My soul is longing exceedingly to "grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ," that He may be magnified in my body by life and by death; and that my few remaining days on earth may be just a breathing of Him, as the apostle says, "that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Cor. v. 15).

It was kind of you to send me the poems. I thank you for them, and for your letter, which is very sweet. One part has been, and is, peculiarly profitable to my soul. I think you wrote in the liberty of the Spirit; and He has blessed it, making it to me a sweet savour of Christ, as was also your preaching and converse. It is only Jesus that will do for me now; and I find Him sufficient to make me joyful even in tribulation. Often does He fill me with joy unspeakable and full of glory. "O! what a friend is Christ to me!" Very soon I hope to see Him face to face; and my spirit says, "Come Lord Jesus, come quickly."

I cannot forget how astonished I was to find you so much led into my darling theme of union and oneness with Jesus. Oh! I do long to get more into the experience of those blessed depths, and am most thankful for any help that way, feeling how little I yet know. I believe the Lord sent you here to talk of those precious things, which He further opened to me afterwards. I have much enjoyed thinking about there being but one heart and one mouth in the Church. Last week was a blessed one to my soul. By night and by day the heavenly Teacher was opening in the Scriptures the wonders of union, and favouring me with sweet communion, which was Christ exalting and Christ endearing. I hope the dew still rests upon your branch, and that it is with you as with the disciples, when they lifted up their eyes and saw no man, save Jesus only.

secrets of that book The Lord bless you,

May the blessed Spirit sweetly open in your heart the which the anointed Head gave to the minister, closed. and make you a blessing, and give you to live in His will. He is our exceeding joy; and the joy of the Lord is our strength. The Lord Jesus be with thy spirit.

In our precious heavenly Boaz, I remain,

His own gleaner,

RUTH.

VITAL GODLINESS.

WHAT is all religion short of the Spirit's working in the heart "to will and to do of His own good pleasure? The religion held in such repute in this so-called day of light is merely "a fair show in the flesh." The great apostle Paul, writing to his son in the faith, warned him of some having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; and in a very decided manner told him how to act: "From such turn away (Tim xi. 3, 5.) I think it would be well if our brethren would attend more to the word of God, and stand up for the power of godliness, instead of parleying so much with the devil in supporting flesh and blood systems. It appears to me that Satan never appeared in so deceptive a form as at present. We hear from both pulpit and

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press of great revivals, of much good being done,-the cause of God prospering, the kingdom of Christ extending, and thousands turning from darkness to light;-all very pleasing and gratifying to hear, were they realities. But alas! alas! there lacks vitality; the power is wanting; the unction absent; and, as Hart writes,

"The child of fancy finely dressed,

But not the living child !"

We read in scripture of some having a zeal, but not according to knowledge. Surely it may be applied to these times. Enter the church or chapel of the most fiery, popular, and zealous of the mis-called evangelical ministers, and what is to be heard? Anything, and almost everything, but Christ! What would that dear saint of God, Mary, say, if she could rise, and hear some of the most eloquent of our pulpit orators? There is no doubt it would be, They have taken away my Lord." A sermon without Christ pleases the devil well. He cares not how many churches and chapels are built, nor how many attend them, provided Christ is kept in the background. It is Christ he hates; it is Christ he dreads; it is at Christ he trembles. When he is brought forward, Satan roars; for he knows his kingdom is in jeopardy. It matters not what a man preaches, if Christ is not the sum and substance, Satan will let him go on in peace. But let a man, taught of God, sent of God, and under the anointing of God the Holy Ghost, go forth, "determined to know nothing among men, but Jesus Christ and Him crucified," and what is the effect? The Word taking the precious from the vile, all Hell is up in arms, men show their enmity to God's own truth, hate the servant delivering it, and would, if not prevented by law, tie him to the stake.

The natural man is a living proof of scripture, wherein it declares, “The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7.), which enmity will ever remain, unless slain by that Omnipotent hand wielding the sword of the Spirit. The apostle Paul knew as much of the power of godliness as any man, and yet we find he was breathing out the language of his heart in saying, "That I may know Him;" as though the knowledge he had attained, compared with what there remained to know, was as a drop of the ocean. How true it is we now know but in part; but how choice the mercy, we have the promise of knowing "even as we are known." O, to experience more of the reality and vitality of religion! May we be more taken up with the glories, beauties, and excellencies of Jesus, constantly delighting ourselves in the Lord. How sweetly adapted is a precious Christ to an undone sinner, as saith the poet, "None but Jesus can do helpless sinners good." It is plain from scripture there can be no unction, no power, no sweetness, or nearness of access to God, only as we stand related to Him in love's indissoluble bond, which cements the living members to their living head Christ; for it is in Him we live, move, and have our being, spiritually. Without Him we can do nothing; but we can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth us. May He then become, according to the word, our "all and in all," that we may, with Mary, sit at His dear feet, which is indeed an enviable position.

"'Tis joy enough, my all in all,

At Thy dear feet to lie;

Thou wilt not let me lower fall,

And none can higher fly.

Think, O my soul, if 'tis so sweet,

On earth to sit at Jesu's feet,
What must it be to wear a crown,
And sit with Jesus on His throne?"

To sit down with Him in His kingdom will be blessed indeed. To live in

everlasting oneness with Christ in glory, crowned with the same crown as Himself, cannot be even faintly imagined below. To see Him as He is and be like Him far excels all thought to conceive. Well may it be said, "Happy is that people that is in such a case; yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord' (Psalm. clxiv. 15).

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To enjoy vital godliness we must be as much united to Christ as the branch is to the vine (John xv. 14.); or as the members to the body (Ephs. iv. 16). To live, walk, and talk in Christ we must be one with Him, even as the Father is in Christ, and He in the Father (John. xvii. 21). To be satisfied with "Jesus only we must know our completeness in Him. To live in glory with Him, we must stand in the Holiness of God (Heb. xii. 10). To be accepted of the Father we must stand where He dwells; and where does the Father dwell? In Christ (John xvii. 23). To enjoy the sun of righteousness, we must be children of the day (1 Thess, v. 5). To understand divine mysteries, Christ the mystery must be in us. That the dear Lord may go on to reveal Himself in the heart of His own people is the sincere desire of the YOUNGER BROTHER.

London.

A SONG OF ZION.

O, He is so soul endearing!

And His looks of love so sweet!
When He speaks, His words are cheering,
Causing bliss, ah, bliss complete !
Precious earnest

Of our long prepared seat.

When in depths of trouble sighing,

When o'erwhelmed with doubt and fear;

How He hears our bitter crying,
And with smiling face draws near,
Sweetly whispering,

"It is I, be of good cheer."

Then we hold such sweet communion
With our Saviour, brother, friend;
Sing His love, the bond of union,
Matchless love without an end;
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah's now ascend.

A LETTER FROM AN AFFLICTED BROTHER.

MY DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST JESUS,

Although in myself I have nothing, yet in Christ I possess all things. He who is bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, is our rich elder Brother, Father, Saviour, and Friend.. I am poor and needy, but this dear Friend thinketh on me;

"And though I have Him oft forgot

His loving kindness changeth not."

Never, my brother, since I have known the Lord, have I proved so much of His love and mercy, as during the eight years and three months of my

bodily affliction. Not one thing has failed. He hath led me about to humble and instruct me. Never did I feel so needy, weak, and helpless as now; but bless the dear Lord, I am favoured at times to go in unto the King; and the Holy Ghost takes of the things of Christ, and shews them to me,-even His love, His mercy, and the exceeding riches of His grace; that, with David, "I will sing of mercy and judgement; unto thee, O Lord, will I sing."

I received the post-office order quite safe. Our hearts were humbled and melted down at the mercy and goodness of our faithful covenant God. In His name I thank you, my brother, together with the two kind friends; and may the Lord recompense your work of faith, and labour of love, by blessing you in basket and in store.

I am very ill, in much pain, and weary. I am drawing nearer and nearer our Father's house above. "Hitherto the Lord hath helped me;" and I bless His dear name for all the way He hath led me. "O give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever!" "In all their afflictions He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them and carried them all the days of old." All hail, beloved! I will mention the lovingkindness of the Lord, and tell of His matchless grace to me a worthless sinner. A few things I have found in the furnace; a few handfulls of covenant purposes dropped for

me.

"Come unto me all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what He hath done for my soul." I sought the Lord, and He heard me; I was brought low and He helped me." The following portion the Lord gave me: "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee nor forsake thee." For days my soul fed on the precious words; it was a drop of honey from the Rock Christ,-a crumb from my Father's table,-a cluster of Eschol's grapes; so that I could say with the prophet, "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; yea, my soul fed on love, blood, and power, causing me to sing of renewing grace, and delivering mercy, whilst seated by the still waters, finding His fruit sweet to my taste. Our Jesus knows how to speak a word in season to those who are weary. Again I was minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow; and again the dear Lord helped me. Bless His dear name, "He turneth the wilderness into a fruitful field, and the dry land into springs of water."

One morning, when reading Heb. vi. 11-20, such light shone upon the word, such nearness I enjoyed through Christ the mediator, that I drew near by precious faith, and entered within the veil by blood divine. It was a feast of fat things to my soul. I was favoured even to sit at His feet all the day.

In the evening these precious words, "Hereafter ye shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God, ascending and descending upon the Son of Man," were dropped so sweetly into my heart that my cup ran over. In meditation I was led to Jacob's ladder; then to Stephen; who, "when filled with the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God." The first portion I trust has been enjoyed in drawing nigh by faith, and seeing the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; the other I am waiting for, knowing that, after I have suffered His will below, I shall rise to see Him as He is. O, to be filled with His Spirit, and kept steadfastly "looking unto Jesus!"

On Saturday last, these words were sweet to me: "And the days of thy

mourning shall be ended." Yes, my brother, these light afflictions are but for a moment.

"A few more rolling suns at most,

Will land me on fair Canaan's coast;
There we shall sing the song of grace,
And see our glorious hiding-place."

I must now say farewell. May the dear Lord be with you, make you strong to labour, bless you with many children (in the faith), and make you acceptable to your brethren, is the prayer of your afflicted brother,

Sturry, near Canterbury.

SAMUEL FOSTER.

[The above letter was sent to me, and I enjoyed it. Not wishing, however, to eat the morsel alone, I have sent it forth, trusting the dear Lord will make it useful to His own loved and blood-bought family. I have known the writer about two years, and have great cause to bless the Lord that He ever led me to call at this afflicted saint's house. He has been suffering from an internal disease for nearly nine years, and is quite prostrate, -not able, I think, to raise himself in the bed. His means of subsistence is very scanty; but his covenant God has in many very mysterious ways supplied all his need, agreeable to Phil. iv. 19.

I will now relate a few things in connection with this dear saint which came under my immediate notice, that the Lord's hand may be seen, both in supplying him at the needed moment, and rewarding me many fold. My first acquaintance arose from going to Canterbury to ministerially break the bread of life. Having been told one Lord's day, while at that city, of this bed-ridden saint at Sturry, and of his expressing a wish to see me, I felt a desire in my heart to call upon him, when an opportunity presented itself. The time appointed for the first visit soon arrived. Although nature could but regret seeing a man, in what is termed "the prime of life," so helpless, suffering burning pain within; yet I saw too much wisdom displayed in the case before me to say, "What doest thou?" I found him to be a monument of grace, an heir of heaven, a loved, blood-bought, and Spirit-taught child of God, and one whom He loves. O, the preciousness of the love that forms the bundle of life, in which we all dwell together in sweetest unity! It is impossible for us to fall out by the Way, there obeying the apostle's injunction, "Love as brethren." I promised to call the next time I came to Canterbury, but was unavoidably prevented. The following week, while thinking it over, and regretting not having called, also fearing he would be disappointed, both from not having seen me, and the deprivation consequent upon my non-administering to his necessities, I thought that if I had called he would have had ten shillings. Is he, I thought, to suffer need because I was prevented from visiting him? That must not be. I therefore sent a post-office order for ten shillings, which proved to be at a needed time; and in less than a week I had five pounds given me, fulfilling Mark ix. 41. I could but trace the hand of God in so striking an instance of his watching over our minutest concerns, by giving liberally the needful things of time, and upbraiding not. At another time a similar circumstance occurred, only with this difference, I felt rather reluctant about sending ten shillings, being short of money myself. However, it was sent; and the next week I had six pounds ten shillings given me; also on one or two other occasions I have received either just the amount given or double. Above all, it is through