RELIGIOUS THOUGHTS. 309 



and her brother were admitted. She returned home to 

 occupy a sick-bed, and has remained ever since critically 

 sick with typhoid fever, and the precious life (November 

 18, Wednesday) still hangs in doubt. 



Later, he writes : 



Dear E has been spared, and is now hopefully recov 

 ering. 



Sabbath Morning, July 3, 1864. Communion Day. It is 

 a relief to turn from the recital of battles and daily blood 

 shed, now occurring in Georgia and Virginia, to the peace- 

 offering of our blessed Saviour, even his own precious blood 

 shed on the cross for our redemption from the pollution 

 and curse of sin. This day, in regular course, we of the 

 College are again to be favored by partaking of the bread 

 and wine, representing the broken body and blood of our 

 divine Redeemer. The longer I live the more highly do I 

 appreciate this great provision made for our redemption. 

 One o'clock. We have just returned from the ordinance. 

 I had the great satisfaction of sitting in the midst of ten 

 members of my family, with, I trust, well-founded confi 

 dence that they are members of Christ's family ; and I have 

 a hope that I am not excluded. I felt, I trust, a sincere 

 sympathy with all the youthful circle around. It was to me 

 an interesting occasion. 



The following hymn was sung : 



" Not all the blood of beasts 



On Jewish altars slain, 

 Could give the guilty conscience peace, 

 Or wash away the stain," &c. 



In the annexed paragraph, he refers to the remarks 

 made on the preceding anniversary of his birth. 



August 8. Birthday. Eighty-five Years. ... There was 

 a solemn impression resting on my mind when I wrote those 

 remarks, and on the reperusal of them and of the accom- 



