410 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. X. 



1 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 free- 

 dom 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 Chris- 

 tianity, 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 ? Let me not on 

 this occasion, at least, be wanting 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 compro- 

 mised, and preferred that it should remain unshackled, to risk- 

 ing 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. 



"They accuse Christians of a selfish caring for their own 

 souls. They forget that in this world every man must take 

 wages ; that no amateurs are permitted ; that invisibly beside us 

 stand at every moment the Lord of Light and the Prince of 

 Darkness, to press into our hands the wages we have earned, 

 whether we will or no ; and that beyond the gates of death they 

 will appear in their own persons and give us the last instal- 

 ment, those abiding wages which shall multiply themselves 

 through eternity. I will not remind you of what Christ has 

 promised to those who prefer everything to Him : I will be con- 

 tent to remind you that to have grace given us to prevail 

 against temptation, is a proof that the Saviour already loves us, 

 is also a present joy, and the assurance of joys yet in store." 



After a visit to London, on Government business, in June, a 

 short but hard-earned holiday was spent, two months later, at 

 Melrose, whence he writes : 



