1842.] 



A REVIVAL. 



53 



thought does come, I am now able to banish it, and say, 6 Get 

 thee behind me, Satan ; thou art an offence unto me.' And 

 I have been writing to you, as though I had been speaking at a 

 Methodist love-feast. Well, and why should not I, my brother ? 

 I often say in my Creed ' the Communion of Saints/ and I 

 verily believe that God will not cast away any one that earnestly 

 longs for it. But I don't think much of the future : once I felt 

 that I was only fit for hell, now I do not feel I am fit for 

 heaven ; but I am 



* Content, my Father, with Thy will, 

 And quiet as a child ! ' 



Present duties are enough for me ; they fill up all my time 

 and thoughts, and the more I can give myself lovingly to God, 

 the more I feel the liberty with which Christ has made me free. 

 At first I found virtue a slavery, though a very happy one. 



" I don't know whether you will call this extravagant dream- 

 ing, but they are not the feelings of a moment. And I have 

 suffered so much from concealment — secretiveness has been the 

 bane of my soul — that I must make great efforts to conquer it. 

 I have hitherto corresponded more freely with F., B., and H., 

 than with you, and I don't think this is right, or showing fraternal 

 affection : that I would show you, my dearest brother, in any 

 way that I can. I would show it more than I have done — all 

 my affections have been too selfish, and I want to improve in 

 this as in other respects. But I must prepare to go in to 

 Manchester to the meeting of ministers. 



" December 15. Well, dearest R., you see I have not kept 

 this letter for news, as I intended when I began, and must now 

 fain continue in the same key. Your wishes and prayers for me 

 went to my soul ; but from what I have already said, you will 

 see that much called up bitter thoughts to me. You have ' but 

 little fear ' for me ! Ah ! how little you know what slight 

 temptations have overcome me — on what a slender thread my 

 present virtuous feelings repose. Do not talk thus ; do not look 

 to me to carry on my father's work : he was pure and true. If 

 God has blessed my labours, it only proves that the excellency 



