And so they "wrap up" a lie in their bosom, and deceive their souls with a notion of the undiscriminating love of God, and the non-necessity for the atonement of Christ. To this Popery owes its great success. To this Infidelity is equally indebted. It is the combined bands of hell who are playing these dissonant strains, the great theme and design of all being DISTRACTION.

And how often does the child of God amid all this feel the need of being kept by the power of God the Spirit unto salvation. And as he from time to time realises this keeping power, how can he sufficiently adore the beloved Redeemer's forethought and prayer: "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine Own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are?" John xvii. 11. And again: "I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil," ver. 15. No; the providence of their covenant God-in the secret of which the Son of God equally shares with the Father, He being appointed to loose the seven seals of its sacred book-that Providence has not willed it that the wheat should grow unintermixed with the tares, but rather to intermingle "until the harvest," Matt. xiii. 30. In the workshop and market, in society and in the sanctuary, the righteous and the wicked meet together, and great is the trial it often brings upon the former. But the Keeper of Israel, the faithful Shepherd of His sheep, will never forsake the work of His Own hands: and "greater is He (the Holy Spirit) that is in them, than he (Satan) that is in the world," 1 John iv. 4. The very distraction which the Lord's people encounter in their daily intercourse with the ungodly, and when deprived of the means of grace in isolated spots, is all overruled by the Spirit to bring them to the feet of Christ, Who is their Peace, that in Him they may possess that peace, and be of good cheer, feeling persuaded that "He has overcome the world," and that

Oh, how sweet a thing were it for us to learn to make our burdens light, by framing our hearts to the burden, and making our Lord's will a law. Rutherford.

VAIN REGRETS.-Our life is determined for us, and it makes the mind very free if we give up wishing, and only think of bearing what is laid upon us, and doing what is given to do.

PERSONAL LETTERS TO EDITOR.

THE PATH OF TRIBULATION.

November 22nd, 1881. DEAR SIR,-I scarcely know how to put my thoughts into words in writing to you, yet I cannot refrain altogether. I thought I should like you to know a little more of the state of my mind. I have not forgotten your last visit to L***. I was far from well when I went, and it rained most part of the way. I think I caught cold. I was inclined to turn back, as I hardly knew how to make head against it. A thought struck me: it is not enough to be "Pliable;" he that endureth to the end shall be saved. On I went with a Who can tell?" One look from the Lord will cheer my heart. On reaching the chapel I felt such a gloom come over me. I thought no one in the chapel felt as I did. Such depressing and desponding feelings. I sank in the deep mire, where there was no standing. Then I cried unto the Lord, "O, Lord, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul." When I saw you go up in the pulpit I was enabled to spread my case before the Lord. "Gracious Lord," I said, "Thou art acquainted with all my concerns. Do in Thy mercy speak a word through Thy servant to comfort my heart." The first words of the chapter read quite broke down my spirit and so melted my heart that I was broken all to pieces. I burst into tears, and the language of my soul was, "Lord, Thou knowest all things: Thou knowest that I love Thee." I did not know how to keep silent till you were done. I wanted to be alone, so as to give vent to my feelings. I could hardly walk straight out of the chapel, I had so little bodily strength. In the afternoon I did not feel well, and I was afraid I should not be able to go to chapel, but when the time came I felt better. I earnestly besought the Lord to give me strength of body, so that I could hear the evening's discourse. My mind was so calm, and while you were preaching it was so drawn from all below the skies, and I had such a view of the Lord Jesus Christ as my God and Saviour, that I could then take up the language of one of our poets where he says—

I felt I could leave all my friends to hear the voice of my Beloved saying, "Come up higher." "Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? There is none upon earth that I desire besides Thee." Nothing delights my soul like the Gospel when accompanied with Divine power to my heart. heart. I could often sit and listen to you for another hour, if you had the strength to preach.

Now I have something else to tell you. I went to bed that night as happy in my soul as I could be, but I had not been in bed long before I awoke feeling very ill-such a faintness came over me. I threw off the bedclothes, not knowing where I was, and then came on a violent attack of sickness, which lasted some time. The pain in my body was very great. I got to the window, feeling as faint as could be, threw it open, and sat against it the remainder of the night until six o'clock the next morning. I did not call any one, though I felt so very ill. My mind was very tranquil-not so much as a murmur. All next day I was so ill, and so sore with the pain, that I was unable to leave my bed. I could not take what my friend brought me: I had no appetite to eat or drink. I did not leave L*** for two or three days after. It was named to Mr. M***, who very kindly sent his car to take me home. I was very pleased to accept it. My father is much the same. I had hoped he would have been better. One night he dreamt that the Lord was drawing him through the ceiling, and he began to bless and praise the Lord. But mother woke him out of his sleep, and he wondered what was the matter. He appeared quite himself for a day or two, but it is not lasting. There is no trouble like the mind. I have sometimes wondered if there is anything in us that the Lord is displeased with, that He has permitted such a sore trial to continue so long, and I am sure there is no one upon the earth who would live a more godly life than I desire to live. It does so make my spirits sink that I hardly know how to live under it. Many prayers have we sent up to the Lord for his restoration to health. He was a man of a gracious experience. I remember him telling us of the Power that once fell upon him. He could not reach his hat to go from the chapel, and had to go to bed the rest of the day. But I see I must conclude.

Wishing you much of the anointing,

Yours very sincerely,

M.

It must be distinctly understood that the above was sent us in strict confidence, and not for publicity. But we believe the Lord may be pleased to use it for the edification of some of His tried ones, and therefore print it; nor must the writer take it as a breach of privilege. It is wonderful what many of the Lord's children have to pass through, mentally, physically, and circumstantially, and how they prove the all-sufficiency and faithfulness of the Lord in the whole of His dealings. And in every instance in which Christ is glorified in the manifestation of Himself by the Spirit's power in the midst of the trial, all is indeed well. Our dear and afflicted friend has our warmest sympathy and prayers; though she is in spiritual things favoured above many of the Lord's people, and would doubtless be envied by them.-THE EDITOR.

A VILLAGE PASTOR OF THREE SCORE AND TEN.

April 12th, 1881. Dear Sir, I have enclosed, as usual, the postage stamps for the Gospel Advocate. We sincerely hope this will find yourself and Mrs. Baxter in health, both as it respects the soul and the body. I find the full use of natural powers a very great blessing, and especially in age. I am often astonished that my health appears more firm and established than it was at 30. In years that are gone by, that portion of God's most holy Word was often laid on my mind: "Even to old age I am He, and to hoar hairs will I carry you. I have made and I will bear." I should not know I was old by feeling. When I was completely cut down by the law I was afraid to ask God to be merciful unto me, lest there should be hypocrisy in it, but I thought I would look once more into my bible to see if there was any hope. Opening it at 118th Psalm, the following portions struck me very forcibly: "The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous. The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord." Twenty-two years passed before I was called to appear in public; when I was requested to read at Flimwell, when Mr. Pert was absent. I did not think of going further than reading. I supplied as reader at Battle and Flimwell, until one morning Mrs. Holt, whose house I used to frequent, said to me, "Give me your sermons, Mr. H ; the people say you do not want them. If you would speak for a quarter of an hour only they would be satisfied. They have nothing to say against the sermons (which were Mr. Philpot's), but they can understand you better." I used to make a few remarks when reading the lessons. I said, "Give you my sermon, Mrs. Holt, that's a likely thing now, is it not? She said the second time, "Take and give me your sermon"-speaking very abruptly. (Mrs. H. had been a former pupil of mine.) It suited very well, for it so happened that I had two sermons in my pocket, and only one service to take that day. Sometimes I had two. To satisfy her I put one into her hand, and she was very well pleased, and so was I, for if nothing came to my mind I should be at no loss. However, the new birth came to my mind, and I spoke on it. After service I asked the person who hired the room whether I was to do as I did that morning, or whether I should read as before? (He had previously requested me to speak.) He said, "Do as you did this morning."

The Lord has indeed chosen not only the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of them that love Him, but the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.

And God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. How wondrous are His judgments, and His ways past finding out: showing Joseph by dreams his future exaltation, and then permitting occurrences to take place which, to all human appearance, would prevent their fulfilment. The Lord, according to promise, gave Abraham a son in his old age, yet demanded him to be sacrificed. But His secret will was different from His revealed will, for it was evidently not the Lord's intention to allow him to be slain. He showed Abraham, by painful experience, what it was to give an Only Son to be sacrificed for the sins of His people; and it proved Abraham's faith to be genuine, an inwrought, powerful, obedient, overcoming principle. Abraham is rightly called the father of the faithful, and a true pattern of them that believe to the saving of the soul. The Lord was graciously pleased to allow Satan to try my faith by bringing the most horrible blasphemies into my mind; but when he came in like a mighty flood, driving everything before him, the "Spirit of the Lord lifted up a standard against him," and set the feet of my faith so firm upon the Rock of Ages that nothing could move them. It was as easy now to believe, as it was difficult before, previous to the trial. I now saw the Scriptures as I never saw them before: a Divine glory seemed to rest on them. All nature appeared different. But forgetting the things that I passed through, I was for converting others. It was only to turn from sin to God; to believe in Christ; what happiness and peace they would have. The Lord says, "When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour is come; but when she is delivered, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world." So is it with every Zionite; they rejoice that the Man Child is born into the world. We unite in christian love and best wishes.

My dear one,--You say, will I write to you? Ah in very deed, I have abundant cause to write, and speak too, of Him, Who is my Beloved and