1855- CHRISTIAN CONGRATULATION. 273 



circle of my friends, and of trials of flesh and spirit to myself, 

 as it has been to you. I gather from your letter, as I trust 

 I can say for myself, that the national disasters and sufferings 

 of our countrymen, and the state of Europe and the world, 

 and God's dealings with ourselves, have not passed like the 

 winged wind over our heads, and left no mark behind. 



" Amidst much thoughtlessness and forgetfulness of God, 

 and many sins which exact their own punishment, and many 

 which seem far too light to me, though in God's eye they 

 are not light, I have a rejoicing feeling that a greater peace 

 of mind and surer hope in Christ are mine than was the 

 case some years ago. If it please God to grant me longer 

 life, my prayer is for more freedom from engrossing earthly 

 cares, that I may do more to serve my blessed Lord and 

 Master. And if I am not to live, may I die able to say 

 that I know in whom I believe. 



"Is it not a strange thing, and not to the credit of our 

 Christianity, that whilst we congratulate each other on 

 worldly advancement, on additions to titles, on increase 

 of salary, on professional work well done, on enlargements 

 of families and the like, we do not congratulate each other 

 on victories won over Satan, and new proofs of allegiance 

 to Christ 1 Let me not, on this occasion at least, be want- 

 ing in rejoicing with you that you have chosen the better 

 part, and not gone to Prussia. I could not judge for you ; 

 or advise otherwise than I did ; but you who know how far 

 your religious liberty would be compromised, and preferred 

 that it should remain unshackled, to risking the faith which 

 you have professed in Christ, and perilling the salvation of 

 your children, have reason to ask all who love you, and 

 esteem eternal life at its due value, to join with you in 

 thanking God that through so great a trial you have passed 

 and gotten the victory. 



