Please give Christian love and best wishes to Mrs. J. with Christian respects to Mrs. Cole and Atmore. I wish also to be remembered to Mr. and Mrs. P., and the many precious souls I had the privilege of being acquainted with at Bristol. I should be happy to hear that every dispute was lost in love, and the work of the Lord prospering greatly then they would willingly grant me the aid of their warmest addresses at a throne of grace for my rapid progress in the ways of God. I never esteemed an interest in the prayers of the Lord's people so highly as now. Many interruptions have caused numberless inaccuracies in this tedious epistle; all which, I doubt not, will be overlooked by Miss Ritchie, whose friend I subscribe myself, with Christian love, D. MAXWELL.

TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER.

July 11, 1796.

I meant, long before now, to have told you that it was with satisfaction I perceived you had taken up your pen in defence of that important branch of doctrine and experience so little known by many Christians, and experienced by fewer, entire sanctification. Is the small manuscript treatise upon that subject, a sight of which you favoured me with some years ago, never to see the light? I wish you would go forward in the strength of the Lord, and furnish us with a little volume; complete, both as to doctrine and experience. It would, at least, be strengthening to those whose minds have been so far enlightened as to believe the former, and enjoy the latter, in a small measure. It might, also, by the blessing of the Lord, be very useful in removing prejudices from the minds of honest, though ignorant inquirers; and make the precious truth more extensively known. Hitherto its boundaries are within the line of Methodism: and, alas! how partially received even there. But there is reason to believe the time hastens on when this line shall be stretched over the Christian world. Hail, auspicious day! Let me entreat you, dear sir, to exert all your powers to embalm this precious truth. Perhaps there are not many preachers in the connection so much master of the subject. It will be rendering an essential service to the Christian world in general, and to the Methodist connection in particular. But I forbear: in this and all other matters, may you be taught of God himself.

With respect to myself, I am still enabled to testify of the goodness of the Lord. My fellowship with Jehovah is most sensibly increased of late. At times, I am favoured with such lettings into Deity as far exceed my barren powers of expres sion. I do not feel sterility of thought so much, for the Lord condescends to give such glorious views of the Christian's privileges, and by the light of a luminous faith enables me so to

realize future and unseen things as I sometimes think is surely akin to the beatific vision. O what heights and depths I see before me! What, as yet unexperienced, degrees of nearness to, and close walking with, and rich enjoyment of, the sacred Three! but more especially with Jehovah. I feel such a sinking into him, such a conscious union with him, as lays me in the dust before him, and keeps me there. I never had, till of late, such piercing convictions of my nothingness. Language fails to express what I feel of this; and I suppose it must increase as I get nearer to the Fountainhead: till I am swallowed up and lost in the ocean of pure love. In the meantime, all my powers seem gathered up and centred in God, who allows me a holy familiarity with himself that stamps a conscious dignity upon the soul, and seems to fit me for present duty, however above my natural abilities. This assistance is afforded in a way that proves its divine origin; keeps me little in my own eyes; disposed to give the glory where alone it is due. I do reap still much benefit from living by simple faith; it, indeed, brings 66 deep peace and present power."

I have to remark now, more than ever, the fulness of the divine presence in our little class meeting here; and something still more remarkable, (as there is often only myself, and sometimes two or three preachers,) there is for the time an uncommon power given me to express my own experience. I seem carried above my own words, thoughts, and above my whole self, upon the subject of entire devotion. In my little way, on these occasions, my experience is much upon that subject. I have thought this must be for others. If I can throw in even a mite into the divine treasury, I shall esteem it a peculiar privilege. I pray that you may all meet in the spirit of love and forbearance at the conference, and that the Almighty fiat may sanction your every determination: then all will be just as it should be. Wishing you much more than ever of the divine presence, and a still fuller testimony of the destruction of the bitter root, with the sealing of the Spirit unto redemption's day; I am, Rev. sir, in Christian bonds,

Your faithful, humble servant,

D. MAXWELL.

CHAPTER XXXII.-1797.

Diary and correspondence continued.

February 24. (Friday.) Still I live, because my God is good. In the course of these eight days, I have at times been rather depressed on account of unfruitfulness. I would be all for Godevery nerve strung with holy ardour of desire to promote his

cause upon earth; and yet I seem to do nothing. Lord, if it is thy will, enlarge my sphere, and make me more faithful in the present narrow one in which I move. Thou knowest every particular in my present situation, and what my hinderances are, and can easily remove them. The perilous situation of our land occupies many of my thoughts and words, both to God and man. Matters seem now to draw to a painful crisis. Blessed God, interpose! undertake our cause: and, if not contrary to thy will, and derogatory to thy glory, yet spare; and let the bitter cup pass from us, at least for a season. O hear the unceasing prayers and supplications that are ascending from every quarter; in public, private, and secret. Thou hast often, in former days, appeared remarkably for our sinful island. Thou changest not. If our cup of iniquity be not already full, O gracious Lord, yet assist us in our extremity! If it be, O spare thy own people;cover their heads-hide them in the hollow of thy hand! Speak, Lord, for the glory of thy name.

March 3. (Friday.) I have some reason to believe that the Lord has heard, and answered, since last date. He has put work in my hand I did not expect, and owned me in it, after convincing me deeply of unfruitfulness. Last week I had a particular call in providence, not only to arise myself, and pray for our guilty land, but to urge others to join me in the important work of intercession. This call the Lord has so owned as to leave not a shadow of doubt that it came from himself. He has inclined many to unite in the sacred work; favoured with much liberty at a throne of grace; great comfort has been experienced by some; together with such a strong stimulus to prayer as has not often been found on former occasions; all which gives encouragement to believe solid good will be the result. Grant it, gracious Lord, for thy name's sake: and, though the beginning is small, let it greatly increase.

10. (Friday.) Since the 3d instant, the Lord of heaven and earth, whom winds and waves obey; who giveth victory or defeat, by sea or land, as he sees meet; hath appeared signally in our behalf, guilty as we are. O how blind are those who do not see that the hand of God, and not superior seamanship, is the grand cause that fifteen sail of British ships should overcome the Spanish fleet, consisting of twenty-seven. Not only capturing two first-rates of one hundred and twelve guns each, and two others, one of eighty and one of seventy guns, but also greatly damaging several others; and thereby preventing their junction with the French and Dutch fleets, who avowedly owned their design of invading our little island. O Lord, it is thy doing, and may well be wondrous in our eyes: therefore to thee be all the glory, to whom alone it is due. Surely prayer has

This brilliant victory was obtained under the command of Sir John Jervis, off Cape St. Vincent, on the 14th of the preceding month; and

been heard. O may we all be thankful and humble! and do thou, O Lord, grant thy blessing, and hear the prayers offered up. Regard our late attempts to humble ourselves by confession on the last day set apart as a national fast of Scotland; and own a neighbouring nation, this day employed in the like solemn exercises. If possible, yet save us for thy name's sake. Great was also the goodness of our God in defeating the attempt of a descent upon Ireland some months ago; even after part of the enemy's forces were landed. He caused the wind to blow that scattered their fleet, and obliged them to return to port greatly damaged.* How wonderful is his goodness to his unworthy creatures! O let it prove salvation to us! Neither would we forget his recent appearance for us in Wales, when he caused twelve hundred troops, who had made good a landing on that coast, to lay down their arms, and surrender themselves as prisoners of war, when only opposed by the militia and the country people, rising in a mass against them. How easily, if not prevented by the God of battles, might the enemy have overcome. O Lord, may these memorable instances of thy goodness to us be written in indelible characters upon our hearts; and appear in our lives by universal obedience to thy commands. Without this thorough reformation, by the faith of the gospel, though the fatal blow may be suspended for a season, it must take place; and we may fear, with double severity, after having rendered ourselves doubly guilty by resisting every effort made for our deliverance.

April 14. Sabbath last, I was glad to go to the house of God

acquired for the British admiral the appropriate title of Earl of St. Vincent. Baine's History of the War, b. ii, ch. i, p. 181.

*This gracious interposition of Providence deserves to be farther noticed. "The republican government of France, perceiving a crisis in the situation of Ireland more favourable to the success of an invasion than any which had occurred since the French revolution, seized that occasion to strike a blow of no common importance. Fifteen thousand chosen troops, under the command of Hoche, were embarked at Brest, on the 15th December, 1796; intended to act on their arrival with a body of the disaffected Irish, who were known to be considerable in numbers, and organized for insurrection by chiefs of talents and intrepidity. Every thing being prepared, Admiral Villaret Joyeuse set sail from Brest with eighteen sail of the line, beside frigates and transports, while the general embarked with his staff on board the frigate La Fraternité. The wind at first was favourable; but scarcely had the expedition left the outer harbour, when a storm arose which dispersed the fleet, and separating the frigate which carried Hoche, obliged him to escape into the harbour of Rochelle, after weathering a dangerous cruise, and being chased by two British vessels. Of the whole fleet, only eight two-deckers reached the coast of Ireland, under Admiral Bouvet, who appeared off Bantry Bay, but was forced from that situa tion in a few days by tempestuous weather, and obliged to return to France without effecting a landing. In this disastrous expedition the French lost not less than three ships of the line and three frigates from the adverse elements."-Baine's History of the War, b.i, ch. xxii. p. 167.

in the morning, though my expectations were not fully answered. On coming home soon after, I went to prayer with a Christian friend, without any enlarged expectations. Yet my gracious God and Father broke into my soul in a wonderful manner; and so clearly appeared to the eye of faith, as seated on a throne of grace, willing to hear and help, as astonished me; and, if I may so express it, held out the sceptre of mercy, as a token of love and gracious acceptance, as King Ahasuerus did of old to Esther. This passage of Scripture immediately occurred to my mind; but O, how different the condescension: the latter was but an earthly monarch, though he reigned over twenty-seven provinces; the former, the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God. A solemn, deep, yet sweet sense of the divine presence penetrated my whole soul; and, through mercy I have never since lost the glorious view. O that it may prove transforming, and that I may be enabled to walk more humbly and closely with God than ever.

May 12. O God, how good, how strong art thou. On Thursday had a sweet season in secret prayer. Soon after, my soul was much blessed with the perusal of a Christian friend's letter, highly favoured of the Lord. Jehovah drew nigh, and my soul felt as if set on fire; not only in point of strong desire, but of enjoyment. It was a precious season. Soon after, when joining a few Christian friends in prayer, praise, and Christian conversation, I found the place rendered sacred by the divine presence; while my God set clearly before me that inward life the Christian is called to live by faith in Jesus, and gave me a rich taste of it. I felt sinking into Deity, losing myself in the ocean of divine love; while Jehovah seemed to fill all space. In the evening, when in secret before God, he again repeated his wonderful goodness; felt so near, so manifested his divine presence, as I can nowise express or explain. O Lord, grant great and permanent effects; let it not pass away unimproved, as too many of these wonderful and gracious manifestations have done; at least, not so much improved as they might have been, had I been more faithful. O Lord, I have daily cause of humiliation before thee; yet this does not prevent thy flow of mercy How wonderful thy goodness, for Christ's sake, to thy poor dust and ashes. I would lie low before thee, and lament my unworthiness and unfaithfulness.

to me.

June 30. (Friday.) I have reason to bless the Lord for a sweet sense of his love shed abroad in my heart, with a deep, very deep consciousness of his goodness, both with respect to public and private affairs. Truly my meditations upon these doings of the Lord have been very comfortable. With respect to the former, I seem to have a sweet notice from on high, that public calamities have been retarded, our tranquillity lengthened, and many remarkable interpositions in behalf of our country