conflict begins in the soul till the Spirit of God begins to work, therefore set this down at once, that these desires after God are not produced by your own sinful nature. To discourage you in your path to the kingdom, the enemy of souls is perpetually throwing temptations in your way, to make you stumble, and if he can succeed, to induce you to give up entirely so difficult an effort. Remember, the Christian life is one of conflict and of faith. Joyful, indeed, would any Christian be, without the trial of faith: but would this glorify God? No! Christian assurance is the result of close walking with God, by simple unshaken faith in His word. You are to commit that naked, guilty soul to Him, to be saved in His own way; you are to expect, nay, to receive salvation, because the offer of it is made to you. God has proved his entire satisfaction in the work of His beloved Son, by raising Him from the dead, and seating Him at His own right hand in glory, as the Intercessor. The work of redemption, therefore, is complete, and now the gospel is sent into the world, inviting every creature to receive it, because God is 'just, and the justifier of him that believeth.' Take God at His word, and accept salvation, and the fruits of faith must follow. You must not be discouraged because of your many falls and broken resolutions; look up cheerfully to Him who promises strength to the faint, and 'help to the weak.' Keep a steady purpose, in most entire reliance on Divine strength, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,' and do not stop to look how many times you have fallen, but pursue your way, see

the exercise of constant repentance-of simple trust in a faithful friend, forget the things which are behind, and press forward to those which are before;' tarry not in all the plain, but press onward, onward, onward! Thank Him for every thing you discover of a hopeful character; give Him the glory, and this will greatly encourage you. Do not be idle; you will never get on if you are. Your time belongs to God, your talents are His, and for Him they must be employed. Ask, ‘Lord what wilt thou have me to do, and show me how to do it; open a way for me, that to Thee I may render of thine own.' Be much in prayer, and in prayerful study of the word of God. Use God as a friend, and you will soon write cheerily. If my poor mind can at any time help you, or if I have not caught what you meant, do use me, and let me know; I may not be able to write immediately, but I will when I can. I fear I must at least wait till the spring for brighter days, but I am most happy; I love the hand that smites, and I cannot shrink at His gentle touch! With much love to your dear circle, I am,

"Your truly attached friend,
"M. SHERMAN.”

As the summer advanced, more strength was gained, the cough seemed greatly subdued, and hope was entertained that even now her life might be given to her family and the service of her Lord. "Prayer was made without ceasing by the church" for her, and all her friends were strengthened. to continue in supplication

by the pleasing indications of recovery. The Countess Vou Reden, of Buchwald, in Silesia, Prussia, was exceedingly anxious that a change of scene and air should be tried, and sent her a most affectionate invitation to visit her hospitable mansion, and try her maternal superintendence. Her physicians thought the plan desirable, now her powers were recruited, and advised an immediate departure, while the brightness of the summer lasted. As she has preserved a lengthened detail of the incidents of the journey in her journal and letters, it will be given in the next chapter.

CHAPTER XI.

JOURNEY TO SILESIA AND RETURN TO ENGLAND.

THOSE who have been associated with consumptive patients, well know with what hope any change of residence is hailed as a means of recovery. When Mrs. Sherman was informed, that every thing was arranged for the proposed journey, and that she and her husband were to start on July 21st; she expressed the utmost confidence that the visit to Silesia, would completely restore her, and that she would return to resume her duties at Surrey, in her former vigour. Indeed, this was the impression of most of her friends; for as she had so much more strength than she possessed eighteen months before, it was presumed to be a satisfactory evidence that the disease was at least not progressing, and excited the hope that the entire change of scene which a continental tour would present might finally arrest it. She bore the journey with remarkable ease and apparent comfort— and seemed frequently less fatigued than her companion. When she arrived at Buchwald, her friends were astonished to see her look so well and appear so strong, and felt assured, that the disease was not of so serious a nature, as had been apprehended-a confidence which was strengthened by the opinion of their physician. Her husband shared at times in the expectations of

others, that he should again behold her engaged in the activities of domestic life. She had once accompanied him as an invalid to Silesia, and had witnessed with joy and gratitude, the beneficial effects of the bracing mountain air in the recovery of his fading health—he now travelled with her in similar circumstances to the same country, cheered with the probability of similar results. The interesting incidents of the journey which she narrates in the following pages, so entirely diverted her mind from thoughts of her complaint, that in addition to the natural buoyancy of her spirits, they were calculated to increase her cheerfulness and hope.

July 21st, 1846.-" We left Surrey Parsonage at noon for Ramsgate, where we slept, and at five o'clock the next morning, sailed for Ostend: we remained there till the afternoon, and then went on by railway for Ghent. An English party accompanied us to the Convent of St. Elizabeth, to hear evening vespers, where we met dear Dr. Henderson: the church was filled with kneeling nuns, the music poor, and the singing confined to the gallery; one old nun came round for our offerings; I had none to present, but prayer, that light might break through the intense cloud of ignorance and superstition.

"Next morning 23rd, went by train to Liege, and slept in a splendid hotel, the Pavillon Anglais. Arrived at Cologne, a little too late for the five o'clock train to Bonn; we had to spend three hours in the waiting-room, were dreadfully dirty, and wishing to procure the luxury