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TO THE REV. DAN. EDWARDS.

Before his ordination as missionary to the Jews-What he must seek.

DUNDEE, June 15, 1840.

MY DEAR FRIEND-- * ** The grand matter of study, however, must still be Divinity-a knowledge of Divine things, a spiritual discernment of the way of pardon for the chief of sinners. I feel that the best of ministers are but babes in this. Pray for more knowledge of your own heart-of the total depravity of it-of the awful depths of corruption that are there. Pray for glorious discoveries of Christ-his person, beauty, work, and peace. But I need not tell you these things, only I feel persuaded that God will put all natural and literary qualifications in the dust, if there be not the simple exhibition of Christ for us in the preaching of our missionaries. Yours, &c.

TO THE SAME.

Holiness and success.

DUNDEE, October 2, 1840.

MY DEAR FRIEND-I trust you will have a pleasant and profitable time in Germany. I know you will apply hard to German; but do not forget the culture of the inner man-I mean of the heart. How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his sabre clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God's sword-his instrument-I trust a chosen vessel unto him to bear his name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God. I am now almost well, but have not yet got my full strength. We had a sweet night last night, though there was no external movement. Some waited after; one from St. Andrews, awakened deeply, she knows not how. God is still working here, and I look for far greater things. I am very anxious to know how I could do more good to many people and to the whole world-and not to know only, but to do it. It is our truest happiness to live entirely for the glory of Christ-to separate between "I" and "the glory of Christ." We are always saying, what have I done was it my preaching-my sermon-my influence; whereas we should be asking, what hath God wrought? Strange mixed beings we are! How sweet it will be to drop our old man, and be pure as Christ is pure. I hope you will come and see us again before your departure for your mission station. The Lord direct all your steps, comfort your heart, and establish you in every good word and work to do his will. Yours, &c.

TO MRS. THAIN, HEATH PARK.
When invited to rest a while.

DUNDEE, June, 1840.

MY DEAR MRS. T.-You know how glad I would be of some such retreat as Elijah had by the brook Cherith, where I might learn more of my own heart, and of my Bible, and of my God, where I might while away the summer hours in quiet meditation, or talking of his righteousness all the day long. But it is only said of the dead in the Lord that they rest from their labors; and I fear I must not think of resting till then. Time is short, my time especially, and souls are precious; and I fear many are slumbering because I watch not with sufficient diligence, nor blow the trumpet with sufficient clearness.

I have to be away so much on business, that I feel I dare not be away on pleasure only-at least at present. I rather think I must be in Ireland next week, at the Synod of Ulster, which prevents me coming to Mr. Macdonald's communion.

There is some request as to another communion in St. Peter's also, which I shall be glad to see carried into effect, provided it be done with all the heart of the Lord's children. In these circumstances, you must not think me neglectful of your kindness, if I put off my visit to you a little longer.

I trust that you are keeping strong, and able to enjoy the open air, and that your souls all prosper-that you have often such times as Jacob had at Mahanaim, when the angels of God met him or such times as that at Peniel, when God had to cry out, "Let me go, for the day breaketh." Alas, we do not weary God now with our wrestlings, but with our sins. The dark clouds gather, and the Church and we should all be entering into our chambers, and shutting our doors upon us. "In that day sing ye unto her a vineyard of red wine." His song will be with us in the dark night. May you and yours be hid in the day of the Lord's anger! A smile of his can lighten up a thunder-cloud. Read the xxix. Psalm, and meditate on the last verse. Live near to God, and so all things will appear to you little in comparison with eternal realities. Ever Ever yours, &c.

TO A STRANGER.

Intended to lead on one whose face was Zionward, but who was not fully decided.

DUNDEE, July, 1840.

MY DEAR FRIEND-I do not even know your name, but your cousin has been telling me about your case, and wishes me to write you a line inviting you to lay hold on Jesus Christ, the only

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refuge for a perishing soul. You seem to have been thinking seriously of your soul for some time. Do remember the words of Peter, (2 Peter i. 10,) "Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' Never rest till you can say what John says, (1 John v. 19,) "We know that we are of God." The world always loves to believe that it is impossible to know that we are converted. If you ask them, they will say, "I am not sure-I cannot tell;" but the whole Bible declares we may receive, and know we have received the forgiveness of sins. See Psalm xxxii. 1; 1 John ii. 12. Seek this blessedness-the joy of having forgiveness; it is sweeter than honey and the honey-comb. But where shall I seek it? In Jesus Christ. "God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." "He that hath the Son, hath life, and he that hath not the Son, hath not life," 1 John v. 10. Get deeply acquainted with yourself, your sins, and misery. Most people are like the Laodiceans, Rev. iii. 17. Even those that are most deeply concerned about their souls, do not see the millionth part of the blackness of their hearts and lives. Oh! if we could but put our sins where God puts them, Psalm xc. 8, how we would cry out, Unclean, unclean! Woe is me, for I am undone! Have you ever discovered your lost condition? Many know that they are great sinners, but where God is teaching he will make you feel as an undone sinner. Have you felt this? What things were gain to you, those do you count loss for Christ. Do you know that no human righteousness can cover you? In his holy, pure sight, all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, Isaiah lxiv. 6. If you have been convinced of sin, have you been convinced of righteousness? John xvi. 8. Have you heard the voice of Jesus knocking at the door of your heart? Have you opened the door and let him in? Awfully momentous question! Your eternity depends upon the answer-yes or no. "He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son hath not life." Oh! what a simple thing the Gospel is! How fearful to think it is hid from so many, 2 Corinth. iv. 3, 4. Jesus stands at your door willing to be your shield, Psalm lxxxiv. 9, 11-your righteousness, Jer. xxiii. 6-your all in all. Now, then, throw open the door and let him in. Accept his white raiment that you may be clothed. And oh! remember, if Christ justifies you, he will sanctify you. He will not save you and leave you in your sins. Why did he get the name Jesus? Mat. i. 21. Here is a prayer for every one that has been found of Christ. "Order my steps in thy Word, and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." Psalm cxix. 133. If you are redeemed, you are not your own— not the world's-not Satan's. Think of this when you are tempted to sin. Now, did I not say well that you should make your calling and election sure? Oh, beware of being a hypocrite-a mere professor with an unholy heart and life. That your sister is on the road to Zion, I am glad, and pray that you may go hand

in hand. Be diligent-the time is short. Try and persuade your friends to go with you. It is an awful thing to separate at the throne of Christ, for that will be for eternity. Pray much for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes--to soften your heart-to make Christ lovely and precious-to come and dwell in your hearts, and fit you for glory. Come to the living stone, and you will be built up as living stones, 1 Peter ii. 4, 5. Oh! how sweet to be made living stones, in that glorious temple. Pray much in secret. Pray for ministers, that we may speak the word boldly. Christ is doing great things in our day, which should make us wrestle at a throne of grace. O that the Lord, that was pierced with many thorns, might soon be crowned with many crowns! Praying that you and your sister may both be saved, I am, your friend in the gospel, &c.

TO MISS A. S. L.

The person and heart of Jesus-Consolation to believers.

August 16, 1840.

MY DEAR FRIEND-I fear I may not be able to see you for a little time, and therefore think of sending you a few lines to minister a little of the peace and grace of the Lord Jesus to you. I hear that you are worse in health than when I saw you, still I have no doubt you can say, "It is well," "He doeth all things well." You remember Jacob said, when they wanted to take Benjamin away from him, "All these things are against me." Gen. xlii. 36. But in a little while he saw that " all these things were working together for good to him." In a little while all his lost children were restored to him, and he and his seed preserved from famine. So will it be with you. If at any time unbelief steals over your heart-if you lose sight of Jesus, our Passover sacrificed for us if you forget the hand of the all-tender gracious Father of Jesus and of your soul-you will be crying out, all these things are against me. But ah! how soon you will find that every thing in your history, except sin, has been for you. Every wave of trouble has been wafting you to the sunny shores of a sinless eternity. Only believe. Give unlimited credit to our God.

Think on Jesus when your mind wanders in search of peacethink where he came from-from the bosom of his Father. He was from the beginning. He is the life-the life of all that truly live. He is that eternal life which was with the Father. Let the beams of the divinity of Jesus shine in upon your soul. Think how he was manifested-God manifest in the flesh-to be a surety for sinners. Made sin for us, although he knew no sin-made a curse for us. Oh, if I could declare him unto you, you might

have fellowship with apostles, and with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. These things will we write unto you, that your joy may be full. Other joys do not fill the heart. But to know the Lord Jesus as our surety, satisfies the soul; it brings the soul unto rest under the eye of our pardoning God. I met,* the other day, with a thought which has filled my heart often since. It is intended to explain that wonderful verse, John xiv. 18, I will not leave you orphans-I will come to you. Jesus, at the right hand of the Father, is yet present with all his younger brethren and sisters in this vale of weeping. His human nature is at the right hand of God upon the throne-a lamb as it had been slain. But his divine nature is unlimited, fills all worlds, and is present in every dwelling of every disciple in this world. His Divine nature thus brings in continual information to his human heart of every thing that is going on in the heart and history of his people; so that his human heart beats towards us just as if he were sitting by our side. Hence he cried to Saul, "Why persecutest thou me ?"

Dear friend, do you feel that Jesus is your surety and elder brother? Then remember that, by reason of his real divinity, he is now by your bedside, afflicted in all your afflictions, touched with a feeling of your infirmities, and able to save you to the uttermost. He is as really beside you as he was beside Mary when she sat at his feet. Tell him all your sorrows, all your doubts and anxieties. He has a willing ear. Oh, what a friend is Jesus! the sinner's friend. What an open ear he has for all the wants, doubts, difficulties of his people. He has an especial care for his sick, weakly, and dying disciples. You know how it is with a kind mother, even though a worldly person. In a time of danger she clasps her children to her breast. In a time of health she may often let them wander out of her sight, but in hours of sickness she will watch beside their bed. Much more will Jesus watch over you.

I trust you feel real desire after complete holiness. This is the truest mark of being born again. It is a mark that he has made us meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. If a nobleman were to adopt a beggar boy, he would not only feed and clothe him, but educate him, and fit him to move in the sphere into which he was afterwards to be brought; and if you saw this boy filled with a noble spirit, you would say he is meet to be put among the children. So may you be made meet for glory. The farmer does not cut down his corn till it is ripe. So does the Lord Jesus: He first ripens the soul, then gathers it into his barn. It is far better to be with Christ than to be in Christ. For you to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Nevertheless, I trust God will keep you a little longer for our sake, that you may pray for us, and encourage us to work on in the service of Jesus till our change

It was in a sermon by J. B. Patterson of Falkirk.

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