1 it is in the conscience1 in the heart1 that the finest1 most powerful organs of spiritual vision lie4 ,there are seals that cover up many passages and pages of the ,bible which no light or fire of genius can dissolve2 there are hidden riches here that no labor of mere learned research can get at and spread forth4 ,but those seals melt like the snow-wreath beneath the warm breathings of desire and prayer1 and those riches drop spontaneously into the bosom of the humble and the contrite1 the poor and the needy4 ,the great ,president ,edwards1 in his admirable work on the affections1 declares that that religion which ,god requires1 and will accept1 does not consist in weak and lifeless inclinations raised but a little above a state of indifference4 ,god1 in ,his word1 insists upon it1 that we should be in earnest1 fervent in spirit1 and having our hearts vigorously engaged in religion4 ,and now1 ,israel1 what doth the ,lord thy ,god require of thee1 but to fear the ,lord thy ,god1 to walk in all his ways1 and to love him2 and to serve the ,lord thy ,god with all thy heart and with all thy soul4 ,and the ,lord thy ,god will circumcise thine heart1 and the heart of thy seed1 to love the ,lord thy ,god with all thine heart1 and with all thy soul1 that thou mayest live4--,deut4 xxx4 #f4 ,the primary object of the successful worker then is to reach the hearts of the parents through the children1 constantly remembering the divinely inspired words1 that a little child shall lead them4 ,let the following extracts from her pen speak for themselves3 ,during the last month ,i have made two hundred and five visits1 and brought eight children to the ,sunday-school4 ,i often find if we can gain the affection of the children it opens a way to the parent's hearts4 ,for example3 ,on entering a room one day1 ,i asked if they had a ,bible4 ,the father1 a rough-looking man1 said1 ',we have no money to buy ,bibles--we need all our money to get something to eat4' ',oh1' said ,i1 'if you have not the means to buy one ,i will give you one for nothing4' ',if ,i get it for nothing1 ,i will thank you for it4' ,i took him one the next day2 he thanked me very politely1 and said1 ',i will read it4' ,i handed the little girl a tract1 in which was a picture of a child kneeling in prayer4 ,the father seemed pleased1 and before leaving1 ,i said to the child1 ',now1 my dear1 if you learn to do as that little girl does1 ,god will love you4' ,she looked up and said1 ',yes1 ma'am4' ,when ,i called a few days after1 the father said1 ',my little girl did not forget her promise to you4 ,every night and morning she kneels down and prays1 and thinks we should all do the same4 ,i have been reading in the ,bible4 ,it tells us a great many good things1 and when ,i get some clothes ,i shall try and come to church4' 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,we must form our opinion of aggressive work for ,christ by the fruits that are produced4 ,the pictorial tract put into the hands of the little girl1 and her subsequent conduct1 elicited the attention of that rough-looking father1 and oh1 what a blessed testimony to the power of divine grace in the parental statement1 ,every night and morning she kneels down and prays1 and thinks we should all do the same4 ,it is evident that children feel the full force of the words of the apostle3 ,having therefore1 brethren1 boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of ,jesus1 by a new and living2 way1 which he hath consecrated for us through the vail1 that is to say1 his flesh2 and having a high priest over the house of ,god2 let us draw near with a true heart1 in full assurance of faith1 having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience1 and our bodies washed with pure water4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,in another place1 she writes1 where ,i visit1 the father keeps a dining saloon1 and sells liquor4 ,his daughter is in our ,sunday-school1 and he always appears glad when ,i call4 ',you are the only one1' he says1 'who comes to do me good2 ,i hope you will be blessed in your work2 go up-stairs and see my daughter4 ,she is a lady1' he added1 'although brought up in this way4' ,i generally read and pray with her1 and as ,i left her the last time1 she said1 ',i hope ,i shall not always have to live in this way4' ,her father was at the door as ,i came down-stairs2 he met me1 saying1 ',may the ,lord bless you4 ,come as often as you can2 ,i would like to live a different life6' ,the daughter is pleasing1 and mourns still for her mother1 who died three years since4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,christ said ,i came not to send peace on earth but a sword4 ,now the word of ,god is quick and powerful1 sharper than any two-edged sword4 ,the key of knowledge of the depravity of the heart is furnished the liquor dealer in the above interview1 by the concession1 ,i would like to live a different life4 ,the saloon keepers generally attribute their remaining in the business to the necessity of it in order to obtain a livelihood4 ,but there are other occupations in which they could be diligently employed in order to maintain their families4 ,imagine a frail1 aged1 weak woman1 cheerfully bringing gospel light into these dark dens of iniquity4 ,it has been wisely said that the organ of pluck and perseverance has been prominently developed in the weaker sex from time immemorial1 as in the case of ,joan of ,arc1 ,jennie ,mac ,rae1 and the noble band of ,christian workers connected with the ,women's ,christian ,temperance ,union of this country4 ,the power of womanly kindness is indescribable4 ,hence we must ever remember that ,god has chosen the poor and weak things of this world to confound the mighty4 ,but to return to the diary4 ,here we find her intensely interested in a poor blind girl1 for she writes1 in ,november of this year1 the following3 ,about three years since1 a young girl1 a ,roman ,catholic1 who was then a pupil at the ,institution for the ,blind1 was brought to my notice4 ,she became deeply interested in the ,bible1 and afterward embraced the ,protestant faith1 and since that time has continued firm in her belief and practice4 ,she remained at the ,institution until the end of the term1 which expired in ,june4 ,it was now necessary for her to seek another home4 ,she was taken to the house of a relative1 who insisted on her going to confession4 ,this she refused1 and was on this account rendered homeless4 ,it was a source of great anxiety to know how to provide for her4 ,the girl was sincere1 evidently willing1 'not only to believe in ,christ1 but also to suffer for ,his sake4' ,her case was stated to some ladies who felt an interest in her1 and although they could not give her a home1 they kindly assisted in paying her board2 other friends to whom the case was made known did the same1 and she is now learning a trade by which we hope she will soon earn enough for her own support4 ,her employer speaks well of her1 and considers her very industrious4 ,another case is that of a family who took no interest in the subject of religion4 ,they had a little daughter eight years of age1 who loved to sing of ,jesus1 and would always sit still to listen to the reading of ,scripture4 ,one day she urged her mother to give her the baby1 who was eighteen months old1 as her own4 ,the mother laughed1 and said3 ',you cannot take care of yourself2 what will you do with him8' ,but she continued urging her request that the child might be given to her1 until at last her mother said3 ',jimmy is yours4' ',well1' said the child1 'if he is mine1 ,i will take him wherever ,i go4' ,soon after both children were taken sick1 and both died1 and were buried at the same time4 ,this made a great impression on the minds of their parents2 their hearts have been softened1 and they now listen with attention to the words of truth1 and we trust they may be led to follow the dear ,saviour1 who so loved their little ones1 that ,he gathered them into his fold4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the death of loved ones frequently softens the heart4 ,a few days ago1 ,i buried a dear1 sweet girl belonging to the ,sabbath-school1 only sixteen years of age4 ,at the funeral service a man who had been formerly an infidel was completely broken down4 ,why8 because his little boy was taken regularly to the school by this girl1 and he inquired of his father1 ,now that ,fannie is dead1 and has gone to be with ,jesus1 who will take me to the school8 ,the father responded1 and said1 ,i will4 ,ever since the father takes him there1 and now attends the services at the church4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,winter ,,life ,,and ,,scenes4 ,shall ,he come and find me standing ,from the worldling's joy apart1 ,outside of its mirth and folly1 ,with a true and loyal heart8 ,on one occasion1 in reference to a severe winter1 she writes3 ,this has been the hardest winter ,i have known for years4 ,the winters in ,new ,york are sometimes very severe4 ,and here we are reminded of ,thomson's vivid description of it in his ,seasons4 ,he prefixes it with this wonderful prayer3 ,father of light and life6 thou ,god supreme6 ,o1 teach me what is good6 teach me ,thyself6 ,save me from folly1 vanity1 and vice1 ,from every low pursuit6 and feed my soul ,with knowledge1 conscious peace and virtue pure2 ,sacred substantial1 never-fading bliss6 ,,snow ,,mantles ,,the ,,earth4 ,,disturbs ,,the ,,comfort ,,of ,,mankind4 ,the keener tempests rise2 and fuming down ,from all the livid east1 or piercing north1 ,thick clouds ascend2 in whose capacious womb ,a vapory deluge lies1 to snow congealed4 ,heavy they roll their fleecy world along1 ,and the sky saddens with the gathered storm4 ,we all know that a northwest snow-storm in this city is very cold and biting4 ,but amid the blinding snow-drift this woman could be seen wending her way to homes of want1 poverty1 and wretchedness4 ,in order to recognize and appreciate her labors we have only to contrast her aims and aspirations with another and far different class that abound in all large cities1 so graphically described by ,pollock3 ,ah6 little think the gay licentious proud1 ,when pleasure1 power1 and affluence surround2 ,ah6 little think they of the sad variety of pain3 ,how many pine in want2 how many bleed1 ,how many pine1 how many drink the cup ,of baleful grief1 or eat the bitter bread ,of misery2 sore pierced by wintry winds4 ,amid all such sad scenes this heroine bids us labor on in faith1 and she adds1 ,our labor will not be in vain4 ,no1 never6 ,for1 they that go forth weeping1 bearing precious seed1 shall doubtless return again rejoicing1 bringing their sheaves with them4 ,what is faith8 ,faith is simply taking ,god at ,his word4 ,paul1 in the eleventh chapter of the ,hebrews1 reveals to us the victories ,god's people obtained through faith4 ,there is often something startling to our sluggish spirits by a critical examination of the almost incredible account of the power of faith4 ,how tremendously efficacious4 ,oh6 that the ,holy ,spirit may reveal to us its vast importance4 ,by faith the walls of ,jericho fell down1 after they were compassed about seven days4 ,by faith the harlot ,rahab perished not with them that believed not1 when she had received the spies with peace4 ,and what shall ,i more say8 for the time would fail me to tell of ,gedeon1 and of ,barak1 and of ,samson1 and of ,jepthae2 of ,david also1 and ,samuel1 and of the prophets3 ,who through faith subdued kingdoms1 wrought righteousness1 obtained promises1 stopped the mouths of lions1 ,quenched the violence of fire1 escaped the edge of the sword1 out of weakness were made strong1 waxed valiant in fight1 turned to flight the armies of the aliens4 ,women received their dead raised to life again3 and others were tortured1 not accepting deliverance2 that they might obtain a better resurrection3 ,and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings1 yea1 moreover of bonds and imprisonment3 ,they were stoned1 they were sawn asunder1 were tempted1 were slain with the sword3 they wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins2 being destitute1 afflicted1 tormented2 7,of whom the world was not worthy37 they wandered in deserts1 and in mountains1 and in dens and caves of the earth4 ,and these all1 having obtained a good report through faith1 received not the promise2 ,god having provided some better thing for us1 that they without us should not be made perfect4 ,to lift with tender pitying hand1 ,sin's victims1 from the dust2 ,reproach them not1 nor chide their wrong1 ,be kind as well as just2 ,a word may touch a sleeping chord ,of mem'ry pure and sweet1 ,and bring them1 sorry for their sins1 ,to bow at ,jesus' feet4 ,go1 seek them out--poor1 wand'ring sheep1 ,that on the mountain cold1 ,are hungry--starving now for bread-- ,go1 lead them to the fold2 ,there comes a cheering thought to those ,who toil in patient love-- ,each soul reclaimed shall be a star ,to deck their crown above4 ,if we but prayerfully consider the sad condition of the unregenerate1 and the innumerable antagonistic diabolical influences to which they are constantly exposed1 we will be able to accurately understand the nature and importance of a city missionary's work1 and the great need there is of giving heed to the injunction of the ,master1 ,be ye wise as serpents and harmless as doves4 ,there are few vices which cannot be conquered by the ,gospel1 for it is the power of ,god unto salvation to every one that believeth4 ,here the reader will behold this illustrated1 for she writes again3 ,in many places ,i have found it distressing to visit1 the destitution being so great2 but through the assistance of kind friends1 ,i have been able to assist them in various ways1 and thus have found a way to their hearts1 and they gladly receive me in many houses1 and listen with great attention to reading and prayer4 ,one poor woman whom ,i found1 had been ill for some weeks1 and while ministering to her temporal wants ,i have not neglected her spiritual needs4 ,she seems truly awakened to the sinfulness of her past life1 and feels her need of ,christ4 ,she begged me to visit her daughter and try to influence her4 ,i have spent some happy seasons in that attic-room1 and when ,i leave she puts her arms around me1 kissing me1 and asking me to come again4 ,a man asked me for a ,testament1 saying he wanted to read it for himself4 ,i gave him one1 and on visiting him again1 he said1 ',i have been reading your book1 and like it so very much1 ,i will pay you for it2' and he handed me a dollar4 ,notwithstanding this has been the hardest winter ,i have known for years1 ,i have been much encouraged in my work1 having been enabled to help every deserving family ,i have met with2 and one1 where ,i have been visiting for years without being able to induce them to attend church1 have now been brought in1 and have united with the church1 both mother and daughter rejoicing in the ,saviour1 and feeling they have never known happiness before4 ,let us1 therefore1 labor on in faith1 and our labor will not be in vain4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,circulating ,,the ,,scriptures4 ,o land of the blessed1 thy hills of delight ,sometimes on my vision unfold2 ,thy mansions celestial1 thy palaces bright1 ,thy bulwarks of jasper and gold4 ,dear voices are chanting thy chorus of praise1 ,dear eyes in thy sunlight are fair2 ,i look from my valley of shadow below1 ,and whisper3 ,would ,god ,i were there4 ,amid the toil and sufferings of earth1 how comforting is the assurance in our hearts that ,jesus is preparing a place for his people4 ,o1 how cheering1 when we can adopt the language in the song of ,solomon1 and say3 ,my beloved is mine1 and ,i am his3 he feedeth among the lilies4 ,until the day break1 and the shadows flee away1 turn1 my beloved1 and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of ,bether4 ,it will not be long before we will be done with the cares and vicissitudes of life1 and enter into that ,rest that remains for the people of ,god4 ,i am sure that in the midst of her toil1 she ever found joy in the hope that one day she would be forever with the ,lord4 ,she had indeed laid up treasures in heaven1 and her earnest desire evidently was1 not to go to heaven alone1 but to take some others with her4 ,this was the joy of her life4 ,like the ,master who1 for the joy that was set before ,him1 endures the cross4 ,hence she enjoyed a uniform experience of peace1 although she witnessed many a sorrowful sight4 ,a late writer1 the ,rev4 ,henry ,ward ,beecher1 has well observed3 ,joy will reach farthest out to sea where troubled mariners are seeking the shore4 ,even in your deepest griefs you can rejoice in ,god4 ,as waves phosphoresce1 let joys flash from the swing of the sorrow of your souls4 ,low measures of feeling are better than ecstacies for ordinary life4 ,god sends ,his rains in gentle drops1 else flowers would be beaten to pieces4 ,ah1 it was the peace of ,god that passeth all understanding that enabled her to bear up during the hot summer months in which she penned the following1 wherein she says3 ,the past three months have been the most trying of any ,i have experienced since ,i began my work4 ,there has been much sickness and many deaths4 ,but ,i have been kept and sustained amid many difficulties4 ,i have been kindly received in many ,roman ,catholic and ,jewish families4 ,a poor woman whose husband was killed a year since1 who had lost one child1 and has another very sick1 is glad to have me read and pray with her1 and when ,i point her to the ,saviour she says ,he is1 indeed1 her best friend4 ,another ,catholic woman said1 she did not see why her priest forbade her reading the ,bible1 'for what you have read to me is so beautiful4' ,when asked if she would like to have a ,bible1 she said she would1 and when ,i took one to her she gave me twenty-five cents1 and said she wished she could give me more4 ,one day ,i was addressed in the street by a little girl1 who asked me to go and see her mother4 ,when ,i enquired who she was1 ,i found she was a woman whom ,i had visited some time before4 ,she was very glad to see me1 showed me the ,testament ,i had given her1 and asked me many questions which would have led to argument2 but ,i told her ,i only taught the religion of the ,lord ,jesus1 and ,i wished them to come to ,him and seek for light and salvation4 ,she urged me to come again1 and gladly listened when ,i read to them from the ,scriptures4 ,a young woman on being asked to attend church said1 ',the only church ,i go to is the theatre4' ,i gave her a ,testament which she promised to read2 she has now begun to go to church regularly1 and says she hopes never again to live the life she has lived4 ,i have been able to take a number of mothers and their children to the sea side1 which has been a great blessing4 ,i have given the ,bible to two women who have paid for it1 and wished for one for a neighbor4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is a true and striking fact1 that there are very few women who ever labored so assiduously for the good of others as this ,missionary1 especially in trying to save souls and make others happy4 ,we may say we believe in ,jesus and1 therefore1 we will be saved2 but we must remember also that faith without works is dead1 and on the great day of judgment all will be made known1 for ,st4 ,john says in the ,apocalypse3 ,i saw the dead1 small and great1 stand before ,god2 and the books were opened3 and another book was opened1 which is the book of life3 and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books1 according to their works4 ,and the sea gave up the dead which were in it2 and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them3 and they were judged every man according to their works4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,the ,,ninety ,,and ,,nine4 ,when he lived on earth so lowly1 ,friend of sinners was his name2 ,now enthroned among the holy1 ,he rejoices in the name4 ,when ,jesus was here upon earth the question was asked1 ',can any good thing come out of ,nazareth8 ,but it is said that the thirty years of ,christ's obscurity was the foundation of his three years' manifestations4 ,he was there1 however1 not alone1 for he was under the fostering love and anxious solicitude of ,his heavenly ,father4 ,nazareth is beautifully described thus3 ,it was a handful of pearls in a goblet of emerald4 ,no great road led up to this sunny nook4 ,trade1 war1 adventure1 pleasure1 pomp1 passed by it1 flowing from west to east1 from east to west1 along the ,roman road4 ,but the meadows were aglow with wheat and barley4 ,near the low ground ran a belt of gardens1 fenced with loose stones1 in which myriads of green figs1 red pomegranates1 and golden citrons ripened in the summer sun4 ,high up the slopes hung vintages of purple grapes4 ,in the plain among the corn1 and beneath the mulberry-trees and figs1 shone daisies1 poppies1 tulips1 lilies1 anemones1 endless in their profusion1 brilliant in their dyes4 ,low down on the hillside sprang a well of water1 bubbling1 plentiful and sweet2 and above this fountain of life1 in a long street straggling from the fountain to the synagogue1 rose the homesteads of many shepherds1 craftsmen1 and vine-dressers4 ,it was a lovely and humble place1 of which no poet1 no ruler1 no historian of ,israel had ever taken note4 ,even so1 it was a very humble sphere that our missionary filled1 but she was precious in ,god's sight4 ,her work was among the poor and the lowly4 ,lost sight of perhaps by men on this account1 but the more like her divine master in her work and ways4 ,o1 how true are ,christ's own words3 ,whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath1 he cannot be my disciple4 ,salt therefore is good3 but if even the salt have lost its savour1 wherewith shall it be seasoned8 ,it is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill3 men cast it out4 ,he that hath ears to hear1 let him hear4 ,now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him for to hear him4 ,and both the ,pharisees and the scribes murmured1 saying1 this man receiveth sinners1 and eateth with them4 ,yes6 sinners--unworthy1 hell-deserving sinners--it is to such1 that ,he cries if any man thirst1 let him come unto me and drink4 ,how refreshing are the well-known words3 ,aid the dawning1 tongue and pen2 ,aid it1 hopes of honest men2 ,aid it1 paper--aid it1 type-- ,aid it1 for the hour is ripe1 ,and our earnest must not slacken ,into play4 ,men of thought and men of action1 ,clear the way6 ,the following account of the origin of the well-known hymn1 the ,ninety and ,nine1 may have a tendency to stimulate others to go and do likewise4 ,it is taken from ,sabbath ,reading1 published by the late ,mr4 ,dougal of this city1 who has recently passed away into his everlasting rest4 ,a humble lady in ,melrose1 ,scotland1 was led to see the beauty of the character of ,christ in the parable of the ,good ,shepherd4 ,she possessed genius1 and sometimes expressed her best thoughts and feelings in verse4 ,the vision of ,christ leaving the glories of ,heaven and becoming a seeker of men who had gone astray1 like an ,eastern shepherd seeking a wandering sheep in perilous places1 touched her heart with poetic fervor1 and she wrote the hymn beginning3 ,there were ninety and nine that safely lay ,in the shelter of the fold4 ,one of the stanzas most vividly and tenderly expressed her clear view of ,divine sympathy and compassion3 ,but none of the ransomed ever knew ,how deep were the waters crossed2 ,nor how dark was the night that the ,lord passed through ,ere ,he found ,his sheep that was lost4 ,out in the desert ,he heard its cry-- ,sick and helpless1 and ready to die4 ,the poem was published in a local paper1 and the lady soon afterward died1 and went to the ,good ,shepherd1 whose love for the wandering and perishing had gained the affections and service of her life4 ,she was buried in one of the churchyards of beautiful ,melrose4 ,the efforts of a sincere life always meet with the needs of others1 and are often given1 under ,providence1 a special mission in the world4 ,the simplicity and fervor of the little poem gained for it an unexpected recognition4 ,the ,american evangelist1 ,mr4 ,sankey1 was one day returning from ,edinburgh to ,glasgow1 to hold a farewell meeting there4 ,glasgow had been the scene of the most signal triumphs in the work of ,messrs4 ,moody and ,sankey1 and this farewell gathering promised to be one of thanksgiving and tears1 of wonderful interest1 power1 and feeling4 ,mr4 ,sankey1 on this occasion1 desired to introduce a new hymn which should represent ,christ as a compassionate and all-sufficient ,saviour4 ,before getting on the train1 he says1 ,i went to the news-stand and bought two or three papers--some secular1 some religious--and in one of them ,i found these verses3 ',there were ninety and nine that safely lay ,in the shelter of the fold1' etc4 ,i said to my brother ,moody1 ',that's just the hymn ,i have been wanting4 ,i think the ,lord has really sent it to us6' ,next day this little tune or chant it is set to1 came to me4 ,we went into the noon meeting1 and dear ,dr4 ,bonar1 who has written so many beautiful hymns 7',i was a ,wandering ,sheep and did not ,love the ,fold1' and ',i ,heard the ,voice of ,jesus say1 ,come unto ,me and ,rest'7 was there1 and the thought came to me1 ',we must sing now this new hymn that the ,lord has sent us4' ,the tune had scarcely formed itself in my head yet1 but ,i just cut the words from the paper1 put it in front of me on the organ and began to sing them1 hardly knowing where the tune was coming from4 ,but the ,lord said1 ',sing it1' and as we were singing it ,his ,spirit came upon us1 and what a blessed meeting we had6 ,the meeting was a very crowded one1 and tender feelings were awakened in all hearts1 bringing vividly to all minds1 as it did1 the fact that the world is full of farewell4 ,the imagery of the hymn1 the shepherd1 the sheep-fold1 the dark-night on the hills1 the anxious search and the joyful return1 was in harmony with ,scottish associations1 and touched the best feelings of the converts and inquirers4 ,christ stood revealed in the song1 and it seemed as though the listeners went up some living ,tabor1 and again saw ,him transfigured4 ,away in the gallery there sat a lady who was at first startled1 and then deeply affected by the hymn4 ,she was unable to speak with the sweet singer in the confusion that followed the close of the meeting1 but she soon after wrote to him from ,melrose1 and said1 ,i thank you for having sung1 the other day1 my deceased sister's words4 ,she wrote them five years ago4 ,she is in ,heaven now4 ,the hymn has had a tender mission4 ,thousands seeking the help of a power outside of their own sinful nature1 have seen in it the vision that the prophet saw3 ,and ,i looked1 and there was none to help2 and ,i wondered there was none to uphold2 therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me4 ,what a true and striking picture is painted by the dear ,saviour in this immortal parable6 ,they are the words of ,him who spake as never man spake3 ,what man of you1 having a hundred sheep1 if he lose one of them1 doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness1 and go after that which is lost1 until he find it8 ,and when he hath found it1 he layeth it on his shoulders1 rejoicing4 ,and when he cometh home1 he calleth together his friends and neighbors1 saying unto them1 ',rejoice with me2 for ,i have found my sheep which was lost4' ,i say unto you1 that likewise joy shall be in ,heaven over one sinner that repenteth1 more than over ninety and nine just persons1 which need no repentance4 ,the intensity of that joy is indescribable4 ,what a glorious company are yonder4 ,here they toiled and suffered1 and sacrificed for ,christ1 but now they are in the land of light and love4 ,how sweet as we journey1 to pause for a moment ,and look at the foot-prints we see in our way2 ,the foot-prints of pilgrims who've crossed over ,jordan ,and now are rejoicing forever and aye4 ,o blessed ,redeemer1 ere long thou wilt call us ,to join the great army beyond the dark sea2 ,they fought the good fight1 their course they have finished1 ,and now they inherit the kingdom with thee4 ,what must be the joy in heaven when the meeting and greeting time comes4 ,the holy apostle said1 ,set your affection on things above4 ,why2 what does he mean8 ,it is that we may richly enjoy a foretaste of its unutterable bliss preparatory to our departure4 ,hark the song of holy rapture1 ,hear it break from yonder strand1 ,where our friends for us are waiting1 ,in the golden1 summer land4 ,they have reached the port of glory1 ,o'er the ,jordan they have passed1 ,and with millions they are shouting1 ,home at last1 home at last4 ,oh1 the long and sweet re-union1 ,where the bells of time shall cease2 ,oh1 the greeting1 endless greeting1 ,on the vernal heights of peace2 ,where the hoping and desponding ,of the weary heart are past1 ,and we enter life eternal-- ,home at last1 home at last4 ,look beyond1 the skies are clearing2 ,see1 the mist dissolves away2 ,soon our eyes will catch the dawning ,of a bright celestial day2 ,soon the shadows will be lifted1 ,that around us now are cast1 ,and rejoicing we shall gather1 ,home at last1 home at last4 ,it is no wonder that ,st4 ,john in the ,apocalypse1 speaking anticipatively1 says3 ,a voice came out of the throne1 saying1 ,praise our ,god1 all ye his servants1 and ye that fear him1 both small and great4 ,and ,i heard as it were the voice of a great multitude1 and as the voice of many waters1 and as the voice of mighty thunderings1 saying1 ,alleluia3 for the ,lord ,god omnipotent reigneth4 ,let us be glad and rejoice1 and give honor to him3 for the marriage of the ,lamb is come1 and his wife hath made herself ready4 ,and to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen1 clean and white3 for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints4 ,and he saith unto me1 ,write1 ,blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the ,lamb4 ,and he saith unto me1 ,these are the true sayings of ,god4 ,who are the true called to the marriage supper of the ,lamb8 ,who are arrayed in white linen1 pure and white8 ,they are those who try to be like ,him who said1 ,i am the good shepherd who gave ,his life for the sheep4 ,here1 in this wilderness of wandering1 it is our imperative duty to go out after the suffering and sorrowing and straying1 and bring them into the fold4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,,answered ,,prayer4 ,i want to go home1 to know it all-- ,the ,saviour's love for the sinner's soul1 ,the mercy of ,god and the glory given ,to saints when they're safely brought to heaven4 ,here we have no continuing city1 but we seek one to come4 ,ours is a camp life4 ,moses1 in his wonderful prayer1 claims ,god as his guide and protector amid all the changing scenes of life4 ,lord1 thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations4 ,before the mountains were brought forth1 or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world1 even from everlasting to everlasting1 thou art ,god4 ,thou turnest man to destruction2 and sayest1 ,return1 ye children of men4 ,for a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is passed1 and as a watch in the night4--,ps4 xc4 #a-d4 ,how essential then to constantly seek the guidance of ,god in all we undertake for ,his glory4 ,he directs and controls all our affairs just as much to-day as ,he did this ancient ,israel by the great miraculous cloud by day1 and pillar of fire by night1 stretching far high into the heavens4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,hopeful ,,cases4 ,concerning such1 she writes3 ,some encouraging circumstances present themselves amidst the scenes of trial and suffering with which my daily walks render me familiar1 and ,i will note a few which have excited my warmest sympathy4 ,among others1 there is one family of a father1 mother1 and three small children1 whose whole subsistence depends upon what the mother is able to make by washing4 ,the man has been for two months lying ill1 with what the doctor calls typhoid fever2 but which seems now to have settled on his lungs1 attended with a severe cough1 and no hope of recovery4 ,i have been enabled to assist them from time to time with a little nourishment4 ,when ,i entered their house one day with what ,i had provided for them1 ,i found they had nothing but a little bread4 ,as ,i showed them what ,i had brought1 they looked from one to the other1 and were so filled with gratitude1 and overcome by the unexpected supply1 they appeared unable to speak4 ,i find thus1 not only an open door to their home1 but also a welcome to their hearts4 ,they have not been in the habit of attending church1 and1 as might be supposed1 the duty of personal and family religion was also neglected4 ,but it appears evident that these trials have not been sent in vain by the ,lord4 ,the sick man loves to have me read the ,scriptures1 and pray with him3 and the children delight to see me1 often running to meet me1 and take me by the hand before ,i reach the house4 ,recognizing the necessity of prayer for the ,divine blessing in all our work1 she writes in her journal thus3 ,,march #b1 #ahge4--;,in commencing my work this morning ,i asked for guidance in the direction of my visits1 and ,i was led to go to a house quite out of my district1 to visit a colored family who were very destitute4 ,i found them at family prayer1 asking the ,lord to send them some food2 my heart was touched as ,i listened to the simplicity of the petition1 and ,i could not but feel the ,lord had directed my steps to the house in answer to their prayer1 and was reminded of that passage of ,scripture1 'while they are yet speaking1 ,i will answer4' ,i believed these words1 and procured them both food and fuel4 ,as we then sat down to read ,god's word1 the tears streamed down the cheeks of these aged women1 as ,i was helped to explain the word to them1 and when we knelt to pray1 we were blest together4 ,truly1 while teaching others our own souls are often refreshed6 ,,march #fth4--,poor ,mrs4 ,l4 was visited to-day2 she has been suffering for years from rheumatism4 ,as ,i went in ,i said1 ',mrs4 ,l41 is ,jesus precious to-day8' ,the tears came to her eyes as she said1 ',i fear ,i have grieved ,him to-day2 ,i felt like murmuring because my pain has been so great4' ,i told her ,jesus understood her1 and knew she did not mean to murmur4 ,and then ,i read to her how ,he had a feeling for our infirmities1 being ,himself tried and tempted2 and so she was comforted1 and became quite cheerful4 ,on leaving her ,i felt what a blessed privilege it is to be able to comfort the sick poor4 ,a poor brother sent to my house to-day for something to nourish him1 as he felt quite weak4 ,i prepared some broth and gave it to him1 which he ate with a relish1 and that passage from the word came to my mind1 ',inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these1 ye have done it unto me4' ,,march #hth4--,felt much wearied with visits and climbing stairs1 and was glad to return to a cheerful fireside1 and settle for the evening2 but before ,i had removed my rubbers1 a knock at the door assured me some call had come for me1 and so it proved4 ,a child of one of my families came to say her mother was ill1 and wanted to see me4 ,this woman1 a few months before1 did not seem to care for religion1 and would not hear me read1 saying she had no time for it2 she had to earn her living without listening to what did not concern her4 ,but when she came to lie upon a bed of suffering1 she thought of me first1 and found the word of ,god was just what she wanted2 and as ,i read the words1 ',whosoever cometh unto me ,i will in no wise cast out1' the tears ran down her cheeks1 and she at once cast herself upon ,christ1 taking him for her ,saviour1 and her face shone4 ,as ,i left her my soul rejoiced1 though it was far in the night when ,i returned home1 that ,i had been permitted to point one soul to the ',lamb of ,god that taketh away the sins of the world4' ',oh6 that all the world my ,jesus knew1 ,then all the world would love ,him too4' ,one poor woman asked me if ,i would get her a ,bible1 and she would pay twenty-five cents a month4 ,i promised1 and am rejoiced at finding so many that seem eager for ,bibles2 quite a number have asked for them1 and ,i trust it may prove a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path4 ,,march #aath4--,after the fatigue of the day1 ,i did not feel like going out again in the evening1 but our pastor1 ,rev4 ,geo4 ,o4 ,phelps1 came in1 and after tea he said1 ',we have not many minutes to spare1 but we will have a few words of prayer before parting4' ,they were few1 but they cheered and comforted me so1 ,i felt refreshed1 and forgetting all fatigue1 ,i arose and went to the prayer-meeting1 feeling as my people do sometimes when they say to me after a visit1 ',oh6 ,mrs4 ,knowles1 how your prayer has rested me4' ,,march #bc;d4--,a message came to-day1 saying ,mrs4 ,l4 was dying1 and wanted me to come at once4 ,i went1 and was helped in return to see the triumph of spiritual over temporal things4 ,the ,lord was present to bless us at the bedside of the dying one4 ,her trust and faith are firm in ,jesus1 and her whole desire is to be with ,him and see ,him as ,he is4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,blessed hope1 to see ,him as ,he is1 and to be transformed into ,his image4 ,john declares3 ,beloved1 now are we the sons of ,god1 and it doth not yet appear what we shall be3 but we know that1 when ,he shall appear1 we shall be like ,him2 for we shall see ,him as ,he is4 ,and every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as ,he is pure4 ,it was about this time that she penned in her diary the following touching record of her toil4 ,it reveals how sincere1 diligent1 systematic1 and unprejudiced she was in her work for ,jesus1 even mentioning the names of the streets4 ,she faithfully copied the example and closely followed the directions of her master1 given to ,ananias at the wonderful conversion of the great apostle of the ,gentiles1 when giving directions how to find ,saul of ,tarsus3 ,the ,lord said unto him1 ,arise1 and go into the street which is called ,straight1 and inquire in the house of ,judas for one called ,saul1 of ,tarsus3 for1 behold1 he prayeth3 ,and hath seen in a vision a man named ,ananias coming in1 and putting his hand on him1 that he might receive his sight4 ,then ,ananias answered1 ,lord1 ,i have heard by many of this man1 how much evil he hath done to thy saints at ,jerusalem3 ,and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name4 ,but the ,lord said unto him1 ,go thy way3 for he is a chosen vessel unto me1 to bear my name before the ,gentiles1 and kings1 and the children of ,israel3 ,for ,i will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake4--,acts ix4 #aa-af4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,she writes3 ,i called on a woman in ,broome ,street who was convicted of her lost condition and ready to yield to despair4 ,her mind had been impressed by a letter from her husband who had gone ,west some time since on business4 ,he had been converted during his absence1 being awakened by witnessing the wickedness and depravity of his fellow-men1 the profanation of the ,sabbath1 licentiousness in high and low places1 and reflecting that if there were a righteous ,god1 the wicked could not go unpunished4 ,it was pleasant to be able to tell this distressed woman of the love of ,jesus1 and to urge her to go with her husband in the narrow way4 ,on my next visit ,i found her more cheerful1 and feeling that there is hope for her4 ,she wishes me to get her a ,bible1 which she will pay for by weekly instalments4 ,met with a woman in ,eldridge ,street1#d who was given to drinking4 ,as she was sober at that time1 ,i conversed with her about her sin4 ,she burst into tears and said1 ',i have long wanted some one to talk to me about my soul4' ,as ,i read to her the story of redeeming love1 she seemed to drink it in with delight1 and promised to attend the place of prayer4 ,she1 too1 wishes to possess a ,bible1 and to use the money she has before spent for rum in payment4 ,i am greatly encouraged to labor and pray for her4 #d ,this was the street in which our missionary died4 ,visiting some families in ,madison ,street1 ,i conversed with one woman who excited my especial interest4 ,she had been very ill with a sore throat4 ,she was a ,romanist1 but the ,spirit of ,god had opened to her view the evil of her heart1 and she now desired to hear from me of the way of life4 ,i told her of the forgiveness of sin through ,christ's blood4 ,she said she had confessed to the priest1 and had received absolution1 but found no relief from her load1 which weighed upon her like a mountain4 ,i directed her to the ,lamb of ,god1 who alone can take away sin4 ,but after conversing with her some time 7although her throat was so much inflamed as almost to deprive her of the power of utterance71 she broke forth into one of the most affecting prayers ,i ever heard4 ,her husband sat by and listened to all that was said1 being very anxious lest she should abjure the ,catholic faith and die out of the pale of the ,church4 ,he interrupted me frequently1 saying1 ',my good lady1 we don't want you to teach us1 the priest instructs us in all we need4' ,but ,i told him ,i had a message from ,god1 and ,i could not be prevented from delivering it4 ,he left the room in anger1 but ,i hope this poor soul may find peace1 by trusting in the 'sinner's ,friend4' ,who can tell but what even this poor man may be found at last among the ransomed ones6 ,this short extract from ,the ,home ,mission ,monthly for ,may1 published by the ,woman's ,executive ,committee of ,home ,missions of the ,presbyterian ,church1 is peculiarly appropriate to the above experience of her who now sleeps in ,cypress ,hills ,cemetery1 ,under the shadows gray4 ,at this spring-time season1 when the seed is cast into the brown bosom of the earth1 the lesson taught by the great ,teacher1 eighteen hundred years ago1 in ,palestine1 'as the sower went forth to sow1' is borne in upon the mind once more1 and these lines are the reflex of the impulses which are astir in many hearts3 ,i know my hand may never reap its sowing1 ,and yet some other may2 ,and ,i may never even see it growing-- ,so short my little day6 ,still must ,i sow1 although ,i go forth weeping1 ,i cannot1 dare not stay4 ,god grant a harvest6 though ,i may be sleeping1 ,under the shadows gray4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,,the ,,sin ,,of ,,idolatry4 ,it is not that the city is glorious to behold1 ,her walls of lucid crystal1 her very pavement gold1 ,all shrined in dazzling splendor1 beyond description fair1 ,but ,i am pressing onward to see my ,saviour there4 ,how dangerous is idolatry4 ,when ,god says1 ,thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image1 etc41 ,he means that we should not only avoid kneeling to them1 but we should worship ,him alone1 and come to ,him through the only mediator between ,god and man--the man ,christ ,jesus4 ,how explicit are the words of the beloved ,john3 ,little children1 keep yourselves from idols4 7#a ,john1 v4 #ba47 ,she seemed to realize the importance of speaking of ,jesus only4 ,there is an alarming and increasing propensity in religious circles1 to look with leniency on the worship of saints1 angels1 martyrs1 and the ,virgin1 but the ,master himself said1 ,i am the way1 the truth1 and the life4 ,no man cometh unto the ,father but by ,me4 ,pure worship is spiritual1 not sthetical2 hence the use of all pictures1 crucifixes1 and figureheads of apostles and saints dishonors ,christ4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,in ,august1 #ahge1 ,mrs4 ,knowles writes3 ,among many discouragements1 ,i meet with enough to cheer me on my way1 and induce me to feel that my labor is not all in vain4 ,among other incidents1 ,i will mention the case of a family ,i have referred to before1 as having visited4 ,the mother received me very kindly4 ,she had four children1 and as ,i was speaking to them of ,jesus while the little ones gathered around me1 the father came in1 a very rough-looking man1 and at the time apparently under the influence of liquor4 ,the mother and children looked at me1 and a feeling of sadness was visible on their faces4 ,i spoke to him of his family1 but he said little1 and ,i then knelt and prayed with them4 ,i asked if they had a ,bible4 ,he said ',no1' and they had not much time to read4 ,i then asked him if he would like to have one4 ,he said he would1 as 'it was a good thing to have one in the house4' ,i took them one in the course of a day or two1 and he has been led to read it daily2 the mother and children also read it1 and a few nights since he signed the temperance pledge4 ,he said to me lately1 while visiting him3 ',no more pennies for rum2 those pennies will go toward the support of my wife and children4' ,he now attends evening church1 feeling his clothing is not good enough to go by daylight4 ,he has told me1 although they are very poor1 he was never as happy as now4 ,he has not yet been able to procure steady employment1 so ,i help them as ,i can4 ,i have been helped on to perseverance in my work by what was told me by one ,i visited4 ,in speaking of herself1 she said she owed much to the efforts of a home missionary1 who not only sought her out1 but followed her up2 and although she often neglected her duty1 and stayed away from the preaching1 he was so persevering and diligent in his efforts to win her1 he at length succeeded1 and she is now truly a ,christian4 ,a severe trial has lately come upon her3 her son1 a boy of ten years1 has been killed by falling from a house4 ,he lived but a short time after the accident2 and as ,i stood by her at the side of the remains of her departed child1 she was calm and resigned1 telling me the ,lord was helping her4 ,i have been visiting at the hospitals much of late1 where ,i have procured places for my sick1 of whom there have been many this season4 ,i have also assisted some1 and procured work for others2 have also distributed several ,bibles1 for which some have promised to pay as they are able4 ,my ,superintendent and ,pastor are both kind in aiding me2 for while ,i can truly say1 'of myself ,i can do nothing1' ,i can also1 ,i hope1 add1 ',i can do all things through ,christ1 who strengtheneth me4' 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,we cannot leave this part of the record of the ,lord's work without observing her strong attachment to the children4 ,in this she was very judicious4 ,what momentous issues are at stake during early childhood4 ,it is doubtless true that ,christ meant to teach a practical lesson with reference to our tender watch-care of the little ones during ,his third brief interview with ,his disciples1 after ,his resurrection4 ,we read3 ,so1 when they had dined1 ,jesus saith to ,simon ,peter1 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 lovest thou me more than these8 ,he saith to him1 yea1 ,lord2 thou knowest that ,i love thee4 ,he saith unto him1 ,feed my lambs4 ,he saith unto him again the second time1 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 lovest thou me8 ,he saith unto him1 yea1 ,lord2 thou knowest that ,i love thee4 ,he saith unto him1 ,feed my sheep4 ,he saith unto him the third time1 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 lovest thou me8 ,peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time1 ,lovest thou me8 ,and he said unto him1 ,lord1 thou knowest all things2 thou knowest that ,i love thee4 ,jesus saith unto him1 ,feed my sheep4 ,amid such a scene so truthfully depicted in the above narrative1 we behold the insecurity of the children4 ,what a sad sight4 ,an intemperate father and no ,bible in the house4 ,what a statement in this land of ,bibles6 ,oh1 what fearful consequences hang upon the conduct of parents4 ,what would become of the masses in the lower part of the city1 were it not for our truly devoted ,bible women8 ,what victories for ,christ and ,his ,church have been achieved--who can tell8 ,the cheering light that dawned upon the deeply bereaved mother when her boy was killed1 is beheld as we1 in imagination1 take our stand by the bedside with them1 and hear that sorrow-stricken mother exclaiming1 that the ,lord was helping her4 ,this is a striking proof that ,he who comforted ,martha and ,mary1 at ,bethany1 was in that tenement-house1 saying once again1 ,i am the resurrection and the life1 he that believeth in me1 though he were dead yet shall he live4 ,yes1 helping her to look beyond this vale of tears1 and say even amid the loss of her darling boy1 ,though ,he slay me1 yet will ,i trust in ,him4 ,surely the language of ,job must have been experienced on an occasion like the above4 ,when the ear heard me1 then it blessed me2 and when the eye saw me1 it gave witness to me3 ,because ,i delivered the poor that cried1 and the fatherless1 and him that had none to help him4 ,the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me3 and ,i caused the widow's heart to sing for joy4 ,i put on righteousness1 and it clothed me3 my judgment was as a robe and a diadem4 ,i was eyes to the blind1 and feet was ,i to the lame4--,job xxix4 #aa-ae4 ,there is a very comforting reflection for bereaved parents in ,dr4 ,payson's ,comparison of ,departed ,children to ,jewels4 ,to a mother mourning the death of a child1 he said3 ,suppose1 now1 some one was making a beautiful crown for you to wear1 and you knew it was for you1 and that you were to receive it and wear it as soon as it should be done4 ,now1 if the maker of it were to come1 and in order to make the crown more beautiful and splendid1 were to take some of your jewels to put into it1 should you be sorrowful and unhappy because they were taken away for a little while1 when you knew they were gone to make up your crown8 ,in endeavoring humbly to interpret the language of the deceased1 and1 at the same time1 call attention to her superior magnanimity of heart1 ,i would not for a moment dare to make it appear that ,i was compromising human merit with the free1 rich grace of our ,heavenly ,father1 so richly displayed in ,his imparted power to ,his children1 enabling them to do valiantly in the salvation of souls4 ,this power is the presence of the ,holy ,spirit in the heart4 ,just listen to the closing sentence of the last paragraph3 ,i can truly say of myself ,i can do nothing6 though ,i can also1 ,i hope1 add1 ,i can do all things through ,christ who strengtheneth me4 ,ah6 here is the secret of distinguished merit in the great conflict against all the forms of evil in the world4 ,the instruction to the disciples were to tarry until they received this ,divine strength4 ,tarry1 how8 ,well1 let us read the record3 ,to whom also ,he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs1 being seen of them forty days1 and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of ,god3 ,and1 being assembled together with them1 commanded them that they should not depart from ,jerusalem1 but wait for the promise of the ,father1 which1 sayeth he1 ye have heard of me4 ,for ,john truly baptized with water2 but ye shall be baptized with the ,holy ,ghost not many days hence4 ,when they therefore were come together1 they asked of him1 saying1 ,lord1 wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to ,israel8 ,and he said unto them1 ',it is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the ,father hath put in his own power4 ,but ye shall receive power1 after that the ,holy ,ghost is come upon you3 and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in ,jerusalem1 and in all ,judea1 and in ,samaria1 and unto the uttermost part of the earth4' ,and when he had spoken these things1 while they beheld1 he was taken up2 and a cloud received him out of their sight4--,acts i4 #c-i4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,,peace ,,through ,,believing4 ,oh1 the unsearchable riches of ,christ6 ,wealth that can never be told2-- ,riches exhaustless of mercy and grace1 ,precious1 more precious than gold6 ,at the sixty-eighth annual meeting of the ,new ,york ,female ,auxiliary ,bible ,society1 the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,william ,m4 ,taylor1 in his earnest masterly address on the occasion1 happily said3 ,in the prosecution of the excavations at ,pompeii1 the workmen laid bare an ancient spring1 the water of which1 as soon as it was set free1 flowed forth as copiously as ever1 and carried refreshment with it wherever it went4 ,for centuries it had been buried beneath the ashes of the volcano1 but the moment it was again uncovered1 it sent out its stream of blessing with all its pristine fulness and wholesome influence4 ,something like that was the work which ,martin ,luther did for the fountain of truth in the ,sacred ,scriptures4 ,for many generations that had been virtually stopped up by the rubbish of tradition and entombed beneath the weight of authority1 but by his sturdy strength1 his steady persistence and his dauntless courage1 he dug it clear again2 and it became once more1 as at the first1 the well-head of the river of progress among the nations4 ,what was said of the great ,german ,reformer can be truthfully applied to this humble mother in ,israel4 ,at the above meeting it was stated that this ,missionary woman in her advanced age made four hundred and forty visits in two months1 she had read the ,scriptures in many homes1 prayed with a large number1 comforted dying believers with ,christian song1 administered first aid to the injured2 thus bringing into practical use the instructions she had received1 and receiving the commendations of physicians1 distributed religious reading1 and suspended the ,words of ,life in the rooms of the sick4 ,streams from this uncovered fountain of truth are turned by the cheerful1 willing1 working hands1 heads1 and hearts of our ,bible women into human habitations in this city1 where degradation1 poverty1 drunkenness1 vice1 and squalor sink the inmates to the level of brutes4 ,the cleansing waters1 as if by magic1 convert these dark places into homes of joy and brightness1 sobriety1 industry1 cleanliness1 and godliness4 ,the effulgence born of the lustre of ,christ drives out the darkness of sin and sorrow1 and the thoughts of regenerated souls are indeed carried upward to the throne of ,god4 ,all sorts and conditions of men1 all varieties of human life1 find their adaptation in the religion of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,later on she writes3 ,during the month of ,january1 #ahgf1 ,i have been greatly encouraged in various ways4 ,knowing how many were the wants1 and how small the means for supplying them during the present winter1 ,i called on my old friend1 ,mr4 ,m41 at his place of business1 and telling him how low our funds were1 as he always took an interest in our work1 he gave me twenty dollars for the ,society4 ,much encouragement has also been afforded me by seeing some1 among whom ,i have been laboring for years1 brought to ,christ1 and those of whom ,i had the least hope1 now testifying their love for the ,saviour4 ,it is not more than three or four weeks since they began to attend church1 and since then it is surprising to witness the change4 ,they have risen in the prayer-meeting and told what the ,lord had done for their souls4 ,one of those women1 when ,i visited her1 told me when ,i asked her to attend church1 that the devil was her best friend2 he helped her out of all her difficulties1 by lying and cheating1 and she intended to give herself entirely to him4 ,such an expression falling from the lips of any one1 but especially from one for whom ,i have been watching and praying for years1 rendered me almost speechless2 but ,i kissed her1 and saying there would be no use in my calling on her again1 as she had settled in indifference1 ,i left her4 ,in a few days she sent for me1 and ,i had another interview with her1 which resulted in a promise1 on her part1 to attend church4 ,she did not do so for some weeks4 ,a noon-day prayer-meeting was then established in our church1 and ,i invited her there4 ,in a few days she came1 and since then has been attending both noon and evening meetings1 and coming to church4 ,she has risen to ask prayers for herself1 her husband1 and children1 and a dear old mother1 nearly eighty years of age1 still out of the ark of safety4 ,last ,sabbath morning1 upon entering the church1 and seeing a stranger in my pew1 ,i could not express the feeling of joy that filled my soul1 upon discovering this was the same woman1 now come to the house of ,god1 having exchanged masters1 and forsaken the territory of ,satan1 anxious to become the servant of ,christ1 and receive the gift of ,god which is eternal life1 instead of the wages of sin1 which is death2 and which1 a short time since1 she avowed herself determined to secure4 ,another woman with whom ,i had talked about the sin of her encouraging a love for dress and pleasure in her young daughter1 acknowledged the truth of what ,i said1 and has since attended church1 and undoubtedly been brought to ,christ4 ,her husband1 also1 who had not set his foot in a church for fifteen years1 but spent all his leisure time in a liquor store1 and associated with a rough class of men1 according to his own statements concerning himself1 believes he has found the ,saviour1 and attends the meetings regularly4 ,a few evenings since he told me he had to watch himself very closely1 as he had become habituated to profane swearing4 ,the change that has been made in him is remarkable4 ,it appears clear to my mind that nothing but a ,divine power could have effected it4 ,another case is that of a young girl who was brought to the meeting by her mother4 ,she is so impressed herself1 that her great concern is for others with whom she has been associated1 to induce them to attend1 the language of her heart being1 ',come with us1 and we will do thee good1 for the ,lord has spoken good concerning ,israel4' ,there is a great outpouring of the ,spirit in our midst2 we have unmistakable evidence of it4 ,we have but to 'open our mouths wide that we may be filled with it4' ,all are ready to hear and learn1 and we are in every way encouraged to labor on with our whole hearts1 knowing that if we are strong1 and of good courage1 ,god will not fail in the performance of ,his promises4 ,our sewing-school is also improving2 the children in good behavior2 the mothers are asking1 in many cases1 for ,bibles1 while the ,sunday-school is filling up so fast1 we cannot get a sufficient number of teachers4 ,there are many cases of sickness in my district1 and a great deal of distress1 occasioned by want of work4 ,i made about one hundred and sixty visits during the month1 and sold but one ,bible4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,her gratitude1 when any kind-hearted friend like the above gave of their substance1 to carry on the ,lord's work1 was unbounded4 ,also1 when those among whom she labored for years were brought to confess ,christ1 by testifying at the meetings4 ,oh6 how true are the words of ,malachi3 ,then they that feared the ,lord spake often one to another2 and the ,lord hearkened1 and heard it3 and a book of remembrance was written before ,him for them that feared the ,lord1 and that thought upon his name4 ,and they shall be mine1 saith the ,lord of hosts1 in that day when ,i make up my jewels4 ,no spot on earth was so dear to her heart as the house of ,god1 hence the expression3 ,i could not express the feeling of joy that filled my soul upon discovering this was the same woman1 now come to the house of ,god1 having exchanged masters4 ,she evidently entered into the feelings of ,david when he said of the ,church1 as the recognized holy spouse of ,god3 ,how amiable are thy tabernacles1 ,o ,lord of hosts6 ,my soul longeth1 yea1 even fainteth1 for the courts of the ,lord1 my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living ,god4 ,her practical piety is continually manifested1 not only by her strenuous exertions to save souls1 but in the recognition of ,divine power in the execution4 ,she says1 ,the change is remarkable4 ,it appears clear to my mind that nothing but ,divine power could have effected it4 ,the doctrine of the personality of the ,holy ,spirit is here brought to our view1 strongly reminding us that it is not by might1 nor by power1 but by my spirit1 saith the ,lord of hosts4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,,drawn ,,by ,,the ,,cords ,,of ,,love4 ,blest ,saviour1 slain for me1 ,in grateful love to ,thee ,the cross ,i bear2 ,thou didst for me endure1 ,my pardon to insure1 ,and thus for me secure ,a ,crown to wear4 ,one poor woman1 she writes1 asked me to call and see her1 as she wished to tell me her troubles4 ,she said she was afraid to believe that ,god loved her4 ,i have seldom seen any one in such ecstacy as she1 when she was told that ,god loves her with an everlasting love1 and that she need not be afraid to trust ,him1 as the more she rejoices in ,him1 the more she would glorify ,him4 ,the earnest desire of ,paul for the ,church at ,colosse was3 ,that their hearts might be comforted1 being knit together in love1 and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding1 to the acknowledgment of the mystery of ,god1 and of the ,father1 and of ,christ2 in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,grateful ,,offering ,,of ,a ,,saved ,,soul4 ,she writes again thus3 ,one woman1 to whom ,i took a ,bible1 said to me1 ',if it had not been for you ,i should have died in ignorance4' ,although she is poor1 two ,sabbaths since when a collection was taken1 she put down her name for two dollars4 ,she says1 'she can never thank the ,lord enough for bringing her out of darkness into light4' ,i visit a woman who endures great agony from cancer4 ,she lives alone1 in a tenement house1 poor and friendless1 having been driven from her home by her relatives because she has become a ,protestant4 ,but she has a firm trust in ,god1 and it is indeed wonderful to see how she is supported amid terrible sufferings4 ,she cannot read1 having never learned1 but says1 ',i thank ,god that ,he sends ,his servants to read the ,bible to such as ,i4' 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,what a picture of all that is conceivable of human suffering4 ,alone1 poor1 persecuted1 yet thankful and trustful4 ,oh6 ,how amazing is ,god's grace4 ,oh1 yes1 to the uttermost ,jesus is able ,to save the poor sinner who cometh to ,him2 ,his word is most sure1 and ,his promise is stable3 ,though feeble thy trust and thy faith very dim1 ,yet listen again to the soul-cheering sound1 ,our ,jesus can save to the uttermost bound4 ,did ,i hear some one say1 ,but what of to-morrow1 ,for my foes are so strong1 and ,i'm sinful indeed8 ,he is able to save to the end of the journey-- ,to the uttermost bound of thy uttermost need4 ,that same ,jesus who died for us now ever lives1 ,and as mightily saves as ,he freely forgives4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,work ,,among ,,the ,,jews4 ,though laboring to bring souls to ,christ1 of any nation1 my chief interest and work is among the ,jews4 ,i called upon a family of very religious ,jews4 ,i talked with them of ,christ as the true ,messiah and of ,his sacrifice for our sins4 ,i saw that they had the ,old and ,new ,testament1 given them by a ,christian lady4 ,they said they often read it together1 and ,i could not but think that the good seed was sown in their hearts4 ,i am often discouraged by the opposition of one member of a family4 ,a child who goes to ,sunday-school is kept away by an unbelieving father1 just as the truth has found a lodgement in her heart2 but1 again1 my heart is filled with joy when ,i find that my labor has not been in vain4 ,such was the case in a family where ,i have prayed1 and conversed often about their souls' salvation4 ,the mother1 a ,jewess by birth1 had changed her ,jewish religion some time ago4 ,but her heart remained untouched4 ,i endeavored to make her understand what a change of heart is1 and persuaded her to go with me to a ,german church4 ,some weeks after the father spoke of his faith in ,christ1 and a week since his wife also gave evidence of being a ,christian woman4 ,during the month of ,march ,i visited a poor woman who had had great sorrows4 ,she asked me for a ,bible1 for which she was most thankful4 ,her husband1 a ,catholic1 now reads it with her1 and shows by his greater kindness to her its blessed effect4 ,what a blessing1 indeed1 is this holy book in these poor homes8 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,another ,,young ,,jewess ,,brought ,,to ,,christ4 ,a young ,jewess1 who had found and believed in ,jesus as her ,saviour1 wanted to unite with a ,christian church1 but her aged mother would not allow it4 ,i encouraged her to pray for her mother1 and one day calling to see her1 ,i found she had now no objection to her daughter doing as she wished4 ,i have had many conversations with ,jews1 and have often been allowed to read the ,bible to them4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is certainly very encouraging to read how intensely interested she was in the conversion of the ,hebrew people4 ,we cannot wonder at this when we consider that they were the chosen people of ,god2 and also to those who are in the habit of prayerfully consulting their ,bibles1 especially the prophecies pertaining to the ,messiah1 as they behold them literally fulfilled1 not only as to the time and place of ,his birth1 but ,his person1 life1 miracles1 death1 resurrection1 and ascension of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,he surely came unto ,his own and ,his own received ,him not1 but to as many as received ,him them gave ,he power to become the ,sons of ,god1 even to those who believed in ,his name4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,,love ,,for ,,the ,,hebrews4 ,a weeping sinner kneels1 ,the chains of death are broken1 ,and soon his glad heart feels ,the ,saviour's welcome spoken4 ,christ said1 ,woe unto you1 ,scribes and ,pharisees4 ,she seemed to hate everything that looked like spiritual pride1 or idolatry1 or worldliness4 ,hence her sternness and courage in watching for sin in herself or others was marked4 ,the language of ,jesus ever sounded in her ears3 ,take heed to yourselves1 lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting1 and drunkenness1 and cares of this life1 and that day come on you suddenly as a snare3 for so shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth4 ,but watch ye at every season1 making supplication1 that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass1 and to stand before the ,son of man4 ,she felt also that ,god was no respecter of persons1 and her great ambition on this account was to try and save the ,hebrew people from their vain delusions that they were still the chosen people of ,god1 notwithstanding their rejection of the ,messiah4 ,this is evident from the following conversation with a ,jewish woman about ,god's ,word4 ,visiting another ,jewish woman1 she asked me to sit down1 and soon we were in earnest conversation about the ,bible1 and her soul's salvation4 ,after hearing me read some passages1 she said1 ',we ,jews must all be wrong if you are right4' ,i told her it was not my word1 but the ,word of ,god4 ,i begged her to search the ,scriptures for herself1 and left with her a tract relating to ,christ1 written by a ,jew4 ,she asked to have a ,bible1 which ,i carried to her4 ,again we conversed on this great subject4 ,she liked the tract1 and had lent it to several of her friends4 ,she said she would read the ,bible with prayer1 and if she was wrong1 the ,lord would open her eyes4 ,during these four months ,i have made over one thousand visits1 distributed many tracts and given away eight ,bibles1 besides taking several children to the ,sunday-school1 and using the ,mission funds in assisting the poor4 ,there has been a great deal of sickness this summer1 especially among the children4 ,but ,i have been enabled to do some good by taking these little ones and their mothers into the country4 ,among them were several ,roman ,catholic families4 ,they expressed surprise that we should do so much for them1 saying1 ',it was more than their own people would do for them4' ,in visiting one of these women soon after1 she said her husband had told her she had better take my advice and read the ,bible4 ,he said she had better have one1 for it could do her no harm4 ,i took her the ,gospel of ,matthew1 which she has been reading attentively1 and her children learning verses by heart4 ,she gave me fifty cents1 asking if that would be enough to buy a ,bible4 ,to several ,catholic families ,i have lent ,bibles1 and they now wish to purchase them1 paying for them in small sums1 as they are able4 ,one man1 who has led a very wicked life and abused his family1 is now so changed that when he comes home he asks his children to read to him4 ,he does not go to church1 but says he does not know why his people are not allowed to read the ,bible4 ,a poor woman to whom ,i gave a ,bible handed me one dollar1 saying she wished she was able to give more1 as it had been such a blessing to her in her sickness and poverty4 ,i have been much encouraged by the gratitude expressed for my reading the ,scriptures in some families4 ,a ,catholic woman was in great distress for her husband4 ,she begged me to pray for him1 and calling her five children about her1 we knelt in prayer4 ,i have a mothers' meeting at my house1 at which several women have desired prayers for their husbands4 ,visiting in a house where were some ,jewish families1 ,i asked if they would allow me to pray with them4 ,they said they would not dare to kneel1 but would stand and listen4 ,on my leaving them1 they shook my hand1 with tears in their eyes1 and said they liked to hear my prayer4 ,another ,jewess said she would be sorry if she thought we would not meet in heaven4 ,i begged her to pray ,god to show her the true way1 and read to her in ,isaiah the prophecies concerning the ,messiah4 ,she1 too1 promised to think1 and pray for light4 ,i have good hopes of several intemperate persons4 ,they have abstained from drinking for several weeks1 one has joined the ,temperance ,society1 and another has promised to drink no more4 ,they asked for a ,bible1 which ,i took to them4 ,we have opened our ,sewing-school again1 and have the hope of accomplishing much good this winter among the children4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,gladness ,,in ,,coming ,,to ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,god4 ,she continues to write thus3 ,some of the women who attend my mother's meeting have never attended any place of worship1 and it is encouraging to hear them speak of reading the ,scriptures1 which they have never done before1 and of the pleasure they take in going to the ,house of ,god1 and in listening to ,his ,word4 ,a ,jewess1 to whom ,i spoke of the ,saviour1 said1 ',your religion must be very comforting1 when you have something to rest upon4 ,i would like to go to your church1 and hear about your ,saviour4' ,i found a family where the mother was sick2 the father without work1 and four children to be fed4 ,i obtained assistance for them1 and after doing what ,i could to make them comfortable1 ,i read a portion of ,scripture to them4 ,as the woman lay listening1 the father came into the room and said1 ',you are reading the ,bible2 it is a good book2 my children love to hear it2 they learn in the ,sabbath-school what will do them good1 but the times are hard2 ,i can get no work1 and everything seems dark4' ,his wife said1 ',god has sent us help just when we needed it the most4' ,i urged him to trust in our ,heavenly ,father1 and pray to ,him2 he said1 ',i will try4' ,why not8 for ,e'en the hour that darkest seemeth ,will ,his changeless goodness prove2 ,from the gloom ,his mercy streameth2 ,god is wisdom1 ,god is love4 ,the shadows of earth are immediately dispelled when we trust ,god1 for ,he says1 ,call upon me in the day of trouble1 ,i will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify ,me4 ,this passage has been the cup of great blessing to many a benighted soul4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,she writes3 ,in another family1 the kindness shown has led the father 7who has also been ill7 to think seriously of religion1 and resolve on leading a new life4 ,one poor woman1 to whom ,i had given a ,bible1 said to me1 a few days since1 that she wanted to 'pay something for her ,bible1' it had been such a comfort to her in her lonely hours4 ,she said she had never read so much of the ,scriptures before1 nor found so much comfort from reading them1 as during the last few weeks2 and now she wished me take ten cents as part payment2 she had been keeping it for me1 and would add more soon1 as she wanted to give me fifty cents4 ,she was living alone2 her husband dead2 her son1 having married recently1 had left her1 but gives a little toward her support4 ,she was also made happy by some addition for ,thanksgiving4 ,my visits among the children of the ,sewing-school are also productive of good4 ,one little girl whom ,i brought to ,sabbath-school for the first time1 induced her mother to come to church1 where she was enough pleased to desire to come again4 ,this family have usually spent their ,sabbaths in reading stories in the newspapers1 as is the case with many others from which we have gathered the children1 and when they say at parting1 ',do come and see my mother1' ,i feel here is a wide field of usefulness opening before us1 inviting us to enter in and work for the ,master4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,,thankfulness ,,to ,,god4 ,he is a whole ,christ--,he is a full ,saviour6 ,he saves to the uttermost all who believe2 ,his arms of compassion are ever extended1 ,the contrite and penitent souls to receive4 ,st4 ,augustine says3 ,the ,kingdom of ,light was from its very commencement assailed by the ,kingdom of ,darkness4 ,but1 notwithstanding the opposition of ,satan1 and the strong prejudices of his ancient people1 how encouraging to read the following narrative from her pen3 ,i have been able to supply the immediate necessities of some poor families1 and it encourages my heart to see their gratitude for what is done for them1 but1 above all1 for their joy at receiving the ',word of ,god1' and knowing that it was their own4 ,from four persons ,i have received payment for the ,bibles1 who were anxious to receive them1 and who read them daily4 ,i have met with some success among the ,jews4 ,a ,jewish girl who has been in my ,sewing-school is very happy to be there1 and says that now her father does not forbid her to read the ,bible or attend ,sunday-school4 ,a young girl who attends the meeting which ,i hold in my house has joined the church in ,allen ,street1 and is so much in earnest that she is trying to induce others to follow her example4 ,i am thankful that my efforts for the young have not been without results4 ,why8 we ask2 because ,he that spared not ,his own ,son1 but delivered ,him up for us all1 how will ,he not with ,him also freely give us all things4 ,i have had much encouragement1 she continues1 in my labors during the summer4 ,visiting at the ,hahnemann ,hospital1 ,i have become much interested in some of the patients4 ,they ask me to sit down and talk to them1 and ,i then point them to ,jesus as the best ,physician for soul as well as body4 ,i have been kindly received by ,roman ,catholics1 and have loaned ,bibles to some of them1 and some have kept them and paid for them4 ,during the months of ,july and ,august1 ,i have found many sick1 in assisting whom ,i have been aided by the ,flower ,mission4 ,i see a great change in families where the ,bible is being read4 ,one little girl says1 ',i read the ,bible every day1 and so do my father and mother4 ,now they do not work on ,sunday1 as they used to do1 but go to church1 and read ,god's ,word4' ,my own church has been closed a part of the summer1 but the prayer-meeting has been well attended1 and there has been much interest evinced4 ,a man who was a drunkard for many years1 has given up his bad habits and is now the support and comfort of his family4 ,i gave him a ,bible1 which he reads1 and he seems to be a truly converted man4 ,i have sold several ,bibles1 as well as given several away4 ,at one time coming in contact with a very serious case of hardship1 she wrote concerning it1 ,formerly the mother depended upon the daughter for support1 but she has lately been obliged to stay at home1 and take care of her mother2 and in consequence of this1 they have both suffered1 as they belong to that class who are unwilling to make their wants known4 ,i asked if they had attended any place of worship4 ,the mother said she had been a member of a ,protestant church in ,troy1 but since she came to ,new ,york1 and her circumstances had changed1 not having clothing to make a decent appearance1 she had not been to church4 ,she added3 ',i must say1 it was pride1 but ,i could not overcome it4 ,now ,i know and feel that ,i did wrong4' ,she is now more comfortable2 for ,i have been able to get her some little delicacies1 which she suffered greatly from the need of4 ,it is a great satisfaction to us1 when we meet with so many cases of want and suffering1 to give some relief1 however small1 but the anxiety and labor that have often to be borne to succeed in the work is great4 ,i often think that if those who employ us to go forth with the ,word of ,life in our hands could see us engaged in our work1 giving consolation and encouragement to the poor and destitute1 the sick and dying1 and as far as in our power relieving their wants1 they would feel abundantly rewarded for the good and honorable work in which they are engaged4 ,every month ,i feel more and more the greatness of the work1 and the necessity of laboring with earnestness1 in order to compel them to come in1 that the ,lord's house may be filled1 and that jewels may be gathered for our ,lord and ,saviour1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,i have brought a number of children into ,sabbath-schools1 and have induced several to attend church1 and feel that my labors have been abundantly blessed1 and that during the last month ,i have been much encouraged4 ,i have succeeded in getting five tons of coal for my poor1 besides groceries1 etc4 ,have sold three ,bibles1 and given one away4 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,,lost1 ,,but ,,found4 ,love of ,christ1 amazing love6 ,vast as ,his eternity2 ,theme of angel choirs above1 ,theme of souls redeemed like me6 ,outward to creation's bound1 ,up to ,heaven's serenest height1 ,universal space around1 ,swells the chorus day and night4 ,here she writes about a woman whom she visited several years ago1 and who attended her meetings3 ,i lost sight of her for seven or eight years4 ,she moved away from the city4 ,one day recently ,i was sent for by a sick woman2 ,i found it to be ,mrs4 ,v41 who had returned4 ,i read1 prayed1 and visited her until she died1 believing in ,jesus4 ,here she reports the conversion of several others whom she has visited and brought out to religious services4 ,an unknown ,christian lady writes thus3 ,mrs4 ,knowles has great success in her work1 reading ,god's ,word1 and leaving the ,bible to be read by those whom she visits1 when not able to purchase a ,bible2 one is given in some instances2 even the poorest will pay a small sum4 ,a great change is noticeable after the ,bible is read with real interest--cleaner children1 better-dressed men and women1 and a desire to hear the ,gospel4 ,why this marvellous success8 ,what brought about this personal reformation in the habits and character of parents and children8 ,there are two reasons for this great change1 namely3 #a4 ,contact with ,god's ,word4 #b4 ,contact with a soul set on fire with the love of ,christ4 ,oh6 the tremendous power there is in divinely implanted affection when it is beautifully blended in a human heart4 ,sir ,walter ,scott says3 ,love rules the court1 the camp1 the grove1 ,and men below1 and saints above2 ,for love is ,heaven1 and ,heaven is love6 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,consolation ,,amid ,,domestic ,,difficulties4 ,when we remember that we are penning for publication only a few stray gleanings from the multiplicity of instances of conversion1 the reader1 we trust1 will behold the variety of cases recorded1 and we sincerely hope the ,christian worker will utilize them for practical purposes4 ,some one has said that ,paul's favorite illustrations by images are drawn1 not from the operations and uniform phenomena of the natural world1 but from the activities and outward exhibition of human society1 from the lives of soldiers1 from the lives of slaves1 from the market1 from athletic exercises1 from agriculture1 from architecture4 ,at this time she again writes3 ,i visited a family where the mother was a ,christian1 and the father a ,jew4 ,the father being sick for two years past1 and unable to support his wife and four children1 has gone to his own people4 ,the eldest girl is a member of my ,sunday-school class4 ,the mother told me one day1 as ,i was speaking to her of the ,bible1 that she had not seen or read one since she was married2 'but1' said she1 'since ,amelia has been in your class1 she has repeated the lessons she has learned at home1 and ,i am longing for a ,bible4' ,i gave her one given me for my ,jewish children4 ,she thanked me heartily1 and now reads it every day with her children4 ,one ,sunday morning her husband came in to see them1 and found her reading aloud to the children from the ,bible4 ,he asked her what she was reading4 ,she told him it was the ,bible1 and how she had got it1 and that the children went to ,sunday-school1 and that she went to church4 ,he was not pleased1 but could say nothing1 as he does not live with or support his family4 ,this poor woman was deeply convicted of sin1 and was earnestly seeking for forgiveness and peace1 and peace has come to her son through humble trust in the ,saviour of sinners4 ,thus the ,lord is prospering our labors1 and the meetings begun in trembling1 have been blessed to some souls4 ,it seems her source of unalloyed happiness was in watching for souls1 at morning1 noon1 and night4 ,her prayers were perfumed with sighs1 and cries1 and tears for the impenitent4 ,she was one of those so graphically described by ,jeremiah3 ,they say to their mothers where is corn and wine8 when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city1 when their soul was poured out into their mother's bosom4 ,what thing shall ,i take to witness for thee8 what thing shall ,i liken to thee1 ,o daughter of ,jerusalem8 what shall ,i equal to thee1 that ,i may comfort thee1 ,o virgin daughter of ,zion8 for thy breach is great like the sea3 who can heal thee4--,lam4 ii4 #ab-ac4 ,long they sat beneath the shadow1 ,and the gloom of moral night1 ,waiting only for the dawning ,of the promised heavenly light4 ,but they've heard the glorious ,gospel1 ,of salvation full and free1 ,now they read the ,blessed ,bible1 ,they are coming1 ,lord1 to ,thee4 ,hasten1 ,lord1 the coming morning ,of the bright1 millennial day1-- ,and may we who love the ,saviour ,labor to extend ,his sway1 ,until every ransomed being1 ,on the land and on the sea1 ,shall unite in one grand chorus1 ,we are coming1 ,lord1 to ,thee4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,fortune ,,teller4 ,during the last two months ,i have met with several interesting cases4 ,one ,jewish woman whom ,i visited was always pleased when ,i told her of my interest for her people4 ,being poor and in delicate health1 she could do but little for her own support1 and ,i learned had resorted to telling fortunes4 ,i showed her that this was wrong1 and that ,god would not bless her1 as it did not agree with ,his ,word4 ,she said1 ',i have often thought it might be wrong1 but ,i am now convinced of it2 but what shall ,i do for my living8' ,i directed her to prayer for guidance1 and assured her that those who put their trust in the ,lord would be taken care of4 ,she has since been to our meeting and requests to have a ,bible4 ,i visited another woman1 whose husband is a ,catholic4 ,her three children are in my ,sunday-school class1 and ,i am much interested in them4 ,the mother came to the ,german church1 and ,i gave her a ,german ,bible1 as she never had one4 ,calling one day1 ,i found her in great trouble4 ,she said3 ',oh1 ,mrs4 ,knowles1 ,i have been praying for you1 and the ,lord has sent you4 ,i read and prayed with her1 directing her to the ,friend of sinners for peace4 ,i think she became a true ,christian1 and soon she wished to unite with the church4 ,her husband1 however1 opposed it1 and threatened to take away the children from her4 ,he did so1 and sent them to the ,catholic ,sunday-school4 ,but the seed is sown in their young hearts1 and they say to their mother1 ',we will never turn to the ,catholics4' ,to such as are sorely tried in their households1 how comforting are the words of the ,apostle3 ,wherefore ,jesus also1 that he might sanctify the people with ,his own blood1 suffered without the gate4 ,let us go forth therefore unto ,him without the camp1 bearing ,his reproach4 ,for here have we no continuing city1 but we seek one to come4 ,by ,him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to ,god continually1 that is1 the fruit of our lips1 giving thanks to ,his name4 ,but to do good1 and to communicate1 forget not2 for with such sacrifices ,god is well pleased4 ,she adds3 ,during these months ,i have met with much poverty and sickness4 ,one would almost think it would diminish at this season1 but1 on the contrary1 it is rather worse4 ,i met with a family who had been in the country but two months4 ,the father was a salesman in ,germany1 and can get no employment in this country4 ,they had nothing to eat in their house1 but the ,lord opened a way1 so that something was provided for them4 ,i read the ,scriptures and prayed with them1 and the wife expressed a longing to go to a ,german church4 ,i took her to church1 and gave her a ,bible4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,jewess ,,finds ,,the ,,messiah4 ,a poor ,jewess1 whose husband has been in the ,insane ,asylum for nearly two years1 finds it hard to support her family by peddling4 ,calling one day1 ,i found her going out without any shoes on her feet1 and her health very poor4 ,i bought her a pair of shoes1 for which she was very thankful1 and pointed her to ,christ as her true friend in time of need4 ,she reads the ,bible1 and believes ,he is the ,messiah4 ,another ,roman ,catholic woman1 whom ,i have been visiting for some time1 continues to attend church regularly4 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,,sea-,,side ,,excursions ,,for ,,mothers ,,and ,,children4 ,sure he1 to whom1 of mind or hand belongs ,some craft that doth uplift the thought of men ,above the mold1 and bring to human ken ,the joys of radiance1 air and clear bird-songs2 ,so that the brow1 o'er moist with sullen toil1 ,may catch a breeze from far-off ,paradise2 ,so that the soul may1 for a moment1 rise ,up from the stoop and cramp of daily moil-- ,may own his gift ,divine6 as sure may trace ,its ,source1 as that of waters kind hands hold ,to thirsty lips2 nor need he mourn 7since grace ,of his hath such refreshment wrought7 if gold ,be scant2 to him hath richer boon been given ,an earth-bowed head to raise the nearer heaven4 ,there is no sight more truly gladdening to the heart of the philanthropist than to behold the large barges1 built after the model of ,noah's ,ark1 gliding swiftly through the beautiful waters of ,new ,york ,bay1 heavily laden with the news-boys1 working-girls1 or poor mothers and children of the city4 ,thanks to the ,new ,york ,press1 and the contributors to the ,fresh ,air ,fund1 for thus giving the multitudes of children1 that are thickly huddled together in our tenement-houses1 an opportunity of inhaling pure air4 ,one of the pioneers in this good work was the ,new ,york ,times4 ,in #ahgb1 that paper started the ,times' ,excursion for ,poor ,children2 ay1 and for poor adults1 too4 ,the public nobly responded to the ,times' appeal1 sending in about #bj1jjj4 ,during the sweltering summer of that year1 the ,times' people carried to shady groves and seasides tens of thousands of children who1 for the first time1 saw running streams and green fields4 ,no one can estimate the good done1 the lives saved1 and the hours of happiness secured to young and old who have so few happy hours4 ,not the least was that of softening hearts and opening purses4 ,in this noble work we find our deceased friend earnestly engaged instead of taking a vacation in the hot summer months4 ,in her diary we find the following concerning one of these summer seasons3 ,it has been a great privilege1 during the summer months1 to be able to make so many poor mother's happy1 by taking them and their children to the sea-side for bathing and country air4 ,there has been much sickness in the tenement-houses4 ,it is1 indeed1 distressing often to see two sick in one bed1 the others nearly ready to be there1 and the poor mothers1 with but little means1 scarcely able to do their work and take care of the sick ones4 ,it is then a happiness to obtain for them a little nourishment1 and to give them words of sympathy and encouragement4 ,many are ,roman ,catholics1 who seem surprised that ,i should take any interest in them1 as they said it was more than their own people will do4 ,a poor woman whom ,i visited1 said3 ',i will never again think that ,protestants cannot be saved1 as ,i have been taught2 and since ,i have read the ,bible1 ,i intend to go to a ,protestant church and hear for myself4' ,the ,catholics say to me1 ',how different your prayers are from ours4 ,why do you not pray to the ,blessed ,virgin8' ,i tell them that we only pray to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as ,he is the only ,saviour4 ,while visiting lately in some wretched houses of infamy and talking to the poor women1 they would shed tears1 and say that they would like to live different lives1 but it is so hard to begin to do better4 ,it is surprising to see with what attention they listen to the words of ,scripture and promise to read the ,bible themselves4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,wonderful ,,work4 ,still continuing the record of her work1 she writes3 ,during last month ,i made two hundred and fifty visits1 read the ,scriptures as often as ,i had the opportunity2 have given two ,bibles to persons who were too poor to pay for them1 and sold one4 ,several ,roman ,catholic women have asked for ,bibles1 and are reading them with pleasure4 ,one woman1 whose husband called her a 'turn-coat1' said she did not care for that1 but that nothing should persuade her to give up her ,bible4 ,i have induced several persons to attend church1 and have taken children to the ,sabbath-school1 thus trying to sow the seed1 and looking to ,god for ,his blessing4 ,a poor man1 ill with consumption1 is one whom ,i visit often4 ,i have aided his family with coal1 and also in buying food and nourishment for himself4 ,he reads a ,bible that ,i gave him every day1 and when his children come from school he gets them to read to him4 ,he says3 ',if ,i had been a better man2 had read my ,bible and taken care of my health1 ,i might have been different1 but now ,i am trusting in the ,lord that ,he will forgive and accept me1 and that is my only hope4 ,i tell my wife that when ,i am gone she must never give up the ,bible1 but read it every day with her children4' ,we must ever remember1 dear reader1 that the unfolding of the ,gospel of ,christ is the power of ,god unto salvation to everyone who believeth4 ,what a tremendous power was manifested by the preaching of the ,gospel to the savages of ,north ,america1 in #agdc4 ,mr4 ,brainerd1 in his journal1 gives an instance of the effects which followed the preaching of the ,word of ,god4 ,there was much concern1 says he1 among them while ,i was discoursing publicly2 but afterward1 when ,i spoke to one and another whom ,i perceived more particularly under concern1 the power of ,god seemed to descend upon the assembly1 'like a mighty rushing wind1' and with an astonishing energy bore down all before it4 ,i stood amazed at the influence that seized upon the audience almost universally4 ,almost all persons of all ages1 were bowed down together4 ,old men and women1 who had been drunken wretches for many years1 and some little children1 not more than six or seven years of age1 appeared in distress for their souls1 as well as persons of middle age4 ,these were almost universally praying and crying for mercy in every part of the house1 and many out of doors1 and numbers could neither go nor stand2 their concern was so great1 each for himself1 that none seemed to take any notice of those about them1 but each prayed for himself4 ,methought this had a near resemblance to the day of ,god's power1 mentioned ,josh4 x4 #ad2 for ,i must say1 ,i never saw any day like it in all respects2 it was a day wherein the ,lord did much to destroy the kingdom of darkness among this people4 ,a church was soon afterward gathered among these poor pagans2 and such was the change effected among them1 that many exclaimed with astonishment1 ,what hath ,god wrought8 ,he spent whole days in fasting and prayer1 that ,god would prepare him for his great work2 and1 indeed1 throughout his whole life he was truly a man of prayer1 lifting up his heart to ,god on all occasions1 frequently spending whole days in prayer and meditation in the fields and woods desiring holiness of heart far above every other object4 ,mr4 ,brainerd was sent by the ,society for the ,propagation of ,christian ,knowledge to the ,indians at ,kaunaumeek1 a place in the woods between ,stockbridge and ,albany4 ,in this lonely place he continued and endured many hardships and privations4 ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,,the ,,intemperate ,,wife4 ,if you cannot cross the ocean1 ,and the heathen lands explore1 ,you can find the heathen nearer1 ,you can help them at your door4 ,if you cannot give your thousands1 ,you can give the widow's mite1 ,and the least you give for ,jesus ,will be precious in ,his sight4 ,in ,march1 #ahhj1 she writes3 ,i have had much encouragement in my work during the past month4 ,in a family where ,i had visited a long time1 the mother was much addicted to intemperance4 ,on calling one day1 ,i saw the husband1 who said he was glad ,i had come in1 for he had resolved to leave his wife2 he said he could endure his life with her no longer--he would go his way1 and she must go hers4 ,she was much distressed1 and ,i once more entreated her to give up the intoxicating cup and be a good wife and mother4 ,i then engaged in prayer1 beseeching the ,lord to enable her to resist this dreadful appetite4 ,her husband stood by and said3 ',now1 ,mary1 you have your choice3 either to follow the advice of this kind friend1 or to separate from me forever4' ,she then and there made her decision1 and1 laying her hand on the ,bible1 pledged herself not to touch or taste the poison1 and signed a paper to that effect4 ,since then1 she has attended our meetings1 and says she is happier than she has ever been4 ,some persons to whom ,i have given the ,bible did not seem to care to read it1 but have now begun to do so1 and encourage their children to read to them4 ,one man tells me3 ',i am scarce five minutes in the house before my little girl begins to read to me1 and it does me good4' ,a man and his wife who have attended church this winter1 will soon confess ,christ4 ,they have suffered much this season1 as the father has had but little work2 but ,i have been able to give them some assistance4 ,the mother said she was thankful to the ,lord for all that had been done for them1 to bring them through their difficulties--but1 above all1 that she and her husband had found rest in ,jesus as their ,saviour and their friend4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,warmly ,,welcomed ,,by ,,all ,,denominations4 ,march1 #ahha4--;,during this month ,i have made many visits among ,jews and ,romanists4 ,some who formerly opposed me are now anxious to hear me read and pray1 and urge me to come to see them often4 ,several ,roman ,catholic families have asked for the ,bible2 and ,i have given several copies of the ,new ,testament1 which they value very highly1 as well for themselves as for their children1 whom they are anxious should read and learn its sacred truths4 ,one woman1 whose children had been taught verses from the ,new ,testament1 gave me twenty-five cents to get her a ,bible1 saying she wondered why their clergy forbid them reading it4 ,the woman mentioned before as being intemperate seems now truly reformed4 ,she attends our meetings with her boy1 and she and her husband once more live happily together4 ,my meeting for young girls continues with much encouragement4 ,they seem to take delight in reading the ,scriptures1 and in singing hymns of praise4 ,they spend the hour in sewing and reading aloud1 and they are greatly improved in deportment and character4 ,the little ,jewish girl1 to whom ,i gave a ,testament1 is never absent from this meeting or from the ,sunday-school4 ,what a deplorable sight--an intemperate mother6 ,what a soul-ruinous example to a daughter6 ,when we consider the relation between the mother and the child1 how great are the maternal responsibilities4 ,the mother ought to attract the attention of the child by her love4 ,chilled by the sin of intemperance1 how many1 alas6 drag down their daughters to infamy and a life of shame4 ,but1 oh1 what a change is wrought in this household after the dramatic interview1 when the husband threatens to leave his wife forever unless she abandons her cups4 ,what joy enters that family circle after the mother's transformation4 ,surely this revolution in her character was not the work either of the missionary or the person herself4 ,it is not by works of righteousness which we have done1 but according to ,his mercy ,he saves us4 ,how sweetly ,dr4 ,horace ,bonar sings in this connection3 ,thy works1 not mine1 ,o ,christ1 ,speak gladness to this heart2 ,they tell me all is done2 ,they bid my fear depart4 ,to whom1 save thee1 ,who can alone ,for sin atone1 ,lord1 shall ,i flee8 ,when we contrast the previous picture with the closing paragraph of this last account in her diary1 we behold the sudden change from sadness to sunshine4 ,she says1 ,the young girls seem to take delight in reading the ,scriptures1 and in singing hymns of praise4 ,this is the new song put into the mouth of the ,christian at the hour of conversion3 ,happy day1 when ,jesus washed my sins away4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,,her ,,love ,,of ,,children ,,and ,,of ,,praying4 ,he loves me now1 oh1 blessed thought1 ,he loved me when ,i knew ,him not1 ,and with ,his blood my pardon bought1 ,on ,calvary ,he died for me2 ,then with such love my heart to cheer1 ,how can ,i doubt or have one fear1 ,or ever think the days are drear1 ,with ,jesus near1 with ,jesus near4 ,in #ahhd she writes3 ,ninety-six visits during the last month1 and seven children taken to the ,sunday-school4 ,i am everywhere received with kindness1 and especially by the children1 through whom ,i hope to reach the parents' hearts4 ,i have disposed of several ,bibles1 for which ,i have been paid2 and ,i find there is nothing like reading some verses of ,scripture to excite the desire to possess the ,book of ,god4 ,i have an interesting class of girls in my own house who study passages of ,scripture every week1 and by their example and influence their parents have been led to attend church and give their hearts to ,god4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,oh1 how few there are who would be so kind-hearted as this woman to open their own house to impart spiritual instruction to others4 ,we are forcibly reminded by this gathering of girls to study ,god's ,word1 of a graphic scene in the ,acts of the ,apostles3 ,we read that1 ,on the ,sabbath we went out of the city by a river side1 where prayer was wont to be made2 and we sat down1 and spake unto the women which resorted thither4 ,and a certain woman named ,lydia1 a seller of purple1 of the city of ,thyatira1 which worshipped ,god1 heard us3 whose heart the ,lord opened1 that she attended unto the things which were spoken of ,paul4 ,and when she was baptized1 and her household1 she besought us1 saying1 ,if ye have judged me to be faithful to the ,lord1 come into my house1 and abide there4 ,and she constrained us4--,acts xvi4 #ac-ae4 ,we see from the above account of her work the multiplicity of her avocations3 ,tract-distribution1 visiting and caring for the sick1 teaching the young1 not only out of ,god's ,book1 but instructing them how to discharge domestic duties4 ,never tired1 never weary1 ,in what she found to do-- ,ever winsome1 always cheery1 ,she knew but love for you6 ,humble1 patient1 kindly1 sincere1 ,she loved the ,master well2 ,always trying1 unknown to fear1 ,she would ,his story tell6 ,she continues3 ,a short time since1 on entering a house1 the woman who opened the door asked if ,i was a missionary4 ,when ,i said ',yes1' she said1 ',the ,lord has answered my prayer4 ,i prayed that ,he would send one to me to read the ,bible and pray with me4' ,before1 when she had been visited1 she would hide away to avoid the visitor1 but now she desires to be a ,christian1 and wishes some one to read and pray with her often4 ,she is very poor1 but is now seeking the true riches4 ,one who had been very ill1 but had recovered1 gladly received a ,bible1 for which1 though she is very poor1 she gave me fifty cents4 ,i have met with much encouragement in the ,sabbath-school and sewing-school4 ,many mothers are1 through their children1 interested in religion1 and come gladly to the mothers' meetings1 and my earnest prayer is that the ,lord will help me in the future as ,he has done in the past4 ,her prayerful spirit was marvellous4 ,this was the reason why she was able to impart such comfort and encouragement to others4 ,i called recently in the suburbs of the ,city of ,brooklyn to see a member of the ,allen ,street ,church1 and1 after reading ,god's ,word and prayer1 our conversation turned to a beautiful portrait that hung over the mantel-piece4 ,the lady remarked1 ,that is the picture of my departed sister1 who died in ,new ,york4 ,she was faithfully visited during her sickness by ,mrs4 ,knowles4 ,she continued1 ,i like to think of her1 because she used to tell me after she was gone1 ',i pray for you by name every day4' ,perhaps that is the reason why she comes now so many miles through the long1 dreary1 stormy winter months1 to teach a class in the ,allen ,street ,sabbath-school1 and some of the scholars are ,hebrew children4 ,this person for whom she prayed never misses any of the services at the church4 ,take heed therefore unto yourselves1 and to all the flock1 over the which the ,holy ,ghost have made you overseers1 to feed the church of ,god1 which he hath purchased with ,his own blood4 ,for ,i know this1 that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you1 not sparing the flock4 ,this is the injunction of the ,apostle ,paul to the elders at ,ephesus1 but it is exceedingly appropriate to all who are engaged in missionary work of any kind1 and it cannot be faithfully complied with unless there is pastoral work performed from house to house4 ,who is sufficient for these things8 ,during ,february and ,march1 #ahhe1 she again writes3 ,during the last two months ,i have been engaged as usual in reading the ,scriptures from house to house1 and wherever ,i have visited have been allowed to do so1 with very few exceptions4 ,visiting lately in a tenement house1 a woman came out1 telling me that ,i would never go to ,heaven1 and using other insulting language4 ,i only said1 ',poor woman1 ,i pity you4' ,a ,catholic woman1 who heard her1 asked me into her room1 took me by the hand1 and with tears in her eyes expressed her sorrow that ,i should be treated so ill4 ,i told her it did not harm me as much it did themselves4 ,i then asked if ,i might pray with them1 and when we arose from prayers several of those present were in tears4 ',how can you pray for one who has abused you so8' said they4 ,i replied that ,jesus prayed for ,his enemies1 and we must imitate ,his example4 ,one of these women came to our mothers' meeting1 and asked me for a ,bible1 and promises to read it4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,here she complied with the command of ,christ3 ,i say unto you1 love your enemies1 bless them that curse you1 do good to them that hate you1 and pray for them which despitefully use you1 and persecute you4 ,what a wonderful exhibition we have in the above interview of the spirit of ,him who was suspended on the cross for our sins1 for we read3 ,that when they were come to the place which is called ,calvary1 there they crucified him1 and the malefactors1 one on the right hand1 and the other on the left4 ,then said ,jesus1 ,father1 forgive them2 for they know not what they do4 ,and they parted his raiment1 and cast lots4 ,the fearful drama enacted on ,golgotha excites our wonder when we behold the amazing love of ,jesus1 in thus praying for ,his persecutors4 ,how true it is that ,he was clothed with the mock robes of royalty1 that we might be clad in ,his justifying righteousness2 crowned with the crown of thorns1 that we might wear a crown of glory4 ,flow on1 thou stream2 oh1 ceaseless flow1 ,till every child of sin and woe ,hath plunged beneath thy cleansing tide1 ,and found the ,saviour precious4 ,i want to say here1 that ,i visited a family by request a few evenings since in the upper part of ,new ,york ,city4 ,during our religious conversation ,i asked the mother of the family how she was led to ,christ4 ,her husband1 daughters1 and sons were all seated around her at the time1 a happy family circle4 ,well1 she replied1 about twenty-three years ago1 when my children were little1 ,mrs4 ,knowles met me on the street1 coming from the store4 ,she said1 ',excuse me1 lady1 will you accept a tract8' ,i answered yes4 ',will you read it1' she inquired1 'if ,i give you one8' ,i promised ,i would4 ,she further asked me1 ',have you any children8' ',yes4' ',do they go to ,sabbath-school8' ',no4' ',will you send them if ,i call for them next ,lord's ,day morning8' ',yes4' ,she called the following ,sabbath1 and asked if the children were ready4 ',they are all ready1' ,i said1 'but one1 and her shoes are not good enough2 but wait and ,i will go out and buy a new pair4' ',oh1' said ,mrs4 ,knowles1 'never mind buying shoes to-day1 ,i will call next ,sabbath for them4' ,i did not know the reason then why she would not allow me to get the shoes1 but ,i know now4 ,she did not wish me to break the holy ,sabbath day4 ,then she persuaded me to attend church1 until ,i found ,jesus as my ,saviour4 ,i was in the habit of going to her with all my trouble1 and she would say1 ',oh1 well1 never mind1 don't tell anyone but your ,heavenly ,father about it4' ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,,conversion ,,of ,,children4 ,we are so helpless1 ,lord1 ,thou art all power and might2 ,our path is often drear1 ,be thou our light4 ,we have no hope but thee2 ,oh1 leave us not alone1 ,till life's brief day is o'er1 ,still guard thine own4 ,her joy in bringing children to the ,sabbath-school was great1 but when she led them to ,christ it was sublime4 ,why should she not be interested in their early conversion1 when ,jesus said1 ,suffer the little children to come unto me1 and forbid them not1 for of such is the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,i desire to state here1 that when ,i was a boy1 about nine years of age1 ,i attended a prayer-meeting between the morning and afternoon services1 led by an elder of the ,relief ,u4,p4 ,church1 ,greenock1 and was so deeply impressed with ,divine truth that ,i gathered my playmates together1 and invited them to a meeting of my own across the burn at the foot of grandfather's garden1 near ,dr4 ,mc,culloch's established church1 where we boys read ,god's ,word in turn sang the sweet psalms of ,david1 and offered prayer4 ,rev4 ,e4 ,p4 ,hammond is doing a grand work among children at the present time in ,new ,york4 ,i assisted in his meetings1 and found a goodly number of children inquiring after ,jesus1 and one afternoon there were a dozen young men and women rejoicing in their sins forgiven1 who had signed the covenant4 ,the following letter will speak for itself regarding ,mr4 ,hammond's work here in this city among children1 many of whom were brought to ,christ3 ,,new ,,york ,,city1 ,march #c1 #ahhg4 ,,dear ,,brother ,,young3 ,i am engaged1 night and day1 holding meetings here1 ,i wish you could come up and attend some of the services2 ,i thank you for all your kind words4 ,i am to be to-morrow at the prayer-meeting as per bill4 ,if you can be there ,i shall be glad to see you4 ,one hundred and twenty here1 gave their names to us yesterday1 saying they had been converted in these meetings 7for the most part74 ,to-morrow night we go to ,carle ,hall4 ,it will hold1 perhaps1 three or four thousand4 ,pray for us4 ,yours in ,jesus1 ,e4 ,p4 ,,hammond4 ,the afternoon ,i visited the scene of his labors1 he presented me with a copy of his work entitled1 ,the ,conversion of the ,children1 in which ,i have found a very encouraging letter to workers among the little ones4 ,i use it here to illustrate the power of ,divine grace1 and to show that wherever the effort is put forth to save the children1 ,god blesses it4 ,the following letter will testify also to the power of the ,gospel4 ,it is the production of one whom ,god has been graciously pleased to bless in a marvellous manner among the young4 ,,glasgow1 ,,scotland1 ,september1 #ah1 #ahgg4 ,,my ,,dear ,,mr4 ,,hammond3 ,we oftentimes remember you1 though few letters have passed between us4 ,my daughters and myself will never forget your visit and the time of blessing then1 and they1 as well as myself1 send you most hearty salutations4 ,dear brother1 my thoughts on the subject of the conversion of children are the same as when ,i wrote that tract you refer to4#e ,i think ,i agreed with you in almost every thing but one1 viz41 expressing publicly an opinion on cases4 ,it seems to me that we should be cautious in so doing2 for children themselves mistake feeling for faith2 how easy1 then1 for us who do not know the heart1 to mistake in them a manifestation of feeling for evidence of faith4 ,but in the awakening which took place under your labors here1 and in awakenings that have been given us since1 the cases of young people have been as entirely satisfactory as any cases we have had4 ,if conversion be ,god's work1 in which the ,holy ,spirit reveals ,christ to the soul1 surely ,his work can take place in children as really as in the old2 for it is the young soul meeting with ,christ in the one case and the adult in the other4 ,one day1 about the time1 or perhaps after the time1 you were among us1 in the vestry of my church1 an old ,christian woman1 who had watched the work going on1 came to me and said1 ',sir1 you will find many people speaking lightly of the young who come to ,christ1 as if there was nothing but feeling in their case2 but never mind what these people say4 ,i was converted in the days of ,dr4 ,kidd1 of ,aberdeen1 when ,i was but a child1 and two others of my age were converted at the same time2 and we have all three gone on to this day1 following the ,lamb4' ,the ,lord blesses you amazingly4 ,surely you will need to 'walk circumspectly1' 'sober1 vigilant1' for ,satan will not fail to watch you1 and seek to injure you1 that he may injure ,god's work through you4 ,if the way be opened for your revisiting ,scotland1 many among us shall rejoice4 ,meanwhile1 we pray for you1 and will not cease4 ,pray for us still1 dear brother4 ,yours truly1 in ,him ',whose we are and whom we serve1' ,,andrew ,a4 ,,bonar4 #e ,the ,conversion of ,children1 by ,dr4 ,a4 ,a4 ,bonar4 ,but what makes us to differ from each other8 ,surely it is simply the presence and power of the ,holy ,spirit in our heart4 ,it is all of free sovereign grace and mercy1 as ,paul says1 to the ,church at ,corinth3 ,by the grace of ,god ,i am what ,i am3 and ,his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain3 but ,i labored more abundantly than they all3 yet not ,i1 but the grace of ,god which was with me4 ,whether then it be ,i or they1 so we preach1 and so ye believed4 ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,,asleep ,,in ,,jesus4#f ,asleep in ,jesus2 blessed sleep1 ,from which none ever wakes to weep1 ,a calm and undisturbed repose1 ,unbroken by the last of foes4 ,for to me to live is ,christ1 and to die is gain4--,philippians i4 #ba4 ,one week ago to-day1 and at this hour1 we stood in this historic church over the precious remains of our dear1 departed ,elder1 ,james ,knowles1 so kind1 so gentle1 so affectionate1 so humble1 and so meek in his manners that we greatly miss him in our work for the blessed ,master4 ,ah6 little did we then think that we were to be so speedily gathered together to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of his faithful and loving wife4 ,but ,god's ways are not our ways1 nor ,his thoughts as our thoughts4 ,how inexplicable and profoundly mysterious are ,his providential arrangements4 ,it hath pleased our kind heavenly ,father to say to our sainted sister1 ,it is enough1 come up higher4 ,she also is at rest with her ,saviour and her husband1 to whom she was so devotedly attached4 ,she was1 indeed1 a virtuous wife and loving mother4 ,the race appointed she has run1 ,the combat's o'er1 the prize is won4 #f ,the substance of a sermon preached by the ,rev4 ,duncan ,mc,neill ,young1 in the ,allen ,street ,presbyterian ,church1 ,new ,york1 ,november #a1 #ahhf1 on the occasion of the death of ,mrs4 ,james ,knowles1 a city missionary who triumphantly departed this life on ,october #cj1 #ahhf1 in the seventy fifth year of her age4 ,how blessed the change6 ,how rich the reward6 ,how safe from all sin and sorrow6 ,in yonder land of pure delight where saints immortal reign4 ,what a meeting6 ,what a greeting takes place at the hour of dissolution6 ,how pleasing the contemplation4 ,how inspiring to think of our noble ancestors2 our holy ministers and teachers2 our fathers and mothers who led us by the hand to the house of ,god on the ,sabbath1 who early taught us to lisp the ever precious name of ,jesus2 who are to-day singing the song of ,moses and the ,lamb4 ,let us thank ,god at this solemn hour1 even amid blinding tears1 for pious1 praying parents4 ,oh1 that the ,holy ,spirit of ,god may touch our hearts to-day2 that we may more fully realize the greatness and importance of our work1 and that we may understand that this second great loss to this church is the voice of the ,god of ,israel calling us1 by the solemn dispensations of ,his providence1 to be more zealous in our ,saviour's cause4 ,clarify our vision just now1 ,o ,thou ,divine ,enlightener1 that we may see light in ,thy light4 ,i truly believe my theme to-day is a gift from the ,lord1 the ,god of ,abraham1 and is peculiarly appropriate for this solemn scene1 and adapted to the circumstances and special wants of this church and congregation4 ,precious in the sight of the ,lord is the death of ,his saints4 ,the text1 ,i may add1 has been graphically illustrated in the life and labors1 as well as in the death of her who now lies before us in that beautiful casket1 covered with so many rich and fragrant flowers1 the gifts of dearly beloved friends4 ,while ,i do not believe in eulogizing the dead1 yet1 nevertheless1 ,i think1 nay1 ,i experimentally know1 that great good is derived from reflection upon the lives of the great1 the pure1 and the noble ones who are beyond the flood4 ,nothing stimulates me so much to increased activity and aggressiveness in ,christian work as the thought of the numerous servants of the ,most ,high ,god now in heaven3 ,how bright those glorious spirits shine1 ,whence all their white array8 ,how came they to the blissful seats ,of everlasting day8--,par4 lxvi4 #a4 ,paul1 who uttered the words of our text1 was passing through great suffering when he wrote this epistle to the ,church which he planted at ,philippi4 ,he was at this time a prisoner for ,christ in the palace of the imperial city of ,rome3 for he declares1 ,that the things that happened unto me1 have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the ,gospel2 so that1 he adds1 my bonds in ,christ are manifest in all the palace1 and in all other places4 ,there are just two thoughts that we want to try and develop this afternoon1 namely1 that conformity to the likeness of ,christ in life brings glorious gain to the ,christian at death4 ,or1 in the words of the great ,apostle of the ,gentiles1 ,for to me to live is ,christ1 and to die is gain4 ,from the sacred hour that the blessed ,jesus met him on his way to ,damascus1 to the day of his martyrdom1 his continual cry was1 ,god forbid that ,i should glory1 save in the ,cross of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 by whom the world is crucified unto me4 ,i count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of ,christ ,jesus my ,lord4 ,that man1 says the ,hebrew bard1 hath perfect blessedness1 who not only refraineth from walking astray1 but who delights in the ,law of the ,lord4 ,lex rex1 was his motto--,the ,law is ,king6 ,for the ,master has said3 ,think not that ,i am come to destroy the law1 or the prophets3 ,i am not come to destroy1 but to fulfil4 ,he desires to corroborate the fact that--,ye are the light of the world--hence1 he adds1 ,let your light so shine before men1 that they may see your good works1 and glorify your ,father which is in heaven4 ,the city set on a hill cannot be hid4 ,the true ,christian1 then1 beholds the humility and majesty of ,christ in defining ,his and our relation to the law that regulates daily life4 ,the ,gospel of the blessed ,god and the law conjointly elevates and spiritualizes humanity4 ,the law is our school-master to lead us to ,christ1 hence ,paul says1 ,to be carnally minded is death2 but to be spiritually minded is life and peace4 ,for what the law could not do1 in that it was weak through the flesh1 ,god sending ,his own ,son in the likeness of sinful flesh1 and for sin1 condemned sin in the flesh3 that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us1 who walk not after the flesh1 but after the ,spirit4 ,our loved one's life was emphatically a life of consecration4 ,it was a life strictly devoted to the cause of her dear ,redeemer4 ,for her to live was ,christ1 hence to die was gain4 ,we all know that to consecrate is to set apart for holy service4 ,aaron of old was thus unreservedly laid upon the altar as a living sacrifice for ,jehovah4 ,a person thus set apart receives the unction of the ,holy ,one4 ,it was beautifully symbolized under the mosaical dispensation4 ,moses took the anointing oil and poured it upon the head of ,aaron1 in order that he might be sanctified and set apart for the service of ,god4 ,and so1 when we can truly exclaim with ,paul1 ,i am crucified with ,christ3 nevertheless ,i live2 yet not ,i1 but ,christ liveth in me3 and the life which ,i now live in the flesh ,i live by the faith of the ,son of ,god1 who loved me1 and gave ,himself for me4 ,it is then we receive the blessed baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 and are made meet for the ,master's use4 ,none can rightly live for ,christ until they receive this rich and inestimable blessing4 ,at that time we are sealed with the ,holy ,spirit of promise4 ,among the personal property of ,sister ,knowles were found some crumbs which fell from the ,master's table in the form of forget-me-nots of the ,word of ,god1 by ,dr4 ,mc,duff1 author of ,morning and ,night ,watches4 ,valuable little works which ,i would earnestly recommend1 and which ,i have endeavored to put into the hands of many young disciples in my various fields of labor4 ,i will quote a few of the forget-me-nots1 as they are very comforting in these hours of sorrow and separation4 ,for instance here are a few of them3 ,fear thou not2 for ,i am with thee3 be not dismayed2 for ,i am thy ,god3 ,i will strengthen thee2 yea1 ,i will help thee2 yea1 ,i will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness4--,isa4 xli4 #aj4 ,yet will ,i not forget thee3 ,even to your old age ,i am ,he2 and even to hoar hairs will ,i carry you3 ,i have made1 and ,i will bear2 even ,i will carry1 and will deliver you4--,isa4 xlvi4 #d4 ,our dear ,sister ,knowles corroborated the truthfulness of the above passages by her last dying words1 the last she ever uttered upon earth4 ,once ,i was young1 now ,i am old1 and have never been forsaken4 ,it is impossible for us to live a truly devoted ,christian life without the presence and power of the ,holy ,spirit in our hearts1 ,john said1 ,i indeed baptize you with water unto repentance3 but he that cometh after me is mightier than ,i1 whose shoes ,i am not worthy to bear3 he shall baptize you with the ,holy ,ghost1 and with fire4 ,this divine blessing our dear sister pre-eminently possessed4 ,this was the reason why ,christ1 our ever adorable ,redeemer and ,daysman was continually about ,his ,father's business4 ,the ,prophet ,isaiah said concerning him3 ,the ,spirit of the ,lord ,god is upon me2 because the ,lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek2 he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted1 to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound4444 ,to comfort all that mourn2 to appoint unto them that mourn in ,zion1 to give unto them beauty for ashes1 the oil of joy for mourning1 the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness2 that they might be called trees of righteousness1 the planting of the ,lord1 that ,he might be glorified4 ,the presence here to-day1 in a body1 of the ,new ,york ,female ,bible ,readers' ,society1 out of respect to the memory of the departed1 is a conclusive evidence of the fact that they recognized her sterling qualities1 and her heroic missionary spirit among the fallen sons and daughters of ,adam in the lower part of this great city4 ,they fully realize that this church and community have suffered a severe loss in her removal1 and their presence1 together with so many elders1 and ministers1 deacons1 and ,sabbath-school workers1 give proof that her life1 for over a quarter of a century1 during which she incessantly toiled for ,christ1 were years of holy and unremitting industry1 and holy consecration in the service of ,him whose whole life was one of self-sacrifice and self-abnegation4 ,for ,he came not to be ministered unto1 but to minister1 and to give ,his life a ransom for many4 ,she was like ,christ in this respect4 ,emptied of self1 and was found like ,mary of old sitting at the feet of ,jesus1 and hearing ,his word4 ,as ,he said1 ,learn of ,me1 for ,i am meek and lowly in heart1 and ye shall find rest unto your souls4 ,god has wisely ordained that souls are to be saved through human instrumentality1 especially through those whose hearts are in the work4 ,he hath put the treasure in the earthen vessel that the excellency of the power may be of ,god and not of man4 ,who can estimate the value of a holy missionary woman's work in this world of sin and sorrow8 ,through the power of an indwelling spirit1 who can tell of the many broken hearts healed by the application of the ,balm of ,gilead4 ,many poor ,satan-bound souls have had their shackles severed1 and joyously set at liberty by pointing them to the only ,redeemer of ,god's elect1 who by ,his great atoning work hath paid for them the ransom price2 and many to-day are singing the song of ,redeeming love above1 who were led to put their trust in the blessed ,jesus by her prayers and religious instruction4 ,many a poor ,jew1 and ,jewess1 and ,roman ,catholic1 and ,formalist1 and ,infidel1 and swearer1 and ,sabbath-breaker1 were pointed by her to the ,lamb of ,god who taketh away the sin of the world4 ,she ever displayed great sagacity in every kind of work4 ,she will be greatly missed in the ,tenth ,ward of this city4 ,god grant that as the spirit of ,elijah did rest on ,elisha as he was taken up into ,heaven1 even so may her mantle fall on us who are left behind4 ,let us ,with zeal like hers inspired1 ,begin the ,christian race2 ,and freed from each encumbering weight1 ,her holy footsteps trace4 ,krummacher1 of ,elberfeld1 in the valley of ,barmen1 ,prussia1 said1 ,that ,elisha on inheriting this mantle is henceforth called to take the place of his great ,master1 and to carry on ,his work4 ,this singular legacy was therefore very significant to ,elisha4 ,the mantle came flying toward him heavily laden1 but with the commission he received was connected the encouraging circumstance that it came accompanied with such a precious memorial of his paternal ,master4 ,it was no longer the robe of his redoubted reformer1 but the robe of a blessed heir of ,heaven1 borne thither on the wings of the cherubin4 ,this circumstance would tend to refresh his spirit in his arduous work2 and1 at the same time as the messenger of peace1 who was to announce to the house of ,israel1 like the rainbow after the storm1 ,jehovah's good-will toward men4 ,oh1 that the remembrance of our ancestors1 the great1 and the good1 and the holy ones who have gone before would inspire us to go and do likewise6 ,i remember once standing in the cemetery of ,stirling and gazing upon the monument of two ,christian sisters who suffered martyrdom for ,christ1 and as ,i read the inscription on the tombstone1 ,i thought of how much we were indebted to those who have borne the burden and heat of the day4 ,here is the inscription3 ,margaret1 ,virgin ,martyr of the ,ocean ,wave1 with her like-minded sister1 ,agnes4 ,then follows this touching paragraph3 ,love1 many waters cannot quench4 ,god saves ,his chaste1 impearled one6 ,in ,covenant true4 ,oh1 ,scotia's daughters6 earnest scan the ,page and prize this flower of ,grace1 blood-bought for you4--,psalms ix4 xix4 ,the elder and younger sister are exquisitely sculptured1 seated together with an open ,bible on their laps1 and a lamb by their side1 while an angel is standing behind them gazing intently on the scene4 ,who can tell but the departed one gazed upon this very scene in the days of her sunny childhood1 for the ,bible was her daily delight4 ,ah6 dear friends1 are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to them who are heirs of salvation8 ,and are there not many living martyrs that the world knows nothing of among our ,bible ,readers in this city1 who are saying as ,paul did3 ,what mean ye to weep and to break mine heart8 for ,i am ready not to be bound only1 but also to die at ,jerusalem1 for the name of the ,lord ,jesus4--,acts xxi4 #ac4 ,a ,french gentleman1 a ,roman ,catholic1 who lived in the same house as sister ,knowles for several years1 told me that he never met a woman so humble and straightforward as she was in all her deportment4 ,what was the secret of her power in eliciting this outside testimony8 ,she had companionship with ,jesus4 ,she lived near ,him2 she heard ,his sweet voice saying3 ,behold1 ,i stand at the door1 and knock3 if any man hear my voice1 and open the door1 ,i will come in to him1 and will sup with him1 and he with me4 ,the holy ,mc,cheyne1 of ,st4 ,peter's1 ,dundee1 ,scotland1 says1 concerning those who walk with ,christ on earth1 ,that they shall walk with ,christ in white1 for they are worthy4444 ,never forget1 dear brethren1 that you are to walk with ,christ4 ,this walk expresses the most real intimacy with ,him4 ,you know it is a mark of real intimacy to admit one to walk with us in our solitary rambles4 ,oh1 walk with ,him now2 walk here with ,him1 and you shall soon put your head where ,john put his4 ,she cultivated a firm and unstaggering confidence in the continued presence of the ,holy ,spirit in her heart4 ,mc,cheyne's directions to his flock was1 ,pray for the ,holy ,spirit to uphold you1 if sensible of your weakness2 then lean upon this proved ,comforter4444 ,pray much for this ,comforter that ,he may enlighten your mind1 that ,he may fill your hearts4 ,oh1 pray for the ,spirit of ,god1 for there is no other way of walking to heaven but by the ,spirit4 ,let ,him lead you4 ,my dear brethren1 in this way1 and in this way alone1 will you not defile your garments4 ,thy ,spirit is good2 lead me into the land of uprightness4--,psalm cxliii4 #aj4 ,she had faith in the power of the ,comforter1 or helper4 ,in the midst of many privations1 and sometimes when the week's earnings of her husband was small1 and he would say to her on the ,saturday evening1 ,i have not much money for you to-night1 she would cheerfully reply3 ,never mind dearest1 the ,lord will provide4 ,jehovah-jireh6 was her watchword all through her life4 ,she would remark1 ,that would go further to them with ,god's blessing1 than three times as much without ,his blessing4 ,earthly comforts and pleasures might fail1 but the joys that spring from personal piety and firm faith in the ,comforter's presence failed her never4 ,she seemed to fully realize the potency of the prophet's words1 ,although the fig-tree shall not blossom1 neither shall fruit be in the vines2 the labor of the olive shall fail1 and the fields shall yield no meat2 the flock shall be cut off from the fold1 and there shall be no herd in the stalls3 ,yet ,i will rejoice in the ,lord1 ,i will joy in the ,god of my salvation4 ,the ,lord ,god is my strength1 and ,he will make my feet like hinds' feet4--,hab4 iii4 #ag-ai4 ,she evidently found in the mighty ,god of ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,israel1 an inexhaustible source of strength and comfort and consolation through her child-like trust in the immutable promise1 ,i will never leave thee nor forsake thee4 ,conformity to the character of ,christ was an essential element in her every-day life4 ,she had cares1 difficulties1 and trials1 but she cast them all upon the great burden-bearer1 hence prevailing prayer was ever her chief delight4 ,it is no misplaced and extravagant exaggeration to say that she breathed the very atmosphere of prayer4 ,this is the wisest resource at all times4 ,like ,elijah on the summit of ,mount ,carmel1 where all is peaceful and solitary1 alone with ,god1 she made her requests known unto ,him4 ,it was then that the peace of ,god which passeth all understanding1 kept her heart and mind through ,christ ,jesus4--,phil4 iv4 #f-g4 ,oh1 who can fully estimate the excellency of a devotional temperament8 ,what evils we are delivered from6 ,what mercies we receive6 ,what gladness of heart6 ,what light is imparted6 ,what strength ,god bestows6 ,for1 has ,he not promised1 ,ask1 and ye shall receive8 ,she had no doubts concerning the faithfulness of her ,father to answer prayer4 ,it was through her importunate pleadings at the throne of grace that her only son1 when quite young1 was led to see his need of ,jesus4 ,and what joy was brought into the hearts of those parents when1 at the return of the father from the prayer-meeting1 they found their child on his knees crying for ,god to have mercy on his soul4 ,over such scenes as this the holy angels delight to bend their bright wings and make joyous music in heaven4 7,see ,luke xv4 #aj47 ,on one occasion during the fratricidal war in this country1 when her boy was fighting before ,richmond1 some one brought her word that he was mortally wounded on the battle-field1 for they had seen his name in the newspapers1 she calmly and trustfully replied3 ,not my son2 for ,i have made him the subject of earnest prayer1 that his young life may be guarded by ,god while in his country's battles for continued liberty and independence4 ,she recognized the truth that piety and patriotism are inseparably connected4 ,she seemed to realize that the ,saviour was always at her side4 ,she walked by faith and not by sight4 ,she understood the distinction between the constituents of faith and the consequences of faith4 ,chalmers wisely remarks--that the gratitude1 the love1 the disposition toward new obedience2 these are not the ingredients of faith2 they are but the effects of it4 ,observe what follows by making them the ingredients4 ,by faith we are said to be justified2 but if our piety toward ,god1 or our desire to conform to ,his law1 or any moral characteristic whatever1 shall be regarded as parts and constituents of this faith2 then1 under the consciousness of our sad deficiency1 we shall never attain to the solid peace of one who rejoices in a firm sense of his acceptance with ,god4 ,but reduce faith to its simplicity1 take it in the obvious and uncompounded sense which you attach to the mere act of believing1 regard it as purely giving credit to ,god's testimony1 when he sets forth ,christ as a propitiation for our sin1 and invites one and all in the world to cast upon ,him the burden of their reliance1 and then see how1 by immediate transition1 one might enter into peace1 and become a confiding1 tranquillized1 and happy creature1 simply because convinced that the most powerful of beings1 whom he aforetime regarded as an enemy and an avenger is pacified toward him1 and now makes him a free proffer of fellowship and forgiveness4 ,it is of the greatest importance to the secure and perfect establishment of a believer's peace1 that it should be a matter of believing1 and believing only4 ,it is also an imperative necessity that the comfort and confidence should spring from the proper object of belief1 which is the sureness of ,god's own testimony1 and not from the consciousness of love or gratitude1 or any moral quality in ourselves6 ,i heard ,dr4 ,andrew ,bonar1 while preaching in ,philadelphia1 during a visit to this country1 tell about a dying elder who was asked by friends who clustered around his couch1 ,how do you feel1 now that the hour of your departure has come1 and you hear the voice that calls you home8 ,have you still joy and peace8 ,oh1 he said1 ,i am not thinking about joy or peace1 or my feelings4 ,i am not thinking about myself at all4 ,i am just lying here thinking about ,christ4 ,i am thinking about what ,he has done and suffered for me2 and what ,he is doing for me in heaven4 ,yes1 ,he is 'a hiding place from the wind4' ',rock of ages cleft for me1 ,let me hide myself in thee4' ,that is what we have to do in life and in death4 ,where can we find rest and refuge in a dying hour1 but by thinking upon and trusting in ,him who is 'the shadow of a great rock in a weary land8' ,our peace1 our joy1 our hope1 our all in life and in death1 are the results of confidence in ,christ4 ,our dear1 departed sister had heard the sweet voice of ,jesus saying1 ,i am the dark world's light2 come unto me1 thy morn shall rise and all thy day be bright4 ,her trust was not in this vain and transitory world1 though smiling and fair1 she trusted not ,his joy1 for sorrow was there4 ,her faith had found an anchor--a sure abiding home2 she had a strong consolation because she had fled for refuge and had laid hold of the hope set before her in the ,gospel4 ,the sweet and tender and loving words of ,john were ever present to her ear3 ,if we walk in the light1 as ,he is in the light1 we have fellowship one with another1 and the blood of ,jesus ,christ ,his ,son cleanseth us from all sin4 ,hence she continually enjoyed four precious elements of spiritual life and ,christian experience2 viz41 ,union with ,god1 ,communion with ,christ1 ,pure ,fellowship with the ,saints1 and ,constant ,cleansing by the peace-speaking blood of ,jesus--,that blood which speaketh better things than the blood of ,abel4 ,the application to your hearts of the blood of ,jesus by the ,holy ,spirit is like the dew upon the new mown grass4 ,amid the great rush and roar of business1 where men are pressing against each other on the busy streets1 in the race for gold1 her mind was constantly occupied with thoughts relative to the wants and woes of the sick and the dying4 ,while others were daily seeking their own1 not the things of ,christ1 she was found bringing children to the ,sabbath-school--reaching out to the hearts of the parents through the little ones--bringing the blessed ,bible to the bosoms of the homes which had none2 circulating tracts and religious literature2 visiting sad scenes of distressing spiritual and domestic destitution4 ,and whatsoever her hands found to do1 she did it quietly and unostentatiously1 and unreservedly1 knowing full well1 ,that there is no work1 nor device1 nor knowledge in the grave whither we goeth4 ,she sweetly rests from her labors1 and her works do follow her4 ,and as the ,gospel of the grace of ,god was in her a well of water1 out of the abundance of her heart1 so kind1 calm1 consistent1 and courageous1 there constantly flowed streams of living water of earnest1 loving1 prayerful toil in the ,master's vineyard4 ,she gathered daily jewels for the crown of her rejoicing4 ,i have found in her diary1 that this was the aim of her whole life4 ,companionship with ,christ is constantly manifested by love for the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,if ye abide in me1 and my words abide in you1 ye shall ask what ye will1 and it shall be done unto you4 ,the will of ,jesus is made known through ,his word4 ,when the blessed ,master was in ,capernaum1 ,his own city1 ,he declared that it was the ,spirit that quickeneth1 the flesh profiteth nothing3 ,the words that ,i speak unto you1 they are spirit1 and they are life4--,john vi4 #fc4 ,there is sunshine and beauty in ,his words4 ,they are practical principles for the regulation of life1 and a humble1 holy walk and conversation is the product4 ,it is in ,his word we behold the character of ,jesus4 ,in the ,mirror of the glad tidings1 we behold ,his lovely countenance and are changed into the same image1 from glory to glory4 ,it is no wonder that ,david exclaimed1 ,the entrance of ,thy word giveth light4 ,hence the exhortation of ,paul to ,timothy1 ,preach the ,word4 ,oh1 the intrinsic value of the ,word of ,god4 ,it was because of ,christ's own word that the ,samaritans believed on ,him1 notwithstanding the prejudice they entertained against the ,jews and their religion4 ,alas6 how many professing ,christians make shipwreck of faith because they neglect to read the ,word4 ,christ is the ,word4 ,this is that bread which came down from heaven4 ,he that eateth my flesh shall live forever4 ,what ,matthew ,henry says of his father at his funeral1 may be said with reference to the dear one who has just left us for the mansions above4 ,let us then1 as ever we hope to meet her with joy in the other world1 follow her with diligence now4 ,having begun in the spirit1 let us not end in the flesh1--having laid our hands on the plough1 let us not look back1 lest our latter end be worse than our beginning4 ,being dead1 she yet speaks to us to be loving and helpful to one another4 ,her common and undistinguished love to us all was such that it could never be said which of us she loved the best1 and it speaks to us1 now that she is gone1 to love one another with a pure heart fervently4 ,we know very well that our unity was the joy of her heart while living1 and many a time she hath with us blessed ,god for it4 ,let it1 therefore1 be to the credit and honor of her family1 friends1 and the ,church1 for ,i find it was her dying prayer for this church and its minister1 not only that we may be built up in holiness and comfort1 but that we may be continued in brotherly love1 and be a bundle of arrows which cannot be broken4 ,now that we have lost her who was wont to pray for us1 and to be a common helper to us1 let us pray so much the more one for another1 and be so much the more helpful one to another1 especially in the things that pertain to the kingdom of heaven2 and let all our bonds of unity be strengthened and confirmed1 and let it be our constant endeavor1 each of us in our place1 to be mutually serviceable to each other's comfort and welfare1 and jointly serviceable to the glory of ,god and to the comfort of the ,church1 for ,christ loved the ,church1 and gave ,himself for the ,church4 ,when we unbosom ourselves1 ,he lets ,his love stream richly and gloriously into our hearts4 ,from day to day1 our sister seemed to realize how strongly and truly ,christ loved the ,church1 and herself1 as an individual member of it4 ,the sacrificial death of the ,saviour was to her not simply an historical fact1 but a living reality4 ,the sweet peace and pure pleasure she daily enjoyed was the result of ,his death4 ,for1 ,he hath made peace through the blood of ,his cross4 ,and since ,he had made her the happy recipient of ,his grace1 it was her daily delight to walk in the path of obedience4 ,christ was to her the door of salvation1 and she went in and out and found pasture1 in ministering to the poor and indigent and dying1 and in this line of ,christian toil she possessed a remarkable faculty4 ,she told me on one occasion1 during one of my pastoral visits1 that she visited a dying woman and endeavored to point her to ,jesus4 ,and when a clergyman of the ,church of ,rome1 who happened to be present1 was retiring1 she suggested that they should have a word of prayer together4 ,he replied1 ,that while he enjoyed her religious conversation1 he could not pray with her1 as she did not belong to his church4 ,at this remark she was deeply affected1 and said1 with great emphasis and deep solemnity3 ,i thought there was but one fold and one shepherd4 ,when she sent around1 or rather1 came herself for me1 to the church on ,friday1 the prayer-meeting night1 to come and see her dear dying husband1 she seemed to be troubled when ,i asked him1 ,are you still trusting in ,jesus8 as ,i observed he was rapidly sinking1 ,i put the question that ,i might employ his blessed testimony for my own good1 and the good of the congregation4 ,he quickly responded very emphatically in the affirmative1 ,yes6 yes6 and ,i think those were the last audible words he uttered4 ,but she was troubled because she had such faith in the consistency of the ,christian life of her husband1 that she knew full well that he feared no evil1 for ,christ was with him4 ,oh1 how tenderly and lovingly she would step up to his bed-side and kiss his heated brow4 ,when he became unconscious or rather1 when his speech failed him and he would point to his parched lips to have them moistened1 she would tearfully exclaim1 ,my dear1 dear husband1 can you not speak to me8 ,have you not a word for ,esther8 ,my dear husband1 how can ,i live without you8 ,i endeavored to console her on the sorrowful occasion1 until after midnight1 by reading the ,scriptures1 and prayer1 and general conversation about heavenly things1 and more especially the precious promises of ,jesus concerning the many mansions1 ,i remember reading #b ,corinthians1 v4 #a3 ,we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved1 we have a building of ,god1 a house not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens4 ,about midnight she became perfectly resigned to the will of ,god1 and felt that life1 even amid affliction1 is the gift of ,god1 and is a valuable endowment4 ,in this she was like ,christ1 ,for me to live is ,christ1 seemed to be her motto to the last4 ,i left the house about two in the morning4 ,i called again between eight and nine ,a4,m41 the same day1 after her husband's death1 to see how she was bearing her trouble4 ,but oh1 how changed6 ,her tears were all dried2 and as she sat by the bedside where her husband suffered his last illness1 her countenance wore an expression of perfect peace and ,christian fortitude4 ,like her ,saviour amid the hoary olives of ,gethsemane1 she could tranquilly exclaim3 ,nevertheless1 not my will but thine be done6 ,the first words she uttered when ,i entered the room were3 ,my dear husband has gone to glory4 ,these words were uttered very quietly1 and very solemnly4 ,ah1 little did she think that in just one week and two hours from that time1 she also was to pass away from earth to heaven1 ,to see the ,king in his beauty1 and be forever with the ,lord4 ,the ,saturday night after her husband's death1 she went to the store for some groceries4 ,it was the usual custom for her husband1 when he would hear the door open1 to go down-stairs and carry the basket up for her2 she remarked1 when she returned home and experienced his absence for the first time1 ,no ,papa to come and carry up the basket to-night6 ,how quickly she remembered this little act of courtesy and kindness on his part4 ,he that is faithful in that which is least1 is faithful in much4 ,gratitude to ,god and one another for little deeds of kindness is well-pleasing in ,his sight4 ,she fed the hungry and clothed the naked2 many a loaf of bread she carried with her own hands to the necessitous4 ,many a poor1 crying1 shivering1 half-clad child was comfortably clothed through her instrumentality3 ,he that honoreth ,him hath mercy on the poor4--,prov4 xiv4 #ca4 ,the poor always ye have with you2 but me ye have not always4 ,shall the ,christian's remembrance of these words be overlooked in the great day of reckoning8 ,will the dear ,lord not recognize even a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple8 ,verily it shall in no wise lose its reward4 ,to care for the poor is practical ,christianity4 ,the question will not be asked in the great day of account3 ,did you preach long1 deep1 and eloquent sermons8 ,or offer long and pharisaical prayers8 ,no4 ,but ,he will say unto them on ,his right hand1 ,come1 ye blessed4 ,why8 ,inherit the kingdom4444 ,for ,i was an hungred1 and ye gave me meat3 ,i was thirsty1 and ye gave me drink3 ,i was a stranger and ye took me in3 naked1 and ye clothed me3 ,i was sick1 and ye visited me3 ,i was in prison1 and ye came unto me4 ,then shall the righteous answer ,him1 saying1 ,lord1 when saw we thee an hungred1 and fed thee8 or thirsty1 and gave thee drink8444 ,and the ,king shall answer and say unto them1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren1 ye have done it unto me4 ,as ,christian workers we have constantly to remember that while we are justified by our faith here1 and now1 we will be judged by our works1 yonder4 ,henry ,law1 in ,christ is ,all1 wisely remarks that1 ,fruit is the sign of healthy trees1 and so works evidence that we have life4 ,by their fruits ye shall know them4 ,whoso hath this world's good1 and seeth his brother have need1 and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him1 how dwelleth the love of ,god in him8 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,to ,,die ,,is ,,gain4 ,how frail1 how short1 how uncertain is human life4 ,man that is born of a woman is of few days1 and full of trouble4 ,he cometh forth like a flower1 and is cut down4--,job xiv4 #a4 ,as for man1 his days are as grass3 as a flower of the field1 so he flourisheth4 ,for the wind passeth over it1 and it is gone2 and the place thereof shall know it no more4--,ps4 ciii4 #ae-af4 ,all flesh is as grass1 and all the glory of man as the flower of grass4 ,the grass withereth1 and the flower thereof falleth away1 but the ,word of the ,lord endureth forever4 ,and this is the ,word which by the ,gospel is preached unto you4--#a ,pet4 i4 #bd-be4 ,these very solemn passages of ,scripture reveal to us two distinct lines of thought3 ,first1 ,the mutable2 and1 secondly1 the immutable4 ,if a man die1 shall he live again8 ,ah1 it is here1 amid the ravages which death makes1 that we hear ,christ's blessed words1 ,i am the resurrection and the life2 he that believeth on me though he were dead1 yet shall he live4 ,while it is true that this body must droop and die1 and return to dust1 yet death cannot touch the soul4 ,it is immortal1 it has been created in the image of ,god4 ,he is a spirit1 and a spirit is indestructible4 ,the essence of the soul is spiritual4 ,from the hour of the new birth1 the soul of man begins to ripen for glory4 ,all its powers and capacities are gradually developed and made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light4 ,this preparation for ,heaven is the work of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,by providences1 by sermons1 by the word of truth1 and by prayer1 ,god prepares ,his servants for the heavenly home on high4 ,looking1 then1 at this life as a state of danger1 difficulties1 and trials--a life of probation--we must say with ,paul1 that when the great conflict is over1 ,to die is gain4 ,the time of my departure is at hand4 ,i have fought a good fight1 ,i have finished my course1 ,i have kept the faith3 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness1 which the ,lord1 the righteous judge1 shall give me at that day4 ,but remember he said1 now ,i am ready to be offered4 ,it is only when we are ready to be offered1 that to die will be gain4 ,oh1 are you ready8 ,jesus says1 be ye also ready4 ,there are some here1 perhaps1 who are still unsaved1 unprepared for death4 ,oh1 if ,god should call for you to-day1 where would your soul go8 ,you know that ,god out of ,christ is a consuming fire4 ,it will not be gain for you when you die1 unless you believe in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,oh1 come to ,him while it is the accepted time1 and the day of salvation4 ,there is no time to be lost in this important matter1 for death is upon our track4 ,while ,god invites how blest the day4 ,while the ,holy ,spirit is speaking and saying1 ,prepare to meet thy ,god4 ,oh1 resist not entreaties1 yield to ,his power4 ,how is it possible for a soul to be ready for death1 and judgment1 and a coming eternity1 without conversion8 ,verily1 verily1 said ,jesus to ,nicodemus1 ,i say unto thee1 ,except a man be born again1 he cannot see the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,except ye be converted1 and become as little children1 ye shall not enter into the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,how is it possible for any to be ready to meet ,god in peace unless they are washed in ,christ's blood1 and clothed in ,his spotless and justifying righteousness4 ,paul said1 ,to be absent from the body is to be present with the ,lord4 ,there are some1 however1 who do not believe this comforting doctrine4 ,they debar the ,christian from the enjoyments of ,heaven during the intermediate state between the hour of death and the resurrection4 ,this condition they call the unconscious state of the dead4 ,they are soul-sleepers1 and generally believe in the pernicious error1 namely1 the annihilation of the wicked4 ,a pleasing thought no doubt to the workers of iniquity1 as they shall escape the punishment due to their iniquities4 ,this is about as dangerous a doctrine as the new school theology of reformatory punishment1 namely1 that ,god is so good and so full of universal benevolence1 that ,he cannot consistently1 with ,his attribute of mercy1 consign ,his creatures to everlasting punishment4 ,it is true that ,god is full of love and tender mercy2 but ,he never appeared as a merciful ,god excepting through a mediator4 ,he can only be just1 and the justifier of those alone who believe in ,jesus4 ,neither is there salvation in any other1 for there is no other name given under ,heaven or among men whereby we can be saved1 but by the name of ,jesus4 ,to those1 we believe1 ,he is precious at the hour of death4 ,it is then the believer is ushered into the presence of the ,king eternal1 immortal1 and invisible4 ,in view of the greatness and glory of the transition from earth to ,heaven1 the ,apostle exclaimed1 ,i have a desire to depart and to be with ,christ1 which is far better4 ,for it is then that we really begin to live2 now we see through a glass darkly2 now we know only in part1 but then1 oh1 what a change1 ,beyond the smiling and the weeping4 ,let not your heart be troubled1 said ,jesus2 in my ,father's house are many mansions1 if it were not so ,i would have told you1 ,i go to prepare a place for you1 and if ,i go and prepare a place for you ,i will come again and receive you unto myself1 that where ,i am there ye may be also4 ,it is for these mansions we were begotten4 ,heirs to an inheritance that is incorruptible1 undefiled1 and fadeth not away4 ,sister ,knowles had the blest assurance of this ,heavenly home1 she knew this assurance was attainable1 and on earth she enjoyed it1 and now she is reaping the rich reward1 and its innumerable and unutterable advantages4 ,in her dying hour she could triumphantly exclaim1 with ,simeon in the temple1 ,now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace1 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation4 ,and1 like ,moses1 her eye was not dimmed1 nor her natural force abated4 ,oh6 the gain1 the bliss of thus dying4 ,heaven as our home is worthy our deepest contemplation4 ,it doth not yet appear what we shall be4 ,it is a place of perfect rest4 ,oh1 how comforting is this thought to the poor1 way-worn1 toiling pilgrim4 ,oh1 land of rest for thee ,i sigh6 ,the important discovery of this land of rest will nerve our arm for the great conflict of life4 ,it will inspire us to work more earnestly and more incessantly for ,jesus4 ,it will sweeten every bitter cup of trial and tribulation that we have to encounter here below4 ,it will distil a desire and a loftiness of aim in life1 that we may at last reach the rest that remains for the people of ,god4 ,the struggle with inbred sin will be more easily overcome1 and every lust and evil passion will be completely conquered by keeping the eye steadily fixed on those glittering mansions1 ,where the wicked cease from troubling1 ,and the weary are at rest4 ,christ ,himself will administer this rest to the believer in the ,heavenly ,kingdom4 ,just as ,he is the source of peace and quiet here on earth1 so is ,he at this moment surrounded with the saints triumphant in glory1 imparting perpetual peace in the paradise of ,god to all the bright spirits who loved ,him on earth1 and kept ,his commandments4 ,yonder they enjoy eternal ,sabbathism4 ,let us fear1 therefore1 lest haply a promise being left of entering into rest1 any of you should seem to come short of it through unbelief4 ,for indeed we have good tidings preached unto us1 and we which believe do enter into that rest4 ,alford1 in speaking of the rest on earth that resembles the rest of ,heaven1 says3 ,our ,lord does not promise 7here below7 freedom from toil or burdens1 but rest to the soul4 ,the rest and joy of the ,christian soul is to become like ,christ4 ,to the young men1 who surrounded her dying couch1 she said3 ,avoid bad company1 learn of ,christ2 seek to be like ,him1 little by little4 ,it is no wonder ,king ,david said1 ,as for me ,i will behold ,thy face in righteousness2 ,i shall be satisfied when ,i awake with ,thy likeness4 ,but we are to behold the royal dignity of the ,redeemer1 and be brought forth into a large place because ,he delighted in us4 ,yes6 to die is gain4 ,oh6 wondrous change3 ,to behold ,his illimitable power and partake of ,his consummate wisdom and knowledge4 ,one thing have ,i desired of the ,lord1 that will ,i seek after2 that ,i may dwell in the house of the ,lord all the days of my life1 to behold the beauty of the ,lord and to inquire in ,his temple1 for in the time of trouble ,he shall hide me in ,his pavilion4 ,the ,christian is secure at death2 he has a building of ,god1 an house not made with hands1 eternal in the ,heavens4 ,here we have a continual conflict2 but yonder we are made more than conquerors through ,him who loved us4 ,here we are sinful and short-sighted2 but yonder we shall partake of ,his perfect holiness and inexhaustible love and ,divine penetration in the ,heavenly ,kingdom4 ,yes to die is infinite gain4 ,the spiritual enjoyment of the soul in the land of light is indescribable4 ,eye hath not seen1 nor ear heard1 neither have entered into the heart of man1 the things which ,god hath prepared for them that love ,him4 ,yonder you shall behold the glory of ,god in the face of ,jesus ,christ4 ,you know this was a portion of the parting prayer of ,jesus for ,his disciples4 ,he said3 ,father1 ,i will that they also1 whom ,thou hast given me1 be with me where ,i am2 that they may behold my glory4 ,there is but a step between us and it4 ,there is but a thin veil that parts us from the beatic vision of the blest4 ,i once entered the beautiful harbor of ,cronstadt1 in ,russia1 and ,i distinctly remember that the entrance was so narrow and land-locked1 that we could scarcely discern its precise location until we had suddenly entered it4 ,the passage from earth to ,heaven is not unlike the ending of the voyage of a ship1 even although many of them reach the harbor in a dismantled condition4 ,many a storm has been encountered1 and while sails have been torn to shreds1 yet the gallant bark has outweathered the gale and has escaped rocks1 and quicksands1 and whirlpools of destruction4 ,but now the gale is hushed forever1 the sails are all furled1 the anchor is cast out1 and she rides securely in the harbor where storms cannot affright4 ,glorious port of peace6 ,oh1 blessed and triumphant entry6 ,to go no more out forever2 where the ,lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and lead them unto living fountains of water1 and ,god ,himself shall wipe away all tears from their eyes4 ,beautiful valley of ,eden1 ,sweet is thy noon-tide calm1 ,over the hearts of the weary1 ,breathing thy waves of balm4 ,home of the pure and blest2 ,how often amid the wild billows1 ,i dream of thy rest1 sweet rest4 ,it was the glimpse of this rest beyond the river that lit up the pale cheek of our dear1 dying sister1 with seraphic brightness and beauty4 ,all my fountains are in thee1 said the ,psalmist4 ,god is the author of holiness4 ,in ,john's vision of ,heaven1 he describes the four living creatures1 having each of them six wings1 round about and within1 and they have no rest day and night1 saying1 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord ,god ,almighty1 which was1 and is1 and is to come4 ,the great object therefore of the ,gospel of the blessed ,god is to transform us into the ,divine image4 ,another of our sister's dying utterances was very forcible1 ,now ,i have got to the edge of the river4 ,only just across the river1 ,over on the other side4 ,we all with open face beholding as in a mirror1 the glory of the ,lord1 are changed into the same image4 ,it is thus ,god's people become meet for the holy inheritance4 ,here we have to cry out1 ,oh1 wretched man1 who shall deliver me from the body of this death2 yonder the ,spirit's work has gloriously triumphed4 ,the believer's holiness is effectually accomplished in ,heaven4 ,blessed are they that wash their robes1 that they may have the right to come to the tree of life and may enter in by the pearly gates into the city4 ,heaven is called the land of light4 ,what is light8 ,hail1 holy light1 offspring of ,heaven's first-born4 ,light is pure4 ,god is light1 and in ,him is no darkness at all4 ,darkness1 in ,god's ,word1 is an emblem of sin4 ,they love darkness rather than light1 because their deeds are evil1 and every one that doeth evil hateth the light1 neither cometh to the light1 lest his deeds should be reproved4--,john iii4 #ai-bj4 ,the more we increase in the likeness of ,god1 the greater and stronger will our light shine in this dark world1 and the more will we enjoy basking in the sunshine of the light of ,his countenance4 ,we are partakers now of the ,divine nature1 but in ,heaven we shall continually walk before ,him who is the enlightener and the light4 ,oh1 the gain1 the bliss of dying6 ,for we shall see ,his face and ,his name shall be in our foreheads4 ,paul's prayer for the church at ,colosse was that they might be filled with the knowledge of ,his will1 increasing in the knowledge of ,god1 giving thanks unto the ,father1 who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light4--,col4 i4 #ab4 ,oh1 that a view of the pure1 and the great1 and the good ones around the throne may be as a golden chain to bind our hearts to that home beyond the skies1 where there is no night1 and they need no candle1 neither light of the sun2 for the ,lord ,god giveth them light1 and they shall reign forever and ever4--,rev4 xxii4 #e4 ,dearly beloved1 this is the ,night of ,weeping2 but oh1 remember1 that it is written in ,his ,holy ,word that ,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes2 and there shall be no more death1 neither sorrow1 nor crying1 neither shall there be any more pain4 ,as we stand by the bedside of our loved ones1 and watch them wasting away with disease1 and as we behold their love1 their patience1 and ,christian fortitude1 we think of earth's bitter trials and earthly relationship1 and of the strong tie that binds heart to heart4 ,how touching the parting words to her only son she so tenderly loved1 ,be faithful1 humble1 meek1 and constantly keep at the ,master's feet1 until ,he calls you up higher4 ,be kind and gentle to your sister ,esther4 ,to her ,pastor she said3 ,preach the ,gospel uncolored6 ,we look upon the sinking form of a dear wife and mother1 or brother1 or sister1 or husband1 or friend1 and as we sadly muse upon the fact that we held sweet counsel together and walked to the ,house of ,god in company2 and we softly whisper to the physician is there no hope of recovery8 ,can you not save that young and precious life1 so dear to us1 so gentle1 so loving1 so kind1 so sympathetic1 so hopeful8 ,and as in response to our inquiry1 we receive the look of pity1 and the sorrowful shake of the head1 it is then1 in our deepest agony1 amid blinding tears1 and hearts almost crushed to despair1 we turn to our great ,father above1 and we ask1 why must we part8 ,oh1 ,god1 can you not spare him8 ,how can ,i live without him8 ,providential bereavements are sad scenes in life1 for the scythe of death stops not to ask if they be sweet and precious to some fond wife1 or mother1 or brother1 who knows8 whom their heart chose4 ,on6 on6 he pursues his desolating work1 amid their sighs1 their cries1 and tears4 ,but beloved1 there is no tearing of heart from heart in ,heaven4 ,there is no death there2 there is no sorrow there2 there is no sin there4 ,i often think of the words of the ,apostle as peculiarly appropriate to us in the hour of sad bereavement3 ,these light afflictions are but for a moment1 but they work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory4 ,i have had persons tell me when ,god has suddenly removed loved ones from their midst1 that ,god had forsaken them1 that ,he had forgotten to be gracious4 ,but ah1 to such let me say that the ,lord loveth whom ,he chasteneth4 ,god is love4 ,like as a father pitieth his children1 so the ,lord pitieth them that fear ,him4 ,but what is the object ,god has in view in thus breaking the family circle by death8 ,it is that our attention may be attracted to the saints above1 and that we may by faith behold the beauties of the ,celestial city4 ,you know1 ,david says1 ,it was good for me that ,i was afflicted2 before ,i was afflicted1 ,i went astray4 ,we not unfrequently forget that this is not our home4 ,but that we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth4 ,god has to put us in remembrance of it4 ,beautiful as this world is1 there is a fairer and brighter1 and infinitely more lovely world above our heads4 ,lovely as human friendships and fellowships are here below1 what are they in comparison to the felicitous condition of society in heaven8 ,i would not live alway1 ,i ask not to stay1 ,where storm after storm rises dark o'er the way4 ,there are no estranged feelings in heaven4 ,there are no misunderstandings there4 ,no sickness there4 ,all1 all is peace and joy and love6 ,our faith in ,god1 and in the existence of ,heaven1 and the possibilities of the future life1 can enable us to triumph over the trials and bereavements in this vale of tears4 ,dr4 ,guthrie asks3 ,why should we not lie as calmly in the arms of ,god's ,providence1 as we lay in infancy on a mother's breast8 ,having an ever-living1 an everlasting1 an ever-loving ,father in ,god1 how may we welcome all providences1 sweetly submissive to the will of ,god4 ,shall it not fare with us as with the pliant reeds that love the hollows and fringe the margin of the lake1 and bending to the blast1 not resisting it1 raise their heads anew1 unharmed by the storm that has snapped the mountain's pine and rent the hearts of oaks asunder4 ,all things work together for good to them that love ,god2 them who are the called according to ,his purpose4 ,when ,john was in the spirit on the ,lord's ,day1 he heard a great voice saying1 ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches4 ,to him that overcometh will ,i give to eat of the hidden manna1 and will give him a white stone1 and in the stone a new name written1 which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it4 ,how can we best overcome the lusts of the flesh1 the lusts of the eye1 and the pride of life but by deep and continued meditation on the blessed change that takes place at the hour of death4 ,the shadows of earth are instantly dispelled when we set our affections on things above4 ,who are these arrayed in white robes1 and whence came they8 ,these are they who have come out of great tribulation1 and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the ,lamb4 ,i remember once standing at the grave of ,richard ,cameron1 in ,ayrs ,moss1 and as ,i read the names of other martyrs engraved on the tomb-stone1 ,i thought of the general assembly of the ,church of the first-born in ,heaven1 and as ,i read ,god's ,word there and sang a sweet ,psalm of praise to ,jehovah1 and offered a prayer to the ,father of lights1 the ,god of ,israel1 ,i thought of the prayer of ,peden1 the prophet1 as he sat on ,cameron's grave4 ,lifting up his eyes steadfastly to ,heaven1 he prayed3 ,oh1 to be wi' ,ritchie6 ,often at the shades of evening1 ,when ,i sit me down to rest1 ,one by one1 ,i count them over1 ,they who are in glory blest4 ,dearly beloved1 ,i have a ,ritchie#g in ,heaven1 for ,i have recently learned of the death of the spiritual guide of my youth1 who1 in years gone by1 at the close of a cottage prayer-meeting1 requested me1 for the first time in my life1 to speak a word for ,jesus4 ,pulling a flower from the hill-side1 he said as he held it up1 ,i can see ,god in that gowan4 ,taking me to his room1 he said1 ,this is my study2 these are my books1 ,i am going to be a minister of the ,gospel1 and then go to ,china4 #g ,the late ,rev4 ,hugh ,ritchie1 of ,formosa1 ,china4 ,handing me a neat1 little1 precious volume1 he said1 ,take this book and study it1 and commence speaking for ,jesus1 and help me in my meetings4 ,surely to such to die is gain4 ,who2 who1 would live alway away from his ,god--away from yonder ,heaven1 that blissful abode where the noontide of glory eternally reigns1 and the smile of the ,lord is the feast of the soul8 ,dearly beloved1 we may well ask1 ,who are these arrayed in white robes8 ,oh1 what celebrated personages are above6 ,the prophets1 the apostles1 the reformers1 and the martyrs of ,scotland are there4 ,for in a dream of the night ,i was wafted away to the moorland and moss1 where the martyrs lay4 ,when the minister's home was the mountain and flood4 ,when they dared not worship ,god in daylight4 ,only at the dead of night1 when the wintry winds raved fierce1 and the thunder-peal compelled the men of blood to crouch within their den4 ,then the faithful few--true followers of the blessed ,jesus--would venture forth to some deep dell by the rock o'er canopied2 then1 amid the glare of sheeted lightning1 those men of ,god would open the sacred ,book and words of comfort speak4 ,ah1 it cost something to be a ,christian in those days1 when from the high foaming crest of ,solway to the smoothly polished breast of ,loch ,katrine1 not a river nor a lake but has swelled with the life's tide of religious freedom4 ,from the bonnie highland heather of her lofty summits to the modest gowan on the lea1 not a flower but has blushed with the martyr's blood4 ,but1 beloved1 the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the ,church4 ,what holy1 loving lessons does ,god teach us by the history of the true ,church1 and a thoroughly consecrated people--lessons of love1 hope1 fortitude1 and long-suffering6 ,oh1 ,jesus1 our ,master1 command to beat faster ,these weary life-pulses that bring us to ,thee4 ,our dear departed sister had the true missionary spirit4 ,she feared not the things she was called on to suffer for ,christ in her great work in this city4 ,let us who are left behind catch her magnanimous and heroic disposition in working for the blessed ,jesus4 ,oh1 that the spirit of our noble ancestry might come upon us6 ,oh1 that the ,holy ,spirit of ,god may enter into all our hearts to-day1 that we may be more humble1 more loving1 more zealous1 more sympathetic1 and more sincere in our toil for ,christ and ,his ,church2 then to die will be gain6 and to ,him shall be all the glory1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,,testimonials ,,and ,,letters ,,of ,,condolence4 ,i've found a ,friend2 oh1 such a ,friend6 ,so kind1 and true1 and tender1 ,so wise a ,counsellor and guide1 ,so mighty a ,defender6 ,from him1 who loves me now so well1 ,what power my love can sever8 ,shall life1 or death1 or earth1 or hell8 ,no1 ,i am his forever4 ,the following resolutions and letters furnish1 in a pre-eminent degree1 conclusive evidence of the high estimation in which ,his servant and handmaiden were held by ministers1 elders1 and ,sabbath-school workers generally3 ,,new ,,york1 ,january #ab1 #ahfi4 ,,mrs4 ,,james ,,knowles3 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend--,at the ,annual ,meeting of the ,teachers' ,association of the ,sabbath-school of the ,ebenezer ,presbyterian ,church1 held last evening1 the following action was taken3 ,on motion1 the cordial thanks of this ,association are voted to ,mrs4 ,james ,knowles for her faithful labors in behalf of our ,school during the past year4 ,the following extract from the ,annual ,report was also ordered to be forwarded with the foregoing3 ,mention must be made of one of our own church members1 ,mrs4 ,knowles1 who has labored most devotedly for our ,school4 ,in behalf of the ,school1 the ,superintendent would take this way of expressing our gratitude for her cheerful1 earnest1 and persevering labor4 ,she has taken a deep interest in our ,school1 and has shown it by hard work in its behalf4 ,i am very glad that the pleasant duty of making you acquainted with this action has been imposed upon me4 ,without your help ,i would oftentimes during the past year have been very much discouraged4 ,your readiness for ,christian work1 and your thoroughness in it1 have both cheered and satisfied me4 ,may you fully realize the promise given to those who are always abounding in the work of the ,lord4 7#a ,cor4 xv4 #eh47 ,and may the present year show us a continuance of your willing labors and be marked by a stronger faith in expectation and more new-born souls1 as your joy and crown in realization4 7,psalm cxxvi4 #e-f47 ,respectfully yours in the ,master1 ,,samuel ,b4 ,w4 ,,mckee1 ,superintendent4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,when we take into consideration the time that elapsed between the penning of the foregoing resolutions as no vain and unmeaning compliment1 and the departure of her concerning whom they were voted upon1 we are led to see the importance of those words in the ,apocalypse3 ,he that is faithful unto death shall receive a crown of eternal life4 ,how significant are the words employed to denote their hearty appreciation of her worth4 ,we express our gratitude for her cheerful1 earnest1 and persevering labor4 ,she has taken a deep interest in our ,school and has shown it by hard work1 etc4 ,we trust that our ,sunday-school workers may be greatly encouraged to go and do likewise through a careful and prayerful examination of the above communication4 ,the following additional affectionate and deeply instructive tribute to her worth to the church and ,sabbath-school is from one who was her beloved pastor for seven years--years of pure and uninterrupted ,christian fellowship and disinterested devotedness to the cause of ,christ4 ,,utica1 ,n4,y41 ,november #h1 #ahhf4 ,,rev4 ,,duncan ,m4 ,,young3 ,,dear ,,brother--,in the removal of ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,james ,knowles we sustain a personal loss4 ,the fact was unknown to us previous to your letter4 ,to enjoy such friendship as they admitted us into from our first acquaintance1 was not unlike a continuous salutation with the impressiveness of an unqualified good-will4 ,heaven is indeed richer for their entrance1 and by so much is increasingly endeared unto us4 ,they were not time-servers1 but1 in no mere sentimental sense1 ,god-servers4 ,the feverish world1 greedy and rushing1 will know little of their value1 nor miss their humble crafts so quickly trackless1 and yet they really laid the world under obligation4 ,if its life1 and aim1 and effort were not purer and higher1 it was in spite of their actual godliness1 at all times apparent4 ,my first introduction to ,mrs4 ,knowles was on the first ,sabbath in ,february1 #ahgd2 also1 my first acquaintance with the ,allen ,street ,church4 ,mrs4 ,knowles was then teaching in the ,ludlow ,street ,mission4 ,as a teacher1 she was simple1 fearless1 and ,scriptural4 ,her ruling passion1 perhaps1 was a desire to be useful in some way1 adjusting herself with good grace to the requirements of advancing years4 ,if just a little disturbed at the thought that she must contract her labors1 or hold up at some point1 the spirit was ever the same1 perhaps too exacting of a body not excessively vigorous4 ,as a ,bible reader she did some of her best work1 and made her greatest sacrifices4 ,faithfulness characterized her covenant relation--seldom absent from the scenes of public worship2 and the more remarkable in view of her untiring zeal and devotion in her specially ,god-given calling4 ,many will rise up and call her blessed1 because1 so true of her1 she went about doing good4 ,my own indebtedness to her1 as a pastor1 was great4 ,her sympathy with the ministry seemed innate4 ,full of faith1 and rich in peculiar experience1 she was the one to step in at the minister's for a half-hour2 and here1 incidentally1 ,i may say1 that her practical views of life and knowledge of human ways turned to my advantage on repeated occasions1 whenever she reported a case as worthy or unworthy4 ,when an application for aid or comfort required investigation--that is1 ultimate cases requiring delicate1 careful treatment1 often impossible for the pastor to do--her feminine instinct and sagacity of experience took it in hand with a readiness that was surprising1 in view of her always full hands4 ,a gentle1 trustful soul1 a frank1 unwavering friend1 a pious1 useful woman1 and a faithful wife and mother1 her rest will be sweet4 ,if the beginning of my acquaintance with her companion dates somewhat later1 it ripened early1 ,i suppose mutually so1 into a strong attachment4 ,integrity of character was my first impression of the man2 whether an instinct or a judgment1 there never was a doubt as to its correctness4 ,strong in faith1 also--the old-time faith1 of apostolic color1 for he took no pleasure in new departures4 ,sound in doctrine1 fervent in spirit1 wise in council1 stable in action1 he was truly a strong pillar in the house of the ,lord4 ,if he wrought obscurely1 as the world moves1 my impression is that he did some excellent work for eternity in the most quiet sort of way4 ,i do not think ,heaven could be a surprise to one of his habits and trend of life4 ,he could assimilate the good easily4 ,though positive in his feelings1 and sensitive of attachment1 he was no mere man-worshipper1 whether ,paul1 or ,apollos1 or ,cephas1 so long as it was the ,word of ,christ1 faithfully1 earnestly preached2 he was a responsive hearer4 ,the chief desire was that the word should be successful4 ,perhaps simplicity was as characteristic as any other distinct trait4 ,if he did not choose the uppermost seats he occupied them becomingly when once bidden to take them4 ,i remember him not so much by means of incidents--his life was not formed on that plan2 but by the deep impression of genuine1 unpretentious godliness4 ,if ,i have written at too great length1 my heart is full4 ,in deep sympathy with those who will so surely mourn their loss1 and grateful for the privilege of a tribute1 ,i am1 ,sincerely yours1 ,,george ,o4 ,,phelps1 ,an ,ex-,pastor4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the more ,i read and study the phraseology of this letter1 welling up out of a full heart1 the more ,i am convinced of its adaptedness to impart encouragement to others the same in kind and degree as was doubtless reciprocally experienced in days of yore1 for as iron sharpeneth iron1 so does the countenance of man his friend4 ,here is another tender and terse tribute from the same source to their only son--the request for particulars regarding their last illness1 which produced the leaflet entitled ,a ,short ,account of the ,last ,hours--that has been already a rich spiritual blessing to many souls4 ,,utica1 ,n4,y41 ,november1 #ahhf4 ,,mr4 ,,wm4 ,,knowles3 ,,dear ,,brother--,we have just learned of the departure of your dear parents4 ,our attachment to them was exceptionally strong1 even as our association in the ,master's work was intimate4 ,i have been looking over your father's letters1 too few in numbers2 how full of human kindness1 how intensely godly4 ,be assured of our sincere regard for you and others in this great bereavement4 ,may we not receive1 at your convenience1 particulars of their last illness and going8 ,we have no knowledge of either case4 ,very sincerely yours1 ,,george ,o4 ,,phelps4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the subjoined is the answer to the reception of the account of their last hours on earth4 ,,utica ,n4,y41 ,november #cj1 #ahhf4 ,,mr4 ,,wm4 ,,knowles3 ,,my ,,dear ,,sir ,,and ,,brother--,you have laid us under great obligation by your lengthy and painstaking statement respecting your lamented parents4 ,seldom have we been affected so deeply as in the reading of it1 which came so appropriately as to time and feeling1 just as we were closing one of the sweetest meetings of our little ,gospel ,band4 ,yes1 truly1 those dear1 true friends of ours were as little children in the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,nothing would afford me greater satisfaction than to be able to add further by word or incident what you desire to gather up by way of a grateful memorial4 ,as ,i stated in my letter to ,mr4 ,young1 my impressions were made by their uniform consistency of character1 and not by any particular event or circumstance4 ,perhaps the enclosed letters will afford characteristic illustration of your father's habitual godliness or tenor of life4 ,as to your mother1 why1 she was always going about doing good1 seemingly never tiring4 ,what death-bed scenes6 ,if those faithful words of hers are ever forgotten1 somebody will have a hard witness against them at last4 ,their memory is indeed blessed4 ,we will all try to profit by their examples of godly fidelity1 and faithful admonitions4 ,with the sincerest sympathy1 ,i am1 ,gratefully yours1 ,,george ,o4 ,,phelps4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,utica1 ,n4,y41 ,february #ag1 #ahhg4 ,,mr4 ,,wm4 ,,knowles3 ,,dear ,,brother--,you have laid us under new obligations4 ,on my study table is a picture of the pastor of my childhood--,it has been there nearly my entire ministry4 ,you can conceive the influence it is designed to exert over me4 ,now there will be1 if not in my study exclusively1 in our house itself1 the constant stimulus of such reminders of devotion as these two most welcome pictures4 ,we are indeed very grateful to you for them2 your filial love was strong while they lived1 and must be quickened by their death1 but if anybody outside of the circle of kindred exceeds our veneration for your parents1 they deserve it all4 ,we certainly cannot fail to cherish what has been so well done by the artist1 the expression in both pictures is so characteristic4 ,it seems1 when we dwell intently upon them and let thoughts come and go at liberty1 that the lips must open and pleasant words come from them as in life2 but they do speak1 nevertheless1 and as distinctly1 and as affectionately4 ,oh6 that we were more worthy to hear4 ,and that blessing upon yourself1 how valuable and hopeful1 or encouraging it must be4 ,i know you will share it with others1 and so make a saintly life still reproductive4 ,the world needs nothing so much as positive ,christian character4 ,permit me to say that we are greatly prospered in our work1 and have hand and heart seemingly full2 but1 old ,allen ,street has a warm place in our affection always4 ,our united regards4 ,affectionately yours1 ,,george ,o4 ,,phelps4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the reader will surely notice the true1 touching1 and graphic account of their work in the next letter4 ,,utica1 ,n4,y41 ,april #h1 #ahhg4 ,,rev4 ,,mr4 ,,young3 ,,dear ,,sir ,,and ,,brother--,while my mind is full of impressions concerning the life and work of ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,knowles1 it is not easy to withdraw the details1 and give you any real satisfaction4 ,the very simplicity and humility of their ways and deeds render it impossible to make any adequate illustration--not that incidents are lacking4 ,why1 there are families in the vicinity of ,allen ,street who could relate incidents by the hour touching the gentle care of ,mrs4 ,knowles for the needy and sick4 ,here her life can never be written in full4 ,oh1 ,mr4 ,phelps1 how sad it is about ,mrs4 ,k---- and her little family4 ,poor ,l----1 she is going just like her brother1 and they don't want me to tell her of our fears4 ,i have just been to see poor ,mr4 ,h----1 he cannot live--he doesn't seem to realize it2 and then what will become of his family8 ,i have tried so long to get them into the ,sabbath-school4 ,i have just come from ,mrs4 ,f---- 7a woman of means and ,christian charity71 who encouraged me greatly in the care of that family where the father is in the hospital4 ,mr4 ,phelps1 can you go to ,no4 #ab ---- ,street1 and see a young man who is sick1 and will have to go to the hospital8 ,no friends1 and ,i have been trying to make him comfortable4 ,mr4 ,phelps1 can you attend the funeral of a child on ---- ,street8 ,it did suffer so much--its mother is on the ,island4 ,these were common to her work1 as ,i now recall them2 not sentimental products of imagination1 but facts1 only lacking the details to make the tenor of her life stranger than fiction4 ,to see her quietly enter some abode of the lowly1 her soft and gentle greeting to the housewife engaged in her home duties1 the aspect1 perhaps1 a forlorn one1 and hear her words of heart-felt sympathy and encouragement1 her solicitude for the little ones1 that they might be trained in the way of the ,lord1 and that simple1 fervent1 trustful prayer1 which seems so befitting as to excite no repellant feeling2 and that parting word which would go straight to the mother-heart4 ,here is a picture of ,christian-following which even ,munkacsy could not paint4 ,the ,master reserves some things for future inspection4 ,we have no sufficient canvas for these in such humble1 useful lives4 ,her faithfulness in dealing with the erring was remarkable2 seemingly without fear of man1 and yet always full of gentleness4 ,we had a way of investigating cases appealing for charity4 ,one day a girl1 nine or ten years of age1 came to the door with a basket asking for something2 her mother was a widow and poor1 baby sick1 etc41 etc4 ,we asked ,mrs4 ,knowles to look into the case4 ,she went to the place given1 and at first there was some mistake1 or1 perhaps1 a purposed misdirection2 but1 nothing daunted by the difficulties encountered1 she succeeded in gaining admittance to apartments on the second floor1 where1 instead of poverty and sickness1 she found the mother in the midst of evident comfort1 seated at her piano1 who at first denied all knowledge of the little charity girl1 and was only confronted successfully by the entrance unguardedly of the child herself4 ,if confusion ever overtook a mortal fraud1 in which an active apprehension and deep humiliation were successfully involved2 it was then and there in the presence of holy indignation on fire4 ,mrs4 ,knowles was simply irresistible in such cases4 ,now1 dear brother1 ,i hardly know what use you can possibly make of this1 but my prayers shall go with your work of perpetuating their memory4 ,very sincerely yours1 ,,george ,o4 ,,phelps 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the thought that the servants of ,christ are praying for us is very cheering in the prosecution of our work4 ,the facts enumerated in the following letter from ,pastor ,chambers contain a thousand thoughts as descriptive of what every ,christian ought to pray for and strive after1 namely1 to be1 as he expresses it1 an ,israelite indeed1 in whom there is no guile4 ,how expressive in this connection are the words of the apostle1 ,take heed lest there be found in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living ,god4 ,,new ,,york1 ,november #i1 #ahhf4 ,,rev4 ,d4 ,,mcneill ,,young3 ,,dear ,,brother--,your letter informing me of the death of ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,knowles was forwarded to me from ,harrisburg1 to this city4 ,i had seen a notice of ,mr4 ,knowles' death in a ,new ,york paper1 but had not known of the departure of his wife1 whose death1 under such circumstances1 had a pathos peculiar to itself4 ,her presence at his funeral1 it would seem1 was more than her affectionate testimony to their past devotion to each other4 ,it was her unconscious prophecy of their speedy reunion in the presence of ,him whom they both loved and served4 ,you ask me for some information in regard to them1 during the time of my ministry in this city4 ,they both illustrated the truth of the remark1 that to be useful1 it is not necessary to be conspicuous4 ,mr4 ,knowles was an ,israelite indeed1 in whom was no guile4 ,gentle and peaceable in spirit1 loving the house of ,god1 rejoicing in the spiritual prosperity of the church1 speaking evil of no man1 a firm friend of his minister1 relishing all conversation upon divine things1 frequenting the place of prayer where he was often heard leading the devotions of the people in simple1 earnest1 ,scriptural petition1 and ever willing to help in ,sabbath-school work1 or any other form of ,christian activity in which he might be of service--he was just such a man as any pastor is glad to have as a friend and helper4 ,he was a ruling elder in the church from the time ,i first knew him1 and in that capacity was one of the first to welcome me to ,new ,york4 ,he was unobtrusive in all meetings of session1 but never failed to give his suggestions on all matters that came before him1 but was happiest when it was his privilege as an elder to welcome to the communion of the church those who confessed ,christ4 ,mrs4 ,knowles ,i knew as a warm friend of the church1 while at the same time a faithful member of that band of ,bible readers whose blessed work is best known by the ,divine ,master4 ,she enjoyed that service for ,christ2 she loved to talk about it4 ,her fidelity and consecration are known to those under whose superintendence she labored2 but the results of her devotion are a matter of divine record4 ,may it not be that she has now discovered the real dignity and the glorious consequences of a service which she humbly1 yet lovingly followed here1 and that in ,heaven's high fellowship the faithful ,bible reader has a place of peculiar honor8 ,i can only say1 in conclusion1 that a church is bereaved indeed when two such ,christians are taken from it4 ,the ,providence that calls them away should not only stimulate those who remain to a holier activity1 but should also elevate our thoughts and affections1 and make us the more glad that at the end of our journey1 and the cessation of our earthly activities1 we will discover the still grander meaning of ,christ and ,heaven4 ,yours fraternally1 ,,george ,s4 ,,chambers4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the next letter is from one who materially aided her in helping the necessitous4 ,november #ba1 #ahhf4 ,,rev4 ,,duncan ,,mcneill ,,young3 ,,dear ,,sir--,absence from the city has prevented my answering your kind note received only last evening4 ,i have no statistical facts to give you1 relative to our dear ,mrs4 ,knowles1 but ,i can testify to her interest in her work until the last1 her lovely ,christian spirit shown under all circumstances1 and her love for her ,heavenly ,father4 ,she seemed to me to be supremely happy and content with whatever lot was given her4 ,i was not able to be with her when she was ill1 but was at her funeral4 ,she must be missed in her field of labor1 and ,i am sure ,i shall miss her prayers for myself4 ,hoping this will be of some use to you1 ,i am1 ,yours sincerely1 ,m4 ,t4 ,,fiske4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the annexed note of commendation from the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,conkling1 of this city1 who formerly labored in word and doctrine with the deceased1 in connection with the ,allen ,street ,church1 is concise yet comprehensive4 ,how much is implied in these words--faithful1 loving1 earnest1 prayerful and consistent ,christians6 ,,new ,,york ,,city1 ,november1 #ahhf4 ,,dear ,,mr4 ,,young--,my acquaintance with ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,knowles was so limited that my knowledge of them could be only of the most general character4 ,i knew them1 as all who knew them could testify1 as earnest1 loving ,christians1 faithful in their church duties1 prayerful and consistent2 and evidently living always near to ,christ4 ,i prized their friendship much2 ,i feel how deep the loss to the church must be in being deprived of their active influence and their believing prayers4 ,with thanks for your kindly note1 conveying the sacred request1 ,i remain1 dear sir1 ,sincerely yours1 ,,nath',l ,w4 ,,conkling4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,to show how greatly beloved they were by all denominations we insert this closing tribute from a dear servant of ,christ1 whose calm1 clear eye of penetration recognized that1 by prayerfully studying the character of ,christ we became assimilated to ,his glorious image4 ,he is a member of the ,society of ,friends4 ,,clintondale1 ,n4,y41 ,june #bc1 #ahhg4 ,,duncan ,m4 ,,young3 ,,dear ,,brother--,yours received1 bearing us news indeed4 ,we had not heard before of the demise of our dear ,brother and ,sister ,knowles4 ,the effect of it at first1 to me1 was that ,i could scarcely speak for a fulness of feeling which it produced1 and a home-sickness for the home where they have gone4 ,my memory was immediately taken back to the visit ,i paid them a year ago last spring1 which was very pleasant and soul-refreshing1 and especially to the parting kiss that the dear ,mother in ,israel gave me on my parting from them2 and also she gave me a supply of beautiful tracts1 which ,i had the privilege of using to the comfort of two souls on the cars as ,i was returning home1 and some of the tracts ,i have yet1 and you can depend on it ,i place higher value on them than ever before4 ,the little leaflet you sent us is very appropriate indeed1 but none can do them justice in writing of them1 for we do not know of all their heart-yearnings and achings over poor wanderers1 and their personal private labors for their salvation1 neither can we ever know until we see the record of it all up there4 ,and may you1 dear ,brother1 as the honored minister of ,god1 carry out literally her exhortation to you1 ,preach the ,gospel ,uncolored4 ,accept my sincere thanks for your kindness in writing us1 and sending the leaflets4 ,you asked if ,i could use any of them8 ,i can1 certainly1 and there are a few around here yet living who remember our departed sister and brother when they boarded at our house4 ,i unite in interest and prayer with you for your important ,work in the abundant ripe fields of ,harvest1 and pray that you will receive many souls for your hire4 ,i am1 yours sincerely1 and in the love of the pure ,gospel of the ,kingdom of our ,christ1 ,,erastus ,s4 ,,andrews4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,they lived1 and they were useful2 this we know4 ,oh1 take who will the boon of fading fame6 ,but give to me ,a place among the workers1 though my name ,forgotten be1 ,and if within the book of life is found ,my lowly place1 ,honor and glory unto ,god redound ,for all ,his grace6 ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,,conclusion4 ,oh1 could ,i flow like thee1 and make thy stream ,my great example1 as it is my theme6 ,though deep1 yet clear2 though gentle1 yet not dull2 ,strong without rage2 without o'erflowing full4 ,in concluding these memoirs and looking back over the lives of our departed brother and sister1 there is a great lesson to be learned--that of example4 ,such example as theirs possesses incalculable power of effecting good4 ,it takes deep and tenacious root2 it fructifies with amazing rapidity and profusion1 and flourishes where precept would utterly perish4 ,its impression is so indelible1 that the greatest difficulty is experienced when attempting to eradicate it4 ,the salutary influence which good example propagates1 we find stamped on every avocation in life4 ,in some people a heinous negligence1 and in others a culpable apathy is evinced with respect to the principles their conduct is implanting4 ,profuse illustrations abound in every profession1 calling1 and trade1 of the effect of evil example1 and also of the disregard paid to its consequences4 ,whether or not this regardlessness arises from negligence1 or ignorance1 it is difficult to determine4 ,all classes of society possess1 undoubtedly1 though in varying degrees1 the important power of exemplifying good or evil1 and it behooves them to act with greater circumspection and discretion with respect to the injurious consequences which their examples may evoke1 having due regard to the avidity which is shown by weak minds to follow example1 however pernicious4 ,it is natural for man to imitate a model or pattern1 as it thereby affords him a much easier and more agreeable opportunity of forming his ideas on any particular subject4 ,nor is example confined to those holding high public positions4 ,its presence and power are experienced as much from the humblest ,bible woman as from the greatest shining light in the pulpit4 ,i admit that influence1 good or evil1 is propagated to a greater extent when the source from which it emanates is more prominently before the gaze of the world than if it were less public2 but ,i am persuaded that the closer the relationship between the one who exerts the influence and the one upon whom it takes effect1 the more deep and lasting will the impression prove1 and any endeavors to eradicate it will involve more strenuous efforts and diligent application than where there is no sympathetic feeling evinced by the one toward the other4 ,the implicitness with which example is followed is subject to considerable variations1 for ,i am inclined to think that the lower the moral position the greater the aptitude for imitation is displayed4 ,this arises from the incapability of those who occupy such positions to tear asunder the forms which envelope them1 and strike a path untrodden for themselves4 ,they find it much more congenial to their tastes and pursuits to act as others around them usually do than to alienate themselves and endeavor to live more in accordance with the laws of morality4 ,no one can deny1 especially those who knew her well1 that ,mrs4 ,knowles's great success was as much derived from her example and humility as from any power of teaching and persuasion she possessed4 ,and now1 dear readers1 those of you who have not the gift of leading others into the paths of virtue and morality by the gift of ready speech or the force of your conversation and address1 can at least so regulate your conduct that the little world around you may look up to you as an example1 however humble your position in it may be4 ,there are lesser lights along the iron-bound coast of ,england than the ,eddystone2 still they serve the purpose for which they were erected4 ,yea1 the widow's lamp1 in the window of the cottage by the sea1 saved her own son from shipwreck4 ,the ,talisman's motto ought to be ours3 ,be watchful1 be ready1 for shipwreck prepare1 ,keep an eye on the life-boat1 but never despair6 ,all along our coast the ,government has built massive and strong light-houses to guide and warn the tempest-tossed mariner4 ,the passage may have been hazardous to many a staunch ship and brave crew1 occasioned by constant exposure to a multiplicity of dangers seen and unseen4 ,who can tell of the deep anxiety of the gloomy days and nights they spent waiting and watching1 while many a keen blast has mournfully whistled through the shrouds1 and many a billow has threatened to engulf their bark2 but how cheering is yonder light streaming forth amid the densest darkness4 ,it speaks with trumpet-tongue to the bewildered navigator1 and says1 ,this is the course1 steer ye by it4 ,how refreshing the sight4 ,how assuring those bright beams that quiver over the perilous sea4 ,clouds and wind must not affright1 for the gladsome welcome light of example interposes between us and disappointment and despair4 ,ye are the light of the world1 said ,jesus4 ,it is by beholding the lights that once shone on earth1 that are now shining as the stars for ever and ever in heaven1 that we1 seeing their good works do glorify our ,father in ,heaven4 ,how many1 alas6 are utterly unconscious of the power of a godly example2 it is only prayerful reflection upon it that rivets the connecting link between earth and heaven4 ,endearing attachments are formed and gradually1 eternally perpetuated1 strengthened by constant companionship4 ,it is then we become truer-hearted1 more gentle1 more generous1 and more affectionate4 ,exquisitely rounded ,christian character is only thus obtained4 ,our hearts1 and glad1 willing service ought to be laid on the same altar as our humble offering1 in proof of the profit and pleasure that we have experienced in reviewing the career of those great examples worthy of study and imitation4 ,this is the only explanation we can give for penning this memorial4 ,our hearts were deeply stirred by the words uttered with the dying breath of ,mrs4 ,knowles1 when she said to me1 ,,preach ,,the ,,gospel ,,uncolored2 ,i want to recognize their importance as synonymous with ,paul's exhortation to ,timothy1 ,preach the ,word4 ,yes1 dear reader1 this is the sword of the ,spirit1 which is the ,word of ,god1 and it is quick and powerful4 ,we must wield it earnestly and bravely in the great conflict of life1 constantly reiterating the ,bible woman's dying words3 ,,my ,,day ,,is ,,short1 ,i ,,must ,,finish ,,my ,,work6 ,in perusing these memoirs1 we ask1 ,who can read the foregoing correspondence and record of ,god's goodness to ,his saints1 and through them to perishing souls1 promiscuously scattered among all classes1 and creeds1 and colors1 ,jews and ,gentiles alike1 without feelings of unfeigned gratitude to ,god for raising up two such worthy persons to adorn the doctrine of ,god1 our ,saviour8 ,our earnest prayer is1 that the ,holy ,spirit will not allow to pass unobserved such lives of usefulness and self-sacrifice1 without awakening a deeper interest in the lapsed masses of the lower part of this city4 ,we sincerely trust1 also1 that the publication and perusal of this humble effort to glorify ,god by perpetuating the memory of the loved ones so fondly cherished shall not be all in vain1 and fall on the heart as a dead letter1 like the wind that passes over the rock1 leaving it harder than before4 ,mr4 ,d4 ,l4 ,moody once said1 ,i never saw a man who was aiming to do the best work1 but there could be some improvement2 ,i never did anything in my life that ,i didn't think ,i could have done better1 and ,i have often upbraided myself that ,i had not done better4 ,but to sit down and find fault with other people when we are doing nothing ourselves is all wrong1 and is the opposite of holy1 patient1 divine love4 ,may we rather be of that number concerning whom it is said1 ,blessed are those servants1 who1 when their ,lord shall come1 ,he will find watching4 ,the sunset of life will come sooner or later1 ,let us1 then1 give earnest heed to the things which we have heard1 lest at any time we should let them slip4 ,especially let us consider the importance of ,mrs4 ,knowles's final farewell exhortation3 ,be kind1 gentle1 and patient4 ,be faithful1 humble1 meek1 and constantly keep at the ,master's feet until ,he calls you up higher4 ,if we take heed to these dying words1 we will be able easily to appropriate as our own the sweet solacing words in the ,song of ,songs1 ,i sat under ,his shadow with great delight1 and ,his fruit was sweet unto my taste4 ,he brought me into ,his banqueting house1 and ,his banner over me was love4 ,in bidding our readers adieu1 ,i would1 in conclusion1 urge that they seriously reflect upon the significance of the ,bible woman's last triumphant utterances3 ,once ,i was young1 now ,i am old1 and have never been forsaken4 ,who to their reward will say them nay1 ,in ,heaven or on ,earth3 ,brave ,pilgrims of ,israel1 pass'd away-- ,we till now ne'er knew your worth6 ,go6 write out their lives on leaves of gold1 ,with characters of love1 ,let the future know1 when we are cold1 ,of our loved ones gone above4