pened six years ago. I was then at Cork, in Ireland, and had a tolerable income, and therefore could spare the money; but am now very sorry I did not better employ both my time and money.

You ask me, sir, if there is no redemption in the Catholic Church, unless it is purchased? I answer, No; for they believe that, if they do not satisfy God with prayers, fasting, and alms, in this world, or leave money for the priests to do it after their death, or that of their relations, they must remain in purgatory till they have paid the utmost farthing by suffering. And this, sir, was what I once believed; and thought with myself, that when I died, if I had not satisfied God for all my sins, I should be excluded his blessed presence until I had atoned for all my crimes by enduring the torments of that place. And this is what I thought was purgatory, and that I should then be received into heaven. So you see, dear sir, that this purgatory was a well-spun device of Satan, which never once seemed to want any thing but the works of the flesh to get to heaven: for although, in the Catholic persuasion, for religion it is none, their whole ceremony is nothing but the imitation of the passion, as they call it, or suffering, of our blessed Saviour; and though they have continually a cross before them, which, they say, is to put them in mind that Christ died for them; they never once raise their thoughts to God. I speak for myself, and I think, I may speak for them all: for, if they did,

they would trust in him, and look to him, for salvation; and would soon see, as I now do, that they never can get to heaven but through Christ; and would find that there is no need of a crucifix to put them in mind of Christ's death; for they would find such comfort in the faith of it, that it would hardly be ever out of their minds; and they would wait, and think the time very long, till Jesus told them he died for them, as I do, for, dear sir, I find there is one thing wanting to make me completely happy; notwithstanding, at times, I have great comfort, and can see plainly that the Lord careth for me.

I received several answers to prayer after I had read your Bank of Faith, and was frequently enabled to trust in the providence of God; and, if I did not get what I prayed for or wanted, I was led to believe I was happier without it. In this manner I went on. I begged Mrs. C. would let me come to the chapel some sacrament Sunday, which she did, and I sat in one of the free seats; but, during the ordinance, I felt myself very unhappy in being excluded, and secretly wished for the crumbs that fell from the table. The Lord then told me, that this was the way of administering that ordinance, and not with the host. I then begged Mrs. C. to ask if I might be admitted to speak to you. She told me, I had better write; but, not knowing how or what to write, I therefore declined it. I begged the Lord to direct me, as I had now learned to pray with

out a book; and I soon saw the effects of my prayers, both in providence and grace, as you well know by my present situation; and, blessed be God! I have been enabled, when passing through the streets, to return him my most humble and hearty thanks for his mercies. And one morning, after having had some very severe trials in domestic affairs, as if a voice had spoken to me in the street, I was saying to myself 'What must I do to appear genteel in this new line of life I am going into?' The voice said "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." But, having two doors opened in providence at once, I was puzzled to know which situation to choose. On my knees, I begged the Lord to direct me, and to choose for me, and to let me make choice of that which would turn out most for my soul's good. I now began to be so fond of Providence Chapel, that its very name seemed to point out which place I was to choose; but I left it to the Lord. I could now call upon God in prayer, and find myself greatly relieved. It was the Lord's will that I should get the place I am now in; which led me to see that the Lord appoints all things, and fixes the bounds of our habitation.

These are some of the things which I had seen. in my dream; but, I trust, there is more meant by the dream than mere providences. The Lord make me grateful and thankful for all his benefits;

and may I never forget the many favours I have received at his hands.

I hope, dear sir, you will excuse my delay in writing, as I am much engaged in the affairs of this life. Blessed be his holy name, who hath made me a willing hearer; and

Your ever grateful daughter,

In Christ Jesus,

LETTER XLVII.

To Mrs. J. C.

J. C.

IR

DEAR DAUGHTER IN THE FAITH,

RECEIVED yours. Make no apologies for not answering mine before. Business must be minded. God joins diligence in business and fervour in spirit together. As the Spirit of God flows into the heart, the spirit of the world creeps out. The hands can work for men, while God keeps possession of the heart; and, as heavenly things gain esteem, the things of the world grow into

contempt: "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is of God; that we may know the things that are freely given us of God," 1 Cor. ii. 12. A believing view of Christ crucified, crucifies us to the world, and the world to us. When a soul lives to God, he dies to these things. Where the joys of heaven flourish, earthly joys wither. May the Lord continue these vanities in the same contemptuous light in which they now appear, and then thou wilt dwell on high, and see the King in his beauty, and the land which is very far off. The wise man's words will be verified; "The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath."

Thou art indebted to the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, for every consolation. It is he that unstops the deaf ear, clothes his word with power, sends the joyful sound into the heart, and fastens his word, as a nail. in a sure place. Pardon, peace, and reconciliation, are joyful tidings to a sin-sick soul; they are Solomon's good news from a far country, which is as cold water to a thirsty soul.

When God breathes on the senseless sinner the breath of life, he can no more live without prayer than a beggar can live without bread. It is the work of the Holy Ghost to draw the soul upward. When the mind is once influenced by the Divine Spirit, nothing but divinity can satisfy it. "My soul thirsteth for God, yea, for the living God," saith the Psalmist: "when shall I